A ergonomia pode ser aplicada de diversas formas, tais como na fase inicial de um projeto, quando se aplica a ergonomia de concepção; como uma intervenção, procurando corrigir algum problema existente ou aproveitando outras mudanças para atribuir aspectos ergonômicos; ou na forma de melhoria contínua, em que entram a ergonomia participativa e de conscientização. Entretanto uma das principais barreiras encontradas pela ergonomia, ao introduzir-se no ambiente industrial, é a dificuldade em contabilizar, em termos financeiros, os benefícios que podem ser gerados pela sua aplicação. A partir da metodologia proposta pela SAABEPE, foi possível determinarem-se as condições que uma empresa apresenta para avaliar economicamente projetos de ergonomia por meio da verificação da presença de um conjunto de indicadores, bem como pela investigação de sua origem e lógica de uso na gestão da empresa. O objetivo deste trabalho é evidenciar as condições que as empresas possuem para executar esse tipo de avaliação de acordo com as informações existentes em seu sistema de gestão. O diferencial deste trabalho está na aplicação da metodologia que focalizou médias e pequenas empresas, assim, realizando estudo de casos em duas empresas. Percebeu-se que a empresa de médio porte conta com um volume de informações maior que a outra, apesar de as duas possuírem informações que possibilitam a avaliação de projetos de ergonomia. Com base no levantamento das informações, foram indicadas melhorias com a intenção de que as empresas obtenham um banco de dados mais completo para avaliar projetos de ergonomia. / The ergonomics may exist in different ways, such as in the early stage of a project, while the ergonomic design is applied; as an intervention, trying to correct some existing problem or taking advantage of other changes to assign ergonomics; or even in the form of continuous improvement, they enter awareness and participatory ergonomics. However one of the main barriers faced by ergonomics to be introduced in the industrial environment is the difficulty in accounting, in financial terms, the benefits that may be generated by the application. From the methodology proposed by SAABEPE, it was possible to determine whether the conditions that a company has to economically evaluate ergonomic designs by verifying the presence of a set of indicators, as well as the investigation of their origin and use in the management logic company. The objective of this work is to show the conditions that companies have to perform this type of evaluation in accordance with existing information management system. The differential of this work is the application of the methodology which focused on small-sized and medium-sized firms conducting case studies in two companies. It was noticed that the medium-sized company has a greater volume of information than the other, although both have information that could support the financial evaluation of ergonomics. Based on survey information, it was suggested improvements with the intention of companies to obtain a database of more complete data to evaluate ergonomics.

abstract: This thesis provides a cost to benefit analysis of the proposed next generation of distribution systems- the Future Renewable Electric Energy Distribution Management (FREEDM) system. With the increasing penetration of renewable energy sources onto the grid, it becomes necessary to have an infrastructure that allows for easy integration of these resources coupled with features like enhanced reliability of the system and fast pro-tection from faults. The Solid State Transformer (SST) and the Fault Isolation Device (FID) make for the core of the FREEDM system and have huge investment costs. Some key features of the FREEDM system include improved power flow control, compact design and unity power factor operation. Customers may observe a reduction in the electricity bill by a certain fraction for using renewable sources of generation. There is also a possibility of huge subsidies given to encourage use of renewable energy. This thesis is an attempt to quantify the benefits offered by the FREEDM system in monetary terms and to calculate the time in years required to gain a return on investments made. The elevated cost of FIDs needs to be justified by the advantages they offer. The result of different rates of interest and how they influence the payback period is also studied. The payback periods calculated are observed for viability. A comparison is made between the active power losses on a certain distribution feeder that makes use of distribution level magnetic transformers versus one that makes use of SSTs. The reduction in the annual active power losses in the case of the feeder using SSTs is translated onto annual savings in terms of cost when compared to the conventional case with magnetic transformers. Since the FREEDM system encourages operation at unity power factor, the need for installing capacitor banks for improving the power factor is eliminated and this re-flects in savings in terms of cost. The FREEDM system offers enhanced reliability when compared to a conventional system. The payback periods observed support the concept of introducing the FREEDM system. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Electrical Engineering 2015

A ergonomia pode ser aplicada de diversas formas, tais como na fase inicial de um projeto, quando se aplica a ergonomia de concepção; como uma intervenção, procurando corrigir algum problema existente ou aproveitando outras mudanças para atribuir aspectos ergonômicos; ou na forma de melhoria contínua, em que entram a ergonomia participativa e de conscientização. Entretanto uma das principais barreiras encontradas pela ergonomia, ao introduzir-se no ambiente industrial, é a dificuldade em contabilizar, em termos financeiros, os benefícios que podem ser gerados pela sua aplicação. A partir da metodologia proposta pela SAABEPE, foi possível determinarem-se as condições que uma empresa apresenta para avaliar economicamente projetos de ergonomia por meio da verificação da presença de um conjunto de indicadores, bem como pela investigação de sua origem e lógica de uso na gestão da empresa. O objetivo deste trabalho é evidenciar as condições que as empresas possuem para executar esse tipo de avaliação de acordo com as informações existentes em seu sistema de gestão. O diferencial deste trabalho está na aplicação da metodologia que focalizou médias e pequenas empresas, assim, realizando estudo de casos em duas empresas. Percebeu-se que a empresa de médio porte conta com um volume de informações maior que a outra, apesar de as duas possuírem informações que possibilitam a avaliação de projetos de ergonomia. Com base no levantamento das informações, foram indicadas melhorias com a intenção de que as empresas obtenham um banco de dados mais completo para avaliar projetos de ergonomia. / The ergonomics may exist in different ways, such as in the early stage of a project, while the ergonomic design is applied; as an intervention, trying to correct some existing problem or taking advantage of other changes to assign ergonomics; or even in the form of continuous improvement, they enter awareness and participatory ergonomics. However one of the main barriers faced by ergonomics to be introduced in the industrial environment is the difficulty in accounting, in financial terms, the benefits that may be generated by the application. From the methodology proposed by SAABEPE, it was possible to determine whether the conditions that a company has to economically evaluate ergonomic designs by verifying the presence of a set of indicators, as well as the investigation of their origin and use in the management logic company. The objective of this work is to show the conditions that companies have to perform this type of evaluation in accordance with existing information management system. The differential of this work is the application of the methodology which focused on small-sized and medium-sized firms conducting case studies in two companies. It was noticed that the medium-sized company has a greater volume of information than the other, although both have information that could support the financial evaluation of ergonomics. Based on survey information, it was suggested improvements with the intention of companies to obtain a database of more complete data to evaluate ergonomics.

A ergonomia pode ser aplicada de diversas formas, tais como na fase inicial de um projeto, quando se aplica a ergonomia de concepção; como uma intervenção, procurando corrigir algum problema existente ou aproveitando outras mudanças para atribuir aspectos ergonômicos; ou na forma de melhoria contínua, em que entram a ergonomia participativa e de conscientização. Entretanto uma das principais barreiras encontradas pela ergonomia, ao introduzir-se no ambiente industrial, é a dificuldade em contabilizar, em termos financeiros, os benefícios que podem ser gerados pela sua aplicação. A partir da metodologia proposta pela SAABEPE, foi possível determinarem-se as condições que uma empresa apresenta para avaliar economicamente projetos de ergonomia por meio da verificação da presença de um conjunto de indicadores, bem como pela investigação de sua origem e lógica de uso na gestão da empresa. O objetivo deste trabalho é evidenciar as condições que as empresas possuem para executar esse tipo de avaliação de acordo com as informações existentes em seu sistema de gestão. O diferencial deste trabalho está na aplicação da metodologia que focalizou médias e pequenas empresas, assim, realizando estudo de casos em duas empresas. Percebeu-se que a empresa de médio porte conta com um volume de informações maior que a outra, apesar de as duas possuírem informações que possibilitam a avaliação de projetos de ergonomia. Com base no levantamento das informações, foram indicadas melhorias com a intenção de que as empresas obtenham um banco de dados mais completo para avaliar projetos de ergonomia. / The ergonomics may exist in different ways, such as in the early stage of a project, while the ergonomic design is applied; as an intervention, trying to correct some existing problem or taking advantage of other changes to assign ergonomics; or even in the form of continuous improvement, they enter awareness and participatory ergonomics. However one of the main barriers faced by ergonomics to be introduced in the industrial environment is the difficulty in accounting, in financial terms, the benefits that may be generated by the application. From the methodology proposed by SAABEPE, it was possible to determine whether the conditions that a company has to economically evaluate ergonomic designs by verifying the presence of a set of indicators, as well as the investigation of their origin and use in the management logic company. The objective of this work is to show the conditions that companies have to perform this type of evaluation in accordance with existing information management system. The differential of this work is the application of the methodology which focused on small-sized and medium-sized firms conducting case studies in two companies. It was noticed that the medium-sized company has a greater volume of information than the other, although both have information that could support the financial evaluation of ergonomics. Based on survey information, it was suggested improvements with the intention of companies to obtain a database of more complete data to evaluate ergonomics.

The study, on which this paper is based upon, has analyzed the implementation and feasibility of the European Employment Price Index (EEPI) in Austria. The European Employment Price Index is a Laspeyres measure of the change in the demand-transaction price of the standardized unit of labor. We find that it is feasible to construct the index with the available company data with an approximate lag length of five month. Most data were easily accessible within firms, with the exception of severance payments, company pensions, and hypothetical costs. Only 228 observations are required to obtain an aggregate EEPI for Austria within +/- one percentage point at the 95 % significance level, whilst some 4800 observations are necessary for disaggregate series, enormously increasing costs of provision.

This compilation dissertation consists of four essays with the common theme of welfare analysis of long-term public investments. The first two essays focus on analysis of climate change mitigation, i.e., the social cost of carbon dioxide. The third essay focuses on cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of transport investment projects, while the last essay takes a broader perspective on welfare analysis.

This research studies delegation in outpatient physiotherapy and attempts to solve its deficiency by designing a theoretical model of constructive delegation (CD model). The CD model is functional and uses a systematic and rational approach to plan the level of delegation by using task and cost-benefit analysis and it supports delegation dynamically by organising training, working partnerships, communications and the working environment. An initial survey of tasks carried out by physiotherapists and assistants at ten sites found inconsistent approaches to delegation, with 80% of physiotherapists expressing concerns. This mirrored similar experiences in the literature where there was evidence of some delegation of technical clinical tasks, but also resistance within the profession. Generally in the literature delegation was defined and eluded to, but was not constructed in order to provide a planned system. The CD model was offered as a tool to, by construction, implement delegation safely and without loss of quality to ensure appropriate skills for appropriate tasks and to analyse current practice and implicitly suggest improvements.

Aplikace standardní metody CBA na zamýšlené olympijské hry v Praze v roce 2016. Ocenění socioekonomických nákladů a přínosů, externalit a významných ekonomických toků projektu. Provedení citlivostní analýzy a analýzy rizik. Sestavení závěrečného rozpočtu her a jeho posouzení dle kriteriálních ukazatelů pro hodnocení investic.

Objective: This study aimed to project the societal cost and benefit of an expansion of a water access intervention that promotes lunchtime plain water consumption by placing water dispensers in New York school cafeterias to all schools nationwide. Methods: A decision model was constructed to simulate two events under Markov chain processes – placing water dispensers at lunchtimes in school cafeterias nationwide vs. no action. The incremental cost pertained to water dispenser purchase and maintenance, whereas the incremental benefit was resulted from cases of childhood overweight/obesity prevented and corresponding lifetime direct (medical) and indirect costs saved. Results: Based on the decision model, the estimated incremental cost of the school-based water access intervention is $18 per student, and the corresponding incremental benefit is $192, resulting in a net benefit of $174 per student. Subgroup analysis estimates the net benefit per student to be $199 and $149 among boys and girls, respectively. Nationwide adoption of the intervention would prevent 0.57 million cases of childhood overweight, resulting in a lifetime cost saving totalling $13.1 billion. The estimated total cost saved per dollar spent was $14.5. Conclusion: The New York school-based water access intervention, if adopted nationwide, may have a considerably favourable benefit–cost portfolio.

Projections show that to feed a growing population which is expected to reach 9.1 billion in 2050 would require raising overall food production by some 70 percent by 2050. One of the possible ways to increase agricultural production is through increasing yields by expanding irrigation. This study assesses the potential costs and benefits associated with sustainable groundwater abstraction to provide for irrigation.The feasibility of groundwater abstraction is determined using a combination of three indicators:groundwater recharge, groundwater quality (salinity) and sustainability (no depletion). Global groundwater recharge estimates used, are simulated with the Lund-Potsdam-Jena dynamic global vegetation model with managed lands (LPJmL). The cost of groundwater abstraction is determinedon a spatially explicit scale on global level at a grid resolution of 0.5°. Groundwater abstraction cost is divided into two parts: capital costs and operational costs. The potential benefit of increased water supply for irrigation is given by the water shadow price which is determined by using a Model of Agricultural Production and its Impact on the Environment (MAgPIE). The water shadow price for water is calculated in areas where irrigation water is scarce based on the potential increase in agricultural production through additional water and it reflects the production value of an additional unit of water. The water shadow price is given on a 0.5° grid resolution in US $/m3. Combining the cost of abstraction and the water shadow price, the benefit cost ratio is calculated globally on a spatially explicit scale to determine where investment in groundwater irrigation wouldbe beneficial. Finally, the results are analysed in global, regional and country perspectives. The results show that groundwater abstraction is beneficial for an area of 135 million hectares which is around 8.8% of the total crop area in the year 2005. Europe show the highest potential with an area of ~ 50 million hectares with a majority of the area located in France, Italy, Germany and Poland. Second is North America with an area of ~ 43.5 million hectares located in the Eastern states where the irrigation infrastructure is less developed as compared to the Western states. Sub-Saharan Africa shows a potential of ~ 15.4 million hectares in the Southern and Eastern countries of Zimbabwe, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia and some parts of South Africa. South Asia despite extensive groundwater extraction shows only a moderate potential of ~ 9 million hectares, mostly located in India whereas China shows almost no potential. This is due to extensive groundwater depleted areas which were removed from the analysis and low water shadow prices which made abstraction not beneficial. Well installation costs play an important role in developing countries in regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, where a reduction in costs would lead to an increase in area by more than 30%. Subsidy analyses shows that substantial increase in crop land areas where a benefit cost ratio >1 takes place in India with subsidised energy prices but this effect is found to be negligible in Mexico. This study is, to the author’s knowledge, the first to assess the benefit cost ratio of groundwater abstraction on a global scale by determining spatially explicit abstraction costs. The results show that a great potential for groundwater abstraction exists in all regions despite problems of groundwater depletion due to disparity in distribution and development of groundwater resources. Energy subsidies and cheap well installation techniques are the two factors that could bring down the abstraction costs which are quite important in developing regions where farm incomes are low. Also, groundwater irrigation potential not only exists in arid areas of Africa and South Asia where irrigation is needed but also in humid areas of Europe and North America where groundwater irrigation can play an important role in building resilience to events of drought. However, it is essential to not to follow the path that has led to groundwater depletion in many parts of the world and develop this potential in a sustainable way through groundwater use regulations, policies and efficient technologies.