Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-158). / As a large-scale, long-term transportation project, the Chuo Shinkansen Maglev Project in Japan includes various uncertainties. Among them, two major uncertainties are identified in this thesis: the uncertainty of demand and the risk of R&D. Because each Maglev train requires a dedicated Power Conversion System (PCS) but a different one as it moves along the route, it is required to estimate the future demand accurately to determine the number of PCSs to construct. At the same time, the R&D to advance the technologies of PCS has the possibility of improving the project value by enabling staged flexible system development strategies. Since it is difficult to correctly estimate demand and R&D results, a framework that can evaluate projects with explicit considerations of these uncertainties is needed. In the light of the above background, this thesis develops a quantitative model that is appropriate for evaluating the Chuo Shinkansen Project. More specifically, this thesis applies the hybrid real options model, which is suitable for appraising projects with both market risks and R&D risks, in an innovative manner, addressing four major complexities that arise when applying the model to the project: / (cont.) the difficulty of estimating the demand of a new train system, identification of the possible system designs that vary depending on R&D results, necessity to incorporate capacity constraints into analysis, and the selection of the appropriate discount rate. Analyzing the data and the characteristics of the Chuo Shinkansen Project, this thesis develops an evaluation model that addresses above issues. Using the quantitative analytic model developed herein and assuming reasonable estimates of R&D costs, probability of success in R&D project, demand growth, volatility of demand, and the discount rate, this thesis estimates the value of the Chuo Shinkansen Project and concludes that it will be advantageous to invest in the R&D of the PCS technology despite its large cost. The thesis also conducts sensitivity analyses to demonstrate how the evaluation model developed in this thesis can be used to analyze the effects, on the project value, of changes in the probability of R&D success (in relation to R&D costs), demand growth and its volatility, and the discount rate, to obtain implications for the development strategies for the Chuo Shinkansen Project. / by Masaki Ishii. / S.M.

Thesis: M. Eng. in Logistics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 90-91). / Supply chain resiliency is a relatively new field within supply chain management. Many quantitative and qualitative resiliency frameworks are available. However, there is a need for a hybrid framework that provides a more comprehensive resiliency assessment. In this thesis, we attempt to synthesize important features from different assessment frameworks and develop a hybrid resiliency assessment framework that more comprehensively addresses resiliency assessment. Our proposed framework combines quantitative assessment with a qualitative assessment to create a single Balanced Scorecard of Resiliency (BSR). We deployed the quantitative assessment of the BSR framework in a single commodity supply chain of ABC Company, and were able to compute the expected business impact risk of each node. We also aggregated across multiple nodes to assess the expected business impacts of each of the facilities, suppliers and locations of ABC Company's supply chain, and identify the critical entities in the supply chain for mitigation planning. For the critical facilities, suppliers, and locations, we developed response curves of the expected business impact for key parameters to identify the best mitigation options and the extent of investments. Lastly, we used a supply chain visualization tool called Sourcemap to visualize the expected business impact risk in both a map view and supply network view. Our quantitative assessment of resiliency allowed us to gain insights and generate recommendations for improving ABC Company's supply chain resiliency. / by Jaspar Siu and Santosh Stephen. / M. Eng. in Logistics

Thesis: Ph. D. in Strategy, Innovation, and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2015. / Submitted to the Interdepartmental Thesis Committee: Aeronautics & Astronautics, Engineering Systems, and Sloan School of Management. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (pages 241-259). / The United States' global lead in secure technology innovation is a cornerstone of national defense. Breakthroughs in technology are critical in establishing and maintaining military superiority. Technology innovation strategies enable the U.S. to maintain this superiority by effectively yielding innovation from R&D investment. However, these strategies must evolve within increasing financial pressures, technological complexities, and dynamic geo-political conditions. Through an analysis of the innovation landscape and development of a taxonomy of open innovation, this dissertation shows that emergent open technology innovation strategies (OTIS) have been successfully applied in the commercial sector, and, after analyzing the relevant metrics, establishes that OTIS could be beneficial in secure U.S. Government (USG) R&D environments to enhance technology innovation. A system-level analysis of the complexities endemic to these environments revealed two fundamental challenges: (1) Secrecy Challenge: Secrecy and national security are often conflated. Secrecy can be in tension with innovation, such as when R&D is hampered because specific requirements are obscured for national security reasons. (2) Participation Challenge: Innovation strategies that depend on open collaboration to bring forth the fullest breadth of potential solutions are impeded when regulatory regimes appropriate these innovations in the name of national security without adequately incentivizing participants. This dissertation shows that USG cannot optimize the application of OTIS without addressing these pervasive challenges; high-level change is needed. This dissertation evaluates current approaches by regulatory regimes and uses a combination of legal, policy, and stakeholder analysis to identify opportunities for system-level improvement. This dissertation finds that regulatory regimes should moderate secrecy a) when secrecy is the real interest being protected, and b) if it can be done in a manner that furthers both innovation and national security. In particular, Government agencies tasked with critical innovation must be empowered to do so in a way that thoughtfully balances innovation and national security interests. This dissertation also finds that a system of non-monetary and monetary incentives is needed to prevent short-term national security interests from unintentionally jeopardizing long-term interests. Such system-level change is necessary to ensure sustainable improvement in USG's ability to effectively transition R&D investment into technology innovation to support national security. / by Tina Prabha Srivastava. / Ph. D. in Strategy, Innovation, and Engineering

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 50-54). / The percent increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) concentration in the atmosphere can be harmful to the environment. There is no single preferred method for measuring GHG output. How can a company classify and choose an appropriate method? This thesis offers a classification of current methods used by companies to measure their GHG output. / by Suzanne L. D. Andrews. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 35). / This thesis project explores the possibility to apply project management techniques, specifically critical path method, and PERT, to supply chain event management. The idea behind the project is to create a framework for putting supply chain events into a broader supply chain context and assessing their criticality. Such a framework can then be utilized as a starting point for supply chain event management software applications. The problem has been approached from a "micro" point of view, with the analysis and PERT modeling of a single order fulfillment process, and from a "macro" point of view, with the analysis and a very simple model of the inventory itself. Finally, there are important factors that can drive the development and adoption of such systems in the future, including a higher level of supply chain informatization, removal of inter-and intra-company communication barriers, and better software integration technologies to effectively link all the element of the supply chain network. / by Esmè Fantozzi. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 159-161). / This thesis presents and analyzes the various practices in the functional area of Sourcing and Procurement. The 21 firms that are studied operate in one of the following industries: Aerospace, Apparel/ Footwear, Automotive, Computers, Communications Equipment, Consumer Packaged Goods, Pharmaceuticals, Petroleum and Retail. Those firms have been chosen for their overall supply chain excellence and the research builds on empirical data from case studies, literature survey and interviews with industry experts. By assessing the empirical data and the various practices, a framework is proposed to address the different options that the firms can use relative to the organizational structure of the Procurement Department. These options are based on a combination of the importance of the inputs and the supplier/buyer power differential. Lastly, this thesis identifies the factors that affect these options. Key Words: Procurement, Sourcing, Organizational Architecture, Corporate Strategy. / by Ioannis G. Koliousis. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2011. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 353-368). / This dissertation examines the creation and initial use of the precision bombing system employed by the United States Army Air Forces during World War II in the opening phase of the Combined Bomber Offensive against Germany. It presents the system as distinctly sociotechnical, constructed of interdependent specially trained humans-the pilot, navigator, and bombardier-purpose-built automated machines-the Norden bombsight and the Minneapolis- Honeywell C-1 Autopilot-and the high-altitude, daylight bombing (HADPB) doctrine, all of which mutually shaped each other's creation and use. The first part of the study establishes the relationship between the HADPB doctrine, the humans, and the machines, presenting the bombardment system as a three-level socio-technical system designed for optimum control at all levels. It describes the elements at each level, their design for use as a system, how they initially employed the system, and how their actions caused a revision of the HADPB doctrine, in the process redefining precision from a system perspective and significantly changing the system's social structure. The second part of the study examines the actions performed by the three principal sociotechnical members the bomber crew, and determines the specific tasks and roles accomplished both the humans and machines within the system. It establishes what the crewmembers did, analyzing their professional construct, the machines that shaped their professional identities, how the humans and machines, through distinct processes of shared control and cognition, accomplished the tasks associated with precision bombing-flying, navigating, and bombingand how the HADPB doctrine affected their actions. It focuses on how technology, by granting varying levels of control over the task of flying the aircraft, created conflict over control of the system itself, and how command, a uniquely military function granted organizationally and doctrinally to the pilot, served as arbiter of that conflict. This study establishes a perspective for the future study aerial combat systems, and a better understanding of the organizational and social impact of the increased use of automation in those systems, particularly relevant to the discussion surrounding the expanded use of remotely piloted aircraft by the United States Air Force in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. / by Raymond P. O'Mara. / Ph.D.

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 87-89). / Traditionally supply chain management has played an operational role within cement and mineral extraction commodity companies. Recently, cost reduction projects have brought supply chain management into the limelight. In order to clarify the reasons of the evolution of supply chain management and to demonstrate the value of efficient supply chain management within the cement industry, an analysis of the cement supply chain has been carried out using Michael Porter's five forces. In addition, a comparative analysis of the supply chain strategy of the four largest cement companies has been presented, according to Larry Lapide's excellent supply chain framework. Also, a characterization of the current cement supply chain has been done, using the Supply Chain Council's SCOR model processes; plan, source, make, deliver and return. Five authors' various frameworks of supply chain design have been used to gain insight into the general characteristics of the cement supply chain and propose a definitive supply chain strategy. Finally, three case studies from mineral extraction commodity companies have been presented to demonstrate the potential of supply chain management. The study concludes that supply chain management has tremendous potential to add value as a strategic function for companies in these industries. / by Isabel Agudelo. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2012. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 74-75). / This thesis aimed to understand the drivers of total transportation costs during supply chain complexity events, in particular new product launches, in a fast moving consumer goods company in the United States. The research specifically investigated which of the four key transportation cost drivers (line haul rates, length of haul, frequency of loads and regional factors) changed the most during a new product launch. The analysis showed that the main driver of transportation costs during a new product launch (for our case study) is the length of haul. This finding was used to further investigate how the allocation of transportation to factories within the distribution network affects the length of haul (and therefore total transportation costs) during a new product launch. The analysis also reveals that effective enforcement of line haul rates alone (with transport carriers) do not guarantee low transportation costs during new product launches. The total system transportation cost in 2011 was compared with the lowest cost mix of factories by transportation allocation. This cost comparison was done on the basis of the cost-to-serve each wholesaler in the distribution network. A model was then developed which can be used to predict the changes in transportation costs during supply chain complexity events, including specific variability. This research also revealed that total transportation costs (in the distribution network) increase significantly during complexity events and that the highest variability occurred in the high season for each launch location. / by Jose A. Fernandez and Henry N. Okafor. / M.Eng.in Logistics

Thesis (S.M. in Engineering and Management)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, February 2013. / Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. "Sep 2012." / Includes bibliographical references (pages 107-109). / Companies have been constantly trying for ways and means to improve R&D performance as it is one of the most important competitive advantage tools of an organization. Literature review on R&D performance improvement suggests that, lot of focus is on measuring R&D performance and on specific problem solving approaches like six sigma and lean. Frameworks like capability maturity model integration (CMMI) and product development self-assessment tool (PDSAT) provide holistic performance assessment, but fall short on providing clear guidance for performance improvement interventions. Goal setting theory, a proven theory that is widely applied in individual performance improvement has got limited attention in R&D performance improvement approaches and frameworks. Practitioners in the industry point to the need for goal setting in R&D and identify that as a gap in current performance improvement methodologies. This thesis attempts to fill this gap by proposing DEAL framework, a practical approach for defining future goals in R&D performance improvement efforts. / by Pankaj Kumar Kashyap. / S.M.in Engineering and Management