To reach national and global climate goals, electricity consumption is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades to offset reliance on fossil fuels. As more electricity generation is required, transfer capacity has to increase accordingly to avoid grid congestion and capacity shortages. Traditionally, capacity is added through upgrades and extensions to grid infrastructure, which requires substantial material resources and causes extensive carbon emissions. Additionally, the grid is frequently dimensioned to sustain consumption peaks which only occur a few hours per year. This thesis explores how implementing transfer capacity flexibility solutions can optimise the utilisation of the existing electricity grid infrastructure, thereby reducing the need for extensive physical grid expansions and the associated carbon emissions. The methodology includes a division between a qualitative and quantitative analysis. The qualitative analysis is based on a literature review examining numerous different flexibility resources with regards to their national potential, climate impacts, and grid values. The quantitative analysis uses a case study of a grid capacity project to assess how flexibility can reduce necessary grid infrastructure enhancements and the associated carbon emissions in 2030. The results indicate that flexibility resources, including demand side flexibility, supply side flexibility, energy storage, and operational flexibility, can be used to increase the utilisation of existing grid infrastructure by providing congestion relief, load- and generation balancing, and capacity enhancement. The quantitative results demonstrate that a majority of the climate impact associated with grid expansion is tied to largely unutilised added capacity which can be extensively reduced with flexibility implementation. The largest curtailment of 3 709 kg CO2-eq./year can be achieved with dynamic line- and transformer rating combined with demand side flexibility. This alternative reduces the grid expansion requirement from 5.6 MW to 2.9 MW, maintaining load requirements while halving the necessary grid expansion and associated emissions

Macronutrient metabolism plays an essential role in the overall health of an individual. Depending on a number of variables, for example, diet, fitness level, or metabolic disease state, protein, carbohydrate and fat have varying capacities to be oxidized and balanced. Further, when analyzing the oxidation of carbohydrate and fat in the skeletal muscle specifically, carbohydrate balance happens quite rapidly, while fat balance does not. The ability of skeletal muscle to adapt and respond to various nutrient states is critical to maintaining healthy metabolic function. Habitual high fat intake has been associated with reduced oxidative capacity, insulin resistance, increased gut permeability, inflammation, and other risk factors often preceding metabolic disease states. The disruption of gut function leads to gut permeability and increases endotoxins released into circulation. Endotoxins have been shown to play an important role in obesity-related whole body and tissue specific metabolic perturbations. Each of these disrupted metabolic processes is known to associate with obesity, metabolic syndrome and diabetes. To date, limited research has investigated the role of high fat diet on skeletal muscle substrate oxidation and its relationship to gut permeability and endotoxins. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an acute, five-day, isocaloric high fat diet (HFD) on skeletal muscle substrate metabolism in healthy non-obese humans. An additional purpose was to determine the effects of a HFD on gut permeability and blood endotoxins on healthy, non-obese, sedentary humans. Thirteen college age males were fed a control diet for two weeks, followed by five days of an isocaloric HFD. To assess the effects of a HFD on skeletal muscle metabolic adaptability and postprandial endotoxin levels, subjects underwent a high fat meal challenge before and after a HFD. Muscle biopsies were obtained; blood was collected; insulin sensitivity was assessed via intravenous glucose tolerance test; and intestinal permeability was assessed via the four-sugar probe test before and after the HFD. Postprandial glucose oxidation and fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle increased before the HFD intervention but was decreased after. Skeletal muscle in vitro assay of metabolic flexibility was significantly blunted following the HFD. Insulin sensitivity and intestinal permeability were not affected by HFD, but fasting endotoxin was significantly higher following the HFD. These findings demonstrate that in young, healthy males, following five days of an isocaloric high fat diet, skeletal muscle metabolic adaptation is robust. Additionally, increased fasting endotoxin independent of gut permeability changes are potentially a contributor to the inflammatory state that disrupts substrate oxidation. These findings suggest that even short-term changes in dietary fat consumption have profound effects on skeletal muscle substrate metabolism and fasting endotoxin levels, independent of positive energy balance and whole-body insulin sensitivity. / Ph. D. / Macronutrients, namely carbohydrates, fats and protein, and the way they are utilized play an important role in the overall health of an individual. Many variables come into play when considering the oxidization (or utilization) of each macronutrient, including, but not limited to diet, fitness level, and metabolic disease state. Skeletal muscle and its role in these processes is of special interest as it is the largest insulin sensitive organ in the body. Its ability to adapt and respond to various nutrient states is critical to maintaining healthy metabolic function. Habitual high fat intake has been associated with insulin resistance, increased gut permeability (increasing endotoxins, which are toxins released into circulation from the intestines), reduced oxidative capacity (ability to utilize macronutrients for energy), and inflammation, all of which are risk factors that precede metabolic disease states. To date, limited research has investigated the role of high fat diet on skeletal muscle oxidation of macronutrients and its relationship to what is going on in the gut, or intestines. The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of a short term high fat diet (five days) on skeletal muscle in healthy, non-obese humans, and to determine the effects of this diet on gut permeability and endotoxins. Thirteen college-age males were fed a control diet for two weeks followed by five days of a high fat diet. Each diet had the same caloric content. Subjects underwent a high fat meal challenge before and after the diet to assess the effects of the diet on skeletal muscle adaptability and post meal endotoxin levels. Before and after the high fat diet, muscle biopsies were obtained, blood was collected, insulin sensitivity was assessed and gut permeability was measured. We found that skeletal muscle metabolic adaptation is robust. Additionally, increased fasting endotoxin changes are a possible contributor to the inflammatory state that disrupts macronutrient oxidation. Therefore, even short-term changes in dietary fat consumption have profound effects on skeletal muscle metabolism and fasting endotoxin levels, independent of positive energy balance and whole-body insulin sensitivity.

Psychological flexibility (PF) is defined as one’s ability to pursue valued activities despite distress. PF is a critical process of change in evidence-based treatments, and is associated with psychosocial health and functioning. Although PF is considered context-dependent, previous research often measures PF as a static construct, often by administering the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, which may not fully capture the construct of PF and limits understanding of how PF may change over time. One approach for measuring individual dynamics over time is ecological momentary assessment (EMA), which has been applied to numerous psychological constructs, including PF recently. This study investigated the dynamic relationship between PF, affect, and stress in a clinical sample of 39 individuals. Six items from the Process Based Assessment Tool were used to measure PF in terms of experiential avoidance and values-promoting processes. Participants completed a two-week EMA phase which included answering daily self-report items, and collecting smartphone and wearable technology data on screen time, steps, sleep quality, distance traveled, and activity. I hypothesized that PF would vary within and across time and context to predict affect and stress and expected that indicators of psychosocial health and measures of psychological processes would influence PF, affect, and stress. Results revealed significant associations such that flexibility was generally related to higher positive affect, lower negative affect, and lower stress. Some PF-items were associated with better day-quality ratings. PF interacted with context (conflict or valued action) and type of situation, with greater PF generally associated with valued-actions. Measures of psychological and attentional processed differentially interacted with PF to predict affect and stress. Step count interacted with PF in several models. Screen time was associated with affect and stress at a given timepoint. Heart-rate variability was differentially related to stress, affect, and PF within and across time. Activity, GPS, and sleep quality data were not significant. Overall, this study supports evidence that PF is highly idiographic and related to indicators of psychosocial wellbeing over time, generally supporting my hypotheses.

Yes / Purpose - Within nursing, there appear to be two enduring sets of assumptions: firstly, that woman with children should prioritise the care of children; and secondly, that nursing standards require nurses to put their profession above other priorities. Commitment is linked to full-time working this contrasts sharply with the reality for many women with children who need to work part-time and are not able to change or extend working hours. Design/methodology/approach - This qualitative research involved the use of 32 in-depth interviews with thirty-two female registered nurses with children and without children. They were employed in ‘acute’ nursing where aged between 25 to 60 years old and employed in registered grades ‘D’ to ‘senior nurse manager’. They worked or had worked on a variety of employment conditions, some, but not all, had taken career breaks. The rationale for exclusively selecting women was based on the need to identify and describe organisational, situational, and individual factors related to women and the associations and barriers which affect their careers. Findings - In a female dominated profession, we find the profession resisting attempts to make the profession more accessible to women with young children. The career progression of women with children is inhibited and this is driven in part by a determination to maintain ‘traditional’ employment practices. Originality/value – This paper develops Heilman's argument that the restructuring of employment has lead to work intensification which stokes gender tensions. These findings are relevant across many areas of employment and they are significant in relation to broadening the debate around equal opportunities for women.

[ES] La Gestión de la Cadena de Suministro se define como un conjunto de acciones que permiten a las empresas gestionar, planificar y controlar sus operaciones como una forma de facilitar la colaboración entre los miembros de la Cadena de Suministro. Para ser más eficaces y eficientes, las empresas están cada vez más dispuestas a rediseñar sus estrategias de Gestión de la Cadena de Suministro y a adoptar prácticas de gestión. Esta tesis doctoral analiza cómo se interrelacionan algunas variables relacionadas con la eficacia y la eficiencia en la Gestión de la Cadena de Suministro, y el posible impacto de estas interrelaciones en los resultados empresariales. Específicamente, profundizamos en las relaciones entre Cloud Computing, Integración de la Cadena de Suministro, Flexibilidad de la Cadena de Suministro, Personalización en Masa y Lean Production (que son variables asociadas con la eficacia y eficiencia de la Cadena de Suministro) y su papel en los resultados empresariales. En esta tesis, inicialmente consideramos dos factores importantes para conseguir eficacia y eficiencia en la Cadena de Suministro. Así, un primero factor estaría formado por la interrelación entre el uso de Cloud Computing, un nuevo paradigma en la interpretación de las Tecnologías de la información, y la Integración de la Cadena de Suministro. Bajos niveles en este factor permitirán a las empresas conseguir sus objetivos (ser eficaces) pero empleando muchos más recursos (menos eficientes) que altos valores en este factor. Un segundo factor recoge la interrelación de la Flexibilidad de la Cadena de Suministro y la Personalización en Masa. De forma similar al factor anterior, bajos niveles en este factor estarían asociados a una menor eficiencia (aun siendo eficaces), mientras que altos niveles, estaría asociados a una alta eficiencia. Ambos factores son consideradas en esta tesis, en primer lugar, de forma aislada, mediante revisiones sistemáticas de la literatura que permiten identificar qué se sabe en la literatura sobre la relación existente entre las variables que conforman cada factor. En segundo lugar, en esta tesis, se realiza un análisis explicativo en que se considera el efecto de Lean Production, y su relación con cada uno de los factores, lo que estaría asociado a unos altos niveles de eficiencia en la Cadena de Suministro, y se analiza cómo el efecto conjunto de Lean Production y cada uno de los factores (variables) consideradas afecta a los resultados de la empresa. Finalmente, en esta tesis se consideran todas las variables de forma conjunta (ambos factores y el efecto de Lean Production, actuando sobre los resultados empresariales), en un modelo holístico que utiliza la simulación para analizar el comportamiento del modelo. El valor de esta tesis es que académicos y gerentes de negocios pueden tener evidencia de apoyo sobre el papel que juegan Cloud Computing, Integración de la Cadena de Suministro, Flexibilidad de la Cadena de Suministro, Personalización en Masa y Lean Production, vinculadas operativa y estratégicamente, y cómo esta combinación podría transformarse en un mejor desempeño empresarial. El mejor conocimiento de estas relaciones puede afectar la manera en que investigadores y directivos abordan estos recursos de gestión, siendo más conscientes del importante papel de la Cadena de Suministro en la competitividad. Este trabajo se diferencia de los aportes anteriores por proporcionar enfoques teóricos y empíricos de las posibles interrelaciones entre las variables antes mencionadas. Los resultados de este estudio, por lo tanto, podrían ser muy útiles en el diseño de futuros esfuerzos de investigación en esta área. / [CA] La Gestió de la Cadena de Subministrament es defineix com un conjunt d'accions que permeten a les empreses gestionar, planificar i controlar les seues operacions com una manera de facilitar la col·laboració entre els membres de la Cadena de Subministrament. Per a ser més eficaços i eficients, les empreses estan cada vegada més disposades a redissenyar les seues estratègies de Gestió de la Cadena de Subministrament i a adoptar pràctiques de gestió. Aquesta tesi doctoral analitza com s'interrelacionen algunes variables relacionades amb l'eficàcia i l'eficiència en la Gestió de la Cadena de Subministrament, i el possible impacte d'aquestes interrelacions en els resultats empresarials. Específicament, aprofundim en les relacions entre Cloud Computing, Integració de la Cadena de Subministrament, Flexibilitat de la Cadena de Subministrament, Personalització en massa i Lean Production (que són variables associades amb l'eficàcia i eficiència de la Cadena de Subministrament) i el seu paper en els resultats empresarials. En aquesta tesi, inicialment considerem dos factors importants per a aconseguir eficàcia i eficiència en la Cadena de Subministrament. Així, un primer factor estaria format per la interrelació entre l'ús de Cloud Computing, un nou paradigma en la interpretació de les Tecnologies de la informació, i la Integració de la Cadena de Subministrament. Baixos nivells en aquest factor permetran a les empreses aconseguir els seus objectius (ser eficaços) però emprant molts més recursos (menys eficients) que alts valors en aquest factor. Un segon factor recull la interrelació de la Flexibilitat de la Cadena de Subministrament i la Personalització en massa. De forma similar al factor anterior, baixos nivells en aquest factor estarien associats a una menor eficiència (fins i tot sent eficaces), mentre que alts nivells, estaria associats a una alta eficiència. Tots dos factors són considerades en aquesta tesi, en primer lloc, de forma aïllada, mitjançant revisions sistemàtiques de la literatura que permeten identificar què se sap en la literatura sobre la relació existent entre les variables que conformen cada factor. En segon lloc, en aquesta tesi, es realitza una anàlisi explicativa en què es considera l'efecte de Lean Production, i la seua relació amb cadascun dels factors, la qual cosa estaria associat a uns alts nivells d'eficiència en la Cadena de Subministrament, i s'analitza com l'efecte conjunt de Lean Production i cadascun dels factors (variables) considerades afecta als resultats de l'empresa. Finalment, en aquesta tesi es consideren totes les variables de forma conjunta (tots dos factors i l'efecte de Lean Production, actuant sobre els resultats empresarials), en un model holístic que utilitza la simulació per a analitzar el comportament del model. El valor d'aquesta tesi és que acadèmics i gerents de negocis poden tindre evidència de suport sobre el paper que juguen Cloud Computing, Integració de la Cadena de Subministrament, Flexibilitat de la Cadena de Subministrament, Personalització en massa i Lean Production, vinculades operativa i estratègicament, i com aquesta combinació podria transformar-se en un millor acompliment empresarial. El millor coneixement d'aquestes relacions pot afectar la manera en què investigadors i directius aborden aquests recursos de gestió, sent més conscients de l'important paper de la Cadena de Subministrament en la competitivitat. Aquest treball es diferencia de les aportacions anteriors per proporcionar enfocaments teòrics i empírics de les possibles interrelacions entre les variables abans esmentades. Els resultats d'aquest estudi, per tant, podrien ser molt útils en el disseny de futurs esforços d'investigació en aquesta àrea. / [EN] Supply Chain Management is defined as a set of actions that allow companies to manage, plan and control their operations as a way to facilitate collaboration between Supply Chain members. To be more effective and efficient, companies are increasingly willing to redesign their Supply Chain Management strategies and adopt management practices. This doctoral thesis analyses how some variables related to effectiveness and efficiency in Supply Chain Management are interrelated, and the possible impact of these interrelations on business performance. Specifically, we delve into the relationships between Cloud Computing, Supply Chain Integration, Supply Chain Flexibility, Mass Personalization and Lean Production (which are variables associated with the effectiveness and efficiency in the Supply Chain) and their role in business performance. In this doctoral thesis, we initially considered two important factors to achieve effectiveness and efficiency in the Supply Chain. A first factor would be the interrelation between the use of Cloud Computing, a new paradigm in the interpretation of Information Technologies, and Supply Chain Integration. Low levels in this factor will allow companies to achieve their goals (be effective) but using many more resources (less efficient) than high values in this factor. A second factor is the interrelationship of Supply Chain Flexibility and Mass Personalization. Similar to the previous factor, low levels of this factor would be associated with lower efficiency (even if effective), while high levels would be associated with high efficiency. Both factors are considered in this thesis, in the first place, in an isolated way, by means of systematic literature reviews that allow identifying what is known in the literature about the existing relation between the variables that conform each factor. Secondly, an explanatory analysis is made in which the effect of Lean Production is considered, and its relation with each one of the factors, which would be associated with high levels of efficiency in the Supply Chain, and it is analysed how the joint effect of Lean Production and each one of the factors (variables) considered affects business performance. Finally, this thesis considers all variables together (both factors and the effect of Lean Production, acting on business performance), in a holistic model that uses simulation to analyse the model's behaviour. The value of this doctoral thesis is that academics and business managers can have supporting evidence on the role played by Cloud Computing, Supply Chain Integration, Supply Chain Flexibility, Mass Personalization and Lean Production, operationally and strategically linked, and how this combination could be transformed into better business performance. The better knowledge of these relationships can affect the way researchers and managers approach these management resources, being more aware of the important role of the Supply Chain in competitiveness. This work differs from previous contributions in that it provides theoretical and empirical approaches to the possible interrelations between the variables mentioned above. The results of this study, therefore, could be very useful in the design of future research efforts in this area. / This doctoral thesis has been developed thanks to the support of the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) of Brazil and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness Research Project ECO2015-65874-P. / Romualdo Novais, L. (2019). CLOUD COMPUTING, SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION, SUPPLY CHAIN FLEXIBILITY AND MASS PERSONALIZATION: INTERRELATIONSHIPS WITH LEAN PRODUCTION AND PERFORMANCE [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/121460

二十世紀末期，跨國企業對供應鏈管理的價值、效率、協作三大核心問題進行再造，例如：以創新與速度提升需求的最終價值，以精益生產增進效率(成本、品質)，以互信取代採購價格壓縮，並藉此進行供應鏈協作整合。然而眾多業者在上述再造過程中，卻發現由於供應鏈及其參與者組織體系過於龐大與僵硬，導致整體綜效難以發揮。經學術界與產業界探討後，對於如何提升與供應鏈各參與者的適應力、變革力所緊密相關的柔性能力，實有深入探討之必要，而其研究範圍亦自生產作業的柔性層次，提升至組織結構、文化、策略等柔性範疇，學者與業界更嘗試藉此研究建立有效柔性策略框架，作為鞏固並強化供應鏈綜效藍圖。 本研究即以探討全球供應鏈之柔性能力為命題，並以四次入選哈佛個案之模範生－利豐集團為例，進行個別研究。迄自確定研究問題、建構理論、選擇個案為起始，續以理論命題形成資料蒐集計畫、組織研究架構、資料定義驗證為過程，終以結論與建議為總結。本研究就所蒐集之利豐近15年來的檔案紀錄(年報、半年報、通函等)、公開出版品、訪談與演講記錄等資訊，對比Volberda(1998)研究所歸納之33項供應鏈柔性檢視指標分析，茲獲得以下結論： 1. 利豐集團對其分布於全球40個國家，65個辦事處的龐大組織，進行端對端、面向最寬廣的供應鏈整合，此行為符合Volberda所指：處於動態、複雜、不可預測的超競爭環境，必需建設充分的柔性混合能力。 2. 利豐集團以需求拉動為原動力，致力加長前置期、進行全球分散生產、追求規模經濟效益，並將庫存留置於上游vendor，並將上述作為柔性管理的主要任務，此種作法已具備高度的結構與策略柔性。 3. 利豐集團以客戶為中心，將組織層級予以扁平化，同時賦予業務部門營運自主權，讓員工得以在內部創業，此外還提倡共享價值觀，並建立透明的人資結構，來完善其組織設計。為建立長遠基業，利豐更規劃風險投資為產品線與人才的填補空間，以公司併購的途徑加速供應鏈網的編織。由此可見，利豐集團對組織設計已為柔性混合提供充的潛能，以適應動盪的環境。 4. 利豐集團一方面堅守完整的決策控制權、嚴密監控財務及營運程序，另一方面卻對業務部門廣為授權，並要求以誠信鞏固供應鏈的夥伴關係，可說是以剛柔並濟為本質，並建立因時、因地、因事制宜的剛柔混合策略。 5. 就33項檢視指標對比分析後，本研究指出：利豐供應鏈在技術、結構、文化範疇，具備充分的柔性能力；而學者Volberda所歸納之西方供應鏈柔性理論亦可適用於東方企業之柔性建設。 / In the Late 20th Century, transnational enterprises had re-engineering at value, efficiency, and cooperate of supply chain management (SCM). For example: Using innovation and speed improve the final value of needs, promote efficiency by lean production, replace beat the price down with mutual trust and combine the cooperation of supply chain. However, many enterprises found it’s hard to produce the synergy during re-engineering, because of the huge and stiff organization. The adaptive and change capacity of worldwide supply chain participants became more and more important, and the scope of research was from the flexibility of operation-level to the flexibility of organizational structure, culture and strategy. The scholar and industry attempt to probe into and set up the effective flexible strategy frame as consolidating and strengthening the blueprint of synergy in supply chain. 　　This research is to probe into the flexibility of worldwide supply chain, and use the Li & Fung Group doing a case study report. It includes confirming the research questions, building theory, choosing the case, collecting data, organizing the research structure, verifying data and giving conclusions and suggestions. Compare information such as files of Li & Fung Group in recent 15 years, publications, interviews, speech records etc. to 33 items of flexibility of supply chain examined indicator which Volberda studied, we can obtain the following conclusions: 　　First, there are 40 countries in the world and 65 offices in the Li & Fung Group, and doing end-to-end and most broad supply chain combination, which accord with Volberda’s view that must build abundant mix of flexibility in dynamic, complicated, unpredictable super-competitive environment. Second, Li & Fung Group took demand－pull as motivity, and devoted to increasing leading time, carrying on the whole world disperse production, pursuing scale economic benefits and leaving the stocks in upper course. We found Li & Fung Group already had high flexibility in structure and strategy. 　　Third, Li & Fung Group regards customer as the center, they have a flat-organization, give operational autonomy to sales department, let the staff internal start-up, using sharing the values and open human resources structure to perfect its organizational design. In order to build a long-term corporate, Li & Fung Group use risk investment filling in the space of product line and talent, and use merger to expand supply chain network size. We find the organizational design of Li & Fung Group can adapt to the dynamic environment. 　　Fourth, on one hand Li & Fung Group stand at intact decision control power, and control tightly to the financial and operational procedure, but authorize sales by a wide margin on the other hand. Honest supply chain partnership is the base of androgyny. 　　After comparing and analysing through 33 items, this research is pointed out that there is abundant flexible ability in technology, structure, culture in the supply chain of Li & Fung Group. Volberda’s flexible theory of the supply chain which used in eastern enterprises can be used in west too.

本論文採用實地實證研究，以一家專業晶圓代工廠商為研究對象，詳細分析在晶圓代工的製造環境下，產品多樣性及製造彈性對生產品質、生產週期時間、設備生產力與生產成本之影響。不同於過去研究，以外部彈性(例如：產品組合彈性、新產品彈性等)為研究重心，本論文以內部彈性為研究範疇，涵蓋機器彈性與路徑彈性兩種彈性型態，據以彌補現存製造彈性文獻的缺口。 關於產品多樣性與製造彈性對生產績效與生產成本之直接影響，本論文首先以等候理論與整數規劃模型為基礎，加入實地環境特性的考量，推導研究假說與實證模型；繼而，蒐集來自個案公司6個月的詳細生產資料，包括兩類資料型態：機台水準(machine-level)與生產批量水準(lot-level)進行實證分析。綜合理論模型與實證分析結果，本論文發現：在晶圓代工的製造環境中，由於製程高度自動化之故，產品多樣性對生產績效的直接影響並不顯著，但因研發與工程實驗所產生的環境變異性則對生產績效具有顯著的負面影響；在製造彈性方面，吾人則發現路徑彈性不僅有助於生產週期時間的縮短，也對品質與成本績效具有顯著的正向影響，而機器彈性雖有助於設備生產力的提昇與生產成本的降低，但對生產品質則有顯著的負面影響，此外，本研究也發現：製造彈性與設備生產力、生產週期時間及生產成本之間存在非線性關係，並呈現報酬遞減的趨勢，隱含：極大化製造彈性並非最佳，有限的彈性水準即可達到最大的彈性利益。 考慮製造彈性的價值高低與環境不確定性密切相關，本研究進一步採用路徑分析檢視產品多樣性、製造彈性、環境不確定性與生產績效之間的關聯性，基於本研究以內部彈性為研究範疇，並以製造環境為研究客體，依據生產管理文獻，由製程時間變異性、到達時間變異性及產品需求變異性三項指標定義製造環境的不確定性。實證結果顯示：產品多樣性主要係透過環境不確定性間接影響生產績效，而機器彈性與路徑彈性則有助於調和內部不確定性對生產績效的負面影響，進而達成生產績效的提昇。本論文之分析結果隱含：過去管理會計研究認為產品多樣性對生產績效的影響主要來自於批量作業活動(batch-level activities)與產品支援活動(product-sustaining activities)的增加，而忽略產品多樣性對環境不確定性的影響，可能低估產品多樣性的攸關成本，尤其在一高利用率與高度動態的生產環境中，產品多樣性透過環境不確定性對生產績效的間接影響可能大於產品多樣性對生產績效的直接影響；另一方面，本研究指出：在一動態環境中，廠商可透過製造彈性的提昇，降低環境不確定性對生產績效的負面影響，但最適彈性水準的決定則須取決於製造彈性與其他生產績效衡量之間的函數關係。 / This thesis reports the results of a field empirical study examining the impact of product variety and manufacturing flexibility on production quality, cycle time, equipment productivity, and production cost within the context of semiconductor wafer fabrication facilities. To fill the gap in existing research, I attempt to study internal flexibility, rather than external flexibility (e.g., product flexibility, mix flexibility). Two types of internal flexibility are selected, which are machine flexibility and routing flexibility. Using both machine-level and lot-level production data from one dedicated wafer fabrication plant, this thesis examines the direct impact of product variety and manufacturing flexibility on production performance and production cost. Empirical results suggest that greater product variety does not have a significant impact on equipment productivity but does have a significant adverse impact on production quality. Moreover, I find support for the hypotheses that greater routing flexibility has a significant positive impact on quality, time, and cost performance. As for machine flexibility, it has a significant positive impact on equipment productivity and cost performance, but has a significant negative impact on production quality. Furthermore, I also find a non-linear relation between manufacturing flexibility and equipment productivity, cycle time, and production cost. This implies that maximizing the level of manufacturing flexibility is not necessarily optimal for firms. Limiting the flexibility level may actually have the greatest benefit. To further clarify the mechanisms through which variety and flexibility impacts performance, I move beyond the direct effects and investigate the linkage between product variety, manufacturing flexibility, environmental uncertainty and production performance. Based on the operations research, environmental uncertainty is operationally defined as the process time variation, inter-arrival time variation, and output variation. Results from path analysis indicate that product variety negatively affects production performance through environmental uncertainty. This finding stands in direct contrast to the general belief in management accounting research that greater product variety leads to an increase in the number of batch-level activities and product-sustaining activities, which thus increase the production cost. In other words, the reported cost of product variety may be underestimated, because we do not consider the impact of product variety on environmental uncertainty. The magnitude of the underestimation is especially greater in a highly congested and stochastic environment. Empirical results also show that machine flexibility and routing flexibility mitigate the adverse impact of environmental uncertainty on production performance.

[pt] No ramo imobiliário, a tomada de decisão deve ser rápida e precisa. São muitas as incertezas que podem afetar um projeto. Por isso, o Estudo de Viabilidade é fator determinante de sucesso ou fracasso de uma incorporação. Hoje o método de análise largamente utilizado é o do Fluxo de Caixa Descontado (FDC), onde o valor do projeto e seus parâmetros de resultado baseiam-se no Valor Presente Líquido (VPL) do fluxo. Porém, este método não considera as diferentes decisões gerenciais que podem ser tomadas durante a vida útil do empreendimento em função de novas informações adquiridas ao longo do tempo. A decisão gerencial pode atuar mudando o rumo do empreendimento de maneira a maximizar os resultados a serem obtidos e mensurar seu real valor. Este trabalho se propõe a, de forma simples, introduzir a ferramenta de análise pela Teoria de Opções Reais (TOR), abordada na literatura, mas ainda negligenciada pelo mercado imobiliário. Esta teoria utilizada isoladamente não é capaz de retratar o dia-a-dia do incorporador. No mercado, a TOR torna-se falha utilizada sem a abordagem da Teoria dos Jogos, por não considerar os efeitos nocivos da concorrência nos objetivos da empresa. Sendo assim, o objetivo foi não só auxiliar na melhor avaliação de projetos pela TOR, considerando incertezas das mudanças econômicas mundiais e flexibilidade de tomada de decisão na maximização do resultado, como também analisar pela Teoria dos Jogos, a influência dos concorrentes nos objetivos inerentes ao projeto. / [en] In Real Estate, the decision must be fast and accurate. There are many uncertainties that may affect projects. Therefore, the economic feasibility study is a critical factor of success or failure of an estate project. Currently the widely used analytical method is the discounted cash flow, in which the project s outcome and value are based on Net Present Value of the cash flow. However, this method does not consider the various management decisions that may be taken during the project life. The management decision may influence changing the course of estate development to maximize the financial results and measure their real value. This work aims to, in a simple way, introduce the analytical tool for Real Options Theory (ROT), discussed in the literature, but still neglected by the real estate market. This theory used in isolation isn t able to portray the developers daily. In the real estate market, the ROT becomes incorrect used without the Game Theory concepts, disregarding the competition effect s on the company s goals. Therefore, this work goes beyond a better project assessment through ROT, considering economic uncertainties and flexibility on decision making, but also considering the perspective of game theory, adding the influence of competitors actions on projects goals.

In the 90 s, Argentina and Brazil went through economical stabilization reforms, commercial flexibility and an integration in the prevailing external trade. In this context, this work aims at analyzing if the exports and imports are affected by changes both in the intern and extern income for the two economies from 1992 to 2006. Based on the Thirlwall Increase Model and using the literature techniques of unit root and co-integration, the long-term balance among the variables was tested: exportation and external income, importation and internal income. The Error Correction Mechanism was determined and in case of a serial autocorrelation, such a problem is corrected with Gauss Newton algorithm. For the economies studied it was concluded that exportations and importations are affected by changes in the external and internal incomes respectively. Brazil presented a higher importation flexibility-income than an exportation one, while Argentina showed a lower importation flexibility-income than an exportation one. / Na década de 90 a, Argentina e o Brasil, passaram por reformas de estabilização econômica, flexibilização comercial e maior integração na corrente de comércio exterior. Sob esse contexto, o objetivo do trabalho é verificar se as exportações e as importações são afetadas por variações, na renda externa e interna, para as duas economias no período de 1992 a 2006. Inspirando-se no Modelo de Crescimento de Thirlwall e utilizando técnicas da literatura de raiz unitária e co-integração, testa-se o equilíbrio de longo prazo entre as variáveis: exportação e renda externa, importação e renda interna. Estima-se o Mecanismo de Correção de Erros e no caso de presença de autocorrelação serial, corrige-se tal problema com a estimação pelo algoritmo de Gauss Newton. Conclui-se para as economias em estudo que as exportações e importações são afetadas por variações das respectivas rendas externa e interna. O Brasil apresentou elasticidade-renda das importações maior que a elasticidade-renda das exportações, ao passo que a Argentina demonstrou elasticidade-renda das importações menor que a elasticidade renda das exportações.

För att Sverige ska uppnå de energimål som satts upp i enighet med Agenda 2030, är det av stor vikt att implementera mer förnybara resurser. Sektorkopplingsstrategier är en potentiell åtgärd vilket skulle optimera det svenska energisystemet. På sikt skulle det även kunna frigöra kapacitet, och därmed möjliggöra hantering av en större andel förnybara källor i elnätet. Syftet med den här studien är att bistå med en nulägesrapport av sektorkopplingsetablering i Sverige, med särskild fördjupning i region Gotland. Studien grundas i en omfattande litteraturstudie och kvalitativa intervjuer. Genom att studera tidigare litteratur inom området identifierades tekniker och metoder inom sektorkoppling, vars nuvarande utsträckning i Sverige kartlades. Den fördjupade datainsamlingen för studien var ostrukturerade kvalitativa intervjuer med projektledare och aktörer med relevans för Gotland. Resultatet från studien är en sammanställning av sektorkopplingtekniker samt hur dessa kan bidra till att öka flexibiliteten i energisystemet i allmänhet, och elnätet i synnerhet. Vidare kartlades projekt i Sverige som tillämpar dessa tekniker. Slutsatserna visar på att sektorkoppling redan är etablerat i Sverige, men befinner sig i ett tidigt stadium. Resultatet visade vidare att det krävs engagemang från kunder och aktörer, samt en viss standard i energisystemet för att möjliggöra en framgångsrik tillämpning av sektorkoppling i det svenska energisystemet. Resultaten belyser likväl att en fortsatt etablering av sektorkoppling kan komma att kräva ekonomiska incitament i form av bidrag och satsningar. / Including more renewable energy sources in the energy system is of great importance to enable Sweden to achieve its climate goals in unity of Agenda 2030. Sector coupling is a potential strategy for energy optimization, which in time could become a more established method to manage capacity issues, as well as permitting more renewable energy sources in the electricity grid. The purpose of this study is to compile a status report on current sector coupling in Sweden, with additional further investigation of region Gotland. The study is based on a comprehensive literature study as well as data collection through qualitative interviews with relevant stakeholders. Previous research and literature in the field enabled the identification of different technologies and methods relating to sector coupling. Qualitative data was gathered through unstructured interviews with represenatatives from companies and organizations having their focus set on energy planning in the Gotland region. The results consist of an assortment of various sector coupling technologies and their ability to increase the flexibility of the power grid and energy system in Sweden. In addition, several projects with diverse implementation of sector coupling strategies were also being mapped out. In conclusion, it became apparent that sector coupling is only at its earlier stages of implementation in Sweden. Further interest and commitment by customers and businesses is of great importance and needed to enable expansion of sector coupling technologies in Sweden. Moreover, the energy system requires standards, as well as financial incentives to promote further use of sector coupling in society.