Following the suggestions of the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative publications on Life Cycle Management (LCM) as a business management approach to improve sustainability performance, this research explored LCM as a promising research area that could help identify the factors that influence the integration of sustainability aspects into organisational processes. The initial research strategy was comprised of LCM literature analysis to explore LCM and identify potential factors that could direct the data collection. The analysis of the LCM literature shows that LCM is vaguely described. This research analysis puts into context the various LCM approaches through the introduction of the four LCM elements. The LCM elements were used as a frame to analyse the LCM cases found in the literature and identify the factors that influence integration of sustainability in organisational processes. The next stage of the research strategy was to conduct action research studies to explore in close proximity the integration of sustainability aspects in organisational processes. Two in depth action research studies were conducted, influenced by engaged scholarship. During Case A, the LCM elements were used in practice to influence the project whilst the LCM factors were observed in practice. Case A demonstrated the complexity of sustainability-related information integration in organisational processes and the division of information flows towards different organisational functions to inform their own decision. The analysis highlighted that developing knowledge is a key LCM factor that influences the application of LCM. As the importance of developing knowledge became apparent, a novel sustainability related intellectual capital (SrIC) framework was developed then used during Case B. This framework is shown to assist the sustainability professionals of Company B in enhancing the sustainability related intellectual capital of the company, which in turn led to more effective sustainability integration. This research used LCM as a ‘vehicle’ to explore the integration of sustainability aspects into organisational processes and hence contribute to the LCM literature with the four LCM elements framework of analysis, descriptions of the factors that influence the application of LCM, bringing a focus on the importance of developing knowledge for the effective application of LCM, and identifying the intellectual capital factors that influence the integration of sustainability aspects into organisational processes.

Steam generators in nuclear power plants experienced varying degrees of under-deposit pitting corrosion. A probabilistic model to accurately predict pitting corrosion is necessary for effective life-cycle management of steam generators. This thesis presents an advanced probabilistic model of pitting corrosion characterizing the inherent randomness of the pitting process and measurement uncertainties of the in-service inspection (ISI) data obtained from eddy current (EC) inspections. A Bayesian method is developed for estimating the model parameters. The proposed model is able to estimate the number of actual pits, the actual pit depth as well as the maximum pit depth, which is the main interest of the pitting corrosion model. A MATLAB program of the Markov chain Monte Carlo technique is developed to perform the Bayesian estimations. Simulation experiments are performed to check the behavior of the Bayesian method. Results show that the MCMC algorithm is an effective way to estimate the model parameters. Also, the effectiveness and efficiency of Bayesian modeling are validated. A comprehensive case study is also presented on the in-service inspection data of pitting corrosion in a steam generator unit. The Weibull distribution is found to be an appropriate probability distribution for modeling the actual pit depth in steam generators.

Steam generators in nuclear power plants experienced varying degrees of under-deposit pitting corrosion. A probabilistic model to accurately predict pitting corrosion is necessary for effective life-cycle management of steam generators. This thesis presents an advanced probabilistic model of pitting corrosion characterizing the inherent randomness of the pitting process and measurement uncertainties of the in-service inspection (ISI) data obtained from eddy current (EC) inspections. A Bayesian method is developed for estimating the model parameters. The proposed model is able to estimate the number of actual pits, the actual pit depth as well as the maximum pit depth, which is the main interest of the pitting corrosion model. A MATLAB program of the Markov chain Monte Carlo technique is developed to perform the Bayesian estimations. Simulation experiments are performed to check the behavior of the Bayesian method. Results show that the MCMC algorithm is an effective way to estimate the model parameters. Also, the effectiveness and efficiency of Bayesian modeling are validated. A comprehensive case study is also presented on the in-service inspection data of pitting corrosion in a steam generator unit. The Weibull distribution is found to be an appropriate probability distribution for modeling the actual pit depth in steam generators.

<p>It generally takes 10 to 12 years for a new drug to hit the market. The pharmaceutical industry invests huge sums in these early stages of research and development. In spite of the rapidly rising research and development expenditures fewer and fewer blockbuster drugs are being developed. Longer lead times and aggressive generic post-patent competition have narrowed the timeframe for the pharmaceutical companies to profit on their investments.</p><p>In the face of these threats the pharmaceutical industry has developed a battery of strategies to prolong market exclusivity and to maximize return on investment. These emerging strategies are commonly known as Life cycle management (LCM), which actually is more of a concept than a method. A life cycle is a sequence that stretches all the way from early research and development, through marketing to finally end when the product is withdrawn from the market. By managing the product through these different stages the company can improve the commercial lifespan.</p><p>This thesis analyzes how Life cycle management is implemented in the Swedish pharmaceutical industry. The data is based on interviews from people who are active in the pharmaceutical business. Further, the thesis studies the strategies that AstraZeneca used for their gastrointestinal drugs Losec and Nexium.</p><p>Based on the collected data from the interviews a clear view of the role and involvement of LCM strategies appears. The value and importance of LCM have steadily increased during the last 10 years. LCM is heavily embedded in the decision processes of drugs today. Several strategies such as OTC switching and patent prolongation through pediatric indication application are common practice. The Swedish pharmaceutical industry has a prominent position in the advancement of LCM.</p> / <p>Idag lanseras mindre innovativa nya läkemedel än under 80- och 90-talet. Kostnaderna för att utveckla ett läkemedel har ökat och det tar dessutom längre tid från upptäckt till lansering. Läkemedel har endast en begränsad marknadsexklusivitet som styrs av patentskyddet. Vid patentutgång så utsätts läkemedlet för stenhård konkurrens från aggressiva generika tillverkare. De ställs hårdare krav på forskande farmaceutiska företag för att vara lönsamma i detta klimat.</p><p>Det finns en tydlig trend att läkemedelsföretag har blivit mer beroende av sina storsäljande läkemedel. Ett flertal offensiva strategier har utvecklats för att förlänga lönsamheten hos de mest framgångsrika läkemedlen, t.ex. genom att minska utvecklingstiden, utveckla nya formuleringar och expandera indikationerna. ”Life cycle management” (LCM) är ett samlingsbegrepp på dessa strategier, som används under en produkts livscykel för att förbättra den kommersiella livslängden. Försäljning och marknadsföring för innovativa läkemedel passerar distinkta faser och olika strategier krävs beroende på vilka fas en produkt befinner sig i.</p><p>I denna uppsats analyserar jag hur LCM är implementerat i den svenska läkemedelssektorn. Slutsatserna bygger på data från intervjuer av personer som är sysselsatta inom läkemedelsbranschen. Uppsatsen studerar dessutom de strategier som AstraZeneca har använt för sina två magtarmläkemedel Losec och Nexium.</p><p>Baserat på insamlad intervjudata så framkommer tydligt att LCM är starkt involverat i beslutsprocesserna runt ett läkemedel. Betydelsen av LCM har successivt ökat under de senaste 10 åren. Flera strategier för t.ex. patentförlängning är idag vanligt förekommande. Den svenska läkemedelsbranschen ligger relativt långt fram i denna utveckling.</p>

It generally takes 10 to 12 years for a new drug to hit the market. The pharmaceutical industry invests huge sums in these early stages of research and development. In spite of the rapidly rising research and development expenditures fewer and fewer blockbuster drugs are being developed. Longer lead times and aggressive generic post-patent competition have narrowed the timeframe for the pharmaceutical companies to profit on their investments. In the face of these threats the pharmaceutical industry has developed a battery of strategies to prolong market exclusivity and to maximize return on investment. These emerging strategies are commonly known as Life cycle management (LCM), which actually is more of a concept than a method. A life cycle is a sequence that stretches all the way from early research and development, through marketing to finally end when the product is withdrawn from the market. By managing the product through these different stages the company can improve the commercial lifespan. This thesis analyzes how Life cycle management is implemented in the Swedish pharmaceutical industry. The data is based on interviews from people who are active in the pharmaceutical business. Further, the thesis studies the strategies that AstraZeneca used for their gastrointestinal drugs Losec and Nexium. Based on the collected data from the interviews a clear view of the role and involvement of LCM strategies appears. The value and importance of LCM have steadily increased during the last 10 years. LCM is heavily embedded in the decision processes of drugs today. Several strategies such as OTC switching and patent prolongation through pediatric indication application are common practice. The Swedish pharmaceutical industry has a prominent position in the advancement of LCM. / Idag lanseras mindre innovativa nya läkemedel än under 80- och 90-talet. Kostnaderna för att utveckla ett läkemedel har ökat och det tar dessutom längre tid från upptäckt till lansering. Läkemedel har endast en begränsad marknadsexklusivitet som styrs av patentskyddet. Vid patentutgång så utsätts läkemedlet för stenhård konkurrens från aggressiva generika tillverkare. De ställs hårdare krav på forskande farmaceutiska företag för att vara lönsamma i detta klimat. Det finns en tydlig trend att läkemedelsföretag har blivit mer beroende av sina storsäljande läkemedel. Ett flertal offensiva strategier har utvecklats för att förlänga lönsamheten hos de mest framgångsrika läkemedlen, t.ex. genom att minska utvecklingstiden, utveckla nya formuleringar och expandera indikationerna. ”Life cycle management” (LCM) är ett samlingsbegrepp på dessa strategier, som används under en produkts livscykel för att förbättra den kommersiella livslängden. Försäljning och marknadsföring för innovativa läkemedel passerar distinkta faser och olika strategier krävs beroende på vilka fas en produkt befinner sig i. I denna uppsats analyserar jag hur LCM är implementerat i den svenska läkemedelssektorn. Slutsatserna bygger på data från intervjuer av personer som är sysselsatta inom läkemedelsbranschen. Uppsatsen studerar dessutom de strategier som AstraZeneca har använt för sina två magtarmläkemedel Losec och Nexium. Baserat på insamlad intervjudata så framkommer tydligt att LCM är starkt involverat i beslutsprocesserna runt ett läkemedel. Betydelsen av LCM har successivt ökat under de senaste 10 åren. Flera strategier för t.ex. patentförlängning är idag vanligt förekommande. Den svenska läkemedelsbranschen ligger relativt långt fram i denna utveckling.

As microalgas, nos últimos anos, veem sendo utilizadas em pesquisas para produção de energias renováveis, entre elas, o biodiesel. Esse é um biocombustível formado através de reação química entre um mol de triglicerídeo e três mols de um álcool, sendo metanol ou etanol os mais utilizados. As tecnologias de produção são as mais diversas, porém, algumas etapas são essenciais, como o sistema de cultivo, colheita, secagem, extração do óleo e o processo de conversão química. A presente pesquisa consiste no desenvolvimento de um sistema produtivo para o biodiesel, utilizando dados literários, com óleo de microalgas do gênero Chlorella cultivadas em vinhaça, em um processo posterior a produção de etanol. Para isso, foram desenvolvidos dois sistemas de produção, onde alterou-se o sistema de cultivo (lagoas de alta taxa e fotobiorreator), e foram dimensionados um sistema de tratamento preliminar na vinhaça, a unidade de extração do óleo por liquefação hidrotérmica e a unidade de conversão. Os dados necessários para o dimensionamento foram obtidos em literatura, seguindo as orientações de normas e manuais técnicos. Com os insumos de entrada e saída em cada processo, foram realizados estudos de avaliação do ciclo de vida (ACV), para determinar os potenciais impactos ambientais, e assim, comparar os dois sistemas de produção e avaliar sua viabilidade para produzir biodiesel em grande escala. Os estudos de ACV foram realizados de acordo com as normas técnicas da série ISO 14.040, com as representantes nacionais ABNT NBR ISO 14.040 e ABNT NBR ISO 14.044. Como unidade funcional, foi adotado 1 kg de biodiesel, analisado a influência dos critérios de alocação (massa, econômico, cut-off e massa, cut-off e econômico), utilizando o EDIP 1997 e USEtox para a quantificação dos potenciais de impactos. Os resultados indicam que o sistema com fotobiorreator apresentou maior produtividade de biomassa, e consequentemente, maior produção de biodiesel (foram produzidos 50,76 kg/h de óleo em fotobiorreator e 27,57 kg/h de óleo em lagoas de alta taxa). No entanto, o tratamento utilizado para a vinhaça não foi adequado, consumindo grande quantidade de coagulante com um gasto de R$ 11.067.840,00 por dia. Do ponto de vista energético, ocorreu maior consumo de energia para produção da unidade funcional, em relação a energia fornecida pela mesma, sendo até 60 vezes maior. Do ponto de vista ambiental, o sistema que utilizou o fotobiorreator para o cultivo, apresentou redução em todas as categorias de potenciais impactos ambientais, em média 45%, em relação ao sistema de lagoas de alta taxa. Contudo, os valores emitidos, comparado com outros sistemas pesquisados, obteve maiores contribuições de impacto para a unidade funcional, com amplitude de até 1632 vezes, na categoria de aquecimento global. Os critérios de alocação apresentaram grande influência nos resultados, contudo recomendações estabelecem que processos de alocação sejam realizados, primeiramente, através de relações físicas. / Microalgae, in recent years, have been used in researches for the production of renewable energy, such as, biodiesel. Biodiesel is a product of the chemical reaction between one mole of triglyceride and three moles of an alcohol, e.g. methanol or ethanol. The biodiesel production technologies are diverse, however, some steps are essential, such as cropping system, harvesting, drying, oil extraction and the chemical conversion process. The present research aimed the development of a production system of biodiesel, using the oil derived from microalgae growing in vinasse, in a process after ethanol production. Two production systems were developed, where the cultivation system (raceways ponds and photobioreactors) was altered, and a preliminary treatment system was designed for the vinasse, oil extraction unit (hydrothermal liquefaction), and conversion unit. The necessary data for the scaling were obtained in literature, following the guidelines of standards and technical manuals. Considering the inputs and outputs of each processes, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies were conducted to determine potential environmental impacts, compared two production systems and evaluated their characteristics to produce biodiesel on a large scale. The LCA studies were carried out according to the technical standards of the ISO 14,040 series, with the national representatives ABNT NBR ISO 14,040 and ABNT NBR ISO 14,044. As a functional unit, 1 kg of biodiesel was used, analyzing the influence of the allocation criteria (mass, economic, cut-off and mass, cut-off and economic) using EDIP 1997 and USEtox for the quantification of impact potentials. From the results, the photobioreactor system showed higher biomass productivity and, consequently, higher biodiesel production than raceways ponds (50.76 kg/h of oil in photobioreactor and 27.57 kg/h of oil were produced in raceways). However, the treatment used for vinasse was not adequate, consuming a large amount of coagulant costing R$ 11,067,840.00 per day. From the energetic point view, there was higher energy consumption for the production of the functional unit, in relation to the energy supplied by the unit (up to 60 times greater). From the environmental point view, the system with photobioreactor for cultivation, presented a reduction in all categories of potential environmental impacts, on average 45%, in relation to the raceways system. However, the pollutant loads emitted, compared to other systems surveyed, showed greater impact contributions to the functional unit reaching up to 1632 times, in the global warming category. The allocation criteria had great influence on the results, however, the recommendations that establish that allocation processes are carried out, mainly, through physical relations.

The Life Cycle Management System (LMS) aims at supporting decision-makers and engineers in their efforts to achieve a more optimised proactive life cycle design and maintenance management strategy. LMS is an open and integrative system, which has to be adapted and developed in order to meet the needs and requirements of users. This process should be geared to and governed by the clients. The Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Facility Management (AEC/FM) sector includes all varieties of clients and stakeholders, all of them having different qualifications, possibilities and requirements for implementing, or increasing the feature of predictive maintenance management and optimised proactive strategies. The possibilities of adopting predictive maintenance management are dependent on the availability of performance-over-time and service life forecasting models and methods. The relevance of these models and methods depends on the required level of detailing. Furthermore, the use of the models and methods depends on the availability of reliable input data, such as material data and environmental exposure/in-use condition data. The thesis aims at analysing the possibilities of implementing predictivity in different fields of applications and at evaluating relevant tools facilitating management of information associated with predictive maintenance management systems. The thesis includes studies of three different clients and fields of application; Swedish Road Administration – management of bridges, Locum AB – management of hospital buildings, and Gävle Energi AB – management of district heating distribution systems. While the Swedish Road Administration is responsible to ensure an economically efficient, sustainable transport system for the society throughout the country, Locum AB and Gävle Energi AB compete on an "open" market. The Swedish Road Administration have gathered information about their bridges since 1944, for what reason their bridge management system includes a large amount of valuable data for performance-over- time analyses and service life forecasting. Locum AB has recently begun to systematically gather condition data, why the amount of data is limited. However, since the performance of buildings generally is well known, it is assumed that possibilities of implementing predictive maintenance management tools are rather good. Since district heating pipes are buried into the ground, it is difficult to assess the condition. Therefore, data for service life estimation rely mainly on damage reports. Environmental exposure data on macro or meso level can be obtained from meteorological and environmental institutes, thus making it possible to apply available dose-response and damage functions. Environmental exposure data on a micro level are lacking. Guidelines, methods and tools for environmental measuring and modelling on a micro level are therefore strongly needed. Efficient management of information plays an important role in predictive life cycle management systems. The ongoing development and implementation of open Building Information Model (BIM) tools in the AEC/FM sector is a promising progress of making the information management more cost effective and valuable, especially when open BIM solutions being fully integrated into the AEC/FM business. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are tools for efficient handling of spatial positioned information. GIS provide possibilities of processing and presenting, e.g., environmental exposure data and environmental risk factors. / QC 20100716

Due to the impact of active matrix liquid crystal display (LCD), twisted nematic (TN)/super-twisted nematic display (STN) industry confronts the market recession worldwide. Therefore, STN-LCD companies try to seek another development opportunity positively. However, developing new market can not be achieved in the short term. Some corporations actively strengthen their competitive advantage by technical innovation in order to possess more important position in the industry. This research apply case study method and chose E-Company as sample company who ranked the third in Taiwan STN-LCD industry in terms of production capacity to find out the business model of E-Company through literature generalization, strategies analysis of rivals and enterprise interview. This study found that the business model of E-Company is that strengthening the ability of horizontal integration and expanding the application field of display. By way of business process reengineering (BPR) and implementing product life-cycle management (PLM) system, E-Company integrates the products of downstream customers and offers technical support and services during concept planning phase of product development. Customers and suppliers can early involve the product development and reduce the cost of design change via collaborative design. Besides, collaborative design offers E-Company the capability to integrate the design chain information about product development and reduce time to market. Key word: Business Model, Business Process Reengineering (BPR), Product Life-cycle Management (PLM), Collaborative Product Design (CPD)

The degradation of aging energy infrastructure systems has the potential to increase the risk of failure, resulting in power outage and costly unplanned maintenance work. Therefore, the development of scientific and cost-effective life cycle management (LCM) strategies has become increasingly important to maintain energy infrastructure. Since degradation of aging equipment is an uncertain process which depends on many factors, a risk-based approach is required to consider the effect of various uncertainties in LCM. The thesis presents probabilistic models to support risk-based life cycle management of energy infrastructure systems. In addition to uncertainty in degradation process, the inspection data collected by the energy industry is often censored and truncated which make it difficult to estimate the lifetime probability distribution of the equipment. The thesis presents modern statistical techniques in quantifying uncertainties associated with inspection data and to estimate the lifetime distributions in a consistent manner. Age-based and sequential inspection-based replacement models are proposed for maintenance of component in a large-distribution network. A probabilistic lifetime model to consider the effect of imperfect preventive maintenance of a component is developed and its impact to maintenance optimization is illustrated. The thesis presents a stochastic model for the pitting corrosion process in steam generators (SG), which is a serious form of degradation in SG tubing of some nuclear generating stations. The model is applied to estimate the number of tubes requiring plugging and the probability of tube leakage in an operating period. The application and benefits of the model are illustrated in the context of managing the life cycle of a steam generator.

The degradation of aging energy infrastructure systems has the potential to increase the risk of failure, resulting in power outage and costly unplanned maintenance work. Therefore, the development of scientific and cost-effective life cycle management (LCM) strategies has become increasingly important to maintain energy infrastructure. Since degradation of aging equipment is an uncertain process which depends on many factors, a risk-based approach is required to consider the effect of various uncertainties in LCM. The thesis presents probabilistic models to support risk-based life cycle management of energy infrastructure systems. In addition to uncertainty in degradation process, the inspection data collected by the energy industry is often censored and truncated which make it difficult to estimate the lifetime probability distribution of the equipment. The thesis presents modern statistical techniques in quantifying uncertainties associated with inspection data and to estimate the lifetime distributions in a consistent manner. Age-based and sequential inspection-based replacement models are proposed for maintenance of component in a large-distribution network. A probabilistic lifetime model to consider the effect of imperfect preventive maintenance of a component is developed and its impact to maintenance optimization is illustrated. The thesis presents a stochastic model for the pitting corrosion process in steam generators (SG), which is a serious form of degradation in SG tubing of some nuclear generating stations. The model is applied to estimate the number of tubes requiring plugging and the probability of tube leakage in an operating period. The application and benefits of the model are illustrated in the context of managing the life cycle of a steam generator.