Definitions for logistics are numerous. Logistics is furthermore divisionalised amongst functional lines as well as industry lines. Therefore one hears about military logistics, business logistics, marketing logistics, engineering logistics, logistics relating to e-commerce and some more. Within the various professional disciplines and societies the viewpoints differ even more than the definitions. The reason for this confusion when it comes to defining and understanding logistics is because of the way in which logistics is functionalised. With all these different functional focusses the emphasis tends to be on detailed logistics solutions often causing sub-optimisation of systems. There seems to be a lack of a unifying logistics approach that will allow consideration of the dynamic nature of systems to ensure system optimisation rather than sub-system optimisation. This thesis proposes a different approach to prevent the sub-optimisation of logistics by viewing logistics from a system perspective rather than a functional perspective and at the same time consider the life-cycle of the system of interest. When viewing logistics from a system perspective, the question to ask is not to which function logistics belong, but within each phase of the system life-cycle, what the contribution is logistics needs to make to the overall system performance. In order to view logistics from a system and life-cycle perspective, there needs to exist an understanding of systems and system concepts. This understanding has to be supplemented by an understanding how systems are created. As logistics is concerned with man-made systems, two types of man-made systems require A generic approach to integrated logistic support for whole-life whole-systems understanding, namely organisational systems and product systems, also known as durable goods. By using the system principles of holism, synthetic thinking and teleology, it is demonstrated that all systems can be described by generic sub-systems (the logistic subsystem being one of them), the success of all systems can be measured using the generic system measurements of ability, availability and affordability, and that all systems go through a life-cycle. Based on the reality that organisations and durable products/services all possess system characteristics as described above, and that non-durable products/services form part of a higher level system, a generic model has been constructed indicating the relationships and flow of the managerial and technical logistics activities which need to take place at each stage of the system’s life-cycle to ensure that the system ability, availability and affordability requirements are met. To validate the model, high level system dynamic relationships were constructed and the outcome of the application and non-application of the model argued using thought experiments. This was done using an imaginary system comparing the effects if the dynamic approach to logistics for the system is ignored to the effects if the dynamic approach to logistics for the system is followed. The thought experiment was done for all dimensions of logistics, namely operational support and maintenance support as well as for the management of each dimension throughout the life-cycle. It is thus concluded that following a dynamic approach to the logistics of a system greatly enhances the system performance. / Dissertation (PhD (Industrial Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Industrial and Systems Engineering / unrestricted

Namaqualand is world renowned for its mass displays of annual wildflowers occurring in highly disturbed areas. Leysera gnaphalodes is a short-lived perennial shrub that encroaches into this wildflower display, lessening the aesthetic appeal. For this reason populations of L. gnaphalodes need to be kept as small as possible. This is usually achieved by tilling the area regularly, but a less disruptive method would be preferable. Alternatives to this approach are explored. The effect of many interacting factors needed to be examined over long periods of time so that alternative management strategies could be evaluated. Ecological modelling was used as it is ideally suited to this purpose. A review of modelling and its application in ecology is given, which includes a description of the modelling process and a discussion of different types of models and their applications. It was hypothesised that grazing and low rainfall, in addition to tilling, could control the population size of L. gnaphalodes. Data was used from an eight-year study conducted to determine the effects of tilling, grazing and environmental factors on the seedbank and population size of L. gnaphalodes. A rule-based mechanistic mathematical model based on the logistic growth curve was constructed to describe the population dynamics of this species. The model-fit was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficients and graphs, and it proved to be a good model. Tilling and low rainfall were both found to be effective in reducing populations of L. gnaphalodes but grazing had no reducing effect. Simulations based on the model were run to test three different basic management strategies under stochastic rainfall conditions. The management strategy, which most effectively controlled the population was to till the lands whenever the population of L. gnaphalodes reaches of exceeds a relative frequency of 45%. Multivariate statistical models were constructed to determine the effects of all of these factors on the population of L. gnaphalodes. Tilling was confirmed to be effective in reducing the population, but grazing was found to have no effect. Low rainfall was also effective in controlling the population but has the disadvantages of being out of management control and also affecting the desirable wildflowers. / Dissertation (MSc (Botany))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Plant Science / unrestricted

Quand vient le temps de comprendre le comportement d’une personne, le regard est une source d’information importante. L’analyse des comportements des consommateurs, des criminels, ou encore de certains états cognitifs passe par l’interprétation du regard dans une scène à travers le temps. Il existe un besoin réel d’identification de la zone regardée sur un écran ou tout autre médium par un utilisateur. Pour cela, la vision humaine fait la composition de plusieurs images pour permettre de comprendre la relation tridimensionnelle qui existe entre les objets et la scène. La perception 3D d’une scène réelle passe alors à travers plusieurs images. Mais qu’en est-il lorsqu’il n’y a qu’une seule image ?

This research investigated the association of street network connectivity differences across travel modes with travel behaviour – mode choice, distance traveled and number of trips. To date research on travel behaviour relationships with urban form has not developed empirical evidence on street designs as distinct networks for walking and driving. A street network having greater connectivity and continuity for the pedestrian mode of travel vis-à-vis the vehicular network, like the Fused Grid, will likely encourage more walking. This hypothesis was investigated using a quasi-experimental approach within a rational utility behavioural framework. Local travel behaviour is theorized to be affected by desire to access goods and services (broadly termed, ‘activities’) in the community where people live. Using inferential statistics, the research tested for relationships between measured street patterns and self-reported local travel by King County, WA households. The main variables were ratios (walking : driving) of network connectivity and density, in the vicinity of travel survey households. Demographics and household characteristics, as well as other behaviourally influential urban form factors (residential density, proximity of destinations, etc.), were included in regression models, allowing control for confounding factors. Findings suggest that street networks with connectivity that provides better routing for one mode of transportation over others encourage more travel by the favored mode. The regression model demonstrated that a change from a pure small-block grid to a modified grid (i.e. Fused Grid) can result in an 11.3% increase in odds of a home-based trip being walked. The modified street pattern like a Fused Grid is also associated with a 25.9% increase, over street patterns with equivalent route directness for walking and driving, in the odds a person will meet recommended levels of physical activity. Finally, the Fused Grid’s 10% increase in relative connectivity for pedestrians is associated with a 23% decrease in local vehicle travel distance (VMT), and its improved continuity is associated with increased walking trips and distance. Conclusions: Other factors being equal, residential street networks with either more direct routing for pedestrians or more pedestrian facilities relative to vehicular network are associated with improved odds of walking and reduced odds of driving. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate

Innovativeness is one of the fundamental instruments of growth strategies that provide companies with a competitive edge. Only a few recent studies have examined marketing innovation and the factors that might encourage its adoption. This study investigates the factors that motivate marketing innovation and examines whether the occurrence of marketing innovation varies across industry sectors. This study uses data from surveys and a nationwide census conducted by Statistics Canada. They include: the Survey of Innovation and Business Strategies (SIBS) 2009, the Survey of Innovation and Business Strategies (SIBS) 2012, the Business Registry (BR) and the General Index of Financial Information (GIFI). Multilevel (random-intercept) logistic regression modelling is employed. The results show that if a firm has a strategic focus on new marketing practices, maintains marketing within its enterprise, acquires or expands marketing capacity, has competitor and customer orientations, and adopts advanced technology then it is more likely to carry out marketing innovation. However, breadth of long-term strategic objectives and competitive intensity do not have significant impacts on marketing innovation. In addition, product innovation and organizational innovation occur simultaneously with marketing innovation, but process innovation may not. Lastly, the occurrence of marketing innovation is found to vary across industry sectors. The theoretical and empirical implications of the results are discussed within this study.

The main goal of this thesis is to improve logistic processes at Anheuser-Busch InBev by aplying Lean and Six Sigma methods, in paticular, by using DMAIC methodology. Thesis is divided into two parts: theoretical and practical. In the theoretical part methods of Six Sigma and Lean are described and recent tendency to combine these methods together. Each step of DMAIC methodology was described in details in theoretical part. In the practical part there is a project which aims to of improveme international transport flows from England to Italy and from Belgium to England witth the use of DMAIC methodology.

Chtěla jsem se pokusit zodpovědět otázku - Proč Rusko, země disponující tak velkým turistickým potenciálem, kulturním a historickým dědictvím, přírodními krásami na obrovské rozloze v různých zeměpisných šířkách, nemá dostatečně vyvinutou turistickou infrastrukturu, a proč je málo navštěvovanou turistickou destinací. Ve své práci dokazuji, že logistika hraje v rozvoji regionálního cestovního ruchu důležitou roli. Rovněž jsem se snažila analyzovat budoucnost cestovního ruchu v Rusku a podíl cestovního ruchu na ekonomice Ruska v dlouhodobém horizontu.

This diploma thesis focuses on the analysis of logistic processes at Ravensburger Karton Ltd., known for the production of puzzles and games. The theoretical part provides the theoretical basis and deals with the description of each of logistics processes from development to distribution to end customers. The practical part shows how these processes work on the example of selected manufacturing company, along with their evaluation offers suggestions for possible improvements.

Master's Thesis focuses on logistic processes of e-shops. This branch is significantly developing and many sole traders and Small and Medium Enterprises join it. Due to strong competition it is necessary to find possibilities, how to be different from other e-shops. Such competition advantage can be reached with higher level of logistic services. Types of logistic chains that can be used in electronic commerce are defined in Thesis. Work of particular members of chain is described as well. Thesis also deals with evolution of e-commerce and various kinds of online retailers. I focused in great detail on function of e-shop that works according to pull-principle. Processes of this e-shop was compared with processes of e-shop that sell. goods from its stocks. The aim of this comparison was to find competition advantage that can be transfered to e-shop working without stocks. The last passage of Thesis deals with possibility of outsourcing that can make better services of e-shops.

The thesis is focused on the problematic of outsourcing of a specific project within the logistics provided by Dymofracht CZ, s. r. o. for the company Vegna Exteriors & Interiors (Nymburk) s.r.o. After a theoretical introduction to outsourcing, both companies are introduced, including the mutual relationship. The practical part of the thesis is aimed at introduction of the current project and its two possible varieties. These three versions are described and analyzed in detail in terms of time and cost. Along with the possible changes of the project, positive features of logistics outsourcing are described, where its application brings benefits not only the potential financial cost savings.