Zugl.: Duisburg, Essen, Univ., Diss., 2006

Universiẗat, Diss.--Augsburg, 2006.

Volcanic eruptions are powerful, uncontrollable natural events which produce a number of hazards that can impact upon all aspects of society, including critical infrastructure. The most widespread and disruptive of these hazards is volcanic ashfall. Direct ashfall impacts, even minor, can cause multiple knock on effects throughout all critical infrastructure sectors leading to disruption of these services, on which society relies. However with appropriate volcanic risk management strategies, these impacts can be lessened. Electronic equipment, including laptop computers, are a common and vital component in all critical infrastructure sectors, field based volcanic research and wider society. Therefore, it is important to understand how laptops will function in volcanic environments. This thesis assesses the vulnerability of laptop computers to volcanic ash and gas hazards through field and laboratory based experimentation and the development of quantitative risk assessments metrics. Laboratory based ash vulnerability experiments were carried out in the Volcanic Ash Testing Facility, University of Canterbury, using a mass produced basalt ‘pseudo ash’, which is physically and chemically analogous to fresh volcanic ash. Each laptop was exposed to ash for 100 160 hours at fall rates of ~500 g/m² h. None of the ten laptops used sustained any permanent damage from volcanic ash, however, three shutdown temporarily due to overheating. This was because laptops only contain a few small ventilation holes which prevent large quantities of ash from entering the laptops. However, ash contamination reduced functionality of keyboards, CD drives and some cooling fans as these are open to the environment or located close to ventilation holes. Wet ash, known to cause short circuits of electrical equipment, was not able to enter the laptops because it is less mobile than dry ash. Functionality was retained with the use of simple mitigation techniques such as placing laptops inside heavy duty polyethylene bags. Volcanic gas vulnerability experiments were undertaken at White Island, New Zealand. Three laptops were exposed to high concentrations of volcanic gases for ~5 hours. None however, sustained any permanent damage, due to the limited quantity of gas that could enter the laptop, although metal components on the outside of the laptop sustained minor corrosion.

Lorraine Yuen Tai Yeung. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 28). / ABSTRACT --- p.i / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.ii / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.iv / ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS --- p.v / GLOSSARY --- p.vi / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.0 --- Description of Personal Computers --- p.1 / Chapter 2.0 --- IBM Notebook Computer --- p.8 / Chapter 3.0 --- Objective and Significance of the Research --- p.19 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.21 / Chapter 1.0 --- Competitive Environment --- p.21 / Chapter 2.0 --- Strategies of Major PC Manufacturers --- p.23 / Chapter 3.0 --- Hong Kong Market --- p.25 / Chapter 4.0 --- Hong Kong PC Market Segmentation by Industrial Applications --- p.26 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.28 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- METHODOLOGY --- p.30 / Chapter 1.0 --- Exploratory Projects --- p.30 / Chapter 2.0 --- Trade Survey --- p.34 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- KEY FINDINGS --- p.36 / Chapter 1.0 --- Findings on Buyers' Reactions to the Notebook Computers --- p.36 / Chapter 2.0 --- Retailers and Dealers --- p.41 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.46 / Chapter 1.0 --- Conclusions --- p.46 / Chapter 2.0 --- Recommendations --- p.54 / APPENDICES / Chapter I --- An Example of Radio Networking / Chapter II --- PC Unit Sales in Hong Kong: 1989 - 1995 / Chapter III --- 1990 Hong Kong PC Market Shares by Dollar Volume / Chapter IV --- The IBM Notebook Computer Specifications / Chapter V --- The IBM Notebook Computer Advertisement / Chapter VI --- The IBM Notebook Computer Sales Volume / Chapter VII --- Notebook Computer Competitive Information / Chapter VIII --- Questionnaire Part 1 / Chapter IX --- Questionnaire Part 2 / Chapter X --- Focus Group Discussion Guide / Chapter XI --- Retailers and Dealers Interview Guide / Chapter XII --- Demographic Information of Participants / Chapter XIII --- Detailed Information on the Survey Findings / Chapter XIV --- The IBM Notebook Computer Direct Mail Advertisement / Chapter XV --- Media Placement of the IBM Notebook Computer Ad (as shown in Appendix V)

網際網路影響的層面大至政府的政策、法令、企業的經營策略、作業細節，小至個別消費者的喜好。在網際網路逐漸成為全球網路通用標準後，各種企業應用系統以及企業與交易夥伴間互動關係逐漸產生變化。 全球化讓企業暴露在高度競爭環境之下，迫使企業必須不斷翻新事業經營方式。企業正朝向流程委外的方向努力，委外的潮流建立了虛擬企業的基礎。於是企業與交易夥伴形成所謂的「虛擬延伸企業」，並建立一個牢不可破的價值鏈，以便在市場上和競爭對手競爭。這種虛擬團隊，需要將彼此的商業流程和訊息緊密地整合，從產品設計到與客戶交易，甚至於維修的過程毫無間隙地貫穿。 隨著網際網路在商業環境的應用越來越廣泛，架構在網際網路環境下的協同作業成為企業迎戰未來的一項重要利器。企業電子化下之協同作業，就是利用一些軟體系統，將企業的應用軟體、套裝軟體及傳統資訊系統等，在企業之間整合起來，這是一種新價值鏈的經營模式，也是競爭時代企業的新趨勢。 在協同作業下，企業對交易夥伴（上游供應商及下游客戶）在流程與資訊上整合，並根據企業資源的現況（包含內部與外部），做最佳化安排，以快速回應客戶、市場以及競爭者。企業電子化的重心，不再只是透過網際網路從事大量交易，而是利用網際網路提升價值鏈上資訊的透明度，促進企業問整合活動的進行，以進入協同作業的新紀元。 筆記型電腦一直是我國資訊產業非常重要的一環，本研究以國內筆記型電腦製造業為研究範圍，探究其與供應商協同作業之發展現況。 本研究以「TEMPLET評估工具」對企業之於未來虛擬延伸企業的準備程度做一個完整的評估；另外以「IBM e-business Collaboration Tool／供應商協同作業評估模組」對企業間協同作業之現況及發展方向做全面性評估。再輔以文件的收集、分析、個案訪談，以及在實務界多年的觀察，整理出協同作業發展的現況以及國內企業界目前發展所遭遇的瓶頸。 從TEMPLET評比的四大項目，資訊技術能力、資料管理能力、流程管理能力、組織管理能力，分析個案公司對虛擬企業發展的準備程度，可得知個案公司的準備程度頗高，而且彼此間的差異並不大。由於長期與國際大廠的合作，使得個案公司逐漸從區域性的製造工廠轉型為國際性的製造及服務公司。不論在經營管理能力或是資訊技術能力，個案公司都繼續不斷的調整其發展方向，試圖為全球的經營佈局而努力。 透過IBM e-business Collaboration Evaluation Tool／供應商協同作業評估模組，發現個案公司在供應鏈規劃及採購協同作業的推動不遺餘力，其相關的協同作業應用較為普及。設計協同作業雖然在萌芽階段，但也受到普遍的重視。協同作業雖然已經對個案公司的作業效率有相當程度的提升，但是，現今的協同作業方式，多屬於前端資料交換，而非企業內部與供應商之間應用系統的整合。本研究將個案公司發展的瓶頸歸納為以下幾個原因： 1. 供應商資訊技術的配合條件不同 2. 標準平台尚未成熟 3. 內部作業仍有相當程度的人工介入 4. 對商業機密或敏感資訊的分享顧慮 5. 工作流程和商業規則的定義極其繁瑣 6. 政府政策尚未成熟 7. 設計協同環境的尚未成熟 面對知識經濟時代的來臨，從提高產品的附加價值角度來看，台灣資訊製造業如何整合品牌優勢（代工品牌人自有品牌）、創新實力、軟體、服務等應是努力的重點。近年來，台灣資訊製造業在交易導向的實行系統建立了很好的基礎，未來則將往企業外部關係層次的整合方向而努力。 企業可藉由網際網路的協同作業把產品設計、製造、採購、業務、行銷、人事系統、現場服務以及客戶服務等，緊密地聯繫在一起，形成一個環球知識網。藉此追求策略定位，建構一個特別的價值鏈，讓企業能夠傳遞某種獨特的價值。而且為了對抗競爭，價值鏈必須借助協同作業的高度整合，讓企業所有活動都能緊密配合，甚至不斷強化。 全面性的協同作業雖然可幫助企業增加營運效益以及追求策略定位，但是協同作業的成功須仰賴多方面條件的配合。協同作業的發展是個連續性、階段性發展的過程，並非一蹴可及。雖然現今的協同作業處於推廣、萌芽的階段，但是協同作業將會繼續的推行，朝向交易雙方的後端系統即時且完全整合的目標前進。企業應按部就班完成階段性協同作業的計畫，待環境成熟、相關條件可配合的時候，則可領先取得競爭優勢。 關鍵詞：企業電子化、協同作業、筆記型電腦產業。 / The Internet is arguably the most powerful tool today, the influence of Internet is extremely comprehensive, covering governments' policies and regulations, companies' strategies and detailed operations, as far as consumers' individual preference. While the Internet comes to full development, the enterprise information system and the nature of business relationship have to change along. In today's rapidly changing business environment, firms not only compete on product but on business models. To succeed in globally competitive environment, companies are pursuing a strategy of focus, offloading part of activities to trading partners. The Internet technologies have made outsourcing easier for companies to coordinate with their suppliers, giving widespread currency to the notion of the "virtual extended enterprise". Companies communicate and collaborate electronically with partners around the world, they join together to achieve a shared business goal, where each operating unit contributes according to its core competency. Fully achieving the advantages of a virtual extended enterprise requires comprehensive collaboration, which enables tight business-to-business connection. By applying Internet technology to integrate information system and process across companies, collaboration creates a new business model to achieve a competitive edge. This research is concerning the collaborative progression upon Taiwan notebook computer manufactures, with the framework of "TEMPLET assessment checklist" and "IBM e-business Collaboration Tool/supplier collaboration module". Enriching with papers analysis, case study, and industry observation from years of experience, this study aims at exploring current development status quo, further, examining thoroughly the difficulties industry has encountered. Assessing the preparedness for virtual enterprise by TEMPLET'S four evaluation criteria "information, people, process and technology", we learn that companies in study have accomplished substantial readiness. Having the long-term cooperation with international leading enterprises, the companies have been transforming themselves from local manufactures to service-oriented global manufactures. Evaluating readiness for e-business and collaboration with suppliers by IBM e-business Collaboration Tool/supplier collaboration module, we find that both supply chain management and e-procurement have been applied pervasively in association with the companies' dedication to supply collaboration for years. Although design collaboration is still in its infancy, its relevant applications are attracting attention nowadays. The companies have benefited from collaboration at certain degree, nevertheless, the existing collaboration are only limited in front-end data exchange, instead of back-end system integration. This research concludes the major difficulties the companies facing are as below: 1. The readiness of suppliers' information technology is quite different. 2. The platform standard is not mature yet. 3. The companies' internal operations involve considerable human intervention. 4. Sharing concern exists upon business confidentiality and sensitive information. 5. The definition ofworkflow and business rule is too onerous to get through. 6. Government's policy is not ready yet. 7. The circumstances for design collaboration is not in prepared state. Towards knowledge-based economy, Taiwan's IT (information technology) industry is exploring how to integrate the advantage of brand (contracted manufacture brand/own brand), innovation, software, services in order to outperform the average competitors. In these years, the industry has set a solid foundation at transactional interconnection system. In the coming years, the industry will move to cross- enterprise relationship integration, such as customer database, marketing information, product design information and so forth. By fully deploying collaboration, companies are able to tight the operations of product design, manufacturing, purchase, sales activities, marketing, humor resources, and customer services together to optimize both internal and external resources. The series of collaboration enables the entire value chain highly integrated as a self- reinforcing system, and it helps companies deliver a unique value proposition. Collaboration contributes operational effectiveness and strategic positioning, but its success depends on various conditions. The evolution of collaboration is a continuous process. Though collaboration is in initial stage up to date, its development must be going on constantly, heading to real-time, end-to-end integration. Companies have to make sophisticated plan for each stage, carrying out the plan step by step for pursuing distinctive advantage. Keywords: e-business, collaboration, and Taiwan notebook computer industry.

小筆電可說是筆記型電腦所演化的新產品，這個新產品在近兩年經濟不景氣的時代背景之下，迅速熱賣，市場的接受度可說是非常的高。本研究以文獻分析法探討小筆電的興起、宏碁公司的經營策略、筆記型電腦產業的競爭策略、筆記型電腦產業的核心能力分析模式、以及科技行銷策略，以｢技術採用生命週期｣的分析理論，建構研究模式。 近兩年小筆電的熱銷讓宏碁Aspire One出奇致勝，即使宏碁並不是首推小筆電的廠商，卻迅速反應，在很短的時間內，搶佔市場。Aspire One的熱銷是宏碁不巧受到幸運之神眷顧？還是宏碁在策略上運用得宜？小筆電的興起對宏碁筆記型電腦經營的策略有何特別的意涵？ 本論文以個案研究法，除了相關文獻的蒐集與分析之外，輔以筆者在筆記型電腦大廠深耕約二十年的工作經驗，深度分析小筆電的興起、以及宏碁公司的經營策略。 / Netbook can be seen as the new product developed from Notebook computer. In the wake of economic recession in recent two years, market acceptance for Netbook has become extremely high. This research is based on literature analysis, aims to analyze the rise of Netbook era, Acer‟s corporate strategy, the competitive approach in Notebook computer industry, the analysis model upon core competition in Notebook computer industry, and technology marketing strategy. The study is taking “Technology Life Circle” as research model . Acer‟s Aspire One is the biggest winner in Netbook selling record. Even Acer is not the first one to promote Netbook, its prompt response to the market brings Acer to the biggest Netbook player. Is Acer just lucky for perfect timing heading to this triumph, or it indicates Acer‟s strategies properly deployed? Besides, does the rise of the Netbook era since change the direction of Acer‟s business strategy? The research is doing in the manner of case study. On top of related literature analysis, my professional working experience within Notebook computer industry nearly twenty years is crucial for insight analysis of the rise of Netbook era and Acer‟s business strategy. Hopefully, this research brings reference value to industry.

近年來服務創新風起雲湧，由服務科學在世界研究之進展，可以看出「服務科學」將成為下一個熱門學科的風潮。國內外著名大學或研究中心投入甚多資源於服務科學之研究與人才培育，就算是製造業，對於服務的提供亦是相當重視，希望透過服務增加價值、強化競爭力，以利與同業進行對抗。因此在現今服務相關的學術領域中，如何透過服務創新以強化競爭力就變得是重要的議題。 本研究以服務創新為架構針對流程差異化進行探討，選擇我國筆記型電腦代工產業進行研究，期望能幫產業找到出路，也為服務創新開創新猷。我國筆記型電腦代工產業由於對於國際大廠之忠誠度與服務滿意度均獲肯定，是故世界上有90%的筆記型電腦代工均是由我國廠商進行，本研究以服務創新解析筆記型電腦產業，進而了解其流程差異化對於競爭力之影響。 本研究將使用Rob Bilderbeek與Pim DenHertog等學者於1998年8月發表之論文中指出服務創新的四個構面進行個案撰寫，素材則是深度訪談與次級資料並用，個案的公司是我國筆記型電腦第一大廠－廣達電腦（Quanta），以及由研究者立意選的華宇電腦（Arima）與精英電腦（Elitegroup）。最後將產業分析與個案分析進行比對，做出本研究之結論與建議，並針對流程差異化在筆記型電腦產業所引發的服務創新相關議題進行省思。 / The service innovation in Taiwan has been thriving in recent years. With the development of service science, we can see its future potential to be the next trend of popular study. Many famous colleges and research centers all over the world invest a lot in research of service science and the cultivation of the experts. Even a manufacturing industry will put a high emphasis on its services. They hope to compete with their counterparts by adding the value and strengthening their competiveness through service. Therefore, how to strengthen competitiveness through service innovation has become an important issue. This research will use service innovation as a framework to discuss process differentiation, expecting to find much more profound thoughts of innovation services and then open a new gate for industry. Taiwan’s notebook computer fundry industry composes 90 percent in the world market thanks to the acknowledgement from global brand-names in terms of loyalty to the brand and satisfaction of service. This research will analyze the notebook industry from the aspect of service innovation and then the effect of process differentiation has on competitiveness. Rob Bilderbeek and Pim DenHertog’s essay in August 1998 discussing service innovation in four dimensions are used in my essay, which are: new service concept, new client interface, new service delivery system and technological options. Interviews in depth and secondary data will be used at the same time. The case studies included are Quanta, Arima and Elitegroup. Quanta have the largest scale in Taiwan notebook industry which may be resulted from their service innovation that enhances their competitiveness. Through their case, I hope to find the edge of those similar companies in Taiwan. To sum up, this research touches on the innovation services especially of notebook computer industry. Comparing industry analysis and case study can lead us to think about the following issues: whether service innovation is easy to be come up with, whether there are too many similar aspects in this industry, what competitive situation or custom can lead to such a desirable result, and how we can deal with the problem when there are too many people doing the same thing.