Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:50:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2834.pdf: 2787319 bytes, checksum: 91bd0100c4d2477d07ebea6d978218d5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-05-22 / In the 80 s, a new competitive managerial approach, named Supply Chain Management (SCM), has begun an innovative behavior in the operation area. The advances of logistics, information technology, and organizational studies made up conditions for the organizations to operate according to this vision which, besides new opportunities, also created a series of questions to be answered. The organizations started being managed under a wider perspective and their operations contemplated a bigger integration among clients and suppliers. Therefore, additional knowledges were necessary if such new perspective of management would be used. Supply Chain (SC) managers need support from new ways of organizational learning to deep the understanding of SC operation and, this way, to receive helps for strategy formulations and decision making. This work intends to build a theoretical model and simulation of SCM. Experiment of simulation model betters the option for new strategies through managerial learning on effective performance of a SC. New strategies are defined with the cause-effect relationship to shape a SC structure and actions which take the strategic alignment of belonging organizations. A coordinated application of such actions betters the competitiveness, in a sustainable way, to the enterprises as well their chains. / Na década de 80 uma nova abordagem competitiva e gerencial denominada Gestão de Cadeia de Suprimento (GCS) inaugura um novo comportamento no âmbito das operações. Os avanços da logística, da tecnologia de informação e dos estudos organizacionais criaram as condições para que as organizações passassem a operar segundo essa nova visão, que, ao lado de novas oportunidades, fez também surgir uma série de questões ainda por responder. As organizações passam a ser geridas sob uma perspectiva mais ampla e suas operações contemplam uma maior integração entre seus fornecedores e clientes. Nesse sentido, conhecimentos adicionais tornam-se necessários para a utilização dessa nova perspectiva de gestão. Os gestores de Cadeia de Suprimentos (CS) precisam do apoio das novas formas de aprendizado organizacional para aprofundar a compreensão do funcionamento das CS e, assim, obter subsídios para a formulação de estratégias e as consequentes tomadas de decisão. É com esse intuito que o trabalho propõe a construção de um modelo teórico e de simulação de GCS. A experimentação do modelo de simulação proporciona o aprimoramento da opção por novas vias estratégicas por meio da aprendizagem gerencial sobre o desempenho efetivo de uma CS. As novas estratégias são definidas com a identificação das relações de causa e efeito que configuram a estrutura da CS e das ações que levam ao alinhamento estratégico das organizações que a integram. A aplicação, de forma coordenada, dessas ações leva à melhoria da competitividade, de forma sustentável, para as empresas e respectivas cadeias.

Nos últimos anos, a simulação computacional vem assumindo uma importância cada vez maior como ferramenta de aquisição de conhecimento. Na simulação desenvolvida nos primórdios da Pesquisa Operacional, os problemas eram resolvidos por meio da obtenção dos melhores resultados possíveis para cada parte individual do modelo. Entretanto, à medida que a complexidade dos problemas cresceu, surgiu a necessidade de se utilizar uma abordagem mais sistêmica e generalista. A simulação utilizou-se, inicialmente, de linguagens de programação geral, como o FORTRAN. Mas, à medida que a complexidade das observações e a capacidade dos recursos computacionais cresceram, surgiram os programas de simulação de propósito geral (como o GPSS) e os baseados na Dinâmica dos Sistemas (DYNAMO, STELLA etc). Essa metodologia (dinâmica dos sistemas) faz uso do conceito de pensamento sistêmico para a resolução de problemas e para o estudo de sistemas. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho tem como principal objetivo identificar e analisar os aspectos potenciais da simulação enquanto ferramenta de aquisição de conhecimento. Para atingir esse objetivo, aplica-se a simulação a um sistema de fila de uma fábrica de componentes plásticos. / In the last years, the computer simulation has become a vital tool in the development of several self-learning techniques, as well in the acquisition of knowledge in the engineering teaching and in the managerial training. The simulation used in the early years of the Operational Research boarded the potential problems by obtaining the best possible results for each part of the model. However, as the complexity of such problems increased, the need for more systemic and generalist approaches has also increased. Initially, the simulation was performed by general programming languages as FORTRAN. But, as the complexity of the observations and the capability of the computer resources increased, Simulation Languages (like GPSS) and Dynamic System Simulation Software (dynamo, STELLA etc) were developed. This methodology (“System Dynamics”) uses concepts of the systemic thought to solve problems and to analyze systems. In that context, the main objectives of this work are to identify and to analyze the potential aspects of the simulation based on System Dynamics when applied in the engineering teaching and in the managerial training.

The surety bond industry plays a vital role in construction and development and as it grows, the need for efficiency increases in order to maximize profits. Many surety firms have developed streamlined formulas for measuring numerical data however, despite the highly interpersonal nature of surety, the qualitative evaluation aspects of prospective clients remains inefficient. This study utilizes System Dynamics models to demonstrate a format that can easily be applied to the surety underwriting process to better and more effectively evaluate client character, ultimately leading to an increase in profits and productivity.

Improvement work in manufacturing industry usually focuses on the utilisation of equipment. System dynamics simulation is a potential tool for increasing the utilisation of systems. By using group model building and simulation it facilitates a common view and better informed decisions for change. However, a gap between theory and practice of how to implement these projects is identified, consequently the major question for this thesis. The approach for solving this problem used industrial case studies with action research character; including modelling and interviews affecting the actors in the studied systems. Together with literature studies these efforts contribute with identifying how system dynamics projects can be performed for manufacturing systems development. It is shown that the support for how to implement system dynamics projects is unsatisfying and general. During the research progress a framework of guidelines has crystallised in order to bridge the presented gap of this thesis. Finally, the results are considered to make it easier to support manufacturing systems development using system dynamics.

The thesis focuses on a medium-sized software company providing services for the largest financial companies and telecommunications operators in the Czech Republic since 1998, the corporate strategy formulation and representation of the strategy as the Balanced Scorecard. The strategic business units are identified, then analyses of different macro-environmental factors, resources and competencies elaborated. The analyses are used to formulate the strategies for the strategic business units. The corporate strategy is formulated based on discussed synergies between the strategic business units. The corporate strategy is expressed as the Balanced Scorecard system, the strategy map and the strategic actions are introduced. Finally, several aspects of the strategy are discussed from the system dynamics perspective.

We are living in an unjust world where the majority of humanity is subject to unequal economic and public policy systems that perpetuate cycles of poverty. Civil society, of which international NGOs are major players, are acknowledging the need for systemic, transformational change, which has to include meaningful participation in decision making processes by those whom are most vulnerable. In order to more effectively play this role, a number of international NGOs are moving decentralised structures (often comprised of independent entities at country level) to legitimately represent their primary constituents - those that are vulnerable, living in poverty, mostly in the global South. A consequence of this trajectory is added internal complexity and the creation of new management challenges, as decision making processes become more participatory and transparent. In addition, this new reality of complex federal structures also requires that power inequities between entities, are openly acknowledged and managed. Despite these challenges, this is a non-negotiable journey for many international NGOs and they acknowledge the need to adapt their management mechanisms to better handle this internal complexity. First-hand experience sparked the interest to apply operational research and system dynamics approaches to one such management mechanism, that of resource planning and allocation within international NGOs. This study aims to develop a set of insights, based on the system dynamics model, that could be useful to international NGO decision makers as they respond to their “real life” resource allocation challenges. Problem structuring methods are applied to these resource allocation challenges to gain a deeper understanding of the core components of resource allocation in order to develop a generic system dynamics model that simulates the necessary behaviours based on stakeholder input. A set of management scenarios are developed and form the basis for conducting experimental runs on the generic system dynamics model, testing different parameters in an effort to compare quantitative results. These quantitative results are used to compare performance against the original generic model, analysing trends and model behaviour to inform qualitative recommendations and conclusions.

Voltage stability studies (VSS) of the electric network is a crucial factor to make the system operate in stable region and to prevent power blackouts. There are several commercial tools available for VSS of electric transmission systems (TS) but not many for distribution systems (DS). With increasing penetration of distributed renewable generations and meshed network within DS, shipboard power system (SPS) and microgrid, these VSS tools need to be extended for DS. Due to inherent characteristic like high R/X ratio, three phase and unbalanced operation, DS or SPS requires different mathematical approach than TS. Unbalanced three phase power flow and continuation power flow tools were developed using current injection and corrector predictor methods in this work for VSS. Maximum loading point for given DS or SPS can be computed using developed tools to guide required preventive and corrective actions. Developed tool was tested and validated for several different test cases.

The thyroid gland secretes hormones that help to govern metabolism and energy expenditure within the body [1]; these hormones also affect growth and development. As a result, the regulation of thyroid hormones is vital for maintaining an individual's well being. Graves' disease is an autoimmune disorder and is a major cause of hyperthyroidism or an overproduction of thyroid hormones. Radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy has become the preferred treatment with typical RAI protocols being based on the Marinelli-Quimby equation to compute the dose; however, up to 90 % of subjects become hypothyroid within the first year after therapy. In this thesis we focus on the development of a new computational protocol for the calculation of RAI in the treatment of Graves' hyperthyroidism. The new protocol implements a two-compartment model to describe RAI kinetics in the body, which accounts for the conversion between different RAI isotopes used in diagnostic and therapeutic applications. Thus, by using the measured response of the subject's thyroid to a test dose of 123I, the model predicts what amount of RAI (131I) will be needed to reduce, through ablation, the functional, thyroid volume/mass to an amount that would result in a normal metabolic balance. A detailed uncertainty analysis was performed using both a standard propagation of error method as well as a simulation method. The simulation method consisted of both parametric and nonparametric bootstrapping techniques. Using clinical data consisting of activity kinetics and mass dynamics of 17 subjects and measured final mass values of 7 of the 17 subjects, we were able to validate the protocol as well as quantify the uncertainty analysis. This protocol is the basis of an ongoing pilot study in conjunction with Cooley Dickinson hospital, Northampton, MA.

Salmonella has been studied and researched for more than a hundred years and yet it remains a problem for human and animal health. The goal of this dissertation was to apply the systems thinking approach to Salmonella contamination and develop a System Dynamics (SD) simulation model for Salmonella contamination in the chill tank of a poultry processing plant. But first the appropriate carcass rinse sampling method that would not impact on the resulting Salmonella contamination status of the broiler carcass was studied. Kappa agreement analysis was used to evaluate three sampling methods. The adjacent rinse method was found to be the best method. In the absence of actual data, literature data was used to develop a literature-based SD simulation model of Salmonella contamination of broiler carcasses in the chill tank. The literature-based SD model is the first application of system dynamics simulation modeling in the poultry-processing field. The model was able to show and simulate the dynamic and non-linear interrelationships between parameters, namely pH, chlorine (Cl) level, water flow and turbidity. Actual data collection was done using a specially designed apparatus that recorded the time, temperature, pH, chlorine, water flow and turbidity in the chill tank as carcass rinse samples were collected. Linear regression analysis was used to identify the statistically significant models for relationships between the parameters in the chill tank. Finally, the data was analyzed using logistic regression to determine the association between the parameters in the chill tank and the occurrence of Salmonellaa in carcasses exiting the chill tank. These results were used to develop a data-based SD model. The data-based model was then validated using the validity tests proposed by various authors for SD simulation models and found to be a valid model. The developed model offers a fresh perspective to the problem of Salmonella contamination- to view it as a system of factors that are interrelated and have a feedback mechanism, rather than the traditional concept of linear causation. The developed model is a powerful cost efficient tool for testing interventions for reducing Salmonella contamination in the poultry processing plant.

In today's advanced technology world, enterprises are in a constant state of competition. As the intensity of competition increases the need to continuously improve organizational performance has never been greater. Managers at all levels must be on a constant quest for finding ways to maximize their enterprises' strategic resources. Enterprises can develop sustained competitiveness only if their activities create value in unique ways. There should be an emphasis to transfer this competitiveness to the resources it has on hand and the resources it can develop to be used in this environment. The significance of human capital is even greater now, as the intangible value and the tacit knowledge of enterprises' resources should be strategically managed to achieve a greater level of continuous organizational success. This research effort seeks to provide managers with means for accurate decision making for their workforce management. A framework for modeling and managing human capital to achieve effective workforce planning strategies is built to assist enterprise in their long term strategic organizational goals.