2019
Authors
Azevedo, I; Migueis, VL; Azevedo, A;
Publication
Proceedings of the International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management
Abstract
Build to Order or Make to Order is a common approach for highly configured products such as special vehicles (vehicles that are adapted and altered to suit a specific purpose). Examples of such vehicles are special ambulances as well as vehicles adapted for the support and transport of passengers with less mobility. In this type of business, operations are scheduled in response to a confirmed order received from a final customer. Thus, the variability and the uncertainty characterizing what is project based, generate a complexity that requires specifically tailored managerial approaches to handle all the involved processes - from design and engineering to production and delivery. Hence, in this accentuated complexity, it is extremely important to guarantee that both the material and information flows are efficient and effective. The present study, framed in a program of operational improvement in a manufacturer of special vehicles, aims to address some concrete improvement opportunities related to the significant number of raw materials stockouts and to the high number of changes made by the client after production has started. In fact, during the manufacturing and assembly process, there are constant changes that delay and difficult planning and consequently decreases the overall efficiency and effectiveness. Strategies to address all these matters are to be identified and applied. © IEOM Society International.
2019
Authors
Oliveria, R; Zanella, A; Camanho, AS;
Publication
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
Abstract
This paper proposes an innovative composite indicator to evaluate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The methodology proposed involves two stages. The first stage specifies an optimization model, based on Directional Distance Functions, to obtain a relative measure of CSR at the firm level that can guide performance improvements. This model allows distinguishing the firms with best practices from those with potential for improvement and can suggest targets for future achievements. In the second stage, a goal programming model is proposed to identify a common set of weights for the key performance indicators, enabling the evaluation of all firms on common grounds. These weights are used to construct an industry ranking, which is based on the distance of firms to a common frontier of technology that respects the trade-offs determined for the industry. An illustrative application of the method proposed is presented at the end of the paper. The indicators considered in the evaluation were selected according to international standards and guidelines applicable to mining firms. All dimensions of the Triple Bottom Line (economic, environmental and social) were taken into account. The results and their managerial implications are discussed with the objective of promoting the awareness of CSR levels in the mining activity, supporting the sustainable development of industrial activities.
2019
Authors
Couto, M; Camanho, A;
Publication
Springer Proceedings in Mathematics and Statistics
Abstract
Electric power systems are facing significant challenges regarding their organization and structure. Energy infrastructures are crucial to ensure a transition to low-carbon societies, contributing to sustainable development. This paper uses Data Envelopment Analysis to compare the performance of the power systems in 16 European countries using data available to the public. Three perspectives were considered, focusing on technical aspects affecting quality of service, network costs and environmental impact. It is proposed a new formulation of the DEA model that estimates a composite indicator (CI) aggregating individual indicators which should be minimized. The benchmarking results can give insights to electric operators, regulators and decision-makers on the strengths and weakness of national power systems and disclose the potential for performance improvements. Based on the outcomes from the CI model, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy and Netherlands are identified as the benchmarks for the power systems in the Europe. The discussion of the results is intended to raise public awareness on the performance of the European power systems and contribute to the definition of public policies for the promotion of continuous improvement. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
2019
Authors
Barbosa, F; Berbert Rampazzo, PCB; Yamakami, A; Camanho, AS;
Publication
COMPUTERS & OPERATIONS RESEARCH
Abstract
The search for logistics best-practices in international trade has led to the appearance of the Berth Allocation Problem. If the vessels have release dates, the problem is proved to be NP-hard and the performance of exact algorithms is not satisfactory, leading to the use of metaheuristics. This paper develops a Hybrid Evolutionary Algorithm for the discrete and dynamic Berth Allocation Problem. A challenge of using Genetic Algorithms is the identification of the best approach to model a specific problem. This paper proposes the use of frontier techniques (Data Envelopment Analysis and Free Disposal Hull models) to compare the performances of alternative specifications of the parameters for the algorithm proposed and to identify efficient solutions.
2019
Authors
Borges, J;
Publication
INFORMATION VISUALIZATION
Abstract
With the increase in availability of online national archives and software to manage genealogical records, genealogy studies are growing in popularity. While conducting research, genealogists communicate their findings either in written narratives or in genealogical charts. In that context, visualization methods can be very effective for promoting the understanding of the intricacies of a family tree and the relations among its individuals. Most of the software designed for genealogy provides a collection of standard charts to plot family trees, despite having limited analysis capabilities in general. In addition, most of the research in family tree visualization designs have been focused on methods to represent very large trees in a restricted space. Herein, we propose the contextual family tree, a new visualization design for family trees that represents individuals and their spouses with enhanced details about their families' context. The design was developed through an iterative prototype-evaluation design cycle. For illustrating the potential of our new visualization design, we used contextual family trees created from publicly available genealogical data communication files, showing that the design can be useful to provide a better understanding of the data and also for validating the consistency of the genealogical data.
2019
Authors
Jones, T; Willis, E; Amorim Lopes, M; Drach Zahavy, A;
Publication
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
Abstract
Aims The aims of this paper are to explore the role of cross-disciplinary knowledge exchange and integration in advancing the science of unfinished nursing care and to offer preliminary guidance for theory development activities for this growing international community of scholars. Background Unfinished nursing care, also known as missed care or rationed care is a highly prevalent problem with negative consequences for patients, nurses and healthcare organizations around the world. It presents as a 'wicked' sustainability problem resulting from structural obstacles to effective resource allocation that have been resistant to conventional solutions. Research activity related to this problem is on the rise internationally but is hindered by inconsistencies in conceptualizations of the problem and lack of robust theory development around the phenomenon. A unified conceptual framework is needed to focus scholarly activities and facilitate advancement of a robust science of unfinished nursing care. Design Discussion paper. Data Sources This discussion paper is based on our own experiences in international and interdisciplinary research partnerships related to unfinished nursing care. These experiences are placed in the context of both classic and current literature related to the evolution of scientific knowledge. Implications for Nursing The problem of unfinished nursing care crosses multiple scientific disciplines. It is imperative that the community of scholars interested in solving this wicked problem engage in meaningful cross-disciplinary knowledge integration and move towards transdisciplinarity. Conclusion Metatheorizing guided by structuration theory should be considered as a strategy to promote transdiciplinarity around the problem of unfinished nursing care.
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