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- Fazl Mashhadi, Azadeh, 1980
(författare)
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The Influence of Learning on Naturalization of New Practices -The Case of Robust Design in Product Development
- 2010
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The Influence of Learning on Naturalization of New Practices– the Case of Robust Design in Product DevelopmentAzadeh Fazl MashhadiDepartment of Technology Management and EconomicsDivision of Quality SciencesChalmers University of TechnologyABSTRACTCustomers appreciate a robust product which performs its desired function consistently and independently of the sources of variation during its life cycle. In order to deliver a robust design to customers, the upstream activities during the product development process should proactively support such a result. Even though there have been methods and methodologies developed for robust design in product development, such as Taguchi Methods, Robust Design Methodology, Design For Six Sigma, and robust design practices, companies are still struggling with the application of robust design in practice. Volvo 3P is one such company that has begun to apply robust design in the product development processes since 2004. Volvo 3P has recognized that in order to utilize robust design to its full potential, there is a need for cultivation and local growing of the concept in the organization’s context. Through this approach robust design can also achieve its continuous application. This is referred to as naturalization of robust design in the present thesis.This thesis firstly elaborates on Volvo 3P learning from a previous unsuccessful initiative for introducing robust design through an external consultant. The obstacles in the organization and weaknesses in the initiative are discussed. Secondly, it describes the influence of learning on the individuals at Volvo 3P experiencing what lies in the robust design concept for them in practice and therefore changing their way of working. And finally it elaborates on how Volvo 3P has utilized a learning alliance with the Division of Quality Sciences at Chalmers University of Technology as a means to create a learning environment in which robust design is cultivated in the organizational context and grows into the practices in a natural way. In this thesis also the key attributes to achieve learning alliances are identified as a learning relationship, reflection-in-action, mutual learning, and sharing of knowledge and experiences on the organizational level.The thesis identifies four contributions to the research community based on practice which are also valuable for industry. These contributions can be summarized as a broader view of the robust design concept, development of a concrete view for robust design practices in an organizational context, the positive influence of learning for naturalization of robust design, and the learning alliance as a method to create such learning.Keywords: robust design, naturalization, learning, robust design practices, learning alliance, action research
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| 4. |
- Lindman, Åsa
(författare)
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Essays on energy technology learning and voluntary carbon offsets
- 2010
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis consists of an introductory part and three self-contained papers, all related to the issue of promoting renewable energy sources. Paper I presents the results from a hypothetical market experiment of Swedish students' stated willingness to purchase emission allowances for carbon dioxide within the European emissions trading system. Methodologically we draw heavily on recent developments in the literature on integrating norm-motivated behaviour into neoclassical consumer theory, and assume that individuals have a preference for keeping a self-image as a responsible and thus norm-compliant person. The results indicate that students' willingness to purchase emission allowances is determined by both price and the presence of norms; people who feel personally responsible for contributing to reduced climate damages are also the ones who appear more inclined to purchase emission allowances. The empirical findings are also consistent with the notion that perceptions about others' stated willingness to purchase emission allowances affect individual norms and ultimately expressed behaviour. Norms are also largely activated by problem awareness and the individual's perception of her ability to contribute to solving the problem. In paper II we conduct a metaanalysis of wind power learning rates, thus permitting an assessment of some of the most important model specification and data issues that influence the estimated learning coefficients. The econometric analysis in this paper relies on over 100 learning rate estimates presented in 35 studies, all conducted during the time period 1995-2010. The empirical results indicate that the choice of the geographical domain of learning, and thus implicitly of the assumed presence of learning spillovers, is an important determinant of wind power learning rates. We also find that the use of extended learning curve concepts, thus integrating most notably public R&D effects into the analysis, tends to result in lower learning rates than those generated by so-called single-factor learning curve studies.Finally, in paper III a critical analysis of the choice of model specification in learning curve analyses of wind power costs is presented. Special attention is paid to the question of the choice of national or global learning (cumulative capacity), and the inclusion of other variables such as R&D, scale effects and the inclusion of a time trend. To illustrate the importance of these methodological choices, a data set of pooled annual time series data over five European countries - Denmark (1986-1999), Germany (1990-1999), Spain (1990-1999), Sweden (1991-2002) and the United Kingdom (1991-2000) - is used to compare the results from different types of model specifications. The empirical results support the notion that the estimates of learning-by-doing rates may differ across different model specifications. In our data set the presence of global learning for wind power appears more important than that of national learning, but the estimates of the (global) learning rate are only marginally influenced by the introduction of R&D and scale effects. The results also show, though, that the impact of cumulative capacity on wind power costs appears to be very sensitive to the inclusion of a time trend in the traditional learning curve model.
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- Nylund, Hans
(författare)
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Integration of the Nordic electricity grids : incentives, cost sharing and regional perspective in transmission investments
- 2010
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The overall purpose of this thesis is to study how the development of the electricity transmission grids in the Nordic countries can be given a stronger international perspective. This is a relevant issue for the further development of the regional Nordic electricity market. The thesis consists of an introductory chapter and two self-contained papers.Paper I analyses how an international cost sharing agreement for transmission analyses how an international cost sharing agreement for transmission investments could be designed to improve the regional perspective in grid development. The study is focused on how different agreements may affect the investment decisions made by TSOs for grid expansions where several countries are involved. This type of expansion has become a problem in grid development because although it is beneficial for several countries, it might still not be realised due to lack of a formalised practice for sharing the investment cost. The basis for cost sharing will be a cost-benefit analysis of the regional effects that a given expansion has. To model how a cost sharing agreement can be applied to this situation, two stages are defined. First a political stage where a cost sharing agreement is assumed to be formed among the countries in a region, followed by a TSO stage where decisions on specific expansions are made. The analysis is focused on the TSOs' decisions in the second stage. Cooperative game theory (CGT) is used to predict under which agreements that an investment coalition is formed. The cost sharing agreements evaluated consist of combinations of a contribution principle, a compensation principle (to account for negative spill-overs) and an allocation rule. The results show that the design of the agreement will affect the decision to invest or not. Two alternative rules are identified as good choices for providing incentives to invest; the nucleolus and proportional rules. Regarding the compensation principles it is concluded that full compensation should not be used.Paper II develops an incentive regulation method that can be used to provide TSOs develops an incentive regulation method that can be used to provide TSOs with economic incentives to focus on electricity market integration. A benchmark model is constructed to assess the performance of TSOs in facilitating cross-border trade. The model is based on the output-oriented technical efficiency of the TSOs, which is linked to market integration by defining an output measure for TSOs that includes the market expanding effects of trade. The output measure is the sum of national electricity consumption including imports plus exports of electricity. It is argued that TSOs can increase this output by expanding the trade capacities with neighbouring countries. The benchmark model is based on a stochastic production frontier defined by a translog output distance function with two outputs and three inputs. The frontier is empirically estimated by a fixed effects model using a panel data set of six TSOs. The included TSOs are the four Nordic and those of Belgium and the Netherlands (BL-NL). The estimated efficiency scores are in the range 61-100 percent, with the Nordic TSOs showing higher scores relative BL-NL. This can be explained by a lower level of electricity trade in the BL-NL region compared to the Nordic region. The use of the efficiency scores in a regulatory incentive scheme is demonstrated. The scheme is based on a reward/penalty mechanism that uses the efficiency scores to evaluate a TSO's development between two periods in relation to a target efficiency level. The results of this study show that the suggested regulation method could be used as a means to evaluate and set targets for the TSO's task of facilitating market integration.
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- Rohman, Ibrahim Kholilul, 1980
(författare)
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On the ICT Economy in the European Countries: Investigating the Contribution of the ICT Sectors Using the Input – Output Model
- 2010
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Previous studies have been devoted to investigating the future of economic growth and examining the importance of technology and the ICT sectors in accelerating the growth of the economy. These studies are from a macro perspective that emphasizes the role of infrastructure investment, as well as from the firm level analysis, which is mainly related to cost efficiency. In addition, recent studies of the European countries indicate that the region is now facing a weakening effect regarding the contribution of the knowledge economy, which slows economic growth.This study aims at investigating the contribution of the ICT sectors in driving economic performance in the European economies with a sectoral approach using the Input-Output (IO) methodology. The method measures the contribution of ICT sectors based on the OECD’s definition (2009) and decomposing it into several variables. In addition, the study focuses on investigating one decomposition factor related to technological change effects.The results indicate that the growth of ICT sectors’ output declined considerably during 2000-2005 compared to 1995-2000. The decomposition analysis found that the ICT sectors have lost the advantage of export and technological change effects. It has also been ascertained that the smaller impact of technological change effects is due to the lack of connection between the ICT sectors and other sectors on the production side. At country level, this analysis consistently explains this phenomenon, especially in Germany and Spain but fails to detect it in France, where the technological change effect remains stable given the lack of connection between ICT sectors and the rest of the economy.
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- Frykfors, Carl-Otto
(författare)
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Policy and transitions processes in sector systems of innovation and production
- 2010
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In the last decades, innovation and innovation processes in industry have been regarded as critical to establishing sustainable economic competitiveness and development-both crucial for societal goals and visions. In the aftermath of the tirst oil crisis in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the influential work by research schalars' has inspired a comprehensive new order in economic research internationally which will be discussed in this thesis. In the frame of that a main interest has been devoted to look upan what characterizes the emergence and development of an innovation system and the factors that contribute to, but perhaps also limit, the development?As a faundatian for the thesis, three different papers have been written. The tirst paper is a literature review with empirical examples and deals with the roats and long tails of the Swedish model - development of institutionai structures on an aggregated level through seetorai systems of innovation and productian. This paper also describes attempts to trans form and adapt the model to new circumstances at the end of the 1990s and the tirst years of the 21 st century. The second paper describe a foresight model and shows how such a model can be a valuable strategic management tool for renewing goals and cognitive awareness in a local cluster group in a traditional industry. This papet also views the consumer secter from miera and actot perspectives on the programme leve!. In the third paper three an ongoing transition processes and mutual development in three mature branches is studied. The paper presents a system perspective on organisations- and mezzoIevel.The thesis generates tive main conelusions: I) Long-tenn thinking and a nation of "la longue duree" are prerequisites for development of innovation systems. 2) The existence of a reference base and a prehistory constitutes an important platfonn for the emergence of innovation systems. 3) Strong driving forces and intentionalily are fundamental to emerging innovation systems. 4) Institutions and organisations are important instruments of change in the emergence of innovation systems; and 5) Entrepreneurship and management at s!!Uctural and micro levels are important ingredients in an innovation system's development processes. Possible implications ofsome aspects of the conclusions for the Swedish policy landscape are many. One example is the matter of longterm thinking and "la longue duree", which this thesis hopefully has made elear are not synonyms. Long-tenn thinking and temporalily within "la longue duree" are important issues behind successful innovations, change processes, and development processes. Of this. there is an impressive quantity offacts and arguments.
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| 10. |
- Hullgren, Maria, 1960-
(författare)
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The Mortgage Rate Choice
- 2010
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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