Recovery Processes of Organic Acids from Fermentation Broths in the Biomass-Based Industry.

PubMed

Li, Qian-Zhu; Jiang, Xing-Lin; Feng, Xin-Jun; Wang, Ji-Ming; Sun, Chao; Zhang, Hai-Bo; Xian, Mo; Liu, Hui-Zhou

2016-01-01

The new movement towards green chemistry and renewable feedstocks makes microbial production of chemicals more competitive. Among the numerous chemicals, organic acids are more attractive targets for process development efforts in the renewable-based biorefinery industry. However, most of the production costs in microbial processes are higher than that in chemical processes, among which over 60% are generated by separation processes. Therefore, the research of separation and purification processes is important for a promising biorefinery industry. This review highlights the progress of recovery processes in the separation and purification of organic acids, including their advantages and disadvantages, current situation, and future prospects in terms of recovery yields and industrial application.

Chemistry Based on Renewable Raw Materials: Perspectives for a Sugar Cane-Based Biorefinery

PubMed Central

Villela Filho, Murillo; Araujo, Carlos; Bonfá, Alfredo; Porto, Weber

2011-01-01

Carbohydrates are nowadays a very competitive feedstock for the chemical industry because their availability is compatible with world-scale chemical production and their price, based on the carbon content, is comparable to that of petrochemicals. At the same time, demand is rising for biobased products. Brazilian sugar cane is a competitive feedstock source that is opening the door to a wide range of bio-based products. This essay begins with the importance of the feedstock for the chemical industry and discusses developments in sugar cane processing that lead to low cost feedstocks. Thus, sugar cane enables a new chemical industry, as it delivers a competitive raw material and a source of energy. As a result, sugar mills are being transformed into sustainable biorefineries that fully exploit the potential of sugar cane. PMID:21637329

Chemistry based on renewable raw materials: perspectives for a sugar cane-based biorefinery.

PubMed

Villela Filho, Murillo; Araujo, Carlos; Bonfá, Alfredo; Porto, Weber

2011-01-01

Carbohydrates are nowadays a very competitive feedstock for the chemical industry because their availability is compatible with world-scale chemical production and their price, based on the carbon content, is comparable to that of petrochemicals. At the same time, demand is rising for biobased products. Brazilian sugar cane is a competitive feedstock source that is opening the door to a wide range of bio-based products. This essay begins with the importance of the feedstock for the chemical industry and discusses developments in sugar cane processing that lead to low cost feedstocks. Thus, sugar cane enables a new chemical industry, as it delivers a competitive raw material and a source of energy. As a result, sugar mills are being transformed into sustainable biorefineries that fully exploit the potential of sugar cane.

Research on the competitiveness of high-tech industries in northeast China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Lei; Wang, Yang; Wang, Ming-Quan; Xiao, Yan-Bo; Gao, Ming

2017-06-01

Based on characteristics of high-tech industry in Northeast China, high-tech industry competitiveness index system was developed, and the competitiveness of high-tech industry was evaluated through principal component analysis and location quotient method. The results showed that the scale of high-tech industry in Northeast China as a whole was small, and presented a decreasing trend for the proportion in the country. The competitiveness of high-tech industry in Northeast China lagged far behind that of the eastern and central regions. The high-tech industry competitiveness of Liaoning, Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces in China ranked 15, 19 and 21, respectively. The manufacture of medicine in Jilin province, and the manufacture of aircraft and spacecraft and the related equipment in Liaoning and Heilongjiang provinces had high competitive advantage, but the manufacture of electronic equipment and communication equipment and the manufacture of computers and office equipment was lack of competitiveness. The development suggestions were put forward to improve the competitiveness of high-tech industries in Northeast China.

Technology transfer of hearing aids to low and middle income countries: policy and market factors.

PubMed

Seelman, Katherine D; Werner, Roye

2014-09-01

The competitive market advantages of industry and the balancing force of international governmental organizations (IGOs) are examined to identify market and policy in support of sustainable technology transfer of hearing aids to low and middle income countries. A second purpose is to examine the usefulness of findings for other assistive technologies (AT). Searches of electronic databases, IGO documents, industry reports and journals were supplemented by informal discussions with industry and IGO staff and audiologists. The value chain is used to examine the competitive advantage of industry and the balancing tools of certain IGOs. Both industry and IGOs engage in intellectual property (IP) and competition activities and are active in each segment of the hearing aid value chain. Their market and policy objectives and strategies are different. IGOs serve as balancing forces for the competitive advantages of industry. The hearing aid market configuration and hearing aid fitting process are not representative of other AT products but IP, trade and competition policy tools used by IGOs and governments are relevant to other AT. The value chain is a useful tool to identify the location of price mark-ups and the influence of actors. Market factors and reimbursement and subsidization policies drive hearing aid innovation. UN-related international government organization activities are responsive to the needs of disability populations who cannot afford assistive technology. Policy tools used by international governmental organizations are applicable across assistive technology. A partnership model is important to distribution of hearing aids to low and middle income countries.

Breakthrough delivery systems: applying business process innovation.

PubMed

Nackel, J G

1995-01-01

The way the health care industry conducts business today has been ingrained by over fifty years of tradition. This tradition includes physician training concepts, physician/nurse/patient relationships, and overall organization of the health care delivery system. The industry is now beginning to understand that viewing its operations from an organizational process perspective can provide tremendous competitive advantage. The industry faces perhaps the greatest challenge, because business process innovation requires rethinking the way an organization conducts business. It requires a rediscovery of customer expectations and new revelations about how to provide them with value-added service.

Common Trajectories of Regional Competitiveness in the Knowledge Economy: A European Investigation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brioschi, Maria Sole; Cassia, Lucio

2006-01-01

This paper analyses a number of European regions which, in the last two decades, have exhibited a significant shift towards knowledge-intensive industrial sectors coupled with a considerable increase in competitiveness and growth. The analysis identifies the main factors of territorial development behind each regional renewal process and captures…

Market structure and competition in the healthcare industry : Results from a transition economy.

PubMed

Lábaj, Martin; Silanič, Peter; Weiss, Christoph; Yontcheva, Biliana

2018-02-14

The present paper provides first empirical evidence on the relationship between market size and the number of firms in the healthcare industry for a transition economy. We estimate market-size thresholds required to support different numbers of suppliers (firms) for three occupations in the healthcare industry in a large number of distinct geographic markets in Slovakia, taking into account the spatial interaction between local markets. The empirical analysis is carried out for three time periods (1995, 2001 and 2010) which characterise different stages of the transition process. Our results suggest that the relationship between market size and the number of firms differs both across industries and across periods. In particular, we find that pharmacies, as the only completely liberalised market in our dataset, experience the largest change in competitive behaviour during the transition process. Furthermore, we find evidence for correlation in entry decisions across administrative borders, suggesting that future market analysis should aim to capture these regional effects.

Industrial applications of enzyme biocatalysis: Current status and future aspects.

PubMed

Choi, Jung-Min; Han, Sang-Soo; Kim, Hak-Sung

2015-11-15

Enzymes are the most proficient catalysts, offering much more competitive processes compared to chemical catalysts. The number of industrial applications for enzymes has exploded in recent years, mainly owing to advances in protein engineering technology and environmental and economic necessities. Herein, we review recent progress in enzyme biocatalysis, and discuss the trends and strategies that are leading to broader industrial enzyme applications. The challenges and opportunities in developing biocatalytic processes are also discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

U.S. Wind Energy Manufacturing and Supply Chain: A Competitiveness Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fullenkamp, Patrick H; Holody, Diane S

The goal of the project was to develop a greater understanding of the key factors determining wind energy component manufacturing costs and pricing on a global basis in order to enhance the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers, and to reduce installed systems cost. Multiple stakeholders including DOE, turbine OEMs, and large component manufactures will all benefit by better understanding the factors determining domestic competitiveness in the emerging offshore and next generation land-based wind industries. Major objectives of this project were to: 1. Carry out global cost and process comparisons for 5MW jacket foundations, blades, towers, and permanent magnet generators; 2. Assessmore » U.S. manufacturers’ competitiveness and potential for cost reduction; 3. Facilitate informed decision-making on investments in U.S. manufacturing; 4. Develop an industry scorecard representing the readiness of the U.S. manufacturers’ to produce components for the next generations of wind turbines, nominally 3MW land-based and 5MW offshore; 5. Disseminate results through the GLWN Wind Supply Chain GIS Map, a free website that is the most comprehensive public database of U.S. wind energy suppliers; 6. Identify areas and develop recommendations to DOE on potential R&D areas to target for increasing domestic manufacturing competitiveness, per DOE’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative (CEMI). Lists of Deliverables 1. Cost Breakdown Competitive Analyses of four product categories: tower, jacket foundation, blade, and permanent magnet (PM) generator. The cost breakdown for each component includes a complete Bill of Materials with net weights; general process steps for labor; and burden adjusted by each manufacturer for their process categories of SGA (sales general and administrative), engineering, logistics cost to a common U.S. port, and profit. 2. Value Stream Map Competitiveness Analysis: A tool that illustrates both information and material flow from the point of getting a customer order at the manufacturing plant; to the orders being forwarded by the manufacturing plant to the material suppliers; to the material being received at the manufacturing plant and processed through the system; to the final product being shipped to the Customer. 3. Competitiveness Scorecard: GLWN developed a Wind Industry Supply Chain Scorecard that reflects U.S. component manufacturers’ readiness to supply the next generation wind turbines, 3MW and 5MW, for land-based and offshore applications. 4. Wind Supply Chain Database & Map: Expand the current GLWN GIS Wind Supply Chain Map to include offshore elements. This is an on-line, free access, wind supply chain map that provides a platform for identifying active and emerging suppliers for the land-based and offshore wind industry, including turbine component manufacturers and wind farm construction service suppliers.« less

Exploring manufacturing competencies of a two wheeler manufacturing unit

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Deep Singh, Chandan; Singh Khamba, Jaimal; Singh, Rajdeep; Singh, Navdeep

2014-07-01

The two wheeler industry of India is one of the most dependable industries as every person has at least a two wheeler with him, if not any four wheeler. Earlier there were scooters like Bajaj Chetak, Priya but with evolution of motorcycles like splendor, splendor+, etc. the scooter market started declining but with arrival of gearless scooters like Honda Activa, Scooty Pep, etc. the market place has become increasingly competitive in recent time and industries are facing tough test of improving products and thus market share. The competitiveness among industries is an important issue. Competency development is a vital tool to enhance the competitiveness of industries. Based, on aggregate performance of a firm, it comprehensively explores the varying importance of manufacturing competencies and drives of industrial competitiveness. Hence by, exploring the manufacturing competencies of a two wheeler industry, one can reflect the competitiveness of two wheeler manufacturing industry as a whole. This study presents various factors of manufacturing competencies affecting industrial competitiveness as the significance of these competencies is increasing day by day in two wheeler manufacturing industry.

Strategies for Revitalizing Organizations: Regaining the Competitive Edge

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nysmith, C. Robert

1987-01-01

During the last decade, the United States has lost competitive stature in the world. Challenged daily by a technically sophisticated and vitalized global economy, industry and Government are examining quality and productivity initiatives with which to meet the foreign competitive challenge. At stake are our quality of life and our standard of living for the remainder of this century and beyond. Being competitive is an ongoing process, tuned to an awareness and understanding of the dynamics of the world marketplace and to the changing nature of the work environment. Solutions to America's quality and productivity problems do not exist independently within any organization or industry or at any given level of society. Success depends on commitment, partnership, meshing of goals and responsibilities, mutual respect and understanding, and a desire to be first. A change in organizational management culture is required. Traditional authoritarian management practices must give way to enlightened leadership initiatives that stress employee involvement and participation. There must be a lessening of adversarial relationships between management and labor and between industry and Government. Quality and productivity are understood to be the end result of an integrated process which begins with vigorous, committed leadership and ends with a satisfied customer. The essential elements in the revitalization process are organized in this report into seven strategies which represent the major findings of the Second NASA Symposium on Quality and Productivity. Each strategy is then broken down into its principal themes which are presented as recommendations. No one strategy can stand apart from any other; all are interrelated and work together.

29 CFR 511.10 - Subjects and issues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... competitive conditions, will not substantially curtail employment in the industry and will not give any industry in American Samoa a competitive advantage over any industry in the United States outside of... classification and will not give a competitive advantage to any group in that industry. No classification shall...

Global industrial impact coefficient based on random walk process and inter-country input-output table

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xing, Lizhi; Dong, Xianlei; Guan, Jun

2017-04-01

Input-output table is very comprehensive and detailed in describing the national economic system with lots of economic relationships, which contains supply and demand information among industrial sectors. The complex network, a theory and method for measuring the structure of complex system, can describe the structural characteristics of the internal structure of the research object by measuring the structural indicators of the social and economic system, revealing the complex relationship between the inner hierarchy and the external economic function. This paper builds up GIVCN-WIOT models based on World Input-Output Database in order to depict the topological structure of Global Value Chain (GVC), and assumes the competitive advantage of nations is equal to the overall performance of its domestic sectors' impact on the GVC. Under the perspective of econophysics, Global Industrial Impact Coefficient (GIIC) is proposed to measure the national competitiveness in gaining information superiority and intermediate interests. Analysis of GIVCN-WIOT models yields several insights including the following: (1) sectors with higher Random Walk Centrality contribute more to transmitting value streams within the global economic system; (2) Half-Value Ratio can be used to measure robustness of open-economy macroeconomics in the process of globalization; (3) the positive correlation between GIIC and GDP indicates that one country's global industrial impact could reveal its international competitive advantage.

Programmatic and economic challenges for commercial space processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Overfelt, Tony; Watkins, John

1997-01-01

The International Space Station is the largest cooperative space project in history and is likely to be industry's most viable access to the low-g environment for long duration materials processing experiments. Such access will provide unique and competitive research capabilities to industry if private sector entities can commercially utilize the Space Station for their industrial projects. Although ``commercial utilization'' implies a variety of things to different people, the key industrial issues are frequent, reliable, and economical access to space as well as protection of private sector intellectual property rights. This paper discusses how these key issues will influence the programmatic and economic challenges for commercial space processing in the future Space Station era.

[Study on restriction factors and countermeasures of influence of China medical devices competitiveness].

PubMed

Zhang, Zhijun

2012-07-01

Recent years, China medical devices industry has been a sunrise industry with widely-ranged products, high-tech innovation, and booming market demands. But with the globalization of market economy, China industry is still in the inferior position of competition. How to promote the industrial structure transition, increase scientific and technological level, speed up the updating of products, enhance the international competitiveness is one of the major tasks to maintain the healthy development of industry. This article makes a study on current situation of China medical devices industry, analyses the new opportunities, challenges and restriction factors, provides the countermeasures of strengthening industry competitiveness as well.

Biocatalysis: applications and potentials for the chemical industry.

PubMed

Thomas, Stuart M; DiCosimo, Robert; Nagarajan, Vasantha

2002-06-01

The chemical industry is exploring the use of renewable feed stocks to improve sustainability, prompting the exploration of bioprocesses for the production of chemicals. Attractive features of biological systems include versatility, substrate selectivity, regioselectivity, chemoselectivity, enantioselectivity and catalysis at ambient temperatures and pressures. However, a challenge facing bioprocesses is cost competitiveness with chemical processes because capital assets associated with the existing commercial processes are high. The chemical industry will probably use biotechnology with existing feed stocks and processes to extract higher values from feed stocks, process by-products and waste streams. In this decade, bioprocesses that offer either a process or a product advantage over traditional chemical routes will become more widely used.

Ab initio molecular dynamics determination of competitive O₂ vs. N₂ adsorption at open metal sites of M₂(dobdc).

PubMed

Parkes, Marie V; Greathouse, Jeffery A; Hart, David B; Gallis, Dorina F Sava; Nenoff, Tina M

2016-04-28

The separation of oxygen from nitrogen using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is of great interest for potential pressure-swing adsorption processes for the generation of purified O2 on industrial scales. This study uses ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations to examine for the first time the pure-gas and competitive gas adsorption of O2 and N2 in the M2(dobdc) (M = Cr, Mn, Fe) MOF series with coordinatively unsaturated metal centers. Effects of metal, temperature, and gas composition are explored. This unique application of AIMD allows us to study in detail the adsorption/desorption processes and to visualize the process of multiple guests competitively binding to coordinatively unsaturated metal sites of a MOF.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Curry, Bennett

The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) conducted an Innovation in Advanced Manufacturing Grant Competition to support and grow southern and central Arizona’s Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry and its supply chain. The problem statement for this grant challenge was that many A&D machining processes utilize older generation CNC machine tool technologies that can result an inefficient use of resources – energy, time and materials – compared to the latest state-of-the-art CNC machines. Competitive awards funded projects to develop innovative new tools and technologies that reduce energy consumption for older generation machine tools and foster working relationships between industry small to medium-sizedmore » manufacturing enterprises and third-party solution providers. During the 42-month term of this grant, 12 competitive awards were made. Final reports have been included with this submission.« less

Competition preparation guideline in undergraduate program of information system school of Industrial Engineering Telkom University based on knowledge conversion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Darmawan, F. R.; Soesanto, R. P.; Kurniawati, A.; Kurniawan, M. T.

2017-12-01

The role of higher education in the development of science and technology is not only from the contribution of the high-quality alumni but also from the research and relevant competition with the needs of development in such a country. In a competition, the student can improve their soft skill and academic skill such as analytical and critical thinking, communication skills and mental. The number of relevant competition by students is also included in accreditation clause, therefore student involvement in competition is seen as important for the undergraduate program in University. The most problem in university is the high turnover from the student. Bachelor program in Indonesia usually takes 4 years to complete, and the high turnover causes the student come and go as they are a graduate from the institution without preserving the knowledge and experience from the competition to other students. This research aims to develop a guidance for competition preparation in the university by using knowledge conversion. The object of this research is an information system undergraduate program in the school of industrial engineering Telkom University. The best practice selection is done by using factor rating method. Delphi method is used to identify the criteria, and AHP method is used to calculate the weight of each criterion. From the factor rating result it is known that from 3 respondent, best practice from respondent A (7.321) is used for preparing the programming competition in an undergraduate program of information system in the school of industrial engineering Telkom University. FGD is done to disseminate the selected best practice into the process stakeholder which is head of the student affair of the school of industrial engineering, students, and laboratory assistants. Future research can be done to create more comprehensive criteria for selecting the best practice.

[Establishment of industry promotion technology system in Chinese medicine secondary exploitation based on "component structure theory"].

PubMed

Cheng, Xu-Dong; Feng, Liang; Zhang, Ming-Hua; Gu, Jun-Fei; Jia, Xiao-Bin

2014-10-01

The purpose of the secondary exploitation of Chinese medicine is to improve the quality of Chinese medicine products, enhance core competitiveness, for better use in clinical practice, and more effectively solve the patient suffering. Herbs, extraction, separation, refreshing, preparation and quality control are all involved in the industry promotion of Chinese medicine secondary exploitation of industrial production. The Chinese medicine quality improvement and industry promotion could be realized with the whole process of process optimization, quality control, overall processes improvement. Based on the "component structure theory", "multi-dimensional structure & process dynamic quality control system" and systematic and holistic character of Chinese medicine, impacts of whole process were discussed. Technology systems of Chinese medicine industry promotion was built to provide theoretical basis for improving the quality and efficacy of the secondary development of traditional Chinese medicine products.

Aviation competition : challenges in enhancing competition in dominated markets

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2001-03-13

The potential shifts in aviation industry structure that would result from proposed mergers represent a crossroads for the structure of the airline industry and the state of competition and industry performance. These proposals have raised public pol...

Lean Manufacturing Auto Cluster at Chennai

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhaskaran, E.

2012-10-01

Due the presence of lot of automotive Industry, Chennai is known as Detroit of India, that producing over 40 % of the Indian vehicle and components. Lean manufacturing concepts have been widely recognized as an important tool in improving the competitiveness of industries. This is a continuous process involving everyone, starting from management to the shop floor. Automotive Component Industries (ACIs) in Ambattur Industrial Estate, Chennai has formed special purpose vehicle (SPV) society namely Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufacturers Association (AIEMA) Technology Centre (ATC) lean manufacturing cluster (ATC-LMC) during July 2010 under lean manufacturing competitiveness scheme, that comes under National Manufacturing Competitiveness Programme of Government of India. The Tripartite Agreement is taken place between National Productivity Council, consultants and cluster (ATC-LMC). The objective is to conduct diagnostic study, study on training and application of various lean manufacturing techniques and auditing in ten ACIs. The methodology adopted is collection of primary data/details from ten ACIs. In the first phase, diagnostic study is done and the areas for improvement in each of the cluster member companies are identified. In the second phase, training programs and implementation is done on 5S and other areas. In the third phase auditing is done and found that the lean manufacturing techniques implementation in ATC-LMC is sustainable and successful in every cluster companies, which will not only enhance competitiveness but also decrease cost, time and increase productivity. The technical efficiency of LMC companies also increases significantly.

Construction of Industrial Ecosystem of an Electric Company under Ecological Perspective

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Xin; Zhang, Yuan; Wu, Han

2018-01-01

Be confronted with more and more fierce competition environment, only by constantly integrating, constructing and restructuring internal and external resources as well as capabilities can enterprises adapt themselves to the rapidly changing environment and maintain the advantages of sustained competition. Business competition has changed from product competition of single enterprise to competition of bussiness ecosystem. Therefore, how to build a business system is the key to win competition. This paper draws lessons from business ecosystem and industrial ecosystem concept and takes the subordinate industry company of a large enterprise as the research object. On the the basis of combing its characteristics and organizational structure, an industrial ecosystem is tired to constructed.

Advanced process control framework initiative

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hill, Tom; Nettles, Steve

1997-01-01

The semiconductor industry, one the world's most fiercely competitive industries, is driven by increasingly complex process technologies and global competition to improve cycle time, quality, and process flexibility. Due to the complexity of these problems, current process control techniques are generally nonautomated, time-consuming, reactive, nonadaptive, and focused on individual fabrication tools and processes. As the semiconductor industry moves into higher density processes, radical new approaches are required. To address the need for advanced factory-level process control in this environment, Honeywell, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), and SEMATECH formed the Advanced Process Control Framework Initiative (APCFI) joint research project. The project defines and demonstrates an Advanced Process Control (APC) approach based on SEMATECH's Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Framework. Its scope includes the coordination of Manufacturing Execution Systems, process control tools, and wafer fabrication equipment to provide necessary process control capabilities. Moreover, it takes advantage of the CIM Framework to integrate and coordinate applications from other suppliers that provide services necessary for the overall system to function. This presentation discusses the key concept of model-based process control that differentiates the APC Framework. This major improvement over current methods enables new systematic process control by linking the knowledge of key process settings to desired product characteristics that reside in models created with commercial model development tools The unique framework-based approach facilitates integration of commercial tools and reuse of their data by tying them together in an object-based structure. The presentation also explores the perspective of each organization's involvement in the APCFI project. Each has complementary goals and expertise to contribute; Honeywell represents the supplier viewpoint, AMD represents the user with 'real customer requirements', and SEMATECH provides a consensus-building organization that widely disseminates technology to suppliers and users in the semiconductor industry that face similar equipment and factory control systems challenges.

Analysis of inter-country input-output table based on citation network: How to measure the competition and collaboration between industrial sectors on the global value chain

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

The input-output table is comprehensive and detailed in describing the national economic system with complex economic relationships, which embodies information of supply and demand among industrial sectors. This paper aims to scale the degree of competition/collaboration on the global value chain from the perspective of econophysics. Global Industrial Strongest Relevant Network models were established by extracting the strongest and most immediate industrial relevance in the global economic system with inter-country input-output tables and then transformed into Global Industrial Resource Competition Network/Global Industrial Production Collaboration Network models embodying the competitive/collaborative relationships based on bibliographic coupling/co-citation approach. Three indicators well suited for these two kinds of weighted and non-directed networks with self-loops were introduced, including unit weight for competitive/collaborative power, disparity in the weight for competitive/collaborative amplitude and weighted clustering coefficient for competitive/collaborative intensity. Finally, these models and indicators were further applied to empirically analyze the function of sectors in the latest World Input-Output Database, to reveal inter-sector competitive/collaborative status during the economic globalization. PMID:28873432

Analysis of inter-country input-output table based on citation network: How to measure the competition and collaboration between industrial sectors on the global value chain.

PubMed

Xing, Lizhi

2017-01-01

The input-output table is comprehensive and detailed in describing the national economic system with complex economic relationships, which embodies information of supply and demand among industrial sectors. This paper aims to scale the degree of competition/collaboration on the global value chain from the perspective of econophysics. Global Industrial Strongest Relevant Network models were established by extracting the strongest and most immediate industrial relevance in the global economic system with inter-country input-output tables and then transformed into Global Industrial Resource Competition Network/Global Industrial Production Collaboration Network models embodying the competitive/collaborative relationships based on bibliographic coupling/co-citation approach. Three indicators well suited for these two kinds of weighted and non-directed networks with self-loops were introduced, including unit weight for competitive/collaborative power, disparity in the weight for competitive/collaborative amplitude and weighted clustering coefficient for competitive/collaborative intensity. Finally, these models and indicators were further applied to empirically analyze the function of sectors in the latest World Input-Output Database, to reveal inter-sector competitive/collaborative status during the economic globalization.

Industrial platforms--a unique feature of the European Commission's biotechnology R&D programme.

PubMed

Aguilar, A; Ingemansson, T; Hogan, S; Magnien, E

1998-09-01

The European Commission's research, technological development and demonstration programmes aim to strengthen European research and technological development, and to increase the competitiveness of European industries. The creation and development of Industrial Platforms play an important role in these processes by improving the transition from research to commercial application. Industrial Platforms are technology-based industrial groupings established by industry with the aims of enabling the exploitation or dissemination of research results, encouraging academic-industrial collaborations and providing their members with a means of voicing their opinion on present and future research policies.

Competitiveness measurement system in the advertising sector.

PubMed

Poveda-Bautista, Rocío; García-Melón, Mónica; Baptista, Doris C

2013-01-01

In this paper a new approach to find indicators that can be used to measure companies' competitiveness and performance in an efficient and reliable way is presented. The aim is to assist managers of companies within a specific industrial sector by providing information about their relative position in the market so as to define better action plans that may improve the company's performance. The approach combines the use of the Analytic Network Process, a multicriteria decision method, with the Balanced Scorecard. It allows the definition of a number of competitiveness indicators based on the performance and setting of the advertising sector. In this way it is possible to obtain a Competitiveness Index that allows a company to know its relative position with respect to other companies in the sector, and establish a ranking of the companies ordered by their competitiveness level. A case study in the advertising industry of Venezuela is provided. Results show that improvement plans for the agencies analyzed should promote creativity, innovation and the use of new technologies, as a particular form of innovation. These factors were considered to be the most relevant indicators in the advertising sector. The participating experts agreed that the methodology is useful and an improvement over current competitiveness assessment methods.

Product manufacturing, quality, and reliability initiatives to maintain a competitive advantage and meet customer expectations in the semiconductor industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Capps, Gregory

Semiconductor products are manufactured and consumed across the world. The semiconductor industry is constantly striving to manufacture products with greater performance, improved efficiency, less energy consumption, smaller feature sizes, thinner gate oxides, and faster speeds. Customers have pushed towards zero defects and require a more reliable, higher quality product than ever before. Manufacturers are required to improve yields, reduce operating costs, and increase revenue to maintain a competitive advantage. Opportunities exist for integrated circuit (IC) customers and manufacturers to work together and independently to reduce costs, eliminate waste, reduce defects, reduce warranty returns, and improve quality. This project focuses on electrical over-stress (EOS) and re-test okay (RTOK), two top failure return mechanisms, which both make great defect reduction opportunities in customer-manufacturer relationship. Proactive continuous improvement initiatives and methodologies are addressed with emphasis on product life cycle, manufacturing processes, test, statistical process control (SPC), industry best practices, customer education, and customer-manufacturer interaction.

Analysis of inter-country input-output table based on bibliographic coupling network: How industrial sectors on the GVC compete for production resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guan, Jun; Xu, Xiaoyu; Xing, Lizhi

2018-03-01

The input-output table is comprehensive and detailed in describing national economic systems with abundance of economic relationships depicting information of supply and demand among industrial sectors. This paper focuses on how to quantify the degree of competition on the global value chain (GVC) from the perspective of econophysics. Global Industrial Strongest Relevant Network models are established by extracting the strongest and most immediate industrial relevance in the global economic system with inter-country input-output (ICIO) tables and then have them transformed into Global Industrial Resource Competition Network models to analyze the competitive relationships based on bibliographic coupling approach. Three indicators well suited for the weighted and undirected networks with self-loops are introduced here, including unit weight for competitive power, disparity in the weight for competitive amplitude and weighted clustering coefficient for competitive intensity. Finally, these models and indicators were further applied empirically to analyze the function of industrial sectors on the basis of the latest World Input-Output Database (WIOD) in order to reveal inter-sector competitive status during the economic globalization.

Harnessing the Power of Intellectual Capital.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bassi, Laurie J.

1997-01-01

Describes intellectual capital--employees' brainpower, know-how, knowledge, and processes--and knowledge management--the processes by which a company creates and leverages intellectual capital--as the primary sources of competitive advantage in many industries. Offers ways to measure intellectual capital, a glossary, and additional resources. (JOW)

Reexamining competitive priorities: Empirical study in service sector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Idris, Fazli; Mohammad, Jihad

2015-02-01

The general objective of this study is to validate the multi-level concept of competitive priorities using reflective-formative model at a higher order for service industries. An empirical study of 228 firms from 9 different service industries is conducted to answer the objective of this study. Partial least square analysis with SmartPLS 2.0 was used to perform the analysis. Finding revealed six priorities: cost, flexibility, delivery, quality talent management, quality tangibility, and innovativeness. It emerges that quality are expanded into two types; one is related to managing talent for process improvement and the second one is the physical appearance and tangibility of the service quality. This study has confirmed competitive priorities as formative second-order hierarchical latent construct by using rigorous empirical evidence. Implications, limitation and suggestion for future research are accordingly discussed in this paper.

76 FR 55111 - United States v. General Electric Co., et al.; Proposed Final Judgment and Competitive Impact...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-06

... areas in the energy industry, including coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy, as well as in... higher power ratings. 12. In processing and refining crude oil into petroleum products, oil refineries... energy industry, including coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy, as well as in renewable resources...

The Impact of Electronic Commerce on the Publishing Industry: Towards a Business Value Complementarity Framework of Electronic Publishing.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Scupola, Ada

1999-01-01

Discussion of the publishing industry and its use of information and communication technologies focuses on the way in which electronic-commerce technologies are changing and could change the publishing processes, and develops a business complementarity model of electronic publishing to maximize profitability and improve the competitive position.…

The Impact of Space Commercialization on Space Agencies: the Case of NASA

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zervos, Vasilis

2002-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to examine the hypothesis that commercialisation of space results in inefficient contracting policies by the space agencies, using the US NASA as a case study. Though commercialisation is seen by many as a way to reduce costs in space programmes, as the space industry is seen as a decreasing costs industry, this is not a problem-free process. Commercialisation of space has affected the US and European space industries and policies in two major ways. The first is that the public sector actively encourages mergers and acquisitions of major contractors, confined, however, within the geographical borders of the US and Europe. This follows largely from the perceived benefits of economies of size when competing in global commercial markets. The second is the formation of an increasing number of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in space programmes and a more `cosy' relationship between the two within a public-assistance strategic trade theoretic framework. As ESA's contracting policy of `juste retour' is marked by limited competition, the paper focuses on the case of NASA, which is expected to be more pro- competitive, to examine the impact of commercialisation. With the use of quantitative methods based on time series econometric analysis, the paper shows that NASA's contracting policy, results in increasingly less competition and more rent-favouring contracting. This is attributed to the decreasing number of major contractors in conjunction with the preferential treatment of the domestic space industry (`Buy American'). The results of the paper verify that the support of the domestic space industry in commercial and public space markets results in inefficient contracting policies, with NASA facing the conflicting tasks of a stated policy of enhancing competition and efficiency in contracting, as well as, supporting the competitiveness of the domestic space industry. The paper concludes with an analysis and assessment of solutions to this dilemma. 1 meeting.

National Forum on the Future of Automated Materials Processing in US Industry: The Role of Sensors. Report of a workshop (1st) held at Santa Barbara, California on December 16-17, 1985

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yolken, H. T.; Mehrabian, R.

1985-12-01

These are the proceedings of the workshop A National Forum on the Future of Automated Materials Processing in U.S. Industry - The Role of Sensors. This is the first of two workshops to be sponsored by the Industrial Research Institute and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Committee on Materials Working Group on Automation of Materials Processing. The second workshop will address the other two key components required for automated materials processing, process models and artificial intelligence coupled with computer integration of the system. The objective of these workshops is to identify and assess important issues afecting the competitive position of U.S. industry related to its ability to automate production processes for basic and advanced materials and to develop approaches for improved capability through cooperative R&D and associated efforts.

Seeking the competitive advantage: it's more than cost reduction.

PubMed

South, S F

1999-01-01

Most organizations focus considerable time and energy on reducing operating costs as a way to attain marketplace advantage. This strategy was not inappropriate in the past. To be competitive in the future, however, focus must be placed on other issues, not just cost reduction. The near future will be dominated by service industries, knowledge management, and virtual partnerships, with production optimization and flexibility, innovation, and strong partnerships defining those organizations that attain competitive advantage. Competitive advantage will reside in clarifying the vision and strategic plan, reviewing and redesigning work processes to optimize resources and value-added work, and creating change-ready environments and empowered workforces.

Listeria monocytogenes strains show large variations in competitive growth in mixed culture biofilms and suspensions with bacteria from food processing environments.

PubMed

Heir, Even; Møretrø, Trond; Simensen, Andreas; Langsrud, Solveig

2018-06-20

Interactions and competition between resident bacteria in food processing environments could affect their ability to survive, grow and persist in microhabitats and niches in the food industry. In this study, the competitive ability of L. monocytogenes strains grown together in separate culture mixes with other L. monocytogenes (L. mono mix), L. innocua (Listeria mix), Gram-negative bacteria (Gram- mix) and with a multigenera mix (Listeria + Gram- mix) was investigated in biofilms on stainless steel and in suspensions at 12 °C. The mixed cultures included resident bacteria from processing surfaces in meat and salmon industry represented by L. monocytogenes (n = 6), L. innocua (n = 5) and Gram-negative bacteria (n = 6; Acinetobacter sp., Pseudomonas fragi, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Serratia liquefaciens, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia). Despite hampered in growth in mixed cultures, L. monocytogenes established in biofilms with counts at day nine between 7.3 and 9.0 log per coupon with the lowest counts in the Listeria + G- mix that was dominated by Pseudomonas. Specific L. innocua inhibited growth of L. monocytogenes strains differently; inhibition that was further enhanced by the background Gram-negative microbiota. In these multispecies and multibacteria cultures, the growth competitive effects lead to the dominance of a strong competitor L. monocytogenes strain that was only slightly inhibited by L. innocua and showed strong competitive abilities in mixed cultures with resident Gram-negative bacteria. The results indicates complex patterns of bacterial interactions and L. monocytogenes inhibition in the multibacteria cultures that only partially depend on cell contact and likely involve various antagonistic and bacterial tolerance mechanisms. The study indicates large variations among L. monocytogenes in their competitiveness under multibacterial culture conditions that should be considered in further studies towards understanding of L. monocytogenes persistence in food processing facilities. Copyright © 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Industry Cluster's Adaptive Co-competition Behavior Modeling Inspired by Swarm Intelligence

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Xiang, Wei; Ye, Feifan

Adaptation helps the individual enterprise to adjust its behavior to uncertainties in environment and hence determines a healthy growth of both the individuals and the whole industry cluster as well. This paper is focused on the study on co-competition adaptation behavior of industry cluster, which is inspired by swarm intelligence mechanisms. By referencing to ant cooperative transportation and ant foraging behavior and their related swarm intelligence approaches, the cooperative adaptation and competitive adaptation behavior are studied and relevant models are proposed. Those adaptive co-competition behaviors model can be integrated to the multi-agent system of industry cluster to make the industry cluster model more realistic.

Faculty Return to Industry. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hulse, David R.

Lagging productivity and increased competitiveness from abroad are forcing U.S. management companies to adopt new management styles that promote efficiency and quality in production. High on the agenda is the incorporation of Statistical Process Control (SPC). SPC requires definition of process and product specifications to facilitate their…

A multimethodology contractor assessment model for facilitating green innovation: the view of energy and environmental protection.

PubMed

Hsueh, Sung-Lin; Yan, Min-Ren

2013-01-01

The trends of the green supply chain are attributed to pressures from the environment and from customers. Green innovation is a practice for creating competitive advantage in sustainable development. To keep up with the changing business environment, the construction industry needs an appropriate assessment tool to examine the intrinsic and extrinsic effects regarding corporate competitive advantage. From the viewpoint of energy and environmental protection, this study combines four scientific methodologies to develop an assessment model for the green innovation of contractors. System dynamics can be used to estimate the future trends for the overall industrial structure and is useful in predicting competitive advantage in the industry. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and utility theory focus on the customer's attitude toward risk and are useful for comprehending changes in objective requirements in the environment. Fuzzy logic can simplify complicated intrinsic and extrinsic factors and express them with a number or ratio that is easy to understand. The proposed assessment model can be used as a reference to guide the government in examining the public constructions that qualified green contractors participate in. Additionally, the assessment model serves an indicator of relative competitiveness that can help the general contractor and subcontractor to evaluate themselves and further green innovations.

A Multimethodology Contractor Assessment Model for Facilitating Green Innovation: The View of Energy and Environmental Protection

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

The trends of the green supply chain are attributed to pressures from the environment and from customers. Green innovation is a practice for creating competitive advantage in sustainable development. To keep up with the changing business environment, the construction industry needs an appropriate assessment tool to examine the intrinsic and extrinsic effects regarding corporate competitive advantage. From the viewpoint of energy and environmental protection, this study combines four scientific methodologies to develop an assessment model for the green innovation of contractors. System dynamics can be used to estimate the future trends for the overall industrial structure and is useful in predicting competitive advantage in the industry. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and utility theory focus on the customer's attitude toward risk and are useful for comprehending changes in objective requirements in the environment. Fuzzy logic can simplify complicated intrinsic and extrinsic factors and express them with a number or ratio that is easy to understand. The proposed assessment model can be used as a reference to guide the government in examining the public constructions that qualified green contractors participate in. Additionally, the assessment model serves an indicator of relative competitiveness that can help the general contractor and subcontractor to evaluate themselves and further green innovations. PMID:24311979

Some features of radiation processing in the plastics industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D´, J.

In the last few years, the production of free radicals by radiation became competitive with chemical initiators. Nevertheless, radiation processing got only a firm footing, where distinct advantages could be demonstrated as compared with conventional processes, either in the technology or the product quality. This paper is intended to direct attention to some of the special features of radiation processing.

Ab initio molecular dynamics determination of competitive O 2 vs. N 2 adsorption at open metal sites of M 2 (dobdc)

DOE PAGES

Parkes, Marie V.; Greathouse, Jeffery A.; Hart, David B.; ...

2016-04-04

The separation of oxygen from nitrogen using metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is of great interest for potential pressure-swing adsorption processes for the generation of purified O 2 on industrial scales. This study uses ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) simulations to examine for the first time the pure-gas and competitive gas adsorption of O 2 and N 2 in the M 2(dobdc) (M = Cr, Mn, Fe) MOF series with coordinatively unsaturated metal centers. Effects of metal, temperature, and gas composition are explored. Lastly, this unique application of AIMD allows us to study in detail the adsorption/desorption processes and to visualize themore » process of multiple guests competitively binding to coordinatively unsaturated metal sites of a MOF.« less

Managing innovation: lessons from the cardiac-pacing industry.

PubMed

Gobeli, D H; Rudelius, W

1985-01-01

In this article, the authors argue that innovation is a surefire way for a firm to increase its sales and market share. This, in turn, can stimulate American industries and make American firms more competitive in international markets. Through their study of the cardiac-pacing industry, they draw conclusions about what factors contribute to a successful innovation in other industries besides medical electronics. They identify general patterns and stages of the innovation process, key roles top management must fill in an organization, and effective policies that foster important innovations.

The {open_quotes}obligation to serve{close_quotes} and a competitive electric industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Colton, R.D.

1997-11-01

This report presents an assessment of what the ``obligation to serve`` might look like in a competitive electric industry. Broadly, this research has three objectives: to define the ``duty to serve`` of a competitive electric industry; to identify those companies to whom that duty applies; and to explain how that duty protects residual classes.

CURRENT STATUS OF APPLICATIONS IN THE PASTEURIZATION OF STERILIZATION OF FOODS BY IONIZING RADIATIONS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kraybill, H.F.

1960-04-01

A comprehensive research and development program on radiation preservation of foods has revealed some products having potential for early commercialization. Radiation sterilization of some meats, especially beef, has been somewhat disappointing. Other items such as chicken, fish, and pork products show promise as completely sterile products. Surveys of the food industry have been made on these items but lack of a competitive position. radiation processing costs higher than thermal processing, and lack of Food & Drug clearance at this time have held up an immediate commercial advance in this area. Radiopasteurization currently, however, offers raore promise since effect on qualitymore » (flavor, texture. and color) is not encountered and processing cost now approaches that of conventional processing methods. Extension of shelf life, by radiopasteurization of fish, chicken, pork, and beef, is ready for industry- wide exploitation when Food & Drug clearance is provided. Elimination of parasites in meat by very-low dose treatment such as trichina in perk and tapeworm in beef has current interest in industry and may be the first industrial application. The wholesomeness clearance studies are progressing successfully with no evidence that would indicate any toxicity prevailing from eating irradiated foods in tests on animals and man. The ultimate development of " ionizing radiation centers" will advance radiation applications in the food industry since appraisal of performance and costs can be more satisfactorily made than in laboratory projects. Reduction in costs of gamma radiation sources should also hold much promise for a preferential competitive position for low- dose radiation treatment of meats, fruits, and vegetables. The unique opportunities afforded by radiation processing of foods in underdeveloped countries for reduction in food spoilage and waste and elimination of food poisoning are of current and immediate importance. (auth)« less

Feasible Application Area Study for Linear Laser Cutting in Paper Making Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Happonen, A.; Stepanov, A.; Piili, H.

Traditional industry sectors, like paper making industry, tend to stay within well-known technology rather than going forward towards promising, but still quite new technical solutions and applications. This study analyses the feasibility of the laser cutting in large-scale industrial paper making processes. Aim was to reveal development and process related challenges and improvement potential in paper making processes by utilizing laser technology. This study has been carried out, because there still seems to be only few large-scale industrial laser processing applications in paper converting processes worldwide, even in the beginning of 2010's. Because of this, the small-scale use of lasers in paper material manufacturing industry is related to a shortage of well-known and widely available published research articles and published measurement data (e.g. actual achieved cut speeds with high quality cut edges, set-up times and so on). It was concluded that laser cutting has strong potential in industrial applications for paper making industries. This potential includes quality improvements and a competitive advantage for paper machine manufacturers and industry. The innovations have also added potential, when developing new paper products. An example of these kinds of products are ones with printed intelligence, which could be a new business opportunity for the paper industries all around the world.

Application of Core Theory to the Airline Industry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Raghavan, Sunder

2003-01-01

Competition in the airline industry has been fierce since the industry was deregulated in 1978. The proponents of deregulation believed that more competition would improve efficiency and reduce prices and bring overall benefits to the consumer. In this paper, a case is made based on core theory that under certain demand and cost conditions more competition can actually lead to harmful consequences for industries like the airline industry or cause an empty core problem. Practices like monopolies, cartels, price discrimination, which is considered inefficient allocation of resources in many other industries, can actually be beneficial in the case of the airline industry in bringing about an efficient equilibrium.

Improving Competitiveness of U.S. Coal Dialogue

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kokkinos, Angelos

The Improving Competitiveness of U.S. Coal Dialogue held in September 2017 explored a broad range of technical developments that have the potential to improve U.S. coal competitiveness in domestic and overseas markets. The workshop is one in a series of events hosted by DOE to gather expert input on challenges and opportunities for reviving the coal economy. This event brought together coal industry experts to review developments in a broad range of technical areas such as conventional physical (e.g. dense-medium) technologies, and dry coal treatments; thermal, chemical, and bio-oxidation coal upgrading technologies; coal blending; and applications for ultrafine coal andmore » waste streams. The workshop was organized to focus on three main discussion topics: Challenges and Opportunities for Improving U.S. Coal Competitiveness in Overseas Markets, Mineral Processing, and Technologies to Expand the Market Reach of Coal Products. In each session, invited experts delivered presentations to help frame the subsequent group discussion. Throughout the discussions, participants described many possible areas of research and development (R&D) in which DOE involvement could help to produce significant outcomes. In addition, participants discussed a number of open questions—those that the industry has raised or investigated but not yet resolved. In discussing the three topics, the participants suggested potential areas of research and issues for further investigation. As summarized in Table ES-1, these crosscutting suggestions centered on combustion technologies, coal quality, coal processing, environmental issues, and other issues. The discussions at this workshop will serve as an input that DOE considers in developing initiatives that can be pursued by government and industry. This workshop generated strategies that described core research concepts, identified implementation steps, estimated benefits, clarified roles of government and industry, and outlined next steps. While more work is needed, each of these initiatives, included in the sections that follow, details new ideas to increase efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. DOE will integrate the results of this workshop with ongoing research work at the National Laboratories as well as other relevant data sources. This combined information will be used to develop a comprehensive strategy for capitalizing on the opportunity for U.S. coal and mineral competitiveness.« less

Information Resources: Knowledge and Power in the 21st Century.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oettinger, Anthony G.

1980-01-01

This article focuses on the mastery over the microscopic information processes embodied in devices such as integrated circuits and microcomputers and its effects on society and competition between the computer and telecommunications industries. (Author/SA)

Curbing variations in packaging process through Six Sigma way in a large-scale food-processing industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Desai, Darshak A.; Kotadiya, Parth; Makwana, Nikheel; Patel, Sonalinkumar

2015-03-01

Indian industries need overall operational excellence for sustainable profitability and growth in the present age of global competitiveness. Among different quality and productivity improvement techniques, Six Sigma has emerged as one of the most effective breakthrough improvement strategies. Though Indian industries are exploring this improvement methodology to their advantage and reaping the benefits, not much has been presented and published regarding experience of Six Sigma in the food-processing industries. This paper is an effort to exemplify the application of Six Sigma quality improvement drive to one of the large-scale food-processing sectors in India. The paper discusses the phase wiz implementation of define, measure, analyze, improve, and control (DMAIC) on one of the chronic problems, variations in the weight of milk powder pouch. The paper wraps up with the improvements achieved and projected bottom-line gain to the unit by application of Six Sigma methodology.

Photonics: Maintaining competitiveness in the information era

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Photonics concerns the use of photons to work with or to replace electrons in certain communications, computer, or control applications traditionally carried out by electronics. It is a key high-technology area, well established in long-distance fiber-optic telecommunications and rapidly growing in other areas of great importance to society. This report concentrates on technical areas where the overall worldwide market for equipment approaches $400 billion per year, i.e., Telecommunications; Information processing; Optical storage and display; Optical sensors; and Policy Issues. It is essential to increase our industrial competitiveness in product development, manufacturing skills, and marketing; There must be continuing industrial effort in long-range research and innovation; The photonics industry should consider the advantages of an industry association that could help organize consortia to conduct cooperative research and address technical problems and policy issues beyond the scope of any one organization; and Government contractors who receive a percentage of sales for their independent research should devote a sizable fraction to projects with a life span of 5 to 10 years.

A Qualitative Investigation of Competition in the U.S. Hardwood Lumber Industry

Treesearch

Robert J. Bush; Steven A. Sinclair; Philip A. Araman

1991-01-01

Competition in the U.S. hardwood lumber industry was investigated through interviews with company executives. The largest and smallest companies in the industry were found to be the most production oriented. When the competitive strategies of the companies were categorized using Porterâs (21) strategic typology, Overall Cost Leadership strategies were found to be the...

Project safety as a sustainable competitive advantage.

PubMed

Rechenthin, David

2004-01-01

To be consistently profitable, a construction company must complete projects in scope, on schedule, and on budget. At the same time, the nature of the often high-risk work performed by construction companies can result in high accident rates. Clients and other stakeholders are placing increasing pressure on companies to decrease those accident rates. Clients routinely demand copies of safety plans and evidence of past results at the "pre-qualification" or "request for proposal" stages of the procurement process. Are high accident rates and the associated costs just a part of business? Companies that deliver on scope, schedule, and budget have a competitive advantage. Is it possible for projects with low accident rates to use it as a competitive advantage? Is the value added by safety just a temporary or parity issue, or does a successful safety program offer significant advantage to the company and the client? This article concludes that in the case of a high-risk industry, such as the construction industry, an organization with a successful safety program can promote safety performance as a sustainable competitive advantage. It is a choice the company can make.

Control of power: the political economy of electric-utility development in the US

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McGuire, P.W.

1986-01-01

This work examines the processes by which the dominant relations of production are reproduced and the dominant social order maintained amidst the conflicts and contradictions of capitalism. The specific subject of analysis is the changing relationships and dynamics of the various electric utility firms and associated organizations. The development of the industry is traced from the initial development of commodifiable electric devices through regulation, consolidation, and the Great Crash. The work relies on secondary sources drawn from numerous disciplines, government agencies, industry sources, and the accounts of central social actors. This consideration of the early history of an industry whichmore » is such a crucial underpinning of 20th century economic development, provides a springboard for reevaluation of the prevailing instrumental and structural theories of social-economic control and change. There are 4 basic concerns in each time frame: (1) competition among privately-owned firms; (2) competition between privately - and publicly-owned firms; (3) interactions between industry and political agencies; and (4) interactions between industry and economic institutions.« less

Conversion of bioprocess ethanol to industrial chemical products - Applications of process models for energy-economic assessments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rohatgi, Naresh K.; Ingham, John D.

1992-01-01

An assessment approach for accurate evaluation of bioprocesses for large-scale production of industrial chemicals is presented. Detailed energy-economic assessments of a potential esterification process were performed, where ethanol vapor in the presence of water from a bioreactor is catalytically converted to ethyl acetate. Results show that such processes are likely to become more competitive as the cost of substrates decreases relative to petrolium costs. A commercial ASPEN process simulation provided a reasonably consistent comparison with energy economics calculated using JPL developed software. Detailed evaluations of the sensitivity of production cost to material costs and annual production rates are discussed.

Applying PCI in Combination Swivel Head Wrench

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chen, Tsang-Chiang; Yang, Chun-Ming; Hsu, Chang-Hsien; Hung, Hsiang-Wen

2017-09-01

Taiwan’s traditional industries are subject to competition in the era of globalization and environmental change, the industry is facing economic pressure and shock, and now sustainable business can only continue to improve production efficiency and quality of technology, in order to stabilize the market, to obtain high occupancy. The use of process capability indices to monitor the quality of the ratchet wrench to find the key function of the dual-use ratchet wrench, the actual measurement data, The use of process capability Cpk index analysis, and draw Process Capability Analysis Chart model. Finally, this study explores the current situation of this case and proposes a lack of improvement and improvement methods to improve the overall quality and thereby enhance the overall industry.

Harnessing the Sun for development: Actions for consideration by the international community at the UN Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy for promoting the use of renewable energy in developing countries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jhirad, D. J.; Mubayi, V.; Weingart, J.

1981-08-01

The technical and economic evidence is reviewed for solar industrial process heat, highlighting the fact that financial parameters such as tax credits and depreciation allowance play a very large role in determining the economic competitiveness of solar investments. An analysis of the energy (and oil) consumed in providing industrial process heat in a number of selected developing countries is presented. Solar industrial process heat technology is discussed including the operating experience of several demonstration plants in the US Solar ponds are also described briefly. A financial and economic analysis of solar industrial process heat systems under different assumptions on future oil prices and various financial parameters is given. Financial analyses are summarized for a solar industrial process heat retrofit of a brewery in Zimbabwe and a high efficiency system operating in financial conditions typical of the US and a number of other industrialized nations. A set of recommended policy actions for countries wishing to enhance the commercial feasibility of renewable energy technologies in the commercial and industrial sections is presented.

Required reading

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1994-06-15

This article describes competition in the electric utility industry. A brief history of deregulation in other industries is given, and some recommendations are made for transition to competition in electric power. Implications for financial impacts on the industry are presented.

76 FR 35912 - Business Jet Aircraft Industry: Structure and Factors Affecting Competitiveness; Institution of...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-20

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 332-526] Business Jet Aircraft Industry... International Trade Commission (Commission) instituted investigation No. 332-526, Business Jet Aircraft Industry... competitiveness of the business jet aircraft industry in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Europe, and China. To...

Competition and product quality in the supermarket industry.

PubMed

Matsa, David A

2011-01-01

This article analyzes the effect of competition on a supermarket firm's incentive to provide product quality. In the supermarket industry, product availability is an important measure of quality. Using U.S. Consumer Price Index microdata to track inventory shortfalls, I find that stores facing more intense competition have fewer shortfalls. Competition from Walmart—the most significant shock to industry market structure in half a century—decreased shortfalls among large chains by about a third. The risk that customers will switch stores appears to provide competitors with a strong incentive to invest in product quality.

A role for national laboratories in enhancing economic competitiveness. The example of high-temperature superconductors: CNSS papers, No. 1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hecker, S. S.

1987-07-01

The basic research community is responding splendidly in pushing the limits of superconductivity. The race to commercialize these new materials is on. The US will face unprecedented international competition, especially from the Japanese. The US needs to develop a partnership among universities, federal laboratories, and private industry. Universities have begun to team with industry while some of the large industrial companies like AT and T and IBM are competing effectively. But it will take more to make the mainstream of US industry competitive. Therefore, an initiative is proposed to develop an industry-DOE national laboratory partnership by establishing Exploratory R and D Centers at these laboratories. The centers will concentrate on the R and D for enabling technologies required to commercialize high-temperature superconductors. This initiative will in part help US industry to be competitive in this new and exciting field.

The Competitive Status of the U.S. Electronics Industry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Academy of Engineering, Washington, DC. Committee on Technology and International Economic and Trade Issues.

This eight-chapter report is one of seven industry-specific studies conducted to identify global shifts of industrial technological capacity on a sector-by-sector basis, to relate those shifts in international competitive industrial advantage to technological and other factors, and to assess future prospects for further technological change and…

Framework for Sustainability Performance Assessment for Manufacturing Processes- A Review

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, K.; Sultan, I.

2017-07-01

Manufacturing industries are facing tough competition due to increasing raw material cost and depleting natural resources. There is great pressure on the industry to produce environmental friendly products using environmental friendly processes. To address these issues modern manufacturing industries are focusing on sustainable manufacturing. To develop more sustainable societies, industries need to better understand how to respond to environmental, economic and social challenges. This paper proposed some framework and tools that accelerate the transition towards a sustainable system. The developed framework will be beneficial for sustainability assessment comparing different plans alongside material properties, ultimately helping the manufacturing industries to reduce the carbon emissions and material waste, besides improving energy efficiency. It is expected that this would be highly beneficial for determination of environmental impact of a process at early design stages. Therefore, it would greatly help the manufacturing industries for selection of process plan based on sustainable indices. Overall objective of this paper would have good impact on reducing air emissions and protecting environment. We expect this work to contribute to the development of a standard reference methodology to help further sustainability in the manufacturing sector.

United States Supports Distributed Wind Technology Improvements; NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sinclair, Karin

2015-06-15

This presentation provides information on the activities conducted through the Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP), initiated in 2012 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and executed through the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to support the distributed wind industry. The CIP provides research and development funding and technical support to improve distributed wind turbine technology and increase the competitiveness of U.S. small and midsize wind turbine manufacturers. Through this project, DOE/NREL assists U.S. manufacturers to lower the levelized cost of energy of wind turbines through component improvements, manufacturing process upgrades, and turbine testing. Ultimately, this support is expected to leadmore » to turbine certification through testing to industry-recognized wind turbine performance and safety standards.« less

Engineering English and the High-Tech Industry: A Case Study of an English Needs Analysis of Process Integration Engineers at a Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in Taiwan

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spence, Paul; Liu, Gi-Zen

2013-01-01

The global high-tech industry is characterized by extreme competitiveness, innovation, and widespread use of English. Consequently, Taiwanese high-tech companies require engineers that are talented in both their engineering and English abilities. In response to the lack of knowledge regarding the English skills needed by engineers in Taiwan's…

New Insights into Teaching Apparel Design.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Capjack, Linda

1993-01-01

Describes projects intended to integrate competitive strategies, develop research skills, increase problem-solving ability, and foster a closer link with the apparel industry: the design of children's wear using computer-aided design technology and a project using the Functional Design Process. (Author/JOW)

Electric power competition & the economic doctrine of contestable markets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Owan, R.E.

This paper addresses electric power competition and ascribes a prototypical market structure for the utility industry. The advent of {open_quotes}limited{close_quotes} competition in the electric utility industry has created interesting market challenges for incumbent companies and those eager to enter the fray. Competition is viewed as limited in the sense that not all aspects of the utility industry have been deregulated. While transmission and distribution remain protected market segments, the metamorphosis is most evident in the generation component of the utility industry. The changes have been orchestrated by favorable actions by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Public Utilities Regulatorymore » Policies Act (PURPA). Because of the industry changes, the classical view of the electric utility company as a vertical monopoly is arguable. Welfare considerations not withstanding, part of the rationale for the deregulation of power generation is that the technology and techniques are sufficiently common (i.e. not proprietary) as to allow others to provide the same product or service at competitive prices.« less

The Economic Effect of Competition in the Air Transportation Industry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hubbard, H. B.

1972-01-01

The air transportation industry has been described as a highly-competitive, regulated oligopoly or as a price-regulated cartel with blocked entry, resulting in excessive service and low load factors. The current structure of the industry has been strongly influenced by the hypotheses that increased levels of competition are desirable per se, and that more competing carriers can be economically supported in larger markets, in longer haul markets, with lower unit costs, and with higher fare levels. An elementary application of competition/game theory casts doubt on the validity of these hypotheses, but rather emphasizes the critical importance of the short-term non-variable costs in determining economic levels of competition.

Functioning at the Edge of Knowledge: A Study of Learning Processes in New Product Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Doos, Marianne; Wilhelmson, Lena; Backlund, Thomas; Dixon, Nancy

2005-01-01

Purpose: In the telecommunication industry, companies gain a competitive edge through the competence of their employees, making issues of learning critical. The study aims to identify specific learning processes necessary when working at the edge both of one's own knowledge and of that of the branch. Design/methodology/approach: This research…

The real new economy.

PubMed

Farrell, Diana

2003-10-01

During the soar-and-swoon days of the late 1990s, many people believed that information technology, and the Internet in particular, were "changing everything" in business. A fundamental change did happen in the 1990s, but it was less about technology than about competition. Under director Diana Farrell, the McKinsey Global Institute has conducted an extensive study of productivity and its connection to corporate IT spending and use during that period. The study revealed that information technology is important--but not central--to the fate of industries and individual companies. So if information technology was not the primary factor in the productivity surge, what was? The study points to competition and innovation. In those industries that saw increases in competitive intensity, managers were forced to innovate aggressively to protect their revenues and profits. Those innovations--in products, business practices, and technology--led to the gains in productivity. In fact, a critical dynamic of the new economy--the real new economy--is the virtuous cycle of competition, innovation, and productivity growth. Managers can innovate in many ways, but during the 1990s, information technology was a particularly powerful tool, for three reasons: First, IT enabled the development of attractive new products and efficient new business processes. Second, it facilitated the rapid industrywide diffusion of innovations. And third, it exhibited strong scale economies--its benefits multiplied rapidly as its use expanded. This article reveals surprising data on how various industries in the United States and Europe were affected by competition, innovation, and information technology in the 1990s and offers insights about how managers can get more from their IT investments.

Teamwork in health care: opportunities for gains in quality, productivity, and competitive advantage. What works, what doesn't, and why.

PubMed

Montebello, A R

1994-01-01

Wholesale political, economic, and social change is pressuring health-care organizations to reinvent themselves as they enter a new arena of managed competition. Survival is at stake. Will belt-tightening efforts, combined with structural changes and strategic alliances, achieve the necessary improvements in efficiency and help to secure an adequate patient base? It seems reasonable to expect that health-care institutions can realize the major gains in quality, productivity, efficiency, and competitive edge that organizations in the manufacturing and service industries have enjoyed for the past several years. It seems like a logical next step for health-care organizations to deploy proven methods--such as work redesign, team-based structures, and empowered workforces--that have helped to restore competitiveness to many industrial and service firms. This article describes how to organize teams at all levels and accelerate their development to achieve important organizational objectives--such as improving quality, productivity, and efficiency--while increasing employee satisfaction. Pioneering workplace innovations are reviewed to demonstrate how high-involvement teams integrating strategic planning, research, and health-care delivery processes are not only possible but highly desirable. Enhanced quality, improved productivity, greater efficiency, and employee satisfaction all translate to an undeniable competitive advantage.

Coexistence Possibility of Biomass Industries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jingchun, Sun; Junhu, Hou

This research aims to shed light on the mechanism of agricultural biomass material competition between the power generation and straw pulp industries and the impact on their coexistence. A two-stage game model is established to analyze including factors such as unit transportation cost, and profit spaces for the firms. The participants in the competition are a biomass supplier, a power plant and a straw pulp plant. From the industrial economics perspective, our analysis shows that raw material competition will bring about low coexistence possibility of the two industries based on agricultural residues in a circular collection area.

The Competition for Industry Research Funding: How Satisfied Are University Commercial Research Clients?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coyle, Troy

2009-01-01

Constrained public funding for universities and the emphasis placed on university-industry interactions mean that universities are increasingly required to compete for industrial funds for research. This in turn means that universities need to develop a customer service culture in order to be competitive and attractive to industry. Many studies…

Concurrency in product realization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kelly, Michael J.

1994-03-01

Technology per se does not provide a competitive advantage. Timely exploitation of technology is what gives the competitive edge, and this demands a major shift in the product development process and management of the industrial enterprise. `Teaming to win' is more than a management theme; it is the disciplined engineering practice that is essential to success in today's global marketplace. Teaming supports the concurrent engineering practices required to integrate the activities of people responsible for product realization through achievement of shorter development cycles, lower costs, and defect-free products.

Adapting a strategic management model to hospital operating strategies. A model development and justification.

PubMed

Swinehart, K; Zimmerer, T W; Oswald, S

1995-01-01

Industrial organizations have employed the process of strategic management in their attempts to cope effectively with global competitive pressures, while attempting to build and maintain competitive advantage. With health-care organizations presently trying to cope with an increasingly turbulent environment created by the uncertainty as to pending legislation and anticipated reform, the need for such organizational strategic planning is apparent. Presents and discusses a methodology for adapting a business-oriented model of strategic planning to health care.

Applications of recombinant Pichia pastoris in the healthcare industry.

PubMed

Weinacker, Daniel; Rabert, Claudia; Zepeda, Andrea B; Figueroa, Carolina A; Pessoa, Adalberto; Farías, Jorge G

2013-12-01

Since the 1970s, the establishment and development of the biotech industry has improved exponentially, allowing the commercial production of biopharmaceutical proteins. Nowadays, new recombinant protein production is considered a multibillion-dollar market, in which about 25% of commercial pharmaceuticals are biopharmaceuticals. But to achieve a competitive production process is not an easy task. Any production process has to be highly productive, efficient and economic. Despite that the perfect host is still not discovered, several research groups have chosen Pichia pastoris as expression system for the production of their protein because of its many features. The attempt of this review is to embrace several research lines that have adopted Pichia pastoris as their expression system to produce a protein on an industrial scale in the health care industry.

Applications of recombinant Pichia pastoris in the healthcare industry

PubMed Central

Weinacker, Daniel; Rabert, Claudia; Zepeda, Andrea B.; Figueroa, Carolina A.; Pessoa, Adalberto; Farías, Jorge G.

2013-01-01

Since the 1970s, the establishment and development of the biotech industry has improved exponentially, allowing the commercial production of biopharmaceutical proteins. Nowadays, new recombinant protein production is considered a multibillion-dollar market, in which about 25% of commercial pharmaceuticals are biopharmaceuticals. But to achieve a competitive production process is not an easy task. Any production process has to be highly productive, efficient and economic. Despite that the perfect host is still not discovered, several research groups have chosen Pichia pastoris as expression system for the production of their protein because of its many features. The attempt of this review is to embrace several research lines that have adopted Pichia pastoris as their expression system to produce a protein on an industrial scale in the health care industry. PMID:24688491

Characteristic and factors of competitive maritime industry clusters in Indonesia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marlyana, N.; Tontowi, A. E.; Yuniarto, H. A.

2017-12-01

Indonesia is situated in the strategic position between two oceans therefore is identified as a maritime state. The fact opens big opportunity to build a competitive maritime industry. However, potential factors to boost the competitive maritime industry still need to be explored. The objective of this paper is then to determine the main characteristics and potential factors of competitive maritime industry cluster. Qualitative analysis based on literature review has been carried out in two aspects. First, benchmarking analysis conducted to distinguish the most relevant factors of maritime clusters in several countries in Europe (Norway, Spain, South West of England) and Asia (China, South Korea, Malaysia). Seven key dimensions are used for this benchmarking. Secondly, the competitiveness of maritime clusters in Indonesia was diagnosed through a reconceptualization of Porter’s Diamond model. There were four interlinked of advanced factors in and between companies within clusters, which can be influenced in a proactive way by government.

Computers and Data Processing. Subject Bibliography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

United States Government Printing Office, Washington, DC.

This annotated bibliography of U.S. Government publications contains over 90 entries on topics including telecommunications standards, U.S. competitiveness in high technology industries, computer-related crimes, capacity management of information technology systems, the application of computer technology in the Soviet Union, computers and…

77 FR 61026 - Olive Oil: Conditions of Competition Between U.S. and Major Foreign Supplier Industries

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-05

... INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION [Investigation No. 332-537] Olive Oil: Conditions of Competition... Commission (Commission) instituted investigation No. 332-537, Olive Oil: Conditions of Competition between U..., the report will include the following-- 1. An overview of the commercial olive oil industry in the...

Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative Industrial Efficiency and Energy Productivity

ScienceCinema

Selldorff, John; Atwell, Monte

2018-05-18

Industrial efficiency and low-cost energy resources are key components to increasing U.S. energy productivity and makes the U.S. manufacturing sector more competitive. Companies find a competitive advantage in implementing efficiency technologies and practices, and technologies developed and manufactured in the U.S. enable greater competitiveness economy-wide.

Secondary Products (Markets, Competition, and Technological Improvements)

Treesearch

Philip A. Araman

1988-01-01

Competitiveness, imports, exports, and technological improvements--these are issues facing secondary wood-product manufacturers. The major problems focus on increasing foreign imports and the inability of U.S. industries to repell the imports. How and where should we, as researchers, allocate our efforts to enhance the competitiveness of secondary forest industries in...

Service innovation management practices in the telecommunications industry: what does cross country analysis reveal?

PubMed

Rahman, Syed Abidur; Taghizadeh, Seyedeh Khadijeh; Ramayah, T; Ahmad, Noor Hazlina

2015-01-01

Service innovation management practice is currently being widely scrutinized mainly in the developed countries, where it has been initiated. The current study attempts to propose a framework and empirically validate and explain the service innovation practices for successful performance in the telecommunications industry of two developing countries, Malaysia and Bangladesh. The research framework proposes relationships among organisational culture, operating core (innovation process, cross-functional organisation, and implementation of tools/technology), competition-informed pricing, and performance. A total of 176 usable data from both countries are analysed for the purpose of the research. The findings show that organisational culture tends to be more influential on innovation process and cross-functional organisation in Malaysian telecommunication industry. In contrast, implementation of tools/technology plays a more instrumental role in competition-informed pricing practices in Bangladesh. This study revealed few differences in the innovation management practices between two developing countries. The findings have strategic implications for the service sectors in both the developing countries regarding implementation of innovative enterprises, especially in Bangladesh where innovation is the basis for survival. Testing the innovation management practices in the developing countries perhaps contains uniqueness in the field of innovation management.

Job Loss and Survival Strategies in the Textile and Apparel Industries.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mittelhauser, Mark

1996-01-01

Discusses the job loss in the textile and apparel industries because of fierce domestic and international competition that has closed mills and factories. Suggests that intensified competition and advanced technology will ensure turbulent and challenging years ahead for the domestic industries. (JOW)

Determinants of RFID adoption in Malaysia's healthcare industry: occupational level as a moderator.

PubMed

Zailani, Suhaiza; Iranmanesh, Mohammad; Nikbin, Davoud; Beng, Jameson Khoo Cheong

2015-01-01

With today's highly competitive market in the healthcare industry, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a technology that can be applied by hospitals to improve operational efficiency and to gain a competitive advantage over their competitors. The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that may effect RFID adoption in Malaysia's healthcare industry. In addition, the moderating role of occupational level was tested. Data was collected from 223 managers as well as healthcare and supporting staffs. This data was analyzed using the partial least squares technique. The results show that perceived ease of use and usefulness, government policy, top management support, and security and privacy concerns have an effect on the intent to adopt RFID in hospitals. There is a wide gap between managers and healthcare staff in terms of the factors that influence RFID adoption. The results of this study will help decision makers as well as managers in the healthcare industry to better understand the determinants of RFID adoption. Additionally, it will assist in the process of RFID adoption, and therefore, spread the usage of RFID technology in more hospitals.

Biotechnology and the bioeconomy-Towards inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

PubMed

Lokko, Yvonne; Heijde, Marc; Schebesta, Karl; Scholtès, Philippe; Van Montagu, Marc; Giacca, Mauro

2018-01-25

To transform developing and least developing countries into industrialised ones, biotechnology could be deployed along the value chain, to provide support to the development of the bio-based industries in such a way to ensure sustainability of the sector and to reduce negative environmental impacts that might otherwise occur. In agribusiness development, for instance, interventions could start from inputs and agricultural mechanization, modern processing technologies, packaging of perishable products, the promotion of food safety in the processing and regulatory environment; and interventions to improve competitiveness and productivity. Worth over USD 300 billion in revenue, the role of the biotechnology goes beyond industrial growth, since it provides opportunities for progress towards many of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). This paper reviews the status of industrial biotechnology as it relates to inclusive and sustainable industrial development. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Evolution of Secondary Software Businesses: Understanding Industry Dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tyrväinen, Pasi; Warsta, Juhani; Seppänen, Veikko

Primary software industry originates from IBM's decision to unbundle software-related computer system development activities to external partners. This kind of outsourcing from an enterprise internal software development activity is a common means to start a new software business serving a vertical software market. It combines knowledge of the vertical market process with competence in software development. In this research, we present and analyze the key figures of the Finnish secondary software industry, in order to quantify its interaction with the primary software industry during the period of 2000-2003. On the basis of the empirical data, we present a model for evolution of a secondary software business, which makes explicit the industry dynamics. It represents the shift from internal software developed for competitive advantage to development of products supporting standard business processes on top of standardized technologies. We also discuss the implications for software business strategies in each phase.

[Comparative analysis on industrial standardization degree of Chinese and Korean ginseng].

PubMed

Chu, Qiao; Xi, Xing-Jun; Wang, He-Yan; Si, Ding-Hua; Tang, Fei; Lan, Tao

2017-05-01

Panax ginseng is a well-known medicinal plant all over the world. It has high nutritional value and medicinal value. China and South Korea are the major countries in the world for ginseng cultivation, production and exportation. China's ginseng production accounts for more than half of the world, but the output value is less than that of Korea. The standardization process of ginseng industry plays an important role. This paper makes a detailed analysis of the Chinese and Korean ginseng national standards and the standardization process, and makes a detailed comparative analysis of the categories, standard contents, index selection, age, implementation and promotion status of the Chinese and Korean ginseng standards. The development disadvantages of ginseng industry standardization were displayed. And we give our advises on the standard revision, implementation of China's ginseng industry standardization, hoping to enhance the competitiveness of China's ginseng industry. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

NewSpace: The Emerging Commercial Space Industry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Gary

2017-01-01

We are at a turning point in the history of space exploration and development, where new industries are being born to use space in non-traditional ways. Established state-run industrial space sector is no longer the only game in town; commercial space is becoming competitive. Many new entrepreneurial companies, such as SpaceX, Deep Space Industries, etc. are developing new markets, such as Orbital, Suborbital, and Deep Space. Together, government and private industry can facilitate the birth of this new industry. The U.S. national policy on commercial space is to develop a robust and competitive U.S. commercial space sector and to energize competitive domestic industries to participate in global markets. NASA can do this by purchasing and using commercial space capabilities and services; exploring the use of nontraditional arrangements for acquiring space capabilities and services; refraining from activities that preclude, discourage, or compete with commercial space activities; and pursuing opportunities to transfer some functions to the commercial space sector, where beneficial. Commercial space must be competitive, while the government has other priorities such as safety, jobs, etc.

Internet Usage and Competitive Advantage: The Impact of the Internet on an Old Economy Industry in Spain.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

del Aguila Obra, Ana Rosa; Bruque Camara, Sebastian; Padilla Melendez, Antonio

2002-01-01

Considers whether Internet technologies have led to competitive advantage for companies operating in traditional industries. Highlights include a literature review; using the resource-based view (RBV) of firms as a theoretical framework for an empirical investigation; and a survey that investigated Internet technologies and competitive advantage…

Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous for the industrial production of astaxanthin.

PubMed

Rodríguez-Sáiz, Marta; de la Fuente, Juan Luis; Barredo, José Luis

2010-10-01

Astaxanthin is a red xanthophyll (oxygenated carotenoid) with large importance in the aquaculture, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The green alga Haematococcus pluvialis and the heterobasidiomycetous yeast Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous are currently known as the main microorganisms useful for astaxanthin production at the industrial scale. The improvement of astaxanthin titer by microbial fermentation is a requirement to be competitive with the synthetic manufacture by chemical procedures, which at present is the major source in the market. In this review, we show how the isolation of new strains of X. dendrorhous from the environment, the selection of mutants by the classical methods of random mutation and screening, and the rational metabolic engineering, have provided improved strains with higher astaxanthin productivity. To reduce production costs and enhance competitiveness from an industrial point of view, low-cost raw materials from industrial and agricultural origin have been adopted to get the maximal astaxanthin productivity. Finally, fermentation parameters have been studied in depth, both at flask and fermenter scales, to get maximal astaxanthin titers of 4.7 mg/g dry cell matter (420 mg/l) when X. dendrorhous was fermented under continuous white light. The industrial scale-up of this biotechnological process will provide a cost-effective method, alternative to synthetic astaxanthin, for the commercial exploitation of the expensive astaxanthin (about $2,500 per kilogram of pure astaxanthin).

The Competitive Edge: Universities and Industry Working Together.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges, Washington, DC.

This publication describes industrial extension programs at five universities and argues for establishment of a national industrial extension network to help small and medium sized manufacturers meet the challenges of the current economic climate. A loss of competitive edge is ascribed to declining technical capabilities and productivity among…

Critical Success Factors for Knowledge Transfer Collaborations between University and Industry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schofield, Tatiana

2013-01-01

In a fast moving business environment university-industry collaborations play a critical role in contributing to national economies and furthering a competitive advantage. Knowledge transfer from university to industry is supported by national governments as part of their innovation, national growth and competitiveness agenda. A…

Review of the Semiconductor Industry and Technology Roadmap.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kumar, Sameer; Krenner, Nicole

2002-01-01

Points out that the semiconductor industry is extremely competitive and requires ongoing technological advances to improve performance while reducing costs to remain competitive and how essential it is to gain an understanding of important facets of the industry. Provides an overview of the initial and current semiconductor technology roadmap that…

Strategic aspects of the purchasing process in the Finnish hearing instruments business.

PubMed

Petäjävaara, A

1995-01-01

Discusses the Finnish hearing instrument market which, in the past decade, has been characterized by both closed and shared markets. Indicates there has been some formal competition, but real price competition has not influenced the resharing of market shares. Finds that the current recession has forced hospitals to re-evaluate their purchasing criteria. Investigates the process with the help of industrial marketing theories to determine the strategic means which can be used to create competitive advantages. The new automatic data-processing (ADP)-based high technology in the hearing-instrument business provides opportunities for identifying these advantages. Surveys the abilities of hearing-centre personnel in university hospitals to take advantage of ADP-based tools. Shows that hearing-centre personnel have a low level of ADP knowledge and, thus, a great need for ADP training. Discusses the ADP-based strategy chosen to be AP Medical Hearing Ltd's main strategy and emphasizes the importance of ADP-based training in high technology.

76 FR 2878 - Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-18

.... The Act is designed to protect the financial interests of livestock and poultry producers engaged in commerce of livestock and live poultry sold for slaughter. It also protects members of the livestock and poultry marketing, processing, and merchandising industries from unfair competitive practices. GIPSA will...

Demonstration of global supply chains with intermodal transportation and decision support for small and medium business.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-08-14

The globalization has exposed all companies, large or small, to global competition : and cooperation. The US furniture industry is not an exception in this process. Table 1 : provides an overall picture of the evolvement of the US residential furnitu...

The Proposed Tobacco Settlement: Issues from a Federal Perspective.

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-04-01

of other people at CBO provided helpful comments and suggestions as part of the agency’s internal review process. In addition, Robert Cook- Deegan ...10. Federal Trade Commission, Competition and the Financial Impact of the Proposed Tobacco Industry Settlement (September 1997). 11. Craig Howell

Automated Lumber Processing

Treesearch

Powsiri Klinkhachorn; J. Moody; Philip A. Araman

1995-01-01

For the past few decades, researchers have devoted time and effort to apply automation and modern computer technologies towards improving the productivity of traditional industries. To be competitive, one must streamline operations and minimize production costs, while maintaining an acceptable margin of profit. This paper describes the effort of one such endeavor...

Usage of information safety requirements in improving tube bending process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Livshitz, I. I.; Kunakov, E.; Lontsikh, P. A.

2018-05-01

This article is devoted to an improvement of the technological process's analysis with the information security requirements implementation. The aim of this research is the competition increase analysis in aircraft industry enterprises due to the information technology implementation by the example of the tube bending technological process. The article analyzes tube bending kinds and current technique. In addition, a potential risks analysis in a tube bending technological process is carried out in terms of information security.

Competitive strategy in the hospital industry.

PubMed

Autrey, P; Thomas, D

1986-01-01

Porter recently developed a framework for applying effective strategies in an increasingly competitive business environment. His framework can be adapted to the health care industry and can serve as a tool for success.

A Comparative Analysis of the Use of Competitive Intelligence Tools in a Multinational Corporation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Breese-Vitelli, Jennifer

2011-01-01

With the growth of the global economy, organizations large and small are increasingly recognizing that competitive intelligence (CI) is essential to compete in industry. Competitive intelligence is used to gain an advantage in commerce and is useful for analyzing a company's strategic industry position. To remain current and profitable,…

Competitiveness in the sawmills and wood preservation industry in the United States and Canada

Treesearch

Rao V Nagubadi; Daowei Zhang

2010-01-01

We examine relative prices, relative productivity levels, and competitiveness in the sawmills and wood preservation industry in the united states and Canada between 1958 and 2003 by using purchasing power parities and bilateral translog production function. Our results show that the competitiveness of the Canadian industy is facilitated by higher relative productivity...

Emerging Food Processing Technologies and Factors Impacting their Industrial Adoption.

PubMed

Priyadarshini, Anushree; Rajauria, Gaurav; O'Donnell, Colm P; Tiwari, Brijesh K

2018-06-04

Innovative food processing technologies have been widely investigated in food processing research in recent years. These technologies offer key advantages for advancing the preservation and quality of conventional foods, for combatting the growing challenges posed by globalization, increased competitive pressures and diverse consumer demands. However, there is a need to increase the level of adoption of novel technologies to ensure the potential benefits of these technologies are exploited more by the food industry. This review outlines emerging thermal and non-thermal food processing technologies with regard to their mechanisms, applications and commercial aspects. The level of adoption of novel food processing technologies by the food industry is outlined and the factors that impact their industrial adoption are discussed. At an industry level, the technological capabilities of individual companies, their size, market share as well as their absorptive capacity impact adoption of a novel technology. Characteristics of the technology itself such as costs involved in its development and commercialization, associated risks and relative advantage, its level of complexity and compatibility influence the technology's adoption. The review concludes that a deep understanding of the development and application of a technology along with the factors influencing its acceptance are critical for its commercial adoption.

Technological innovation, human capital and social change for sustainability. Lessons learnt from the industrial technologies theme of the EU's Research Framework Programme.

PubMed

Sabadie, Jesús Alquézar

2014-05-15

Europe is facing a twofold challenge. It must maintain or even increase its competitiveness, a basic requirement in a globalised economy and under the current demographic threat. It needs also to tackle the so-called "grand challenges", especially environmental issues, through a sustainable model of production and consumption. Such challenges should lead to new business and industrial models, based on more sustainable production and consumption chains, from design to end of life. This implies a need for new industrial materials and processes, new skills and, indeed, new values and life-styles. Sustainability and innovation are key elements of EU's Research and Innovation Framework Programmes, particularly in the field of industrial technologies (nanotechnologies, materials and industrial technologies), which objective is to "improve the competitiveness of the European industry and generate knowledge to ensure its transformation from a resource intensive to a knowledge intensive industry". Sustainability and innovation are interrelated challenges for R&D. Research can develop technical solutions to tackle environmental or societal challenges, but such technologies need to be successfully commercialised to have a real environmental impact. Several socio-economic studies carried-out by the European Commission show not only the emerging technological and industrial trends, but they also emphasise the need for linking sustainable technologies with social change. Human capital and new social behaviours are critical factors to combine economic competitiveness and sustainability: technology alone is no longer able to solve global challenges. But what kind of human capital (skills, behaviours, and values) are we referring to? How to encourage the shift towards a greener society through human capital? Which reforms are needed in education systems to move towards a sustainable economy? Are there examples of social innovation to be extrapolated and/or generalised? © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Preparing for a decision support system.

PubMed

Callan, K

2000-08-01

The increasing pressure to reduce costs and improve outcomes is driving the health care industry to view information as a competitive advantage. Timely information is required to help reduce inefficiencies and improve patient care. Numerous disparate operational or transactional information systems with inconsistent and often conflicting data are no longer adequate to meet the information needs of integrated care delivery systems and networks in competitive managed care environments. This article reviews decision support system characteristics and describes a process to assess the preparedness of an organization to implement and use decision support systems to achieve a more effective, information-based decision process. Decision support tools included in this article range from reports to data mining.

Identifying future competitive business strategies for the U.S. furniture industry: Benchmarking and paradigm shifts

Treesearch

Albert Schuler; Urs Buehlmann

2003-01-01

This paper describes benchmarking activities undertaken to provide a basis for comparing the U.S. wood furniture industry with other nations that have a globally competitive furniture manufacturing industry. The second part of this paper outlines and discusses strategies that have the potential to help the U.S. furniture industry survive and thrive in a global business...

Proposed industrial recovered materials utilization targets for the metals and metal products industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

1979-05-01

Set targets for increased utilization of energy-saving recovered materials in the metals and metal products industries (ferrous, aluminium, copper, zinc, and lead) are discussed. Data preparation and methodology development and analysis of the technological and economic factors in order to prepare draft targets for the use of recovered materials are covered. Chapter 2 provides an introductory discussion of the factors that affect the recovery and reuse of secondary materials and the competition between the primary and secondary metals industries. Chapter 3 presents general profiles for the major industrial segments comprising SIC 33, including industry structure, process technology, materials and recyclingmore » flow, and future trends for the 5 industries: ferrous, aluminium, copper, zinc, and lead. Chapter 4 presents the evaluation of recycling targets for those industries. (MCW)« less

Competitive Research Grants and Industry Collaboration: A Challenge for Universities in the 1990s.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Peter

1993-01-01

The reasons for increased collaboration between Australian universities and industry are examined, focusing on competitive research grant programs developed by the government in the last decade. University and industry response to these opportunities and to issues such as intellectual property rights and publication rights are discussed. (MSE)

Domestic competitiveness in secondary wood industries

Treesearch

Matthew Bumgardner; Urs Buehlmann; Albert Schuler; Rich Christianson

2004-01-01

As imports capture a substantial portion of the domestic wood furniture market, there is much speculation and concern as to the future of this and related industries. This study sought to obtain an industry perspective of trends in domestic manufacturing and importing, and to identify factors that might enhance domestic competitiveness. A mail survey was conducted...

Power industry competition, reengineering, and globalization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hyman, L.S.

1994-07-01

This article presents the views of a vice-president of a financial company on the future of the US electric utility industry. The topics of the article include a historical perspective of the structure of the industry, government regulation, deregulation and competition, rate structures and pricing, effects on stockholders and bondholders, and strategies for growth.

Present and future trends of laser materials processing in Japan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsunawa, Akira

1991-10-01

Lasers quickly penetrated into Japanese industries in the mid-80s. The paper reviews the present situation of industrial lasers and their applications in Japanese industries for materials removal, joining, and some surface modification technologies as well as their economical evaluation compared with competitive technologies. Laser cutting of metallic and nonmetallic thin sheets is widely prevalent even in small scale industries as a flexible manufacturing tool. As for the laser welding is concerned, industrial applications are rather limited in mass production lines. This mainly comes from the fact that the present laser technologies have not employed the adaptive control because of the lack of sensors, monitoring, and control systems which can tolerate the high-precision and high-speed processing. In spite of this situation, laser welding is rapidly increasing in recent years in industries such as automotive, machinery, electric/electronic, steel, heavy industries, etc. Laser surface modification technologies have attracted significant interest from industrial people, but actual application is very limited today. However, the number of R&D papers is increasing year by year. The paper also reviews these new technology trends in Japan.

76 FR 24007 - Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Lake Charles Carbon Capture...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-29

... Charles Carbon Capture and Sequestration Project, Lake Charles, LA AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION... competitive process under the Industrial Carbon Capture and Sequestration (ICCS) Program. The Lake Charles Carbon Capture and Sequestration Project (Lake Charles CCS Project) would demonstrate: (1) advanced...

Innovative Manufacturing of Launch Vehicle Structures - Integrally Stiffened Cylinder Process

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wagner, John; Domack, Marcia; Tayon, Wesley; Bird, Richard K.

2017-01-01

Reducing launch costs is essential to ensuring the success of NASA's visions for planetary exploration and earth science, economical support of the International Space Station, and competitiveness of the U.S. commercial launch industry. Reducing launch vehicle manufacturing cost supports NASA's budget and technology development priorities.

Integrating Strategic Planning Concepts into the Negotiating Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winer, Toby R.; Winer, Russell S.

1987-01-01

The purchase of a new telecommunications system at Vanderbilt University is described. By understanding conditions in which buyers generally obtain leverage over sellers in industries, it was possible to improve negotiating power. Strategic-planning concepts developed by Michael Porter in his book "Competitive Strategy" were used as a…

Advanced Manufacturing Office Clean Water Processing Technologies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)’s Advanced Manufacturing Office partners with industry, small business, universities, and other stakeholders to identify and invest in emerging technologies with the potential to create high-quality domestic manufacturing jobs and enhance the global competitiveness of the United States.

Identifying and prioritizing industry-level competitiveness factors: evidence from pharmaceutical market

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Pharmaceutical industry is knowledge-intensive and highly globalized, in both developed and developing countries. On the other hand, if companies want to survive, they should be able to compete well in both domestic and international markets. The main purpose of this paper is therefore to develop and prioritize key factors affecting companies’ competitiveness in pharmaceutical industry. Based on an extensive literature review, a valid and reliable questionnaire was designed, which was later filled up by participants from the industry. To prioritize the key factors, we used the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Results The results revealed that human capital and macro-level policies were two key factors placed at the highest rank in respect of their effects on the competitiveness considering the industry-level in pharmaceutical area. Conclusion This study provides fundamental evidence for policymakers and managers in pharma context to enable them formulating better polices to be proactively competitive and responsive to the markets’ needs. PMID:24708770

Identifying and prioritizing industry-level competitiveness factors: evidence from pharmaceutical market.

PubMed

Shabaninejad, Hosein; Mehralian, Gholamhossein; Rashidian, Arash; Baratimarnani, Ahmad; Rasekh, Hamid Reza

2014-04-03

Pharmaceutical industry is knowledge-intensive and highly globalized, in both developed and developing countries. On the other hand, if companies want to survive, they should be able to compete well in both domestic and international markets. The main purpose of this paper is therefore to develop and prioritize key factors affecting companies' competitiveness in pharmaceutical industry. Based on an extensive literature review, a valid and reliable questionnaire was designed, which was later filled up by participants from the industry. To prioritize the key factors, we used the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). The results revealed that human capital and macro-level policies were two key factors placed at the highest rank in respect of their effects on the competitiveness considering the industry-level in pharmaceutical area. This study provides fundamental evidence for policymakers and managers in pharma context to enable them formulating better polices to be proactively competitive and responsive to the markets' needs.

Competitive strategies in fashion industries: Portuguese footwear industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Marques, A. D.; Guedes, G.; Ferreira, F.

2017-10-01

Portugal is an important player in the European fashion industry. The Portuguese footwear industry, “low-tech” and traditional industry, dominated by SMEs and located in two main clusters, is a success case in the Portuguese economy. After a long period of decline until 2009, the footwear companies prepared new strategies that made big changes in the image and performance achieved. Since 2009, exports have increased more than 55% and the Portuguese footwear has grown in almost all the most important foreign markets. The competitive strategies followed by the Portuguese footwear companies are different and they can be clearly identified according Porter’s three generic competitive strategies: cost leadership, differentiation and focus strategy. This paper had analysed seven Portuguese footwear companies (seven cases, case study strategy) and the results obtained shows how important is to have the right approach to the markets, according the internal and external resources that each firm has available. The footwear clusters in Portugal and the sectorial organizations are also very important in this competitive performance achieved by the companies. Last years the Portuguese governments recognize this increasing importance of the fashion industries and prepared several programs to promote these industries in Europe and other continents.

The AMTEX Partnership{trademark}. First quarter report, Fiscal year 1996

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1995-12-01

The AMTEX Partnership is a collaborative research and development program among the US Integrated Textile Industry, DOE, the National Laboratories, other federal agencies and laboratories, and universities. The goal of AMTEX is to strengthen the competitiveness of this vital industry, thereby preserving and creating US jobs. Topics in this quarters report include: computer-aided fabric evaluation, cotton biotechnology, demand activated manufacturing architecture, electronic embedded fingerprints, on-line process control in flexible fiber manufacturing, rapid cutting, sensors for agile manufacturing, and textile resource conservation.

Teaching About the Health Care Industry Through Gamification.

PubMed

Wolf, Collin; Bott, Samuel; Hernandez, Inmaculada; Grieve, Lorin

2018-05-01

Objective. To describe and evaluate the impact of a competition on investment financial acumen, and its relationship with improved health care industry knowledge. Methods. Students' confidence on 19 specific areas was assessed by a survey before and after participation in the health care investment competition. Their performance was also compared to that of Standard & Poor's 500 Index for Healthcare. Results. Students' self-perception on their knowledge of all 19 domains significantly increased after they participated in the health care investment competition. The average score to questions increased from 1.9 to 3.8. Thirty-eight percent of the students who participated in the competition outperformed Standard & Poor's 500 Index for Healthcare in the duration of the competition. Conclusion. Students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy designed and implemented a novel way to teach students and faculty members about the business side of health care. The competition took the form of a competitive "mock stock market" style game and resulted in a marked increase in confidence in all observed areas. This increased confidence relates to the students' increased knowledge in how the health care industry works from a business perspective.

Marketing energy services in a competitive environment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mykytyn, R.B.

For nearly six decades electrical utilities have operated in a regulated environment established by the Public Utilities Holding Company Act (PUHCA) of 1935. This legislation granted generators exclusive franchise to market electrical power in a given geographical area in return for the company`s commitment to provide safe, reliable and fairly-priced electrical power to all customers within the region. For close to 40 years, this system of regulated monopoly functioned reasonably well to maintain a balance among the varied, and at times competing, interests in the industry. During the 1970s, however, the public argument in favor of competition within the electricalmore » services industry gained momentum. Spiraling energy costs focused the consumer`s attention on the need for conservation and inspired a variety of technological developments as well as experiments in cogeneration. Today, the electrical utility industry is poised for great change. Soon, this industry will follow the natural gas, telecommunications, and transportation industries into the uncharted waters of deregulation. The most pressing consequence of moving from a regulated environment to one that is deregulated - in other words, a competitive environment - is the need to design and implement a completely new form of marketing program. The response among industry marketing managers ranges from confusion and concern to excitement and eager anticipation. Where you fall along this continuum depends on how well you understand competitive marketing practices and the degree to which your company`s management group is willing to initiate competitive strategies and tactics now in preparation for the coming competitive marketplace.« less

A New Tool for Industry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1981-01-01

Ultrasonic P2L2 bolt monitor is a new industrial tool, developed at Langley Research Laboratory, which is lightweight, portable, extremely accurate because it is not subject to friction error, and it is cost-competitive with the least expensive of other types of accurate strain monitors. P2L2 is an acronym for Pulse Phase Locked Loop. The ultrasound system which measures the stress that occurs when a bolt becomes elongated in the process of tightening, transmits sound waves to the bolt being fastened and receives a return signal indicating changes in bolt stress. Results are translated into a digital reading of the actual stress on the bolt. Device monitors the bolt tensioning process on mine roof bolts that provide increased safety within the mine. Also has utility in industrial applications.

CFD Research, Parallel Computation and Aerodynamic Optimization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ryan, James S.

1995-01-01

During the last five years, CFD has matured substantially. Pure CFD research remains to be done, but much of the focus has shifted to integration of CFD into the design process. The work under these cooperative agreements reflects this trend. The recent work, and work which is planned, is designed to enhance the competitiveness of the US aerospace industry. CFD and optimization approaches are being developed and tested, so that the industry can better choose which methods to adopt in their design processes. The range of computer architectures has been dramatically broadened, as the assumption that only huge vector supercomputers could be useful has faded. Today, researchers and industry can trade off time, cost, and availability, choosing vector supercomputers, scalable parallel architectures, networked workstations, or heterogenous combinations of these to complete required computations efficiently.

Dynamic Modeling of Learning in Emerging Energy Industries: The Example of Advanced Biofuels in the United States

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vimmerstedt, Laura; Peterson, Steve; Bush, Brian

This paper (and its supplemental model) presents novel approaches to modeling interactions and related policies among investment, production, and learning in an emerging competitive industry. New biomass-to-biofuels pathways are being developed and commercialized to support goals for U.S. advanced biofuel use, such as those in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. We explore the impact of learning rates and techno-economics in a learning model excerpted from the Biomass Scenario Model (BSM), developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to explore the impact of biofuel policy on the evolution of the biofuels industry.more » The BSM integrates investment, production, and learning among competing biofuel conversion options that are at different stages of industrial development. We explain the novel methods used to simulate the impact of differing assumptions about mature industry techno-economics and about learning rates while accounting for the different maturity levels of various conversion pathways. A sensitivity study shows that the parameters studied (fixed capital investment, process yield, progress ratios, and pre-commercial investment) exhibit highly interactive effects, and the system, as modeled, tends toward market dominance of a single pathway due to competition and learning dynamics.« less

Dynamic Modeling of Learning in Emerging Energy Industries: The Example of Advanced Biofuels in the United States: Preprint

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vimmerstedt, Laura J.; Bush, Brian W.; Peterson, Steven O.

This paper (and its supplemental model) presents novel approaches to modeling interactions and related policies among investment, production, and learning in an emerging competitive industry. New biomass-to-biofuels pathways are being developed and commercialized to support goals for U.S. advanced biofuel use, such as those in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. We explore the impact of learning rates and techno-economics in a learning model excerpted from the Biomass Scenario Model (BSM), developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to explore the impact of biofuel policy on the evolution of the biofuels industry.more » The BSM integrates investment, production, and learning among competing biofuel conversion options that are at different stages of industrial development. We explain the novel methods used to simulate the impact of differing assumptions about mature industry techno-economics and about learning rates while accounting for the different maturity levels of various conversion pathways. A sensitivity study shows that the parameters studied (fixed capital investment, process yield, progress ratios, and pre-commercial investment) exhibit highly interactive effects, and the system, as modeled, tends toward market dominance of a single pathway due to competition and learning dynamics.« less

Dynamic Modeling of Learning in Emerging Energy Industries: The Example of Advanced Biofuels in the United States; NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Peterson, Steve; Bush, Brian; Vimmerstedt, Laura

This paper (and its supplemental model) presents novel approaches to modeling interactions and related policies among investment, production, and learning in an emerging competitive industry. New biomass-to-biofuels pathways are being developed and commercialized to support goals for U.S. advanced biofuel use, such as those in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. We explore the impact of learning rates and techno-economics in a learning model excerpted from the Biomass Scenario Model (BSM), developed by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to explore the impact of biofuel policy on the evolution of the biofuels industry.more » The BSM integrates investment, production, and learning among competing biofuel conversion options that are at different stages of industrial development. We explain the novel methods used to simulate the impact of differing assumptions about mature industry techno-economics and about learning rates while accounting for the different maturity levels of various conversion pathways. A sensitivity study shows that the parameters studied (fixed capital investment, process yield, progress ratios, and pre-commercial investment) exhibit highly interactive effects, and the system, as modeled, tends toward market dominance of a single pathway due to competition and learning dynamics.« less

An overview of knowledge management (KM) issues for implementation in consultant firms in Malaysian construction industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Othman, Azlan; Ismail, Syuhaida; Yahya, Khairulzan

2017-12-01

In the past few years, there has been a growing interest in treating knowledge as a significant organisational resource. Thus, effective development and implementation of KM requires a foundation in several rich literatures. As a preparation for the competitive industrial nation, KM is an important countenance that should be the point of convergence for the industry players. This paper wishes to draw the attention on the current situation of KM practice, focusing on consultant firms in Malaysian construction industry. Questionnaires were distributed to about 200 respondents working in the industry, with the objective of appraising the KM implementation amongst consultant firms working in construction industry in Malaysia. This paper also gives the overview on KM definition, process, understanding and challenges in construction industry, besides the critical success factor of KM implementation. The literature is restricted on the recent KM study of 17 years research from 2000 to 2017. Finally, this paper proposes the conceptual ideas of relationship between KM process, KM understanding and KM challenges with critical success factor of KM implementation.

Carbon Capture and Utilization in the Industrial Sector.

PubMed

Psarras, Peter C; Comello, Stephen; Bains, Praveen; Charoensawadpong, Panunya; Reichelstein, Stefan; Wilcox, Jennifer

2017-10-03

The fabrication and manufacturing processes of industrial commodities such as iron, glass, and cement are carbon-intensive, accounting for 23% of global CO 2 emissions. As a climate mitigation strategy, CO 2 capture from flue gases of industrial processes-much like that of the power sector-has not experienced wide adoption given its high associated costs. However, some industrial processes with relatively high CO 2 flue concentration may be viable candidates to cost-competitively supply CO 2 for utilization purposes (e.g., polymer manufacturing, etc.). This work develops a methodology that determines the levelized cost ($/tCO 2 ) of separating, compressing, and transporting carbon dioxide. A top-down model determines the cost of separating and compressing CO 2 across 18 industrial processes. Further, the study calculates the cost of transporting CO 2 via pipeline and tanker truck to appropriately paired sinks using a bottom-up cost model and geo-referencing approach. The results show that truck transportation is generally the low-cost alternative given the relatively small volumes (ca. 100 kt CO 2 /a). We apply our methodology to a regional case study in Pennsylvania, which shows steel and cement manufacturing paired to suitable sinks as having the lowest levelized cost of capture, compression, and transportation.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Riley, H.W. Jr.

Over the years, utilities have been going through cost cutting measures and efficiency improvements in an effort to be more competitive or stay competitive within their market territory. The next logical step for a utility to take is to promote Creativity. With a creative environment in place, utilities can keep pace with the changes in the industry and maintain or attain their competitive advantage. The goal of the creative electric utility work-force is to keep up with changes in the industry and become more competitive as the market becomes more competitive. Utilities can change the way they do business bymore » utilizing an effectively trained and skilled work-force on the subject of creative thinking. Creativity within a work-force depends on the employees desire to understand difficult aspects of his or her life. This paper will provide the foundation for linking Creativity and the electric utility industry.« less

Control of campylobacter in poultry industry from farm to poultry processing unit: A review.

PubMed

Umaraw, Pramila; Prajapati, A; Verma, Akhilesh K; Pathak, V; Singh, V P

2017-03-04

Campylobacter is an emerging zoonotic bacterial threat in the poultry industry. Most of the human cases of campylobacteriosis recorded have revealed their poultry origins. Various control measures have been employed both at the farm and processing levels to combat with it. The antibiotic treatment, phage therapy, competitive exclusion, and vaccination have been adapted at the farm level to reduce colonization of Campylobacter in poultry gut. While prevention of intestinal spillage, scheduled slaughter, logistic slaughter, chemical decontamination of carcasses are recommended to reduce contamination during processing. The postharvest interventions such as heat treatment, freezing, irradiation of contaminated carcass can effectively reduce Campylobacter contamination. Thus, integrated approaches are required to tackle infection of Campylobacter in humans.

2001 Industry Studies: Advanced Manufacturing

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-05-28

oriented, 19 and manufacturers are employing the Internet and associated information technologies to better integrate supply chains and form extended...ways to compete in world markets . As part of this ongoing transformation, the broad implementation of advanced manufacturing technologies , processes...competitive advantages and better performance in world markets . Importantly, advanced manufacturing involves the innovative integration of new technology

Driving Efficiency in Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walz, Dru Anne

2003-01-01

For many industries, the economic crunch of the past few years has brought about an increased focus on controlling expenses, gaining process efficiencies and finding a competitive advantage in an overcrowded market. While community colleges are not immune to these challenges, they are limited in how they are able to respond. Unlike other areas of…

Family Hotel Businesses: Strategic Planning and the Need for Education and Training

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peters, Mike; Buhalis, Dimitrios

2004-01-01

Small businesses dominate the tourism and hospitality industry worldwide and are of critical importance for the competitiveness of destinations. Small family hotel businesses are characterised by a number of specific business processes which generate particular training and educational needs. It is increasingly clear that small businesses are not…

Discovering the Possibilities of Career Counseling in Business and Industry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCharen, Belinda

The changing nature of the workplace is increasing recognition of the fact that employee career development is a lifelong process essential to the achievement and maintenance of a high-quality, competitive work force. Offering employees the opportunity to participate in growth and development programs that include career counseling, assessment,…

A Multimedia Telematics Network for On-the-Job Training, Tutoring and Assessment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ferreira, J. M. Martins; MacKinnon, Lachlan; Desmulliez, Marc; Foulk, Patrick

This paper describes an educational multimedia network developed in Advanced Software for Training and Evaluation of Processes (ASTEP). ASTEP started in February 1998 and was set up by a mixed industry-academia consortium with the objective of meeting the educational/training demands of the highly competitive microelectronics/semiconductor…

Performance evaluation of the insurance companies based on AHP

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Manhong; Zhu, Kunping

2018-04-01

With the entry of foreign capital, China's insurance industry is under increasing pressure of competition. The performance of a company is the external manifestation of its comprehensive strength. Therefore, the establishment of a scientific evaluation system is of practical significance for the insurance companies. In this paper, based on the financial and non-financial indicators of the companies, the performance evaluation system is constructed by means of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). In the system, the weights of the indicators which represent the impact on the performance of the companies will be calculated by the process. The evaluation system is beneficial for the companies to realize their own strengths and weaknesses, so as to take steps to enhance the core competitiveness of the companies.

The transition to fully competitive bulk power markets: Federal regulatory developments in the electric power industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Portasik, L.S.

In recent years, traditional electric utilities have become increasingly dependent upon enhanced competitive conditions in the bulk power market to improve efficiency and secure {open_quotes}least-cost{close_quotes} generation for their franchise and wholesale customers. The industry`s growing reliance on competitive wholesale markets both presaged and overtook the new legislation reflected in the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct). This article describes the new environment, as revealed in recent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) decisions, and discusses its impact on the services and rates of affected utilities.

Creating knowledge structures in the pharmaceutical industry: the increasing significance of virtual organisation.

PubMed

Salazar, A; Howells, J

2000-01-01

This paper explores the specific trend and challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry regarding the exploitation of Internet e-commerce technology and virtual organisation to develop and maintain competitive advantage. There are two important facets of the current trend. One is the rapid development of a complex network of alliances between the established pharmaceutical companies and the specialised biotechnology company start-ups. The other is the rapid growth of internet e-commerce companies dedicated to developing specialised technological platforms for acquiring and selling genetic and biochemical knowledge. The underlying challenge is how big pharmaceutical companies can emulate some of the innovation processes of smaller biotechnology company start-ups, and how they can appropriate and applied new technological knowledge on the development of new drugs. Pharmaceutical companies in order to retain competitive advantage need to continuously monitor all aspects of knowledge management with regard to the R&D and manufacturing process (as well as customer management and marketing). Technological change and organisational restructuring should be aimed at boosting the capacity of large firms to innovate rapidly.

Electronic manufacturing and packaging in Japan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelly, Michael J.; Boulton, William R. (Editor); Kukowski, John A.; Meieran, Eugene S.; Pecht, Michael; Peeples, John W.; Tummala, Rao R.

1995-01-01

This report summarizes the status of electronic manufacturing and packaging technology in Japan in comparison to that in the United States, and its impact on competition in electronic manufacturing in general. In addition to electronic manufacturing technologies, the report covers technology and manufacturing infrastructure, electronics manufacturing and assembly, quality assurance and reliability in the Japanese electronics industry, and successful product realization strategies. The panel found that Japan leads the United States in almost every electronics packaging technology. Japan clearly has achieved a strategic advantage in electronics production and process technologies. Panel members believe that Japanese competitors could be leading U.S. firms by as much as a decade in some electronics process technologies. Japan has established this marked competitive advantage in electronics as a consequence of developing low-cost, high-volume consumer products. Japan's infrastructure, and the remarkable cohesiveness of vision and purpose in government and industry, are key factors in the success of Japan's electronics industry. Although Japan will continue to dominate consumer electronics in the foreseeable future, opportunities exist for the United States and other industrial countries to capture an increasingly large part of the market. The JTEC panel has identified no insurmountable barriers that would prevent the United States from regaining a significant share of the consumer electronics market; in fact, there is ample evidence that the United States needs to aggressively pursue high-volume, low-cost electronic assembly, because it is a critical path leading to high-performance electronic systems.

Ergonomics and Kaizen as strategies for competitiveness: a theoretical and practical in an automotive industry.

PubMed

Vieira, Leandro; Balbinotti, Giles; Varasquin, Adriano; Gontijo, Leila

2012-01-01

With increased international competitiveness in the automotive industry, came the concern of the companies save costs and lower production costs. For this purpose many ways are designed to reduce costs and waste of raw materials and reduce activities that do not aggregate value to manufacturing processes. In the early XVII appears the manufacturing system, which processes were hard with little concern for the health and safety of employees and conditions of the workplace. After the advent of the production system called lean manufacturing, a new paradigm in terms of production system capable of providing high levels of productivity and quality. It is based on waste elimination that occur during the production process. After began a new way of thinking, creating a culture of continuous improvement and lean process with no waste and reducing costs, without neglecting the welfare worker and improving the conditions of their work environment. This paper presents a reflection on the application of ergonomics in a lean production system of an automotive industry, using methodology based on the Kaizen (Continuous Improvement) to gain performance and improving the conditions of the workplace, also will be presented with positive and negative points in using this methodology in relation to ergonomics. The research will be conducted by collecting data 'in loco' and interviews with workers. Some studies show that in companies that are lean system and using the methodology of Kaizen, the results of product quality, levels of absenteeism and accidents are better than those obtained in companies that do not apply the same concept.

Utilization of Space Station for industrial thermophysical property measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Overfelt, Tony; Watkins, John

1996-03-01

The International Space Station represents the largest cooperative space project in history and will be industry's only reasonable access to the low-g environment for long duration R&D. Such access will provide unique and competitive capabilities to industry if private sector entities can commercially utilize the Space Station for their industrial research programs. The metal casting industry has identified the need for accurate thermophysical properties of molten alloys as a priority need. Research over the last decade has demonstrated that experimental techniques exist to containerlessly measure critical thermophysical and related properties of molten metals for improved process design. This paper describes the ``VULCAN'' concept, a proposed commercial instrument for thermophysical properties measurements on the Space Station. Finally, several issues regarding private sector utilization of the Space Station are also discussed.

DEVELOPMENT OF CONTINUOUS SOLVENT EXTRACTION PROCESSES FOR COAL DERIVED CARBON PRODUCTS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Elliot B. Kennel; Chong Chen; Dady Dadyburjor

2005-04-13

The purpose of this DOE-funded effort is to develop continuous processes for solvent extraction of coal for the production of carbon products. These carbon products include materials used in metals smelting, especially in the aluminum and steel industries, as well as porous carbon structural material referred to as ''carbon foam'' and carbon fibers. Table 1 provides an overview of the major markets for carbon products. Current sources of materials for these processes generally rely on petroleum distillation products or coal tar distillates obtained as a byproduct of metcoke production facilities. In the former case, the American materials industry, just asmore » the energy industry, is dependent upon foreign sources of petroleum. In the latter case, metcoke production is decreasing every year due to the combined difficulties associated with poor economics and a significant environmental burden. Thus, a significant need exists for an environmentally clean process which can used domestically obtained raw materials and which can still be very competitive economically.« less

L-Methionine Production.

PubMed

Shim, Jihyun; Shin, Yonguk; Lee, Imsang; Kim, So Young

L-Methionine has been used in various industrial applications such as the production of feed and food additives and has been used as a raw material for medical supplies and drugs. It functions not only as an essential amino acid but also as a physiological effector, for example, by inhibiting fat accumulation and enhancing immune response. Producing methionine from fermentation is beneficial in that microorganisms can produce L-methionine selectively using eco-sustainable processes. Nevertheless, the fermentative method has not been used on an industrial scale because it is not competitive economically compared with chemical synthesis methods. Presented are efforts to develop suitable strains, engineered enzymes, and alternative process of producing L-methionine that overcomes problems of conventional fermentation methods. One of the alternative processes is a two-step process in which the L-methionine precursor is produced by fermentation and then converted to L-methionine by enzymes. Directed efforts toward strain development and enhanced enzyme engineering will advance industrial production of L-methionine based on fermentation.

Health care: development of data for a marketing approach.

PubMed

Stitt, V J

1985-06-01

Marketing in health care is a relatively new process. It is a business tool that can serve a very useful purpose. Health care management has become aware of the usefulness of marketing in long-range planning. Through a well-thought-out marketing plan, the provider will not be leaving the future to chance. A well-conceived, patient-oriented, competitor-aware marketing plan should place the medical practice at a strategic advantage as the health care industry joins other industries in the competitive marketplace for the consumer's dollar.The ever-increasing political and regulatory environment that the health care field is undergoing emphasizes the need for the inclusion of marketing skills, such as cost containment, in the medical curriculum. It should be the obligation of the training facilities as well as medical societies to respond to this need by providing the education that will enable black providers to survive in this competitive environment.

Health Care: Development of Data for a Marketing Approach

PubMed Central

Stitt, Van J.

1985-01-01

Marketing in health care is a relatively new process. It is a business tool that can serve a very useful purpose. Health care management has become aware of the usefulness of marketing in long-range planning. Through a well-thought-out marketing plan, the provider will not be leaving the future to chance. A well-conceived, patient-oriented, competitor-aware marketing plan should place the medical practice at a strategic advantage as the health care industry joins other industries in the competitive marketplace for the consumer's dollar. The ever-increasing political and regulatory environment that the health care field is undergoing emphasizes the need for the inclusion of marketing skills, such as cost containment, in the medical curriculum. It should be the obligation of the training facilities as well as medical societies to respond to this need by providing the education that will enable black providers to survive in this competitive environment. PMID:4020892

Building tomorrow`s automobiles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Irving, B.

Detroit is awhirl these days with speculation about the next generation of automobile. Pressures are clamping down on the industry to produce cars that are free from emissions, much more fuel efficient, and, through it all, salable. Right now, a great deal of attention is being paid to the body-in-white or that part of the automobile represented by the frame and the body parts. Will it be high-strength steel, aluminum, plastic, composite, or a combination of different materials? Will resistance spot welding and gas metal arc welding still be used? What role will the laser play in all of thismore » activity? Can welding expect severe competition from other joining processes, like adhesive bonding and riveting? The best answers to the above questions are yes, maybe, and no. Whatever happens, it seems the jury is still out. Nevertheless, the verdicts will be critical to the welding industry because the automotive industry is the largest single market for welding. Competitively, welding technology has its hands full. A number of Fortune 500 companies are developing improved adhesives. There is also a quasi-riveting process popular in Europe that is being introduced here in the States. And there is a rivet bonding version of that process. Also, weld bonding or the technique of making resistance spot welds through adhesives is gaining ground among the designers of the next generation of automobile. Over the years, the number one market for arc welding and resistance welding has been the automotive industry. Changes in the designs of automobiles have required adjustments on the part of welding technologies, but there has not been anything unusual in that respect. For the most part, the requirements have been met.« less

Teaching About the Health Care Industry Through Gamification

PubMed Central

Wolf, Collin; Bott, Samuel; Hernandez, Inmaculada

2018-01-01

Objective. To describe and evaluate the impact of a competition on investment financial acumen, and its relationship with improved health care industry knowledge. Methods. Students’ confidence on 19 specific areas was assessed by a survey before and after participation in the health care investment competition. Their performance was also compared to that of Standard & Poor’s 500 Index for Healthcare. Results. Students’ self-perception on their knowledge of all 19 domains significantly increased after they participated in the health care investment competition. The average score to questions increased from 1.9 to 3.8. Thirty-eight percent of the students who participated in the competition outperformed Standard & Poor’s 500 Index for Healthcare in the duration of the competition. Conclusion. Students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy designed and implemented a novel way to teach students and faculty members about the business side of health care. The competition took the form of a competitive “mock stock market” style game and resulted in a marked increase in confidence in all observed areas. This increased confidence relates to the students’ increased knowledge in how the health care industry works from a business perspective. PMID:29867241

Non-Price Competition and the Structure of the Online Information Industry: Q-Analysis of Medical Databases and Hosts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Davies, Roy

1987-01-01

Discussion of the online information industry emphasizes the effects of non-price competition on its structure and the firms involved. Q-analysis is applied to data on medical databases and hosts, changes over a three-year period are identified, and an optimum structure for the industry based on economic theory is considered. (Author/LRW)

Health care competition, strategic mission, and patient satisfaction: research model and propositions.

PubMed

Rivers, Patrick A; Glover, Saundra H

2008-01-01

In all industries, competition among businesses has long been encouraged as a mechanism to increase value for patients. In other words, competition ensures the provision of better products and services to satisfy the needs of customers This paper aims to develop a model that can be used to empirically investigate a number of complex issues and relationships associated with competition in the health care industry. A literature review was conducted. A total of 50 items of literature related to the subject were reviewed. Various perspectives of competition, the nature of service quality, health system costs, and patient satisfaction in health care are examined. A model of the relationship among these variables is developed. The model depicts patient satisfaction as an outcome measure directly dependent on competition. Quality of care and health care systems costs, while also directly dependent on the strategic mission and goals, are considered as determinants of customer satisfaction as well. The model is discussed in the light of propositions for empirical research. Empirical studies based on the model proposed in this paper should help identify areas with significant impact on patient satisfaction while maintaining high quality of service at lower costs in a competitive environment. The authors develop a research model which included propositions to examine the complex issues of competition in the health care industry.

Overcoming barriers to effectiveness in a health care operational environment: building on the lessons of American industry.

PubMed

Zimmerer, L W; Zimmerer, T W; Yasin, M M

1999-01-01

Several of the manufacturing-based philosophies, techniques and tools, such as Total Quality Management (TQM), Continuous Improvement (CI), Business Process Reengineering (BPR) and Time-based Competition (TBC) have been successfully adapted for use within the service sector. Diverse service industries including airlines, insurance, food services and hospitality have increased customer satisfaction and performance through the use of the quality driven, manufacturing-based philosophies. This article explores the reasons for the limited success of TQM/CI, BPR, TBC and benchmarking within the health care industry. Sixteen barriers to change are identified, possible counter-measures to these barriers are outlined and two conceptual frameworks are offered as possible facilitators of change for the health care industry.

Training for Trade: Role of American Community Colleges.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wismer, Jack N.

Today, global competition affects almost every business or industry, often triggering corporate restructuring, downsizing, focus on continuous quality improvement, heightened efforts to globalize companies and increase exports. To meet the competitive challenges of a global economy, community colleges can better serve business and industry by…

76 FR 23971 - Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Competitive Enhancement Needs Assessment Survey...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-29

... DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Industry and Security Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Competitive Enhancement Needs Assessment Survey Program AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and Security... their abilities to meet defense program needs. The information collected from voluntary surveys will be...

Foreword

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergheau, Jean-Michel; Drapier, Sylvain; Feulvarch, Éric; Ponthot, Jean-Philippe

2016-04-01

In the face of increasingly fierce global competition, industrial companies must develop products more and more quickly and cheaply. In such a context, the numerical simulation of manufacturing processes is a big challenge and a key factor for success. Indeed, numerical simulation enables the control of manufacturing processes and of the consequences that they induce on the manufactured parts in terms of material modifications, geometrical changes or residual stresses, each of them playing an important role in the lifetime of the component.

Using Classroom Competitions to Prepare Students for the Competitive Business World

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gibson, Fay Y.; Kincade, Doris H.; Frasier, Pamela Y.

2013-01-01

This paper describes how a university, collaborating with industry, integrated research with active learning (e.g., collaboration in teams and competitions) for fashion majors. The redesigned introductory course uses two strategies: team competitions and a genius bar to guide students, give ongoing feedback, and judge final competitions. Active…

Microbial Enzymes: Tools for Biotechnological Processes

PubMed Central

Adrio, Jose L.; Demain, Arnold L.

2014-01-01

Microbial enzymes are of great importance in the development of industrial bioprocesses. Current applications are focused on many different markets including pulp and paper, leather, detergents and textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemical, food and beverages, biofuels, animal feed and personal care, among others. Today there is a need for new, improved or/and more versatile enzymes in order to develop more novel, sustainable and economically competitive production processes. Microbial diversity and modern molecular techniques, such as metagenomics and genomics, are being used to discover new microbial enzymes whose catalytic properties can be improved/modified by different strategies based on rational, semi-rational and random directed evolution. Most industrial enzymes are recombinant forms produced in bacteria and fungi. PMID:24970208

Plastics processing: statistics, current practices, and evaluation.

PubMed

Cooke, F

1993-11-01

The health care industry uses a huge quantity of plastic materials each year. Much of the machinery currently used, or supplied, for plastics processing is unsuitable for use in a clean environment. In this article, the author outlines the reasons for the current situation and urges companies to re-examine their plastic-processing methods, whether performed in-house or subcontracted out. Some of the factors that should be considered when evaluating plastics-processing equipment are outlined to assist companies in remaining competitive and complying with impending EC regulations on clean room standards for manufacturing areas.

NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Report 9: Summary report to phase 3 faculty and student respondents including frequency distributions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pinelli, Thomas E.; Kennedy, John M.; White, Terry F.

1991-01-01

This project is designed to explore the diffusion of scientific and technical information (STI) throughout the aerospace industry. The increased international competition and cooperation in the industry promises to significantly affect the STI standards of U.S. aerospace engineers and scientists. Therefore, it is important to understand the aerospace knowledge diffusion process itself and its implications at the individual, organizational, national, and international levels. Examined here is the role of STI in the academic aerospace community.

Government Research and Development Policy for Telecommunications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cohen, Linda

This paper investigates how recent changes in the telecommunications industry are likely to affect government research and development policies by analyzing how changes in the market structure--in particular, increased competition in the industry due to domestic deregulation and international competition--change the political economy of government…

Lowering industry firewalls: pre-competitive informatics initiatives in drug discovery.

PubMed

Barnes, Michael R; Harland, Lee; Foord, Steven M; Hall, Matthew D; Dix, Ian; Thomas, Scott; Williams-Jones, Bryn I; Brouwer, Cory R

2009-09-01

Pharmaceutical research and development is facing substantial challenges that have prompted the industry to shift funding from early- to late-stage projects. Among the effects is a major change in the attitude of many companies to their internal bioinformatics resources: the focus has moved from the vigorous pursuit of intellectual property towards exploration of pre-competitive cross-industry collaborations and engagement with the public domain. High-quality, open and accessible data are the foundation of pre-competitive research, and strong public-private partnerships have considerable potential to enhance public data resources, which would benefit everyone engaged in drug discovery. In this article, we discuss the background to these changes and propose new areas of collaboration in computational biology and chemistry between the public domain and the pharmaceutical industry.

A Classroom Entry and Exit Game of Supply with Price-Taking Firms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cheung, Stephen L.

2005-01-01

The author describes a classroom game demonstrating the process of adjustment to long-run equilibrium in a market consisting of price-taking firms. This game unites and extends key insights from several simpler games in a framework more consistent with the standard textbook model of a competitive industry. Because firms have increasing marginal…

Cost effective technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, S. C.

1989-09-01

With relation to advanced technology for gas turbines, the overall process of product definition and development, concentrating particularly on the integration of activities between engineering design and manufacturing, is surveyed. The development of new philosophies in each of these spheres of activity is concluded to be cost effective technology and to make a highly significant contribution to the competitiveness and profitability of the industry.

US Industrial Base Dependence/Vulnerability. Phase 1. Survey of Literature

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-12-01

individuals and organizations on the Catalyst mailing list in addition to industrial , academic and non -Department of Defense organizations. ■^’> 3. More...competition could be inconsistent with either of the other goals. For example, a contract awarded to a non -NATO foreign firm would comply with neither...prevent foreign manufacturers from dominating the commercial market. 6. To become competitive, the U.S. bearing JBWG industry must invest more

The Conference Proceedings of the 1997 Air Transport Research Group (ATRG) of the WCTR Society. Volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oum, Tae Hoon (Editor); Bowen, Brent D. (Editor)

1997-01-01

Topics included in the proceedings are: The effect of liberalized air transport bilaterals; cost competitiveness of major airlines; economic effects of duopoly competition in Korea; transforming Canada's aviation regulations; liberalization in Europe; airline labor cost in a liberalized Europe; noncooperative collusion; European air transport deregulation; public ownership and deregulation in the Scandanavian airline industry; airline competition between London and Amsterdam; and a banker's view of the European airline industry.

Has competition increased hospital technical efficiency?

PubMed

Lee, Keon-Hyung; Park, Jungwon; Lim, Seunghoo; Park, Sang-Chul

2015-01-01

Hospital competition and managed care have affected the hospital industry in various ways including technical efficiency. Hospital efficiency has become an important topic, and it is important to properly measure hospital efficiency in order to evaluate the impact of policies on the hospital industry. The primary independent variable is hospital competition. By using the 2001-2004 inpatient discharge data from Florida, we calculate the degree of hospital competition in Florida for 4 years. Hospital efficiency scores are developed using the Data Envelopment Analysis and by using the selected input and output variables from the American Hospital Association's Annual Survey of Hospitals for those acute care general hospitals in Florida. By using the hospital efficiency score as a dependent variable, we analyze the effects of hospital competition on hospital efficiency from 2001 to 2004 and find that when a hospital was located in a less competitive market in 2003, its technical efficiency score was lower than those in a more competitive market.

Proposed industrial recovered materials utilization targets for the metals and metal-products industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

1979-05-01

The introductory chapter provides a discussion of the factors that affect the recovery and reuse of secondary materials and the competition between the primary and secondary metals industries. It discusses these industries in terms of resource characteristics, industry technology, pollution control requirements, market structure, the economics of recycling, and the issues involved in econometrically estimating scrap supply response behavior. It further presents the methodology established by DOE for the metals, textiles, rubber, and pulp and paper industries. The areas in which government policies might have a significant impact on the utilization of primary and secondary metals and on any recyclingmore » targets between now and 1987 are noted. Chapter 3 presents general profiles for the major industrial segments comprising SIC 33. The profiles include such topics as industry structure, process technology, materials and recycling flow, and future trends. Chapter 4 specifically covers the evaluation of recycling targets for the ferrous, aluminum, copper, zinc, and lead industries. (MCW)« less

The contradiction of space: Oil, imperialism and the accumulation of capital

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Labban, Mazen

This essay examines the relations between the production of oil and gas, the global expansion of capital and the territorial control and division of geographical space. The main argument is that the historical expansion of capital, and the subsequent inter-capitalist competition, has produced and has come to depend on a geographical contradiction between an open and integrated world economy and its division into exclusive economic territories. This contradiction is the result of the contradiction between the conditions for accumulation for individual (national) capitals and the conditions for accumulation for capital as a whole. The objective natural conditions of accumulation are of specific importance, and they gain more importance as capital accumulation comes to rely on more intensive and expansive exploitation of natural resources---specifically crucial resources such as oil and gas. The development of productivity and the concentration of capital cause the rates of profit to decline; the exploitation of natural resources at an increasing scale results from the increase in the mass of raw material required to counter the tendency of the rate of profit ton fall and to resume the accumulation of capital at an expanded scale. This is common to all branches of industry, including the extractive industry---the competition for natural resources is ultimately determined by the competition for increasing, or at least maintaining, the profitability of competing capitals. The contemporary competition among US, Japanese, Indian, Chinese and Western European transnational oil and gas companies for investment in the oil and gas industry of Russia and Iran is examined against the ongoing competition among the US, Russia, China and India for the geopolitical control of the former Soviet republics of Central Asia and the Caucasus. This process is a development of the inter-imperialist competition that began in the late nineteenth century and which resumed in full force since the 1980s after being concealed for a while under the illusions of the Cold War. Certainly, oil and gas play an important part in this competition---particularly as domains for foreign capital investment---but the competition in Central Asia is irreducible to "geopolitics of oil". Indeed, geopolitical competition itself in this context is part of a broader geoeconomic globalization---one means in the struggle among rivals for stronger positions in the world economy. This renewed inter-imperialist rivalry, not unlike its nineteenth century precursor that lasted until the Second World War, is essentially competition among capitals at different stages of development, only that the objects of the inter-imperialist struggles of past have become active participants in the competition. In Asia, the development of China, India and Southeast Asia as major global economic competitors has only made the competition more global and more intense. Access to oil and gas resources is crucial for determining the course and outcome of the competition among developed and developing economies---this essay is an attempt at determining why should that be the case.

Integrating Technology and Engineering with a Marine Design Contest and 3-D Modeling

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hammons, John

2011-01-01

The Northrop Grumman (now Huntington Ingalls Industries, Incorporated) Apprentice School, in cooperation with several area businesses, sponsors an annual boat-design competition for high school students to increase awareness of the naval architecture profession and the shipbuilding industry. The competition engages students' math, science,…

Product costing practices in the North American hardwood component industry

Treesearch

Adrienn Andersch; Urs Buehlmann; Jan Wiedenbeck; Steve Lawser

2011-01-01

Companies, when bidding for jobs, need to be able to price products competitively while also assuring that the necessary profitability can be achieved. These goals, competitive pricing and profitability, cannot be reliably achieved unless industry participants possess a full understanding of their company's cost structure. Competitors blame companies without...

Freight railroads : industry health has improved, but concerns about competition and capacity should be addressed : report to Congressional requesters

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2006-10-01

The Staggers Rail Act deregulated the freight rail industry, relying on competition to set rates, and allowed for differential pricing (charging higher rates to those more dependent on rail). The act gave the Surface Transportation Board (STB) author...

Application of target costing in machining

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gopalakrishnan, Bhaskaran; Kokatnur, Ameet; Gupta, Deepak P.

2004-11-01

In today's intensely competitive and highly volatile business environment, consistent development of low cost and high quality products meeting the functionality requirements is a key to a company's survival. Companies continuously strive to reduce the costs while still producing quality products to stay ahead in the competition. Many companies have turned to target costing to achieve this objective. Target costing is a structured approach to determine the cost at which a proposed product, meeting the quality and functionality requirements, must be produced in order to generate the desired profits. It subtracts the desired profit margin from the company's selling price to establish the manufacturing cost of the product. Extensive literature review revealed that companies in automotive, electronic and process industries have reaped the benefits of target costing. However target costing approach has not been applied in the machining industry, but other techniques based on Geometric Programming, Goal Programming, and Lagrange Multiplier have been proposed for application in this industry. These models follow a forward approach, by first selecting a set of machining parameters, and then determining the machining cost. Hence in this study we have developed an algorithm to apply the concepts of target costing, which is a backward approach that selects the machining parameters based on the required machining costs, and is therefore more suitable for practical applications in process improvement and cost reduction. A target costing model was developed for turning operation and was successfully validated using practical data.

A performance improvement case study in aircraft maintenance and its implications for hazard identification.

PubMed

Ward, Marie; McDonald, Nick; Morrison, Rabea; Gaynor, Des; Nugent, Tony

2010-02-01

Aircraft maintenance is a highly regulated, safety critical, complex and competitive industry. There is a need to develop innovative solutions to address process efficiency without compromising safety and quality. This paper presents the case that in order to improve a highly complex system such as aircraft maintenance, it is necessary to develop a comprehensive and ecologically valid model of the operational system, which represents not just what is meant to happen, but what normally happens. This model then provides the backdrop against which to change or improve the system. A performance report, the Blocker Report, specific to aircraft maintenance and related to the model was developed gathering data on anything that 'blocks' task or check performance. A Blocker Resolution Process was designed to resolve blockers and improve the current check system. Significant results were obtained for the company in the first trial and implications for safety management systems and hazard identification are discussed. Statement of Relevance: Aircraft maintenance is a safety critical, complex, competitive industry with a need to develop innovative solutions to address process and safety efficiency. This research addresses this through the development of a comprehensive and ecologically valid model of the system linked with a performance reporting and resolution system.

Synthesis and design of silicide intermetallic materials

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Petrovic, J.J.; Castro, R.G.; Butt, D.P.

1997-04-01

The overall objective of this program is to develop structural silicide-based materials with optimum combinations of elevated temperature strength/creep resistance, low temperature fracture toughness, and high temperature oxidation and corrosion resistance for applications of importance to the U.S. processing industry. A further objective is to develop silicide-based prototype industrial components. The ultimate aim of the program is to work with industry to transfer the structural silicide materials technology to the private sector in order to promote international competitiveness in the area of advanced high temperature materials and important applications in major energy-intensive U.S. processing industries. The program presently has amore » number of developing industrial connections, including a CRADA with Schuller International Inc. targeted at the area of MoSi{sub 2}-based high temperature materials and components for fiberglass melting and processing applications. The authors are also developing an interaction with the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT) to develop silicides for high temperature radiant gas burner applications, for the glass and other industries. Current experimental emphasis is on the development and characterization of MoSi{sub 2}-Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} and MoSi{sub 2}-SiC composites, the plasma spraying of MoSi{sub 2}-based materials, and the joining of MoSi{sub 2} materials to metals.« less

Health care competition, strategic mission, and patient satisfaction: research model and propositions

PubMed Central

Rivers, Patrick A.; Glover, Saundra H.

2010-01-01

Purpose In all industries, competition among businesses has long been encouraged as a mechanism to increase value for patients. In other words, competition ensures the provision of better products and services to satisfy the needs of customers This paper aims to develop a model that can be used to empirically investigate a number of complex issues and relationships associated with competition in the health care industry. Design/methodology/approach A literature review was conducted. A total of 50 items of literature related to the subject were reviewed.. Various perspectives of competition, the nature of service quality, health system costs, and patient satisfaction in health care are examined Findings A model of the relationship among these variables is developed. The model depicts patient satisfaction as an outcome measure directly dependent on competition. Quality of care and health care systems costs, while also directly dependent on the strategic mission and goals, are considered as determinants of customer satisfaction as well. The model is discussed in the light of propositions for empirical research. Practical implications Empirical studies based on the model proposed in this paper should help identify areas with significant impact on patient satisfaction while maintaining high quality of service at lower costs in a competitive environment. Originality/value The authors develop a research model which included propositions to examine the complex issues of competition in the health care industry. PMID:19579575

Summary of flat-plate solar array project documentation. Abstracts of published documents, 1975 to June 1982

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

Technologies that will enable the private sector to manufacture and widely use photovoltaic systems for the generation of electricity in residential, commercial, industrial, and government applications at a cost per watt that is competitive with other means is investigated. Silicon refinement processes, advanced silicon sheet growth techniques, solar cell development, encapsulation, automated fabrication process technology, advanced module/array design, and module/array test and evaluation techniques are developed.

Relationship between urban eco-environment and competitiveness with the background of globalization: statistical explanation based on industry type newly classified with environment demand and environment pressure.

PubMed

Kang, Xiao-guang; Ma, Qing-Bin

2005-01-01

Within the global urban system, the statistical relationship between urban eco-environment (UE) and urban competitiveness (UC) (RUEC) is researched. Data showed that there is a statistically inverted-U relationship between UE and UC. Eco-environmental factor is put into the classification of industries, and gets six industrial types by two indexes viz. industries' eco-environmental demand and pressure. The statistical results showed that there is a strong relationship, for new industrial classification, between the changes of industrial structure and evolvement of UE. The drive mechanism of the evolvement of urban eco-environment, with human demand and global work division was analyzed. The conclusion is that the development stratege, industrial policies of cities, and environmental policies fo cities must be fit with their ranks among the global urban system. At the era of globalization, so far as the environmental policies, their rationality could not be assessed with the level of strictness, but it can enhance cities' competitiveness when they are fit with cities' capabilities to attract and control some sections of the industry's value-chain. None but these kinds of environmental policies can probably enhance the UC.

The political economy of institutional change in the electricity supply industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rufin, Carlos Ramon

2000-09-01

In the first part, a positive political economy model of the behavior of public enterprise, consumer electoral preferences, electoral platform choices of political parties, and side payments by production factors ("suppliers") to political parties, is used to analyze the political economy of choices among three alternative institutional arrangements: competition among private firms, private monopoly, or public enterprise monopoly. The analysis shows that political choices will be biased in favor of public enterprise, because consumers and suppliers benefit from its behavior. Voter and politician ideologies can temper or exacerbate this logic. Competition for economic rents increases the likelihood of public enterprise. Lastly, a weak judiciary can also make public enterprise likelier, but it creates uncertainty about parties' future actions and therefore it lowers the effectiveness of supplier side payments. In Part 2, the model's conclusions are tested for the electricity supply industry (ESI) across a cross-section of more than 80 countries. Coding is used to compute scores for observed outcomes with regard to reliance on competition versus monopoly and on private versus public ownership. Multiple indicators for the hypothesized explanatory variables are aggregated using factor analysis. OLS regressions show that ideology plays an important role in both competition and property outcomes, and to a lesser extent, distributional conflict, while judicial independence does not in general have a clear effect. In the last part, the validity of the same hypotheses is tested by means of a comparison of the process of restructuring of the ESI in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, and Chile. The case studies show that ideology plays a major role in shaping the outcomes of the institutional change process; distributional conflict, or the conflict over the economic rents that can be extracted from the electricity industry, also has a significant influence on institutional change, although somewhat weaker than ideology; finally, the degree of judicial independence in a country does not have a clear role in shaping institutional transformation. A brief postscript applies the same analytical framework to current initiatives for ESI reform in Mexico.

Critical elements in implementations of just-in-time management: empirical study of cement industry in Pakistan.

PubMed

Qureshi, Muhammad Imran; Iftikhar, Mehwish; Bhatti, Mansoor Nazir; Shams, Tauqeer; Zaman, Khalid

2013-01-01

In recent years, inventory management is continuous challenge for all organizations not only due to heavy cost associated with inventory holding, but also it has a great deal to do with the organizations production process. Cement industry is a growing sector of Pakistan's economy which is now facing problems in capacity utilization of their plants. This study attempts to identify the key strategies for successful implementation of just-in-time (JIT) management philosophy on the cement industry of Pakistan. The study uses survey responses from four hundred operations' managers of cement industry in order to know about the advantages and benefits that cement industry have experienced by Just in time (JIT) adoption. The results show that implementing the quality, product design, inventory management, supply chain and production plans embodied through the JIT philosophy which infect enhances cement industry competitiveness in Pakistan. JIT implementation increases performance by lower level of inventory, reduced operations & inventory costs was reduced eliminates wastage from the processes and reduced unnecessary production which is a big challenge for the manufacturer who are trying to maintain the continuous flow processes. JIT implementation is a vital manufacturing strategy that reaches capacity utilization and minimizes the rate of defect in continuous flow processes. The study emphasize the need for top management commitment in order to incorporate the necessary changes that need to take place in cement industry so that JIT implementation can take place in an effective manner.

Industry/University/Government partnerships in metrology: A new paradigm for the future

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Helms, C. R.

1998-11-01

A business process is described where Industry/University/Government interactions are optimized for highest productivity across these three sectors. This cross-functional approach provides for the rapid development of differentiated products for competitive advantage in industry, best of class scholarship and academically free university research, and the assurance of U.S. economic and military strength. The major focus of this paper will be R&D. However, the above objectives will only be met if effective transition from R&D into final product marketing, design, and manufacturing are included as an additional required concurrent, cross-functional activity. Metrology will be shown as an area that meets all the requirements for the development of a broad cross-functional partnership between industry, academia, and the Government that creates significant value for each sector.

Destination bioeconomy - The path towards a smarter, more sustainable future.

PubMed

Dupont-Inglis, Joanna; Borg, Agnes

2018-01-25

Five years following the publication of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy, this article discusses the state of play of the bioeconomy in Europe. Placing specific focus on Industrial Biotech, it outlines ten pragmatic recommendations from BIO-TIC [BIO-TIC, A roadmap to a thriving industrial biotechnology sector in Europe, 2015], an EU FP7 funded project completed in 2015 and coordinated by EuropaBio, comprehensively examining the hurdles to the development of a bioeconomy in Europe, enabled by industrial biotech. These include improving opportunities for feedstock producers within the bioeconomy; investigating the scope for using novel biomass; developing a workforce which can maintain Europe's competitiveness in industrial biotechnology; introducing a long-term, stable and transparent policy and incentive framework to promote the bioeconomy; improving public perception and awareness of industrial biotechnology and bio-based products; identifying, leveraging and building upon EU capabilities for pilot and demonstration facilities; promoting the use of co-products from processing; improving the bioconversion and downstream processing steps; improving access to financing for large-scale biorefinery projects; developing stronger relationships between conventional and non-conventional players. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

13 CFR 127.500 - In what industries is a contracting officer authorized to restrict competition under this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false In what industries is a contracting officer authorized to restrict competition under this part? 127.500 Section 127.500 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS FEDERAL CONTRACT...

US Department of Energy's Efforts in Intelligent Processing Equipment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peavy, Richard D.; Mcfarland, Janet C.

1992-01-01

The Department of Energy (DOE) uses intelligent processing equipment (IPE) technologies to conduct research and development and manufacturing for energy and nuclear weapons programs. This paper highlights several significant IPE efforts underway in DOE. IPE technologies are essential to the accomplishment of DOE's missions, because of the need for small lot production, precision, and accuracy in manufacturing, hazardous waste management, and protection of the environment and the safety and health of the workforce and public. Applications of IPE technologies include environmental remediation and waste handling, advanced manufacturing, and automation of tasks carried out in hazardous areas. DOE laboratories have several key programs that integrate robotics, sensor, and control technologies. These programs embody a considerable technical capability that also may be used to enhance U.S. industrial competitiveness. DOE encourages closer cooperation with U.S. industrial partners based on mutual benefits. This paper briefly describes technology transfer mechanisms available for industrial involvement.

Competition and deregulation in the electric industry. A study of organizational change: The New York State Public Service Commission

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ashley, Deborah J. Cordaro

2000-11-01

Public organizations are formed in response to societal needs. They collect taxes, educate children, enforce laws and provide protection to the environment, the nation and consumers. One such organization is the New York State Public Service Commission. In 1907, legislation was passed to form the New York State Public Service Commission the first regulatory body of its kind in the United States. Its mission was to provide safe, reliable and reasonably priced electricity. Subsequently, this became the model that was implemented in every state in the nation. The past decade heralds an era of competition and a lessening of regulatory control. The telephone, natural gas and airline industries are in various stages of deregulation, and the electric industry is beginning down this path as well. In an environment such as this, are regulatory organizations necessary, and if they are, how can they organize to meet the new societal requirements? The case of the New York State Public Service Commission at this point in time offers a real time study of a regulatory body immersed in an environment that is calling for competition and an end to big government. Utilizing case studies of industries that have deregulated, or are in the process of deregulating, indicates a future societal need for regulations. This result does not lead to a conclusion that organizational change is unnecessary. This Dissertation will lay out the current organizational structure of the Public Service Commission, give an overview of the environmental signals, describe the mission/core values, and illustrate general political and employee factors that are indigenous to public service. Utilizing both classic and current organizational theory, an evaluation will be made of the Commission's need for change, their ability to change, and obstacles they may encounter.

The Impact of Supply Chain Business Processes on Competitive Advantage and Organizational Performance

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-22

Manager, Vice President (VP) Distribution & Fulfillment, Transportation Manager, VP of Supply Chain Management, Production Manager, Director of...Logistics/ Transportation /Distribution (75%), and Supply/Purchasing/Procurement (25%) were identified as functions that best describe the respondents...manufacturing industry (50%), one respondent represented the wholesale trade (12.5%), the retail trade (12.5%), and the transportation and warehousing

High productivity mould robotic milling in Al-5083

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Urresti, Iker; Arrazola, Pedro Jose; Ørskov, Klaus Bonde; Pelegay, Jose Angel

2018-05-01

Industrial serial robots were usually limited to welding, handling or spray painting operations until very recent years. However, some industries have already realized about their important capabilities in terms of flexibility, working space, adaptability and cost. Hence, currently they are seriously being considered to carry out certain metal machining tasks. Therefore, robot based machining is presented as a cost-saving and flexible manufacturing alternative compared to conventional CNC machines especially for roughing or even pre-roughing of large parts. Nevertheless, there are still some drawbacks usually referred as low rigidity, accuracy and repeatability. Thus, the process productivity is usually sacrificed getting low Material Removal Rates (MRR), and consequently not being competitive. Nevertheless, in this paper different techniques to obtain increased productivity are presented, though an appropriate selection of cutting strategies and parameters that are essential for it. During this research some rough milling tests in Al-5083 are presented where High Feed Milling (HFM) is implemented as productive cutting strategy and the experimental modal analysis named Tap-testing is used for the suitable choice of cutting conditions. Competitive productivity rates are experienced while process stability is checked through the cutting forces measurements in order to prove the effectiveness of the experimental modal analysis for robotic machining.

Effective Processing of the Iron Ores

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kuskov, Vadim; Kuskova, Yana; Udovitsky, Vladimir

2017-11-01

Effective technology for a complex wasteless processing of the iron ores has been designed and includes three main components (plats): comminution plant, briquette plant, pigment plant. The comminution is done per energy effective technology. Using of briquetting for ores clotting enables the costs cut and brings to a higher level of environmental safety of the process. Briquette formation can be done as a regular pressing, as an extrusion. Developed technology allows to produce high quality competitively products for metallurgy industry and red iron oxide pigments. The whole production line impacts the environment in a minimal manner.

PREFACE: 2nd International Conference on Competitive Materials and Technological Processes (IC-CMTP2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

László, Gömze A.

2013-12-01

Competitiveness is one of the most important factors in our life and it plays a key role in the efficiency both of organizations and societies. The more scientifically supported and prepared organizations develop more competitive materials with better physical, chemical and biological properties and the leading companies apply more competitive equipment and technology processes. The aims of the 2nd International Conference on Competitive Materials and Technology Processes (ic-cmtp2) are the following: Promote new methods and results of scientific research in the fields of material, biological, environmental and technology sciences; Change information between the theoretical and applied sciences as well as technical and technological implantations. Promote the communication between the scientist of different nations, countries and continents. Among the major fields of interest are materials with extreme physical, chemical, biological, medical, thermal, mechanical properties and dynamic strength; including their crystalline and nano-structures, phase transformations as well as methods of their technological processes, tests and measurements. Multidisciplinary applications of materials science and technological problems encountered in sectors like ceramics, glasses, thin films, aerospace, automotive and marine industry, electronics, energy, construction materials, medicine, biosciences and environmental sciences are of particular interest. In accordance to the program of the conference ic-cmtp2, more than 250 inquiries and registrations from different organizations were received. Researchers from 36 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America arrived at the venue of conference. Including co-authors, the research work of more than 500 scientists are presented in this volume. Professor Dr Gömze A László Chair, ic-cmtp2 The PDF also contains lists of the boards, session chairs and sponsors.

Novel technologies for monitoring the in-line quality of virgin olive oil during manufacturing and storage.

PubMed

Beltrán Ortega, Julio; Martínez Gila, Diego M; Aguilera Puerto, Daniel; Gámez García, Javier; Gómez Ortega, Juan

2016-11-01

The quality of virgin olive oil is related to the agronomic conditions of the olive fruits and the process variables of the production process. Nowadays, food markets demand better products in terms of safety, health and organoleptic properties with competitive prices. Innovative techniques for process control, inspection and classification have been developed in order to to achieve these requirements. This paper presents a review of the most significant sensing technologies which are increasingly used in the olive oil industry to supervise and control the virgin olive oil production process. Throughout the present work, the main research studies in the literature that employ non-invasive technologies such as infrared spectroscopy, computer vision, machine olfaction technology, electronic tongues and dielectric spectroscopy are analysed and their main results and conclusions are presented. These technologies are used on olive fruit, olive slurry and olive oil to determine parameters such as acidity, peroxide indexes, ripening indexes, organoleptic properties and minor components, among others. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Software for rapid prototyping in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

PubMed

Kappler, Michael A

2008-05-01

The automation of drug discovery methods continues to develop, especially techniques that process information, represent workflow and facilitate decision-making. The magnitude of data and the plethora of questions in pharmaceutical and biotechnology research give rise to the need for rapid prototyping software. This review describes the advantages and disadvantages of three solutions: Competitive Workflow, Taverna and Pipeline Pilot. Each of these systems processes large amounts of data, integrates diverse systems and assists novice programmers and human experts in critical decision-making steps.

The service industry strategy-A case study of tourism hotel in Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lu, Chunwei; Huang, Jui-Chan; Wen, Hao-Ming; Hairui, Ji

2017-06-01

Regarding to raising living standard in Taiwan, service industry had stand more than 65% GDP and manufacturing is around 35% recently. The data from Council for Economic Planning and Development of Taiwan, in 2015, the service industry stand more than 73% of GDP, and the tourism industry has played one of the most important rules. In service industry, recently, the policy of Taiwan government encourages overseas tourists come to Taiwan for resort and it made many new tourism hotels built, and they also had to do the overall reform to satisfy their customers of global, especially respecting on Eastern Asia. In this study, experts and scholars in the fields of industry academia were interviewed. Survey were issued to the object companies and a comparative case study was conducted to analyze the influencing factors and extent to which differences on the competitive edge and strategies of Taiwan tourism hotels and those which benefit most or least from business operation current situation that conducted with governments' support and internal management. By primary data and literature reviews, this study hope that an effective reference for improving industrial competitiveness and models of competitiveness could be available for the governments and the companies.

Building deals on bedrock.

PubMed

Harding, David; Rovit, Sam

2004-09-01

The headlines are filled with the sorry tales of companies like Vivendi and AOL Time Warner that tried to use mergers and acquisitions to grow big fast or transform fundamentally weak business models. But, drawing on extensive data and experience, the authors conclude that major deals make sense in only two circumstances: when they reinforce a company's existing basis of competition or when they help a company make the shift, as the industry's competitive base changes. In most stable industries, the authors contend, only one basis--superior cost position, brand power, consumer loyalty, real-asset advantage, or government protection--leads to industry leadership, and companies should do only those deals that bolster a strategy to capitalize on that competitive base. That's what Kellogg did when it acquired Keebler. Rather than bow to price pressures from lesser players, Kellogg sought to strengthen its existing basis of competition--its brand--through Keebler's innovative distribution system. A company coping with a changing industry should embark on a series of acquisitions (most likely coupled with divestitures) aimed at moving the firm to the new competitive basis. That's what Comcast did when changes in government regulations fundamentally altered the broadcast industry. In such cases, speed is essential, the investments required are huge, and half-measures can be worse than nothing at all. Still, the research shows, successful acquirers are not those that try to swallow a single, large, supposedly transformative deal but those that go to the M&A table often and take small bites. Deals can fuel growth--as long as they're anchored in the fundamental way money is made in your industry. Fail to understand that and no amount of integration planning will keep you and your shareholders from bearing the high cost of your mistakes.

An empirical comparison between the board's strategic role in nonprofit hospitals and in for-profit industrial firms.

PubMed Central

Judge, W Q; Zeithaml, C P

1992-01-01

As the health care environment becomes more competitive, nonprofit hospitals are under pressure to adopt for-profit business practices. Based on an extensive field study, this research examines the central issue of organizational governance by comparing the strategic roles of nonprofit hospital boards with for-profit industrial boards. The results show that nonprofit hospital boards are generally more involved in the strategic decision process than their for-profit counterparts. If this governance activity is seen as desirable, hospital boards should exercise caution in emulating for-profit board practices. PMID:1563953

Magnesium in North America: A Changing Landscape

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Slade, Susan

The changing landscape of North American manufacturing in the context of global competition is impacting the market of all raw materials, including magnesium. Current automotive fuel economy legislation and pending legislation on the emissions of greenhouse gases are impacting magnesium's largest consuming industries, such as aluminum, automotive components, steel and transition metals. These industries are all considering innovative ways to efficiently incorporate the needed raw materials into their processes. The North American magnesium market differs from other regions based on maturity, supply streams, changing manufacturing capabilities and trade cases, combined with the transformation of North American manufacturing.

Domestic Wood Products Manufacturing Trends and Factors to Enhance Competitiveness

Treesearch

Urs Buehlmann; Matthew Bumgardner; Albert Schuler; Rich Christianson; Rich Christianson

2003-01-01

There is little question that imports have captured a substantial portion of the domestic furniture market. However, there is much speculation and concern as to the future of this and related industries. This study sought to obtain industry perspectives of trends in domestic manufacturing and importing, and to identify factors that can enhance domestic competitiveness...

Reshaping the electric utility industry: Competitive implications for Illinois

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Maschoff, D.C.

1995-12-31

This paper briefly outlines some of the issues in the electric power industry restructuring. In addition, the impacts of these changes on the energy marketplace are discussed. Federal policy initiatives, state regulatory response, and utility management response are each described. Management skills are identified as the critical success factor for competition in the utility market.

Metabolic engineering of microbial competitive advantage for industrial fermentation processes.

PubMed

Shaw, A Joe; Lam, Felix H; Hamilton, Maureen; Consiglio, Andrew; MacEwen, Kyle; Brevnova, Elena E; Greenhagen, Emily; LaTouf, W Greg; South, Colin R; van Dijken, Hans; Stephanopoulos, Gregory

2016-08-05

Microbial contamination is an obstacle to widespread production of advanced biofuels and chemicals. Current practices such as process sterilization or antibiotic dosage carry excess costs or encourage the development of antibiotic resistance. We engineered Escherichia coli to assimilate melamine, a xenobiotic compound containing nitrogen. After adaptive laboratory evolution to improve pathway efficiency, the engineered strain rapidly outcompeted a control strain when melamine was supplied as the nitrogen source. We additionally engineered the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Yarrowia lipolytica to assimilate nitrogen from cyanamide and phosphorus from potassium phosphite, and they outcompeted contaminating strains in several low-cost feedstocks. Supplying essential growth nutrients through xenobiotic or ecologically rare chemicals provides microbial competitive advantage with minimal external risks, given that engineered biocatalysts only have improved fitness within the customized fermentation environment. Copyright © 2016, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Measurement and simulation of the relatively competitive advantages and weaknesses between economies based on bipartite graph theory.

PubMed

Guan, Jun; Xu, Xiaoyu; Wu, Shan; Xing, Lizhi

2018-01-01

The input-output table is very comprehensive and detailed in describing the national economic systems with abundant economic relationships, which contain supply and demand information among various industrial sectors. The complex network, a theory, and method for measuring the structure of a complex system can depict the structural characteristics of the internal structure of the researched object by measuring the structural indicators of the social and economic systems, revealing the complex relationships between the inner hierarchies and the external economic functions. In this paper, functions of industrial sectors on the global value chain are to be distinguished with bipartite graph theory, and inter-sector competitive relationships are to be extracted through resource allocation process. Furthermore, quantitative analysis indices will be proposed under the perspective of a complex network, which will be used to bring about simulations on the variation tendencies of economies' status in different situations of commercial intercourses. Finally, a new econophysics analytical framework of international trade is to be established.

Measurement and simulation of the relatively competitive advantages and weaknesses between economies based on bipartite graph theory

PubMed Central

Guan, Jun; Xu, Xiaoyu; Wu, Shan

2018-01-01

The input-output table is very comprehensive and detailed in describing the national economic systems with abundant economic relationships, which contain supply and demand information among various industrial sectors. The complex network, a theory, and method for measuring the structure of a complex system can depict the structural characteristics of the internal structure of the researched object by measuring the structural indicators of the social and economic systems, revealing the complex relationships between the inner hierarchies and the external economic functions. In this paper, functions of industrial sectors on the global value chain are to be distinguished with bipartite graph theory, and inter-sector competitive relationships are to be extracted through resource allocation process. Furthermore, quantitative analysis indices will be proposed under the perspective of a complex network, which will be used to bring about simulations on the variation tendencies of economies’ status in different situations of commercial intercourses. Finally, a new econophysics analytical framework of international trade is to be established. PMID:29813083

Genopersistating the System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dean, Edwin B.

1993-01-01

There is great concern for the competitiveness of the aerospace industry today. This paper examines the concept of competitiveness, introduces the concept of the genopersistation recursion, and summarizes a number of concepts which, when applied, seem to drive a product toward greater competitiveness.

Managing an evolution: Deregulation of the electric utility industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Skinner, S.K.

1994-12-31

The author discusses the emerging competitive situation in the electric power industry as deregulation of electric utilities looms on the horizon. The paper supports this change, and the competition it will bring, but urges caution as changes are instituted, and the regulatory bodies decide how and how much to free, and at what rates. The reason for his urge for caution comes from historical experience of other industries, which were smaller and had less direct impact on every American.

Welche Kompetenzen brauchen betriebliche Weiterbildner in Zukunft? Ergebnisse einer Delphi-Studie in einem Industrieunternehmen (Qualifications Needed by Educational Staff Working in the Field of Further Education in the Industrial Sector--Results of a Delphi-study Carried out in an Industrial Enterprise).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Harteis, Christian; Prenzel, Manfred

1998-01-01

Attempts to reveal the qualifications that will become important, due to technological change and growing internationalization of competition, for trainers (educational staff) in industrial enterprises. Indicates that the results lead to a view of further education within firms as a service that is subject to competition on the open market. (CMK)

Design logistics performance measurement model of automotive component industry for srengthening competitiveness of dealing AEC 2015

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amran, T. G.; Janitra Yose, Mindy

2018-03-01

As the free trade Asean Economic Community (AEC) causes the tougher competition, it is important that Indonesia’s automotive industry have high competitiveness as well. A model of logistics performance measurement was designed as an evaluation tool for automotive component companies to improve their logistics performance in order to compete in AEC. The design of logistics performance measurement model was based on the Logistics Scorecard perspectives, divided into two stages: identifying the logistics business strategy to get the KPI and arranging the model. 23 KPI was obtained. The measurement result can be taken into consideration of determining policies to improve the performance logistics competitiveness.

Franchise competition in the electric utility industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vince, C.A.; Fogel, J.C.

Franchise competition is - and should be - an integral part of enhanced competition. It serves the traditional goal of encouraging lower costs through the threat of takeover or purchase. However, the issue of utility recovery for stranded costs stands as a major unresolved question affecting customers` ability to partake of this central aspect of competition.

Space Product Development: Bringing the Benefits of Space Down to Earth

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Rosalie W.; Tygielski, Andrew; Gabris, Edward A.

1997-01-01

The newly developed microgravity Research Program Office was created to consolidate and integrate NASA's microgravity research efforts, comprised of the microgravity Science and Applications Program and Space Product Development Program. This resulted in an integrated agency program serving the science and industrial research communities, providing leadership, management, direction and overview of all agency microgravity research activities. This paper provides an overview of NASA's microgravity Research Program, with particular emphasis on the Space Product Development Program activities, the potential economic impact and quality of life improvements resulting from this research, and future plans for commercial microgravity research in space. The goal of the Space Product Development Program is to facilitate the use of space for commercial products and services. The unique attributes of space are exploited to conduct industry driven research in the areas of crystallography, bio-systems, agriculture, electronic and non-electronic materials. Industry uses the knowledge gained from focused space research to create new products and processes, to gain economic competitive advantages, to create new jobs and improve the quality of life on earth. The objectives of the program are implemented through NASA's Commercial Space Centers, non-profit consortia of industry, academia and government, that provide the mechanism for communication and technical expert exchange between NASA and industry. Over 200 commercial research activities have been conducted by the Commercial Space Centers and their industrial affiliates over the last four and one-half years during Space Shuttle mission, as well as sounding rocket flights. The results of this research will have a significant impact on competitive products, jobs and quality of life improvements.

Human Resources and Competitiveness. Report of the Committee on Human Resources, The President's Commission on Industrial Competitiveness. Research Report Series RR-87-27.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Commission for Employment Policy (DOL), Washington, DC.

Competitiveness is a function of a nation's resources and how effectively those resources are used relative to that nation's competitors. The people of a nation, with their knowledge, skills, and attitudes, determine how effectively technology, capital, and trade will be used to the nation's competitive advantage. The competitive challenge to the…

The five competitive forces that shape strategy.

PubMed

Porter, Michael E

2008-01-01

In 1979, a young associate professor at Harvard Business School published his first article for HBR, "How Competitive Forces Shape Strategy." In the years that followed, Michael Porter's explication of the five forces that determine the long-run profitability of any industry has shaped a generation of academic research and business practice. In this article, Porter undertakes a thorough reaffirmation and extension of his classic work of strategy formulation, which includes substantial new sections showing how to put the five forces analysis into practice. The five forces govern the profit structure of an industry by determining how the economic value it creates is apportioned. That value may be drained away through the rivalry among existing competitors, of course, but it can also be bargained away through the power of suppliers or the power of customers or be constrained by the threat of new entrants or the threat of substitutes. Strategy can be viewed as building defenses against the competitive forces or as finding a position in an industry where the forces are weaker. Changes in the strength of the forces signal changes in the competitive landscape critical to ongoing strategy formulation. In exploring the implications of the five forces framework, Porter explains why a fast-growing industry is not always a profitable one, how eliminating today's competitors through mergers and acquisitions can reduce an industry's profit potential, how government policies play a role by changing the relative strength of the forces, and how to use the forces to understand complements. He then shows how a company can influence the key forces in its industry to create a more favorable structure for itself or to expand the pie altogether. The five forces reveal why industry profitability is what it is. Only by understanding them can a company incorporate industry conditions into strategy.

WTO/GATS and the Education Service Industry: Global Strategy--Local Responses. Routledge Research in Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robertson, Susan, Ed.; Bonal, Xavier, Ed.; Dale, Roger, Ed.

2012-01-01

Over the past decade there has been a considerable and growing interest in globalisation as a phenomenon. Education at all levels has been deeply implicated in the processes of globalization, partly as a product that can be made more efficient in the name of competitive advantage and partly as a beneficiary of investment in a hazily defined…

Will the leading firm continue to dominate the market in the Taiwan notebook industry?

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chu, Hsiao-Ping; Yeh, Ming-Liang; Sher, Peter J.; Chiu, Yi-Chia

2007-09-01

This study investigates whether the market share leader in the notebook industry in Taiwan is likely to maintain its dominant position. Market share data are used to investigate the intensity of competitiveness in the industry, and data on the gap in market shares are employed to elucidate the dominance of the leading firm in Taiwan's notebook industry during the 1998-2004 period. The newly developed Panel SURADF tests advanced by Breuer et al. [Misleading inferences from panel unit root tests with an illustration from purchasing power parity, Rev. Int. Econ. 9 (3) (2001) 482-493] are employed to determine whether the market share gap is stationary or not. Unlike other panel-based unit root tests which are joint tests of a unit root for all members of a panel and are incapable of determining the mix of I(0) and I(1) series in a panel setting, the Panel SURADF tests have the advantage of being able to investigate a separate unit root null hypothesis for each individual panel member and are, therefore, able to identify how many and which series in a panel are stationary processes. The empirical results from several panel-based unit root tests substantiate that the market shares of the firms studied here are non-stationary, indicating that Taiwan's notebook industry is highly competitive; however, Breuer et al.'s [12] Panel SURADF tests unequivocally show that only Compal is stationary with respect to market share gap. In terms of sales volume, Compal is the second largest firm in the notebook industry in Taiwan, and the results indicate that it alone has the opportunity to become the market share leader in the notebook industry.

A Multivariate Model and Analysis of Competitive Strategy in the U.S. Hardwood Lumber Industry

Treesearch

Robert J. Bush; Steven A. Sinclair

1991-01-01

Business-level competitive strategy in the hardwood lumber industry was modeled through the identification of strategic groups among large U.S. hardwood lumber producers. Strategy was operationalized using a measure based on the variables developed by Dess and Davis (1984). Factor and cluster analyses were used to define strategic groups along the dimensions of cost...

2002 Industry Studies: Education

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-01-01

1 EDUCATION ABSTRACT United States schools are better than ever, but they are not assuring competitive advantage . Unequal access to quality...competitive advantage , and promote national security. • Demand for education continues to grow as the US transitions from an industrial to a knowledge... international assessments, pose challenges. With human capital constituting our most critical national resource, a world-class education system is vital to

Predators and prey: a new ecology of competition.

PubMed

Moore, J F

1993-01-01

Much has been written about networks, strategic alliances, and virtual organizations. Yet these currently popular frameworks provide little systematic assistance when it comes to out-innovating the competition. That's because most managers still view the problem in the old way: companies go head-to-head in an industry, battling for market share. James Moore sets up a new metaphor for competition drawn from the study of biology and social systems. He suggests that a company be viewed not as a member of a single industry but as a part of a business ecosystem that crosses a variety of industries. In a business ecosystem, companies "co-evolve" around a new innovation, working cooperatively and competitively to support new products and satisfy customer needs. Apple Computer, for example, leads an ecosystem that covers personal computers, consumer electronics, information, and communications. In any larger business environment, several ecosystems may vie for survival and dominance, such as the IBM and Apple ecosystems in personal computers or Wal-Mart and K mart in discount retailing. In fact, it's largely competition among business ecosystems, not individual companies, that's fueling today's industrial transformation. Managers can't afford to ignore the birth of new ecosystems or the competition among those that already exist. Whether that means investing in the right new technology, signing on suppliers to expand a growing business, developing crucial elements of value to maintain leadership, or incorporating new innovations to fend off obsolescence, executives must understand the evolutionary stages all business ecosystems go through and, more important, how to direct those changes.

Generation expansion planning in a competitive electric power industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chuang, Angela Shu-Woan

This work investigates the application of non-cooperative game theory to generation expansion planning (GEP) in a competitive electricity industry. We identify fundamental ways competition changes the nature of GEP, review different models of oligopoly behavior, and argue that assumptions of the Cournot model are compatible with GEP. Applying Cournot theory of oligopoly behavior, we formulate a GEP model that may characterize expansion in the new competitive regime, particularly in pool-dominated generation supply industries. Our formulation incorporates multiple markets and is patterned after the basic design of the California ISO/PX system. Applying the model, we conduct numerical experiments on a test system, and analyze generation investment and market participation decisions of different candidate expansion units that vary in costs and forced outage rates. Simulations are performed under different scenarios of competition. In particular, we observe higher probabilistic measures of reliability from Cournot expansion compared to the expansion plan of a monopoly with an equivalent minimum reserve margin requirement. We prove several results for a subclass of problems encompassed by our formulation. In particular, we prove that under certain conditions Cournot competition leads to greater total capacity expansion than a situation in which generators collude in a cartel. We also show that industry output after introduction of new technology is no less than monopoly output. So a monopoly may lack sufficient incentive to introduce new technologies. Finally, we discuss the association between capacity payments and the issue of pricing reliability. And we derive a formula for computing ideal capacity payment rates by extending the Value of Service Reliability technique.

Deregulation allows new opportunities for utilities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hansen, T.

1996-10-01

The changes electric utilities face today are both scary and exciting. In the past several years utilities have faced uncertainties that have caused major upheaval in their structures and business processes. There has been an increase in the number of mergers and acquisitions as utilities position themselves for competition. many utility employees have faced layoffs, resulting form reengineering and downsizing. Similar events and uncertainties were faced by the airline and telecommunications industries during their transformations form monopolistic to competitive environments. Even though these events have been difficult and unpleasant, there is a bright side. Today`s electric utilities have the opportunitiesmore » to cash in on some innovative new ideas and technologies.« less

New tactics and technologies to meet the competitive utility environment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Audin, L.

A new age is dawning for lower-cost energy use and supply. The deregulation of the electric industry is creating new pricing options that will change how one evaluates cost-cutting energy alternatives. As competition begins, smart users will grasp these opportunities and press for greater innovation on the part of marketers. Energy users can best navigate these choices by: understanding the concepts inherent in deregulation (such as transmission constrains); influencing the deregulation process (which does not end when markets first open); learning to use new analytical tools (such as load profile analysis); applying new technologies (e.g., wireless automatic metering); and beingmore » as creative as possible (because marketers won`t be).« less

Implementation and implication of total quality management on client- contractor relationship in residential projects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murali, Swetha; Ponmalar, V.

2017-07-01

To make innovation and continuous improvement as a norm, some traditional practices must become unlearnt. Change for growth and competitiveness are required for sustainability for any profitable business such as the construction industry. The leading companies are willing to implement Total Quality Management (TQM) principles, to realise potential advantages and improve growth and efficiency. Ironically, researches recollected quality as the most significant provider for competitive advantage in industrial leadership. The two objectives of this paper are 1) Identify TQM effectiveness in residential projects and 2) Identify the client satisfaction/dissatisfaction areas using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and suggest effective mitigate measures. Using statistical survey techniques like set of questionnaire survey, it is observed that total quality management was applied in some leading successful organization to an extent. The main attributes for quality achievement can be defined as teamwork and better communication with single agreed goal between client and contractor. Onsite safety is a paramount attribute in the identifying quality within the residential projects. It was noticed that the process based quality methods such as onsite safe working condition; safe management system and modern engineering process safety controls etc. as interlinked functions. Training and effective communication with all stakeholders on quality management principles is essential for effective quality work. Late Only through effective TQM principles companies can avoid some contract litigations with an increased client satisfaction Index.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Makansi, J.

The three pillars that support the ivory tower of research and development (R and D) in the US power industry are concurrently being cut to a new size: industry-sponsored collaborative R and D, as managed by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), is being challenged as interutility competition grows; government-supported R and D is set to decline as more elected officials begin to take fiscal responsibility seriously; and R and D supported by individual equipment, process, and fuel suppliers is eroding as a result of intense cost-cutting in an era of bruising global competition. Regarding the latter, slim or non-existentmore » profit margins leave little incentive for R and D work. Not only is support faltering, the structural priorities are shifting too. Focus today, according to those in the R and D community, has shifted from efforts with 10- to 15-yr payoff to those with perhaps a 5-yr payoff. R and D aimed at near-term production development or correcting field problems following over-zealous marketing of earlier R and D results, is taking precedence over R and D with medium- and long-term strategic goals. While current and future R and D funding erodes, the backlog of R and D available to the industry is steadily being applied commercially. This report portends what the next few years will bring for the technology demonstrations of most importance to the industry.« less

ACE: A distributed system to manage large data archives

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Daily, Mike I.; Allen, Frank W.

1993-01-01

Competitive pressures in the oil and gas industry are requiring a much tighter integration of technical data into E and P business processes. The development of new systems to accommodate this business need must comprehend the significant numbers of large, complex data objects which the industry generates. The life cycle of the data objects is a four phase progression from data acquisition, to data processing, through data interpretation, and ending finally with data archival. In order to implement a cost effect system which provides an efficient conversion from data to information and allows effective use of this information, an organization must consider the technical data management requirements in all four phases. A set of technical issues which may differ in each phase must be addressed to insure an overall successful development strategy. The technical issues include standardized data formats and media for data acquisition, data management during processing, plus networks, applications software, and GUI's for interpretation of the processed data. Mass storage hardware and software is required to provide cost effective storage and retrieval during the latter three stages as well as long term archival. Mobil Oil Corporation's Exploration and Producing Technical Center (MEPTEC) has addressed the technical and cost issues of designing, building, and implementing an Advanced Computing Environment (ACE) to support the petroleum E and P function, which is critical to the corporation's continued success. Mobile views ACE as a cost effective solution which can give Mobile a competitive edge as well as a viable technical solution.

Competitiveness, Technology and Skills.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lall, Sanjaya

This document examines competitiveness in the developing world. Chapters 1 through 3, which are largely conceptual, examine the following topics: the concept of competitiveness and why it is important; market-stimulating technology policies in developing countries, and the relationship between import liberalization and industrial performance.…

Analysis of Business Process at PT XYZ by Using SCOR Thread Diagram

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sembiring, M. T.; Rambe, H. C.

2017-03-01

Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) is a standard supply chain performance evaluation model which is proposed by Supply Chain Council (SCC). SCOR makes companies can analyse and evaluate their supply chain performance. SCOR has Thread Diagram which describes business process simply and systematically to help the analysis of company’s business process. This research takes place in PT XYZ that is involved in Crude Palm Oil (CPO) industry. PT XYZ used to be the market leader of CPO industry but nowadays they have a trouble to compete with new competitors. The purpose of this study is to provide the input for PT XYZ business process improvement to enhance the competitiveness of the company with the others. The result obtained shows that there are two performance metrics that are not reached. The analysis of business process shows the lack of control role of PT XYZ to supplier and customer side which is going to be the suggestion of improvement.

Industrial Assessment Centers - Small Manufacturers Reduce Energy & Increase Productivity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

Since 1976, the Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs), administered by the US Department of Energy, have supported small and medium-sized American manufacturers to reduce energy use and increase their productivity and competitiveness. The 24 IACs, located at premier engineering universities around the country (see below), send faculty and engineering students to local small and medium-sized manufacturers to provide no-cost assessments of energy use, process performance and waste and water flows. Under the direction of experienced professors, IAC engineering students analyze the manufacturer’s facilities, energy bills and energy, waste and water systems, including compressed air, motors/pumps, lighting, process heat and steam. Themore » IACs then follow up with written energy-saving and productivity improvement recommendations, with estimates of related costs and payback periods.« less

Compete or Die! How To Increase Enrollment in a Competitive Market: Part I.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wassom, Julie

1998-01-01

Presents strategies for increasing the enrollment in child care programs in a competitive market. Discusses ways to investigate the market, including examining the competition, parents' expectations, and the industry; and ways to differentiate a center from its competitors. (KB)

The STEEL/ICI Eureka! Physics Competition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walton, C. J.

1989-01-01

Describes the organization of a school's physics competition for middle school students sponsored by Physics Section of STEEL (Science, Technology and Engineering Education in Lancaster) and an industry group. Presents one typical problem, marking, and prizes for the competition. A suggested marking scheme is appended. (YP)

Dynamic competition in pharmaceuticals. Patent expiry, generic penetration, and industry structure.

PubMed

Magazzini, Laura; Pammolli, Fabio; Riccaboni, Massimo

2004-06-01

This paper investigates patterns of industrial dynamics and competition in the pharmaceutical industry, with particular reference to the consequences of patent expiry in different countries. We focus on the competition at the level of single chemical entities, distinguishing between original brands and generic products. Quarterly data, spanning from July 1987 to December 1998, on sales of pharmaceutical products in four countries (USA, UK, Germany, and France) constitute the basis of our analysis. All the products containing major molecules whose patent expiration date lies between 1986 and 1996 are included in our sample. We show how diffusion of generics is linked to the characteristics of the market and investigate how price dynamics of original products are affected by generic competition. Our empirical investigation shows that the dynamics of drug prices and the competition by generic drugs vary significantly across countries. This heterogeneity notwithstanding, a clear distinction seems to emerge. On the one hand, systems that rely on market-based competition in pharmaceuticals promote a clear distinction between firms that act as innovators and firms that act as imitators after patent expiry. Here, original products enjoy premium prices and exclusivity profits under patent protection, and face fierce price competition after patent expiry. On the other hand, in systems that rely on administered prices, penetration by generic drugs tends to be rather limited. Its descriptive and preliminary nature notwithstanding, our analysis seems to have relevant implications at different levels of generality, especially for Europe.

Innovations for competitiveness: European views on "better-faster-cheaper"

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Atzei, A.; Groepper, P.; Novara, M.; Pseiner, K.

1999-09-01

The paper elaborates on " lessons learned" from two recent ESA workshops, one focussing on the role of Innovation in the competitiveness of the space sector and the second on technology and engineering aspects conducive to better, faster and cheaper space programmes. The paper focuses primarily on four major aspects, namely: a) the adaptations of industrial and public organisations to the global market needs; b) the understanding of the bottleneck factors limiting competitiveness; c) the trends toward new system architectures and new engineering and production methods; d) the understanding of the role of new technology in the future applications. Under the pressure of market forces and the influence of many global and regional players, applications of space systems and technology are becoming more and more competitive. It is well recognised that without major effort for innovation in industrial practices, organisations, R&D, marketing and financial approaches the European space sector will stagnate and loose its competence as well as its competitiveness. It is also recognised that a programme run according to the "better, faster, cheaper" philosophy relies on much closer integration of system design, development and verification, and draws heavily on a robust and comprehensive programme of technology development, which must run in parallel and off-line with respect to flight programmes. A company's innovation capabilities will determine its future competitive advantage (in time, cost, performance or value) and overall growth potential. Innovation must be a process that can be counted on to provide repetitive, sustainable, long-term performance improvements. As such, it needs not depend on great breakthroughs in technology and concepts (which are accidental and rare). Rather, it could be based on bold evolution through the establishment of know-how, application of best practices, process effectiveness and high standards, performance measurement, and attention to customers and professional marketing. Having a technological lead allows industry to gain a competitive advantage in performance, cost and opportunities. Instrumental to better competitiveness is an R&D effort based on the adaptation of high technology products, capable of capturing new users, increasing production, decreasing the cost and delivery time and integrating high level of intelligence, information and autonomy. New systems will have to take in to account from the start what types of technologies are being developed or are already available in other areas outside space, and design their system accordingly. The future challenge for "faster, better, cheaper" appears to concern primarily "cost-effective", performant autonomous spacecraft, "cost-effective", reliable launching means and intelligent data fusion technologies and robust software serving mass- market real time services, distributed via EHF bands and Internet. In conclusion, it can be noticed that in the past few years new approaches have considerably enlarged the ways in which space missions can be implemented. They are supported by true innovations in mission concepts, system architecture, development and technologies, in particular for the development of initiatives based on multi-mission mini-satellites platforms for communication and Earth observation missions. There are also definite limits to cost cutting (such as lowering heads counts and increasing efficiency), and therefore the strategic perspective must be shifted from the present emphasis on cost-driven enhancement to revenue-driven improvements for growth. And since the product life-cycle is continuously shortening, competitiveness is linked very strongly with the capability to generate new technology products which enhance cost/benefit performance.

Bioelectrochemical Integration of Waste Heat Recovery, Waste-to- Energy Conversion, and Waste-to-Chemical Conversion with Industrial Gas and Chemical Manufacturing Processes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mac Dougall, James

2016-02-05

Many U.S. manufacturing facilities generate unrecovered, low-grade waste heat, and also generate or are located near organic-content waste effluents. Bioelectrochemical systems, such as microbial fuel cells and microbial electrolysis cells, provide a means to convert organic-content effluents into electric power and useful chemical products. A novel biochemical electrical system for industrial manufacturing processes uniquely integrates both waste heat recovery and waste effluent conversion, thereby significantly reducing manufacturing energy requirements. This project will enable the further development of this technology so that it can be applied across a wide variety of US manufacturing segments, including the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, refinery, andmore » pulp and paper industries. It is conservatively estimated that adoption of this technology could provide nearly 40 TBtu/yr of energy, or more than 1% of the U.S. total industrial electricity use, while reducing CO 2 emissions by more than 6 million tons per year. Commercialization of this technology will make a significant contribution to DOE’s Industrial Technology Program goals for doubling energy efficiency and providing a more robust and competitive domestic manufacturing base.« less

The Berkeley Out-of-Order Machine (BOOM): An Industry-Competitive, Synthesizable, Parameterized RISC-V Processor

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-06-13

The Berkeley Out-of-Order Machine (BOOM): An Industry- Competitive, Synthesizable, Parameterized RISC-V Processor Christopher Celio David A...Synthesizable, Parameterized RISC-V Processor Christopher Celio, David Patterson, and Krste Asanović University of California, Berkeley, California 94720...Order Machine BOOM is a synthesizable, parameterized, superscalar out- of-order RISC-V core designed to serve as the prototypical baseline processor

Rapid Industrial Development, Competition, and Relative Economic Status: A Study in Human Ecology. Working Paper RID 73.10.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Summers, Gene F.; Clemente, Frank

The document has 3 goals (1) to examine the distribution of economic benefits of industrial development as reflected by the concept of competition in human ecology; (2) to provide an empirical test of the ecological model, and (3) to relate the findings to public policy. Two Illinois study areas were identified. First, as an experimental region,…

A methodology aimed at fostering and sustaining the development processes of an IE-based industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Corallo, Angelo; Errico, Fabrizio; de Maggio, Marco; Giangreco, Enza

In the current competitive scenario, where business relationships are fundamental in building successful business models and inter/intra organizational business processes are progressively digitalized, an end-to-end methodology is required that is capable of guiding business networks through the Internetworked Enterprise (IE) paradigm: a new and innovative organizational model able to leverage Internet technologies to perform real-time coordination of intra and inter-firm activities, to create value by offering innovative and personalized products/services and reduce transaction costs. This chapter presents the TEKNE project Methodology of change that guides business networks, by means of a modular and flexible approach, towards the IE techno-organizational paradigm, taking into account the competitive environment of the network and how this environment influences its strategic, organizational and technological levels. Contingency, the business model, enterprise architecture and performance metrics are the key concepts that form the cornerstone of this methodological framework.

Information technology as a key enabler in preparing for competition: ComEd`s Kincaid Generating Station, a work in progress

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Borth, F.C. III; Thompson, J.W.; Mishaga, J.M.

1996-11-01

Through ComEd Fossil (Generating) Division`s Competitive Action Plan (CAP) evaluation changes have been identified which are necessary to improve generating station performance. These changes are intended to improve both station reliability and financial margins, and are essential for stations to be successful in a competitive marketplace. Plant upgrades, advanced equipment stewardship, and personnel reductions have been identified as necessary steps in achieving industry leadership and competitive advantage. To deal effectively with plant systems and contend in the competitive marketplace Information Technology (IT) solutions to business problems are being developed. Data acquisition, storage, and retrieval are being automated through use ofmore » state-of-the-art Data Historians. Total plant, high resolution, long term process information will be accessed through Local/Wide Area Networks (LAN/WAN) connections from desktop PC`s. Generating unit Thermal Performance Monitors accessing the Data Historian will analyze plant and system performance enabling reductions in operating costs, and improvements in process control. As inputs to proactive maintenance toolsets this data allows anticipation of equipment service needs, advanced service scheduling, and cost/benefit analysis. The ultimate goal is to optimize repair needs with revenue generation. Advanced applications building upon these foundations will bring knowledge of the costs associated with all the products a generating station offers its customer(s). An overall design philosophy along with preliminary results is presented; these results include shortfalls, lessons learned, and future options.« less

The technology and commercial status of powder-injection molding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bose, Animesh

1995-08-01

The process of powder-injection molding (PIM) is a viable and competitive commercial technique that is being used to process complex-shaped parts of various materials in moderate to high volumes. The hey advantage of the process is its unique ability to combine materials selection flexibility with the complex shape-forming ability of plastics. Although the PIM process has been discussed in the open literature for more than quarter of a century, it has become a commercial reality only during the last decade or so. Currently, there is a tremendous interest in this unique technology throughout the world. As a result, the PIM industry is poised for significant growth.

Implications of deregulation in natural gas industry on utility risks and returns

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Addepalli, Rajendra P.

This thesis examines the changes in risk and required return on capital for local distribution utility companies in the increasingly competitive natural gas industry. The deregulation in the industry impacts the LDCs in several ways. First, with the introduction of competition consumers have been given choices among suppliers besides the traditional monopoly, the local utility, for purchasing their natural gas supply needs. Second, with the introduction of competition, some of the interstate pipelines were stuck with 'Take Or Pay' contracts and other costs that resulted in 'stranded costs', which have been passed on to customers of the pipeline including the LDCs. Third, the new obligation for the LDCs to purchase gas from the market, as opposed to buying it from pipelines and passing on the costs to its customers, brought opportunities and risks as well. Finally, with the introduction of competition, in some states LDCs have been allowed to enter into unregulated ventures to increase their profits. In the thesis we first develop a multifactor model (MFM) to explain historical common stock returns of individual utilities and of utility portfolios. We use 'rolling regression' analysis to analyze how different variables explain the variation in stock returns over time. Second, we conduct event studies to analyze the events in the deregulation process that had significant impacts on the LDC returns. Finally we assess the changes in risk and required return on capital for the LDCs over a 15 year time frame, covering the deregulation period. We employ four aspects in the examination of risk and return profile of the utilities: measuring (a) changes in required return on common equity and Weighted Average Cost of Capital, (b) changes in risk premium (WACC less an interest rate proxy), (c) changes in utility bond ratings, and (d) changes in dividend payments, new debt and equity issuances. We perform regression analysis to explain the changes in the required WACC using new security issuances, dividend payments and revenues of the companies.

Social costs of packaging competition in the beer and soft drink industries

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fraundorf, K.C.

One-way containers have enabled consumers to shift some costs on to society by forcing society to carry the burden of waste disposal. Principal costs include urban garbage collection and disposal and litter collection. The effects of non-price competition, particularly the introduction of non-returnable cans and bottles, on the competitive structure of the beer and soft drink industries are traced. Eventually the non-returnable packaging tactic was successful for national brewers; their profits increased as did their share of the industry's market. In the soft drink industry, the introduction of cans and non-returnable bottles by small companies challenged Coca-Cola's long-held dominant position.more » Social costs based on extra containers and municipal refuse expenditures understate the true costs, because they exclude ecological and health damage and the effect of litter on psychological well being. The costs, though understated, represent from 2 to 8% of sales, indicating a substantial degree of private-to-social cost shifting. (DCK)« less

Diversification of the Higher Mining Education Financing in Globalization Era

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frolova, Victoria; Dolina, Olga; Shpil'kina, Tatyana

2017-11-01

In the current conditions of global competition, the development of new mining technologies, the requirements to labor resources, their skills and creative potential are increasing. The tasks facing the mining industry cannot be solved without highly qualified personnel, especially managers, engineers and technicians, specialists who possess the knowledge and competences necessary for the development of science and technology of mining, and ensuring mining industrial safety. The authors analyze personnel problems and financing of mining higher education, conclude that there is a need to develop social partnership and diversify the sources of funding for training, advanced training and retraining of personnel for mining and processing of solid mineral deposits.

Lessons learned in transitioning to an open systems environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Boland, Dillard E.; Green, David S.; Steger, Warren L.

1994-01-01

Software development organizations, both commercial and governmental, are undergoing rapid change spurred by developments in the computing industry. To stay competitive, these organizations must adopt new technologies, skills, and practices quickly. Yet even for an organization with a well-developed set of software engineering models and processes, transitioning to a new technology can be expensive and risky. Current industry trends are leading away from traditional mainframe environments and toward the workstation-based, open systems world. This paper presents the experiences of software engineers on three recent projects that pioneered open systems development for NASA's Flight Dynamics Division of the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

US-Based Food and Agricultural Value Chains and Their Relevance to Healthy Diets

PubMed Central

Gereffi, Gary; Lee, Joonkoo; Christian, Michelle

2009-01-01

This article examines the structure and health implications of two industries, chicken and tomatoes, that play prominent roles in US food and agricultural competitiveness. Both industries have become more concentrated over time, with powerful “lead firms” driving geographical, technological, and marketing changes. Overall, a processed food revolution has taken place in agricultural products that transforms the types of food and dietary options available to consumers. The nature of contemporary food and agricultural value chains affects the strategies and policies that can be effectively employed to address major health goals such as improved nutrition, food safety, and food security. PMID:23144675

The Communications Competitiveness and Infrastructure Modernization Act of 1991 (S. 1200).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sikes, Alfred C.; Verveer, Philip L.

1992-01-01

Two papers present arguments for and against the Communications Competitiveness and Infrastructure Act of 1991 (S. 1200). Topics addressed include earlier policy recommendations, competition in the telecommunications industry, benefits of video dial tone availability, telephone company participation in video services, restrictions on telephone…

Development of an Operationally-Oriented Measure of Sustainability

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-09-01

this through new ways of using the advertising media and distribution channels. Siminlarly, process innovations also erect economies of scale and other...profound effect on structure include sweeping regulations on entry into the industry, competitive practices, and profit structure. Policies that govern... advertised , Cramer received over 55,000 responses. A decision was made to follow up each response with a field visit; however, the sales force was not

Mediator effect of statistical process control between Total Quality Management (TQM) and business performance in Malaysian Automotive Industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahmad, M. F.; Rasi, R. Z.; Zakuan, N.; Hisyamudin, M. N. N.

2015-12-01

In today's highly competitive market, Total Quality Management (TQM) is vital management tool in ensuring a company can success in their business. In order to survive in the global market with intense competition amongst regions and enterprises, the adoption of tools and techniques are essential in improving business performance. There are consistent results between TQM and business performance. However, only few previous studies have examined the mediator effect namely statistical process control (SPC) between TQM and business performance. A mediator is a third variable that changes the association between an independent variable and an outcome variable. This study present research proposed a TQM performance model with mediator effect of SPC with structural equation modelling, which is a more comprehensive model for developing countries, specifically for Malaysia. A questionnaire was prepared and sent to 1500 companies from automotive industry and the related vendors in Malaysia, giving a 21.8 per cent rate. Attempts were made at findings significant impact of mediator between TQM practices and business performance showed that SPC is important tools and techniques in TQM implementation. The result concludes that SPC is partial correlation between and TQM and BP with indirect effect (IE) is 0.25 which can be categorised as high moderator effect.

Commercial space opportunities - Advanced concepts and technology overview

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reck, Gregory M.

1993-01-01

The paper discusses the status of current and future commercial space opportunities. The goal is to pioneer innovative, customer-focused space concepts and technologies, leveraged through industrial, academic, and government alliance, to ensure U.S. commercial competitiveness and preeminence in space. The strategy is to develop technologies which enable new products and processes, deploy existing technology into commercial and military products and processes, and integrate military and commercial research and production activities. Technology development areas include information infrastructure, electronics design and manufacture, health care technology, environment technology, and aeronautical technologies.

Technology Insertion (TI)/Industrial Process Improvement (IP) Task Order Number 18. Contract Summary Report/Quick Fix Plan for OO-ALC (Optical Repair).

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-01-30

states that continual education and training at all levels of the company is the most important element in enabling companies to gain competitive...staked on information known to be inaccurate and educated guesses from the same people who provided much of the original inaccurate information. The second... educated guesses. 7.1.2.6 Implementation Cost/Schedule Refer to Paragraph 7.1.1.6. 7.1-8 TASK ORDER NO. 18 PROCESS CHARACTERIZATION SCHEDULER RECEIVES ITEM

Quality is good business

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mueller, Daniel L.

1994-03-01

Xerox virtually created the plain paper copier industry, it enjoyed unparalleled growth and its name became synonymous with copying. However, competition in the 1970s aggressively attacked this attractive growth market and took away market share. An evaluation of the competition told Xerox that its competitors were selling products for what it cost Xerox to make them, that their quality was better and that their goal was to capture all of Xerox' market share. The fundamental precept that Xerox pursued to meet this competitive threat and recapture market share was the recognition that long term success is dependent upon total mastery of quality, especially in manufacturing. In turning this precept into reality, Xerox Manufacturing made dramatic improvements in all of its processes and practices focusing on quality as defined by the customer. Actions to accomplish this result included training all people in basic statistical tools and their applications, the use of employee involvement teams and continuous quality improvement techniques. These and other actions were successful in not only enabling Xerox to turn the competitive threat and recover market share, but to also win the Malcolm Baldrige Award for Quality in 1989.

Study of the outlook for the development of the gas industry in Russia and analysis of risk associated with this process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eliseeva, O. A.; Luk'yanova, A. S.; Tarasov, A. E.

2010-12-01

The gas industry in Russia will develop under conditions of the persistence of existing risks and emergence of the new ones caused by the world financial crisis, increased uncertainty in estimating world prices for natural gas, together with disturbed balance between interests of gas producers and consumers, and threat of loss of the competitiveness of Russian natural gas on foreign markets. In this context, in choosing a strategy of the development of the gas industry and its production-and-financial program, it is necessary to carry out a risk analysis of optimum decisions. Specific features of carrying out a risk analysis and results of the risk analysis of strategic decisions that would provide enhanced steadiness and the effectiveness of the development of the gas industry under conditions of the uncertainty of both external and internal factors are presented.

Comparison of solar-thermal and fossil total-energy systems for selected industrial applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pine, G. D.

1980-06-01

Economic analyses of a conventional system and total energy systems based on phosphoric acid fuel cells, diesel piston engines, and central receiver solar thermal systems were performed for each of four industrial applications; a concrete block plant in Arizona, a fluid milk processing plant in California, a sugar beet processing plant in Colorado, and a meat packing plant in Texas. A series of sensitivity analyses was performed to show the effects of variations in fuel price, system size, cost of capital, and system initial cost. Solar total energy systems (STES) are more capital intensive than the other systems, and significant economies of scale are associated with the STES. If DOE solar system cost goals are met, STES can compete with the other systems for facilities with electrical demands greater than two or three megawatts, but STES are not competitive for smaller facilities. Significant energy resource savings, especially of oil and gas, resulted from STES implementation in the four industries.

Spinoff 2006

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2006-01-01

NASA seeks to create industry partnerships to develop technology that both applies to NASA mission needs and contributes to competitiveness in global markets. As part of NASA s mission, the Agency facilitates the transfer and commercialization of NASA-sponsored research and technology. These efforts not only support NASA, they enhance the quality of life here on Earth. While NASA does not manufacture, market or sell commercial products, many commercial products are derived from NASA technology. Many NASA originated technologies are adapted by private industry for use by consumers like you. Spinoff developments highlighted in this publication are based on information provided by individual and private industry users of NASA originated aerospace technology who acknowledge that such technology contributed wholly or in part to development of the product or process described. NASA cannot accept responsibility or liability for the misinterpretation or misrepresentation of the enclosed information provided by these third party users. Publication herein does not constitute NASA endorsement of the product or process, nor confirmation of manufacturers performance claims related to any particular spinoff development.

Halophiles, coming stars for industrial biotechnology.

PubMed

Yin, Jin; Chen, Jin-Chun; Wu, Qiong; Chen, Guo-Qiang

2015-11-15

Industrial biotechnology aims to produce chemicals, materials and biofuels to ease the challenges of shortage on petroleum. However, due to the disadvantages of bioprocesses including energy consuming sterilization, high fresh water consumption, discontinuous fermentation to avoid microbial contamination, highly expensive stainless steel fermentation facilities and competing substrates for human consumption, industrial biotechnology is less competitive compared with chemical processes. Recently, halophiles have shown promises to overcome these shortcomings. Due to their unique halophilic properties, some halophiles are able to grow in high pH and high NaCl containing medium under higher temperature, allowing fermentation processes to run contamination free under unsterile conditions and continuous way. At the same time, genetic manipulation methods have been developed for halophiles. So far, halophiles have been used to produce bioplastics polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), ectoines, enzymes, and bio-surfactants. Increasing effects have been made to develop halophiles into a low cost platform for bioprocessing with advantages of low energy, less fresh water consumption, low fixed capital investment, and continuous production. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Outcomes for Cyber Defense Competitions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woszczynski, Amy B.; Green, Andrew

2017-01-01

Cyber defense competitions (CDCs) simulate a real-world environment where the competitors must protect the information assets of a fictional organization. These competitions are becoming popular at the high school and college levels, as well as in industry and governmental settings. However, there is little research to date on the learning…

Federal Technical Information and U.S. Competitiveness: Needs, Opportunities, and Issues.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hill, Christopher T.

1989-01-01

Discusses the importance of competitiveness to the American economy and examines three areas where federal information policies affect American competitiveness: providing the private sector with technical information; making federal information resources available to industry; and restricting foreign access to those resources. For each area,…

The effect of green supply chain management implementation to marketing performance through company competitiveness (study on paper industry in West Java)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hijuzaman, O.; Rahayu, A.; Kusnendi

2018-05-01

The purpose of this study was to determine and analyze the effect of direct and indirect implementation of Green Supply-Chain Management (GSCM) on the Performance Marketing and Competitiveness Mediation Paper Company in West Java province. Object This research is the paper company that existed in West Java Province, which amounts to 30 companies as well as a sample of research, while variables studied are Variable Green Supply- Chain Management, Company Competitiveness Variable and Variable of Paper Marketing Industry Performance in West Java Province. The method used SEM with Variance Based or Component Based with Software used is SmartPLS 3.0. On this research are identified that no effect of Competitiveness on Marketing Performance in Paper Companies in West Java Province.

Hybrid and disposable facilities for manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals: pros and cons.

PubMed

Ravisé, Aline; Cameau, Emmanuelle; De Abreu, Georges; Pralong, Alain

2009-01-01

Modern biotechnology has grown over the last 35 years to a maturing industry producing and delivering high-value biopharmaceuticals that yield important medical and economical benefits. The constantly increasing need for biopharmaceuticals and significant costs related to time-consuming R&D work makes this industry risky and highly competitive. This trend is confirmed by the important number of biopharmaceuticals that are actually under development at all stages by all major pharmaceutical industry companies. A consequence of this evolution is an increasing need for development and manufacturing capacity. The build up of traditional - stainless steel - technology is complicated, time consuming and very expensive. The decision for such a major investment needs to be taken early in the development cycle of a promising drug to cope with future demands for clinical trials and product launch. Possibilities for the reduction of R&D and manufacturing costs are therefore of significant interest in order to be competitive.In this chapter, four case studies are presented which outline ways to reduce significantly R&D and manufacturing costs by using disposable technology in the frame of a the transfer of an antibody manufacturing process, the preparation of media and buffers in commercial manufacturing and a direct comparison of a traditional and a fully disposable pilot plant.

Competitive position of natural gas: industrial baking. Topical report, December 1986-January 1988

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Minsker, B.S.; Salama, S.Y.

To quantify the competitive position of natural gas in industrial baking, market profiles were developed to define current technologies (single lap, tunnel, and Lanham ovens are predominant) and to characterize the applications and use of each technology in industrial baking. Important cost and performance parameters were identified and validated through interviews with industry representatives. Two areas of research that could improve technologies' effectiveness are advanced burner controls activated based on oven load that could reduce product loss, the largest coast associated with the oven, and cogeneration, which could penetrate the baking market if the high capital costs associated with existingmore » equipment could be reduced.« less

Aerobic granulation in a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) for industrial wastewater treatment.

PubMed

Inizan, M; Freval, A; Cigana, J; Meinhold, J

2005-01-01

Aerobic granulation seems to be an a attractive process for COD removal from industrial wastewater, characterised by a high content of soluble organic compounds. In order to evaluate the practical aspects of the process, comparative experimental tests are performed on synthetic and on industrial wastewater, originating from pharmaceutical industry. Two pilot plants are operated as sequencing batch bubble columns. Focus was put on the feasibility of the process for high COD removal and on its operational procedure. For both wastewaters, a rapid formation of aerobic granules is observed along with a high COD removal rate. Granule characteristics are quite similar with respect to the two types of wastewater. It seems that filamentous bacteria are part of the granule structure and that phosphorus precipitation can play an important role in granule formation. For both wastewaters similar removal performances for dissolved biodegradable COD are observed (> 95%). However, a relatively high concentration of suspended solids in the outlet deteriorates the performance with regard to total COD removal. Biomass detachment seems to play a non-negligible role in the current set-up. After a stable operational phase the variation of the pharmaceutical wastewater caused a destabilisation and loss of the granules, despite the control for balanced nutrient supply. The first results with real industrial wastewater demonstrate the feasibility of this innovative process. However, special attention has to be paid to the critical aspects such as granule stability as well as the economic competitiveness, which both will need further investigation and evaluation.

Analysis of the JSF Engine Competition

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

even 25 Competition for Support Services  Support costs are typically more than half of life-cycle costs and normally incurred in a sole-source...Strike Fighter), Aircraft Engines, Competition, Military Procurement, Defense Industry, Cost Analysis Analysis of the JSF Engine Competition James...different designs to meet the same functional requirements. Such a case was examined by the Institute for Defense Analyses in a forward-looking cost and

Domestic Aviation: Barriers Continue to Limit Competition

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-10-28

Congressional testimony by Gerald L. Dillingham, Associate Director, : Transportation Issues, Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division, : General Accounting Office (GAO), on competition in the domestic airline industry. : In October 19...

Regulation, competition in natural gas industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

O`Neill, R.P.; Whitmore, C.S.

1995-08-01

Conventional regulatory and rate-making tools are not adequate to deal with today`s natural-gas market, according to Richard P. O`Neill and Charles S. Whitmore of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C. {open_quotes}Competitive market forces can substitute for many activities that traditionally have been regulated,{close_quotes} say O`Neill and Whitmore. {open_quotes}However, market-based solutions are only effective if traditional regulations is replaced by institutions that foster competition.{close_quotes} The transition to the era of open access to the transmission network, and thus to wellhead competition, started in the mid-1980s. More recently, change has also occurred in the industry`s communication and control activities. Pipelinesmore » now make more use of electronic communication and control, which will spread into pricing and capacity-release markets. Current trends and new policies for greater gas use make forecasting as difficult now as it has been for the past 20 years. O`Neill and Whitmore conclude that development of efficient institutions, therefore, should be the most important task of regulatory bodies.« less

Essays on price cap regulation and yardstick competition

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noronha, Vernon Andrew

This dissertation presents three papers on the regulation of monopoly firms in the same industry using yardstick competition to determine prices. In the first paper, "Yardstick Competition for Diversified Firms," we extend Shleifer's (1985) model to the case of diversified firms, and find that the social optimum, in which firms would need to produce at lower marginal cost than in Shleifer's model, is unlikely to be attained through profit maximization. In the second paper, "Cost Reduction under a Regression-Based Revenue Cap Regime," we identify certain hitherto unexplored and potentially undesirable properties for the form of yardstick competition that is widely applied. Allowed revenue totals for monopoly utility firms are determined by a regression of all firms' current costs on their cost drivers. It is shown that this mechanism induces firms to invest less in cost-reducing technology than if prices are determined purely exogenously, and that such cost-distorting behavior is not uniform across the industry. In particular, firms whose sizes are most different from the industry-mean elevate their costs proportionately much more than firms of similar size to the mean. However, this distortion vanishes as the number of firms grows large. In the third paper, "Predicted Cost-Distorting Conduct by UK Electricity Distribution Firms," by undertaking numerical examples using data on the UK electricity distribution industry, we discover that although the currently employed system of yardstick competition may have theoretical shortcomings, in practice, these are of slight consequence. There is found to be relatively little predicted distortion of costs for the majority of firms. In fact, this system is shown to generate greater social welfare than a similar system in which firms would not have any incentive to distort costs, unless consumer surplus enjoys a very high weight relative to industry profits. It is also shown that mergers within the industry could have an unexpected beneficial effect by reducing the extent of cost-distorting behavior by larger firms, although the industry-wide net effect has to be judged on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits of supplementing an industrial waste anaerobic digester with energy crops for increased biogas production.

PubMed

Nges, Ivo Achu; Escobar, Federico; Fu, Xinmei; Björnsson, Lovisa

2012-01-01

Currently, there is increasing competition for waste as feedstock for the growing number of biogas plants. This has led to fluctuation in feedstock supply and biogas plants being operated below maximum capacity. The feasibility of supplementing a protein/lipid-rich industrial waste (pig manure, slaughterhouse waste, food processing and poultry waste) mesophilic anaerobic digester with carbohydrate-rich energy crops (hemp, maize and triticale) was therefore studied in laboratory scale batch and continuous stirred tank reactors (CSTR) with a view to scale-up to a commercial biogas process. Co-digesting industrial waste and crops led to significant improvement in methane yield per ton of feedstock and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio as compared to digestion of the industrial waste alone. Biogas production from crops in combination with industrial waste also avoids the need for micronutrients normally required in crop digestion. The batch co-digestion methane yields were used to predict co-digestion methane yield in full scale operation. This was done based on the ratio of methane yields observed for laboratory batch and CSTR experiments compared to full scale CSTR digestion of industrial waste. The economy of crop-based biogas production is limited under Swedish conditions; therefore, adding crops to existing industrial waste digestion could be a viable alternative to ensure a constant/reliable supply of feedstock to the anaerobic digester. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Jordanian pharmaceutical companies: are their marketing efforts paying off?

PubMed

Al-Shaikh, Mustafa S; Torres, Ivonne M; Zuniga, Miguel A; Ghunaim, Ayman

2011-04-01

The pharmaceuticals industry is one of the main industries in Jordan. Jordanian pharmaceuticals rank third in the export industry of this country. This study aims to examine the strengths that Jordanian pharmaceutical companies have, which, in turn, form their competitiveness base. In addition, this study aims to identify their weaknesses and the effects of marketing their products in the local market. What is the relationship between Jordanian pharmaceutical product quality, price and value, and the competitiveness of pharmaceutical companies in the local market? Our study aims to answer this and other questions. Our results and practical implications are discussed.

Technological innovation capability in Malaysian-owned resource-based manufacturing companies: Early findings

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Razali, Nur Fhathyhah; Mohd Suradi, Nur Riza; Ahmad Shahabuddin, Faridatul Azna; Ismail, Wan Rosmanira; Abidin, Norkisme Zainal; Ahmad, Nor Amalina; Mustafa, Zainol

2013-04-01

This study aims to identify the determinants of technological innovation capability of Malaysian-owned companies in the resources-based manufacturing, to identify the relationship between technological innovation capability (TIC) and technological innovation performance (TIP) for the resource-based manufacturing. Furthermore, this study also aims to identify innovation capability factors that need more emphasis and improvements from the respective authority. The scope of the study covers four industries which are petrochemical industries, pharmaceutical industries, palm oil-based industries and food processing industries which are located in the state of Selangor. Descriptive analysis, correlation analysis and performance capability analysis were used in this study. It was found that, technological innovation capabilities (TIC) for companies in the resource-based manufacturing are moderate. Factors such as policies capability, human resources capability and facilities capability have a positive relationship with the performance of technological innovation (TIP). These findings will help the government in making decisions and better implementation of policies to strengthen the competitiveness of the company, particularly in resource-based manufacturing.

Strategic planning of developing automatic optical inspection (AOI) technologies in Taiwan

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, K. C.; Hsu, C.

2005-01-01

In most domestic hi-tech industries in Taiwan, the automatic optical inspection (AOI) equipment is mostly imported. In view of the required specifications, AOI consists of the integration of mechanical-electrical-optical-information technologies. In the past two decades, traditional industries have lost their competitiveness due to the low profit rate. It is possible to promote a new AOI industry in Taiwan through the integration of its strong background in mechatronic technology in positioning stages with the optical image processing techniques. The market requirements are huge not only in domestic need but also in global need. This is the main reason to promote the AOI research for the coming years in Taiwan. Focused industrial applications will be in IC, PCB, LCD, communication, and MEMS parts. This paper will analyze the domestic and global AOI equipment market, summarize the necessary fish bone technology diagrams, survey the actual industrial needs, and propose the strategic plan to be promoted in Taiwan.

Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act

THOMAS, 112th Congress

Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4

2011-05-23

House - 07/11/2011 Referred to the Subcommittee on Intellectual Property, Competition and the Internet. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

Fueling industrial biotechnology growth with bioethanol.

PubMed

Otero, José Manuel; Panagiotou, Gianni; Olsson, Lisbeth

2007-01-01

Industrial biotechnology is the conversion of biomass via biocatalysis, microbial fermentation, or cell culture to produce chemicals, materials, and/or energy. Industrial biotechnology processes aim to be cost-competitive, environmentally favorable, and self-sustaining compared to their petrochemical equivalents. Common to all processes for the production of energy, commodity, added value, or fine chemicals is that raw materials comprise the most significant cost fraction, particularly as operating efficiencies increase through practice and improving technologies. Today, crude petroleum represents the dominant raw material for the energy and chemical sectors worldwide. Within the last 5 years petroleum prices, stability, and supply have increased, decreased, and been threatened, respectively, driving a renewed interest across academic, government, and corporate centers to utilize biomass as an alternative raw material. Specifically, bio-based ethanol as an alternative biofuel has emerged as the single largest biotechnology commodity, with close to 46 billion L produced worldwide in 2005. Bioethanol is a leading example of how systems biology tools have significantly enhanced metabolic engineering, inverse metabolic engineering, and protein and enzyme engineering strategies. This enhancement stems from method development for measurement, analysis, and data integration of functional genomics, including the transcriptome, proteome, metabolome, and fluxome. This review will show that future industrial biotechnology process development will benefit tremendously from the precedent set by bioethanol - that enabling technologies (e.g., systems biology tools) coupled with favorable economic and socio-political driving forces do yield profitable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible processes. Biofuel will continue to be the keystone of any industrial biotechnology-based economy whereby biorefineries leverage common raw materials and unit operations to integrate diverse processes to produce demand-driven product portfolios.

Competitive intelligence information management and innovation in small technology-based companies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tanev, Stoyan

2007-05-01

In this article we examine how (i) company type and (ii) the competitive intelligence information used by small technology-based companies affect their innovation performance. The focus is on the specific information types used and not on the information sources. Information topics are classified in four groups - customers (10), company (9), competitor (11) and industry (12). The sample consists of 45 small new technology-based companies, specialized suppliers, and service companies from a variety of sectors - software, photonics, telecommunications, biomedical engineering and biotech, traditional manufacturing etc. The results suggest that the total number of intelligence information topics companies use to make decisions about innovation is not associated with the number of their new products, processes, services and patents. Therefore the companies in our sample do not seem to have the resources, processes or value systems required to use different competitive intelligence information when making decisions on innovation or may rely more on their own internal logic than on external information. Companies are classified using a Pavitt-like taxonomy. Service companies are considered as a separate company type. This allows for explicitly studying both, the innovative role of new services in product driven companies, and the role of new product development in service companies.

Knowledge-based and model-based hybrid methodology for comprehensive waste minimization in electroplating plants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luo, Keqin

1999-11-01

The electroplating industry of over 10,000 planting plants nationwide is one of the major waste generators in the industry. Large quantities of wastewater, spent solvents, spent process solutions, and sludge are the major wastes generated daily in plants, which costs the industry tremendously for waste treatment and disposal and hinders the further development of the industry. It becomes, therefore, an urgent need for the industry to identify technically most effective and economically most attractive methodologies and technologies to minimize the waste, while the production competitiveness can be still maintained. This dissertation aims at developing a novel WM methodology using artificial intelligence, fuzzy logic, and fundamental knowledge in chemical engineering, and an intelligent decision support tool. The WM methodology consists of two parts: the heuristic knowledge-based qualitative WM decision analysis and support methodology and fundamental knowledge-based quantitative process analysis methodology for waste reduction. In the former, a large number of WM strategies are represented as fuzzy rules. This becomes the main part of the knowledge base in the decision support tool, WMEP-Advisor. In the latter, various first-principles-based process dynamic models are developed. These models can characterize all three major types of operations in an electroplating plant, i.e., cleaning, rinsing, and plating. This development allows us to perform a thorough process analysis on bath efficiency, chemical consumption, wastewater generation, sludge generation, etc. Additional models are developed for quantifying drag-out and evaporation that are critical for waste reduction. The models are validated through numerous industrial experiments in a typical plating line of an industrial partner. The unique contribution of this research is that it is the first time for the electroplating industry to (i) use systematically available WM strategies, (ii) know quantitatively and accurately what is going on in each tank, and (iii) identify all WM opportunities through process improvement. This work has formed a solid foundation for the further development of powerful WM technologies for comprehensive WM in the following decade.

Wheeling and stranded investment-is there a better way

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ferrar, T.

Under current franchise law, retail wheeling must be addressed on a state-by-state basis, and (therefore) it will not sweep the electric power industry as deregulation has been visited upon the telecommunications, airline, natural gas and other industries. Nevertheless, many industry observers remain concerned that retail competition will create a significant stranded investment problem. That is, broadened competition among power generators for customers will result in the market value of some existing (previously market-protected) generation assets falling below book value. The significance of such asset revaluations, and the time required for adjustment, increases with the capital intensity of the industry; thismore » is the reason for the heightened concern regarding the introduction of retail wheeling into the electric power industry. One policy direction that may be worthy of further debate and losses during the power market's transition to a more competitive equilibrium - i.e., until regulation-induced differentials between market and book values are mitigated. A two-part policy proposal is offered for consideration. First, the use of intra-pool transfer payments; second, if stranded investment continues to exist, a temporary uniform pool-wide wheeling surcharge.« less

Ask the experts: the challenges and benefits of flow chemistry to optimize drug development.

PubMed

Anderson, Neal; Gernaey, Krist V; Jamison, Timothy F; Kircher, Manfred; Wiles, Charlotte; Leadbeater, Nicholas E; Sandford, Graham; Richardson, Paul

2012-09-01

Against a backdrop of a struggling economic and regulatory climate, pharmaceutical companies have recently been forced to develop new ways to provide more efficient technology to meet the demands of a competitive drug industry. This issue, coupled with an increase in patent legislation and a rising generics market, makes these themes common issues in the growth of drug development. As a consequence, the importance of process chemistry and scale-up has never been more under the spotlight. Future Medicinal Chemistry wishes to share the thoughts and opinions of a variety of experts from this field, discussing issues concerning the use of flow chemistry to optimize drug development, the potential regulatory and environmental challenges faced with this, and whether the academic and industrial sectors could benefit from a more harmonized system relevant to process chemistry.

15 CFR 701.1 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... AND SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NATIONAL SECURITY INDUSTRIAL BASE REGULATIONS REPORTING OF... designated the Bureau of Industry and Security as the organization responsible for implementing this... offset transactions on the defense preparedness, industrial competitiveness, employment, and trade of the...

Market Structure, Financial Dependence and Industrial Growth: Evidence from the Banking Industry in Emerging Asian Economies.

PubMed

Khan, Habib Hussain; Ahmad, Rubi Binit; Gee, Chan Sok

2016-01-01

In this study, we examine the role of market structure for growth in financially dependent industries from 10 emerging Asian economies over the period of 1995-2011. Our approach departs from existing studies in that we apply four alternative measures of market structure based on structural and non-structural approaches and compare their outcomes. Results indicate that higher bank concentration may slow down the growth of financially dependent industries. Bank competition on the other hand, allows financially dependent industries to grow faster. These findings are consistent across a number of sensitivity checks such as alternative measures of financial dependence, institutional factors (including property rights, quality of accounting standards and bank ownership), and endogeneity consideration. In sum, our study suggests that financially dependent industries grow more in more competitive/less concentrated banking systems. Therefore, regulatory authorities need to be careful while pursuing a consolidation policy for banking sector in emerging Asian economies.

Space technology transfer to developing countries: opportunities and difficulties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leloglu, U. M.; Kocaoglan, E.

Space technology, with its implications on science, economy and security, is mostly chosen as one of the priority areas for technological development by developing countries. Most nations aspiring to begin playing in the space league prefer technology transfer programs as a first step. Decreasing initial costs by small satellite technology made this affordable for many countries. However, there is a long way from this first step to establishment of a reliable space industry that can both survive in the long term with limited financial support from the government and meet national needs. This is especially difficult when major defense companies of industrialized countries are merging to sustain their competitiveness. The prerequisites for the success are implementation of a well-planned space program and existence of industrialization that can support basic testing and manufacturing activities and supply qualified manpower. In this study, the difficulties to be negotiated and the vicious circles to be broken for latecomers, that is, developing countries that invest on space technologies are discussed. Especially, difficulties in the technology transfer process itself, brain drain from developing countries to industrialized countries, strong competition from big space companies for domestic needs, costs of establishing and maintaining an infrastructure necessary for manufacturing and testing activities, and finally, the impact of export control will be emphasized. We will also try to address how and to what extent collaboration can solve or minimize these problems. In discussing the ideas mentioned above, lessons learned from the BILSAT Project, a technology transfer program from the UK, will be referred.

Freeze concentration of dairy products Phase 2. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Best, D.E.; Vasavada, K.C.

An efficient, electrically driven freeze concentration system offers potential for substantially increasing electricity demand while providing the mature dairy industry with new products for domestic and export markets together with enhanced production efficiencies. Consumer tests indicate that dairy products manufactured from freeze-concentrated ingredients are either preferred or considered equivalent in quality to fresh milk-based products. Economic analyses indicate that this technology should be competitive with thermal evaporation processes on a commercial basis.

Health care informatics.

PubMed

Siau, Keng

2003-03-01

The health care industry is currently experiencing a fundamental change. Health care organizations are reorganizing their processes to reduce costs, be more competitive, and provide better and more personalized customer care. This new business strategy requires health care organizations to implement new technologies, such as Internet applications, enterprise systems, and mobile technologies in order to achieve their desired business changes. This article offers a conceptual model for implementing new information systems, integrating internal data, and linking suppliers and patients.

Electric deregulation: Defining and ensuring fair competition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kahn, A.E.

1998-04-01

Regulation has several important duties in the transition of the electricity industry to competition. But in fulfilling these responsibilities, regulators must refrain from policies pressed upon them by consumer representatives, on one side, and would-be rivals of utility companies, on the other, that would artificially handicap utilities and blunt the salutary forces of competition.

Rosoboroneksport: Arms Sales and the Structure of Russian Defense Industry

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

comparable with such segments of the global economy as energy and food . Competition here is 11 extremely strong.”26 Moreover, he also stated that...as energy and food . Competition here is extremely strong.”266 Similarly, as early as 2004, management changes at key defense industrial firms like...Military Realities,” Juergen Schwarz, Wilfred A. Herrmann, and Hanns-Frank Seller, eds., Maritime Strategies in Asia, Bangkok: White Lotus Press

From professional monopoly to corporate oligopoly:the clinical laboratory industry in transition.

PubMed

Bailey, R M

1977-02-01

Until the mid-1960s the nonhospital clinical laboratory industry was dominated by pathologists. The ethics of medical professionalism protected the pathologists' market from price competition and from any serious threat from new entrants into the market. Immune from the competitive pressures of the marketplace, pathologists exerted monopoly control in local markets. That power was eroded by laboratories operated by technologists and bioanalysts and was finally overcome by the entry of large corporations into the industry. The market power of the largest corporate laboratories is now growing to a point where competition may again be thwarted. The professional ethics of pathologists allowed high prices, but there was little push toward higher volume. The commercial ethics of the corporate entrants brought lower prices but resulted in strong pressure for greater test quantities. In either case, the power wielded by the dominant producer would seem to go against the consumer's interests.

Production of wheat gluten hydrolysates with reduced antigenicity employing enzymatic hydrolysis combined with downstream unit operations.

PubMed

Merz, Michael; Kettner, Lucas; Langolf, Emma; Appel, Daniel; Blank, Imre; Stressler, Timo; Fischer, Lutz

2016-08-01

Due to allergies or other health disorders a certain segment of the population is not able to safely consume some plant proteins, which are the main protein support in human nutrition. Coeliac disease is a prominent autoimmune disorder and requires a strict adherence to a gluten-free diet. The aim of this study was to identify suitable combinations of enzymatic hydrolysis and common unit operations in food processing (centrifugation, ultra-filtration) to produce gluten-free wheat gluten hydrolysates for food application. To analyse the hydrolysates, a simple and cheap competitive ELISA protocol was designed and validated in this study as well. The competitive ELISA was validated using gliadin spiked skim milk protein hydrolysates, due to the latter application of the assay. The limit of quantification was 4.19 mg kg(-1) , which allowed the identification of gluten-free (<20 mg kg(-1) ) hydrolysates. Enzymatic hydrolysis, including the type of peptidase, and the downstream processing greatly affected the antigenicity of the hydrolysates. Enzymatic hydrolysis and downstream processing operations, such as centrifugation and ultra-filtration, reduced the antigenicity of wheat gluten hydrolysates. Gluten-free hydrolysates were obtained with Flavourzyme after centrifugation (25 g L(-1) substrate) and after 1 kDa ultra-filtration (100 g L(-1) substrate). A multiple peptidase complex, such as Flavourzyme, seems to be required for the production of gluten-free hydrolysates. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry.

ic-cmtp3: 3rd International Conference on Competitive Materials and Technology Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

2016-04-01

Competitiveness is one of the most important factors in our lives and it plays a key role in the efficiency both of organizations and societies. The more scientifically advanced and prepared organizations develop more competitive materials with better physical, chemical, and biological properties, and the leading companies apply more competitive equipment and technological processes. The aims of the 3rd International Conference on Competitive Materials and Technology Processes (ic-cmtp3), and the 1st International Symposium on Innovative Carbons and Carbon Based Materials (is-icbm1) and the 1st International Symposium on Innovative Construction Materials (is-icm1) organized alongside are the following: —Promote new methods and results of scientific research in the fields of material, biological, environmental and technological sciences; —Exchange information between the theoretical and applied sciences as well as technical and technological implementations; —Promote communication and collaboration between the scientists, researchers and engineers of different nations, countries and continents. Among the major fields of interest are advanced and innovative materials with competitive characteristics, including mechanical, physical, chemical, biological, medical and thermal, properties and extreme dynamic strength. Their crystalline, nano - and micro-structures, phase transformations as well as details of their technological processes, tests and measurements are also in the focus of the ic-cmtp3 conference and the is-scbm1 and is-icm1 symposia. Multidisciplinary applications of material science and the technological problems encountered in sectors like ceramics, glasses, thin films, aerospace, automotive and marine industries, electronics, energy, construction materials, medicine, biosciences and environmental sciences are of particular interest. In accordance with the program of the ic-cmtp3 conference and is-icbm1 and is-icm1 symposia we have received more than 350 enquiries and registrations from different organizations. More than 240 abstracts were accepted for presentation. From them 12 were plenary lectures and 112 oral presentations. Researchers from 41 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America travelled to Miskolc-Lillafüred (Hungary) and participated in the conference events. Including co-authors, the research work of more than 700 scientists were presented in the sessions and symposia of the ic-cmtp3 conference.

A comparative study of competitiveness between different genotypes of weedy rice (Oryza sativa) and cultivated rice.

PubMed

Dai, Lei; Dai, Weimin; Song, Xiaoling; Lu, Baorong; Qiang, Sheng

2014-01-01

Competition from weedy rice can cause serious yield losses to cultivated rice. However, key traits that facilitate competitiveness are still not well understood. To explore the mechanisms behind the strong growth and competitive ability, replacement series experiments were established with six genotypes of weedy rice from different regions and one cultivated rice cultivar. (1) Weedy rice from southern China had the greatest impact on growth and yield of cultivated rice throughout the entire growing season. Weedy rice from the northeast was very competitive during the early vegetative stage while the competitive effects of eastern weedy rice were more detrimental at later crop-growth stages. (2) As the proportion of weedy rice increased, plant height, tillers, above-ground biomass, and yield of cultivated rice significantly declined; the crop always being at disadvantage regardless of proportion. (3) Weedy biotypes with greater diversity as estimated by their Shannon indexes were more detrimental to the growth and yield of cultivated rice. Geographic origin (latitude) of weedy rice biotype, its mixture proportion under competition with the crop and its genetic diversity are determinant factors of the outcome of competition and the associated decline in the rice crop yield. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry.

Three essays on research and development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanyal, Paroma

The impact of institutional changes and market structure on research and development (R&D) and technical progress is controversial. My dissertation investigates the determinants of R&D in the context of institutional change. The first two papers address the impact of deregulation in the US electric utility industry on R&D. The third paper investigates the linkage between patenting and different funding sources and patent office attributes. The first paper, "Deregulation, Restructuring and Changing R&D Paradigms in the US Electric Utility Industry", investigates the linkage between market structures and the conduct of R&D in the US electric utility industry. The primary finding of this paper is that institutional and competition factors interact in a way that suggest that the occurrence of full deregulation, coupled with effective retail competition in the market may mitigate the problem of declining R&D expenditures in the face of deregulation. The second paper, "Powering a Green Progress: Environmental Research in the Absence of Regulatory Oversight" analyzes the impact of changing market structure on environmental R&D expenditures by IOUs in the electric utility industry. Conventional wisdom holds that increased competition would lead firms to cut back on R&D funds directed towards social goals, such as the environment. But these arguments fail to take account the threat of future environmental regulations and its influence on disciplining firms. Theory and empirical results from this paper suggest that under certain conditions, even with high monitoring costs, an environmental regulatory agency's threat of stricter future regulations will successfully stem the decrease in environmental R&D expenditures. My third paper, "Birth of a Patent: the Role of Parents, Nursemaids and Constraints", presents an integrated theoretical and empirical approach that models the effects of different sources of R&D funding and patent office attributes on the patenting process. The primary results are: First, the source of R&D funding as well as performer (academic, federal and industry) has a differential effect on patenting. Second, federal R&D has positive spillovers for company R&D. Third, in the short run patenting is heavily influenced by patent office attributes.

Biocatalysis for the production of industrial products and functional foods from rice and other agricultural produce.

PubMed

Akoh, Casimir C; Chang, Shu-Wei; Lee, Guan-Chiun; Shaw, Jei-Fu

2008-11-26

Many industrial products and functional foods can be obtained from cheap and renewable raw agricultural materials. For example, starch can be converted to bioethanol as biofuel to reduce the current demand for petroleum or fossil fuel energy. On the other hand, starch can also be converted to useful functional ingredients, such as high fructose and high maltose syrups, wine, glucose, and trehalose. The conversion process involves fermentation by microorganisms and use of biocatalysts such as hydrolases of the amylase superfamily. Amylases catalyze the process of liquefaction and saccharification of starch. It is possible to perform complete hydrolysis of starch by using the fusion product of both linear and debranching thermostable enzymes. This will result in saving energy otherwise needed for cooling before the next enzyme can act on the substrate, if a sequential process is utilized. Recombinant enzyme technology, protein engineering, and enzyme immobilization are powerful tools available to enhance the activity of enzymes, lower the cost of enzyme through large scale production in a heterologous host, increase their thermostability, improve pH stability, enhance their productivity, and hence making it competitive with the chemical processes involved in starch hydrolysis and conversions. This review emphasizes the potential of using biocatalysis for the production of useful industrial products and functional foods from cheap agricultural produce and transgenic plants. Rice was selected as a typical example to illustrate many applications of biocatalysis in converting low-value agricultural produce to high-value commercial food and industrial products. The greatest advantages of using enzymes for food processing and for industrial production of biobased products are their environmental friendliness and consumer acceptance as being a natural process.

Managerial implications of corporate board involvement and perceived market competition for quality improvement in nursing homes.

PubMed

Weech-Maldonado, R; Zinn, J S; Brannon, D

1999-01-01

This study examines the relationships among corporate board involvement, total quality management (TQM) adoption, perceived market competition, and the perceived effect of quality improvement (QI) activities for a sample of nursing homes in Pennsylvania. The findings of this study have several implications for healthcare managers interested in maximizing the effectiveness of QI efforts. Board involvement in quality improvement was an important predictor of QI outcomes in the areas of finance, resident care, and human resources. However, TQM adoption had a positive effect on human resources outcomes only. These findings suggest that board involvement in any organized form of QI may be more important than the adoption of a formal TQM program in the nursing home industry. TQM's emphasis on employee empowerment may account for its positive influence on human resources. Perceived competition was associated with better financial outcomes. Low-cost leadership can be a key to survival in more competitive markets, requiring a focus on efficiency and productivity issues in QI efforts. By focusing on process improvement, the facilities may achieve cost reductions that can result in an improved financial position. Facilities perceived to be in more competitive environments were also more likely to adopt TQM. This is consistent with the assertion by resource-dependence theorists that organizations facing competition for resources must be responsive to the needs of resource-providing constituencies.

Synthesizing Equivalence Indices for the Comparative Evaluation of Technoeconomic Efficiency of Industrial Processes at the Design/Re-engineering Level

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fotilas, P.; Batzias, A. F.

2007-12-01

The equivalence indices synthesized for the comparative evaluation of technoeconomic efficiency of industrial processes are of critical importance since they serve as both, (i) positive/analytic descriptors of the physicochemical nature of the process and (ii) measures of effectiveness, especially helpful for investigated competitiveness in the industrial/energy/environmental sector of the economy. In the present work, a new algorithmic procedure has been developed, which initially standardizes a real industrial process, then analyzes it as a compromise of two ideal processes, and finally synthesizes the index that can represent/reconstruct the real process as a result of the trade-off between the two ideal processes taking as parental prototypes. The same procedure makes fuzzy multicriteria ranking within a set of pre-selected industrial processes for two reasons: (a) to analyze the process most representative of the production/treatment under consideration, (b) to use the `second best' alternative as a dialectic pole in absence of the two ideal processes mentioned above. An implantation of this procedure is presented, concerning a facility of biological wastewater treatment with six alternatives: activated sludge through (i) continuous-flow incompletely-stirred tank reactors in series, (ii) a plug flow reactor with dispersion, (iii) an oxidation ditch, and biological processing through (iv) a trickling filter, (v) rotating contactors, (vi) shallow ponds. The criteria used for fuzzy (to count for uncertainty) ranking are capital cost, operating cost, environmental friendliness, reliability, flexibility, extendibility. Two complementary indices were synthesized for the (ii)-alternative ranked first and their quantitative expressions were derived, covering a variety of kinetic models as well as recycle/bypass conditions. Finally, analysis of estimating the optimal values of these indices at maximum technoeconomic efficiency is presented and the implications (expected to be) caused by exogenous and endogenous factors (e.g., environmental standards change and innovative energy savings/substitution, respectively) are discussed by means of marginal efficiency graphs.

[Research on ginseng trade competitiveness between China and Korea].

PubMed

Xin, Min-Tong; Yang, Guang; Tang, Xiao-Jing

2017-05-01

Ginseng is one of China's valuable Chinese herbal medicines, with a long using history. Ginseng has worldwide reputation, and widely used in food, medicine, health products, cosmetics and other production. China and South Korea have a big ginseng industrial, and sharing half of the export market. The ginseng export competitiveness analysis seems important and necessary between China and South Korea. In this paper, the data of customs and trade of ginseng in COMTRADE database were studied, and ginseng export competitiveness was analyzed between China and Korea. The results showed that the ginseng export competitiveness of Korean more competitive than China. Contrast with China, South Korea using only 15% total amount of ginseng exports and produced the same total export amount. This article has the reference value to the traditional Chinese medicine resources management and the economics research. On this basis, this paper further discusses the problems that should be paid attention to in the development of ginseng industry in China. Copyright© by the Chinese Pharmaceutical Association.

Mechanistic considerations in benzene physiological model development.

PubMed

Medinsky, M A; Kenyon, E M; Seaton, M J; Schlosser, P M

1996-12-01

Benzene, an important industrial solvent, is also present in unleaded gasoline and cigarette smoke. The hematotoxic effects of benzene in humans are well documented and include aplastic anemia, pancytopenia, and acute myelogenous leukemia. However, the risks of leukemia at low exposure concentrations have not been established. A combination of metabolites (hydroquinone and phenol, for example) may be necessary to duplicate the hematotoxic effect of benzene, perhaps due in part to the synergistic effect of phenol on myeloperoxidase-mediated oxidation of hydroquinone to the reactive metabolite benzoquinone. Because benzene and its hydroxylated metabolites (phenol, hydroquinone, and catechol) are substrates for the same cytochrome P450 enzymes, competitive interactions among the metabolites are possible. In vivo data on metabolite formation by mice exposed to various benzene concentrations are consistent with competitive inhibition of phenol oxidation by benzene. In vitro studies of the metabolic oxidation of benzene, phenol, and hydroquinone are consistent with the mechanism of competitive interaction among the metabolites. The dosimetry of benzene and its metabolites in the target tissue, bone marrow, depends on the balance of activation processes such as enzymatic oxidation and deactivation processes such as conjugation and excretion. Phenol, the primary benzene metabolite, can undergo both oxidation and conjugation. Thus the potential exists for competition among various enzymes for phenol. Zonal localization of phase I and phase II enzymes in various regions of the liver acinus also impacts this competition. Biologically based dosimetry models that incorporate the important determinants of benzene flux, including interactions with other chemicals, will enable prediction of target tissue doses of benzene and metabolites at low exposure concentrations relevant for humans.

Benzene: a case study in parent chemical and metabolite interactions.

PubMed

Medinsky, M A; Kenyon, E M; Schlosser, P M

1995-12-28

Benzene, an important industrial solvent, is also present in unleaded gasoline and cigarette smoke. The hematotoxic effects of benzene in humans are well documented and include aplastic anemia and pancytopenia, and acute myelogenous leukemia. A combination of metabolites (hydroquinone and phenol for example) is apparently necessary to duplicate the hematotoxic effect of benzene, perhaps due in part to the synergistic effect of phenol on myeloperoxidase-mediated oxidation of hydroquinone to the reactive metabolite benzoquinone. Since benzene and its hydroxylated metabolites (phenol, hydroquinone and catechol) are substrates for the same cytochrome P450 enzymes, competitive interactions among the metabolites are possible. In vivo data on metabolite formation by mice exposed to various benzene concentrations are consistent with competitive inhibition of phenol oxidation by benzene. In vitro studies of the metabolic oxidation of benzene, phenol and hydroquinone are consistent with the mechanism of competitive interaction among the metabolites. The dosimetry of benzene and its metabolites in the target tissue, bone marrow, depends on the balance of activation processes such as enzymatic oxidation and deactivation processes such as conjugation and excretion. Phenol, the primary benzene metabolite, can undergo both oxidation and conjugation. Thus, the potential exists for competition among various enzymes for phenol. However, zonal localization of Phase I and Phase II enzymes in various regions of the liver acinus regulates this competition. Biologically-based dosimetry models that incorporate the important determinants of benzene flux, including interactions with other chemicals, will enable prediction of target tissue doses of benzene and metabolites at low exposure concentrations relevant for humans.

Influence of export control policy on the competitiveness of machine tool producing organizations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahrstrom, Jeffrey D.

The possible influence of export control policies on producers of export controlled machine tools is examined in this quantitative study. International market competitiveness theories hold that market controlling policies such as export control regulations may influence an organization's ability to compete (Burris, 2010). Differences in domestic application of export control policy on machine tool exports may impose throttling effects on the competitiveness of participating firms (Freedenberg, 2010). Commodity shipments from Japan, Germany, and the United States to the Russian market will be examined using descriptive statistics; gravity modeling of these specific markets provides a foundation for comparison to actual shipment data; and industry participant responses to a user developed survey will provide additional data for analysis using a Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance. There is scarce academic research data on the topic of export control effects within the machine tool industry. Research results may be of interest to industry leadership in market participation decisions, advocacy arguments, and strategic planning. Industry advocates and export policy decision makers could find data of interest in supporting positions for or against modifications of export control policies.

The cellulose resource matrix.

PubMed

Keijsers, Edwin R P; Yılmaz, Gülden; van Dam, Jan E G

2013-03-01

The emerging biobased economy is causing shifts from mineral fossil oil based resources towards renewable resources. Because of market mechanisms, current and new industries utilising renewable commodities, will attempt to secure their supply of resources. Cellulose is among these commodities, where large scale competition can be expected and already is observed for the traditional industries such as the paper industry. Cellulose and lignocellulosic raw materials (like wood and non-wood fibre crops) are being utilised in many industrial sectors. Due to the initiated transition towards biobased economy, these raw materials are intensively investigated also for new applications such as 2nd generation biofuels and 'green' chemicals and materials production (Clark, 2007; Lange, 2007; Petrus & Noordermeer, 2006; Ragauskas et al., 2006; Regalbuto, 2009). As lignocellulosic raw materials are available in variable quantities and qualities, unnecessary competition can be avoided via the choice of suitable raw materials for a target application. For example, utilisation of cellulose as carbohydrate source for ethanol production (Kabir Kazi et al., 2010) avoids the discussed competition with easier digestible carbohydrates (sugars, starch) deprived from the food supply chain. Also for cellulose use as a biopolymer several different competing markets can be distinguished. It is clear that these applications and markets will be influenced by large volume shifts. The world will have to reckon with the increase of competition and feedstock shortage (land use/biodiversity) (van Dam, de Klerk-Engels, Struik, & Rabbinge, 2005). It is of interest - in the context of sustainable development of the bioeconomy - to categorize the already available and emerging lignocellulosic resources in a matrix structure. When composing such "cellulose resource matrix" attention should be given to the quality aspects as well as to the available quantities and practical possibilities of processing the feedstock and the performance in the end-application. The cellulose resource matrix should become a practical tool for stakeholders to make choices regarding raw materials, process or market. Although there is a vast amount of scientific and economic information available on cellulose and lignocellulosic resources, the accessibility for the interested layman or entrepreneur is very difficult and the relevance of the numerous details in the larger context is limited. Translation of science to practical accessible information with modern data management and data integration tools is a challenge. Therefore, a detailed matrix structure was composed in which the different elements or entries of the matrix were identified and a tentative rough set up was made. The inventory includes current commodities and new cellulose containing and raw materials as well as exotic sources and specialties. Important chemical and physical properties of the different raw materials were identified for the use in processes and products. When available, the market data such as price and availability were recorded. Established and innovative cellulose extraction and refining processes were reviewed. The demands on the raw material for suitable processing were collected. Processing parameters known to affect the cellulose properties were listed. Current and expected emerging markets were surveyed as well as their different demands on cellulose raw materials and processes. The setting up of the cellulose matrix as a practical tool requires two steps. Firstly, the reduction of the needed data by clustering of the characteristics of raw materials, processes and markets and secondly, the building of a database that can provide the answers to the questions from stakeholders with an indicative character. This paper describes the steps taken to achieve the defined clusters of most relevant and characteristic properties. These data can be expanded where required. More detailed specification can be obtained from the background literature and handbooks. Where gaps of information are identified, the research questions can be defined that will require further investigation. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Usefulness of Learning Objects in Industry Oriented Learning Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fernando, Shantha; Sol, Henk; Dahanayake, Ajantha

2012-01-01

A model is presented to evaluate the usefulness of learning objects for industry oriented learning environments that emphasise training university graduates for job opportunities in a competitive industry oriented economy. Knowledge workers of the industry seek continuous professional development to keep their skills and knowledge up to date. Many…

MANUAL: BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR POLLUTION PREVENTION IN THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY

EPA Science Inventory

Textiles is one the nation's oldest industries, dating back to the beginning of the American Industrial revolution in the 1790s. Despite perceptions of the decline of U.S. textile manufacturing in the face of offshore competition, the industry remains one of the largest, most di...

Real-time parameter optimization based on neural network for smart injection molding

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, H.; Liau, Y.; Ryu, K.

2018-03-01

The manufacturing industry has been facing several challenges, including sustainability, performance and quality of production. Manufacturers attempt to enhance the competitiveness of companies by implementing CPS (Cyber-Physical Systems) through the convergence of IoT(Internet of Things) and ICT(Information & Communication Technology) in the manufacturing process level. Injection molding process has a short cycle time and high productivity. This features have been making it suitable for mass production. In addition, this process is used to produce precise parts in various industry fields such as automobiles, optics and medical devices. Injection molding process has a mixture of discrete and continuous variables. In order to optimized the quality, variables that is generated in the injection molding process must be considered. Furthermore, Optimal parameter setting is time-consuming work to predict the optimum quality of the product. Since the process parameter cannot be easily corrected during the process execution. In this research, we propose a neural network based real-time process parameter optimization methodology that sets optimal process parameters by using mold data, molding machine data, and response data. This paper is expected to have academic contribution as a novel study of parameter optimization during production compare with pre - production parameter optimization in typical studies.

Economic consequences of commercial space operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stone, Barbara A.; Wood, Peter W.

1990-01-01

The potential economic benefits generated from increased industry involvement and investment in space activities and the subsequent cost implications are discussed. A historical overview of commercial industry involvement in space is given and sources of new economic growth in space are discussed. These include communications satellites, small satellites, positioning and navigation services, space transportation and infrastructure, remote sensing, and materials processing in space such as the manufacturing of protein crystals and zeolites. Macroeconomic trends and principles such as limits on technology trade, eased restrictions on international joint ventures, foreign investments in U.S. firms, and increased foreign competition are discussed. Earth observations and mapping are considered. Opportunities for private sector involvement in building space infrastructure and space transportation are highlighted.

An examination of competition and efficiency for hospital industry in Turkey.

PubMed

Özgen Narcı, Hacer; Ozcan, Yasar A; Şahin, İsmet; Tarcan, Menderes; Narcı, Mustafa

2015-12-01

The two particular reforms that have been undertaken under the Health Transformation Program in Turkey are enhancing efficiency and increasing competition. However, there is a lack of information about the relationship between competition and hospital efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the effect of competition on technical efficiency for the hospital industry in Turkey. The target population included all public and private general hospitals that were open in 2010 in Turkey (n = 1,224). From these, 1,103 hospitals met the selection criteria and were included in the study. Data were obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute, the Ministry of Health, and through a field survey. Technical efficiency of hospitals was estimated using Data Envelopment Analysis with five outputs and five inputs. The intensity of competition among hospitals was measured by objective and subjective measures. Objective competition was measured using the Hirschman-Herfindahl Index, and subjective competition was measured based on the perceptions of top level hospital managers. Multivariate Tobit regression was used to investigate the relationship between competition and efficiency while controlling the effects of demand and supply characteristics of the market and the hospital traits. Efficiency results showed that 17% of hospitals were technically efficient. Regression analyses portrayed that the degree of competition among general hospitals did not have a statistically significant relationship with hospitals' technical efficiency. To conclude, hospital efficiency in Turkey does not seem to be affected by the intensity of competition among hospitals.

Domestic aviation : service problems and limited competition continue in some markets

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-04-23

Congressional testimony by John H. Anderson, Jr., Director, Transportation : Issues, Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division, General : Accounting Office (GAO), on competition in the domestic airline industry. : In October 1996, the G...

The ability to use nitrate confers advantage to Dekkera bruxellensis over S. cerevisiae and can explain its adaptation to industrial fermentation processes.

PubMed

de Barros Pita, Will; Leite, Fernanda Cristina Bezerra; de Souza Liberal, Anna Theresa; Simões, Diogo Ardaillon; de Morais, Marcos Antonio

2011-06-01

The yeast Dekkera bruxellensis has been regarded as a contamination problem in industrial ethanol production because it can replace the originally inoculated Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains. The present study deals with the influence of nitrate on the relative competitiveness of D. bruxellensis and S. cerevisiae in sugar cane ethanol fermentations. The industrial strain D. bruxellensis GDB 248 showed higher growth rates than S. cerevisiae JP1 strain in mixed ammonia/nitrate media, and nitrate assimilation genes were only slightly repressed by ammonia. These characteristics rendered D. bruxellensis cells with an ability to overcome S. cerevisiae populations in both synthetic medium and in sugar cane juice. The results were corroborated by data from industrial fermentations that showed a correlation between high nitrate concentrations and high D. bruxellensis cell counts. Moreover, the presence of nitrate increased fermentation efficiency of D. bruxellensis cells in anaerobic conditions, which may explain the maintenance of ethanol production in the presence of D. bruxellensis in industrial processes. The presence of high levels of nitrate in sugar cane juice may be due to its inefficient conversion by plant metabolism in certain soil types and could explain the periodical episodes of D. bruxellensis colonization of Brazilian ethanol plants.

An Impact Analysis of Regional Industry-University Interactions: The Case of Industrial PhD Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gustavsson, Linda; Nuur, Cali; Söderlind, Johan

2016-01-01

The authors discuss Triple Helix collaborations in the context of regional competitiveness. Through an exploratory case study, they identify and analyse the impact of the establishment of industrial PhD schools for participating industry and universities. The study was conducted in Sweden in 2014 and focuses on three industry-university…

An Impact Analysis of Regional Industry--University Interactions: The Case of Industrial PhD Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gustavsson, Linda; Nuur, Cali; Söderlind, Johan

2016-01-01

The authors discuss Triple Helix collaborations in the context of regional competitiveness. Through an exploratory case study, they identify and analyse the impact of the establishment of industrial PhD schools for participating industry and universities. The study was conducted in Sweden in 2014 and focuses on three industry--university…

Advantage Management Strategy in Competition via Technological Race Perspective: Empirical Evidence from the Taiwanese Manufacturing Industry

PubMed Central

Hung, Tsu-Yi; Hsiao, Yu-Ju; Wu, Shih-Wei

2014-01-01

This study investigated the advantage management strategies of a firm regarding the technological race in the manufacturing sector. This is to reveal whether firms adopt a catch-up or leapfrogging strategy in the competition for innovation. The results show that competition is fierce in the Taiwanese manufacturing industry. Taiwanese manufacturing firms (mostly SMEs) tend to adopt the “catch-up” strategy to keep up with their competitors in order to remain in the technological race. The result indicates that, under financial constraints, Taiwanese manufacturing firms attempt to invest in R&D to catch up with their rivals or to avoid being eliminated from the race. PMID:25295307

Advantage management strategy in competition via technological race perspective: empirical evidence from the Taiwanese manufacturing industry.

PubMed

Hung, Tsu-Yi; Hsiao, Yu-Ju; Wu, Shih-Wei

2014-01-01

This study investigated the advantage management strategies of a firm regarding the technological race in the manufacturing sector. This is to reveal whether firms adopt a catch-up or leapfrogging strategy in the competition for innovation. The results show that competition is fierce in the Taiwanese manufacturing industry. Taiwanese manufacturing firms (mostly SMEs) tend to adopt the "catch-up" strategy to keep up with their competitors in order to remain in the technological race. The result indicates that, under financial constraints, Taiwanese manufacturing firms attempt to invest in R&D to catch up with their rivals or to avoid being eliminated from the race.

Attitudes of Junior National Team Athletes towards Opponents: Ideology/Morals

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Görgüt, Ilyas; Tutkun, Erkut

2017-01-01

Competitions between countries occur in every field, from science to industry. This competition is inevitable in the field of sports, which is the greatest feature of publicity in countries, one of the tools of getting political advantage and the greatest focus of global capital. This competition, which is seen in the fields of sport, sometimes…

A Review on the Valorization of Macroalgal Wastes for Biomethane Production

PubMed Central

Barbot, Yann Nicolas; Al-Ghaili, Hashem; Benz, Roland

2016-01-01

The increased use of terrestrial crops for biofuel production and the associated environmental, social and ethical issues have led to a search for alternative biomass materials. Terrestrial crops offer excellent biogas recovery, but compete directly with food production, requiring farmland, fresh water and fertilizers. Using marine macroalgae for the production of biogas circumvents these problems. Their potential lies in their chemical composition, their global abundance and knowledge of their growth requirements and occurrence patterns. Such a biomass industry should focus on the use of residual and waste biomass to avoid competition with the biomass requirements of the seaweed food industry, which has occurred in the case of terrestrial biomass. Overabundant seaweeds represent unutilized biomass in shallow water, beach and coastal areas. These eutrophication processes damage marine ecosystems and impair local tourism; this biomass could serve as biogas feedstock material. Residues from biomass processing in the seaweed industry are also of interest. This is a rapidly growing industry with algae now used in the comestible, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. The simultaneous production of combustible biomethane and disposal of undesirable biomass in a synergistic waste management system is a concept with environmental and resource-conserving advantages. PMID:27338422

A Review on the Valorization of Macroalgal Wastes for Biomethane Production.

PubMed

Barbot, Yann Nicolas; Al-Ghaili, Hashem; Benz, Roland

2016-06-21

The increased use of terrestrial crops for biofuel production and the associated environmental, social and ethical issues have led to a search for alternative biomass materials. Terrestrial crops offer excellent biogas recovery, but compete directly with food production, requiring farmland, fresh water and fertilizers. Using marine macroalgae for the production of biogas circumvents these problems. Their potential lies in their chemical composition, their global abundance and knowledge of their growth requirements and occurrence patterns. Such a biomass industry should focus on the use of residual and waste biomass to avoid competition with the biomass requirements of the seaweed food industry, which has occurred in the case of terrestrial biomass. Overabundant seaweeds represent unutilized biomass in shallow water, beach and coastal areas. These eutrophication processes damage marine ecosystems and impair local tourism; this biomass could serve as biogas feedstock material. Residues from biomass processing in the seaweed industry are also of interest. This is a rapidly growing industry with algae now used in the comestible, pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors. The simultaneous production of combustible biomethane and disposal of undesirable biomass in a synergistic waste management system is a concept with environmental and resource-conserving advantages.

Analysis of the physiotherapy industry: challenges for marketing.

PubMed

Sheppard, L

1996-01-01

The physiotherapy industry can be analysed using Porter's (1979) five forces. Physiotherapy uses medical, geographic and funding segmentation. The power of the buyers in these segments is considerable. Substitutes are posing a threat to physiotherapy with few barriers to entry to operate in the health care environment. The suppliers, particularly doctors, have significant power in referring clients. Competitive rivalry for these clients can exist between individual physiotherapists and multi-disciplinary clinics. The difference in orientation of private and public physiotherapy can also be a basis for rivalry. Repositioning to view the client as both the supplier and recipients enables the physiotherapy industry to gain competitive advantage and ensures long term growth.

A cooperative game theory approach to transmission planning in power systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Contreras, Javier

The rapid restructuring of the electric power industry from a vertically integrated entity into a decentralized industry has given rise to complex problems. In particular, the transmission component of the electric power system requires new methodologies to fully capture this emerging competitive industry. Game theory models are used to model strategic interactions in a competitive environment. This thesis presents a new decentralized framework to study the transmission network expansion problem using cooperative game theory. First, the players and the rules of the game are defined. Second, a coalition formation scheme is developed. Finally, the optimized cost of expansion is allocated based on the history of the coalition formation.

Applying simulation to optimize plastic molded optical parts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jaworski, Matthew; Bakharev, Alexander; Costa, Franco; Friedl, Chris

2012-10-01

Optical injection molded parts are used in many different industries including electronics, consumer, medical and automotive due to their cost and performance advantages compared to alternative materials such as glass. The injection molding process, however, induces elastic (residual stress) and viscoelastic (flow orientation stress) deformation into the molded article which alters the material's refractive index to be anisotropic in different directions. Being able to predict and correct optical performance issues associated with birefringence early in the design phase is a huge competitive advantage. This paper reviews how to apply simulation analysis of the entire molding process to optimize manufacturability and part performance.

Competition, antitrust, and the marketplace for electricity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Szymanski, P.A.

As the electric industry continues its unprecedented restructuring, state public utility regulators must determine which rules and analytical tools will best enable the industry`s participants to compete to provide electricity and its functional components. Even in the early stages of transformation, elements of a competitive marketplace are pervasive: generation markets are battlegrounds for increasingly diverse, numerous, and zealous participants; boundaries delineating traditional service territories are becoming blurred; associations of similarly-situated participants are forming to promote their interests; increased concentration through mergers and joint ventures looms as a possibility; vertically integrated utilities are considering or are being challenged to consider reconfigurationmore » into a more horizontal structure; and generally, the industry`s end-users, its retail customers, are demanding choice. Large industrial customers, groups of residential customers, or entire municipalities are seeking to obtain electric service outside their native electric utilities service territories. These demands for increased consumer choice threaten the legislatively defined franchise rules, which grant monopolies to utilities in exchange for a system of regulation which includes an obligation to serve customers in the service territories both reliably and at reasonable cost. These events foreshadow an industry-wide transition to a customer-driven, competitive system for the provision of electric service in which the price for the service is determined by market-based signals. It would be unrealistic if state utility regulators did not expect commensurate change in the issues they confront and the existing methods of analysis.« less

A Program Office Guide to Technology Transfer

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-11-01

Requirements 2-4 2.4.1 Equipment Complexity 2-5 2.4.2 Industrial Capabilities 2-5 2.4.3 Logistics Requirements/Configuration Control 2-5 2.4.4 Schedule...accomplishment of these milestones re- with the leverage of the FSD and production pro- sults in second source full production capability , grams. For more...MANUFACTURING PROCESSES BUILD UP COMPETITIVE PRODUCTION RATE CAPABILITY DURING LOT III Table 1.2-1 AMRAAM Technology Transfer The leader-follower approach is

The Fitness Advantage of Commercial Wine Yeasts in Relation to the Nitrogen Concentration, Temperature, and Ethanol Content under Microvinification Conditions

PubMed Central

García-Ríos, Estéfani; Gutiérrez, Alicia; Salvadó, Zoel; Arroyo-López, Francisco Noé

2014-01-01

The effect of the main environmental factors governing wine fermentation on the fitness of industrial yeast strains has barely received attention. In this study, we used the concept of fitness advantage to measure how increasing nitrogen concentrations (0 to 200 mg N/liter), ethanol (0 to 20%), and temperature (4 to 45°C) affects competition among four commercial wine yeast strains (PDM, ARM, RVA, and TTA). We used a mathematical approach to model the hypothetical time needed for the control strain (PDM) to out-compete the other three strains in a theoretical mixed population. The theoretical values obtained were subsequently verified by competitive mixed fermentations in both synthetic and natural musts, which showed a good fit between the theoretical and experimental data. Specifically, the data show that the increase in nitrogen concentration and temperature values improved the fitness advantage of the PDM strain, whereas the presence of ethanol significantly reduced its competitiveness. However, the RVA strain proved to be the most competitive yeast for the three enological parameters assayed. The study of the fitness of these industrial strains is of paramount interest for the wine industry, which uses them as starters of their fermentations. Here, we propose a very simple method to model the fitness advantage, which allows the prediction of the competitiveness of one strain with respect to different abiotic factors. PMID:24242239

National Contests.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bamford, Paul J.; Vandenberg, Victoria

1995-01-01

"VICA Skills USA Championships" (Bamford) describes the competitions and events of the 1995 National Vocational Industrial Clubs of America Leadership and Skills Conference. "Student Robotics Contest" (Vandenberg) describes an annual competition that invites students to demonstrate their creativity and knowledge of robotics.…

Strategy, structure, and performance of rural transportation companies

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1998-12-01

The purpose of this research is to understand how companies in the motor carrier industry achieve competitive advantage. Specifically, we examine how competitive strategy, structure, and tactics relate to one another and to company performance. A bro...

Lean Production as an Innovative Approach to Construction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spišáková, Marcela; Kozlovská, Mária

2013-06-01

Lean production presents a new approach to the construction management which has enabled enterprises to attain very high levels of efficiency, competitiveness and flexibility in production systems. Nowadays, a number of industrial processes are managed in accordance with these advanced management principles [1]. The principles of lean production are applied within the integrated design and delivery solutions (IDDS) and prefabricated construction. IDDS uses collaborative work processes and enhanced skills, with integrated data, information, and knowledge management to minimize structural and process inefficiencies and to enhance the value delivered during design, build, and operation, and across projects. Prefabrication presents a one of opportunities for construction methods, which allows the compliance with principles of sustainable design, provides the potential benefits such as faster construction, fewer housing defects, reduction in energy use and waste and elimination of environmental and safety risks. This paper presents the lean production within the IDDS and its potential in the modern prefabrication. There is created a field providing of benefits of lean production in construction industry.

Simulation Of Assembly Processes With Technical Of Virtual Reality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

García García, Manuel; Arenas Reina, José Manuel; Lite, Alberto Sánchez; Sebastián Pérez, Miguel Ángel

2009-11-01

Virtual reality techniques use at industrial processes provides a real approach to product life cycle. For components manual assembly, the use of virtual surroundings facilitates a simultaneous engineering in which variables such as human factors and productivity take a real act. On the other hand, in the actual phase of industrial competition it is required a rapid adjustment to client needs and to market situation. In this work it is analyzed the assembly of the front components of a vehicle using virtual reality tools and following up a product-process design methodology which includes every life service stage. This study is based on workstations design, taking into account productive and human factors from the ergonomic point of view implementing a postural study of every assembly operation, leaving the rest of stages for a later study. Design is optimized applying this methodology together with the use of virtual reality tools. It is also achieved a 15% reduction on time assembly and of 90% reduction in muscle—skeletal diseases at every assembly operation.

Educational Opportunities Based on the University-Industry Synergies in an Open Innovation Framework

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lucia, Oscar; Burdio, Jose M.; Acero, Jesus; Barragan, Luis A.; Garcia, Jose R.

2012-01-01

Collaboration between Industry and University is becoming more important in order to improve the competitiveness of the research and development activities. Moreover, establishing synergies to bridge the gap between the academic and industrial spheres has demonstrated to be advantageous for both of them. Nowadays, Industry is moving towards an…

The American Arts Industry: Size and Significance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chartrand, Harry Hillman

In this study, the U.S. arts industry is conceptually defined and measured with respect to statistical size. The contribution and significance of the arts industry to the economy is then assessed within the context of national competitiveness and the emerging knowledge economy. Study findings indicate that the arts industry contributes between 5%…

Smart Manufacturing Technologies and Data Analytics for Improving Energy Efficiency in Industrial Energy Systems

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nimbalkar, Sachin U.; Guo, Wei; Wenning, Thomas J.

Smart manufacturing and advanced data analytics can help the manufacturing sector unlock energy efficiency from the equipment level to the entire manufacturing facility and the whole supply chain. These technologies can make manufacturing industries more competitive, with intelligent communication systems, real-time energy savings, and increased energy productivity. Smart manufacturing can give all employees in an organization the actionable information they need, when they need it, so that each person can contribute to the optimal operation of the corporation through informed, data-driven decision making. This paper examines smart technologies and data analytics approaches for improving energy efficiency and reducing energy costsmore » in process-supporting energy systems. It dives into energy-saving improvement opportunities through smart manufacturing technologies and sophisticated data collection and analysis. The energy systems covered in this paper include those with motors and drives, fans, pumps, air compressors, steam, and process heating.« less

Luminescent sensing and imaging of oxygen: Fierce competition to the Clark electrode

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

Luminescence‐based sensing schemes for oxygen have experienced a fast growth and are in the process of replacing the Clark electrode in many fields. Unlike electrodes, sensing is not limited to point measurements via fiber optic microsensors, but includes additional features such as planar sensing, imaging, and intracellular assays using nanosized sensor particles. In this essay, I review and discuss the essentials of (i) common solid‐state sensor approaches based on the use of luminescent indicator dyes and host polymers; (ii) fiber optic and planar sensing schemes; (iii) nanoparticle‐based intracellular sensing; and (iv) common spectroscopies. Optical sensors are also capable of multiple simultaneous sensing (such as O2 and temperature). Sensors for O2 are produced nowadays in large quantities in industry. Fields of application include sensing of O2 in plant and animal physiology, in clinical chemistry, in marine sciences, in the chemical industry and in process biotechnology. PMID:26113255

Albuquerque Operations Office, Albuquerque, New Mexico: Technology summary

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1994-08-01

This document has been prepared by the Department of Energy`s (DOE) Environmental Management (EM) Office of Technology Development (OTD) in order to highlight research, development, demonstration, testing, and evaluation (RDDT&E) activities funded through the Albuquerque Operations Office. Technologies and processes described have the potential to enhance DOE`s cleanup and waste management efforts, as well as improve US industry`s competitiveness in global environmental markets. The information has been assembled from recently produced OTD documents that highlight technology development activities within each of the OTD program elements. These integrated program summaries include: Volatile Organic Compounds in Non-Arid Soils, Volatile Organic Compounds inmore » Arid Soils, Mixed Waste Landfill Integrated Demonstration, Uranium in Soils Integrated Demonstration, Characterization, Monitoring, and Sensor Technology, In Situ Remediation, Buried Waste Integrated Demonstration, Underground Storage Tank, Efficient Separations and Processing, Mixed Waste Integrated Program, Rocky Flats Compliance Program, Pollution Prevention Program, Innovation Investment Area, and Robotics Technology.« less

Analysis Influence of Managerial Competence, Technical Competence, and Strategic Competence on Firm Performance in Electrical Engineering Company in Bandung

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wijaya, E. R.; Irianto, D.

2018-03-01

The industry sectors that have an important role in the era of globalization is the electro engineering sector. The era of globalization led to intense competition. One of the negative effects of the intense competition is declining profits. Drop in profits caused many firms reduces their employees without seeking the root cause of declining profits in detail. Whereas, employee is the important resources to maintain competitive advantage. Competitive advantage can be measured by the performance of which is owned by the firm. The firm's performance can be formed of competencies that is unique, rare, irreplaceable, and difficult to imitate within the firm, one of them is the competence of the individual. According to a competency-based approach and the resource- based approach, individual competence that affect the performance of the firm is managerial competence, technical competence, and strategic competence. Questionnaire is built based on the dimensions of the firm's performance, managerial competence, technical competence, and strategic competence, are processed using partial least squares application. The results indicate that managerial competence negatively impact firm’s performance with weak ties. The technical competence and strategic competence positively affect firm’s performance with moderate ties.

Project X: competitive intelligence data mining and analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilmore, John F.; Pagels, Michael A.; Palk, Justin

2001-03-01

Competitive Intelligence (CI) is a systematic and ethical program for gathering and analyzing information about your competitors' activities and general business trends to further your own company's goals. CI allows companies to gather extensive information on their competitors and to analyze what the competition is doing in order to maintain or gain a competitive edge. In commercial business this potentially translates into millions of dollars in annual savings or losses. The Internet provides an overwhelming portal of information for CI analysis. The problem is how a company can automate the translation of voluminous information into valuable and actionable knowledge. This paper describes Project X, an agent-based data mining system specifically developed for extracting and analyzing competitive information from the Internet. Project X gathers CI information from a variety of sources including online newspapers, corporate websites, industry sector reporting sites, speech archiving sites, video news casts, stock news sites, weather sites, and rumor sites. It uses individual industry specific (e.g., pharmaceutical, financial, aerospace, etc.) commercial sector ontologies to form the knowledge filtering and discovery structures/content required to filter and identify valuable competitive knowledge. Project X is described in detail and an example competitive intelligence case is shown demonstrating the system's performance and utility for business intelligence.

Competition between the phytophagous stink bugs Euschistus heros and Piezodorus guildinii in soybeans.

PubMed

Tuelher, Edmar S; Silva, Éder H; Hirose, Edson; Guedes, Raul Narciso C; Oliveira, Eugênio E

2016-10-01

The abundance and contribution of the neotropical brown stink bug, Euschistus heros (F.), and the redbanded stink bug, Piezodorus guildinii (West.), to the composition of insect pests of soybean, Glycine max (L.), fields have changed both spatially and temporally in neotropical soybean production areas. Therefore, we assessed the competitiveness of each species in direct competition experiments following an additive series. We performed mixed (adult) insect infestations in soybean plants and evaluated the fitness of each species and the soybean yield. While the competitive ability of E. heros was significantly compromised by increments in conspecifics and heterospecifics (i.e. P. guildinii), the competitive ability of P. guildinii was compromised by the presence of heterospecifics (i.e. E. heros). The reproductive output of P. guildinii remained unaffected by increments in E. heros or of P. guildinii. Intriguingly, despite the fact that P. guildinii apparently lost the competition with E. heros, almost no pod production was observed in any plant colonised by the former. The higher abundance of E. heros in neotropical soybean fields seems to result from higher competitive ability than its heterospecific competitor P. guildinii, which may prevent the higher losses caused by P. guildinii. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Expanding lysine industry: industrial biomanufacturing of lysine and its derivatives.

PubMed

Cheng, Jie; Chen, Peng; Song, Andong; Wang, Dan; Wang, Qinhong

2018-04-13

L-Lysine is widely used as a nutrition supplement in feed, food, and beverage industries as well as a chemical intermediate. At present, great efforts are made to further decrease the cost of lysine to make it more competitive in the markets. Furthermore, lysine also shows potential as a feedstock to produce other high-value chemicals for active pharmaceutical ingredients, drugs, or materials. In this review, the current biomanufacturing of lysine is first presented. Second, the production of novel derivatives from lysine is discussed. Some chemicals like L-pipecolic acid, cadaverine, and 5-aminovalerate already have been obtained at a lab scale. Others like 6-aminocaproic acid, valerolactam, and caprolactam could be produced through a biological and chemical coupling pathway or be synthesized by a hypothetical pathway. This review demonstrates an active and expansive lysine industry, and these green biomanufacturing strategies could also be applied to enhance the competitiveness of other amino acid industry.

Profit maximization, industry structure, and competition: A critique of neoclassical theory

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keen, Steve; Standish, Russell

2006-10-01

Neoclassical economics has two theories of competition between profit-maximizing firms-Marshallian and Cournot-Nash-that start from different premises about the degree of strategic interaction between firms, yet reach the same result, that market price falls as the number of firms in an industry increases. The Marshallian argument is strictly false. We integrate the different premises, and establish that the optimal level of strategic interaction between competing firms is zero. Simulations support our analysis and reveal intriguing emergent behaviors.

Regulation and competition without privatization: Norway`s experience

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Moen, J.; Hamrin, J.

The competitive market for the hydro-based Norwegian electricity system is working well, with end-user prices only slightly above the wholesale market. Pool prices are reflecting only weather-related variations, and no market power abuses are evident. The challenge now is to restructure ownership of the wires and retail suppliers to lower wheeling costs and avoid cross-subsidization. Since the Norwegian Energy Act came into effect in 1991, the electricity industry in Norway has operated as one of the most deregulated electricity industries in the world. The Energy Act introduced third party access to the retail market and competition in electricity production. Themore » generation, sale and purchase of electricity is now highly competitive, with customers free to buy electricity from any generator, trader or the electricity Pool. Transmission pricing was separated from power purchasing arrangements, so that the buying and selling of electricity as a product is distinct from the transmission of electricity as a service. Transmission and distribution networks continue to maintain natural monopolies, with network owners providing wheeling service across their networks to customers who are connected to them. These monopoly sectors of the industry are subject to regulation by the government-appointed regulatory body, Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Administration (NVE). Regulation is on a cost-of-service basis, with the revenue allowance determined by NVE. The main force behind the Norwegian reform was the desire for efficiency gains to be achieved through a total restructure of the commercial character of the energy service industry (ESI). Unlike the U.K., in Norway the monopoly franchise for both generation and retail supply was removed in one step without any transition period, and the old pool was reformed to provide the needed structure for this new competitive energy market.« less

How To Improve the Quality of Our Organizations through the Use of TQM, Continuous Improvement Strategies.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coates, James

As a result of global competition in business, Total Quality Management (TQM) has been seen as necessary to provide competitive products and services that customers want and need at attractive prices. In applying the principles of TQM to higher education, however, the perceived need for survival and competition in business and industry does not…

The case for teaming on the ALS-STME program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morea, S. F.

1991-01-01

The analysis concludes that the nation needs to proceed with a new LOX/LH2 rocket engine program now. It is also concluded that open competition now will have deleterious impacts on the competitive viability of the liquid rocket engine industry. Teaming, however, provides a way to solve todays concerns while enhancing the option for open competition in the future.

Competitiveness as the Factor of Settlements Terms Forming at the Market of Chocolate Producers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kandrashina, Elena A.; Zotova, Anna S.; Smolina, Ekaterina S.; Dorozhkin, Vladimir E.; Dneprov, Sergey A.

2016-01-01

The relevance of the investigated problem is caused by increasing levels of competition in the industry markets of chocolate producers in Russia and the need to maintain the profitability of the companies' activities in the unstable macroeconomic conditions. The aim of the article is to assess the impact of competitive forces on settlements terms…

Three Studies in Industrial Economics: Competition and Industry Structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keil, Jan

Chapter 1 reviews alternative theories of competition - the standard Neoclassical view, the contribution of the Chicago School as well as the two dynamic lines of thought which are part of Austrian economics and Classical Political Economy. The latter is presented as a consistent alternative to the other existing theories. Of special interest is the question if and how industry structure matters in these approaches, how profitability differentials are explained and what role market share concentration and mobility barriers play. Their predictions and implications for empirical research are compared. Ways to test and evaluate these different approaches are described. Chapter 2 investigates econometrically how industry and micro level variables determine persistent differentials in the rate of return on assets in the U.S. The analysis is the first to use business segment data to explain long term profitability differentials. It presents new market concentration indicators that are superior to concentration ratios and allow to analyze an unpreceded amount of concentration and other data back to 1977. Critical concentration levels, non-linearities, interaction effects and previously ignored important control variables like industrial unionization are being considered. Concentration is found to have significant negative effects on profitability differentials. Barrier indicators are insignificant while market shares are positively correlated with long-run profitability. Concentration thus increases, not diminishes the degree of industrial competition. This is interpreted as evidence in support of Classical Political Economic competition theory. Chapter 3 presents a costs of production based industry analytical study that aims at consistency with Classical Political Economic thought. It investigates how growth of renewable electricity in Germany forces conventional power plants to shift towards more flexible operating regimes. The simulation of individual power plant load uses different current and future as well as alternative price and energy policy scenarios, four years of 15-minute interval data on system and renewable load as well as an unpreceded degree of detail on plant cost structures and technical characteristics. I find that the costs of electricity generation of cleaner, flexible thermal plants are positively effected by the transition. The competitiveness of inflexible baseload plants falls as they become more expensive than renewables. Lignite and nuclear power turns out to be unsuited to supplement renewable energy: a future exit reduces the average costs of electricity generation from conventional plants.

NASA Technology Applications Team: Commercial applications of aerospace technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) Team has maintained its focus on helping NASA establish partnerships with U.S. industry for dual use development and technology commercialization. Our emphasis has been on outcomes, such as licenses, industry partnerships and commercialization of technologies, that are important to NASA in its mission of contributing to the improved competitive position of U.S. industry. The RTI Team has been successful in the development of NASA/industry partnerships and commercialization of NASA technologies. RTI ongoing commitment to quality and customer responsiveness has driven our staff to continuously improve our technology transfer methodologies to meet NASA's requirements. For example, RTI has emphasized the following areas: (1) Methodology For Technology Assessment and Marketing: RTI has developed and implemented effective processes for assessing the commercial potential of NASA technologies. These processes resulted from an RTI study of best practices, hands-on experience, and extensive interaction with the NASA Field Centers to adapt to their specific needs. (2) Effective Marketing Strategies: RTI surveyed industry technology managers to determine effective marketing tools and strategies. The Technology Opportunity Announcement format and content were developed as a result of this industry input. For technologies with a dynamic visual impact, RTI has developed a stand-alone demonstration diskette that was successful in developing industry interest in licensing the technology. And (3) Responsiveness to NASA Requirements: RTI listened to our customer (NASA) and designed our processes to conform with the internal procedures and resources at each NASA Field Center and the direction provided by NASA's Agenda for Change. This report covers the activities of the Research Triangle Institute Technology Applications Team for the period 1 October 1993 through 31 December 1994.

Ethylene Formation by Catalytic Dehydration of Ethanol with Industrial Considerations.

PubMed

Fan, Denise; Dai, Der-Jong; Wu, Ho-Shing

2012-12-28

Ethylene is the primary component in most plastics, making it economically valuable. It is produced primarily by steam-cracking of hydrocarbons, but can alternatively be produced by the dehydration of ethanol, which can be produced from fermentation processes using renewable substrates such as glucose, starch and others. Due to rising oil prices, researchers now look at alternative reactions to produce green ethylene, but the process is far from being as economically competitive as using fossil fuels. Many studies have investigated catalysts and new reaction engineering technologies to increase ethylene yield and to lower reaction temperature, in an effort to make the reaction applicable in industry and most cost-efficient. This paper presents various lab synthesized catalysts, reaction conditions, and reactor technologies that achieved high ethylene yield at reasonable reaction temperatures, and evaluates their practicality in industrial application in comparison with steam-cracking plants. The most promising were found to be a nanoscale catalyst HZSM-5 with 99.7% ethylene selectivity at 240 °C and 630 h lifespan, using a microreactor technology with mechanical vapor recompression, and algae-produced ethanol to make ethylene.

Ethylene Formation by Catalytic Dehydration of Ethanol with Industrial Considerations

PubMed Central

Fan, Denise; Dai, Der-Jong; Wu, Ho-Shing

2012-01-01

Ethylene is the primary component in most plastics, making it economically valuable. It is produced primarily by steam-cracking of hydrocarbons, but can alternatively be produced by the dehydration of ethanol, which can be produced from fermentation processes using renewable substrates such as glucose, starch and others. Due to rising oil prices, researchers now look at alternative reactions to produce green ethylene, but the process is far from being as economically competitive as using fossil fuels. Many studies have investigated catalysts and new reaction engineering technologies to increase ethylene yield and to lower reaction temperature, in an effort to make the reaction applicable in industry and most cost-efficient. This paper presents various lab synthesized catalysts, reaction conditions, and reactor technologies that achieved high ethylene yield at reasonable reaction temperatures, and evaluates their practicality in industrial application in comparison with steam-cracking plants. The most promising were found to be a nanoscale catalyst HZSM-5 with 99.7% ethylene selectivity at 240 °C and 630 h lifespan, using a microreactor technology with mechanical vapor recompression, and algae-produced ethanol to make ethylene. PMID:28809297

A Dialogue on Competitiveness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gomory, Ralph E.; Shapiro, Harold T.

1988-01-01

Presents a dialogue between Ralph E. Gomory of IBM and Harold T. Shapiro of Princeton University concerning what science, technology, and education can and cannot do to establish industrial leadership. The discussion focuses on the role of universities and industry, scientific literacy, and cooperation between universities and industry. (YP)

Job Prospects for Computer Engineers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Basta, Nicholas

1988-01-01

Discusses the computer engineering industry in the United States. Recounts recent shifts in the computer industry and notes that despite foreign competition, the industry offers graduating computer engineers ample opportunities for employment. Claims that skill and technical knowledge are the most important assets for getting a job. (TW)

Mapping performance of the fishery industries innovation: A survey in the North Coast of Java

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusuf, M.; Legowo, A. M.; Albaarri, A. N.; Darmanto, Y. S.; Agustini, T. W.; Setyastuti, A. I.

2018-01-01

This study aimed to put the performance indicators of industry innovation fisheries which would be used as inputs to create innovation strategies in order to win the market competition, especially in USA. Survey and in-depth interviews were conducted on 10 industries with shrimp, tuna and crab commodities representing the fishery industry in Indonesia to USA export destination. The result of mapping performance of innovation indicators of Indonesian Fishery Industry resulted the 10’s strategies alternative to win the market. Based on survey result indicate that “the regulation of catch and/or harvest of cultivation factor” is considered the weakest factor in develop innovation with a score of 3.3, while the international trade factor are considered as the strongest factor in developing innovation development with scores 5,0. Aggressive strategy by strengthening the strength owned by the internal industry was by always looking at the opportunity, so that they could take the opportunity to win the market competition at the right time.

Market Structure, Financial Dependence and Industrial Growth: Evidence from the Banking Industry in Emerging Asian Economies

PubMed Central

Khan, Habib Hussain; Ahmad, Rubi Binit; Gee, Chan Sok

2016-01-01

In this study, we examine the role of market structure for growth in financially dependent industries from 10 emerging Asian economies over the period of 1995–2011. Our approach departs from existing studies in that we apply four alternative measures of market structure based on structural and non-structural approaches and compare their outcomes. Results indicate that higher bank concentration may slow down the growth of financially dependent industries. Bank competition on the other hand, allows financially dependent industries to grow faster. These findings are consistent across a number of sensitivity checks such as alternative measures of financial dependence, institutional factors (including property rights, quality of accounting standards and bank ownership), and endogeneity consideration. In sum, our study suggests that financially dependent industries grow more in more competitive/less concentrated banking systems. Therefore, regulatory authorities need to be careful while pursuing a consolidation policy for banking sector in emerging Asian economies. PMID:27490847

The Department of Defense critical technologies plan for the Committees on Armed Services United States Congress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Young, Leo

1990-03-01

The second Annual Defense Critical Technologies Plan responds to the requirement that the Secretary of Defense submit to the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and House of Representatives an annual plan for developing the technologies considered by the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Energy to be the technologies most critical to ensuring the long term qualitative superiority of the United States weapon systems. Twenty critical technologies are selected. The selection process is described, criteria for selection are set forth, and industrial and international assessments are summarized. The major portion of this report is contained in 20 sections in Appendix A, one section for each critical technology. Each section addresses the questions posed by Congress on funding, plans and milestones, industrial base and manufacturing issues, and the competitiveness of U.S. industry; it also provides an assessment of the positions of the Soviet Union, NATO, Japan and other industrialized countries in niche technologies within each critical technology.

Industry evolution through consolidation: Implications for addiction treatment.

PubMed

Corredoira, Rafael A; Kimberly, John R

2006-10-01

Drawing on experiences in other industries, this article argues that the business of addiction treatment is likely to be transformed by the advent of a period of consolidation, in which a number of small independent programs will be acquired by larger, better capitalized, and managerially more sophisticated enterprises. Consolidation will be driven by opportunities to leverage new technologies, to exploit new regulatory initiatives, and to introduce economies of scale and scope into an industry that is currently highly fragmented. The process is likely to result in segmentation of the market, with the coexistence of large, generalist, highly standardized firms and a number of small highly specialized firms. When an industry consolidates, the types and quality of services provided can improve through the adoption of best practices and through increased competition among larger providers. If these larger providers are publicly traded, however, efforts to improve will inevitably be influenced by pressures to maintain or increase quarter-to-quarter earnings and share prices, leaving open the long-term impact on service quality.

An alternative feedstock of corn meal for industrial fuel ethanol production: delignified corncob residue.

PubMed

Lei, Cheng; Zhang, Jian; Xiao, Lin; Bao, Jie

2014-09-01

Delignified corncob residue is an industrial solid waste from xylose production using corncob as feedstock. In this study, delignified corncob residue was used as the feedstock of ethanol production by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) and the optimal fermentation performance was investigated under various operation conditions. The ethanol titer and yield reached 75.07 g/L and 89.38%, respectively, using a regular industrial yeast strain at moderate cellulase dosage and high solids loading. A uniform SSF temperature of 37°C at both prehydrolysis and SSF stages was tested. The fermentation performance and cost of delignified corncob residue and corn meal was compared as feedstock of ethanol fermentation. The result shows that the delignified corncob residue is competitive to corn meal as ethanol production feedstock. The study gives a typical case to demonstrate the potential of intensively processed lignocellulose as the alternative feedstock of corn meal for industrial fuel ethanol production. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lignocellulosic ethanol production at high-gravity: challenges and perspectives.

PubMed

Koppram, Rakesh; Tomás-Pejó, Elia; Xiros, Charilaos; Olsson, Lisbeth

2014-01-01

In brewing and ethanol-based biofuel industries, high-gravity fermentation produces 10-15% (v/v) ethanol, resulting in improved overall productivity, reduced capital cost, and reduced energy input compared to processing at normal gravity. High-gravity technology ensures a successful implementation of cellulose to ethanol conversion as a cost-competitive process. Implementation of such technologies is possible if all process steps can be performed at high biomass concentrations. This review focuses on challenges and technological efforts in processing at high-gravity conditions and how these conditions influence the physiology and metabolism of fermenting microorganisms, the action of enzymes, and other process-related factors. Lignocellulosic materials add challenges compared to implemented processes due to high inhibitors content and the physical properties of these materials at high gravity. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamical Competition of IC-Industry Clustering from Taiwan to China

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tsai, Bi-Huei; Tsai, Kuo-Hui

2009-08-01

Most studies employ qualitative approach to explore the industrial clusters; however, few research has objectively quantified the evolutions of industry clustering. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively analyze clustering among IC design, IC manufacturing as well as IC packaging and testing industries by using the foreign direct investment (FDI) data. The Lotka-Volterra system equations are first adopted here to capture the competition or cooperation among such three industries, thus explaining their clustering inclinations. The results indicate that the evolution of FDI into China for IC design industry significantly inspire the subsequent FDI of IC manufacturing as well as IC packaging and testing industries. Since IC design industry lie in the upstream stage of IC production, the middle-stream IC manufacturing and downstream IC packing and testing enterprises tend to cluster together with IC design firms, in order to sustain a steady business. Finally, Taiwan IC industry's FDI amount into China is predicted to cumulatively increase, which supports the industrial clustering tendency for Taiwan IC industry. Particularly, the FDI prediction of Lotka-Volterra model performs superior to that of the conventional Bass model after the forecast accuracy of these two models are compared. The prediction ability is dramatically improved as the industrial mutualism among each IC production stage is taken into account.

Structure analysis and core community detection of embodied resources networks among regional industries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Xijun; Dong, Yanbo; Wu, Yuying; Wei, Guodan; Xing, Lizhi; Yan, Jia

2017-08-01

To address the double pressure of scarce resources and regional industrial isomorphism, this paper applied the concepts of exergy and embodied resources based on economic input-output (I-O) data. We constructed the embodied resources networks among the regional industries of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (also known as Jing-Jin-Ji) in China. We analyzed the rules of embodied resources consumption in the area's industries, identified the core community structures, and studied the characteristics of industrial homogeneity through regional comparisons. The results showed that the dependence on scarce resources of industrial operations in Beijing was less than in Jin-Ji, while the dependence on finance, technology, information, and other service resources in Beijing was higher than in Jin-Ji. The I-O efficiency of embodied resources among industries and the agglomeration of correlation relationships in industries with large embodied resources were higher than in Jin-Ji. The industrial coincidence degree in the ;bridge; industries and in the core community in Jin-Ji was higher than in Jing-Jin and Jing-Ji, which means the industrial homogeneous competition of Jin-Ji was higher, too. This study makes a significant contribution toward promoting the dislocation development of regional industries, accelerating the coordination of resources, and reducing homogeneity competition.

Should utility incumbents be able to extend their brand name to competitive retail markets? An economic perspective

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Abel, J.R.; Clements, M.E.

As retail competition begins, at least for the short run, there should be policy restrictions on an incumbent utility`s ability to extend its brand to an affiliated marketer. However, a utility-affiliated marketer should be permitted to compete in a newly deregulated market using a generic or self-developed brand name. If extending a brand name from an incumbent utility to an affiliated marketer does in fact create real barriers to entry in the retail market, competition will be crippled in this market and consumers will suffer. More important, deregulation will appear to have failed in the electric power market--a consequence withmore » effects reaching past the electricity industry to other industries considering deregulation as a viable policy choice. However, if real barriers to entry are not erected by this type of brand name extension, the industry may suffer from lower quality products, less service, and reduced innovation if policymakers prohibit brand name extension.« less

Assessing corporate restructurings in the electric utility industry: A framework

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Malko, J.R.

1996-12-31

Corporate restructurings of electric utilities in the United States have become an important and controversial issue during the 1980s. Regulators and electric utility executives have different perspectives concerning corporate restructurings associated with diversification, mergers, and functional separation of generation, transmission, and distribution. Regulators attempt to regulate electric utilities effectively in order to assure that adequate electricity services are provided at reasonable cost and to protect the public interest which includes considering choices and risks to customers. Regulators are considering and developing new regulatory approaches in order to address corporate restructurings and balance regulation and competitive pressures. Electric utility executives typicallymore » view corporate restructurings as a potential partial solution to financial challenges and problems and are analyzing corporate restructuring activities within the framework of the corporate strategic planning process. Executives attempt to find new sources of economic value and consider risks and potential returns to investors in an increasingly competitive environment. The parent holding company is generally used as the basic corporate form for restructuring activities in the electric utility industry. However, the wholly-owned utility subsidiary structure remains in use for some restructurings. The primary purpose of this paper is to propose a framework to assess corporate restructurings in the electric utility industry from a public policy perspective. This paper is organized in the following manner. First, different types of corporate restructurings in the electric utility industry are examined. Second, reasons for corporate restructuring activities are represented. Third, a framework for assessing corporate restructuring activities is proposed. Fourth, the application of the framework is discussed.« less

Profitability primer: a guide to profitability analysis in the electric power industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Woo, C.K.; Lloyd-Zannetti, D.; Martin, J.

1996-06-01

As the electric power industry is opened to forces of competition, increased attention must be focused to develop products and services that deliver good value to customers and to identify customer segments that are profitable to serve. This primer introduces the concept of profitability analysis and its application to the electric power industry. The primer recognizes that some segments of the business will remain monopolistic and subject to regulations, while other segments will become competitive. The primer also recognizes that customer profitability is critically dependent on a host of related issues such as how internal costs are allocated to variousmore » functions and how revenues are collected and allocated.« less

Changing competition in health care marketing: a method for analysis and strategic planning.

PubMed

Ellis, B; Brockman, B K

1993-01-01

As the cost and importance of healthcare continue to increase, competition in the medical industry is taking new forms and becoming more intense. The driving trends behind this competition are analyzed in the framework of Porter's Five Forces of Competition Model. The authors then discuss how the widely accepted strategies of cost, differentiation, focus, and domestication can be utilized to counter the implications of these trends and how to capitalize on opportunities in medical practice in the 1990's.

Database-Centric Method for Automated High-Throughput Deconvolution and Analysis of Kinetic Antibody Screening Data.

PubMed

Nobrega, R Paul; Brown, Michael; Williams, Cody; Sumner, Chris; Estep, Patricia; Caffry, Isabelle; Yu, Yao; Lynaugh, Heather; Burnina, Irina; Lilov, Asparouh; Desroches, Jordan; Bukowski, John; Sun, Tingwan; Belk, Jonathan P; Johnson, Kirt; Xu, Yingda

2017-10-01

The state-of-the-art industrial drug discovery approach is the empirical interrogation of a library of drug candidates against a target molecule. The advantage of high-throughput kinetic measurements over equilibrium assessments is the ability to measure each of the kinetic components of binding affinity. Although high-throughput capabilities have improved with advances in instrument hardware, three bottlenecks in data processing remain: (1) intrinsic molecular properties that lead to poor biophysical quality in vitro are not accounted for in commercially available analysis models, (2) processing data through a user interface is time-consuming and not amenable to parallelized data collection, and (3) a commercial solution that includes historical kinetic data in the analysis of kinetic competition data does not exist. Herein, we describe a generally applicable method for the automated analysis, storage, and retrieval of kinetic binding data. This analysis can deconvolve poor quality data on-the-fly and store and organize historical data in a queryable format for use in future analyses. Such database-centric strategies afford greater insight into the molecular mechanisms of kinetic competition, allowing for the rapid identification of allosteric effectors and the presentation of kinetic competition data in absolute terms of percent bound to antigen on the biosensor.

Industrial Relations and Firm Behavior: Informal Labor Practices in the West Coast Longshore Industry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Finlay, William

1987-01-01

Considers industrial relations policies and practices of stevedore firms in the West Coast longshore industry in terms of the social worker, worker-resource, and institutional theories. Subsidiary firms were more lenient in contract interpretation and more competitive in recruitment, supporting the worker-resource theory. Includes 2 tables and 33…

The Role of Craft Industry in Germany's Social Market Economy. Social Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schroder, Karsten

1992-01-01

Social market economy success in the Federal Republic of Germany is due to free competition, enterprise in the business community, and employees' social security. Craft industries play a major role in Germany's market economy. The craft industry is second only to the manufacturing industry, comprising 23 percent of German firms. There are seven…

[Analysis on layout of traditional Chinese medicine industry based on location quotient].

PubMed

Chen, Cong; Yu, Yuanyuan; Hu, Yuanjia; Wang, Yitao

2012-03-01

To observe the layout and evolution of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medical industry, classify the industry by region and conduct a preliminary study on its professional advantages, competitiveness and possible cause by using the theory of location quotient in regional economics, in order to provide suggestions for the layout of the TCM medical industry.

13 CFR 127.500 - In what industries is a contracting officer authorized to restrict competition under this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false In what industries is a... Federal Contract Assistance § 127.500 In what industries is a contracting officer authorized to restrict... industries in which SBA has determined that WOSBs are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in...

13 CFR 127.500 - In what industries is a contracting officer authorized to restrict competition under this part?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false In what industries is a... Federal Contract Assistance § 127.500 In what industries is a contracting officer authorized to restrict... industries in which SBA has determined that WOSBs are underrepresented or substantially underrepresented in...

Credit availability: a possible barrier to growth for the Alaska forest products industry?

Treesearch

Geoffrey Donovan; Hayley Hesseln; John Garth

2005-01-01

Historically, the Alaska forest products industry has been driven by pulp production and the export of logs and cants primarily to Japan. Economic stagnation in Japan, the closure of Alaska's two pulp mills, harvest restrictions, and increased competition have severely impacted the industry. To survive, the industry must make significant investments in capital...

75 FR 1667 - Self-Regulatory Organizations; International Securities Exchange, LLC; Notice of Filing and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-01-12

... recovering the costs of the license. However, because of competitive pressures in the industry, the Exchange... transactions is $0.45 per contract.\\6\\ For competitive reasons, the Exchange does not charge an execution fee...

Japanese Competitiveness and Japanese Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Minabe, Shigeo

1986-01-01

Analyzes and compares Japanese and American industrial policy and labor practices. Proposes that certain aspects of the Japanese system be adapted by American businesses for purpose of increasing international competitiveness. Proposes specific actions and plans for both the Japanese and American systems. (ML)

Life Science Start-up Activities at the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS).

PubMed

Huber, Gerda

2014-12-01

The universities of applied sciences (UAS) provide several values for the society and economy of a country. Besides education of high level professionals, transfer of knowledge from research to applications in industry or as new start-up companies is an important task. This is done in different ways in the various disciplines. In Life Sciences, a key industry branch in Switzerland, innovation is a competitive success factor and research findings from UAS/Life Sciences contribute to the valorization of new technologies to products, services and to business performance. In order to foster awareness for the innovation need of industry, UAS install processes and support for transfer of research and technology results to marketable applications. Furthermore they may facilitate contacts of researchers and students with entrepreneurs in order to animate start-up founding as a true alternative to being employed. Access to coaching and entrepreneurial training completes the essential basis.

Consequences of increasing bioenergy demand on wood and forests: An application of the Global Forest Products Model

USGS Publications Warehouse

Buongiorno, J.; Raunikar, R.; Zhu, S.

2011-01-01

The Global Forest Products Model (GFPM) was applied to project the consequences for the global forest sector of doubling the rate of growth of bioenergy demand relative to a base scenario, other drivers being maintained constant. The results showed that this would lead to the convergence of the price of fuelwood and industrial roundwood, raising the price of industrial roundwood by nearly 30% in 2030. The price of sawnwood and panels would be 15% higher. The price of paper would be 3% higher. Concurrently, the demand for all manufactured wood products would be lower in all countries, but the production would rise in countries with competitive advantage. The global value added in wood processing industries would be 1% lower in 2030. The forest stock would be 2% lower for the world and 4% lower for Asia. These effects varied substantially by country. ?? 2011 Department of Forest Economics, SLU Ume??, Sweden.

An empirical study of innovation-performance linkage in the paper industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Farooquie, Parveen; Gani, Abdul; Zuberi, Arsalanullah K.; Hashmi, Imran

2012-10-01

To enter new markets and remain competitive in the existing markets, companies need to shift their focus from traditional means and ways to some innovative approaches. Though the paper industry in India has improved remarkably on its technological and environmental issues, yet it shows a low rate of innovation. The present paper attempts to review the industry in the perspective of technological innovations and investigates empirically the role of innovations in performance improvement and pollution control. Multivariate analysis of variance and discriminant function analysis are applied for data processing. The findings reveal that the mean scores on the factors, such as sales, quality, and flexibility, are higher for the good innovators than those for the poor innovators. Conversely, the factors which are likely to be reduced as a result of innovations, such as time, cost, emissions, and disposal of waste, have shown higher means for the poor innovators.

National research and education network

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Villasenor, Tony

1991-01-01

Some goals of this network are as follows: Extend U.S. technological leadership in high performance computing and computer communications; Provide wide dissemination and application of the technologies both to the speed and the pace of innovation and to serve the national economy, national security, education, and the global environment; and Spur gains in the U.S. productivity and industrial competitiveness by making high performance computing and networking technologies an integral part of the design and production process. Strategies for achieving these goals are as follows: Support solutions to important scientific and technical challenges through a vigorous R and D effort; Reduce the uncertainties to industry for R and D and use of this technology through increased cooperation between government, industry, and universities and by the continued use of government and government funded facilities as a prototype user for early commercial HPCC products; and Support underlying research, network, and computational infrastructures on which U.S. high performance computing technology is based.

An analysis of international health care logistics: the benefits and implications of implementing just-in-time systems in the health care industry.

PubMed

Jarrett, P Gary

2006-01-01

The primary purpose of this study is to undertake a diagnostic investigation of the international health care logistical environment and determine whether regulatory policies or industry procedures have hindered the implementation of just-in-time (JIT) systems and then to recommend operational improvements to be achieved by implementing JIT Systems. The analysis was conducted in a systematic manner and compared the anticipated benefits with benefits validated in other industries from the implementation of JIT. An extensive literature review was conducted. In this particular study the cost and benefit outcomes achieved from a health care JIT implementation were compared with those achieved by the manufacturing, service, and retail industries. Chiefly, it was found that the health service market must be restructured to encourage greater price competition among priorities. A new standardization process should eliminate duplication of products and realize substantial savings. The analysis was conducted in a systematic manner and compared the anticipated benefits with benefits validated in other industries from the implementation of JIT.

Beef cattle growing and backgrounding programs.

PubMed

Peel, Derrell S

2003-07-01

The stocker industry is one of many diverse production and marketing activities that make up the United States beef industry. The stocker industry is probably the least understood industry sector and yet it plays a vital role in helping the industry exploit its competitive advantage of using forage resources and providing an economical means of adjusting the timing and volume of cattle and meat in a complex market environment.

Valorization of GaN based metal-organic chemical vapor deposition dust a semiconductor power device industry waste through mechanochemical oxidation and leaching: A sustainable green process.

PubMed

Swain, Basudev; Mishra, Chinmayee; Lee, Chan Gi; Park, Kyung-Soo; Lee, Kun-Jae

2015-07-01

Dust generated during metal organic vapor deposition (MOCVD) process of GaN based semiconductor power device industry contains significant amounts of gallium and indium. These semiconductor power device industry wastes contain gallium as GaN and Ga0.97N0.9O0.09 is a concern for the environment which can add value through recycling. In the present study, this waste is recycled through mechanochemical oxidation and leaching. For quantitative recovery of gallium, two different mechanochemical oxidation leaching process flow sheets are proposed. In one process, first the Ga0.97N0.9O0.09 of the MOCVD dust is leached at the optimum condition. Subsequently, the leach residue is mechanochemically treated, followed by oxidative annealing and finally re-leached. In the second process, the MOCVD waste dust is mechanochemically treated, followed by oxidative annealing and finally leached. Both of these treatment processes are competitive with each other, appropriate for gallium leaching and treatment of the waste MOCVD dust. Without mechanochemical oxidation, 40.11 and 1.86 w/w% of gallium and Indium are leached using 4M HCl, 100°C and pulp density of 100 kg/m(3,) respectively. After mechanochemical oxidation, both these processes achieved 90 w/w% of gallium and 1.86 w/w% of indium leaching at their optimum condition. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Enhancing Global Competitiveness: Benchmarking Airline Operational Performance in Highly Regulated Environments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bowen, Brent D.; Headley, Dean E.; Kane, Karisa D.

1998-01-01

Enhancing competitiveness in the global airline industry is at the forefront of attention with airlines, government, and the flying public. The seemingly unchecked growth of major airline alliances is heralded as an enhancement to global competition. However, like many mega-conglomerates, mega-airlines will face complications driven by size regardless of the many recitations of enhanced efficiency. Outlined herein is a conceptual model to serve as a decision tool for policy-makers, managers, and consumers of airline services. This model is developed using public data for the United States (U.S.) major airline industry available from the U/S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and other public and private sector sources. Data points include number of accidents, pilot deviations, operational performance indicators, flight problems, and other factors. Data from these sources provide opportunity to develop a model based on a complex dot product equation of two vectors. A row vector is weighted for importance by a key informant panel of government, industry, and consumer experts, while a column vector is established with the factor value. The resulting equation, known as the national Airline Quality Rating (AQR), where Q is quality, C is weight, and V is the value of the variables, is stated Q=C[i1-19] x V[i1-19]. Looking at historical patterns of AQR results provides the basis for establishment of an industry benchmark for the purpose of enhancing airline operational performance. A 7 year average of overall operational performance provides the resulting benchmark indicator. Applications from this example can be applied to the many competitive environments of the global industry and assist policy-makers faced with rapidly changing regulatory challenges.

Analyzing the development of Indonesia shrimp industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wati, L. A.

2018-04-01

This research aimed to analyze the development of shrimp industry in Indonesia. Porter’s Diamond Theory was used for analysis. The Porter’s Diamond theory is one of framework for industry analysis and business strategy development. The Porter’s Diamond theory has five forces that determine the competitive intensity in an industry, namely (1) the threat of substitute products, (2) the threat of competition, (3) the threat of new entrants, (4) bargaining power of suppliers, and (5) bargaining power of consumers. The development of Indonesian shrimp industry pretty good, explained by Porter Diamond Theory analysis. Analysis of Porter Diamond Theory through four main components namely factor conditions; demand condition; related and supporting industries; and firm strategy, structure and rivalry coupled with a two-component supporting (regulatory the government and the factor of chance). Based on the result of this research show that two-component supporting (regulatory the government and the factor of chance) have positive. Related and supporting industries have negative, firm and structure strategy have negative, rivalry has positive, factor condition have positive (except science and technology resources).

An Industry Analysis of the MBA Market and the Competitive Positioning of the GSBPP

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-03-01

THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK 1 I. INTRODUCTION Traditional business schools face threats to their competitive positioning as the educational...MBA market were competition between business schools , buyers of business education including both students and employers, faculty as the key...Representative Core Course Requirement While business schools consider it their mission to educate students for their entire career, they are

Maintenance Required: Charter Schooling in Michigan. Education Sector Reports: Charter School Series

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mead, Sara

2006-01-01

Michigan is no stranger to the effects of competition. The auto industry was forced to adjust to an onslaught of foreign competition in the 70s and 80s. Now, Michigan's public schools face their own competition in the form of public charter schools. Since 1993, when Michigan became one of the first states in the nation to enact charter…

Supplier Networks and the Importance of Information Technology: Outlook on the European Automotive Industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gil, Maria José Alvarez; Kulcsar, Borbala; Aksoy, Dilan

The trends in the automotive industry changed radically from the beginning of the 80s. Increasing competition, new systems and developments compelled the companies to re-evaluate and re-design their investments and processes, by extending their networks to other parts of the world in order to gain more market. This trend could be observed first in the Western-European countries and later in Eastern-Europe. With entering new areas the companies had to face with several difficulties coming inter alia from the decisions of supplier network and information system implementation. In our study we analyze the strategic decisions of major carmaker companies entering the Eastern-European market. Our research includes two case studies of the Hungarian automotive sector.

Feasibility study for converting traditional line assembly into work cells for termination of fiber optics cable

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Caldeira, Rylan; Honnungar, Sunilkumar

2018-04-01

Most of small to medium industries tend to follow traditional systems of manufacturing which aims at maximum resource utilization irrespective of giving attention to customers volatile demand. In recent times manufacturing is being shifted to be consumers centered, with intense competition among industries to satisfy the customer needs in the required quantity and at the right time. To achieve this, companies investigate the possibility of implementation of cellular manufacturing which is characterized by high variety with optimum usage of resources. Cellular layout coupled with the application of lean methodology, places focus on the production process rather than the production methods so as to identify the wastage and apply methods to further improve productivity.

George M. Low trophy NASA's quality and excellence award, 1992. Application guidelines: Large business

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

The George M. Low Trophy is awarded to current NASA contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in the aerospace industry who have demonstrated sustained excellence and outstanding achievements in quality and productivity for three or more years. The objectives of the award are to increase public awareness of the importance of quality and productivity to the Nation's aerospace program and industry in general; encourage domestic business to continue efforts to enhance quality, increase productivity, and thereby strengthen competitiveness; and provide the means for sharing the successful methods and techniques used by the applicants with other American enterprises. Information is given on candidate eligibility for large businesses, the selection process, the nomination letter, and the application report.

Geothermal Program Review XIV: proceedings. Keeping Geothermal Energy Competitive in Foreign and Domestic Markets

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

The U.S. Department of Energy`s Office of Geothermal Technologies conducted its annual Program Review XIV in Berkeley, April 8-10, 1996. The geothermal community came together for an in-depth review of the federally-sponsored geothermal research and development program. This year`s theme focused on ``Keeping Geothermal Energy Competitive in Foreign and Domestic Markets.`` This annual conference is designed to promote technology transfer by bringing together DOE-sponsored researchers; utility representatives; geothermal developers; equipment and service suppliers; representatives from local, state, and federal agencies; and others with an interest in geothermal energy. Program Review XIV consisted of eight sessions chaired by industry representatives. Introductorymore » and overview remarks were presented during every session followed by detailed reports on specific DOE-funded research projects. The progress of R&D projects over the past year and plans for future activities were discussed. The government-industry partnership continues to strengthen -- its success, achievements over the past twenty years, and its future direction were highlighted throughout the conference. The comments received from the conference evaluation forms are published in this year`s proceedings. Individual papers have been processed for inclusion in the Energy Science and Technology Database.« less

Urban community empowerment: context on supply chain collaboration in the SMEs

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masnita, Y.; Triyowati, H.; Rasyawal, M.

2018-01-01

The purpose of this research is to analyze the effect of EB application to operational performance through buyer-supplier collaboration, as well as the influence of buyer-supplier collaboration on operational performance. The context of small industries that ultimately by empowering the community will increase business competitiveness. Community empowerment is a process of creating a community and control over its environment. One concept that is considered as a new paradigm today is e-business (EB), which continues to grow. Data analysis method used is Structural Equation Model (SEM) by the use of PLS program. Based on the analysis from various industries such small garment manufacture, furniture and food, showed that all companies have a supply chain patterns are almost the same. Each company has associated premises supplier, manufacturing and enterprise users of the product. One way to empower the environment is to improve business competitiveness. The development of information and communication technology has been developing very fast and it has brought a significant impact for many aspects of life, including in the business world. EB existence of a significant impact on business practices, at least in terms of the improvement of direct marketing, and organizational transformation.

75 FR 34202 - The Future of Aviation Advisory Committee (FAAC) Subcommittee on Competitiveness and Viability...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-16

..., which will be held in Washington, DC on June 30, 2010. This notice provides details on the date, time... changing competitive structure of the U.S. airline industry is likely to transform travel habits of small...

Cotton breeding-challenges and opportunities

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Competition with synthetic fibers is one of the greatest challenges facing today’s cotton industry. Improved fiber quality is essential to increase US cotton’s competitiveness in the global market place. Enhanced fiber quality also offers an opportunity to capture more value from cotton production. ...

76 FR 29274 - Notice of Determinations Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-20

... not easily transferable. 3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry (i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse). Affirmative Determinations for Worker Adjustment Assistance The...-Site Leased Workers from Manpower, South Pasadena, CA: May 18, 2010. TA-W-80,009; Carstone Industries...

The American Industrial Relations System in a Time of Change.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marshall, Ray

1985-01-01

Recent trends that affect the U.S. system of industrial relations are examined. The most important of these is internationalization. The U.S. industrial relations system is compared with that of Europe and Japan, and suggestions for improving our competitiveness in international markets are made. (Author/RM)

University-Industry Interaction in the Ontario Centres of Excellence.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bell, Stephen

1996-01-01

The development and enhancement of alliances among universities, industry, and government is widely seen as a prescription for strengthening the competitiveness of regional and national economies. The interaction of university and industrial scientists is examined, and whether the creation of Ontario's Centres of Excellence should serve as a model…

48 CFR 6.302-3 - Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

...; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services. 6.302-3 Section 6.302-3 Federal... Other Than Full and Open Competition 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or... achieve industrial mobilization, (ii) To establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or...

48 CFR 6.302-3 - Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

...; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services. 6.302-3 Section 6.302-3 Federal... Other Than Full and Open Competition 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or... achieve industrial mobilization, (ii) To establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or...

48 CFR 6.302-3 - Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

...; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services. 6.302-3 Section 6.302-3 Federal... Other Than Full and Open Competition 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or... achieve industrial mobilization, (ii) To establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or...

48 CFR 6.302-3 - Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

...; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services. 6.302-3 Section 6.302-3 Federal... Other Than Full and Open Competition 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or... achieve industrial mobilization, (ii) To establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or...

48 CFR 6.302-3 - Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

...; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services. 6.302-3 Section 6.302-3 Federal... Other Than Full and Open Competition 6.302-3 Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or... achieve industrial mobilization, (ii) To establish or maintain an essential engineering, research, or...

Technology, Skills, and Education in the Apparel Industry. Revised.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bailey, Thomas

Although more than 1 million people in the United States are employed in the apparel manufacturing industry, the industry has been increasingly threatened by international competition, changes in consumer tastes, and demands that many domestic firms are ill-prepared to meet. The traditional apparel production system emphasized cutting costs,…

48 CFR 52.219-21 - Small Business Size Representation for Targeted Industry Categories Under the Small Business...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 48 Federal Acquisition Regulations System 2 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Small Business Size Representation for Targeted Industry Categories Under the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program....219-21 Small Business Size Representation for Targeted Industry Categories Under the Small Business...

76 FR 56816 - Notice of Determinations Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-09-14

... not easily transferable. 3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry (i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse). Affirmative Determinations for Worker Adjustment Assistance and...,164; Hoffmann Industries, Inc., Sinking Spring, PA: May 6, 2010. TA-W-80,164A; Leased Workers from...

Sustaining the edge: factors influencing strategy selection in academic health centers.

PubMed

Walsh, Anne M; Szabat, Kathryn

2002-01-01

Competition within the acute care sector as well as increased penetration by managed care organizations has influenced the structure and role of academic health centers during the past decade. The market factors confronting academic health centers are not dissimilar from conditions that confront other organizations competing in mature industries characterized by declining profitability and intense rivalry for market share. When confronted with intense competition or adverse external events, organizations in other industries have responded to potential threats by forming alliances, developing joint ventures, or merging with another firm to maintain their competitive advantage. Although mergers and acquisitions dominated the strategic landscape in the healthcare industry during the past decade, recent evidence suggests that other types of strategic ventures may offer similar economic and contracting benefits to member organizations. Academic health centers have traditionally been involved in network relationships with multiple partners via their shared technology, collaborative research, and joint educational endeavors. These quasi-organizational relationships appear to have provided a framework for strategic decisions and allowed executives of academic health centers to select strategies that were competitive yet closely aligned with their organizational mission. The analysis of factors that influenced strategy selection by executives of academic health centers suggests a deliberate and methodical approach to achieving market share objectives, expanding managed care contracts, and developing physician networks.

Effects of silicon, copper and iron on static and dynamic properties of alloy 206 (aluminum-copper) in semi-solids produced by the SEED process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lemieux, Alain

The advantages of producing metal parts by rheocasting are generally recognised for common foundry alloys of Al-Si. However, other more performing alloys in terms of mechanical properties could have a great interest in specialized applications in the automotive industry, while remaining competitive in the forming. Indeed, the growing demand for more competitive products requires the development of new alloys better suited to semi-solid processes. Among others, Al-Cu alloys of the 2XX series are known for their superior mechanical strength. However, in the past, 2XX alloys were never candidates for pressure die casting. The main reason is their propensity to hot tearing. Semi-solid processes provide better conditions for molding with the rheological behavior of dough and molding temperatures lower reducing this type of defect. In the initial phase, this research has studied factors that reduce hot tearing susceptibility of castings produced by semi-solid SEED of alloy 206. Subsequently, a comparative study on the tensile properties and fatigue was performed on four variants of the alloy 206. The results of tensile strength and fatigue were compared with the specifications for applications in the automotive industry and also to other competing processes and alloys. During this study, several metallurgical aspects were analyzed. The following main points have been validated: i) the main effects of compositional variations of silicon, iron and copper alloy Al-Cu (206) on the mechanical properties, and ii) certain relationships between the mechanism of hot cracking and the solidification rate in semi-solid. Parts produced from the semi-solid paste coming from the SEED process combined with modified 206 alloys have been successfully molded and achieved superior mechanical properties than the requirements of the automotive industry. The fatigue properties of the two best modified 206 alloys were higher than those of A357 alloy castings and are close to those of the wrought alloy AA6061. At present, there is simply no known application for pressure die-cast alloy with 206 (Liquid Die-casting). This is mainly due to the high propensity to hot cracking and limitations facing the part geometry and the subsequent assembly. This study demonstrated that in addition to pieces produced by semi-solid die-casting using large variations in chemical composition, the SEED process allows obtaining spare sound (sound part) and more complex geometry. Moreover, as the semi-solid parts have less porosity, they can also be machined and welded for some applications. The conclusions of this study demonstrate significant progress in identifying the main issues related to the feasibility of die-casting good parts with high performance using the modified 206 alloy combined with SEED process. This work is therefore a baseline work in the development of new Al-Cu alloys for industries of semi-solid and, at the same time, for the expansion of aluminum for high performance applications in the industry. N.B. This thesis is part of a research project developed by the NSERC / Rio Tinto Akan Industrial Research Chair in Metallurgy of Innovative Aluminum Transformation (CIMTAL).

Developing Medicare Competitive Bidding: A Study of Clinical Laboratories

PubMed Central

Hoerger, Thomas J.; Meadow, Ann

1997-01-01

Competitive bidding to derive Medicare fees promises several advantages over administered fee systems. The authors show how incentives for cost savings, quality, and access can be incorporated into bidding schemes, and they report on a study of the clinical laboratory industry conducted in preparation for a bidding demonstration. The laboratory industry is marked by variable concentration across geographic markets and, among firms themselves, by social and economic heterogeneity. The authors conclude that these conditions can be accommodated by available bidding design options and by careful selection of bidding markets. PMID:10180003

The Study on Financial Supervision for Chinese Financial Industry under Mixed Operation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wei, Song

Financial mixed operation refers to that financial institution can offer all financial services (banking, securities, insurance, and trust) and engage in industrial businesses by holding the share ownership. Because of self interests, risk diversification, the change of competition condition, and clients' needs of the diversity of financial products and services, commercial banks make it possible for the mixed operation to be the optimal choice of the banking businesses under dynamic conditions in globalized competition, which results in the diversity and integration of banking businesses.

SO{sub 2} trading program as a metaphor for a competitive electric industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

O`Connor, P.R.

1996-12-31

This very brief presentation focuses on the competitive market impacts of sulfur dioxide SO{sub 2} emissions trading. Key points of the presentation are highlighted in four tables. The main principles and results of the emissions trading program are outlined, and the implications of SO{sub 2} trading for the electric industry are listed. Parallels between SO{sub 2} trading and electric utility restructing identified include no market distortion by avoiding serious disadvantages to competitors, and avoidance of stranded costs through compliance flexibility. 4 tabs.

Prospects for coal slurry pipelines in California

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lynch, J. F.

1978-01-01

The coal slurry pipeline segment of the transport industry is emerging in the United States. If accepted it will play a vital role in meeting America's urgent energy requirements without public subsidy, tax relief, or federal grants. It is proven technology, ideally suited for transport of an abundant energy resource over thousands of miles to energy short industrial centers and at more than competitive costs. Briefly discussed are the following: (1) history of pipelines; (2) California market potential; (3) slurry technology; (4) environmental benefits; (5) market competition; and (6) a proposed pipeline.

Improve processes on healthcare: current issues and future trends.

PubMed

Chen, Jason C H; Dolan, Matt; Lin, Binshan

2004-01-01

Information Technology (IT) is a critical resource for improving today's business competitiveness. However, many healthcare providers do not proactively manage or improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their services with IT. Survival in a competitive business environment demands continuous improvements in quality and service, while rigorously maintaining core values. Electronic commerce continues its development, gaining ground as the preferred means of business transactions. Embracing e-healthcare and treating IT as a strategic tool to improve patient safety and the quality of care enables healthcare professionals to benefit from technology formerly used only for management purposes. Numerous improvement initiatives, introduced by both the federal government and the private sector, seek to better the status quo in IT. This paper examines the current IT climate using an enhanced "Built to Last" model, and comments on future IT strategies within the healthcare industry.

Perspectives on the future of the electric utility industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tonn, B.; Schaffhauser, A.

1994-04-01

This report offers perspectives on the future of the electric utility industry. These perspectives will be used in further research to assess the prospects for Integrated Resource Planning (IRP). The perspectives are developed first by examining economic, political and regulatory, societal, technological, and environmental trends that are (1) national and global in scope and (2) directly related to the electric utility industry. Major national and global trends include increasing global economic competition, increasing political and ethnic strife, rapidly changing technologies, and increasing worldwide concern about the environment. Major trends in the utility industry include increasing competition in generation; changing patternsmore » of electricity demand; increasing use of information technology to control power systems; and increasing implementation of environmental controls. Ways in which the national and global trends may directly affect the utility industry are also explored. The trends are used to construct three global and national scenarios- ``business as usual,`` ``technotopia future,`` and ``fortress state`` -and three electric utility scenarios- ``frozen in headlights,`` ``megaelectric,`` and ``discomania.`` The scenarios are designed to be thought provoking descriptions of potential futures, not predictions of the future, although three key variables are identified that will have significant impacts on which future evolves-global climate change, utility technologies, and competition. While emphasis needs to be placed on understanding the electric utility scenarios, the interactions between the two sets of scenarios is also of interest.« less

Mississippi's forest products industry: performance and contribution to the State's economy, 1970 to 1980.

Treesearch

Con H Schallau; Wilbur R. Maki; Bennett B. Foster; Clair H. Redmond

1988-01-01

The forest products industry is one of Mississippi's basic industries, and in 1980, it accounted for about one of six basic jobs. Mississippi was one of the majority of Southern States in which the forest products industry improved its competitive position during the 1970's. Between 1972 and 1977, growth in productivity of Mississippi's forest products...

Energy Efficiency Improvement and Cost Saving Oportunities for the Concrete Industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kermeli, Katerina; Worrell, Ernst; Masanet, Eric

2011-12-01

The U.S. concrete industry is the main consumer of U.S.-produced cement. The manufacturing of ready mixed concrete accounts for more than 75% of the U.S. concrete production following the manufacturing of precast concrete and masonry units. The most significant expenditure is the cost of materials accounting for more than 50% of total concrete production costs - cement only accounts for nearly 24%. In 2009, energy costs of the U.S. concrete industry were over $610 million. Hence, energy efficiency improvements along with efficient use of materials without negatively affecting product quality and yield, especially in times of increased fuel and materialmore » costs, can significantly reduce production costs and increase competitiveness. The Energy Guide starts with an overview of the U.S. concrete industry’s structure and energy use, a description of the various manufacturing processes, and identification of the major energy consuming areas in the different industry segments. This is followed by a description of general and process related energy- and cost-efficiency measures applicable to the concrete industry. Specific energy and cost savings and a typical payback period are included based on literature and case studies, when available. The Energy Guide intends to provide information on cost reduction opportunities to energy and plant managers in the U.S. concrete industry. Every cost saving opportunity should be assessed carefully prior to implementation in individual plants, as the economics and the potential energy and material savings may differ.« less

A research model of health-care competition and customer satisfaction.

PubMed

Asoh, Derek A; Rivers, Patrick A

2007-11-01

In all industries, competition among businesses has long been encouraged as a mechanism to increase value for customers. In other words, competition ensures the provision of better products and services to satisfy the needs of customers. Various perspectives of competition, the nature of service quality, health-care system costs and customer satisfaction in health care are examined. A model of the relationship among these variables is developed. The model depicts customer satisfaction as an outcome measure directly dependent on competition. Quality of care and health-care system costs, while also directly dependent on competition, are considered as determinants of customer satisfaction as well. The model is discussed in the light of propositions for empirical research.

Energy efficiency business options for industrial end users in Latin American competitive energy markets: The case of Colombia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Botero, Sergio

2002-01-01

Energy markets today in Latin America and worldwide are being restructured from monopolies, either state-owned or privately-owned, to be more openly competitive and incorporate more participation from the private sector. Thus, the schemes that were formerly developed to foster end use energy efficiency are no longer applicable because they were based on mandatory regulations made with political decisions, without sufficiently considering economic feasibility. A consensus exists that the only way energy efficiency could survive in this new paradigm is by being market oriented, giving better services, and additional options to users. However; there is very little information on what end users prefer, and which options would most satisfy customers. Using Colombia as a case study, this research determines and categorizes the energy efficiency business options for large energy end users that can freely participate in the competitive energy market. The energy efficiency market is understood as a market of services aiming to increase efficiency in energy use. These services can be grouped into seven business options. A survey, following the descriptive method, was sent to energy end users in order to determine their preferences for specific energy efficiency business options, as well as the decision-making criteria taken into account for such options. This data was categorized in ten industry groups. As a conclusion, energy efficiency providers should adapt not only to the economic activity or processes of each customer, but also to the potential business options. It was also found that not all industries consider performance contracting as their most preferred option, as a matter of fact, some industries show much higher preference for conventional business options. Among end users, the divergence in option preferences contrasted with the convergence in decision-making criteria. The decision-making criteria "cost-benefit ratio" overwhelmed all other criterion. End users appear to chose a specific energy efficiency option based mostly on obtaining better economic returns, giving low consideration to other criterion that feature differences among the energy efficiency options.

Television and Competition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noll, Roger G.

The television industry is characterized by numerous imperfections in market competition. The spectrum allocation policy of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assures that there will be only three national television networks; consequently in nearly all markets these stations account for 75% to 100% of revenues. These networks in turn…

L Prize Drives Technology Innovation, Energy Savings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

None

2014-04-30

Fact sheet that provides an overview of DOE's L Prize competition, which challenges industry to develop high-quality, high-efficiency SSL products to replace 60W incandescent and PAR38 halogen light bulbs, and highlights the competition's first 60W winner from Philips Lighting North America.

Education Reform in Botswana: Reflections on Policy Contradictions and Paradoxes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tabulawa, Richard Tjombe

2009-01-01

Literature on globalisation claims that changed global patterns of production and industrial organisation have intensified international economic competition, prompting nations globally to restructure their education systems in an attempt to position themselves favourably in an increasingly competitive economic environment. This is an environment…

Education and the Economy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hornsby, H. Heyward

This paper deals with the relationship between education and the decline in economic growth in the United States. Through lower costs, newly developed technology, and foreign capital, third world countries have developed competitive industrial capacities which intensify competition in markets the United States once dominated. Several high tech…

New Challenging Approaches to Engineering Education: Enhancing University-Industry Co-Operation

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Korhonen-Yrjanheikki, Kati; Tukiainen, Taina; Takala, Minna

2007-01-01

Globalization, accelerated time-based competition, qualitative dynamics, rapid development of technology and especially Information and Communications Technology (ICT) developments challenge engineering education and capability development of each engineer. The success and the competitiveness of companies are increasingly based on their employees.…

Beyond TQM: Competition and Cooperation Create the Agile Institution.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Godbey, Galen

1993-01-01

The market environment for higher education is being shaped by developments in technology, business practices, partnerships between education and industry, and adoption of Total Quality Management principles. Shrewd college administrators will combine competitiveness and cooperation to maintain or enhance their institutions' distinctiveness in the…

78 FR 45551 - Rebuild by Design-Competition and Registration

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-29

... this complexity, the competition is organized around four focus areas: coastal communities, high... communities are characterized by limited capacity and high coastal vulnerability. Here, there is often a tension between environmental and economic systems (i.e. the tourism industry is dependent on the...

Sustainable Competitive Advantage for Educational Institutions: A Suggested Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mazzarol, Tim; Soutar, Geoffrey Norman

1999-01-01

Outlines a model of factors critical to establishing and maintaining sustainable competitive advantage for education-services enterprises in international markets. The model, which combines industrial economics, management theory, and services marketing, seeks to explain the strategic decision-making environment in which the education exporter…

Information superhighway: Issues affecting development

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1994-09-01

Technological advances in the transmission of voice, video, and data are fostering fundamental changes in the telecommunications industry. For example, large local telephone companies plan to offer video services in competition with cable and broadcast television, while cable television companies plan to offer local telephone service over their wires in competition with the local telephone companies. The administration believes that these technological changes provide the opportunity to develop an 'Information Superhighway' that could provide every element of society with ready access to data, voice, and video communications. Concurrently, the Congress is considering sweeping changes to telecommunications regulations to keep pace with this dynamic industry. GAO prepared this report to serve as an overview of three key issues that decisionmakers may face as they deliberate telecommunications legislation; it focuses on three pivotal issues they face in formulating new telecommunications legislation: (1) managing the transition to a more competitive local telecommunications marketplace; (2) ensuring that all consumers have access to affordable telecommunications as competition develops; and (3) ensuring that the Information Superhighway provides adequate security, privacy, reliability, and interoperability.

NASA Technology Applications Team: Commercial applications of aerospace technology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1994-01-01

The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is pleased to report the results of NASA contract NASW-4367, 'Operation of a Technology Applications Team'. Through a period of significant change within NASA, the RTI Team has maintained its focus on helping NASA establish partnerships with U.S. industry for dual use development and technology commercialization. Our emphasis has been on outcomes, such as licenses, industry partnerships and commercialization of technologies that are important to NASA in its mission of contributing to the improved competitive position of U.S. industry. RTI's ongoing commitment to quality and customer responsiveness has driven our staff to continuously improve our technology transfer methodologies to meet NASA's requirements. For example, RTI has emphasized the following areas: (1) Methodology For Technology Assessment and Marketing: RTI has developed an implemented effective processes for assessing the commercial potential of NASA technologies. These processes resulted from an RTI study of best practices, hands-on experience, and extensive interaction with the NASA Field Centers to adapt to their specific needs; (2) Effective Marketing Strategies: RTI surveyed industry technology managers to determine effective marketing tools and strategies. The Technology Opportunity Announcement format and content were developed as a result of this industry input. For technologies with a dynamic visual impact, RTI has developed a stand-alone demonstration diskette that was successful in developing industry interest in licensing the technology; and (3) Responsiveness to NASA Requirements: RTI listened to our customer (NASA) and designed our processes to conform with the internal procedures and resources at each NASA Field Center and the direction provided by NASA's Agenda for Change. This report covers the activities of the Research Triangle Institute Technology Applications Team for the period 1 October 1993 through 31 December 1994.

[Metalworking industry management evolution].

PubMed

Mattucci, Massimo

2011-01-01

Analysis of the evolution drivers of the management systems in the metalworking industry, mainly characterized as "automotive", starting with the "mass production" model, followed for the development of Italian industry in the '50. Through the socio-economic changes of the '90/10, the metalworking plants were deeply restructured with the introduction of computers in the production systems, and then with the first global benchmarks such as the "lean production", towards the needed operational flexibility to respond to the market dynamics. Plants change radically, company networks become real, ICT services are fundamental elements for the integration. These trends help visualizing a new "Factory of the Future" for the years 2020/30, where the competition will be based on the socio-economical, technological and environmental factors included in the "Competitive Sustainable Manufacturing" paradigm.

Energy Efficiency of the Outotec® Ausmelt Process for Primary Copper Smelting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wood, Jacob; Hoang, Joey; Hughes, Stephen

2017-03-01

The global, non-ferrous smelting industry has witnessed the continual development and evolution of processing technologies in a bid to reduce operating costs and improve the safety and environmental performance of processing plants. This is particularly true in the copper industry, which has seen a number of bath smelting technologies developed and implemented during the past 30 years. The Outotec® Ausmelt Top Submerged Lance Process is one such example, which has been widely adopted in the modernisation of copper processing facilities in China and Russia. Despite improvements in the energy efficiency of modern copper smelting and converting technologies, additional innovation and development is required to further reduce energy consumption, whilst still complying with stringent environmental regulations. In response to this challenge, the Ausmelt Process has undergone significant change and improvement over the course of its history, in an effort to improve its overall competitiveness, particularly with respect to energy efficiency and operating costs. This paper covers a number of recent advances to the technology and highlights the impacts of these developments in reducing energy consumptions for a range of different copper flowsheets. It also compares the energy efficiency of the Ausmelt Process against the Bottom Blown Smelting process, which has become widely adopted in China over the past 5-10 years.

Affiliate transactions and electric industry restructuring

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zeigler, B.T.

1995-10-01

All society benefits when society`s economic resources are used more efficiently. The lesson of recent history is that market forces of risk and reward result in the most efficient use of those resources. Affiliate transaction rules that skew or blunt the market forces of risk and reward are antithetical to the goals motivating restructuring in the first place. This article is about affiliate transaction rules and why restructuring of the electric industry makes them very important. The reason for their importance lies in the relationship between regulatory and corporate restructuring. The most visible process underway today in the electric industrymore » is that of regulatory restructuring. In that process, regulators are redefining the industry`s natural monopoly functions more narrowlyy. Their intention is to limit regulation to those narrowly defined functions. The remaining functions they will then open to competition and market regulation. As a result of this process, what was once a single vertically integrated utility business will become a collection of regulated and unregulated businesses, each operating at a different level of the industry. It is only logical that these newley redefined businesses will require business cultures, compensation plans and capital structures that reflect the different rules under which they operate. Why restructure regulation at all unless restructuring will result in different - and more efficient - business behavior? For a host of reasons, it is very difficult to manage regulated and unregulated business as part of the same corporation. The most effective way to create separate business identities for these newly redefined businesses is to place them in separate corporations.« less

A Designed Model of Sustainable Competitiveness for Slovak Industrial Companies in the Global Context of Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Božiková, Lucia; Šnircová, Jana

2016-06-01

In this article we introduce a model of sustainable competitiveness, which we created on the basis of a long term study of literature and analysis. This article is divided into several parts. In the first part, we will introduce the problem of competitiveness and sustainable competitiveness. The second part is focused on the basic aspects for the creation of the model. In the third part the model itself is introduced and also an explanation and description of the mode is given.

Application of data mining in performance measures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chan, Michael F. S.; Chung, Walter W.; Wong, Tai Sun

2001-10-01

This paper proposes a structured framework for exploiting data mining application for performance measures. The context is set in an airline company is illustrated for the use of such framework. The framework takes in consideration of how a knowledge worker interacts with performance information at the enterprise level to support them to make informed decision in managing the effectiveness of operations. A case study of applying data mining technology for performance data in an airline company is illustrated. The use of performance measures is specifically applied to assist in the aircraft delay management process. The increasingly dispersed and complex operations of airline operation put much strain on the part of knowledge worker in using search, acquiring and analyzing information to manage performance. One major problem faced with knowledge workers is the identification of root causes of performance deficiency. The large amount of factors involved in the analyze the root causes can be time consuming and the objective of applying data mining technology is to reduce the time and resources needed for such process. The increasing market competition for better performance management in various industries gives rises to need of the intelligent use of data. Because of this, the framework proposed here is very much generalizable to industries such as manufacturing. It could assist knowledge workers who are constantly looking for ways to improve operation effectiveness through new initiatives and the effort is required to be quickly done to gain competitive advantage in the marketplace.

An Industry Picture of U. S. Science Policy.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

David, Edward E., Jr.

1986-01-01

Offers perspectives on the status and direction of federal science policy. Assesses current efforts dealing with megaprojects, basic research, and cooperative projects. Provides suggestions for improving federal science policy so as to better promote industrial competitiveness. (ML)

[NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Paper 18:] Scientific and Technical Information (STI) policy and the competitive position of the US aerospace industry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hernon, Peter; Pinelli, Thomas E.

1992-01-01

With its contribution to trade, its coupling with national security, and its symbolism of U.S. technological strength, the U.S. aerospace industry holds a unique position in the Nation's industrial structure. Federal science and technology policy and Federal scientific and technical information (STI) policy loom important as strategic contributions to the U.S. aerospace industry's leading competitive position. However, three fundamental policy problems exist. First, the United States lacks a coherent STI policy and a unified approach to the development of such a policy. Second, policymakers fail to understand the relationship of STI to science and technology policy. Third, STI is treated as a part of general information policy, without any recognition of its uniqueness. This paper provides an overview of the Federal information policy structure as it relates to STI and frames the policy issues that require resolution.

NASA/DOD Aerospace Knowledge Diffusion Research Project. Paper 18: Scientific and Technical Information (STI) policy and the competitive position of the US aerospace industry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hernon, Peter; Pinelli, Thomas E.

1992-01-01

With its contribution to trade, its coupling with national security, and its symbolism of U.S. technological strength, the U.S. aerospace industry holds a unique position in the Nation's industrial structure. Federal science and technology policy and Federal scientific and technical information (STI) policy loom important as strategic contributions to the U.S. aerospace industry's leading competitive position. However, three fundamental policy problems exist. First, the United States lacks a coherent STI policy and a unified approach to the development of such a policy. Second, policymakers fail to understand the relationship of STI to science and technology policy. Third, STI is treated as a part of general information policy, without any recognition of its uniqueness. This paper provides an overview of the Federal information policy structure as it relates to STI and frames the policy issues that require resolution.

Product costing guide for wood dimension and component manufacturers

Treesearch

Adrienn Andersch; Urs Buehlmann; Jeff Palmer; Janice K. Wiedenbeck; Steve Lawser

2014-01-01

The North American hardwood dimension and components industry plays a critical role in the hardwood forest products industry as the industry is a user of high-value hardwood lumber. Customer expectations, global markets, and international competition, however, require hardwood dimension and components manufacturers to continuously improve their ability to manage their...

Television and the Film Industry: Competition or Cooperation in the EEC?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porter, Vincent

1978-01-01

The relationship between the television broadcast industry and the film industry in the European Economic Community is primarily characterized by the commissioning or coproducing of films by the television organization. This relationship is discussed in light of the Treaty of Rome and decisions of the European Court of Justice in Luxemburg. (JMF)

76 FR 37154 - Notice of Determinations Regarding Eligibility To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-06-24

... not easily transferable. 3. The competitive conditions within the workers' industry (i.e., conditions within the industry are adverse). Affirmative Determinations for Worker Adjustment Assistance The... Manpower, Catskill, NY: April 4, 2010 TA-W-80,109; Coupled Products, LLC, A Division of S & G Industries...

Murjottelu-Interdisciplinary Training Campaign for Industrial Design and Engineering Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Itkonen, Maija; Ekman, Kalevi Edvard; Kojo, Inka

2009-01-01

Today's growing business competition demands that design and technology must be seamlessly integrated. Designers should be employed increasingly as in-house in the industry, in addition to entrepreneurship and consultancy employment. How to realise this aim? Industry training is a tradition in engineering studies, but that is rarely the case in…

Exploring research priorities for the North American hardwood industry

Treesearch

David Brinberg; Earl Kline; Delton Alderman; Philip Araman; Ed Cesa; Steve Milauskas; Tom Walthousen; Jan Wiedenbeck

2008-01-01

With the increase of globalization, the North American hardwood industry is facing many challenges to remain competitive and sustainable, facing drastic changes in the areas of labor, land, manufacturing, markets and marketing, and supply chain. The hardwood industry is especially vulnerable, with the influx of foreign manufacturers and suppliers with greater natural...

The Technological Dimensions of International Competitiveness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Academy of Engineering, Washington, DC. Committee on Technology Issues That Impact International Competitiveness.

This report focuses primarily on the technological dimensions of competitiveness in the United States with its capability to: create and effectively use technology; increase the value added to goods and services through the application of technology; manage technology in industry for more effective relationships among companies, universities, and…

Competitive forces in the medical group industry: a stakeholder perspective.

PubMed

Blair, J D; Buesseler, J A

1998-01-01

Applying Porter's model of competitive forces to health care, stakeholder concepts are integrated to analyze the future of medical groups. Using both quantitative survey and qualitative observational data, competitors, physician suppliers, integrated systems new entrants, patient and managed care buyers, and hospitals substitutes are examined.

Lasers in energy device manufacturing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ostendorf, A.; Schoonderbeek, A.

2008-02-01

Global warming is a current topic all over the world. CO II emissions must be lowered to stop the already started climate change. Developing regenerative energy sources, like photovoltaics and fuel cells contributes to the solution of this problem. Innovative technologies and strategies need to be competitive with conventional energy sources. During the last years, the photovoltaic solar cell industry has experienced enormous growth. However, for solar cells to be competitive on the longer term, both an increase in efficiency as well as reduction in costs is necessary. An effective method to reduce costs of silicon solar cells is reducing the wafer thickness, because silicon makes up a large part of production costs. Consequently, contact free laser processing has a large advantage, because of the decrease in waste materials due to broken wafers as caused by other manufacturing processes. Additionally, many novel high efficiency solar cell concepts are only economically feasible with laser technology, e.g. for scribing silicon thin-film solar cells. This paper describes laser hole drilling, structuring and texturing of silicon wafer based solar cells and describes thin film solar cell scribing. Furthermore, different types of lasers are discussed with respect to processing quality and time.

New Product Development in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Evidence from a generic market.

PubMed

Yousefi, Nazila; Mehralian, Gholamhossein; Rasekh, Hamid Reza; Yousefi, Mina

2017-01-01

In today's competitive world, there are several strategies to deal with the fast changing environment, among which New product development (NPD) is a common strategy. However, almost half of the resources that companies devote to NPD are spent on products that may fail. This issue is particularly highlighted in the pharmaceutical industry mainly because of a long development-time, low success rate, high capital requirement, and market uncertainty. This study identifies critical success factors of NPD based on the relevant literatures and expert opinions in Iranian pharmaceutical industry, then prioritizes them using the methodology of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) through analyzing 50 filled questionnaires structured based on the AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) approach. Although the NPD success factors seem the same in both generic and bio-generic pharmaceutical industries, the underlying factors and related sub-factors show the different importance in these two industries. However, this study reveal that, the company capabilities is the most important factor affecting new product development success in both pharmaceutical generic and bio-generic industry. The results of this study contribute to create baseline information for pharmaceutical industry especially Iranian pharmaceutical companies to be more effective in budget allocation on improving NPD success factors so that they can boost the success rate of NPD more effectively.

New Product Development in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Evidence from a generic market

PubMed Central

Yousefi, Nazila; Mehralian, Gholamhossein; Rasekh, Hamid Reza; Yousefi, Mina

2017-01-01

In today’s competitive world, there are several strategies to deal with the fast changing environment, among which New product development (NPD) is a common strategy. However, almost half of the resources that companies devote to NPD are spent on products that may fail. This issue is particularly highlighted in the pharmaceutical industry mainly because of a long development-time, low success rate, high capital requirement, and market uncertainty. This study identifies critical success factors of NPD based on the relevant literatures and expert opinions in Iranian pharmaceutical industry, then prioritizes them using the methodology of multiple criteria decision making (MCDM) through analyzing 50 filled questionnaires structured based on the AHP (Analytical Hierarchy Process) approach. Although the NPD success factors seem the same in both generic and bio-generic pharmaceutical industries, the underlying factors and related sub-factors show the different importance in these two industries. However, this study reveal that, the company capabilities is the most important factor affecting new product development success in both pharmaceutical generic and bio-generic industry. The results of this study contribute to create baseline information for pharmaceutical industry especially Iranian pharmaceutical companies to be more effective in budget allocation on improving NPD success factors so that they can boost the success rate of NPD more effectively. PMID:28979339

Tennessee's forest products industry: performance and contribution to the State's economy, 1970 to 1980.

Treesearch

Wilbur R. Maki; Con H Schallau; Bennett B. Foster; Clair H. Redmond

1987-01-01

The forest products industry is one of Tennessee's basic industries; in 1980, for example, it accounted for about 1 of every 12 basic jobs. Furthermore, Tennessee was one of the majority of Southern States in which the forest products industry improved its competitive position during the 1970's. In 1977, productivity growth of the paper and allied products...

Analysis of an industry in transition.

PubMed

Baliga, B R; Johnson, B

1986-12-01

The health care industry is undergoing major structural changes. The significance of these changes for individual competitors moving toward the 1990s is not yet clear. This article assesses the implications of the current changes by applying Porter's industry structure and generic strategy frameworks to the health care industry. Present trends are compared to this analysis to highlight areas where individual hospitals might improve their competitive positioning.

Alaska OCS socioeconomic studies program. Technical report number 30. Northern and western Gulf of Alaska petroleum development scenarios: commercial fishing industry analysis. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Terry, J.M.; Gorham, A.H.; Larson, D.M.

1980-02-01

The objective of the report is to increase our understanding of the potential relationships between the commercial fishing and Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) petroleum industries and to project the potential impacts on the commercial fishing industry of the Gulf of Alaska that may occur as a result of the proposed OCS lease sales No. 46 and No. 55. To meet this objective, the report consists of: (1) the documentation and examination of the history and current trends of the Gulf of Alaska commercial fishing industry as necessary to develop a basis for projecting fishery development and potential interactions with themore » OCS petroleum industry, (2) the development of models used to forecast the level of commercial fishing industry activity through the year 2000 in the absence of OCS development pursuant to lease sales No. 46 and No. 55, and (3) an analysis of the potential impacts of lease sales No. 46 and No. 55 based on the hypothesized nature and magnitude of the activities of the commercial fishing and OCS petroleum industries. The study concentrates on the commercial fishing industry activities centered in Kodiak, Seward, Cordova, and Yakutat. Both the harvesting and processing sectors of the fishing industry are considered. The sources of impacts considered are the competition for labor, ocean space use, and the infrastructure.« less

Tailoring cyanobacterial cell factory for improved industrial properties.

PubMed

Luan, Guodong; Lu, Xuefeng

Photosynthetic biomanufacturing provides a promising solution for sustainable production of biofuels and biochemicals. Cyanobacteria are among the most promising microbial platforms for the construction of photosynthetic cell factories. Metabolic engineering of cyanobacteria has enabled effective photosynthetic synthesis of diverse natural or non-natural metabolites, while commercialization of photosynthetic biomanufacturing is usually restricted by process and economic feasibilities. In actual outdoor conditions, active cell growth and product synthesis is restricted to narrow light exposure windows of the day-night cycles and is threatened by diverse physical, chemical, and biological environmental stresses. For biomass harvesting and bioproduct recovery, energy and cost consuming processing and equipment is required, which further decreases the economic and environmental competitiveness of the entire process. To facilitate scaled photosynthetic biomanufacturing, lots of efforts have been made to engineer cyanobacterial cell properties required by robust & continual cultivation and convenient & efficient recovery. In this review, we specifically summarized recently reported engineering strategies on optimizing industrial properties of cyanobacterial cells. Through systematically re-editing the metabolism, morphology, mutualism interaction of cyanobacterial chassis cells, the adaptabilities and compatibilities of the cyanobacterial cell factories to the industrial process could be significantly improved. Cell growth and product synthesis of the tailored cyanobacterial cells could be expanded and maintained at night and in stressful environments, while convenient biomass harvesting could also be expected. For developing more feasible cyanobacterial photosynthetic biomanufacturing in large scale, we here propose the importance of tailoring industrial properties of cyanobacteria and outline the directions that should be exploited in the future. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

National Competitiveness Act of 1993. Report of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation together with Additional Views on S.4. 103d Congress, 1st Session.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Congress of the U.S., Washington, DC. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

This report is a recommendation for passage of Senate bill S.4, the National Competitiveness Act of 1993, with an amendment. The purpose of this bill is to promote the industrial competitiveness and economic growth of the United States by strengthening and expanding the civilian technology programs of the Department of Commerce and amending the…

Using federal technology policy to strength the US microelectronics industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gover, J. E.; Gwyn, C. W.

1994-07-01

A review of US and Japanese experiences with using microelectronics consortia as a tool for strengthening their respective industries reveals major differences. Japan has established catch-up consortia with focused goals. These consortia have a finite life targeted from the beginning, and emphasis is on work that supports or leads to product and process-improvement-driven commercialization. Japan's government has played a key role in facilitating the development of consortia and has used consortia promote domestic competition. US consortia, on the other hand, have often emphasized long-range research with considerably less focus than those in Japan. The US consortia have searched for and often made revolutionary technology advancements. However, technology transfer to their members has been difficult. Only SEMATECH has assisted its members with continuous improvements, compressing product cycles, establishing relationships, and strengthening core competencies. The US government has not been a catalyst nor provided leadership in consortia creation and operation. We propose that in order to regain world leadership in areas where US companies lag foreign competition, the US should create industry-wide, horizontal-vertical, catch-up consortia or continue existing consortia in the six areas where the US lags behind Japan -- optoelectronics, displays, memories, materials, packaging, and manufacturing equipment. In addition, we recommend that consortia be established for special government microelectronics and microelectronics research integration and application. We advocate that these consortia be managed by an industry-led Microelectronics Alliance, whose establishment would be coordinated by the Department of Commerce. We further recommend that the Semiconductor Research Corporation, the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Centers, and relevant elements of other federal programs be integrated into this consortia complex.

Using federal technology policy to strength the US microelectronics industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gover, J.E.; Gwyn, C.W.

1994-07-01

A review of US and Japanese experiences with using microelectronics consortia as a tool for strengthening their respective industries reveals major differences. Japan has established catch-up consortia with focused goals. These consortia have a finite life targeted from the beginning, and emphasis is on work that supports or leads to product and process-improvement-driven commercialization. Japan`s government has played a key role in facilitating the development of consortia and has used consortia promote domestic competition. US consortia, on the other hand, have often emphasized long-range research with considerably less focus than those in Japan. The US consortia have searched for andmore » often made revolutionary technology advancements. However, technology transfer to their members has been difficult. Only SEMATECH has assisted its members with continuous improvements, compressing product cycles, establishing relationships, and strengthening core competencies. The US government has not been a catalyst nor provided leadership in consortia creation and operation. We propose that in order to regain world leadership in areas where US companies lag foreign competition, the US should create industry-wide, horizontal-vertical, catch-up consortia or continue existing consortia in the six areas where the US lags behind Japan -- optoelectronics, displays, memories, materials, packaging, and manufacturing equipment. In addition, we recommend that consortia be established for special government microelectronics and microelectronics research integration and application. We advocate that these consortia be managed by an industry-led Microelectronics Alliance, whose establishment would be coordinated by the Department of Commerce. We further recommend that the Semiconductor Research Corporation, the National Science Foundation Engineering Research Centers, and relevant elements of other federal programs be integrated into this consortia complex.« less

Contribution au developpement d'une methode de controle des procedes dans une usine de bouletage

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gosselin, Claude

This thesis, a collaborative effort between Ecole de technologie superieure and ArcelorMittal Company, presents the development of a methodology for monitoring and quality control of multivariable industrial production processes. This innovation research mandate was developed at ArcelorMittal Exploitation Miniere (AMEM) pellet plant in Port-Cartier (Quebec, Canada). With this undertaking, ArcelorMittal is striving to maintain its world class level of excellence and continues to pursue initiatives that can augment its competitive advantage worldwide. The plant's gravimetric classification process was retained as a prototype and development laboratory due to its effect on the company's competitiveness and its impact on subsequent steps leading to final production of iron oxide pellets. Concretely, the development of this expertise in process control and in situ monitoring will establish a firm basic knowledge in the fields of complex system physical modeling, data reconciliation, statistical observers, multivariate command and quality control using real-time monitoring of the desirability function. The hydraulic classifier is mathematically modeled. Using planned disturbances on the production line, an identification procedure was established to provide empirical estimations of the model's structural parameters. A new sampling campaign and a previously unpublished data collection and consolidation policy were implemented plant-wide. Access to these invaluable data sources has enabled the establishment of new thresholds that govern the production process and its control. Finally, as a substitute for the traditional quality control process, we have implemented a new strategy based on the use of the desirability function. Our innovation is not in using this Finally, as a substitute for the traditional quality control process, we have implemented a new strategy based on the use of the desirability function. Our innovation is not in using this function as an indicator of overall (economic) satisfaction in the production process, but rather in proposing it as an "observer" of the system's state. The first implementation steps have already demonstrated the method's feasibility as well as other numerous industrial impacts on production processes within the company. Namely, the emergence of the economical aspect as a strategic variable that assures better governance of production processes where quality variables present strategic issues.

Long-term consequences of selected competitive strategies during deregulation of the United States electric utility industry: System dynamics modeling and simulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khalil, Yehia Fahim

Currently, U.S. investor-owned utilities (IOUs) are facing major reforms in their business environment similar to the airlines, telecommunications, banking, and insurance industries. As a result, IOUs are gearing up for fierce price competition in the power generation sector, and are vying for electricity customers outside their franchised service territories. Energy experts predict that some IOUs may suffer fatal financial setbacks (especially those with nuclear plants), while others may thrive under competition. Both federal and state energy regulators anticipate that it may take from five to ten years to complete the transition of America's electric utility industry from a regulated monopoly to a market-driven business. During this transition, utility executives are pursuing aggressive business strategies to confront the upcoming price wars. The most compelling strategies focus on cutting operation and maintenance (O&M) costs of power production, downsizing the work force, and signing bilateral energy agreements with large price-sensitive customers to retain their business. This research assesses the impact of the three pivotal strategies on financial performance of utilities during transition to open market competition. A system-dynamics-based management flight simulator has been developed to predict the dynamic performance of a hypothetical IOU organization preparing for market competition. The simulation results show that while the three business strategies lead to short-lived gains, they also produce unanticipated long-term consequences that adversely impact the organization's operating revenues. Generally, the designed flight simulator serves as a learning laboratory which allows management to test new strategies before implementation.

Human Resource Planning: Challenges for Industrial/Organizational Psychologists.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Susan E.; Schuler, Randall S.

1990-01-01

Describes activities that industrial/organizational psychologists engage in as they seek to improve the competitiveness of organizations through effective human resource planning. Presents a model for describing human resource short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term planning. (JS)

2001 Industry Studies: Services Industry

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-01-01

institutions. There is now a growing demand for an increasingly broader variety of services resulting from “demographic shifts, changes in consumer ... preferences , technological advancements, and increases in competitive pressures.”i Households seek increasingly sophisticated and higher quality services as

What do we know about the yeast strains from the Brazilian fuel ethanol industry?

PubMed

Della-Bianca, Bianca Eli; Basso, Thiago Olitta; Stambuk, Boris Ugarte; Basso, Luiz Carlos; Gombert, Andreas Karoly

2013-02-01

The production of fuel ethanol from sugarcane-based raw materials in Brazil is a successful example of a large-scale bioprocess that delivers an advanced biofuel at competitive prices and low environmental impact. Two to three fed-batch fermentations per day, with acid treatment of the yeast cream between consecutive cycles, during 6-8 months of uninterrupted production in a nonaseptic environment are some of the features that make the Brazilian process quite peculiar. Along the past decades, some wild Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains were isolated, identified, characterized, and eventually, reintroduced into the process, enabling us to build up knowledge on these organisms. This information, combined with physiological studies in the laboratory and, more recently, genome sequencing data, has allowed us to start clarifying why and how these strains behave differently from the better known laboratory, wine, beer, and baker's strains. All these issues are covered in this minireview, which also presents a brief discussion on future directions in the field and on the perspectives of introducing genetically modified strains in this industrial process.

Domains of State-Owned, Privately Held, and Publicly Traded Firms in International Competition.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mascarenhas, Briance

1989-01-01

Hypotheses relating ownership to domain differences among state-owned, publicly traded, and privately held firms in international competition were examined in a controlled field study of the offshore drilling industry. Ownership explained selected differences in domestic market dominance, international presence, and customer orientation, even…

Freight railroads : updated information on rates and competition issues : testimony before the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, House of Representatives

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2007-09-25

The Staggers Rail Act of 1980 largely deregulated the freight railroad industry, giving the railroads freedom to price their services according to market conditions and encouraging greater reliance on competition to set rates. The act recognized the ...

A Path Model of Factors Affecting Secondary School Students' Technological Literacy

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Avsec, Stanislav; Jamšek, Janez

2018-01-01

Technological literacy defines a competitive vision for technology education. Working together with competitive supremacy, technological literacy shapes the actions of technology educators. Rationalised by the dictates of industry, technological literacy was constructed as a product of the marketplace. There are many models that visualise…

Standards: The Keys to Domestic and International Competitiveness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hunter, Robert D.

1993-01-01

Demonstrates the importance of standards for the competitiveness of U.S. companies and for international trade. The value of standards in research and development, marketing, design, purchasing, manufacturing, installation, and service is explained. Examples of specific standards and their application to the computer industry are included. (10…

Evaluation of Corporate Training Programs.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brandenburg, Dale C.; Smith, Martin E.

The growing interest in human resources development (HRD) is a response to the increasingly competitive business environment which, in turn, has been shaped by such forces as the emergence of global competition, the quickening pace of technological innovation and the reduction of federal regulations in some industries. This monograph seeks to…

Admission Policy Evolution in Emerging Professional Programs: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holley, Paul W.

2006-01-01

Professional program admission at U.S. universities has become increasingly competitive in the last 20 years, due to enrollment caps, core class requirements, transfer course acceptance, industry draw, and the appeal of starting salaries. As the competition steadily increases, students often find methods to exploit traditional policy, resulting in…

Engineering Research Centers: A Partnership for Competitiveness.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA.

This publication consists of colorful data sheets on the National Science Foundation's Engineering Research Centers (ERC) Program, a program designed to strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. industries by bringing new approaches and goals to academic engineering research and education. The main elements of the ERC mission are cross-disciplinary…

Software Development Offshoring Competitiveness: A Case Study of ASEAN Countries

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bui, Minh Q.

2011-01-01

With the success of offshoring within the American software industry, corporate executives are moving their software developments overseas. The member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have become a preferred destination. However, there is a lack of published studies on the region's software competitiveness in…

Economic Competitiveness: A Campaign Primer

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fischer, Karin

2008-01-01

With the dollar's continued swoon and grim news on the job front, American economic competitiveness has become a central theme in the presidential election. Stumping in Ohio and Pennsylvania, old-line industrial states hit hard by the flight of manufacturing jobs, Democrats Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama have called for renegotiating the…

A Work Revolution in U.S. Industry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Business Week, 1983

1983-01-01

Changes in work rules are moving the workplace away from rigid labor practices created by labor/management. A more flexible structure is evolving that can adapt to new technology and provide new products at competitive cost. Discusses the movement and the impact of international competition/deregulation on the trend. (JN)

Commercial potential of European and Japanese space programs, task 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1987-01-01

The current and expected future competitive status in the commercialization of space of the two principal programs competitive with NASA: the European Space Agency (ESA) and the program sponsored by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) of Japan are evaluated, quantitatively assessed, and presented in usable format.

Dietary sodium reduction in New Zealand: influence of the Tick label.

PubMed

Ning, Sherry X; Mainvil, Louise A; Thomson, Rachel K; McLean, Rachel M

2017-01-01

The Tick programme of the National Heart Foundation (NHF) is the longest standing voluntary front of pack signpost nutrition logo in New Zealand. It provides a platform for collaboration with the food industry to encourage development of healthier products. This study evaluated the impact of the Tick programme on sodium in processed food. Fifty-two Tick programme products from food categories known to contribute substantially to sodium intake were identified. Sales volumes (kg) from January 2011 to December 2013 were multiplied by changes in sodium content over that time, producing an estimate of programme impact. Five semi-structured interviews with industry representatives were conducted, to look at other influences for sodium reduction, and themes identified through methods of thematic analysis. Over the period, the Tick programme influenced food companies to remove approximately 16 tonnes of salt through the reformulation and formulation of 52 Tick-approved breakfast cereals, edible oil spreads, cooking sauces and processed poultry products. Other factors influencing sodium reduction reported by company representatives included increased consumer and industry interest in healthier product nutrition profiles and other sodium reduction programmes targeting reformulation/formulation. The Tick remains a credible and well-recognized brand and may provide a competitive edge for participating food manufacturers in the current market. The Tick programme is effective in influencing industry to reduce sodium in processed foods in New Zealand. The combined impact of the Tick and other NHF programmes has the potential to reduce population sodium intake and improve health outcomes.

A study of industrial hydrogen and syngas supply systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Amos, W. J.; Solomon, J.; Eliezer, K. F.

1979-01-01

The potential and incentives required for supplying hydrogen and syngas feedstocks to the U.S. chemical industry from coal gasification systems were evaluated. Future hydrogen and syngas demand for chemical manufacture was estimated by geographic area and projected economics for hydrogen and syngas manufacture was estimated with geographic area of manufacture and plant size as parameters. Natural gas, oil and coal feedstocks were considered. Problem areas presently affecting the commercial feasibility of coal gasification discussed include the impact of potential process improvements, factors involved in financing coal gasification plants, regulatory barriers affecting coal gasification, coal mining/transportation, air quality regulations, and competitive feedstock pricing barriers. The potential for making coal gasification the least costly H2 and syngas supply option. Options to stimulate coal gasification system development are discussed.

George M. Low Trophy: NASA's quality and excellence award. 1992 recipients: Honeywell Clearwater, IBM Houston

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

The George M. Low Trophy is awarded to current NASA contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in the aerospace industry who have demonstrated sustained excellence and outstanding achievements in quality and productivity for three or more years. The objectives of the award are to increase public awareness of the importance of quality and productivity to the Nation's aerospace program and industry in general; encourage domestic business to continue efforts to enhance quality, increase productivity, and thereby strengthen competitiveness; and provide the means for sharing the successful methods and techniques used by the applicants with other American enterprises. Information is given on candidate eligibility for large businesses, the selection process, the nomination letter, and the application report. The 1992 highlights and recipients are included.

Optics education for machine operators in the semiconductor industry: moving beyond button pushing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karakekes, Meg; Currier, Deborah

1995-10-01

In the competitive semiconductor manufacturing industry, employees who operate equipment are able to make greater contributions if they understand how the equipment works. By understanding the 'why' behind the 'what', the equipment operators can better partner with other technical staff to produce quality integrated circuits efficiently and effectively. This additional knowledge also opens equipment operators to job enrichment and enlargement opportunities. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) is in the process of upgrading the skills of its equipment operators. This paper is an overview of a pilot program that employs optics education to upgrade stepper operators' skills. The paper starts with stepper tasks that require optics knowledge, examines teaching methods, reports both end-of-course and three months post-training knowledge retention, and summarizes how the training has impacted the production floor.

The Western Environmental Technology Office (WETO), Butte, Montana. Technology summary (Revised)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1996-03-01

This document has been prepared by the US Department of Energy`s (DOE`s) Office of Environmental Management (EM) Office of Science and Technology (OST) to highlight its research, development, demonstration, testing, and evaluation (RDDT&E) activities funded through the Western environmental Technology Office (WETO) in Butte, Montana. Technologies and processes described in this document have the potential to enhance DOE`s cleanup and waste management efforts, as well as improve US industry`s competitiveness in global environmental markets. The information presented in this document has been assembled from recently produced OST documents that highlight technology development activities within each of the OST program elementsmore » and Focus Areas. This document presents one in a series for each of DOE`s Operations Office and Energy Technology Centers.« less

Energy resource alternatives competition. Progress report for the period February 1, 1975--December 31, 1975. [Space heating and cooling, hot water, and electricity for homes, farms, and light industry

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Matzke, D.J.; Osowski, D.M.; Radtke, M.L.

1976-01-01

This progress report describes the objectives and results of the intercollegiate Energy Resource Alternatives competition. The one-year program concluded in August 1975, with a final testing program of forty student-built alternative energy projects at the Sandia Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The goal of the competition was to design and build prototype hardware which could provide space heating and cooling, hot water, and electricity at a level appropriate to the needs of homes, farms, and light industry. The hardware projects were powered by such nonconventional energy sources as solar energy, wind, biologically produced gas, coal, and ocean waves. The competitionmore » rules emphasized design innovation, economic feasibility, practicality, and marketability. (auth)« less

Nanotechnology in meat processing and packaging: potential applications - a review.

PubMed

Ramachandraiah, Karna; Han, Sung Gu; Chin, Koo Bok

2015-02-01

Growing demand for sustainable production, increasing competition and consideration of health concerns have led the meat industries on a path to innovation. Meat industries across the world are focusing on the development of novel meat products and processes to meet consumer demand. Hence, a process innovation, like nanotechnology, can have a significant impact on the meat processing industry through the development of not only novel functional meat products, but also novel packaging for the products. The potential benefits of utilizing nanomaterials in food are improved bioavailability, antimicrobial effects, enhanced sensory acceptance and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds. However, challenges exist in the application of nanomaterials due to knowledge gaps in the production of ingredients such as nanopowders, stability of delivery systems in meat products and health risks caused by the same properties which also offer the benefits. For the success of nanotechnology in meat products, challenges in public acceptance, economics and the regulation of food processed with nanomaterials which may have the potential to persist, accumulate and lead to toxicity need to be addressed. So far, the most promising area for nanotechnology application seems to be in meat packaging, but the long term effects on human health and environment due to migration of the nanomaterials from the packaging needs to be studied further. The future of nanotechnology in meat products depends on the roles played by governments, regulatory agencies and manufacturers in addressing the challenges related to the application of nanomaterials in food.

Nanotechnology in Meat Processing and Packaging: Potential Applications — A Review

PubMed Central

Ramachandraiah, Karna; Han, Sung Gu; Chin, Koo Bok

2015-01-01

Growing demand for sustainable production, increasing competition and consideration of health concerns have led the meat industries on a path to innovation. Meat industries across the world are focusing on the development of novel meat products and processes to meet consumer demand. Hence, a process innovation, like nanotechnology, can have a significant impact on the meat processing industry through the development of not only novel functional meat products, but also novel packaging for the products. The potential benefits of utilizing nanomaterials in food are improved bioavailability, antimicrobial effects, enhanced sensory acceptance and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds. However, challenges exist in the application of nanomaterials due to knowledge gaps in the production of ingredients such as nanopowders, stability of delivery systems in meat products and health risks caused by the same properties which also offer the benefits. For the success of nanotechnology in meat products, challenges in public acceptance, economics and the regulation of food processed with nanomaterials which may have the potential to persist, accumulate and lead to toxicity need to be addressed. So far, the most promising area for nanotechnology application seems to be in meat packaging, but the long term effects on human health and environment due to migration of the nanomaterials from the packaging needs to be studied further. The future of nanotechnology in meat products depends on the roles played by governments, regulatory agencies and manufacturers in addressing the challenges related to the application of nanomaterials in food. PMID:25557827

Criteria for classification of competitive housing projects in terms of their environmental friendliness

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nezhnikova, Ekaterina

2017-10-01

This article deals with social and economic essence of strategy of the housing industry development, both complex system of economic relations in field of production and consumption, which is regulated through the mechanism of prices and implemented through formation and realization of priority directions. Developed criteria for classification of housing construction projects as environmentally friendly and the quality criteria of variables for assessment of the environmental friendliness of residential buildings allowed to determine the ways of development of the industry on the basis of creation of competitive projects in interrelation with quality, environmental friendliness and price of consumption.

Benchmarking for the competitive marketplace.

PubMed

Clarke, R W; Sucher, T O

1999-07-01

One would get little argument these days regarding the importance of performance measurement in the health care industry. The traditional approach has been the straightforward use of measurable units such as financial comparisons and clinical indicators (e.g., length of stay). Also we in the health care industry have traditionally benchmarked our performance and strategies against those most like ourselves. Today's competitive market demands a more customer-focused set of performance measures that go beyond traditional approaches such as customer service. The most important task in today's environment is to study the customers' emerging priorities and adjust our business to meet those priorities.

Production of durable expanded perlite microspheres in a Vertical Electrical Furnace

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panagiotis, M.; Angelopoulos, P.; Taxiarchou, M.; Paspaliaris, I.

2016-04-01

Expanded perlite constitutes one of the most competitive insulating materials that is widely used in construction and manufacturing industry due to its unique properties combination; it is white, natural, lightweight, chemically inert, and exhibits superior insulating properties (thermal and acoustic) and fire resistance. Conventionally, perlite expansion is performed in vertical gas-fired furnaces; the conventional perlite expansion process has certain disadvantages which affect expanded products quality, thus limiting their performance and range of applications. In order to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional expansion technique, a new perlite expansion process has been designed based on a vertical electrical furnace (VEF). In the current study, fine perlite samples (-150 μm) from Milos Island, Greece, were expansed in the novel VEF and a conventional gas-fired furnace with the aim to evaluate and compare the main physical properties of the expanded products. The novel expanded perlite particles were characterised by superior properties, namely increased compression strength, competitive water and oil absorption capability, size homogeneity, spherical shape and decreased surface porosity in comparison to conventionally expanded samples.

Spray Forming Aluminum - Final Report (Phase II)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

D. D. Leon

1999-07-08

The U.S. Department of Energy - Office of Industrial Technology (DOE) has an objective to increase energy efficient and enhance competitiveness of American metals industries. To support this objective, ALCOA Inc. entered into a cooperative program to develop spray forming technology for aluminum. This Phase II of the DOE Spray Forming Program would translate bench scale spray forming technology into a cost effective world class process for commercialization. Developments under DOE Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FC07-94ID13238 occurred during two time periods due to budgetary constraints; April 1994 through September 1996 and October 1997 and December 1998. During these periods, ALCOA Incmore » developed a linear spray forming nozzle and specific support processes capable of scale-up for commercial production of aluminum sheet alloy products. Emphasis was given to alloys 3003 and 6111, both being commercially significant alloys used in the automotive industry. The report reviews research performed in the following areas: Nozzel Development, Fabrication, Deposition, Metal Characterization, Computer Simulation and Economics. With the formation of a Holding Company, all intellectual property developed in Phases I and II of the Project have been documented under separate cover for licensing to domestic producers.« less

Potential effects of sulforaphane to fight obesity.

PubMed

Martins, Tânia; Colaço, Bruno; Venâncio, Carlos; Pires, Maria J; Oliveira, Paula A; Rosa, Eduardo; Antunes, Luís M

2018-06-01

Obesity is linked to the onset of many diseases such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and cancer, among others. The prevalence of obesity nearly doubled worldwide between 1980 and 2014. Simultaneously, in the last decade, the effects of sulforaphane as a potential treatment for obesity have been investigated, with promising results. Fruits and vegetables and their processed agri-food co-products are good sources of natural health-promoting compounds. Brassica crops are among the most produced crops in the world and are a good source of glucoraphanin, which, following hydrolysis, releases sulforaphane. The Brassicaceae family generates large amounts of co-products with no intended use, causing negative economic and environmental impact. Valorization of these co-products could be achieved through their exploitation for the extraction of bioactive compounds such as sulforaphane. However, the extraction process still needs further improvement for its economic feasibility. This article reviews the potential effects of sulforaphane in the treatment of obesity, linked to the relevance of giving Brassica co-products added value, which is of key importance for the competitiveness of farmers and the agri-food industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

The political effects of ideas and markets on China's economic reforms: The case of electrical power

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dodge, Laura Washington

This study examines factors influencing contemporary economic policy-making and reform in China's electric power industry. Results of the study suggest that there is an ongoing paradigm change in China's policy-making. However, institutional resistance to changes in the policy process is strong. Policy outcomes in the case of electric power reforms reflect the interaction of both dynamics. In the early 1990s, the central government in Beijing began to consider restructuring the electric power industry to introduce competition and establish markets for electricity supply. Until then, economic policies had resulted from a process of deliberation within the upper echelons of the Communist Party. Although the Party considered the interests of dominant economic actors, particularly the large State-owned sector, its channels for participation in the policy process were closed to most economic actors. Central bureaucratic and provincial interests largely governed policy processes, leading observers to describe the Chinese State as bureaucratic authoritarian. Bureaucracy's heavy role in the economy led to what some called a corporatist State, whereby organs of government infiltrated most aspects of the economy. This institutional arrangement perpetuated bureaucracy's influence in policy-making. This study hypothesizes that transformation in domestic financial markets poses a threat to the entrenched institutions of the electric power industry. The integration of China's economy with foreign firms and markets enabled actors outside of the dominant State-owned economy to improve their positions vis-a-vis the state-owned sector, and eventually to play a role in the policy process. At the same time, Beijing's adaptation of foreign-designed restructuring policies threatened the deep-rooted institutions. The study analyzes the behavior, statements and channels utilized by those actors affected by power sector policies. Based on interviews conducted between 2000 through 2002, documents and reports from various power industry actors, and available academic literature analyzing current developments in the industry, I analyze the process of making deregulatory policies in electric power. Specifically, I ask whether or not the developments described above resulted in a shift in the relative power of contending actors in the industry, and consequently influenced policy outcomes.

Status of the lead/acid battery industry in Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wong, J.

The Malaysian automotive battery industry has an over-capacity and is experiencing a highly competitive situation in the domestic market. In the medium term, therefore, the industry will concentrate on making advances in battery design and technology, and on improving productivity. The manufacture of industrial batteries is similarly under pressure, particularly from foreign products. At present, it is not feasible to produce locally all the various types of industrial batteries required by the home market.

The removal of precious metals by conductive polymer filtration

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cournoyer, M.E.

The growing demand for platinum-group metals (PGM) within the DOE complex and in industry, the need for modern and clean processes, and the increasing volume of low-grade material for secondary PGM recovery has a direct impact on the industrial practice of recovering and refining precious metals. There is a tremendous need for advanced metal ion recovery and waste minimization techniques, since the currently used method of precipitation-dissolution is inadequate. Los Alamos has an integrated program in ligand-design and separations chemistry which has developed and evaluated a series of water- soluble metal-binding polymers for recovering actinides and toxic metals from varietymore » of process streams. A natural extension of this work is to fabricate these metal-selective polymers into membrane based separation unites, i.e., hollow-fiber membranes. In the present investigation, the material for a novel hollow-fiber membrane is characterized and its selectivity for PGM reported. Energy and waste savings and economic competitiveness are also described.« less

Luminescent sensing and imaging of oxygen: fierce competition to the Clark electrode.

PubMed

Wolfbeis, Otto S

2015-08-01

Luminescence-based sensing schemes for oxygen have experienced a fast growth and are in the process of replacing the Clark electrode in many fields. Unlike electrodes, sensing is not limited to point measurements via fiber optic microsensors, but includes additional features such as planar sensing, imaging, and intracellular assays using nanosized sensor particles. In this essay, I review and discuss the essentials of (i) common solid-state sensor approaches based on the use of luminescent indicator dyes and host polymers; (ii) fiber optic and planar sensing schemes; (iii) nanoparticle-based intracellular sensing; and (iv) common spectroscopies. Optical sensors are also capable of multiple simultaneous sensing (such as O2 and temperature). Sensors for O2 are produced nowadays in large quantities in industry. Fields of application include sensing of O2 in plant and animal physiology, in clinical chemistry, in marine sciences, in the chemical industry and in process biotechnology. © 2015 The Author. Bioessays published by WILEY Periodicals, Inc.

Thermo-electrochemical production of compressed hydrogen from methane with near-zero energy loss

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malerød-Fjeld, Harald; Clark, Daniel; Yuste-Tirados, Irene; Zanón, Raquel; Catalán-Martinez, David; Beeaff, Dustin; Morejudo, Selene H.; Vestre, Per K.; Norby, Truls; Haugsrud, Reidar; Serra, José M.; Kjølseth, Christian

2017-11-01

Conventional production of hydrogen requires large industrial plants to minimize energy losses and capital costs associated with steam reforming, water-gas shift, product separation and compression. Here we present a protonic membrane reformer (PMR) that produces high-purity hydrogen from steam methane reforming in a single-stage process with near-zero energy loss. We use a BaZrO3-based proton-conducting electrolyte deposited as a dense film on a porous Ni composite electrode with dual function as a reforming catalyst. At 800 °C, we achieve full methane conversion by removing 99% of the formed hydrogen, which is simultaneously compressed electrochemically up to 50 bar. A thermally balanced operation regime is achieved by coupling several thermo-chemical processes. Modelling of a small-scale (10 kg H2 day-1) hydrogen plant reveals an overall energy efficiency of >87%. The results suggest that future declining electricity prices could make PMRs a competitive alternative for industrial-scale hydrogen plants integrating CO2 capture.

Some recent developments in sheet metal forming for production of lightweight automotive parts

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tisza, M.; Lukács, Zs; Kovács, P.; Budai, D.

2017-09-01

Low cost manufacturing in the automotive industry is one of the main targets due to the ever increasing global competition among car manufacturers all over the World. Sheet metal forming is one of the most important key technologies in the automotive industry; therefore the elaboration of new, innovative low cost manufacturing processes is one of the main objectives in sheet metal forming as well. In 2015 with the initiative of the Imperial College London a research consortium was established under the umbrella Low Cost Materials Processing Technologies for Mass Production of Lightweight Vehicles. The primary aim of this project is to provide affordable low cost weight reduction in mass production of vehicles considering the entire life-cycle. In this project, 19 European Institutions (Universities and Research Institutions) from 9 European countries are participating with the above targets. The University of Miskolc is one of the members of this research Consortium. In this paper, some preliminary results with the contributions of the University of Miskolc will be introduced.

Assessing changes in the U.S. hardwood sawmill industry with a focus on markets and distribution

Treesearch

Omar Espinoza; Urs Buehlmann; Matthew Bumgardner; Bob Smith

2011-01-01

The U.S. hardwood sawmilling industry has experienced significant changes over the past decade. A slowing housing industry, competition from imported products, higher transportation costs, and high stumpage prices have changed the business of manufacturing and marketing hardwood lumber. Also, hardwood lumber buyers are changing their business practices by shortening...

Mississippi Industrial Arts--Metric 500--Instructor's Manual. And: Student Material. Industrial Arts Series 10,003.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hinrichs, Roy S., Comp.

The manual provides industrial arts instructors with information necessary to introduce and teach the metric system to their students. The instructional unit is based on a project, the building of a model automobile racer propelled by a carbon dioxide cartridge. To add interest and enthusiasm, Statewide racing competition in which students may…

Electrathon Competition: A Technology Club's Most Successful Project Links School and Industry

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Copes, Brian

2005-01-01

In this article, the author talks about his most successful electric vehicle project that links school and industry. Some people in the public school arena stereotype industrial technology as a dumping ground for underachieving students, and many of his students believed that they could not succeed in higher education classes. He challenged…

Migrant Response to Industrialization in Four Rural Areas, 1965-70. Agricultural Economic Report No. 270.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olsen, Duane A.; Kuehn, John A.

Immigrants competed on a limited scale with residents for new jobs in four industrializing rural areas in Arizona, the Central Ozarks, Mississippi, and Arkansas during 1965-70. This study determined: (1) competition for jobs between residents and immigrants; (2) need for immigrants to staff industries; and (3) differences between attributes of…

Agile manufacturing concept

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Goldman, Steven L.

1994-03-01

The initial conceptualization of agile manufacturing was the result of a 1991 study -- chaired by Lehigh Professor Roger N. Nagel and California-based entrepreneur Rick Dove, President of Paradigm Shifts, International -- of what it would take for U.S. industry to regain global manufacturing competitiveness by the early twenty-first century. This industry-led study, reviewed by senior management at over 100 companies before its release, concluded that incremental improvement of the current system of manufacturing would not be enough to be competitive in today's global marketplace. Computer-based information and production technologies that were becoming available to industry opened up the possibility of an altogether new system of manufacturing, one that would be characterized by a distinctive integration of people and technologies; of management and labor; of customers, producers, suppliers, and society.

Health care or health trade? A historic moment of choice.

PubMed

Hart, Julian Tudor

2004-01-01

During the 20th century, medical care evolved from a notional economy of trying to a real economy of doing. Care systems can therefore usefully be measured and evaluated as production systems. Whether they will succumb to the pattern of competitive commodity production for profit in the market, or will succeed in developing their own new gift economy for human needs, will become a dominant political and economic issue in the 21st century. Health care is now becoming industrialized in essentially the same way as textile manufacture was industrialized in the 19th century, with corresponding loss of control by skilled workers over their work processes. The outcome of the struggle between skilled handloom weavers and their industrializing employers was determined by the huge rise in productivity associated with machines. The outcome of current struggles between public service and state-subsidized corporate care for profit will be decided likewise by superior productivity. Evidence suggests that in terms of health outcome, democratized public care with a much expanded and diversified workforce could be far more productive than industrialization.

Development of the competitive business in the context of environmental legislation in Croatia.

PubMed

Matesić, Mirjana; Kalambura, Sanja; Bacun, Dubravka

2014-03-01

Environmental protection has a key role in the context of crisis management. It is not just about development of the industry of environmental protection and implementation of new ways of management in innovative solutions in solving problems. Important area of improvement is also revision of environmental legislation aiming at simplification and reduction of costs of procedures for the business. This paper discusses problems of business sector in Croatia related to transposition of demanding environmental EU regulation, it suggests improvements such as simplification of special waste management systems, of environmental impact assessments processes, environmental permitting etc. The paper considers revision of environmental protection not by lowering environmental standards, but by introducing transparent and compromising models between business and environmental protection, based on sustainable development, with control mechanisms which don't impact functioning of business sector (and its competitiveness), therefore allowing successful protection of environment and its renewable and non-renewable resources.

The impact of prospective pricing on the information system in the health care industry.

PubMed

Matta, K F

1988-02-01

The move from a retrospective payment system (value added) to a prospective payment system (diagnostic related) has not only influenced the health care business but also changed their information systems' requirements. The change in requirements can be attributed both to an increase in data processing tasks and also to an increase in the need for information to more effectively manage the organization. A survey was administered to capture the response of health care institutions, in the area of information systems, to the prospective payment system. The survey results indicate that the majority of health care institutions have responded by increasing their information resources, both in terms of hardware and software, and have moved to integrate the medical and financial data. In addition, the role of the information system has changed from a cost accounting system to one intended to provide a competitive edge in a highly competitive marketing environment.

Advances in ingredient and processing systems for meat and meat products.

PubMed

Weiss, Jochen; Gibis, Monika; Schuh, Valerie; Salminen, Hanna

2010-09-01

Changes in consumer demand of meat products as well as increased global competition are causing an unprecedented spur in processing and ingredient system developments within the meat manufacturing sector. Consumers demand healthier meat products that are low in salt, fat, cholesterol, nitrites and calories in general and contain in addition health-promoting bioactive components such as for example carotenoids, unsaturated fatty acids, sterols, and fibers. On the other hand, consumers expect these novel meat products with altered formulations to taste, look and smell the same way as their traditionally formulated and processed counterparts. At the same time, competition is forcing the meat processing industry to use the increasingly expensive raw material "meat" more efficiently and produce products at lower costs. With these changes in mind, this article presents a review of novel ingredient systems and processing approaches that are emerging to create high quality, affordable meat products not only in batch mode but also in large-scale continuous processes. Fat replacers, fat profile modification and cholesterol reduction techniques, new texture modifiers and alternative antioxidant and antimicrobial systems are being discussed. Modern processing equipment to establish continuously operating product manufacturing lines and that allow new meat product structures to be created and novel ingredients to be effectively utilized including vacuum fillers, grinders and fine dispersers, and slicers is reviewed in the context of structure creation in meat products. Finally, trends in future developments of ingredient and processing systems for meat products are highlighted.

The Search for Quality by Management in Service-Related Industry Today

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-09-05

service delivery. Rossy, Gerard L. ’The Executive’s Role in Ethics: The View from Business and Industry.* Healthcare Executive 2 (September/October...to study and compare: h-spitality, pharmaceutical, and healthcare . The hospitality industry was identified due to the dependence upon the consumer. If...only regulatory requirements, but a social obligation. The healthcare industry was chosen due to the need for quality, the increased competition, and

U.S. Space Policy and Space Industry Strangulation

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

protecting U.S. national security, and creating an environment in which non-U.S. citizens can participate fully in the U.S. space industry. 14...still protecting U.S. national security, and creating an environment in which non-U.S. citizens can participate fully in the U.S. space industry...security, and creating and sustaining a globally competitive space industry. These realms are not mutually exclusive. If technologies are overly guarded

Liberalization of the Spanish electricity sector: An advanced model

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Unda, J.I.

1998-06-01

Spain`s electricity industry is being restructured to provide a competitive generation market, a regulated, open access transmission and distribution system, and phased-in customer choice. But while the reform is radical in its objectives, it will be gradual in its implementation. This article briefly describes the current state of affairs within the Spanish electricity sector and details the reform plans set out in the act, focusing on the adopted institutional design and the established transition period. It also offers an overview of the role that the regulatory authority will play throughout the process.

[The regulatory regime and the health insurance industry in Brazil].

PubMed

Costa, Nilson do Rosário

2008-01-01

This paper analyzes the regulatory regime for health insurance and prepayment schemes in Brazil. It describes the ideas that have influenced the creation of the Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar-ANS (National Agency of Supplementary Health) in 2000, showing that the independent agency model was a direct result of the privatization process and of the induction of new competition mechanisms in a natural state monopoly. The paper concludes that the prepayment firms in Brazil are facing a new institutional environment as refers to their market entry or exit conditions.

Using and misusing marketing research in the healthcare industry.

PubMed

Keckley, P H

1985-12-01

As competition grows in health care, marketing research, especially consumer attitude research, is becoming increasingly important to the hospital's success and even survival. However, in the research process, mistakes are often made that invalidate the usefulness of the research. Those involved in marketing research, therefore, must be aware of the possible techniques to be used, potential audiences to be surveyed, the limitations of computer analysis, and the difference between consumer attitudes and intentions, if the information to be collected is to be reliable and useful to the organization.

Transparent Alloys Operation

NASA Image and Video Library

2018-03-26

iss055e005543 (March 26, 2018) --- Expedition 55 Flight Engineer and astronaut Scott Tingle is pictured conducting the Transparent Alloys experiment inside the Destiny lab module's Microgravity Science Glovebox. The Transparent Alloys study is a set of five experiments that seeks to improve the understanding of melting-solidification processes in plastics without the interference of Earth's gravity environment. Results may impact the development of new light-weight, high-performance structural materials for space applications. Observations may also impact fuel efficiency, consumption and recycling of materials on Earth potentially reducing costs and increasing industrial competitiveness.

Engineering design: A powerful influence on the business success on manufacturing industry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Coplin, John F.

1990-08-01

Engineering design, one of the most powerful forces in producing a package which matches market need, is discussed. It is essentially a detailed planning process backed by analysis and demonstration. The need for innovation to achieve competitive edge and profitability is considered. Innovation contains risk which must be controlled before substantial investment is made. The high rate of change of technology gives rise to the need for good training and retraining. Benefits which offsets costs at the time of occurring that cost are reached.