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TUOTE- VAI LIIKETOIMINTAOSAAMISTA? Pienten ja keskisuurten leipomoalan yritysten strategiset valinnat, liikkeenjohdon käytännöt ja menestyminen
Full text linkTutkimuksen aiheeksi valittiin yrityksen strategiset valinnat eli ne näkökulmat ja keinot, joiden avulla yritys toimii selviytyäkseen kilpailussa. Erityisesti tutkittiin osaamisen ja yleensäkin muun kuin fyysisiin tuotteisiin liittyvien yrityksen ominaisuuksien ja toimintatapojen liittymistä yrityksen menestymiseen. Lisäksi tutkittiin yrityksissä noudatettuja liikkeenjohdon käytäntöjä ja menetelmiä suhteessa strategisiin valintoihin. Tutkimuksen kohdetoimialaksi valittiin oli leipomoala, joka on suomalaisen elintarviketeollisuuden toimipaikkojen lukumäärällä mitattuna runsaslukuisin yksittäinen toimiala. Tutkimus toteutettiin lomakekyselynä, johon vastasi 90 suomalaista leipomoalan yritystä, jotka työllistivät enintään 49 henkilöä. Ryhmittelyanalyysin avulla kohdeyrityksistä muodostettiin neljä yritysryhmää erityisesti dynaamisuuden, innovatiivisuuden ja kustannustehokkuuden suhteen. Tutkimustulosten perusteella saatiin empiiristä evidenssiä sen suhteen, että innovatiivisuus ja dynaamisuus pienten ja keskisuurten leipomoalan yritysten strategiavalintana tuo yritykselle lisää valmiuksia yrityksen toiminnan kehittämiseen, mikäli yrityksen toimintaympäristö, erityisesti kilpailuympäristö muuttuu. Liikkeenjohdon, erityisesti laskentatoimen, käytännöt ja menetelmät todettiin tutkimuksen tulosten perusteella merkityksellisiksi tekijöiksi, joiden kautta strategiset valinnat vaikuttavat yrityksen menestymiseen. Näitä käytäntöjä ja menetelmiä voidaan näin ollen pitää yrityksen tärkeänä voimavarana ja osaamisen ilmentymänä.In the present dissertation study the main objective was to examine the combinations ofstrategic views in Finnish small and medium sized enterprises in the bakery industry.The connections of strategic views, management practices and the performance ofenterprises were also examined. Especially innovativeness and dynamic capabilitieswere examined as the strategic views of the enterprises. The methods of managementaccounting and quality management were examined as the management practices.
The empirical data were gathered by a mailed questionnaire from 90 Finnishenterprises (1-49 employees) in the bakery industry, which is the largest line of business in the Finnish food industry. With the help of the cluster analysis four enterprise groups were defined. The analysis was done by focusing especially on innovativeness and dynamic capabilities in the examined enterprises. Empirical evidence was found of the fact that innovativeness and dynamic capabilities had a great influence on the performance in the bakery enterprises examined in the study. Also many management practices especially in management accounting and quality control were found to be significant for the performance of the examined enterprises.ei tietoa saavutettavuudest
Linear parameter‑varying control for active magnetic bearing supported rotor systems
Full text linkModel-based control laws play an important role in stabilizing and guaranteeing high performance of active magnetic bearing (AMB) suspended high-speed machines. In the case of rotating machines with significant gyroscopic effects, the modes are separated into forward and backward whirling modes. This often leads to a situation where a single controller with fixed parameters cannot stabilize the full operational region. Addressing the challenges arising from rotating machines with significant gyroscopic effects, the application of
–based linear parameter varying (LPV) control, scheduled as a function of rotational velocity, is considered in this paper. This approach is combined with an unbalance rejection strategy, where the notch parameter matrix is also updated as a function of velocity. The performance and stability of the MIMO closed-loop control are evaluated using generalized Nyquist diagrams, along with damping ratio and disk margins analysis. Such an analysis will serve as a unified framework to support the analysis as well as design and compare of LPV-based closed loop controllers. Validation of the proposed control approach is verified with experimental electrical machine equipped with AMBs.Publishers versio
Integrating user-centered design into scrum: a canvas approach
Full text linkScrum is a widely adopted Agile framework in the software industry due to its focus on speed and communication. Despite its popularity, Scrum often falls short in addressing end-user needs, usability is often overlooked, and there is a lack of structured methods and techniques for incorporating design activities. Scrum mainly focuses on delivering functional requirements and allocates limited time for design activities. The result is functional products that may not meet user expectations. However, are these Scrum challenges? According to the Scrum Guide, Scrum is a framework—and not a methodology—that enables the integration of various practices and techniques. Scrum’s effectiveness largely depends on how practitioners implement it. Therefore, this dissertation approaches the problem from a different angle, arguing that these are not Scrum challenges, but challenges related to the application of Scrum.
With this perspective, the research was conducted in two phases: the first phase focused on identifying and understanding usability-related issues in organizations practicing Scrum, while the second phase centered on exploring, developing and validating solutions to address them. The research first employed semi-structured interviews with Scrum practitioners across various organizations to identify the key barriers they face in integrating usability. Four anti-patterns were identified, which served as the foundation for the next phase of exploration. To investigate how user-centered design (UCD) could be applied or adapted to overcome the identified barriers, the study utilized a combination of methods, including case studies, surveys, additional semi-structured interviews, and think-aloud protocols. The result was a UCD canvas, a lightweight canvas approach to enable Scrum teams to integrate usability activities without disrupting Scrum’s existing processes. The canvas was evaluated with Scrum practitioners and found to be easy to use, relevant, effective, and time efficient.
The dissertation makes several contributions. First, the identification of four anti-patterns in Scrum-driven organizations. These anti patterns can help practitioners reflect on and improve their current processes. Second, it provides insights into how UCD can be applied or adapted to fit Scrum workflow. Third, the development and evaluation of a UCD canvas. The canvas enables Scrum teams to incorporate usability concerns and share requirements with stakeholders using UCD techniques. The canvas can be used by anyone regardless of their background and it is also time efficient. However, the use of the canvas in a real-world Scrum project has yet to be evaluated. Future research could explore the canvas’s applicability and effectiveness in a real-life Scrum project.ei tietoa saavutettavuudest
Techno-economic analysis of energy transition pathways and renewable energy technologies for a sustainable energy-industry system
No full textClimate change, driven by human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, poses an existential threat, with global temperatures already exceeding critical thresholds. The energy sector is the primary source of these emissions, as fossil fuel consumption continues to rise despite the growing adoption of renewable energy sources. A transition to renewable energy is crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change.
This dissertation focuses on the transition to renewable energy systems, with a specific emphasis on techno-economic assessments of onshore and offshore wind power and wave power. The research aims to improve the accuracy of renewable energy assessments and enhance energy system models, ultimately informing more effective energy policies.
The dissertation makes significant contributions to the field of energy systems research by highlighting the importance of technological detail in energy system models. The research provides a nuanced understanding of the costs and benefits associated with various renewable energy technologies, showing optimal configurations of onshore wind turbines, spacing-dependent regional variations in levelised costs of electricity of offshore wind power and cost-competitiveness of wave power by 2030s. Incorporating hourly coefficients of performance for heat pumps yields a more accurate representation of their behaviour, particularly during colder periods and in relation to energy storage. The integration of a more detailed industry sector representation on the case of Finland enhances flexibility and reduces storage requirements. A comparison of low-carbon transition pathways offers a timely cost assessment, contributing to the ongoing discourse on the role of nuclear power in the energy transition, showing that expansion of nuclear power in Finland would result in 71-84% higher system costs. Additionally, the investigation of the potential for remote areas such as Greenland to become energy hubs provides a global outlook on the options available during the energy transition. The key findings of this dissertation have important implications for energy system planners and policymakers, emphasising the need for advanced modelling approaches that account for interdependencies between energy sectors and technologies.ei tietoa saavutettavuudest
Comprehensive prospective environmental assessment of innovative photovoltaic technologies: Integration into electricity grids in Finland, Germany, and Spain
Full text linkThis study evaluates the environmental performance of advanced solar photovoltaic technologies, including floating, bifacial ground-mounted, and building-integrated photovoltaics systems, compared to conventional technologies in Finland, Germany and Spain from 2022 to 2050. A novel aspect of this research is the integration of multiple photovoltaics technologies, time horizons (2022, 2030, and 2050), and climatic zones, providing a more complete understanding of their lifecycle impacts. The study uses a prospective life cycle assessment approach, offering scenario-based projections to assess future environmental impacts under changing energy mixes and climatic conditions. The results highlight the critical role of local solar irradiation, as seen in the higher carbon footprint of floating photovoltaic systems in Murcia (30.2 gCO2/kWh, 2022) than in Lappeenranta (15.7 gCO2/kWh). Over time, environmental impacts decrease significantly; floating photovoltaics in Murcia reduces to 17.5 gCO2/kWh in 2050, and bifacial systems drop from to 14.9 gCO2/kWh. Overall, bifacial systems have the lowest environmental impact, followed by floating photovoltaics, while building-integrated systems show the highest impact. The findings highlight the critical importance of transitioning to renewable energy in electricity grids to reduce environmental impacts, while emphasizing the role of location-specific factors, technological advancements, and evolving energy systems in shaping the environmental performance of photovoltaics technologies.Post-print / Final draf
Sustainability of raw material production in the solar panel supply chain
No full textTässä kandidaatintutkielmassa tarkastellaan aurinkopaneelien raaka-aineiden vastuullisuuteen liittyviä haasteita toimitusketjussa. Tutkielmassa tarkoituksena on tunnistaa vastuullisuusriskit, arvioida niiden vaikutuksia sekä selvittää yritysten käyttämiä riskienhallintakeinoja. Aineisto koostuu kahden yrityksen haastatteluista ja vastuullisuuteen liittyvistä raporteista. Tutkielma on toteutettu kvalitatiivisena sisällönanalyysinä.
Tutkielman tulokset osoittavat, että suurimmat vastuullisuushaasteet liittyvät erityisesti alkutuotannon ihmisoikeus- ja ympäristöongelmiin, kuten pakkotyöhön ja vedenkulutukseen. Näiden lisäksi toimitusketjujen monimutkaisuus ja vastuullisesti tuotettujen aurinkopaneelien korkea hinta rajoittavat merkittävästi vastuullisuuden toteutumista. Yritykset hallitsevat riskejä monilla keinoilla, kuten sertifikaateilla, auditoinneilla, jäljitettävyysraporteilla sekä tiiviillä yhteistyöllä toimittajien kanssa.
Johtopäätöksenä voidaan todeta, että vastuullisuuden edistäminen aurinkosähköalalla vaatii toimia sekä yrityksiltä että toimialalta. Tällaisia toimenpiteitä ovat läpinäkyvyyden parantaminen, tiukempi lainsäädäntö ja ympäristöystävälliset teknologiat. Riskienhallintakeinoja on käytettävissä useita, mutta niiden käyttö vaihtelee yrityksittäin.This bachelor’s thesis examines challenges related to the sustainability of raw materials in the solar panel supply chain. The purpose of the study is to identify sustainability risks, assess their impacts, and investigate the risk management methods employed by companies. The research material consists of interviews with two companies and reports related to sustainability. The study was conducted as a qualitative content analysis.
The results indicate that the most significant sustainability challenges are associated with human rights and environmental issues in the early stages of production, such as forced labor and water consumption. Additionally, the complexity of supply chains and the high cost of sustainably produced solar panels significantly hinder the implementation of sustainability. Companies manage these risks through various measures, including certifications, audits, traceability reports, and close collaboration with suppliers.
In conclusion, promoting sustainability in the solar energy sector requires action from both companies and industry. Such measures include improving transparency, implementing stricter legislation, and adopting environmentally friendly technologies. While there are several risk management methods available, their application varies between companies
Measuring the impacts of remote work in the Finnish defence forces – Development of the validated measurement scale
No full textIn this paper, we developed a valid measurement scale to assess implications related to remote work. The initial scale was completed by 214 employees of the administrative units of the Finnish Army and the Finnish Navy and validated by 148 employees of the administrative unit of the Finnish Air Force. The 11-item five-factor scale was found to be reliable, valid and stable. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in an organizational context to demonstrate a validated scale for measure implications related to remote work. This study contributes to the current literature on remote work and providing a valuable instrument for practitioners.Post-print / Final draf
Impact of the extent of design utilization on firm profitability
No full textMuotoilun hyödyntämistä yritysten liiketoiminnassa on tutkittu viime vuosina paljon. Sillä on todettu olevan positiivinen vaikutus yritysten taloudelliseen menestykseen. Monessa tutkimuksessa on myös huomattu positiivisten vaikutusten olevan sitä suuremmat, mitä laajemmin yritys hyödyntää muotoilua liiketoiminnassaan. Tässä tutkimuksessa pyritään selvittämään, onko muotoilun hyödyntämisen laajuudella vaikutusta yrityksen kannattavuuteen.
Muotoilun hyödyntämistä koskeva aineisto kerättiin kyselyn avulla ja vastanneiden yritysten taloustiedot kerättiin Orbis-tietokannasta. Taloustietoja hyödyntäen yrityksille laskettiin kolme kannattavuutta kuvaavaa tunnuslukua ja kyselyn vastausten perusteella yritykset jaettiin muotoilun hyödyntämisen tasoja kuvaaviin luokkiin. Varsinainen analyysi toteutettiin ANCOVA analyysimenetelmällä.
Tulosten perusteella ei voida sanoa muotoilun hyödyntämisen laajuudella olevan tilastollisesti merkitsevää vaikutusta yrityksen kannattavuuteen käsitellyssä aineistossa. Tulokset ovat ristiriidassa aiemman tutkimustiedon kanssa. On kuitenkin huomattava, että otoskoko oli varsin rajallinen, joka on voinut osaltaan vaikuttaa analyysin tuloksiin.Companies’ use of design has been studied extensively in recent years. It has been proven to have a positive impact on firms’ financial success. Many studies have also found that the more a firm utilizes design in its operations, the greater the aforementioned positive effects are. This study aims to determine whether the extent of design utilization has an impact on firm profitability.
The data pertaining to design utilization was collected via a questionnaire and the financial information of the respondent companies was collected from the Orbis database. The financial data was used to calculate three profitability indicators for the companies. The companies were divided into groups based on their questionnaire responses. The analysis was conducted using ANCOVA analysis method.
The results do not indicate a statistically significant relationship between the extent of design utilization and firm profitability in the analyzed data. The results are not consistent with previous research. It should be noted, however, that the sample size used in this study was quite limited, which may have influenced the result of the study
Development of a viscosity control concept to optimize the manufacturing process
No full textTämä diplomityö tarkastelee viskositeetin säätökonseptin kehittämistä valmistusprosessin tehokkuuden parantamiseksi. Työn tavoitteena on kehittää säätökonsepti, joka vähentää prosessin viiveitä, parantaa tuotteen laatua ja tehostaa tuotantoa. Työssä analysoitiin viskositeetin hallintaa prosessissa, jossa prosessin sivuaineen ohennetta (PSAOH) käytetään ohentamaan prosessin sivuainetta (PSA), minkä tavoitteena on ylläpitää haluttua viskositeettia.
Analyysissa ilmeni, että viskositeetti muuttuu PSAOH:n ja PSA:n massojen suhteen perusteella, minkä vuoksi todettiin, että viskositeettia tulee myös säätää massojen suhteeseen perusteella. Lisäksi havaittiin, että PSA:n laadun vaihtelu vaikuttaa säätökonseptin suunnitteluun. Viskositeetin mittaamiseen liittyvä viive todettiin lyhyemmäksi kuin alun perin arvioitiin, mutta edelleen huomattavaksi, minkä vuoksi säätökonseptin kehittämisessä korostui viiveen huomioiminen.
Työssä tutkittiin useita säätökonsepteja, joiden suorituskykyä arvioitiin simulaatiokokeiden avulla. Simuloinneissa tarkasteltiin prosessin viiveen ja PSA:n laadun vaihteluiden vaikutuksia säätöön. Simulointitulosten perusteella ehdotettiin säätökonseptiratkaisuja sekä arvioitiin niiden rajoituksia. Saatuja säätimen parametreja voidaan pitää suuntaa antavina, ja lopullinen säätimen käyttöönotto ja virittäminen jää tuotantolaitoksen vastuulle.
Keskeisiä suosituksia prosessin kehittämiseksi olivat säätökonseptin implementoinnin lisäksi virtausmittausten tarkentaminen, PSA:n ominaisuuksien syvällisempi analyysi sekä lisämittauspisteiden asentaminen prosessin eri vaiheisiin. Näiden toimenpiteiden avulla voidaan mahdollisesti saavuttaa tarkempi prosessinhallinta, parantaa säätökonseptin luotettavuutta ja vähentää raaka-aineiden hukkaa.This thesis examines the development of a viscosity control concept to improve the efficiency of a manufacturing process. The goal is to design a control concept that reduces process delays, improves product quality, and enhances production efficiency. The study focused on viscosity management in a process where process auxiliary substance thinner (PSAOH) is used to dilute process auxiliary substance (PSA) to maintain the desired viscosity level.
The analysis revealed that viscosity changes based on the ratio of PSAOH to PSA mass, indicating the need to control viscosity based on this mass ratio. Additionally, PSA quality variations were found to significantly influence the design of the control concept. The delay associated with viscosity measurement was shorter than initially estimated but still significant, emphasizing the importance of considering delay in control concept development.
Several control concepts were examined, and their performance was evaluated through simulation experiments. These simulations assessed the effects of process delays and PSA quality variations on control performance. Based on the simulation results, control strategies were proposed, along with an assessment of their limitations. The obtained controller parameters are considered indicative, and the final implementation and tuning of the controller remain the responsibility of the production facility.
Key recommendations for process improvement, in addition to implementing the control concept, included refining flow measurements, conducting a more detailed analysis of PSA properties, and adding additional measurement points at various stages of the process. These actions aim to achieve more precise process control, enhance the reliability of the control concept, and reduce raw material waste
WAAM-teknologian soveltaminen hitsausautomaatioon ja sen vertailu perinteisiin valmistusmenetelmiin
No full textThis study examines the integration of Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) into existing welding automation workflows for producing sub-components used in multi-part assemblies. The research focuses on utilizing existing seam welding robots without hardware or software modifications to evaluate WAAM as a replacement or complementary method to traditional machining and welding. Key areas of investigation include cost-effectiveness, material quality, and the seamless use of existing welding materials in the WAAM process.
For comparison, a bearing housing sub-component, typically machined and welded using conventional methods, was produced using WAAM. Laboratory tests were conducted to assess the structural integrity, material properties, and geometric accuracy of the WAAM-manufactured part. Additionally, a cost analysis was performed to compare the economic aspects of traditional manufacturing methods with those of WAAM. The results provided insights into production costs, material utilization, and overall feasibility and work involved in WAAM integration into an existing welding seam robot.Tämä työ tutkii lankapohjaisen suorakerrostus (eng. WAAM) tekniikan integroimista olemassa oleviin hitsausautomaatiorobotteihin moniosaisissa kokoonpanoissa käytettävien osakomponenttien valmistamiseksi. Tutkimuksessa keskitytään käyttämään olemassa olevia hitsausrobotteja ilman laitteisto- tai ohjelmistomuutoksia WAAM-tekniikan arvioimiseksi perinteisen koneistuksen ja hitsauksen korvaavana tai täydentävänä menetelmänä. Keskeisiä tutkimusalueita ovat kustannustehokkuus, materiaalilaatu ja olemassa olevien hitsausmateriaalien saumaton käyttö WAAM-prosessissa.
Vertailua varten valmistettiin laakeripesän osakomponentti, joka perinteisesti koneistetaan ja hitsataan tavanomaisin menetelmin, käyttäen WAAM-tekniikkaa. Laboratoriotestit suoritettiin arvioimaan WAAM-valmistetun osan rakenteellista eheyttä, materiaalin ominaisuuksia. Lisäksi suoritettiin kustannusanalyysi, jossa verrattiin perinteisten valmistusmenetelmien ja WAAM-tekniikan taloudellisia näkökulmia. Tulokset antoivat tietoa tuotantokustannuksista, WAAM materiaalilaadusta sekä WAAM-tekniikan integroinnin kokonaisvaltaisesta toteutettavuudesta ja siihen liittyvästä työmäärästä olemassa olevaan hitsausrobottiin