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Resilient Innovation Portfolio Management- Exploring Alternative Approaches
No full textManaging innovation portfolios is crucial for gaining a competitive edge in dynamic markets. Traditional product portfolio management often relies on formal approaches, which struggle to address the complexities of early-stage innovation, such as predicting customer needs, developing effective strategies, and aligning products with market needs. Most research focuses on minor modifications by introducing new tools into existing portfolio tools, which often lack practical application in case studies and fail to demonstrate portfolio outcomes. This paper presents an integrated innovation portfolio management approach that combines the theory of inventive problem-solving (TRIZ), quantum economic analysis (QEA), and open innovation (OI). This approach enhances portfolio analysis by merging TRIZ’s predictive exploratory foresight with the evaluatory perspective provided by the QEA-OI tool, aligning products, markets, and organisations while offering a flexible decision-making structure. A hypothetical case study illustrates the application of this methodology to seven product families in the consumer electronics industry, detailing the portfolio design process. Results reveal the potential of this methodology in identifying high-value innovation opportunities. The combination of TRIZ and QEA-OI presents a pragmatic alternative for developing resilient innovation portfolios, facilitating product comparisons and visualising growth strategies.Post-print / Final draf
Algorithmic governmentality and the European digital subject : a discourse analysis of the European strategy for data
Get PDFThis thesis investigates how digital governance in the European Union, as articulated through policy documents, constructs, stabilizes, and legitimizes specific forms of digital subjectivity in the fields of data and artificial intelligence. The central argument is that the European Strategy for Data extends beyond merely regulating data usage and functions as a technology of governmentality that shapes modes of being, agency, and self-understanding in a data-driven society, forming part of a broader political–economic discourse. Using a Foucault-inspired framework, the thesis argues that EU digital policies act as mechanisms that categorize individuals, establish behavioural norms, and legitimise algorithmic logic, producing a dual digital persona: the “normal” and “non-normal” European citizen. Within this discourse, SMEs appear as creative yet fragile actors, nation-states as monitored law enforcers, and the EU as a moral–strategic subject contrasted with China and the United States. The first part shows that, despite extensive theoretical debates on digital governmentality, limited research critically analyses EU policy documents or examines how they discursively construct the desired digital subject at the intersection of algorithmic systems and policymaking.
The methodology implements an interpretive, qualitative research approach guided by Critical Discourse Analysis and consisting of four steps: mapping the discursive field, identifying subject positions, analysing boundaries and antagonisms, and examining interdiscursive relations. The research is primarily based on the European Strategy for Data (2020), a key document within the EU data governance model. The results show that the EU discourse in the European Strategy for Data formulates a logic that redefines the digital subject not only as an individual with rights but also as an entity deeply connected to algorithmic and economic networks. This emerging regime prioritizes truth, predictability, accountability, and self-regulation as core features, encouraging the acceptance and internalization of efficiency, transparency, and data-driven participation as social values. At the same time, it highlights various forms of exclusion, inequality, and constraints on agency and political participation in digital societies in relation to global “others,” namely China and the United States
Tracking tag technologies and their functionality in Finland
No full textSeurantatagien käyttö on yleistynyt nopeasti viime vuosina, kun kuluttajat etsivät keinoja paikantaa omia tavaroitaan helposti ja luotettavasti. Eri valmistajien ratkaisut perustuvat erilaisiin teknologioihin ja verkkoihin, mikä vaikuttaa tagien käytännön toimintaan ja havaittavuuteen eri ympäristöissä. Tämän kandidaatintyön tavoitteena oli selvittää, miten neljä eri seurantatagia, Apple AirTag, Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2, Motorola Moto Tag ja Tile Mate, suoriutuvat suomalaisissa olosuhteissa. Työssä tarkasteltiin tagien teknologisia eroja, havaintotiheyttä, paikannusnopeutta ja mahdollisuutta ohjelmalliseen seurantaan.
Tutkimus toteutettiin kokeellisena vertailuna, jossa tageja testattiin sisä- ja ulkotiloissa sekä erilaisissa ympäristöissä, kuten kaupungeissa, ostoskeskuksissa ja metsässä. Havaintoja kerättiin systemaattisesti minuutin välein, ja Tile Matea seurattiin lisäksi ohjelmallisesti avoimen rajapinnan avulla. Tulosten perusteella Moto Tag suoriutui tasaisimmin eri ympäristöissä, kun taas Tile Mate ja Galaxy SmartTag 2 jäivät selvästi jälkeen havaintojen määrässä. AirTagin havaittavuus oli vahva etenkin Apple-laitteiden laajan verkon ansiosta, mutta sen ohjelmallinen seuranta ei ollut mahdollista.
Työn keskeisenä johtopäätöksenä voidaan todeta, että verkon laajuus ja yhteensopivien laitteiden määrä ovat merkittävimmät tekijät seurantatagien toimivuudelle Suomessa. Työ tarjoaa uutta tietoa eri valmistajien tagien käytännön suorituskyvystä suomalaisissa olosuhteissa ja osoittaa, että teknologiset erot jäävät usein toissijaisiksi verkon kattavuuteen verrattuna.The use of tracking tags has increased rapidly in the past years as consumers try to find reliable and convenient ways to locate their belongings. Solutions offered by different manufacturers rely on different technologies and networks, which affect the usage and detectability of the tags in diverse environments. This bachelor’s thesis goal was to examine how four tracking tags, Apple AirTag, Samsung Galaxy SmartTag 2, Motorola Moto Tag and Tile Mate, perform in Finnish conditions. The study focused on technological differences between the tags, their detection frequency, positioning speed and the possibility of programmatic monitoring.
The research was conducted as experimental comparison, where the tags were tested both indoors and outdoors in environments like cities, shopping centers and forests. The observations were collected systematically once a minute, and Tile Mate additionally monitored programmatically through an open interface. The results showed that Moto Tag performed most consistently across different environments, while Tile Mate and Galaxy SmartTag 2 lagged clearly behind in the number of detections. AirTag demonstrated strong detectability, particularly due to Apple’s extensive device network, although programmatic monitoring was not possible.
The key conclusion of this thesis is that the coverage of the network and the number of compatible devices are the most significant factors affecting the functionality of tracking tags in Finland. The study provides new insights onto the practical performance of different manufacturers’ tags in Finnish conditions and highlights that technological differences often remain secondary compared to the impact of network size and coverage
A novel strategy for oil storage and transport in epoxy composites using biomass Juncus effusus fibers
No full textThe effective storage and delivery of lubricating oils within polymeric materials is crucial for enhancing their tribological performances. In this study, hollow Juncus effusus (JE) fibers with a diameter of 2.14 mm were employed as efficient carriers of paraffin wax (PW) in the epoxy resin (EP) matrix. The microstructure, morphology, and mechanical properties of the resulting epoxy resin/Juncus effusus/paraffin wax (EP/JE/PW) composites were systematically characterized. Furthermore, the influence of PW content on the tribological performances of EP/JE/PW composites was studied. The results revealed that the average friction coefficient of the EP/JE/PW (1:20) was 0.19, and the wear rate was 6.06 × 10⁻5 mm3/N·m. Compared to pure EP, the composite exhibited an 80 % reduction in friction coefficient and an 88.02 % reduction in wear rate due to the solid-liquid dual lubrication mechanism. We report the use of biomass JE fibers for the effective storage and delivery of PW to enhance the tribological performances of EP for the first time. This study offers new insights into efficient oil storage and intelligent oil delivery in polymeric matrices using biomass-based JE fibers as an oil carrier and oil transport pathway.Post-print / Final draf
Developing financial management in an SME
No full textYrityksen talousjohtaminen on keskeistä yrityksen menestymisen ja kasvun kannalta jatkuvasti muuttuvassa liiketoimintaympäristössä. Talousjohtamisella on suuri merkitys yrityksen päätöksenteossa ja riskienhallinnassa. Talousjohtamisen tulee myös tukea yrityksen strategisia tavoitteita. Yrityksessä tulee määritellä strategiaan perustuvat taloustavoitteet, joiden pohjalta rakennetaan tavoitteet talousjohtamiselle. Yrityksen taloustavoitteiden tulee olla mitattavissa, jotta niiden kehitystä voidaan seurata. Talousjohtamista voidaan tehdä strategisella, taktisella ja operatiivisella tasolla. Talousjohtamisen voidaan ajatella koostuvan useista limittäisistä ja toisiaan tukevista prosesseista, jotka pitävät sisällään rahoituksen ja johdon laskentatoimen prosessien johtamisen.
Tässä tutkimuksessa perehdyttiin talousjohtamisen kehittämiseen pk-yrityksessä. Tutkimuksessa pyrittiin selvittämään, millaista talousjohtaminen pk-yrityksissä on. Tutkimuksessa selvitettiin, millaista talousjohtamisen tulisi olla projektiliiketoimintaa harjoittavassa yrityksessä hallitun kasvun mahdollistamiseksi. Tutkimuksessa tarkasteltiin projektiliiketoimintaa harjoittavan pk-yrityksen talousjohtamisen nykytilaa ja kehityskohteita. Tutkimus toteutettiin kvalitatiivisena tutkimuksena hyödyntäen puolistrukturoituja kysely- ja haastattelulomakkeita. Tutkimuksen perusteella talousjohtaminen on laaja kokonaisuus, jonka hallitseminen edellyttää useiden liiketoiminnan osa-alueiden ymmärtämistä.
Tutkimustulokset vahvistavat aikaisempia havaintoja siitä, että pk-yrityksessä talousjohtamiselta odotetaan laaja-alaista osaamista. Talousjohtamisessa on keskeistä tuntea yrityksen liiketoimintamalli ja ansaintalogiikka. Talousjohtamisen kehittäminen vaatii yrityksen prosessien määrätietoista analysointia ja kehittämistä sekä muutosvalmiutta yrityksessä. Yritysten kannattaa luoda toimintaansa soveltuvat talousjohtamisen prosessit huomioiden lain-säädännön ja yhteiskunnan asettamat vaatimukset.Financial management (FM) is essential for a company’s success and growth in a constantly changing business environment. FM plays a significant role in decision-making and risk management within a company, and it must also align with and support the company’s strategic objectives. Companies should define financial targets based on their strategy and, on that basis, set corresponding objectives for FM. These financial targets must be measurable to enable systematic monitoring of their progress. FM may be practiced at strategic, tactical and operational levels. FM can be understood as consisting of several overlapping and mutually supportive processes, which include the management of financing activities and management accounting processes.
This study examined the development of FM in an SME. The aim of the study was to explore the characteristics of FM within SMEs. The study investigated what FM should entail in a project-based company to facilitate controlled growth. The study investigated the current state of FM and the related development needs in an SME engaged in project based business. The research was conducted as a qualitative study employing semi-structured questionnaires and interview forms. The findings indicate that FM is a comprehensive domain, requiring a thorough understanding of multiple business areas.
The findings of the study support previous observations that FM in SMEs is expected to encompass broad expertise. A thorough understanding of the company’s business model and revenue logic is essential to effective FM. Developing FM requires a systematic analysis and improvement of the company’s processes, as well as organizational readiness for change. Companies should design FM processes that are appropriate for their operations, taking into consideration the requirements imposed by legislation and societal expectations
Fatigue life prediction of wire arc additively manufactured WAAM steel using finite element method
Get PDFThis thesis focuses on the investigation of the fatigue behaviour of a wire arc additive manufactured (WAAM), low-alloy steel specimen subjected under a displacement controlled cyclic loading parameter. The aim of the study is to assess the fatigue life performance based on finite element analysis with focusing on strain-based failure mechanism. A bone-like geometry, typical of parts built by WAAM, was modelled and the part was subjected to full elastic-plastic material behaviour considering a bilinear isotropic hardening law.
Stress and strain distribution, which were extracted from critical regions, showed large plastic deformation and cyclic energy dissipation that is associated with low-cycle fatigue. Hysteresis response was applied to measure stabilized strain amplitudes that used as input in strain-life fatigue prediction. Damage evolution modelling was also able to assess damage initiation and propagation behaviour in correlation with continuum damage mechanics and Paris law fracture trends. Mesh sensitivity studies ensured numerical and physical consistency in the results.
The results prove that numerical simulation is an effective surrogate for physical testing in the fatigue analysis of WAAM. The methodology - validated and cost-effective way of predicting fatigue life, determining the critical stress zones and supporting design optimization in additively manufactured steel components
Finite element simulation of wire arc additive manufacturing : prediction of temperature and stress evolution during processing
Get PDFThis thesis is a research on the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) process using finite element simulation. WAAM is a metal additive manufacturing process that is based on the deposition of layer-by-layer components, where a metal wire is melted into a stream of an electric arc. It has a high deposition rate and low cost of operation which has made WAAM gain more application in large metallic structures fabrication. Nevertheless, non-uniform heating of the deposition causes too many thermal gradients, large residual stresses, and geometrical distortion, which undermine dimensional accuracy and structural integrity (Montevecchi et al., 2016; Tatemoto et al., 2023).
The current paper is devoted to the numerical modeling of temperature change and stress buildup when the 1 bead of S235 structural steel is deposited. Heat flow was simulated using a transient heat model that used the double-ellipsoidal heat source of Goldak and coupled thermo-mechanical analysis was used to approximate the formation of stress. Using the values of the process parameters determined; the heat input of 40 W/mm, travel speed of 5 mm/s and the inter-pass cooling time of 20 s, the maximum temperature during deposition was about 1500-1600 °C, which was concentrated at the center of the molten pool. The generated thermal gradients created tensile residual stresses of the order of 200-300 Mpa, which also correlate with earlier values in the literature of WAAM research (Bauer et al., 2021; Tatemoto et al., 2023).
The simulations also affirm that process parameters have a strong effect on the quality of parts: heat input is lower or cooling times are increased, the effect on thermal gradients minimized, and consequent material in the form of residual stress and distortion is minimized. All in all, the FEM simulation proves to be highly proficient in simulating the thermo-mechanical nature of WAAM, which makes it a credible predictive instrument of optimizing the parameters and enhancing the quality of metal components made through the WAAM method
Thermal modelling of cylindrical Li-ion battery cell
Get PDFThis thesis investigates the thermal behaviour of a commercial 21700 NCA lithium-ion cell through combined experimental characterisation and lumped thermal modelling. The work focuses on quantifying heat generation mechanisms and predicting temperature evolution under various operating conditions. Experimental measurements include open-circuit voltage profiling, entropic heat coefficient determination, heat-transfer coefficient estimation, and charge–discharge cycling at 0.5C, 1C, and 2C. Additional calorimetric experiments are conducted to validate the thermal model under controlled thermal boundary conditions. The modelling framework incorporates reversible and irreversible heat generation, temperature-dependent parameters, and a thermal time constant extracted from cooling-curve analysis. Model predictions are evaluated against measured temperature responses, showing reasonable agreement across all tested C-rates. The results highlight the influence of current rate on heat generation, voltage relaxation, and thermal response, while demonstrating the suitability of a calibrated lumped model for representing the thermal dynamics of cylindrical Li-ion cells. The developed methodology provides a practical foundation for future battery thermal management design and for scaling cell-level thermal characteristics to module-level simulations
Climate adaptation in food SMEs : a dynamic capabilities and organizational learning perspective : evidence from Kymenlaakso
Get PDFClimate change poses serious operational challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food industry. However, the processes through which these firms detect climatic threats and integrate adaptive practices are not well understood. This thesis explores how food-sector SMEs in the Kymenlaakso area sense climate-related triggers, seize opportunities for climate adaptation, and transform their operations through learning and capacity building. The theoretical framework used to study these mechanisms is the dynamic capabilities theory (sensing, seizing, transforming) and organizational learning. This study used a qualitative and interpretive case study design based on semi-structured interviews with five small firms and secondary sources of data. The credibility of the findings was enhanced through data triangulation. The findings reveal that climate adaptation in SMEs is developed by interrelated processes: identifying climate-related disturbances, translating insights into innovation opportunities, and internalizing new practices in the long run. Firms recognize climatic pressures like heatwaves, fluctuations in supply chains and uneven energy needs. These catalysts drive opportunity-driven behaviours, such as technology investments, re-adjusted sourcing behaviours, better storage and processing systems, and energy-efficient operations. Organizational learning plays a key role, and it can be in the form of experiential and social learning. This study also finds that there is a clear difference between the responses of small firms and micro-enterprises; small firms rely on formal structures and long-term strategies, whereas micro firms use flexible, informal, and owner-driven practices. These mechanisms collectively contribute to the enhancement of adaptive capacity as they allow SMEs to anticipate future climate-related pressures, respond proactively and ensure continued operations. This thesis also contributes to the existing literature on climate adaptation in SMEs; by demonstrating how dynamic capabilities are revealed in resource-constrained contexts and how organizational learning supports to promote adaptive behavior. Managerial implications include the need to formalize the learning systems and investment in personal networks which help to share knowledge and incorporate climate considerations in daily decision-making. The limitations of this study primarily include its restricted regional and sectoral focus. Future studies could examine comparative cases with other regions, longitudinal studies, and cross-sector differences in adaptive capacity
Larox-suodattimien ennakkohuoltojen kehittäminen
No full textThe subject of this thesis is the development of preventive maintenance for Larox filters. The theoretical part of the work addresses methods for improving preventive maintenance and how they are applied in real life. Various studies, maintenance-related books, and articles are used as sources for the theoretical section. To determine the current state of the target unit, interviews with officials and employees, as well as data from the organization's maintenance system, were utilized.
The goal of the work was to reduce the number of corrective repairs on the filters, increase the reliability of the equipment, and reduce maintenance costs. These objectives are pursued through SMEA analysis and literature that enhances preventive maintenance. The work addresses the development of existing preventive maintenance, updating work plans, standardizing spare parts, as well as equipment and operational locations. Updating preventive maintenance is made into a continuous improvement process, where incoming corrective repair requests are minimized.
As a result of improving preventive maintenance, the frequency of failures in the filters was positively affected, meaning the filters no longer fail as often as in previous years. The number of work orders for the filters has also decreased by a third, and costs have dropped compared to previous years. Summarizing all these factors, the reliability of the filters was found to have improved compared to the initial situation. Additionally, three development proposals were suggested to further improve the operation of the filters, positively impacting costs and equipment reliability.Tämän diplomityön aiheena on ennakkohuoltojen kehittäminen Larox suodattimilla. Työn teoriaosuudessa käsitellään ennakkohuoltojen parantamistapoja ja miten niitä hyödynnetään tosielämässä. Teoriaosuuden lähteinä käytetään erilaisia tutkimuksia ja kunnossapitoa käsitteleviä kirjoja, sekä artikkeleita. Kohdeyksikön nykytilannetta selvitettäessä käytettiin hyödyksi toimihenkilöille ja työntekijöille pidettyjä haastatteluita, sekä organisaation kunnossapitojärjestelmästä saatuja tietoja.
Työn tavoitteena oli vähentää vikakorjausten määrää suodattimilla, sekä lisätä laitteiden luotettavuutta ja vähentää kunnossapitokustannuksia. Tavoitteisiin pyritään SMEA-analyysin ja ennakkohuoltoja parantavan kirjallisuuden avulla. Työssä käsitellään olemassa olevien ennakkohuoltojen kehittämistä, työsuunnitelmien päivittämistä, varaosien, sekä laite- ja toimintopaikkojen standardisointia. Ennakkohuoltojen päivittämisestä tehdään jatkuvan parantamisen prosessi, missä tulleet vikakorjauspyynnöt pyritään saamana minimiin.
Työn tuloksena ennakkohuoltojen parantamisella saatiin vaikutettua suodattimien vikataajuuksiin positiivisesti eli suodattimet eivät vikaannu enää niin usein kuin aikaisempina vuosina. Työtilausten määrät suodattimilla ovat myös laskeneet kolmannekseen, sekä kustannukset ovat pudonneet verrattuna edellisiin vuosiin. Kaikkien näiden summana todettiin suodattimien luotettavuuden parantuneen lähtötilanteeseen nähden. Lisäksi ehdotettiin kolme kehitysehdotusta, millä saataisiin parannettua suodattimien toimintaa vielä enemmän, sekä vaikutettua kustannuksiin ja laitteen luotettavuuteen positiivisesti