1,773,248 research outputs found
Medium circuit design and control for multi-density dense medium separation plants
No full textThe paper describes the new design criteria and control strategies for multi-density dense medium separation (DMS) circuits. The role of the multi-density separation is discussed, and it is emphasized that for many processing problems -related to minerals and coals -it may be very important to perform two or more cuts at different densities in order to obtain a remarkable improvement in quality of products, process efficiency and economy. The two-density separation by dense medium cyclones was generally performed using two dense medium plants in sequence. In contrast to the former technology, the multi-density separation can now be performed by using a single medium circuit composed of different interconnected medium sumps. The sumps, one for each density, are fed with different medium streams selected according to their density, size composition and content in non-magnetic contaminant in such a way that the rheological properties of the media are optimized. This new technology is based on dynamic systems to density the medium, on the size-density segregation of the medium in the cyclones and separating devices and on accurate control systems for the density, viscosity and stability of the dense media of the different sumps. The present paper reports on the theoretical basis for the new, advanced medium circuits and on the systems for the control of the densities and of the rheological properties of the dense media. A typical circuit for a two-density separation is also described, and some industrial applications reported and discussed
Development of a product-costing model oriented to productive capacity analysis
Full text linkPurpose of this paper is to present a new cost accounting model to estimate the standard product cost.
This model, named Enhanced Full Manufacturing Costing (EFMC), makes an extensive use of Production Job Orders to collect cost data; through this technique, the traditional cost allocation procedure and cost centres classification is reviewed. It represents an intermediate step between Absorption and Activity Based Costing: it gives the solution for the well-known limits of the former without the economic impacts and the complexity of ABC, which makes the presented model suitable for small-medium enterprises requirements.
Moreover the model identifies the share of standard product costs due to available unused productive capacity: such contribute is strategic for enterprise management because it gives an evaluation parameter for planning effectiveness and it supports decision-making.
Our proposal has been tested on a chemical-pharmaceutical plant: the EFMC implementation has lead to a more reliable estimate for standard product cost and an exhaustive data collection for productive capacity analysis which have been used for line balancing
SME Policy and Firms’ Productivity in Latin America
Full text linkVery little is known about the effectiveness of SME policies, and a careful look at the structure, mechanisms and incentives provided by these policies suggest caution in their implementation and, most importantly, the need to carefully and closely monitor their results. This paper relies on the microeconometric analysis of a homogeneous dataset of sixteen Latin American and Caribbean countries to analyze the magnitude and determinants of the productivity gap between large and SME firms and to simulate of the impact on productivity of various policy scenarios.SMEs, SME policy, productivity, Latin America
Process-SME Project [Elektronisk resurs] : Exceeded Expectations
No full textThis publication ‘Process-SME Project – Exceeded Expectations’ introduces a Nordic project Process-SME, which main objective is to improve the competitiveness of SMEs whose customers are found within the process, mining, energy, oil, and gas industries. The project supports these SMEs by identifying their needs and potential opportunities, developing new business models, building European partnerships and applying for EU-level funding for project proposals on SMEs’ business behalf. Furthermore, the Process-SME project aims to develop SMEs’ products, services and other offerings.</p
Milieu- natuur- en landschapsaspecten van waterkeringszorg
No full textIn het kader van dit onderzoek is nagegaan of de Structuurnota TAW volledig is met betrekking tot voor waterkeringen relevante milieu- natuur- en landschapsaspecten en, of gezien deze aspecten de nota evenwichtig en integraal geprioriteerd is; wat de visie is voor een optimale functie van waterkeringen ten behoeve van landschap en natuur, met het oog op toekomstig onderzoek. Ten behoeve van het voorliggende onderzoeksrapport zijn beleidsdocumenten geanalyseerd en gesprekken gevoerd, zowel met sleutelfiguren in de waterkeringszorg als het natuurbehoud. Daarbij is vooral gekeken naar wat er aan onderzoek en maatregelen in inhoudelijke zin loopt en wat nodig is. Minder, naar wie voor het onderzoek en de maatregelen verantwoordelijk zijn.TAW/EN
The influence of the European single market upon the SME activity
Full text linkThe analysis tries to highlight the manner in which the European common market will influence the SME activity in Romania. The challenges caused by regionalization and globalization of markets demand the compliance of SME to the competitive environment, by consolidating their market position and benefit from the economical opportunities. Romanian SME could become an economical growth vector only if the real capacity to adapt to a global competition and knowledge based economy is proved. Regarding this aspect, the authors try to present the most important positive and negative effects on the SME activity. Presently, the small level of competitiveness is due to the lack of necessary capital for supporting investment projects, but also to the constraints of financial sources. The study reveals the importance of SME in an economy and the Romanian SME capacity of overcoming the difficulties of entering a strongly competitive market. Romania has a SME sector which, although has recently followed a positive trend, it possess performances which are still low in comparison with the countries from European Union, including the countries which entered the European Union in May 2004. The branch structure of Romanian SME is still one specific to a less developed country: industries that use a high level of labor force and that has a competitive advantage related to the small cost of this factor; a small proportion of the tertiary sector; and an increased presence of the SME that have as principal activity commerce (2 times bigger than the European average). SME sector contribution to economical growth is well known in the majority of the countries of the European Union. If traditionally, small and medium enterprises were considered economical operators belonging to the internal market, today a growing number of SME are managing to conquer the global markets. Approximately one fifth of the SME involved in the productive activity in the OECD countries realize a proportion of 10 to 40 % of their turnover from international activities. SME contribute in a high proportion to the global industrial exports and increase the volume of foreign direct investments worldwide. Moreover, the European Union experience show that it has a significant contribution to the GDP and to the reduction of the unemployment rate.Competitiveness, SMEs (Small and Medium Entreprises), single market
Banking system soundness is the key to more SME financing. Bruegel Policy Contribution 2013/10, July 2013
Full text linkThe SME access-to-finance problem is not universal in the European Union and there are reasons for the fall in credit aggregates and higher SME lending rates in southern Europe. Possible market failures, high unemployment and externalities justify making greater and easier access to finance for SMEs a top priority. Previous European initiatives were able to support only a tiny fraction of Europe’s SMEs; merely stepping-up these programmes is unlikely to result in a breakthrough. Without repairing bank balance sheets and resuming economic growth, initiatives to help SMEs get access to finance will have limited success. The European Central Bank can foster bank recapitalisation by performing in the toughest possible way the asset quality review before it takes over the single supervisory role. Of the possible initiatives for fostering SME access to finance, a properly designed scheme for targeted central bank lending seems to be the best complement to the banking clean-up, but other options, such as increased European Investment Bank lending and the promotion of securitisation of SME loans, should also be explored
Development of a change framework to study SME web site evolution
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.It has been suggested that the adoption of e-commerce by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) follows a sequence of stages with each representing increasing complexity and benefits. These models imply a development of their web sites in successive iterations or redesigns from
basic use of the Internet (as a marketing tool) to the most advanced level of sophistication and integration. The EU and the UK government appear to believe such models and have used them in their e-commerce adoption encouragement policies for SMEs. However, recent research in Europe reveals that e-commerce initiatives in SMEs in most cases are still in their initial stages, which do not exceed the use of email and simple information-based web pages. This failure of SMEs to engage in the more advanced stages of adoption suggest that our understanding of the implementation and management of SME web sites over time is too limited. Thus, the main aim of this research is to establish an enhanced understanding of the dynamics of SME web site transformations over time to better support SME e-commerce progression. The specific objectives of this research are to (1) examine the literature that explain or guide the evolution of web sites and internet strategies, particularly in the context of SMEs, (2) develop a
multidimensional framework that combines three dimensions of organisational change (extent, content and drivers) to characterise and model the evolution of the web presence of SMEs and (3) undertake a study of the types and characteristics of actual changes on a sample of SME web sites over time to demonstrate the relevance and applicability of the dimensions of the
framework. This study employs both quantitative and qualitative techniques. The quantitative part of the study includes the collection and observation of the sample of SME web sites to study the extent of the changes and the content of the changes incorporated. The qualitative part of the study involves telephone interviews to seek additional information about the drivers for web site redesigns and complement the previous observations. It is argued that a research framework that combines three different dimensions of organisational change offers an alternative approach to e-commerce Stage Models in understanding the evolution of SME web sites over time. The developed framework is useful to academics by providing multiple perspectives that enable more insightful study of SME web
site evolution, and avoid over-simple, a priori theory, e. g. staged approach. The framework is also argued to be useful for SME managers seeking to make the most of their limited resources in this context
A Policy Theory Evaluation of the Dutch SME and Entrepreneurship Policy Program between 1982 and 2003
Full text linkThe present paper reconstructs and analyses the assumptions – i.e. the policy theory – underlying the development of the SME and Entrepreneurship Policy Program in general and the Establishment Act and the Loan Guarantee (BBMKB) in particular between 1982-2003. The analysis links these assumptions to policy output results and policy effects. We find that the foundation of the policy theories of the Establishment Act and the Loan Guarantee requires improvement with respect to implicit assumptions and lacking warrants. We also find that the implied policy effects cohere with formal policy objectives.
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