RESEARCH OF THE SLP METHOD TO IMPROVE THE LAYOUT OF AN ICE CREAM FACTORY

The problems of physical arrangement for the organizations are relevant when have space and material movements limitations. Reviewing layouts is a way to improve the industrial production process. Therefore, the objective of this present academic work is to propose a layout for an ice cream factory's production, considering analysis of alternatives to increase productivity. The Systematic Layout Planning (SLP) Simplified method was used as the main tool for the construction of the layout proposal. A case study was carried out which investigates a phenomenon within a real context through an in-depth analysis of a study object. The method was used systematically and validated from the fifth step, where a qualitative comparation between the current layout and the alternative submitted. As a result, is achieved an optimized, complete, detailed layout plan that reduces 21,30% of the factory handling cost.

An Alternative to Development Framework: A Study of Permaculture and Anarchism in Global Justice Movements in New Zealand

<p>This study is a response to calls for alternatives to development by postdevelopment authors and critics of post-development alike. It asks “can the praxis of permaculture and anarchism provide an alternative to development?” Although alternatives to development arguably do not exist untouched by the dominant development paradigm, it is possible to imagine and to create the different possible organisations based on principles of mutual aid, direct action and self-management. Anarchism as a politically focused social philosophy and permaculture as an ecologically focused design philosophy are mutually beneficial in strengthening each other. The combined analysis of alternatives to development uses case studies in the Wellington Region, primarily Climate Camp Aotearoa, with permaculture and anarchist principles, and contributes another perspective to the post-development debate. The two approaches share converging central ethics, principles and struggles of praxis. They recognise that transformative change is necessary. Whether it is called a cultural revolution, transition or paradigm shift, the underlying recognition is that we need to live more harmoniously with each other and the natural environment by creating diverse post-industrial societies. Many tools, principles and processes advocated by alternative development and post-development are the same. However, the combination of those tools, principles and processes, and how they are designed and applied in relation to each other systemically, are significant in determining whether or not the intent is that of an alternative to development. Solidarity and stewardship, decentralisation and autonomy, tight multiple feedback mechanisms and a whole system design approach are some of the alternative people-focused solutions proposed by anarchism and permaculture. Fieldwork research was conducted using the qualitative ethnographic and action research methods of participant observation from a constructionist and post-development perspective. Global justice networks are given importance as examples of the anarchistic intent of alternatives to development.</p>

An Alternative to Development Framework: A Study of Permaculture and Anarchism in Global Justice Movements in New Zealand

<p>This study is a response to calls for alternatives to development by postdevelopment authors and critics of post-development alike. It asks “can the praxis of permaculture and anarchism provide an alternative to development?” Although alternatives to development arguably do not exist untouched by the dominant development paradigm, it is possible to imagine and to create the different possible organisations based on principles of mutual aid, direct action and self-management. Anarchism as a politically focused social philosophy and permaculture as an ecologically focused design philosophy are mutually beneficial in strengthening each other. The combined analysis of alternatives to development uses case studies in the Wellington Region, primarily Climate Camp Aotearoa, with permaculture and anarchist principles, and contributes another perspective to the post-development debate. The two approaches share converging central ethics, principles and struggles of praxis. They recognise that transformative change is necessary. Whether it is called a cultural revolution, transition or paradigm shift, the underlying recognition is that we need to live more harmoniously with each other and the natural environment by creating diverse post-industrial societies. Many tools, principles and processes advocated by alternative development and post-development are the same. However, the combination of those tools, principles and processes, and how they are designed and applied in relation to each other systemically, are significant in determining whether or not the intent is that of an alternative to development. Solidarity and stewardship, decentralisation and autonomy, tight multiple feedback mechanisms and a whole system design approach are some of the alternative people-focused solutions proposed by anarchism and permaculture. Fieldwork research was conducted using the qualitative ethnographic and action research methods of participant observation from a constructionist and post-development perspective. Global justice networks are given importance as examples of the anarchistic intent of alternatives to development.</p>

Integration of Multi-Criteria Decision Support with Infrastructure of Smart Services for Sustainable Multi-Modal Transportation of Freights

The problems of developing online decision support systems concern the complexity of the transportation management processes, the multi-dimensionality of data warehouses (DWs), and the multi-criteria of decision making. Such issues arise in the management processes by supporting them with adaptable information and communication infrastructure for the management of the freight’s transportation processes. Our research domain involves the assurance of infrastructure for the provision of smart services for the operative management of multi-modal transportation of freights under the conditions of the heterogeneity of communication channels and multi-criteria decision support. The complexity of managing multi-modal transportation processes raises some problems for ensuring the infrastructure for finding more optimal management solutions by the requirements of green development. This research aims to develop the approach for providing the infrastructure of intelligent smart services for adaptable implementation in management processes of online multi-modal freight transportation. The objectives are forwarded to construct the multi-criteria decision-making components and integrate them into the multi-layered, computer-based information management of intelligent systems. We present the steps of extension of the structure of the knowledge-based system with a multi-criteria decision support method, and the possibilities to work under the conditions of wireless networks and the recognition of context-aware situations. The results are demonstrated for the analysis of alternatives by assessing the multi-modal transportation corridors between the East and West regions of Europe, and the opportunities to evaluate them for more effective managerial perspectives under sustainable development requirements.

Cost-benefit analysis of alternatives to mitigate the air quality and health impacts from agricultural residue burning in India

&lt;p&gt;Poor air quality in India affects the health of millions living in one of the most populated regions in the world. Agricultural residue burning as a common way to remove crop waste and make fields for the next planting season contributes to this problem and, despite attempts to reduce agricultural fires, remains a recurring issue due to a lack of viable alternatives. As India population grows, more food production will be needed, with yet more crop residue to burn. Sustainable and economically feasible interventions are therefore needed to mitigate the impact of agricultural residue burning. To support policy-making, an adjoint modeling approach has been applied to estimate how air quality and health impacts respond to changes in specific time and location of burning, and how effective potential mitigation options might be in reducing them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This work extends based upon these initial findings and seeks to provide a cost-benefit analysis of alternatives to agricultural residue burning using the GEOS-Chem adjoint model. With a multi-year assessment that accounts for the impact of inter-annual variability of meteorology, the public cost presented in terms of the monetary valuation of air quality damages resulting from population exposure and health impacts due to emissions of agricultural burning,&lt;span&gt;&amp;#160; &lt;/span&gt;and the private returns presented in terms of the individual profit from crop cultivation for farmers in India, are quantified in order to better understand the potential trade-offs between air quality improvement and economic benefit.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The end results focusing on northwestern India during the post-monsoon rice residue burning season, where the majority of agricultural fires in India come from, show that appropriate measures, including crop diversification, agricultural mechanization and shifting the time of burning, may help avoid air quality damages from agricultural residue burning without risking the income of farmers. Proper incentive mechanisms such as subsidies for investment cost and compensation for human effort may further facilitate the best possible outcomes. These findings help inform better decision-making to mitigate the impacts of agricultural fires and reduce the uncertainties regarding sustainable agricultural practices not just for India but also for regions and countries facing similar issues.&lt;/p&gt;

Technological and organizational problems in the construction of the radiation shielding concrete and suggestions to solve: A case study

Protection of buildings against the pernicious radiation types can be achieved by simultaneous structural and shielding parameters. Those shields are mainly made of heavyweight concrete, which causes many serious problems in the areas of technology, supply logistics, financial supply, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, and substitutions of structural and material solutions. This work presents a case study of the construction of the university building with rooms requiring protection against malicious radiations. Apart from that, it presents the problems and solutions that occurred during the construction from the perspective of the works contractor. This study was also expanded to include the analysis of alternatives for construction-materials. The obtained results were used to develop a generalized scheme, which will be helpful in the preparation and implementation of any facilities requiring fixed radiation shields.

Chocolates and ‘Legrias’: Dilemma of the Best Sales Channel

ABSTRACT This teaching case aims to understand the challenges between opening distribution channels and new products. The report involves a small Brazilian chocolate factory. It presents the structuring, production processes, brand concept, formation of sales prices, and the choice of distribution channels in COVID-19 times. The company faced challenges in the market for presenting products with low adherence to distribution channels, high costs and price, and an inadequate brand positioning, resulting in low sales. After repositioning itself with a new brand and price concept, the case raises the dilemma: What is the best distribution channel during the crisis period caused by COVID-19 for the newly restructured company? The pedagogical objectives are focused on the analysis of alternatives in the choice of distribution channels, considering the implementation challenges, the transaction costs for products at an early stage, and the scenario of uncertainties resulting from the pandemic, as well as the application of sales channel concepts and distribution. The case can be applied in undergraduate and MBA courses in the management area and is recommended to encourage students to reflect on the structure and challenges of implementing small entrepreneurs’ distribution channels.