Prolonged computer use, especially if fatigue ensues, is associated with visual and musculoskeletal symptoms. The aim was to determine the time-course of perceived fatigue in the wrist, forearm, shoulder and eyes during a 60-min mouse task (painting rectangles), and whether object size and/or mouse use demands were of influence. Also, we investigated performance (number of rectangles painted), and whether perceived fatigue was paralleled by local muscle fatigue or tissue oxygenation. Ten women performed the task for three conditions (crossover design). At condition 1, rectangles were 45 × 25 mm, square paint cursor size 1.3 × 1.3 mm, and mousepointer movement ratio 1:26. At condition 2, the same cursor size and mousepointer movement ratio was used, but rectangles were smaller. At condition 3, the smaller rectangles were used, but the cursor size was also smaller and mousepointer movement ratio was 1:8. The results showed increased self-reported fatigue over time, with the observed increase greater for the eyes, but no change in physiological responses. Condition 2 resulted in higher performance and increased eye fatigue. Perceived fatigue in the muscles or physiological responses did not differ between conditions. In conclusion, computer work tasks imposing high visual and motor demands, and with high performance, seemed to have an influence on eye fatigue. 

Purpose - The goal of this research is to demonstrate that financial performance of current year is dependent to the amount of maturity of the supply chain processes. This aim is achieved through considering current supply chain process maturities of the firm together with financial performance of prior years.

Research question - How supply chain process maturities in relation to financial performance of prior years are related to current financial performance  

Methodology - The deductive approach has been followed to use theories and literatures to build the hypothetical model in order to test it empirically.

This quantitative research is benefited from the primary data of Swedish steel SMEs including the secondary data from financial ratios from Scandinavian financial database

Findings - The effect between supply chain process maturity and current year financial performance, the effect between prior year financial performance and current year financial performance, and also total effect of prior year financial performance and supply chain process maturity on current year financial performance proved empirically.

Since the manufacturing industry is heading for a higher level of customization and implementation of Lean, at the same time as outmoded traditional costing methods is still used in modern industrial organizations, it is interesting to explore the relations between production flows of customized character, Lean and different costing methods.

The purpose of this thesis is to increase the cost precision in the preliminary calculation for a product flow of customer adapted and Lean character, and to describe a generalizable work process for this. The purpose is also to develop general recommendations regarding the choice of costing methods by, on a basis of the character of this production, a comparative analysis of costing methods (traditional costing methods, ABC and Lean accounting/VSC). Through a literature study and a case study of a production flow with a high level of variety and influence from Lean, both of the purposes has been fulfilled.

The case study has been accomplished through interviews and observations. Problems and positive elements that according to literature characterize the production of customized products have also been found in the case company. That connection has been used to support the analysis of the relations. The relations between costing methods, Lean and production flows of customized character has been analyzed through a comparison between findings in literature and results from the case study. It has been found that Value Stream Costing (VSC) is the most appropriate costing method for production flows of customized products that has reached a high maturity level of Lean.

The preliminary costing is dependent on reliable operation times which have been produced on the case study company, while a general work process has been developed. The operation times were in this case identified through video recordings of the production moments and a following analysis in the software AviX. By following the general work process that has been developed, useful material for preliminary costing and continuous improvements in the production flow will be obtained.

Since research is showing that Lean should be implemented in the whole organization if full advantages of Lean shall be obtained, VSC is found to be an ideal costing method to replace outmoded, traditional costing methods at the same time as this costing method simplifies costing in production flows of customized character.

Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology (SMRT) manufactures various roller-cone bits that are used for rock drilling. The roller-cone bit consists of three welded cones. The cones are forged and delivered from an external supplier. The roller-cone bit’s cones are collected in an EU-table then lifted into a milling machine for processing. After the milling, the roller-cone bit’s cone is lifted again to a pattern table. Today, the method used today to lift the roller cone bit’s cones is not considered optimal for the operators. To improve the ergonomics of the operators, a vacuum lifting tool has been developed. The purpose of the work is to improve ergonomics through the lifting process of roller-cone bit cones. The goal is to develop a safer lifting tool. The lifting tool must be ergonomic and easy to use. To achieve the goal, previous research was examined on risk assessments of the working positions and standard SS-EN 13155:2009 followed. The Ovako Working Posture Analyzing System (OWAS) method was used to determine which working positions are considered most stressful for operators and needed to be addressed. The result from OWAS showed that the most stressful working position is the lifting of the roller-cone bit from the EU table. The concept, that was developed, consists of a suction pin connected to a vacuum pump with a T-piece. A pressure sensor is also connected to the t-piece to control the vacuum bar for the lifting tool. With the help of a non-return valve, the maintenance of the vacuum is ensured in case of power failure. After using the lifting tool, there will be no need to lift the roller-cone bit to load and unload the lifting strap. This means that the work positions with a high risk for load damage are going to be minimized.

This paper is based on European Manufacturing Survey collected in 2019 for five countries -Sweden, Spain, Croatia, Austria, and Slovenia. The study reveals that majority of companieshave technologies that allow them automatically to collect data. Companies are also using thedata for different purposes, and often more than one purposes. We also found that many ofcommonly used digital technologies are also associated with automatically collected data.Although the literature suggests that ignorance of data collection may lead to defects, we findno connection to actual waste in this study.

Introduction: To stay relevant, it is required that companies work with continuous improvements.Finding inefficiencies is not always easy. One way to try to find inefficiencies is throughflow mapping. This study examines what causes inefficient activities for industrial servicecompanies.

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to investigate how a workflow at an industrial servicecompany can be made more efficient with the help of flow mapping.

Method: The study is conducted through a case study at a service industry company that maintainsand repairs motors and frequency converters. Flow mapping was used to map activitiesin the workflow and literature was collected to be able to conduct a flow mappingcorrectly. Interviews and observations have been used to support the flow mapping.

Results: The company has two service workshops that have similar activities in their flow. Evenso, one of the workflows is more efficient than the other. Based on the comparison of theworkflows, inspiration has been used to adjust the workflow for the frequency converterworkshop. Using flow mapping and methods from lean, a future flow map has beencreated where non-value-added activities have been eliminated.

Conclusion: Based on the results, several improvement proposals have been drawn up for thecompany's workshops. Industrial service companies can use flow mapping and VSM toeliminate non-value-added activities. Lean tools can be used to create order and structurethat lead to shorter lead times. 

Titanium is one of fourth most abundant structural metal in earths soil. It is in a composition with other elements, forming titanium alloys. These alloys are used in many different areas, such as medical, energy and sports, but is most commonly used in aerospace applications. Titanium alloys have different solid phases, α, α+β and β depending on temperature and the amount of α and β-stabilizers.When machining titanium alloys, one of the most important factors to control is the temperature in the cutting zone. The built-up heat in the cutting edge of the tool, are connected to titanium alloys low thermal conductivity and high heat capacity, which means that the alloy has low heat conduction from the cutting zone. The temperature is strongly depending on the cutting speed, which is the relative speed difference between the cutting tool and the workpiece. Many studies and research work have been conducted surrounding this fact, focusing on the physical and chemical quantities, to model tool wear progression and how this affects the tool life and the metal removal. These models are often implemented and analyzed in finite element software providing detailed but time-consuming solutions.The focus for this work have been on developing a suitable tool life expectancy model, using design of experiments in combination with metamodeling to establish a model connecting cutting parameters and measured responses in terms of tool life, from a conducted milling experiment. This models where supposed to provide a platform for customer recommendation and cutting data optimization to secure reliable machining operations. The study was limited to focus on the common α+β titanium alloy 6Al-4V. The outcome and conclusion for this study, is that the tool life is strongly connected to the choice of cutting speed and the radial width of cut and that these parameters can be predicted by the two models that have been develop in this project. The models ensure the highest possible metal removal rate, to selected parameters.

Damasteel manufactures damascus steel using a process of powder metallurgy steelmanufacturing, which is done through a gas atomization process. Due to the growthof Damasteel's business, the company has purchased a new premises next to its production facility. The intention with new premises is that it will become the new intermediate warehouse and replace the current one. Therefore, it has been rebuiltand is now equipped with a larger storage space and handling equipment. In the current intermediate warehouse, there are problems with item placement, due to thembeing placed without regard to the frequency of their consumption. There is also anissue with various items sometimes being misplaced which leads to workers pickingthe wrong material for a certain order. This can only be detected after processingthe material.The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how the new intermediate warehouse canenable more efficient material handling, material flow and traceability. The objective of this thesis is to develop and conduct item placement based on frequencyplacement and consumption. A labelling system will be implemented for efficientbatch identification, traceability and short-bit sorting. To achieve the objective andpurpose of this thesis, a literature review was conducted on material flow, workingmethods in manufacturing companies and ABC-classification. With the help of theinformation produced from the literature review, an observation was able to be conducted. Which was then followed by a current situation analysis of the workingmethods within the current intermediate warehouse and the new intermediatewarehouse. Through the method of double ABC-classification, the higher ranked articles that should be paid attention, could be sorted. In accordance with the classification, a short-term improvement proposal could be produced. It consists of strategic article placement and labelling on the bars and cantilever racks to allow efficientmaterial flow and less stress for the workers. Long-term improvement proposalsconsist of long goods paternoster that would entail efficient storage space utilizationand then can be supplemented with a roll rack if it is considered necessary.Item classification was carried out with consumption and withdrawal frequency datafrom the year 2021, only because previous years data could not be obtained. TheABC-analysis results can be different if data consisting of several years is used. Withthe help of item classification, the size of safety stock and the tied-up capital can bereduced, which can enable better inventory space utilization. The current situationanalysis can be insufficient since the executor lacks previous experience in inventorymanagement. The item placement can be evaluated in later stages when data consisting of several year’s usage can be obtained. Lifetime cost of paternoster in relationto the needs and revenue of the enterprise should be investigated. 

Asplund, L (2007). Systematic Work Environment Management: Key Informant Interviews about Apprehensions, Priorities and Profitability. Examination paper in Pedagogy, 15 hp. Master’s Programme. University College of Gävle. Department of Education, Curriculum Studies and Psychology.

Background

Every fourth Swedish employee has been found to suffer from some form of work-related ill-health. Legislation, termed Systematic Management of Workplace Environments (SAM), has been enacted to promote optimal physical and psychosocial workplace environments. Em-ployers are obliged to follow the regulations issued by the Swedish Work Environment Au-thority [Arbetetsmiljöverket] and are responsible for operating active workplace environ-ment management plans. Such plans can prevent ill-health and, in some cases, increase the company’s profitability.

Purpose

A medium-sized, retail trade company from in central Sweden was chosen in order to study and analyze how systematic workplace management environment practices were imple-mented in relation to other management priorities and company profitability.

Sample

The key informants were chosen out of the personal manager who was the first contact on the company. Seven key informants, selected on the basis of their knowledge of their com-pany's Systematic Work Environment Management, participated in the study. An additional key informant was later chosen to validate the results. The informant composition was: three informants from middle management, with 5 to 7 years experience of the company, one supervisor (1 year), and three other members of staff (2 and 3 years.) Six qualitative in-terviews were carried out, within the period of one week, in the interviewees' offices. The validating interview was undertaken 4 weeks later, also on the company’s premises.

Design and methods

The company specialized in retail furniture. Non-structured interviews, based on an inter-view guide with 11 open-ended questions, were used. The interviews, lasting about 30 mi-nutes each, were recorded and transcribed. Statements were analyzed for notable differ-ences, similarities, themes and patterns. The statements were then categorized and sub-jected to further analysis.

Results

All the informants felt that the company’s actual practice met the work environment stipula-tions and was on-going. They agreed that workplace environment in general is considered an important issue, but that the company could probably do more to meet the intentions of the work environment legislation. Two specific focal points appeared in the results: ergo-nomic improvement in the workplace and the informants’ aspiration to implement and de-velop a system of caring telephone calls to employees absent through illness.

Conclusions

Management was seen as giving contradictory signals. On the one hand they say that work environment is active and ongoing and on the other hand agree that not enough is being done. The expression of intent does not appear to be matched by actions. Improved educa-tion in systematic workplace environment management would give employees a better un-derstanding of work environment and how systematic workplace management is supposed to operate. The analysis of the informants' suggestions led to a series of proposals for im-provements in workplace environment management strategies. A new plan for employee participation would involve employees being more directly and actively involved with work environment and increase support for the work of the safety representatives.

Keywords:

Systematic Management of Workplace Environments, health and safety codes, profitability, employee participation, muscular-skeletal, psychosocial working envi-ronment, health promotion

Safety within all business processes is an important part of organizations in order for them to function in the long term. Human wellbeing and health are fundamental for a company to be able to run a functioning business. Despite this, organizations can make wrong decisions in safety based on their interpretation of risks (Robinson et al., 2013). Fatalities and injuries in the process and manufacturing industries have decreased significantly over the past three decades. According to the Swedish Working Environment Agency (2021), the number of occupational accidents without sick absence has had a relatively stable increase in the Swedish workplace from 1980 - 2021 among both women and men. This may indicate that workplace safety is an area in need of more research and development. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risks of workplace accidents and safety management in a manufacturing company and to provide suggestions for improvement for a healthier working environment. The study was carried out through a qualitative and quantitative method in the form of interviews, observation and a survey. The result was compared with relevant theory on safety management. This study is limited to Duro Svenska Tapetmästare and the company's production, which includes paint production, wallpaper production and trimming of wallpaper rolls. Duro's current risk management and safety work is in the form of safety rounds, which means that all activities and spaces are continuously inspected to identify risks. Duro's safety management was found to have deficiencies in several areas within the production, which emerged from the FMEA analysis, the interviews, the survey and the observation. Deficiencies included running machinery, handrails at walkways and ventilation. In addition, ergonomic deficiencies, insufficient security rounds and a lack of safety and environmental policy were identified. The study concluded that there are several obstacles to increasing safety in the workplace. A research gap in safety management was identified because the company's management, decision-makers and employees believe that the safety work is sufficient even though our study shows that it is not. This perception constitutes an obstacle to further development of safety and also applies to the management's perception of the employees. Furthermore, the study has identified key factors that companies should take into account. Risk assessment methods such as FMEA and JHA contribute with an overview of the company's work processes and production because these methods include risk assessment in all production activities. This can be combined with more risk management tools which in turn provide the opportunity to identify, evaluate and remedy risks for a safer work environment.

The effects of implementing Lean has been widely studied within the context of discrete manufacturing, where it originated, but much less so within the process industry. Within discrete manufacturing there are major benefits to implementing Lean with a focus on respect for people and human aspects, particularly on employee health and organisational culture, but does the same hold true in the process industry? The purpose of this thesis is to look into this question. In order to do so, a case company within the process industry, which was working with a consultant firm to implement Lean, was contacted. The primary method of gathering data was through semi-structured interviews, further backed by KPIs provided by the case company. The data from the case company has been analysed and compared with theories and ideas gathered from literature, and then discussed. The results indicated that there had not been enough time to see the full extent of benefits or issues on employee health or organisational culture in relation to implementing Lean, only minor effects could be observed. However, better contact between employees, increased motivation, but also increased stress could be seen. In order to gain a broader understanding of the human aspects within the context of process industry while implementing Lean, future research could look at more long-term effects, or the generalisability through a quantitative approach.

Motivation: Chinese stated-owned enterprises (SOEs) play an increasingly role in Chinese economy although, its management for its suppliers are yet not in an effective manner in the situation mentioned in this case. Even though the Kraljic (1983) matrix is commonly used as a guideline for how to manage suppliers, there is a lack of studies based on Kraljic that have analysed the situation where the buyer are bound to and unable to switch its suppliers.

Purposes: the purpose of this paper is to first to analyse the situation in the case by applying the Kraljic matrix, and second to explore the major challenges in terms of cost, communication and supplier selection in dealing with the supplier relationships. Specifically the analysis concern how factors like political risk, “Guanxi” and CSR restrict the way the case company manage its suppliers. In addition, appropriate supplier management strategies are formulated based on the findings.

Research methods: in order to achieve the purposes of this paper, first an extensive literature review related to this paper was conducted. Afterwards, a case study of a subsidiary of Sinopec was carried out. The discussion concerns different types of the suppliers who are categorized according to the Kraljic matrix. Interviews with these two managers are major source of data collection.

Findings: as indicated from the purpose the findings from the case confirm that Kraljic matrix is inadequate to capture the case of Chinese SOEs in this paper. The subsidiary does not either select or evaluate suppliers based on cost efficiency. Further, it is shown that political risk “Guanxi” and CSR influence the way the way the firms manage its suppliers.

Implications: training design including all levels of managers and exploiting the use of “Guanxi” is two of appropriate strategies recommended for improvements in current situation

In order to be competitive in the market, companies are forced to develop new strategies that can be adapted to ever-increasing customer requirements. The purpose of the work was to streamline product development for companies in the manufacturing industry. The objective was to develop an efficient work process for product development and apply the process to a project where a standardized fully automatic quick coupler for smaller wheel loaders would be developed for the company OilQuick.The thesis was divided into two parts. The first part deals with the development of a work process based on existing research. The second part deals with the application of the work process. Data for the application was collected through market research, meetings with customers and Reverse Engineering. Customer requirements were ranked using the Best-worst method and translated into technical specifications using the method QFD (House of Quality).Three concepts were generated based on the resulting requirements from the QFD. According to the customer requirements, the quick coupler had to be compliant with at least four different wheel loader brands in the weight span from five to eight tons. This meant that all three concepts were based on modular design, both to facilitate modifications between the wheel loader brads and to minimize the number of details that needed to be modified. All three of the concept's attachment brackets had standardized dimensions that fitted all examined wheel loader models. To determine which concept that best met the customer requirements the Fuzzy TOPSIS method was used. The final concept was adjusted based on OilQuick's requirements before the finished result was presented.The results showed that the work process was efficient and reliable and that the developed concept proposal indicates that it is possible for the company to standardize the interface between wheel loaders and attachments. With modular design the quick coupler can be adapted to the wheel loader brands that were studied. To ensure that the quick coupler can be applied to a larger variety of wheel loaders, it is necessary to examine and take measurements of more wheel loader brands before further development.

Due to the global warming of the atmosphere it is now time to decrease the consumption of energy. One of the most important consumer is the commercial building area and especialy the supermarket. After a survey of the total consumption and a division into unit process it is possible to find some measures to decrease the global consumption of energy (in the lighting, cooling/freezing and space heating processes).

Purpose – This study aims to explore the enablers and barriers to design-driven innovation, defined as the innovation of product meanings, in the product-development process. Previous research provides some insights into what enables and hinders design-driven innovation; however a detailed understanding of these factors is missing. Design/methodology/approach – A long-term case study was conducted at a furniture company between 2009 and 2016. Interviews were conducted with respondents within the company, as well as with partners such as retailers and designers. Findings – This paper presents an overview of the identified enablers and barriers. The results demonstrate that enablers and barriers occur in all phases of the product-development process. Second, the connections between enablers and barriers are presented. These are found both within and across different phases, and extend beyond the company’s influence. Research limitations/implications – This study demonstrates how the innovation of product meanings is influenced throughout all phases of the product-development process. Therefore, there is a need to go beyond the mere identification of enablers and barriers. More is gained from generating a thorough understanding of the causes and connections of these factors, including the changes over time. Practical implications – This study demonstrates the need for companies to be able to map what enables and hinders design-driven innovation in their product-development process, where a distinction needs to be made between internal and external factors, to enhance value creation. Originality/value – This study presents a rare long-term case study on design-driven innovation. This study provides new knowledge on the enablers and barriers a company faces while adapting its productdevelopment process to accommodate design-driven innovation.

Purpose The concept design-driven innovation focuses on innovating product meanings. It has been studied from a variety of perspectives and contexts since the early 2000s. However, a complete overview of the literature published in this area is currently missing. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how design-driven innovation contributes to value creation in product development. Design/methodology/approach In this systematic literature review, 57 papers and book chapters that cover design-driven innovation were identified and analyzed. An iterative coding process was followed to derive five facets of design-driven innovation that contribute to value creation. Findings Design-driven innovation creates value by focusing on the intangible values of products. The following five facets of design-driven innovation that contribute to value creation were identified: development of new product meanings, knowledge generation, actors and collaborations, capabilities and process. These facets and their interrelations are presented in a theoretical framework. Practical implications The main practical implication of this study is that it is now clear that the five facets of design-driven innovation are interrelated and reinforce each other. Therefore, companies need to approach design-driven innovation from a holistic perspective. Originality/value This paper contributes to theory by presenting the theoretical framework that provides an overview of available knowledge and that creates a context for future research.

The following study aims to map the planning process and identify deficiencies within it, as well as provide improvement measures for the rewinding process in a case company. By developing a general conceptual model to enhance rerolling planning processes. Over the years, post-processing operations have been overseen, including the planning process associated with them. In paper production, like in many industries, defective products are generated during manufacturing. These defective products can often be salvaged and sold through post-processing, with one such process being rewinding. Examining and understanding processes within companies is crucial for making improvements. This study aims to map the planning process of rewinding and develop a conceptual model to enhance post-processing planning.

The study presents improvement suggestions based on the deficiencies identified in the planning process. The suggestions include creating a more efficient IT system, establishing clear communication channels, and increasing management involvement. These efforts can enhance efficiency, reduce waste, better meet customer needs, thereby increasing competitiveness and profitability within the paper industry. The company can implement these improvement efforts by collectively analyzing and breaking down the target vision into smaller short-term goals that can be achieved. Based on the collected data, the study presents a conceptual model for analyzing and improving the rerolling planning process. Suggestions for further studies have been provided, where the same process can be examined in multiple companies to determine if similar issues exist. Additionally, further research can be conducted in more companies using the developed model to analyze and improve post-processing planning processes, aiming to increase generalizability.

Introducing lean production principles in health care is a relatively new area. The county council in Gävleborg and Gävle hospital are interested in shortening their health queues with help from logistics methods and lean production principles. This is among others because of growing health queues at the urologist reception in Gävle hospital. Lean production is a concept arising from the Japanese car industry, meaning a quest to do more with less. In Swedish lean production can be translated to resource- economic production and the work with lean production includes principles like customer focus, teamwork and continuous improvement.

The purpose with this thesis is to compile a working model which can be used when implementing lean principles in health care. This is because the health queues to the reception today are long and some kind of transform is necessary. The working model consists of six different levels, mapping, analyze, developing improvement suggestions, balancing, implementation and follow up. The first four steps in the working model will be introduced in this thesis, although the last two steps are outside the limits of this thesis.

By using logistics methods and lean principles in mapping and analysis of the receptions processes some problem areas have been discovered. The discovered problems have been analyzed and improvement suggestions to the different problem areas have then been elaborated. The improvement suggestions which have been elaborated with help from logistics methods and lean production principles can contribute to a decrease of the urologist receptions health queues.

Sammanfattningen syftar till att ge en övergripande bild om vad arbetet handlar om, för att skapa en nyfikenhet till att läsa hela arbetet.

Studiens syfte var att analysera alternativa distributionssystem för petroleumprodukter från Gävle Hamn. Där vi har valt två slutdestinationer, norra Stockholmsregionen med Brista som ett alternativ och det andra alternativet är Västerås. De faktorer som vi har utgått från när vi har analyserat distributionssystemen är ekonomiska, miljömässiga och tekniska möjligheter.

Den metod som användes var kvalitativ och det empiriska materialet inhämtades genom intervjuer. I studien har nio respondenter intervjuats, vi anser att de personerna har varit relevanta för studiens syfte. Resultatet har analyserats med hjälp av tidigare forskning och teorier inom ämnet.

Resultatet visade att det skulle vara ekonomsikt, miljömässigt och tekniskt möjligt att starta upp petroleumtransporter till norra stockholmsområdet. Till Västerås fann vi inga belägg för att ett alternativ där båten först går till Gävle Hamn för att sedan lastas om till tåg skulle bli billigare eller bättre ur miljösynpunkt. Det fanns även tekniska aspekter som gjorde kapaciteten sämre till Västerås än till norra Stockholm. Därför anser vi att det nuvarande alternativet ska användas till dess att nya förutsättningar börjar gälla.

The purpose of this examination thesis is from a Supply Chain Management perspective to examine the conditions for establishing a third party logistics company from the European Union in a growing industrial area in China. The thesis focuses on Xiaohe district in Guiyang.

Logistics industry is one of the fastest growing industries in China. The Chinese Government is proposing a promotion policy for a logistics expansion that includes tax reductions and reduced prices on rent and land prices for logistics companies. The main difference between the European Union market and the market in China is the cultural differences in the way of doing business and to socialize. Corruption may occur in China and it is worth to examine Chinese firms before cooperation can be settled. If collaboration is carried out, it may be advantageous to find out if there are specific rules in China to reduce the risk that problems occurs with the goods to be exported and/or to be imported. A product to be imported or exported between the European Union and China must clear customs.

When it comes to growing industrial areas as in Guiyang there are geographical advantages with thought of trading, that the city is adjacent to several other provinces and that it is regarded as a tie point in southwestern China. The main industry involved in the city includes coal, iron, steel, aluminum, fertilizers and manufacturing. Local Chinese logistics companies have lack of the experience and skills that is needed for providing logistics solutions to companies in the industrial park in Xiaohe District in Guiyang. Furthermore, there are no third-party logistics providers in the city. Partly for this reason, it is a great advantage for a third party logistics provider from the European Union who wants to establish business in Guiyang. The weaknesses for establishing include lack of infrastructure and long distance to the closest seaport. Furthermore, there is a plan for development in the region which includes the development of transport infrastructure.

Although many scholars assert that portfolio approach can facilitate purchasing to live up to its strategic importance and contribute to company performance; and practitioners have applied portfolio approach in various purchasing activities, there are still limited empirical researches to confirm that portfolio can actually create the benefits. The purpose of the study is to explore the usefulness of portfolio approach as well as why companies decide to apply portfolio approach in purchasing and supply management.

Based on an international survey carried on a large number of European and North American manufacturing companies, the findings of the study provide strong evidence on the significant impact that the purchasing portfolio approach has on the business results, and also shed lights on the strategic importance of purchasing as a direct explanation to the application of the approach by companies. The empirical study confirms that the competency of the purchasing professionals plays a prominent role on the path of transforming the strategic importance of purchasing, with the help of portfolio approach, to the success of improved purchasing performance. A cross-discipline theoretical study reveals that different models share a common theoretical foundation and consist of similar basic elements in their construct.

The results of this study fill the research gap in analyzing the causes of the application of portfolio approach; provide quantitative empirical proof on the usefulness of portfolio approach in the industrial companies and thus give support to the existing theories. The study contributes to a growing research stream on how to improve purchasing business performance, reflecting the increasing strategic role that purchasing is given. The results send useful messages to company managements and provide valuable insights on an important tool for improving purchasing business performance.

Lean Production is well established in manufacturing and service industries, where Lean tools such as Muda and 5S are utilized to identify and reduce waste. Research on the application of Lean principles to goods receiving processes is limited, which prompted a qualitative case study on a goods receiving department in a manufacturing company. The aim of the study was to identify and eliminate waste in a goods receiving setting with support of the Lean tools Muda and 5S.

To achieve the purpose, data was collected through observations, interviews, and internal documents. A process map was created based on the collected data of the goods receiving process. The original Muda model was adapted to be applicable to a goods receiving context instead of a manufacturing function. The modified Muda model was used to identify waste within the goods receiving process, and then 5S was studied with purpose of providing suggestions for addressing the identified wastes.

The goods receiving department at the case company is staffed by two individuals who work from 07:00-15:30 on weekdays. The department received deliveries of both indirect and direct materials, which are subsequently transported within the case company. By utilizing the adapted Muda model, several forms of waste were identified within the goods receiving department, including a complex reporting system, unnecessary transportation, an insecure unloading area, and a lack of supportive instructions.

In this case study three improvement suggestions were presented. These suggestions included implementing an ERP system to significantly simplify the receiving process, acquiring a loading dock to enhance safety and reduce unnecessary transportation, and relocating an AGV rack to minimize unnecessary transport. Results demonstrated that by making specific adjustments to the Muda model, Muda and 5S can be valuable in identifying and eliminating waste within a goods receiving context. The Muda model was adapted by eliminating point one and modifying points 3,4, 6 and 8 for incoming goods rather than manufacturing processes.

Economic globalization, regional economic cooperation and knowledge economy make a great impact on the development of the new century. The changes of international trade and investment reflect the variety of the world economy development; the world economic development, in turn, influences the international trade and investment in both quality and quantity (Feenstra, 1998). The international marketing has become an important trend in this modern society, global strategy has been put at the top of the agenda of many companies. And making development in the international market can also be a good solution for the companies to increase their competition (Mittelman, 1996). It is vital for those companies to deal with foreign market entry as a first step in accomplishing their global mission (Onkvisit & Shaw, 2004).  How to enter a foreign market is very important in this case, so the purpose of this work is therefore to research important factors on entering a foreign market. The theories, including environmental assessment before entry and foreign market entry strategies, are summarized by literature review and in order to make the theories applicable, a case study on a company inChinahas been done in this work as well. The methods used in this work include collecting processed data from literature review, gathering primary data by telephone interviews and through e-mails. SWOT analysis is used to assess targeted market for the case company. The case company is Shandong Shuanglun Group which is a famous pump manufacturer inChina; its targeted market that the company wants to enter is the Italian market. After SWOT analysis, the conclusion of this work indicated that opportunities of entry targeted market for the case company includes favorable tax policies and relevant laws, the threats in high context culture and terrorist activities should be paid attention to. The company has strengths in product but weaknesses in service, strategic alliance with one local pump manufacturer and exporting could be their market entry modes.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to gain increased knowledge about gender diversity and innovation in mining by analyzing how women are discursively represented in relation to these two concepts, and in doing so establish how diversity management is received and communicated in the industry. Design/methodology/approach The study is based on analysis of texts including references to gender diversity and innovation in mining found on the web. The tool used to retrieve the data has been WebCorpLive, a tool designed for linguistic analysis of web material. Findings Although increased female representation is communicated as a key component in the diversity management discourse, based on the idea that diversity increases innovation and creativity, closer analysis of texts on diversity and innovation in mining shows that what women are expected to contribute with has little explicit connection with innovation. Research limitations/implications The study contributes with increased knowledge about diversity management by providing an example of how it is received in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Practical implications Our findings indicate that for diversity management to have a real effect in mining, it needs to be based on gender equality and social justice motives, rather than on a business case rationale ? the principal motive today. To enable this change stereotypical gender patterns, as shown in this study, need to be made visible and problematized among policy makers, practitioners and actors on all levels of the industry. Originality/value The study contributes with new knowledge about gender in the mining industry previously not attended to by using a method which so far has been sparsely used in discourse analysis, although pointed out as promising.

The wallpaper company Duro Sweden AB, one of the most important Scandinavian

wallpaper manufacturers, wants to decrease its energy use and costs and make its

production more environmentally friendly. It implies changes in the key process energy

use whom consists mainly by drying process using heat production from oil.

The purpose of this project, studied by the consulting company Sweco Theorells AB,

is to determine the feasibility of a change in the energy utilisation implemented to the

most representative process to propose future solutions’ basis on the future energy

question.

The company use mainly two kind of energy, electricity with 1055MWh per year and

oil with 1985MWh per year. The oil power consumption and cost represent respectively

65% and 73% of the global part.

Several proposed changes with better energy efficiency are presented : use of district

heating as a heat source, Infrared Drying, combination, etc; but due to the important

rebate make by the Swedish government on the oil price, they are not currently viable to

achieve.

But the constant rise of the oil price could be sooner a strong incentive to make these

improvals, strongly environmentaly friendly and power consumption reducer,

economicaly viable in the long term.

Background: The business world is in constant change, which means that businesses must be able to adapt to these changes and constantly improve. The research field on how businesses should achieve a smart material supply is small, which emphasizes the importance of studying how a company can change its production layout to improve its internal logistics.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of the production layout's importance for the material supply and the human aspect in production-related change work.

Method: The study has used an abductive, exploratory approach to answer the purpose and the research questions. This means that studies of theories were done in parallel with studies of the empirical material at the case company PEPAB Produktionspartner AB. Theories from the literature and the empirical data have been analyzed and discussed in order to draw conclusions.

Findings: The results are a description of the current internal material flow of four representative components and a description of employees´ attitude to change. By mapping the material flow, logistics flow factors and human related factors have been discovered. 

Theoretical contribution: When changing the production starting from the logistic factors waiting, unnecessary inventory, unnecessary manufacturing, defects, unnecessary transportations and improperly designed production layout a better logistical flow and better material supply can be achieved. Combining this with a well-planned preparatory work with related training can make a successful change. 

Practical contribution: This study contributes practically with a new production layout that enables a better logistical flow. It also emphasizes the importance of a well-thought-out and wellplanned preparatory work to maintain the staff´s sense of participation.

The purpose was to explore if sense of coherence (SOC) theory can be used in human factors ergonomics (HFE) practice as a leadership approach to decrease the rate of sick leave and rehabilitation cases and increase work attendance among assembly personnel without impeding productivity. Via three studies carried out at the Swedish truck manufacturer Scania, we investigated the company's key performance indicators and documented meetings with managers during the intervention. The results show that SOC can be used in HFE practice and that productivity, quality and attendance at work increased, while rehabilitation cases decreased. Our conclusion is that a health promotion approach among managers is essential in a lean organisation that aims to reduce waste in the company and optimise human capability and thereby productivity. SOC theory can support the creation of workplaces that are high performing and healthy, starting with concerns for the people creating the output.

Introduction and aims: Research has shown that view on Lean production differs both between researchers and practitioners and that there is no uniform definition of the concept (Emiliani 2006; Pettersen 2009). Furthermore, the perspective on Lean production as toolbox or philosophy, sometimes expressed as Lean thinking, influences the Lean implementation. Implementation of Lean can be seen as a project or an initiation of an ongoing developmental process where learning is taking place (Rother 2010). The purpose of this paper is to survey managers´s wiew of lean in terms of “toolbox Lean” or Lean thinking and their view of the implementation process in terms of a project with a time limit or as an initiation of an ongoing developmental process. The intention is to increase understanding about the relationship betweenhow Lean production is defined and implemented.

Method: This paper is based on a case study at a Swedish manufacturing company aiming tobecome a company working with a business system based on Lean principles. The study has a multilevel, vertical, perspective covering five hierarchical management levels in the organization, from president of the company to first line managers at the shop floor. Data was collected through individual semi structured interviews with 14 managers at different organizational levels.

Findings and reflection: The view on Lean has, according to managers, evolved at all management levels within the organization during the implementation. From a starting point were Lean was perceived as a set of tools by most, it has, as the managers increased their knowledge evolved into a view that is more complex and also includes behavioral and cultural issues. This would indicate that even if the starting point of an implementation of Lean is Lean tool focused it may over time come to include issues of management protocol addressing cultural development, coaching and communication as learning regarding the organizational needs take place. The interviews showed that managers on different hierarchical levels of the organization believed there to be differences in view regarding Lean within the organization. We however found the view on Lean to be quite similar at all management levels, described as a customer focused; standardized way of working that is continuously improved by keeping a process focus. The impression of there being differences in view regarding Lean is most likely caused by a lack of dialogue between organizational levels within the organization. Varying competence levels regarding Lean and thereby varying ways of working within the organization may create a lack of support between production and support functions. Health and health promotion are seen as important factors at the production unit that was studied.

Research limitations: Organizational size and only partial coverage of the organization may limit the results validity to the parts of the organization that was researched and to larger organizations.

Value: This paper provides insights regarding the learning process connected to a Lean implementation and that alterations of perspectives and needs may take place during such a process.

Keywords: Lean production; Lean management; Lean implementation

Paper type: Case study

Oil is an important energy source and a necessary industrial raw material. Every country’s economic growth and the daily life of its people are dependent on this energy form.

Historically, the oil prices have varied significantly on the world market. This led to at least two oil crises when prices increased in a very fast pace. In order to reduce such rapid fluctuations, oil was introduced at so called commodity exchanges. At such trading places oil could be traded openly for future delivery and hence the market was aware of price changes in advance. A commodity exchange sells special contracts in the form of so called “futures”. In fact there are many different contracts, each exchange has its own set of them covering for a number of different oil types. This thesis deals with these contracts and how they are traded.

Enterprise resource planning system (ERP system) is a standardized support system that aims to support the various functions of a company. Companies have different conditions for a successful implementation process due to the complexity of the ERP system. Implementation of ERP systems is also considered to be particularly difficult in small- to medium sized enterprises (SME) because the process is depending on resources. The natural stone industry is unique because of the natural material that require great adaptation and selection. Only about 20% of the material that is mined from the bedrock can be used for further production. SMEs and the natural stone industry have been dedicated to a little attention in research when it comes to implementation of ERP systems. Therefore, two knowledge gaps are identified where one gap represents a lack of literature on ERP systems for SMEs and the other represents the natural stone industry's unexplored conditions and challenges regarding the implementation of ERP systems. The purpose of this work is therefore to identify critical success factors as well as challenges small companies operating in the natural stone industry possess in order to implement an ERP system and how these companies can avoid a time-consuming process with high costs.

To realize the purpose a survey was sent out to companies operating in the natural stone industry and are members of the Swedish Stone Industry Association. Thenceforth four interviews have been conducted with three companies who are members of the Swedish Stone Industry Association and a consultant working to implement ERP systems was interviewed. The theory is chosen based on the purpose and has been collected from scientific articles, literature and websites explaining key concepts for the work. Based on the findings, a model has been created to represent a cross-industry approach to achieve a successful process for ERP system implementation. The model aims to demonstrate an approach which is to create an awareness of any challenges that may arise. Challenges such as material characteristics, lack of leadership and lack of a holistic perspective. Based on these challenges, companies should then focus on success factors such as user attitudes for ERP, the use of project teams and a parallel test system to generate a successful implementation process.

The world is changing and the business context is no exception. One of the clearest tendencies is a tougher business climate with harder competition due to increased international trade and the expansion of the e-business. At the same time the customers are becoming more sophisticated and demanding. The last decades have also meant that tougher and more frequent demands are being aimed at the businesses from a wider variety of stakeholders; demands regarding how environmental issues, social responsibilities and business ethics should be dealt with. All of the above have driven companies towards implementation of different management systems to be able to cope with the demands as well as to ensure that these issues are being dealt with in an efficient and effective manner. The result is that there might be quite a few management systems that have to be handled, usually a time consuming and bureaucratic task. Theory in the field suggests that an integration of the different management systems is logical and profitable as well as beneficial in many other aspects. Some of the benefits that could be gained due to the holistic approach that the integrated management system (IMS) provides are an alignment of goals and strategies as well as elimination of duplications and sub-optimizations. The IMS will also provide an opportunity for companies to strive towards sustainable development in a balanced manner. Despite this not many companies have intentionally sought to integrate their management systems. Researchers within the field note that there is a lack of empirical data to support the theories regarding how companies act when integrating their management systems, knowledge that might provide insights why integration and IMSs is not more widespread.Hence it is interesting as well as theoretical motivated to further study this area, especially as IMSs might be an aid on the companies’ journey towards sustainable development, a highly important issue. This qualitative multiple case study aims to contribute with knowledge regarding how Swedish companies have handled the issue of IMS, more specific, what driving forces, opportunities and hindrances they have experienced associated with IMS. This, as the knowledge about Swedish firms is limited. The research questions are answered through interviews with managers responsible for the management systems. The findings suggest that companies with more than one management system integrates them to some degree, however not always intentionally, and that it might be a lack of clear motives, driving forces and stakeholder demands that limits further or full integration. The outcome is that integration primarily becomes a coordination of existing management systems with purpose to reduce bureaucracy and redundancies.

The development and diffusion of technological innovations need governing in order to contribute to societal goals related to sustainability. Yet, there are few systematic studies mapping out what types of governance are deployed and how they influence the development and diffusion of sustainable technological innovations. This paper develops a framework for analysing the role of governance in innovation systems aimed towards sustainability. The framework is based on the literatures on governance, technological innovation systems and socio-technical transitions. We foresee empirical studies based on the framework that may serve as a needed input into governance processes. © Beech Tree Publishing 2011.

Nowadays, China has the tendency that more and more military-owned hotels are shifting toprivate hotels gradually over time. Military-owned hotels have various disadvantages.However, they also have many reasons to exist as well. This thesis aims to answer theresearch question on how the military-owned hotels can deal with the privatization tendencythrough the application of TQM systematically. Case study and literature review are used tofind out the answers to the research question. Two case hotels, one military-owned hotel andone private hotel, are considered in this thesis. In order to guarantee the privacy of the twohotels and their staff, the military-owned hotel would be called Hotel A, and the private hotelwould be called Hotel B. By reviewing various TQM theories, five important aspects in theparticular quality management system have been identified for the case hotels. Finally, ageneralized quality management system model is developed for Chinese Military-ownedhotels in order to make them survive in the competition with private hotels.

While electromyography (EM G) is commonly used to quantify levels of muscle activity in different jobs and tasks, less attention has been paid to the size and sources of exposure variability between and within individuals at work. In particular , few attempts have been made to discriminate between biological sources of variabilityand methodological uncertainty, including the effects of the EMG normalization procedure. The present study aimed to quantify the testretest repeatability of reference voluntary effort (R VE) contractions of the upper trapezius and the amount of variance introduced to EMG exposure parameters due to normalization trial variance.

EMG data was collected from the right trapezius muscle of 15 female subjects during 36 work cycles of simulated industrial assembly work on t wo separate days. For all cycles, EMG was norrnalized to each of the four RVE calibration trials collected on the day. From the normalized data the following exposure parameters were calculated for all cycles and norrnalizations: 1 St, 10th, 50th, 90th, and 99th percentile APDF values; mean EMG amplitude; time spent at 'rest' « 6.7% RVE); and time spent at 'large activation levels' (> 100% RVE). Exposure variability due to subjects, day within subject, work cycle within day, and normalization trial was determined using a variance component analysis based on ANOV A algorithms. For all parameters, the dominate source of variance occurred between subjects. For all parameters, except the 1 st APDF percentile and the time spent at rest, the proportions of variance due to norrnalization and cycle were no more than 5% of the sum of all variance components. The betweenday variance for mean and all APDF parameters besides the 1 st APDF percentile ranged from 7 -19% of the total variance, indicating changes in work style or activation patters between days do exist. The effects of normalization reported here are likely at the low end of the range (test-retest coefficient of variation = 0.07) compared to the expected effects when data are collected in the field using less meticulously controIled RVE trials.

Experimental study has been carried out to investigate transient quenching of a rotary hollow cylinder by water impinging jets in multiple jet arrays. Subcooled water jets (Δ𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑏= 55-85K) were placed into two types of nozzle arrays: 1-row and 2-row in-line array. The flow rate of water jets varied from 2.7 to 10.9 L/min, impinging on hot rotary cylinder (𝑇𝑖 =600℃) with rotation speed 10-50 rpm and different curvature ratio (𝐷𝑜/d = 12, 19 and 24). The local average and maximum boiling heat transfer at water jet’s stagnation point revealed effect of studied quenching parameters and multiple jet arrays in the boiling heat transfer. The result showed among the studied parameters, jet’s flow rate and curvature ratio influenced heat transfer in all the boiling regimes. Rotation speed was effective in film and transition boiling regime and strong effect of subcooling was captured in the transition boiling regime. The characteristics of maximum heat flux point in the boiling curve were found to be dependent on the studied quenching parameters as well as array of nozzles. Multiple jet arrays had effect on the spatial variation and rate of boiling heat transfer on quenching surface. Higher area-averaged and maximum surface heat flux was obtained by 2-row array while array’s total flow rate was kept constant. It was found that by impinging constant water flow rate into the jets, 2-row array with twice the number of impinging jets enhanced heat transfer significantly in film and transition boiling regime in combination with other quenching parameters.

 

Abstract

Interest in Lean grows and spreads to the public from industrial and service sectors. Lean is currently used in administrative processes and it is called Administration but can administration be Lean? The aim of our study is to develop a useful model for a successful implementation of Lean Administration by using various scientific articles, books and information from the case study.

The part of the purpose is to: • Identify critical success factors that arise• Identify the challenges arising from the implementation of Lean Administration.We have studied a Division within Distribution at GE Healthcare in Uppsala. The model that we have developed provides challenges and success factors for a successful implementation.

In order to succeed in implementation, a culture that promotes continuous improvement must exist in the organization. A key success factor is to understand Lean Administrations structure and principles. Having a supportive leadership is a matter of course as well as having a secure and stable environment.

Det är uppenbart för alla inom sjukvården i Gävle att de ligger på gränsen till vad de kan hantera. Landstingen bestämmer inte bara vad sjukvården skall producera, utan även vad det får kosta. Det går ibland inte ihop, vilket föder frustration och vanmakt hos berörda avdelningar och personal. Behovet av sjukvård kommer troligen att öka ytterligare i framtiden, och vi verkar ha kommit till vägens ände vad gäller nuvarande arbetssätt. Syfte och mål med detta examensarbete är att genomföra en förstudie till att implementera och arbeta med lean på Gävle sjukhus och ortopedavdelningen. Arbetet innefattar även att ta fram en generell arbetsmodell för att analysera och förbättra flöden inom sjukvården utifrån ett lean perspektiv. Examensarbetets olika moment har styrts utifrån gruppen framtagna modell. Nedan sammanfattas vilka moment som ingått i varje steg.

1) Samla kunskap om lean: Första steget i arbetsmodellen handlar hur inlärning av lean i form av faktainsamling, litteraturstudier, föreläsningar och utbildning sker.

2) Kartläggning av flödet: Andra steget behandlar kartläggning av det aktuella flödet från att patienten skadas i hemmet till att denna är färdigbehandlad. Vidare har intervjuer och observationer gjorts hos de olika avdelningarna inblandade i flödet parallellt med dokumentering.

3) Analys av flödet i ett lean och kvalitetsperspektiv: Tredje steget innebär att en göra en analys av flödet med hjälp av olika metoder och verktyg inom lean.

4) Förbättringsförslag: Fjärde steget innebär att med hjälp av analysen skapa förbättringsförslag på de problem organisationen identifierat i flödet.

5) Implementering/Uppföljning: I sista steget handlar om hur en organisation inför förbättringsförslagen genom att informera och utbilda berörd personal.

Några av de problem som upptäcktes under förstudien var långa väntetider till operation, överbeläggningar, dubbelarbete, bristande rutiner och kommunikation mellan avdelningarna. Efter insamlad information och sammanställning av intervjuer och problemformuleringar har gruppen kommit fram till en rad förbättringsförslag som anses relevanta vid implementering av lean.

De olika lean och kvalitetsverktygen som gruppen främst har valt att jobba med är framtagna med hänsyn till de upptäckta problemen. Gruppens förslag till förbättringar inom det akuta höftflödet tror vi kommer förkorta vårdköerna, ge en mer kostnadseffektiv vård samt högre patient kvalitet. Lean har stor potential för sjukvården. Men att införa lean innebär inte enbart att införa en ny metod eller några verktyg. Det kräver en total förändring i synen på chefskap, på styrningen av sjukvården och på medarbetarnas roll. Förändringen sträcker sig ifrån högsta politiska nivå på landstingen till första linjens chefer som coachar sina team till dagliga förbättringar. Att införa lean är inte gjort i en handvändning, men det får inte hindra sjukvården ifrån att börja.

Today, logistics play a central role for companies active on the global market. Efficient logistic strategies are what separates competitors from each other. By achieving shorter lead times through different Lean-management principles, companies can deliver a greater flexibility towards customers. This can be done by creating a stable and controlled process environment. Theoretical work in production optimization highlights concepts such as standardization, takt time and pull flow as key tools for creating a stable and controlled process. However, these tools cannot be applied on every process. Standardization, takt time and a pull flow all require minimal variation to work effectively. This study investigates the applicableness of Lean tools on a material handling process, which is characterized by variation and moving bottlenecks. These characteristics were identified from observation of the process, which identified a considerable amount of variation in the form of lead times.

This study follows a systematic approach with theoretical framework as the foundation for conducting experiments to validate the theorems applicableness on the case companies’ material flow process. In this case study three experiments were conducted. These experiments were all related to the three research questions of this case study. The learnings from the experiments were then used to provide a proposal for a future layout and to answer the research questions of this case study. The future layout is designed to optimize the process flow. The result from this study shows that optimizing the process flow is of greater importance than resource utilization for the case company. The future layout is designed as a pull flow, with the capacity to handle variation and thus create a greater value for the customers of the case company.

This study also provides a new scientific approach on takt time implementation on a process with variation. Similar studies are usually focused on manufacturing assemble, while this study is translating the production theories to a material handling process with variation. The authors of this case study have not found a study with the same goal to implement takt time in a material handling process, however it is widely recognized that the car manufacturing industry with Toyota as the leading figure, uses takt time to control its material flow.

Due to a constantly increasing competitive pressure it is of great importance to constantly strive for improvements in order to gain competitive advantages. Lean Production is a concept that has been introduced with the aim to minimize waste and increase profitability. The purpose of this report is therefore to investigate how to perform effective planning according to the principles of Lean Production, in companys with customer exclusive products, through a case study at Sandvik Mining and Construction (SMC), and to investigate how SMC kan improve their planning of drifting rods at the production unit in Sandviken.

The study started by creating a theoretical framework, to describe the subject planning and planning based on Lean Production. This frame work constituted the base for the case study which took place at Sandvik Mining and Construction, and also for the model and planning tool that has been introduced.

The result of the study is partly a general model with factors that contribute to a more effective planning. These factors has beed identifed as SMED, which focuses on reducing set up times and in the end to facilitate the planning. With the assistance of the Pareto rule the amount of items can be grouped together and by that simplify production planning. By using the EOQ, optimized order quantities can be calculated, and thereby simplify for production planning. Even the degree of customer order management is something that affects how the planning can be managed as a high degree of customer order management can simplify for the decision making regarding wich product should be produced, however the time through production can increase. Sequensing is another method that simplifies the planning, as an already predetermined production order shall be produced. The most essential factor is however the motivation of the employees, as this forms the base to able other changes and implement them. Altogether these factors are closely connected to each other and working actively with these can contribute with a simplified planning procedure.

From without this a tool has been presented in order to simplify the planning of drifting rods at Sandvik Mining and Construction. Through this tool SMC can create a smoother flow through production, a smoother work load, a smoother machine load in the different assembly lines, and in the end reduced adjustment times within the forging press.