Abstract: The complexity of environmental, social, economical, and technological objectives creates a challenge for decision makers when prioritizing the right measures that will move a project or organization toward sustainability at least cost. Currently there are methods or tools available to assist in this decision making and through a strategic approach potentially enhance the process. The focus of this thesis is to evaluate how the quantitative nature of economic detail as a tool which has been informed by a strategic sustainable framework can contribute to the complex decision making process for sustainable development when prioritizing measures. A two- step matrix format is used to represent the proposed approach. The complexity of sustainable development issues for decision makers within Sweden’s energy sector provides a suitable case study to explain this approach. Karlskrona, Sweden district heat was chosen. The results revealed an enhanced decision making process utilizing the proposed approach in district heat thus ensuring organizational and social profitability as defined by, static and dynamic efficiency and equitable allocation. The thesis concludes that the suggested approach has the potential to enhance the decision making process for strategic sustainable development when prioritizing measures in district heat and may be universal in its application in many other sectors. However, further validation of the approach through testing in real life situations is recommended.
This thesis examines community energy planning in Sweden and Canada with the aim of revealing strategies that move communities towards energy sustainability. Unsustainable energy activities are identified as major threats on both local and global levels. The challenges for energy systems are discussed and a possible scenario of a future community with sustainable energy production and consumption is presented. The literature review examines community energy planning guidebooks and key theoretical and methodological concepts including ingenuity, soft energy paths and backcasting from socio-ecological principles of sustainability. Following an analysis of energy supply and demand in a broad systems context, and a review of policies and programs supporting or hindering community energy planning, energy plans from eleven Swedish and eleven Canadian communities are evaluated. Characteristics of progressive energy planning as uncovered in the literature review form a framework for evaluating the visions, strategies and actions described in the plans. Sweden is recognized as an early player in community energy planning. Although Swedish energy plans do not contain all of the identified progressive strategies, national leadership and funding have played a role in Sweden’s successes. More recent Canadian plans are found to be highly progressive, suggesting that Canadian communities who follow their plans can too be successful in transforming their energy systems towards sustainability.
The aim of this work is to investigate analytical and experimental vibration of composite beam. The composite beam is used as composite footbridge model prototype which is assumed. For the dynamic test, hammer excitation is used to excite the beam at fixed locations. The modal parameters are extracted from the time response using a time domain analysis, i.e. the stochastic subspace identification technique. Finite element models for different boundary conditions are constructed using the commercial finite element software package ANSYS for natural frequencies of the beam to support and verify the dynamic measurements. The result obtained from analytical solution, dynamic tests and the FEM are presented and analysed.
Human society faces serious environmental and social threats as a result of systemic unsustainable actions and values. This is a time of cultural self-evaluation and profound change. This study examines how 13 social and environmental change-based organizations, through network partnerships and a robust organizational knowledge-base, are responding to these challenges. A systems perspective was used as a guide to promote a holistic understanding of the actors within the system, their perceptions of success, strategies, actions and tools used to guide them toward sustainability. The results indicate that organizations seeking to scale-up their impact toward sustainability might benefit from the following success factors: 1. Collaboration with diverse partners to contribute to more effective interventions in complex systems, 2. Integrating comprehensive definitions of sustainability with organizational vision to facilitate success, 3. The application of leverage points and transparent prioritization processes to asure congruence between organizational purpose and actions, 4. Practices of dialogue and deep listening build rewarding partnerships and, 5. Metrics that support partnerships and gauge progress toward sustainability. In conclusion network partnerships have the potential to generate widespread sustained change and can be supported by complex systems science and a Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development.
This thesis contains the product development work towards a, for Alfa Laval Lund AB, alternative product to eradicate Legionella bacteria from domestic hot water systems. The existing product at Alfa Laval Lund AB, the AquaProtect, is having problems to reach costumers with small and medium size systems. The product developed in this thesis should be in a much more attractive price range for small and medium size systems. It should also work in any domestic heating system with circulation. Making it possible for, for example, the vulnerable people at elderly care housings to have Legionella bacteria free water.
It is not always obvious how to compare a given test specification with measured field data. This article presents a systematic method based on the shock response spectrum and the fatigue damage spectrum. A random-on-random test specification for tracked vehicles, AECTP 400, is used as an example.
Accurate road profiles are useful in vehicle design, such as for simulation of durability and ride quality. Laser/inertial profilometers typically record I mm wide profiles. The question is how well such a profile matches perceived vehicle wheel roughness. The objective here was to create a more representative wheel track longitudinal profile. Simulated and measured wheel vibration was compared on a 6km long road. Simulations were made for several definitions of the profile. Results for single laser sensor profiles showed reasonable likeness to truck perceived roughness. By far the best likeness (14.5% better) was achieved when the profile was based on triangular 25%-50%-25% weighted data from three sensors in the wheel track. Clearly, vehicle engineers can benefit from using multiple laser profile sensors, instead of a single sensor. This will improve test accuracy, thus reducing vehicle design project lead times and costs.
Transport sector is an essential driver of economic development and growth, and at the same time, one of the biggest contributors to climate change, responsible for almost a quarter of the global carbon dioxide emissions. The sector is 95 percent dependent on fossil fuels. International Energy Agency (IEA) scenarios present different mixes of fuels to decrease both dependence on fossil fuels and emissions, leading to a more sustainable future. The main alternative fuels proposed in the Blue map scenario, presented in the Energy Technologies Perspective 2008, were hydrogen and second-generation ethanol. An assessment of these fuels was made using the tools SLCA (Sustainability Life Cycle Assessment) and SWOT Analysis. A Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) is the background used to guide the assessment and to help structure the results and conclusions. The results aim to alert the transport sector stakeholders about the sustainability gaps of the scenario, so decisions can be made to lead society towards a sustainable future.
By radiating bifrequency primary waves from two ultrasonic emitters with changing the phases of the primary waves, we can obtain the sound fields that are different from the usual in‐phase excitation. Especially, for the excitation of out‐phase by 180 degrees the difference frequency wave has the directivity of almost uniformity near the acoustic axis. Additionally, the sound pressure levels of the harmonic components of the difference frequency and the primary waves as well are suppressed by 10 dB and more
There is an overall consensus that the poor governance and corruption plaguing many developing nations are main inhibitors to progress. These inhibitors also lead to the overwhelming feelings of desperation, apathy, and determinism. International development assistance programs utilizing capacity building have been created to deal with sustainable development issues in the developing world. Often these programs are fragmented and address results, not the causes, of problems. This study assesses how existing community development approaches could be aided through a strategic sustainable development perspective. A majority of the research involved creation of a holistic innovative community development approach, which encourages transformational change and effective leadership, and comparison of that to an existing community development approach. Strengths and limitations were observed through this comparison and generic recommendations were created to support current approaches. The study found that existing development assistance strategies are effective at building capacity and helping communities, but encompassing a more holistic perspective could align planning and decision-making with socio-ecological sustainability and thereby support mid- and long-term progress.
Human-influenced climate change is rapidly accelerating and continues to threaten to human existence. Global migration is leading to increasingly multicultural urban populations. This paper ties these two issues together through the lense of engagement. The thesis argues that a Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) can be used to plan strategies to engage multicultural communities towards second commitment Kyoto targets and be an opportunity for meeting community needs for social sustainability. The research took place in Sweden through interviews and focus groups. Key findings address systematic exclusion and the potential of inquiry to discover barriers and leverage points. The resulting set of guidelines for municipalities utilizes the full spectrum of engagement (inform, consult, involve, collaborate, empower) and the FSSD to enhance existing climate change action plans towards maximum participation for fulfilling Kyoto Protocol mandates.
For sustainable development of Blekinge to be carved out in a strategic manner,steps taken need to be coordinated in the right direction(i.e. towards meeting basic principles of socio-ecological sustainability).One part of this project looks into the various steps that could be taken to reach sustainability at a principle level.The other part looks at the importance of mutual cooperation among various stakeholders within the region.We look at current steps been taken and the potential for cooperation in the region. Our study reveals that many opportunities exist, both for strategic steps towards sustainability and for ways Blekinge organizations could cooperate to achieve them.We found that opportunities exist in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency,transportation and regional cooperation.In particular,this study identified significant opportunities to expand networks of cooperation in Blekinge.For instance, expansion of advocacy groups, expansion of railway and cooperation for alternative fuels among organizations and municipalities are all opportunities.
Under framtagandet av nya produkter måste ett antal prototyper tillverkas för att verifiera konstruktionen. För en metodingenjör som tar fram reparationsmetoder innebär prototyptillverkning att tankar som växt fram under utvecklingsfasen kan provas för första gången på en fysisk produkt. Detta sker relativt sent i produktutvecklingen och eventuella ändringar som kan uppstå på grund av att servicevänlighet inte uppnås blir mycket kostsamma. Om däremot prototypen där metoderna verifieras för första gången är digital och detta sker tidigt blir kostnaderna för eventuella ändringar avsevärt mycket mindre. Modellen som ligger till grund för metodstudierna kan sedan används för att skapa ett utkast till service litteratur, detta medför att även den delen av slutprodukten kommer att vara i fas med övriga utvecklings avdelningar. Under detta projekt har en digital prototyp av en Scania motor använts för genomförandet av metodstudier. Dessa studier har resulterat i animationer och illustrationer som sedan använts i ett exempel av en dynamisk interaktiv arbetsbeskrivning, även den skapad under projektet. Användandet av digitala prototyper har resulterat i ett förtydligande av hur användbart 3D modeller är i produktutvecklingsprocessen. Under arbetets gång har delar av Fredy Ohlssons principer för produktutveckling använts. Under the development of new products a number of prototypes must be built to confirm the products construction and strength. For an engineer whose job is to create instructions for repairing methods, building a prototype means that new ideas can be tested for the first time. This often happens rather late in the development process which means that changes made because of lack of serviceability becomes expensive. If the prototype is digital and confirmation of serviceability is done early this cost can be reduced. This digital prototype can be used as a basis for creating images to increase the understanding of an instruction. During this project a digital prototype of a Scania engine has been made and used to create repairing methods. This studies results in animations and illustrations which has been used in an example of a dynamic interactive work instruction, created under this project. Applying digital prototypes in this project has resulted in a clarification of the benefits when using 3d models in the development process. During the work with the project parts of “The principles of product development” by Fredy Ohlsson has been implemented.
This development project is a bachelor’s degree thesis work that will conclude the education program ”Development Technology” at Blekinge Institute of Technology. The development project has been done in cooperation with Faurecia Exhaust Systems AB in Torsås that constructs and manufactures manifolds, catalytic converters, mufflers and whole exhaust systems. The task with this project was to find a new solution concept for the connection of pipes into flanges in manifolds. The concept that Faurecia uses today for their manifolds is based on welding the pipes into place in the flange. The product development model that is used in this project is written by Fredy Olsson. For this project have the parts ”Principal construction” and ”Primary construction” been used. During the principal construction has a product definition been made and the criterions that should be satisfied by the following solution concept was determined. Several solutions were designed and evaluated by the project members and in cooperation with the supervisors at Faurecia. The solutions that were subject for further development were prepared during the primary construction with for example CAD. Three solution concepts were the result from this thesis work. All of the solution concepts contain end shaped pipes that provides the sealing area against the engine. The main difference between them is that the flange is designed in different ways.
Fiber Reinforced Plastics (FRP) has been used by Kockums' shipyard in the manufacturing of ships over 35 years, during which time is has been proven to be durable and practical. The light weight makes it a more and more attractive material as energy and material expenditure decreases are required. A special application is the Composite Superstructure Concept [1] where composite materials are added on top of a steel hull, which decreases the weight and running costs considerably, and makes it possible to even add extra levels while keeping the same center of gravity. If efficient condition monitoring systems can keep track of emerging damages of the structure, the weight may be even more reduced and the interval between maintenance inspections may be prolonged. As important steps in this process, a ship mock-up section was subjected to increased levels of explosive underwater impacts, and the damage progression in the hull was monitored by a nonlinear acoustic technique.
The mechanical material behavior of highly extensible or ductile polymer films used in the packaging industry has been studied in this work. The polymer material, consisting of different variants of polyethylene grades, is used as several components in the packaging material structure at Tetra Pak®. Experimental tensile tests were used to quantify the mechanical behavior and to be able to calibrate numerical constitutive material models. The studied polymer materials were able to withstand large deformations before breaking, involving both necking in the width and thickness direction of the specimen. During deformation re-orientation of polymer chains and substantial strain-hardening were also occurring. The latter effect was accounted for in the presented material modeling approach. The numerical simulations were solved in the general finite element software Abaqus version 6.13. In this work a continuum damage modeling (CDM) approach was used. CDM which are attractive in macro scale applications, thus solving our engineering problems, was chosen in this study due to the computational efficiency. A damage model consisting of two functionalities; initiation of damage and evolution of damage was suitable for modeling the ductile fracture behavior. During the numerical analysis it has been assumed that the polymer materials are isotropic, homogenous through the thickness, independent of strain rate and independent of temperature to ease the material parameters identification.
The opening mechanism in a beverage package, where a mixed mode failure occurs, is a rather complex phenomenon. A better knowledge in respect of fracture mechanics is needed for the proactive prediction of the overall opening performance. Reliable material data used for virtual simulation of the opening mechanism is extracted by characterization and calibration of the packaging materials. Knowledge of how to choose appropriate constitutive models for the continuum material and how the damage initiates and propagates to various loading conditions is of great interest. The virtual tests, replicating the physical tests, are performed with the aid of the finite element method. Non-linear material response, anisotropic material behaviour, large deformation and fracture mechanics are identified effects that are all included in the virtual model. The results presented in this paper show possible selections of material models in conjunction with material damage models, adequately describing thin polymer films behaviour. Comparison between the physical test and the virtual test, exerted to fracture Mode I – Centre Cracked Tension, showed a good correlation for the chosen modeling technique.
The micro-mechanisms of fracture in a laminate composed of an aluminium foil and a polymer film are considered in this study. The laminates as well as the individual layers, with and without premade centre-cracks, were tensile tested. Visual inspection of the broken cross-sections shows that failure occurs through localised plasticity. This leads to a decreasing and eventually vanishing cross-section ahead of the crack tip for both the laminate and their single constituent layers. Experimental results are examined and analysed using a slip-line theory to derive the work of failure. An accurate prediction was made for the aluminium foil and for the laminate but not for the freestanding polymer film. The reason seems to be that the polymer material switches to non-localised plastic deformation with significant strain-hardening.
Trouser tear testing has been concerned in this research work. A polypropylene film and a low density polyethylene film used in the packaging industry are considered. The experimental trouser tear tests showed different results for both materials when they were subjected to load in different material directions. Therefore the hypothesis was verified, that the in-plane material orientation/alignment induced during manufacturing, hence creating anisotropic in-plane mechanical properties, also affects the tearing behavior. A brittle-like failure was shown in the polypropylene film while the low density polyethylene presented a highly ductile behavior. The two polymer films can be classified as one low-extensible and one high-extensible material according to the test method utilized. Material parameters in the principal material directions i.e. manufacturing direction and cross direction were extracted from the experimental tests for further numerical studies. Scanning electron microscope was used for micromechanical and fractographical analysis of the crack tip and crack surfaces created during the tests. The methods discussed will help classify different groups of materials and can be used as a predictive tool for the crack initiation and crack propagation path in packaging material, especially thin polymer films.
Observations and analysis of samples from scanning electron microscopic (SEM) micrographs has been concerned in this work. The samples originate from fractured mechanical mode I tensile testing of a thin polymer film made of polypropylene used in the packaging industry. Three different shapes of the crack; elliptical, circular and flat, were used to investigate the decrease in load carrying capacity. The fracture surfaces looked similar in all studied cases. Brittle-like material fracture process was observed both by SEM micrographs and the experimental mechanical results. A finite element model was created in Abaqus as a complementary tool to increase the understanding of the mechanical behaviour of the material. The numerical material models were calibrated and the results from the simulations were comparable to the experimental results.
Fracture mechanical Mode I tensile testing has been performed on an oriented polyproplyne film used in packaging industry. Physical Tensile testing for the continuum material has been performed to observe the material strength and to extract continuum material properties for numerical analysis. Fracture mechanical testing of different shaped notches is performed to observe the failure initiation in the material. A brittle-like failure was shown in the polypropylene film while the low density polyethylene presented a highly ductile behavior. A finite element method (FEM) strategy has been successfully developed to perform numerical analysis of polymer films. The developed FEM model gives an accurate and approximate method to compare and analyze the experimental and numerical results. The obtained results have shown a very fine similarity under theoretical, experimental and numerical analysis. Depending on crack geometry different shape crack effects showed the transferability of localized stresses at different points around the crack. Fracture surface and fracture process is analyzed using scanning electron microscope (SEM). Brittle failure with small deformation and presence of small voids and their coalescence has also been shown in SEM micrographs for LDPE material. The methods discussed will help classify different groups of materials and can be used as a predictive tool for the crack initiation and crack propagation path in packaging material, especially thin polymer films.
Tetra Pak has used numerical simulation tools for plastic injection molding (Moldflow) and structural analysis (Abaqus/Implicit and Abaqus/Explicit) for many years. Today these two simulation tools are used independently of each other without any coupling. How these two disciplines can be combined to better predict the mechanical response of a polymer component is presented in this work. The manufacturing process, in this case injection molding, creates the mechanical properties of the produced polymer part. Process settings, material selection and molding tool geometry affect the polymer flow, material orientation and rate of crystallinity. A method to build a layered finite element model in Abaqus using results from Moldflow simulations regarding crystallinity growth and molecular orientation is proposed. Relatively simple material models were utilized and assigned for each individual material layer through the thickness in the polymer part. These constitutive models were derived phenomenologically from experimental test results and could adequately capture both the microscopic and the macroscopic behavior in a more realistic way. The numerical results showed a good agreement with the experimental results, both regarding visual appearance and force/displacement response.
In this thesis, the need for the step by step transformation of industry towards sustainability is emphasized. This work involves looking at the Olive Oil Industry (OOI) from a systems perspective through the lens of Strategic Sustainable Development (SSD) and applying backcasting from a principled view of socio-ecological sustainability. A specific project is also looked at, the Integrated Waste Management Project (IWMP), which aims at contributing to the sustainability of this particular industry. The OOI was analysed through the ABCD methodology, a tool used in planning for SSD, and measures were drawn up to guide the industry’s transformation. Following this analysis, the IWMP was examined within the context and results of the OOI research. Overall, the industry is transitioning and the IWMP is a good opportunity and contributor to the evolution of the Olive Oil Industry towards sustainability. At the same time, OOI and other industries would benefit greatly from embracing a systems perspective and a strategic approach for sustainable development.
The accuracy of numerical methods in calculating the flow of backward facing steps in turbulent hypersonic flows is limited due to a lack of flow measurements. Such measurements are necessary to validate numerical techniques and turbulent models. The lack of measurements concerns especially quantitative data on the dynamics of large turbulent structures. One approach to solve this problem is to measure the global velocity field. Therefore Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) has to be arranged for use in high speed flows. In this project PIV setup was installed for the use in hypersonic Ludwieg tube Braunschweig (HLB). After the setup of PIV system a generic hyperboloid flare configuration was examined.The influence of shocks on particle concentration can be identified in these measurements. On this model previous infrared thermography measurements and numerical calculations are available, therefore a comparison was made.
In order to reach sustainability, a greater capacity to facilitate the implementation of the principles on which sustainability is founded is required. Effective methods of communicating sustainability will be necessary. Although there is a notable range of successful methods, opportunities to expand that range always remain and are worthy of exploration. This study pursues capacity building by testing a communication method variation that uses questions, audience participation, and metaphors intended to make the subject matter more easily understood and more permanently retained. An initial trial of the method was attempted with several groups of senior secondary students who were introduced to the ideas of sustainability during group and individual sessions. The students were surveyed before, during and after the sessions to measure their understanding and acceptance of sustainability concepts and principles. Of the students surveyed, all showed greater knowledge after instructional sessions using this technique. Results suggest that using a consciously dynamic and adaptive approach to choice of metaphors and questions can make the subject of sustainability easier to understand and remember.
This research explores how the web‘s collaborative potential can be harnessed strategically towards sustainability. With the success of web-scale collaborations such as Wikipedia and Linux in mind, we sought to understand how web-enabled collaborations could be used strategically, particularly to support innovation for sustainability. Building on Peter Gloor of MIT‘s research into collaborative innovation networks (COINs), a framework for collaborative organizational networks supporting innovation, we evaluated COINs‘ strategic potential for sustainability utilizing the framework for strategic sustainable development and the approach of backcasting. We found that COINs can provide a strategic and effective way to work towards sustainability because they harness collective intelligence towards innovation and support distributed working styles. Additionally they provide an organizational framework that supports socially sustainable modes of working. However, COINs can amplify the impact of unsustainable innovations, so a strong systems perspective based on principles of sustainability is required to use COINs strategically. The final product of this research is a set of recommendations for people considering utilizing COINs for sustainability.
The function of the loader arm of the high-speed pneumatic loader is to load the work piece from the conveyer belt into the die machine and vice-versa. The purpose of the work was to develop a Finite Element Model of the loader arm by using ANSYS Software. And with the help of the FEA model, the loader arm is optimized from stress and minimum deflection point of view. The knowledge of FEA and optimization is required to achieve the desired optimization in the existing structure.
Dynamic analysis of damages in materials is a difficult task and it is currently not known what importance different possible mechanisms carry. It is to a large extent due to the difficulty of measuring the dynamic behavior of cracks, debonds and delaminations inside material. It there exists a need to simulate the action of different mechanisms in order to understand the basic physics and possibly identify the signatures of measured vibration and acoustic signals. In this work we study vibrational responses from a specimen which has different types of non-linearities like fractures in it and understand various factors concerned with fracture location, fracture behavior and so on. After finding the fracture location and fracture size, stress intensity factors can be calculated and from them fatigue tests and other failure tests can be done.
This thesis describes the process of detection, and if possible, also localization of the damage in non structural sheet-like materials. Simulation and analysis is carried out in ABAQUS with a FE model that has the same dynamic characteristics as the corresponding real material. Three types of damage forms are investigated: crack, hole and local weakness. Results presented in the report show that global damage detection and localization in sheet-like structure by monitoring changes in the modal parameters is possible. Based on the results, this thesis provides a basis for development of global non-destructive health monitoring methods for materials having no bending stiffness.
Adopting a Strategic Sustainable Development (SSD) approach to official bilateral development assistance could result in more effective development planning that yields lasting results in developing countries. A Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development Assistance (FSSDA) based on SSD and customised to the needs of a development agency offers guidance in planning for development towards sustainability. This it does by directing donor and recipient planners in generating holistic perspectives, setting the goal of development as an attractive and sustainable society, and providing a flexible decision-making framework to guide strategic planning. Development assistance donor agencies face several difficulties in ensuring aid effectiveness. The FSSDA offers support in addressing these challenges by: positioning the creation of sustainable societies as the fundamental goal of development; allowing progress against imminent sustainability threats while minimizing the risk of unforeseen negative impacts; balancing economic, environmental and social considerations; and providing a fairer basis for aid conditionality.
In today's business environment, "garbage" isn't simply worthless refuse to be disposed of anymore; it often represents a material with monetary value. The human population is using up about 30 percent more natural resources in one year than the earth can regenerate. Because businesses constitute half of the world's largest economies, there can be no sustainability without sustainable businesses. The Business of Sustainability: Trends, Policies, Practices, and Stories of Success is a foundation set that effectively captures and articulates the why, what, who, and how of sustainability and business. Volume I covers the scientific, economic, and social underpinnings of sustainability and identifies the challenges facing business leaders.
Land use, transport, and energy systems create demands that are transferred to ecosystems. Urban sprawl is increasing, open space and farmland are disappearing and climate change is a growing concern. Yet local, national, and EU policies on sustainable development and economic growth are often at odds with one another. A sector-by-sector approach that focuses on incremental actions precludes effective, integrated solutions. Progress towards sustainability requires a systems-based perspective grounded in science. This paper presents a comprehensive and strategic framework to help communities (1) adopt a whole-systems view to land use, transport, and energy, (2) develop a vision to guide their actions, and (3) strategically adopt actions that close the gap between the current reality and the envisioned sustainable future. An emphasis is placed on strategies related to governance structures and strategies to secure political and public acceptance, including approaches to public participation.
In the shift towards a sustainable society, there have been varying interpretations of what this will mean for the social sphere. Using the parameters for social sustainability presented in the framework for strategic sustainable development (FSSD), this research sought to assist sustainability practitioners in identifying and eliminating the creation of or contribution to barriers that undermine the individual’s capacity to meet their needs. In doing so, the researchers explored the processes of social systems and employed a systems thinking perspective to examine how an organization could, through the intentional structuring of its processes, work to eliminate their contributions to arriers. From this research, characteristics of processes that move an organization towards socially sustainable development were identified as cooperation, transparency, openness, inclusiveness and involvement, around which a guidebook was developed to promote organizational reflection and examination of processes in regards to these characteristics and fundamental human needs.
Companies are constantly being pressured to innovate in order to stay competitive in the short run and have new offerings in the long run. One way of boosting innovation is to develop idea support systems that go beyond the traditional methods and tools. Through a qualitative study, this paper explores the lessons learned from developing an online platform for idea generation, and discusses it in terms of innovation process, climate, and capabilities. The results show that the platform itself is not enough for innovation. The structure and work processes around the platform are as important, which implies the need to design processes and procedures that allow an idea to develop, providing, focus, idea feedback and role clarity.
In a fast moving world where maritime transport corridors play a major role in the movement of people and goods, there are significant sustainability issues with these operations. This paper considers the sustainability of these corridors and the contribution of security and safety measures to achieve sustainability. The research commences with a literature review and practitioner survey on sustainability, security and safety of maritime transport, then develops the analysis using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) and causal loop diagrams to analyze and evaluate measures and actions that could lead towards a sustainable maritime transport corridor - education and training, energy alternatives, waste management, dematerialization, efficient land and sea use, standardized operations between ports and community engagement. The Baltic Transport Corridor is used for analysis. Further recommendations are made in order to facilitate the path for future research and study.
Impacts of the Olympic Games on the biosphere and on the communities that host them are significant. Increasing size, scope and costs, rising security concerns, cultural and environmental impacts are some of the key issues facing host cities and those cities bidding or considering bidding for the Olympic Games. One of the ideals of the Olympic Charter is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of mankind and the three pillars of the Olympic movement are sport, culture and environment. This paper examines the IOC’s options for sustainability in its primary question: In what way could the International Olympic Committee (IOC) contribute to a global movement towards socio-ecological sustainability? The hypothesis that the IOC is an agent for social/cultural and environmental change is explored. The paper uses a principled definition of success for socio-ecological sustainability and presents a vision of a sustainable IOC and Olympic Movement within a sustainable society. From that vision specific IOC strategies along with past, present and short-term future actions are analysed to determine the obstacles and deficiencies in moving the IOC toward complying with scientifically relevant principles for socio-ecological sustainability. Systems thinking is used to identify obstacles and opportunities within the Olympic Movement. These obstacles and opportunities to strategically move the IOC toward sustainability are identified, analysed and discussed. The paper concludes with examples of possible actions the IOC could take to strategically move towards sustainability.
Emerging from a study in the European aerospace industry, this paper identifies a gap in the way value-related information is communicated to designers of hardware in the preliminary stages of Product Service System (PSS) design. To fit this gap a Lifecycle Value Representation Approach, named LiVReA, that uses color-coded 3D CAD models to enable value information to be translated into visual features, is presented. Such approach aims at enhancing designers' awareness of the value contribution of an early design concept on the overall PSS offer by complementing requirements-based information with criteria reflecting the fulfillment of customers and system value. The paper details the development of the approach, its underlying rationale, the results of preliminary validation activities and the potential for industrial application in the light of the currently available PSS representation tools
Recent literature in Systems Engineering has suggested the use of “value” to drive decision-making activities during preliminary design, in particular when choosing technologies and components for a complex system. However, to correctly evaluate design trade-offs, a visual link has to be established between the results of the value model and a product shape/geometry. This paper proposes the use of color-coded 3D CAD models to support the visualization of value analysis results in a Stage-Gate® process. The approach has been developed and exemplified within a case study related to the design of an aero-engine component, and has been demonstrated using SIEMENS NX HD3D Visual Reporting. The results of verification activities conducted in a laboratory setting show that the use of color-coded 3D CAD models increases the decision makers’ awareness of value-related information in a Stage-Gate process.
Value Driven Design methodologies extend the Requirements Management and Systems Engineering processes to reduce time and costs needed to identify the right solution direction to be pursued in detailed design. Emerging from the findings of an EU FP7 research project, the paper describes an approach, named EVOKE, that uses value as a basis for preliminary concept selection in the design of system components. EVOKE takes as input a list of value dimensions and drivers communicated by the system integrators, together with information about the high-level engineering characteristics of a candidate design, to enable early stage value analysis to be executed the by sub-system manufacturers. The approach and its technological enablers are described in detail through the use of a case study related to the design of new intermediate compressor case for turbofan engines.
In the last decade, as the manufacturing companies have reconsidered the overall concept of goods production, their focus shifted from developing ‘products’ to ‘solutions’. In complex supply chains, the combination of products and services that maximize customers’ and stakeholders’ value can be identified only if manufacturers improve their ability to co-create, establishing more interactive relationships with end users, clients and sub-contractors. Methodologies for Value Driven Design (VDD) are emerging as enablers for cross-functional and cross-organizational knowledge sharing, reinforcing early stages design iterations to emphasize the maturation of the requirements across supply chain levels. This chapter highlights the uptake of VDD in a traditionally protective domain, such as the aerospace sector. It describes methods and tools for value assessment, and points toward the most relevant initiatives in this domain. Eventually, it discusses areas of further research to promote the effective use of the VDD methodology while designing complex engineering systems.
Nowadays, when designing structural aero-engine components, the engineering team does not only deal with aerodynamics and structural mechanics criteria. Rather, it needs to make more informed decisions based on the value and sustainability contribution of a design concept. This paper proposes a novel approach that combines qualitative sustainability assessment techniques, which are Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Sustainability Assessment (SSA), with Net Present Value (NPV) analysis to facilitate early stage decision-making in design. A case study, related to the development of a new high-temperature aero-engine component, illustrates how EIA and SSA identify sustainability hotspots for a new product technology, and how NPV is used to assess alternative solution strategies within the hotspot. Within the studied case, the milling process was identified as a sustainability hotspot, therefore two process options - Electro-Chemical Milling (ECM) and Mechanical Milling (MM) - where benchmarked by calculating their NPV in alternative future scenarios, featuring different market and regulatory assumptions. The approach and its constituting models have been preliminarily verified with designers and process owners in co-located industrial workshops.
The emerging industrial business partnerships, which feature cross-functional and cross-company development efforts, raise the barrier for the establishment of effective knowledge sharing practices in the larger organization. This chapter aims to highlight the role of knowledge as a key enabler for effective engineering activities in the light of such emerging enterprise collaboration models. Knowledge Enabled Engineering (KEE) is presented as an approach to enhance the extended organization’s capability to establish effective collaboration among its parts, in spite of different organizational structures, technologies or processes. KEE is analysed in its constituent parts, highlighting areas, methods and tools that are particularly interesting for leveraging companies’ knowledge sharing capabilities.
The aim of the paper is to discuss the rising potential of social software to increase the knowledge management capabilities of virtual product development teams. It presents six fundamental transitions, elaborated from the empirical findings, which justify the rise of a more bottom-up, social creation and sharing of engineering knowledge in the virtual organisation. The study suggests that traditional engineering knowledge management approaches alone are not sufficient to support development activities in the virtual organisation, and that such teams display an increasing demand for social, comparatively lightweight and remixable platforms for bottom-up, social creation and sharing of knowledge.
The aim of this research is to examine how Africa can become a socially sustainable society by the year 2030 using a strategic leadership approach with Cameroon as a case study. Using a generic and whole systems view, the study would examine the possibility of a transition from a socially un-sustainable society to sustainable society. The study analyses the current political, economic, social and environmental operations that undermines people’s ability to meet their basic needs. It also highlights some of the strengths and opportunities of the Cameroonian society that can help accelerate this transition. Threats and weaknesses are also identified and corrective measures are proposed. Agriculture and social capacity building amongst others stand out as prominent opportunities which could be use to further strategic progress towards sustainability. The study concludes that, with a well defined vision, it is possible for Cameroon to strategically progress towards a socially sustainable society.
Abstract: This thesis argues that taking a strategic sustainable development (SSD) approach to conflict resolution in areas of the world in long-term intractable conflict with intermittent violence could support an effective process and lasting outcome. SSD proposes a holistic systems perspective and decision-making framework to address challenges and opportunities at the largest scale, including identifying root causes and drivers of the conflict as well as finding common ground internally and externally. The currently unbalanced dynamics between the two fundaments of sustainability, a robust ecosystem and social fabric, are the basis of deeply unsustainable patterns of behaviour which are often also at the heart of conflicts. Socio-ecological unsustainability can be both a threat, and an opportunity for resolution and social change. The framework offers a proven way of organizing, evaluating and using tools that can aid in dealing with sustainability issues constructively, and evidence is presented to suggest its usage can be extended to conflict issues. This thesis analyzes the links between sustainability, strategic sustainable development and conflict resolution work in the areas of conflict described, and proposes a set of guidelines for approaching conflict resolution with SSD.
The fracture toughness of a polymer-metal laminate composite is obtained by mechanical testing of a specimen containing a pre-crack. The laminate is a material used for packaging. It consists of a thin aluminium foil and a polymer coating. A centre cracked panel test geometry is used. Each of the layers forming the laminate is also tested separately. The result is compared with the measured fracture strength of the individual layers. It is observed that the load carrying capacity increases dramatically for the laminate. At the strain when peak load is reached for the laminate only aluminium is expected to carry any substantial load because of the low stiffness of the LDPE. However, the strength of the laminate is almost twice the strength of the aluminium foil. The reason seems to be that the aluminium forces the polymer to absorb large quantities of energy at small nominal strain. The toughness compares well with the accumulated toughness of all involved layers. Possible fracture of the interface between the layers is discussed.
This report considers our thesis work that was implemented in cooperation with Metso Dynapac. The assignment was to construct a high mounted exhaust system for the CA 252/302/402-Vibratory Roller. Today’s exhaust system is pointed backwards and ends under and below the radiator. A high mounted muffler system is available as an option and is attached to the standard muffler system. The main problem with the placement of the existing muffler, is that it makes it difficult for the cooling air to pass through the engine-room. This makes that an unnecessary large fan is needed to get enough air passage through the radiator. Another problem is that a high mounted muffler system is available as an option. Dynapac wants one muffler system and one part number. We used Fredy Olsson’s model for principle and primary construction to construct a new muffler system. In the phase of the principle construction the product was defined according to the PPOME method. Different proposals was presented and evaluated against the criterions. Two proposals went on to the phase of primary construction were a complete solution of the problem were presented.
Institutional Investors own a large share of publicly traded companies, controlling a significant amount of the economy‟s working capital. These investors currently use little or no sustainability-related information to make their decisions, reinforcing a loop of increasingly unsustainable growth. This paper puts forward a new investment strategy that recognizes true movement towards sustainability and its link with bottom line benefits for investors: Strategic Sustainable Investing (SSI). To achieve this desired future, Institutional Investors must be able to recognize corporations that are strategically leading the transition towards sustainability. An Analysis Tool was developed to help address this need by identifying sectoral Emerging Sustainability Issues (ESI) using a consensus-based scientific definition of sustainability. Once ESIs are identified, companies‟ strategies regarding each issue are assessed. This Tool was scrutinized by a panel of experts in the financial and sustainable development industries, and was tested on three companies within the Unconventional Oil & Gas Sector in Canada. Results confirmed the usefulness of a tool that can recognize which companies are leading the sustainable development agenda, and identified the need for future research on the financial materiality of sustainability-oriented actions.
This qualitative action research explores integration of Strategic Sustainable Development (SSD) at Inova business incubator (Karlstad, Sweden). Researchers and incubator agreed that planning with sustainability in mind at a very early stage of company development may have important impacts on future business success and societal welfare. The objective was to answer how SSD could be integrated into the processes at Inova and how Inova staff’s and entrepreneurs’ understanding of sustainability demonstrably evolve after exposure to SSD. Apart from general research methods, SSD methods and tools were used with three entrepreneurs and business incubator staff. The Five Level Framework for Planning and Decision-making in complex systems and the Templates for Sustainable Product Development approach were central to the study. Inova staff and entrepreneurs began to develop; an understanding of business’ dependence on and relationship to broader societal and ecological systems; and an ability to use backcasting from the basic socio-ecological principles of sustainability in business planning. In turn they experienced an increased capacity to identify sustainability related business risks and opportunities. A new incubation process integrating SSD was created. Although the outcome is specific to Inova, it is general enough for other assistance organizations to gain insight from. In conclusion, SSD should be integrated as early as possible in the business planning of start up companies. Organizations with a mission of assisting entrepreneurs have an important role to play In further research it is recommended that visionary sustainability leaders are identified and tracked from start up.
Today, global socio-ecological problems are too complex and urgent for isolated actions, and cross-sector collaboration is increasingly required to generate transformational change towards a sustainable future. Partnerships between businesses and civil society organisations (CSOs) in particular have the potential to achieve the required change for sustainability. However, the ‘backcasting’ approach used in this study highlights a gap between current approaches and what partnerships might look like in a sustainable future. Research draws on literature, eighteen interviews and an action research project with Interface Europe. Results indicate that: 1) in the current paradigm shift, collaboration provides a competitive advantage; 2) individual, organisational and societal benefits of partnering are significant; 3) understanding the art and science of partnering is needed to make them work 4) organisational development and strategy affect partnership type and outcomes; 5) Corporate Social Responsibility efforts initiate cross-sector partnerships, but are responsive and fall short of being strategic; 6) articulation of visions for a sustainable future is rare and; 7) most partnerships are not aligned with core business strategies. In conclusion, dialogue across all sectors is advocated to co-create a sustainable future and The Natural Step Framework is recommended to align business planning and partnership strategies with sustainability.