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The continuous growth of data centers prompts research into their energy impact. While some cloud providers give an overall estimate of data centers energy efficiency, there is a lack of transparency about data for individual components and functions. We explore metrics to evaluate the energy efficiency of cloud data storage in particular and represent them as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for organizational monitoring. To this aim, we perform an exploratory study with Schuberg Philis (SBP), a leading IT provider in the Netherlands to explore sustainability monitoring for cloud data storage. We identify the data provided by a cloud provider and explore the corresponding metrics in the academic literature. Based on the SBP's sustainability roadmap, we propose three KPIs that are developed using an existing KPI framework. These KPIs are reviewed by the experts at SBP for their correctness and added value. The study provides, (i) an overview of the energy efficiency of cloud data storage, (ii) suggested KPIs to monitor and optimize the cloud data storage to meet the SBP's sustainability goals. The KPIs are energy consumption (kW/h), storage capacity utilization (%), and capacity per watt (GB/Watt), and (iii) actions per KPI to reach the sustainability targets. The results of the study provide insights into monitoring the energy efficiency of data storage for SBP for potential optimization while building a foundation for developing similar approaches for other practitioners and for targeting sustainability concerns.

Purpose: Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) often struggle with performance measurement which can result in a high failure rate. This study aimed to examine the role of owner-managers in understanding performance management, the implementation processes of Performance Management System (PMS), and what challenges associated with applying PMS within SMMEs they faced.  SMMEs will greatly benefit from a reliable PMS that can streamline day-to-day operations and facilitate effective decision-making through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Design/Methodology/Approach: A qualitative approach was applied for the research methodology to understand the perspectives of owner-managers within SMMEs. The study employed a purposive, non-purposeful sampling technique to select twelve (12) participants. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the participants’ consent to collect data. Findings: The collected data was subsequently analyzed using content analysis to scrutinize and interpret the findings. The research findings of this study found that owner-managers hold a general understanding of PMSs. Implications/Originality/Value: The implementation of PMSs in SMMEs presents a significant challenge, particularly in identifying pertinent KPIs.

Key performance indicators (KPIs) play a pivotal role in assessing and optimizing industrial processes, addressing dimensions such as time, quality, and cost. However, unclear relationships and dependencies among individual KPIs impede efficient performance management. To ensure that optimizing individual goals do not come at the expense of others, recognizing and elucidating these relationships becomes imperative. This paper introduces a decision support system capable of identifying, filtering, and presenting inter-temporal correlations in KPIs. The system is based on the general structure of assistance systems and consists of a data storage layer, an application layer and a presentation layer. Inter-temporal correlations refer to relationships between variables across different time periods. The advantage of identifying these inter-temporal correlations is that they allow time for countermeasures to be taken. As a result, the system enables a transition from a reactive to a proactive deviation management approach. The practical applicability of the system is demonstrated by using a dataset from industry.

The challenges posed by unsustainable practices in today's economy underscore the urgent need for a transition toward a circular economy (CE) and a holistic supply chain (SC) perspective. Benchmarking plays a pivotal role in managing circular SCs, offering a metric to gauge progress. However, the lack of consensus on the optimal benchmarking approach hampers effective implementation of circular business practices. To address this gap, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, identifying 29 pertinent publications. The analysis revealed 30 unique attributes and sub-attributes for benchmarking circularity, which were clustered into five main attributes. The main attributes are goals, subjects, key performance indicators (KPIs), data sources, and evaluation methods, while the sub-attributes are organised as features of the main attributes and depicted as a feature model. Drawing from selected publications, we illustrated each feature with examples. Our model offers a comprehensive benchmarking reference for circularity and will be a valuable tool for managers in the transition toward circularity. Supply chains seeking to benchmark their transition to circularity can apply the reference model to ensure that their benchmarking strategy is consistent with state-of-the-art knowledge. By providing a generic circularity benchmarking approach that is valid for diverse economic sectors, our findings contribute to theoretical efforts to address the lack of generic frameworks for CE.

This study investigated how small and medium-sized enterprises implement management accounting techniques, the reasons for doing so, and whether those techniques and profitability may be correlated. Past research has largely focused on such implementation in large organizations. The current study seeks to fill this knowledge gap, using the golf course industry in Canada as exemplar. Using institutional theory as the framework, semistructured interviews were conducted with 25 general managers/owners of golf courses to identify the management accounting techniques golf courses were using and how they used this information to drive business decisions. Resulting techniques were found to be key performance indicators, variance analysis, and an informal version of the balanced scorecard. On golf courses whose general managers/owners consistently used budgets, took ongoing professional development courses, and had more than 20 years’ experience, ordinal logistic regression found higher earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization as a percentage of sales. Budgets were extensively used on the golf courses. Proximity to revenue centres created a different way of using budgets. General managers/owners whose offices were near revenue centres used budgets to confirm preexisting financial assumptions, whereas those with offices at a distance from revenue centres used budgets to verify financial information. Over the last decade, the golf course industry in Canada has suffered great financial stress. More golf course facilities have closed than have opened, and core golfers are golfing less. A best practice for the golf course industry was prepared, to address this issue. It added a flexible budget and variable and fixed costs, and created a one-page dashboard with five key performance indicators to allow for a quick and efficient way to evaluate the finances of the golf course., March, 2025, 2024-09-11T19:45:08Z

Key performance indicators (KPIs) play a pivotal role in assessing and optimizing industrial processes, addressing dimensions such as time, quality, and cost. However, unclear relationships and dependencies among individual KPIs impede efficient performance management. To ensure that optimizing individual goals do not come at the expense of others, recognizing and elucidating these relationships becomes imperative. This paper introduces a decision support system capable of identifying, filtering, and presenting inter-temporal correlations in KPIs. The system is based on the general structure of assistance systems and consists of a data storage layer, an application layer and a presentation layer. Inter-temporal correlations refer to relationships between variables across different time periods. The advantage of identifying these inter-temporal correlations is that they allow time for countermeasures to be taken. As a result, the system enables a transition from a reactive to a proactive deviation management approach. The practical applicability of the system is demonstrated by using a dataset from industry.

In light of the unpredictable and rapidly evolving nature of the contemporary business and geopolitical landscape, characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA), a data-driven approach enables industries to formulate their short- and long-term strategies and actions on the basis of solid information, rather than on risky intuition and assumptions. The creative utilisation of data can have a significant influence on the strategies that energy management platform users may implement with regard to sustainability and decarbonisation of their facilities. The objective of this thesis is to make a contribution to the advancement of sustainable energy management practices in the context of the current datadriven environment, by addressing the challenges associated with the creation, validation and visualisation of actionable key performance indicators (KPIs). The project employs a clearly defined methodology for the examination of the processes of data collection, integration and analysis associated with the EMS. Additionally, it investigates the current energy management platforms on the market, evaluating their value, functions and technological capabilities. Furthermore, an assessment of the current deficiencies in the industry with regard to energyrelated KPIs is conducted in order to identify the principal areas of focus for the development of innovative KPIs. These areas of focus include the development of KPIs at various process levels, for benchmarking, the measurement of energy use, the assessment of energy flexibility, and the quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, ten innovative KPIs have been proposed following a validation process with the input of experts in the energy field. These indicators facilitate the interpretation of cause-effect relationships, thereby supporting companies in their operative decision-making process. Finally, this project reviews the innovative technologies and digital spaces that wi, Mot bakgrund av den oförutsägbara och snabbt föränderliga karaktären hos dagens affärs- och geopolitiska landskap, som kännetecknas av volatilitet, osäkerhet, komplexitet och tvetydighet (VUCA), gör ett datadrivet tillvägagångssätt det möjligt för branscher att formulera sina kort- och långsiktiga strategier och åtgärder på grundval av solid information, snarare än på riskfylld intuition och antaganden. Det kreativa utnyttjandet av data kan ha ett betydande inflytande på de strategier som användare av energihanteringsplattformar kan implementera när det gäller hållbarhet och minskade koldioxidutsläpp i sina anläggningar. Syftet med denna avhandling är att bidra till utvecklingen av hållbara energihanteringsmetoder i den nuvarande datadrivna miljön genom att ta itu med utmaningarna i samband med skapande, validering och visualisering av handlingsbara nyckeltal (KPI). Projektet använder en tydligt definierad metodik för att undersöka processerna för datainsamling, integration och analys i samband med EMS. Dessutom undersöks de nuvarande energihanteringsplattformarna på marknaden och deras värde, funktioner och tekniska kapacitet utvärderas. Vidare görs en bedömning av de nuvarande bristerna i branschen när det gäller energirelaterade nyckeltal för att identifiera de viktigaste fokusområdena för utvecklingen av innovativa nyckeltal. Dessa fokusområden omfattar utveckling av nyckeltal på olika processnivåer för benchmarking, mätning av energianvändning, bedömning av energiflexibilitet och kvantifiering av utsläpp av växthusgaser (GHG). Följaktligen har tio innovativa KPI:er föreslagits efter en valideringsprocess med input från experter inom energiområdet. Dessa indikatorer underlättar tolkningen av orsakssamband och stöder därmed företagen i deras operativa beslutsprocess. Slutligen granskar detta projekt de innovativa tekniker och digitala utrymmen som kommer att underlätta översättningen av dessa KPI:er till verkligt värde för användarna i framtiden. Två fallstudier

To gain a competitive advantage, companies need to develop strategies. This can be achieved by implementing Lean management with a focus on continuous improvement and waste elimination and by strategically focusing on logistics goals and planning. Since defects and incorrect processes are a form of waste, it is important to improve the management of defective products. Previous research has focused on the semiconductor sector, the glass industry, and the steel industry using quantitative methods, but there is a research gap in the paper industry because no research was found in this study. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of defective product management in the paper industry and to design a qualitative decision model that can be used to determine the most appropriate prioritization method for managing defective products. The methods used in the work include case studies, interviews, observations, document studies, and literature reviews. These were chosen to collect data and empirical evidence, enabling an analysis of the company's current situation and the gathering of important information about the handling of defective products. The theory in this work encompasses planning, prioritization methods, Lean management, customer relationships, key performance indicators, quality deficiencies and quality costs. Production planning can balance costs, delivery service and efficiency. Lean principles reduce waste and improve production flows. Human Lean emphasizes the importance of human resources. Customer relationships and key performance indicators are crucial for measuring and improving performance. Quality deficiencies and quality costs emphasizes the importance of improvement efforts to reduce costs and increase productivity. The results show that some respondents want to improve the process regarding the handling of defective products and that there are deficiencies in staffing capacity and quality assessment of products. The results s, För att vinna konkurrensfördelar behöver företag utveckla strategier. Detta kan ske genom att införa Lean management med fokus på ständiga förbättringar och eliminering av slöseri samt genom att strategiskt fokusera på logistikens mål och planering. Eftersom defekter och fel i processer är en form av slöseri, är det viktigt att förbättra hanteringen av defekta produkter. Tidigare forskning har fokuserat på halvledarsektorn, glasindustrin och stålindustrin med kvantitativa metoder men det finns ett forskningsgap inom pappersindustrin då ingen tidigare forskning hittats i denna studie. Studiens syfte var att undersöka effektiviteten i hanteringen av defekta produkter inom pappersindustrin och att utforma en kvalitativ beslutsmodell som kan användas för att avgöra vilken prioriteringsmetod som är mest lämplig för hanteringen av defekta produkter. De metoder som använts i arbetet inkluderar fallstudie, intervjuer, observationer, dokumentstudier och litteraturgenomgångar. Dessa valdes för att samla in data och empiri, vilket möjliggjorde en analys av företagets nuläge och insamling av viktig information om hanteringen av defekta produkter. Teorin i detta arbete omfattar planering, prioriteringsmetoder, Lean management, kundrelationer, nyckelindikatorer samt kvalitetsbrister och kvalitetskostnader. Produktionsplanering kan balansera kostnader, leveransservice och effektivitet. Lean-principer minskar slöseri och förbättrar produktionsflöden. Human Lean betonar vikten av mänskliga resurser. Kundrelationer och nyckelindikatorer är avgörande för att mäta och förbättra prestanda. Kvalitetsbrister och kvalitetskostnader understryker vikten av förbättringsarbete för att minska kostnader och öka produktiviteten. Resultatet visar att flera respondenter ser ett behov att förbättra processen gällande hanteringen av defekta produkter och att det finns brister gällande bemanningskapacitet och kvalitetsbedömning av produkter. Resultatet visar även att vissa områden är särskilt viktiga

The aim of the study was to explore the fundamental operational risks, mitigation strategies and the key performance indicators (KPIs) in last-mile delivery (LMD) of perishable goods for African and Asian retailers. Particularly, the research was guided by the following research questions. RQ1: What operational risks are related to LMD of perishable goods for African and Asian retailers? RQ2: How do African and Asian retailers mitigate these operational risks? RQ3: What KPIs can be used to ensure the efficiency of LMD of perishable goods?

This master thesis investigates stakeholder perspectives on the adoption of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for sustainable construction of buildings. Study includes stakeholder views, preferences, and obstacles regarding adoption of sustainable construction initiatives by utilising a qualitative research approach. Key stakeholder viewpoints on the applicability, usefulness, and relevance are provided through qualitative interviews. Furthermore, stakeholder perspectives towards sustainability and process for development of KPIs are evaluated using qualitative surveys. The study utilises a case study methodology, focusing on a case company that is engaged in the construction of sustainable buildings, and employs a constructivist research design technique to comprehend the individual viewpoints and insights of stakeholders. To obtain in-depth insights, qualitative data gathering techniques like surveys and interviews are employed. A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) is also included to determine internal and external variables impacting the adoption of KPIs and to systematically assess stakeholder viewpoints. The research findings shows that various stakeholders hold distinct opinions about the development of sustainable buildings. Although most stakeholders agree that KPIs are crucial for assessing sustainable development, there are significant differences in perspectives about sustainable initiatives in terms of the cost, lack of knowledge, and organizations involvement in decision-making. On the basis of the findings, recommendations are made to the case company to improve stakeholder involvement and collaboration in the development of KPIs for sustainable building construction. These include using standardised frameworks and rules for the creation of KPIs, incorporating stakeholder perspective into data gathering and analysis, and adopting collaborative approaches that engage stakeholders across the KPI life span. The research co

Ramavtal för förskolebyggnader togs fram 2018 av Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner, förkortat SKR, samt Adda. Ramavtalet innebär en alternativ metod till skräddarsytt byggande av förskolor och arbetet har syftat till att undersöka om några tids- och kostnadsbesparingar kan erhållas genom att använda avtalet. För att besvara frågeställningarna har information framför allt samlats in genom enkäter och intervjuer med sakkunniga inom området. De slutsatser som kan dras är att både tids- och kostnadsbesparingar kan uppstå genom att bygga förskolor med ramavtalet från SKR och Adda. Det konstateras att den tid som passerar från idé och vision av en ny förskola fram till att ett slutbesked utfärdas kan förkortas genom att använda ramavtalet vilket innebär att det är mer tidseffektivt än skräddarsytt byggande. Arbetet visar även att kostnadsbesparingar kan ske genom ramavtalet vilket visas genom att bland annat projektkostnad per förskoleplats och BTA i genomsnitt är lägre för dessa byggnader. Däremot anses de tidsbesparingar som uppstår vara mer markanta än de minskade kostnaderna. Slutsatserna är beroende på inlämnad data som utgör enbart en mindre del av det svenska förskolebeståndet och representerar därför inte hela beståndet., Framework agreements for preschool buildings were presented in 2018 by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, abbreviated as SKR, and Adda. The framework agreement represents an alternative method to customized construction of preschools and the work has aimed to investigate whether any time and cost savings can be obtained by using the framework agreement. In order to answer the questions, information has primarily been collected through surveys and interviews with experts in the field. The conclusions that can be stated are that both time and cost savings can occur by building preschools with framework agreement from SKR and Adda. It is found that the time that passes from the idea and vision of a new preschool until the building is finished can be shortened by using the framework agreement, which means that it is more time-efficient than customized construction. The work also shows that cost savings can be achieved through the framework agreement, which is shown by for example the project cost per childcare places and gross area being lower on average for these buildings. However, the time savings that occur are considered to be more significant than the reduced costs. The conclusions depend on submitted data that represents only a small portion of Swedish school buildings and therefore do not represent the entire building stock.

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturing as-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential.This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences,and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation.KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence.In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related tocost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed.This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aidingin strategic decision making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners.The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘asa-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations., QC 20240429

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturingas-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential. This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences, and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation. KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence. In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related to cost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed. This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aiding in strategic decision-making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners. The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘as-a-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations.

The railway system is a complex technical system-of-systems (SoS). To address the complexity of the railway system, a holistic approach is needed that facilitates the development of an appropriate asset management regime. A systems-of-systems (SoS) approach considers the complex nature of the railway system, comprising interconnected subsystems like rolling stock and infrastructure. Neglecting these interdependencies risks sub-optimization of the overall system performance. Asset management, of the railway system utilising a SoS approach ensures the focus of asset management on overall system requirements. The efficiency and effectiveness of the railway system is based on aspects such as availability, reliability, and safety performance. To enhance these aspects, monitoring, and improvement of key performance indicators (KPIs) emphasizing increased capacity and reduced operational costs is essential. The KPIs offer quantifiable parameters for performance optimization. Augmenting asset management through data-driven technologies can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of asset management. However, challenges persist in the implementation of data-driven solutions due to the railway system's complexity and lack of a holistic perspective. A systematic performance-driven framework with a system-of-systems approach for augmented asset management of railway system provides handrail for the utilisation of data-driven technologies with railway system requirements at the centre while developing an asset management regime. The proposed framework aims to establish a clear relationship between system KPIs, and the performance of sub-systems and components aiding railway organizations in asset management design and implementation. This paper explains the important components of the proposed framework and demonstrates the application the framework for asset management and maintenance planning of high value components in the fleet of railway rolling stock. Adoption of the prop, Validerad;2024;Nivå 1;2024-08-15 (hanlid);Full text license: CC BY, AI Factory for railways

This study aimed to optimise performance prediction in short-course swimming through Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and multiple regression. All women’s freestyle races at the European Short-Course Swimming Championships were analysed. Established performance metrics were obtained including start, free-swimming, and turn performance metrics. PCA were conducted to reduce redundant variables, and a multiple linear regression was performed where the criterion was swimming time. A practical tool, the Potential Predictor, was developed from regression equations to facilitate performance prediction. Bland and Altman analyses with 95% limits of agreement (95% LOA) were used to assess agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. There was a very strong agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. The mean bias for all race distances was less than 0.1s with wider LOAs for the 800 m (95% LOA −7.6 to + 7.7s) but tighter LOAs for the other races (95% LOAs −0.6 to + 0.6s). Free-Swimming Speed (FSS) and turn performance were identified as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the longer distance races (200 m, 400 m, 800 m). Start performance emerged as a KPI in sprint races (50 m and 100 m). The successful implementation of PCA and multiple regression provides coaches with a valuable tool to uncover individual potential and empowers data-driven decision-making in athlete training.

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturing as-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential.This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences,and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation.KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence.In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related tocost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed.This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aidingin strategic decision making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners.The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘asa-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations., QC 20240429

Purpose: Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) often struggle with performance measurement which can result in a high failure rate. This study aimed to examine the role of owner-managers in understanding performance management, the implementation processes of Performance Management System (PMS), and what challenges associated with applying PMS within SMMEs they faced.  SMMEs will greatly benefit from a reliable PMS that can streamline day-to-day operations and facilitate effective decision-making through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Design/Methodology/Approach: A qualitative approach was applied for the research methodology to understand the perspectives of owner-managers within SMMEs. The study employed a purposive, non-purposeful sampling technique to select twelve (12) participants. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with the participants’ consent to collect data. Findings: The collected data was subsequently analyzed using content analysis to scrutinize and interpret the findings. The research findings of this study found that owner-managers hold a general understanding of PMSs. Implications/Originality/Value: The implementation of PMSs in SMMEs presents a significant challenge, particularly in identifying pertinent KPIs.

The railway system is a complex technical system-of-systems (SoS). To address the complexity of the railway system, a holistic approach is needed that facilitates the development of an appropriate asset management regime. A systems-of-systems (SoS) approach considers the complex nature of the railway system, comprising interconnected subsystems like rolling stock and infrastructure. Neglecting these interdependencies risks sub-optimization of the overall system performance. Asset management, of the railway system utilising a SoS approach ensures the focus of asset management on overall system requirements. The efficiency and effectiveness of the railway system is based on aspects such as availability, reliability, and safety performance. To enhance these aspects, monitoring, and improvement of key performance indicators (KPIs) emphasizing increased capacity and reduced operational costs is essential. The KPIs offer quantifiable parameters for performance optimization. Augmenting asset management through data-driven technologies can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of asset management. However, challenges persist in the implementation of data-driven solutions due to the railway system's complexity and lack of a holistic perspective. A systematic performance-driven framework with a system-of-systems approach for augmented asset management of railway system provides handrail for the utilisation of data-driven technologies with railway system requirements at the centre while developing an asset management regime. The proposed framework aims to establish a clear relationship between system KPIs, and the performance of sub-systems and components aiding railway organizations in asset management design and implementation. This paper explains the important components of the proposed framework and demonstrates the application the framework for asset management and maintenance planning of high value components in the fleet of railway rolling stock. Adoption of the prop, Validerad;2024;Nivå 1;2024-08-15 (hanlid);Full text license: CC BY, AI Factory for railways

This study aimed to optimise performance prediction in short-course swimming through Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and multiple regression. All women’s freestyle races at the European Short-Course Swimming Championships were analysed. Established performance metrics were obtained including start, free-swimming, and turn performance metrics. PCA were conducted to reduce redundant variables, and a multiple linear regression was performed where the criterion was swimming time. A practical tool, the Potential Predictor, was developed from regression equations to facilitate performance prediction. Bland and Altman analyses with 95% limits of agreement (95% LOA) were used to assess agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. There was a very strong agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. The mean bias for all race distances was less than 0.1s with wider LOAs for the 800 m (95% LOA −7.6 to + 7.7s) but tighter LOAs for the other races (95% LOAs −0.6 to + 0.6s). Free-Swimming Speed (FSS) and turn performance were identified as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the longer distance races (200 m, 400 m, 800 m). Start performance emerged as a KPI in sprint races (50 m and 100 m). The successful implementation of PCA and multiple regression provides coaches with a valuable tool to uncover individual potential and empowers data-driven decision-making in athlete training.

This paper addresses the enhanced measurement of signal coverage, capacity, and reliability in mobile networks, particularly with the growing prevalence of 4G and 5G technologies. Given the escalating importance of these networks in everyday activities, there arises a demand for open-source solutions to evaluate and enhance their performance effectively. The objective of this research is to analyze gathered data to pinpoint areas necessitating network enhancements and to develop opensource software and hardware solutions for extracting essential performance metrics (KPIs) from 4G/5G networks. The proposed system offers an interface for assessing network performance and signal coverage, enabling cost-efficient measurements across diverse environments.

To gain a competitive advantage, companies need to develop strategies. This can be achieved by implementing Lean management with a focus on continuous improvement and waste elimination and by strategically focusing on logistics goals and planning. Since defects and incorrect processes are a form of waste, it is important to improve the management of defective products. Previous research has focused on the semiconductor sector, the glass industry, and the steel industry using quantitative methods, but there is a research gap in the paper industry because no research was found in this study. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of defective product management in the paper industry and to design a qualitative decision model that can be used to determine the most appropriate prioritization method for managing defective products. The methods used in the work include case studies, interviews, observations, document studies, and literature reviews. These were chosen to collect data and empirical evidence, enabling an analysis of the company's current situation and the gathering of important information about the handling of defective products. The theory in this work encompasses planning, prioritization methods, Lean management, customer relationships, key performance indicators, quality deficiencies and quality costs. Production planning can balance costs, delivery service and efficiency. Lean principles reduce waste and improve production flows. Human Lean emphasizes the importance of human resources. Customer relationships and key performance indicators are crucial for measuring and improving performance. Quality deficiencies and quality costs emphasizes the importance of improvement efforts to reduce costs and increase productivity. The results show that some respondents want to improve the process regarding the handling of defective products and that there are deficiencies in staffing capacity and quality assessment of products. The results s, För att vinna konkurrensfördelar behöver företag utveckla strategier. Detta kan ske genom att införa Lean management med fokus på ständiga förbättringar och eliminering av slöseri samt genom att strategiskt fokusera på logistikens mål och planering. Eftersom defekter och fel i processer är en form av slöseri, är det viktigt att förbättra hanteringen av defekta produkter. Tidigare forskning har fokuserat på halvledarsektorn, glasindustrin och stålindustrin med kvantitativa metoder men det finns ett forskningsgap inom pappersindustrin då ingen tidigare forskning hittats i denna studie. Studiens syfte var att undersöka effektiviteten i hanteringen av defekta produkter inom pappersindustrin och att utforma en kvalitativ beslutsmodell som kan användas för att avgöra vilken prioriteringsmetod som är mest lämplig för hanteringen av defekta produkter. De metoder som använts i arbetet inkluderar fallstudie, intervjuer, observationer, dokumentstudier och litteraturgenomgångar. Dessa valdes för att samla in data och empiri, vilket möjliggjorde en analys av företagets nuläge och insamling av viktig information om hanteringen av defekta produkter. Teorin i detta arbete omfattar planering, prioriteringsmetoder, Lean management, kundrelationer, nyckelindikatorer samt kvalitetsbrister och kvalitetskostnader. Produktionsplanering kan balansera kostnader, leveransservice och effektivitet. Lean-principer minskar slöseri och förbättrar produktionsflöden. Human Lean betonar vikten av mänskliga resurser. Kundrelationer och nyckelindikatorer är avgörande för att mäta och förbättra prestanda. Kvalitetsbrister och kvalitetskostnader understryker vikten av förbättringsarbete för att minska kostnader och öka produktiviteten. Resultatet visar att flera respondenter ser ett behov att förbättra processen gällande hanteringen av defekta produkter och att det finns brister gällande bemanningskapacitet och kvalitetsbedömning av produkter. Resultatet visar även att vissa områden är särskilt viktiga

In light of the unpredictable and rapidly evolving nature of the contemporary business and geopolitical landscape, characterised by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA), a data-driven approach enables industries to formulate their short- and long-term strategies and actions on the basis of solid information, rather than on risky intuition and assumptions. The creative utilisation of data can have a significant influence on the strategies that energy management platform users may implement with regard to sustainability and decarbonisation of their facilities. The objective of this thesis is to make a contribution to the advancement of sustainable energy management practices in the context of the current datadriven environment, by addressing the challenges associated with the creation, validation and visualisation of actionable key performance indicators (KPIs). The project employs a clearly defined methodology for the examination of the processes of data collection, integration and analysis associated with the EMS. Additionally, it investigates the current energy management platforms on the market, evaluating their value, functions and technological capabilities. Furthermore, an assessment of the current deficiencies in the industry with regard to energyrelated KPIs is conducted in order to identify the principal areas of focus for the development of innovative KPIs. These areas of focus include the development of KPIs at various process levels, for benchmarking, the measurement of energy use, the assessment of energy flexibility, and the quantification of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Consequently, ten innovative KPIs have been proposed following a validation process with the input of experts in the energy field. These indicators facilitate the interpretation of cause-effect relationships, thereby supporting companies in their operative decision-making process. Finally, this project reviews the innovative technologies and digital spaces that wi, Mot bakgrund av den oförutsägbara och snabbt föränderliga karaktären hos dagens affärs- och geopolitiska landskap, som kännetecknas av volatilitet, osäkerhet, komplexitet och tvetydighet (VUCA), gör ett datadrivet tillvägagångssätt det möjligt för branscher att formulera sina kort- och långsiktiga strategier och åtgärder på grundval av solid information, snarare än på riskfylld intuition och antaganden. Det kreativa utnyttjandet av data kan ha ett betydande inflytande på de strategier som användare av energihanteringsplattformar kan implementera när det gäller hållbarhet och minskade koldioxidutsläpp i sina anläggningar. Syftet med denna avhandling är att bidra till utvecklingen av hållbara energihanteringsmetoder i den nuvarande datadrivna miljön genom att ta itu med utmaningarna i samband med skapande, validering och visualisering av handlingsbara nyckeltal (KPI). Projektet använder en tydligt definierad metodik för att undersöka processerna för datainsamling, integration och analys i samband med EMS. Dessutom undersöks de nuvarande energihanteringsplattformarna på marknaden och deras värde, funktioner och tekniska kapacitet utvärderas. Vidare görs en bedömning av de nuvarande bristerna i branschen när det gäller energirelaterade nyckeltal för att identifiera de viktigaste fokusområdena för utvecklingen av innovativa nyckeltal. Dessa fokusområden omfattar utveckling av nyckeltal på olika processnivåer för benchmarking, mätning av energianvändning, bedömning av energiflexibilitet och kvantifiering av utsläpp av växthusgaser (GHG). Följaktligen har tio innovativa KPI:er föreslagits efter en valideringsprocess med input från experter inom energiområdet. Dessa indikatorer underlättar tolkningen av orsakssamband och stöder därmed företagen i deras operativa beslutsprocess. Slutligen granskar detta projekt de innovativa tekniker och digitala utrymmen som kommer att underlätta översättningen av dessa KPI:er till verkligt värde för användarna i framtiden. Två fallstudier

The research explores how Swedish apparel companies are integrating Circular Economy (CE) principles into the product design phase and identifies Critical Success Factors (CSFs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for circular and profitable apparel products. It uses a multiple case study approach, interviewing employees from five companies involved in the Vinnova project. Key findings include the importance of design for durability, balancing recycled content with quality, and the need for measurable CE principles. The study highlights the need for KPIs to track circular design performance and suggests managers prepare for upcoming EU ESPR legislation. Limitations include its focus on Swedish companies and the short research timeframe. Future research should further explore the impact of ESPR and develop more KPIs for CE in the apparel industry.

The aim of the study was to explore the fundamental operational risks, mitigation strategies and the key performance indicators (KPIs) in last-mile delivery (LMD) of perishable goods for African and Asian retailers. Particularly, the research was guided by the following research questions. RQ1: What operational risks are related to LMD of perishable goods for African and Asian retailers? RQ2: How do African and Asian retailers mitigate these operational risks? RQ3: What KPIs can be used to ensure the efficiency of LMD of perishable goods?

This master thesis investigates stakeholder perspectives on the adoption of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for sustainable construction of buildings. Study includes stakeholder views, preferences, and obstacles regarding adoption of sustainable construction initiatives by utilising a qualitative research approach. Key stakeholder viewpoints on the applicability, usefulness, and relevance are provided through qualitative interviews. Furthermore, stakeholder perspectives towards sustainability and process for development of KPIs are evaluated using qualitative surveys. The study utilises a case study methodology, focusing on a case company that is engaged in the construction of sustainable buildings, and employs a constructivist research design technique to comprehend the individual viewpoints and insights of stakeholders. To obtain in-depth insights, qualitative data gathering techniques like surveys and interviews are employed. A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) is also included to determine internal and external variables impacting the adoption of KPIs and to systematically assess stakeholder viewpoints. The research findings shows that various stakeholders hold distinct opinions about the development of sustainable buildings. Although most stakeholders agree that KPIs are crucial for assessing sustainable development, there are significant differences in perspectives about sustainable initiatives in terms of the cost, lack of knowledge, and organizations involvement in decision-making. On the basis of the findings, recommendations are made to the case company to improve stakeholder involvement and collaboration in the development of KPIs for sustainable building construction. These include using standardised frameworks and rules for the creation of KPIs, incorporating stakeholder perspective into data gathering and analysis, and adopting collaborative approaches that engage stakeholders across the KPI life span. The research co

This paper addresses the enhanced measurement of signal coverage, capacity, and reliability in mobile networks, particularly with the growing prevalence of 4G and 5G technologies. Given the escalating importance of these networks in everyday activities, there arises a demand for open-source solutions to evaluate and enhance their performance effectively. The objective of this research is to analyze gathered data to pinpoint areas necessitating network enhancements and to develop opensource software and hardware solutions for extracting essential performance metrics (KPIs) from 4G/5G networks. The proposed system offers an interface for assessing network performance and signal coverage, enabling cost-efficient measurements across diverse environments.

Ramavtal för förskolebyggnader togs fram 2018 av Sveriges Kommuner och Regioner, förkortat SKR, samt Adda. Ramavtalet innebär en alternativ metod till skräddarsytt byggande av förskolor och arbetet har syftat till att undersöka om några tids- och kostnadsbesparingar kan erhållas genom att använda avtalet. För att besvara frågeställningarna har information framför allt samlats in genom enkäter och intervjuer med sakkunniga inom området. De slutsatser som kan dras är att både tids- och kostnadsbesparingar kan uppstå genom att bygga förskolor med ramavtalet från SKR och Adda. Det konstateras att den tid som passerar från idé och vision av en ny förskola fram till att ett slutbesked utfärdas kan förkortas genom att använda ramavtalet vilket innebär att det är mer tidseffektivt än skräddarsytt byggande. Arbetet visar även att kostnadsbesparingar kan ske genom ramavtalet vilket visas genom att bland annat projektkostnad per förskoleplats och BTA i genomsnitt är lägre för dessa byggnader. Däremot anses de tidsbesparingar som uppstår vara mer markanta än de minskade kostnaderna. Slutsatserna är beroende på inlämnad data som utgör enbart en mindre del av det svenska förskolebeståndet och representerar därför inte hela beståndet., Framework agreements for preschool buildings were presented in 2018 by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, abbreviated as SKR, and Adda. The framework agreement represents an alternative method to customized construction of preschools and the work has aimed to investigate whether any time and cost savings can be obtained by using the framework agreement. In order to answer the questions, information has primarily been collected through surveys and interviews with experts in the field. The conclusions that can be stated are that both time and cost savings can occur by building preschools with framework agreement from SKR and Adda. It is found that the time that passes from the idea and vision of a new preschool until the building is finished can be shortened by using the framework agreement, which means that it is more time-efficient than customized construction. The work also shows that cost savings can be achieved through the framework agreement, which is shown by for example the project cost per childcare places and gross area being lower on average for these buildings. However, the time savings that occur are considered to be more significant than the reduced costs. The conclusions depend on submitted data that represents only a small portion of Swedish school buildings and therefore do not represent the entire building stock.

Course: Degree project in Supply Chain Management, Master of science within business and economics, 30 credits Title: To secure limited material for smaller enterprises - A case study on KG ListAuthors: Oskar Olsen & Axel StrandbergSupervisor: Åsa GustavssonExaminator: Peter Berling Background: In an increasingly competitive business market, the sourcing process needs to be optimized to gain advantages over competitors. Companies using limited resources suffer from not being able to secure material in different ways. Being a small enterprise also gives additional negative consequential effects. To be able to decrease the effects, working methods with solutions and key performance indicators need to be found. Smaller enterprises in the wood industry have been identified as actors suffering from the consequential effects. Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to identify negative consequential effects experienced by smaller enterprises regarding the securing of limited resources. In addition, the aim is to describe a working method with solutions and associated key performance indicators to counteract the consequential effects regarding the securing of limited resources. Research questions: RQ1: What consequences do smaller enterprises experience when securing limited material?RQ2: What solutions and key performance indicators can be applied to counteract identified consequential effects when securing limited material for smaller enterprises?Method: The paper uses a deductive approach while applying a qualitative research method with elements of quantitative data. The primary empirical data was collected by unstructured and semistructured interviews, observations and the in-depth method focus-group interviews. Results: The study shows multiple consequential effects of not being able to secure limited resources as a smaller enterprise. The three major findings were: uncertainty in supply, decreased purchasing power due to being a smaller enterprise in the industry

[Abstract]: This study's aim is to examine the impact of enterprise risk management (ERM) on firm performance when aligned with firm strategy, with a particular emphasis on the mediating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in this relationship. Previous studies established a connection between ERM and firm performance, as well as between CSR and firm performance. However, the ERM effect on firm performance via CSR remains unexplored. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to assess how the ERM affects the firm's performance, both directly and indirectly, through the influence of CSR strategy. The ERM is represented through risk indicators col lected from 222 companies in the European Union. The data were gathered from 2015 to 2019 and applied to a structural equations-based model to analyze how CSR acts as a mediator between ERM and firm performance. The findings suggest that ERM has a significant impact on firm performance, both directly and indirectly, through the effect of the CSR strategy.

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturingas-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential. This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences, and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation. KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence. In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related to cost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed. This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aiding in strategic decision-making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners. The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘as-a-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations.

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturingas-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential. This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences, and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation. KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence. In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related to cost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed. This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aiding in strategic decision-making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners. The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘as-a-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations.

Manufacturing companies today are facing a grand challenge to become more sustainable. One way this can be achieved is through circularity, which can support companies in creating a regenerative system by closing and narrowing loops of material and energy. To strive towards becoming more circular, companies can deploy key performance indicators (KPI:s) that are able to communicate the strategic direction of the company. Although KPI:s have received significant attention related to sustainability, it still remains to be seen how they can be used to support circularity. By analysing the sustainability reports of 20 of the most sustainable companies in Sweden, this paper presents a current state if manufacturing companies’ KPI:s support circularity. In total, 469 KPI:s were extracted from the reports, which were then grouped into themes and connected to if they help companies to Reduce, Reuse, or Recycle resources. The analysis showed that a majority of the KPI:s used support Reduce, whereas significantly fewer support Reuse and Recycle. It is further seen that a disconnect between the strategic intent and the KPI:s used within the companies exist, where all companies highlight to different extent that circularity is of importance and something they work with, but the KPI:s presented are not connected to this. The paper further presents some ways forward to help manufacturing companies in their endeavour to become more circular, as well as discusses avenues for future research.

Manufacturing companies today are facing a grand challenge to become more sustainable. One way this can be achieved is through circularity, which can support companies in creating a regenerative system by closing and narrowing loops of material and energy. To strive towards becoming more circular, companies can deploy key performance indicators (KPI:s) that are able to communicate the strategic direction of the company. Although KPI:s have received significant attention related to sustainability, it still remains to be seen how they can be used to support circularity. By analysing the sustainability reports of 20 of the most sustainable companies in Sweden, this paper presents a current state if manufacturing companies’ KPI:s support circularity. In total, 469 KPI:s were extracted from the reports, which were then grouped into themes and connected to if they help companies to Reduce, Reuse, or Recycle resources. The analysis showed that a majority of the KPI:s used support Reduce, whereas significantly fewer support Reuse and Recycle. It is further seen that a disconnect between the strategic intent and the KPI:s used within the companies exist, where all companies highlight to different extent that circularity is of importance and something they work with, but the KPI:s presented are not connected to this. The paper further presents some ways forward to help manufacturing companies in their endeavour to become more circular, as well as discusses avenues for future research.

Course: Degree project in Supply Chain Management, Master of science within business and economics, 30 credits Title: To secure limited material for smaller enterprises - A case study on KG ListAuthors: Oskar Olsen & Axel StrandbergSupervisor: Åsa GustavssonExaminator: Peter Berling Background: In an increasingly competitive business market, the sourcing process needs to be optimized to gain advantages over competitors. Companies using limited resources suffer from not being able to secure material in different ways. Being a small enterprise also gives additional negative consequential effects. To be able to decrease the effects, working methods with solutions and key performance indicators need to be found. Smaller enterprises in the wood industry have been identified as actors suffering from the consequential effects. Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to identify negative consequential effects experienced by smaller enterprises regarding the securing of limited resources. In addition, the aim is to describe a working method with solutions and associated key performance indicators to counteract the consequential effects regarding the securing of limited resources. Research questions: RQ1: What consequences do smaller enterprises experience when securing limited material?RQ2: What solutions and key performance indicators can be applied to counteract identified consequential effects when securing limited material for smaller enterprises?Method: The paper uses a deductive approach while applying a qualitative research method with elements of quantitative data. The primary empirical data was collected by unstructured and semistructured interviews, observations and the in-depth method focus-group interviews. Results: The study shows multiple consequential effects of not being able to secure limited resources as a smaller enterprise. The three major findings were: uncertainty in supply, decreased purchasing power due to being a smaller enterprise in the industry

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturing as-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential.This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences,and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation.KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence.In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related tocost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed.This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aidingin strategic decision making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners.The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘asa-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations., QC 20240429

This study aimed to optimise performance prediction in short-course swimming through Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and multiple regression. All women’s freestyle races at the European Short-Course Swimming Championships were analysed. Established performance metrics were obtained including start, free-swimming, and turn performance metrics. PCA were conducted to reduce redundant variables, and a multiple linear regression was performed where the criterion was swimming time. A practical tool, the Potential Predictor, was developed from regression equations to facilitate performance prediction. Bland and Altman analyses with 95% limits of agreement (95% LOA) were used to assess agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. There was a very strong agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. The mean bias for all race distances was less than 0.1s with wider LOAs for the 800 m (95% LOA −7.6 to + 7.7s) but tighter LOAs for the other races (95% LOAs −0.6 to + 0.6s). Free-Swimming Speed (FSS) and turn performance were identified as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the longer distance races (200 m, 400 m, 800 m). Start performance emerged as a KPI in sprint races (50 m and 100 m). The successful implementation of PCA and multiple regression provides coaches with a valuable tool to uncover individual potential and empowers data-driven decision-making in athlete training.

This study aimed to optimise performance prediction in short-course swimming through Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and multiple regression. All women’s freestyle races at the European Short-Course Swimming Championships were analysed. Established performance metrics were obtained including start, free-swimming, and turn performance metrics. PCA were conducted to reduce redundant variables, and a multiple linear regression was performed where the criterion was swimming time. A practical tool, the Potential Predictor, was developed from regression equations to facilitate performance prediction. Bland and Altman analyses with 95% limits of agreement (95% LOA) were used to assess agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. There was a very strong agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. The mean bias for all race distances was less than 0.1s with wider LOAs for the 800 m (95% LOA −7.6 to + 7.7s) but tighter LOAs for the other races (95% LOAs −0.6 to + 0.6s). Free-Swimming Speed (FSS) and turn performance were identified as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the longer distance races (200 m, 400 m, 800 m). Start performance emerged as a KPI in sprint races (50 m and 100 m). The successful implementation of PCA and multiple regression provides coaches with a valuable tool to uncover individual potential and empowers data-driven decision-making in athlete training.

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturing as-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential.This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences,and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation.KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence.In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related tocost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed.This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aidingin strategic decision making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners.The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘asa-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations., QC 20240429

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturingas-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential. This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences, and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation. KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence. In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related to cost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed. This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aiding in strategic decision-making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners. The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘as-a-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations.

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturingas-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential. This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences, and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation. KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence. In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related to cost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed. This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aiding in strategic decision-making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners. The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘as-a-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations.

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturingas-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential. This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences, and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation. KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence. In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related to cost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed. This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aiding in strategic decision-making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners. The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘as-a-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations.

In the evolving landscape of Industry 4.0, the integration of advanced wireless technologies into manufacturing processes holds the promise of unprecedented connectivity and efficiency. In particular, the data transmission in a heavy industry environment needs stable connectivity with mobile operators. This paper deals with the performance study of 4G and 5G mobile signal coverage within a complex factory environment. For this purpose, a cost-effective and portable measurement setup was realized and used to provide long-term measurement campaigns monitoring and recording several key parameter indicators (KPIs) in 4G/5G downlink and upload. To support the reproducibility of the provided study and other research activities, the measured dataset is publicly available for download. Among others findings, the obtained results show how the performance of 4G/5G is influenced by a heavy industry environment and of the time of day on the network load., In the evolving landscape of Industry 4.0, the integration of advanced wireless technologies into manufacturing processes holds the promise of unprecedented connectivity and efficiency. In particular, the data transmission in a heavy industry environment needs stable connectivity with mobile operators. This paper deals with the performance study of 4G and 5G mobile signal coverage within a complex factory environment. For this purpose, a cost-effective and portable measurement setup was realized and used to provide long-term measurement campaigns monitoring and recording several key parameter indicators (KPIs) in 4G/5G downlink and upload. To support the reproducibility of the provided study and other research activities, the measured dataset is publicly available for download. Among others findings, the obtained results show how the performance of 4G/5G is influenced by a heavy industry environment and of the time of day on the network load.

This study aimed to optimise performance prediction in short-course swimming through Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and multiple regression. All women’s freestyle races at the European Short-Course Swimming Championships were analysed. Established performance metrics were obtained including start, free-swimming, and turn performance metrics. PCA were conducted to reduce redundant variables, and a multiple linear regression was performed where the criterion was swimming time. A practical tool, the Potential Predictor, was developed from regression equations to facilitate performance prediction. Bland and Altman analyses with 95% limits of agreement (95% LOA) were used to assess agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. There was a very strong agreement between predicted and actual swimming performance. The mean bias for all race distances was less than 0.1s with wider LOAs for the 800 m (95% LOA −7.6 to + 7.7s) but tighter LOAs for the other races (95% LOAs −0.6 to + 0.6s). Free-Swimming Speed (FSS) and turn performance were identified as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the longer distance races (200 m, 400 m, 800 m). Start performance emerged as a KPI in sprint races (50 m and 100 m). The successful implementation of PCA and multiple regression provides coaches with a valuable tool to uncover individual potential and empowers data-driven decision-making in athlete training.

In the evolving landscape of modern manufacturing, a novel concept known as Feeding-as-a-Service (FaaS) is emerging, part of the larger Automationas-a-Service (AaaS) framework. FaaS aims to optimize feeding systems in cloud manufacturing environments to meet the demands of mass customization and allow for quick responses to production changes. Therefore, it fits into the Manufacturing as-a-Service (MaaS) system as well. As the manufacturing industry undergoes significant transformations through automation and service-oriented models, understanding how FaaS fits into the other frameworks is essential.This study presents a systematic literature review with two primary objectives: first, to contextualize FaaS within AaaS and MaaS, highlighting similarities, differences,and distinctive characteristics; second, to identify and clarify the essential Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) crucial for its strategic implementation.KPIs are pivotal metrics guiding organizations toward manufacturing excellence.In this context, common KPIs focus on efficiency and quality, such as resource utilization, and error rates. Other KPIs are also crucial, such as the ones related tocost reduction and customer satisfaction. For FaaS, the most relevant include also data security, data management, and network speed.This research provides a valuable KPI framework for FaaS developers, aidingin strategic decision making and deployment in industrial settings. It also contributes to a broader understanding of KPIs in manufacturing, which benefits both researchers and industrial practitioners.The results of the review, though, fail to address other crucial indicators for ‘asa-Service’ business, such as Churn Rate and Total Contract Value. Future research will address these limitations through methods ranging from questionnaires to practitioner interviews, with the aim of gathering the knowledge needed for real-world implementations., QC 20240429

Information is everywhere, modern life depends on information. The faster we process data and generate meaningful outcomes, the better. Any IT project produces a lot of artifacts like software code, requirement documents, financial reports, traceability metrics, status reports, and so on. With all this documentation, we are often overloaded with information that makes the picture murkier. Having the wherewithal to capture the needed key performance indicators, there is still a gap between expectation and reality. This thesis is going to fill this gap between available metrics and desired indicators. The agile software development model has been around for a long time now. Today’s organizations are bigger than ever before and are competing in a changing landscape faster than ever before. Scaled agile models have helped the industry to ramp up on the human resources front but these models have not matched the needs of software maturity. Software status gathering and presenting tools are largely waterfall or small-scale agile-centered. The core of the agile approach is value creation but there is no single universal means to measure value. Our research intention is to present a standard value proposition in agile and provide metrics that are better suited for project managers. With help from empirical data, we not only identified the soar areas but also tried to remedy major concerns. To reach our goal, we used face-to-face interviews as our research strategy to get an account of firsthand experiences with the existing KPIs and what are the challenges. Our data collection was done through interviews with domain experts or people with extended knowledge of the subject. Finally, we performed a thematic analysis of the data to find what are the common themes emerging out of the shortcomings of the existing tools and what are the common desired requirements from KPIs. We have given a generic definition of value as well as proposed some KPIs that might come in handy for the

Epigenetic changes such as DNA methylation modifications at specific loci in the genome in response to environmental cues can appear long before the appearance of transcriptomic or other phenotypic changes with potential consequences for performance. Thus, epigenetic DNA methylation-based biomarkers hold great promise in aquaculture because they can have prognostic value. However, to the best of our knowledge, a clear demonstration of such biomarkers has not been provided yet. In fish farming, temperature during early stages of development is the main abiotic factor determining larval quality, with effects potentially persisting until adulthood and influencing performance. The objective of this study was to test whether epigenetic biomarkers could be developed as reliable indicators of the quality of the thermal environment during European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) early development and their relation to long-lasting phenotypic consequences. We exposed European sea bass embryos and newly hatched larvae to different temperature regimes and sampled fish thereafter at three time points: at larval, juvenile and adult stages. Here, we provide an analytical strategy combining Reduced Representation Bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) to develop epigenetic and transcriptomic biomarkers with both prognostic and diagnostic value. Specifically, we report a series of DNA-methylation biomarkers linked to short-term, mid-term, long-term, and very-long term effects of temperature in both somatic and reproductive tissues. Among the different biomarkers identified, and a promising example, the methylation status of keratin associated protein 10–4 (krtap10–4) fulfills the criteria of an epigenetic biomarker with both prognostic and diagnostic value. This study constitutes a first step toward providing the European sea bass farming sector with a set of epigenetic biomarkers that can be used to screen batches of larvae to determine the quality of their therm

Date: 4th June 2023 Level: Master Thesis in Product- and Process Development, 30 ECTS Authors: William Reimer Noah Paillon Title: Redesigning automated production cell for increased efficiency - Discrete-Event Simulation as a tool to evaluate system designs Keywords: Discrete Event Simulation (DES), Redesign, Production process, Automated Manufacturing System (AMS), Automated production cell, Robotics in production, Simulation, Key Performance indicators (KPIs), Decision-making, Redesigning production systems, Bottlenecks, Deadlocks, Production system development (PSD). Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate and redesign an automated production cell at a Swedish manufacturing plant using DES with KPIs, with the goal of increasing the efficiency. Research question: “When redesigning, what factors influence production efficiency within an automated production cell?”, “What are the challenges when redesigning and increasing efficiency within an automated production cell?” and “How can such challenges be surpassed through the usage of DES with KPIs?” Methodology: This study is a quantitative research with an inductive approach, including simulation as an experimental tool. In order to identify reliable knowledge, the literature review compared books and scientific publications. The empirical results were obtained by observation and data collection at the production site of the case company, which also involved frequent meetings with company supervisors and production engineers. In order to assess the situation and make conclusions, the empirical results were evaluated and experimented using DES. Conclusion: The need of identifying a problem's underlying causes in order to improve efficiency was one of the conclusions made. This was additionally mentioned as one of PSD's primary challenges in redesigning an automated production cell. This implies that in order to increase production efficiency, bottlenecks and deadlocks must be appropriately ad

Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med denna studie är undersöka hur fotbollstränare på elitnivå väljer och använder sina key performance indicators i sin matchanalys för kommande laguttagning. Detta leder fram till följande frågeställningar: 1. Hur skapas key performance indicators? 2. Hur tar tränare in data runt dessa key performance indicators? 3. Hur använder tränare key performance indicators i sin laguttagning? Metod För att få fram data till studien så valdes den kvalitativa djupintervjumetoden där två elitfotbollstränare intervjuades. Vidare valdes den semistrukturerade metoden i genomförandet av intervjun. En deduktiv tematisk resultatanalys användes för att kategorisera resultatinnehåll. Tränarna kontaktades via sociala medier, e-post och därefter bokades tid för intervju. Intervjuerna genomfördes och spelades in på överenskommen plats och pågick mellan 45–60 minuter. Intervjuerna spelades in via ljudinspelare Olympus LS-100. Resultat Tränarnas syn på hur dessa key performance indicators skapas, definieras och vilka man väljer bestäms av tidigare års data, genom omvärldsanalys och från forskning. Båda tränarna fokuserade mycket på sin spelmodell och hur man skapar målchanser och förhindrar målchanser genom olika key performance indicators. Video- och statistiska rapporter från matchen analyseras och presenteras för tränarna och sedan tas beslut genom att betona ett helhetsperspektiv som inkluderar evidens i laguttagningar via key performance indicators. Slutsats Att arbeta med taktisk matchanalys anses viktigt på elitnivå. Båda tränarna ansåg att key performance indicators är en fundamental del inom elitfotboll för att nå framgång. Det ses som verksamhetens termometer och är ett bra sätt att utvärdera prestationen mer objektivt över tid. Genom att arbeta med fakta och key performance indicators i den dagliga verksamheten kan tränare leda på ett mer systematiskt och trovärdigt sätt och därmed öka evidensen bakom deras beslut i laguttagningar., Purpose and issues The purpose of this study is to investigate how elite-level football coaches choose and use their key performance indicators in their match analysis for upcoming team selections. This leads to the following questions: 1. How is key performance created indicators? 2. How do trainers collect data around these key performance indicators? 3. How do coaches use key performance indicators in their team selection? Method To obtain data for the study, the qualitative in-depth interview method was chosen where two elite football coaches were interviewed. Further, the semi-structured method was chosen in the conduct of the interview. A deductive thematic performance analysis was used to categorize result content. The coaches were contacted via social media, email and then made an appointment for an interview. The interviews were conducted and recorded at the agreed location and lasted between 45–60 minutes. The interviews were recorded via audio recorder Olympus LS-100. Result The coaches' views on how these key performance indicators are created, defined and which ones are chosen is determined by previous years' data, through external analysis and from research. Both coaches focused a lot on their game model and how to create scoring chances and prevent scoring chances through various key performance indicators. Video and statistical reports of the match are analyzed and presented to the coaches and then decisions are made by emphasizing a holistic perspective that includes evidence in team selections via key performance indicators. Conclusion Working with tactical match analysis is considered important at the elite level. Both coaches believed that Key performance indicators are a fundamental part of elite football to achieve success. It is seen as the thermometer of the business and is a good way to evaluate performance more objectively over time. By working with facts and Key performance indicators in daily operations, coaches can lead in a m

Background and problem: Earlier research within the change management field suggests that implementation of new projects have a high rate of failure. This is problematic considering that successful implementation of projects correlates well with an organization's long term survivability. The lack of consensus among academics regarding which are the crucial factors for successful change management have inspired the authors to study this phenomenon further. Purpose: The aim of the study is to define underlying success factors and improvement potentials within change management projects with a high staff impact. Method: A qualitative case study has been the method of choice to answer the research questions. To gather empirical evidence, nine middle managers at Systembolaget AB were interviewed. The interviews were constructed in a semi-structured way. Conclusion: One of the most prominent findings in this study is the importance of having a dedicated management and senior managers during the whole change management process. Their ability to communicate a clear goal is crucial for, in our case, store managers to steer their businesses in a united direction.

Date: 4th June 2023 Level: Master Thesis in Product- and Process Development, 30 ECTS Authors: William Reimer Noah Paillon Title: Redesigning automated production cell for increased efficiency - Discrete-Event Simulation as a tool to evaluate system designs Keywords: Discrete Event Simulation (DES), Redesign, Production process, Automated Manufacturing System (AMS), Automated production cell, Robotics in production, Simulation, Key Performance indicators (KPIs), Decision-making, Redesigning production systems, Bottlenecks, Deadlocks, Production system development (PSD). Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate and redesign an automated production cell at a Swedish manufacturing plant using DES with KPIs, with the goal of increasing the efficiency. Research question: “When redesigning, what factors influence production efficiency within an automated production cell?”, “What are the challenges when redesigning and increasing efficiency within an automated production cell?” and “How can such challenges be surpassed through the usage of DES with KPIs?” Methodology: This study is a quantitative research with an inductive approach, including simulation as an experimental tool. In order to identify reliable knowledge, the literature review compared books and scientific publications. The empirical results were obtained by observation and data collection at the production site of the case company, which also involved frequent meetings with company supervisors and production engineers. In order to assess the situation and make conclusions, the empirical results were evaluated and experimented using DES. Conclusion: The need of identifying a problem's underlying causes in order to improve efficiency was one of the conclusions made. This was additionally mentioned as one of PSD's primary challenges in redesigning an automated production cell. This implies that in order to increase production efficiency, bottlenecks and deadlocks must be appropriately ad