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Defining the circular economy (CE) as a material and energy model coincides with the definition given by multiple authors in which Industrial Symbiosis (IS) has been deemed as a foundational strategy to support the implementation of the CE. The consumption of secondary materials is essential to achieve a successful transformation from a linear economy to a CE focused on IS practices. In this scenario, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a major role as stakeholders in developing CE systems as it is not possible to create this model with each company working in isolation. However, there is a lack of empirical studies on the role played by relevant local stakeholders such as individual firms interacting in the development of a local CE system. This study aimed to study the challenges that SMEs face in developing a CE system. A case study is selected as a research strategy using a mixed-method approach: a sequential quantitative (questionnaire) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews) data collection techniques were employed for this research. It was observed that an absence of inter-organisational collaboration and a misunderstanding of the roles played by SMEs may impede the implementation of a local CE system level.
John Rincón-Moreno; Marta Ormazabal; Maria Álvarez; Carmen Jaca. Shortcomings of Transforming a Local Circular Economy System through Industrial Symbiosis: A Case Study in Spanish SMEs. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8423 .
AMA StyleJohn Rincón-Moreno, Marta Ormazabal, Maria Álvarez, Carmen Jaca. Shortcomings of Transforming a Local Circular Economy System through Industrial Symbiosis: A Case Study in Spanish SMEs. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (20):8423.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJohn Rincón-Moreno; Marta Ormazabal; Maria Álvarez; Carmen Jaca. 2020. "Shortcomings of Transforming a Local Circular Economy System through Industrial Symbiosis: A Case Study in Spanish SMEs." Sustainability 12, no. 20: 8423.
Current research on the circular economy (CE) reveals that, while the concept and its application have been extensively explored as shown in several case studies, the definition of tools and criteria measuring “circularity” of products, companies or regions are not well-defined. Therefore, indicators for measuring the different levels of a CE (micro, meso, and macro) should be a high priority for stakeholders (governments, companies, NGOs, civil society, etc.) in order to track progress on CE initiatives. However, the increasing interest on CE has caused a still open debate on the conceptualization of CE which hampers the creation of indicators based on a common conceptual framework. As a result, the absence of standard indicators to track progress on circularity is leading to contradiction and misunderstanding, which represents a challenge to the implementation of CE strategies. Thus, this study tries to address this gap by advancing a set of indicators adapted from existing indicators that guarantees simplicity and effectiveness, closely based on indicators proposed by government bodies. This research carried out an exploratory study to formulate the indicators requirements based on literature, refined through experts’ opinion and then they were tested in Spanish companies located in the Basque Country region through an empirical work to assess this theory. A mix of research methods (e.g. semi-structured interviews and surveys) were used to seek applicability of CE indicators for organisations. The study showed that the proposed indicators currently used for assessing the CE at the macro level were applicable at the micro level based on companies’ responses. This fact demonstrated that the indicators serve the purpose of being applicable to companies regardless of the type of economic activity they were in. Also, it shows that indicators used to monitor progress on CE at the macro level can be translated to the micro level. Consequently, it is recommended that the set of CE indicators focused on the methodology proposed in this study should be used across different industrial sectors in order to observe performance in companies to facilitate the transition to a CE model.
J. Rincón-Moreno; M. Ormazábal; M.J. Álvarez; C. Jaca. Advancing circular economy performance indicators and their application in Spanish companies. Journal of Cleaner Production 2020, 279, 123605 .
AMA StyleJ. Rincón-Moreno, M. Ormazábal, M.J. Álvarez, C. Jaca. Advancing circular economy performance indicators and their application in Spanish companies. Journal of Cleaner Production. 2020; 279 ():123605.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJ. Rincón-Moreno; M. Ormazábal; M.J. Álvarez; C. Jaca. 2020. "Advancing circular economy performance indicators and their application in Spanish companies." Journal of Cleaner Production 279, no. : 123605.
We study the efficiency of operations management in a hospital from the dynamics of the flow of patients. Our principal aim is to characterize strategic departments and seasonal patterns in a hospital from a complex networks approach. Process mining techniques are developed to track out-patients’ pathways along different departments for the purpose of building weekly networks. In these networks, departments act as nodes with multiple out/in-going arrows connecting other departments. Strategic departments are classified into target and critical departments. On the one hand, target departments, which in this study belong to the oncology area, correspond to those affected by new management policies whose impact is to be assessed. On the other hand, critical departments correspond to the most active departments, the hubs of the networks. Using suitable networks parameters, strategic departments are shown to be highly efficient regardless of the season, which naturally translates into a high level of service offered to patients. In addition, our results show conformance with the new objectives concerning target departments. The methodology presented is shown to be successful in evaluating the efficiency of hospital services in order to enhance process performances, and moreover, it is suitable to be implemented in healthcare management systems at a greater scale and the service industry whenever the flow of clients or customers are involved.
M. A. Miranda; S. Salvatierra; I. Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. Characterization of the flow of patients in a hospital from complex networks. Health Care Management Science 2019, 23, 66 -79.
AMA StyleM. A. Miranda, S. Salvatierra, I. Rodríguez, M. Jesús Alvarez. Characterization of the flow of patients in a hospital from complex networks. Health Care Management Science. 2019; 23 (1):66-79.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. A. Miranda; S. Salvatierra; I. Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2019. "Characterization of the flow of patients in a hospital from complex networks." Health Care Management Science 23, no. 1: 66-79.
Andres Muñoz-Villamizar; Javier Santos; Jairo R. Montoya-Torres; M. Jesús Alvarez. Improving effectiveness of parallel machine scheduling with earliness and tardiness costs: A case study. International Journal of Industrial Engineering Computations 2019, 375 -392.
AMA StyleAndres Muñoz-Villamizar, Javier Santos, Jairo R. Montoya-Torres, M. Jesús Alvarez. Improving effectiveness of parallel machine scheduling with earliness and tardiness costs: A case study. International Journal of Industrial Engineering Computations. 2019; ():375-392.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAndres Muñoz-Villamizar; Javier Santos; Jairo R. Montoya-Torres; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2019. "Improving effectiveness of parallel machine scheduling with earliness and tardiness costs: A case study." International Journal of Industrial Engineering Computations , no. : 375-392.
Global warming is negatively affecting the environment of the planet. This situation has led to the development of international standards, such as the International Organisation for Standardization's DIS 14064‐1 and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Standard, both of which measure corporate carbon footprints. These standards provide guidelines that can be applied to different organizational sectors. However, these are not sufficient for controlling the reduction of carbon emissions, because although they propose the use of indicators, they do not explicitly define them. In addition, in the case of emissions from wastewater treatment, they only suggest that the emissions associated with this process be considered. In the present study, an eight‐step, unified methodology based on these two international standards is proposed, focusing on direct emissions. Moreover, the step‐by‐step to data collection, calculations, and the required indicators to control the emissions are defined. The first scope considers direct emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the company. Methane generation measurement from wastewater treatment has been included in the methodology within Scope 1, as it is the second most polluting gas after carbon dioxide, both of which give rise to global warming. The proposed methodology was tested as a case study in one of the most important companies in the food sector in Colombia.
Juan Felipe Bermeo; Victoria M. Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. Carbon footprint in corporate logistics operations in the food sector. Environmental Quality Management 2018, 27, 135 -146.
AMA StyleJuan Felipe Bermeo, Victoria M. Rodríguez, M. Jesús Alvarez. Carbon footprint in corporate logistics operations in the food sector. Environmental Quality Management. 2018; 27 (3):135-146.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJuan Felipe Bermeo; Victoria M. Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2018. "Carbon footprint in corporate logistics operations in the food sector." Environmental Quality Management 27, no. 3: 135-146.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore whether or not companies committed to quality management within the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model framework use and manage the information in an efficient way, i.e., they have developed information capability. In particular, this research investigates the links between information capability and the EFQM Excellence Model. Design/methodology/approach This study is an extension of previous work by Zárraga-Rodríguez and Alvarez (2013), which was a first qualitative approach to the subject. In that work the EFQM Excellence Model criteria were analysed to see if somehow they illustrate practices associated to a company’s information capability, self-analysis reports of a set of quality award winners were reviewed and interviews were conducted with members of those companies. The present research adopts a quantitative approach to gain deeper knowledge. Through a questionnaire survey the perceptions of managers in companies committed to the EFQM Excellence Model with respect to information capability-related practices and about the information they managed are captured. Findings The analysis shows evidence that many information practices are common practices among companies committed to the EFQM Excellence Model and reveals information practices that should be improved. Originality/value Practices that lead to efficient use and management of information have not been studied in detail in companies committed to quality management within the EFQM Excellence Model framework. Companies that are aware of the importance of handling quality information when making the decisions will find in this study a set of practices they can implement in order to achieve excellent performance based on the use and management of information.
Marta Zárraga-Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. Efficient information-related practices in companies committed to EFQM. The TQM Journal 2016, 28, 798 -813.
AMA StyleMarta Zárraga-Rodríguez, M. Jesús Alvarez. Efficient information-related practices in companies committed to EFQM. The TQM Journal. 2016; 28 (6):798-813.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta Zárraga-Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2016. "Efficient information-related practices in companies committed to EFQM." The TQM Journal 28, no. 6: 798-813.
The U-shaped assembly line has received a considerable attention and has been widely used in industry in recent years due to the pressures of the just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing philosophy. However, balancing the U-shaped line is more difficult than balancing the traditional straight line. This study aims at balancing the U-shaped assembly line by introducing a novel heuristic which is based on the simulated annealing (SA) algorithm. The objectives to be optimised in this study are the number of workstations and balance efficiency. The performance of the proposed algorithm is examined by solving a set of standard test problems and a real case study. The results attained by the proposed algorithm were compared against the best known solution in the literature and it was found that the proposed algorithm is able to find good solutions in a reasonably short computational time. [Received 29 December 2012; Revised 28 March 2014; Revised 25 August 2014; Revised 22 May 2015; Accepted 26 May 2015]
Masood Fathi; M. Jesús Alvarez; Victoria Rodríguez. A new heuristic-based bi-objective simulated annealing method for U-shaped assembly line balancing. European J. of Industrial Engineering 2016, 10, 145 .
AMA StyleMasood Fathi, M. Jesús Alvarez, Victoria Rodríguez. A new heuristic-based bi-objective simulated annealing method for U-shaped assembly line balancing. European J. of Industrial Engineering. 2016; 10 (2):145.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMasood Fathi; M. Jesús Alvarez; Victoria Rodríguez. 2016. "A new heuristic-based bi-objective simulated annealing method for U-shaped assembly line balancing." European J. of Industrial Engineering 10, no. 2: 145.
The Assembly Line Part Feeding Problem (ALPFP) is a complex combinatorial optimisation problem concerned with the delivery of the required parts to the assembly workstations in the right quantities at the right time. Solving the ALPFP includes simultaneously solving two sub-problems, namely tour scheduling and tow-train loading. In this article, we first define the problem and formulate it as a multi-objective mixed-integer linear programming model. Then, we carry out a complexity analysis, proving the ALPFP to be NP-complete. A modified particle swarm optimisation (MPSO) algorithm incorporating mutation as part of the position updating scheme is subsequently proposed. The MPSO is capable of finding very good solutions with small time requirements. Computational results are reported, demonstrating the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed MPSO.
Masood Fathi; Victoria Rodríguez; Dalila Fontes; M. Jesús Alvarez. A modified particle swarm optimisation algorithm to solve the part feeding problem at assembly lines. International Journal of Production Research 2015, 54, 878 -893.
AMA StyleMasood Fathi, Victoria Rodríguez, Dalila Fontes, M. Jesús Alvarez. A modified particle swarm optimisation algorithm to solve the part feeding problem at assembly lines. International Journal of Production Research. 2015; 54 (3):878-893.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMasood Fathi; Victoria Rodríguez; Dalila Fontes; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2015. "A modified particle swarm optimisation algorithm to solve the part feeding problem at assembly lines." International Journal of Production Research 54, no. 3: 878-893.
Information is a strategic company resource, but there is no consensus in the literature regarding the set of dimensions to be considered when measuring the quality of the information. Most measures of information quality depend on user perception. Using multiple correlation analysis, we obtain a model that allows us to explain how information quality dimensions influence information consumers’ overall feeling of being well informed. A set of dimensions that any measure of information quality should at least include is proposed. This exploratory study reports the results of a research survey among managers of companies committed to quality management within the framework of a Total Quality Management (TQM) model, which is an information-intensive management model.
Marta Zarraga-Rodriguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. Experience. Journal of Data and Information Quality 2015, 6, 1 -14.
AMA StyleMarta Zarraga-Rodriguez, M. Jesús Alvarez. Experience. Journal of Data and Information Quality. 2015; 6 (2-3):1-14.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta Zarraga-Rodriguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2015. "Experience." Journal of Data and Information Quality 6, no. 2-3: 1-14.
Companies today compete in a turbulent global environment characterized by considerable technological advance and a knowledge-based economy, and the basis for sustainable competitive advantage has shifted to innovation. Given that a capability is a source of competitive advantage under the Resource Based View (RBV) theory, the development of an innovation capability is a critical factor for success. The aim of this paper is to explore the degree to which certain companies have developed this innovation capability. We also explore the relationship between innovation capability and the feeling of being an innovative organization. Spain is no longer cost competitive, and this fact makes innovation a top priority for the tourism sector. In light of this state of affairs, the study focuses on Spanish hotels because it is expected that such companies have developed this innovation capability.
Marta Zárraga-Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. Innovation Capability and the Feeling of Being an Innovative Organization. Lecture Notes in Management and Industrial Engineering 2015, 343 -350.
AMA StyleMarta Zárraga-Rodríguez, M. Jesús Alvarez. Innovation Capability and the Feeling of Being an Innovative Organization. Lecture Notes in Management and Industrial Engineering. 2015; ():343-350.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta Zárraga-Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2015. "Innovation Capability and the Feeling of Being an Innovative Organization." Lecture Notes in Management and Industrial Engineering , no. : 343-350.
In recent years, part feeding at assembly lines has become a critical issue as the result of a high level of product customization. The assembly line part feeding problem is a complex problem in which a number of decisions should be made in order to select the right quantity of each part to be supplied at the right time under a set of constraints. This study aims to cope with the part feeding problem at assembly lines by introducing a new memetic ant colony optimization-based heuristic algorithm. Due to the novelty of the problem and in order to evaluate the performance of the proposed memetic algorithm, a mathematical formulation is also presented. Case data from an automobile manufacturer and a set of generated instances are used to test both the mathematical model and the proposed memetic algorithm. The results reveal that although it is computationally difficult to solve the problem using the exact mathematical model, the mimetic algorithm was able to find sufficiently good solutions in a short period of time.
Masood Fathi; Victoria Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. A novel memetic ant colony optimization-based heuristic algorithm for solving the assembly line part feeding problem. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 2014, 75, 629 -643.
AMA StyleMasood Fathi, Victoria Rodríguez, M. Jesús Alvarez. A novel memetic ant colony optimization-based heuristic algorithm for solving the assembly line part feeding problem. The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology. 2014; 75 (1-4):629-643.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMasood Fathi; Victoria Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2014. "A novel memetic ant colony optimization-based heuristic algorithm for solving the assembly line part feeding problem." The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology 75, no. 1-4: 629-643.
Different aspects of assembly line optimization have been extensively studied. Part feeding at assembly lines, however, is quite an undeveloped area of research. This study focuses on the optimization of part feeding at mixed-model assembly lines with respect to the Just-In-Time principle motivated by a real situation encountered at one of the major automobile assembly plants in Spain. The study presents a mixed integer linear programming model and a novel simulated annealing algorithm-based heuristic to pave the way for the minimization of the number of tours as well as inventory level. In order to evaluate the performance of the algorithm proposed and validate the mathematical model, a set of generated test problems and two real-life instances are solved. The solutions found by both the mathematical model and proposed algorithm are compared in terms of minimizing the number of tours and inventory levels, as well as a performance measure called workload variation. The results show that although the exact mathematical model had computational difficulty solving the problems, the proposed algorithm provides good solutions in a short computational time.
Masood Fathi; M. Jesús Alvarez; Farhad Hassani Mehraban; Victoria Rodríguez. A Multiobjective Optimization Algorithm to Solve the Part Feeding Problem in Mixed-Model Assembly Lines. Mathematical Problems in Engineering 2014, 2014, 1 -12.
AMA StyleMasood Fathi, M. Jesús Alvarez, Farhad Hassani Mehraban, Victoria Rodríguez. A Multiobjective Optimization Algorithm to Solve the Part Feeding Problem in Mixed-Model Assembly Lines. Mathematical Problems in Engineering. 2014; 2014 ():1-12.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMasood Fathi; M. Jesús Alvarez; Farhad Hassani Mehraban; Victoria Rodríguez. 2014. "A Multiobjective Optimization Algorithm to Solve the Part Feeding Problem in Mixed-Model Assembly Lines." Mathematical Problems in Engineering 2014, no. : 1-12.
The efficient management of information is a success factor that has become critical in today's turbulent global environment. The quality of the information employed directly affects results, and a company can rely on the quality of information used when it has information capability. Total Quality Management (TQM) models and practices help organizations to achieve better results and to increase competitiveness. In order to successfully implement quality systems, organizations need an effective information system that provides quality information; therefore, we can assume that there should be a relationship between information capability and TQM models. The aim of this study is to explore whether information capability is identified and reinforced in companies when adopting a TQM model, in particular the EFQM model
Marta Zárraga-Rodríguez; M. Jesús Álvarez. Does the EFQM Model Identify and Reinforce Information Capability? Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 2014, 109, 716 -721.
AMA StyleMarta Zárraga-Rodríguez, M. Jesús Álvarez. Does the EFQM Model Identify and Reinforce Information Capability? Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2014; 109 ():716-721.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta Zárraga-Rodríguez; M. Jesús Álvarez. 2014. "Does the EFQM Model Identify and Reinforce Information Capability?" Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 109, no. : 716-721.
In today's turbulent global environment, using and efficiently managing information is a critical success factor that enables organisations to improve their results. Information capability is a source of competitive advantage and helps companies to achieve higher levels of efficiency. Total quality management (TQM) models are designed to guide organisations in their journey towards business excellence, and they help to identify the role and importance of information as a capability. The aim of this study is to find whether companies with TQM models actually use and manage information efficiently so that they have information capability. In order to achieve this goal, after defining the components of information capability, we reviewed the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) criteria described in the reports of Basque Country Quality award winners to find evidence of these components. In addition, interviews with members of those companies were conducted in order to get additional insights into the findings. This paper presents evidence from organisations at the forefront of TQM practice, showing that many information capability practices are covered in the EFQM model. We found evidence of many information practices, and we saw from the information collected that the most highly developed competence in these companies is the Information Management Competence, while practices related to the information technology Competence and the Information Behaviours and Values Competence are not as evident. Nevertheless, this study is a first approach and is limited by the information shown in the self-assessment reports.
Marta Zárraga-Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. Exploring the links between information capability and the EFQM business excellence model: the case of Basque Country Quality award winners. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence 2013, 24, 539 -560.
AMA StyleMarta Zárraga-Rodríguez, M. Jesús Alvarez. Exploring the links between information capability and the EFQM business excellence model: the case of Basque Country Quality award winners. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence. 2013; 24 (5-6):539-560.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMarta Zárraga-Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2013. "Exploring the links between information capability and the EFQM business excellence model: the case of Basque Country Quality award winners." Total Quality Management & Business Excellence 24, no. 5-6: 539-560.
M. Jesús Alvarez; Carmen Jaca; Elisabeth Viles; Anna Colomer. Quality management in hotels in the Basque Country. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences 2012, 4, 51 -60.
AMA StyleM. Jesús Alvarez, Carmen Jaca, Elisabeth Viles, Anna Colomer. Quality management in hotels in the Basque Country. International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences. 2012; 4 (1):51-60.
Chicago/Turabian StyleM. Jesús Alvarez; Carmen Jaca; Elisabeth Viles; Anna Colomer. 2012. "Quality management in hotels in the Basque Country." International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences 4, no. 1: 51-60.
Breaks in the cold chain are important economic losses in food and pharmaceutical companies. Many of the failures in the cold chain are due to improper adjustment of equipment parameters such as setting the parameters for theoretical conditions, wit...
Victoria Rodríguez; Itxaso Amorrortu; María Jesús Álvarez. Ajuste de parámetros en la cadena de frío. Revista Tecnura 2012, 15, 71 -81.
AMA StyleVictoria Rodríguez, Itxaso Amorrortu, María Jesús Álvarez. Ajuste de parámetros en la cadena de frío. Revista Tecnura. 2012; 15 (30):71-81.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVictoria Rodríguez; Itxaso Amorrortu; María Jesús Álvarez. 2012. "Ajuste de parámetros en la cadena de frío." Revista Tecnura 15, no. 30: 71-81.
An extensive literature review was carried out to detect why design of experiments (DoE) is not widely used among engineers in Europe. Once 16 main barriers were identified, a survey was carried out to obtain first-hand information about the significance of each. We obtained 101 responses from academics, consultants and practitioners interested in DoE. A statistical analysis of the survey is introduced, including: (a) a ranking of the barriers, (b) grouping of barriers using factorial analysis, (c) differences between characteristics of respondents. This exploratory analysis showed that the main barriers that hinder the widespread use of DoE are low managerial commitment and engineers’ general weakness in statistics. Once the barriers were classified, the most important resultant group was that related to business barriers.
Martin Tanco; Elisabeth Viles; M. Jesús Alvarez; Laura Ilzarbe. Why is not design of experiments widely used by engineers in Europe? Journal of Applied Statistics 2010, 37, 1961 -1977.
AMA StyleMartin Tanco, Elisabeth Viles, M. Jesús Alvarez, Laura Ilzarbe. Why is not design of experiments widely used by engineers in Europe? Journal of Applied Statistics. 2010; 37 (12):1961-1977.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartin Tanco; Elisabeth Viles; M. Jesús Alvarez; Laura Ilzarbe. 2010. "Why is not design of experiments widely used by engineers in Europe?" Journal of Applied Statistics 37, no. 12: 1961-1977.
The internationalisation process in a company embodies a series of projects that are performed in different geographical regions. In some cases, especially in SMEs, companies are not capable of predicting the risks that will be faced during the process and they do not have suitable tools to manage the knowledge acquired in previous internationalisation experiences. Therefore, they fail to turn internationalisation into a sustainable competitive advantage. This paper reports the conclusions of a study based on both a bibliographic research and a comprehensive study of a group of industrial companies. This study includes the analysis of 37 internal reports about internationalisation experiences and the carrying out of semi-structured interviews with managers responsible for international operations. We have identified the main factors (risks) that prevent successful internationalisation processes and we have proposed a taxonomy of them. Furthermore, we have proposed a general framework (model) which provides a common perspective for all internationalisation projects, bringing coherence, and also a certain level of systematisation, to the decisions made in regards to different internationalisation projects. The model provides a systemic vision of the whole internationalisation process and we believe that companies can develop efficient learning systems based on this framework. It would give them differentiation and, therefore, help them to turn internationalisation into a sustainable competitive advantage.
Victoria Rodríguez; Lucía Barcos; M. Jesús Alvarez. Managing risk and knowledge in the internationalisation process. Intangible Capital 2010, 6, 202-235 .
AMA StyleVictoria Rodríguez, Lucía Barcos, M. Jesús Alvarez. Managing risk and knowledge in the internationalisation process. Intangible Capital. 2010; 6 (2):202-235.
Chicago/Turabian StyleVictoria Rodríguez; Lucía Barcos; M. Jesús Alvarez. 2010. "Managing risk and knowledge in the internationalisation process." Intangible Capital 6, no. 2: 202-235.
One of the most important challenges that confronts less-than-truckload carriers serving many-to-many distribution networks consists of determining how to consolidate flows of small shipments. The objective is to determine a route for each origin–destination pair that minimizes the cost while still guaranteeing a certain level of service. This research studies different aspects of the problem and provides a metaheuristic algorithm (based on Ant Colony Optimization techniques) capable of solving real-life problems in a reasonable computational time. The viability of the approach has been tested with a real case in Spain and encouraging results have been obtained.
Lucía Barcos; V. Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez; F. Robusté. Routing design for less-than-truckload motor carriers using Ant Colony Optimization. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 2010, 46, 367 -383.
AMA StyleLucía Barcos, V. Rodríguez, M. Jesús Alvarez, F. Robusté. Routing design for less-than-truckload motor carriers using Ant Colony Optimization. Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review. 2010; 46 (3):367-383.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLucía Barcos; V. Rodríguez; M. Jesús Alvarez; F. Robusté. 2010. "Routing design for less-than-truckload motor carriers using Ant Colony Optimization." Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review 46, no. 3: 367-383.
Barriers faced by engineers when applying design of experiments
Martin Tanco; Elisabeth Viles; Laura Ilzarbe; Ma Jesus Alvarez. Barriers faced by engineers when applying design of experiments. The TQM Journal 2009, 21, 565 -575.
AMA StyleMartin Tanco, Elisabeth Viles, Laura Ilzarbe, Ma Jesus Alvarez. Barriers faced by engineers when applying design of experiments. The TQM Journal. 2009; 21 (6):565-575.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMartin Tanco; Elisabeth Viles; Laura Ilzarbe; Ma Jesus Alvarez. 2009. "Barriers faced by engineers when applying design of experiments." The TQM Journal 21, no. 6: 565-575.