Paulo Avila

Prof. Dr. Paulo Avila

ISEP, Porto School of Engineering, Porto, Portugal
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

25Years (2002-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 April 2016 in Computers & Industrial Engineering
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
VMVijaya Kumar Manupati
Vijaya Kumar Manupati
GPGoran Putnik
Goran Putnik
MTManoj Kumar Tiwari
Manoj Kumar Tiwari
PAPaulo Avila
Paulo Avila
MCMaria Manuela Cruz-Cunha
Maria Manuela Cruz-Cunha


25 November 2019 in International Journal for Quality Research
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
José Pedro Teixeira DominguesJosé Pedro Teixeira Domingues
José Pedro Teixeira Domingues
ARAngélica Muffato Reis
Angélica Muffato Reis
Luis FonsecaLuis Fonseca
Luis Fonseca
PAPaulo Avila
Paulo Avila
GPGoran Putnik
Goran Putnik

19 October 2023 in Sustainability
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
LPLeonel Patrício
Leonel Patrício
LCLino Costa
Lino Costa
Leonilde VarelaLeonilde Varela
Leonilde Varela
PAPaulo Avila
Paulo Avila
(1) Background: In this study on Robotic Process Automation (RPA), the feasibility of sustainable RPA implementation was investigated, considering user requirements in the context of this technology’s stakeholders, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. (2) Methods: A multi-objective mathematical model was developed and the Weighted Sum and Tchebycheff methods were used to evaluate the efficiency of the implementation. An enterprise case study was utilized for data collection, employing investigation hypotheses, questionnaires, and brainstorming sessions with company stakeholders. (3) Results: The results underscore the significance of user requirements within the RPA landscape and demonstrate that integrating these requirements into the multi-objective model enhances the implementation assessment. Practical guidelines for RPA planning and management with a sustainability focus are provided. The analysis reveals a solution that reduces initial costs by 21.10% and allows for an efficient and equitable allocation of available resources. (4) Conclusion: This study advances our understanding of the interplay between user requirements and RPA feasibility, offering viable guidelines for the sustainable implementation of this technology.

9 March 2021 in Sustainability
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Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Vitor Hugo Ferreira SilvaVitor Hugo Ferreira Silva
Vitor Hugo Ferreira Silva
Luís Pinto FerreiraLuís Pinto Ferreira
Luís Pinto Ferreira
Francisco J. G. SilvaFrancisco J. G. Silva
Francisco J. G. Silva
BTBenny Tjahjono
Benny Tjahjono
PAPaulo Avila
Paulo Avila
To remain competitive, companies must continuously improve the processes at hand, be they administrative, production, or logistics. The objective of the study described in this paper was to develop a decision-making tool based on a simulation model to support the production of knits and damask fabrics. The tool was used to test different control strategies for material flow, from the raw material warehouse to the finished product warehouse, and thus can also be used to evaluate the impacts of these strategies on the productivity. The data upon which the decision support tool was built were collected from five sectors of the plant: the raw material warehouse, knit production, damask production, finishing work, and the finished product warehouse. The decision support tool met the objectives of the project, with all five strategies developed showing positive results. Knit and damask production rates increased by up to 8% and 44%, respectively, and a reduction of 75% was observed in the waiting time on the point of entry to the finishing work area, compared to the company’s existing system.

1 October 2013
Verified
Conference Paper
Closed access
Carlos Vaz de CarvalhoCarlos Vaz de Carvalho
Carlos Vaz de Carvalho
Manuel Pereira LopesManuel Pereira Lopes
Manuel Pereira Lopes
ARAntonio G. Ramos
Antonio G. Ramos
PAPaulo Avila
Paulo Avila
JBJoão Bastos
João Bastos
IMIgnace Martens
Ignace Martens
Worldwide competitiveness poses enormous challenges on managers, demanding a continuous quest to increase rationality in the use of resources. As a management philosophy, Lean Manufacturing focuses on the elimination of activities that do not create any type of value and therefore are considered waste. For companies to successfully implement the Lean Manufacturing philosophy it is crucial that the human resources of the organization have the necessary training, for which proper tools are required. At the same time, higher education institutions need innovative tools to increase the attractiveness of engineering curricula and develop a higher level of knowledge among students, improving their employability. This paper describes how Lean Learning Academy, an international collaboration project between five EU universities and five companies, from SME to Multinational/Global companies, developed and applied an innovative training programme for Engineers on Lean Manufacturing, a successful alternative to the traditional teaching methods in engineering courses.