title: Reducing information technology-based transactions costs in supply chains

authors: Muller, Martin

subjects: communication technologies

abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the intersection between supply chain coordination and information technology (IT) by building on transaction cost analysis. Literature frequently predicts that the application of IT reduces transaction costs. Often, no real explanation is given, and the impact of IT on supply chain management (SCM) is not assessed. 
Design/methodology/approach – Discussing the application of IT in SCM, a classification of different forms of collaboration (integration) is presented. Building on the essential transaction cost elements of specificity and uncertainty, the (high) costs of transactions in different supply chain integration forms are revealed. 
Findings – The claim that IT reduces transaction costs is objected to in its general form. The reduction of transaction costs is dependent on the form of supplier integration. Through market transactions (not managed process links) and monitored process links, a reduction of transaction costs by using IT is likely. In the case of managed process links and non-member process links, a reduction of transaction costs is achieved only if certain conditions apply. A conceptual framework is presented, using uncertainty and specificity to explain which IT applications can reduce transaction costs in a supply chain. 
Research limitations/implications – The research is based on conceptual thought. Beyond this framework for reducing IT-based transaction costs in supply chains empirical research is needed to validate the findings. 
Practical implications – Companies need to be aware that applying IT in their supply chain is not sake in itself. The classification provided in this paper support-related decision by pointing out that different IT-solutions fit different business process links. 
Originality/value – The paper presents a more detailed analysis of the impacts IT applications have in SCM. This includes a discussion on how uncertainty and specificity influence the implementation of IT in supply chains.

text: Reducing information technology-based transactions costs in supply chains Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to address the intersection between supply chain coordination and information technology (IT) by building on transaction cost analysis. Literature frequently predicts that the application of IT reduces transaction costs. Often, no real explanation is given, and the impact of IT on supply chain management (SCM) is not assessed. 
Design/methodology/approach – Discussing the application of IT in SCM, a classification of different forms of collaboration (integration) is presented. Building on the essential transaction cost elements of specificity and uncertainty, the (high) costs of transactions in different supply chain integration forms are revealed. 
Findings – The claim that IT reduces transaction costs is objected to in its general form. The reduction of transaction costs is dependent on the form of supplier integration. Through market transactions (not managed process links) and monitored process links, a reduction of transaction costs by using IT is likely. In the case of managed process links and non-member process links, a reduction of transaction costs is achieved only if certain conditions apply. A conceptual framework is presented, using uncertainty and specificity to explain which IT applications can reduce transaction costs in a supply chain. 
Research limitations/implications – The research is based on conceptual thought. Beyond this framework for reducing IT-based transaction costs in supply chains empirical research is needed to validate the findings. 
Practical implications – Companies need to be aware that applying IT in their supply chain is not sake in itself. The classification provided in this paper support-related decision by pointing out that different IT-solutions fit different business process links. 
Originality/value – The paper presents a more detailed analysis of the impacts IT applications have in SCM. This includes a discussion on how uncertainty and specificity influence the implementation of IT in supply chains.

year: 2007

title: Framework and proofs for synthesis of least restrictive controllable supervisors for extended finite-state machines with variable abstraction

authors: Malik, Robi

subjects: computer science

abstract: This working paper presents an algorithm that combines modular synthesis for extended finite-state machines (EFSM) with abstraction of variables by symbolic manipulation, in order to compute least restrictive controllable supervisors. Given a modular EFSM system consisting of several components, the proposed algorithm synthesises a separate supervisor for each specification component. To synthesise each supervisor, the algorithm iteratively selects components (plants and variables) from a synchronous composition until a least restrictive controllable solution is obtained. This improves on previous results of the authors where abstraction is only performed by the selection of components and not variables. The working paper explains the theory of EFSM synthesis and abstraction and includes formal proofs of all results. An example of a flexible manufacturing system illustrates how the proposed algorithm works to compute a modular supervisor.

text: Framework and proofs for synthesis of least restrictive controllable supervisors for extended finite-state machines with variable abstraction This working paper presents an algorithm that combines modular synthesis for extended finite-state machines (EFSM) with abstraction of variables by symbolic manipulation, in order to compute least restrictive controllable supervisors. Given a modular EFSM system consisting of several components, the proposed algorithm synthesises a separate supervisor for each specification component. To synthesise each supervisor, the algorithm iteratively selects components (plants and variables) from a synchronous composition until a least restrictive controllable solution is obtained. This improves on previous results of the authors where abstraction is only performed by the selection of components and not variables. The working paper explains the theory of EFSM synthesis and abstraction and includes formal proofs of all results. An example of a flexible manufacturing system illustrates how the proposed algorithm works to compute a modular supervisor.

year: 2018

title: Te Rau Matatini: Māori mental health workforce
development

authors: Hirini, Paul

subjects: Maori

abstract: Outlines the development and current projects of Te Rau Matatini, a charitable trust aiming to strengthen the Maori mental health workforce.

text: Te Rau Matatini: Māori mental health workforce
development Outlines the development and current projects of Te Rau Matatini, a charitable trust aiming to strengthen the Maori mental health workforce.

year: 2003