To aid HR practitioners in their design of firm specific HRM configurations, andcontribute to the state of the art HRM knowledge, we created a simulation model. In this paper we present the simulation model, and the serious game in which it was implemented, but focus on the practical and academical implication of creating and using our initial HRM simulation model.Deciding which HR-practices to select, and how to design them in a multiyear HRMconfiguration is a challenging task for any HR-practitioner due to the large number of interrelated options to pick from. In particular as, according to configurational HRM, the configuration of HR-practices needs to reflect the organizational strategy (vertical alignment) and show internal consistency (horizontal alignment). Currently, no (technological) tool aids HR-practitioners in their quest to design an aligned HRM configuration. To fill this void, we created an HRM simulation model and used it in a serious game which was played during workshops with HR-practitioners.Configurational HRM postulates that HRM configuration need to be both verticallyand horizontally aligned. However, to date, no specific information on how to make these levels of alignment happen is present. As a result, no specific hypothesis based on configurational HRM has been defined and empirical validation of this mode of theorizing is limited. Using the simulation model and serious game we aspire to specify the configurational mode of theorizing with a new level of detail enabling more precise empirical exploration of configurational HRM.The creation of an HRM simulation model and serious game proved to beworthwhile. During the workshops, HR-practitioners stated that the simulation model and game enables them to get to grips with the complexity of designing a firm specific HRM configuration. Furthermore, the simulation model enables us to specify configurational HRM to a new level of detail enabling a wide variety of research opportunities. The simulation model, serious game, and implications are discussed in this paper.
MULTIFILE
Summary Project objectives This study fits into a larger research project on logistics collaboration and outsourcing decisions. The final objective of this larger project is to analyze the logistics collaboration decision in more detail to identify thresholds in these decisions. To reach the overall objectives, the first step is to get a clearer picture on the chemical and logistics service providers industry, sectors of our study, and on logistics collaboration in these sectors. The results of this first phase are presented in this report. Project Approach The study consists of two parts: literature review and five case studies within the chemical industry. The literature covers three topics: logistics collaboration, logistics outsourcing and purchasing of logistics services. The five case studies are used to refine the theoretical findings of the literature review. Conclusions Main observations during the case studies can be summarized as follows: Most analyzed collaborative relationships between shippers and logistics service providers in the chemical industry are still focused on operational execution of logistics activities with a short term horizon. Supply management design and control are often retained by the shippers. Despite the time and cost intensive character of a logistics service buying process, shippers tendering on a very regular basis. The decision to start a new tender project should more often be based on an integral approach that includes all tender related costs. A lower frequency of tendering could create more stability in supply chains. Beside, it will give both, shippers and LSPs, the possibility to improve the quality of the remaining projects. Price is still a dominating decision criterion in selecting a LSP. This is not an issue as long as the comparison of costs is based on an integral approach, and when shippers balance the cost criterion within their total set of criteria for sourcing logistics services. At the shippers' side there is an increased awareness of the need of more solid collaboration with logistics service providers. Nevertheless, in many cases this increased awareness does not actually result in the required actions to establish more intensive collaboration. Over the last years the logistics service providers industry was characterized by low profit margins, strong fragmentation and price competition. Nowadays, the market for LSPs is changing, because of an increasing demand for logistics services. To benefit from this situation a more pro-active role of the service providers is required in building stronger relationships with their customers. They should pay more attention on mid and long term possibilities in a collaborative relation, in stead of only be focused on running the daily operation.
The application of sensors in water technology is a crucial step to provide broader, more efficient and circular systems. Among the different technologies used in this field, ultrasound-based systems are widely used, basically to generate energy peaks for cell lysis and particle separation. In this work, we propose the adaptation of an ultrasound system to monitor the concentration of solid particles in wastewater treatment plants settlers as well as to indicate sludge level (real time). A similar sensor was developed and tested in another project which operated successfully at solids concentration up to 1% in UASB reactors. Such measurements are nowadays obtained via time-consuming physical (solids) analysis, which can compromise the efficiency of the settlers and the quality of the effluent. The present project proposes an improved version of the sensor, which will combine solids concentration monitoring and sludge level detection. The defined targets have the intention to make a sensor with a much broader range of applications, been suitable not only for UASB reactors but also to settler and aerobic tanks. The project is a cooperation between the Water Technology lectoraat of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, two SME’s - YNOVIO B.V. and Lamp-ion B.V. - and the INCT group (Brazil). If proven feasible, the concept can generate a big business market to the involved Dutch partners as well as favor the automation of WWTP in the Netherlands, Brazil and around the world.
