Ana Cristina Fernandes

An extensive structural model of supply chain quality management and firm performance

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of supply chain quality management (SCQM) and to propose a research model that considers the impact of SCQM practices on firm performance. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a comprehensive literature review, SCQM most relevant practices were analyzed and selected. These practices were categorized into four dimensions: upstream (supplier assessment, supplier quality management (QM)), downstream sides of a supply chain (customer focus), internal process (product/service design, process management and logistics) and support practices (top management support, human resource management, information and supply chain integration). The measurement instrument of firm performance was also developed, including three aspects: operational performance, customer satisfaction and financial performance. Findings – An innovative conceptual framework that provides a comprehensive picture covering core dimensions of SCQM and various aspects of firm performanc...

Analysis of multifunctional oxycarbide and oxynitride thin films by modulated IR radiometry

Multifunctional coatings consisting of transition metal oxycarbides and oxynitrides deposited by physical vapour deposition techniques on tool steel are analysed in this work by means of modulated IR radiometry (MIRR), a non-contact non-destructive thermal wave measurement technique, with respect to the thermal transport properties relevant for time-dependent surface heating processes of coating–substrate systems. In order to interpret the measured data quantitatively, an inverse solution of the two-layer thermal wave problem is applied, which relies on the thermal wave phase lag data measured as a function of modulation frequency of the periodically modulated laser beam heating intensity. Based on these measurements and their quantitative interpretation, correlations between the thermal transport properties of the coatings and their deposition conditions have been found, which can be used to monitor deposition processes. For a second objective of this work, namely to determine the film thickness by means of MIRR, different sets of thin films of approximately constant thermal transport properties, but differing film thickness, have been measured. To discuss the limitations and error limits of these non-contact non-destructive measurements of the coating thickness, the results obtained by MIRR are compared with the coating thickness determined by destructive measurements.

Supply chain management and quality management integration: A conceptual model proposal

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a theoretical basis for integration of quality management (QM) and supply chain management (SCM). For that purpose, some common practices of both approaches are identified as having impact on the four balanced scorecard perspectives. Design/methodology/approach The main concepts of SCM and QM were reviewed from the literature in order to develop key practices that are common to both approaches. Findings The findings suggest that the synergies of QM and SCM can promote the integration of the approaches which will promote a set of significant organizational benefits. Originality/value This study focuses on the integration of QM and SCM through their common practices. This issue has not been broadly explored and for that reason this paper contributes to the understanding of the critical factors for an effective integration of supply chain QM.

Skewness in Financial Returns: Evidence from the Portuguese Stock Market

This paper addresses the issue of symmetry in financial returns. The return distributions of the major stocks traded on the Portuguese market and included in the PSI-20 Index are examined for periods from four to nine years. The results show that the symmetry of the returns is rejected against several alternative distributions. Statistically significant differences between returns below and above the mean are detected, which provides additional evidence of skewness in the return distributions. In addition, as observed in other studies, it is interesting to note that such results are similar to other low-capitalization and low-volume markets, which also exhibit asymmetric return distributions.

Supply chain management practices and firms' operational performance

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication (communication) reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. This work was also financed with FEDER funds by Programa Operational Fatores de Competitividade (COMPETE) and national funds by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) through Project: FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022674.

Modulated IR radiometry as a tool for the thickness control of coatings

The thickness of coatings can be determined using the data measured by Modulated IR Radiometry for sets of coatings, produced under specific controlled conditions: – Keeping constant all deposition parameters except the deposition time, coatings of approximately constant thermal transport properties, but different thickness are produced. The modulated IR phase lag signals measured for the coatings are calibrated with the help of signals obtained for homogeneous opaque reference samples of smooth surface. Quantitative results for the thermal transport properties are obtained using the inverse solution of the 2-layer thermal wave problem by which direct relations are established between the relative extrema of the inverse calibrated thermal wave phase signals measured as a function of the heating modulation frequency and the thermal coating parameters, the ratio of the effusivities coating-to-substrate, the coatings thermal diffusion time, and the coating thickness. The coating thickness values obtained by Modulated IR Radiometry are compared with the values measured by standard microscopic methods, and relative errors of 3 – 4% have been found for the coating thickness of a set of TiCO coatings on steel, presented here as an example.