Maria Fatima Ludovico de Almeida

Conformity Assessment as a Tool for Organizational Learning in Large Engineering and Construction Projects

For the successful realization of large engineering and construction projects (LECPs), a systemic organizational learning framework for institutional cooperation is critical. Due to the long project life-cycle of LECPs, this is particularly important for this kind of project. The objective of this paper is to analyze to what extent the conformity assessment of LECPs, carried out under Engineering, Procurement and Construction management (EPCm) services, can be used as a tool for organizational learning and cooperation between typical stakeholders (project owners, engineering contractors, EPC contractors; subcontractors and certification bodies). The research, from which this paper emanates, was based on a case study concerning LECPs in an oil and gas company in Brazil. Based on its results, we suggest that the proposed organizational learning framework, supported by the conformity assessment rationale, constitutes an important management tool that can be disseminated in other organizational contexts where conformity assessments of LECPs take place.

Technology Foresight on Emerging Technologies: Implications for a National Innovation Initiative in Brazil

Prospective studies about emerging technologies and their implications for public policy formulation indicate critical choices ranging from global to national level, even to the individual firm or institution. Emerging technologies have been shaping the future of some industries and transforming many others. In many cases, these technologies will determine the restructuring of industries as never before. Specially designed for enabling better planning and future decisions, technology foresight (TF) methods are used to foresee diffusion of innovations, mapping out commercially viable roadmaps for technological development. This paper is concerned with a methodological instrument adopted in Brazil as support for building the Agenda for a National Innovation Initiative (NII), which was articulated by government, universities, R&D institutions, and private firms. It presents and discusses an integrated methodological approach for a TF study, specially designed for the purpose of this Brazilian innovation policy instrument, concerning three emerging technologies – nanotechnology, biotechnology, and information and communication technologies (ICT).

Nanometrology, Standardization and Regulation of Nanomaterials in Brazil: a Proposal for an Analytical-Prospective Model

The main objective of this paper is to propose an analytical-prospective model as a tool to support decision-making processes concerning metrology, standardization and regulation of nanomaterials in Brazil, based on international references and ongoing initiatives in the world. In the context of nanotechnology development in Brazil, the motivation for carrying out this research was to identify potential benefits of metrology, standardization and regulation of nanomaterials production, from the perspective of future adoption of the model by the main stakeholders of development of these areas in Brazil. The main results can be summarized as follows: (i) an overview of international studies on metrology, standardization and regulation of nanomaterials, and nanoparticles, in special; (ii) the analytical-prospective model; and (iii) the survey questionnaire and the roadmapping tool for metrology, standardization and regulation of nanomaterials in Brazil, based on international references and ongoing initiatives in the world.

Sociotechnical regimes, technological innovation and corporate sustainability: from principles to action

ABSTRACT Increased environmental and social responsibility awareness, while producing unique opportunities for sustainability-oriented innovations, has generated important challenges for companies. The path to sustainability requires corporate strategies that guarantee profitability, managing simultaneously environmental and social responsibilities. An attempt is made to provide an understanding of sustainable development thinking in business, discussing how the combination of the transition management, adaptive planning and sociotechnical approaches can contribute towards an effective implementation of sustainability-oriented innovations in business context. The article proposes a conceptual model, which incorporates this contribution, developed through a four-year action-research project carried out within a large Brazilian energy company – Petrobras. The authors argue that the adoption of the proposed model by other large firms operating in different societal sectors might trigger organisational changes related to current corporate practices of technological innovation management.

Diffusion of Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Development: Prospective Assessment for Public Policies

Emerging technologies based on biotechnology, nanotechnology, information and communication technologies (ICT), and green chemistry will shape the future of some industries and will transform many others. In many cases, these technologies will determine the development and restructuring of industries as never before. These changes, in turn, will promote debates and revisions of current regulatory frameworks and corporate business models. This paper - which is based on a prospective study carried out by the authors in 2010 - emphasizes the importance of understanding and anticipating movements of driving forces, trends and critical uncertainties at global level, which will influence the diffusion of emerging technologies into industrial processes and business models concerning seven societal sectors. The purpose of this paper is to describe the evolutionary trajectories of these sectors, based on diffusion of the so-called emergent technologies in a time horizon of 20 years.

Corporate Standardization Initiatives and Integrated Management System: The Case of Transpetro’s Oil Pipelines and Terminals Standardization Program

This paper presents the implementation by Petrobras Transporte S.A. - Transpetro of its Oil Pipelines and Terminals Standardization Program (PRONOT) within the scope of the “Integrated Management System” (IMS). This program, launched in 2006 in the regions where the company operates, aims at standardizing all of its oil pipeline and terminal operations. Its implementation was planned in two phases: (i) the first, already successfully concluded, refers to pipeline operations, industrial maintenance and right-of-way activities management; and (ii) the second, initiated in 2009, encompasses cross-sectional activities including health, safety and environment (HSE); training and development of oil pipeline workforce; communication with stakeholders; oil pipeline integrity; and engineering project requirements. The documental structures of Transpetro IMS and PRONOT are described and represented graphically to emphasize the intentional alignment of the standardization process carried out by the Oil Pipelines and Terminals Unit to the corporate IMS, based upon national and international literature review and through practical research focusing on the best international practices.Copyright

Visual Operations Management Tools in Oil Pipelines and Terminals Standardization Processes

This paper describes the process by which visual operations management (VOM) tools were implemented, concerning standards and operational procedures in Petrobras Transporte’s Oil Pipelines and Terminals Unit. It provides: (i) a brief literature review of visual operations management tools applied to total quality management and the standardization processes; (ii) a discussion of the assumptions from the second level of VOM (visual standards) upon which Petrobras Transporte’s oil pipelines and terminals business processes and operational procedures are based; and (iii) a description of the VOM implementation process involving more than 100 employees and one illustrative example of “Quick Guides” for right-of-way management activities. Finally, it discusses the potential impacts and benefits of using VOM tools in the current practices in Petrobras Transporte’s Oil Pipelines and Terminals Unit, reinforcing the importance of such visual guides as vital to implement regional and corporate procedures, focusing on the main operational processes.Copyright

Technical Forums as a Tool for Implementing and Learning About Standard Operating Practices

This paper describes the experience of Transpetro’s Oil Pipelines and Terminals Unit regarding an institutionalized knowledge management (KM) process of systematically promoting technical forums focused on: (i) pipeline and terminal operations; (ii) industrial maintenance; and (iii) right-of-way activities management. This empirical work adds evidence that in the model of cooperative and communicative knowledge management it is necessary to motivate staff to provide the company with their tacit knowledge and to take a proactive part in knowledge management processes, particularly in technical forums. Within this KM perspective, technical forums have been held by Transpetro for the following purposes: (i) to discuss the main barriers and challenges the Oil Pipelines and Terminals unit has to face in the coming years; (ii) to share and disseminate good practices concerning oil pipeline and terminal activities; (iii) to discuss new processes, methods and equipment developments with potential application in business and operational processes; (iv) to establish action plans concerning the main challenges, barriers and opportunities; (v) to disseminate Research and Development (R&D) projects in course, new procedures, methods and equipments and (vi) to promote integration among forum attendees. The two year-experience in Transpetro’s Oil Pipelines and Terminals Unit revealed that technical forums have been an important instrument for cooperative and communicative knowledge management, according to evaluations from 173 attendees.© 2010 ASME

Evaluation Model for Enterprise Standardization Programs: The Case of Petrobras Transporte’s Marine Terminals Unit

This paper describes an innovative evaluation model applied to Petrobras Transporte’s “Marine Terminals Standardization Program” based on updating approaches of programs evaluation and organizational learning. Since the program was launched in 2004, the need for having an evaluation model able to evaluate its implementation progress, to measure the degree of standards compliance and its potential economic, social and environmental impacts has become evident. Within a vision of safe and environmentally responsible operations of marine terminals, this evaluation model was jointly designed by Petrobras Transporte and PUC-Rio to promote continuous improvement and learning in operational practices and in the standardization process itself. Petrobras Transporte believes that standardization supports its services and management innovation capability by creating objective and internationally recognized parameters, targets and metrology for its business activities. The conceptual model and application guidelines for this important tool are presented in this paper, as well as the next steps towards its implementation.Copyright