英國留學生物流管理碩士畢業dissertation-工程網絡和凈現值法-物流dissertation精修建議-Project Networks and the
英國留學生物流管理碩士畢業dissertation-工程網絡和凈現值法-物流dissertation精修建議，Project Networks and the Net Present Value Method
Abstract
In the 1950s United States researchers firstly used network technology, in the 1960s Professor Hua introduced the technology over to China. The network technology has been rapidly applied to project management and other fields. Network optimization technology is a high-level network planning, and also it is an important part of research fields in project management.
Network optimization contains four different sides, which are fixed duration-resources balance, resources limited-shortest duration, duration-coat exchanged and maximizing the net present value of projects, and the last side in present years has become a focus in network optimization.
Based on the fore-researcher’s achievement, some research has been done in this paper on the problem of evaluating and maximizing the net present value of project, activity’s pattern, limited resources, payment scheduling, contract reward and punishment and other factors which all affect the problem are discussed and improves the established mode. Ultimately, the outcomes of the paper are illustrated by a practical instance.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No
TITLE PAGE 1
ABSTRACT 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
Chapter 1 的問題，目標Aims and Objectives不清楚，需要再明確一些
Chapter 1 Introduction 6
1.0 Research Questions 6
1.1 Context of Research 6
1.2 Relevance of Research 6
1.3 Aims and Objectives 7
1.4 Chapter Outline 7
Chapter 2 Literature Review 9
這部分用一個TABLE圖表總結一下，怎么縮小這個距離
2.0 Introduction 9
2.1 Background of Project Networks and Network Planning 9
PATE 1 不要寫 ONE，要寫阿拉伯數字
2.2 An Overview of Time Value of Money 10
2.2.1 Causes of Time Value of Voney
2.2.2 The Importance of time Value of Money
2.3 An Overview Net Present Value Method 13
2.4 Three Subproblem of Maximizing The Net Present Value of Project 13
就是這部分要用一個 TABLE SUMMARISE
2.5 Construction Schedule 15
2.5.1 Make a Construction Schedule 15
2.5.2 The Basic Form of The Construction Schedule 16
2.6 Method of Network Planning 17
2.6.1 The Concept of Network Diagram 17
2.6.2 Network Diagram and The Time Parameter 18
2.6.3 The key Lines, key Activities and Non-critical Activities 18
PATE TWO
留學生物流dissertation精修這部分是寫得最不好的部分，就是NPV和NETWORK PLANNING 寫得很不清楚，最主要問題就是沒寫清楚怎么把兩者聯系起來，兩者怎么關系在一起的，需要更多的說明#p#分頁標題#e#
2.7 An Overview of Project Network Planning Technical 19
2.7.1 The Problems of Fixed Duration and Resource Balance 20
2.7.2 The Problems of Limited Resources and The Shortest Duration 21
2.7.3 The Exchange Problem Between Project Date and Project Cost 22
2.7.4 The Problem of Max-NPV 24
PATE THREE
2.8 Deficiency of The Existing Research 24
Chapter 3 Methodology
這部分要包括 QUALITY 和QUANTITY兩方法，還有BIOGRAPHY
3.0 Introduction
3.1 Research Philosophy
3.1.1 Positivism or Interpretivism
3.2 Research Approach
3.2.1 Inductive or Deductive
3.3 Research Methods
3.4 Practicalities and conduct of Research
3.5 Analysing Data
3.6 Limitations of Research
Chapter 4 Findings
4.0 Introduction
4.1 Findings from Preliminary Study
4.2 Summary of Finding
為什么沒有CASE STUDY呢，這個研究是改變已經有的新模型，還是創造一個新的模型，還是模型假設？？
Chapter 5 Conclusion
5.0 Introduction
5.1 Discussion and Evalution
5.2 Implications for Future Research
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
Tables
Figures
Fig.2.1 Two Kinds of Network 19
Fig.2.2 Relation between Date and Cost 24
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.0 Researchable Question
The researchable question for this dissertation is as follows:
“How to maximize the net present value of projects”
The author will attempt to answer this question through improving established model.
1.1 Context of Research這部分產意思是指一個項目工程完全靠資產投資嗎
Pursuit of profit maximization is the ultimate aim of all economic entity. Construction unit as an independent economic entity, it also wants to pursue the maximization of profit. Net present value is often acted as a measure of incomes of a project. In recent years, Net present value maximization problem is an important part of research fields in project management.
1.2 Relevance of Research
Early in the 20th century 70's A.H.Russell began to study the Net present value maximization. After 30 years of research and development, Net present value maximization can be divided into three types of questions：
? Payment schedule in the network optimization；
? the cash flow optimization schedule under the constraints of resources；
? Time - cost optimization in the schedule of exchange cash flow .
1.3 Aims and Objectives
In this paper, numerical examples, comparison and analysis, show the relationship between the project network planning techniques and the net present value method to verify the discrete variable particle swarm algorithm in solving the issue of the feasibility of maximizing the net present value of engineering practice application has some reference value. Two key objectives have been identified in this study.
? Explain the characteristics of the net present value#p#分頁標題#e#
? How to consider payment schedule of net present value maximization and resource constraints comprehensively
以上這兩點老師也不能理解，需要說得更說，更清楚一點
1.4 Chapter Outline
The dissertation is divided into the following Five Chapters
? Chapter One-Seek to provide a background to the subject area and also looks to introduce three types of questions in Net present value maximization.
? Chapter Two- Through a Literature Review the researcher attempts to provide a thorough examination of current literature on the net present value, this chapter also looks to explain the deficiency of the current study and major job of this study.
? Chapter Three- The researcher considers and justifies the methods and methodologies adopted during the research process. The experiment approach adopted by the researcher is examined, together with a discussion on the research approach and strategy adopted, an analysis of data analysis method. Limitations to the research are discussed together with the ethics of the research.
? 這部分應該是dissertation的重點，Chapter Four- This section presents the findings of the research techniques applied in Chapter Three. Describe the problems studied in this paper, focusing on analyzing the problem of various factors, at last, Through an analysis of the examples, it shows how to get the maximum value of the Net Present Value of Projects.
? Chapter Five- Brings together an analysis of the findings, conclusion are drawn which will answer the previously set out aims and objectives
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
In this section I will present the background for choosing the topic. An introduction to the Project networks and the Network planning, finally the research problem of the thesis and aims according to some research has been done on the problem of evaluating and maximizing the net present value of project by researchers.
2.1 Background of Project networks and Network planning 整個2.1這部分的參考文獻很有問題，老師用反抄軟件打開，幾乎全紅，有的地方好幾段落都沒有一個參考文獻，所以請注意再檢查一下，然后再補充一下參考文獻
The utilization of project networks as a means for organizing industrial production is growing across industries (Kanter, 1991). In project networks, groups of two or more firms work together in the interdependent production of goods or services (Powell, 1990). Researchers have begun to examine architecture, engineering, and construction (A/E/C) project networks from various perspectives. Project network researchers examining A/E/C project networks have investigated the impact of this form of organization on innovation(Harty,2005;Taylor&Levitt,2004,2007), cross-organizational technology implementation(Taylor,2007), information dependency(Pekericli, Akinci, & Karaesmen, 2003), learning(Taylor, Levitt,&Villarroel, 2006), and leadership (Chinowsky&Taylor, 2007). #p#分頁標題#e#
Network planning technique is a scientific project management technology, which is component of Operational Research. Network planning technique originated from America, In the 1950s American scholars kelly and Morgan walker proposed the key route network planning, In 1958, the U.S. navy successfully applied network planning review technology that made the missile research work ahead of schedule. Then appeared the review technology (1966), Random network planning technique (1979), Risk stochastic network technology (1981), Network planning technique has become the most advanced planning and management methods(Smai M Baroum ,1996).
American scholars pioneered the use of network planning, network planning technique quickly applied to project management and other fields (Wang, 2002a). Network planning optimization is a high-level network planning technology application; project management is an important element of research fields, in which the net present value maximization problem in recent years has become a hot network planning optimization (Wang, 2002b). Currently, the network planning technique has been viewed as the most effective management method in many countries, As is proved, construction period could be shorten by 20% and cost could be reduced by 10% with the network planning technology.
The development of network planning optimization is inseparable from the application of network planning technology; meanwhile, the network optimization has promoted the application of network planning and the development of technology. Network Planning Optimization plays a very important role in the construction schedule (Mario Vanhoucke, 2001). Firstly, Network planning is not only to determine the project's objectives, but also determines the way to achieve these objectives; it is a programmatic document to guide the construction progress. However, to get engineering with a short duration、 good quality and low cost. It is essential to optimize the network planning. Secondly, After the establishment of network plans, There are some conflicts need to be resolved at construction time, resources and other areas ；If the schedule has not meet the requirement ,we should compress the continuous time of the key activities; If resources have not me the requirement, we could optimize two aspects of resources problems：fixed duration – balanced resource and limited resources - the shortest duration; if the cost has not meet the requirement, we could optimize the exchange problem between time and cost. Thirdly, Actually, the optimization of network planning is a high-level technology, the network planning optimization has been an indivisible part of the network planning techniques, and it has become an important component in project management. In modern engineering, network planning optimization plays a huge role as an important mean of project management gradually.
The development of network optimization program has become an effective way to improve the project management, it is necessary to research the topic; this article (Kum Khiong Yang,1995) is researching the problem under this background. Profit maximization is the fundamental purpose of all economic entities, as an independent economic entities, construction units also pursue the most profit. Net present value always is measured as revenue targets of a project. The maximization of net present value considering the influence of finance has became a focus area in the field of project schedule optimization in recent years. #p#分頁標題#e#
PATE ONE
2.2 An Overview of Time Value of Money
.The concept of the time value of money appeared in North financial management at the first time. This concept is a basic investment concept and a basic element in the conventional theory of finance. And it was proposed by Eugen Bohm-Bawerk, who is a vulgar economics home, in the late 19th century. In his work, The Positive Theory of Capital, he proposed capital and interest theory. The time value of money: it refers to funds in the process of production and circulation over time arising from value added. It can also be seen as the cost of the use of funds. Money does not automatically change over time in value, and only in the investment process will have benefits (John, 2007),so the value of time tends to be used risk-free rate of return on investment instead of as a rational individual will not be idle funds. It varies over time is a function of time, which took place over time the value changes, changes in the value of that part of the time value of money is the original. Combination makes sense only and labour is different from inflation. Actually, the concept of time value of money is not a new theory. Sidney Homer (2005) made the history of rate as an example in his book, to show that the value changes over time in value.
The time value of money generated by two prerequisites: the first one, experiencing certain period of time. And the second one, money should participate in the process of social reproduction turnover. There is several different understanding about time value of money ：First, Liquidity preference theory( John Maynard Keynes,1936): in cash profit in a timely manner and emergency stop, etc. are more convenient, lower cost, etc., the payment of interest is to give up liquidity should the remuneration. Second, The opportunity cost theory: to abandon the use of funds is equivalent to giving up revenue opportunities, and thus also equivalent to the price paid, the interest cost of such compensation. Third, The residual value of partition theory: capital to participate in social reproduction generated by the residual value should be in the funding and production operations carried out between the rational allocations of interest payments is the surplus value of this specific form of partition.
2.2.1 Causes of Time Value of Money
First, The time value of money is the embodiment of resources scarcity(John E Taylor,2007). The development of economics and society needs to consume social resources. The existing social resources constitute the existing wealth, so future material and cultural products, which are created by used social resources, constitute the future wealth. As social resources is scarce and can lead to more social products，the effectiveness of the current articles is higher than the future articles’. In the money economy, money is regarded as the expression of goods value. This point means that the current money is used to pay for the current commodity and the future money is used to pay for the future commodity. Therefore，the value of current money is higher than the future value of money. #p#分頁標題#e#
這部分也要參考文獻，有問題，Second, The time value of money is the inherent characteristic of circulating money under the Credit Monetary System. Circulating money is composed of Central Bank monetary base and deposit deriving from commercial banking system. Because of the tendency that credit money increases，devaluation and inflation become a kind of universal phenomenon，which，in turn，the value of the current money is higher than the value of the future money.
這部分也要參考文獻，有問題，Third, time value of money is the reflection of People's cognitive psychology. Because of the limitation of People's awareness，people always possess strong perception to the existing things，and more ambiguous perception to the future things. As a result，there is a general mental idea among people that pay more attention to today and neglect future. The current money can pay for the current commodity to satisfy people’ demand，however，the future money only can pay for the future commodity to satisfy uncertain demand. Because of this，the future unite value of money is lower than the current’s.
2.2.2 參考文獻問題 The Importance of Time Value of Money
The time value analysis has many applications, ranging from setting up schedules for paying off debt to decisions about whether to acquire new equipment (Karlos Artto,2008). When an organization acquires a capital asset, it must either borrow the funds needed for the acquisition or use resources currently held by the organization. In the first case, the organization would be paying interest over the life of the loan. In the second case, the organization would be foregoing the return that it could have earned from using those resources in their next best alternative use.
The theory of the time value of money always is applied to evaluate investment projects，and makes decision which project can bring biggest profit. Because of some time factors，for example，investment time，production time，reaching design capacity time，annual operating costs and project life，are very different，a organization will gain different investment effects. That is unscientific to choose static analysis，so we should discount the project costs and benefits in terms of the principal of the time value of money. Do like that to eliminate the time difference，the opportunity cost and other factors, then to do competition and analysis. In a short, whether consider the dynamic relationship between money and time，it can directly affect the evaluation rationality of investment projects.
2.3 An overview Net Present Value Method
Economic evaluation of investment projects originated in American in 1930’s. After the Second World War, this method developed rapidly and was expanded to use in more and more fields. Not only was to study the issue of building investment projects, but also used to study the production management of industrial enterprises and technical and economic policy-making, etc. At present, a systematic and scientific method has been formed. As we all know that the prerequisite to ensure that investors gain expected returns is economic evaluation of investment projects .Therefore, Selecting an objective and appropriate method of economic evaluation of investment projects is the premise of the right investment decisions. Many methods can be used to evaluate investment projects. Because there are many differences, for instance, evaluation angle and standard, to each method, final results are also different.老師問了，這個觀點是真的嗎，很明顯老師有不同的觀點，所以再檢查一下#p#分頁標題#e#
At present, main analysis methods are static and to be commonly used to make an investment decision (Gao Jun & qiang Jun,2008). Dynamic analysis methods are based on the time value of money principles and methods. And then, they convert different periods of cash inflow and outflow into comparable amount by a comparable basis, then to evaluate and analyze the investment benefit. The net present value is one of dynamic analysis methods, it is praised highly by scholars in academia theoretically and is commonly used in practice.（這部分是主要介紹優點和弱點嗎？）
2.4 Three Sub problems of Maximizing the Net Present Value of Project
The cash flow optimization schedule under the constraints of resources can be subdivided into three subproblems according to the different properties(Mario Vanhoucke, 2005):Renewable resource constraints, Nonrenewable resource constraints and Double resource constraints.
? Renewable resource constraints
Yang(2005)Puts forward a kind of integer programming algorithm, its deficiency is that the time of algorithm rely heavily on project period；in this paper Baroum assumes that only when the entire project has completed the positive cash inflows. Activities are arranged as early as possible under the logical relationship and resource constraints, when the resource conflict, it may use two kinds of detecting rules and compare them to arrange activity execution sequence；Icmeli and Erenguc (1999) Put forward a branch and bound method which is the improvement of yang’, They also design the tabu search and algorithm with long-term memory；R.A.Russell (1996) designs six kinds of heuristic algorithm, Results show that algorithms are not very good to solve all problems；Yang tests nine kinds of random heuristic rules including simulated annealing based on one thousand four hundred and forty (1440)examples, Under certain conditions, the simulated annealing method of optimization is not satisfactory. Vanhoucke (2001) thinks that project schedule is affected by logical relationship of activities and resources constraint. Based on the assumption that the consumption of resources happens at the time of completed time, they develop a branch and bound method to study two numerical examples.
? Nonrenewable resources constraint
Doersch and Patterson(1996) are earlier scholars to study this problem, They presented a 0-1 integer linear programming model to research funding constraints；D.Smith-Daniels and V.Smith-Daniles(1994) establish a mixed integer linear programming model to study materials constraint problem and point out the possible several schedule.
? Time-cost exchange schedule of Cash flow optimization
The third problem is discussed by Kelly(2001),she is the first scholar who study this problem and first bring the cash flow into the solving of time - cost exchange problem and established a mixed-integer nonlinear programming model；Sunde(1995) studied optimization schedule of exchanging cash flow problems under the limited resources.就是在這里須要一個 TABLE來說明一下，這樣看差更清楚，否則很亂，老師要求一定要。TABLE的作用就是用來簡述這部分,下面是老師給我大概畫的TABLE，我也看不懂，希望能幫到你。#p#分頁標題#e#
Table
Defi How i work(investigate/objectives deficiency) objectives
1.objective ........ ........
2.objective ........ ........
3.objective ........ ........
Source:
2.5 Construction Schedule
Engineering project occupies such a huge amount of resources that need a good construction schedule in the construction process. Dwight E.Smith（1987） recognizes that construction schedule is the aggregate concept of time sequence of construction and the pace of activities. It is specific planning and overall arrangement to the construction sequence、ending time and the resources required.
2.5.1 Make a Construction Schedule
In order to guarantee that the project will be finished in an orderly fashion in the construction process, making construction schedule must be paid attention. The primary task of construction is making a scientific construction schedule (Deng Ze-min, 2004). Firstly, the schedule must have a clear goal. Usually, the time plan is the basic plan. In order to achieve this goal, it also needs other programs such as resources planning, capital support plan etc.
This paper (Deng Ze-min, 2004) tells us the basis of making a construction schedule. Firstly, it needs the survey data on site、Projects bidding documents 、 project construction planning 、operating plan of the construction units and construction design. This is the preparation for a schedule. Secondly, the similar plan of completed project is essential. The construction units can consult those plans and adopt the good points. The last one is the relevant laws and regulations, which should be paid attention during the period of making the schedule.
The principle of making a construction schedule is also obtained from this paper. The first principle is that ensure project be completed according to the goal and make the construction unit get the profits as soon as possible. The second one is that decrease the temporary infrastructure in construction site under a reasonable scope. Avoid wasting resources and getting the max efficiency of resources is the third one and the last is that try to reduce work flow operation and organization, and damages the six-bar avoid unnecessary loss of time.
2.5.2 The Basic Form of the Construction Schedule
Construction schedule usually adopts a bar chart or network diagram (Xu Zhe, 2005). A bar chart is called gantt chart, which start to use at the beginning of the 20th century. It is simple to manufacture and has a intuitive image and easy to understand, but it is difficult to express the logical relationship activities and optimize and adjust the schedule, it also cannot calculate directly. Network diagram has used in a wide range, which is flowchart of the project activities .It can provide more information than a bar chart, for example：activity time parameters, the logical relationship, the key circuits, etc. It also can be convenient for optimize construction period and resource, so it has become a kind of commonly used method to express construction schedule.這段話后部分要參考文獻#p#分頁標題#e#
(Diagram gantt chart)最好有一個圖表
2.6 Method of Network Planning
Because of the popular of network planning method, it is a common method often used by people in a modern project management.
2.6.1 The Concept of Network Diagram
Network diagram is a kind of orderly map which is composed of arrow lines and node (Chen Zhi-yong, 2006). It can be divided into double code network diagram and single code network diagram according to different meanings represented by the network diagram arrow lines and nodes. In a double code network diagram, the arrow lines represent activities, nodes represent events. An event is a state, which represent a logical relationship. In a code network diagram, the arrow lines represent the logical relationship between activities, nodes represent activities. Figure 2.1 shows the two different meanings of network diagram, Figure represents two events named i、j, an activity named A; Diagram b represents two activities A and B. It can be seen from figure 2.1 that single code network diagram has strong ability of logic expressions, the expression form is so in accord with people’ thinking that it is easy to accept. In fact the double code network diagram is a special case of code network diagram in the calculation of the parameters.
Fig.2.1 Two Kinds of Network
SOURCE：
2.6.2 Network Diagram and the Time Parameter
Activity is the smallest unit after the decomposition. There are Virtual activities in the network diagram. Virtual activities don't consume time、resource and expenses, which only show a relationship. The activity in front of one of network activities is called the former activity, behind one is called the latter and the activity at the same time calls concurrent activities. Activities start from the network plan which is before the one activity is called the first activity, and others are called follow-up activities.
The main time parameters of activities in network diagram are that Duration Di, Early Start Time ESi, late Start Time LSi, early finish time EFi, late finish time LFi, Actual Start Time ASi, Actual Finish Time AFi, Free Float FFi, Total Float TFi. This paper also shows each physic meaning of time parameters.
(diagram)
2.6.3 The key Lines, key Activities and Non-Critical Activities
The line consisted of activities whose total time is zero is called the key line. The duration of activities in key lines and the overlapped time decide the total duration. Due to the total time is zero, the activity duration, start and end time will affect the total duration. So these activities are called key activities (Xu Zhe, 2005). The key line is important for project schedule and it is often the key of project schedule control. Sometimes, there are more than one key lines. Non-critical activities exist float time, it means that start time is not fixed. Does not affect the total time, the duration of these activities can be adjusted in a certain range and the start time can be appropriately delayed. Non-critical activities often become the key to optimize network planning. Optimization of resources、cost and construction period is realized by rationally using float time of the non-critical activities. #p#分頁標題#e#
PATE TWO
2.7 An Overview of Project Network Planning Technical
Usually, a schedule network prepared initially is not the best schedule, a good network schedule should have the following features (C.S.Sung, 1995): low input of resources, balanced use of resources, low cost, short construction period, good quality, As a result, It is necessary to optimize the first network plan .The Optimization of network planning determines whether the progress of the project plan is the best one. Under the conditions that meeting Constraints （established period, cost, quality, resource, etc.), according to a target, It is including by adjusting the activities of the start time continuously to seek a satisfying program, which is called the optimization of network plan according to different optimization goals, the optimization of network plan can be divided into time, cost and resources, It is including the problems of fixed duration and resource balance, the problems of limited resources and the shortest duration, the problem of exchanging construction period and cost ,the problems of maximizing the net present value. 這段話覺得很讀不懂
2. 7. 1 The Problems of Fixed Duration and Resource Balance
The goal of such optimization is that the utilization of resources should be balanced as much as possible during the construction, meanwhile, avoiding frequent and severe phenomenon including peaks and valleys (Chen Zhiyong, 2006)文中的參考文獻只要姓氏，寫完姓氏以后，逗號，空一格再寫年份，這個用WORD文檔一打開就能看出來是格式錯誤. The principle of the optimization is that using the time difference between the activities to adjust the time parameter of non-critical activities and adjust the order of resource using, making sure the dynamic curve of resource allocation as smooth as possible. Measuring the extent of the imbalance of resources is usually expressed as variance （1）
每個公式都要標一下，如（1）（2）（3）依次按順序
Where denotes the amount of resources needed at time t;
Denotes the average resource requirements;
Denotes the total duration.
Because and are constant, to minimize 2, we can minimize
, （2）
where denotes the amount of resources needed in time i.
The main research methods are analytical method and the analytical method is to find the optimal solution in theory (Xu, 2005), it includes point decomposition and strategy space method, the heuristic method is a "peak load shifting method", namely using the peak and valley of resources and adopting a參考文獻 “balance " strategy. The classical methods are Jishi Bo’s 參考文獻balanced process and Wister’s 參考文獻balanced process. In recent years, many scholars have adopted heuristic genetic algorithm, ant algorithm, artificial neural network algorithm and PSO (Particle Swarm Optimization) to study the issue.
2. 7. 2 The Problems of Limited Resources and the Shortest Duration#p#分頁標題#e#
In the implementation of any project, we must consume a variety of resources but the resources are limited(Chen, 2006)記得文中的參考文獻只寫姓氏就行了，你之前的是錯的, as a result, the activities in network planning are not only constrained by the logical relations but also constrained by the maximum supply of the resources. The important thing to solve such problems is how to effectively adjust the various activities’ executive order when these activities resource conflict, after that, minimize the total duration of the delay.
Suppose a project requires Z kinds of different resources, the supply at time t is ，要標注，問題同上，where is a constant, In the continuous time, the resources needed of activity I are ,where 要標注，問題同上，is a constant. So, in the whole network plan, the total demand of resource z is expressed as , and the lower bound of the shortest duration is ,
If we do not take resource constraints into account, the length of critical path in network plan calculated is , if we take resource constraints into account, the schedule must satisfy the following formula:
物流管理碩士dissertation.要標注，問題同上，
The key to solve the problems of limited resources and the shortest duration is how to arrange the execution order of activities. Many scholars have divided it into exact algorithm and heuristic algorithms, heuristic includes the algorithms that based on activities priority rule and other intelligent optimization methods appeared in recent years. Among these methods, the algorithms that based on activities limited rule are popular. These heuristic algorithms mainly research the Schedule Generation Scheme (SGS).
SGS is a method that generate a complete and feasible project schedule by gradually extend partial schedule. Because of different methods of expansion, SGS can be divided into serial SGS and parallel SGS. Serial SGS includes N (N is the number of events) stage, every stage selects a specific activity from the practical activities that focus on the priority rules, and arranges the activities as soon as possible which should meet the constraints of logic and resources. Practical activities includes in the current phase of the collection of all time and not scheduled to begin before all activities have been lined up tight schedule of activities.
2.7.3 The Exchange Problem between Project Date and Project Cost
The total cost of Project is making up by direct costs and indirect costs (Wang, 2001). Generally speaking, direct costs such as construction cost and the use amount of resources Increasing when Project date cut down, indirect costs such as management and safety will reduce when Project date cut down. The Exchange Problem Between Project date and Project cost is to find the lowest point of cost and the Schedule of net plan in the context of Project period meet the requirements. Fig.2.3 shows the Relation between Date and Cost. Point A means the Project date when the cost is the lowest. #p#分頁標題#e#
Fig.2.2 Relation between Date and Cost
SOURCE：？？
這個圖是我沒看懂嗎，中間那個應該是TOTAL COST嗎？還是全都是INDIRECT COSTS？/
The substance of the Exchange Problem between Project date and Project cost is to choose the best combination between date and cost to make the rush rate lowest in the net plan. The theory contains two assumptions: all the direct costs of the work in net plan have Non-increasing linear relationship, the cost rate is P; the relation between indirect costs and Project date is Single increasing linear relationship, q is the indirect costs rate.
We often use optimization such as Progressive method, Reductionism, Labelling, Linear Programming. We always use Progressive method in the schedule management of project, It is used in the base that Various activities adopt normal time and cost plan, then use the duration of key activities and cost relationship as basis. We must constantly adjust network plan after considering the Possibility of Shortening the critical activity duration and the constraint relations of time difference between non-critical activities to get a Series of project schedule.
2.7.4 The Problem of Max-NPV
The Problem of Max-NPV Considers the network optimization program from the financial side. The problem regards maximizing the net present value as optimization objective for the project's progress; it emphasizes not resource balance and the shortest project date but revenue maximization and shorter project date and higher resource utilization.
The early studies of Max-NPV use approximate linear programming to solve the problem, Later there will be some analysis of Algorithms such as branch bound method and many heuristic algorithms. Heuristic algorithms have been the most important method to solve the problem at present (Jonathan P.Pinder, 1996).
PATE THREE
2.8 Deficiency of the Existing Research
In this paper (Zhang, 2005),it tells us deficiency of the existing research. It can be summed up in three subproblems. The first one is deficiency of the objective function. As objective function directly reflect optimized objectives, which is reasonable or not will directly affect the reality of the research. The existing target basically has the following three deficiencies：Firstly, it does not accord with pursuiting of profit maximization；Secondly, it does not consider the time value of money and consider the dynamic optimization of question in the whole project cycle；Thirdly, it does not consider the owner's payment and the rewards and punishment.怎么樣讓這幾更清楚
The second one is no consideration of resource constraints or only a single resource constraint. 這須需要參考文獻？In practice, the consumption of resources occupied most of construction investment. Any project construction needs many resources. Decreasing the construction period is realized by increasing resource allocation, so resource constraints are inevitable. All activities compete a certain resource that will cause a bottleneck. Increasing resources or extending the working time of the resources will decrease the construction period. So the resource is an essential factor in a network plan optimization.#p#分頁標題#e#
The third one is the simplification execution mode. In practical engineering, construction units according to the progress of the construction decide how much of the facility resources、the additional cost and the length of construction period. Then determines the extended or shorten the construction activities, which mean that activities have a variety of execution modes. Construction unit choose a reasonable mode to perform the activities according to the practice situation. Single mode makes the research results different form actual CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
3.0 Introduction
Within this Chapter the researcher will identify and justify how he intends to conduct the research with a consideration for the relevant theory. In choosing particular research methods it is important to identify the theoretical philosophy and perspective that our choice of research is based upon. Crotty (1998) argues that a researcher needs to justify the methodologies and methods employed which “reaches into the assumptions about the reality” we bring to our research.
3.1 Research Philosophy
The philosophy adopted by the researcher provides a framework on how the whole research process is designed and carried out. In determining the research philosophy adopted we must first address what is knowledge and how it is acquired, these questions are concerned with the Epistemological viewpoint of the researcher, Bryman and Bell (2003) identify Epistemological as being concerned with whether the natural sciences or the social sciences can provide us with the required knowledge in our chosen subject.
3.1.1 Positivism or Interpretivism
The main Epistemological philosophies identified by (Collis and Hussey 2003; Bryman and Bell 2003) are that of the Positivist and the Interpretivism (or Phenomenology) approach. Bryman and Bell (2003) identify the Positivism perspective as being concerned with the application of the methods of the natural sciences; this represents a more scientific approach and focuses on the ability to define research through more systematic and statistical means, resulting in highly structured methodologies which produce data that can be easily replicated in subsequent research.
Interpretivism is an Epistemological position based upon the idea that the social world is made up of upon many truths and there can be more than one answer to the research question. Therefore it is necessary to determine the meanings and motivations behind individual actions in order to understand them. Collis and Hussey (2003) identify Interpretive as being strongly associated with qualitative approaches to research as it focuses on the meaning, as opposed to the measurement of social
phenomena.
Based upon the research objectives set out in the Introduction, it is evident that these cannot be answered from a statistical or scientific approach which is characteristic of the Positivist viewpoint, but can only be answered from an Interpretivism perspective which seeks to understand the reality of a situation by gaining a rich insight into the subject area. #p#分頁標題#e#
3.2 Research Approach
In choosing the research approach it is important to determine the nature
of the relationship between theory and research, Saunders et al. (2007) argue that the research approach is dependent upon if the theory is developed as a prelude to the research process, or a consequence of the research process.
3.2.1 Inductive or Deductive
The deductive approach to research design is based upon logical reasoning and assumes a clear knowledge and understanding of the theoretical background prior to the data being collected. This argues Ghauri and Gronhaug (2005), allows the researcher to draw conclusions from a premise that is known to be true. This is in contrast to the inductive approach in which data is collected and theory is then developed as a result of the research.
Within this study a review of the existing literature and theory identified a list of pre determined themes that made up the responsive SC, which the research methods were subsequently structured around, Saunders et al (2003) argue that this is representative of a more deductive approach to the research process. The researcher considers that entering the data collection process with a clear theoretical knowledge adds reliability to the findings. However the researcher was also keen not to let pre-determined frameworks inhibit the development of new insights which is representative of a more Inductive approach to research design. Consequently the researcher was based a predominantly deductive approach but was also open to influence from the inductive perspective.
Whilst some authors recognise the deductive approach as being consistent with the philosophy of Positivism, Saunders et al. (2003) argue that the labelling of inductive and deductive approaches into particular paradigms is misleading and serves no practical value.
3.3 Research Strategy
There are a number of research strategies that can be employed, whilst some of these strategies belong to the Positivist and Interpretivism philosophies, Saunders et al. (2003) argue that allocating strategies to particular philosophies is unduly simplistic. The following identifies numerous strategies that can be adopted that belong to both Positivist and Interpretivism philosophies:
? Experiment
? Survey
? Case Study
? Action Research
? Exploratory, Descriptive and Explanatory studies
留學生物流dissertation范文In choosing a research strategy it is important to select an appropriate strategy that will answer the stated research objectives. The researcher opted to conduct a case study analysis.
3.3.1 Case Study
其中最主要就是要把NPV和 NET WORK PLAN的關系搞清楚，怎么樣把兩者聯系起來。另外，老師強烈建議看一本書，說對dissertation有幫助，bertrand and fransoo(2002)
http://www.mythingswp7.com/dissertation_sample/Canada_Dissertation_Sample/#p#分頁標題#e#Operations management methodologies using quantitative modelling,
international journal and operation a production model
非常感謝寫手這么配合，辛苦了，請再詳細看一下發過去的dissertation樣本，大家就知道了。謝謝
