Volvo Group Research Articles

Definlandization and the new economic policy of Ukraine in the post-war period

Purpose. To investigate the genesis and key historical aspects that have led to the popularization of the concept of “definlandization” in scientific literature, as well as the strategic priorities of the formation of the Marshall Plan within the framework of a possible military and economic union between Great Britain, Ukraine, Poland and the Baltic countries. To propose optimal ways of neutralizing economic threats and to determine probable scenarios of the post-war reconstruction of the infrastructure of the national economy of Ukraine. Methodology. The article uses a combination of correlation and SWOT analysis, which made it possible to calculate the value of natural wealth in the post-war period based on SPSS Data Analysis Software. The used economic-mathematical methods made it possible to form an algorithm for calculating the cost of restoring Ukraine’s total resource losses from Russian aggression in monetary terms and to establish mutually unambiguous correlations with the value of gold using Pearson criterion. Findings. The authors’ spectrum of factors influencing the New Economic Policy in the post-war period has been systemized to determine the estimated amount of necessary resources for the post-war restart of the national economy of Ukraine. For the first time, the need to abandon the Finlandization policy has been scientifically proven, as domestic resources and funds from reparations will not be sufficient for the sustainable development of Ukraine. It was established that the main guarantee of investing in the Ukrainian economy is the high value of natural resources in all regions of Ukraine, which is estimated in monetary terms at approximately 4 trillion hryvnias and the innovative architecture for the “Marshall Plan” of the post-war reconstruction of the infrastructure of Ukraine is given. Originality. The used analytical-mathematical methods made it possible to establish correlations in the regional distribution of the value of natural wealth. In contrast to existing studies, this article not only objectively determined the number of losses in monetary terms but also proposed specific ways of their compensation in the context of the formation of a new economic policy of definlandization of Ukraine on the basis of economic and mathematical modelling of a typical scenario of recovery of the national economy. Practical value. The conducted study on potential ways of definlandization of the national economy was provided for study at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC 2022, Lugano, Switzerland). In particular, the authors of the report justified the economic feasibility of moving European production facilities (Robert Bosch GmbH, Siemens, Schneider Electric, SKF, Renault, BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Volvo Group, etc.) from the territory of the Russian Federation, which would facilitate the remigration of Ukrainians and accelerated development of Ukraine based on the principles of decentralization, subsidiarity and definlandization.

The role of digital knowledge servitization in supply chain management

PurposeThis paper aims to contribute to overcoming the gap existing in the supply chain literature related to digital servitization by bridging digital servitization with knowledge management and identifying the rise of digital knowledge servitization as a driver for changes in the supply chain business model towards open innovation.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows an inductive grounded theory approach for theory building. To analyse the impact of digital knowledge servitization, in-depth interviews of managers in the main business units of the Volvo Group supply chain ecosystem were carried out.FindingsThe results show how the digital servitization process affects the supply chain business model, highlighting the central role of knowledge in the service ecosystem and the rise of the theoretical concept of digital knowledge servitization. In particular, through the Innovation Lab (Volvo Group) study, the paper contributes to bringing together the theoretical knowledge-based view of servitization with the digital servitization concept, which demonstrates the role of this combined perspective in the transformation of the supply chain; this is carried out by introducing a new business model based on open innovation in inbound and outbound processes.Practical implicationsThe research offers interesting insights from a managerial perspective, as increasingly advanced and complex digital solutions require shorter times in supply chain management (SCM). Companies need to be able to quickly manage information and knowledge flows deriving from internal and external interactions and involvement with external actors upstream and downstream of the supply chain ecosystem. Therefore, the digital knowledge servitization of the supply chain also highlights implications for managers in terms of human resources management.Originality/valueThe novel research goal is to contribute to the supply chain literature by integrating the digital servitization with the knowledge view and analysing the impact on the inbound and outbound supply chain through the introduction of an open innovation business model.

What’s in a Name?

seven years after Volvo Group acquired Terex Trucks, the company rebranded itself as Rokbak. As the OEm passes its first year anniversary, md paul douglas reflects on a job well done

When Three Is Better than Two: How Culture Can Bridge Collaboration in Globally Distributed Teams

Globally distributed teams (GDTs) have become essential tools for organisations to expand, quickly adapt and restructure to remain competitive in the current economic climate. The theoretical literature has been discussing the advantages, but also the barriers, limitations and challenges in GDTs’ internal practices and processes. However, scholars have not yet sufficiently examined empirically the implications of cultural differences when teams operate in virtual contexts. To address this gap, this study aims to explore how different cultures interact and stimulate work collaboration in GDTs. Following the acquisition and merger of Volvo and Renault, we conducted a qualitative study of the collaborative work of GDTs located in Brazil, Sweden and France during the creation of Volvo Group’s VM truck. Our results highlight that the interaction of the three involved national cultures led to better collaboration between members of a GDT. Furthermore, as a managerial contribution, this study suggests that culture can be understood as an agent of transformation to facilitate or improve the collaboration process.

The impact of visualizing operational deviations on overall quality in assembly lines

A framework for data collection and visualization of operational deviation at a Volvo truck manufacturing plant implementing Volvo Group’s production system, Volvo Production System (VPS), is presented. This includes visualisation of daily quality performance indicators to support decision making and improvement actions at the shop foor team level. The approach is evaluated in a qualitatively study using a survey instrument to collect responses from managers and team leaders, which acted as input for the actual use of the data and as validation of the framework. The results from this evaluation show that potentially operational deviations can be reduced, impacting positively quality performance indicators such as frst-time through (FTT). This paper also provides a brief description of the VPS in connection with data analytics and visualization.

Scaling Up Smart City Logistics Projects: The Case of the Smooth Project

A large number of smart city logistics projects fail to scale up, remaining a local experimental exercise. This lack of scalability is, in fact, commonly recognized as a major problem. This study aims to determine the key success factors related to the scalability of smart city logistics projects. The process of scaling up, which is articulated as expansion, roll-out, and replication, is defined as the ability of a system to improve its scale by aiming to meet the increasing volume demand. Specifically, this study investigates the scalability intended to be used as expansion and roll-out. A qualitative case study was conducted to fulfill the research purpose. The chosen case study is SMOOTh, a pilot project currently underway in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden, involving a diverse group of companies including Volvo Group and DHL. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven of the project’s stakeholders. Through a thematic analysis, four categories and the respective success factors were identified. These were represented by a business model, as well as technical, stakeholder and regulatory factors. The paper concludes with observations and recommendations aimed at the pilot initiatives, adding new perspectives to the upscaling debate.

Maintenance modelling and optimization in the industry 4.0 context: Applications to the maintenance and design of industrial vehicles

This paper focused on the maintenance problems encountered by industrial vehicles within the Volvo Group. The main goal of the research on this subject was to propose to customers’ a personalized maintenance offer which adapts to their constraints while reducing the impact on the operating costs. To achieve this, a policy has been developed. This policy works on the dynamic gathering of information using both the available monitoring information and the knowledge of the multi-component system. Its objective is to guarantee to the customer the autonomy of its system over given periods of operation while minimizing the total cost of maintenance. The paper showed that the policy developed does indeed reduce the total maintenance cost compared to the previous policy used within the Volvo group. Nevertheless, this policy still has room for improvement.

IIoT based Augmented Reality for Factory Data Collection and Visualization

In Industry 4.0, machine data acquisition plays an important role in improving overall performance on the factory floor by monitoring processes, providing feedback, and integrating the information with other machines. Leveraging these hidden data instantaneously to reduce machine downtime could also minimize efforts in determining the causes of maintenance issues. This paper explores a novel method of bringing the factory floor data into an Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) environment and visualizing real-time machine analytics through Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) based smart devices. The factory floor data from selective machines at a Volvo Group plant was integrated with IIoT and visualized in real-time through the use of AR-enabled devices such as an iPad and a HoloLens headset. The configuration process for the server and IIoT environment was automated through a software solution, and the performance and feasibility of spatial anchors were evaluated by testing accuracy, triggering times, and latency of data. The results displayed promising applications of AR/MR on factory floors for real-time machine data visualization and associated troubleshooting.

A Multirate, Multiscale Economic Model Predictive Control Approach for Velocity Trajectory Optimization of a Heavy Duty Truck

Abstract This paper introduces a hierarchical economic model predictive control (MPC) approach for maximizing the fuel economy of a heavy-duty truck, which simultaneously accounts for aggregate terrain changes that occur over very long length scales, fine terrain changes that occur over shorter length scales, and lead vehicle behavior that can vary over much shorter time/length scales. To accommodate such disparate time and length scales, the proposed approach uses a multilayer MPC approach wherein the upper-level MPC uses a long distance step, a long time-step, and coarse discretization to account for the slower changes in road grade, while the lower-level MPC uses a shorter time-step to account for fine variations in road grade and rapidly changing lead vehicle behavior. The benefit of this multirate, multiscale approach is that the lower-level MPC leverages the upper-level's sufficiently long look-ahead while allowing for safe vehicle following and adjustment to fine road grade variations. The proposed strategy has been evaluated over four real-world road profiles in both open-highway and traffic environments, using a medium-fidelity simulink model furnished by Volvo Group North America. Compared with a conventional cruise control system plus vehicle following controller as a baseline, results show 4–5% fuel savings in an open highway setting and 6–8% fuel savings in the presence of traffic, without compromising trip time.

Attention as a means to develop innovation capabilities

In this article, we explore how an innovation jam - an information technology (IT)-based tool to generate new ideas from employees in response to a call for ideas on a predefined theme - was used in two Swedish industrial firms, Volvo Cars and Volvo Group. Based on two qualitative retrospective case studies, we explore the notion of attention, and highlight the inherent ability of an innovation jam to promote attention. We discuss how attention can be used strategically to support the development of firm capabilities for innovation but point also to the risks involved. The paper contributes to emerging research on how firms develop the capabilities for innovation and highlights how attention can be used strategically.

Attention as a means to develop innovation capabilities

In this article, we explore how an innovation jam - an information technology (IT)-based tool to generate new ideas from employees in response to a call for ideas on a predefined theme - was used in two Swedish industrial firms, Volvo Cars and Volvo Group. Based on two qualitative retrospective case studies, we explore the notion of attention, and highlight the inherent ability of an innovation jam to promote attention. We discuss how attention can be used strategically to support the development of firm capabilities for innovation but point also to the risks involved. The paper contributes to emerging research on how firms develop the capabilities for innovation and highlights how attention can be used strategically.

Research on the quality of diesel fuel provided by LLC Ferronordic Trading House

Ferronordic is the official dealer for Volvo Construction Equipment, Dressta, Mecalac and Rottne. In addition to sales and after-sales support for Volvo Construction Equipment, the company is a dealer for servicing Volvo and Renault Trucks, as well as a dealer for Volvo Penta for servicing industrial and marine engines in some regions of Russia. The company collaborates with other well-known brands and several suppliers of attachments. The Swedish concern Volvo Group supplies to the Russian market trucks equipped with diesel engines with Common Rail injection system, as well as with pump nozzles. Diesel mechanical and electronic pump nozzles perform timely and metered injection of the working mixture into the combustion chambers of the cylinders of a diesel engine. The mechanical nozzles are driven by a high-pressure fuel pump, while the electronic ones are controlled by the Common Rail electronic injection system and are constantly under intense mechanical stress. Poor quality diesel fuel leads to: loss of power, lack of traction and instability of the engine; overexpenditure and fuel leakage from sprayers; change in spray angle and time; change in the amount of injected mixture; the appearance of knocks and noises, black and bluish smoke during exhaust. The results of research work on the study of the quality of diesel fuel of the company LLC Ferronordic Trading House are presented. The physicochemical properties of diesel fuel were studied experimentally, such as: density, fractional composition, mass fraction of sulfur, mass fraction of water, flash point, limiting filterability temperature and cloud point.

Volvo Group Collaborative Robot Systems Laboratory: A Collaborative Way for Academia and Industry to be at the Forefront of Artificial Intelligence

With the clear aim of being on the forefront in the area of collaborative robots (cobots), the Volvo Group Truck Operations has created a collaboration arena where academia, industry, and start-up companies can share visions and needs and jointly create research and/or technology development projects. The arena has been active for about 5 years and is highly appreciated and beneficial for all involved parties. Advanced prototypes of robots and novel control methods for the usage of collaborative robots in an environment where human operators and robots are acting and collaborating on “equal terms” have been developed.

In the end, it is up to the individual.

ABSTRACTThe discussion on automated mobilities tends to be highly speculative and future-oriented. Many predictions have been made about the ways in which transport will be radically transformed by the ongoing development and implementation of various automated technologies. One criticism leveled at this rapidly expanding societal debate is that it is often based on mere-conjecture. There is a benefit in doing more grounded analysis of automated transport futures, which relate to specific events, organizations, persons, and contexts.In May 2019 Anthony Elliott and Sven Kesselring had the opportunity to talk to Anders Eugensson from the Volvo Group about the current state of the discussion seen from a Europe based car producer. Anders Eugensson has been working for the former Swedish car producer for decades, that is part of the Chinese Geely Group, since 2010. He was involved in many corporate initiatives in the automation of land-based transport. From 2003 to 2018, he served as the Director of Governmental Affairs within Volvo Car Corporation. In 2013, Eugensson received the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s US Government Special Award of Appreciation. Currently, he works as an Autonomous Vehicle consultant to Volvo Trucks and Buses.Anthony Elliott and Sven Kesselring sat down with Eugensson to talk about his thoughts and experiences on how transport systems are being automated in a multitude of ways – some hidden, with others in plain sight. Eugensson mainly talks about the topic against his background at Volvo but much if it is actually representative for many developments in the global automotive industry.The interview took place at the inaugral Workshop event of theErasmus+ Jean Monnet Network “Cooperative, Connected andAutomated Mobility: EU and Australasian Innovations (CCAMEU),held in Munich, Germany in May 2019.

Impact of usability on process lead-time in information systems: A case study

Technological advancements have started to demand the need for information systems to survive in the business world. There is an inherent need to be fast and efficient to conquer the market. In order to reduce time to market there is a need to shorten the lead-time in design and development process of products. Hence, lead-time is a significant performance metric for a product development organizations having information systems. It is important to explore the factors which affect the process lead-time in information systems. The objective of this study is to explore the impact that usability (one of the factors that may affect the process lead-time) has on process lead-time. This paper presents a case study involving qualitative and quantitate data from Volvo Group, which uses an information system called KOLA for their design and development process. Data was collected through 29 interviews, 17 think aloud sessions, 5 document studies, and 73 responses from a survey. This study identifies which usability factors and heuristics that have an impact on process lead-time. Moreover, the results show that the users level of experience determines the effective utilization of accelerators and thereby affecting the process lead-time. Finally, usability plays an important role in shortening the process lead-time in information systems.

Toward an “Ethics of Serendipity”: Disrupting Normative Ethical Discourses in Organizations

Although most ethics development programs favor cognitive, individual, and top-down approaches, our article discusses, using the illustrative example of Volvo Group’s CreaLab, the cohabitation of multiples ethical discourses in organizations and implications for human resource development (HRD). We introduce the concept of the ethics of serendipity resulting from the ongoing dialogue and confrontation between three ethical discourses that we came up with building on Levinas’ work: The Being I discourse, the Being with discourse, and the discourse of the Call of the Other. The ethics of serendipity, thus, appear as a compromise that results from dissatisfaction with the traditional power dynamics of the Being I discourse, the desire to do something together illustrated in the Being with discourse, and the irresistible Call of the Other. Overall, this article answers a call for more social and experiential approaches to ethics in HRD.

Cost Effectiveness of Software Defect Prediction in an Industrial Project

AbstractSoftware defect prediction is a promising approach aiming to increase software quality and, as a result, development pace. Unfortunately, the cost effectiveness of software defect prediction in industrial settings is not eagerly shared by the pioneering companies. In particular, this is the first attempt to investigate the cost effectiveness of using the DePress open source software measurement framework (jointly developed by Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, and Capgemini software development company) for defect prediction in commercial software projects. We explore whether defect prediction can positively impact an industrial software development project by generating profits. To meet this goal, we conducted a defect prediction and simulated potential quality assurance costs based on the best possible prediction results when using a default, non-tweaked DePress configuration, as well as the proposed Quality Assurance (QA) strategy. Results of our investigation are optimistic: we estimated that quality assurance costs can be reduced by almost 30% when the proposed approach will be used, while estimated DePress usage Return on Investment (ROI) is fully 73 (7300%), and Benefits Cost Ratio (BCR) is 74. Such promising results, being the outcome of the presented research, have caused the acceptance of continued usage of the DePress-based software defect prediction for actual industrial projects run by Volvo Group.

Robust tracking controller design for active dolly steering

In this paper, different actuation level steering control methods for an A-double vehicle combination (tractor–semitrailer–dolly–semitrailer) are proposed. The aim of the paper is to show the viability of advanced actuation control strategies for a practical vehicular application. Three different types of robust controller are proposed: a robust proportional–integral–derivative controller, an output feedback linear ℋ∞ controller and an induced ℒ2-norm minimizing linear parameter-varying controller. All controllers are augmented with anti-windup compensators to respect the steering-angle limit and the steering-rate limit. Each model-based controller robustly rejects external disturbances and tracks a reference steering angle generated by the motion control system. Frequency-domain analysis and time-domain analysis prove that the ℋ∞ controller and the linear parameter-varying controller outperform the proportional–integral–derivative controller in terms of reference tracking and disturbance rejection. Comparative simulation scenarios are provided on the basis of the high-fidelity vehicle simulator developed by Volvo Group Trucks Technology.

“Is Quality Ensuring to Get Competitive Advantages in Auto Manufacturing Industries?” —A Study of Volvo Group

In today’s business world “Total Quality Management” strategy is utmost important for a company in order to survive in the rapidly growing competitive market. It helps a company to increase the level of competence and allows it to compete in the market. To meet expected superior need of customers, Volvo delivers cleaner, safer and smarter transport solutions by concentrating on solutions-based approach since its inception. This core value of Volvo is urging to conduct a qualitative study on quality of Volvo toward attaining competitive advantage. This study attempted to investigate the role of quality management on Volvo’s competitiveness through a case study method. While exploring the secondary data, this study found that attributes such as dynamic leadership, positive and ethical corporate culture, customer centric orientation, empowering employees helped Volvo to achieve competitive advantage over its competitor. This study also found that practicing Six Sigma, maintaining quality and ISO standards, and establishing quality council have a positive role in attaining Volvo’s operational excellences and in achieving well-functioning society. Volvo’s strategy of winning competitive advantage is an example which should be followed by others to achieve competitive advantage in order to be able to sustain in today’s highly competitive market and keeping pace with rapid changes.

Anomaly Detection for Road Traffic: A Visual Analytics Framework

The analysis of large amounts of multidimensional road traffic data for anomaly detection is a complex task. Visual analytics can bridge the gap between computational and human approaches to detecting anomalous behavior in road traffic, making the data analysis process more transparent. In this paper, we present a visual analytics framework that provides support for: 1) the exploration of multidimensional road traffic data; 2) the analysis of normal behavioral models built from data; 3) the detection of anomalous events; and 4) the explanation of anomalous events. We illustrate the use of this framework with examples from a large database of real road traffic data collected from several areas in Europe. Finally, we report on feedback provided by expert analysts from Volvo Group Trucks Technology, regarding its design and usability.