The aim of this thesis is to carry out research into the application of
experimental design in an activity-based environment; specifically into the
methodology and potential application of experimental design and analysis as an
activity-based management decision support tool in the general manufacturing,
systems engineering and logistics engineering fields.
This thesis will detail the author's research into the decision support
framework that will be introduced in Chapter 1.0 and developed during the thesis.
Chapter 2.0 will introduce activity-based management and develop a systems
dynamics model of a US industrial enterprise. Experimental design and analysis will
be introduced in Chapter 3.0.
The development of a knowledge-based expert system (KBES) trainer called
DESIGNS.ART will be covered in Chapter 4.0, and' a copy of the program has been
included in Appendix A This KBES trainer has been designed to train engineers in
US industry in the application of experimental design and analysis. Chapter 5.0
discusses the potential application of experimental design and analysis in each of the
three fields. Chapter 6.0 combines experimental design and analysis with activitybased
management by fully developing the activity-based management (ABM)
framework introduced in Chapter 1.0. Chapter 6.0 includes a hypothetical case study
of the ABM framework in operation. Chapter 7.0 proposes that this ABM
framework be integrated into a US firm which has implemented activity-based
costing.
This research into the integration of experimental design and analysis with
activity-based management in systems engineering, logistics engineering and general
manufacturing is original, and it results in a contribution to both the systems
engineering, logistics engineering and the general manufacturing fields.
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