Le développement et l’usage croissants de systèmes pervasifs, dotés de fonctionnalités et de moyens de communication de plus en plus sophistiqués, offrent de fantastiques potentialités de services, en particulier pour l’e-Santé et la télémédecine, au bénéfice de tout citoyen, patient ou professionnel de santé. L’un des challenges sociétaux actuels est de permettre une meilleure exploitation des services disponibles pour l’ensemble des acteurs impliqués dans un domaine donné. Mais la multiplicité des services offerts, la diversité fonctionnelle des systèmes, et l’hétérogénéité des besoins nécessitent l’élaboration de modèles de connaissances de ces services, des fonctions de ces systèmes et des besoins. En outre, l’hétérogénéité des environnements informatiques distribués, la disponibilité et les capacités potentielles des diverses ressources humaines et matérielles (instrumentation, services, sources de données, etc.) requises par les différentes tâches et processus, la variété des services qui fournissent des données aux utilisateurs, et les conflits d’interopérabilité entre schémas et sources de données sont autant de problématiques que nous avons à considérer au cours de nos travaux de recherche. Notre contribution vise à optimiser la qualité de services en environnement ambiant et à réaliser une exploitation intelligente de ressources ubiquitaires. Pour cela, nous proposons un méta-modèle de connaissances des principaux concepts à prendre en compte en environnement pervasif. Ce méta-modèle est basé sur des ontologies décrivant les différentes entités précitées dans un domaine donné ainsi que leurs relations. Puis, nous l’avons formalisé en utilisant un langage standard de description des connaissances. A partir de ce modèle, nous proposons alors une nouvelle méthodologie de construction d’un framework architectural, que nous avons appelé ONOF-PAS. ONOF-PAS est basé sur des modèles ontologiques, une base de règles, un moteur d’inférence, et des composants orientés objet permettant la gestion des différentes tâches et le traitement des ressources. Il s’agit d’une architecture générique, applicable à différents domaines. ONOF-PAS a la capacité d’effectuer un raisonnement à base de règles pour gérer les différents contextes d’utilisation et aider à la prise de décision dans des environnements hétérogènes dynamiques, tout en tenant compte de la disponibilité et de la capacité des ressources humaines et matérielles requises par les diverses tâches et processus exécutés par des systèmes d’information pervasifs. Enfin, nous avons instancié ONOF-PAS dans le domaine de la télémédecine pour traiter le scénario de l’orientation des patients ou de personnes victimes de problèmes de santé en environnement hostile telles que la haute montagne ou des zones géographiquement isolées. Un prototype d’implémentation de ces scénarios, appelé T-TROIE a été développé afin de valider le framework ONOF-PAS. / The growing development and use of pervasive systems, equipped with increasingly sophisticated functionalities and communication means, offer fantastic potentialities of services, particularly in the eHealth and Telemedicine domains, for the benifit of each citizen, patient or healthcare professional. One of the current societal challenges is to enable a better exploitation of the available services for all actors involved in a given domain. Nevertheless, the multiplicity of the offered services, the systems functional variety, and the heterogeneity of the needs require the development of knowledge models of these services, systems functions, and needs. In addition, the distributed computing environments heterogeneity, the availability and potential capabilities of various human and material resources (devices, services, data sources, etc.) required by the different tasks and processes, the variety of services providing users with data, the interoperability conflicts between schemas and data sources are all issues that we have to consider in our research works. Our contribution aims to empower the intelligent exploitation of ubiquitous resources and to optimize the quality of service in ambient environment. For this, we propose a knowledge meta-model of the main concepts of a pervasive environment, such as Actor, Task, Resource, Object, Service, Location, Organization, etc. This knowledge meta-model is based on ontologies describing the different aforementioned entities from a given domain and their interrelationships. We have then formalized it by using a standard language for knowledge description. After that, we have designed an architectural framework called ONOF-PAS (ONtology Oriented Framework for Pervasive Applications and Services) mainly based on ontological models, a set of rules, an inference engine, and object oriented components for tasks management and resources processing. Being generic, extensible, and applicable in different domains, ONOF-PAS has the ability to perform rule-based reasoning to handle various contexts of use and enable decision making in dynamic and heterogeneous environments while taking into account the availability and capabilities of the human and material resources required by the multiples tasks and processes executed by pervasive systems. Finally, we have instantiated ONOF-PAS in the telemedicine domain to handle the scenario of the transfer of persons victim of health problems during their presence in hostile environments such as high mountains resorts or geographically isolated areas. A prototype implementing this scenario, called T-TROIE (Telemedicine Tasks and Resources Ontologies for Inimical Environments), has been developed to validate our approach and the proposed ONOF-PAS framework.

Os Sistemas Integrados de Gestão, também conhecidos como ERP (Enterprise Re-source Planning), vem tendo ampla utilização nas organizações a partir dos anos 90. Por exigir um investimento de elevado valor financeiro para a sua implantação, os responsáveis pela sua aquisição devem tomar cuidados especiais, uma vez que os seus resultados positivos ou negativos somente surgem após longo período de im-plantação, às vezes após muitos anos. Sendo um problema complexo, repleto de incertezas e riscos, os decisores tomam muito de seu tempo para analisar os diver-sos critérios e funcionalidades das ofertas de sistemas recebidas. A tese objetiva apresentar um procedimento que possibilite às empresas, em particular as de pe-queno e médio porte, um procedimento que as permita analisar quando do interesse da aquisição de um ERP, qual das ofertas disponíveis estará mais adequada às su-as necessidades de negócio, baseado em um método multicritérios de apoio à deci-são. A revisão da literatura analisa os Sistemas de Informação (SI) informatizados e os principais papéis desempenhados por eles: apoio às operações, apoio à vanta-gem competitiva e apoio à decisão. A seleção das ofertas propostas foi efetuada uti-lizando o método de Estudo de Casos múltiplos em empresas que adquiriram esses sistemas,ghy utilizando o ANP (Analytic Network Process) como instrumento de pesquisa. Para se estabelecer uma classificação dos critérios utilizados na análise foi utilizada a Técnica Delphi, a qual foi realizada junto a especialistas em Tecnologia de Informação. O resultado obtido pelo Estudo de Casos mostrou que o procedimen-to proposto é válido e pode ser utilizado por empresas de todos os portes. / The use of Integrated Management Systems, also known as ERP (Enterprise Re-source Planning), are widely accepted by organizations since beginning of the ni-neties. As its implementation means a high financial value investment, the respon-sible team for its acquisition has to take special cares, once their positive or nega-tive results will appear only after long implementation period, often after many years. As it is a complex decision problem, evolving uncertainties and risks, the decision agents spend a lot of time to analyze the several criteria and functional-ities from received offers. This thesis presents a proposal which makes possible the companies, particularly those of small or medium sizes, which allows to analyze during the ERP acquisition phase, the available offers more adapted to their business requirements, based on a multi-criteria support decision method. The literature revision analyzes the computerized Information Systems (IS) and the main roles carried out by them: operations support, competitive advantage support and decision support. In order to define the criteria set used in the multi-criteria analysis, the Delphi Method was used and it was answered by Information Technology experts. These criteria was used to classify the ERP\'s offers using the multiple cases study using ANP (Analytic Network Process) as research tool.. The results obtained by case study in four companies were used to validate several propositions.

A necessidade de investimento em saneamento no Brasil é essencial, pois está vinculada à melhoria da qualidade de vida da sociedade. Os projetos de saneamento exigem altos investimentos e, para garantir a prestação dos serviços, é necessário um sistema complexo de infraestrutura. Os elevados custos envolvidos e a limitação de recursos financeiros fazem com que seja preciso estabelecer prioridades para execução de projetos de saneamento. Com efeito, o objetivo desta pesquisa é propor um modelo multicritério de decisão para apoiar decisões de hierarquia de projetos de abastecimento de água e esgotamento sanitário. A pesquisa abordada tem enfoque qualitativo, sendo também vista como metodológica, pois sua finalidade é envolver métodos e procedimentos adotados como científicos. Assim, traz como escopo apoiar e estruturar o processo de decisão em que são definidos: os elementos (intervenientes, alternativas potenciais, critérios, problemática); tipos de decisão em grupo; escolha dos métodos multicritérios (PROMETHEE II & GAIA e ELECTRE IV); modelagem de preferência; sistemas de apoio à decisão (D-SIGHT e ELECTRE III-IV); avaliação de resultados e análise de sensibilidade. Procura-se garantir que a pesquisa tenha caráter prático, razão por que foi realizada a aplicação numérica do modelo no contexto da bacia dos rios Piracicaba, Capivari e Jundiaí, região sudeste do Brasil. / The need of investment in water supply and sewage projects in Brazil is substantial to improve the quality of life. These projects require high investments and, mostly, to ensure the provision of these services it is necessary a complex infrastructure. Due to the high costs associated with the lack of resources, it is relevant to prioritize projects. Thus, the purpose of this research is to propose a multicriteria decision model to support decisions hierarchy of water supply and sewage projects. This work has a qualitative and methodological approach; the goal is to inquire a scientific procedure. The object is to structure the decision-making process defined by its main concepts (actors, potential alternatives, criteria, problems), group decision making; selection of multiple criteria methods (PROMETHEE II & GAIA, ELECTRE IV); preference modeling, decision support systems (D-SIGHT and ELECTRE III-IV), evaluation and sensitivity analysis. This study seeks a practical purpose, so the proposed model, is applied in the basin of Piracicaba, Capivari e Jundiaí. The contribution here to aid similar situations where is necessary to establish priorities of sanitation projects.

Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2016-09-27T18:39:30Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) RicardoDeAndradeAraujo.pdf: 2136922 bytes, checksum: 3bf9d638152b4cc1870ed7c533772fae (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T18:39:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) RicardoDeAndradeAraujo.pdf: 2136922 bytes, checksum: 3bf9d638152b4cc1870ed7c533772fae (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-01-01 / CNPQ / Este trabalho apresenta um estudo sobre séries temporais financeiras, em alta-frequência, na tentativa de identificar as características do seu fenômeno gerador e, baseado neste estudo, propor um modelo, composto por uma combinação balanceada entre operadores lineares e operadores não-lineares crescentes e decrescentes, capaz de prever este tipo particular de série temporal. Para o processo de aprendizagem, é proposto um método baseado em gradiente descendente, utilizando ideias do algoritmo de retropropagação do erro (back propagation, BP) e uma abordagem alternativa para superar o problema da não-diferenciabilidade dos operadores não-lineares. Uma análise experimental é conduzida com o modelo proposto, utilizando um conjunto de séries temporais financeiras, em alta-frequência, do mercado de ações Brasileiro: Banco do Brasil SA, Banco Bradesco SA, Brasil Foods SA, BR Malls Participações SA e Companhia Energética Minas Gerais. Nestes experimentos, um conjunto relevante de medidas é utilizado para avaliar o desempenho preditivo do modelo proposto, e os resultados alcançados superam aqueles obtidos utilizando técnicas estatísticas, neurais e híbridas apresentadas na literatura. Também, são realizadas simulações com um sistema de apoio à decisão, baseado em previsão, para compra e venda de ações, tendo em vista demonstrar o desempenho econômico expressivo do modelo proposto no mercado de ações, em alta-frequência. / This work presents a study about high-frequency financial time series to identify the characteristics of their generator phenomenon and, based on such study, to propose a model, composed of a balanced combination of linear operators and increasing and decreasing nonlinear operators, able to predict this kind of time series. For the learning process, it is proposed a descent gradient-based method, using ideas from the back propagation (BP) algorithm and a systematic approach to overcome the problem of nondifferentiability of nonlinear operators. An experimental analysis is conducted with the proposed model, using a set of highfrequency financial time series of the Brazilian stock market: Banco do Brasil SA, Banco Bradesco SA, Brasil Foods SA, BR Malls Participações SA and Companhia Energética Minas Gerais. In these experiments, a relevant set of measures are used to assess the prediction performance of the proposed model, and the achieved results overcome those obtained by statistical, neural and hybrid techniques presented in the literature. Also, it is performed simulations with a prediction-based decision support system, for buy and sale of stocks, to demonstrate the significant economic performance of the proposed model in real high-frequency stock market

Orientador: Fernando José Von Zuben / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Eletrica e de Computação / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T23:45:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ferreira_HamiltonMelo_M.pdf: 539116 bytes, checksum: 3ef220fd5b659d2f8f794d853924ae71 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / Resumo: As concessionárias de energia elétrica deixam de faturar anualmente expressivos valores devido a perdas comerciais, as quais são originadas principalmente por fraudes cometidas por parte dos consumidores e por medidores defeituosos. A detecção automática dos pontos específicos onde ocorrem tais perdas é uma tarefa complexa, dada a grande quantidade de consumidores, a grande variedade de perfis de consumo de energia elétrica e o alto custo de cada inspeção. Este trabalho propõe o uso de técnicas de aprendizado de máquina para a incorporação de processamento inteligente na identificação das fontes de perdas comerciais, usando os dados reais fornecidos pela concessionária de energia elétrica AES Eletropaulo. Além da manipulação dos dados e análise de propostas alternativas presentes na literatura, quatro estratégias de classificação foram implementadas e comparadas, sendo que o algoritmo de indução C4.5 produziu os resultados mais consistentes em termos de especificidade e confiabilidade, tomadas como critérios de desempenho / Abstract: The electric power concessionaires miss along the year significant amount of revenue due to commercial losses, which are mainly caused by frauds produced by consumers and defective sensors. The automatic detection of the specific sites where the losses are located is a complex task, given the high number of consumers, the great variety of electric power consumption profiles, and the high cost of each inspection. This work proposes the use of machine learning techniques capable of incorporating intelligent processing in the identification of the sources of commercial losses, using real data provided by the electric power concessionaire AES Eletropaulo. Besides data manipulation and analysis of alternative proposals presented in the literature, four classification strategies have been implemented and compared. The C4.5 algorithm has produced the most consistent results in terms of specificity and confiability, taken as performance criteria / Mestrado / Engenharia de Computação / Mestre em Engenharia Elétrica

The rapidly evolving global market scenario raised multiple challenges for an organization such as: change in customer needs and lifestyle, increased competition, compulsion to enter into new markets, pursue to innovate and so on, which raises an additional challenge for organization to sustain and succeed. In order to meet these multiple challenges, continuous New Product Development (NPD) turns out to be one of the essential tasks for any organization to improve market share, profitability and to succeed. In this scenario, a new product portfolio with best mix of new projects that ensures strategic alignment, balance of portfolio and improves organizations’ potential gain is compulsion. However, From the literature, it is observed that, ‘As nearly half of initial NPD ideas occur informally or without a specific goal, even a best performing organization requires a major improvement in the decision making process of Project Evaluation and Selection (PES)’. This emphasizes the significance of decision on Project Evaluation and Selection (PES) of NPD. Additionally, huge investments and resources need to be employed based on decision that is taken at PES phase of NPD. Thus PES turns out to be a crucial and essential phase of New Product Process (NPP). All these stated aspects of this challenging and crucial strategic decision of PES provoke for the requirement of an efficient management system and decision making model. In the literature the management system and decision making processes for formulation of portfolio is termed as “New Product Portfolio Management (NPPM)”. Though various researchers have been focusing on this particular issue of improving NPPM Performance, from the analysis of literature, to the best of our knowledge, it is observed that no one has identified or considered an exhaustive list of possible evaluative dimensions while taking the decision on PES of NPPM (PES-NPPM). This thesis makes an attempt to address this research gap, and the scope of this study is pertained to three sectors of manufacturing industry, namely, Automotive, Electronics and Machine Tools. Accordingly, the main objective of this thesis is “ In order to achieve this particular objective the following sub-objectives, methodologies, and analysis are carried out. For this purpose, first and foremost analysis of literature on PES is carried out. Accordingly, five evaluative dimensions are identified for PES-NPPM and they are: (i) Strategic Fit; (ii) Portfolio-Innovation Balance; (iii) Risk-Uncertainty Estimation; (iv) Cost-Revenue Estimation and (v) Optimized Resource Allocation. Furthermore, it is observed that, there is no study considering all the five evaluative dimensions simultaneously for PES-NPPM either to analyze their impact on performance of NPPM or to develop a decision making model. Thus, we are addressing a new problem configuration in the area of PES-NPPM. Additionally, though the requirements of multi-criteria models for PES-NPPM is discussed both in academic and practioners points of view, the real demonstration of the applicability of multi-criteria models are given a scant treatment in the literature. . By the end of the achieving this objective, we identified five distinct evaluative dimensions which are used in different combinations for PES-NPPM. Further, for measuring each of these five evaluative dimensions, we identified 23, 11, 15, 10, and 18 measurement variables respectively. Based on the evaluative dimensions considered in this study, a framework work is proposed for PES-NPPM. Due to the limitation of empirical evidences on considering the identified evaluative dimensions and respective measurement variables towards the proposed initial framework for PES-NPPM, another exploratory study: a case study method is carried out. In addition to the process of triangulation, the case study approach is carried out to understand (a) significance and nature of the identified measurement variables of all the five evaluative dimensions for PES-NPPM, and (b) real-life practices in decision making process of PES-NPPM and to identify the requirements of decision making tools. Accordingly, 12 case studies (4 each) from three manufacturing sectors, considered in this study, are conducted. Further, 12 case study reports are prepared and inferences are drawn. The inferences drawn are verified by conducting an individual brain-storming session with 3 academicians and 4 practitioners. The detailed analysis of the 12 case study reports endorsed the necessity of considering all the five identified evaluative dimensions in the proposed framework for PES-NPPM. In addition, the case study analysis revealed some of the variables originally considered for measuring the evaluative dimensions are not really the measurement variables, whereas those variables are expected to impact the decision making environment of PES-NPPM (or) NPPM Performance. Further those non-measurement variables are classified into (a) Characteristic Variables of PES-NPPM, and (b) Moderating variables for NPPM. Based on this, case study analysis identified 8 characteristic variables and 8 moderating variables. This specific observation resulted to analyze further the existing literature in order to identify if there exist any additional variables which impact decision making environment of PES-NPPM (or) NPPM Performance. Thus, from the analysis of literature and case study analysis 17 characteristic variable and 13 moderating variables are identified. Additionally, For this purpose, Partial Least Square – Path Modeling (PLS-PM) (or) regression analysis is conducted depending upon type of variables with 104 observations (representing 34, 39, and 31 observations of the three sectors respectively) to analyze the relationships between characteristic and moderating variables on decision-making environment of PES-NPPM and NPPM Performance respectively. From case study analysis, it is observed that the decision making tool required should provide: (a) ability to incorporate judgmental scores along with financial and other quantitative metrics, (b) ability to attain a balance of portfolio and consider interactions among project, and (c) ability to provide alternatives and rank the alternatives. In addition to the observation drawn from the case study analysis on the need of MCDM based tool(s), analysis of the literature is carried out to verify the same. As this problem scenario considers both quantitative and qualitative data for the development of a decision making tool, an appropriate technique/methodology needs to be employed. Based on analysis of literature and the case study reports, this study proposes an integrated Data Envelopment Analysis and Balanced Scorecard (DEA-BSC) model for individual PES. Further, the proposed DEA-BSC model is extended for evaluation of new product portfolio. In the process of formulation of new product portfolio, first, every new product project is evaluated with the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model. Second, an algorithm is designed to generate alternate portfolios with the selected set of efficient new product projects. Then, DEA-BSC model is employed to evaluate the generated portfolios. At this step, an accumulation functions are proposed which considers interactions among projects. These accumulation functions determine the overall input and output of the portfolio along with interactions involved. Accordingly, the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model for portfolio evaluation is expected to result in a balanced portfolio with profitable new product projects. In addition, the workability of the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model is demonstrated by developing a suitable numerical example. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is carried out on proposed DEA-BSC model to analyze the robustness of the results. In summary, this thesis examined a problem of decision making of NPPM. Further, this problem was retained with main focus on PES phase. Accordingly, the major contributions of this thesis are as follows: Identified an exhaustive lists of evaluative dimensions: (i) Strategic Fit; (ii) Portfolio-Innovation Balance; (iii) Risk-Uncertainty Estimation; (iv) Cost-Revenue Estimation and (v) Optimized Resource Allocation. Also identified the significance of these five dimensions in case of PES-NPPM. In addition, all the five evaluative dimensions are considered simultaneously for development of a multi criteria decision making tool for PES-NPPM. Identified the required measurement variables for each of the evaluative dimensions, considered in this study, that are essential for PES, and analyzed their influence on performance of NPPM. Identified and analyzed characteristic and moderating variables that influence decision making environment of PES-NPPM and performance of NPPM respectively. Identified the requirements of a decision making tool for PES-NPPM and developed an integrated DEA-BSC model for PES. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model is considered to be the first hybrid model applied to PES-NPPM. Furthermore for implementing the proposed DEA-BSC model, an algorithm is proposed in this study and this is expected to assist decision maker for selecting the right set of projects for new product portfolio with higher development potential, profitability and minimize the associated risk. Identified possible project interactions caused due to external or internal factors and accordingly proposed an accumulation function to capture these interactions. Proposed an algorithm for formulation of new product portfolio and accordingly proposed a detail step-by-step procedure for implementation of the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model. Though this study analyzes the impact of characteristic variables on decision-making environment of PES-NPPM, we limit to link this impact to DEA-BSC Model. In this study, an attempt is made to capture the moderating effect on NPPM Performance, but this study limits to link this moderating effect in proposed DEA-BSC model. Finally, the validation of the workability of proposed DEA-BSC model is limited to the numerical example considered in the study and not to the real-life problems scenarios.

During the last decade, electronic prescribing has been a point of focus in healthcare industry and is rapidly becoming a standard of practice. It has proven as an important element in improving the quality of patient care, mitigating or eliminating the phone calls back and forth from pharmacies to point of care/health centers. Many e-prescribing systems were developed and marketed but these usually were unsuccessful because of the lack of direct electronic connectivity to local pharmacies and the lack of up-to-date formulary information, clinical guidelines, health plans & services among other reasons. Despite their benefits, the adoption and usage of electronic prescribing systems has been low. In some of the developing countries like Uganda, the problem is even worst. Due to lack of essential resources and manpower, healthcare services have significantly impacted on the productivity and quality of patient care.In an effort to improve, promote and maintain the quality of health services in rural settings of developing countries like Uganda, a high level design for e-prescribing system has been proposed. Design specifications for Electronic Prescribing Management System (EPMS) along with functional prototype are built based on ICT4MPOWER project requirements and previous research and publications in this area.Initially research began with Drug and Stock Management System and EPMS emerged as one of its essential components. In order to strengthen and establish connection between ongoing electronic health record system and drug and stock management development, EPMS component came into lime light. Mare prescription management is not enough to serve patient centric needs. Hence, clinical decision support has been introduced into e- prescribing system to improve the quality of prescribing decisions. In order to develop a patient-centric e-prescribing system that is self-evolving and self sustaining, it is important to update the clinical decision-support system, formularies & guidelines on regular basis. In order to make it usable, it is required to formulate effective health plans and increase associations between pharmacies and other health organizational units. The principal benefit of introducing E-prescribing system into Electronic Health Record (EHR) System is to connect open ended systems to form a strong knowledge base for future. / ICT4MPOWER

This study outlines the strategies that were employed during the training of Grade 11 Physical Sciences teachers in the use and development of an Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS). The EPSS process involves extended individualised support for teachers through face-to-face training. A purposive sample was utilised and 22 Grade 11 Physical Sciences teachers participated in the study. Teachers’ skills and knowledge before and after the EPSS training process were measured on three measures of satisfaction (course material, the EPSS training process and the trainer’s competencies) and three measures regarding the EPSS (using an EPSS, creating a flowchart and designing an EPSS). A customer satisfaction index questionnaire and retrospective opinionnaire were used to collect data from the participants. Microsoft Excel was used to analyse data collected using the customer satisfaction index questionnaire. Furthermore a Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program was used to analyse data collected using a retrospective opinionnaire. Significant effects were found on all six measures when comparing the skills of teachers before and after attending the EPSS training programme. The results reveal that teachers who participated in the research are satisfied with the use, design and development of an EPSS in education. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / unrestricted

This thesis focuses on the use and application of strategic tool Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for managing banking institution and translation the strategy into particular objectives and initiatives. Theoretical background affects both BSC framework taking into account modern trends of the dynamic system conception and also basics of information society, strategic considerations and system dynamics theory in relation to creating and application of the BSC in the organization. The practical part provides an introduction to the issues of examined institution, the current state of sharing strategic objectives, fundamental analysis to detect key features of the organization and the market and especially BSC formation. There is an analysis of the BSC system in details, translation strategy into concrete objectives, targets, initiatives and also selected measures. The integrity of the thesis is supplemented by a suggested process of dynamic BSC implementation to the institution, introduction of the tool for building a dynamic model for simulation of strategies and the concept of the user interface in the selected tool for sharing BSC through the whole organization.

At the present time, characterised by increasing complexity of not just socio-economics systems, decision-making in positions of executive management is becoming increasingly difficult. Although more and more attention is dedicated to use of information and communication technologies in corporate sector and organizations collect unprecedented amount of very detailed data from all areas, their real nature is often not considered. Data, information and knowledge, through which we can achieve real understanding of causes of the observed systems behaviour, are necessary basis for ability for prediction of tomorrow's effects of today's decisions. This thesis aims to highlight the essence of data, information and knowledge in organization and the necessity of systemic perception for creating efficient and effective decisions. The second part of this thesis presents design of system-dynamic model (including user interface), which explains the mechanisms of health care volume accounting in medical facilities with more departments. The model should facilitate understanding of functioning of hospitals by the public, and respect of general nature of medical facilities functioning to create a base for robust model-oriented decision support system for the management.