This thesis examines the processing of accented speech in both infants and adults. Accents provide a natural and reasonably consistent form of inter-speaker variation in the speech signal, but it is not yet clear exactly what processes are used to normalise this form of variation, or when and how those processes develop. Two adult studies use ERP data to examine differences between the online processing of regional- and foreign-accented speech as compared to a baseline consisting of the listeners’ home accent. These studies demonstrate that the two types of accents recruit normalisation processes which are qualitatively, and not just quantitatively, different. This provided support for the hypothesis that foreign and regional accents require different mechanisms to normalise accent-based variation (Adank et al., 2009, Floccia et al., 2009), rather than for the hypothesis that different types of accents are normalised according to their perceptual distance from the listener’s own accent (Clarke & Garrett, 2004). They also provide support for the Abstract entry approach to lexical storage of variant forms, which suggests that variant forms undergo a process of prelexical normalisation, allowing access to a canonical lexical entry (Pallier et al., 2001), rather than for the Exemplar-based approach, which suggests that variant word-forms are individually represented in the lexicon (Johnson, 1997). Two further studies examined how infants segment words from continuous speech when presented with accented speakers. The first of these includes a set of behavioural experiments, which highlight some methodological issues in the existing literature and offer some potential explanations for conflicting evidence about the age at which infants are able to segment speech. The second uses ERP data to investigate segmentation within and across accents, and provides neurophysiological evidence that 11-month-olds are able to distinguish newly-segmented words at the auditory level even within a foreign accent, or across accents, but that they are more able to treat new word-forms as word-like in a familiar accent than a foreign accent.

This study investigated the effects of two novel forms of 8-week mindfulness meditation training, focused attention (FA) and open monitoring (OM), relative to an established training, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), on early emotional reactivity to negative emotional images as assessed by electroencephalography (EEG). Data on the late-positive potential (LPP) were analyzed to address whether the three mindfulness interventions attenuated the LPP from pre- to post-intervention, and if significant differences existed between groups in LPP at post-intervention. Rather than an attenuation, results indicated an average increase in LPP amplitude from pre- to post-intervention. No significant differences were found in the LPP between the training conditions at post-intervention. These results provide preliminary evidence that mindfulness training in novice practitioners may heighten initial emotional reactivity. Further, well-designed research is needed to examine a wider range of neural responses to better understand emotion regulation process effects of different forms of mindfulness training.

In the present study, we conducted an event-related potentials (ERP) study to examine episodic and semantic memory. We focused on two well-known patterns: the semantic N400 and the old/new fN400. Some researchers have argued that they reflect the same neuropsychological response (Voss & Federmeier, 2011). Others have suggested that they have distinct spatial-temporal signatures and reflect different psychological processes (Bridger, Bader, Kriukova, Unger, & Mecklinger, 2012). In the present study, we analyzed data using the basic N400/fN400 paradigm. We expect to find similar results to Bridger et al. (2012) in that the N400 and fN400 to be reliably different in topography and function.

Today's workforce demands the ability to multi-task. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) aids businesses by attempting to integrate all departments and functions across a company to create a single software program that runs off one database. An investigation of ERP and supporting technologies was conducted to determine if organizations utilized the full potential of the systems they installed. The researcher investigated companies that have installed ERP systems, and with the use of an online survey, determined the extent to which the companies utilized the full potential of the systems. The study was also conducted to learn the best practices that can be used in ERP system implementation, system maintenance, system expansion, and related activities to recommend to individuals and organizations that can benefit from the research. A link to an online questionnaire was sent to ERP end-users and implementers via email. This mode of distribution was the most efficient because survey participants were able to access the questionnaire in real time and the researcher was also able to retrieve the responses instantaneously. The responses were retrieved and recorded in an Excel database and pivot tables were used to analyze the data. The data collected from 18 different types of businesses revealed 8 major software packages, over 80% of the organizations sponsored end-user training, and the impetus for implementing ERP focused on three unanimous reasons: reduced cost, increased productivity, and increased efficiency. While the responses were fewer than anticipated, the results supported the researcher's hypothesis that ERP systems are typically not fully utilized to their full potential. The researcher noted that 60% to 70% of the ERP systems installed were underutilized. This was determined by calculating the percentage of ERP modules utilized in a single system versus the total available modules that can be fully utilized. Additionally, the research literature supported the hypothesis that the underutilization of an ERP system compromises its anticipated benefits and does not support the null hypothesis that there are no significant relationships among technologies (project management, business process re-engineering, and customer relationship management) used to develop and support the utilization of ERP systems.

Ten to 15% of the population is temperamentally shy and have elevated physiological stress responses to novel social situations. Yet, the neural mechanisms underlying this personality trait are not fully understood (Beaton et al., 2009; Schmidt et al., 1997). Efficiently attending to, acting on, and remembering relevant stimuli and filtering out less important information is critical given the sheer volume of sensory and perceptual stimuli the brain is exposed to. Relevant stimuli that garner attention are remembered and consolidated with existing memories. Stimuli that do not warrant extended attention are ignored or habituated to in a process underpinned by cortical and subcortical inhibitory brain networks that reduce processing load on finite attentional resources (Freedman et al., 1991; Adler et al., 1998). Inefficient filtering of irrelevant stimuli could underpin anxiety in those with temperamental shyness and anxiety (Aron, Aron, & Davies, 2005). We measured the P50 auditory event-related potential (ERP) using a paired auditory click paradigm, as well as self-reported social anxiety and shyness, and salivary cortisol in two groups of healthy young adults selected for being very shy or very gregarious. While shy and gregarious groups demonstrated a similar P50 ERP to sound one (S1), the shy group showed elevated P50 amplitudes in response to the second sound (S2) compared to the gregarious group. Participants categorized as being lower or higher on social anxiety displayed a reverse pattern: those higher in social anxiety had a reduced response to S1 compared to those lower in social anxiety, yet a similar response to S2. Further, higher salivary cortisol predicted smaller differences and larger ratios in the P50 ERP from S1 to S2.

This thesis work has been written both for and in co-operation with the company IAC Group Gothenburg. The main purpose of the report is to find a new alternative material replenishment system which will improve the internal material flow and eliminate unnecessary work activities such as manual call offs. The aim is to find a new system to reduce the incidental costs incurred and improve customer service in quality and performance. Observations and interviews were conducted and an analysis of the current situation was made. Waste was identified in the form of unnecessary transport, specifically in milk runs, where time was spent looking for materials to be loaded. This creates uncertainty and may contribute to increased costs and poor customer service. Three different options for a new replenishment system were developed which were compared with the theory and present situation. The proposal was evaluated with respect to cost, available support, complexity and future compatibility. The analysis of the theory and current state shows the importance of a long-term solution with few risks of waste. The solution that best cope with this is an e-Kanban system that automates the replenishment system and would make manual material call offs disappear completely. The conclusion is that an e-Kanban system is the best long term option for a manufacturing company like IAC because it is highly adaptable to change, and can be integrated in the company’s ERP system. The recommendation is to implement a new e-Kanban system. First, it should be tested on a pilot station and then introduced to the whole production process.

Memoria para optar al título de Ingeniero Civil Industrial / El presente trabajo de memoria tiene por objetivo diseñar una estrategia de adopción de procesos financiero contables en la implementación de SAP en la Universidad de Chile. Para ello, se recogen aprendizajes obtenidos de otras implementaciones de ERP en universidades, cuyas características únicas, como su alto grado de descentralización e independencia entres sus unidades, pueden crear dificultades en el proceso de implementación. Se presentan factores críticos de éxito y problemáticas clave para la implementación en universidades, dando cuenta de la importancia de tenerlos bajo control y como, al analizar experiencias de otras universidades chilenas, se observa que varias de éstas no alcanzan el éxito esperado debido a desatender estos factores. Para el proyecto en cuestión, el mayor riesgo es la dificultad de alinear a las facultades en torno a establecer procesos estandarizados para toda la organización, con el fin de evitar excesivas customizaciones del ERP, lo cual se dificulta aún más por el hecho de que la implementación se realiza por fases. Se realiza un análisis de los procesos a implementar, determinando fits y gaps con las prácticas del ERP, considerándolos a nivel funcional, de integración y de capacitación, deduciendo que las principales dificultades no son de carácter funcional, sino que se deben a gaps de integración y capacitación. Como resultado, se obtiene que el ERP disminuye la cantidad total de actividades debido a la eliminación de actividades manuales de poco valor y a la automatización de procesos, lo que trae consigo un aumento de las actividades de sistema. Además, se reducen la cantidad de actividades por rol, lo cual, en teoría, permitiría una liberación de recursos que pueden ser destinados a actividades más valiosas dentro de la organización. Finalmente, se establece una estrategia a nivel de procesos, proponiendo comenzar por los de Proyección Presupuestaria (FEN), Elaboración de Estados Financieros (SSCC), Remesa (SSCC) y Planificación Anual de Presupuesto (Derecho), debido a que tienen un gran impacto y su dificultad es cercana a la media, para luego implementar un grupo de dificultad similar, pero de impacto menor, conformado por los procesos de Pago de Factura (SSCC), Redistribución Presupuestaria (Derecho) y Control de Ejecución Presupuestaria (Derecho), quedando, como última prioridad, los procesos de Elaboración del Presupuesto Global Anual y el Pago de Remuneraciones; el primero debido a su alto impacto y dificultad, mientras que el segundo debido a su alta dificultad y poco impacto.

Este trabalho se insere em um contexto no qual as organizações, cada vez mais, têm dedicado investimentos e atenção à gestão da informação. Nos anos recentes, destacam-se os investimentos em sistemas integrados de gestão, conhecidos por ERP. Este trabalho visa descrever como a qualidade da informação é mencionada nos relatos de impactos atribuídos ao uso de sistemas ERP. Com base em quatro modelos da qualidade da informação, este trabalho constrói um quadro de referência para a qualidade da informação que contempla todas as características utilizadas pelos modelos estudados e que evita que uma mesma característica seja avaliada por dois ou mais atributos. Foi elaborado um esquema de trabalho para possibilitar a aplicação da técnica de análise de conteúdo a um conjunto de dez dissertações de mestrado e duas teses de doutorado. Os resultados obtidos permitiram caracterizar as menções à qualidade da informação e às suas dimensões nos impactos relatados, em termos da freqüência com que aparecem, da maneira como são percebidas (em benefícios ou em dificuldades) e como são declaradas (de maneira explícita ou implícita). Os estudos mostraram que ao medir qualidade percebida, um instrumento de pesquisa mede cerca de 70% da percepção das vantagens ou benefícios. / This dissertation is inserted in a context in which organizations, more and more, have been dedicating investments and attention to the management of information. In the recent years, the investments in enterprise systems, known by ERP (enterprise resource planning) stand out. This dissertation seeks to describe how the information quality is mentioned in the reports of impacts attributed to the use of ERP systems. Based in four information quality models, this dissertation builds a framework for information quality that comprises all the characteristics used by the studied models and that avoids that a same characteristic is evaluated by two or more attributes. A work outline was elaborated to facilitate the application of the content analysis technique to a group of ten dissertations and two doctorate theses. The obtained results allowed to characterize the mentions to the information quality and its dimensions in the told impacts, in terms of the frequency with which they appear, in the way as they are perceived (as benefits or difficulties) and in the way they are declared (in an explicit or implicit way). The studies showed that when measuring perceived quality, a research instrument measures about 70% of the perception of the advantages or benefits.

Oscar of Sweden brottas med ineffektiva flöden i sin försörjningskedja som innehåller långa ledtider vilket drabbar deras e-handel på ett negativt sätt. Om tiden från det att en varumärkesägare investerar pengar i material tills dess att slutprodukterna når marknaden är för lång resulterar det i oönskade effekter i form av bundet kapital vilket har en negativ effekt på företagets kassaflöde.  Studien syftar till att analysera en försörjningskedjas värdeflöden inom mode och konfektion, det med hjälp av bland annat en värdeflödeskartläggning för att hitta eventuella brister och komma med förbättringsförslag med avsikt att effektivisera värdeflödena i en försörjningskedja.  För att åstadkomma en förbättrad e-handel med hjälp av effektivare flöden är synlighet i försörjningskedjan med hjälp av informationsdelning en viktig faktor. Realtidsuppdateringar på lagersaldon är en typ av informationsdelning som skulle underlätta beslutsfattanden i försörjningskedjan.   Att reducera leverantörsbasen för att knyta starkare band med de som återstår möjliggör förbättrad leveranssäkerhet, kortare leveranstider och kan skapa högre förtroende. Slutsatserna visar att Oscar nyta starkare band med de som återstår möjliggör förbättrad leveranssäkerhet, kortare leveranstider och kan skapa högre förtroende. Slutsatserna visar att Oscar of Sweden till sist kan reducera ledtiden och minska sina lagernivåer utan att försämra kundservicenivån och på så sätt förbättra sitt kassaflöde och sälja mer skjortor. / Oscar of Sweden is a company that is currently struggling with ineffective flows in its supply chain. If the time period from when a brand owner invest money in raw material to when the end products reach the market is unnecessarily extensive, then it will eventuates in unwanted effects in form of high amount of tied up capital during a long period of time, which is disadvantageous for the company’s cash flow.  The study aims at analyzing the value flows in a supply chain, this by creating a value stream mapping in order to identify possible shortcomings and actions of improvement to streamline the value flows.  In order to achieve improved e-commerce through increased flow efficiency, the visibility of the supply chain with support of information sharing is an important factor. Real-time updates on inventory balances are a type of information sharing that would facilitate the decision making in the supply chain. Further, reducing the supplier base to achieve closer relationships with those remaining enables improved delivery reliability and shorter delivery times which can create greater confidence. In conclusions, the aim for Oscar of Sweden is eventually to reduce lead time and its inventory levels without impairing customer service levels, thus improving cash flow and selling more shirts

This report represents the next step of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)related research at the Department of Information Business at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Adminstration following previous work on the selection process. Based on 209 datasets originating from a primary, national and industry independent survey, it provides a descriptive oriented overview of main characteristics of ERP in all stages of the system's lifecycle, emphasising differences between small-to-medium sized and large enterprises (SMEs and LEs). The given research topics in particular comprise software diffusion, resources allocated, strategic project guidance, investment drivers, considered and chosen solutions, team structures, selection criteria, information gathering, methodical support, implementation approaches, acompanying business strategies, implementation problems, perceived utilisation of ERP benefits, firm level ERP impact, and the role of ERP systems as technology enabler. Future work based on the gathered data will document analytical projects undertaken in particular focusing on ERP success, enterprise integration, organisational fit of ERP, and BPR/BPI related questions. / Series: Working Papers on Information Systems, Information Business and Operations