This was accomplished by first examining the nature of competitive strategies within the lodging industry. Subsequently the relationships among competitive strategies, three dimensions of organization structure, company size, and five measures of firm performance were examined. Furthermore to more rigorously control for environmental effects this analysis was undertaken for the industry as a whole as well as within four distinct subsegments of the industry. Six hypotheses were developed, that dealt with the nature of competitive strategy types; and the relationship among strategy types and 1) the degree of organization structure, 2) organizational performance, and 3) organization performance where a strategy/structure match had been achieved. The findings of this study tend to indicate that the nature of the industry or environment in which organizations compete may be an important factor in determining the content of competitive strategies employed in that environment. Furthermore, not only do industry characteristics tend to affect the content and appearance of competitive strategy profiles, but different segments within an industry also impact the appearances of different competitive profiles. However, the perspective that organizational variables are in a direct relationship with contextual variables is not supported by this study. The critical link appears to lie in the decision makers evaluation of the organization's environment and the choices they consequently make regarding the organization's competitive strategy and its internal structure. The structure that is appropriate to a particular competitive strategy profile is not constant. Rather, the nature of the operating environment intervenes in the appropriate strategy/structure "match" relationship. Organizational performance is contingent upon a "match of the strategic choices of strategy and structure, but the "appropriate " choice appears to be modified by subenvironmental factors. / Ph. D.

Large parts of northern Sweden have seen a fast increase in many new job opportunities. Skellefteå municipality is the most prominent example of this. The company Northvolt established a factory there in 2017 which has led to a fast increase in population. This has largely been seen as positive, however it has also caused many problems for the municipality. The most pressing problem is housing. It has been hard to build new housing at a fast enough pace to match the increasing population, this has led to a housing shortage in Skellefteå.  The aim of this essay is to examine the possibilities of converting and using second homes as permanent housing in Skellefteå Municipality. Deserted houses will also be included to a lesser extent. This will be done by analyzing previous research and reports and by taking second homes from broker websites and analyzing the price and other factors in ArcGIS Pro as well as the potential costs of renovation. The results show that five types of second homes could be converted into permanent housing at a somewhat reasonable price. While many second homes are cheaper than apartments, they are still quite expensive if the costs of renovations are included. It is unclear if using second homes as permanent housing could have a large impact on the housing shortage in Skellefteå, and more research is needed to say anything for certain. Deserted houses could be converted to permanent housing, but it is unclear if there is an interest in doing so, since it could be very expensive and tedious to renovate these houses.

Mobile homes, like other forms of factory-built housing are ideally adapted to the use of solar energy because of the materials and construction methods used in their manufacturing process. This thesis is written to examine those characteristics of mobile homes which can best be taken into consideration in the attempt to maximize solar efficiency and reduce energy waste. Design factors which effect the adaptation of solar energy to a typical MH unit include: solar access, types of of solar utilization, energy storage, lot orientation, general climatic relationships and MH park design. The paper will conclude with a case study involving the use of these factors in the design process of a MH project in Blacksburg, Virginia. / M.A.

In light-frame residential construction wood-based composite panels used externally or internally are exposed to relative humidity and/or temperature changes. The subsequent moisture content change of the panels will result in two types of deformations as follows: 1. elastic deformation of the panel due to the constraint, 2. warpage of the panel due to the unbalanced expansion of the layers. Such deformations can cause unacceptable serviceability problems in light-frame wood construction. A model was developed to predict quantitatively the global deflection of wood-based composite panels exposed to relative humidity changes. The model was based on the constitutive relationship of the Classical Lamination Theory and the thermal stress analogy in composites. As an alternative solution, the applicability of the eccentrically loaded column formula was evaluated. The developed models were experimentally validated for OSB and plywood sheathing. Test variables included the panel type, exposure (symmetric and non-symmetric MC gradient) and specimen configuration (single span, multiple span). The comparison of measured and predicted deflections are presented. The important elastic and hygroscopic material properties were acquired through testing. Statistical analyses of test results are discussed. The uncertainty analysis was used to make statistical inference comparing the means of measured deflection to the uncertainty interval of predictions. Good agreement between predicted and measured deflections was found for single span test structures. Also, for double span structures the models predicted the experimental response fairly veil. Uncertainties in Me measurements made the prediction less reliable when symmetric moisture content gradient developed during the exposure. Due to its lower variability in material properties, the response of OSB sheathing to moisture content changes is more predictable. / Ph. D.

Depth is an architectural quality created by progression, delineation, and repetition. This project explores depth through the design of three major elements- floor, wall, and roof. Each element is created using one or more aspect of depth and combined to produce a house which is an integral part of its site. / Master of Architecture

The designers of architecture in our national and state parks appear remarkably unenlightened in a day when the design of nearly all our structures is being given a careful re-analysis of function and purpose. Indeed, these designers go to great lengths to avoid admitting that any progress has been made in the building profession in the past 300 years. This thesis is an attempt to refute the current dominant philosophy of national park architecture, and to present a possible new approach to the problem. The building designs included here, for an actual site in the Adirondack mountains of New York, are intended to illustrate the tenet of contemporary structures for the needs of contemporary man. / Master of Science

"Between the Ocean and the Bay" is about a design process enabling the designer to see and know through three different graphic methods. The thesis concentrates both on the design of a specific structure, and on the ability to develop a design through two and three dimensional graphic manipulations. The three design methods are sketching, three-dimensional modeling, and computer drawing. All three have their unique qualities and all are effective. The Sketching method evolved through observing, seeing and drawing architecture in western Europe. The intimate visual process formulated a greater sense and comprehension of architecture. The on site drawing experience initiated this particular design expression. Furthermore the fragments of architecture recorded in these visual sketches became a vocabulary for all future designs. There are two kinds of three dimensional models. The first is for displaying a building or a project as an object in three dimensions. The second is a sketch, which is a fragment of a whole building or an idea. Fragmentary modeling provides a simple method of combining three dimensional elements enabling one to scrutinize them as they become part of a whole composition. This method of modeling allows the observer to see the spatial relationships between each element and the form as a whole. Modeling is a tactile experience. This physical involvement brings to the design a tangible relationship that develops scale and proportion. Fragment modeling was used in the development of the house between the ocean and the bay. Computer drawing produces two dimensional drafted plans or wire frame models that are viewed from infinite angles and then reproduced. Computer drafting lacks immediate tactile involvement of the other two methods of design discussed here. The results can appear to be flat and not dynamic. However, the computer provides discipline; by forcing one to make decisions on a design, it organizes abstract visual thoughts. There was a point in the designing of the house when turning to the computer to explore order was essential. The house between the ocean and the bay developed by employing the three different yet complementary design tools. Sketching was the strongest tool to explore a design problem through quick immediate production. Modeling forced the realization in space of the strengths and weaknesses of a design. The computer drawings in this project helped control the final shape of the house simply by forcing decisions and creating order. Each of these methods is productive by itself and together as they meld and feed on each other to create the product. / Master of Architecture

This inquiry attempts to examine different aspects of architecture and an understanding of space by exploring architectural expectations. The process described herein depicts the struggle to find a translation between two languages, one verbal and one visual. The key to my search was a constant set of ideas. The challenge was first to discern, and then to learn to use, the tools that would become my guide to the language of architecture. / Master of Architecture

The thrust of this project is twofold. The first is to create an addition to a reconstructed two-story log house. The second is to locate this structure upon the site in such a manner as to enhance the experience of its presence during approach. The first goal is addressed by connecting two appendage structures to the rear facade of the log house by means of a narrow transitional space. The intent is to maintain this transitional space as an architectural connection between the greater masses without allowing it to become a dominant element. The arrangement of the addition massing respects the prominence of the original log structure and compliments its dog-trot configuration. The shapes of the addition masses, freestanding studio/utilities building, deck area and pool also respond to the vehicular path which culminates in a circle. The second goal, the positioning of this structure within the boundaries of the selected site, was greatly facilitated by the site's numerous attributes. These range from the historical precedent of a previous log dwelling built upon the grassy knoll of choice to the natural enclosure of the site. A U-shaped, deciduously forested valley of dramatic slope along the three enclosing sides, the site provides a seasonally changing backdrop within which the entire structure can be experienced. Further enclosing this valley along the fourth side is a small, treelined river whose woody screen is permeated only in one small spot by a ford, which had been the site's previous access. / Master of Architecture

Master of Architecture