Today’s construction industry consists of fierce competition and low margins, resulting in companies focusing on cost risk awareness. The aim of this thesis was to investigate how construction companies manage their market risks, with a special focus on commodity risks. In addition, the thesis purpose was also to explore the composition of commodity exposures within a few selected construction companies. A financial index of commodity exposures was generated out of Statistiska Centralbyråns’ totala faktorprisindex for multi-residence housing projects. Furthermore, a fictional case was combined to test the risk management effect of the financial index, using Sweden’s four largest construction companies’ commodity exposures. In summary, the construction companies were all aware of their commodity exposures although most of them did not actively manage them or know their exposures extent. Moreover, financial risk management of commodities is not easy or straightforward, resulting in difficulties in choosing the right management tool. Therefore, this thesis created and illustrated how a financial index could be used as a way to stabilize the profitability in construction projects.

Anxiety sensitivity is a cognitive, individual difference variable that is differentiated by an individual's fear of anxiety sensations and centred on the belief that such sensations result in harmful consequences. In order to test anxiety sensitivity, Reiss, Peterson, Gursky, and McNally (1986) developed the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI). However, one contentious issue in the area concerns the factor analytic structure of anxiety sensitivity and this has important consequences for the construct. Numerous investigations have been conducted using the ASI, and the results have varied appreciably with some researchers arguing for a unidimensional construct. However the general consensus now is that anxiety sensitivity is multidimensional. It has been argued that the repeated attempts to clarify the dimensionality of anxiety sensitivity, using the 16-item ASI, is problematic because the scale was never designed to measure a multidimensional construct in the first instance. Thus, the objective of the dissertation was to critically examine the anxiety sensitivity construct by using an expanded, multidimensional measure of anxiety sensitivity referred to as the Anxiety Sensitivity Index - Revised ([ASI-R] Taylor & Cox, 1998) and establish the psychometric properties of the measure by conducting a series of empirical investigations to assess the clinical utility of the measure. A series of three empirical investigations are presented in the current dissertation. The first investigation aimed to critically examine the factor structure and psychometric properties of the ASI-R. Confirmatory factor analysis using a clinical sample of adults revealed that the ASI-R could be improved substantially through the removal of 15 problematic items in order to account for the most robust dimensions of anxiety sensitivity. The modified measure was re-named the 21-item Anxiety Sensitivity Index (21-item ASI) and re-analysed with a large sample of nonclinical adults, revealing configural and metric invariance across groups. Further, comparisons with other alternative models that also include comparisons with previous published ASI models indicated the 21-item ASI to be the best fitting model for both groups. There was also evidence of internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity for both samples. The aim of the second investigation was to critically examine differences between and within various anxiety classifications, a mood disorder classification, and a nonclinical control sample, with respect to both general and specific dimensions of anxiety sensitivity as identified by the 21-item ASI. In most instances, the results revealed that the differences between and within the diagnostic groups were consistent with theoretical expectations. Finally, the third investigation aimed to examine differences within each diagnostic category before and after cognitive behavioural therapy in order to provide a further test of validity for the revised 21-item ASI. The results revealed significant differences within all but one diagnostic group on the pre and post-treatment scores, using the global and specific dimensions of the 21-item ASI. The strengths, theoretical contribution, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed. It is concluded that the overall findings relating to the series of empirical investigations presented in the current dissertation make a significant and valid theoretical contribution to the field of anxiety sensitivity in particular, and anxiety research in general, by enhancing our understanding of anxiety sensitivity and how the 21-item ASI can be used to improve therapeutic interventions in clinical practice.

In this study, a strategic thinking and planning model known as Synergy Value Index (SVI) model was developed for estimating the synergy value in MandA. The SVI (QE) from the confirmed SVI model allows quick estimation of synergy between two companies in a merger and acquisition. SVI (QE) is expressed as a percentage, which is a measurement of synergy between two companies in an MandA. This confirmed SVI model evolved from the theoretical model through a process of model building. The study took a holistic approach of understanding synergy value drivers from different schools of thought found in the literatures. A theoretical strategic thinking and planning model was developed and confirmed by expert panelists, from which a conceptual model was created. The conceptual model was tested in two case studies and modified to the preliminary model. The preliminary model was further tested in two case studies to arrive at the confirmed model. During the process of model building, the concepts of synergy value and synergy value drivers become clearer. The study found that 39 synergy value drivers are important in estimating synergy value for MandA. However, only 11 synergy value drivers need be considered for quick computation of Synergy Value Index. In addition, the study offers insight to the study of synergy in MandA. Approaching the study from various different schools of thought was significant because it contributes to a holistic understanding of the behavior of the various synergy value drivers. The study proposed a model identifying synergy value drivers that was confirmed by both expert panelists and case studies. By using the SVI as a unit of measurement of synergy, synergy value drivers of different importance can be measured relative to each other for comparison. The model allowed for a quick evaluation of synergy fit in MandA, especially when the time frame for making a good decision with minimum error during the pre-acquisition phase can be very short. In practice, the SVI model can be used with other financial evaluation tools to provide a strategic perspective of the potential merger and acquisition to the acquirer. Hence, the model can be a very useful platform for the acquirer to think and discuss internally and quantitatively in terms of SVI of the various takeover candidate companies. / Thesis (PhDBusinessandManagement)--University of South Australia, 2005.

This thesis has the overall aims of creating a welfare-sensitive additive index of captive great ape husbandry using the expert opinion of relevant stakeholders, highlighting the aspects of husbandry requiring most improvement and allowing enclosures in different zoos and wildlife parks to be ranked in a uniform way. I investigated the attitudes of experts on the management of captive great apes to gain a greater understanding of the features of their environment that may be critical in maintaining a high standard of welfare. From the experts ranking of the different Levels of facilities offered to the great apes I constructed an additive index with 17 key attributes with between two and four Levels for each. The Great Ape Welfare Index (GAWI) derived from expert opinion has Social structure, Enclosure appearance, Group size, Enclosure furnishings and Avoidance provision as the most important attributes of a management system. The GAWI was then validated by recording the behaviour of the captive great apes housed in Australian and overseas zoos, and comparing their activity budgets to wild individuals. Using a Penrose Distance Statistic a significant negative correlation was found between Index score and the departure from wild activity budgets. Additionally I found a significant negative correlation between the change in the proportion of time spent resting and the welfare Index score achieved indicating that those great apes housed in enclosures achieving higher Index scores are more active in general. Finally the husbandry and management systems for great apes currently used by zoos globally were investigated and their ranking in the Index were calculated. This allowed the particular aspects of great ape management requiring improvement to be identified for each enclosure. Comparisons of regional means showed that Australian zoos achieved significantly higher Index scores than those in other parts of the world. The proportion of great apes housed in New Zealand zoos reported as displaying an abnormal behaviour was significantly higher than all other regions with the proportion of great apes housed in Australia displaying significantly less abnormal behaviour when compared to the US. The highest index achieved by any enclosure was 97.5 for an enclosure that housed a group of gorillas, with the lowest index allocated was 52.2 for an orangutan enclosure. The presence of abnormal behaviours was also investigated with the most common abnormal behaviours reported being regurgitation and re-ingestion (15.8%), hair plucking (10.2%) and begging (7.9%) with some animals reported as exhibiting four different abnormal behaviours. The GAWI has the potential to improve the captive environments provided to great apes through highlighting the most critical aspects of their husbandry requiring improvement. This should encourage zoos to aim higher than just complying with minimum standards set by their regional zoological associations. As the index correlates with the behaviour of the great apes housed, their behaviour may more closely resemble wild individuals if improvements are made. The GAWI has been compared to two alternative models to investigate whether the methods used to create the index could be simplified while still allowing adequate discrimination between enclosures and species. This index can be adapted for use in other institutions housing great apes and can act as a model to create indices for other species. The index has been submitted to the primate Taxon Advisory Group of the Australian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria for their consideration of its use in their accreditation scheme or husbandry guidelines.

This thesis has the overall aims of creating a welfare-sensitive additive index of captive great ape husbandry using the expert opinion of relevant stakeholders, highlighting the aspects of husbandry requiring most improvement and allowing enclosures in different zoos and wildlife parks to be ranked in a uniform way. I investigated the attitudes of experts on the management of captive great apes to gain a greater understanding of the features of their environment that may be critical in maintaining a high standard of welfare. From the experts ranking of the different Levels of facilities offered to the great apes I constructed an additive index with 17 key attributes with between two and four Levels for each. The Great Ape Welfare Index (GAWI) derived from expert opinion has Social structure, Enclosure appearance, Group size, Enclosure furnishings and Avoidance provision as the most important attributes of a management system. The GAWI was then validated by recording the behaviour of the captive great apes housed in Australian and overseas zoos, and comparing their activity budgets to wild individuals. Using a Penrose Distance Statistic a significant negative correlation was found between Index score and the departure from wild activity budgets. Additionally I found a significant negative correlation between the change in the proportion of time spent resting and the welfare Index score achieved indicating that those great apes housed in enclosures achieving higher Index scores are more active in general. Finally the husbandry and management systems for great apes currently used by zoos globally were investigated and their ranking in the Index were calculated. This allowed the particular aspects of great ape management requiring improvement to be identified for each enclosure. Comparisons of regional means showed that Australian zoos achieved significantly higher Index scores than those in other parts of the world. The proportion of great apes housed in New Zealand zoos reported as displaying an abnormal behaviour was significantly higher than all other regions with the proportion of great apes housed in Australia displaying significantly less abnormal behaviour when compared to the US. The highest index achieved by any enclosure was 97.5 for an enclosure that housed a group of gorillas, with the lowest index allocated was 52.2 for an orangutan enclosure. The presence of abnormal behaviours was also investigated with the most common abnormal behaviours reported being regurgitation and re-ingestion (15.8%), hair plucking (10.2%) and begging (7.9%) with some animals reported as exhibiting four different abnormal behaviours. The GAWI has the potential to improve the captive environments provided to great apes through highlighting the most critical aspects of their husbandry requiring improvement. This should encourage zoos to aim higher than just complying with minimum standards set by their regional zoological associations. As the index correlates with the behaviour of the great apes housed, their behaviour may more closely resemble wild individuals if improvements are made. The GAWI has been compared to two alternative models to investigate whether the methods used to create the index could be simplified while still allowing adequate discrimination between enclosures and species. This index can be adapted for use in other institutions housing great apes and can act as a model to create indices for other species. The index has been submitted to the primate Taxon Advisory Group of the Australian Regional Association of Zoological Parks and Aquaria for their consideration of its use in their accreditation scheme or husbandry guidelines.

In this study, a strategic thinking and planning model known as Synergy Value Index (SVI) model was developed for estimating the synergy value in MandA. The SVI (QE) from the confirmed SVI model allows quick estimation of synergy between two companies in a merger and acquisition. SVI (QE) is expressed as a percentage, which is a measurement of synergy between two companies in an MandA. This confirmed SVI model evolved from the theoretical model through a process of model building. The study took a holistic approach of understanding synergy value drivers from different schools of thought found in the literatures. A theoretical strategic thinking and planning model was developed and confirmed by expert panelists, from which a conceptual model was created. The conceptual model was tested in two case studies and modified to the preliminary model. The preliminary model was further tested in two case studies to arrive at the confirmed model. During the process of model building, the concepts of synergy value and synergy value drivers become clearer. The study found that 39 synergy value drivers are important in estimating synergy value for MandA. However, only 11 synergy value drivers need be considered for quick computation of Synergy Value Index. In addition, the study offers insight to the study of synergy in MandA. Approaching the study from various different schools of thought was significant because it contributes to a holistic understanding of the behavior of the various synergy value drivers. The study proposed a model identifying synergy value drivers that was confirmed by both expert panelists and case studies. By using the SVI as a unit of measurement of synergy, synergy value drivers of different importance can be measured relative to each other for comparison. The model allowed for a quick evaluation of synergy fit in MandA, especially when the time frame for making a good decision with minimum error during the pre-acquisition phase can be very short. In practice, the SVI model can be used with other financial evaluation tools to provide a strategic perspective of the potential merger and acquisition to the acquirer. Hence, the model can be a very useful platform for the acquirer to think and discuss internally and quantitatively in terms of SVI of the various takeover candidate companies. / Thesis (PhDBusinessandManagement)--University of South Australia, 2005.

Historically, data on wine consumption has been difficult to obtain. Wine consumption habits have traditionally been reported as a mean value for various age groups and genders. In light of recent studies that have investigated actual alcohol consumption, this thesis investigates the accuracy of applying mean values to sub-groups within a population.

Thesis (M.S.)--Auburn University, 2007. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references (ℓ. 90-99)

Thesis (M. P. H.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.D.S.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Dentistry, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 121-129).