Globally, construction is considered a hazardous industry with a disproportionate amount of fatal and non-fatal injuries as compared to other industries. Electrocution is named as one of the "fatal four" causes for construction injuries by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In the United States, an average of 47.9% electrical fatalities occurred in the construction industry from 2003 to 2012, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. These fatalities include both electrical workers and non-electrical workers. Such a disproportionate rate suggests a need of research to improve construction safety and reduce injuries due to electrocution. However, there is a lack of understanding of causation mechanisms surrounding fatal accidents by electrocution using a systems approach; and there is a disconnection between the mechanism of fatal electrocution accidents and the associated control measures, which may lead to less effective prevention in construction. This dissertation has three objectives, including: (a) establishing a sociotechnical system model that reflects the electrocution occurrence in the U.S. construction industry and identify the associations among its internal subsystems; (b) determining specific electrocution patterns and associated mechanism constraints; and (c) examining hierarchy of control (HOC) measures and determining their appropriateness. Findings from his research include: (a) the identification of three system patterns of electrocution in construction work systems and the associations between personnel, technological, organizational/managerial subsystems, and the internal and external environment for each of the three patterns, using a macroergonomics framework; (b) the identification of five features of work, and map out their decision-making chains, critical decision-making points and constraints, as an interpretation of electrocution mechanisms in the workplace; and (c) revealing that behavioral controls remain prevalent in electrical hazard mitigation even though the knowledge of construction safety and health has increased in the past decades, and that the effectiveness of controls is not statistically different by construction type nor occupation. Based on these findings, the research also suggests corresponding mitigation recommendations that construction managers shall strictly follow HOC rules by giving priority to higher level of controls and upgrading the industry's prevention strategy by introducing more technological innovations and encouraging prevention through design (PtD) strategies. / Ph. D.

Optimizing forage productivity is essential to reduce pasture seasonality and ensure available forage to meet the nutritional needs of livestock. This study explores the risk-buffering ability of warm-season forages to fill the summer slump gap in production of cool-season grasses. Small plot experiments were initiated in summer of 2008 in Kentland Farm, Northern Piedmont AREC and Shenandoah AREC, Virginia. Treatments included endophyte-infected tall fescue (KY31 E+), endophyte free tall fescue (KY31 E-), novel endophyte tall fescue (MaxQ), Crabgrass in combination with endophyte-infected tall fescue, Teff, Bermudagrass (BG), and Caucasian bluestem (CB). Plots were harvested May through October of 2009 and 2010 at the late boot stage at a cutting height of 10cm. Subsamples were analyzed for dry matter and nutritive value. To assess risk, bootstrap distributions of biomass and quality data were generated by Monte Carlo simulation and compared against an objective function defined as 59 kg ha-1 d-1 forage yield; 10% CP; 60% TDN. Regardless of variability, warm-season grasses produced biomass yields and nutritional values adequate to fill the summer slump from cool-season forages and demonstrated a higher probability of meeting the minimum requirements in July, August and September. Teff was most consistent in meeting the minimum requirements in mid-summer. However, with good conditions for establishment, both BG and CB can help to fill the gap in summer months when compared to cool-season tall fescue. Bootstrap distributions provide producers with a tool that links their production goals with a measurable value of production risk. / Master of Science

In a three paper essay series we address the human impact in SCRM from the microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives. First, using a positivist theory building approach, we synthesize behavioral risk management and supply chain risk management theory to propose behavioral supply chain risk management as a new topic area. This paper is microeconomic in nature and focuses mostly on individuals as the unit of analysis in a SCRM context. Second, we introduce cross-impact analysis as a scenariobased supplier selection methodology. We demonstrate how cross-impact analysis can be used to provide supply chain decision-makers with probability estimates of the future viability of the members of a given set of possible suppliers in a backdrop of macroeconomic risk. The third and final paper in the series incorporates the probability estimates resulting from a cross-impact analysis exercise into a hybrid stochastic mixed-integer programming (SMIP) technique CIA-SMIP. We demonstrate how the CIA-SMIP approach can be utilized as a single-source supplier selection model. In its totality, this dissertation represents a step towards the theoretical framing of the human impact on SCRM into two main distinguishable areas: microeconomic and macroeconomic. / Ph. D. / In this three paper essay series we address the human impact in SCRM from the microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives. First, using a positivist theory building approach, we synthesize behavioral risk management and supply chain risk management theory to propose behavioral supply chain risk management as a new topic area. This paper is microeconomic in nature and focuses mostly on individuals as the unit of analysis in a SCRM context. Second, we introduce cross-impact analysis as a scenario-based supplier selection methodology. We demonstrate how cross-impact analysis can be used to provide supply chain decision-makers with probability estimates of the future viability of the members of a given set of possible suppliers in a backdrop of macroeconomic risk. The third and final paper in the series incorporates the probability estimates resulting from a cross-impact analysis exercise into a hybrid stochastic mixed-integer programming (SMIP) technique CIA-SMIP. We demonstrate how the CIA-SMIP approach can be utilized as a singlesource supplier selection model. In its totality, this dissertation represents a step towards the theoretical framing of the human impact on SCRM into two main distinguishable areas: microeconomic and macroeconomic.

Mortgage-backed securities (MBS) are similar to traditional fixed-income securities in that they are exposed to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk involves potential losses in value stemming from unfavorable movements of interest rates. There are standard practices that allow investors to measure interest rate exposure and manage this risk by hedging, or reducing the risk, with positions in financial derivative securities. Interest rate hedges do not always work perfectly because of basis risk. Basis risk arises because the movement in an asset's price (MBS) is not perfectly correlated with the movement of the price of the derivatives (Treasury futures) used to hedge interest rate risk. The paper hypothesizes that despite the presence of basis risk, a dynamic hedging strategy using US Treasury futures makes a good hedge for MBS price fluctuations caused by interest rates. Empirical tests reject this hypothesis.

No / The project to set-up the survey in this dataset was supported by the Association for Project Management (APM), and the survey has been sent sent to its corporate member organisations. The survey was intended to help to gain a better understanding of the policies and practice around Opportunity Management as a part of Project Risk Management. The survey has been designed and analysed by members of the APM Risk SIG and Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands). Results of the survey have been presented to APM to help the development of APM's documented approach to Project Risk Management in publications such as the APM Body of Knowledge and SIG Guides. In addition, anonymous and aggregated survey results are used for academic publications, providing more insight into the practice of Opportunity Management. The dataset contains: - Survey questions as they have been entered into Qualtrics (TM) [PDF] - Coding scheme that has been used to code the answers to the survey questions [PDF] - Raw answers to the survey questions (fully anonymized) [CSV] - Data Management Plan (DMP) for the survey as part of the HREC application [PDF] - HREC approval from TU Delft for the research protocol [PDF] - readme.txt file with this content / Association for Project Management

The internationalization of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has become a major worldwide trend. Firms internationalize predominantly to in nearby countries due to the fact that these countries are closer culturally and geographically. However, SMEs has started to enter more cultural and geographical distant markets. Emerging markets has been the focus of attention of Swedish SMEs during the last decades. Of those emerging markets India is one example of a foreign market that has experienced, to a large extent, the establishment of foreign companies in the past half a century. In the last decades India has undergone a remarkable change that has strengthened the establishment of foreign companies in the country. However, SMEs face risk and uncertainties when entering a new market like India. Therefore, companies need to acquire enough relevant knowledge about the country in order to identify and manage to potential risks that the might encounter. Although knowledge and risk management have extensively been studied, scholars have primarily studied them separately. Little attention has been given to the fact that the combination of knowledge and risk management might be the better solution to identify and manage risks in foreign countries. By analyzing the implementation of knowledge and risk management, it was possible to answer if through their utilization SMEs get a better understanding and be competitive in the Indian market. In order to conduct the study a qualitative case study to four Swedish SMEs was conducted. The collected data and the most significant theories chosen in this study are the starting point of the analysis. The main conclusion that can be drawn from the analysis is that, although knowledge and risk management are not SMEs main focus of attention, the combined utilization of them is beneficial for firms in foreign markets. Firms that better understand the foreign market and its risks are in a better position to be more competitive in that foreign market.

Embarking on a construction project means taking a risk. Project risk management (PRM) provides an effective approach to improve decision making and minimise project risk. Project risks may not possess the same level of significance for different countries, markets and projects. Current research on PRM in China has been rather theoretical, addressing technology issues. Considering the current practice in the Chinese construction industry (CCl), the PRM needs understanding and support from the industry and a mature market environment. This research aims to establish PRM strategies for identifying and adopting the best practice to provide practical guidelines for the CCl, thus improving the PRM, motivating the reform of the Chinese construction market, and enabling the CCl to function in the competitive environment of globalisation. An extensive literature review and a number of case studies for construction projects in China have been conducted, addressing issues closely related to the research. A systematic analysis is employed and developed for project planning and decision making. Contractual risks are considered as the first step and catalyst for improving the PRM in the CCl. Built on the findings from the case studies and analysis, the research puts forward a framework of contractual risk management to study the concept, identification and classification of contractual risks. Contract interfaces are analysed for contractual risk management under various project procurement routes (PPRs). The potentially large improvements to the PRM and reform of the Chinese construction market from the introduction and application of innovative PPRs and their contractual conditions are addressed. Two mathematical models -a probabilistic analysis model and an effective information entropy model for key contractual risks -are presented. The validity and applicability of the models are demonstrated with sample data for the CCl. Detailed recommendations and guidelines for the implementation of the proposed strategies are suggested.

Notre recherche vise à identifier les facteurs critiques du succès de l’implantation de l’Entreprise Risk Management (ERM). À cette fin, nous avons élaboré un modèle, c’est-à-dire une sorte de cadre de référence susceptible d’améliorer nos connaissances des déterminants de succès dans l’implantation de l’ERM, d’une part, et de guider les entreprises impliquées dans cette implantation, d’autre part. Étant donné le caractère holistique de l’ERM, nous avons adopté une approche systémique. Cette dernière nous a permis : 1) de conceptualiser les enjeux associés à l’implantation de l’ERM comme un tout au sens d’identifier les éléments et leurs attributs; 2) de déterminer les relations entre les éléments; 3) et de tenir compte de la dynamique de la gestion intégrée des risques que préconise l’ERM. Comme cadre théorique général, nous avons eu recours à la théorie sociotechnique, ce qui a orienté notre réflexion vers des construits : pilotage stratégique, implication des acteurs, parrainage de la direction, adaptation structurelle et climat organisationnel, du côté social, et capacité d’intégration des connaissances, capacité TI et capacité de changement, du côté des aspects techniques. L’approche de notre recherche est exploratoire avec un design d’étude corrélationnel et une recherche par enquête. Les données ont été collectées entre le 2 décembre 2012 et le 28 février 2013, par l’intermédiaire d’un questionnaire électronique. Nous avons procédé à la réduction des données à l’aide d’une analyse factorielle exploratoire. Pour la modélisation statistique proprement dite, nous avons eu recours aux équations structurelles par la méthode des moindres carrés partiels. Pour ce, nous avons utilisé le logiciel SmartPLS. Les résultats sont satisfaisants et nous ont permis : a) de déceler des problèmes dans l’opérationnalisation de certains construits, b) de valider certaines des hypothèses, c) de tirer des conclusions que nous avons ventilées au début. Ces résultats nous ont aussi montré qu’il y avait d’autres facteurs qu’il n’était pas nécessaire de considérer dans une telle implantation. De manière générale, la recherche répond à notre question de recherche : « Quels sont les facteurs critiques du succès de l’implantation de l’ERM? ». Il en ressort aussi des contributions théoriques et pratiques. En ce qui a trait aux contributions théoriques, en premier lieu, notre étude contribue à une meilleure compréhension des facteurs de succès de l’implantation de l’ERM, car elle permet d’identifier de manière empirique les facteurs : Pilotage Stratégique, Implications des Acteurs, Parrainage de la Direction, Adaptation Structurelles, Capacité TI et Capacité de Changement Organisationnelle. En second lieu, notre recherche se distingue des études antérieures sur l’ERM également, car elle contribue à développer une perspective théorique relative à l’ERM en proposant de considérer l’ERM comme étant une innovation administrative et technologique, d’une part, et comme un système sociotechnique, d’autre part. En ce qui a trait aux contributions pratiques, les résultats empiriques suggèrent 1) que les gestionnaires accordent une attention importante au soutien de la haute direction avant de s’engager dans l’adoption et l’implantation de l’ERM; 2) que l’implantation réussie de l’ERM ne dépend pas uniquement de la disponibilité des ressources techniques physiques et humaines, les gestionnaires doivent s’assurer d’intégrer les processus opérationnels et technologiques. / Abstract : Our research aims to identify the critical success factors for the implementation of the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). To this end, we have developed a model, meaning a kind of framework to improve our knowledge of the determinants of success in implementing ERM, on the one hand and guide companies involved in this implementation, on another hand. Given the holistic nature of the ERM, we have adopted a systemic approach, which allowed us to: 1) to conceptualize the issues associated with the implementation of ERM as a whole in the sense of identifying the elements and their attributes; 2) to determine the relationship between the elements; 3) and take into account the dynamics of integrated risk management advocated by the ERM. As a general theoretical framework, we used the socio-technical theory, which guided our thinking towards the variables: strategic management, stakeholder involvement, sponsorship management, structural adjustment and organizational climate, on the social side, and capacity integration of knowledge, IT capability and capacity for change, on the side of the technical aspects. The approach of this research is exploratory with a design of correlation study and survey research. Data collection was done between December 2, 2012 and February 28, 2013, via an electronic questionnaire. We performed data reduction using an exploratory factor analysis. For the statistical modeling, we used Structural Equations Modeling (SEM) technique with Partial Least Squares (PLS) as the method. For this, we used the SmartPLS software. The results are satisfactory and allowed us to: a) identify problems in the application of some variables, b) validate some of the hypothesis, c) to confirm some 8 ideas which we have in the beginning. These results also showed that there were other factors that it was not necessary to consider in such implementation. In general, the research responds to our research question: "What are the critical success factors for the implementation of the ERM?". It also gives some theoretical and practical contributions. Concerning the theoretical contributions, in the first place, our study contributes to a better understanding of the factors of successful implementation of ERM, as it allows to identify empirically the follow factors: Strategic Driving, Employee Implication, Board Implication, Structure Adaptation, IT Capacity and Change Capacity. Second, our research differs from previous studies on the ERM because it helps to develop a theoretical perspective on the ERM proposing to consider the ERM as an administrative and technological innovation on the one hand, and as a sociotechnical system, on the other hand. Moreover, in respect to practical contributions, empirical results suggest 1) Members of the board and senior managers are supposed to understand the importance of giving support for the implementation team even before engaging in the adoption and implementation of ERM; 2) the successful implementation of ERM does not depend only on the availability of physical, technical and human resources, Senior managers should be engaged in the integration of operational and technological processes.

As harmful as the financial crisis of 2007-2009 was, some organizations professed some benefits as a result; “we know our risks better,” “we can better manage risks.” Many of the organizations that hailed such positives undoubtedly had what would generally be considered sound risk management systems/practices (RMS). So, what happened? What prevented organizations RMS from perhaps better mitigating risk during the recent financial crisis than was the case? Said another way, “what are barriers to effective risk management?” This study proposes a risk governance framework (RGF) that helps distinguish phases of RMS, and is grounded in Risk principles versus a controls based foundation that many view as part of the current problem with RMS. Based on our survey of 41 Risk Managers (RM) and 96 Regulators (REG), we obtained perspectives on barriers to effective risk management including barriers to effective risk management leading up to the financial crisis of 2007-2009, the importance of Risk principles, and suggestions to improve the effectiveness of RMS. We also obtained RM and REG perspectives of the impacts to RMS from our banking environment providing a type of “insurance,” impacts to RMS due to perceptions of the state of the financial/economic environment, how complete must phases of RMS be, compensation practices and its impacts to RMS, and the notion of quantitative/qualitative methods in current RMS. Leading up to the financial crisis of 2007-2009, identified barriers to effective risk management include a lack of risk culture and under estimating risks. Some suggestions to improve RMS include improving the risk function and developing more dynamic, forwarding looking and preemptive risk management tools and techniques that blend quantitative and qualitative methods. The proposed RGF and the rich context on barriers to effective risk management obtained from our study may help practitioners and academia alike in considering ways to analyze and improve RMS.

The Master's Thesis deals with the topic of risk management in a non-financial company. The goal of this Thesis is to create a framework for review of risk management process and to practically apply it in a case study. Objectives of the theoretical parts are: stating the reasons for risk management in non-financial companies, addressing the main parts of risk management and providing guidance for review of risk management process. A special attention is paid to financial risks. The practical part applies the framework created in the theoretical part on a case study -- review/gap analysis of risk management process in a Czech non-financial companies operating in utilities. Risk management process in this company is described with a special attention to management of financial risk. Author's own remarks on the process and recommendations are stated in the practical part.