Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) is rapidly becoming a most sought after research area due to the influence of recent supply chain disruptions on global economy. The thesis begins with a systematic literature review of the developments within the broad domain of SCRM over the past decade. Thematic and descriptive analysis supported with modern knowledge management techniques brings forward seven distinctive research gaps for future research in SCRM. Overlapping research findings from an industry perspective, coupled with SCRM research gaps from the systematic literature review has helped to define the research problem for this study. The thesis focuses on a holistic and systematic approach to modelling risks within supply chain and logistics networks. The systems thinking approach followed conceptualises the phenomenon of risk propagation utilising several recent case studies, workshop findings and focus studies. Risk propagation is multidimensional and propagates beyond goods, finance and information resource. It cascades into technology, human resource and socio-ecological dimensions. Three risk propagation zones are identified that build the fundamentals for modelling risk behaviour in terms of cost and delay. The development of a structured framework for SCRM, a holistic supply chain risk model and a quantitative research design for risk assessment are the major contributions of this research. The developed risk assessment platform has the ability to capture the fracture points and cascading impact within a supply chain and logistics network. A reputed aerospace and defence organisation in UK was used to test the experimental modelling set up for its viability and for bridging the gap between theory and practice. The combined statistical and simulation modelling approach provides a new perspective to assessing the complex behavioural performance of risks during multiple interactions within network.

Data quality is an important issue which has been addressed and recognised in research communities such as data warehousing, data mining and information systems. It has been agreed that poor data quality will impact the quality of results of analyses and that it will therefore impact on decisions made on the basis of these results. Empirical software engineering has neglected the issue of data quality to some extent. This fact poses the question of how researchers in empirical software engineering can trust their results without addressing the quality of the analysed data. One widely accepted definition for data quality describes it as `fitness for purpose', and the issue of poor data quality can be addressed by either introducing preventative measures or by applying means to cope with data quality issues. The research presented in this thesis addresses the latter with the special focus on noise handling. Three noise handling techniques, which utilise decision trees, are proposed for application to software engineering data sets. Each technique represents a noise handling approach: robust filtering, where training and test sets are the same; predictive filtering, where training and test sets are different; and filtering and polish, where noisy instances are corrected. The techniques were first evaluated in two different investigations by applying them to a large real world software engineering data set. In the first investigation the techniques' ability to improve predictive accuracy in differing noise levels was tested. All three techniques improved predictive accuracy in comparison to the do-nothing approach. The filtering and polish was the most successful technique in improving predictive accuracy. The second investigation utilising the large real world software engineering data set tested the techniques' ability to identify instances with implausible values. These instances were flagged for the purpose of evaluation before applying the three techniques. Robust filtering and predictive filtering decreased the number of instances with implausible values, but substantially decreased the size of the data set too. The filtering and polish technique actually increased the number of implausible values, but it did not reduce the size of the data set. Since the data set contained historical software project data, it was not possible to know the real extent of noise detected. This led to the production of simulated software engineering data sets, which were modelled on the real data set used in the previous evaluations to ensure domain specific characteristics. These simulated versions of the data set were then injected with noise, such that the real extent of the noise was known. After the noise injection the three noise handling techniques were applied to allow evaluation. This procedure of simulating software engineering data sets combined the incorporation of domain specific characteristics of the real world with the control over the simulated data. This is seen as a special strength of this evaluation approach. The results of the evaluation of the simulation showed that none of the techniques performed well. Robust filtering and filtering and polish performed very poorly, and based on the results of this evaluation they would not be recommended for the task of noise reduction. The predictive filtering technique was the best performing technique in this evaluation, but it did not perform significantly well either. An exhaustive systematic literature review has been carried out investigating to what extent the empirical software engineering community has considered data quality. The findings showed that the issue of data quality has been largely neglected by the empirical software engineering community. The work in this thesis highlights an important gap in empirical software engineering. It provided clarification and distinctions of the terms noise and outliers. Noise and outliers are overlapping, but they are fundamentally different. Since noise and outliers are often treated the same in noise handling techniques, a clarification of the two terms was necessary. To investigate the capabilities of noise handling techniques a single investigation was deemed as insufficient. The reasons for this are that the distinction between noise and outliers is not trivial, and that the investigated noise cleaning techniques are derived from traditional noise handling techniques where noise and outliers are combined. Therefore three investigations were undertaken to assess the effectiveness of the three presented noise handling techniques. Each investigation should be seen as a part of a multi-pronged approach. This thesis also highlights possible shortcomings of current automated noise handling techniques. The poor performance of the three techniques led to the conclusion that noise handling should be integrated into a data cleaning process where the input of domain knowledge and the replicability of the data cleaning process are ensured.

Good language skills are essential to academic success. Immigrant and refugee children who enter school without previous knowledge of the societal language are more prone to failure and need of special support. The aim of this study is to describe bilingual educational program used in preschool and primary school and to examine their outcomes related to language development, both for the home language (L1) as well as the school language (L2). 17 studies were identified through a systematic literature review. Results showed a predominance of the transitional bilingual education (TBE) and two-way immersion (TWI) models in bilingual education. Language related outcomes confirmed the finding from previous literature that bilingual education doesn't inhibit L2 acquisition. Also, confirming previous literature, advantages of bilingual programs over monolingual ones are proven hard to confirm. However, several methodological issues addressed by the previous meta-analysis seem to generally persist in the most recent literature. The results of this study reiterate the need for more high- quality study in the field. Moreover, future research should also include experimentation with different languages. Finally, this argues the interest to further study and implement bilingual education programs to better accommodate the need of children with a migration background.

In the last few decades the focus of immigration flows has been predominantly toward member countries of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Immigration is a process full of challenges, and perceiving as being discriminated by host country natives is one of the biggest difficulties for the immigrants. This challenge is especially represented in immigrant adolescent population due to their higher sensitivity of perception of others. Thus, perceived discrimination characterized as being a significant negative consequence resulting internalizing mental health outcomes for immigrant adolescents. Therefore, the aim of this study is to conduct a systematic literature review in order to identify and discuss the findings of the existing studies that focus on the consequences of perceived discrimination on internalizing mental health outcomes for immigrant adolescents in OECD countries. The systematic review included 16 studies for data extraction. The results showed that perceived discrimination has significant negative consequences on internalizing mental health outcomes for immigrant adolescents in OEDC countries resulting in higher levels of: depression, anxiety, psycho-somatization, post-traumatic stress disorder, and obsession-compulsion symptoms. However, within this relationship, there are also moderating and mediating variables. Self-esteem, familism and cognitive appraisal of discriminatory events were characterized as mediators. Parental support, adherence to traditional family values, acculturation, transcultural identity, older age, higher socioeconomic status (SES), and ethnic identity were characterized as moderators. It is recommended that the negative consequences of perceived discrimination on internalizing mental health outcomes should be taken into consideration on societal levels and in mental health fields when planning interventions and therapies for immigrant adolescents. Additionally, further research in this field should be conducted in other OECD countries with different immigrant groups in order to increase the generalizability of the findings.

Introduction: An increasing number of children in need of special support are included in mainstream schools. The roles of teaching assistants have changed with the inclusion of these children. Social partic-ipation is an essential aspect of inclusion, possible to be achieved in schools. In the literature social participation in elementary schools is studied in terms of friendships and relationships, contacts and inter-actions, perception of pupil with special education needs and acceptance by classmates. The impact that teaching assistants have on social participation has been questioned due to low or no education or training to work with children in need of special support. The aim is to investigate the social participation dimen-sions and the impact that teaching assistants have on the social participation of children in need of special support in mainstream elementary schools.Method: A systematic literature review was performed exploring four databases.Results: Nine studies in total were found. Seven studies examined social participation dimensions of con-tact and interactions, four – perception of pupil with special education needs. Friendships and relationships and acceptance by classmates were examined in two studies. Six studies identified negative impact of teaching assistants on social participation of children in need of special support, and three showed positive and negative results. The impact is attributed to the roles of teaching assistants, and participation in class.Conclusion: All four dimensions of social participation were studied in the articles, but no studies explored all dimensions at once, therefore complete impact of teaching assistants cannot be entirely realized yet. Nevertheless, the negative trend of teaching assistants’ impact on the social participation of children in need of special support found in this systematic review implicates two possible approaches. The role of teaching assistants could be shifted and adapted to suit the abilities of teaching assistant. Education and training of teaching assistants are necessary to support social participation of children in need of special support.

The management control systems (MCS) concept has evolved significantly the past decades with extensive studies that explore not only the concept itself but as well its relation to diverse variables such as performance, innovativeness and organisational learning. Nonetheless, inaccuracy is still present according to some researchers. (Tessier & Otley, 2012; Ferreira & Otley, 2009) By means of a systematic review (Tranfield et al., 2003), an interpretive analysis that embodies academic literatures in the area is presented. As a result, this thesis provides a synthesis delineation of the interactive management control systems’ concept. For the purpose of the study, a systematic selection of published and non-published academic literatures was conducted. (Saunders et al.,2009). Simons (Levers of control. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press,1995) was used as a starting point in order to generate criteria for the subsequent identification of relevant sources and get a grounding understanding of the topic before taking the challenge in form of a literature review in order to establish a distinction of the concept. This paper differs from prior studies in the field because of its attempt to clarify the concept of interactive control systems in a systematic manner which will allow the reader to have a see-through approach on all the procedures undertaken for the study. 111 articles were retrieved and following screening and abstract analysis 17 studies (including Simons, 1995 and Bisbe et al., 2005) were selected for the discussion of this qualitative literature review. In contrast to the existing literatures in the MCS field, I conceptualise the findings in 2 categories order to distinct the concepts of interactive MCS from interactive use of MCS. The main contribution of the study is the finding that there is a difference between interactive control systems and interactive use of control systems. Interactive MCS as such has a functionalist view and are designed to deliver interactiveness regardless of the context or the actors. And interactive use of control systems concerns the enactment of any control systems in an interactive manner. Therefore, the context (innovative environment) and the actor are taken into account in order for the systems to deliver positive effects. In addition, Evidences show that the interactive MCS as such are progressive instruments and characterised by effective and regular discussion among the users. Which lead to positive effects on strategy, workplace and innovation. Interactive use of MCS on the other hand are desirable in a context of R&D where the actor have required knowledge to facility the enactment. Additionally, MCS field interpret the concept of ICS more as interactive use of MCS than as such as interactive control system. When it comes to the connection to innovation, findings are contradictory as there are both positive and negative effects on business variables such innovation.

Background: Patients with mental illness is commonly present in physical healthcare for either mental illness or both mental illness and physical illness. Earlier research shows that patients feel aggrieved and discriminated against by healthcare professionals in physical healthcare due to mental illness. Patient experience that they do not receive good care, increasing the suffering. Aim: The aim was to describe nurses' experiences of caring for patients with mental illness in physical healthcare. Method: Systematic literature review with a descriptive synthesis according to Evans (2002), where 14 qualitative research articles where analyzed with an inductive approach. Result: The nurses experienced patients with mental illness as a danger and as not being their responsibility. They could not meet the patients' needs and experienced a lack of knowledge to care for them. They were sceptical about these patients and described negative attitudes and prejudices against them, and that the physical healthcare environment was not suitable for those patients. Conclusion: Nurses need skills in psychiatric nursing and a broader introduction into the basic psychiatric care. These skills are necessary to provide quality care that protects patients’ privacy and dignity and reduces the stigma of patients with mental illness.

Several models have been developed for understanding and predicting innovation adoption in organizations and literature has identified several factors that impact the adoption and implementation of Information Technology (IT). This research examines the process of adoption of IT innovations in organizations. The study explores the processes involved in the adoption of IT and verifies the key factors that influence IT innovation adoption in organizations. Using a systematic literature review, the study developed a conceptual model of IT innovation adoption in organizations. The model is a theoretical combination of Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) theory, Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and a framework which contains characteristics of innovation, organization, environment, chief executive officer (CEO) and user acceptance. The model represents IT innovation adoption as a stage-based process, progressing from initiation to adoption-decision to implementation. The study aggregated findings of past research on IT adoption to identify key factors that influences IT adoption in organizations. The study performed a meta-analysis of innovation, organization, environment, CEOs and user acceptance determinants to assess the magnitude and the strength of these factors on IT innovation adoption. Results confirmed that relative advantage, compatibility, cost, observability and trialability are strong determinants of IT innovation adoption. In terms of organizational context, IS department size, top management support, organizational size, IT expertise, product champion, IS infrastructure, information intensity, resources and specialization was found influential in the adoption of IT. As for environmental characteristics, the meta-analysis verified the significance of external pressure, government support and competitive pressure. Meta-analysis results verified that CEO‟s innovativeness, attitude and IT knowledge as key determinants. The findings confirmed the importance of perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, subjective norm and facilitating conditions for the user acceptance of IT in organizations.

Young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are more prone to experience anxiety disorders at a greater level compared to their neurotypical developing counterparts, causing lifelong impairments in family, social, academic and adaptive functioning. Early interventions in childhood have been designed to minimize these stressful events and to optimize children’s developmental outcomes. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is considered a first-line intervention of anxiety. The review aimed to synthesize empirical literature on modified CBT interventions from 2009 until 2019 focusing on reducing anxiety in children and adolescents with ASD. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in five databases. As a result, 10 articles were included to review. Modifications found were: a) audiovisual support and written materials, b) parental partic-ipation, c) sessions length, d) language, e) sensory and motor accommodations, f) emphasis into the behav-ioural component, g) enhancement of individual’s attention and participation, h) facilitating materials to access the content of CBT, and i) participants’ specific interests and worries. The interventions showed significant reductions in youth anxiety levels. Future research should focus on addressing which specific modifications contribute to anxiety reduction since to date, there is no evidence comparing standard CBT to modified CBT interventions. Moreover, there is a lack of anxiety-assessment instruments specially designed for individuals with ASD. In addition, considering the longstanding prevalence of male autistic rates, ASD diagnostic instru-ments should be revised to reduce bias that can mislead to an inattentive ascertainment of females with ASD.

Purpose: Although logistics management is a crucial part of local and global sports events, there is noresearch-driven characterization of "sports logistics management". The purpose of this paper is to conceptualize a framework that allows for a more structured recognition of logistics in sports, in general, and sport event management, in particular. In addition, we conduct a systematic literature review of sports logistics management and locate opportunities for future research both for sports management and logistics management scholars. Design/methodology/approach: Guided by Durach et al.'s (2017) systematic literature review approach, we identify key attributes and characteristics of sports logistics management. These are based on studies featuring at least partial aspects of logistics management in sports and sport events, and that were published between 2000 and mid-2019. Findings: The study reveals that sports logistics management, meaning logistics activities in sports andsport event management, is a heavily under-researched area that provides an abundance of scientific opportunities. Based on the three sport event types of local/regional sport events, major sport events and mega sport events, the authors propose four sports logistics management pillars that are central to the proposed Sport Logistics Framework: venue logistics management, sports equipment logistics management, athletes logistics management, and fan and spectators logistics management. Originality/value: This is the first study that builds on a systematic review of literature specifically focused on the logistics aspect in sports and sport event management. It provides a conceptual framework of sports logistics management and offers an agenda of future research opportunities.