Following the enactment of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, politicians, media, and lobbyists rendered a number of conflicting and confusing interpretations of its merits and demerits. Such interpretations intensified the skepticism and concerns of small business enterprise (SBE) owners. The purpose of this study was to develop a representative, prioritized list of SBE owners' concerns or resistance factors. The goal was to create a useful guide for SBE owners who are seeking ways to reducing the adverse financial impact of the law. With social choice theory as the theoretical framework, 50 randomly selected SBE owners across 5 distinct industry groups from Richmond, Virginia, participated in an online, cross-sectional, pairwise comparison survey. The overall results of an analytic hierarchy process indicated that the top-ranked resistance factor of SBE owners was insurance premiums, followed by quality of care and the tax burden. However, these rankings were not uniform among industry groups. With a focus on these crucial concerns, SBE owners could benefit by seeking approaches to reduce the business costs of health care. The implications for positive social change include the potential for business organizations, researchers, and policymakers to channel SBE owners' voice for a socioeconomic growth by addressing their concerns in seeking improvements from the ACA.

The following research study attempts to identify the determinant factors, affecting the customer choice among alternative suppliers of mortgage products. The other objective of the study is to evaluate the role of bank brand in the customer choice of mortgage provider. The Analytic Hierarchy Process is employed as the research methodology. Research results suggest that cost-related factors (interest rate, borrowing limit and application costs), and one service-related factor (speed of decision) are determinant for the choice among alternative mortgage providers. However, brand-related factors, such as bank reputation and recommendations, are not found to have a significant effect on the customer choice. The method of brand value calculation, developed in the study requires further research to explain the role of brand in customer decision-making.

<p><p><em>Making a decision today is quite important, especially in companies, where the consequences can bring benefits or costs. Sometimes the decisions to be made are complex and we need to evaluate many criterions that can involve several factors. In those cases, it is not easy to have a good overview of all choices and for this reason it is important to have a system that helps us in making complex decisions, when it is not possible to evaluate all the alternatives manually. This thesis describes different algorithms and tools that can aid in the process of making decisions. Based on the review of existing tools a new web based application is proposed. The new tool, Decision Maker, uses both the full Analytical Hierarchical Process approach and Chainwise Paired Comparisons method to evaluate different alternatives.</em></p></p>

Abstract ¡§Taiwan Domestic Shipbuilding Industries and Warship Commercial Maintenance¡¨ is the long-term policy of defense independent industries pushed by the Taiwan government. Domestic shipbuilding, ship maintenance, and national integrated resources can be used to support naval ships logistic maintenance. But there are some differences in technology and concept between ¡§merchant ship¡¨ and ¡§warship¡¨. The complexity, mobility, and specialization of warship systems are higher than merchant ships. Every type of operating system now utilized by commercial shipyards must be modified if they want to receive and carry on warship commercial maintenance activity. Building desirable systems to conduct warship maintenance project management effectively is the key factor if commercial shipyards wish to carry on warship commercial maintenance activity. How to evaluate a warship commercial maintenance system and provide improved solutions for commercial shipyards is the main purpose of this research. This paper start from warship maintenance project management and focuses on warship commercial maintenance peculiarities to correct domestic public projects and shipbuilding related references. We use the Habitual Domains (HD) method to search Key Success Factors (KSF) for warships commercial maintenance system applied to commercial shipyards and to adopt Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to exploit a multi-estimate criteria model to enhance effectiveness and reliability for evaluating a warship commercial maintenance system. The present study uses theoretical and actual experiences to develop a warship commercial maintenance system. Several recommendations are made in order to improve overall performance of a warship commercial maintenance system. We hope that domestic commercial shipyards can do the long-term planning and investment on conducting warship commercial maintenance activity. The navy also can perform warship maintenance frugally and diversely. In this way, navy and commercial shipyards can cooperate and realize the optimal benefit from both sides. ¡iKey Words¡j Taiwan Domestic Shipbuilding Industries, Warship Commercial Maintenance, warship maintenance project management, Habitual Domains (HD), Key Success Factor (KSF), Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

Abstract Water is the essential resource of people for their livelihood and is the foundation for the economy to develop unceasingly. Based on the trend of economic growth, population growth, and the improvement of the quality of life, the demand for water is expected to continuously increase. When the demand for water resources is continuing to increase, burdens are added to the environment and ecology. The severe challenge for human beings is how to promote the sustainable development of economy, society, an ecological environment, and to achieve sustainable use of water resources. The Penghu Island has endured water scarcity for a long time. The government also takes great pains over the water resource problem. The purpose of this study is to establish indicators of a framework for the sustainable development of water resources in Penghu County. This can be used to construct a model of the system dynamics to conduct simulations of various scenarios. After that, we can understand the current situation and problems of the subject of water resources and sustainable development in Penghu County to provide suggestions for the government to make decisions. First, literature should be collected that relates to the indicators of a sustainable development system of water resources, adopting the D-S-R (Driving forces-State-Response¡^indicator framework proposed by the United Nations. We should draw up a water resource sustainable development indicators system which suits the characteristic of the native environment in Penghu County initially, estimating by using Delphi and AHP. Moreover, we will construct a model of the system dynamics and proceed to do the simulation of scenarios. There are 43 indicators in this study which built up the D-S-R water resources sustainable development indicator framework in Penghu County. They belong to 8 different assessment categories, which include watershed conservation and management, groundwater conservation and management, diverse use and development of water resources, allocation and management of water resources, drought and flood mitigation, promotion of water conservation measures, technology research and develop of water resources, personnel training and education about cherishing water resources. Among them, there are 14 driving force indicators, 14 state indicators, and 15 response indicators. According to the dynamic system model constructed in this research, the continuous increase of the population and number of tourists represent the social and economic development of the driving force aspect. When the groundwater is overdrawn, this causes the seawater to invade and it becomes salty. The State aspect is and the people's health and welfare. In the Response aspect, there are 4 strategies regarding the management scenarios, including the control of overdrawn groundwater, building a seawater desalination factory, rational water price adjustment, and the promotion of water conservation measures are drafted. According to the simulation and scenarios, some results were found, such as the rational water price adjustment and promotion of water conservation measures have a limited effect upon slowing down the groundwater overdraw because of the severe water resource shortage in Penghu County. The control of overdrawn groundwater can appropriately decelerate the groundwater being drawn excessively, but can't retard the rise in demand for water. Building a seawater desalination factory can satisfy the continuous rise in demand for water, and have the greatest effect on decelerating the aggravation of the water resource ecology and the quality of the water environment. The strategy of improving the shortage of water resources usually can be executed from two directions: water resources development and economization. This study found that the key points to overcome in order to achieve the sustainable development of water resources in Penghu County are mainly: the destruction of the ecological environment because of deep groundwater overdraw, and the negative influence of setting up a seawater desalination factory on marine ecology resources. The relation is very clear that deep groundwater overdraw causes seawater invasion and the result is salty water. But it's not clear whether the waste water produced from the seawater desalination factory will effect the rich marine resources of Penghu County. The residents, mainly fishermen, still have doubts about building a seawater desalination factory. There should be more thorough analysis and research.

Réalisées aux échelles internationales et nationales, les études de vulnérabilité aux changements et à la variabilité climatiques sont peu pertinentes dans un processus de prise de décisions à des échelles géographiques plus petites qui représentent les lieux d’implantation des stratégies de réponses envisagées. Les études de vulnérabilité aux changements et à la variabilité climatiques à des échelles géographiques relativement petites dans le secteur agricole sont généralement rares, voire inexistantes au Canada, notamment au Québec. Dans le souci de combler ce vide et de favoriser un processus décisionnel plus éclairé à l’échelle de la ferme, cette étude cherchait principalement à dresser un portrait de l’évolution de la vulnérabilité des fermes productrices de maïs-grain des régions de Montérégie-Ouest et du Lac-St-Jean-Est aux changements et à la variabilité climatiques dans un contexte de multiples sources de pression. Une méthodologie générale constituée d'une évaluation de la vulnérabilité globale à partir d’une combinaison de profils de vulnérabilité aux conditions climatiques et socio-économiques a été adoptée. Pour la période de référence (1985-2005), les profils de vulnérabilité ont été dressés à l’aide d’analyses des coefficients de variation des séries temporelles de rendements et de superficies en maïs-grain. Au moyen de méthodes ethnographiques associées à une technique d’analyse multicritère, le Processus d’analyse hiérarchique (PAH), des scénarios d’indicateurs de capacité adaptative du secteur agricole susmentionné ont été développés pour la période de référence. Ceux-ci ont ensuite servi de point de départ dans l’élaboration des indicateurs de capacité de réponses des producteurs agricoles pour la période future 2010-2039. Pour celle-ci, les deux profils de vulnérabilité sont issus d’une simplification du cadre théorique de « Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change » (IPCC) relatif aux principales composantes du concept de vulnérabilité. Pour la dimension « sensibilité » du secteur des fermes productrices de maïs-grain des deux régions agricoles aux conditions climatiques, une série de données de rendements a été simulée pour la période future. Ces simulations ont été réalisées à l’aide d’un couplage de cinq scénarios climatiques et du modèle de culture CERES-Maize de « Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer » (DSSAT), version 4.0.2.0. En ce qui concerne l’évaluation de la « capacité adaptative » au cours de la période future, la construction des scénarios d’indicateurs de cette composante a été effectuée selon l’influence potentielle des grandes orientations économiques et environnementales considérées dans l’élaboration des lignes directrices des deux familles d’émissions de gaz à effet de serre (GES) A2 et A1B. L’application de la démarche méthodologique préalablement mentionnée a conduit aux principaux résultats suivants. Au cours de la période de référence, la région agricole du Lac-St-Jean-Est semblait être plus vulnérable aux conditions climatiques que celle de Montérégie-Ouest. En effet, le coefficient de variation des rendements du maïs-grain pour la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est était évalué à 0,35; tandis que celui pour la région de Montérégie-Ouest n’était que de 0,23. Toutefois, par rapport aux conditions socio-économiques, la région de Montérégie-Ouest affichait une vulnérabilité plus élevée que celle du Lac-St-Jean-Est. Les valeurs des coefficients de variation pour les superficies en maïs-grain au cours de la période de référence pour la Montérégie-Ouest et le Lac-St-Jean-Est étaient de 0,66 et 0,48, respectivement. Au cours de la période future 2010-2039, la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est serait, dans l’ensemble, toujours plus vulnérable aux conditions climatiques que celle de Montérégie-Ouest. Les valeurs moyennes des coefficients de variation pour les rendements agricoles anticipés fluctuent entre 0,21 et 0,25 pour la région de Montérégie-Ouest et entre 0,31 et 0,50 pour la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est. Néanmoins, en matière de vulnérabilité future aux conditions socio-économiques, la position relative des deux régions serait fonction du scénario de capacité adaptative considéré. Avec les orientations économiques et environnementales considérées dans l’élaboration des lignes directrices de la famille d’émission de GES A2, les indicateurs de capacité adaptative du secteur à l’étude seraient respectivement de 0,13 et 0,08 pour la Montérégie-Ouest et le Lac-St-Jean-Est. D’autre part, en considérant les lignes directrices de la famille d’émission de GES A1B, la région agricole du Lac-St-Jean-Est aurait une capacité adaptative légèrement supérieure (0,07) à celle de la Montérégie-Ouest (0,06). De façon générale, au cours de la période future, la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est devrait posséder une vulnérabilité globale plus élevée que la région de Montérégie-Ouest. Cette situation s’expliquerait principalement par une plus grande vulnérabilité de la région du Lac-St-Jean-Est aux conditions climatiques. Les résultats de cette étude doivent être appréciés dans le contexte des postulats considérés, de la méthodologie suivie et des spécificités des deux régions agricoles examinées. Essentiellement, avec l’adoption d’une démarche méthodologique simple, cette étude a révélé les caractéristiques « dynamique et relative » du concept de vulnérabilité, l’importance de l’échelle géographique et de la prise en compte d’autres sources de pression et surtout de la considération d’une approche contraire à celle du « agriculteur réfractaire aux changements » dans les travaux d’évaluation de ce concept dans le secteur agricole. Finalement, elle a aussi présenté plusieurs pistes de recherche susceptibles de contribuer à une meilleure évaluation de la vulnérabilité des agriculteurs aux changements climatiques dans un contexte de multiples sources de pression. / The undertaking of vulnerability studies in relation to climatic change and vulnerability at the international and national levels renders them less relevant to a decision-making process at smaller spatial scales where specific response strategies are implemented. Vulnerability studies to climatic change and variability at relatively small geographic scales within the agriculture sector are rare in general, and even nonexistent in Canada, including Quebec. In order to fill in this gap and to contribute to a better decision-making process at the farm level, this study aimed at presenting a description and analysis of the evolution of grain corn growers’ vulnerability to climatic change and variability and other stressors within the Montérégie-Ouest and Lac-St-Jean-Est regions. A general methodology consisting of an assessment of farmers’ overall vulnerability by combining vulnerability profiles to climate and socio-economic conditions has been considered. For the reference period (1985-2005), vulnerability profiles were constructed by analyzing the variation coefficients of grain corn yields and crop area data. By means of ethnographic methods associated with a multicriteria analysis technique, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), adaptive capacity indices of the agriculture sector have been elaborated upon for the reference period. These indices have then been used as a starting point in the construction of scenario indices of future adaptive capacity of farmers for the future period 2010-2039. For this future period (2010-2039), vulnerability profiles for both regions have been created using a simplified version of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) conceptual framework on the components of vulnerability. For the « sensitivity » component of grain corn growers to climate conditions within the selected agricultural regions, a set of grain corn yields has been simulated using five climate scenarios coupled with CERES-Maize, one of the crop models embedded in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT 4.0.2.0 version) software. In regards to the evaluation of the « adaptive capacity » for the future period (2010-2039), the elaboration of indices for this component has been undertaken by considering the potential influence of the main economic and environmental drivers used in the development of the storylines for two greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenarios families, namely the A2 and A1B families. The application of the methodological approach mentioned above produced the following key results. For the reference period, the Lac-St-Jean-Est region appeared to be more vulnerable to climate conditions than Montérégie-Ouest region. The coefficient of variation for grain corn yields within the Lac-St-Jean-Est region was evaluated to be 0,35, while the value for the Montérégie-Ouest region was only 0,23. However, with respect to the socio-economic conditions, the Montérégie-Ouest region showed greater vulnerability than the Lac-St-Jean-Est region. The values of the coefficient of variation for the areas under grain corn during the reference period (1985-2005) within Montérégie-Ouest and Lac-St-Jean-Est were 0,66 and 0,48 respectively. For the future period (2010-2039), the Lac-St-Jean-Est region, once again, would seem to be more vulnerable to climate conditions than the Montérégie-Ouest region. The average values of the coefficient of variation for the simulated grain corn yields fluctuate between 0,21 and 0,25 for the Montérégie-Ouest region and between 0,31 and 0,50 for Lac-St-St-Jean-Est region. However, from a socio-economic perspective, the relative vulnerability status of both regions would seem to vary according to the scenario of adaptive capacity considered. With the economic and environmental drivers considered in the storylines of the A2 GHG emissions scenario family, the adaptive capacity indices for the sector under study would be 0,13 and 0,08 for Montérégie-Ouest and Lac-St-Jean-Est, respectively. On the other hand, by considering the economic and environmental drivers considered for the A1B GHG emissions scenario family, the Lac-St-Jean-Est agricultural region would appear to have an adaptive capacity slightly higher (0,07) than that of the Montérégie-Ouest region (0,06). In general, for the future period, the Lac-St-Jean-Est region would appear to have greater overall vulnerability than the Montérégie-Ouest. This situation can be explained mainly by a greater vulnerability of Lac-St-Jean-Est region to climate conditions. The results of this study have to be interpreted within the context of the assumptions considered, the methodology used, and the characteristics of the two regions under study. In general, using a simple methodological approach, this study revealed the « dynamic and relative » characteristics of the vulnerability concept, the importance of spatial scale and consideration of multiple stressors and the integration of an approach different to the commonly used« dumb-farmer » approach for the evaluation of this concept of vulnerability within the agriculture sector. Finally, this study has also identified some new research pathways likely to contribute to a better evaluation of farmers’ vulnerability to climate change in the context of multiple stressors.

如何永續發展已成為人類面臨的重大議題，依據先進國外之經驗，透過智慧電網之相關技術，可以有效的提升能源效率與達成節能減碳之目的。在國外建置智慧電網的過程中，往往從先進讀表基礎建設(Advanced Metering Infrastructure, AMI)切入，AMI對往後智慧電網的延伸發展有很大的影響。 因此，本研究旨在探討我國未來發展AMI創新政策之關鍵因素和其優先排序。首先藉由蒐集次級資料瞭解主要先進國家的AMI相關發展經驗，以及目前我國AMI的發展現況，再透過文獻探討國家創新政策，並以Rothwell &Zegveld之國家創新政策理論作為基礎架構，建立層級結構，運用模糊層級分析法(Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process, FAHP )，針對國內AMI之相關產官學人員進行專家問卷調查，並整理出各項政策因素的權重排序，求出影響台灣發展AMI之創新政策關鍵因素。 從本研究實證結果顯示主層級之三項政策構面中相對權重最重的是「環境面」，在次層級十二項政策工具中，「公共服務」、「資訊服務」、「法規管制」的相對總權重最重，其為目前台灣發展AMI創新政策中最急需政府優先考量的關鍵因素。 / The sustainable development has become major issue for human. According to the experience of foreign advanced countries, it can achieve the purpose effectively of improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions through the related technologies of smart grid. In the process of building smart grid abroad, it often cuts into the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). AMI has a great influence on the future extending development of the smart grid. Therefore, the study explores the key factors and precedence of AMI innovation policy in future development of our country. First, understanding the relative development experience of AMI in major advanced countries through collecting the secondary data and the current development situation of AMI in our country. Second, exploring country innovation policy through literature review, and taking theory of Rothwell & Zegveld as infrastructure to build up hierarchical structure, and using FAHP (Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process) method to conduct experts survey for relative persons of industry - government - academy of domestic AMI. Then, collating the sort weights for various policy factors. Finally, finding out key factors that affect development of Taiwan’s AMI innovation policy. From the empirical results of the research shows that the most important relative weights in three main policy dimensions of the hierarchy is the “environmental surface”. The relative total weights of “public service”, “information service” ,“regulation control” and “political strategic policies” are the highest among twelve policies. They are key factor of most urgent priority for government to consider among developing AMI innovation policies in current Taiwan.

Dans un environnement international extrêmement concurrentiel, piloter avec efficience son Système de Production est un point fondamental pour une entreprise. Les méthodes traditionnelles de gestion et de pilotage montrent toutes leurs limites respectives face à l'inflation des contraintes de production, et il devient incontournable d'explorer de nouvelles approches de pilotage, plutôt en rupture avec les approches généralement utilisées à l'heure actuelle pour effectuer les prises de décision. Parmi ces champs exploratoires, le paradigme holonique offre un cadre conceptuel au sein duquel la communauté HMS (Holonic Manufacturing System) propose diverses solutions, selon des approches combinant à des degrés divers hiérarchisation et distribution de la prise de décision. Après un panorama du travail de ces équipes, nous étudions une architecture pour le pilotage des systèmes de production ne présentant plus aucune dimension hiérarchique dans la prise de décision. Pour cela, nous proposons le concept d'isoarchie, résultant du parti pris de pousser le raisonnement de la distribution à ses limites. Au delà du travail de ces équipes, nous proposons une architecture pour le pilotage des systèmes de production ne présentant plus aucune dimension hiérarchique dans la prise de décision. Pour cela, nous définisons le concept d'isoarchie, résultant du parti pris de pousser à ses limites ce raisonnement. Nous présentons donc notre vision de la prise isoarchique de décision dans le contexte d'un ensemble d'entités holoniques en interaction. Différentes applications montrant différents aspects des performances obtenues et de la mise en oeuvre de tels systèmes seront détaillées.

The negative social and economic results of traffic accidents are the most serious problems within the concept of traffic safety. Every year, unfortunately, a huge number of traffic accidents result in destructive losses. Especially, when the holiness of human life is concerned, traffic safety has an invaluable role for the traffic improvement strategies. In this manner, Turkey places one of the highest ranks regarding the growing rate and severity of traffic accidents that should be immediately taken under control. In this study, an innovative model that constructs a hybrid between the spatial and statistical analyses is developed in order to examine the importance of enhancing statistical analysis with georeferenced data and so location-based studies in traffic accident analysis. Meanwhile, the effects of road characteristic and environment are considered for exploring the integral role of roadway factor to the occurrence of accidents, and consequently for emphasizing easily applicable and controllable engineering safety measures. Because of the rare and random distribution of traffic accident data, logistic regression is used for the statistical part of the study in order to find the pairwise risk factors among the roadway and environmental parameters. After unifying these relative risk factors with the logic of Analytic Hierarchy Process, the finalized accident risk factors are attached to the digitized road characteristics map through Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The abilities of GIS in mapping, displaying and overlaying different data sets ensure to visualize high risked accident areas with their corresponding potential causal factors. The integration of statistical and spatial analyses is essential for developing appropriate and effective precautions in addition to its easily understandable, applicable and modifiable structure. Finally, the model is proven to be appropriate for both interpreting the existing traffic accident problem or potential future accidents and also developing comprehensive and reliable location-based safety studies.

This dissertation presents the results of a Ph.D. research entitled as methodology development for SME based virtual enterprises. The research addresses the preparation and set up of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. A virtual enterprise (VE) can be perceived as a customer solution delivery system created by a temporary and re-configurable information and communications technology (ICT) enabled aggregation of competencies. The main achievements of the research include: &amp / #8226 / Clarification and definition of the concept for virtual enterprises and enterprise networks including preparation of these. o A fast and efficient setup of virtual enterprises can be enabled through the establishment of an enterprise network in which an appropriate type and degree of work preparation can be established prior to the set up of virtual enterprises. &amp / #8226 / Development of a framework and a reference architecture for virtual enterprises named as Structured Methodology and ICT Reference Architecture respectively. o Structured Methodology structures the body of knowledge related to preparation, set up and operation of virtual enterprises and enterprise networks. o ICT reference architecture consists of three levels with seven layers to portray in a diagrammatic fashion how different enterprises may exchange and use information between their respective organizations&amp / #8217 / specific proprietary systems and a central server. &amp / #8226 / Development of a methodology for virtual enterprise named as Virtual Enterprise Methodology (VEM) o VEM consists of a set of guidelines, which systematically describes activities that enterprises should consider in relation to set up and preparation of own enterprise networks with the aim to set up virtual enterprises. &amp / #8226 / Testing and validation of the developed VEM with the realization of a virtual case study and establishment of a validation platform respectively. o Virtual case study demonstrates the application of the developed VE methodology with the illustration of the key activities related to setting up breeding environment, setting up &amp / operating VE and dissolution of VE. o The findings in the research can be validated through the various activities as meetings, conferences, presentations and publication of journals.