Two studies investigated the effects of various motor constraints of reaching on infants’ search performance on the A-not-B task. These studies were motivated by the idea that motor memories for reaching lead to A-not-B errors. The 2 motor constraints that were evaluated included barriers that blocked the path of the hand and hand-use preferences. Each of these motor constraints was examined separately. In Experiment 1, infants (N = 40, 20 8-month olds, 20 16-month olds) were given the A-not-B task twice. One condition was analogous to the traditional A-not-B task (i.e., using 2 hiding locations) and the other was modified such that a barrier (i.e., an opaque screen) blocked the infants’ reaching path of location A on A trials only. On A trials, all infants searched correctly less often when a barrier was present, and younger infants searched correctly less often than older infants. On B trials, younger infants made more errors in the no barrier condition, whereas older infants did not show any significant difference in B trial performance across conditions. In Experiment 2, infants (N = 51) completed an adapted handedness test (Michel, Ovrut, & Harkins, 1985) followed by a modified A-not-B task. The test assessed infants’ hand-use preferences for reaching, which was used to group infants into their respective preference group (i.e., consistent or inconsistent). Infants with a consistent preference were randomly assigned to a hiding side group (i.e., A on preferred side or A on non-preferred side). Infants searched correctly more often when hiding side was congruent with their preferred reaching hand, and older infants searched correctly more often than younger infants. On the B trial, neither age nor hiding side affected the production of the A-not-B error. Collectively, these studies present data that address the theory that motor memories for reaching are the cause for the production of A-not-B error. These studies provide novel evidence that motor memories for reaching are present in infants aged 8- and 16-months, and that motor memories can influence the production of such errors in certain A-not-B contexts. Implications and directions for future research are also discussed.

In this study, I analyze the responses of police officers to questions regarding their involvement in the use of Community-Oriented Policing strategies. When the officer encounters a drug offender they must decide how to deal with the situation. There are a variety of trained responses and policies available. The data is grouped into nine variables; time in law enforcement, time in department, perceived support, perceived barriers, COP strategy, COP action, prevention, help, and citation. The data is then analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Firm growth can be seen as a driving and determinant factor for economical development and employment in Sweden and other counties. SMEs plays an important role and are bearing most of the economical growth and employment on their shoulders and represent 99,4 percent of all the firms registered in Sweden, which in return makes it important that they grow and develop. Every fifth firm established today is run by an immigrant entrepreneur and so far the immigrant entrepreneurs represent 14 percent of the firms in Sweden and most of these firms are considered as SMEs. The interest of immigrant entrepreneurship within academic research and media has increased during the last years and different studies have shown what impact immigrant entrepreneurs have on the Swedish society and how much they contribute to the Swedish economical growth and employment. A study done by Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (2010a) showed that immigrant entrepreneurs tend to have a more positive attitude towards firm growth than native entrepreneurs. Although immigrant entrepreneurs have a positive attitude towards firm growth there are some barriers to firm growth that they face which in return can prevent or slow down the firm growth. Strategies are important since they allow firms to achieve firm growth and business goals.    The aim of our study is to increase the understanding of strategies that immigrant entrepreneurs’ develop in order to achieve firm growth. Based on one previous study conducted by SCB (Efendic et al., 2012) studying firm growth and immigrant entrepreneurship, we have managed to identify a research gap that needs to be fulfilled. This thesis will contribute will relevant knowledge and data for entrepreneurs as well as individuals to get a deeper understanding of how immigrant entrepreneurs work in order to reach firm growth. The data collection and analysis of the research allowed us to be able to answer the research question; “How do immigrant entrepreneurs in Sweden develop strategies in order to reach firm growth in their business?” To carry on with the study and collect relevant data for the research, we took the direction of abductive approach with a qualitative research strategy.   The interviews and empirical findings consist of six different immigrant entrepreneurs based in Sweden. From the findings, the authors came across different strategies that are commonly used by immigrant entrepreneurs. Furthermore, internal and external factors and barriers provided in the literature also influenced the firm growth. It was really interesting to see that many of the most common prejudices that exist within immigrant entrepreneurship were false in this study. This is proved since none of the immigrant entrepreneurs limit their markets to the ethnical groups and most of the firms did not use the personal network in terms of family and friends when building up the staff base. Outsourcing was a strategy that used within many of the firms in order to continuously to reach firm growth. It was also interesting to see that the personal history of the entrepreneur had a huge impact on the firm growth and the business goals.

This paper examines and evaluates one of the entry barriers in the Swedish upper secondary school market,the governmental imposed restriction which states that the establishment of an independent school can notresult in substantial negative eects for municipal schools. Identication of what variables are consideredwhen ruling the establishment of an independent school inappropriate due to the risk of causing substantialnegative eects is carried out through quantitative analysis by gathering data from a stratied sample ofapplications sent in to the Swedish School Inspectorate 2011 and 2012 to start or expand independentschools. The probability of getting an application to start or expand independent school is regressed on thepredicted number of remaining students at municipal schools, on the predicted student population changeand on the municipality recommendation. The models developed show that the predicted number ofstudents left in municipal schools has a big impact on the probability of getting an application approvedwith distinct kinks in the explanatory power. The result also show that the predicted student populationschange is taken into account but that the municipal recommendation is not.

The overall purpose of this thesis is to gain a better understanding of the internationalization readiness process of firms, by identifying and describing and its components. In order to reach the purpose of this thesis a case study of four Swedish SMEs has been conducted, namely: MaxiGrip AB, Playsay AB, Flano Design AB and KOTP. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with the main decision makers within the firms. The theoretical framework involves a description of different internationalization theories, such as the transaction cost approach, the traditional “stage” model, the network approach and the international entrepreneurship approach. Based on these four internationalization theories has the traditional “stage” model been chosen to function as a theoretical foundation for the analysis. In the analysis the theoretical framework is related to the results of the empirical study. The barriers faced by firms prior to internationalization are discussed and analysed, as well as theimportance of each barrier, resulting in internal barriers being regarded of greater importance. The decision maker’s role and influence during the process is described as highly influential. The key success factors enabling the internationalization readiness process of firms are identified and discussed, namely: vision and international outlook of decision makers, having a unique offering, the availability of time and vast industry knowledge. It is concluded that a firm is able to achieve internationalization readiness by fulfilling a certain criteria, which has been the result of the combination of both theory and empirical data. Resulting in the decision maker being at the center of the process. While, the internal stimuli of industry knowledge and product uniqueness are the two main influencers combined with time  and commitment. At last, both theoretical and managerial implications are presented, ending this paper with the limitations and suggestions for further research.

We present results on smooth and nonsmooth variational properties of {it symmetric} functions of the eigenvalues of a real symmetric matrix argument, as well as {it absolutely symmetric} functions of the singular values of a real rectangular matrix. Such results underpin the theory of optimization problems involving such functions. We answer the question of when a symmetric function of the eigenvalues allows a quadratic expansion around a matrix, and then the stronger question of when it is twice differentiable. We develop simple formulae for the most important nonsmooth subdifferentials of functions depending on the singular values of a real rectangular matrix argument and give several examples. The analysis of the above two classes of functions may be generalized in various larger abstract frameworks. In particular, we investigate how functions depending on the eigenvalues or the singular values of a matrix argument may be viewed as the composition of symmetric functions with the roots of {it hyperbolic polynomials}. We extend the relationship between hyperbolic polynomials and {it self-concordant barriers} (an extremely important class of functions in contemporary interior point methods for convex optimization) by exhibiting a new class of self-concordant barriers obtainable from hyperbolic polynomials.

Tanzania, one of many nations in Africa with high infant mortality to preventable diseases, continues to experience relatively low vaccination rates for childhood diseases. In this paper, we examine the maternal barriers to obtaining vaccines for their children in Tanzania. The risk and protective factors we analyzed include age of the mother and children, education level of the mother, number of children, maternal decision-making practices, power dynamics and others. Lack of control, limited decision practices, and decreased maternal empowerment were identified as key barriers to obtaining vaccines for children. Overall, this data is consistent with previous studies regarding barriers to vaccinations in Tanzania and other African nations.

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Background: This paper considers two levels of supply chain integration as manufacture ( Haleeb foods) and distributors. In the last decade, the advancement in technology and collaboration in the business becoming more commonly used. Firms need to be working closely with their supply chain partner upstream and downstream. However, supply chain integration is a process to join together as business partners and optimize the collective performance of the supply chain.   Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the existing  levels of supply chain integration between Haleeb foods and its distributors in Pakistan. Theory defines that developing countries have a lack of integration between supply chain partners due to some barriers to supply chain integration. Furthermore, this study found the barriers to supply chain integration between the Haleeb foods and its distributors as well as identifying the most common barriers to SCI.   Methodology: This study is to identify different levels and barriers to SCI between Haleeb foods and its distributors. Subsequently, research supported the supply chain integration in the food industry of Pakistan. Furthermore, relevant literature is reviewed to design the questionnaire and sent it to all the distributors of Haleeb foods across the Pakistan through a company representative . 178 responses were received out of 200 distributors in order to complete this survey based study. Pearson correlation was performed out of empirical data to find out the significant relationship. Moreover, the authors used descriptive statistic to identify the levels and barriers to supply chain integration.   Conclusion: The current level of supply chain integration in Haleeb foods and its distributors is low due to less supply chain integration practice and unstable industrial condition in Pakistan. However, the basic dimensions (II, CRS, ORL) of supply chain integration are very important to identifying the levels of SCI. On the other hand, there are some barriers to supply chain integration between Haleeb foods and its distributors. These barriers are strongly influencing on SCI. Originality/value: This is the first empirical work, measuring the existing levels and barriers to supply chain integration in the dairy industry of Pakistan specifically, Haleeb foods and its distributors. This research has given a clear idea about the supply chain integration and collaborative efforts in the food industry of Pakistan.

This research is a cross sectional study which is conducted as an email survey. Accordingly, 22 companies have been surveyed to investigate the tendency and barriers for SMEs in Sweden regarding implementation of lean production. For that, barriers are categorized into two categories. The first category includes the ones which prevent SMEs from starting lean production (introduction barriers). The second category encompasses the ones which SMEs face while they are implementing lean production (implementation barriers). Moreover, to obtain a better view about problematic areas in lean transformation for SMEs, improvements and achievements of the investigated companies in their lean implementation processes have been assessed. However, it was not a detailed or in depth analysis, since the main purpose of this research was not to assess SMEs progress, rather it was to identify the hindrances in SMEs’ path to become lean. The results from this survey showed that most of the lean principles are applicable in SMEs. However, SMEs have problem with lack of time, management support, finance, resistance to change, change process, and training.  In addition lack of skilled employees for implementation of lean production was found as the biggest introduction barrier for SMEs. Moreover, the result of this research shows that small companies do not show tendency to implement lean production.