Universiẗat, Diss.--Köln, 2006.

Techn. Hochsch., Diss.--Aachen, 2006.

Zugl.: Sankt Gallen, Univ., Diss., 2009

The Common Core State Standards for mathematics and English language arts were released in June of 2010 and have been adopted by a majority of U.S. states. The authors of these standards have claimed that they are internationally benchmarked -- that is, that they are as rigorous, focused, and coherent as the standards and expectations used in high-performing countries -- but have not provided evidence to back up these claims. Singapore, whose students have scored at the top of recent international assessments, is frequently touted as a leader in mathematics education. To test the claims of international benchmarking for the Common Core, this paper uses the methodology of the Surveys of Enacted Curriculum to compare the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics to the Singapore Mathematics Framework in terms of rigor, focus, and coherence. The Common Core State Standards and the Singapore Mathematics Framework do call for similar levels of conceptual understanding, mathematical reasoning, and problem-solving. However, the content expectations outlined by the Common Core are somewhat more rigorous than those outlined by the Singapore Mathematics Framework. / text

This dissertation is composed of three chapters, each an application of Bayesian statistical models to particular research questions. In Chapter 1, we evaluate systemic risk exposure of financial institutions. Building upon traditional regime switching approaches, we propose a network model for volatility contagion to assess linkages between institutions in the financial system. Focusing empirical analysis on the financial sector, we find that network connectivity has dynamic properties, with linkages between institutions increasing immediately before the recent crisis. Out-of-sample forecasts demonstrate the ability of the model to predict losses during distress periods. We find that institutional exposure to crisis events depends upon the structure of linkages, not strictly the number of linkages. In Chapter 2, we develop procedures for benchmarking small area estimates. In sample surveys, precision can be increased by introducing small area models which "borrow strength" by incorporating auxiliary covariate information. One consequence of using small area models is that small area estimates at lower geographical levels typically will not aggregate to the estimate at the corresponding higher geographical levels. Benchmarking is the statistical procedure for reconciling these differences. Two new approaches to Bayesian benchmarking are introduced, one procedure based on Minimum Discrimination Information, and another for Bayesian self-consistent conditional benchmarking. Notably the proposed procedures construct adjusted posterior distributions whose moments all satisfy benchmarking constraints. In the context of the Fay-Herriot model, simulations are conducted to assess benchmarking performance. In Chapter 3, we exploit the Pair Copula Construction (PCC) to develop a flexible multivariate model for time-varying dependence. The PCC is an extremely flexible model for capturing complex, but static, multivariate dependency. We use a Bayesian framework to extend the PCC to account for time dynamic dependence structures. In particular, we model the time series of a transformation of parameters of the PCC as an autoregressive model, conducting inference using a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm. We use financial data to illustrate empirical evidence for the existence of time dynamic dependence structures, show improved out-of-sample forecasts for our time dynamic PCC, and assess performance of dynamic PCC models for forecasting Value-at-Risk. / Statistics

Title: Improving the Processes in a WarehouseBackground: For warehouses to perform as efficiently and effectively as possible, helping companies maintain a high service level and react to market changes, continuous improvement is necessary. This is achievable through amongst other methods, the analysis of operations to identify wasteful activities and eliminate them. Purpose: This paper, through a thorough description and understanding of the current outbound processes at Company N, seeks to identify any wasteful activity and what might be causing such wastes. Furthermore the paper shall seek to make recommendations for reducing or eliminating wastes identified. Research Questions: What wastes can be identified in Company N’s outbound processes and why do they occur? What recommendations should be made for reducing wastes at Company N? Method: This research is qualitative in nature carried out using a deductive approach. Primary data was gathered mainly through observation and semi-structured and unstructured interviews with the goal of gaining as deep an understanding of the processes as possible. Secondary data was also gotten from multiple sources within the company. Contemporary tools and techniques like Value Stream Mapping and Gemba (observation at the place of work) were useful in identifying wastes; meanwhile the 5 Why’s questioning technique was used for finding the causes of wastes identified. Benchmarking was also used as a means of sourcing ideas and proven standards of performance. Conclusion: The research identified five main wastes including waiting, travelling, unnecessary motion, defects and processing. The main causes of the wastes include the use of manual verification during processes, limited use of batch picking, the absence of lifting aid and dissatisfaction amongst workers. The report makes recommendations including change of handling equipment and operating procedures to accommodate automatic verification of locations and items, as well as better usage of batch picking. It is also recommended to swap the location of certain articles and introduce marketing analysis to reduce travelling. Finally, recommendations are made for counteracting worker dissatisfaction such as a proposed improvement report, an appraisal system, more cross training and internal personnel development.

Ο κύριος σκοπός της παρούσας εργασίας είναι να παρουσιάσει τη μέθοδο του benchmarking και τα περιθώρια εφαρμογής της στον οικονομικό προγραμματισμό πιστωτικών ιδρυμάτων. Η τεχνική που χρησιμοποιούμε για την εφαρμογή της μεθόδου του benchmarking είναι η ανάλυση αριθμοδεικτών. Στην αρχή πραγματοποιούμε μια σύγκριση ανάμεσα στις τιμές συγκεκριμένων αριθμοδεικτών της Εθνικής Τράπεζας της Ελλάδος με τη μέση τιμή των δεικτών αυτών στον τραπεζικό κλάδο. Έπειτα, πραγματοποιούμε μια εφαρμογή του benchmarking ανάμεσα σε υποκαταστήματα της Εθνικής Τράπεζας. Τα αποτελέσματα αυτών των συγκρίσεων μπορούν να χρησιμοποιηθούν στη σύνταξη των προϋπολογισμών επόμενων περιόδων. / The major aim of this study is to present benchmarking, as it is used during the process of financial planning of banking institutions. The technique, which we use to apply the method of benchmarking, is accounting ratio analysis. At first we make a comparison between the price of certain ratios of National Bank of Greece and the average price for the whole banking sector in Greece. Then we present benchmarking between bank branches of the same bank. The output of these comparisons can be used in the financial planning and the budgets of forthcoming periods.

Als Reaktion auf die Verbreitung von globalen privaten Lebensmittelstandards gehen einige Entwicklungsländer mit der Gründung eigener nationaler Food Standards einen Weg, um sich in wichtigen Exportländern zu positionieren. Allerdings wirken negative Herkunftsimages dem Aufbau von Glaubwürdigkeit und Anerkennung bei wichtigen internationalen Akteuren entgegen. Diese Studie untersucht die Wirkung von Herkunftsland-Effekten auf die wahrgenommene Glaubwürdigkeit der nationalen Lebensmittelstandards und beurteilt die Benchmarking-Strategien, wie sie von GLOBALG.A.P. und der Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) angeboten werden. Die Daten von 301 Lebensmittel-Managern aus Industrie- und Entwicklungsländern wurden durch eine Online-Befragung im Frühjahr 2010 erhoben. Die Befragten wurden gebeten, verschiedene Aspekte der Glaubwürdigkeit von Standards generell zu beurteilen sowie die Glaubwürdigkeit der Food Standards von acht Ländern spezifisch zu bewerten: Australien, China, Ghana, Indien, Italien, Mexiko, dem Vereinigten Königreich und den Vereinigten Staaten. Durch eine Faktorenanalyse und eine lineare Regression wird ein empirisches Modell zur Glaubwürdigkeit von Lebensmittelstandards analysiert. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich, dass "Benchmarking-Signale" erheblich dazu beitragen können, die Glaubwürdigkeit von Lebensmittelstandards in entwickelten Ländern und in Entwicklungsländern zu verbessern.

Baigiamojo darbo tikslas – pateikti sprendimus IĮ „SIRMA“ veiklos efektyvumui gerinti. Teorinėje darbo dalyje pateikiama vadybos literatūros šaltinių, nagrinėjančių veiklos efektyvumo matavimo ir gerinimo metodus, analizė. Analitinėje darbo dalyje, pasitelkiant stebėjimų ir įmonės dokumentų analizės metodus, analizuojama IĮ „SIRMA“ veikla. Analizuojamas įmonės veiklos efektyvumas, remiantis teorinėje dalyje pateiktais metodais, ieškant veiklos efektyvumo problemų. Atliekama finansinė, vidaus procesų ir lyginamoji veiklos analizė bei pateikiamos analizės išvados apie esamą veiklos efektyvumą įmonėje ir esamas veiklos problemas. Projektinėje darbo dalyje pateikiami problemų, atrastų atlikus IĮ „SIRMA“ analizę, sprendimo būdai ir priemonės, parengiamas priemonių įgyvendinimo planas. Pateikiami finansinio efektyvumo ir vidaus procesų gerinimo planai, bei papildomų veiklos efektyvumo gerinimo priemonių naudojimo planas, apremtas lyginamosios analizės rezultatais. / Main goal of this diploma paper – find ways of improving organizational effectiveness in small and middle size companies, using individual company „SIRMA“ as an example The theoretical part of the paper presents the analysis of performance measurement and improvement methods, in management literature. The analytical part of this diploma paper analysis IC “SIRMA” using observation and analysis methods. Financial, internal processes and comparative performance analysis is performed and conclusions about existing company performance problems are made. Project part of the diploma paper describes main solutions, tools and action plan for organizational effectiveness improvement.

The main goal of this research was to explore the use of benchmarking in the dairy industry. This includes descriptions of the various sectors in North America where benchmarking has been used successfully on a continuous basis or in research. Benchmarking methods that are currently used in the Quebec dairy industry are examined. An improvement to such methods is proposed through the use of visualization, coupled with interactivity, and with a focus on adaptability and usage. The advantages of such an interactive tool are discussed in light of on-farm decision-making, and a further use of visual slider applications is described to help with parameters of known economic importance.