Detta examensarbete ämnar till att identifiera kvalitetsproblem inom den studerade organisationen varpå kvalitetstekniska tillvägagångssätt appliceras i syfte av att framställa lösningsförslag. Rapporten innefattar teorierna SWOT, Sociala medielandskapet, hörnstensmodellen, processmodellering, processmognad, TQM, PDSA-cykeln, statistisk processtyrning, Ishikawadiagramoch tidigare forskning som anses adekvat. Arbetet är vidare en fallstudie där kvalitativa och kvantitativa data, övervägande av primär art, skapat underlag för rapportens innehåll. Resultat tyder på att det inom den studerade organisationen råder brist på nödvändiga rutiner och resurseffektivitet för att möjliggöra fortsatt progression. Företagets resurser nyttjas ineffektivt vilket anses hämma företagets utvecklingsmöjligheter. Att det inom organisationen finns kvalitetsproblem har utmynnat i en oönskad mängd ouppfyllda bokningar, en företeelse kallad timeouts. Företeelsen har sedermera lett till förlust av potentiell inkomst. Presenterat resultat påvisar vidare att det inom den studerade organisationen finns goda förutsättningar för tillväxt. Slutsatser som kan dras påvisar att den studerade organisationen i samförstånd med tidigare forskning står inför utmaningen att skapa balans mellan ettagilt arbetssätt och processmognad. Bristen på dokumentation och rutiner samt ett ineffektivt resursutnyttjande utgör stora hot mot tillväxt varpå tre lösningsförslag har presenterats. I rapporten redovisas följande tre lösningsförslag: förbättring av processmognad, förvärv av stylister samt aktivering av befintliga stylister och anskaffning av extrapersonal. För vardera enskild lösning har en individuellt utformad handlingsplan och en preliminärt utformad tidplan upprättats. / This thesis aims to identify quality problems within the studied organization, whereupon quality-technical approaches are applied in order to produce solution proposals. The report includes the theories SWOT, Social Media Landscape, Cornerstone Model, Process Modeling, Process Maturity, TQM, PDSA Cycle, Statistical Process Control, Ishikawa Diagram and previous research that is considered adequate. The work is a case study where qualitative and quantitative data, predominantly of the primary form, created the basis for the report's content. Results indicate that there is a lack of necessary routines and resource efficiency within the studied organization to enable continued progression. The company's resources are used inefficiently, which is considered to inhibit the company's development opportunities. The fact that there are quality problems within the organization has resulted in an unwanted amount of unfulfilled bookings, a phenomenon called timeouts. The phenomenon has subsequently led to a loss of potential income. Presented results further demonstrate that within the studied organization there are good conditions for growth. Conclusions that can be drawn show that the studied organization, in agreement with previous research, faces the challenge of creating a balance between an agile working method and process maturity. The lack of documentation and routines as well as inefficient resource utilization represent major threats to growth, after which three solutions have been presented. The report presents the following three solution proposals: improvement of process maturity, acquisition of stylists and activation of existing stylists and acquisition of extra staff. For each individual solution, an individually designed action plan and a preliminary design timetable have been established.

O objetivo da dissertação foi o desenvolvimento de um modelo de avaliação rápida da atratividade de oportunidades de negócios em recursos energéticos renováveis dentro de uma região geográfica delimitada, valendo-se dos resultados do Planejamento Integrado de Recursos Energéticos (PIR) para a região analisada, complementado com outras bases bibliográficas primárias e secundárias. O uso dos resultados do PIR propiciou o acesso rápido a avaliações prontas dos recursos energéticos em três dimensões1, além da dimensão técnico-econômica, incluindo opiniões e posições da sociedade local e nacional (técnicos e não técnicos). No estudo piloto, o modelo é aplicado em cinco recursos energéticos renováveis dentro da Região Administrativa de Araçatuba (RAA), noroeste do estado de São Paulo. Os recursos avaliados são: (a) de oferta: Geração eólica (EOL); Cogeração por Biomassa de Cana-de-açúcar (BIO); e Pequenas Centrais Hidroelétricas (PCH); (b) de demanda (medidas de economia): Troca de Lâmpadas Incandescentes por Fluorescentes Compactas e Troca de Chuveiros Elétricos por Aquecedores Solares. Os principais resultados do modelo de avaliação foram (i) um modelo de fluxo de caixa funcional para a avaliação dos recursos de geração; (ii) para cada recurso de geração: cálculo das principais Figuras de Mérito Econômico Financeiro (VPL, TIR, PayBack Descontado, preço de equilíbrio2 da energia gerada e demanda relevante de capital de giro); (iii) para as medidas de economia de energia: cálculo das figuras de mérito econômico-financeiras (Custo do Ciclo de vida anualizado (CCVA) e PayBack Descontado); (iv) pontos notáveis da análise de sensibilidade das figuras de mérito, obtidas pela variação das principais parâmetros de entrada dos modelos matemáticos representativos dos recursos; (v) análise geral dos riscos em empreender os recursos avaliados; e (vi) diagnóstico da atratividade de investimento em cada recurso: não atrativo, atrativo com atenção, e atrativo. No contexto do estudo piloto, o recurso lâmpada fluorescente recebeu diagnóstico de atrativo; os recursos Cogeração por biomassa e coletor solar receberam o diagnóstico de atrativo com atenção, e os recursos Geração eólica e PCH receberam o diagnóstico de não atrativos para investimento, todos dentro da região do estudo de caso. / The purpose of this work was the expedite assessment of business opportunities attractiveness in renewable energy resources within a limited geographical area, based on the results of the Integrated Resources Planning for Energy (IRP), developed for the same area, and supplemented with other primary and secondary information sources. The use of IRP\'s information made possible, quickly and easy, the assessments of energy resources in extra three dimensions3, beyond the usual technical- economic one, including views and positions of local and national stakeholders (technical and nontechnical). In the pilot study, the model is applied in five renewable energy resources within the Administrative Region of Araçatuba (RAA), northwest of São Paulo state, Brazil. The evaluated energy resources were: (a) supply side: wind generation (EOL); Cogeneration by Biomass of Sugar Cane (BIO); and Small Hydro Power plants (SHP); (b) demand side (measures of energy economy): replacement of Compact Fluorescent Incandescent bulbs by Fluorescent ones and replacement of Electric Showers by Solar Heater ones. The main results of the proposed evaluation model were (i) a functional cash flow model , useful to assess the generation resources; (ii) for each generation resource: the calculation of the main Figures of Economic Merit (NPV, IRR, Discounted Payback, the equilibrium price of generated energy and relevant demand for working capital), (iii) measures of energy economy: the calculation of the main Figures of Economic Merit (Annualized Life Cycle Cost (ALCC) and Payback Discounted (PBD), (iv) points of remarkable sensitivity in the Figures of Economic Merit analysis, obtained by varying the main independent parameters input in the cash flow models that represent the resources, (v) analysis of the risks in adoption of the evaluated resources, and finally, (vi) the attractiveness degree of each resources evaluated : not attractive, attractive with attention, and attractive. Within the context of the pilot study case, the use of compact fluorescent bulb received the degree attractive; biomass cogeneration (BIO) and solar collector received degree attractive, but under attention; wind generation (EOL) and PCH received the degree not attractive for investment within the study case region.

O objetivo da dissertação foi o desenvolvimento de um modelo de avaliação rápida da atratividade de oportunidades de negócios em recursos energéticos renováveis dentro de uma região geográfica delimitada, valendo-se dos resultados do Planejamento Integrado de Recursos Energéticos (PIR) para a região analisada, complementado com outras bases bibliográficas primárias e secundárias. O uso dos resultados do PIR propiciou o acesso rápido a avaliações prontas dos recursos energéticos em três dimensões1, além da dimensão técnico-econômica, incluindo opiniões e posições da sociedade local e nacional (técnicos e não técnicos). No estudo piloto, o modelo é aplicado em cinco recursos energéticos renováveis dentro da Região Administrativa de Araçatuba (RAA), noroeste do estado de São Paulo. Os recursos avaliados são: (a) de oferta: Geração eólica (EOL); Cogeração por Biomassa de Cana-de-açúcar (BIO); e Pequenas Centrais Hidroelétricas (PCH); (b) de demanda (medidas de economia): Troca de Lâmpadas Incandescentes por Fluorescentes Compactas e Troca de Chuveiros Elétricos por Aquecedores Solares. Os principais resultados do modelo de avaliação foram (i) um modelo de fluxo de caixa funcional para a avaliação dos recursos de geração; (ii) para cada recurso de geração: cálculo das principais Figuras de Mérito Econômico Financeiro (VPL, TIR, PayBack Descontado, preço de equilíbrio2 da energia gerada e demanda relevante de capital de giro); (iii) para as medidas de economia de energia: cálculo das figuras de mérito econômico-financeiras (Custo do Ciclo de vida anualizado (CCVA) e PayBack Descontado); (iv) pontos notáveis da análise de sensibilidade das figuras de mérito, obtidas pela variação das principais parâmetros de entrada dos modelos matemáticos representativos dos recursos; (v) análise geral dos riscos em empreender os recursos avaliados; e (vi) diagnóstico da atratividade de investimento em cada recurso: não atrativo, atrativo com atenção, e atrativo. No contexto do estudo piloto, o recurso lâmpada fluorescente recebeu diagnóstico de atrativo; os recursos Cogeração por biomassa e coletor solar receberam o diagnóstico de atrativo com atenção, e os recursos Geração eólica e PCH receberam o diagnóstico de não atrativos para investimento, todos dentro da região do estudo de caso. / The purpose of this work was the expedite assessment of business opportunities attractiveness in renewable energy resources within a limited geographical area, based on the results of the Integrated Resources Planning for Energy (IRP), developed for the same area, and supplemented with other primary and secondary information sources. The use of IRP\'s information made possible, quickly and easy, the assessments of energy resources in extra three dimensions3, beyond the usual technical- economic one, including views and positions of local and national stakeholders (technical and nontechnical). In the pilot study, the model is applied in five renewable energy resources within the Administrative Region of Araçatuba (RAA), northwest of São Paulo state, Brazil. The evaluated energy resources were: (a) supply side: wind generation (EOL); Cogeneration by Biomass of Sugar Cane (BIO); and Small Hydro Power plants (SHP); (b) demand side (measures of energy economy): replacement of Compact Fluorescent Incandescent bulbs by Fluorescent ones and replacement of Electric Showers by Solar Heater ones. The main results of the proposed evaluation model were (i) a functional cash flow model , useful to assess the generation resources; (ii) for each generation resource: the calculation of the main Figures of Economic Merit (NPV, IRR, Discounted Payback, the equilibrium price of generated energy and relevant demand for working capital), (iii) measures of energy economy: the calculation of the main Figures of Economic Merit (Annualized Life Cycle Cost (ALCC) and Payback Discounted (PBD), (iv) points of remarkable sensitivity in the Figures of Economic Merit analysis, obtained by varying the main independent parameters input in the cash flow models that represent the resources, (v) analysis of the risks in adoption of the evaluated resources, and finally, (vi) the attractiveness degree of each resources evaluated : not attractive, attractive with attention, and attractive. Within the context of the pilot study case, the use of compact fluorescent bulb received the degree attractive; biomass cogeneration (BIO) and solar collector received degree attractive, but under attention; wind generation (EOL) and PCH received the degree not attractive for investment within the study case region.

A lack of land use controls on sexually oriented businesses contributes to the unique configuration of Portland, Oregon's strip clubs: nearly fifty clubs are distributed throughout the city's neighborhoods. Considered a locally unwanted land use (LULU) by many, these strip clubs are regulated by a variety of formal and informal social processes in the absence of zoning. This qualitative study explores drivers and constraints shaping the spatial configuration of Portland's strip club industry as well as influences on land use conflict at strip club sites and working conditions for women who work as exotic dancers in the clubs. Data collection entailed review of documents (newspaper articles, legal and administrative decisions and records, and ballot measure pro/con statements); site observations; and in-person interviews with exotic dancers, strip club owners and managers, public employees who deal with strip clubs in their line of work, and people who live and work near strip clubs (n=43). Analysis follows Clarke's (2005) situational analysis methods. The study finds that strip clubs are not necessarily incompatible with residential locations and that such locations can confer benefits to dancers. The normalization of strip clubs in Portland decreases the place stigma associated with strip clubs but has a lesser impact on the person stigma of being an exotic dancer. With regard to land use conflict, the study finds that tolerance of sexual commerce is associated with urbanicity and that neighborhood socioeconomic status has a more complex relationship to community response than is suggested by the literature on land use conflict. Based on these findings, the dissertation argues that conflict resolution programs may be more effective than zoning at managing potential negative effects of sexually oriented businesses, and that improving working conditions for exotic dancers is a complex challenge. It proposes broader adoption of the sex work discourse, including the integration of labor issues in sex industry to advocacy efforts on behalf of other freelance and service sector workers.

Liest und verfolgt man die diversen in der jüngeren Vergangenheit ergangenen Pres­severlautbarungen und Stellungnahmen zum Thema Überschuldung im Allgemeinen und dem insolvenzrechtlichen Überschuldungsbegriff im Besonderen, drängt sich einem der Verdacht auf, dass ein wie auch immer geartetes Problembewusstsein zu diesem Thema gewollt in die Bedeutungslosigkeit geschrieben worden ist. Nach überwiegend herrschender Meinung seien die insolvenzrechtliche Überschuldung und der damit einhergehende Insolvenzantragsgrund mittlerweile obsolet. Dieser Meinungsstand verwundert doch stark angesichts der nach wie vor hohen Anzahl an Unternehmensinsolvenzen, insbesondere im Bereich mittelständischer Unternehmen. Obgleich bei einem Gutteil der betroffenen Unternehmen als Insolvenzantragsgrund die Zahlungsunfähigkeit angegeben worden ist, darf dies nicht darüber hinweg täuschen, dass einer Illiquidität in aller Regel eine Überschuldung vorausgeht. Dabei spielt es objektiv betrachtet keine Rolle, ob es sich um eine bilanzielle, rechnerische oder insolvenzrechtliche Überschuldung handelt; in allen Fällen vermag das Vermögen die Schulden nicht mehr zu decken, m.a.W.: die Schuldendeckungsfähigkeit ist nicht mehr gegeben. Die Erhaltung der Schuldendeckungsfähigkeit eines Unternehmens ist so gesehen der erste Schritt zur Insolvenzprophylaxe. Allerdings sind die normierten handelsrechtlichen Rechnungslegungsvorschriften aus vielerlei Gründen nur bedingt geeignet, die Schuldendeckungsfähigkeit eines Unternehmens verlässlich zu überprüfen. Insoweit erscheint es folgerichtig, gerade für die mittelständische GmbH eine Ergänzung der aktuellen Rechnungslegung durch eine permanente Schuldendeckungskontrolle, wie sie bereits durch die ältere Zerschlagungsstatik bzw. statische Interpretation der Bilanz gefordert wurde, vorzusehen und damit den organschaftlichen Vertreter der mittelständischen GmbH in die Lage zu versetzen, im Rahmen seiner Selbstinformationsverpflichtung den Bestand des Unternehmens zu sichern und die externen Gläubiger angemessen zu schützen. Die präventive Anwendung der insolvenzrechtlichen Überschuldungsprüfung nach § 19 InsO zur Schuldendeckungskontrolle ermöglicht dem organschaftlichen Vertreter zweierlei: In Abhängigkeit von der Frühzeitigkeit der Vornahme einer solchen Prüfungshandlung kann deren Informationsgehalt entweder insolvenzprophylaktisch im Sinne einer erfolgreichen außergerichtlichen Sanierung wirken oder aber zumindest den Weg zu einer rechtzeitigen und geordneten Insolvenzantragstellung weisen. Das Ergebnis der Überschuldungsprüfung kann so dazu beitragen, erste Indikatoren bestehender Fehlentwicklungen und Schieflagen bereits im Vorfeld einer sich abzeichnenden Krise aufzuzeigen. Anzeichen dieser Art sind in aller Regel schon lange vor Eintritt der Insolvenzantragspflicht im Zahlenwerk der betreffenden Unternehmen erkennbar.

Idag är det många företag som misslyckas med sina implementeringsprojekt av affärssystem och många forskare anser att det beror på bristande användarinvolvering. Implementeringsprojekt av affärssystem blir allt vanligare i små företag, men effekten blir dock stor om ett mindre företag misslyckas med sitt projekt. Små företags misslyckanden är oftast relaterade till finansiella och humanitära kritiska framgångsfaktorer.   Ett affärssystem kan ge ett företag en rad olika fördelar och möjligheter. Men för att ett företag ska uppnå dem krävs ett lyckat implementeringsprojekt samt att användarna omgående efter driftstart kan använda affärssystemet. Därför måste företagsledare under projektet se till en rad olika kritiska framgångsfaktorer som är relaterade till användarinvolvering. För att kunna hantera användarrelaterade kritiska framgångsfaktorer och de problem som de kan orsaka finns det angreppssätt till stöd. Ett angreppssätt vars syfte är att stödja användarinvolvering och hantera användarrelaterade problem är Participatory design (PD) och dess metod User centered design (UCD). PD och UCD bygger på att involvera användarna tidigt och ständigt under ett implementeringsprojekt och det i form av bland annat testning och utbildning. Användarinvolvering är därmed en viktig faktor vid implementeringsprojekt av affärssystem.   Syftet med studien är att göra företagsledare medvetna om vilka användarrelaterade kritiska framgångsfaktorer och problem som kan påverka ett implementeringsprojekt och dess utfall. Vi anger ett antal åtgärder, baserade på användarinvolvering, som ska stödja företagsledare att bättre och effektivare kunna förutse och hantera användarrelaterade problem vid implementeringsprojekt.   Vi har med stöd av en kvalitativ undersökning och en empirisk studie påvisat sambandet mellan områdena affärssystem, affärssystemets implementeringsprocess, användarrelaterade kritiska framgångsfaktorer och användarinvolvering. Vi har konstruerat en egen modell och tabell, 4-A Modellen och 4-A Tabellen, som illustrerar hur de olika områdena relaterar och stödjer varandra under ett affärssystems implementeringsprojekt. Vårt bidrag är ett dokument vars syfte är att stödja företagsledare vid planering innan och under ett implementeringsprojekt, främst när det gäller projektets användarinvolvering. Dokumentet ska göra företagsledare medvetna om vad bristande användarinvolvering kan leda till, samt när och hur användare bör involveras under ett implementeringsprojekt. / Today many businesses fail in their enterprise recourse planning (ERP) implementation projects and many scientists believe it is due to lack of user involvement. ERP implementation projects are becoming more common in small businesses, but the effect will be large if a small business fails in their ERP implementation projects. Small businesses failures are usually related to financial and humanitarian critical success factors.   An ERP system can give a business a number of advantages and opportunities. But it requires a successful implementation project to achieve them and also that user immediately after start-up can use the ERP. Therefore, the manager during the implementation project needs to ensure a range of critical success factors that are related to user involvement. There are a number of approaches to manage user-related critical success factors and the problems they cause. An approach which aims to support user involvement and manage user-related problems is Participatory Design (PD) and its method User centered design (UCD). PD and UCD are based on involving the users early and continuously during the ERP implementation process and that in the form of testing and training. User Involvement is therefore an important factor in ERP implementation projects.   The aim of the study is to make managers more aware of the user-related critical success factors and issues that can affect an ERP implementation projects outcome. We foresee a number of measures, based on user involvement, which will support managers to better and more efficient anticipate and manage user-related problems in ERP implementation projects.   Supported by a qualitative and an empirical study, we have demonstrated the relationship between the areas ERP, ERP implementation process, user-related critical success factors and user involvement. We have constructed our own model and table, the 4-A Model and the 4-A Table, that illustrates how the different areas influences and support each other in an ERP implementation project. Our contribution is a document whose purpose is to support managers when planning a project’s user involvement, before and during an ERP implementation project. The document will make manager aware of what the lack of user involvement can lead to, but also when and how the users should involve in an ERP implementation project.

Die historischen Stadtzentren (Downtowns) ländlicher Kleinstädte in den USA unterlagen in den letzten Jahrzehnten des 20. Jahrhunderts einem allgemeinen ökonomischen Niedergang und verloren ihre ursprünglich zentrale Funktion, primäre Einzelhandelsstandorte einer Stadt und ihres Umlands zu sein. Ursachen dafür sind vor allem in der Entstehung attraktiver Einzelhandelsstandorte am Stadtrand zu suchen. Ein genereller ökonomischer Aufschwung der Stadtzentren konnte trotz vielfältiger Bemühungen um eine Revitalisierung bisher nicht erreicht werden. Allerdings bestehen Anzeichen eines in erster Linie qualitativen Wandels und einer Spezialisierung ihrer Einzelhandelsfunktion. Auf der Grundlage des Forschungsstands wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit der Einzelhandel in Stadtzentren ländlicher Kleinstädte untersucht. Dadurch soll der in der Literatur angedeutete, aber weder vertiefend beschriebene noch beurteilte Wandel umfassend charakterisiert werden. Folgende Ziel- und Aufgabenstellungen sind damit verbunden: Erstens sollen der Einzelhandel in den Stadtzentren beschrieben und Typen des Einzelhandels abgeleitet werden. Zweitens geht es um die Kennzeichnung von Einflussfaktoren der Entwicklung unter Herausstellung des Wirkens von Stakeholdern. Drittens sollen Schlussfolgerungen zum funktionalen und strukturellen Wandel der Stadtzentren gezogen werden. Im Besonderen wird die Entwicklung des Arts and Crafts Einzelhandels berücksichtigt, der ein im weiteren Sinne kunsthandwerklich orientiertes Warensortiment mit dekorativem Charakter vorhält. Aus Voruntersuchungen kann von einer hohen Bedeutung dieses Einzelhandelssegments ausgegangen werden. Die konzeptionellen Grundlagen dieser Arbeit werden durch die Diskussion standorttheoretischer Ansätze sowie durch die Analyse der Literatur zur Entwicklung des Einzelhandels und der Stadtzentren in den USA gelegt. Daraus werden Annahmen zur Entwicklung des Einzelhandels und der Stadtzentren als Ausgangspunkte der empirischen Untersuchung abgeleitet. Diese besteht aus drei Teilen. Erstens wird eine auf ganz Ohio bezogene Untersuchung zur Lage des Einzelhandels in ländlichen Kleinstädten durchgeführt. Zweitens geht es um die Analyse des Downtown-Einzelhandels in ausgewählten Städten Ohios. Drittens werden im Rahmen von Fallstudien die Strukturen und Einflussfaktoren der Entwicklung zweier Stadtzentren untersucht. Die Methoden der Datenerhebung umfassen Kartierungen, leitfadengestützte Experteninterviews, teilstandardisierte Befragungen von Händlern sowie Dokumenten- und Datenanalysen. Im Hinblick auf den Downtown-Einzelhandel ist festzuhalten, dass (1) kleine Betriebsformen vorherrschen und Filialen von Mehrbetriebsunternehmen weitgehend fehlen, (2) Anzeichen der weiteren Ausdünnung traditionell in Downtown ansässiger Branchen bestehen, (3) zahlreiche Kleinstbetriebe mit geringwertigem Warensortiment (marginal business) vorkommen, (4) der Anteil des spezialisierten Einzelhandels hoch, aber ein weiteres Wachstum unsicher ist und (5) sich der Arts and Crafts Einzelhandel in den Stadtzentren konzentriert. Aus der Untersuchung von mehr als 100 Betrieben werden neun Typen des Einzelhandels in den Stadtzentren abgeleitet. Die Typenbildung erfolgt zunächst anhand der Sortimentsbreite sowie der Zugehörigkeit zum Arts and Crafts bzw. sonstigen Einzelhandel. Darüber hinaus werden Merkmale des Qualitätsniveaus (Low Quality Stores), der Absatzwege (Delivery Stores), der ökonomischen Rationalität (Self-Realization Stores) und der Betriebsgröße (Downtown Anchor Stores) als Vergleichsdimensionen herangezogen. Im Resultat der Untersuchung von Einflussfaktoren der Einzelhandelsentwicklung können als grundlegend benannt werden: (1) die entscheidende Bedeutung lokaler Faktoren, (2) die bestimmende Funktion des Wettbewerbs als Barriere der Entwicklung, (3) die hohe Bedeutung von Kostenfaktoren und der Kostenminimierung, (4) die grundsätzliche Präferenz der Konsumenten für Standorte mit größerer Angebotsvielfalt und (5) die dezidierte Rolle von Stakeholdern. Die letzte Aussage wird durch die Beschreibung und Beurteilung besonderer Entwicklungsfaktoren weiter untersetzt. Dazu zählen die Tätigkeit von Downtown-Managern, das Wirken privater Investoren sowie das Engagement der kommunalen Politik und Verwaltung für die Entwicklung der Stadtzentren. Schlussfolgerungen zum strukturellen und funktionalen Wandel der Stadtzentren als Einzelhandelsstandorte betreffen (1) die Gefahr der wirtschaftlichen Marginalisierung der Stadtzentren, (2) die Bestätigung einer fortgeschrittenen Standortspezialisierung, (3) die Funktion des Stadtzentrums als „Experimentierfeld“ für den nicht-filialisierten Einzelhandel mit lokalem Ursprung, (4) die Ausrichtung physischer Strukturen an historischen Vorbildern und (5) die weitgehende Stabilität soziokultureller Funktionen von Downtown. Die Untersuchungsergebnisse zu Einzelhandelstypen und Einflussfaktoren werden schließlich aufgegriffen, um stabilisierende und destabilisierende Effekte für die Standortentwicklung zu beurteilen. / Historic town centers (downtowns) of rural small cities in the U.S. underwent a process of economic downgrading in the later decades of the 20th century. In consequence, they lost their originally central function as being the primary retail location of a small town and its surroundings. Reasons for this development, particularly, can be found in the emergence of attractive shopping centers at the suburban edge. In spite of manifold revitalization activities, a true and overall economic recovery of downtown cannot be stated. However, there are signs of further change in downtown, mainly linked to qualitative transitions and to the specialization of its retail functions. On the basis of the current state of research this dissertation aims at a comprehensive analysis of downtown retail in rural small cities. Potential developments and changes that have only been mentioned in the literature will be characterized in detail. Three objectives and tasks are connected to this statement: First, the downtown retail shall be described in detail and types of retail businesses shall be derived. Second, impact factors shall be identified, specifically considering impacts of stakeholder activities. Third, conclusions shall be drawn with regard to the functional and structural change of downtown as a retail location. Special attention of this dissertation is connected to the emergence and possible growth of arts and crafts retail businesses selling goods with mainly decorative character. This interest originates from previous research, naming the importance of arts and crafts retail as a possible growth segment of downtown retail. The conceptual foundation of this dissertation contains a discussion on location theory as well as analyses of empiric and further theoretic studies on the development of retail and downtowns in the U.S. In a preliminary conclusion, assumptions are drawn as starting points for the empiric part of this study. The empiric research contains: first, a survey on the location of retail businesses in rural and exurban small cities throughout Ohio; second, an analysis of downtown retail in several chosen small cities in Ohio; and third, an examination of detailed case studies on the structures and development factors of two Ohio small city downtowns. Methods of data collection contain mapping, expert interviews, semi-structured surveys of retail businesses, and data analysis. From the characterization of downtown retail it can be concluded that there are: (1) high percentages of small retail formats in downtown and almost no chain stores, (2) clear indications of further decreasing “traditional” downtown trade-lines, (3) high percentages of very small “marginal businesses” with assortments of lower value, (4) high percentages of specialized retail stores but without considerable signs of further growth, and (5) concentrations of arts and crafts shops in downtown. Furthermore, nine different types of downtown retail businesses can be derived from an investigation of more than 100 stores. For this purpose, downtown businesses are rated by the range of products they offer and by their belonging to arts and crafts or other retail sectors. In addition, further dimensions lead to special types of downtown retail considering specific characteristics of retail stores such as the quality level (“low quality store”), the means of distribution (“delivery store”), questions of economic rationality (“self-realization store”) and the size of a store (“downtown anchor store”). The analysis of impact factors identifies the importance of: (1) local factors against non-local factors causing differences among downtowns, (2) competition as a barrier for downtown retail development, (3) cost factors and the minimization of costs for downtown stores, (4) the consumers’ general preferences for larger locations with a wider range of supplies, and of (5) stakeholder activities as being decisive for downtown development. The latter fact receives further attention in this research by assessing specific constellations of stakeholder activities. Among them are the effects of downtown manager action, the impact of private investors, and the commitment of local administration and politics to downtown. Conclusions on the structural and functional change of downtown as commercial location pertain to (1) the danger of marginalization of downtown’s economic role, (2) the affirmation of an advanced specialization of downtown locations, (3) the incubator or laboratory function of downtown for locally-based retail, (4) the orientation of physical structures towards historic ideals, and (5) the widely stable situation of socio-cultural functions of downtown. Finally, the types of downtown retail and impact factors that have been generated in this dissertation are subject to further assessments. They are rated with regard to potential effects on the stabilization or destabilization of downtown’s role as a commercial location.

The genocide of April 1994 left the Rwandan society completely ruined and the survivors totally disoriented with numerous problems ranging from material deprivation to bodily and psychological injuries. As in other conflicts, especially in Africa, women and children were the most affected by the Rwandan genocide; consequently Rwanda has a sizeable number of widows and orphans. After the genocide, Rwanda witnessed an influx of many non-governmental organizations, which came with the aim to help the Rwandans in general, and genocide survivors in particular, as part of a program to put the Rwandan society back on its feet. Rwanda claims to be overwhelmingly a Christian nation, which theoretically gives the Christian community in Rwanda a prominent hand in all efforts of rebuilding the Rwandan society. This work therefore, is a Case Study, which seeks to investigate the role of Christian Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in responding to the needs of genocide widows residing in Kigali-Ville province-Rwanda. The study thus aims to assess efforts of the above-cited Christian NGOs and highlights their success and shortcomings in the light of a Christian model of understanding and responding to human needs. The investigation also surveys the background to the genocide. It focuses on the interpretation of the history of the people of Rwanda, the role impact of the colonial rule and Christian missionaries, and the role of the civil war of early 1990s. The study also investigates the plight of genocide widows from fives angles: economic loss, personal and social relationships, bodily injuries, psychological damage and spiritual welfare. The assessment was carried out through the analysis of the data collected mainly from selected Christian NGOs, genocide widows, churches, and written materials. The paradigm used to critically analyze the response of Christian NGOs has stemmed out of a body of literature that focuses on Christian response to human need, with particular emphasis on the distinctiveness of the Rwandan context. The findings, conclusion, recommendations of this study are of cardinal significance not only to Christian NGOs operating in Kigali-Ville province but also to other groups involved in the ministry to the needy in other parts of Rwanda and beyond her boundaries. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

In this dissertation, I study the use of tacit and explicit business heuristics in decision-making in small and medium Canadian businesses. I confirm the use of heuristics in business decision-making, present some common business heuristics identified in the study, and propose methods of making the application of heuristics more useful for better decision-making in various business situations. Although business decision-making has been a subject of research in big corporations, investigating decision-making using tacit and implicit business heuristics remains limited in small and medium businesses. A method for organizing and compiling various forms of decision-making using these types of business heuristics can deliver significant benefits to small and medium businesses. I define a heuristic (sometimes referred to as rule of thumb) to be a description of an informal or formal problem-solving process, not necessarily 100% reliable. Some examples of business heuristics include "Apply 5 times sales for business valuation," and "Ensure the client is given a meaningful and prompt response." The first heuristic contains enough information for a competent business executive to make a business decision; I call this first type of heuristic an explicit business heuristic; the second heuristic requires additional knowledge to make a business decision; in particular, the decision-maker needs to know what "a meaningful and prompt response" entails in order to make the decision. I call this second type of heuristic a tacit business heuristic. My research involved a group of Vancouver Island executives participating in an online survey on the use of heuristics in business decision-making. Two main conclusions resulting from this research are that executives apply extensively various forms of business heuristics when solving business problems, and that the heuristics they use are both tacit and explicit. A review of heuristics scholarship and my 25-year business experience as a senior executive with small and medium Canadian companies support these results. I propose a set of what-how rules that can assist in converting tacit business heuristics into explicit ones by expanding their information content. Finally, I recommend follow-up research for the development of tacit knowledge transfer methods using business heuristics.