This study examined the location decisions of family physicians in Saskatchewan by determining the factors that influence family physicians’ location decisions, and identifying the major themes from the factors. The research employed a rational choice model as a basis to design the methodology and explain how Saskatchewan family physicians make their practice location and re-location decisions. A mixed method approach, including an on-line questionnaire survey and interviews with key health agencies, was used to collect and analyse data. Data from the survey were summarised using summary statistics and cross tabulation. Responses from stakeholder interviews were transcribed and analyzed using interpretive description method. The mixed method approach elicited a rich and detailed description of family physicians’ location decisions. Participants of the study ranked family concern, work-life balance and community influence as the most influential factors of family physicians’ location decisions. The fourth factor of locations decisions according the study was compensation. Although compensation was mentioned as a factor, it was recorded as the least influential factor among the participants of this research. Other factors that were identified as having some influence on practice location choices were respect and appreciation, and scope of practice. To conclude, the study found that location decisions are not only about identifying the major influential factors of practice location choices, but also involve finding a good match between family physicians and potential practice locations and communities. That is, family physicians’ preferences must match the characteristics of the potential communities. Based on the conclusion, the study made two policy recommendations regarding the matching between family physicians and communities. The first policy recommendation is strategic matching between family physicians and communities for more efficient and effective recruitment and retention. The second recommendation is providing strategic incentives to ensure access to family physician services for the population in communities that do not meet the requirements of the strategic matching.

The study aimed to explore the relationship among outsourcing decision factors, customer relationship management, and operating performance in the translation market. Surveys were undertaken from translation agencies in Taiwan. 50 questionaires were released to each region including the northern, central, southern, and Hualien and Taitung Counties. In this research, 200 questionnaires were issued and 175 were returned. We received 162 valid returns with 13 invalid ones. copies of effective samples were returned, yielding a return rate of 81%. After the reorganization, the Pearson product-moment correlation, descriptive statistics, One-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results of the study included: 1. Translation agencies of different capital showed significant difference on outsourcing decisions factors, among them the intraindustry trust showed significant difference. 2. Translation agencies of different numbers of company showed significant difference on outsourcing decisions factors, among them the responsibility of translation showed significant difference. 3. Translation agencies of different responsible translation unit showed significant difference on outsourcing decisions factors, among them the responsibility of translation and professional ethics showed significant difference. 4. Translation agencies of different responsible translation unit showed significant difference on customer relationship management, among them the enhancement strategy and establishment strategy showed significant difference. 5. Translation agencies of different capital showed significant difference on operating performance, among them the organization expansion showed significant difference. 6. Translation agencies of different numbers of company showed significant difference on operating performance, among them the organization management showed significant difference. 7. Translation agencies of different responsible translation unit showed significant difference on operating performance, among them the organization expansion and organization communication showed significant difference. 8. There were both positive and negative correlations among outsourcing decision factors, customer relationship management, and operating performance of translation agencies. In addition, both outsourcing decision factors and customer relationship management can effectively predict the operating performance. The study provided the following suggestions based on the above findings: 1. To carefully estimate the outsourcing businesses to enhance operating performance. 2. To conduct the customer relationship management well to improve the customer interaction. 3. To pay attention to operating performance to enhance the entire profits.

Bakgrund: Investeringsplanering utgör en stor del av företagets totala planing. Behovet attinvestera har under senare år tilltagit. Anledningar till detta är bland annat;strukturomvandling, ökad priskonkurrens, optimism samt ökad ekonomisk aktivitet. Specifiktför tillverkningsindustrin är ökade kapacitetsbehov och nya produktionskrav.Tillverkningsindustrin är vidare investeringsintensiv och har under senare tid upplevt ett ökatinvesteringbehov.Problemdiskussion: Investeringar är ett ämne där ett brett utbud av tidigare forskningföreligger. Dock är processen ett relativt outforskat område. Förhållandena i små- ochmedelstora tillverkningsföretag är inte behandlade i någon nämnvärd omfattning, vilketinnebär att det finns en avsaknad av empirisk kunskap. När medelstora företag studeras tashänsyn till hela verksamheten och de förändringar de pådriver, därav är helainvesteringsprocessen relevant. Ser man till hela processen kan kalkylen vara av underordnadbetydelse. Detta ger grund till att klassiska kalkylmetoder inte bör fungera som endabeslutsunderlag, de kan inte tillgodose en fullständig bild av hur investeringen kan komma attpåverka företaget.Syfte: Vårt syfte med denna studie är att beskriva och förklara fallföretagensinvesteringsprocess fram till och med investeringsbeslut. Vårt syfte är vidare att beskriva ochatt förklara vilka faktorer som är av betydelse för fallföretagen vid investeringsbeslut.Metod: Vi har i uppsatsen använt oss av en induktiv ansats med en kvalitativforskningsinriktning. Vår forskningsdesign är flerfallstudie. Insamling av material har skettgenom personliga intervjuer med tre mellanstora företag i tillverkningsbranschen.Slutsats: Investeringsprocessen för de tre studerade fallföretagen var i många fall likartad.Processerna stämde inte överens med någon enskild process som tagits fram av tidigareforskare men genom att plocka olika delar från de olika processmodellerna kunde hela deinvesteringsprocesser som identifierats förklaras utifrån dessa modeller. Den finansiella faktorsom fallföretagen använde sig av för att jämföra investeringsalternativ var i samtliga fallPayback- metoden. Denna metod användes huvudsakligen på grund av dess enkelhet. Ickefinansiellafaktorer som påverkade investeringsbeslut var huvudsakligenkvalitetsförbättringar, val av leverantörer, arbetsmiljö, service samt produktivitet. / Background: The investment planning is a big part of a company's total planning. The needof investing has increased over the last years. The reason for this is for example; structuralchanges, increased price competition, optimism and increased economic activity. Increasedneed of capacity and new requirements in production are specific reasons for manufacturingcompanies. Manufacturing companies invests a lot and has experienced an increased need ofinvesting over the last years.Problem: Investments is a topic in which a wide range of previous research exists. However,the process is a relatively unexplored area. Conditions in the small-and medium-sizedmanufacturing companies are not discussed to a significant extent, which means that there is alack of empirical knowledge. When medium-sized companies are studied the entire companyis taken into account, hence, the entire investment process is relevant. Looking at the entireprocess, calculations can be of secondary importance. This tells us that classical calculationmethods should not serve as the sole factor for decision making as they can't give a fullpicture of how the investment could impact the company.Purpose: Our purpose with this study is to describe and explain the case-studie's investmentprocess until decision making. Our object is to describe and explain the factors that are takinginto account in the case companies when making investment decisions.Method: We have in this paper used an inductive approach with a qualitative researchapproach. Our research design is a multiple case-study. Collection of material has been madethrough personal interviews with one respondent at three medium sized companies in themanufacturing industry.Conclusion: The investment processes in the three studied companies were in many wayssimilar. The processes were not compatible with any single process developed by previousresearchers, but by picking different parts of the various process models the investmentprocesses identified could be explained by these models. The financial factor that the casecompanies used to compare investment options was in all cases the payback method. Thismethod was used mainly because of its simplicity. Non-financial factors affecting investmentdecisions were mainly quality improvements, selection of suppliers, service, workenvironment and productivity.

Findings of this research work provide clear understanding of why organizationaltechnology(Network technology) adoption decision makers decide to recommend or notrecommend an Internet Protocol migration(adoption of the latest protocol), or a migrationfrom Ipv4 to IPv6/ or adoption of IPv6, to their organizations. A meticulous review ofliterature on the practice of various organizations technology adoption process served as abase for developing relevant research questions and corresponding hypothesis. The researchhypothesis was developed to examine organization‟s technology (Network technology)adoption decision maker‟s perception of IPv6: quality of service, auto configurationcapability, security, mobility, address abundance and cost effectiveness and its effect on theirdecision.The study result indicated that network expert‟s decision to recommend a new networktechnology adoption, specifically, internet protocol migration from IPv4 to IPv6 is highlyinfluenced by their perception of the factors listed in the previous paragraph, thereforenetwork expert‟s perception of the aforementioned factors are instrumental for their decisionof recommending whether to encourage the internet protocol migration. It is also implied thatmanagers at top level can make a technology adoption or migration decision based on therecommendation from the experts already knowing that their decision is highly influenced bytheir perception of capabilities and functionality of the new IP (IPv6). In addition to theapparent contribution of this study to organizations that fall in to the category of organization,where this study was conducted, the result of this study also helps different organizationsengaged in other kinds of business activity, such as: network infrastructure manufacturersand application developers by providing essential information regarding which functionalitiesand capabilities are playing a major role for organization‟s choice for a certain networkinfrastructure. / Program: Masterutbildning i Informatik

A presente dissertação trata de um estudo exploratório que visa identificar os principais fatores que levam os estudantes a decidirem sobre um curso de nível superior (3º grau). A amostra foi composta dentre quatro Instituições de Ensino Superior da cidade de Caxias do Sul/RS e totalizou 655 estudantes regularmente matriculados e de ambos os sexos, focando, preferencialmente, alunos do 1º ou do 2º semestre de seus cursos. As questões empregadas visaram identificar conclusões para o tema central da pesquisa – o processo de escolha de um curso de graduação. O instrumental teórico baseia-se na Teoria do Capital Humano e na Teoria da Sinalização. Os resultados revelaram que os fatores que determinam as escolhas são: a realização pessoal, aptidão ou vocação para o curso pretendido; as oportunidades no mercado de trabalho; a qualidade e o prestígio da Instituição e a possibilidade de ascensão financeira. Identificou-se também que a maioria dos estudantes escolheu o curso no último ano do ensino médio e às vésperas do vestibular e, além disso, eles têm certeza de que fizeram a escolha certa. / The present dissertation deals with an exploratory study that aims to identify the main factors that take the students to decide on a course of a college. The sample was chosen among four institutions from the city of Caxias do Sul/RS and totalized 655 students regularly registered and of both genders, focusing, preferentially, on students that were attending the 1st or 2nd semester of their courses. The employed questions were directed to identify conclusions to the central subject of the research – the process of choice of a graduation course. The theoretical instrument is based on the Human Capital Theory and the Signaling Theory. The results revealed that the factors that determine the choices are: the personal realization, aptitude or vocation for the intended course; the job opportunities; the prestige of the institution and the income perspectives. There was also identified that the major part of the students has chosen the course in the last year of the high school and very close to the vestibular and, furthermore, they are sure that they have made the right choice.

A presente dissertação trata de um estudo exploratório que visa identificar os principais fatores que levam os estudantes a decidirem sobre um curso de nível superior (3º grau). A amostra foi composta dentre quatro Instituições de Ensino Superior da cidade de Caxias do Sul/RS e totalizou 655 estudantes regularmente matriculados e de ambos os sexos, focando, preferencialmente, alunos do 1º ou do 2º semestre de seus cursos. As questões empregadas visaram identificar conclusões para o tema central da pesquisa – o processo de escolha de um curso de graduação. O instrumental teórico baseia-se na Teoria do Capital Humano e na Teoria da Sinalização. Os resultados revelaram que os fatores que determinam as escolhas são: a realização pessoal, aptidão ou vocação para o curso pretendido; as oportunidades no mercado de trabalho; a qualidade e o prestígio da Instituição e a possibilidade de ascensão financeira. Identificou-se também que a maioria dos estudantes escolheu o curso no último ano do ensino médio e às vésperas do vestibular e, além disso, eles têm certeza de que fizeram a escolha certa. / The present dissertation deals with an exploratory study that aims to identify the main factors that take the students to decide on a course of a college. The sample was chosen among four institutions from the city of Caxias do Sul/RS and totalized 655 students regularly registered and of both genders, focusing, preferentially, on students that were attending the 1st or 2nd semester of their courses. The employed questions were directed to identify conclusions to the central subject of the research – the process of choice of a graduation course. The theoretical instrument is based on the Human Capital Theory and the Signaling Theory. The results revealed that the factors that determine the choices are: the personal realization, aptitude or vocation for the intended course; the job opportunities; the prestige of the institution and the income perspectives. There was also identified that the major part of the students has chosen the course in the last year of the high school and very close to the vestibular and, furthermore, they are sure that they have made the right choice.

A presente dissertação trata de um estudo exploratório que visa identificar os principais fatores que levam os estudantes a decidirem sobre um curso de nível superior (3º grau). A amostra foi composta dentre quatro Instituições de Ensino Superior da cidade de Caxias do Sul/RS e totalizou 655 estudantes regularmente matriculados e de ambos os sexos, focando, preferencialmente, alunos do 1º ou do 2º semestre de seus cursos. As questões empregadas visaram identificar conclusões para o tema central da pesquisa – o processo de escolha de um curso de graduação. O instrumental teórico baseia-se na Teoria do Capital Humano e na Teoria da Sinalização. Os resultados revelaram que os fatores que determinam as escolhas são: a realização pessoal, aptidão ou vocação para o curso pretendido; as oportunidades no mercado de trabalho; a qualidade e o prestígio da Instituição e a possibilidade de ascensão financeira. Identificou-se também que a maioria dos estudantes escolheu o curso no último ano do ensino médio e às vésperas do vestibular e, além disso, eles têm certeza de que fizeram a escolha certa. / The present dissertation deals with an exploratory study that aims to identify the main factors that take the students to decide on a course of a college. The sample was chosen among four institutions from the city of Caxias do Sul/RS and totalized 655 students regularly registered and of both genders, focusing, preferentially, on students that were attending the 1st or 2nd semester of their courses. The employed questions were directed to identify conclusions to the central subject of the research – the process of choice of a graduation course. The theoretical instrument is based on the Human Capital Theory and the Signaling Theory. The results revealed that the factors that determine the choices are: the personal realization, aptitude or vocation for the intended course; the job opportunities; the prestige of the institution and the income perspectives. There was also identified that the major part of the students has chosen the course in the last year of the high school and very close to the vestibular and, furthermore, they are sure that they have made the right choice.

Cette thèse cherche à traiter des sujets de l’adoption de cloud et la décision de cloud. Elle analyse des déterminants de l’adoption, discute des services de cloud et compare des fournisseurs de cloud. Cloud computing a des dimensions à la fois techniques et organisationnelles. Jusqu’à présent, la dimension organisationnelle a reçu peu d’attention, et cloud computing a été essentiellement considéré d’un point de vue technique. Cependant, la “cloudification” des systèmes d’information pose de nombreuses questions économiques et managériales qui doivent être évaluées. Il est donc important d’enrichir notre compréhension des phénomènes liés à la "virtualization" de l’information, à travers un examen de leurs caractéristiques multidimensionnelles. En général, cette thèse démontre que l’utilité perçue, la facilité d’utilisation perçue, la complexité et la compatibilité sont des facteurs clés de l’adoption du cloud, le savoir-faire informatique joue également un rôle important dans le processus de la décision ; la plupart des petits fournisseurs de cloud ont des performances plus stables et plus performantes que les grands fournisseurs de cloud, la performance du processeur ayant un impact significatif sur le prix. Cette thèse contribue beaucoup aux dimensions théoriques et managériales de la recherche sur cloud, mais il y a plus de travail de recherche à faire du point de vue de l’adoption de cloud et de la prise de décision dans le cloud. La recherche future se concentrera sur les limites de la recherche. / This dissertation addresses cloud computing adoption and decision-making issues. It analyzes adoption determinants, discusses cloud services, and compares cloud providers. Cloud computing has both technical and organizational dimensions. Until recently the organizational dimension has received little attention, and cloud computing has essentially been considered from a technical perspective. However, the "cloudification" of information systems poses many economic and managerial questions that need to be evaluated. It is therefore important to enrich our understanding of phenomena related to the "virtualization" of information, through an examination of their multidimensional characteristics. Overall, this dissertation finds that perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, complexity and compatibility are key factors for cloud adoption, It know-how plays also an important role in the decision process; most small cloud providers have more stable and better computing performance than large cloud providers, the performance of CPU impact price significantly. This dissertation contributes a lot to the theoretical and managerial dimensions of cloud computing research, however, there exists more research work to do as the aforementioned research limitations from the perspective of cloud adoption and cloud decision-making. Future research will focus on the limitions of the research.

Problem background/problem discussion: Today there is a housing shortage in most of Sweden's municipalities. The municipalities have a high responsibility in this matter through their planning monopoly and the detailed plans. A lot of housing has been built in Sweden, but not for everyone. The financial situation affects the industry, especially when construction prices have risen. At the same time, we can see that the construction and real estate industry is one of the industries that affects the climate the most, in a negative sense. The industry's decisions affect society at large in many ways, and therefore they need to be as well-founded as possible. The previous research that we discovered on the subject does not include the particular research area that we have investigated.    Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore which factors are decisive when real estate companies make decisions about new production of rental properties. In particular, this must be investigated with regard to sustainability and the housing situation that exists in Sweden.   Method: An inductive research approach has been adopted. Furthermore, a qualitative study with elements of grounded theory has been carried out using semi-structured interviews of managers at real estate companies in Sweden. The purpose of semi-structured interviews was to have as open and informative dialogues with the respondents as possible.   Conclusion: The conclusions drawn after this investigation are that real estate companies base their decisions on primarily four different factors; targets, market, economy and location. CSR is something that the majority of companies work actively with. The housing situation in Sweden also affects their decisions, but there are many parameters that limit their ability to influence the situation.

As end-consumers are surrounded by a tremendous number of multi-channel retailers and their products, clothing retailers are exposed to numerous clothing samples with a variety of styles in various price ranges, offered by onshore and offshore manufacturers. Although manufacturers or vendors offer well-salable products, a retail business may not be successful in maximizing profits without a strategic retail buying planning process. The purpose of this study is to develop a retail buying model for clothing retailers. In order to test the variables that comprise the retail buying model, the objectives of the study are to: (a) investigate important assortment decision factors for clothing retail buying; (b) segment clothing retail buyers by their decision factor uses; (c) characterize the segments by buyer (i.e., age, gender, education, experience, employment) and company demographics (i.e., types of products, type of store, size of the firm); (d) examine the relationship between these demographic variables and the factor uses; (e) examine the influence of the factor uses on the success of assortment planning; (f) examine the influence of the success of assortment planning on firm performance; and, (g) examine the influence of extraneous variables (i.e., retail environment) on firm performance. After two pilot tests, adjustments were made to wording in the questionnaire. Data collection, using a pen and paper questionnaire, was conducted using convenience and snowball sampling. Through this method, 425 clothing retail buyers, merchandisers, or store owners, who are involved assortment planning and buying in South Korea, participated in the survey. A variety of statistical analyses was used to test the hypotheses. For testing Hypothesis 1, the mean and standard deviation of the assortment factor items were used to rank important decision factors for assortment planning. To test Hypothesis 2, retail buyers were segmented by their assortment decision factor use through exploratory factor analysis and K-means cluster analysis. For Hypothesis 3, Chi-square was utilized to characterize the segments of buyers and merchandisers from Hypothesis 2, using buyer and company demographics. For Hypothesis 4, Pearson and Spearman Correlations were used to test if correlations exist between buyer and company demographic variables and decision factor use. For Hypotheses 5 to 7, a Structural Equation Model (SEM) was developed to test if causal relationships exist among assortment decision factor use, the success of assortment planning, firm performance, and retail environment. All Hypotheses were fully or partially supported. Based on the results of hypotheses testing, the finalized retail buying model was developed. The finalized retail buying model based on the use of assortment decision factors will benefit retailers by helping retail buyers to analyze available information and identify the need for additional decision factors. Due to the use of convenience and snowball sampling as well as the limited geographic location of the survey, the finding of the current study cannot be generalized to the general population of clothing retail buyers. Future studies using probability sampling methods, utilizing qualitative methods, and/or examining in different countries, are suggested to verify the current findings and confirm the validity of the framework. / Ph. D.