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A methodology is proposed for evaluating the level of service within an airport landside system from the passenger's point of view using linguistic service criteria. The new concept of level of service for a transport system, particularly within the airports indicates that there must be strong stimulation in order to proceed with the current stereotyped service standards which are being criticised due to their being based on, either physical capacity/volume or temporal/spatial standards that directly incorporates the perception of passengers, the dominant users. Most service evaluation methodologies have been concentrated on the factors of the time spent and the space provided. These quantitative factors are reasonably simple to measure but represent a narrow approach. Qualitative service level attributes are definitely important factors when evaluating the level of service from a user's point of view. This study has adopted three main evaluation factors: temporal or spatial factors as quantitative measurements and comfort factors and reasonable service factors as qualitative measurements. The service level evaluation involves the passenger's subjective judgement as a perception for service provision. To evaluate the level of service in the airport landside system from the user's perception, this research proposes to apply a multi-decision model using fuzzy set theory, in particular fuzzy approximate reasoning. Fuzzy set theory provides a strict mathematical framework for vague conceptual phenomena and a modelling language for real situations. The multi-decision model was applied to a case study at Kimpo International Airport in Seoul, Korea. Results are presented in terms of passenger satisfaction and dissatisfaction with a variety of different values.

En lagändring har gjorts i Sverige vars syfte är att små och medelstora företag har frivillig revision om de ligger under eller endast uppfyller ett av följande tre gränsvärden: (1) 3 miljoner kronor i nettoomsättning, (2) 1,5 miljoner kronor i balansomslutning eller (3) fler än tre anställda. Eftersom lagändringen är relativt ny, medför det att företag i dagsläget precis har avslutat eller är inne i en beslutsprocess angående den frivilliga revisionen. Beslutsfattande är något som ständigt pågår i alla former av organiserad mänsklig verksamhet och dagligen förekommer det i alla organisationer ett beslutsfattande både när det gäller rutinfrågor till mer komplexa beslut. Genom mänsklighetens historia har människan strävat efter att få kontroll över resultaten av sina beslut, öka förutsägbarheten samt minska riskerna. När beslut fattas i företag måste även hänsyn tas till en rad förhållanden som är direkt kopplat till den organisatoriska kontexten för handlandet. Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur och på vilka grunder företagen har fattat beslut vid valet av att anlita en revisor eller inte, samt analysera beslutsprocessen ur ett beslutsteoretiskt perspektiv. Följande problemformulering ligger till grund för denna studie: Vad kännetecknar ett företag som anser sig ha behov av revision trots att kravet på revision inte är tvingande? På vilka grunder är beslutet fattat? Undersökningen ska bidra till en djupare kunskap och förståelse om hur besluten fattats och hur beslutsprocessen gått till. Studien har en kvalitativ forskningsansats och bygger på telefonintervjuer med ett antal företag som står inför beslutet att välja mellan att anlita en revisor eller inte. I studien framkom det inga specifika kännetecken på de företag som ansåg att de hade behov av revision trots att kravet på revision inte längre är tvingande. Dock ansåg majoriteten att kostnaden för revision var mer värt än tiden det krävs för att kontinuerligt vara uppdaterad inom lagar, regler och praxis. Resultatet av undersökningen visar att den trygghet som revisionen ger är avgörande vid valet att behålla revisorn, eftersom den skapar bättre trovärdighet åt företaget inför kreditgivare och andra intressenter. Flertalet av respondenterna har gjort ett försök att agera och tänka rationellt då de beslutat efter vad de ansåg vara bäst för företagen. Studien visar även att respondenterna som var i en pågående beslutsprocess valde att rådfråga personer med kunskap om problemet för att därefter fatta ett kollektivt beslut. En sammanställning hur undersökningen kan se ut när alla respondenterna är klara med besluten tyder på ett resultat där 85 procent av deltagarna valt att behålla revision, 10 procent som väljer bort revision samt 5 procent av respondenterna som inte vet vilket beslut de ska fatta. / There has been a change in the law that allows small and medium-sized companies in Sweden to have voluntary audit if they are below or only exceed one of the following three limits: (1) 3 million in net sales, (2) 1, 5 million in total assets or (3) more than three employees. Since the change in the law about voluntary audit is relatively new, many companies are either in the middle of their decision-making process or have just made a decision. The process of making decision is a continuous process that every company faces every day, which regards every level of the organization. The main purpose of this paper is to analyze how and on what basis the companies have made a decision regarding the voluntary audit. The study will contribute to a deeper knowledge and understanding of how decisions are taken, in general, and how this particular decision about audit has been made. The questions this study aims to examine is: What characterizes a company that believes that they need an audit?  What basis is the decision made on?  The study has not shown any common and clear characteristics of the companies that decided that they need audit, however the majority of the researched companies thought that the cost of the audit was worth more than the time the organization needed to be updated on the new laws, rules and practices. The results of the research have shown that the safety audit gives is the most important factor when deciding whether to keep auditor or not. The reason for this is the fact that audit adds credibility and reliability in front of their creditors and other stakeholders.

<p>This dissertation explores decision problems faced by organizations willing to address or support the incorporation of sustainability aspects on their "business as usual" activities. We study to specific problems. First, we analyze the decision problem of a forest manager who, in addition to selling timber, has the option of selling carbon offsets for the carbon sequestered by the forest. We study both the single-rotation and the multiple-rotations harvesting problems, and develop stochastic dynamic programming models to find the optimal harvesting and offset-selling policy, the expected optimal harvesting time, and the expected optimal reward under different offset-trading schemes. Then, we study the case in which an organization (sustainability buyer) outsources sustainability efforts to another organization (sustainability seller). While buyers cannot directly exert sustainability efforts, they can provide economic or technical support to their sellers in order to incentivize these efforts. We investigate how the effort and support decisions change according to characteristics of stakeholders, buyers, and sellers. Considering that buyers can compete on the sustainability effort exerted by their sellers, we extend our analysis to the case of competing buyers, and we determine conditions under which sharing sellers is preferred by the buyers to having separate sellers for each buyer.</p> / Dissertation

The focus of this thesis is on the application of decision models to the economic evaluation of health care technologies. The primary objective addresses the correct choice of modelling technique, as the attributes of the chosen technique could have a significant impact on the process, as well as the results, of an evaluation. Separate decision models, a Markov process and a discrete event simulation (DES) model are applied to a case study evaluation comparing alternative adjuvant therapies for early breast cancer. The case study models are built and analysed as stochastic models: whereby probability distributions are specified to represent the uncertainty about the true values of the model input parameters. Three secondary objectives are also specified. Firstly, the empirical application of the alternative decision models requires the specification of a 'modelling process' that is not well defined in the health economics literature. Secondly, a comparison of alternative methods for specifying probability distributions to describe the uncertainty in the model's input parameters is undertaken. The final secondary objective covers the application of methods for valuing the collection of additional information to inform the resource allocation decision. The empirical application of the two relevant modelling techniques clarifies the potential advantages derived from the increased flexibility provided by DES over Markov models. The thesis concludes that the use of DES should be strongly considered if either of the following issues appear relevant: model parameters are a function of the time spent in particular states, or the data describing the timing of events are not in the form of transition probabilities. The full description of the modelling process provides a resource for health economists wanting to use decision models. No definitive process is established, however, as there exist competing methods for various stages of the modelling process. The main conclusion from the comparison of methods for specifying probability distributions around the input parameters is that the theoretically specified distributions are most likely to provide a common baseline for comparisons between evaluations. The central question that remains to be addressed is which method is the most theoretically correct? The application of a Vol analysis provides useful insights into the methods employed and leads to the identification of particular methodological issues requiring future research in this area.

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The choice of proper logistics provider can be complex and might influence the success of manufacturing company. The complexity of decision can be caused by the numerous crite-ria for the selection of logistics provider. The great number of studies are discussing and presenting suggestions on logistics providers‟ selection models mostly in following streams: strategic decision making in organizations, industrial buying behavior, transportation pur-chasing, logistics suppliers‟ selection, and logistics relationships. The need for efficient pro-vider‟s selection and important criteria evaluation is causing the purpose of this paper.After the solid analysis of the theories discussed in the literature the author of this thesis is purposing the development of the hybrid model of logistics provider selection framework and finalizing with the model adapted for the case company. The issues regarding relation-ship with logistics provider and important selection criteria are questioned in this research as well.The inductive research approach is applied in this thesis. The selected qualitative study is the most suitable method regarding the problem and purpose of the study and provides for better understanding of the opinions and perceptions of the interviewed participants re-garding the frameworks of selecting logistics providers, also the process of relationship formation and coordination. Moreover, quantifying method processed through question-naires while evaluating the wide range of selection criteria related to this process is per-formed. Single case study as the research strategy is chosen, thus data is collected from six interviews conducted at six different logistics departments of the company.The main conclusions after the analysis of the covered literature and received data are re-sulting in the advice for practical implementation of the discussed model in the company‟s current procedures. The process basically includes need identification, documentation for RFQ process preparation and distribution to perspective logistics providers, results‟ analy-sis and meetings during the selection process, trial time in some cases, then final decision. The adapted model of the selection process which can be used in Fläktwoods can assist manufacturing companies having similar needs and requirements in transportation terms. The strategies in relationships‟ with logistics providers handling do not require much atten-tion in the company as its long-term relationship with main logistics services provider is re-sulting in a higher level of competitive attainment, also shorter one-year contracts benefit the company in terms of flexibility and price competition. Regardless the type of relation-ship, perceived trust, equity, and commitment are highly valuable in the company, therefore the success of the current relationship is further depending on strategic evaluation. The fu-ture study can be inspired for multiply case study, also for broader empirical investigation within the company.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:47:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2608519 bytes, checksum: f3eda24df151184ace42cfb39724b179 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-04 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Food insecurity exists when the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire them in a socially acceptable is limited or uncertain. Therefore, the prevalence of food insecurity is of great importance for the assessment of living conditions and, consequently, for the planning of public policies to fight hunger. So it is timely and relevant indicators that can create check from the right of access to food until the concrete conditions of such access and its ultimate effects on health and nutrition of individuals and collective activities. Thus, it is intended by an artificial neural network model for decision support in food security and assist in identifying the severity of this situation in the populations of the cities of São José dos Ramos and the Nova Floresta in the interior of Paraíba. It is a population-based cross-sectional study with a sample of 618 households in the two counties, and 287 in São José dos Ramos and 331 in Nova Floresta. For this study the measurement of the rate of food insecurity and its levels were estimated using the methodology of the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale for model creation and decision support data were grouped as mild-moderate food insecurity and severe food insecurity. We selected 10 quantitative variables on socioeconomic and demographic: number of rooms in the house; numbers used rooms in the house to sleep, total household members; schooling in years of the household head, number of children and adolescents attending school , number of children, number of adolescents, number of adults, number of elderly, relationship between workers and unemployed and with the help of MATLAB software generates a model of Artificial Neural Network feedforward with one input layer, one hidden layer with 22 neurons , and 1 output layer with 2 neurons with backpropagation learning. Based on this, the generated models achieved the following results: 81% correct in deciding on food security and food insecurity x 80.2% of food insecurity in the decision mild-moderate to severe insecurity x São José dos Ramos; Nova Floresta got 80. 7% correct in deciding on food security and food insecurity x 80.4% food insecurity in the decision to take x-moderate severe insecurity. Therefore, this model constitutes an important tool to define the trends priority intervention in municipalities, in order to permit the identification of this disease at the local level and can support the process of decision making and planning of public policies and actions aimed at promoting food security. / A insegurança alimentar existe quando a disponibilidade de alimentos nutricionalmente adequados e seguros, ou a capacidade para adquiri-los de forma socialmente aceitável é limitada ou incerta. Por isso, conhecer a prevalência da insegurança alimentar é de grande importância para a avaliação das condições de vida e, consequentemente, para o planejamento de políticas públicas de combate à fome. Então, torna-se oportuno e relevante criar indicadores que possam verificar desde o direito de acesso aos alimentos até as condições concretas desse acesso e suas consequências finais no estado de saúde e nutrição dos indivíduos e coletividades. Assim, pretende-se através de um modelo de rede neural artificial para o apoio à decisão em segurança alimentar e nutricional ajudar na identificação da gravidade desta situação nas populações dos municípios de São José dos Ramos e de Nova Floresta no interior da Paraíba. Trata-se de um estudo transversal de base populacional, com uma amostra de 618 famílias residentes nos dois municípios, sendo 287 em São José dos Ramos e 331 em Nova Floresta. Para este estudo a mensuração do índice de insegurança alimentar e dos seus níveis foi estimada com o uso da metodologia da Escala Brasileira de Insegurança Alimentar e para criação do modelo de apoio à decisão os dados foram agrupados como insegurança alimentar leve-moderada e insegurança alimentar grave. Selecionou-se 10 variáveis quantitativas sobre a realidade socioeconômica e demográfica: números de cômodos na casa; números de cômodos na casa utilizados para dormir; total de moradores na casa; escolaridade em anos do chefe de família; quantidade de crianças e adolescentes frequentando a escola; quantidade de crianças; quantidade de adolescentes; quantidade de adultos; quantidade de idosos, relação entre trabalhadores e desempregados e com auxílio do software MATLAB gerando um modelo de Rede Neural Artificial do tipo feedforward com 1 camada de entrada, 1 camada oculta com 22 neurônios, e 1 camada de saída com 2 neurônios com aprendizagem por backpropagation. Com base nisto, os modelos gerados obtiveram como resultados: 81% de acertos na decisão sobre segurança alimentar x insegurança alimentar e 80,2% na decisão de insegurança alimentar leve-moderada x insegurança grave para São José dos Ramos; Nova Floresta obteve 80,7% de acertos na decisão sobre segurança alimentar x insegurança alimentar e 80,4% na decisão de insegurança alimentar leve-moderada x insegurança grave. Portanto, este modelo constitui-se um instrumento importante para definir as tendências prioritárias de intervenção nos municípios, no sentido de permitir a identificação deste agravo em esfera local, podendo subsidiar o processo de tomada de decisão e o planejamento de políticas públicas e ações que visem à promoção da segurança alimentar.

The purpose of this research was to conduct an exploratory study of the information processing utilized by incubator-housed manufacturers during channel member selection. The study included the evaluation of the decision models used by the manufacturers as well as criteria used in the selection process. The study was specifically designed to achieve the following objectives. First, the research was to identify the evaluation modes used by the manufacturers as either compensatory or noncompensatory. Second, the study was to evaluate the effect of the task on the selection of the evaluation model(s) used during the channel member selection process. Third, the study was to evaluate the effect of the selected decision strategy on the amount of information used during the decision process. Finally, the study was to identify and examine the importance of the criteria used by the manufacturers in the selection process. The methodology in this study consisted of primary research using protocol analysis as the main data gathering technique. A ranking instrument was also mailed to the respondents prior to the protocol session. The population for the study was identified as all manufacturers located in publicly-sponsored business incubators. A total of 235 incubators were in existence with approximately 47 percent of them being publicly-sponsored. Approximately 42 percent of the incubators house at least one manufacturing firm. It was estimated that there were approximately 46 manufacturing firms located in public incubators. A sample of six was used in this study. The statistical analysis included frequencies, cross tabulations, correlations, paired comparisons, and measures of association. The findings of this study suggest that the incubator-housed manufacturers' choice of evaluation models was not affected by the task nor did the selected strategy influence the amount of information used by the manufacturers. The findings indicate a need for further research to evaluate the relationships brought forth in this study. Based on the conclusions and findings of this study, recommendations for further research were given.

In 2016 employers hiring four-year college graduates indicate that 27.8% have deficiencies in written communication. Postsecondary learning objectives should focus on improving specific writing skills like grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary usage for individual students and monitoring text readability as an overall score to measure learning outcomes. Web-based applications and the tools integrated into them have the potential to serve as a diagnostic solution for analyzing the text readability and writing skills of students. Organization and structuring of Canvas data was required before adding text readability and other writing skills analytics as part of the process to develop diagnostic learning analytics that interprets student writing skills in the learning management system. Decision modeling was used to capture and describe the specifics of literacy improvement decisions for instructors and administrators in a graphical notation and structured format.