The rapidly evolving global market scenario raised multiple challenges for an organization such as: change in customer needs and lifestyle, increased competition, compulsion to enter into new markets, pursue to innovate and so on, which raises an additional challenge for organization to sustain and succeed. In order to meet these multiple challenges, continuous New Product Development (NPD) turns out to be one of the essential tasks for any organization to improve market share, profitability and to succeed. In this scenario, a new product portfolio with best mix of new projects that ensures strategic alignment, balance of portfolio and improves organizations’ potential gain is compulsion. However, From the literature, it is observed that, ‘As nearly half of initial NPD ideas occur informally or without a specific goal, even a best performing organization requires a major improvement in the decision making process of Project Evaluation and Selection (PES)’. This emphasizes the significance of decision on Project Evaluation and Selection (PES) of NPD. Additionally, huge investments and resources need to be employed based on decision that is taken at PES phase of NPD. Thus PES turns out to be a crucial and essential phase of New Product Process (NPP). All these stated aspects of this challenging and crucial strategic decision of PES provoke for the requirement of an efficient management system and decision making model. In the literature the management system and decision making processes for formulation of portfolio is termed as “New Product Portfolio Management (NPPM)”. Though various researchers have been focusing on this particular issue of improving NPPM Performance, from the analysis of literature, to the best of our knowledge, it is observed that no one has identified or considered an exhaustive list of possible evaluative dimensions while taking the decision on PES of NPPM (PES-NPPM). This thesis makes an attempt to address this research gap, and the scope of this study is pertained to three sectors of manufacturing industry, namely, Automotive, Electronics and Machine Tools. Accordingly, the main objective of this thesis is “ In order to achieve this particular objective the following sub-objectives, methodologies, and analysis are carried out. For this purpose, first and foremost analysis of literature on PES is carried out. Accordingly, five evaluative dimensions are identified for PES-NPPM and they are: (i) Strategic Fit; (ii) Portfolio-Innovation Balance; (iii) Risk-Uncertainty Estimation; (iv) Cost-Revenue Estimation and (v) Optimized Resource Allocation. Furthermore, it is observed that, there is no study considering all the five evaluative dimensions simultaneously for PES-NPPM either to analyze their impact on performance of NPPM or to develop a decision making model. Thus, we are addressing a new problem configuration in the area of PES-NPPM. Additionally, though the requirements of multi-criteria models for PES-NPPM is discussed both in academic and practioners points of view, the real demonstration of the applicability of multi-criteria models are given a scant treatment in the literature. . By the end of the achieving this objective, we identified five distinct evaluative dimensions which are used in different combinations for PES-NPPM. Further, for measuring each of these five evaluative dimensions, we identified 23, 11, 15, 10, and 18 measurement variables respectively. Based on the evaluative dimensions considered in this study, a framework work is proposed for PES-NPPM. Due to the limitation of empirical evidences on considering the identified evaluative dimensions and respective measurement variables towards the proposed initial framework for PES-NPPM, another exploratory study: a case study method is carried out. In addition to the process of triangulation, the case study approach is carried out to understand (a) significance and nature of the identified measurement variables of all the five evaluative dimensions for PES-NPPM, and (b) real-life practices in decision making process of PES-NPPM and to identify the requirements of decision making tools. Accordingly, 12 case studies (4 each) from three manufacturing sectors, considered in this study, are conducted. Further, 12 case study reports are prepared and inferences are drawn. The inferences drawn are verified by conducting an individual brain-storming session with 3 academicians and 4 practitioners. The detailed analysis of the 12 case study reports endorsed the necessity of considering all the five identified evaluative dimensions in the proposed framework for PES-NPPM. In addition, the case study analysis revealed some of the variables originally considered for measuring the evaluative dimensions are not really the measurement variables, whereas those variables are expected to impact the decision making environment of PES-NPPM (or) NPPM Performance. Further those non-measurement variables are classified into (a) Characteristic Variables of PES-NPPM, and (b) Moderating variables for NPPM. Based on this, case study analysis identified 8 characteristic variables and 8 moderating variables. This specific observation resulted to analyze further the existing literature in order to identify if there exist any additional variables which impact decision making environment of PES-NPPM (or) NPPM Performance. Thus, from the analysis of literature and case study analysis 17 characteristic variable and 13 moderating variables are identified. Additionally, For this purpose, Partial Least Square – Path Modeling (PLS-PM) (or) regression analysis is conducted depending upon type of variables with 104 observations (representing 34, 39, and 31 observations of the three sectors respectively) to analyze the relationships between characteristic and moderating variables on decision-making environment of PES-NPPM and NPPM Performance respectively. From case study analysis, it is observed that the decision making tool required should provide: (a) ability to incorporate judgmental scores along with financial and other quantitative metrics, (b) ability to attain a balance of portfolio and consider interactions among project, and (c) ability to provide alternatives and rank the alternatives. In addition to the observation drawn from the case study analysis on the need of MCDM based tool(s), analysis of the literature is carried out to verify the same. As this problem scenario considers both quantitative and qualitative data for the development of a decision making tool, an appropriate technique/methodology needs to be employed. Based on analysis of literature and the case study reports, this study proposes an integrated Data Envelopment Analysis and Balanced Scorecard (DEA-BSC) model for individual PES. Further, the proposed DEA-BSC model is extended for evaluation of new product portfolio. In the process of formulation of new product portfolio, first, every new product project is evaluated with the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model. Second, an algorithm is designed to generate alternate portfolios with the selected set of efficient new product projects. Then, DEA-BSC model is employed to evaluate the generated portfolios. At this step, an accumulation functions are proposed which considers interactions among projects. These accumulation functions determine the overall input and output of the portfolio along with interactions involved. Accordingly, the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model for portfolio evaluation is expected to result in a balanced portfolio with profitable new product projects. In addition, the workability of the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model is demonstrated by developing a suitable numerical example. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is carried out on proposed DEA-BSC model to analyze the robustness of the results. In summary, this thesis examined a problem of decision making of NPPM. Further, this problem was retained with main focus on PES phase. Accordingly, the major contributions of this thesis are as follows: Identified an exhaustive lists of evaluative dimensions: (i) Strategic Fit; (ii) Portfolio-Innovation Balance; (iii) Risk-Uncertainty Estimation; (iv) Cost-Revenue Estimation and (v) Optimized Resource Allocation. Also identified the significance of these five dimensions in case of PES-NPPM. In addition, all the five evaluative dimensions are considered simultaneously for development of a multi criteria decision making tool for PES-NPPM. Identified the required measurement variables for each of the evaluative dimensions, considered in this study, that are essential for PES, and analyzed their influence on performance of NPPM. Identified and analyzed characteristic and moderating variables that influence decision making environment of PES-NPPM and performance of NPPM respectively. Identified the requirements of a decision making tool for PES-NPPM and developed an integrated DEA-BSC model for PES. To the best of our knowledge, the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model is considered to be the first hybrid model applied to PES-NPPM. Furthermore for implementing the proposed DEA-BSC model, an algorithm is proposed in this study and this is expected to assist decision maker for selecting the right set of projects for new product portfolio with higher development potential, profitability and minimize the associated risk. Identified possible project interactions caused due to external or internal factors and accordingly proposed an accumulation function to capture these interactions. Proposed an algorithm for formulation of new product portfolio and accordingly proposed a detail step-by-step procedure for implementation of the proposed integrated DEA-BSC model. Though this study analyzes the impact of characteristic variables on decision-making environment of PES-NPPM, we limit to link this impact to DEA-BSC Model. In this study, an attempt is made to capture the moderating effect on NPPM Performance, but this study limits to link this moderating effect in proposed DEA-BSC model. Finally, the validation of the workability of proposed DEA-BSC model is limited to the numerical example considered in the study and not to the real-life problems scenarios.

During the last decade, electronic prescribing has been a point of focus in healthcare industry and is rapidly becoming a standard of practice. It has proven as an important element in improving the quality of patient care, mitigating or eliminating the phone calls back and forth from pharmacies to point of care/health centers. Many e-prescribing systems were developed and marketed but these usually were unsuccessful because of the lack of direct electronic connectivity to local pharmacies and the lack of up-to-date formulary information, clinical guidelines, health plans & services among other reasons. Despite their benefits, the adoption and usage of electronic prescribing systems has been low. In some of the developing countries like Uganda, the problem is even worst. Due to lack of essential resources and manpower, healthcare services have significantly impacted on the productivity and quality of patient care.In an effort to improve, promote and maintain the quality of health services in rural settings of developing countries like Uganda, a high level design for e-prescribing system has been proposed. Design specifications for Electronic Prescribing Management System (EPMS) along with functional prototype are built based on ICT4MPOWER project requirements and previous research and publications in this area.Initially research began with Drug and Stock Management System and EPMS emerged as one of its essential components. In order to strengthen and establish connection between ongoing electronic health record system and drug and stock management development, EPMS component came into lime light. Mare prescription management is not enough to serve patient centric needs. Hence, clinical decision support has been introduced into e- prescribing system to improve the quality of prescribing decisions. In order to develop a patient-centric e-prescribing system that is self-evolving and self sustaining, it is important to update the clinical decision-support system, formularies & guidelines on regular basis. In order to make it usable, it is required to formulate effective health plans and increase associations between pharmacies and other health organizational units. The principal benefit of introducing E-prescribing system into Electronic Health Record (EHR) System is to connect open ended systems to form a strong knowledge base for future. / ICT4MPOWER

This study outlines the strategies that were employed during the training of Grade 11 Physical Sciences teachers in the use and development of an Electronic Performance Support System (EPSS). The EPSS process involves extended individualised support for teachers through face-to-face training. A purposive sample was utilised and 22 Grade 11 Physical Sciences teachers participated in the study. Teachers’ skills and knowledge before and after the EPSS training process were measured on three measures of satisfaction (course material, the EPSS training process and the trainer’s competencies) and three measures regarding the EPSS (using an EPSS, creating a flowchart and designing an EPSS). A customer satisfaction index questionnaire and retrospective opinionnaire were used to collect data from the participants. Microsoft Excel was used to analyse data collected using the customer satisfaction index questionnaire. Furthermore a Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) program was used to analyse data collected using a retrospective opinionnaire. Significant effects were found on all six measures when comparing the skills of teachers before and after attending the EPSS training programme. The results reveal that teachers who participated in the research are satisfied with the use, design and development of an EPSS in education. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Science, Mathematics and Technology Education / unrestricted

This thesis focuses on the use and application of strategic tool Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for managing banking institution and translation the strategy into particular objectives and initiatives. Theoretical background affects both BSC framework taking into account modern trends of the dynamic system conception and also basics of information society, strategic considerations and system dynamics theory in relation to creating and application of the BSC in the organization. The practical part provides an introduction to the issues of examined institution, the current state of sharing strategic objectives, fundamental analysis to detect key features of the organization and the market and especially BSC formation. There is an analysis of the BSC system in details, translation strategy into concrete objectives, targets, initiatives and also selected measures. The integrity of the thesis is supplemented by a suggested process of dynamic BSC implementation to the institution, introduction of the tool for building a dynamic model for simulation of strategies and the concept of the user interface in the selected tool for sharing BSC through the whole organization.

At the present time, characterised by increasing complexity of not just socio-economics systems, decision-making in positions of executive management is becoming increasingly difficult. Although more and more attention is dedicated to use of information and communication technologies in corporate sector and organizations collect unprecedented amount of very detailed data from all areas, their real nature is often not considered. Data, information and knowledge, through which we can achieve real understanding of causes of the observed systems behaviour, are necessary basis for ability for prediction of tomorrow's effects of today's decisions. This thesis aims to highlight the essence of data, information and knowledge in organization and the necessity of systemic perception for creating efficient and effective decisions. The second part of this thesis presents design of system-dynamic model (including user interface), which explains the mechanisms of health care volume accounting in medical facilities with more departments. The model should facilitate understanding of functioning of hospitals by the public, and respect of general nature of medical facilities functioning to create a base for robust model-oriented decision support system for the management.

Gegenstand der Arbeit ist die konzeptionelle Ausarbeitung einer virtuellen Anwendung, die es den Anwendern in der Flugzeugstrukturkonstruktion im Kontext der additiven Fertigung ermöglicht, interaktiv und intuitiv wichtige Entscheidungen für den Bauteilentstehungsprozess zu treffen. Dabei soll sich die Anwendung adaptiv je nach Anwendungsfall in der Informationsbereitstellung an die jeweils benötigten Anforderungen und Bedürfnisse des Anwenders anpassen können.

Le travail de recherche présenté dans cette thèse s’inscrit dans la continuité des travaux de l’aide à la décision multi-critère de groupe (décideurs), particulièrement dans le champ de sélection de la localisation des centres de distribution. Dans un environnement certain, si la décision de sélection de la localisation des centres de distribution a donné lieu à plusieurs travaux de recherche, elle n’a jamais été l’objet, à notre connaissance, d’une décision prise par plusieurs décideurs. À cet égard, le premier objectif de cette thèse est de proposer une méthode d’aide à la décision multi-attribut et multi-acteur (MAADM) pour résoudre le problème posé. Pour se faire, nous avons adapté et étendu la méthode ELECTRE I. Dans un environnement incertain, au vu de l’incertitude inhérente et l’imprécision du processus décisionnel humain ainsi que les comportements futurs du marché et des entreprises, le deuxième objectif de cette thèse est de développer une méthode floue d’aide à la décision multi-attribut et multi-acteur (FMAADM) pour traiter le problème en question. Pour cela, nous avons couplé la méthode MAADM avec la théorie des ensembles flous. Pour la validation des deux contributions, nous avons conçu un système d’aide à la décision (S-DSS) pour implémenter les algorithmes de la méthode MAADM et la méthode FMAADM. Sur la base du S-DSS, deux études expérimentales ont été menées. Nous avons, aussi, appliqué une analyse de sensibilité pour vérifier la sensibilité de la solution retenue vis-à-vis aux variations de poids des critères d’évaluation. Les résultats obtenus prouvent que les deux méthodes proposées répondent à l’objectif recherché et ainsi retenues pour la sélection de la meilleure localisation dans un contexte certain/incertain de multi-attribut et multi-acteur. / The research work presented in this thesis is part of the works’ continuity on multi-criteria group (decision-makers) decision-making, particularly in the field of the distribution centers’ location selection. Under certain environment, although the decision to select the location of the distribution centers has given rise in several research works, it has never been the object, to our knowledge, of a decision taken by several decision makers. In this regard, the first objective of this thesis is to develop a multi-attribute and multi-actor decision-making method (MAADM) to resolve the posed problem. For this purpose, we have adapted and extended the ELECTRE I method. Under uncertain environment, In view of the inherent uncertainty and inaccuracy of human decision-making, the future behavior of the market and companies, the second objective of this thesis is to propose a fuzzy multi-attribute and multi-actor decision-making method (FMAADM) to treat the problem in question. To this end, we have coupled the MAADM method with the fuzzy set theory. To validate the two contributions, we designed a decision support system (S-DSS) to implement the MAADM method and the FMAADM method. Based on the S-DSS, two experimental studies were conducted. We also applied a sensitivity analysis to verify the sensitivity of the solution retained vis-a-vis to weights’ variations of evaluation criteria. The obtained results prove that the MAADM method and the FMAADM method meet the desired objective and thus retained for the selection of the best location under certain/uncertain context of multi-attribute and multi-actor.

Aujourd’hui, les zones côtières concentrent souvent des villes densément peuplées où le développement économique est associé à une rapide urbanisation. Dans de nombreux endroits, les cours d’eau sont intégrés en zone urbaine présentant à la fois des ressources et des risques potentiels. La concurrence croissante entre les activités économiques et l'espace essentiel aux rivières et aux milieux naturels nécessite une gestion intégrée basée sur des outils fiables capables de fournir des informations hydrologiques. La basse vallée du Var, dans le sud de la France, est spécifiquement exposée à une augmentation de l’activité humaine, et les impacts sociaux sur l’environnement deviennent de plus en plus intenses. Par conséquent, le cycle de l’eau est déséquilibré et induit des problèmes liés à l’eau. Pour traiter ces problèmes, les collectivités territoriales ont besoin d’outils d’aide à la décision qui simulent le comportement du bassin versant. Tel est l’objectif du projet AquaVar qui repose sur trois modèles numériques : Mike SHE pour le bassin versant du Var, Mike 21FM pour la rivière, et Feflow pour l’aquifère. Ces travaux de recherches se concentrent sur le modèle des écoulements à surface libre et son intégration au sein de l’outil d’aide à la décision.Les modèles hydrauliques 2D sont fréquemment utilisés car ils fournissent une vision précise des phénomènes physiques en rivière et de l’hydrodynamique durant des événements extrêmes (inondation, sécheresse et pollution accidentelle). Le modèle des écoulements à surface libre 2D est conçu avec le logiciel Mike 21FM en utilisant la méthodologie classique. Il est calibré et validé pour des conditions spécifiques de la basse vallée du Var : hautes eaux au mois de novembre, hautes eaux au printemps dues à la fonte des neiges et basses eaux en été. Le modèle hydraulique peut non seulement être utilisé pour simuler des scénarios d’événements extrêmes, mais il est également capable d’interagir avec le modèle des écoulements souterrains développé avec Feflow. Une interface spécifique est développée pour connecter le Var et son aquifère dans la basse vallée. Elle nécessite cependant une phase de validation afin de précisément simuler les échanges nappe-rivière.De toute évidence, le modèle Mike 21FM est le cœur de l’outil d’aide à la décision. L'hydrodynamique du fleuve dépend de la transformation des précipitations en débit (modélisée par Mike SHE) et du volume d'eau échangé avec l'aquifère (modélisé par Feflow). La dernière partie est consacrée à la construction de l'outil d’aide à la décision avec l'intégration du modèle hydraulique 2D. Ce système de modèles est implémenté dans une interface web et accessible par différents utilisateurs. Cet outil peut être facilement mis à jour en partageant les données de chaque partenaire. Dans le futur, cet outil pourrait intégrer le petit cycle de l'eau (réseaux d’assainissement et d’alimentation en eau potable). Les autorités locales pourraient donc prévoir et contrôler leurs ressources en eau et les risques potentiels. / Nowadays, the coastal areas concentrate frequently densely populated cities where economic development is associated to a fast urbanization. In many locations rivers are integrated within the urban areas and present both resources and potential risks. The growing competition between the economic activities and the essential space for the rivers requests an efficient management based on reliable tools able to provide hydrological information. Typically, the Lower Var valley, in south of France, faces to an increase of human activities, and the social impacts on the natural environment have become more and more intensive. Therefore, the water cycle is unbalanced implying water problems. To deal with this issue, local authorities needs a Decision Support System (DSS) tool to simulate the behaviour of water system. This is the objective of the AquaVar research which includes three numerical models: Mike SHE for the Var catchment, Mike 21FM for the Lower Var River, and Feflow for the aquifer. Here, the research is focused on the 2D free surface flow model and its integration in the DSS tool.The 2D hydraulic models represent a meaningful approach that can provide an accurate view on the physical processes within the river and on the hydrodynamics during the extreme events (inundation, drought and accidental pollution). The 2D free surface flow model is designed with Mike 21FM software using common methodology. It is calibrated and validated for the three specific weather conditions in the Lower Var valley: floods which occur in November, spring floods due to snow melting and droughts in summer. Not only the 2D hydraulic model allows to simulate scenarios of inundation and accidental pollutions, but it is also able to exchange water volume with the groundwater model developed with Feflow. A specific interface is developed to connect river and aquifer in the Lower Var valley. It required validation cases to accurately simulate the river-aquifer exchanges.Obviously, Mike 21FM is finally the core of the DSS tool because it is the centre of the modelling system. The hydrodynamics of the river depends on precipitations converted in flow by Mike SHE model, and exchanges water volume with the aquifer modelled by Feflow. The last part of this research is dedicated to the construction of the DSS tool and the integration of the 2D hydraulic model. The modelling system is implemented in a web interface adapted for different types of users. This DSS tool can be easily updated by sharing data from all the stakeholders. In the future, this tool could integrate sewage network and drinking water supply system to consider all the water cycle. Hence, local authorities could forecast and control the water resources and the potential risks.

La modélisation hydraulique avec modèle déterministe est une méthode largement utilisée. Cependant,lamodélisation est un ptocessus complexe, notamrnent pour les aquifères où la quantité et la qualité desdonnées ne sont pas satisfaisantes. Etantune des sources pdncipales de I'eau douce dans la basse valléedu Var, Côte d',{.zur,Frarrce,la nappe libre de lavallée est menacée parla pénurie et la pollution. Maþéle grand nombre d'études effectuées dans cette zone, la dynamique des écoulements souterrains esttoujours patiellement inconnue. Par conséquent, la métropole Nice Côte d'Azur a besoin de développerun système d'aide à la décision (SÂD) à base des modèles numériques afin d'assurer une gestion plusefficace de l'eau souteraine. Un modèle numérique est développé avec FEFLO\ø en tenant compte desprécipitations, de l'é:vapoftanspiration, du pompage de l'eau souterraine, et des échanges nappe-rivière.Le volume d'eau pompée pour l'usage agdcole et le taux d'échange du lit mineur du Var ont été calibrés.Le modèle a été. vabdé. par une simulation de '1.266 jours. Le modèle est utilisé pour simuler les scénatüdes événements d'inondation et de sécheresse, les scénadi de pollution et l'intrusion d'eau de mer dans lavallée. Une première conception du système d'aide à la décision est présentée comme le demier exemplede l'application du modèle. Une interface de couplage est développée en Java et sert à échanger lesdonnées entre le modèle souterrain et le modèle à surface libre élaboré avec MIKE21FM. / Groundwater modeling with deterministic model is a complicated process, especially in complex aquiferswhere the quantity and the quality of the measuted data arc not satisfying. The unconfined alluvialaquifet is the main water resource in the lower valley of Vat river, Ftench Riviera, but it faces a thteat ofshortage and pollution. Despite numerous previous studies, the dynamics of the gtoundwater flow in thealluvial aquifer and the characteristics of the rivet-aquifer exchanges ¿re s':ll partially unknown.Therefore the local u/ater management service requires a decision support system PSS) based onnumerical models to ensure a better groundwater management. A hydraulic model is set up withFEFLO!ø software by considedng ptecþitation, evâpotranspiration, gtoundwatet exftacdon and rivetaquiferexchanges. The non-documented groundwater exttaction fot agticultural use and the transferrates in the dverbed along the river have been calibtated. The model has been validated with asimulation of 7266 days. The model is applied to simulate the scenarios of flood and drought events, thepollution events in the unconfined aquifer in the valley and the seawater inrusion in the estuary of Yarriver. These case studies contributes to increase the knowledge of the aquifet. A fust conception of theDSS tool is presented as the last example of model application. A coupling interface is developed thanksto aJava which enables an automatic exchange of data between the groundwater flow model and thesurface wâter flow model built with MII(E2ltr}'/. More tests should be done to validate the couplinginterface

Cotutelle internationale avec l'université de Caen / La complexité des patients de réanimation justifie le recours à des systèmes d’aide à la décision thérapeutique. Ces systèmes rassemblent des protocoles automatisés de prise en charge permettant le respect des recommandations et des simulateurs physiologiques ou patients virtuels, utilisables pour personnaliser de façon sécuritaire les prises en charge. Ces dispositifs fonctionnant à partir d’algorithmes et d’équations mathématiques ne peuvent être développés qu’à partir d’un grand nombre de données de patients. Le principal objectif de cette thèse était la mise en place d’une base de données haute résolution automatiquement collectée de patients de réanimation pédiatrique dont le but sera de servir au développement et à la validation d’un simulateur physiologique : SimulResp©. Ce travail présente l’ensemble du processus de mise en place de la base de données, du concept jusqu’à son utilisation. / The complexity of the patients in the intensive care unit requires the use of clinical decision support systems. These systems bring together automated management protocols that enable adherence to guidelines and virtual physiological or patient simulators that can be used to safely customize management. These devices operating from algorithms and mathematical equations can only be developed from a large number of patients’ data. The main objective of the work was the elaboration of a high resolution database automatically collected from critically ill children. This database will be used to develop and validate a physiological simulator called SimulResp© . This manuscript presents the whole process of setting up the database from concept to use.