This study is interested in defining new variables that contribute to the explanation of whether or not an individual applies to postsecondary institutions. Prior research has explained differences based on demographic variables, such as first generation status, income and race, and differences in information and social support that an individual possesses. While these variables have a significant effect on the decision, they do not completely explain why individuals decide to pursue postsecondary education. This research suggests that how an individual moves through the decision process, as well as how information is interpreted and used will have an effect on the ultimate decision outcome. The Sense-Making model (Dervin, 2003) is adapted here to define the differences in the decision process. A telephone survey was conducted with a randomly selected sample of 448 residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia asking them to describe their decision process regarding participating in postsecondary education based on the variables comprising the Sense-Making model. Stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the effect of the demographics-based and Sense-Making model variables on the likelihood that an individual applies to postsecondary education. The descriptive analysis of the survey findings indicated that respondents do not rely solely on a rational, information-based decision process. The resulting model produced by the stepwise process indicated that income and familiarity with postsecondary education had the strongest effects on the likelihood of applying, which is consistent with the existing literature. As for the Sense-Making variables, the analysis provided a set of variables whose presence makes a respondent less likely to apply. Feeling a lack of control over the decision outcome, perceiving information as not supportive to the process, using social support to make the decision and noting social support and school characteristics as a barrier all decreased the likelihood of respondents applying. The findings of the descriptive and predictive analysis defined the shortcomings of information and indicate that social support, like information, may not always facilitate the decision process. Recommendations are made to create information that is more supportive and will accurately portray the work necessary to prepare for postsecondary education and to create participatory programming to address misperceptions and acceptance of information. These findings provide the basis for additional research to define how information can support the decision process.

Doctor of Education / Department of Educational Leadership / Sarah Jane Fishback / This qualitative inquiry was a naturalistic exploration of participants’ perception or understanding of their intuitive decisionmaking processes. A bounded case study explored how a purposeful sampling of U.S. Armed Forces officers−primarily U.S. Army officers−perceived or understood intuitive decisionmaking in the context of their experiences in contemporary military missions. The purposeful sample was comprised of ten volunteer participants attending their professional Intermediate Level Education (ILE) course in 2011 at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. The review of relevant literature used Polanyi's (1958) theory of tacit knowing and personal knowledge [intuition] in making decisions as a philosophical and psychological baseline. U.S. Army doctrine promoted implicit [intuitive] and analytical [deliberate] decisionmaking. Army doctrinal guidance stated that in situations severely constrained in time and requiring an immediate decision, Army leaders rely significantly on intution. A complementary concept advocated creative and critical thinking in order to adaptively solve problems. However, minimal emphasis on intuitive processes and rescinding the term intuitive decisionmaking in Army doctrine indicated a significant gap in Army leader development. This research augmented professional literature on the art and science of military leadership and decisionmaking in the second decade of the 21st century. The exploratory study encouraged further research on how U.S. Armed Forces officers perceive discrete elements or emergent patterns among complex environmental stimuli; understand their tacit knowledge to sense situational cues affecting a problem; and develop their intuitive acumen as a complement to experience and learning toward professional expertise. The participants’ candid insights on their lived and vicarious experiences in intuitive decisionmaking suggested similar leadership value to the adult education community. Other practical benefits included an improved self-efficacy of participants to trust their personal intuition and expertise, and to further explore their tacit knowledge for effective day-to-day living in an ever-changing complex and uncertain world. The experiences of participants indicated the believability of Polanyi’s premise that “we can know more than we can tell.” (Polanyi, 1964, p. x).

Ett mycket debatterat ämne är pensionsområdet. IASB har genom IAS19 gjort ett försök att harmonisera redovisningen inom detta område, trots detta uppkommer det nationella så väl som internationella skillnader. Det huvudsakliga problemet för bolag är att framställa en rättvis diskonteringsränta vid nuvärdesberäkning av deras pensionsskuld. Detta har medfört att de flesta bolag, på grund av kunskapsbrist i ämnet, valt att hyra in denna expertis från en aktuariekonsult. Syftet med denna uppsats är att ur ett beslutsteoretiskt perspektiv beskriva hur aktuariekonsulten resonerar och agerar kring valet avföretags aktuariella antaganden. Det som legat till grund för denna studie är teori och regler utifrån IFRS/IAS 19 samtidigt som valda delar utifrån beslutsteori varit i fokus. För att få svar på vår frågeställning har vi valt att utföra sex intervjuer, fyra med aktuariekonsulter och två med redovisningsansvariga på börsnoterade bolag. Utgångspunkten för ansatsen har tagits från det abduktiva synsättet eftersom en växelverkan mellan teori och empiri genomförts. Denna uppsats har påvisat att konsulterna inte såg sig själva sombeslutsfattare utan intog en mer stöttande roll. Dialogen och förhållningssättet från aktuariekonsult till kund om nödvändig data varen viktig del i beslutsprocessen. Det visade sig även att yrkesheder har en vital betydelse för aktuariekonsulten i deras arbete och i beslutsprocessen. / A much debated topic is the area of pensions. IASB has by IAS 19 made an attempt to harmonize the accounting, although this raises national as well as international differences. The main problem for companies is to produce a fair discount rate in calculating the present value of a pension liability. This has resulted that most companies, due to lack of knowledge on the subject, has decided to hire this expertise from an actuary consultant. The purpose of this paper is within a decision theory perspective, describing how actuary consultant reasons and acts on the choice of corporate actuarial assumptions. To get an answer to our question, we have chosen to perform six interviews, four with actuary consultants and two with the chief accountants for listed companies. The starting point of the approach has been taken by an abductive approach as it is an interaction between theory and empirical implementation. The basis for this study is the theory and rules based on IFRS/IAS 19, while selected parts have been based on decision theory which has been in focus. This thesis has proven the consultants did not see themselves as decisionmakers but took a more supportive role. The data was an important part in the decision process, therefore dialogue and the approach actuary consultants made towards the client played a significant role. This thesis has also shown professional integrity has a vital influence on actuary consultants in their work and in the decision-making process.

This dissertation examines why military decision makers struggle to evaluate their policies and why they often stick to unsuccessful strategies for so long. The core argument is that strategic assessment involves genuine analytic challenges which contemporary scholarship typically does not take into account. Prominent theoretical frameworks predict that the longer decision makers go without achieving their objectives, the more pessimistic they should become about their ability to do so, and the more likely they should be to change course. This dissertation challenges those ideas and explains why we should often expect the very opposite. The theoretical crux of this argument is that standard models of learning and adaptation (along with many people’s basic intuitions) revolve around the assumption that decision makers are observing repeated processes, similar to the dynamics of slot machines and roulette wheels – but in war and other contexts, decision makers often confront cumulative processes that have very different dynamics, along with a different logic for how rational actors should form and revise their expectations. Empirically, this dissertation examines U.S. decision making in Iraq, Vietnam, and the American Indian Wars. These cases demonstrate how cumulative dynamics affect strategic assessment and how understanding these dynamics can shed light on prominent theoretical frameworks, ongoing policy debates, and salient historical experience.

This dissertation addresses the problem of how to manage environmental resources to improve the prospects that resource allocation activities will make the greatest possible contribution to social well-being. The study had two major aims. One aim was to provide a rational philosophical framework for guiding resource evaluation and decisionmaking processes. The second - and principal - aim was to develop a reliable and practical method for evaluating those resource allocation proposals which are particularly controversial. As part of the philosophical framework, a modification of the social welfare function is specified which explicitly addresses the well-being of future generations. This form of the social welfare function is based on certain a priori premises, which are used to define the goal and objectives of resource allocation, and to identify appropriate evaluation criteria. These evaluation criteria are then used to devise a resource management strategy and to develop an environmental evaluation methodology to serve that strategy. The methodology consists of both formal and informal methods of evaluation, but special attention is given to developing a formal method of evaluation that is simple and inexpensive to apply, and therefore particularly suited for Third World conditions. The principal research objective was to develop a useful method for evaluating those resource allocation proposals which are especially controversial. The method that has been developed - the Panel Evaluation Method - utilizes a cost-benefit framework and employs procedures modeled on the Delphi Method. The Panel Evaluation Method features three techniques for accomplishing a formal evaluation of competing proposals: the Impact Identification Technique is used to identify and define all the impacts of concern; the Significance Measurement Technique is used to judge the relative significance of the impacts; and the Criteria Trade-off Technique is used to determine which proposal best satisfies specified evaluation criteria. The Panel Evaluation Method was applied to several case studies with positive results. For example, the central feature of the method - the Significance Measurement Technique - was found to be capable of producing reasonably replicable results, and so is considered to provide an acceptable way to determine whether the costs of a proposal would exceed its benefits. The method thus serves to extend the capabilities of both Environmental Impact Assessment and Cost-benefit Analysis, and to link these two widely-used tools for guiding resource allocation decisions into a more powerful and versatile decisionmaking tool.

The purpose of the thesis is to describe how decisions related to investments and propertymanagement change for real estate companies with an increased interest rate, as well asbanks' lending to real estate companies.  To achieve the purpose of the study, a qualitative method was conducted through semistructured interviews with each respondent. The empirical material has interwoven with thetheoretical frame of reference. Thus, an abductive research approach has been used.  The analysis consists of interpretations of the empirical data covered by the thesis. Resultsand of the empirical data are linked to the thesis. The results of the analysis showed changesin the thesis in three areas: Changes in decisions in property management and propertyinvestments in the event of an increased interest rate situation. As well as the bank's lendingfor real estate companies in the event of an increased interest rate situation. The chapter alsoforms the basis for the thesis' later conclusions  The conclusions that have been established from studies are that real estate companies usesmany different types of security measures to minimize the sensitivity to an increased interestrate situation. In property management operations, long-term measures are taken to ensurecash flow. In the short term, it can be indirectly affected. Investment decisions are changedby re-prioritizing real estate companies' investment planning because of the returnrequirements. The conclusion for how the banks' lending changes is that lending as a wholedecrease with an increased interest rate situation. This is not due to the banks, but is about thereal estate companies finding it more difficult to meet the assessment requirements

Since the 1970s when the first destination image studies were performed, this topic has become one of the most predominant in the tourism marketing literature. Destination image within the tourism industry is essential, as most tourism products are services rather than physical goods, and can often only compete by means of the image they portray. The image of a specific destination is a major element in the final decision when selecting the destination. Both positive and negative images occur, together having a great impact on the travel and tourism industry. Destinations therefore have to create images of their location and what they have to offer to help differentiate them from their competition. Therefore, potential tourists rely on their mental images when deciding to visit one destination over another. Different influences emerge within tourist decisions, which affect their ultimate experience. It is therefore clear that, to understand tourists‟ needs and wants, relationship building is important and this could assist with the marketing of products or services. Marketing plays a central part in tourism, since consumers need to travel to a certain destination to see, feel or test the product that is to be purchased and evaluated. Image is formed based on three main components. These are: cognitive (what one knows about a destination), affective (how one feels about what one knows) and conative components (how one acts on this information). To date, various image models have been developed. However, none of these have been applied to, tested in, or developed for South Africa. It is therefore important to know how tourists formulate a destinations‟ image as well as what influences their image regarding a destination. Therefore, to achieve this and the goal of this study, which is to develop a framework for the optimisation of the image of South Africa as a tourism destination, a comprehensive review of marketing and destination image literature was performed, subsequent to which the research was conducted. After having conducted the literature review and gathered expert advice and opinions, various literature-based attributes were identified. A total of sixty-three attributes were acknowledged whereafter these were sifted and grouped into Cognitive, Affective and Conative attributes. After taking expert advice into consideration, these attributes were once again sifted and it was determined whether they were applicable for this research. A total of fifty-seven attributes remained important and formed part of the questionnaire. Forty-two attributes were Cognitive, twelve Affective and three Conative. The research was conducted at the international departure area of a major international airport in South Africa. The respondents consisted of international tourists that were returning to their home countries after visiting South Africa. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed of which 474 questionnaires were obtained. Of these, 451 questionnaires were usable for this study, as 23 questionnaires were incomplete and not usable. The number of questionnaires was therefore representative of the target population and further analysis. After the questionnaires for this study were gathered, the primary data was captured and analysed. Different types of data analyses were used in this study: Firstly, descriptive analysis to determine findings concerning the demographic profile of respondents and the respondent‟s travel behaviour whilst visiting South Africa. Secondly, factor analyses to factorise the image attributes into image factors; and to factorise external aspects into factors and determine how these affect image formation. Thirdly, ANOVAs (One-way analysis of variance) were conducted where more than two categories formed part of the question, t-tests were conducted to compare the image factors with questions consisting of only two categories and Spearman rank correlations were conducted to describe the strength and direction of the linear relationship between selected variables. Finally, Structural Equation Modelling was used to empirically test the framework and evaluate how well the data supports the hypothesised model. The first factor analysis resulted in 13 reliable and valid factors, which consisted of the cognitive, affective and conative image attributes. These factors, together with the factors of the second factor analysis (Media, Political and Iconic aspects) were used as constructs in the Structural Equation Modelling analysis. After having combined the results of all the different analyses, a framework was developed that identifies the aspects influencing South Africa‟s image. Some of the main findings were that media, political happenings and iconic aspects directly influenced cognitive, affective and conative images. Novel to this study was the significant influence of icons. Interestingly, demographic information only affects cognitive image and neither affective nor conative image. Travel behaviour contributes to the formation of cognitive, affective and conative image.However, surprisingly, the lack of influence from travel agents and travel guides was also depicted in the results. This framework emphasises the importance of pre-, onsite and post-experiences as well as communication in image formation. This study contributes academically, methodologically and practically. Academic contributions include empirically testing the framework, which significantly contributes to literature; and the innovative inclusion and assessment of icons adds a new dimension to image formation in literature. From a methodological point of view, it is clear that the analyses of all influencing aspects are challenging and not standardised. The types of analyses applied in this study enhanced the in-depth analyses of the data that was then included into one framework. The data was empirically tested and found to be reliable. The empirical testing of all aspects in a South African context was different and innovative, which finally created a detailed picture of South Africa‟s image as a tourism destination. Finally, the practical contribution of this study is that the framework developed for this study can be used by tourism organisations of various types in planning and implementing marketing strategies. The framework can direct their advertising and staff training; and improve the general tourism product of South Africa. The framework can also be applied to other tourism destinations. Clear recommendations were made regarding the focus of marketing strategies and building the image of South Africa. It was recommended that the framework developed in this study be implemented by national tourism organisations such as SA Tourism, as well as provincial organisations such as Tourism Boards. Product owners can benefit from the framework by considering some of the influential aspects in their product development and marketing strategies. Lastly, all marketing strategies and plans for South Africa should be focused on improving the cognitive, affective and conative image of South Africa. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Since the 1970s when the first destination image studies were performed, this topic has become one of the most predominant in the tourism marketing literature. Destination image within the tourism industry is essential, as most tourism products are services rather than physical goods, and can often only compete by means of the image they portray. The image of a specific destination is a major element in the final decision when selecting the destination. Both positive and negative images occur, together having a great impact on the travel and tourism industry. Destinations therefore have to create images of their location and what they have to offer to help differentiate them from their competition. Therefore, potential tourists rely on their mental images when deciding to visit one destination over another. Different influences emerge within tourist decisions, which affect their ultimate experience. It is therefore clear that, to understand tourists‟ needs and wants, relationship building is important and this could assist with the marketing of products or services. Marketing plays a central part in tourism, since consumers need to travel to a certain destination to see, feel or test the product that is to be purchased and evaluated. Image is formed based on three main components. These are: cognitive (what one knows about a destination), affective (how one feels about what one knows) and conative components (how one acts on this information). To date, various image models have been developed. However, none of these have been applied to, tested in, or developed for South Africa. It is therefore important to know how tourists formulate a destinations‟ image as well as what influences their image regarding a destination. Therefore, to achieve this and the goal of this study, which is to develop a framework for the optimisation of the image of South Africa as a tourism destination, a comprehensive review of marketing and destination image literature was performed, subsequent to which the research was conducted. After having conducted the literature review and gathered expert advice and opinions, various literature-based attributes were identified. A total of sixty-three attributes were acknowledged whereafter these were sifted and grouped into Cognitive, Affective and Conative attributes. After taking expert advice into consideration, these attributes were once again sifted and it was determined whether they were applicable for this research. A total of fifty-seven attributes remained important and formed part of the questionnaire. Forty-two attributes were Cognitive, twelve Affective and three Conative. The research was conducted at the international departure area of a major international airport in South Africa. The respondents consisted of international tourists that were returning to their home countries after visiting South Africa. A total of 500 questionnaires were distributed of which 474 questionnaires were obtained. Of these, 451 questionnaires were usable for this study, as 23 questionnaires were incomplete and not usable. The number of questionnaires was therefore representative of the target population and further analysis. After the questionnaires for this study were gathered, the primary data was captured and analysed. Different types of data analyses were used in this study: Firstly, descriptive analysis to determine findings concerning the demographic profile of respondents and the respondent‟s travel behaviour whilst visiting South Africa. Secondly, factor analyses to factorise the image attributes into image factors; and to factorise external aspects into factors and determine how these affect image formation. Thirdly, ANOVAs (One-way analysis of variance) were conducted where more than two categories formed part of the question, t-tests were conducted to compare the image factors with questions consisting of only two categories and Spearman rank correlations were conducted to describe the strength and direction of the linear relationship between selected variables. Finally, Structural Equation Modelling was used to empirically test the framework and evaluate how well the data supports the hypothesised model. The first factor analysis resulted in 13 reliable and valid factors, which consisted of the cognitive, affective and conative image attributes. These factors, together with the factors of the second factor analysis (Media, Political and Iconic aspects) were used as constructs in the Structural Equation Modelling analysis. After having combined the results of all the different analyses, a framework was developed that identifies the aspects influencing South Africa‟s image. Some of the main findings were that media, political happenings and iconic aspects directly influenced cognitive, affective and conative images. Novel to this study was the significant influence of icons. Interestingly, demographic information only affects cognitive image and neither affective nor conative image. Travel behaviour contributes to the formation of cognitive, affective and conative image.However, surprisingly, the lack of influence from travel agents and travel guides was also depicted in the results. This framework emphasises the importance of pre-, onsite and post-experiences as well as communication in image formation. This study contributes academically, methodologically and practically. Academic contributions include empirically testing the framework, which significantly contributes to literature; and the innovative inclusion and assessment of icons adds a new dimension to image formation in literature. From a methodological point of view, it is clear that the analyses of all influencing aspects are challenging and not standardised. The types of analyses applied in this study enhanced the in-depth analyses of the data that was then included into one framework. The data was empirically tested and found to be reliable. The empirical testing of all aspects in a South African context was different and innovative, which finally created a detailed picture of South Africa‟s image as a tourism destination. Finally, the practical contribution of this study is that the framework developed for this study can be used by tourism organisations of various types in planning and implementing marketing strategies. The framework can direct their advertising and staff training; and improve the general tourism product of South Africa. The framework can also be applied to other tourism destinations. Clear recommendations were made regarding the focus of marketing strategies and building the image of South Africa. It was recommended that the framework developed in this study be implemented by national tourism organisations such as SA Tourism, as well as provincial organisations such as Tourism Boards. Product owners can benefit from the framework by considering some of the influential aspects in their product development and marketing strategies. Lastly, all marketing strategies and plans for South Africa should be focused on improving the cognitive, affective and conative image of South Africa. / PhD (Tourism Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

<p>The use of external providers for the provision of information and communication technology (ICT) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is expected to increase. At the end of the 1990s the concept of Application Service Provision (ASP) and Application Service Providers (ASPs) was introduced. This is described as one way for SMEs to provide themselves with software applications. However, it</p><p>can be stated that the concept has not taken off. This study examines what reasons influence the decision-making when deciding to use or not use ASP. The research question is: How do SMEs decide on using an Application Service Provider for the provision and maintenance of ICT? In order to answer the question decision-making processes in SMEs have been investigated in an interpretive case study. This study</p><p>consisted of mainly semi-structured interviews that were done with three different ASPs and customers related to them. It also consisted of a questionnaire to the customers of one of the service providers. The analysis was then made as a withincase analysis, consisting of detailed write-ups for each site. The interviews and a literature survey of the ASP concept and theories that have been used to explain the ASP decision-making process generated seven constructs. From the presented and discussed theories, models and proposed constructs seven propositions were formulated. These propositions were used for the analysis and presentation of the findings in the study. The main conclusion of the study is the disparate view of what affects the adoption or non-adoption of the ASP concept. The service providers express the decision as a wish from the prospective customer to decrease costs and increase the predictability of costs. The customers on the other hand express it as a wish to increase accessibility; the cost perspective is found to be secondary.</p>

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-14T12:47:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 572658 bytes, checksum: 38b1b3bd216aa2526185156a4c239040 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / From the methodological foundations underlying the formative process in Physiotherapy and considering the tasks of the physiotherapist at Nucleus of Support for Family Health (NSFHs), attempted to identify the points of separation between training and use of the physiotherapist workforce in primary health care in João Pessoa/PB. The study is justified by the need to enhance educational processes in Physiotherapy, in order to be compatible with the requirements of their professional practice, particularly in primary health care level. This is an exploratory-descriptive and inferential study which included both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were analyzed from the Hypothesis Test, used as method of decision making, and the empirical material obtained through semi-structural interviews and evaluated through the techniques of Discuss Analysis. The data analysis showed, with statistical evidences, distances between the students and teachers who say, in the process physiotherapist formation in higher education institutions surveyed, as well as differences between those who attest physiotherapist and managers in relation to the work process in NSFHs of Sanitary Districts of the city. The discovery of these distances indicates the existence of gap in the training process of Physiotherapy in João Pessoa, in which prevail methodological bases guided by traditional pedagogical approaches, unsuitable to the comprehension of the reality of services offered by Family Health Strategy. It was also highlighted weaknesses in the work process of NSFHs physiotherapists, who find it difficult to carry out the tasks of their specific core through the demands of the Matrix Support in João Pessoa. It was concluded that it is necessary a reformulation of methodological bases that make up educational plans related to Collective Health at the institutions which offer the course of Physiotherapy in João Pessoa, as well as a better use of the workforce of the physiotherapist with the NSFHs, aiming at a redefinition of the practices of this professional at the areas of Primary Health. / A partir das bases metodológicas que subjazem ao processo formativo em Fisioterapia e considerando as atribuições do fisioterapeuta nos Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família (NASFs), buscou-se identificar os pontos de distanciamento entre a formação e a utilização da força de trabalho do fisioterapeuta na Atenção Básica à saúde em João Pessoa/PB. O estudo justifica-se pela necessidade de aprimorar os processos de formação em Fisioterapia, de modo a compatibilizá-los com os requerimentos de sua prática profissional, particularmente no nível primário de atenção à saúde. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório-descritivo e inferencial que comportou, simultaneamente, abordagens quantitativas e qualitativas. Os dados foram analisados a partir do Teste de Hipótese, utilizado como método de tomada de decisão, sendo o material empírico obtido através de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e avaliado por meio da técnica da Análise de Discurso. A análise dos dados revelou, com evidências estatísticas, distanciamentos entre o que afirmam estudantes e professores, no processo de formação do fisioterapeuta nas instituições de ensino superior pesquisadas, bem como divergências entre o que atestam fisioterapeutas e gestores em relação ao processo de trabalho nos NASFs dos Distrito s Sanitários do município. A constatação destes distanciamentos sinaliza a existência de lacunas no processo formativo da Fisioterapia em João Pessoa, em que predominam bases metodológicas norteadas por abordagens pedagógicas tradicionais, pouco adequadas à compreensão da realidade dos serviços oferecidos pela Estratégia de Saúde da Família. Também foram evidenciadas fragilidades no processo de trabalho dos fisioterapeutas dos NASFs, que encontram dificuldade para exercer as atribuições do seu núcleo específico em meio às exigências do Apoio Matricial em João Pessoa. Concluiu-se ser necessária uma reformulação das bases metodológicas que compõem os planos de ensino relacionados à Saúde Coletiva nas instituições que oferecem o curso de Fisioterapia em João Pessoa, bem como uma melhor utilização da força de trabalho do fisioterapeuta junto aos NASFs, visando a uma redefinição das práticas deste profissional nos espaços da Atenção Básica à saúde.