Background: A university is characterized as organized anarchy. According to Cohen, et al. (1972) decision-making occurs in form of A Garbage Can Model (GCM) in such organizations. This model is influenced by some factors such as organizational structure. The influences of some types of organizational structure have been studied based on a computer simulation by Cohen and his colleagues in 1972. However, the study was based on numerical statistics and excluded the influence of genuine characteristics of an organizational structure. Aim: This thesis aims to understand the influence of the dynamic and real characteristics of an organizational structure on a university’s decision-making process. Therefore, this research is conducted to explore how matrix structure influences on decision-making process in Linköping University by reducing uncertainty characteristics of decision-making process. Definitions: A Garbage Can Model: provides a theory framework in order to understand how decisions are made in organizations under condition of organized anarchy. This Model has four heterogeneous streams include decision, solution, decision maker, and choice opportunity. All these streams are moving around within the organization and need to match up in the choice opportunities to make decisions. Matrix Structure: is a structure with focus on multiple dimensions through multiple lines of authority and lateral communication. Results: The Matrix structure reduces the uncertainty of decision-making in Linköping University by managing the information process through the lateral communication. More specifically, the lateral communication occurs based on different approaches such as informal meetings, network of people, management group, and external information. However, the authority aspect in Linköping University has certain tendency towards the single unity of command (centralization), which is in contrast with matrix structure characteristics.

Titel: Cirkulär ekonomi som ett beslut: En kvalitativ studie om hur soptunnemodellen förklarar implementeringen av cirkulär ekonomi inom små och medelstora företag Nivå: Examensarbete på grundnivå (kandidatexamen) i ämnet företagsekonomi Författare: Daniel Jonsgården och Sakke Pellikka Handledare: Jean Mutiganda Datum: 2024 – januari Syfte: Flera studier visar på svårigheter och hinder för införandet av cirkulär ekonomi. Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur implementeringsbeslutet ser ut och därmed varför företag trots hinder väljer att implementera cirkulär ekonomi. Metod: Denna studie bygger på tre semistrukturerade intervjuer. Genom en tematisk analys med utgångspunkt i teorier om beslutstagande, undersöktes respondenternas praktiska erfarenhet och kunskap vid införandet av cirkulär ekonomi. Beslutsprocessen analyserades genom soptunnemodellen. Resultat och slutsats: Respondenterna beskrev hur de sett hållbarhet som en lösning även innan de identifierat problem att lösa. Resultatet visar att beslutstagarens kunskap om cirkulär ekonomi inte är viktigt för att ta beslutet, vilket går emot tidigare forskning. Först när lösning, problem, och beslutstagare existerar i ett och samma tillfälle kan ett beslut att ställa om till cirkulär ekonomi fattas. Examensarbetets bidrag: Studien bidrar till en utökat teoretisk förståelse för den cirkulära omställningen. Detta genom att vara en utgångspunkt för vidare forskning inom beslutsfattande för omställning till en cirkulär ekonomi. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: I studien identifieras ett forskningsgap gällande beslutsfattande avseende införande av cirkulär ekonomi och det finns ett behov av att fler fördjupningsstudier genomförs. Det finns även behov av vidare forskning kring både hur beslutspersoner blir motiverade till omställning mot cirkulär ekonomi, samt vilken roll en beslutsfattare behöver ha. / Title: Circular economy as a decision: A qualitative study on how the garbage can model can explain the implementation of circular economy in small and medium sized entities. Level: Student Thesis, final assignment for bachelor’s degree in business administration Author: Daniel Jonsgården and Sakke Pellikka Supervisor: Jean Mutiganda Date: 2024 - January Aim: Multiple studies shows the difficulties and barriers surrounding the implementation of Circular economy. The aim of this study is to investigate what the decision to implement looks like and thereby why companies decide to start working with Circular economy. Method: This study builds on three semi-structured interviews. Through thematic analysis deriving from theories of decision making, the respondents' practical experience and knowledge at the time of implementation of circular economy was investigated. The decision-making process was analysed through the garbage can model. Results and conclusions: The respondents described how they have seen sustainability as a solution even before they identified a problem to solve. The result shows that the decision makers knowledge of Circular economy is not important in making the decision, which goes against previous research. Only when a solution, a problem, and a decision maker exist in the same moment can a decision to transition towards a circular economy be made. Contribution of the thesis: This thesis contributes by expanding the theoretical knowledge surrounding the circular transitioning. It does this by being a starting point for future research about the decision making that leads to a circular economy. Suggestions for future research: We have in this study identified a research gap and would like more studies done to fill that gap. We also suggest future research both surrounding how decision makers become motivated to transitioning towards a circular economy, as well as which role the decision makers need to have.

為因應人類生理或心理上的需求，而產生了形形色色之服務。隨著高科技不斷地發展，人類的未來生活，將會是充滿e化服務的生活環境。在此環境中，並非所有人均能了解各應用服務，更不知該選擇何服務才能滿足自身之多重需求。本研究擬設計一決策機制，當人們有多重需求時，能考慮有形及無形資源之有效利用，並考量不同個體之使用偏好及興趣，提供適合個人的e化服務建議。本研究之應用環境，符合垃圾桶模式中的無政府狀態之三大特性，然而原垃圾桶決策方式卻不適用於個人。因此，本研究之主體，為一智慧代理人，將以垃圾桶模式的決策原理做為基礎，並對其加以修改，分為二階段的決策過程。在第一階段，將使用一考量資源使用效率之task-chosen演算法，並搭配增強式學習中之AH-learning演算法；在第二階段，則是使用BDI代理人的架構。本研究所提出之提供e化服務建議的決策機制，預期將促使應用服務能不斷地創新及進步，並使資源獲得更有效之利用，使得人類擁有高品質的生活環境。 / There are manifold services, in order to fulfill people’s physical and mental needs. Through the continuous development of high technique, people will live in the environment surrounding e-services in the future. In this environment, it is hart for everyone to understand all e-services and choose a service to fulfill selves multiple needs. Therefore, the paper presents a decision mechanism which providing suitable e-service suggestion for everyone when they have multiple needs, considering the using utility of resources include tangible and intangible, and different preferences and interests for different people. This paper’s applying environment satisfies the three general properties of organized anarchies of “Garbage Can Model”. However, the decision method in garbage can model is not suitable to individual. The most important part of the paper is an intelligent agent, based on garbage can model theory but modify it appropriately. This intelligent agent uses two phase decision process. First phase, use a task-chosen algorism considering resource utility and AH-learning in reinforcement learning. Second phase, use the architecture of BDI agent. This paper presents a decision strategy providing e-service suggestion, and expects to promote innovative application services and use resource effectively. Finally, all people will enjoy high quality life.

What defines a Swedish university college? This is the overarching question in this archival study of the development of the Swedish university colleges during the past 35 years. The objective of the study is to explore the binary elements in the overall unitary Swedish university system. Departing from existing macro level research on the university colleges (UCs), this study focuses on one single UC. Development of the UC was conceptualized as a question of decision-making in the UC in interplay with political decisions. The UC was explored by taking an extensive inductive approach starting from the original Garbage Can Model of Organizational Choice, a perspective on organizations that focuses on the temporal order emerging from decisions, rather than enduring orders. Nine decisions situations in the UC were identified as well as four political reforms. The study shows that the concept “streams” from the model are the phenomena occupying organization members mind over time, thus constituting a recurring element although not an enduring order, tying together the temporal orders. The streams are shared between the UC and political decision-making; the two decision-making entities both take part in forming the streams over time. The streams are: (1) the academic discipline; (2) the vocational education; (3) research as a means to enhance the quality of education; and (4) regional relevance. The study proposes the emergence of a fifth stream, the research profile, which is taken to be a unique stream for the UCs in general, that differentiates them from the universities. The analysis shows that the UC continuously adjusts the law to the organizational conditions rather than implements legislation when new, hence offering a perspective on organizational change as a persistent condition inherent in the organizational body rather than definable events. By using the concept stream the study suggests a conceptualization of the political influence on the UC organizational body as well as a conceptualization of how the UC influence political decisions. This conceptualization provides a novel perspective on the relationship between state and the universities. A perspective that can be explored in future research, focusing on mutual adjustments of the streams.

Le système de santé libanais connait une évolution chaotique de son secteur sanitaire, dans un univers en concurrence croissante. De plus, dans l’organisation de ce système, divers groupes d’acteurs évoluent et influencent directement ou indirectement les prises de décisions stratégiques dans les établissements de santé libanais. Voilà pourquoi, dans un contexte où évolue une pluralité d’acteurs qui sont interdépendants et poursuivent des objectifs divergents, la prise de decision stratégique semble un défi de taille. La présente étude vise donc à comprendre et à analyser les processus dynamiques des décideurs ayant une influence sur la prise de décision stratégique dans une organisation de santé, en contexte pluraliste, où diverses forces externes et internes exercent une influence sur ce processus décisionnel. Pour y arriver, la prise de décision stratégique est analysée selon une perspective de relations de pouvoir, en partant des acteurs de l’organisation de santé et du contexte dans lequel ils évoluent. Cette recherche propose un modèle conceptuel qui s’appuie sur les concepts généraux de l’analyse stratégique de Crozier et Friedberg (1977) jumelés au modèle de la poubelle « Garbage Can ». Les éléments proposés de ce cadre conceptuel sont pertinents pour expliquer l’interaction entre la liberté des acteurs et les relations de pouvoir qui en ressortent, la présence fortuite des courants menant à la prise de décision et l’environnement dans lequel baignent les acteurs et l’organisation, qui influencent de façon majeure l’élaboration de la prise de décision stratégique dans un établissement de santé pluraliste. Afin de répondre à l’objectif de cette recherche, nous nous sommes basés sur une revue de littérature sur la prise de décision stratégique en contexte hospitalier pluraliste. Ensuite, nous avons procédé à une démarche qualitative basée sur les entrevues semi-structurées et l’analyse documentaire, dans le cadre de deux hôpitaux libanais, représentatifs du bassin hospitalier libanais. Cette étude de cas a permis de retracer 4 cas traceurs à partir desquels les comportements stratégiques mobilisés par les acteurs concernés par le processus décisionnel ont été mis en évidence. Pour ne citer que quelques stratégies répertoriées, nous prenons l’exemple des stratégies d’adaptation à l’environnement, d’implication des acteurs externes ainsi que de collaboration et de négociation qui prennent en considération l’environnement turbulent dans lequel baignent ces établissements de santé. En outre, l’interprétation des résultats a mis l’accent sur les stratégies d’acteurs internes et externes qui ont mené à la formation d’une constellation de leadership élargie, composée d’acteurs stratégiques multiples en constante interaction. Ces jeux de pouvoir ont influencé le processus décisionnel et ont permis la rencontre des processus formels et « informels » de prise de décision, menant à une meilleure compréhension du cheminement décisionnel stratégique dans les établissements de santé pluralistes. En conclusion, des recommandations concrètes sont formulées à l’intention des décideurs en santé. De plus, la rencontre théorique développée pour la première fois dans cette thèse, apporte une contribution intéressante aux théories des organisations. Ultimement, la thèse ouvre la voie à des pistes de réflexion prometteuses sur la prise de décision stratégique, en contexte pluraliste. / The Lebanese health system is experiencing a chaotic evolution of its health sector, in a world of increasing competition. In addition, in the organization of this system, various groups of actors evolve and influence directly or indirectly the strategic decision-making of the Lebanese healthcare establishments. In a context in which evolves a plurality of actors who are interdependent and pursue divergent objectives, strategic decision-making seems a major challenge. Therefore, the present study aims to understand and analyze the dynamic processes of decisionmakers having an influence on strategic decision-making in a healthcare organization, in a pluralistic context, where various external and internal forces exert an influence on this strategic decision-making. To achieve this, strategic decision-making is analyzed from a power relation’s perspective, starting with the players in the health organization and the context in which they operate. This research proposes a conceptual model based on the general concepts of strategic analysis of Crozier and Friedberg (1977) combined with the garbage can model. The proposed elements of this conceptual framework are relevant for explaining the interaction between the freedom of actors and the power relations that emerge from it, the fortuitous presence of the currents leading to decision-making and the environment in which the actors are immersed which have a major influence on the development of strategic decision-making in a pluralistic healthcare establishment. To meet the objective of this research, we started with a literature review on strategic decisionmaking in a pluralistic context. Then, we used a qualitative approach based on semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, within two Lebanese hospitals that are representative of the Lebanese hospital basin. This case study made it possible to trace 4 decisions from which the strategic behaviors mobilized by the actors were highlighted. To cite only a few listed strategies, we take the example of strategies of adapting to the environment, involving external actors as well as collaboration and negotiation that take into consideration the turbulent environment in which these establishments are surrounded. The results of this thesis show how the strategies developed by internal and external actors led to the formation of a broad constellation of leadership. This constellation is composed of multiple strategic actors who are in constant interaction, thus influencing the decision-making process through their power relations and strategic plays. Also, the results of this thesis highlight the 7 political decision-making process that takes place in a pluralistic health care organistion, leading to a better understanding of the strategic decision-making process in these establishments. In conclusion, concrete recommendations are made for decision-makers, to better manage health care organisations. In addition, the theoretical encounter developed for the first time in this thesis, makes an interesting contribution to the theories of organizations. Ultimately, the thesis opens the way to promising lines of reflection on strategic decision-making, in a pluralistic context.

Efterkrigstidens Sverige och dess säkerhetspolitik har kommit att uppmärksammas allt mer, även de omedelbara efterkrigsåren som präglades av osäkerhet. Något som länge stått i centrum är alliansfriheten och neutralitetspolitiken. Frågan om deras innebörd och hur teori och praktik hängt samman har diskuterats livligt. Det diplomatiska och politiska spelet har behandlats utförligt. Mindre uppmärksamhet har dock ägnats hur försvarsfrågan hanterades och krigsmaterielförsörjningen utvecklades. Den svenska flygplansindustrin är en anmärkningsvärd företeelse. Inte minst i förhållande till landets begränsade storlek och relativt avskilda, ohotade läge. Industrins förmåga var vid krigsslutet 1945 begränsad; inte något enda fullt modernt flygplan hade tillverkats. Utvecklingen ledde emellertid till att flygplansindustrin kom att etableras och bli något av en hörnsten för det svenska försvarets struktur. Ett svenskt militärindustriellt komplex kring den svenska flygindustrin kom att anta fast form, ett komplex vi lever med än idag. Hur går det att förklara den här utvecklingen? Hur kunde Saab börja tillverka state-of-the-art stridsplan? I avhandlingen nystas gåtan rörande den svenska flygplansindustrins efterkrigstida överlevnad och framväxt upp. Ett antal sammanflätade processer följs där ekonomiska, tekniska, militära och politiska spörsmål relaterade till flygvapnets och flygindustrins utveckling behandlats. Genom processerna, som utspelas både på ett inrikes och på ett internationellt plan, och deras sammanlänkning, framträder multikausala förklaringsmönster till hur det var möjligt att bygga moderna stridsflygplan i Sverige och framför allt varför de beställdes. Likaså berörs flygets roll i den större försvarsfrågan och därmed också för säkerhetspolitiken. Boken är i mycket en historia över Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, Saab, men även över flygförvaltningen och flygvapnet. En historia inbäddad i ett vitt sammanhang där formativa moment granskas under några kritiska år. / <p>Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2008</p>

Advisory Bodies and Expertise in the Czech Politics - Epistemic Communities and the Influence on the Reforms of Higher Education and Pension System Master thesis Bc. Kateřina Merklová The Master thesis Advisory Bodies and Expertise in the Czech Politics - Epistemic Communities and the Influence on the Reforms of Higher Education and Pension System concerns with the relation between politics and expertise. So-called epistemic community represents the knowledge interpreter that we consider an independent actor in the political process. In the theoretical part of the text, we have explained the original definition of the concept as well as its critics and case studies that cover various contexts. Following most of the authors, we have applied a looser definition of the concept and deconstructed its rigid criteria. The empirical part of the thesis presents a case study (N=4) based on comparative methods that analyzes variable influence of four particular epistemic communities (the authors of the White Paper on Tertiary Education, Bezdek's Committee, Bezdek's Committee II, and the National Economic Council) on policy-making process and its sources. Regarding our intention and research questions, we have chosen two qualitative methods - in-depth interviews and content analysis of relevant texts. We have...