This study sought to explore the perceptions of stakeholders on the role and effectiveness of networking forums in promoting partnerships and integrated service delivery between government and non-profit sector organisations using the Nelmapius forum as a case study. The research adopted a qualitative research method and a case study research approach was utilized. The research population consisted of social workers and social work supervisors in both government and NGOs who participated in the Nelmapius forum. Purposive sampling which is a type of non-probability sampling was utilized to draw participants for the study. The sample consisted of 11 social workers and 4 social work supervisors who participated in the Nelmapius forum. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews. Thematic content analysis was used to analyze the data. The findings reveal that participants understood the primary reason behind the establishment of the Nelmapius forum as to strengthen the relationship between the government and the NGOs in Nelmapius. It was also revealed that the Nelmapius forum was a platform for NGOs and the DHSD to share service delivery information. Findings of the study show that the forum is an effective platform for enhancing partnerships’ among organisations which enhanced integrated service delivery. The forum created a platform which enabled organisations to work cooperatively. This led to capacity building among participant members and their organisations. The forum also enabled organisations to work together to share service delivery channels and processes as well as demarcation areas of service which benefitted the community members. The forum did experience few challenges in its later stages of functioning such as poor attendance, lack of new member integration, and failure to honour commitments by some organisations which led to low of morale amongst forum members. As a way of invigorating the forum participants suggested that: All stakeholders should participate actively in the forum, facilitation of the forum should rotate among members, the forum must be open to all stakeholders, the forum must be attended by senior officials, meeting venues should rotate in different organisations and that there should be monitoring and evaluation systems in place. It is hoped the study will have impact positively on the functioning of networking forums.

The integration of mental health services in primary care settings has expanded rapidly in recent years with psychologists being at the forefront of efforts to promote healthy behaviors, reduce disease, and care for behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs to promote overall health and well-being for children and families (Asarnow, Kolko, Miranda,&Kazak, 2017; Stancin& Perrin, 2014). While there are many psychologists working in pediatric primary care (PPC), little is known about the specific activities that these psychologists engage in, the training they receive, or funding mechanisms that support their work. This study sought to address this gap in the literature through a survey of psychologists working in PPC. An anonymous online survey was disseminated to members of professional organizations and listservs who were identified as having interest in PPC. Psychologists (N-65) currently practicing in PPC completed the survey by reporting on clinical roles and practices, professional training, practice settings, and funding supports in PPC settings. Results indicate that psychologists assume a number of roles in PPC including providing individual and family therapy, conducting screenings for child mental health concerns, and providing consultation to medical colleagues. Many psychologists also provide supervision and offer educational opportunities for those in related fields, such as medicine and social work. Engagement in research activities was identified as a secondary activity. It was reported that a number of clinical activities were not billed for on a regular basis. Additional areas of research will be discussed along with implications for clinical services in PPC..

A elevada competitividade nos diversos setores da economia brasileira também está presente no varejo de alimentação. Destaca-se a parcela composta por estabelecimentos dedicados ao fornecimento de lanches ou refeições rápidas, conhecidos como restaurantes fast food. Esse setor exibe a presença de redes internacionais, no formato de franquias, que tornam o mercado mais competitivo. Este trabalho está voltado para o segmento de redes de restaurantes fast food, estudando os relacionamentos envolvidos nas operações logísticas, dentro da cadeia de suprimentos. Para os diversos participantes dessa cadeia - organização detentora da franquia da rede, restaurantes, fornecedores, provedores de serviços logísticos e clientes - a logística, envolvendo atividades como compras, inventário e distribuição, tem uma função central e estratégica, influenciando de forma significativa os resultados de todas as partes. Um aspecto relevante é a política de terceirização (outsourcing) das atividades logísticas, cada vez mais presente em todo o mundo, que também se apresenta como alternativa neste segmento. Destaca-se a figura do operador logístico, um provedor de diversas funções logísticas, realizando-as de forma integrada. Em face deste contexto, o principal objetivo deste trabalho é a proposição de modelos de negócios que podem ser aplicados às redes de restaurantes fast food, onde são mostradas as diversas formas de relacionamentos entre os participantes, visando a obtenção de valor para o cliente. O modelo de negócio é a base para a definição da estratégia competitiva dos integrantes da cadeia de suprimentos, em busca de vantagem competitiva para o grupo. Uma pesquisa empírica (survey) foi realizada com redes de restaurantes fast food para permitir a visão da realidade empresarial e auxiliar no desenvolvimento dos modelos de negócios. Em seguida foram selecionados quatro casos - três redes e um operador logístico - para um estudo mais aprofundado e obtenção de insights que possibilitem compreender a estratégia competitiva destas redes. / The high level of competitiveness in the various sectors of the Brazilian economy is also present in food retail. The segment made up of establishments devoted to offering snacks or quick meals, known as fast food restaurants, stands out. In it, international chains with the franchise format can be found, which makes the market more competitive. This piece of work is geared to the segment made up of fast food restaurant chains. It studies the relationships involved in the logistical operations within the supply chain. For the various participants in this chain -- the organization that owns the franchise, restaurants, suppliers, providers of logistical services and customers -- the logistics, involving activities such as purchasing, inventory and distribution, have a central and strategic role, significantly influencing the results of all the parties. A relevant aspect is the worldwide and ever more common policy of outsourcing logistical activities, which also shows up as an alternative in this segment. A character that stands out is the integrated service provider, who carries out several logistical functions and does so in integrated way. In view of this context, the main purpose here is proposing business models that may be applied to fast food restaurant chains. In them, the various forms of relationship between the participants are shown, with the aim of obtaining value for the customer. The business model is the basis for defining the competitive strategy of the players of the supply chain, in the search for competitive advantage for the group. A survey of fast food restaurant chains was conducted to allow one to grasp the business reality and help in the development of the business models. Next, four cases were selected -- three chains and an integrated service provider -- for a more in-depth study and to obtain insights that make it possible for one to understand the competitive strategy of these chains.

<p>Studies of service development have mostly focused on isolated projects or processes. Little attention has been paid to the historical, political and business contexts, and, much emphasis has been put on the development of new services in relation to the re-bundling of existing services. The main purpose of this dissertation is therefore to describe and understand the development of an integrated service including context factors. An integrated service is built on two or more existing services. Two research questions are formulated: one focusing on what is being developed (i.e. the integrated service) and the other on how the integrated service is being developed. The dissertation contributes to the theoretical field of service research in the area of service development.</p><p>A suitable case in the business context of a public transport authority in Sweden was chosen for the purpose. An in-depth, longitudinal study was carried out, spanning ten years. A combination of deductive and inductive approaches was used in the analysis.</p><p>The empirical results show that the service concept was designed by the owners within the economic and technical restrictions at hand. Some adjustments were made but in practice there was little focus on the customers’ needs and demands. The theoretical contributions are summed up in two models which describe an integrated service (“what”) and the development process of an integrated service (“how”). The model of an integrated service is based on a service platform consisting of integrated resources and service processes corresponding to the customers’ primary needs. Different supporting services are developed, corresponding to the customers’ secondary needs. The supporting services strive for customisation and are designed in flexibility. The model of the development process illustrates that the development of an integrated service can be described and understood as a process consisting of activities of breaking up and integrating service pre-requisites, the internal service infrastructure and factors related to a stakeholder network. The process of breaking up and integrating, propelled by stakeholders, is described and understood as change pressure.</p>

Studies of service development have mostly focused on isolated projects or processes. Little attention has been paid to the historical, political and business contexts, and, much emphasis has been put on the development of new services in relation to the re-bundling of existing services. The main purpose of this dissertation is therefore to describe and understand the development of an integrated service including context factors. An integrated service is built on two or more existing services. Two research questions are formulated: one focusing on what is being developed (i.e. the integrated service) and the other on how the integrated service is being developed. The dissertation contributes to the theoretical field of service research in the area of service development. A suitable case in the business context of a public transport authority in Sweden was chosen for the purpose. An in-depth, longitudinal study was carried out, spanning ten years. A combination of deductive and inductive approaches was used in the analysis. The empirical results show that the service concept was designed by the owners within the economic and technical restrictions at hand. Some adjustments were made but in practice there was little focus on the customers’ needs and demands. The theoretical contributions are summed up in two models which describe an integrated service (“what”) and the development process of an integrated service (“how”). The model of an integrated service is based on a service platform consisting of integrated resources and service processes corresponding to the customers’ primary needs. Different supporting services are developed, corresponding to the customers’ secondary needs. The supporting services strive for customisation and are designed in flexibility. The model of the development process illustrates that the development of an integrated service can be described and understood as a process consisting of activities of breaking up and integrating service pre-requisites, the internal service infrastructure and factors related to a stakeholder network. The process of breaking up and integrating, propelled by stakeholders, is described and understood as change pressure.

提供薩爾瓦多國民申請留學之整合服務 / Integrated Service for Study Abroad Seekers of El Salvador

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, Dec., 2007. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

A elevada competitividade nos diversos setores da economia brasileira também está presente no varejo de alimentação. Destaca-se a parcela composta por estabelecimentos dedicados ao fornecimento de lanches ou refeições rápidas, conhecidos como restaurantes fast food. Esse setor exibe a presença de redes internacionais, no formato de franquias, que tornam o mercado mais competitivo. Este trabalho está voltado para o segmento de redes de restaurantes fast food, estudando os relacionamentos envolvidos nas operações logísticas, dentro da cadeia de suprimentos. Para os diversos participantes dessa cadeia - organização detentora da franquia da rede, restaurantes, fornecedores, provedores de serviços logísticos e clientes - a logística, envolvendo atividades como compras, inventário e distribuição, tem uma função central e estratégica, influenciando de forma significativa os resultados de todas as partes. Um aspecto relevante é a política de terceirização (outsourcing) das atividades logísticas, cada vez mais presente em todo o mundo, que também se apresenta como alternativa neste segmento. Destaca-se a figura do operador logístico, um provedor de diversas funções logísticas, realizando-as de forma integrada. Em face deste contexto, o principal objetivo deste trabalho é a proposição de modelos de negócios que podem ser aplicados às redes de restaurantes fast food, onde são mostradas as diversas formas de relacionamentos entre os participantes, visando a obtenção de valor para o cliente. O modelo de negócio é a base para a definição da estratégia competitiva dos integrantes da cadeia de suprimentos, em busca de vantagem competitiva para o grupo. Uma pesquisa empírica (survey) foi realizada com redes de restaurantes fast food para permitir a visão da realidade empresarial e auxiliar no desenvolvimento dos modelos de negócios. Em seguida foram selecionados quatro casos - três redes e um operador logístico - para um estudo mais aprofundado e obtenção de insights que possibilitem compreender a estratégia competitiva destas redes. / The high level of competitiveness in the various sectors of the Brazilian economy is also present in food retail. The segment made up of establishments devoted to offering snacks or quick meals, known as fast food restaurants, stands out. In it, international chains with the franchise format can be found, which makes the market more competitive. This piece of work is geared to the segment made up of fast food restaurant chains. It studies the relationships involved in the logistical operations within the supply chain. For the various participants in this chain -- the organization that owns the franchise, restaurants, suppliers, providers of logistical services and customers -- the logistics, involving activities such as purchasing, inventory and distribution, have a central and strategic role, significantly influencing the results of all the parties. A relevant aspect is the worldwide and ever more common policy of outsourcing logistical activities, which also shows up as an alternative in this segment. A character that stands out is the integrated service provider, who carries out several logistical functions and does so in integrated way. In view of this context, the main purpose here is proposing business models that may be applied to fast food restaurant chains. In them, the various forms of relationship between the participants are shown, with the aim of obtaining value for the customer. The business model is the basis for defining the competitive strategy of the players of the supply chain, in the search for competitive advantage for the group. A survey of fast food restaurant chains was conducted to allow one to grasp the business reality and help in the development of the business models. Next, four cases were selected -- three chains and an integrated service provider -- for a more in-depth study and to obtain insights that make it possible for one to understand the competitive strategy of these chains.

In today´s industry there is an ongoing trend, where many companies are shifting focus from only delivering products to also offering services to their customers. Services can bring advantages, such as higher margins, competitive advantage, stabilized cash flow and strengthened customer relationships. A company that traditionally has had a strong product focus, but where services now have attracted their attention is Bosch Thermoteknik AB, active as a manufacturer in the heat pump business. In the market, which has been more and more competitive and where customer requirements are extended, it could be difficult for the company to only build on technical innovations. The aim of this thesis is thus to identify service opportunities in the heat pump business based on a customer value perspective, and proposals of how integrated service concepts may look like for Bosch Thermoteknik AB are presented. To answer the purpose, 12 semi-structured customer interviews were performed in order to identify factors contributing to customer value in the business of residential heating. Additionally, an investigation of what kind of services that are offered in the heating market was performed in order to contribute to inspiration for integrated service solutions for Bosch Thermoteknik AB. The customer interviews show that the most important value dimensions to customers are a reliable heat pump operation generating desired comfort, a system that manage itself and not require time and effort to manage, a high quality product and low operation and investment costs. Additionally, customers value knowledge to be able to handle the system in order to reach their expectations on the heating system. Many of the identified values are fulfilled to customers, however not always the latter example, especially not to those who move in to their first house where there is a heat pump installed. Regarding the investigation of different concept in the market, leasing of boilers, pay per heat unit, monitoring contracts, customer education and heat analysis where all found and contributed with inspiration in the study. The leasing concept and pay for heat were mainly marketing as an escape of a high investment cost, but since the investment cost was not seen as a big barrier for customers in this study and they were rather afraid to lose money in the long run, these solutions were not included in the recommendations for Bosch Thermoteknik AB. However, customers agreed that both solutions have advantages, such as get rid of hassles and risks especially regarding unpredictable costs. Three concept proposals were finally selected, which are Nyinflyttad, Tryggheten och Säkerställan. The first concept, Nyinflyttad, aims to give new house owners a secure feeling, where they helped by a service and education, get information of the condition of the system and get knowledge about how to handle it. Tryggheten, is rather targeting customers who need a new heat pump. Customers are here offered extended monitoring indicating problems in an early stage and additionally they are offered guidance to do easier measurements themselves. In the last concept proposal, Säkerställaren, customers are offered a heat analysis, in connection to the heat pump purchase, in order to take a more holistic perspective on the heating included both the heat pump and identification of heat loses from the house. Important to mention is that these proposals are only first drafts and there are still many aspects to investigate, not least the economic aspect as well as the organizational aspect, in order to provide the services.

Recent rapid advancements in mobile communication and emerging demands for complicated multimedia content and services over mobile systems have caused a dramatic increase in research interest in this area. Among the topics covering multimedia service performance over the wireless interface, the quality of received multimedia content is an important issue. With the increase of visual media in mobile services, user opinion acquired through perception of received image quality will play an increasingly important role in determining the effectiveness of such services. The work documented in this thesis is motivated by the general lack of published work on software test beds for Third Generation Mobile Network (3G) and in particular for investigating mobile environment multimedia quality degradation. A 3G multimedia quality analysis system is presented, subjecting the input multimedia stream to the simulated 3G radio activities and measuring its degradation in terms of human perception. This approach takes a new and different model of multimedia quality measurement in a wireless communication domain, showing the possibility of a more effective approach that can be applied in many cases for assisting service quality assurance research across this area. The development of this software system is covered in detail together with in-depth analysis of multimedia image quality over a simulated 3G radio interface. Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is the 3G standard chosen for study in this work. The suggested test bed simulates a single Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) downlink UMTS Territorial Radio Access (UTRA) channel, where the received media's image analysis is performed using a Human Vision System (HVS) based image quality metric. The system aims to provide a multipurpose and versatile multimedia 3G test bed for use in testing of various solutions for protecting multimedia data across a 3G radio interface. Furthermore, it produces effective human vision oriented feedback on visual media degradation, providing a new and efficient method to address effectiveness of solutions in multimedia delivery over a mobile environment. This thesis shows the ability of HVS-based image quality metric in analyzing degradation of visual media over a noisy mobile environment. This presents a novel direction in the area of telecommunication service multimedia quality analysis, with potential user quality perception being considered on top of data or signal-based error measurements. With such a new approach, development of multimedia protection solutions can be made more effective. Effective feedback provided by considering quality measurement with strong correlation to human perception allows close analysis of user visual discrimination across an image. An example of the usefulness of this information is especially visible if considering development of a content-based multimedia data protective system that provides different levels of protection, depending on the importance of visual media. An apparent potential application of this thesis is in the testing of a multimedia/image protection protocol in a downlink channel. Future work might aim to extend the current system by adding network level traffic simulations and further addition of dynamic network control components, further considering network traffic conditions.