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An historical analysis of the solid waste management collection practices was undertaken. The analysis attempted to examine and evaluate the current private contract collection system which is being used by the City, and to determine whether the City needs to convert to a public collection system. Based on the findings of the study, the writer recommended that the City of Daytona Beach should go into public collection.

The purpose of this text is to contribute to theunderstanding of a specific academic discipline (in Swedishcalled Ekonomistyrning). Another purpose is to contribute to arenewal of this field. Theoretical bases are theories from thesociological field like new institutional theory and theoriesof social constructions. The text consists of two parts. Thefirst part is about the academic discipline and the second isabout newer practices and a renewal of the discipline. In thefirst part twelve prominent academics give their views ofdifferent aspects of the discipline. The images are groupedtogether in different categories and also discussed from aninstitutional theory point of view. The second part puts focuson the pragmatic orientation in theory and on two kinds ofnewer production in practice. Two companies that producetelevision programmes and four biotech-companies are described.Interpretations are made regarding the nature of theirmanagement and control activities. Contributions from the firstpart are that (1) there are two aspects of the discipline. Thefield has first of all a strong pragmatic orientation but alsosmall and growing academic influence. The limit (2) for what isconsidered ekonomistyrning are wider and not so obvious asbefore. Traditional parts of the discipline (3) like budgetinghave been questioned and reconsidered. Consultants (4) havecreated room for new concepts like JIT, BPR, TQM, BSC and SCMinside the discipline. Contributions from the second part arethat (1) individuals are self managed and guided by theirknowledge and that these companies use (2) a "new" kind ofmanagement systems like e.g. milestones. These kinds of newpractices give vital contributions to the discussion about arenewal of the discipline. Arguments are given (3) forregarding management and control as human activities ratherthan technical questions. This calls for an extended use of newmodels, of a different language and of new images based onsocial sciences. Keywords:Ekonomistyrning, Management Accounting,Management Control, Social Construction, Institutional theory,Images taken-for-granted. / <p>NR 20140805</p>

Title: Management of Key Account Relationships in SMEs: A Resource-Based View Authors: David Gedda &amp; Simon JohanssonLevel: Master thesis, 30 hpKeywords: Relationship Marketing, Key Account, Key Account Management,Customer Relationship Management, SME, High-performing firms Background: Management of firms most valuable customers, the key accounts,are of great importance for firms in general. This is in particulartrue for SMEs which battles with notably constrained resources.The situation of SMEs poses careful consideration in how tomanage these relationships successfully. Research Question: What characterizes high-performing SMEs in terms of how theymanage their key account relationships? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of what characterises high-performing SMEs in terms of how theymanage the relationships with their key accounts. Method: A qualitative study with an abductive approach using a multiplecasestudy design was adopted. Semi-structured interviews wereconducted to collect primary data on eight Swedish SMEs in theB2B-context. Theoretical Framework: Theories about the resource-based view and relational capabilitiesare presented followed by theories about relationship marketingand its subsets KAM and CRM. The last part of the theory consistsof theories on relationship quality. Findings: In general, high-performing SMEs tend to have a more structuredapproach towards their management of their key accountrelationships. This is mainly shown through four characteristics:Clear categorization of key accounts, Senior responsibility for keyaccounts, Deep integration with key accounts and Systematicprocess towards their key accounts.

This quantitative, non-experimental study was conducted to investigate the link between school principal influence actions, climate, culture, and school performance. Additionally, this study sought to determine if the influence of these variables or the relationship among them is altered by individual and/or institutional characteristics. The first phase of the study was conducted to determine whether or not the Customer Survey aligned to distinct dimensions. Two factors were identified: Staff Attitudes and Student Disruptions. The second part used regression to examine the relationships among four constructs and test the seven hypotheses. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

The use of a system of detention reservoirs distributed across a region has been gaining interest as an innovative way to manage riverine flooding. An open problem is the role played by the spatial configuration of detention projects in regulating the flow. Possible locations for reservoirs within a watershed are numerous, however methods used in literature to place reservoirs on real watersheds and couple them with realistic values of storage are not very detailed. This thesis presents a methodology for modeling dams and related reservoirs at high density, based on the analysis of a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the terrain, and extracting their geometric characteristics. Four indicators, based on the morphology of reservoirs and their position in the network, are proposed to classify them and identify which locations are more suitable for a detention project. These are the Horton order, the ratio between volume and extent of the reservoir, the ratio between volume and the expected inflow volume, and the volume itself. The study area of the analysis is the Turkey River watershed, in northeastern Iowa. The algorithm analyzed over 100,000 locations and successfully modeled more than 60%. Most of the failed attempts occurred in a region of the watershed where the terrain is generally flat and reservoirs, when feasible, tend to store water inundating a large area. Regional patterns of ratios are highlighted at the scale of the watershed, but no clear, recurring pattern is identified at the subwatershed level. The considered indicators have the purpose of narrowing down locations to a manageable number of candidates. Further criteria can also be adopted, based on land use and social and economic considerations. Selected reservoirs can be variously combined and entered, together with their geometric characteristics, in hydrological models and optimization processes to determine the best spatial configuration possible.

Organizations across the United States lose hundreds of millions of dollars each year due to the lack of effective succession planning for information technology executives. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies for the development and implementation of effective succession plans for future information technology executives. Bass and Avolio's transformational leadership theory was the conceptual framework for this study. The 3 participants were selected based upon their roles as executives in technology-related positions and their experiences with succession planning. Data were collected using semistructured interviews with these executives from a company headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Organizational documents, including an employee assessment form and a description of attributes that each information technology professional is measured against, were also analyzed. Yin's 5-phase model was used to analyze the data; steps included compiling, disassembling, reassembling, clarifying, and the development of conclusions. The 3 major themes that emerged from data analysis were diversity of background, professional development, and sourcing of executives to improve the success of information technology executives. Using study findings, organizational leaders may help to bring about social change by enhancing the growth of high-performing information technology professionals. Assessing talent and tailoring development opportunities, coupled with mentorship, could help information technology professionals prepare for future positions that positively impact employee morale, establish a common vision across their organizations, and identify opportunities for interaction with local communities.

Since 2004, the economic relevance of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the United States has steadily declined while large-scale enterprises' contributions have increased. Large-scale enterprises have maximized opportunities to engage consumers through social media and have created competitive advantages compared to SMEs. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the social media consumer brand engagement strategies leaders of SMEs used to positively affect their brands' equity. Relationship marketing and customer relationship management provided the conceptual framework for the study. Data were collected through interviews with 8 craft brewery business owners in the Southeastern United States and content collected from the social media pages of each business. Data were analyzed using within-case and cross-case techniques. Themes that emerged from data analysis included the cost-benefit of social media over traditional marketing platforms, the significance of establishing and maintaining relationships, and the importance of constant and continuous contact with customers. SME leaders may benefit from the results of this study by furthering their knowledge and understanding of social media consumer engagement strategies that positively impact brand equity. Findings may provide owners of small businesses with strategies that may result in social and economic benefits including new employment opportunities, increased revenue, and economic stability in local communities.

<p>COURSE: Bachelor Thesis in Business Administration, 15ECTS</p><p>AUTHOURS:Peters Silvia Chigozirim. Elham Mazdarani.</p><p>Flugsnappargatan 6, 3tr. Nybohovsbacken 99, 9tr.</p><p>72472, Västerås. 11764, Stockholm</p><p>0737225113. 0709391923</p><p>SUPERVISOR: LEIF SANNER</p><p>TOPIC: The impact of employee empowerment on service quality and customer satisfaction: a case study of Länsförsäkringar AB.</p><p>BACKGROUND: Considering the nature of service delivery and particularly intangible-dominant services, employee empowerment becomes a very important issue to organizations producing services. In that, the customers and the employees are, engaged simultaneously in the production of the service. This inseparability is what is considered by the organization in choosing how best to serve its customers, either by the traditional method or through the empowerment approach.</p><p>The inability of the management to control the service encounter makes the employees responsible for the quality of service delivered to the customers. In order for the management to trust that the employees are successful in dealing with their customers, the management has to give the employees the authority and necessary support to succeed at it, which is referred to as employee empowerment. The practice of which can directly affect the quality of services delivered, and customer satisfaction.</p><p>PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to ascertain the extent to which Länsförsäkringar Bank AB practices employee empowerment in their organization and how it impacts on service quality and customer satisfaction.</p><p>RESEARCH METHOD: This research is based on a qualitative study. The authors’ have used both primary and secondary data to make a qualitative analysis, since this is a single-case study to enable them to fulfill the purpose of the research.</p><p>CONCLUSION: Based on this research, the authors have found out that employee empowerment practices at LFB enable the employees to influence customers’ perception of service quality positively, due to their control over the service delivery process, which leads to customers’ satisfaction.</p><p>Moreover, LFB extensively practices employee empowerment through the actions and practices of human resource management and top management. The nature of the organizational structure also influence the character of the services delivered through their employees regarding the free flow of information all around the bank.</p>

COURSE: Bachelor Thesis in Business Administration, 15ECTS AUTHOURS:Peters Silvia Chigozirim. Elham Mazdarani. Flugsnappargatan 6, 3tr. Nybohovsbacken 99, 9tr. 72472, Västerås. 11764, Stockholm 0737225113. 0709391923 SUPERVISOR: LEIF SANNER TOPIC: The impact of employee empowerment on service quality and customer satisfaction: a case study of Länsförsäkringar AB. BACKGROUND: Considering the nature of service delivery and particularly intangible-dominant services, employee empowerment becomes a very important issue to organizations producing services. In that, the customers and the employees are, engaged simultaneously in the production of the service. This inseparability is what is considered by the organization in choosing how best to serve its customers, either by the traditional method or through the empowerment approach. The inability of the management to control the service encounter makes the employees responsible for the quality of service delivered to the customers. In order for the management to trust that the employees are successful in dealing with their customers, the management has to give the employees the authority and necessary support to succeed at it, which is referred to as employee empowerment. The practice of which can directly affect the quality of services delivered, and customer satisfaction. PURPOSE: The purpose of this research is to ascertain the extent to which Länsförsäkringar Bank AB practices employee empowerment in their organization and how it impacts on service quality and customer satisfaction. RESEARCH METHOD: This research is based on a qualitative study. The authors’ have used both primary and secondary data to make a qualitative analysis, since this is a single-case study to enable them to fulfill the purpose of the research. CONCLUSION: Based on this research, the authors have found out that employee empowerment practices at LFB enable the employees to influence customers’ perception of service quality positively, due to their control over the service delivery process, which leads to customers’ satisfaction. Moreover, LFB extensively practices employee empowerment through the actions and practices of human resource management and top management. The nature of the organizational structure also influence the character of the services delivered through their employees regarding the free flow of information all around the bank.