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The purpose of this thesis is to analyse how bank branch closure has affected the formation of new firms and to explore the varying local relationships between the accessibility of bank branches and new firm formation in 290 Swedish municipalities. In the first paper, the effect of bank branch closure is examined through spatial econometric analysis, in particular, the fixed effects and the random effects spatial panel models. The findings of the first paper show that an increase in the weighted distance to the nearest bank branches due to bank branch closure negatively affects new firm formation, based on the random effects spatial panel model. The analysis also shows that spatial effects should be included in the analysis due to spill-over effects from neighbouring municipalities. In the second paper, the varying relationships between new firm formation and its determinants in 290 Swedish municipalities are examined through Geographically weighted regression (GWR). Mostly positive relationships with new firm formation are shown for firm density, human capital level, industry diversification level and percentage of immigrants living in the area. In contrast, mostly negative relationships are shown for weighted mean distance to the nearest bank branches, establishment size, unemployment rate, industry specialization. Spatially constrained multivariate clustering is also applied to group municipalities with similar conditions. Patterns in the industry composition and the location attributes are analysed for each cluster. / Syftet med denna avhandling är att analysera hur nedläggningen av bankkontorpåverkar frekvensen av nystartade företag och undersöker sambandet mellannystartsfrekvens och avståndet till närmaste bankkontor i Sveriges 290 kommuner.I avhandlingens första artikel studeras effekten av kontorsnedläggelse genom enrumslig ekonometrisk analys och rumsliga panel modeller. Resultaten visar att enökning av avståndet till närmaste bankkontor har en negativ påverkan pånyföretagandet. Vidare ger analysen vid handen att spatiala effekter bör inkluderasi analysen då det förekommer spill-over effekter från närliggande kommuner. Iavhandlingens andra artikel undersöks hur frekvensen av nystartade företag iSveriges 290 kommuner påverkas av ett antal olika faktorer, med hjälp av engeografiskt viktad regressionsmodell. Analysen visar att antalet befintliga företag,humankapital, näringslivets diversifiering, samt andelen invandrare, har ett positivtsamband med nystartsfrekvensen. Däremot finns det ett negativt samband mellannystartsfrekvens och avståndet till närmaste bankkontor, storleken bland debefintliga företagen, arbetslöshet och näringslivets specialisering. En multivariatklusteranalys har också genomförts där kommunerna fördelats över kluster medliknande egenskaper, där de ingående kommunerna har liknande förutsättningaroch strukturer. / <p>QC 20190923</p>

Mixed-use properties have received increased attention over the last 15 years. There are many perceived benefits of mixed-use development, such as Smart Growth, sustainable development, and urban regentrification. The increased interest in mixed-use developments in suburban, less densely populated areas appears to be motivated by changing consumer preferences and the perceived success of these developments by real estate owners, developers, and governing agencies. Real estate developers, owners and investors have asserted that the financial performance and success of mixed-use projects is better than single-use properties. There is limited data or empirical evidence, in trade publications or academic journals, which supports or disproves this assertion. This research uses data from New York City’s five boroughs to empirically study the effects of a property’s use-type on the financial performance of commercial projects in order to determine if a “mixed-use premium” exists. Initial findings suggest that a property with multiple uses generate between an 8.5%–17% price premium on average, though the magnitude of the premium varies from borough to borough. Further, this research also examines the effects of transit proximity on commercial property values in Manhattan. Relevant stakeholders assume that being closer to public transportation will translate into higher market values. The existing literature is mixed, but there appears to be more evidence for a positive relationship between transit proximity and commercial property values. This study will examine the relationship between transit proximity and commercial property values. Preliminary, adding one subway station within a 0.25 miles radius results in a 14% increase in sales price. Further, a Mixed Use-Transit Proximity interaction variable was created which showed a positive, but non-significant relationship to commercial property values in Manhattan. / Business Administration/Finance

Data Analytics (DA) has been blamed for contributing to discriminatory managerial decisions in organizations. To date, most studies have focused on the technical antecedents of such discriminations. As a result, little is known about how to ameliorate the problem by focusing on the human aspects of decision making when using DA in organizational settings. This study represents an effort to address this gap. Drawing on the cognitive elaboration model of ethical decision-making, construal level theory, and the literature on moral intensity, this study investigates how the availability and the design of demographic transparency (a form of decisional guidance) can lower DA users’ likelihood of agreement with discriminatory recommendations of DA tools. In addition, this study examines the role of user’s mindfulness and organizational ethical culture on this process. In an experimental study users interact with a DA tool that provides them with a discriminatory recommendation. The results confirm that demographic transparency significantly impacts both recognition of the moral issue at hand and perceived proximity toward the subject of the decision, which in turn help decrease the likelihood of users’ approval of the discriminatory recommendation. Moreover, the results suggest that user’s mindfulness and organizational ethical culture enhance the positive impacts of demographic transparency. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

This thesis investigates the characteristics of a close proximity underwater explosion and its effect on a ship-like structure. Finite element model tests are conducted to verify and validate the propagation of a pressure wave generated by an underwater explosion through a fluid medium, and the transmission of the pressure wave in the fluid to a structure using the Multi-Material Arbitrary Lagrangian/Eulerian method. A one dimensional case modeling the detonation of a spherical TNT charge underwater is investigated. Three dimensional cases modeling the detonation of an underwater spherical TNT charge, and US Navy Blast Test cases modeling a shape charge and a circular steel plate, and a shape charge and a Sandwich Plate System (SPS) are also investigated. This thesis provides evidence that existing tools and methodologies have some capability for predicting early-time/close proximity underwater explosion effects, but are insufficient for analyses beyond the arrival of the initial shock wave. This thesis shows that a true infinite boundary condition, a modified Gruneisen equation of state near the charge, and the ability to capture shock without a very small element size is needed in order to provide a sufficient means for predicting early-time/close proximity underwater explosion effects beyond the arrival of the initial shock wave. / Master of Science

In 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives, newly under Republican control, sought to limit federal spending, creating a potentially dangerous situation for American space exploration and NASA. Given the budget situation, it may be beneficial for NASA to look to its existing geographic footprint for areas of deeper support to provide elected leaders with an electoral justification to support NASA missions. The areas with the greatest chance of generating support for NASA are spaceports due to the rocket launches they support serving as focusing events for NASA. Rather than focusing as past scholars have on specific regions, this research examines driving distance from the Kennedy Space Center to provide more detail about the possible relationship between geographic proximity to spaceports and views of NASA. To test for the existence of this proximal relationship and the impact of viewing rocket launches on opinions of NASA, the study fielded an original online survey to gather U.S. residents' opinions about NASA, as well as information on where they lived and on how frequently they view rocket launches. Employing bivariate and multivariate regression models, the responses were analyzed to explore the relationship between geographic proximity to the primary spaceport and exposure to rocket launches on respondents' reported views of NASA. This study found that as respondents' distance from the Kennedy Space Center increased, positive views of NASA decreased. Additionally, respondents who viewed the launch of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket had more positive views of the agency than others. Overall, these results indicate that direct exposure to NASA activities, facilitated either by living near the Kennedy Space Center or by viewing the SLS launch is associated with more positive perceptions of NASA. The hypothesis that rocket launches can impact views of space exploration was supported based on analyses of reported online and in-person viewership that suggested notable relationships with opinions of commercial launch providers. Yet, even though the models found support for this relationship, they suggested that other factors likely are also important to fully understanding the relationship. NASA's future public engagement strategies evidently should focus on narrowing the awareness gap of NASA activities for those further away from spaceports and do not have direct exposure to the agency. / Master of Arts / In 2023, the U.S. House of Representatives, newly under Republican control, sought to limit federal spending, creating a potentially dangerous situation for American space exploration and NASA. Given the budget situation, it may be beneficial for NASA to look to its existing geographic footprint for areas of deeper support to provide elected leaders with an electoral justification to support NASA missions. The areas with the greatest chance of generating support for NASA are spaceports due to the rocket launches they support serving as potential advertisements for NASA. Rather than focusing as past scholars have on specific regions, this research examines driving distance from the Kennedy Space Center to provide more detail about the possible relationship between geographic proximity to spaceports and views of NASA. Additionally, given that the impact of rocket launches on support for NASA has not been measured this study can help quantify support for NASA's most visible public events. To test for the existence of this relationship and the impact of viewing rocket launches on opinions of NASA, the study fielded an original online survey to gather U.S. residents' opinions about NASA, as well as information on where they lived and on how frequently they view rocket launches. Regression analyses are used to determine the impact of distance from the Kennedy Space Center and different modes of viewership of rocket launches on opinions of NASA. This study found that as respondents' distance from the Kennedy Space Center increased positive views of NASA decreased. Additionally, respondents who viewed the launch of NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket had more positive views of the agency. Overall, these results indicate that direct exposure to NASA activities facilitated either by living near the Kennedy Space Center or by viewing the SLS launch can increase positive perceptions of NASA. NASA's future public engagement strategies evidently should focus on narrowing the awareness gap of NASA activities for those further away from spaceports and do not have direct exposure to the agency.

​This thesis explores the complex decision-making process behind companies' first international market selection, focusing on the influence of cultural similarities and geographic proximity. By examining how these factors intersect with strategic market opportunities, the study aims to provide valuable insights into why certain markets are prioritized during international expansion. The study took on a qualitative approach, conducted through interviews with consultants in internationalization. The data was analyzed with an explorative, abductive approach, with support of the analytical model formed by the literature review. The results reveal a tendency among Swedish companies to prioritize neighboring markets as their first international expansion due to perceived cultural and geographic advantages. While the findings align with the Uppsala model of internationalization, it often leads to a superficial understanding of cultural similarities and neglects comprehensive market analysis. The findings highlight the influence of intuition, gut feeling, coincidences, and personal networks in market selection, which introduces unpredictability into the decision-making process. The study underscores the need for a balanced approach that integrates intuitive decisions with thorough market analysis to avoid missed opportunities and unexpected challenges.

No / The 70 eV electron impact mass spectra of a wide range of 2-substituted benzazoles are reported and discussed. Particular attention is paid to the mechanistic significance and analytical utility of [M–H]+ and [M–X]+ signals in the spectra of benzazoles in which the 2-substituent contains a terminal aryl group with one or more substituents, X. Loss of H or X occurs preferentially from an ortho-position from ionized 2-benzylbenzimidazoles, 2-phenethylbenzimidazoles, 2-styrylbenzimidazoles, 2-styrylbenzoxazoles and 2-styrylbenzothiazoles. In the three styrylbenzazole series, the [M–H]+ and/or [M–X]+ signals dominate the spectra. This unusually facile loss of H or X may be attributed to a proximity effect, in which cyclization of the ionized molecule is followed by elimination of an ortho-substituent to give an exceptionally stable polycyclic ion. Formation of a new five- or six-membered ring by the proximity effect occurs rapidly; cyclization to a seven-membered ring takes place rather less readily; but formation of a ring with only four atoms or more than seven atoms is not observed to a significant extent. The proximity effect competes effectively with loss of a methyl radical by simple cleavage of an ethyl, isopropyl and even a t-butyl group in the pendant aromatic ring of ionized 2-(4-alkylstyryl) benzazoles.