This dissertation studies international acquisitions mainly in terms of their impact on firm competitiveness and CEO compensation. International acquisitions have been used extensively by multinational companies for internationalization purposes. They are the main drivers of foreign direct investment flow around the world. The large number of international acquisitions and the amount of money used for them make these acquisitions important corporate strategies to examine. This study explores from different perspectives the implications of international acquisitions for firms. In the first chapter, we assess the impact of international acquisitions on the competitiveness of companies. Competitiveness has been studied mostly at the country and industry levels; firm-level competitiveness has been understudied, and the impact the organizational choices of companies have on competitiveness have not been fully explored. This study attempts to fill this gap by examining the impact of international acquisitions on firm competitiveness. Building on the resource-based view, internalization theory, agency theory and managerial hubris we propose that international acquisitions enhance competitiveness. We also develop a competing hypothesis about the negative impact of IAs on competitiveness using agency view, integration issues, and information asymmetry perspective. We test our model with a sample of acquisitions between 1985 and 2007. We find that international acquisitions have a positive effect on firm competitiveness. We also find variations in the impact of international acquisitions across different dimensions of competitiveness and benchmarks. We also investigate factors that affect the success of international acquisitions. Our evidence suggests that the acquirer's resources and capabilities play a crucial role in the success of international acquisitions. In the second chapter, we explore the association between acquisitions and CEO compensation from two different perspectives. Agency theory, which assumes a conflict between shareholders' and executives' interests, predicts a positive impact of acquisitions on CEO compensation. In contrast, subscribers of stewardship theory question the assumption of a conflict of interest and propose that acquisitions have no impact on CEO compensation. We test the prediction of agency view with a sample of U.S. acquisitions for the period 1995 to 2007. Our results provide evidence for the agency view. Unlike prior studies, this study distinguishes between international and domestic acquisitions, and assesses their impact. We find that international acquisitions have less of a positive effect on CEO compensation than domestic acquisitions. Finally, we investigate some deal characteristics and show that the relatedness of the acquirer and the target influences post-acquisition CEO compensation. We provide an in-depth literature review of acquisition research in the third chapter. In addition to discussing the antecedents, outcomes, and success/failure factors of acquisitions in general, we focus on international acquisitions as well. We discuss the differences between international and domestic acquisitions and review the literature of international acquisitions as a mode of entry. More important, we identify theoretical and methodological gaps, unanswered questions, trends, and understudied areas in acquisition research. Building on these, we provide recommendations and directions for future acquisition research. Overall, this study examines the implications of international acquisitions for firms. Our findings indicate that international acquisition is an important phenomenon that influences the competitiveness of firms and governance through effects on CEO compensation. One of the major contributions of this study is to show that international acquisitions have different characteristics than domestic acquisitions. Our study also identifies issues that need to be resolved in acquisition research and propose ways to address those issues. Our study adds fresh insights to the literature on M&As, competitiveness, and CEO compensation. / Business Administration/International Business Administration

We present and study the current research trends and advances for optimizing assemble-to-order systems with stochastic lead times. Assemble-to-order systems are widely used in several industries, where end products consist of multiple components and are customizable. Manufacturers can offer greater flexibility to their customers by delaying the assembly of the components until after the order is placed. This means they do not keep an inventory of end-products. Only components can be kept in the inventory and assembled upon demand. We compare and contrast different formulations and the features of assemble-to-order systems studied in the literature including system configuration, replenishment policy, lead time type, and demand distribution. Single-period systems, periodic-review systems, and continuous-review systems are considered. Current assumptions, formulations, solutions, and challenges are discussed. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

In this thesis, I address two issues. First, I reject the supposed conflict between international law and constitutional democracy. And second, I explore the role of international law in domestic constitutional law, particularly in Canada. In order to address both of these issues, I draw an analogy between the “Incompatibilist” critiques of international law and constitutional democracy, and the arguments against judicial review made by “the Critics” that Waluchow responds to in his book, A Common Law Theory of Judicial Review: the Living Tree. I argue that both the Incompatibilists and the Critics describe in-principle problems, structural problems, and decision-making problems in their respective critiques. The Incompatibilists are describing these problems in the context of the interaction between international law and constitutional democracies, while the Critics are focusing on constitutional judicial review, but I argue that the theory Waluchow presents as an answer to the Critics can also be directly applied to the Incompatibilists. Waluchow’s theory of common law judicial review and the community’s constitutional morality gives support and democratic legitimacy to judicial review in a domestic constitutional context. By applying his reasoning to cases involving international norms, I address problems in domestic courts’ application of international law and the democratic challenges they face. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

An unprecedented 65.6 million people around the world have been forcibly displaced from their homes; 22.5 million of these individuals are refugees and 10 million are considered stateless (UNHCR, 2016a). Although, the conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic and the large arrival of asylum-seekers at the European borders in 2015 and 2016 gained significant global media attention, the frequently interchangeable use of the terms “migrant” and “refugee” to describe population within news headlines imposes significant implications on the legal protections entitled to each label. Conflating refugees and migrants can undermine public support for refugees and the asylum system at a time when there are more refugees than at any previously recorded time (UNHCR, 2016a). To better understand, two electronic databases CBCA Reference and Current Events and Canadian Periodical Index were searched for headlines containing the key term “refugee(s)” in Canadian English language newspapers. A total of 94 words were identified that offered an indication of the portrayal of refugees in the news media. Fourteen words were categorized as positive, 56 words were negative and 25 words were identified as neutral In addition, a literature review was conducted mirroring the five-stage Arksey and O’Malley (2005) scoping review framework and a data charting form was used to extract descriptive themes. Seven electronic databases (Sociology, Social Sciences Abstract, Web of Science, Communication Source, JSTOR and Social Work) were searched.. A total of 32 studies were selected for the literature review (16 through the database search and 16 through reference list search). From the included literature, five descriptive themes were found: securitization, immigration, legitimacy, economic considerations and othering. Both analyses indicated a dominant securitized discourse that portrays refugees negatively as a threat to the state and revealed a decrease in humanitarian dialogue within news media coverage. Positive representations of refugees were limited to the narrative of a passive victim or contributors to the economy. In addition, refugee voices within news media were restricted to their expression of gratitude towards the state and their compassion. The lack of refugee perspective and the use of journalistic semantic strategies perpetuate a one-sided negative portrayal of refugees. A more balanced media narrative is required to ensure that refugees are being portrayed accurately and their voices are heard. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this thesis is to explore the effectiveness and safety of common pharmacotherapeutic options used for the management of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in preterm infants. METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidance, article 1 develops the protocol to conduct the systematic review and network meta-analysis to answer the research question. Article 2 details the actual methods implemented to conduct the network meta-analysis and presents the results in the form of network plots, league tables, rank heat maps, rankograms and forest plots. RESULTS: Article 1 suggests the need to conduct a Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) as the analysis would involve multiple treatments with potentially both direct and indirect comparisons. Article 1 also a priori defines potential effect modifiers and statistical strategies to control for the same. In article 2, the results of the meta-analysis show that in 68 RCTs that included 4802 infants, 14 different variations of indomethacin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen were used. Oral high-dose ibuprofen was associated with a significantly higher odds of PDA closure compared with standard-dose intravenous ibuprofen (Odds Ratio [OR], 3.59; 95% Credible Interval [CrI],1.64-8.17) and intravenous indomethacin (OR, 2.35; 95% CrI,1.08-5.31). Oral high-dose ibuprofen ranked the best option for PDA closure (SUCRA [surface under the cumulative ranking curve],0.89 [SD, 0.12]) and to prevent surgical PDA ligation (SUCRA,0.98 [SD, 0.08]). There was no significant difference in the odds of mortality, necrotizing enterocolitis or intra-ventricular hemorrhage with use of placebo or no treatment compared with any of the other treatment modalities. CONCLUSION: This thesis suggests that oral high-dose ibuprofen could be the best treatment option for closure of a hemodynamically significant PDA. Placebo or no treatment for a hemodynamically significant PDA may not increase morbidity and mortality. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / The following thesis explores the effectiveness and safety of commonly used drugs for the treatment of a heart condition in premature infants called the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Article 1 outlines the protocol for the systematic review and network meta-analysis designed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of indomethacin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen for the treatment of PDA in preterm infants. Article 2 provides in detail the results of the network meta-analysis that examined all eligible randomized controlled trials that compared intravenous or oral formulations of indomethacin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen compared against to other or placebo for the treatment of a PDA that may be harmful for a premature infant based on certain clinical and echocardiographic criteria set by the clinicians and researchers. Overall, this body of work suggests that a higher dose of oral ibuprofen is the best treatment for PDA in premature infants.

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a condition affecting wrists and hands, causing pain, tingling, and numbness. Despite the high prevalence of CTS and the existence of several diagnostic tools, there is no consensus over a diagnostic gold standard test. Thesis Objectives: To conduct a systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy of clinical scales, questionnaires and hand symptom diagrams/maps for the diagnosis of CTS in people suspected with this condition; and to do a cognitive interviewing qualitative study of the Kamath and Stothard questionnaire, a diagnostic tool for CTS, to identify and resolve potential sources of error. Methods: In the first study, we searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase databases keywords related to diagnostic accuracy and clinical tests of CTS. In the second study, we interviewed clinicians and people diagnosed with CTS and other upper extremity conditions. We recorded, and content analyzed their opinion on comprehensiveness and comprehensibility of Kamath and Stothard questionnaire. Results: Twenty-one articles met the eligibility criteria of the systematic review, of which nine were on the diagnostic accuracy of hand symptom diagrams and twelve assessed the diagnostic accuracy of clinical scales and questionnaires for the diagnosis of CTS. Positive likelihood ratios (LRs) to diagnose or rule in CTS ranged from 0.94 for Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire to 10.5 for CTS-6 scale, and negative LRs to rule out CTS ranged from 1.05 to 0.05 for the same diagnostic tools. In the cognitive interviewing study, we categorized the areas of uncertainty in the participants’ responses into five themes: clarity and comprehension (51%), relativeness (38%), inadequate response definition (3.75%), perspective modifiers (3.75%), and a reference point (2.5%). Conclusions: Very few high-quality studies exist on the diagnostic accuracy of CTS-6, Kamath and Stothard questionnaire, Bland questionnaire, and Katz and Stirrat’s hand symptom diagram. By doing cognitive interviews, we identified options for potential improvement in the wording of the Kamath and Stothard questionnaire. Future studies should assess the diagnostic properties of the proposed modified questionnaire, and high-quality studies are warranted to assist in deciding on ruling in or out CTS. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition affecting the hands, causing feelings of burning pain, pins and needles, heaviness and/or lack of sensation. This condition is very common among people who do manual work and can make them unable to do their jobs and daily living tasks. Early diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome is very important in starting an appropriate plan of treatment. The best diagnostic test for carpal tunnel syndrome is still uncertain. In the first study, we collected studies of the questionnaires and hand maps that exist for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. We then tried to summarize the information that assists clinicians in making a diagnostic decision. In the second study, we interviewed people about their opinion of a questionnaire that is used in hand clinics to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. We concluded that more studies with high quality are needed to confidently decide which diagnostic test is best. Also, we revised a questionnaire that is currently used, and we hope that these revisions make the questionnaire more relecant and understandable for people.

Background: Since the 1980s, there has been a growing interest in research to focus on positive mental health instead of narrowing attention toward risk factors and to foster resilience instead of treating trauma. There is substantial empirical evidence that despite being exposed to the same risk; individuals react differently to the same stimuli. The ability of some people to successfully cope and adapt despite adversity is what constitutes resilience. In the context of forced migration, resilience research examines the elements that ameliorate wellbeing and positive adjustment rather than focusing on the pathological consequences of trauma. However, little is known about how the construct of resilience is conceptualized within the field of forced migration research. This research aims to critically appraise and map the existing literature on resilience in the forced migration population, and to analyze how the concept of resilience is defined, operationalized, and applied in refugee research. Methods: Arksey and O’Malley scoping review framework was followed to search 5 online databases. Numerical and thematic analysis were both conducted to examine the breadth of the literature and to chart the relevant data. Results: A total of 20 studies were selected for the scoping review. The findings included a description of the literature regarding geographic distribution, recruited methods, and targeted populations. In addition, the results investigated definitions of resilience, measures used to operationalize resilience, the relationship between resilience and mental health illnesses, internal and external protective factors contributing to fostering resilience processes, and resilience across cultures and languages. Conclusion: There is an increase in interest to understand the concept of resilience through synthesizing both qualitative and quantitative data. However, longitude and evaluation studies remain the exception. Further research is needed to validate resilience instruments across cultures and languages. The interactions between mental health illnesses and resilience should be better understood in the context of forced migration as well. / Thesis / Master of Health Sciences (MSc)

Constitution as Promise contends that constitutions are sets of promises. As such, it argues that they must be interpreted in a living constitutionalist manner. Chapter One argues that constitutions meet the analytic criteria to be considered promises. It is argued that constitutions are expressions of the intention of a government to bind itself to a set of principles. Absent this expression, citizens lack assurance of the protection of their rights and legal recourse when their rights are violated. Chapter Two considers the use of promise in contract theory and investigates its viability in constitutional theory. Some theories of contract are skeptical of promise as a basis for contract. The chapter argues that while promise may be an inadequate moral underpinning for the law of contract, it is apt for the law of constitutions. Chapter Three notes that constitutions are sets of vague promises. Vague promises ought not be interpreted solely in accordance with the intentions of promisors or promisees. Traditional forms of originalism contend that constitutions should be interpreted according to the intentions of their framers. So, constitution as promise rules out traditional forms of originalism. Chapter Four considers the positive consequences of constitution as promise. It argues that vague promises ought to be interpreted through a negotiation process between promisor and promisee. This negotiation should consider what moral reasoning reveals about the promise’s terms, the context in which the promise was uttered, the capacities and competing obligations of the promisor, and the expectations of the promisee. To properly consider these factors, the chapter maintains that the negotiation must occur on a case-by-case basis, incrementally specifying the promise’s terms. The chapter then notes the similarities between this negotiation process and the interpretive suggestions of living constitutionalism. It concludes that living constitutionalism is entailed by the promissory nature of constitutions. / Thesis / Master of Philosophy (MA) / Constitution as Promise investigates the interpretive consequences of conceptualizing constitutions as promises from governments to citizens. It first argues that constitutions satisfy the criteria to be considered promises. It then maintains that the morality of promising is apt for application to constitutional law. In the third and fourth chapters, it considers how one ought to interpret vague promises. Vague promises, it argues, should be interpreted incrementally, on a case-by-case basis. The promisor and the promisee must come to an agreement about what their vague promise requires, as new cases arise. When they cannot agree, promisor and promisee need an adjudicator. Since constitutions are sets of vague promises, they must also be interpreted incrementally, on a case-by-case basis and require adjudication where agreement is impossible. Constitution as Promise concludes that the only available interpretive theory that is sensitive to constitution’s nature as vague promise is living constitutionalism. As such, constitutions ought to be interpreted in a living constitutionalist manner.

Background: Communication is key to expressing oneself and, in healthcare, communication may be compromised due to different limitations. In dementia care, relatives often take on the role of caregivers for their loved one and thereby adopt a role of advocacy. With this role communication with healthcare staff becomes a necessity. However, certain factors affect the way communication is perceived. Since nurses in Sweden have laws and ethical codes as well as a description of competence to follow to ensure that health is promoted and good care given, the knowledge of communication factors is a necessity. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the factors affecting the communication between healthcare staff and caregivers in dementia care. Method: The chosen method was literature review and nine scientific articles from 2012-2022 were analysed. Results: The analysis resulted in the following themes and subthemes: Affected perception with the subthemes Frustration, stress and concern, Language barriers.Staff qualifications and commitment with the subthemes Lack of competence, Inadequate information, Staff presence and display of interest. Availability with the subthemes Support and correct information, Teamwork, Cooperation and participation and Good competence. Conclusion: The results showed that communication with caregivers was affected by lack of staff and knowledge in dementia care. When staff were unavailable, caregivers experienced that they were left out and kept uninformed. This caused them to feel frustrated and stressed and affected their communication skills. To prevent this, staff need to gain more knowledge in dementia care, should make themselves available and be able to provide accurate and timelyinformation.

Background: Palliative care aims to improve the quality of life for patients with limited time remaining. In the transition to end-of-life care, the complete focus is on relieving symptoms and easing the patient's pain. It has emerged that patients experience inadequate communication from nurses during their hospital stay, while nurses perceive insufficient knowledge regarding conversations with relatives. Engaging with relatives' experiences at the end of life contributes to a greater understanding of their preferred approach. Aim: To create an overview of relatives' experiences in palliative care. Method: Involves a general literature review that included eight qualitative and four quantitative articles. Results: The articles results pointed to three main themes: the importance of communication for relatives, the impact of the care environment on their palliative care experience, and how the illness affected life outside of caregiving. Conclusion: Insufficient support and communication were crucial factors in relatives the end-of-life experiences. Positive health outcomes were observed in relatives receiving support, information, and discussions in the end-of-life stage. Relatives experienced that the attitude of nurses, influenced their well-being, leading to difficulties in balancing everyday life while maintaining strength in front of the patient.