It has become increasingly common for a city or region to use sporting and media events to promote themselves. But what is behind these events? What kind of organisation is necessary to plan and run them? In the summer of 2009 the internationally known Volvo Ocean Race will arrive in Stockholm. The race is eight months long and will be hosted in Stockholm for almost the whole of June. The City of Stockholm is behind the event and Stockholm’s marinas will be responsible for making sure that everything runs smoothly and on schedule. Hosting this big event will have an impact on the citizens of Stockholm in many ways. The purpose of this study is to examine the political decision-making behind the event and the first part of the year of planning and preparations that have lead up to it. The study is based on interviews with the people responsible for the planning of the event and one politician that were involved in the decision-making. The method that is used in the study is Grounded Theory, which the authors believe has been valuable in this case. The implication of using this method is that the authors have been able to look more closely into the planning of the event without being too influenced by earlier learned theories. The method also can help us to see patterns in the study that otherwise could be missed. In the end of this study we look at previous research and give suggestions for future studies. The authors hope that this study can give inspiration to other researchers in this growing and interesting field.

Background: The process of shared decision making (SDM), a key component of interprofessional (IP) practice, provides an opportunity for the separate and shared knowledge and skills of care providers to synergistically influence the client / patient care provided. The aim of this study was to understand how different professional groups perceive IPSDM, their role as effective participants in the process and how they ensure their voices are heard. Methods: A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was used consisting of a realist review of the literature about IPSDM in intensive care, a survey of the IP team (n=96; RR-81.4%) about collaboration and satisfaction with the decision making process in NICU, semi-structured interviews with a sample of team members (n=22) working in NICU, and observation of team decision making interactions during morning rounds over a two week period. A tertiary care NICU in Canada was the study setting. Findings: The study revealed a number of key findings that are important to our increased understanding of IPSDM. Healthcare professionals’ (HCP) views differ about what constitutes IPSDM. The nature of the decision (triage, chronic condition, values sensitive) is an important influencing factor for IPSDM. Four key roles were identified as essential to the IPSDM process: professional expert, leader, synthesizer and parent. IPSDM involves collaboration, sharing, weighing and building consensus to overcome diversity. HCPs use persuasive knowledge exchange strategies to ensure their voices are heard during IPSDM. Buffering power differentials and increasing agreement about best options lead to well-informed decisions. A model was developed to illustrate the relationships among these concepts. Conclusions: Findings from this study improve understanding of how different members of the team participate in the IPSDM process, and highlight effective strategies to ensure professional voices are heard, understood and considered during deliberations.

Observers’ attributions of culpability in sexual assault cases have been studied in the context of psycholegal variables to explain how they come to their conclusions. Most research has revealed that there are differences between stranger and acquaintance rape, where victims of the latter are more likely to be blamed (Allgeier & Allgeier, 1995; Bridges & McGrail, 1989; Littleton, 2001; Mynatt & Allgeier, 1990; Scronce & Corcoran, 1995; Schuller & Klippenstine, 2004; Tetreault & Barnett, 1987). However, the work has been largely limited to examining rape myth acceptance and gender differences of observers. The present study addressed these limitations. The goals of this study were: (1) to examine judgments of perpetrator responsibility, (2) to examine the relationship between benevolent sexism and victim blame in an acquaintance rape, (3) to examine as to how benevolent sexism influences assailant blame, and (4) to examine differences between males and females on a sexism measure in relation to attribution of blame. This research utilized a community sample. Several groups of measures were utilized, including sexual assault vignettes with a questionnaire that assessed perceptions of sexual assault. Also administered were measures that assessed for social desirability, benevolent sexism, the preference for unequal relationships, and demographics. Two studies were conducted. The first one was a pilot study, which gathered qualitative and descriptive data for a measure designed specifically for this research. Participants (n= 20) reported that the measure was simple to read, understand and complete. The second study (200 participants) focused on the goals outlined and obtained reliability and principal components analysis information. Findings from study 2 revealed no significant differences between men and women in attribution of responsibility. However, assailant-victim relationship, and the presence of alcohol were statistically significant for blame. Although men scored higher on benevolent sexism in general, women obtained high scores when assailant-victim relationship and the presence of alcohol in the scenarios were taken into account. Similar to previous research (Abrams, Viki, Masser, & Bohner, 2003; Viki & Abrams, 2002; Viki, Masser, & Abrams, 2004), benevolent sexism was found to act as a moderator. Implications from results from this study were also discussed.

Information Systems Design Science (ISDS) as a research community is limited by a small number of research frameworks with considerable influence. The small triad of influential ISDS research, consisting of Walls, et al (1992), March and Smith (1995), and Hevner et al (2004) have primarily limited ISDS research to the positivist paradigm and the IT artifact. In contrast, Herbert Simons intentions for design science never had such restrictions and intended a broader perspective. This dissertation explores Simons intentions for design science, the Simonian stream of thought that includes The Sciences of the Artificial, as well as much of his most notable research, and offers an informed view of design science in the tradition of Rortyian neopragmatism. Using this new lens of design science, a Bhaskarian critical realist treatment of human artifacts is also developed. Collectively, a Rortyian neopragmatist treatment for design science, and a Bhaskarian critical realist treatment of human artifacts are used as a lens to augment the Walls et al (1992) framework for Information Systems Design Theories (ISDT). An example of how to apply this lens is accomplished in Paper 2 of the dissertation. The ISDS lens is applied to the topic of Enterprise Architecture (EA). EA as vehicle for IS Alignment is well defined in terms of frameworks, artifacts, and methodology. However little is understood with respect to the discipline and practice of EA. Seeking to advance our understanding of effective vehicles for IS alignment, this research examines EA as an alignment practice and how it attempts to realize alignment. Specifically, we address the following question: How does EA manifest itself in organizations? This research employs an interpretivist epistemology in a manner quite distinct from ISDS research and thus provides contributions to academia in terms of methodology and insight on EA, and for practitioners who wish to mature an EA practice in their organization. Some of the main concepts discovered in the empirical study in Paper 2 are used to develop a practitioner-oriented framework for EA practice in Paper 3.

Background: Schizophrenia is associated with deficits in decision-making. Aim: To determine the effects of smoking status on delay discounting in schizophrenia in comparison to non-psychiatric controls. Method: Cross-sectional comparison of delay discounting across smoking and psychiatric status. Hypotheses: Individuals with schizophrenia were hypothesized to have higher rates of delay discounting than controls; Non-smokers with schizophrenia would have higher rates of delay discounting than smokers. Control smokers would discount future rewards more than non-smokers. Results: No significant differences in delay discounting were observed between psychiatric groups. Smokers with schizophrenia exhibited more delay discounting than non-smokers. Within the psychiatric group, former smokers discount rates were similar to current smokers. Conclusion: Delay discounting deficits in schizophrenia and modulation by cigarette smoking were not supported; our pattern of results in schizophrenia does suggest that deficits in delay discounting in these patients appears to be a trait rather than a state-dependent phenomenon.

This thesis examines the challenges in creating a fully integrated optical receiver. Due to the nature of silicon, 850nm light exhibits a poor impulse response when directed at an on-die photodiode. Using a modified decision feedback equalizer with an infinite impulse response filter in the feedback path allows to eliminate the long tail of post-cursor ISI that is generated by the photodiode. Due to silicide depositions over the photodiodes, making them opaque, the receiver was tested using an electrical cable with similar frequency roll-off as that of a photodiode. A data rate of 3.7 Gbps was achieved and only limited by the amount of input reflections at the transimpedance amplifier. The receiver occupies an area of 0.23 mm^2 and consumes 51.3mW.

Enron is examined as a critical case study to understand the role of information in the Enron’s Board’s decision-making processes. Three major events in the Enron failure were analyzed in detail using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified regarding the communication and use of information in Enron: interdependency of authority relationships, information control, and decision protocol and policies that shaped the information that management sent to the Board during the approval process. The Board was dependent on advisors to provide approvals first, prior to Board approval. The relationships between advisors and management influenced the information sent to the Board and affected controls used to monitor deals. The Board maintained that they were unaware of red flags, such as warnings related to incomplete disclosures and conflict of interest issues. The Board received information for arrangements which required Board approval but it had limited access to information regarding Enron’s operations.

This thesis examines the challenges in creating a fully integrated optical receiver. Due to the nature of silicon, 850nm light exhibits a poor impulse response when directed at an on-die photodiode. Using a modified decision feedback equalizer with an infinite impulse response filter in the feedback path allows to eliminate the long tail of post-cursor ISI that is generated by the photodiode. Due to silicide depositions over the photodiodes, making them opaque, the receiver was tested using an electrical cable with similar frequency roll-off as that of a photodiode. A data rate of 3.7 Gbps was achieved and only limited by the amount of input reflections at the transimpedance amplifier. The receiver occupies an area of 0.23 mm^2 and consumes 51.3mW.

Enron is examined as a critical case study to understand the role of information in the Enron’s Board’s decision-making processes. Three major events in the Enron failure were analyzed in detail using thematic analysis. Three themes were identified regarding the communication and use of information in Enron: interdependency of authority relationships, information control, and decision protocol and policies that shaped the information that management sent to the Board during the approval process. The Board was dependent on advisors to provide approvals first, prior to Board approval. The relationships between advisors and management influenced the information sent to the Board and affected controls used to monitor deals. The Board maintained that they were unaware of red flags, such as warnings related to incomplete disclosures and conflict of interest issues. The Board received information for arrangements which required Board approval but it had limited access to information regarding Enron’s operations.

The aim of the current study was twofold: first, to examine the relationship between participants attitudes and their decisions about selective reproduction; second, to examine the influence of information about Down syndrome (DS) on these same decisions. As a preliminary step in investigating the influence of attitudes and information presentation on selective reproduction decisions, the current study examined the hypothetical decisions of female undergraduate students. Although presenting more positive information about DS did not appear to influence hypothetical decisions about selective reproduction, participants attitudes were related to these decisions. Specifically, attitudes toward persons with DS were related to decisions about prenatal screening. For decisions about prenatal testing and selective abortion, though, perceptions of parenting a child with DS mediated the relationship between attitudes and reproductive intentions. These findings suggest that women may be more likely to personalize their decisions about prenatal testing and selective reproduction by considering their perceptions of parenting a child with DS. These findings also suggest that informed decision making may require the inclusion of different information at the different decision stages (i.e., screening, testing, and selective abortion). In order to facilitate informed decision making, and in an attempt to ensure that attitudes toward persons with DS are informed by multiple perspectives, expanded information about DS should be included in prenatal screening protocols. Similarly, because perceptions of parenting appear to play a role in later decisions, information about raising a child with DS should be included in prenatal testing and selective abortion counselling sessions.