Introduktion: Dammbrott är en olycka som har en låg sannolikhet att ske men om den skulle inträffa ha katastrofala konsekvenser. Ett område som skulle drabbas vid ett dammbrott i Luleälven är Luleå kommun som ligger i mynningen av Luleälven. För att områden som anses vara av risk skulle kunna utrymma i tid innan vattennivåerna stiger är det av vikt att individen dels förstår varningsmeddelandena samt förstår vilket ansvar den har vid en utrymning. Kunskapen om varningar och vilket ansvar individen har vid dessa visar tidigare forskning på som låg. Syftet med studien var att få kunskap om vilken förståelse det finns hos individer gällande varningssystem vid ett dammbrott och vilken syn som finns på ansvarsfördelningen i utrymningsprocessen. Studien syftade även till att identifiera vilka hinder och möjliggörande faktorer som kan påverka individen vid en utrymning.  Metod och material: Studien följde en fallstudiedesign med mixade metoder som antog en deduktiv ansats. Den kvalitativa datainsamlingen innefattade semistrukturerade intervjuer med tjänstepersoner vilket baserade på ett avsiktligt urval, som arbetar inom krishantering. Den kvantitativa datainsamlingen skedde i form av webbenkäter, vars urval baserades på ett bekvämlighetsurval där individer som bodde i ett riskområde och var över 18 år, kunde svara på enkäten som skickades ut i Facebook-grupper för de boendeområdena som ansågs vara av risk. Analysen av datamaterialet skedde dels genom en deduktiv kvalitativ innehållsanalys där respondenternas svar analyserades utifrån tidigare förutbestämda kategorier. Det kvantitativa materialet analyserades utifrån både univariata och bivariata analyser samt tolkning av fritextsvar.  Resultat: Studien påvisade en gemensam bild kring att individer har en god förståelse kring vad varningssystemen innebär samt lämpliga handlingar därefter. Dock fanns en skillnad mellan åldersgrupperna där de yngre grupperna i större utsträckning inte vet vad de ska göra om varningssystemen larmar. Gällande ansvar fanns det även här en liknande bild där kommunen har ett stort ansvar i en utrymningssituation samt framfördes det att individen har ett ansvar, främst från respondenternas sida. En möjlighet som framkom var bland annat broschyren som skickades ut och många individer ansåg att den hade hjälp dem förstå vad de skulle göra vid ett dammbrott. Ett hinder som identifierades i samband med detta är att broschyren numera ligger på kommunens hemsida vilket innebär att personer som flyttar in till kommunen vare sig får kunskap om risken eller vad en ska göra om ett dammbrott sker.  Slutsatser: Sammanfattningsvis visar resultatet en liknande syn på kunskapen om varningssignalen samt lämpliga handlingar därefter både utifrån ett individ- och tjänstemannaperspektiv. Angående ansvaret att utrymma behövs vidare forskning då det behövs mer tillförlitlig data från ett individperspektiv. Framtida studier bör fokusera på åldersperspektivet med avseende på kunskapen och handling vid varning men också på de hinder som studien har identifierat. / Introduction: A dam failure is an accident with a low probability to occur but the consequences would be catastrophic. One area that would be affected if a dam failure would occur in Luleälven is the municipality of Luleå which is located at the estuary of Luleälven. To get individuals that live in areas that are regarded of risk, if a dam failure would occur, to evacuate in time before the water levels rise it is of importance that individuals understand the warning and the responsibility of the individual. The aim of the study was to develop a further understanding of the knowledge individuals have regarding the warning systems that would be used in the event of a dam failure, but also the view about the responsibilities in an evacuation process. The study also aims to identify obstacles and enabling factors that may impact the individual if an evacuation would be necessary.  Methods and material: The study had a case study design with mixed methods. The qualitative data collection included semi structed interviews with government officials who works with crisis mangement, which was based on a purposive sampling. The quantitative data collection was in the form om web surveys which used a convenience sampling that included individuals that lived in an area of risk and were older than 18 years. If the individual met the criteria for the data collection they were eligible to answer the web survey that was distributed in different Facebook groups for the different areas that were considered being of risk. The analysis method for the qualitative material was done through a deductive qualitative content analysis and the respondents answers were analyzed from predetermined categories. The quantitative material was analyzed with both univariate and bivariate analysis, and also interpretation of free text answers.  Results: The results showed a common view in regards that individuals have a good understanding of the warning systems and also appropriate actions thereafter. On the other hand, there was an age difference were the younger age groups in a greater extent do not know the appropriate action if the warnings systems go off. With regards to responsibility there is a mutual understanding of the municipality as to having a big responsibility during an evacuation. The individuals responsibility to evacuate was also put forward, mostly from the government officials. An enabling factor to evacuate was the brochure that was sent out a couple of years ago. Many individuals explained how the brochure had helped them understand what the appropriate actions in the case of dam failure. An obstacle that was identified in connection to this was that the brochure is only available on the municipality’s web site, which implies that people moving into the municipality neither get the knowledge about the risk or the appropriate actions if a dam failure would occur.  Conclusion: To conclude, there are similar views regarding the knowledge of the warning system and proper action in response to the warning, both from an individual and officials’ perspective. How the individual perceive their responsibility to evacuate is in need of further research since there is a lack of data from an individual’s perspective. Further research should focus on an age perspective with regards to the knowledge of warning system and action, and also concerning the barriers that have been identified in the study.

Aims and Objectives of Research. 1. To develop a 'one stop' generic decision making matrix (Outsourcing Decision Model) that provides the necessary clarity into defining whether an organisation should proceed with an outsourcing initiative or not. This would be based upon a distillation of existing models and reviewed literature. With the recognition that there may be subsequent advantages following the process, the model will include not only these but a means of evaluation in order to ascertain whether or not an outsourcing initiative may be or was successful or not. This latter aspect must logically be viewed as very important as an outsourcer must be aware of the benefits and also whether or not they were achieved. In addition, the model would include sufficient guidance with potential supporting metrics and their application. 2. To validate the Outsourcing Model through specific case studies using a triangulated approach in comparing the selected automotive OEM with some of its major competitors. Within the context of the case study, the research would also attempt to understand how the subject outsourcing organisation compares to its major competitors in equivalent comparable products and whether or not this reflects in the success of these companies. This case study not only provides a means of reinforcing the remaining case studies by using a triangulated method of application to the research developed outsourcing decision model but also provides a deeper understanding of the context of the supplier and competitors within the industry. 3. To test, via case studies the effect of specificity relating to the outsourced end product rather than the outsourced entity. This aspect provides the deepest application to the researched outsourcing decision model and therefore the most comprehensive validation. In addition, because the case studies are retrospective, they have the benefit of providing data to establish the level of success. This would be very important, particularly as it would enable a focus on particular criteria that failed to highlight a particular outcome and therefore provide a chance to make amendments. Low specificity is a well established criterion in defining an outsourced entity which is reflected within the body of the research. The further extension of this theory towards the outsourcing of and outsourced entity related to an established previously outsourced commodity is a new concept with no identifiable literature or evidence relating to its importance. The fact that it provides an element within the research that is potentially unique and carries no extra task burden it has been captured as an added element within the two important validation case studies: 4. To evaluate if outsourcing performance can be enhanced through the introduction of a second supplier into a single supplier sourcing situation. Subsequent to outsourcing, this aim and objective focuses upon the possibility of enhancing performance through the introduction of a second supplier. Particularly in cases whereby expertise may have been lost from an outsourcer, ultimate results relating to the outsourced entity may be compromised through either opportunism or diminished supplier performance. Whether these aspects are deliberate or unintended, an outsourcer should have some means of mitigating this risk. This mitigation may potentially be enabled through the use of a second supplier in order to provide a degree of competition. 5. To identify a link between Specificity, Commonality and Platform Sharing. The Author's professional role was very heavily based around the modern practices within the Automotive Industry. Outsourcing, platform sharing and commonality are well publicised strategies that have been adopted by various car manufacturers in order to gain efficiencies. Research was carried out in order to provide a better understanding of these strategies and to establish if there is any link between them. A confirmation of any linkages may then provide potential for establishing greater synergies between them.

Syfte – Examensarbetets syfte är att skapa förståelse kring ett outsourcingbeslut genom att utveckla en beslutsmodell för outsourcing. För att uppnå syftet ska följande frågeställningar besvaras: Vilka faktorer bör påverka ett outsourcingbeslut? Vilka kostnader bör analyseras för att ett outsourcingbeslut ska bli väl avvägt? Vilka komponenter bör ingå i en beslutsmodell för outsourcing? Metod – Examensarbetet bygger på en analytisk konceptuell studie med ett deduktiv och induktiv förhållningssätt, där påverkansfaktorer togs fram genom litteraturstudier. Jämförelser och analyser av redan befintliga teorier gjordes för att identifiera påverkansfaktorer, utifrån dessa faktorer skapades en beslutsmodell för outsourcing. Resultat – Resultatet från studien visar att det finns ett flertal olika faktorer som påverkar ett outsourcingbeslut och kan sammanfattningsvis placeras som påverkansfaktorer, strategiska- och konkurrensfaktorer samt kostnadsfaktorer. Den utvecklade beslutsmodellen för outsourcing består av sju steg där varje steg innefattar olika analyser och beslut, de sju stegen baseras på de faktorer som bör påverkas vid outsourcing. Förslag till fortsatta studier – För att utveckla beslutsmodellen skulle fler teorier och faktorer som möjligen kan beröras i samband med outsourcing adderas. En ytterligare studie skulle kunna vara att utveckla ett verktyg där organisationen kan gradera hur organisationen förhåller sig till de faktorer som påverkas vid ett outsourcingbeslut och därmed utöka beslutsunderlaget. Praktiska konsekvenser – För att underlätta för beslutsfattaren och få en helhetsbild över faktorer och kostnader som påverkas vid outsourcing kan beslutsmodellen användas. Originalitet – Det finns enligt författarnas vetskap ingen fullständig beslutsmodell som belyser alla faktorer som kan påverkas vid ett outsourcingbeslut. / Purpose – The purpose of the thesis is to create understanding of the outsourcing decision making by developing a decision model for outsourcing. To achieve this, the following questions are answered: What factors should influence the outsourcing decision? What costs should be analyzed so that an outsourcing decision should be balanced? What components should be included in a decision model for outsourcing? Method – The thesis is based on an analytical conceptual study with a deductive and inductive approach, where the influencing factors was generated through literature reviews. Comparison and analysis of existing theories were made to identify the influencing factors, based on the generated influencing factors a decision model for outsourcing was created. Findings – Results from the study shows that there are several factors that influence the outsourcing decision and can in summary be positioned as strategic and competitive factors and cost factors. The developed decision model for outsourcing consists of seven steps, where each step includes various analyzes and decisions, the seven steps are based on the factors that should be affected by outsourcing. Research limitations/implications – The results in this thesis are based only on theory. The model can still be generalized by being adaptable for different Organization. Practical implications – Decision model can be used to aid and support in an outsourcing decision. To facilitate the decision-maker and get an overview of the factors and costs that are affected by the outsourcing decision model can be used. With the decision model, the organization can analyze factors and costs to obtain a comprehensive decision-making. Originality – Since many organizations are making outsourcing decision wrongly without taking into account all the factors affected by the outsourcing decision. There is, in the authors' knowledge no complete decision model that highlights all the factors that may be affected by an outsourcing decision.

Providing automated support for model selection is a significant research challenge in model management. Organizations maintain vast growing repositories of analytical models, typically in the form of spreadsheets. Effective reuse of these models could result in significant cost savings and improvements in productivity. However, in practice, model reuse is severely limited by two main challenges: (1) lack of relevant information about the models maintained in the repository, and (2) lack of end user knowledge that prevents them from selecting appropriate models for a given problem solving task. This study built on the existing model management literature to address these research challenges. First, this research captured the relevant meta-information about the models. Next, it identified the features based on which models are selected. Finally, it used Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to select the most appropriate model for any specified problem. AHP is an established method for multi-criteria decision-making that is suitable for the model selection task. To evaluate the proposed method for automated model selection, this study developed a simulated prototype system that implemented this method and tested it in two realistic end-user model selection scenarios based on previously benchmarked test problems.

Research into the location decision of Australian international firms was primarily directed toward investigating motivations of Australian investors for setting up their foreign direct investments (FDI) in specific foreign countries. Nevertheless, the strategic decision-making process concerning the selection of a beneficial foreign country for either Australian or Western Australian international operations has been neglected in the existing literature; hence, an evident and significant gap was identified. Therefore, the current exploratory investigation used an interpretive paradigm to examine ‘how do Western Australian internationalising firms arrive at a beneficial foreign location choice for their international operations and hence attain successful international expansion. As an attempt to provide rich and deep insights into managerial actions and procedures, as well as critical success factors, that should be considered in effective international location decision-making process to attain a beneficial foreign location choice, five empirical comparative in-depth case studies excluding a pilot case study were purposefully selected from among sixteen potential Western Australian firms which established manufacturing and service operations abroad. Furthermore, seven international location decision-making processes were examined within these five cases through relying on several data sources: in-depth face to face interviews, short telephone and follow-up interviews and questionnaire instrument as primary data sources besides field notes, documents review when available and internet sources as secondary data sources. Two main stages of analysis were undertaken in the current research, namely, within and cross-case analyses. / The empirical findings of the extant research show that a thorough consultative and international experience-based strategic decision process should be considered to attain effective foreign country selection decisions. The consultative decision process encompasses five crucial managerial phases; that is, (1) strategic analysis of internationalisation drivers, (2) strategic searching and development of location factors and alternatives, (3) acquiring of adequate and relevant information about the prospective locations and, hence, strategic assessment for these alternatives, (4) strategic selection of final beneficial foreign location choice, and finally, (5) effective implementation of the selected location choice. Results reveal that the decision process cannot separately lead to the selection of a beneficial foreign location choice in the absence of four critical success factors, i.e., (1) international business experience of the selected location team, (2) the country knowledge about the potential foreign locations, (3) in-house and external consultations with international business experts and (4) identification of a trustworthy and internationally experienced manager or local partner for the international operation. The findings also illustrate that the comprehensive foreign country selection decision process is a multi-stage decision process which incorporates three separate location selection processes, namely, (1) country selection, (2) city selection and (3) site selection process. The current research extends the satisficing or bounded rational decision theory by confirming the appropriateness and the effectiveness of the theory in foreign country selection decisions. / In addition, the earlier critical success factors are adding new and important aspects of knowledge to the existing research on location decision-making process in international business, as well as foreign direct investment decisions. Accordingly, the former management phases and critical success factors were integrated into a conceptual model. The major and the unique contribution of the current thesis to existing theory is the development of a decision model which combines two fields of management research; that is, strategic decision-making and location decision-making in international business. The research provides important methodological contributions to international business research in relation to an effective multiple case study approach to capture elements of the comprehensive and complex international location decision-making process. Finally, the research findings and decision model have practical managerial implications for both international and internationalising firms by assisting them to improve the effectiveness of their foreign country selection decision processes. Further, the findings provide benefits for foreign investment policy-makers as well as local development officials in both home and host countries by assisting them to increase their outward FDI and attract more inward FDI and, consequently, boost the economic development movement in their countries.

How to allocate resources in the health care sector is academically dealt with within the subject of health economics. Economic evaluations are within this area used to compare the costs and effects of medical interventions with the purpose to help decision makers decide how to allocate resources. Oxygen deficiency in the foetus during birth can lead to severe life long injuries in the child. In high-risk deliveries, it is therefore considered necessary to use foetal surveillance with a scalp electrode and the choice is between surveillance with internal cardiotocography (CTG) and surveillance with ST analysis. The standard procedure is in most hospitals currently CTG, which records the foetal heart rate and the uterine contractions. The second strategy, in this thesis referred to as ST analysis, complements CTG with foetal electrocardiography(ECG) and ST analysis. The objective of this report is to from a societal perspective determine the cost-effectiveness of using ST analysis in complicated deliveries, compared to the use of CTG alone. A cost-utility analysis was performed based on a probabilistic decision model incorporating the relevant strategies and outcomes. The costs and effects of the two different treatment strategies were compared in a decision tree. Discounted costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were measured and simulated over a life-time perspective. The analysis resulted in an incremental effect of 0.005 QALYs for the ST analysis strategy, when compared to the CTG strategy. ST analysis was also associated with a €30 lower cost. Thus, CTG is dominated by the ST analysis strategy. The probability that ST analysis is the cost-effective alternative is high for all values of willingness-to-pay for a QALY, which means that a decision to implement the ST analysis strategy based on the results of this thesis would be surrounded by a low degree of uncertainty.

The business in Taiwan are globalized gradually. In the past time, most of the headquarter and factory of business are established in Taiwan. Then, by considering of the overhead and the needs of market, they moved some factories abroad in droves. The headquarters of Taiwan product some high valuable productions, low value productions be produced in overseas, and then be formed gradually a model of supply chain management. The form become complexity because of business goes abroad step by step. Sometimes they import well-done productions or parts, another time they export productions. At depends on economical comparable benefit in global and the principle of division of labor. For focusing on running own business, Company let the unimportant and low value parts be outsourcing is an apparent trend. The essay is studying of local motorcycle company, and discussing about the factory of outsourcing or producing by themselves within business. Then providing a strategically decision model for manager, and a method of purchase and supplier¡¦s management when make outsourcing. The process of this essay is discussing of the theory of source base, the theory of core ability, producing by themselves or outsourcing, the strategy of purchase, the theory of supply chain management, satellite system, and explain the profile of the motorcycle¡¦s industry, and their business running model and the classifying of motorcycle parts, and the producing method of parts. Finally, providing a method of assessing to be reference materials. Keywords¡Rcore competence , business plan , outsourcing or producing by themselves , decision model

<p>How to allocate resources in the health care sector is academically dealt with within the subject of health economics. Economic evaluations are within this area used to compare the costs and effects of medical interventions with the purpose to help decision makers decide how to allocate resources.</p><p>Oxygen deficiency in the foetus during birth can lead to severe life long injuries in the child. In high-risk deliveries, it is therefore considered necessary to use foetal surveillance with a scalp electrode and the choice is between surveillance with internal cardiotocography (CTG) and surveillance with ST analysis. The standard procedure is in most hospitals currently CTG, which records the foetal heart rate and the uterine contractions. The second strategy, in this thesis referred to as ST analysis, complements CTG with foetal electrocardiography(ECG) and ST analysis.</p><p>The objective of this report is to from a societal perspective determine the cost-effectiveness of using ST analysis in complicated deliveries, compared to the use of CTG alone. A cost-utility analysis was performed based on a probabilistic decision model incorporating the relevant strategies and outcomes. The costs and effects of the two different treatment strategies were compared in a decision tree. Discounted costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were measured and simulated over a life-time perspective.</p><p>The analysis resulted in an incremental effect of 0.005 QALYs for the ST analysis strategy, when compared to the CTG strategy. ST analysis was also associated with a €30 lower cost. Thus, CTG is dominated by the ST analysis strategy. The probability that ST analysis is the cost-effective alternative is high for all values of willingness-to-pay for a QALY, which means that a decision to implement the ST analysis strategy based on the results of this thesis would be surrounded by a low degree of uncertainty.</p>

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The Function-based Intervention Decision Model (Umbreit, Ferro, Liaupsin, & Lane, 2007) (Decision Model), is a straightforward technique to link the function of a behavior to an intervention. Although this technique has been found to be significantly effective with school-age disability populations, it has not been tested with adults who have cognitive disabilities and significant behavioral problems in non-school settings.This study explored the efficacy of the Decision Model (Umbreit et al., 2007) as a method for matching behavioral interventions to assessed function(s) of the target behavior by extending its practices to adults with developmental disabilities in a community-based day program. The participants were three adults with moderate mental retardation and problematic behavior, displayed by inappropriate social interactions. The research design was a multiple baseline across subjects. A notable benefit to this design is that there was no need to withdraw treatment, an important ethical consideration because each of the problem behaviors presented with some form of self-injury, aggression to others, and/or property destruction. The study had four phases: (a) conducting the functional behavioral assessment to identify the function of the participant's problem behavior, (b) utilizing the Decision Model (Umbreit et al., 2007) to link the function to the behavioral intervention plan (BIP), (c) applying the intervention, and (d) and maintenance. Several research questions were posed: (a) Do interventions developed using the Decision Model produce positive results for adults who have developmental disabilities and significant behavior problems in a non-school setting? (b) Will the application and maintenance of each BIP result in decreased exhibition of assessed problem behaviors? (c) Will the application and maintenance of each BIP result in increased exhibition of identified replacement behaviors? (d) Will the day program support staff and behavioral support team view the outcomes as socially valid? The results indicated a decrease in problem behaviors (socially inappropriate interactions) and an increase in replacement behaviors (socially appropriate interactions). Results of this study influenced positive intervention strategies that were easily maintained and viewed as socially valid by the direct support staff, evidenced by the results of the Treatment Acceptability Rating Form-Revised (Reimers, Wacker, Cooper, & DeRaad, 1992).