Background Developing, emerging and developed countries are vulnerable to disasters and might require external assistance to cope with their aftermaths. It is forecasted that disasters will increase five-fold over the next 50 years. In an environment, which is characterized by many uncertainties, humanitarian supply chains are created to provide disaster relief in a highly complex and dynamic setting. This environment is unique for every disaster, where infrastructure, government, physical, socio-economic and security situational factors can either facilitate or restrict humanitarian operations. Agile supply chain principles enable humanitarian organizations to quickly respond to disasters. Purpose The purpose of this thesis is to explore and analyze the impact of external situational factors on the agility of humanitarian supply chains and humanitarian organizations’ actions taken to address those external situational factors during the immediate response phase of an emergency event. Methodology For the purpose of this study a combination of an inductive and deductive research approach was applied. The study was of exploratory and qualitative nature with a single case study in its focus. Empirical data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with nine respondents involved in the disaster relief operations of Haiti Earthquake 2010. Empirical findings were analyzed by using the template analysis. Conclusion External situational factors have a strong impact on capabilities enabling humanitarian supply chains to be agile during the immediate response phase. Humanitarian organizations are able to reduce the negative impact of external situational factors while in other cases the negative impact of external situational factors is further intensified by actions taken by humanitarian organizations. Furthermore, humanitarian organizations are able to utilize and enhance some of the positive impacts of external situational factors. However, the initially positive impact of some external situational factors may be reduced by inappropriate actions taken by humanitarian organizations. Therefore, understanding the context of the disaster’s broader environment is a prerequisite to an effective emergency response.

The purpose is to increase awareness of the importance of staff engagement in the work environment and how the organization works to engage employees to want to participate actively in the work environment. The questions we seek answers to in this study is the following: What affects the staff to engage in the work environment from a management perspective Are there external factors that affect the organization and the individual's engagement to work with the working environment? We have create a model that is based on recent research to define our definition of engagement. The model contains four factors : Clarity, Advocacy opportunities, resources and feedback. The method we have used to answer the purpose in this study is ten qualitative interviews with persons with work environment responsibilities. The result shows that the engagement regarding work environment is important to get the employees to actively participate. To get the engagement from the employees the organizations need to provide, clarrity, advocacy opportunities, resources and give mutual feedback. External factors such as high and low season affect the organization's work environment, but not the individual engagement regarding work environment.

Bakgrund Små familjeägda aktiebolags styrelsesammansättning brukar kännetecknas av en överlappning mellan familjen och företaget. Små företag har ofta inte råd med det antal kompetenta styrelseledamöter som de har behov av och kan därmed gå miste om viktig information, kompetens och erfarenheter som en extern styrelseledamot kan bidra med. Vidare har tidigare forskning visat att externa styrelseledamöter kan tillföra ett främmande inslag i familjeföretaget vilket kan ge en känsla som innebär förlust av kontroll. Slutligen kan det anses finnas brister i tidigare forskning då små företag har undersökts i mindre utsträckning. Forskningsfrågor Vad är det som avgör varför små familjeföretag väljer att tillsätta externa styrelseledamöter eller inte? Syfte Syftet är att genom kvalitativa intervjuer förklara små familjeföretags tillsättande av externa styrelseledamöter. Metod Studien har byggts på en kvalitativ metod med semistrukturerade intervjuer som genomförts med tio VD:ar i tio små svenska familjeägda aktiebolag. Teoretisk referensrams Den teoretiska referensramen bygger på en trecirkelmodell som beskriver familjeföretags överlappande system. Avslutningsvis ges en överblick av styrelser samt beskrivs agentteorin och stewardshipsteorins förhållande till externa styrelseledamöter. Empiri De tio genomförda intervjuernas resultat presenteras under fyra teman och tabeller. Analys Analyskapitlet har genomförts med stöd av den teoretiska referensramens olika delar. Slutsats 0Vår slutsats är att den viktigaste egenskapen hos en extern styrelseledamot är dess kompetens och erfarenhet. En annan viktig faktor som avgör valet är för att få en s.k. input, en extern syn på verksamheten och någon att bolla idéer med. I och med tillsättandet har många av företagens styrelsearbeten övergått från passivt till aktivt styrelsearbete och de intervjuade företagarna ser endast positivt på tillsättandet. / Background Small family-owned limited liability company board composition is usually characterized by an overlap between the family and the company. Small businesses often can’t afford the number of qualified board members that they have in need and can thus miss important information, expertise and experience as an external board member can contribute. Furthermore, previous research has shown that outside directors can bring a foreign element in the family business which can give a sense involving loss of control. Finally, it is considered to be flaws in previous research when small companies have been investigated to a lesser extent. Research questions What is it that determines why small family businesses choose to appoint outside directors, or not? Purpose The purpose is that through qualitative interviews explain small family companies appointment of external board members. Method The study has been built on a qualitative approach with semistructured interviews conducted with ten CEOs of ten small, familyowned companies. Theory The theoretical framework is based on a threecircelmodel that describs the overlapping systems in family business. Finally it is an overwiev of boards and a explanation about the agency theory's and stewardship theory’s relation to the external board members. Empiricism The ten completed interview results are presented under four themes and tables. Analysis The analysis chapter has been implemented with the support of the theoretical framework different parts Conclusion Our conclusion is that the main feature of an external director is its expertise and experience. Another important factor that determines the choice is to get a so-called input, an external view of the business and someone to bounce ideas with. After the appointment many boards have worked in shift from passive to active and the interviwed businessowners only look positive on the appointment.

The main aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of stakeholders regarding reputation in schools in Fezile Dabi district. A qualitative approach was used. Multiple sources of data collection included semi-structured interviews, documents and visual data in the form of photographs. A literature review revealed that reputation management is imperative for schools to survive and continue existing. Determination of factors that contribute to good reputation and those causing bad reputation is important before school managers can embark on reputation management. Reputable schools attract more learners and resources because of the culture of learning and teaching in these schools. Four sites were purposefully selected and twenty internal and external stakeholders participated. The research sites were made up of two primary and two secondary schools all Quintile 1 and 2 schools. The study revealed that factors contributing to good reputation in the participating schools included: effective teaching, emotional appeal, clean physical surroundings, good leadership and management, involvement of parents and effective financial management. It was found that all participating schools had good academic results and received awards in sport and music, involvement in extra-curricular activities was regarded as a norm in these schools, thus they were boasting of high enrolment of learners. There were however, causal factors to bad reputation such as external factors- lack of leadership and management at district level and lack of skills regarding dealing with media. Internal factors included misbehaviour of learners and ineffective management. School managers in these schools were not creative and innovative in the use of strategies to strengthen reputation in their schools. The focus was only on effective teaching and extra-curricular activities. No new strategies were adopted by school managers to adapt to the changing school environment to ensure continued reputable schools. / Thesis (MEd (Education Management))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2013

When companies go international some factors present in the host country act like forces that might drive the company to standardize or adapt its strategies. The choices between to standardize or to adapt to local needs are of a great importance, since it can have significant impact in the company’s performance in the foreign market. In this paper these forces are characterized in country specific and industry specific factors. The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of external factors in the customers’ value creation in a new foreign market, under standardization and adaptation strategies. In order to fulfill the purpose of the paper, a qualitative research was conducted using a single case study of a Swedish SME, focusing on a single product, namely machine guarding, in connection with one foreign market, Brazil. The study shows that the factors that were most influenced in the customers’ value creation were social/cultural aspects and competition, which tend to lead the company to adapt in order to fulfill local needs and to react to the competitiveness. It was also presented that economic factors and market size did not represent any influences in the standardization or adaptation strategies of the company studied. However, other external factors, as technological, political/legal and industry structure, have shown impact to some degree, whether in adaptation or standardization strategies.

Die Untersuchung des externen Gehörkanals stellt beim Pferd, wie auch bei anderen Tieren, einen Teil der klinischen Untersuchung dar. Bis jetzt konnte die Untersuchung des equinen externen Gehörkanals, wenn überhaupt, nur sehr oberflächlich durch Adspektion und Palpation der Ohrmuschel erfolgen. Das lag unter anderem an der großen Sensibilität des Pferdeohrs und den damit verbundenen Abwehrreaktionen, sowie auch an den fehlenden anatomischen Informationen. Zu den selten beschriebenen Erkrankungen des equinen, externen Gehörkanals zählen: Otitis externa, Polypen, Neoplasien, Chondrosen, Stenosen und Parasitenbefall (Ohrmilben). Die Diagnose solcher Erkrankungen konnte bis jetzt nur durch die endoskopische Untersuchung oder computertomographische Untersuchung des Gehörkanals post mortem oder unter Allgemeinanästhesie gestellt werden. Im ersten Teil der vorliegenden Studie wurden anatomische Präparationen an 15 Kadaverschädeln durchgeführt, um die genaue Innervation des equinen externen Gehörkanals darzustellen. Proben des Trommelfells, des N. auricularis magnus und des N. auricularis internus wurden histologisch aufbereitet. Durch die gewonnenen Informationen konnte eine Anästhesie des Gehörkanals durch lokale Infiltration des N. auricularis internus und N. auricularis magnus entwickelt werden. Im zweiten, klinischen Teil der Studie wurde die Anästhesie, nach ultrasonographischer Untersuchung der Region, an beiden Gehörkanälen von 23 Pferden durchgeführt. Die Lokalanästhesie war bei allen Pferden beidseits erfolgreich. Bei drei Pferden musste auf je einer Seite eine größere Menge Lokalanästhetikum verwendet werden, um eine vollständige Desensibilisierung zu erreichen. Dies waren die einzigen Fälle bei denen eine Komplikation durch die Anästhesie im Sinne einer temporären Facialisparese auftrat. Diese war damit klar auf die größere Menge des Lokalanästhetikums zurückzuführen. Durch die entwickelte Lokalanästhesie konnte die endoskopische Untersuchung des externen Gehörkanals bis hin zum Trommelfell am stehenden, sedierten Pferd möglich gemacht werden. Die Endoskopie wurde mit 2 verschiedenen flexiblen Endoskopen (mit 2 mm und 7 mm Durchmesser) durchgeführt. Im Rahmen der Endoskopie wurden die externen Gehörkanäle hinsichtlich ihrer Schleimhautbeschaffenheit, des Verschmutzungsgrades und auftretender Pathologien beurteilt. Der Verschmutzungsgrad variierte zwischen gering- und hochgradig (I-III). Zu den aufgetretenen Pathologien zählten zelluläre und zeruminale Akkumulationen, eine osteomähnliche Umfangsvermehrung, Granulome, Blutungen und Verengungen des externen Gehörkanals.

Det vanligaste ekonomiska styrmedlet är budgetering, budgetering används i alla branscher oavsett hur stor den externa osäkerheten är. Den här studien behandlar och granskar hur budgeteringsarbetet ser ut i organisationer som verkar i en osäker miljö, där vårt fokus riktas mot hockeyklubbarna i de två högsta hockeyligorna i Sverige.Syftet med uppsatsen är att förklara hur organisationerna i de två högsta hockeyligorna i Sverige arbetar med budgetering. I syftet ingår även att redogöra för hur organisationerna hanterar extern osäkerhet. I den teoretiska referensramen presenteras de olika definitioner och tidigare forskning som finns inom budget, budgetering samt osäkerhetsfaktorer. I studien har använts en kvalitativ metod med verktygen; personlig intervju, mejlintervju samt dokumentinsamling. Sex ekonomer som arbetar i sex olika hockeyklubbar har intervjuats via en personlig samt fem mejlintervjuer.Analysen fokuserar på den decentralisering organisationer inom hockeyligorna arbetar med i sitt budgetarbete samt hur utvecklingen ser ut. Där behandlas även miljön organisationerna verkar i samt olika osäkerhetsfaktorer. Exempel på viktiga slutsatser är att organisationer som verkar i osäkra miljöer kan dra fördel av att dela upp budgeten i mindre delar för att separera osäkerhet A från osäkerhet B samt att organisationerna inom den Svenska Hockeyligan och HockeyAllsvenskan kan dra fördel av att använda decentralisering i budgetarbetet. / The most common element of management control system is budgeting, budgeting is used in all industries no matter how big the external uncertainty is. This study will reflect on and examine how budgeting works in organizations that appear in uncertain environments, where the focus will be on the two highest rated hockey leagues in Sweden.The purpose of the study is to describe how the organizations in the two highest rated hockey leagues in Sweden work with budgeting. The purpose is also to describe how organizations manage external uncertainty. The theoretical framework presents different definitions and previous research about budget, budgeting and uncertainties. In the study we have been using a qualitative method with the tools; face-to-face interview, e-mail interview and documentary secondary data. Six economists who work in six different hockey organizations have been interviewed.The analysis focuses on the decentralization that organizations in the hockey leagues work within their budgeting and also how the development appears. It also discusses the environment in which the organizations operate and uncertainty factors. Examples of important conclusions are that organizations in uncertain environments can benefit from dividing the budget into smaller parts, separating uncertainty A from uncertainty B. The organizations in the Swedish Hockey league and HockeyAllsvenskan can also benefit from decentralization when working with their budget.

Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) is a noninvasive treatment modality which can increase arterial blood flow in peripheral and coronary arterial disease. Several studies have demonstrated an increase in the flow of the internal iliacal artery and in carotid and renal perfusion during EECP treatment. We investigated the effect of EECP in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Thirteen patients were treated with EECP for 20 days, 1 h per day. Patients reported a significant improvement of penile rigidity after completion of the EECP treatment and a significant improvement of penile peak systolic flow was measured by Doppler sonography. No adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, EECP seems to be an effective treatment modality in patients with ED. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

We present an algorithm for imputation of incomplete datasets based on Bayesian exchangeability through Pólya sampling. Each (donee) unit with a missing value is imputed multiple times by observed (real) values on units from a donor pool. The donor pools are constructed using auxiliary variables. Several features from kernel estimation are used to counteract unbalances that are due to sparse and bounded data. Three balancing features can be used with only one single continuous auxiliary variable, but an additional fourth feature need, multiple continuous auxiliary variables. They mainly contribute by reducing nonresponse bias. We examine how the donor pool size should be determined, that is the number of potential donors within the pool. External information is shown to be easily incorporated in the imputation algorithm. Our simulation studies show that with a study variable which can be seen as a function of one or two continuous auxiliaries plus residual noise, the method performs as well or almost as well as competing methods when the function is linear, but usually much better when the function is nonlinear. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 1: In press. Paper 3: Submitted. Paper 4: Submitted.</p>

Magistro baigiamajame darbe analizuojamas profesinio mokymo kokybės išorinio vertinimo veiksmingumo reiškinys Lietuvos švietimo sistemoje. Tai itin aktualus procesas, orientuotas į kokybiškų paslaugų teikimą ir sėkmės užtikrinimą profesinio mokymo rinkoje. Profesinio mokymo institucijų kokybės vertinimas analizuojamas dviem aspektais: visų pirma, jo sudėtingumas grindžiamas formaliojo švietimo programomis (tai įstaigos, kuriose suteikiamas vidurinis išsilavinimas), kita vertus, lygiagrečiai vykdomas profesinis mokymas (vadovaujamasi Profesinio mokymo įstatymu). Tokiu būdu ryškėja formaliojo švietimo ir profesinio mokymo grandžių dermės klausimas. Išorinis kokybės vertinimas vykdomas pagal vertinimo kriterijus, susietus su Formaliojo švietimo kokybės užtikrinimo koncepcija. Tačiau kyla problema, Lietuvos švietimo sistemos sudedamai daliai – profesiniam mokymui – dėl menko prestižo visuomenėje, švietimo politikų ir visuomenės dėmesio stokos iki šiol nėra Vyriausybės patvirtintų išorinio vertinimo kriterijų, kurie optimizuotų profesinio mokymo kokybės užtikrinimo procesą. Baigiamuoju darbu siekiama – išanalizuoti profesinės mokyklos kokybės išorinio vertinimo sistemą ir įvertinti jos veiksmingumą. Siekiant darbui iškelto tikslo, buvo įgyvendinami šie uždaviniai: 1) išanalizuoti Lietuvos švietimo kokybės ir jos užtikrinimo sampratas; 2) atlikti profesinės mokyklos išorinio kokybės vertinimo sistemos analizę; 3) išnagrinėti bendrojo ugdymo išorinio vertinimo sistemą; 4)... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Master‘s thesis analyses the phenomenon of the effectiveness of vocational training external quality assessment in the Lithuanian educational system. This is a particularly relevant process, which is focused on provision of high-quality services as well as assurance of success in the vocational training market. The quality assessment of the vocational training institutions is analysed in two aspects: first of all, its complexity is substantiated by the formal education programs (these are the institutions which provide secondary education), on the other hand, vocational trading is carried out simultaneously (regulated by the Law on Vocational Training of the Republic of Lithuania). Thus, a question of the harmony between the links of formal education and vocational training emerges. External quality assessment is carried out in accordance with the assessment criteria, which are associated with the concept of assurance of the quality of formal education. However, an issue arises: due to low social prestige, lack of regard from politicians in the education department as well as limited attention of the society, there has not yet been external assessment criteria approved by the government in regards to the vocational training – a part of the Lithuanian educational system – which would optimise the vocational training quality assurance process. The aim of the thesis is to provide an analysis of the vocational school external quality assessment system as well as to evaluate its... [to full text]