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Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Aleksan Shanoyan / In recent years across the United States, product sales have seen a downward trend when compared to the robust sales figures posted around the 2010 time period across the major players in the product manufacturing space. Due to depressed commodity prices, large product sales have caused a lot of the dealers to shift in its prioritization of sales from a predominant large product business model, to a more diverse large product and small product strategy portfolio to stay profitable amidst economic headwinds. This study will look into ways that the Company A dealer channel could pivot their internal processes around targeting customers who are engaged in the purchase funnel of purchasing small products and how Company A could change the way the company equips their trusted dealer channel to combat competition in this segment. This study will examine new strategies that may be executed through the Company A dealer network and their subsequent retail showrooms to increase sales by focusing on key product differentiating characteristics, unique technical selling points, dealer facility positioning in high potential Metropolitan Statistical Areas, and new retail digital marketing technologies that should be leveraged throughout the sales process to improve market share. Company B is considered to be the primary rival competitor in this small product market, as this firm is one of the fiercest competitors to Company A’s quest for total product sales superiority. This study conducted a mixed method survey to ascertain what areas of marketing and promotional assistance should be prioritized by Company A, to outfit the company’s existing dealer channel with the right tools to combat Company B and other competitors in the U.S. small product market. Additionally new retail showroom technologies and strategies were based upon existing market research studies, focused on which customer’s and product characteristics were the most impactful for positively impacting small product sales in the United States.

A/B testing combined with funnel analysis is a highly interesting technique to support data driven decision making. This thesis outlines a scalable architecture that gathers custom defined events and applies funnel analysis to gain valuable insights about user behaviour. The insights of the users are discussed from an A/B testing point of view, however, these insights are just as valuable for scenarios outside A/B testing as well. Custom defined events together with A/B testing is an interesting combination, since it provides opportunities to test different versions of an application against each other, based on relevant metrics. Where the vision is to determine which of the tested application versions that is best. The power to make smart data driven decisions lies in the hand of good data analysis of the end-users. Having pre-defined metrics such as counts, of some sort, is one way to do it. However, it reduces the flexibility to let e.g. application managers to "dig deeper" into what is actually happening. Funnel analysis is a technique to analyze sequences, and can be used to analyze user behaviour in a sequential matter. There are different techniques to provide such tools, e.g. with Google Analytics, users can pre-define funnel steps that they want Google Analytics to register when events are logged. This thesis will instead strive to not require anything being pre-defined and also make it possible, at high scale, provide dynamic low latency queries. A proof of concept architecture has been presented in this thesis, to support two problematic ends of a spectrum, that is; at scale, both to store custom events, and at the same time be able to interactively run dynamic low latency funnel analysis on the events.

This study focuses on novel approaches to the modeling and construction of devices used in ion beam and vacuum systems. Turbulent computational fluid dynamics simulations were performed to model the air flow into an ion funnel system. The results of these simulations were coupled one-way with electrodynamics simulations of the fields generated by the ion funnel. Using the turbulence kinetic energy (k), a spatially varying estimation of the fluctuating component of the velocity field was calculated. These resulting simulations more accurately predicted the ion transmission through the system. Using fused deposition modeling (FDM) novel construction methods for the ion funnel and the vacuum chamber components the ion funnel system utilizes were developed. An FDM fabricated frame, in the shape of the ion funnel, was quickly and inexpensively produced. This frame supported a flexible printed circuit board that served as both the lenses of the ion funnel and power distribution circuit. The transmission of ions was as good as the traditionally constructed ion funnel. The device cost and weighed less and had lower intrinsic impedance, requiring less power to be driven. FDM was also used to produce vacuum components by post-processing using electroplating. Initial tests to determine whether electroplating would adequately produce a hermetic seal for vacuum components were performed. It was observed that thinner plated components could not withstand the stresses required from the gaskets and flanges to adequately seal, subsequently cracking. Thicker samples adequately sealed against atmosphere and maintained this seal over the entire test period. A proof of concept KF-25 full nipple was produced and processed using electroplating. The device was able to reach and ultimate pressure of 1 x 10-6 Torr, however, it was not able to reach the ultimate pressure of the chamber, which was 5 x 10-7 Torr due to the inability to be adequately cleaned of contaminant water.

The goal of this study was to build a more holistic and comprehensive look of the effects of search and decision tools (collectively known as decision aids) on the traditional consumer decision process. Specifically, how it affects the information search and alternative evaluation stages. It combined multiple models and concepts from different areas of consumer decision behavior, decision support systems, technology acceptance and task-technology fit theory. It explores how consumers use five different decision aids that are commonly found in today’s marketplace: consumer reviews, social media and electronic-word-of-mouth, comparison matrices, filter agents, and virtual assistants. The effects of these different decision aids were compared in both the information search stage and alternative evaluation stage. In information search, a 5x2 within-subject factorial study was used to determine the effects of decision aids over time (present vs. ten years ago). Two-way repeated ANOVA found that the effects of decision aids in terms of perceived usage across all decision aids have increased from that of ten years ago. Also, consistent with task-technology fit theory usage between each decision aid differed based on how well the decision aid’s capabilities matched the stage’s need. In the alternative evaluation stage, three treatments were manipulated: decision aids, task complexity (high vs. low) and step within the alternative evaluation stage of the consumer decision process (screening vs. evaluation step) in a 5x2x2 within-subject factorial design. The treatments were compared by measuring its effects on four dependent variables proposed in technology acceptance literature: perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, trusting beliefs and intention to use. Three-way repeated ANOVA showed that consumers rely on a two-step process when faced with high task complexity, screening out alternatives based on a simple non-compensatory rule before more detailed evaluation of the remaining alternatives are evaluated. The results were also consistent with task-fit theory with decision aids differing based on how well their capabilities matched each stage. The study however couldn’t provide definitive proof of differences in the two steps within the alternative evaluation as the significance of the results varied.

Věra Sušická - Diplomová práce 2012 Anglický překlad The final work is concerned with the remanis of dwelling in the context of Funnel Beaker culture. It is divided into five basic regions. In general these regions are consisting of south Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Bohemia, Lower Austria and west Ukraine. 76 localities were obtained from all these regions. There was proof of more then 160 dwellings (Underground/dig houses, post hole houses). Particular types of dwellings and their functional characteristics were described typologically and chronologically. The finds were scrutinized, especially the czech ones. This work also further discusses the issues of the survival process of mentioned dwellings and the ways of evaluation and research. Klíčová slova: Funnel Beaker Culture -Central European kontext - dwelling structure - post hole houses - dig houses Obsah: Text - 117 str. (47 poznámek pod čarou), literatura a prameny - 18 str., obrazové přílohy - 19 obr., tabulky - 44 str., mapy - 5 listů (celkem: 193 listů ve formátu A3, 4 listy ve formátu A4).

El texto completo de este trabajo no está disponible en el Repositorio Académico UPC por restricciones de la casa editorial donde ha sido publicado. / It has been found that the main causes of insufficient sales of different small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is the low conversion rate of quotes into sales, which entails poor business performance and low economic impact. Therefore, a marketing methodology called inbound marketing is planned, which is modified and adapted to the case study. In contrast, tools such as ABC classification, workflow, and inbound marketing have been used as a structure of the proposed methodology to solve the problem. The implementation of this methodology resulted in an increased efficiency of quote development and an enhanced performance ratio thereof. In conclusion, it is possible to measure the financial impact of the methodology implementation which has been beneficial for the company under study. Business performance in the last month of implementation improved by 10%.

The centrifugal casting process is a common method for manufacturing the tubes, etc. Due to its high temperature and invisible mold, it is really difficult to know the mechanism of molten steel inside the mold. It is important to know the mechanism of the molten steel inside mold, since it will help the manufacturer to know more accuracy of the flow of the molten steel so that it can work for improving the productivity and quality of the products. Casting funnel design is the designed by Åkers for their funnel which will result in different flow behavior. In thesis work, casting funnel design will be investigated so that it can make sure that the casting funnel design can affect the flow behavior of molten steel or not. Another method of changing the diameter of nozzle was also carried out and investigated with both simulation and experiment to changing flow behavior of molten steel. It will give Åkers alternative method for changing the flow behavior to liquid steel. The mechanism of solidification in centrifugal casting is also really important since it can give manufacturer the general view of solidification process. So solidification of centrifugal casting is also investigated in the thesis work.

Current innovation literature stress the fact that companies seeking to boost their innovation capabilities should open their boundaries and collaborate with partners for bolder and faster value creation. While correct, and in fact frequently practice among several industries, many companies have failed in their attempt to innovate on ecosystem’s settings due mainly to lack of the appropriate management methodologies. Although co-development alliances have become a common practice in the market place, tools and strategies to manage them are quite behind on real execution. Furthermore, companies currently involved in such scenarios have overlook the new conditions of co-creation, failing to yield return over the cost of capital, and losing credibility on their ecosystems. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify practical managerial strategies, process and tools for orchestrating innovation ecosystems in general, and tailored them into real company current practices, in particular. In this thesis, a theoretical revision has been carried out in order to understand what innovation ecosystems are, why companies involved in innovation should care about them and what are the essential elements for orchestrating projects breed in that setting, being successful at it. Furthermore, a case study was developed with the purpose of connecting empirical findings to theoretical suggestions, and draw conclusions and recommendations. The company chosen for the analysis is one of the larger international players in their industry; having strong motivations to grow their innovation field, clear objectives to do it on partnership basis, and unquestionable position to claim the role of orchestrator. Moreover, management at this company believed that their innovation partnerships are not fulfilling expectations, and wanted to know how they can improve the way those projects are being managed, while keeping the center of the innovation ecosystem. The results show the process to create an orchestration strategy model, and a final proposal for the company under analysis. The case was developed taking into consideration information provided by key processes stakeholders over a series of interviews, and critical observation of the system during a six-month period. Scientific implications contribute in providing a framework for orchestrating innovation ecosystems on a technology-driven industry, while managerial implications contribute in providing the company with a robust model on how to position as a global hub for cross-innovation.

I conducted surveys of amphibian, reptile, and small mammal communities surrounding 4 isolated, upland and 6 stream-connected temporary wetlands on Tombigbee National Forest and Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in north Mississippi from May 2001 - March 2006. Trap captures yielded 17 amphibian species (n = 11,142), 21 reptile species (n = 541), and 10 small mammal species (n = 472). Upland pools supported greater diversity of Ambystomatid salamanders, anurans, lizards, and mice (Peromyscus spp.), than floodplain pools. Factors including landscape position of pools, proximity to alternate water sources, and barriers to dispersal potentially influenced faunal communities of temporary wetlands. Infrared-triggered cameras were used to monitor mammalian activity surrounding ephemeral wetlands to determine potential depredation of pitfall traps. Raccoons (Procyon lotor) accounted for most images (35% total images). I assessed relative effectiveness of sampling techniques to capture and retain herpetiles in presence of depredation. I tested pitfall trap, funnel trap, and pitfall trap combined with exclusion cover along driftence arrays. Overall, pitfall traps of both designs produced more captures than funnels, and excluded-pitfalls yielded greater captures than un-excluded pitfalls for most amphibians. Overall mortality rates were <2% of total captures with anurans accounting for most (63.30%) mortality. I submit that in long-term studies, pitfall traps with exclusion are prudent to limit sampling bias and mortality occurring with depredation of captured herpetofauna. During trapping, pit-traps of both designs yielded incidental captures of small mammals. Capture rates for small mammals were similar in un-excluded pitfall traps and excluded pitfall traps. Southern short-tailed shrews (Blarina carolinensis) and mice accounted for 93% of total captures and suffered 76% and 52% mortality, respectively, potentially due to exposure, starvation, flooding, and/or depredation. Additionally, one species listed as rare in Mississippi was captured during herpetofaunal surveys, oldfield mouse (Peromyscus polionotus). Due to potential impact of pitfall trapping on small mammals, I recommend that researchers either alter trapping methods to address non-target hazards (frequency of checking traps, providing shelter) or work cooperatively using an integrated survey approach for herpetiles and small mammals to limit trap mortality.