This dissertation presents the social virtual interface (SVI) model, which was born out of a need to develop a viable model of the complex interactions, information flow and information seeking behaviors among undercover officers. The SVI model was created from a combination of various philosophies and models in the literature of information seeking, communication and philosophy. The questions this research paper answers are as follows: 1. Can we make use of models and concepts familiar to or drawn from Information Science to construct a model of undercover police work that effectively represents the large number of entities and relationships? and 2. Will undercover police officers recognize this model as realistic? This study used a descriptive qualitative research method to examine the research questions. An online survey and hard copy survey were distributed to police officers who had worked in an undercover capacity. In addition groups of officers were interviewed about their opinion of the SVI model. The data gathered was analyzed and the model was validated by the results of the survey and interviews.

The diploma thesis focuses on optimizing the flow of returnable packaging within the group. Based on the analysis of storage, information flow and management of returnable packaging in a chosen company and evaluation of present theoretical approaches to the packaging management suggest a modification in the packaging management to optimize logistics costs.

This diploma thesis is named The Optimization of the During Contract Chosen Through Company. It deals with an order management in ABC company which is focused on construction and service of telecommunication networks. The thesis is consist of theoretical background and analysis of current situation of the company. The first part is focused on theoretical background which are crucial for understanding to bussines process management. The analysis of current situation describes how the ordes is managed nowday. The thesis also contains suggestions how to solve determinated problems. This may lead to obtaining of new orders, increasing of satisfaction of customers, and increasing of competititvness of the company.

This master’s thesis focuses on the problematics of the material flow management in the company. Thesis is divided into the theoretical, analytical, practical and proposal part. The theoretical part defines basic concepts of selected problematics. The analytical part of the work describes the company where the thesis is processed. The practical part deals with selected indicators of the company and describes the current state of the problem. The proposal part defines possible solutions and selects the best option for the material flow management.

Although modern computer systems process increasing amounts of sensitive, private, and valuable information, most of today’s operating systems (OSs) fail to protect confidential data against unauthorized disclosure over covert channels. Securing the large code bases of these OSs and checking the secured code for the absence of covert channels would come at enormous costs. Microkernels significantly reduce the necessarily trusted code. However, cost-efficient, provable confidential-data protection in microkernel-based systems is still challenging. This thesis makes two central contributions to the provable protection of confidential data against disclosure over covert channels: • A budget-enforcing, fixed-priority scheduler that provably eliminates covert timing channels in open microkernel-based systems; and • A sound control-flow-sensitive security type system for low-level operating-system code. To prevent scheduling-related timing channels, the proposed scheduler treats possibly leaking, blocked threads as if they were runnable. When it selects such a thread, it runs a higher classified budget consumer. A characterization of budget-consumer time as a blocking term makes it possible to reuse a large class of existing admission tests to determine whether the proposed scheduler can meet the real-time guarantees of all threads we envisage to run. Compared to contemporary information-flow-secure schedulers, significantly more real-time threads can be admitted for the proposed scheduler. The role of the proposed security type system is to prove those system components free of security policy violating information flows that simultaneously operate on behalf of differently classified clients. In an open microkernel-based system, these are the microkernel and the necessarily trusted multilevel servers. To reduce the complexity of the security type system, C++ operating-system code is translated into a corresponding Toy program, which in turn is complemented with calls to Toy procedures describing the side effects of interactions with the underlying hardware. Toy is a non-deterministic intermediate programming language, which I have designed specifically for this purpose. A universal lattice for shared-memory programs enables the type system to check the resulting Toy code for potentially harmful information flows, even if the security policy of the system is not known at the time of the analysis. I demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed analysis in three case studies: a virtual-memory access, L4 inter-process communication and a secure buffer cache. In addition, I prove Osvik’s countermeasure effective against AES cache side-channel attacks. To my best knowledge, this is the first security-type-system-based proof of such a countermeasure. The ability of a security type system to tolerate temporary breaches of confidentiality in lock-protected shared-memory regions turned out to be fundamental for this proof.

<div>Advances in information and communication technologies enable new paradigms for connectivity involving vehicles, infrastructure, and the broader road transportation system environment. Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications under the aegis of the connected vehicle are being leveraged for novel applications related to traffic safety, management, and control, which lead to a V2V-based traffic system. Within the framework of a V2V-based traffic system, this study proposes an integrated modeling framework to model the dynamics of a V2V-based traffic system that entails spatiotemporal interdependencies among the traffic flow dynamics, V2V communication constraints, the dynamics of information flow propagation, and V2V-based application. The proposed framework systematically exploits their spatiotemporal interdependencies by theoretical and computational approaches.</div><div>First, a graph-based multi-layer framework is proposed to model the V2V-based advanced traveler information system (ATIS) as a complex system which is comprised of coupled network layers. This framework addresses the dynamics of each physical vehicular traffic flow, inter-vehicle communication, and information flow propagation components within a layer, while capturing their interactions among layers. This enables the capabilities to transparently understand the spatiotemporal evolution of information flow propagation through a graph structure. A novel contribution is the systematic modeling of an evolving information flow network that is characterized as the manifestation of spatiotemporal events in the other two networks to enhance the understanding of the information flow evolution by capturing the dynamics of the interactions involving the traffic flow and the inter-vehicle communication layers. The graph-based approach enables the computationally efficient tracking of information propagation using a simple graph-based search algorithm and the computationally efficient storage of information through a single graph database.</div><div>Second, this dissertation proposes analytical approaches that enable theoretical investigation into the qualitative properties of information flow propagation speed. The proposed analytical models, motivated from spatiotemporal epidemiology, introduce the concept of an information flow propagation wave (IFPW) to facilitate the analysis of the information propagation characteristics and impacts of traffic dynamics at a macroscopic level. The first model consists of a system of difference equations in the discrete-space and discrete-time domains where an information dissemination is described in the upper layer and a vehicular traffic flow is modeled in the lower layer. This study further proposes a continuous-space and continuous-time analytical model that can provide a closed-form solution for the IFPW speed to establish an analytical relationship between the IFPW speed and the underlying traffic flow dynamics. It can corporate the effects of congested traffic, such as the backward traffic propagation wave, on information flow propagation. Thereby, it illustrates the linkage between information flow propagation and the underlying traffic dynamics. Further, it captures V2V communication constraints in a realistic manner using a probabilistic communication kernel (which captures the probability).<br></div><div>Third, within the integrated modeling framework, this dissertation captures the impact of information flow propagation on traffic safety and control applications. The proposed multi-anticipative forward collision warning system predicts the driver’s maneuver intention using a coupled hidden Markov model, which is one of statistical machine learning techniques. It significantly reduces the false alarm rates by addressing the uncertainty associate improves the performance of the future motion prediction, while currently available sensor-based kinematic models for addressing the uncertainty associated with the future motion prediction. A network-level simulation framework is developed to investigate a V2V-based ATIS in a large-scale network by capturing its inter-dependencies and feedback loop. This modeling framework provides the understanding of the relationship between the travelers’ routing decisions and information flow propagation.</div><div>This thesis provides a holistic understanding of information flow propagation characteristics in space and time by characterizing interactions among information flow propagation, and underlying traffic flow, and V2V communications characteristics. The proposed models and the closed-form solution of IFPW speed can help in designing effective V2V-based traffic systems, without relying on computationally expensive numerical methods. An innovative aspect of this approach represents a building block to develop both descriptive capabilities and prescriptive strategies related to propagating the flow of useful information efficiently and synergistically generating routing mechanisms that enhance the traffic network performance. Given the lack of appropriate methodologies to characterize the information flow propagation, this thesis expects to make a novel and significant contribution to understanding the characteristics of V2V-based traffic systems and their analysis.</div>

Denna studie behandlar implementering av lean på en informationsprocess för fel- och avvikelserapportering i produktutvecklingen hos Saab AB, under affärsområdet Security and Defence Solutions (SDS) och sektionen Command &amp; Control Systems (C2S). Målet med studien är att genom kartläggning av informationsflödet analysera hur leanfilosofi och leanmetoder kan implementeras för att utvärdera och förbättra informationsprocesser samt vilket problematik som finns förknippat med detta och kan avhjälpas av detta. Studiens mål är även att analysera hur mätetal kan användas för att mäta effektivitet och att se vilka potentiella risker som finns förknippat med detta samt så är målet att analysera hur ett företags organisationskultur påverkar flödet i informationsprocessen samt en implementering av lean. Uppgiften löstes genom att skapa en gedigen kunskap inom området genom teoretiska källor och simultant så utfördes en omfattande fallstudie med 21 kvalitativa intervjuer som huvudsaklig bas där flera perspektiv framkom som bidrog till en övergripande kartläggning över informationsflödet. Det empiriska materialet analyserades gentemot det teoretiska ramverket, där Likers 14 identifierade principer för implementering fungerat som utgångspunkt, vilket ledde fram till att ett flertal slutsatser kunde dras. Slutsatserna sammanfattas och illustreras i en figur som påvisar den generella problematik som behöver begrundas vid ett införande liknande det analyserade. I figuren belyser vi slutsatsen att företagskulturen genomsyrar varje steg av implementeringen av lean och att det första steget måste vara att se till så att kulturen är mottaglig för implementeringen och den förändring det innebär. Detta illustreras genom en organisationskulturgrund som stödjer hela den fortsatta implementeringen. I figuren belyses sedan problematikerna: stress och tidsbrist, informell felrapportering, IT-problematik, mätetal – visualisering samt bristfällig kommunikation. Slutsatsen som dras är att dessa problematiker, samt förändringsovilja inom företagskulturen, måste begrundas vid ett införande av lean och som också kan avhjälpas vid en implementering. / This study deals with lean implementation on an information process for the error and deviation handling in the product development at Saab AB, the business area Security and Defence Solutions (SDS) and the section Command &amp; Control Systems (C2S). The purpose of this study is to analyze how the lean philosophy and lean methods can be implemented to evaluate and improve information processes. The purpose is also to identify the problems that are associated with this and can be helped by this. The aim of the study is also to investigate how metrics can be used to measure effectiveness and to identify the potential risks that are associated with this and finally the aim is to analyze how a company's organizational culture affects the flow of an information process and an implementation of lean. The task was solved by first creating a solid knowledge in the field through theoretical sources, and an extensive case study of 21 qualitative interviews was conducted. Several perspectives emerged that contributed to an extensive mapping over the information flow. The empirical data were analyzed against the theoretical framework, where Liker´s 14 identified principles for implementation served as a starting point, which led to several conclusions. The conclusions are summarized and illustrated in a figure that shows the general problems that need to be looked in to when implementing lean on a similar process to that in the case study. The figure illustrates our conclusion that the corporate culture affects every step of the implementation of lean and that the first step must be to ensure that culture is receptive to the implementation and the change it implies. In the figure we illustrate this with an organizational culture that supports the entire basis of the implementation. The figure highlights the problems identified through the empirics and the analysis: stress and time constraints, informal bug tracking, IT issues, metrics - visualization and poor communication. The conclusion that is drawn is that these problematic, and the reluctance to change in corporate culture, needs to be considered when implementing lean and also that these problematic can be remedied with and implementation.

Whilst the amount of information readily available to workers in information- and knowledge intensive business- and industrial contexts only seem to increase with every day, those workers still have difficulties in finding relevant and needed information as well as storing, distributing, and aggregating such information. Yet, whilst there exist numerous technical, organisational, and practical approaches to remedy the situation, the problems seem to prevail. This publication describes the first part of the author’s work on defining a methodology for improving the flow of work related information, with respect to the information demand of individuals and organisations. After a prefatory description of the perceived problems concerning information flow in modern organisations, a number of initial conjectures regarding information demand and use in small-scale business contexts are defined based on a literature study. With this as the starting point the author sets out to, through an empirical investigation performed in three different Swedish organisations during 2005, identify how individuals within organisations in general, and these three in particular, use information with respect to such organisational aspects as roles, tasks, and resources as well as spatio-temporal aspects. The results from the investigation are then used to validate the conjectures and to draw a number of conclusions on which both a definition of information demand, as well as the initial steps towards defining a methodology for information demand analysis, are based. Lastly, a short discussion of the applicability of the results in continued work is presented together with a description of such planned work.

Det är vanligt förekommande att företag outsourcar logistiska aktiviteter genom samarbete med TPL-företag. Studien är baserad på företaget OBH Nordica som outsourcar lager- och transportlösningar till företaget Aditro Logistics. För att den interorganisatoriska relationen mellan leverantör och TPL-företag ska fungera på ett effektivt sätt är det viktigt att ha välfungerande koordineringsmekanismer mellan företagen. Den här studien fokuserar på claimshanteringen och hur den fungerar inom och mellan företagen. Studiens syfte är att undersöka hur olika koordineringsmekanismer kan användas för att ta fram ett beslutsstödsunderlag för claimshanteringen mellan en leverantör och ett TPL-företag. Fokus ligger på att ta fram förbättringsförslag och skapa tydliga riktlinjer över hur arbetet bör gå tillväga innan ett beslut kring claimshanteringen tas. Resulterat bygger på den studerande relationen runt claimshantering mellan företagen och visar vikten av att ha en välfungerande koordinering. Studien har identifierat följande koordineringsmekanismer; kommunikations- och informationsflöde, relationer, kontrakt och betalningsmekanismer samt standardisering. Det har identifierats brister gällande relationen och kommunikationen mellan företagen på operativ nivå. Överflödig information i formuläret där claims registreras anses även det som ett problem eftersom det leder till misskommunikation och onödig mailkontakt med negativ ton. Ytterligare problem handlar om att OBH Nordica godkänner betydligt fler claims än Aditro Logistics och att Aditro inte använder sig av standardiserade svar. / <p>Examensarbetet är utfört vid Institutionen för teknik och naturvetenskap (ITN) vid Tekniska fakulteten, Linköpings universitet</p>

Technology has been developing over the last decades and the phenomenon of digitalization is becoming a reality for all industries. For supply chain managers, it is becoming a necessity to use the new technology to create interoperable systems that can increase responsiveness, transparency and cost efficiency of their supply chains, in order to meet the more demanding customer expectations and business environments. Changing business environments force companies to enter new markets where margins might be lower, which requires more cost efficient supply chains. Company X, the commissioning company for this research is an example of a company struggling with this. They are starting to develop Information and Communication Technology (ICT) products, which have lower margins than previous products. Company X, who is about to start the journey of digitalizing their supply chains, would therefore benefit from knowing what value adds that digitalization can bring. There is currently a gap within the field of supply chain management regarding evaluation of digitalization projects. Therefore, this study investigates the main drivers, factors that enable changes and affect value adds, of digitalization of supply chains, the changes these drivers result in and the value adds of these. The study also contributes with a framework for future evaluation of digitalization projects.The study was conducted with case studies at three companies, which are all comparable to Company X in both size and business. The investigated companies are all global producers of ICT-products who have conducted a digitalization of their supply chains.The main finding of this study is that the overall driver for digitalization according to the case companies is Standardization and Simplification, and all case companies state that this is the main goal for digitalizing the supply chain. Furthermore, automatization from tender to invoice is one of the major changes that standardization and simplification of the Supply Chain Information Technology (SCIT) enables. This improves the information flow between all silos within the supply chain and also helps increase order reliability, responsiveness and scalability as well as improve integration and collaboration with partners and suppliers, and it increases the overall process and cost efficiency. This all helps to increase the customer experience and satisfaction, which is stated as the major value add from digitalization of the supply chain according to the case companies.