Flexible approaches for eliciting preferences of decision makers involved in a conflict are developed along with applications to real-world disputes. More specifically, two multiple criteria decision making approaches are proposed for capturing the relative preferences of a decision maker participating in a conflict situation. A case study in logistics concerned with the conflict arising over the expansion of port facilities on the west coast of North America as well as a transportation negotiation dispute are used to illustrate how these approaches can be integrated with the Graph Model for Conflict Resolution, a practical conflict analysis methodology. Ascertaining the preferences of the decision makers taking part in a conflict constitutes a key element in the construction of a formal conflict model. In practice, the relative preferences, which reflect each decision maker’s objectives or goals in a given situation, are rather difficult to obtain. The first method for preference elicitation is to integrate an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) preference ranking method with the Graph Model for Conflict Resolution. The AHP approach is used to elicit relative preferences of decision makers, and this preference information is then fed into a graph model for further stability analyses. The case study of the Canadian west coast port congestion conflict is investigated using this integrated model. Another approach is based on a fuzzy multiple criteria out-ranking technique called ELECTRE III. It is also employed for ranking states or possible scenarios in a conflict from most to least preferred, with ties allowed, by the decision maker according to his or her own value system. The model is applied to a transportation negotiation dispute between the two key parties consisting of shippers and carriers.

Today, discrete event simulation is the only reliable tool for detailed analysis of complex behaviors of modern manufacturing systems. However, building high fidelity simulation models is expensive. Hence, it is important to improve the simulation modeling productivity. In this research, we explore two approaches for the improvement of simulation modeling productivity. One approach is the Virtual Factory Approach, using a general-purpose model for a system to achieve various simulation objectives with a single high fidelity model through abstraction. The other approach is the Reference Model Approach, which is to build fundamental building blocks for simulation models of any system in a domain with formal descriptions and domain knowledge. In the Virtual Factory Approach, the challenge is to show the validity of the methodology. We develop a formal framework for the relationships between higher fidelity and lower fidelity models, and provide justification that the models abstracted from a higher fidelity model are interchangeable with various abstract simulation models for a target system. For the Reference Model Approach, we attempt to overcome the weak points inherited from ad-hoc modeling and develop a formal reference model and a model generation procedure for discrete part manufacturing systems, which covers most modern manufacturing systems.

Šio darbo tikslas – ištirti vartotojų lūkesčius formuojančias rinkodaros priemones bei veiksnius ir pateikti vartotojų lūkesčių formavimo modelį taip pat rekomendacijas pastarojo įgyvendinimui. Pirmiausia tam, kad būtų pasiektas keliamas tikslas atlikta mokslinės literatūros analizė ir išaiškinta lūkesčių sąvoka. Be to, aptariamos identifikuotos lūkesčių funkcijos ir galiausiai suformuluojama šio darbo problema: kaip formuoti vartotojų lūkesčius. Atliktas vartotojų nuomonės tyrimas parodė, kad labiausiai vartotojų lūkesčius formuoja transliuojamojo pobūdžio reklaminiai pranešimai ir komunikacija „iš lūpų į lūpas“. Taip pat ištirti veiksniai bei produktų/paslaugų savybės, kurių naudojimas įvairaus pobūdžio komunikacinėse žinutėse nebūtinai formuoja vien teigiamus ir reklaminius pranešimus atitinkančius lūkesčius. Galiausiai integruojant mokslinės literatūros analizę bei atlikto vartotojų nuomonės tyrimo rezultatus pateikiamas vartotojų lūkesčių formavimo modelis bei rekomendacijos pastarojo įgyvendinimui. / The aim of this paper is to analyze the means and factors of communication that form the expectations of consumers and to present the formative model for the expectations of consumers as well as the recommendations for the realization of the latter. First, in order to achieve the purpose, the analysis of nonfiction literature was implemented and the perception of expectations was found out. In addition, the identified functions of expectations are discussed and finally the problem of this paper is formulated: how to form the expectations of consumers. The implemented study on the opinion of consumers revealed that the expectations of consumers are mostly formed by broadcasted commercial reports and by the communication „word – of – mouth“. The factors and the characteristics of products/services used in different types of communicational messages and not necessarily forming the expectations corresponding to positive and commercial reports were examined. Finally, the formative model for the expectations of customers and the recommendations for the realization of the latter are presented through the integration of the analysis of science literature and the results of the implemented study on the opinion of consumers.

The dissertation considers the problems, associated with passenger transportation by international trains (PTIT). The research object is the process of passenger transportation by international trains (PPTIT). By using the experimental methods, the significances (weights) and the order of preferences of the qualitative criteria, describing this process, are determined. The complex model, deve-loped by the author for multicriteria PTIT evaluation, allows for determining a single-valued quantitative criterion for evaluating a particular train travelling on a particular route. The main aim of the dissertation is to offer a methodology for evaluating the quality of passenger transportation by international trains (QPTIT). The dissertation consists of the Introduction, four chapters, the description of the obtained results, the list of references as well as the author’s publications on the topic of the thesis and 12 annexes. The Introduction briefly describes the research problem and object, the topicality of the work, its aim and objectives, and the applied research methods, as well as the novelty and practical value of the results obtained and the defended statements. Finally, the Introduction presents the list of the author’s publications and reports delivered at the conferences on the topic of the dissertation. Chapter 1 presents the analysis of the Lithuanian and EU standards and regulations, defining the quality of passenger transportation by rail. It also describes the... [to full text] / Disertacijoje nagrinėjamos tarptautinio keleivių vežimo geležinkeliais (TKVG) problemos. Pagrindinis darbo objektas – tarptautinio keleivių vežimo geležinkeliais procesas (TKVGP). Eksperimentiniais metodais nustatyti kelionės traukiniu kokybės kriterijų reikšmingumas ir šių kriterijų grupių svarba (pirmumas). Autorės suformuluotas TKVG kompleksinis daugiakriterinis vertinimo modelis leido nustatyti vieno traukinio, vykstančio tam tikru maršrutu, vienareikšmį kiekybinį rodiklį. Pagrindinis disertacijos tikslas – pateikti tarptautinio keleivių vežimo geležinkeliais (kelionės traukiniu) kokybės (TKVGK) vertinimo metodologiją. Disertaciją sudaro įvadas, keturi skyriai, rezultatų apibendrinimas, naudotos literatūros ir autorės publikacijų disertacijos tema sąrašai bei 12 priedų. Įvade trumpai aptarta tiriamoji problema, darbo aktualumas, pristatytas tyrimų objektas, suformuluotas darbo tikslas bei uždaviniai, aprašyta tyrimų metodika, mokslinis darbo naujumas, praktinė rezultatų reikšmė bei pateikti ginamieji teiginiai. Įvado pabaigoje pristatomos autorės paskelbtos publikacijos ir pranešimai konferencijose disertacijos tema. Pirmajame skyriuje atlikta geležinkelio infrastruktūros, riedmenų ir TKVGP mokslinių darbų analizė. Taip pat atlikta Lietuvos Respublikos (Europos Sąjungos) norminių dokumentų, reglamentuojančių keleivių vežimo geležinkeliais kokybę, analizė. Antrasis skyrius skirtas AB ,,Lietuvos geležinkeliai“ (LG) veiklos ir keleivių vežimo rodiklių apžvalgai, kelionės... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Disertacijoje nagrinėjamos tarptautinio keleivių vežimo geležinkeliais (TKVG) problemos. Pagrindinis darbo objektas – tarptautinio keleivių vežimo geležinkeliais procesas (TKVGP). Eksperimentiniais metodais nustatyti kelionės traukiniu kokybės kriterijų reikšmingumas ir šių kriterijų grupių svarba (pirmumas). Autorės suformuluotas TKVG kompleksinis daugiakriterinis vertinimo modelis leido nustatyti vieno traukinio, vykstančio tam tikru maršrutu, vienareikšmį kiekybinį rodiklį. Pagrindinis disertacijos tikslas – pateikti tarptautinio keleivių vežimo geležinkeliais (kelionės traukiniu) kokybės (TKVGK) vertinimo metodologiją. Disertaciją sudaro įvadas, keturi skyriai, rezultatų apibendrinimas, naudotos literatūros ir autorės publikacijų disertacijos tema sąrašai bei 12 priedų. Įvade trumpai aptarta tiriamoji problema, darbo aktualumas, pristatytas tyrimų objektas, suformuluotas darbo tikslas bei uždaviniai, aprašyta tyrimų metodika, mokslinis darbo naujumas, praktinė rezultatų reikšmė bei pateikti ginamieji teiginiai. Įvado pabaigoje pristatomos autorės paskelbtos publikacijos ir pranešimai konferencijose disertacijos tema. Pirmajame skyriuje atlikta geležinkelio infrastruktūros, riedmenų ir TKVGP mokslinių darbų analizė. Taip pat atlikta Lietuvos Respublikos (Europos Sąjungos) norminių dokumentų, reglamentuojančių keleivių vežimo geležinkeliais kokybę, analizė. Antrasis skyrius skirtas AB ,,Lietuvos geležinkeliai“ (LG) veiklos ir keleivių vežimo rodiklių apžvalgai, kelionės... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The dissertation considers the problems, associated with passenger transportation by international trains (PTIT). The research object is the process of passenger transportation by international trains (PPTIT). By using the experimental methods, the significances (weights) and the order of preferences of the qualitative criteria, describing this process, are determined. The complex model, deve-loped by the author for multicriteria PTIT evaluation, allows for determining a single-valued quantitative criterion for evaluating a particular train travelling on a particular route. The main aim of the dissertation is to offer a methodology for evaluating the quality of passenger transportation by international trains (QPTIT). The dissertation consists of the Introduction, four chapters, the description of the obtained results, the list of references as well as the author’s publications on the topic of the thesis and 12 annexes. The Introduction briefly describes the research problem and object, the topicality of the work, its aim and objectives, and the applied research methods, as well as the novelty and practical value of the results obtained and the defended statements. Finally, the Introduction presents the list of the author’s publications and reports delivered at the conferences on the topic of the dissertation. Chapter 1 presents the analysis of the Lithuanian and EU standards and regulations, defining the quality of passenger transportation by rail. It also describes the... [to full text]

Utnyttjande av barn för sexuell posering är ett brott som begås både på ochutanför internet. Enligt stagemodellen för onlinegroomers antas förövare inledasin internetbrottslighet på en låg, mindre allvarlig nivå för att sedan eskalera ochförflytta brottsligheten från online till offline. Syftet med studien var att utifråntingsrättsdomar redogöra för likheter och skillnader mellan förövare som gjort sigskyldiga till utnyttjande av barn för sexuell posering beroende på om de ageratonline eller offline. Syftet var också att med stöd av stagemodellen föronlinegroomers få en uppfattning om huruvida onlineförövare som har lagförts äri starten på ett kontinuum eller om de är offlineförövare som kompletterar sinasexualbrott med hjälp av internet. Metod Studien är en kvantitativ studie avretrospektiv design baserad på tingsrättsdomar (N = 67) från 2009-2013.Resultatet påvisade att förövargrupperna använde samma tillvägagångsätt; tjat,hot, betalning eller kärlek för att få barnen att exponera sig. I stagemodellenbedömdes onlineförövarna oftast vara onlinekommunikatörer medanofflineförövarna var onlineorganisatörer. Oavsett vilket steg i modellen förövarnabefann sig i bedömdes de flesta uteslutande ha tillhört endast ett steg. Detta talarför att det utifrån tingsrättsdomar inte går att bekräfta stagemodellen. SlutsatsBaserat på informationen som gick att utläsa i tingsrättsdomarna skiljer sigonlineförövarna inte signifikant från offlineförövarna. Det går inte att säkerställaatt dömda onlineförövare skulle befinna sig i början på ett kontinuum då de likagärna kan vara offlineförövare som drar nytta av internet i sin jakt på offer. / <p>2015-06-03</p>

The purpose of this study is to determine social factors that influence help seeking behaviors by mothers who are concurrently involved in two social service systems: Child Protective Services (CPS) and family violence advocacy programs. Through the application of the behavioral model (of service use) for vulnerable populations, this study seeks to determine predisposing, enabling and need characteristics that impact help seeking behaviors at a family violence agency after participation in an ADVANCE (Acknowledging Domestic Violence and Navigating Child Protection Effectively) course, a group intervention class developed specifically for women involved with CPS. The research design is a mixed-method approach with an ADVANCE course evaluation embedded within the overall analysis of help seeking behaviors. The analytic strategies include pre-test/post-test means comparisons through paired t-tests, qualitative thematic analysis through arts-based methodology, and ordinary least squares and logistic regression analysis. This study considers six outcome variables related to protective help seeking behaviors: seeking services, seeking protective actions related to children, seeking a safety plan, seeking a protective order, seeking safe housing, and seeking financial independence. Several social factors identified influenced help seeking behaviors amongst child welfare involved women experiencing violence, namely, number of children, age of children, level of interest in services, previous participation in services, level of social support, perceived victim status, perceived need for a safety plan, and perceived need for change in family. This study should serve to enhance intervention practices utilized by both family violence advocates and child welfare professionals.

abstract: Fish farming is a fast growing industry, which, although necessary to feed an ever growing worldwide population, has its share of negative environmental consequences, including the release of drugs and other waste into the ocean, the use of fish caught from the ocean to feed farm raised fish, and the escape of farm raised fish into natural bodies of water. However, the raising of certain types of fish, such as tilapia, seems to be an environmentally better proposition than raising other types of fish, such as salmon. This paper will explore the problems associated with fish farming, as well as offer a model, based on the literature, and interviews with fish farmers, to make small-scale fish farming both more environmentally, and more economically, sustainable. This paper culminates with a model for small-scale, specifically semi-subsistence, fish farmers. This model emphasizes education of the fish farmers, as well as educators learning from the fish farmers they interact with. The goal of this model is to help these fish farmers become both more environmentally and economically sustainable. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.Tech Technology 2011

Este trabalho apresenta uma análise estatística de contagens multivariadas proveniente de várias populações através de modelos de regressão. Foram considerados casos onde os vetores respostas obedeçam às distribuições Poisson multivariada e Poisson log-normal multivariada. Esta distribuição admite correlação de ambos sinais entre componentes do vetor resposta, enquanto que as distribuições mais usuais para dados de contagens (como a Poisson multivariada) admitem apenas correlação positiva entre as componentes do vetor resposta. São discutidos métodos de estimação e testes de hipóteses sobre os parâmetros do modelo para o caso bivariado. Estes modelos de regressão foram aplicados a um conjunto de dados referentes a contagens de dois tipos de defeitos em 100 gramas de fibras têxteis de quatro máquinas craqueadeiras, sendo duas de um fabricante e as outras de um segundo fabricante. Os resultados obtidos nos diferentes modelos de regressão foram comparados. Para estudar o comportamento das estimativas dos parâmetros de uma distribuição Poisson Log-Normal, amostras foram simuladas segundo esta distribuição. / Regression models are presented to analyse multivariate counts from many populations. Due to the random vector characteristic, we consider two classes of probability models: Multivariate Poisson distribution and Multivariate Poisson Log-Normal distribution. The last distribution admits negative and positive correlations between two components of a random vector under study, while other distributions (as Multivariate Poisson) admit only positive correlation. Estimation methods and test of hypothese on the parameters in bivariate case are discussed. The proposed techniques are illustrated by numerical examples, considering counts of two types of defects in 100g of textile fibers produced by four machines, two from one manufacturer and the other two from another one. The results from different regression models are compared. The empirical distribution of Poisson Log-Normal parameter estimations are studied by simulated samples.

Ao longo das últimas décadas, o declínio organizacional despertou interesse de pesquisadores em função da necessidade de se compreender a dinâmica organizacional por uma perspectiva oposta ao crescimento. Esse desejo surge em função da crescente dificuldade das grandes organizações em conseguir manter sua posição competitiva: acredita-se que a perpetuação do bom desempenho depende cada vez mais de quão adaptáveis estas organizações são às turbulências do ambiente de negócios. Porém, esta flexibilidade não depende apenas da capacidade de antecipar as mudanças estratégicas, mas também de como a sua estrutura organizacional está estabelecida e da sua capacidade empreendedora. Assim, pelo fato da teoria do declínio organizacional ser relativamente recente, inúmeras definições taxonômicas ainda precisam ser debatidas, além de se ressaltar a necessidade de explorar melhor o próprio conceito do declínio e compreender sua origem. Considerando este contexto, o presente trabalho desenvolve um modelo de diagnóstico do declínio organizacional, cujo objetivo central é identificar o estágio de declínio das organizações. Para cumprir com este propósito, estudos de casos múltiplos foram aplicados em empresas do segmento automobilísticos (montadoras), tanto pelo fato de estarem presentes no Brasil há vários ciclos econômicos quanto por se depararem com uma intensa necessidade de reavaliação do modelo de negócio nos últimos anos. Para a definição dos constructos que compõem o arcabouço teórico, foi realizada uma análise bibliométrica e, posteriormente, uma análise cienciométrica, de modo a permitir a compreensão da estrutura cognitiva da teoria do declínio organizacional, a partir da qual foi desenvolvida uma proposta aqui denominada modelo 3E, pois contempla as seguintes dimensões: Estratégia, Estrutura e Empreendedorismo. Os resultados obtidos validam o modelo proposto e permitem inferir não apenas a situação do setor automobilístico, mas também posicionar cada montadora em seu estágio de declínio correspondente com base em uma análise temporal da organização: passado, presente e futuro. Como efeito colateral, o modelo oferece um roteiro para verificar a coerência da estrutura à estratégia, a eficiência da estrutura organizacional e também a capacidade empreendedora destas organizações em definir o horizonte estratégico adequado. / Along the latest decades, organizational decline raised interest on the part of scholars due to the need of understanding the organizational dynamics from a perspective opposed to growth. This occurs in function of the increasing difficulty of large organizations in managing to keep their competitive position; the perpetuation of good performance is believed to depend more and more on how adaptable these organizations are to the turbulences of the business environment. However, this flexibility does not only depend on the capacity of anticipating strategic changes, but also on how their organizational structure is established and on their entrepreneurial capacity. Hence, once the organizational decline theory is relatively recent, a number of taxonomic definitions still have to be discussed before the need to better explore the very concept of decline and understanding its source is felt. Considering this context, a model for diagnosing organizational decline is developed herein, the central goal of which is to identify the organizations decline stage. To meet this goal, multiple case studies were conducted in organizations in the automotive sector (assemblers), both for the fact of their being present in Brazil along several economic cycles and for their facing an intense need to reassess their business model in the last years. For defining the constructs composing the theoretical framework, a bibliometric analysis was conducted and, later, a scientometric analysis, so as to allow understanding the cognitive structure of the organizational decline theory, from which a proposal was developed and denominated 3E model here, contemplating the following dimensions: Strategy, Structure and Entrepreneurship (which start with an E in Portuguese). The results validate the model proposed and allow inferring not only the automotive sector scenario, but also placing each assembler in its corresponding decline stage based on a temporal analysis of the organization: past, present and future. As a side effect, the model provides a script for verifying the adherence of the structure to the strategy, the efficiency of the organizational structure, as well as the entrepreneurial capacity of these organizations in defining an adequate strategic horizon.