Value-based hospital is a concept that is causing a major transformation of hospitals and their information systems. Currently, hospitals are organized by medical units and by specialties that tend to operate as separate silos, without much communication between them. The transitions of care are not optimal for the patients, thus negatively impacting patient outcomes. Value-based hospitals focus on groups of patients with similar conditions, and end-to-end care pathways like Hip & Knee Replacement. They organize service lines that provide end-to-end care for these patient groups through the Emergency Department, Diagnostic Imaging, Lab tests, the surgical procedure in the Operating Room, the stay in the Surgery unit, Rehabilitation, and then discharge from the hospital. To enact such a transformation, hospitals have to redesign their Clinical Operations Management (care processes and organization) and the supporting information systems. Enterprise Architecture is the discipline, defined by international standards bodies, which concerns itself with transformational change of large complex organizations supported by information technology. Model-Driven Engineering is an approach to designing and generating information systems based on models. This thesis proposes an Enterprise Architecture for Model-Driven Clinical Operations Management (COM) to address the required transformation and improvement of clinical information systems to support value-based hospitals. The first thesis contribution is an Enterprise Architecture for Model-Driven COM in value-based hospitals, including COM Models, UML/BPMN/DMN Models, an Architecture and Design for a Clinical Operations Support System (COSS) for COM, and four COM Diagrams and Templates. The COM Models are the Business Architecture of the Enterprise Architecture; they are the foundation of our model-driven transformation approach. The UML/BPMN/DMN Models are derived from the COM Models, and are the Information System Architecture of the Enterprise Architecture. The COSS for COM, generated from the above models, is the Technology Architecture of the Enterprise Architecture. Finally, the COM Diagrams and Templates enable to better communicate the Enterprise Architecture; they are the COM Functions Table, the COM Enterprise Architecture Diagram, the COM Service Line Template, and the COSS Architecture Diagram. A second thesis contribution is the design of two domain-specific model-driven tools, based on the Eclipse environment, which support the design and generation of information systems support of COM in a value-based hospital. The COMP Tools include a Modeling Tool for COM based on a COM Functions Table for Hospitals, a Domain-Specific Modeling Language for COM (COMP: the COM Profile), and its Meta Model. The COSBench software development workbench provides support to the Model-Driven Engineering of information systems for COM. Finally, a third contribution is examples of COM Models for Joint Replacement service line and for Cardiac Procedures service line, used in our case studies to illustrate and validate the approach. There are also examples of COSS Decision Support Systems for patient flow management, operational business intelligence, full-capacity protocol, demand management, and capacity management.

The subject of the thesis belongs to the field of operations management. We deal with sequencing problems arising when there are multiple repair operations available to fix a broken man-made system and the true cause of the system failure is uncertain. It is assumed that the system is formally described by a probabilistic model, and it is to be repaired by a sequence of troubleshooting operations designed to identify the cause of the malfunction and fix the system. The challenge is to find a course of repair which has minimal expected cost. We study several variants of the problem proposed in the literature. We analyze computational complexity of those variants, apply integer linear programming to one variant of the problem, and examine the relation to machine scheduling.

This paper reports a study of the behavioral changes perceived by managerial and non-managerial personnel in a firm transforming from traditional manufacturing methods to the procedures of Just-In-Time manufacturing (JIT).

Företag inom detaljhandeln behöver ständigt utvecklas för att bemöta kunders behov. I samband med digitaliseringen har omniverksamheter utvecklats, där främst e-handel och butiker integreras för att erbjuda kunder en sömlös shoppingupplevelse. Med omnikanalens tidigare utforskade fördelar, kommer även nackdelar som kanalkonflikter. Hur hanterar och motarbetar omniverksamheter kanalkonflikter proaktivt? Frågan har studerats utifrån ett nyintroducerat chefsperspektiv, som har stor påverkan på utformningen av en omnikanal. För att besvara frågan har även orsakerna till kanalkonflikter studerats för en mer omfattande och djupgående studie. Därav har studien och analysverktyget formats utefter tre huvudteman; målsättningar, intern koordination och intern kommunikation, tre områden som frekvent återkommer inom tidigare forskning om kanalkonflikter och kanalkonfliktshantering. Vidare är studien av kvalitativ karaktär, där studiens empiri är baserad på semistrukturerade intervjuer med chefer inom omniverksamheter. Studiens resultat visar att kanalkonflikter proaktivt motarbetas på flera sätt. Överordnade gemensamma målsättningar har haft stor betydelse för företagens proaktiva arbete mot kanalkonflikter. Segmentering och integrering är två strategier som företagen har använt sig av främst för att effektivisera den interna koordinationen. Digitala kommunikationsplattformar för respektive berörd kanal inom omnikanalen, har visats effektivisera den interna kommunikationen. Studien bidrar såväl teoretiskt som praktiskt genom att bekräfta och komplettera tidigare forskning, samt bidra med ny kunskap kring ämnet för så väl omniverksamheter i detaljhandeln som för övriga företag och organisationer i olika branscher. / Retail companies constantly needs to evolve to meet customer needs. In conjunction with the digitalization omni operations have been developed where mainly e-commerce and stores are integrated to offer the customers a seamless shopping experience. With the omnichannel's previously explored advantages, there are also disadvantages such as channel conflicts. How do omni operations proactively manage and counter channel conflicts? The issue has been studied from a newly introduced managerial perspective, which has a major impact on the design of an omnichannel. To answer the question, the causes of channel conflicts have also been studied for a more comprehensive and in-depth study. Hence, our study and our analysis tool have been formed after three main themes; goals, internal coordination and internal communication, three areas that frequently recur in previous research on channel conflicts and channel conflict management. Furthermore, the study is of a qualitative nature, where the study's empirical data is based on semi-structured interviews with managers in omni operations. The study's results show that channel conflicts are proactively countered in several ways. Overall overarching goals have been of great importance for companies' proactive work on channel conflicts. Segmentation and integration are two strategies that companies have used primarily to streamline internal coordination. Digital communication platforms for each affected channel within the omnichannel have been shown to streamline internal communication. The study contributes both theoretically and practically by confirming and supplementing previous research, as well as contributing new knowledge on the subject to both retail operations and other companies and organizations in various industries.

Purpose – The objective of this study is to shed some light on quality improvement practices of for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals Design/methodology/approach – The scope and effectiveness of several quality improvement efforts are studied for a sample of 110 hospitals. Factor analysis was utilized to analyze the data collected. Findings – The results of this study tended to suggest that for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals were more similar than different with the regard to the effective utilization of quality improvement initiatives, thus underscoring the utility of quality improvement efforts despite differences in operating characteristics, strategies and operating constraints. Research limitations/implications – The sample used in this study is limited. Thus, the results should be interpreted accordingly. Practical implications – This study offers decision-makers in healthcare operational settings empirical evidence of the operational and strategic effectiveness of different quality improvement efforts, thus justifying investments related to the initiation and implementation of such quality improvement efforts. Originality/value – This study represents an important step toward understanding the effective implementation of quality improvement initiatives in different operational settings.

Individuals who screen research grant applications often select candidates on the basis of a few key parameters; success or failure can be reduced to a series of peer-reviewed Likert scores on as little as four criteria: risk, relevance, return, and reasonableness. Despite the vital impact these assessments have upon the sponsors, researchers, and society in general as a benefactor of the research, there is little empirical research into the peer-review process. The purpose of this study was to investigate how reviewers evaluate reasonableness and how the process can be modeled in a decision support system. The research questions both address the relationship between an individual's estimates of reasonableness and the indicators of scope, resources, cost, and schedule as well as evaluate the performance of several cognitive models as predictors of reasonableness. Building upon Brunswik's theory of probabilistic functionalism, a survey methodology was used to implement a policy-capturing exercise that yielded a quantitative baseline of reasonableness estimates. The subsequent data analysis addressed the predictive performance of six cognitive models as measured by the mean-square-deviation between the models and the data. A novel mapping approach developed by von Helversen and Rieskamp, a fuzzy logic model, and an exemplar model were found to outperform classic linear regression. A neural network model and the QuickEst heuristic model did not perform as well as linear regression. This information can be used in a decision support system to improve the reliability and validity of future research assessments. The positive social impact of this work would be more efficient allocation and prioritization of increasingly scarce research funds in areas of science such as social, psychological, medical, pharmaceutical, and engineering.

The not-for-profit community serves a vital societal role. Guided by the systems-theory, the purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to identify ways not-for-profit agencies could be more fiscally sound during difficult economic times and plan for uncertain futures. Face-to-face recorded interviews with 20 chief executives from different not-for-profit corporations in western Pennsylvania, were conducted to examine their professional lived experiences in order to collect best practices by which each executive dealt with difficult economic times. Structured interviews consisted of 8 questions that probed different aspects of the phenomena of dealing with fiscal challenges. Transcribed data were coded for both a priori and emergent themes and were categorized according to a cross-case similarities and differences of the specific responses of the CEOs. The convergent across-case findings of the current study indicated that leaders should (a) have a strategic plan, (b) utilize metrics to evaluate outcomes against goals, and (c) be willing to adjust plans accordingly. Almost all of executives indicated that remaining fiscally healthy was critical so that his organization could achieve its primary mission of serving their community. Not-for-profit organizations provide medical care to the homeless, care for the needs of the elderly, and provide specific services to children with metal disabilities helping them to become more productive. The current study contributes to positive social change by informing best practices regarding how not-for-profit corporations can continue to provide these critical social services through sustainable business practices, especially during those difficult economic times when their services are most needed.

The lean inventory concept has been shown to streamline operations and improve efficiency in a retail environment. The negative side of the practice is that limited inventories increase the risk of stockouts, where a routinely available product is missing and the retailer is not able to meet customer demands. The purpose of this exploratory case study was to examine stockouts as an event and document their effects on changes in customer attitudes and behaviors. Guided by a constructivist conceptual framework, the research question explored how stockout experiences affected customers' purchasing behaviors and loyalty to brand and retailer. A survey containing both open-ended and categorical response elements was validated through a pilot study and used to collect data from 40 randomly selected participants shopping at a retail mall in eastern Pennsylvania. Data coding for qualitative data consisted of 3 sequential stages of open, axial, and selective coding into a priori themes. Categorical responses were employed in downward analyses that revealed patterns in the qualitative data. The results indicated that repeated stockout experiences decreased customers' loyalty to brand and retailer and caused customers to abandon both retailers and brand. Respondents indicated that stockout impacts can be buffered through improved inventory management and better customer service. Specific recommendations included monetary incentives, personal contacts, coupons, and item discounts. Results of this study will enable retailers to gain deeper understanding of how stockout affects customers shopping experiences and loyalty, and offer mitigation measures to improve both. Results will provide a positive change to both consumers and retailers, where shoppers will enjoy pleasant shopping experiences and retailers will maintain their competitive advantage through loyalty of their customer base.

Inefficient operations management practices have proven to be the main cause of failure in the administration of any business empire. Operations managers are held in the apex of leadership in companies and by standards, the outcome of their management are expected to lead to the growth and success of the company. With the mismanagement of finances and human capital, it would be difficult for the company to achieve growth and success to meet the objectives of the company. The main purpose of this research was to do an exploratory study on the impacts of Operations Management on the growth of business, with a focus on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria, specifically a hotel. The study aimed to identify why the concept “Operations Management” is important to the growth of businesses.The objective was to contribute knowledge to the field of finance and the business world.The population of this study comprised of 30 staffof LasVegas Hotels and Resort Abuja, Nigeria. The study employed the use of primary data using structured questionnaires open–ended and close – ended. The 30 questionnaires that were administered were all returned. The study employed the use of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) in the analysis of the data. The study found that operational controls, financial prudence, are the specific operations management skills that are responsible for the growth and the success of the company. Hence, operations management is fundamental to the growth and success of a business. The study concluded that operations management contributes to the growth of businesses in Nigeria.The study recommended that the operations management team should carry staff along in the day - to - day running of the business so that the staff can have sense of belonging. / <p>The major challenge with this research was time constraint. I started two weeks behind schedule, with the guide and encouragement from my supervisor, I was able to finish up successfully.</p>

The research in this study examined the nature of college student gambling (N=201) and whether general gaming education can influence meaningful changes in college students’ gambling attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions. A group of college students from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Casino Management class, received general gaming education while two comparison groups, one from the same university and one from Worcester State College, Massachusetts, did not. Assessment of the participants’ attitudes toward gambling, gambling fallacy perceptions, ability to calculate gambling odds, and gambling behaviors were examined before and after exposure to gaming education. Seventy five percent of the students surveyed as the baseline group reported gambling within the past 12 months, with a minority gambling weekly or more, or gambling large amounts of money. At the semester end, follow-up findings showed that the students who received the gaming education intervention demonstrated significant improvement in their ability to calculate gambling odds and resist common gambling fallacies. Unexpectedly however, this improved knowledge was not associated with any decreases in their gambling attitudes or time and money spent on gambling activities. The implication drawn from this research is that knowledge gained from a general gaming class, including gaining improvements in odds calculations and fallacy perceptions, may not be enough of a factor to effect significant changes in college students’ gambling attitudes and behaviors.