The construction industry is associated with problems such as low productivity and high costs. This has been highlighted in several government-funded reports in both Sweden and in the UK during the course of over two decades. The construction industry is a large industry sector employing hundreds of thousands and a large contributor to a country’s GDP. The problems therefore have a large impact on society. Some of the problems are rooted in the organizational structure of the construction industry. Compared to other manufacturing industries, the construction industry is organized in temporary organizations. The temporary organizations cause temporary supply chains, fragmentation among construction industry actors and adversarial relationships between those actors. Partnering has been but forward as a solution to overcome the temporariness and the adversarial relationships in the construction. Another solution to mitigate the problems suggested in the reports is supply chain management (SCM). Both concepts have been taken from the manufacturing industries and partnering has been more successful compared to SCM in the construction industry. In the construction industry the progress towards SCM has focused on logistics. In recent years dedicated third-party logistics (TPL) solutions have emerged in the Swedish construction industry, where a company is hired to manage the logistics in a construction project. The purpose with the research presented in this licentiate thesis is to explore how client initiated TPL solutions and partnering can be facilitators for SCM in the construction industry. Being a new phenomenon in the construction industry TPL solutions provide a logistical competence not necessarily included in a traditional construction project. Therefore, TPL solutions are of particular interest when studying the realization of SCM in the construction industry. In the process of realizing SCM in the construction industry, the construction clients have been put forward as having a crucial and important role. The clients are the initiator and funder of construction projects and as such the client can influence the course of a construction project. Therefore, it is of interest to study how the client can take an active role in this process. Initiating a TPL solution in a construction project is one way for a client to take an active part in the realization of SCM in construction. However, in order to study how clients can take an active role towards the realization of SCM in the construction industry, there have to be an understanding of how SCM is to be adopted to the construction industry context. SCM that derives from the manufacturing industry is designed to be used in long-term relationships with permanent organizational structures. The construction industry on the other hand is associated with short-term relationships and a temporary organizational structure. Partnering that is designed to mitigate the temporariness and establish long-term relationships have been quite successful in the construction industry, and could therefore be used as a facilitator for SCM in construction. To study the use of client initiated TPL-solutions in construction and the realization of SCM in the construction industry the following research questions have been addressed: RQ1: To what extent can a third-party logistics solution be a facilitator for client driven SCM in the construction industry? RQ2: How will upstream and downstream tiers be affected when a thirdparty logistics provider is used in a construction project? RQ3: How can partnering be used a mean to facilitate the realization of SCM in the construction industry? To answer the research questions two main methodologies have been used; case study for the empirically grounded research and conceptual studies for the analysis of the case studies as well as for comparing the two concepts of partnering and SCM. All questions have been grounded in literature and previous research. The findings of this research is therefore grounded in both theory and in practice. The main findings of this research is that TPL solutions are not a quick fix for realizing SCM in the construction industry. However, if used right a TPL solution can be an effective tool to address logistical issues in a construction project and to establish an interface between the supply chain and the construction site. By initiating a TPL solution the client addresses the importance of logistical competence in a construction project. A TPL solution does not have a purpose of its own; a TPL solution is a service function to the construction project, providing expertise on logistics management. There are also a number of driving forces and concerns that have been identified, if they are addressed prior to a TPL solution is implemented, the likelihood of its success will increase. Furthermore, both partnering and SCM rely on high trust and share several key components and issues that have to be addressed. Partnering on strategic level with several suppliers included can even be hard to distinguish from SCM. Wherefore, partnering is considered a facilitator for the realization of SCM in construction. By addressing the necessary issues in both concepts a good foundation for SCM is established. / <p>QC 20181004</p>

The construction industry faces challenges with efficiency and communication due to the interdependence of stakeholders and the transition between distinct phases of projects. Traditional project delivery methods often result in adversarial relationships, poor communication, higher costs, and schedule overruns. Partnering, introduced in the 1980s, aims to address these issues by promoting cooperative relationships and collaborative project management. However, the concept of partnering lacks a universal definition, making its implementation difficult. This leads to a lack of understanding about the dynamics between various stakeholders beyond just the client and contractor. Current literature mainly focuses on these two parties, neglecting the broader range of stakeholders involved in construction projects and failing to recognize the interdependency of stakeholders in a larger supply chain. To address this gap of partnering relationships, the thesis adopted Eriksson's (2015) theoretical framework, which includes four dimensions—strength, scope, duration, and depth—to identify the obstacles and opportunities that exists in the implementation of partnering. The thesis aims to increase the understanding of clients', main contractors’ and subcontractors’ views on partnering in relation to one another to facilitate the implementation of partnering. The aim of the thesis was achieved by answering the following questions: 1. What are the obstacles and opportunities for implementing project partnering from the perspective of each stakeholder in relation to one another? 2. What do clients, main contractors, and subcontractors respectively require in relation to one another to foster project partnering? Data was collected by conducting semi-structured interviews in collaboration with a company with individuals across the three stakeholder groups: client, main contractor and subcontractors. The results show that while stakeholders have minor differences in defining partnering, they agree on three key factors that influence the implementation: trust, openness and high engagement. Therefore, the main conclusions of the thesis are that in order to facilitate project partnering, stakeholders need to collectively define partnering to unify their understanding and address differing views. Awareness of the benefits can increase openness. Establishing trust and openness early should be done through a mix of formal and informal activities to develop relationships on both a personal and professional level. Initially, both types of activities should be frequent, with informal activities maintained during the production phase while the frequency of formal activities is lowered. Early broad stakeholder involvement ensures shared expectations and vision. The scope should be narrowed from the client side towards the production phase to improve communication. Key subcontractors should coordinate their work with each other from the start, and the client should stay engaged and show their presence during the production phase to promote collaboration. Choosing naturally cooperative individuals who can influence others is essential. Maintaining the partnering attitude throughout the project requires involving the same individuals in all phases. / Byggbranschen står inför utmaningar med effektivitet och kommunikation på grund av beroendeförhållandet mellan aktörer och övergången mellan de olika faserna av projekt. Traditionella projektleveransmetoder resulterar ofta i konfliktfyllda relationer, dålig kommunikation, högre kostnader och förseningar. Samverkan, som introducerades på 1980-talet, syftar till att lösa dessa problem genom att främja samarbetsrelationer och kollaborativ projektledning. Begreppet samverkan saknar dock en universell definition, vilket gör implementeringen svår. Detta leder till bristande förståelse för dynamiken mellan olika aktörer, utöver endast beställaren och huvudentreprenören. Nuvarande litteratur fokuserar mest på dessa två parter och försummar det bredare spektrumet av aktörer som är involverade i byggprojekt. Vidare misslyckas de med att erkänna beroendet mellan aktörer i en större försörjningskedja. Klyftan i litteraturen om samverkans relationer bemöttes genom att anta Erikssons (2015) teoretiska ramverk, som inkluderar fyra dimensioner–intensitet, bredd, varaktighet och djup–för att identifiera hinder och möjligheter vid implementeringen av samverkan. Studien syftar till att öka förståelsen för beställares, huvudentreprenörers och underentreprenörers syn på samverkan i förhållande till varandra för att underlätta implementeringen av samverkan. Syftet med studien uppnåddes genom att besvara följande frågor: 1. Vilka är hindren och möjligheterna för att implementera projektsamverkan ur varje aktörs perspektiv i förhållande till varandra?2. Vad kräver beställare, huvudentreprenörer respektive underentreprenörer i förhållande till varandra för att främja projektsamverkan? Data samlades in genom att genomföra semistrukturerade intervjuer i samarbete med ett företag med individer från de tre intressentgrupperna: beställare, huvudentreprenör och underentreprenörer. Slutsatserna visar att även om aktörerna har mindre skillnader i hur de definierar samverkan, är de överens om tre nyckelfaktorer som påverkar implementeringen: tillit, öppenhet och högt engagemang.Således visar de huvudsakliga slutsatserna av avhandlingen att för att främja projektsamverkan i byggbranschen krävs det att aktörer gemensamt definierar samverkan för att enas om en förståelse och hantera olika synsätt. Medvetenhet om fördelarna kan öka öppenheten. Att etablera tillit och öppenhet tidigt bör göras genom en blandning av formella och informella aktiviteter för att utveckla relationer både på en professionell och personlig nivå. Inledningsvis bör båda typerna av aktiviteter vara frekventa, med informella aktiviteter bibehållna under produktionsfasen medan frekvensen av formella aktiviteter minskas.  Tidig bred aktör medverkan säkerställer gemensamma förväntningar och vision. Omfattningen bör smalnas av från beställarens sida mot produktionsfasen för att förbättra kommunikationen. Viktiga underentreprenörer bör samordna sitt arbete med varandra från början, och beställaren bör förbli engagerad och visa sin närvaro under produktionsfasen för att främja samarbete. Att välja naturligt samarbetsvilliga individer som kan påverka andra är avgörande. För att bibehålla samverkansattityden genom hela projektet krävs att samma individer är involverade i alla faser.

This dissertation develops an exit strategy for missions, drawing upon the experience of the Wesleyan Church in Africa. This is approached in four sections: a literature review, a summary of Wesleyan mission work in Africa, a model for mission work that has been developed within the Wesleyan Church, and applications of the model. The model proposes five stages through which the work of missions progresses: the development of converts, disciples, pastors, leaders and partners. The fourth chapter includes a discussion of related models: the Three Eras of Missions and the Two Types of Missions. At the completion of the 5 Stages of Missions the establishment of a mature national church, fully engaged in international missions and international church leadership, has been achieved. This dissertation concludes that final departure may not be necessary for all missionaries. However, complete handover of leadership is essential. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th.

Since ancient times, roads have tied people and cultures together. Roads have been createdwith the aim of facilitating trade and cultural exchange among different regions in the world. After the technologic development in vehicle industry and dramatically increase of motoring in the world during the past century road communication has gained a great importance for transporting people and goods. Thus, good safety and accessibility on roads all year round is now a vital necessity for a healthy economy in all modern societies. In order to keep roads safe, available for use with high transport quality they need to be maintained in real time. One of the most difficult tasks in this context is to keep the roads in good condition and accessible even during winter. The main objective of this doctoral thesis is to attempt to specify the most efficient ways of executing winter road maintenance.  The preliminary issue in this context is whether it is the use of current assistive tools, that is, technical aspects that should be optimized and developed or whether it is the way in which winter maintenance services are procured and outsourced, that is, contractual aspects that should be improved which could give the optimal impact for both clients and contractors and make winter road maintenance more effective, or both issues. In order to define the outline of the research project a comprehensive state of the art survey was initiated with the intention of collecting and gaining insights into the earlier studies in the research area. Three basic areas associated with the performance of winter road maintenance were considered to be most relevant for review due to the anchorage between the areas. The selected areas were climatological, technical and contractual aspects. The literature review was followed by an electronic questionnaire survey. The results of the study in this stage showed that current technical methods almost functioned in a reasonable manner but there was an imprecise dissatisfaction with the current maintenance contract. The second stage of the research consisted of a number of additional empirical investigations in order to identify contractual problematic issues behind the current winter road maintenance in Sweden. Generally, those factors that are rarely considered as potential underlying causes to costly performance of winter road maintenance in Sweden were studied in this research project for example improper use of related technical assistive tools, procurement of improper bundled winter services and inappropriate contract structure. This thesis consists of six papers, five of which are related to each other, and the first one is completely independent but within research area. Findings in the thesis contributes to extend understanding about; how designing appropriate contracts can improve winter road maintenance, how proper use of assistive tools can reduce unnecessary winter road maintenance costs and minimize road traffic disruptions and delays, how a partnering structure in contracts can create confidence and trust between clients and contractors that in turn leads to minimizing or eliminating conflicts and disputes between parties involved, how choice of appropriate procurement methods through proper bundling of winter road services can contribute to shorten the procurement process and create incentives for contractors, and how selection of proper payment mechanisms can contribute to higher service quality of performed winter road measures. Additionally, an adequate knowledge and understanding of climate, proper knowledge of road weather and its impact on winter road traffic is essential for contribution of better planning of how to maintain the road network during winter. Since understanding about winter issues and its effect on winter road traffic is far from complete and winter road maintenance in the cold regions is a similar challenge, broad and complex, the results of this research may even contribute to improving winter maintenance problems in the countries with severe winters like Sweden. / <p>QC 20140227</p>

This dissertation develops an exit strategy for missions, drawing upon the experience of the Wesleyan Church in Africa. This is approached in four sections: a literature review, a summary of Wesleyan mission work in Africa, a model for mission work that has been developed within the Wesleyan Church, and applications of the model. The model proposes five stages through which the work of missions progresses: the development of converts, disciples, pastors, leaders and partners. The fourth chapter includes a discussion of related models: the Three Eras of Missions and the Two Types of Missions. At the completion of the 5 Stages of Missions the establishment of a mature national church, fully engaged in international missions and international church leadership, has been achieved. This dissertation concludes that final departure may not be necessary for all missionaries. However, complete handover of leadership is essential. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / M.Th.

Submitted by Marta Ferrarini (ferrarini.martaa@gmail.com) on 2018-07-19T18:34:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Master's Thesis FGV_Ferrrini Marta.pdf: 2354056 bytes, checksum: c16e837755812501c465172d0cc7d611 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Janete de Oliveira Feitosa (janete.feitosa@fgv.br) on 2018-07-23T14:23:21Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Master's Thesis FGV_Ferrrini Marta.pdf: 2354056 bytes, checksum: c16e837755812501c465172d0cc7d611 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-24T20:06:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Master's Thesis FGV_Ferrrini Marta.pdf: 2354056 bytes, checksum: c16e837755812501c465172d0cc7d611 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-21 / The purpose of this thesis is the study of the effect the cross-sector partnering has on social enterprises’ strategies. The recent literature suggests partnerships can help social enterprises to scale impact, to sustain profitability and to enter new markets, but the resulting interactions moved by distinctive goals can also push social enterprises to drift away from their mission. The thesis is structured as an explorative case study. The case of Progetto QUID, an emerging Italian social enterprise in the Fashion industry, offers practical insights towards the possible challenges and opportunities deriving from the engagement of different stakeholders, and how a team can manage them. All the data about Progetto QUID were personally collected with the help of Professor Tommaso Ramus in the period between 2017 and 2018. The case study is interesting for the types of partners QUID has, for-profit and non-profits, which stress the complexity of managing a hybrid organisation. The presence of these external actors derives from the appealing business model that combines three elements: the social mission through work inclusion, the environmental goal of recovering waste raw materials and the economic dimension, which supports the dual purpose and differentiate them of similar entities. The case touches on multiple aspects aiming to unify some theoretical and empirical knowledge as well as engaging students in this realm that is both growing and consolidating, but which needs further research. The case does not include interviews with the partners, which could provide supplementary knowledge and possible dissimilar viewpoints. In addition, the short time available limits the possible findings and recommendations. From this study, SE can understand how the business model and the team capabilities are strategic elements that allow managing the tensions. The examples of QUID offers new insights into the literature considering, for example, the ‘combination-separation’ of the commercial and social side. This seems the most viable solution in the scaling-up process to ensure the success of the social enterprise. This observation is particularly important because it is able to describe a possible solution for managing tensions in hybrid organisations. Moreover, it emerges how social enterprises should analyse systematically their collaborations to clearly understand how they create value internally and externally. The investigation can rely on a few questions. The research towards value creation, costs and benefits and the management of a partnership are just in the early stages. My thesis addresses the topic at a different level of analysis to enable a deeper comprehension of partnerships as multidimensional vehicles for economic and social effects across organizations. Moreover, students interested in this filed could have an additional opportunity to get in touch with these raising realities. / Obietivo - O objetivo é estudar o efeito que a parceria intersetorial tem sobre as estratégias das empresas sociais. A literatura recente sugere que as parcerias podem ajudar as mesmas a aumentar o seu impacto social, sustentar a lucratividade e entrar em novos mercados, mas as interações resultantes movidas por objetivos distintos também podem levar as empresas sociais a afastarem-se da sua missão. Metodologia – A tese é estrutura como um estudo de caso exploratório. O caso do Progetto QUID, uma empresa social italiana emergente na indústria da moda, oferece conhecimentos práticos para os possíveis desafíos e oportunidades decorrentes do compromisso de diferentes stakeholders e com o team podes os administrar. Os dados foram coletados pessoalmente com a ajuda do Professor Tommaso Ramus entre 2017 e 2018. Resultados - O estudo de caso é interessante para os tipos de parceiros que a QUID tem, com fins lucrativos e sem fins lucrativos, que enfatizam ainda mais a complexidade de gerenciar uma organização híbrida. A presença desses atores deriva do atraente modelo empresarial que combina três elementos: a missão social por meio da inclusão no trabalho, o objetivo ambiental de recuperar tecidos e a dimensão econômica, que apóia as duplas missões e as diferencia de entidades similares.O caso aborda múltiplos aspectos com o objetivo de unificar alguns conhecimentos teóricos e empíricos, bem como engajar os alunos nessa área que está crescendo e se consolidando, mas que precisa de mais pesquisas. Limitações - O caso não inclui entrevistas com os parceiros, o que poderia fornecer conhecimento suplementar e possíveis pontos de vista diferentes. Além disso, o pouco tempo disponível limita as possíveis descobertas e recomendações. Contribuições práticas - A partir deste estudo, o SE pode entender como o modelo de negócios e as capacidades da equipe são elementos estratégicos que permitem gerenciar as tensões. Os exemplos de QUID oferecem novos insights para a literatura, considerando, por exemplo, a "combinação-separação" do lado comercial e social. Essa parece ser a solução mais viável no processo de ampliação para garantir o sucesso da empresa social. Essa observação é particularmente importante porque é capaz de descrever uma possível solução para o gerenciamento de tensões em organizações híbridas. Além disso, surge como as empresas sociais devem analisar sistematicamente suas colaborações para entender claramente como elas criam valor internamente e externamente. A investigação pode contar em algumas perguntas. Contribuções para a sociedade & originalidade- A pesquisa para a criação de valor, custos e benefícios e a gestão de uma parceria estão apenas nos estágios iniciais. Minha tese aborda o tópico em um nível diferente de análise para permitir uma compreensão mais profunda das parcerias como veículos multidimensionais para efeitos econômicos e sociais em todas as organizações. Além disso, os estudantes interessados neste campo poderiam ter uma oportunidade adicional de entrar em contato com essas realidades crescentes.

The research presented in this thesis is an explorative study into the basic concepts and the effects of dance movement psychotherapy (DMP) intervention on the attunement behaviours of children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). From a retrospective analysis of positively evaluated single cases of DMP with ASD participants, movement markers of interpersonal relating behaviours have been formulated in terms of Social Engagement and Attunement Movement (SEAM) behaviours. These were organised into an observation scale, and used subsequently to generate nominal observation data on the behaviours of a small sample of children with ASD. Evaluation with the SEAM observation scale yielded a significant increase of SEAM behaviours in the course of the dance therapy. Retrospective analysis of the actions of the therapist throughout four single cases of DMP with ASD participants yielded a specific approach that was described as Shared Movement Approach (SMA). SMA has been specified as an improvisation based method of DMP that takes the child's interpersonal attunement and engagement behaviours as cues for the therapist to accommodate her interventions, so that the child's interpersonal relating behaviours are facilitated and supported. Through her kinaesthetically informed interventions the DMP therapist contributes to an increase of interpersonal engagement and attunement by the ASD participant from within the shared movement actions. The SEAM observation scale was explored on conceptual clarity and consistency in a group of independent movement analysts, and interrater agreement was used as an indication of its contents validity. An interval rating procedure with the SEAM scale yielded the best results on interrater agreement as expressed in Cohen's kappa. The Shared Movement Approach and the SEAM observation scale were then tested for replication of outcome on SEAM behaviours within four repeated single subject cases in a pilot study in a Dutch outpatient clinical setting. The outcome monitoring yielded the replication of increase of interpersonal relating behaviours as measured with the SEAM observation scale. Within subject therapy outcomes, although diverse in their individual profiles, were found to be significant when analysed with non-parametric tests. Group averages showed a significant increase of SEAM behaviours. The effects beyond therapy were evaluated with the somatic and social sub-scales of the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), showing individual differences and a significant problem reduction on average. The outcomes as experienced by the juvenile participants were evaluated with the somatic and social sub-scales of the Youth Self Report (YSR), which on average showed a significant decrease of experienced social and somatic problems. The results obtained are discussed in view of current theories on experiential approaches and concepts for psychotherapy with an ASD population.

Relationen mellan entreprenörer och beställare i byggbranschen har ofta en brist på tillit vilket är ogynnsamt både för projekten och den involverade personalen. Mycket tid läggs på att hantera tvister och det finns ett antagande att parterna är ute efter att lura varandra till egen vinning. Det blir i sin tur ett negativ utfall för både entreprenören och beställaren då det bidrar till att projekten ofta blir dyrare och tar längre tid än nödvändigt. Dessvärre har branschen sett ut så väldigt länge men det finns bättre sätt att arbeta på. NCC:s affärsområden NCC Building Sweden och NCC Property Development arbetar tillsammans i partneringavtalsprojekt och har under de projekt de arbetat i byggt upp en relation som skapar trevlig arbetsmiljö och väl genomförda projekt. De arbetar med ekonomiskt incitament som gör att tiden som läggs på att hantera vem som blir betalningsskyldig vid ändringar och liknande minimeras. Trots att den nära och välutvecklade relationen ger många positiva effekter finns det brister även i dessa projekt. Det finns en viss otydlighet mellan parterna och rollerna som bidrar till att vissa frågor och ansvarsområden saknar ägare. Det är även mycket information om arbetssätt och beslut som hamnar på individnivå på grund av att dokumentation utelämnas, vilket i sin tur gör det svårt för ny personal att komma in i projekten och man går miste om erfarenheter från tidigare projekt. Rapporten undersöker hur partneringavtalsprojekten skiljer sig från NCC dokumenterade sätt att arbeta. Syftet är att finna sätt att optimera samarbetet mellan NCC Building Sweden och NCC Property Development och i förlängning finna sätt att skapa mer tydlighet samt bättre sätt att hantera ny personal i projekten. Med hjälp av noga granskning av den dokumenterade processen och intervjuer kan jämförelser mellan arbetssätten göras för att utforma resultat. Resultatet används sedan för att hitta fördelar och nackdelar med projekt med partneringavtal samt komma fram till sätt att optimera samarbetet i dessa projekt. Intervjuer visar att partneringavtalsprojekten är fördelaktiga på många vis men det skulle behövas tydliga gränsdragningslistor över ansvarsfördelningen mellan beställare och entreprenör och mellan de olika rollerna hos parterna. För att förbättra förutsättningar för kommande projekt och lättare ta in ny personal behövs bättre dokumentation över arbetssätt och erfarenheter. / The relationship between contractor and developer in the construction industry often has a lack of trust, which is unfavorable for both the projects and the staff involved. A lot of time is spent on dealing with disputes and there is an assumption that the parties are looking to con each other to their own gain. This leads to a negative outcome for both the contractor and the developer, as this contributes to the projects often becoming more expensive and more time consuming than necessary. Unfortunately, the industry has been like this for a long time, but there are better ways to work. NCC's business areas NCC Building Sweden and NCC Property Development are working together in projects with partnering agreement and during these projects they have managed to build a relationship that creates a more pleasant work environment and well-executed projects. They work with financial incentives, which means that the time spent managing who are liable for payment in the event of changes or similar is minimized. Although this close and well-developed relationship has many positive effects, there are also shortcomings in these projects. There is a certain lack of clarity between the parties and the roles that contribute to certain issues and areas of responsibility lacking owners. There is also a lot of information about working methods and decisions that end up at the individual level due to the fact that documentation is omitted. This makes it difficult for new staff to enter the projects and one loses out on experiences from previous projects. The report looks in to how the projects with partnering agreement differ from NCC's documented ways of working. The purpose is to find ways to optimize the cooperation between NCC Building Sweden and NCC Property Development and, by extension, find ways to create more clarity and better ways to manage new staff in the projects. With the help of careful examination of the documented process and interviews, comparisons between the working methods can be made to form results. The result is then used to find advantages and disadvantages of projects with partnering agreements and to find ways to optimize the cooperation in these projects. Interviews show that the projects with partnering agreement are advantageous in many ways, but clear lists of boundaries of responsibility between the contractor and the developer and between the different roles of the parties would be needed. In order to improve the conditions for future projects and to facilitate the introduction of new staff, better documentation of working methods and experiences is needed.

Many organisations recognise the importance of Information Management (IM) and are implementing it into the structure and culture of their organisation and the roles of their managers and employees. More and more, organisations are thinking and operating strategically - their very survival depends on information. Information is the lifeblood of an organisation. An essential part of any business strategy is consideration of how information systems strategy supports change. Experts agree that information management has become a competitive necessity for all types of companies. The organisations that will succeed in the global information environment are those that can identify the value of information. One of the biggest problems facing managers today at all levels is the problem of investing in and using technology efficiently, especially Information Technology (IT). Business intelligence enables organisations to make well informed business decisions and thus can be the source of competitive advantages. This is especially true when companies are able to extrapolate information from indicators in the external environment and make accurate forecasts about future trends or economic conditions. Business intelligence becomes a top initiative and investment priority for Chief lnformation Officers (CIOs) and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). This dissertation addressed the need to identify the most important information management components as a foundation for the more in-depth discussion on information management principles and best practices in broad base industries. The elements of information management that appear the most frequent in the literature study indicate that authors place high priority on the following components: • Information security • Information management governance • IT standardisation • Regulatory requirements for information management • Business intelligence • Virtual collaboration • Management of service outsourcing • Selection of service providers • Project management • Change management • Risk management • Asset management • Knowledge management • Business processes • Balanced scorecard • Benchmarking • Competitive Intelligence • Business partnering. The empirical study was conducted in six phases. The first phase consisted of establishing a framework of information management best practices in broad base industries and the second phase was to develop a preliminary measuring instrument to investigate the perceptions of the sampling population on information management best practices. Phase three consisted of a pilot study in the development of a questionnaire. Phase four was to investigate perceptions of information management best practices in broad base industries. The analysis model was developed based on the criteria evaluated using advanced statistical procedures. The five most important components of information management that were identified were Business processes, Information security, Business intelligence, Risk management, and Information management governance. The best practices for these five most important components of information management were also identified. The five highest ranking best practices were: Virus control implemented; Information management strategy aligned with business goals; Documented business processes; Risk management framework implemented; and Support and training in place. Phase five was to describe the results of the empirical study for information management best practices in broad base industries, Phase six was to compare the perception what the information management best practices are as perceived by companies from broad base industries. The most uniform perception was identified for the information management component 'Business Intelligence'. On average, it was rated almost equally by all participants. On the other hand, there is a significant difference in perception from all industry segments and the whole industry for 'Risk Management'. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / This thesis represents a cross Systems Command (NAVSEA/NAVAIR) developed product. The product - the Sunset Supply Base (SSB) system - provides a complete system for addressing the risks and supportability issues involved with Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) products in Navy combat and support systems. The SSB system was implemented on three Navy combat weapon systems at various phases of the product development life cycle. The main body provides to the Program Management Offices (PMO) and other decision makers, a high level summary of performance expectations. Appendix A - The Sunset Supply Base Architecture - identifies at a high level of abstraction a collaborative architecture providing a roadmap for design and development of the SSB system. Appendix B - The Systems Engineering Development and Implementation (SEDI) plan - is a prescriptive or "How to" manual describing activities that have been used to successfully implement the SSB system. Appendix C - Business Case Analysis (BCA) - presents the data collected as a result of SEDI plan implementation then addresses the business/programmatic attributes showing the viability and value proposition possible through the SSB system. Appendix D - The Marketing Plan for the SSB system - defines methods and practices necessary to establish the SSB system as the alternative of choice. / Chemical Engineer, United States Navy / Systems Engineer, United States Navy