Purpose: To evaluate the factors that influence potential orthodontic patients choosing between an orthodontist, general dentist, and direct-to-consumer (DTC) aligners for their treatment, and to determine the demand for each provider type. Methods: An electronic survey was administered to 250 individuals among the general population of adults in the United States. Questions were designed to determine the respondent’s level of interest in pursuing orthodontic treatment with each provider type, evaluate their current level of knowledge concerning provider options, and identify factors influencing their selection. Pearson’s chi-squared test and ANOVA were used to evaluate the factors influencing patients in their selection. Results: When asked their preference in provider type, 43.8% of respondents selected orthodontist, 34.1% selected DTC aligners, and 22.1% selected general dentist. Among respondents with the highest level of interest in pursuing orthodontic treatment, 50% selected an orthodontist and 27% selected DTC aligners. For respondents with moderate levels of interest in pursuing treatment, only 21% selected an orthodontist and 48% selected DTC aligners. The biggest perceived advantage of treatment with an orthodontist was quality of treatment, and the biggest disadvantage was cost. For DTC aligners, the biggest perceived advantage was convenience, followed by cost, and the biggest disadvantage was quality of treatment. Among adults with children, 34% selected DTC aligners for themselves and only 16% selected DTC aligners when selecting for their children. Conclusion: Adults in the United States have similar levels of interest in pursuing orthodontic treatment with orthodontists and DTC aligners and, to a lesser degree, general dentists. A significant portion of those who select DTC aligners for their treatment are patients who would not have otherwise undergone treatment with an orthodontist. Patients tend to select orthodontists due to quality of treatment, whereas DTC aligners are selected due to convenience, followed by cost. Even among parents who prefer DTC aligners for their own treatment, parents tend to select an orthodontist for their child’s treatment.

Low back and neck pain are frequent reasons for adults to seek healthcare. Three types of practitioners are commonly used in the United States: physicians, chiropractors and physical therapists. In this study, Andersen's "Behavioral Model of Health Services Utilization" is used to examine care seeking and provider selection. Estimates of back and neck pain prevalence in the United States are presented as well as care seeking rates and care consumption estimates for patients who used the three providers of interest. Multivariate regression analyses are presented that model the variables that most influence care seeking and provider selection.Cases with the conditions of low back pain and neck pain were drawn from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Panel 6 participants. Episodes of care and non-care were defined and the provider used during an episode was identified.Determinants of care seeking for low back pain included MSA status, insurance coverage, perceived health status, number of comorbidities and number of episodes. Determinants of care seeking for neck pain included insurance coverage and number of episodes. When condition was included in the analysis, it was a determinant of care seeking. All of these variables are enabling factors or need factors in Andersen's model.In the analysis of provider selection for low back pain, variables that determined the provider from whom care was sought included patient age, gender, race, ethnicity, marital status, MSA status, insurance coverage, perceived health status, if the condition was disabling and number of episodes. In the analysis of provider selection for neck pain, variables that determined the provider from whom care was sought included patient ethnicity, marital status, and if the condition was disabling.Andersen's Behavioral Model adequately predicts care seeking in LBP and NP with enabling and need factors playing a predominant role. In terms of equity of access this finding indicates a problem of access to care for persons who were uninsured. In the case of provider selection, all the constructs from the model were found to have a role in prediction indicating that access may be inequitable in the case of some providers.

The choice of proper logistics provider can be complex and might influence the success of manufacturing company. The complexity of decision can be caused by the numerous crite-ria for the selection of logistics provider. The great number of studies are discussing and presenting suggestions on logistics providers‟ selection models mostly in following streams: strategic decision making in organizations, industrial buying behavior, transportation pur-chasing, logistics suppliers‟ selection, and logistics relationships. The need for efficient pro-vider‟s selection and important criteria evaluation is causing the purpose of this paper.After the solid analysis of the theories discussed in the literature the author of this thesis is purposing the development of the hybrid model of logistics provider selection framework and finalizing with the model adapted for the case company. The issues regarding relation-ship with logistics provider and important selection criteria are questioned in this research as well.The inductive research approach is applied in this thesis. The selected qualitative study is the most suitable method regarding the problem and purpose of the study and provides for better understanding of the opinions and perceptions of the interviewed participants re-garding the frameworks of selecting logistics providers, also the process of relationship formation and coordination. Moreover, quantifying method processed through question-naires while evaluating the wide range of selection criteria related to this process is per-formed. Single case study as the research strategy is chosen, thus data is collected from six interviews conducted at six different logistics departments of the company.The main conclusions after the analysis of the covered literature and received data are re-sulting in the advice for practical implementation of the discussed model in the company‟s current procedures. The process basically includes need identification, documentation for RFQ process preparation and distribution to perspective logistics providers, results‟ analy-sis and meetings during the selection process, trial time in some cases, then final decision. The adapted model of the selection process which can be used in Fläktwoods can assist manufacturing companies having similar needs and requirements in transportation terms. The strategies in relationships‟ with logistics providers handling do not require much atten-tion in the company as its long-term relationship with main logistics services provider is re-sulting in a higher level of competitive attainment, also shorter one-year contracts benefit the company in terms of flexibility and price competition. Regardless the type of relation-ship, perceived trust, equity, and commitment are highly valuable in the company, therefore the success of the current relationship is further depending on strategic evaluation. The fu-ture study can be inspired for multiply case study, also for broader empirical investigation within the company.

Submitted by Nadir Basilio (nadirsb@uninove.br) on 2016-07-01T14:42:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Julio Cezar De Oliveira.pdf: 1235519 bytes, checksum: 7e63ce47300a84dec3bc01d87650f12f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-01T14:42:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Julio Cezar De Oliveira.pdf: 1235519 bytes, checksum: 7e63ce47300a84dec3bc01d87650f12f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-29 / Outsourcing of logistics activities in the Brazil has been growing, allowing companies to direct efforts towards to their core activities and to obtain strategic gains due to the know-how of specialist companies and the possibility of reducing costs with the assets of the contracted company. Thus, tools that aid in the proper selection of suppliers can be important for the company to reach its goals. In this context, the purpose of this study is to apply the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) in the evaluation process and selection of a logistics services providers (LSP) for the courier delivery services company, analyzing qualitative and quantitative criteria that express the real needs of the parties, whose aim is to improve the indicators in terms of quality and customer satisfaction. The results indicated that the information technology, responsiveness and quality of management are the most relevant criteria for the contractor because of the need of preserving the enterprise reliability front of your customers and to remain competitive in the courier delivery services area. The results also showed that the criteria and method used could contribute for classification of LSP suitable for the service in terms of deadline, demand and traceability required for operational success. A sensitivity analysis was also carried out to assess the robustness of the decision. Finally, the proposed model proved to be a good alternative to support the decision on the selection of logistics providers for express charge, since the analysis of qualitative and quantitative criteria adhering to organizational practice, can lead to choosing companies that can meet the quality requirements of the sector. / A terceirização das atividades logísticas no Brasil vem crescendo, permitindo as empresas a direcionar os esforços no sentido de suas atividades principais e obter ganhos estratégicos devido ao know-how de empresas especializadas e a possibilidade de reduzir os custos com os ativos da empresa contratada. Desta forma, ferramentas que auxiliem na seleção adequada de fornecedores, pode ser importante para que a empresa atinja seus objetivos. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo é investigar o uso do método de decisão multicritério Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) para a avaliação e seleção de provedores de serviços logísticos (PSLs) para empresas do segmento de cargas expressas analisando critérios qualitativos e quantitativos que expressam as reais necessidades das partes envolvidas, cujo intuito é melhorar os indicadores em termo de qualidade, prazo e satisfação dos clientes. Os resultados demonstraram que a tecnologia da informação, responsividade e a gestão da qualidade são os critérios mais relevantes para a contratante em razão da necessidade da preservação da confiabilidade da empresa frente a seus clientes e para manter-se competitiva no segmento de cargas expressas. Constatou-se que os critérios utilizados e o método contribuíram para a classificação de PSLs adequados para o atendimento em termos de prazo, demanda e rastreabilidade exigidos para o sucesso operacional. Uma análise de sensibilidade também foi desenvolvida para avaliar a robustez da decisão. O modelo proposto mostrou ser uma boa alternativa para apoio a decisão na seleção de fornecedores logísticos para carga expressa, uma vez que a análise de critérios qualitativos e quantitativos aderentes à prática organizacional, pode levar a escolha de empresas que possam atender as exigências de qualidade do setor.