A Multi-tenant database (MTD) is a way of deploying a Database as a Service (DaaS). A multi-tenant database refers to a principle where a single instance of a Database Management System (DBMS) runs on a server, serving multiple clients organisations (tenants). This technology has helped to discard the large-scale investments in hardware and software resources, in upgrading them regularly and in expensive licences of application software used on in-house hosted database systems. This is gaining momentum with significant increase in the number of organisations ready to take advantage of the technology. The benefits of MTD are potentially enormous but for any organisation to venture into its adoption, there are some salient factors which must be well understood and examined before venturing into the concept. This research examines these factors, different models of MTD, consider the requirements and challenges of implementing MTDs. Investigation of the degree of impact each of these factors has on the adoption of MTD is conducted in this research which focused mainly on public organisations. The methodology adopted in undertaking this study is a mixed method which involved both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. These strategies are used here to cover statistics (quantifiable data) and experts’ knowledge and experiences (abstract data) in order to satisfactorily achieve the aim and objectives and complete the research. Following the involvement of these strategies, a framework was developed and further refined after a second survey was carried out with a quantitative approach. This framework will help prospective tenants to make informed decisions about the adoption of the concept. The research also considers the direction of decisions about MTDs in situations where two or more factors are combined. A new MTD framework is presented that improves the decision making process of MTD adoption. Also, an Expert System (ES) is developed from the framework which was validated via a survey and analysed with the aid of SPSS software. The findings from the validation indicated that the framework is valuable and suitable for use in practice since majority of respondents accepted the research findings and recommendations for success. Likewise, the ES was validated with majority of participants accepting it and embracing the high level of its friendliness.

Introduction: As Information Technology (IT) becomes more and more advanced, the Enterprise System (ES) starts to attract researcher’s attention. While with the high rate of failure IT projects, it is important to evaluate the IT project properly. This paper conducts a case study in the Health Care area and chooses Jönköping County Council’s ROS system to be the target system. According to the established linkage between theory and real world organization, a practice of Enterprise System Evaluation is conducted by using an existing Uwizeyemungu et al.’s Enterprise System Effects Evaluation Model (ESEM). The research questions are as follows: What are the Enterprise Systems Effects which impact on business processes? To what extend do the ES effects impact on the business processes? Purpose: the study is an exploratory study that aims at identifying what are the ES Effects which impact on the business processes and assessing the importance and the actual degree of these effects. The answers of the first goal are explored by analyzing the documents and the record of interview, and the results are the basis of the second question. Method: This research has adopted a combined approach because of the nature of the research questions. Data has been collected through face-to-face interview, survey and the organizational documents. Secondary data are also be used for analyzing. Both qualitative and quantitative data are used for getting a reliable conclusion. Conclusions: The Enterprise System effects can be categorized into automaional effects, informational effects and transformational effects. The relationship between such effects and Performance indicators are very important. By determining the importance and impacts degree of such relationships, the evaluation results can be explicitly calculated and understood.

The thesis focuses on proposal of bonus system in the company. Target is to increase work efficiency and to set juster evaluation of employees. It analyzes current situation in the company, employees´ satisfaction and remuneration system. The thesis includes proposals of implementing a bonus system in the company which can contribute to an increase of work efficiency.

Groundwater and surface water contamination has been linked in the past to inadequate or failing on-site wastewater treatment and disposal systems. The on-site wastewater systems installed in coastal areas have more potential for inflicting this kind of environmental damage. This work studied the regulatory compliance and environmental protection of the four types of on-site wastewater disposal systems found on the Mississippi Gulf Coast; i.e., vegetative rock filter, subsurface drip irrigation, sand mound, and sprinkler systems, by statistical techniques. Compliance was also evaluated for groundwater samples collected from monitoring wells installed at four corners of a disposal field. This work eventually culminated in formulation of strategy for modifying the aerobic treatment prior to disposal to help reduce nitrogen loading on the discharging environment. Process modeling and simulations were performed to optimize conditions for biological nitrogen reduction in the treatment unit by efficient management of aeration. Two separate proposals were developed, such as either running the aerator unit in a low operating dissolved oxygen concentration or intermittent aeration mode.

Transportation Engineers have recently begun to incorporate statistical and machine learning approaches to solving difficult problems, mainly due to the vast quantities of data collected that is stochastic (sensors, video, and human collected). In transportation engineering, a transportation system is often denoted by jurisdiction boundaries and evaluated as such. However, it is ultimately defined by the consideration of the analyst in trying to answer the question of interest. In this dissertation, a transportation system located in Jackson, Wyoming under the jurisdiction of the Grand Teton National Park and recognized as the Moose-Wilson Corridor is evaluated to identify transportation-related factors that influence its operational performance. The evaluation considers its unique prevalent conditions and takes into account future management strategies. The dissertation accomplishes this by detailing four distinct aspects in individual chapters; each chapter is a standalone manuscript with detailed introduction, purpose, literature review, findings, and conclusion. Chapter 1 provides a general introduction and provides a summary of Chapters 2 – 6. Chapter 2 focuses on evaluating the operational performance of the Moose-Wilson Corridor's entrance station, where queueing performance and arrival and probability mass functions of the vehicle arrival rates are determined. Chapter 3 focuses on the evaluation of a parking system within the Moose-Wilson Corridor in a popular attraction known as the Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve, in which the system's operational performance is evaluated, and a probability mass function under different arrival and service rates are provided. Chapter 4 provides a data science approach to predicting the probability of vehicles stopping along the Moose-Wilson Corridor. The approach is a machine learning classification methodology known as "decision tree." In this study, probabilities of stopping at attractions are predicted based on GPS tracking data that include entrance location, time of day and stopping at attractions. Chapter 5 considers many of the previous findings, discusses and presents a developed tool which utilizes a Bayesian methodology to determine the posterior distributions of observed arrival rates and service rates which serve as bounds and inputs to an Agent-Based Model. The Agent-Based Model represents the Moose-Wilson Corridor under prevailing conditions and considers some of the primary operational changes in Grand Teton National Park's comprehensive management plan for the Moose-Wilson Corridor. The implementation of an Agent-Based Model provides a flexible platform to model multiple aspects unique to a National Park, including visitor behavior and its interaction with wildlife. Lastly, Chapter 6 summarizes and concludes the dissertation. / Doctor of Philosophy / In this dissertation, a transportation system located in Jackson, Wyoming under the jurisdiction of the Grand Teton National Park and recognized as the Moose-Wilson Corridor is evaluated to identify transportation-related factors that influence its operational performance. The evaluation considers its unique prevalent conditions and takes into account future management strategies. Furthermore, emerging analytical strategies are implemented to identify and address transportation system operational concerns. Thus, in this dissertation, decision support tools for the evaluation of a unique system in a National Park are presented in four distinct manuscripts. The manuscripts cover traditional approaches that breakdown and evaluate traffic operations and identify mitigation strategies. Additionally, emerging strategies for the evaluation of data with machine learning approaches are implemented on GPS-tracks to determine vehicles stopping at park attractions. Lastly, an agent-based model is developed in a flexible platform to utilize previous findings and evaluate the Moose-Wilson corridor while considering future policy constraints and the unique natural interactions between visitors and prevalent ecological and wildlife.

A gestão da qualidade está cada vez mais presente nas empresas construtoras. Observa-se, no entanto, que as características particulares desse tipo de empresas podem interferir na implementação de sistemas de gestão da qualidade (SGQ). O objetivo desta dissertação é apresentar uma proposta para avaliação da adequação dos SGQ das empresas construtoras aos requisitos SIQ-Construtoras, a partir de um instrumento de avaliação, e identificar quais os fatores que interferem na implementação de SGQ nessas empresas, com o auxílio de um instrumento de análise desenvolvido para esse fim. A pesquisa adotou, como método de investigação, os estudos de casos e foi utilizado um roteiro para análise dos SGQ, baseado nos requisitos do SIQ-Construtoras, como instrumento de avaliação e um questionário de caracterização para identificação das características dos SGQ das empresas construtoras. A partir da aplicação do instrumento de avaliação, os SGQ das empresas construtoras pesquisadas foram classificados em um dos quatro níveis propostos pela pesquisa e comparados com o nível que os sistemas que elas possuem implementados atualmente estão classificados ou certificados. A avaliação e conseqüente classificação foram possíveis através de evidências que confirmassem essas informações. Com o questionário de caracterização, foram identificadas as principais características dessas empresas e dos seus SGQ, além dos fatores que interferem na correta implantação e manutenção dos sistemas / The quality management is each time more present in the building companies. It is verified in those companies that the quality is going constituting in a reality because for the search of a larger competitiveness or for the motivation originated for your certification. It is observed, however, that the own characteristics of that type of companies can interfere in the implantation of quality management systems (QMS). The objective of this dissertation is to present a proposal for evaluation of the adaptation of QMS of the building companies to the SIQ-Construtoras requirements, starting from an evaluation instrument, and to identify which are the factors that interfere in the implantation of QMS in those companies, with the aid of a characterization questionnaire developed for that end. The research adopted, as investigation method, the study of cases and it was used, as evaluation instrument, a route for the analysis of QMS, based on the SIQ-Construtoras requirements, besides a structured questionnaire, as characterization questionnaire. Starting from the application of the evaluation instrument, the QMS of the researched building companies were classified in one of the four levels proposed by the research and compared with the level in that the systems, for them implemented, are classified or certified now. The evaluation and the consequent classification were possible through the evidences that confirmed those information. With the characterization questionnaire, it was possible to identify the principal characteristics of those companies and of their QMS, besides the factors that interfere in the correct implantation and maintenance of the systems

Dissertation (Ph.D. in Software Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, March 2007.D / Dissertation supervisor: Berzins, Valdis. "March 2007." Description based on title screen as viewed on April 14, 2010. DTIC Descriptors: Software Engineering, Cognition, Learning Machines, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Programming, Simulation, Military Training, Vision, User Needs, Patterns, Employment, Command And Control Systems, Humans. DTIC Identifier(s): Software Engineering, Cognitive Systems, Machine Learning, Simulation, System Deployment, Artificial Intelligence, System Evaluation, Software Evaluation. Author(s) subject terms: Software Engineering, Cognitive Systems, Machine Learning, Simulation, System Deployment, Artificial Intelligence, System Evaluation, Software Evaluation. Includes bibliographical references (p. 395-399). Also available in print.

This master’s thesis presents experiences from an evaluation of AdApt, a multi- modal, conversational dialogue system, using PARADISE, PARAdigm for Dialogue System Evaluation, a general framework for evaluation. The purpose of this master’s thesis was to assess PARADISE as an evaluation tool for such a system. An experimental study with 26 subjects was performed. The subjects were asked to interact with one of three different system versions of AdApt. Data was collected through questionnaires, hand tagging of the dialogues and automatic logging of the interaction. Analysis of the results suggests that further research is needed to develop a general framework for evaluation which is easy to apply and can be used for varying kinds of spoken dialogue systems. The data collected in this study can be used as starting point for further research.

A gestão da qualidade está cada vez mais presente nas empresas construtoras. Observa-se, no entanto, que as características particulares desse tipo de empresas podem interferir na implementação de sistemas de gestão da qualidade (SGQ). O objetivo desta dissertação é apresentar uma proposta para avaliação da adequação dos SGQ das empresas construtoras aos requisitos SIQ-Construtoras, a partir de um instrumento de avaliação, e identificar quais os fatores que interferem na implementação de SGQ nessas empresas, com o auxílio de um instrumento de análise desenvolvido para esse fim. A pesquisa adotou, como método de investigação, os estudos de casos e foi utilizado um roteiro para análise dos SGQ, baseado nos requisitos do SIQ-Construtoras, como instrumento de avaliação e um questionário de caracterização para identificação das características dos SGQ das empresas construtoras. A partir da aplicação do instrumento de avaliação, os SGQ das empresas construtoras pesquisadas foram classificados em um dos quatro níveis propostos pela pesquisa e comparados com o nível que os sistemas que elas possuem implementados atualmente estão classificados ou certificados. A avaliação e conseqüente classificação foram possíveis através de evidências que confirmassem essas informações. Com o questionário de caracterização, foram identificadas as principais características dessas empresas e dos seus SGQ, além dos fatores que interferem na correta implantação e manutenção dos sistemas / The quality management is each time more present in the building companies. It is verified in those companies that the quality is going constituting in a reality because for the search of a larger competitiveness or for the motivation originated for your certification. It is observed, however, that the own characteristics of that type of companies can interfere in the implantation of quality management systems (QMS). The objective of this dissertation is to present a proposal for evaluation of the adaptation of QMS of the building companies to the SIQ-Construtoras requirements, starting from an evaluation instrument, and to identify which are the factors that interfere in the implantation of QMS in those companies, with the aid of a characterization questionnaire developed for that end. The research adopted, as investigation method, the study of cases and it was used, as evaluation instrument, a route for the analysis of QMS, based on the SIQ-Construtoras requirements, besides a structured questionnaire, as characterization questionnaire. Starting from the application of the evaluation instrument, the QMS of the researched building companies were classified in one of the four levels proposed by the research and compared with the level in that the systems, for them implemented, are classified or certified now. The evaluation and the consequent classification were possible through the evidences that confirmed those information. With the characterization questionnaire, it was possible to identify the principal characteristics of those companies and of their QMS, besides the factors that interfere in the correct implantation and maintenance of the systems

Les technologies de l’information et de la communication se sont considérablement développées dans tous les secteurs de l’économie. Dans le domaine de la santé, et tous particulièrement dans le secteur hospitalier, les investissements se sont considérablement accrus, notamment avec la mise en place de systèmes d’information clinique (SIC) intégrés. Les hypothèses derrière ces investissements sont que la mise en œuvre d’un SIC peut améliorer à la fois l’efficience d’un hôpital et la qualité des soins. Pour être validée, ces hypothèses nécessitent que soit mise au point une méthodologie de mesure du degré de mise en place d’un SIC, de l’efficience hospitalière puis de la qualité des soins. Ce travail est centré d’une part sur la méthodologie de mesure de l’utilisation d’un SIC et d’autre part sur la mesure de l’efficience hospitalière. Le cadre applicatif du travail est, dans le premier cas, le système d’information clinique de l’HEGP et dans le second les hôpitaux de court séjour de l’AP-HP dont fait partie l’HEGP. Après une étude de la littérature sur l’évaluation de l’utilisation et de de la satisfaction d’un SIC, la première partie de la thèse est organisée autour de deux études. Une première étude longitudinale de 2004 à 2014 permet d’analyser l’évolution de l’utilisation et de la satisfaction au travers d’un groupe multi professionnel d’utilisateurs et d’analyser leurs déterminants avec des méthodes d’équations structurelles. En post-adoption précoce (4 ans), l'utilisation du SIC, la qualité du SIC et l’utilité perçue (PU) expliquent 53% de la variance de la satisfaction. Dans la phase de post-adoption très tardive (>10 ans), l’effet de l’utilisation n’est plus significatif, par contre, la qualité du SIC, la confirmation des attentes et la PU sont les paramètres les plus liés à la satisfaction expliquant 86% de sa variance. Cependant, la satisfaction et la PU sont les facteurs les plus déterminants de l’intention de continuer, avec une forte influence indirecte de la qualité du système. Un modèle unifié est proposé et comparé aux modèles principaux de la littérature. La mesure de l’efficience des hôpitaux est effectuée avec un modèle économétrique dont le choix des variables a été effectué sur la base d’une revue systématique de la littérature. Trois catégories d’indicateurs d’entrée et trois catégories d’indicateurs de sorties sont utilisés. Les relations entre entrées et sorties sont analysées au travers une fonction de production (Translog) et d’un modèle paramétrique (Stochastic Frontier Analysis). Une diminution globale de l’efficience de 20 hôpitaux de court séjour de l’AP-HP sur la période 2009-2014 est observée dont les causes possibles sont discutées. La mise au point et la validation de modèles d’évaluation de l’utilisation des SIC d’une part et de mesure de l’efficience hospitalière devrait faciliter l’analyse des relations entre informatisation et efficience hospitalière, puis lorsque la même démarche aura été appliquée à la qualité des soins entre informatisation et qualité. / The information and communication technologies (ICT) have been developed in all economic sectors. In the healthcare field, and particularly in hospitals with the introduction of clinical information systems (CIS), investments have dramatically increased. The rationale for these investments is the improvement of both the hospital efficiency and the quality of the care delivered to patients after the deployment of a fully integrated CIS. In the aim to validate these relationships adapted methodologies, need to be designed and implemented. This thesis concentrates on the CIS maturity and hospital efficiency relationship. Material for testing the hypothesis come from several CIS evaluations performed at HEGP and data extracted from the decision analytics tools of Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP). After a study of the literature on the use and satisfaction evaluation of a CIS, the first part of the thesis is organized around two main studies. A 14 years longitudinal study achieved between 2004 and 2014 analyzes the evolution of use and satisfaction and their determinants within a multi professional group of users using multiple regression techniques and structural equation methods. In early post-adoption (4 years), the CIS use, the CIS quality, and the CIS perceived usefulness (PU) explain 53% of the variance in user satisfaction. In the very late post-adoption phase (> 10 years), the effect of use on user satisfaction is no more significant. In contrast, the CIS quality, the confirmation of expectations, and the PU are the best determinants of satisfaction explaining 86% of its variance. In a second study focused on continuance intention, satisfaction and PU appear to be the best determinants of continuance intention, with a strong indirect influence of the CIS quality. A unified model is proposed and compared to the main models of the literature. The measurement of hospital efficiency was achieved with an econometric approach. Selection of indicators entered in the econometric model was performed on the basis of a systematic literature review. Three categories of input indicators and three categories of output indicators are considered. The relationship between the input and output indicators are analyzed through a Stochastic Frontier Analysis model. An overall decrease of the efficiency of the 20 short-stay hospitals of the AP-HP for the 2009-2014 period is observed and its possible causes are discussed. The development and validation of CIS use-satisfaction evaluation model combined with the analysis of the hospital efficiency evolution over time could be the first phase of a more global evaluation of the complex influence of IT introduction on hospital efficiency and the quality of care delivered to patients.