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Yuan, Yiyong Kolenikov Stanislav. "Empirical likelihood approach estimation of structural equation models." Diss., Columbia, Mo. : University of Missouri--Columbia, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10355/5029.
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The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file. Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on September 15, 2009). Thesis advisor: Dr. Stanislav Kolenikov. Includes bibliographical references.
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Gheno, Gloria. "Structural equation models with interacting mediators: theory and empirical results." Doctoral thesis, Università degli studi di Padova, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/11577/3423937.
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In last decades researchers have focused on the analysis of SEM models with nonlinear effects involving exogenous variables, i.e. which are not linearly dependent on other variables. The main problems studied are the estimation process, the choice of the indicators for nonlinear terms, when the variables are unobserved and the possibility of distinguishing interaction models from curvilinear models, while the causal analysis is not taken into account.
In this thesis I introduce nonlinear terms involving endogenous variables in SEM model with 2 mediators. I focus my attention on the interaction and curvilinear effects as its particular case. This analysis is made both with observed variables and with unobserved or latent variables. To address causal analysis, I propose two different approaches and I compare them using simulated data with different sample sizes and different covariances between the 2 mediators.
I find that my model with Pearl's (2012) causal theory and exogenous interaction, i.e. which does not depend linearly on other variables, is preferable for its simplicity and because it requires a smaller sample size. Pearl's theory can be applied to very general models and for this reason it has problems when the mediators are correlated given the mediated variable. Then I propose a modified formula to apply this theory. This approach has good performances both for interaction models and for curvilinear models and I propose a procedure to recognize the true model.
Finally from a managerial perspective using the exogenous interaction model with Pearl's modified causal theory proposed by me, I show that, in a customer satisfaction context, positive emotions and negative emotions influence "jointly" future behavior. As emotions are in turn influenced by the design of the restaurant, managers can use it to enhance customers' loyalty both directly and indirectly by jointly inducing more positive emotions and less negative ones. This way a model with interacting mediators may help to better understand customers' behavior<br>Negli ultimi decenni i ricercatori hanno focalizzato la loro attenzione sull'analisi di modelli SEM con effetti non lineari che coinvolgono variabili esogene, ossia che non sono linearmente dipendenti da altre variabili. I principali problemi studiati sono il processo di stima, la scelta degli indicatori per i termini non lineari quando le variabili sono non osservate e la possibilità di distinguere i modelli con interazione dai modelli curvilinei, non prendendo in considerazione l'analisi causale.
Introduco in questa tesi i termini non lineari che coinvolgono variabili endogene nel modello SEM con 2 mediatori. Focalizzo la mia attenzione sull'interazione e, come suo caso particolare, sugli effetti curvilinei. Questa analisi viene effettuata sia con le variabili osservate sia con le variabili non osservate o latenti. Per esaminare l'analisi causale, propongo due approcci diversi e li confronto utilizzando i dati simulati con differenti dimensioni del campione e con diverse covarianze tra i 2 mediatori.
Ho trovato che il modello con la teoria causale di Pearl (2012) e con l'interazione esogena, cioè che non dipende linearmente da altre variabili, è preferibile per la sua semplicità richiedendo un campione di dimensioni più piccole. La teoria di Pearl può essere applicata a modelli molto generali e quindi presenta problemi quando i mediatori sono correlati data la variabile mediata.Per applicare questa teoria propongo una formula da me modificata. Propongo una procedura per riconoscere il vero modello dando questo approccio buoni risultati sia per modelli con interazione sia per modelli curvilinei.
Infine dal punto di vista gestionale, utilizzando il modello con l'interazione esogena e con la teoria causale modificata di Pearl, dimostro che, in un contesto di soddisfazione del cliente, le emozioni positive e le emozioni negative influenzano "congiuntamente" il comportamento futuro. Essendo le emozioni a loro volta influenzate dal design del ristorante, i manager possono utilizzarlo per migliorare la fidelizzazione dei clienti sia direttamente che indirettamente e indurre congiuntamente più emozioni positive e meno quelle negative. In questo modo un modello con i mediatori che interagiscono può aiutare a comprendere meglio il comportamento dei clienti
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Romijn, Reinout Carel [Verfasser]. "Empirical Model Reduction of Differential-Algebraic Equation Systems / Reinout Carel Romijn." Aachen : Shaker, 2016. http://d-nb.info/1084536692/34.
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Romijn, Reinout [Verfasser]. "Empirical Model Reduction of Differential-Algebraic Equation Systems / Reinout Carel Romijn." Aachen : Shaker, 2016. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:101:1-201602282397.
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Dhuttargaon, Mukund S. Cheraghi S. Hossein. "An empirical tool life equation for diamond interlocked tool based on delamination." Diss., A link to full text of this thesis in SOAR, 2007. http://soar.wichita.edu/dspace/handle/10057/1126.
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Thesis (M. S.)--Wichita State University, College of Engineering, Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering.<br>"May 2007." Title from PDF title page (viewed on Dec. 20, 2007). Thesis adviser: S. Hossein Cheraghi. Includes bibliographic references (73-76 leaves).
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Lu, Yinghua. "Empirical Likelihood Inference for the Accelerated Failure Time Model via Kendall Estimating Equation." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2010. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/math_theses/76.
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In this thesis, we study two methods for inference of parameters in the accelerated failure time model with right censoring data. One is the Wald-type method, which involves parameter estimation. The other one is empirical likelihood method, which is based on the asymptotic distribution of likelihood ratio. We employ a monotone censored data version of Kendall estimating equation, and construct confidence intervals from both methods. In the simulation studies, we compare the empirical likelihood (EL) and the Wald-type procedure in terms of coverage accuracy and average length of confidence intervals. It is concluded that the empirical likelihood method has a better performance. We also compare the EL for Kendall’s rank regression estimator with the EL for other well known estimators and find advantages of the EL for Kendall estimator for small size sample. Finally, a real clinical trial data is used for the purpose of illustration.
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Stripling, Gwendolyn D. "An Empirical Assessment of Energy Management Information System Success Using Structural Equation Modeling." NSUWorks, 2017. http://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/1019.
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The Energy Industry utilizes Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS) smart meters to monitor utility consumers’ energy consumption, communicate energy consumption information to consumers, and to collect a plethora of energy consumption data about consumer usage. The EMIS energy consumption information is typically presented to utility consumers via a smart meter web portal. The hope is that EMIS web portal use will aid utility consumers in managing their energy consumption by helping them make effective decisions regarding their energy usage. However, little research exists that evaluates the effectiveness or success of an EMIS smart meter web portal from a utility consumer perspective. The research goal was to measure EMIS smart meter web portal success based on the DeLone and McLean Information Success Model. The objective of the study was to investigate the success constructs system quality, information quality, service quality, use, and user satisfaction, and determine their contribution to EMIS success, which was measured as net benefits. The research model used in this study employed Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) based on Partial Least Squares (PLS) to determine the validity and reliability of the measurement model and to evaluate the hypothetical relationships in the structural model. The significant validity and reliability measures obtained in this study indicate that the DeLone and McLean Information Success Model (2003) has the potential for use in future EMIS studies. The determinants responsible for explaining the variance in net benefits were EMIS use and user satisfaction. Based on the research findings, several implications and future research are stated and proposed.
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Brown, Chad M. "An Empirical Test of the Nontraditional Undergraduate Student Attrition Model Using Structural Equation Modeling." Ohio University / OhioLINK, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1176485072.
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Brown, Robert Winston, and rwb@rmit edu au. "Electrical and Thermal Modelling of Low Power Metallised Polypropylene Capacitors." RMIT University. Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2007. http://adt.lib.rmit.edu.au/adt/public/adt-VIT20080130.155318.
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Metallised polypropylene (MPP) capacitors, the dominant capacitor type used in a wide range of power and electronic circuit applications, offer high volumetric capacitor density, low cost, excellent frequency characteristics and a unique ability to recover from point failures in the dielectric film. However MPP capacitors have a generic weakness that is not well understood, failure of the self-healing process leading to ongoing catastrophic failure. The work described in this thesis includes the derivation of an improved electrical model of a capacitor and the uncovering of a mechanism for the catastrophic failure mode. Corrosion of the thin metallic field is firmly linked to drastic increases in metal film current densities and generation of hot spots in capacitors. In the work, novel formulae were derived relating capacitor parameters such as equivalent series resistance and equivalent series capacitance to frequency and physical characteristics such as metal film resistivity and physical dimensions of multiple layer capacitors. Modelling using numerical methods and diffusion equation showed that capacitors with double-end connection topology have more uniform voltage and power distribution than single-end connected capacitors. External characteristics of both connection topologies were shown to be virtually identical up to frequencies well above typical self-resonance. The aggregate spatial distribution of power from both layers and the voltage across the dielectric were found to be fundamentally different in the two circuit connection topologies. In this work it was shown that above singularity frequencies defined by distributed capacitance and metal film spreading resistance, equivalent series resistance and capacitance both fall with the square root of frequency Analysis of the inductance of typical MPP capacitors for single-end and double-end connected topologies and for circumferentially connected capacitor metallization showed that the magnitude and effect of distributed inductance in typical MPP power capacitors was insignificant compared to packaging inductance. Thermal and electrical modelling and experimental measurements showed that corrosion effects could readily account for the generic catastrophic failure mode of metallised polypropylene capacitors. Modelling showed that remnant vestiges of metal bridging corrosion gaps between the schooping and the metallic film could also pose serious thermal danger to the affected capacitor. Fusing current modelling and experimental measurement showed that fusing in metallic films typically occurred for current densities of several hundred thousand amperes per square centimetre. The partial disconnection of the metallic layers from the schooping edge by corrosion for example, was shown to result in large increases in dissipation factor and power loss in a capacitor readily explaining how capacitors
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Romijn, Reinout Verfasser], Wolfgang [Akademischer Betreuer] Marquardt, and Martin A. [Akademischer Betreuer] [Grepl. "Empirical model reduction of differential-algebraic equation systems / Reinout Romijn ; Wolfgang Marquardt, Martin Alexander Grepl." Aachen : Universitätsbibliothek der RWTH Aachen, 2016. http://d-nb.info/1130326411/34.
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Romijn, Reinout [Verfasser], Wolfgang [Akademischer Betreuer] Marquardt, and Martin A. [Akademischer Betreuer] Grepl. "Empirical model reduction of differential-algebraic equation systems / Reinout Romijn ; Wolfgang Marquardt, Martin Alexander Grepl." Aachen : Universitätsbibliothek der RWTH Aachen, 2016. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:82-rwth-2016-001704.
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Degerli, Mustafa. "Identifying Factors Influencing The Acceptance Of Processes: An Empirical Investigation Using The Structural Equation Modeling Approach." Master's thesis, METU, 2012. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12614321/index.pdf.
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In this research, it was mainly aimed to develop an acceptance model for processes, namely the process acceptance model (PAM). For this purpose, a questionnaire, comprising 3-part and 81-question, was developed to collect quantitative and qualitative data from people having relationships with certain process-focused models and/or standards (CMMI, ISO 15504, ISO 9001, ISO 27001, AQAP-160, AQAP-2110, and/or AS 9100). To revise and refine the questionnaire, expert reviews were ensured, and a pilot study was conducted with 60 usable responses. After reviews, refinements and piloting, the questionnaire was deployed to collect data and in-total 368 usable responses were collected from the people. Here, collected data were screened concerning incorrectly entered data, missing data, outliers and normality, and reliability and validity of the questionnaire were ensured. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS SEM) was applied to develop the PAM. In this context, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were applied, and the initial model was estimated and evaluated. The initial model was modified as required by PLS SEM, and confirmatory factor analysis was repeated, and the modified final model was estimated and evaluated. Consequently, the PAM, with 18 factors and their statistically significant relationships, was developed. Furthermore, descriptive statistics and t-tests were applied to discover some interesting, meaningful, and important points to be taken into account regarding the acceptance of processes. Moreover, collected quantitative data were analyzed, and three additional factors were discovered regarding the acceptance of processes. Besides, a checklist to test and/or promote the acceptance of processes was established.
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Lancaster, Steven L. "AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF A COGNITIVE MODEL OF PTSD USING PATH ANALYSIS AND STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING." OpenSIUC, 2011. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/388.
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This current study empirically tested elements of Ehlers and Clark's (2000) cognitive model of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptom maintenance using path analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM). Ehlers and Clark's model suggests that a reciprocal relationship between cognitive appraisals of the traumatic event and characteristics of the trauma memory maintain symptoms by increasing one's sense of current threat. Participants in the current study were 405 undergraduates at a Midwestern university who each reported having experienced at least one traumatic event during his/her lifetime. Path analysis was utilized to examine the possibility that one's posttraumatic cognitions may mediate the relationship between the centrality of the traumatic event to one's sense of self and one's current level of PTSD symptoms. The reverse mediation was also tested for each of the PTSD symptom clusters. Results indicate that both event centrality and posttraumatic cognitions are unique and independent predictors of current symptom level. SEM procedures were used to examine possible mediation as well as to test a reciprocal relationship between these predictors. Results are generally consistent with those from the path analysis although additional research is necessary before any firm conclusions can be stated. Overall, the results of this study support aspects of the cognitive model of PTSD; cognitive appraisals of the self and memory characteristics of the event were highly related to levels of distress. However, the current study suggests that overly integrated trauma memories lead to greater distress and not poorly integrated ones as suggested by Ehlers and Clark. The relationship between trauma memories and PTSD is in need of further study as is the role of memory and cognitions in the temporal development of PTSD.
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Maione, Gennaro. "Open Government Data to improve Public Service Quality: an empirical validation through a Structural Equation Model." Doctoral thesis, Universita degli studi di Salerno, 2019. http://elea.unisa.it:8080/xmlui/handle/10556/4507.
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2017 - 2018<br>Objective: The thesis focuses on the concept of Open Government Data (OGD) as a new approach to the management of public administrations (Pereira et al., 2017; Wang and Lo, 2016; Zuiderwijk and Janssen, 2014; Attard et al., 2015; Chan, 2013), based on the use of technologies for data treatment capable of favoring the affirmation of logics characterized by transparency, citizens’ involvement and participation in the processes, activities and services of the public sector (Dawes et al., 2016; Gonzalez-Zapata and Heeks, 2015; Ubaldi, 2013; Shadbolt et al., 2012). In particular, the objective of the work is to deepen the aspects and conditions enabling the management of Public Administration (PA) according to the OGD, as well as the impact of this approach on the quality of the public service provided to the community. The choice to carry out this study arises from the consideration according to which in literature, to date, there is no organic nucleus of empirical research aimed at investigating the stimulating factors of the ODG and the concrete effects on the public service quality resulting from the implementation of such an approach in public administrations.
Methodology: The work starts from the analysis of the state of the art dedicated to the methods of conducting public administrations. Specifically, through a chronological excursus, the main approaches to the management of the PA (such as the Bureaucratic Model, New Public Management, New Public Governance, New Public Service, Open Government) were analyzed to represent the paradigmatic evolution leading to the affirmation of the OGD. The most important aspects (constructs) emerging from the analysis of the literature were further investigated to verify the existence of possible relations of influence between them. To this end, for each of the identified constructs, several items were selected for the construction of a questionnaire, administered to a sample of 567 Italian citizens. The results emerged from the answers provided by the citizens allowed defining and testing a Structural Equation Model (SEM), aimed at providing empirical evidences about the facilitating aspects of the OGD and the effects of its adoption within the PA in terms of public service quality for the community.
Results: The findings highlight the existence of some crucial aspects, sometimes undervalued within the PA, which should be taken into account for the proper management of public administrations according to the logic of the OGD, especially in a historical moment characterized by an increasingly felt need to manage huge amounts of data in a transparent, participatory and collaborative way. In particular, according to the results of the analysis, it is necessary to encourage the dissemination of data-driven culture at every level of society so that citizens can take advantage of the benefits deriving from a thoughtful adoption of the ODG in the PA.
Implications: The work provides both theoretical and managerial implications. From a purely theoretical point of view, the thesis offers its contribution under a twofold profile: methodological and conceptual. Regarding the first aspect, the study brings to light the results obtained by testing a SEM, which represents a methodology particularly appreciated for the analysis of data in the social sciences (Hair et al., 2016; Kline, 2015), especially since it allows verifying the interrelations between latent (not directly measurable) variables (Heck and Thomas, 2015; Duncan, 2014); with regard to the conceptual profile, the thesis favors the enrichment of the literature through the analysis of an approach to company management in a sector in which the studies in this regard are still fragmented. Regarding managerial implications, the identification of the most incisive aspects in managing public administration according to the Open Government Data provides policy makers and public sector executives with valuable information for the development of policies and strategies capable of improving the quality of the service rendered to citizens. In particular, the usefulness of the thesis should be seen in the fact that, through an empirical analysis, the work offers ideas to optimize the allocation of human, economic, technological and temporal resources. In other words, in presence of limited resources, as traditionally occurs in the public sector, knowing the aspects toward which investment should be opportunely directed could generate a considerable advantage for public domain services’ recipients.
Research limitations: The study follows a quantitative approach based on the test of a Structural Equation Model, defined through the administration of questionnaires. The choice to resort to questionnaires, if on the one hand allowed building a large sample (made up of over 500 citizens), on the other hand reduced the depth of the analysis, since it prevented from investigating with high degree of detail the thought of each citizen involved in the sample survey. For this reason, the thesis takes shape as a starting point for a future research project to be carried out by using additional qualitative and quantitative methods, to be applied by means of both traditional (such as interviews) and innovative (such as social media analytics) techniques. [edited by author]<br>XVII n.s. (XXXI ciclo)
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Arner, Wayne. "A DERIVATION OF AN EMPIRICAL EQUATION FOR ESTIMATING THE ACOUSTICAL SHADOW ZONE LENGTH OF ROADWAY NOISE BARRIERS." Master's thesis, University of Central Florida, 2006. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/2329.
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The objective of this research was to derive an empirical equation that estimates the acoustical shadow zone length (SZL) of roadway noise barriers. The acoustical shadow zone is the area behind a noise barrier of reduced sound levels, generally to some stated level at or near background. The ability to predict the SZL can be used as a method to evaluate the performance, and possibly the design, of roadway noise barriers. The current federally required roadway noise model is the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Traffic Noise Model (TNM). TNM uses insertion loss (IL) to evaluate the effectiveness of a barrier. Insertion loss is the difference in sound level between the "no barrier" and the "with barrier" case. One major limitation with TNM is that the reported IL does not take into account how background noise levels influence the mitigated sound levels. Background noise can be defined as the noise present at a barrier location in the absence of roadway noise. The shadow zone represents a region behind the noise barrier where the barrier is effective at reducing noise levels and takes into account how background noise affects the IL and thus the SZL. The inclusion of background noise becomes significant in evaluating barrier effectiveness because as the distance from the barrier increases, background noise begins to overtake roadway noise as the dominate noise source. The derivation of the empirical equation began by collecting in-situ noise measurements at 18 noise barrier locations across Florida. The measured noise data was supplemented by noise data obtained from computer modeling. After a sufficient quantity of measured and modeled IL data was obtained, a contour of equal IL (IL = 5 dB) was plotted for each barrier location. The area defined by the contour is called the shadow zone. All the SZLs were statistically compared to several variables that were expected to influence it. Regression modeling showed that the background noise level, noise barrier height, the distance from the roadway to the noise barrier, and percent of heavy truck traffic volume were statistically significant as useful predictors of SZL. Two empirical equations were derived, one from linear regression and one from polynomial regression, and are referred to as the Shadow Zone Equations.<br>M.S.Env.E.<br>Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering<br>Engineering and Computer Science<br>Environmental Engineering
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Wang, Catherine Lihong. "Knowledge management orientation, organisational capabilities and performance : an empirical test of performance relationships using structural equation modeling." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2003. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/96617.
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Al-Kazemi, Saad A. "Patenting Activity, Firm Innovation Characteristics, and Financial Performance: An Empirical Investigation." Cleveland, Ohio : Case Western Reserve University, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1249013130.
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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Case Western Reserve University, 2009<br>Title from PDF (viewed on 19 August 2009) Department of Accounting Includes abstract Includes bibliographical references Available online via the OhioLINK ETD Center
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Copana, Paucara Julio. "Seismic Slope Stability: A Comparison Study of Empirical Predictive Methods with the Finite Element Method." Thesis, Virginia Tech, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/100797.
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This study evaluates the seismically induced displacements of a slope using the Finite Element Method (FEM) in comparison to the results of twelve empirical predictive approaches. First, the existing methods to analyze the stability of slopes subjected to seismic loads are presented and their capabilities to predict the onset of failure and post-failure behavior are discussed. These methods include the pseudostatic method, the Newmark method, and stress-deformation numerical methods. Whereas the pseudostatic method defines a seismic coefficient for the analysis and provides a safety factor, the Newmark method incorporates a yield coefficient and the actual acceleration time history to estimate permanent displacements. Numerical methods incorporate advanced constitutive models to simulate the coupled stress-strain soil behavior, making the process computationally more costly. In this study, a model slope previously studied at laboratory scale is selected and scaled up to prototype dimensions. Then, the slope is subjected to 88 different input motions, and the seismic displacements obtained from the numerical and empirical approaches are compared statistically. From correlation analyses between seven ground motion parameters and the numerical results, new empirical predictive equations are developed for slope displacements. The results show that overall the FEM displacements are generally in agreement with the numerically developed methods by Fotopoulou and Pitilakis (2015) labelled "Method 2" and "Method 3", and the Newmark-type Makdisi and Seed (1978) and Bray and Travasarou (2007) methods for rigid slopes. Finally, functional forms for seismic slope displacement are proposed as a function of peak ground acceleration (PGA), Arias intensity (Ia), and yield acceleration ratio (Ay/PGA). These functions are expected to be valid for granular slopes such as earth dams, embankments, or landfills built on a rigid base and with low fundamental periods (Ts<0.2).<br>Master of Science<br>A landslide is a displacement on a sloped ground that can be triggered by earthquake shaking. Several authors have investigated the failure mechanisms that lead to landslide initiation and subsequent mass displacement and proposed methodologies to assess the stability of slopes subjected to seismic loads. The development of these methodologies has to rely on field data that in most of the cases are difficult to obtain because identifying the location of future earthquakes involves too many uncertainties to justify investments in field instrumentation (Kutter, 1995). Nevertheless, the use of scale models and numerical techniques have helped in the investigation of these geotechnical hazards and has led to development of equations that predict seismic displacements as function of different ground motion parameters. In this study, the capabilities and limitations of the most recognized approaches to assess seismic slope stability are reviewed and explained. In addition, a previous shaking-table model is used for reference and scaled up to realistic proportions to calculate its seismic displacement using different methods, including a Finite Element model in the commercial software Plaxis2D. These displacements are compared statistically and used to develop new predictive equations. This study is relevant to understand the capabilities of newer numerical approaches in comparison to classical empirical methods.
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Dömeland, Narvaez Dörte. "Empirical studies on human capital and natural resources." Doctoral thesis, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/10803/7345.
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El primer capítulo de la tesis sobre "Estudios Empíricos sobre Capital Humano e Instituciones" presenta estimaciones de retornos a la educación en Alemania y analiza los determinantes de las preferencias educativas. El segundo capítulo utiliza estimaciones de retornos a la experiencia en el país de origen de inmigrantes en Estados Unidos para proporcionar evidencia empírica que el comercio aumenta la acumulación de capital humano en el trabajo, incluso en los países menos desarrollados, resolviendo la ambigüedad teórica si el comercio aumenta o disminuye "learning-by-doing". La acumulación de capital humano en el trabajo es también positivamente asociada con el PIB per capita, un alto nivel de educación y una mayor calidad de políticas e instituciones. El último capítulo analiza el efecto de recursos naturales y asistencia externa sobre la calidad de instituciones, proporcionando evidencia empírica que -contrario a la asistencia externa, la abundancia de mineral y combustible tiende a ser asociada negativamente con la calidad de instituciones si la fragmentación étnica es grande.<br>The first chapter of the thesis on "Empirical Studies on Human Capital and Institutions" presents estimates of returns to education in Germany and analyses the determinants of educational choices. The second chapter uses estimated returns to home country experience of US immigrants to provide empirical evidence that trade increases on-the-job human capital accumulation even in less developed countries, thereby resolving the theoretical ambiguity whether trade increases or decreases learning-by-doing. Similar to trade, GDP per capita, a high average level of educational attainment and stronger quality of policy and institutions are found to be positively associated with on-the-job human capital accumulation. The last chapter analyses the effect of natural resources and aid on institutions, providing empirical evidence that contrary to aid, mineral and fuel abundance tends to be associated with significantly lower quality of institutions if ethnic fractionalization is large.
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Kang, In Gu. "Empirical testing of a human performance model| Understanding success in federal agencies using second-order structural equation modeling." Thesis, Indiana University, 2015. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3715873.
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<p>Even though various models have been developed in the field of human performance technology (HPT), little research has been done to empirically test these models of human performance (HP) with large amounts of data. This insufficient evidence on whether or not HP models work in practice discourages HPT professionals and workers from applying HP models into their own contexts. This study aims to examine structural relationships among performance support systems (PSS), human behaviors (HB), and performance (PER) in order to test the proposed performance model. Using national government-wide representative data from the 2012 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS, N=687,687, 82 federal agencies), this study has the opportunity to empirically test a comprehensive performance model (Bichelmeyer & Horvitz, 2006) using structural equation modeling (SEM).
In measurement model I, a 1st order confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), all model fit indices were found to be adequate (?</p><p>2(93) = 90800.207; CFI = .949; TLI = .926; RMSEA = .038; SRMR = .030). All factor loadings of the observed variables were significant (p < .001), indicating that all first-order factors were well measured by the indicators. In measurement model II, a 2nd order CFA, all model fit indices were also found to be in adequate range (?</p><p>2(111) = 120515.246; CFI = .933; TLI = .918; RMSEA = .040; SRMR = .036). All factor loadings of the first-order factors used to measure the second-order factors were statistically significant (p < .001), indicating that all the second-order factors were well measured by the first-order factors. In structural model, a 2nd order SEM, all model fit indices demonstrated the proposed model is entirely adequate (?</p><p>2(111) = 120515.381; CFI = .933; TLI = .918; RMSEA = .040; SRMR = .036). In terms of structural relationships, results supported the hypothesized direct associations among PSS, HB, and PER. Four steps outlined by Baron and Kenny (1986) and Judd and Kenny (1981) were taken for mediation analysis. In addition, bootstrapping (1,000) with confidence intervals was used for a robust examination of the mediating effect of HB. The results indicated that HB partially mediated the relationship between PSS and PER (?_11* ?_21 = .35, p < .001, 95% CI [0.34 to 0.37]).
Finally, implications are discussed based on the results and findings of this study. At the first-order factor level, various sets of practices for Human Performance Technology (HPT), Human Resource Management (HRM), and Human Resource Development (HRD) are presented.
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Yunus, Erlinda Nusron. "Drivers of Supply Chain Integration and the Role of Organizational Culture: Empirical Evidence from Indonesia." OpenSIUC, 2012. https://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/dissertations/525.
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The increasing emphasis on integration among members of a supply chain has led to new mechanisms to help firms coordinate the flow of products, services, and information through the supply chain. Many studies support the importance and influence of supply chain integration on firm performance but only a few focus on factors driving the integration practices. Moreover, the role of organizational contextual factors that could influence supply chain integration has been largely overlooked. This research examines firms' internal and external drivers of supply chain integration, as well as evaluates the impact of the integration on firm performance. This study further investigates the moderating role of organizational culture, based on the dimensions of control-flexibility orientation and internal-external focus, in strengthening or weakening the relationships between supply chain integration and its antecedents. For the purpose of this study, manufacturing firms were identified as the focal firms in supply chains, and thus data was collected through a survey of 223 Indonesian-based manufacturing firms. Two informants from each firm became the respondents. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data, and this study confirmed the positive relationships between supply chain integration and firm performance. The results also indicated that internal driver, or specifically firms' customer orientation, triggered the initiation of supply chain integration. Other factors, such as demand uncertainty, supply uncertainty, technology uncertainty, as well as firms' anticipation of benefits, were not significantly related to the degree of supply chain integration. Furthermore, focal firms with external focus were pursuing a higher degree of supply chain integration than those with internal focus. By investigating the linkages between internal and external drivers, supply chain integration, firm performance, and organizational culture, this study attempts to contribute to the Operations Management discipline, especially to the area of supply chain management. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
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Tuttle, Matthew D. "True North or Traveled Terrain? An Empirical Investigation of Authentic Leadership." [Tampa, Fla] : University of South Florida, 2009. http://purl.fcla.edu/usf/dc/et/SFE0003188.
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Basak, Munmun. "An empirical investigation of critical risk factors impacting schedule overrun in upstream gas projects in Australia." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2020. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/206457/1/Munmun_Basak_Thesis.pdf.
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This project is a step forward in developing an integrated risk management framework to minimize schedule overrun in upstream gas projects in Australia. It examines critical technical and non-technical risks and demonstrates their interaction and interdependencies in the project environment that influence delays, potentially enabling industry practitioners to understand individual and collective influence of risk and implement strategies to achieve optimum results. It implements a three-phase research design involving survey and case studies to triangulate data and findings and the high degree of agreement between these findings together with literature review, bolster the robustness and confidence in this investigation’s findings.
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Bouadoumou, Maxime K. "Jackknife Empirical Likelihood for the Accelerated Failure Time Model with Censored Data." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2011. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/math_theses/112.
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Kendall and Gehan estimating functions are used to estimate the regression parameter in accelerated failure time (AFT) model with censored observations. The accelerated failure time model is the preferred survival analysis method because it maintains a consistent association between the covariate and the survival time. The jackknife empirical likelihood method is used because it overcomes computation difficulty by circumventing the construction of the nonlinear constraint. Jackknife empirical likelihood turns the statistic of interest into a sample mean based on jackknife pseudo-values. U-statistic approach is used to construct the confidence intervals for the regression parameter. We conduct a simulation study to compare the Wald-type procedure, the empirical likelihood, and the jackknife empirical likelihood in terms of coverage probability and average length of confidence intervals. Jackknife empirical likelihood method has a better performance and overcomes the under-coverage problem of the Wald-type method. A real data is also used to illustrate the proposed methods.
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Cakir, Murat. "Development And Validation Of B2c E-commerce Adoption Model: An Empirical Investigation Using Structural Equation Modeling And Interpretative Phenomenological Analyses." Phd thesis, METU, 2012. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12614895/index.pdf.
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Incentive for this research stems from the fact that Business-to-Consumer electronic commerce sector is going to oligopoly and the new actors have relatively less chance to accomplish in the current market if they follow the same ways that the old companies have already paved. Considering this challenge, the aim is to understand the adoption process of customers by analyzing the contemporary perceptions of individuals against e-shopping. Initially, business-to-consumer electronic commerce adoption model is developed. Proposed model and hypotheses are tested with Partial Least Squares as a Structural Equation Modeling technique using data collected from 1115 respondents via an online survey. Then, semi-structured open-ended interviews are conducted in order to grasp the perceptions of customers. The results are interpreted following a systematic mixed methodology involving Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to elucidate the antecedents and causal relations of constructs in an inductive and exploratory way to illuminate a socio-technical phenomenon as complementary to deductive and confirmatory quantitative perspective. Findings and implications are asserted to be utilized as a roadmap especially for start-up companies that challenge to survive and succeed in current market conditions. Trust is found to be the predominant factor in e-shopping adoption. It is proved that, after almost two decades shopping via Internet had been invented, contemporarily, definitions for the dimensions of Enjoyment, Perceived Usefulness, Store Familiarity, Perceived Ease of Use and Subjective Norm have
evolved into new semantics and customers perceive each factor according to their actual cognition contexts.
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Van, Deventer Megan. "The development and empirical evaluation of an work engagement structural model." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/96784.
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Thesis (MComm)--Stellenbosch University, 2015.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Work Engagement is one construct of many that forms part of the complex nomological network of constructs underlying the behaviour of working man2. Work Engagement is an important construct both from an individual as well as from an organisational perspective. Human resource management interventions aimed at enhancing Work Engagement aspire to contribute to the achievement of the organisation’s primary objective and the well-being of the organisation’s employees. Such interventions will most likely also be valued by individuals within the workplace, as individuals will be able to experience a sense of personal fulfilment through self-expression at work. It is therefore essential to gain a valid understanding of the Work Engagement construct and the psychological mechanism that underpins it, in order to design human resource interventions that will successfully enhance Work Engagement. The current study raises the question why variance in Work Engagement exists amongst different employees working in different organisational contexts. The research objective of the current study is to develop and empirically test an explanatory Work Engagement structural model that will provide a valid answer to this question.
In this study, a comprehensive Work Engagement structural model was proposed. An ex post facto correlational design with structural equation modelling (SEM) as the statistical analysis technique was used to test the substantive research hypotheses as represented by the Work Engagement structural model. Furthermore, the current study tested two additional narrow-focus structural models describing the impact of value congruence on Work Engagement by using an ex post facto correlational design with polynomial regression as the statistical analysis technique. A convenience sample of 227 teachers working in public sector schools falling under the jurisdiction of the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) participated in the study.
The comprehensive Work Engagement model achieved reasonable close fit. Support was found for all of the hypothesised theoretical relationships in the Work Engagement structural model, except for the influence of the PsyCap*Job Characteristics interaction effect on Meaningfulness and for three of the five latent polynomial regression terms added in the model in an attempt to derive response surface test values. The response surface analyses findings were mixed. Based on the obtained results, meaningful practical recommendations were derived.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Werkverbintenis1 is een van ‘n groot verskeidenheid konstrukte wat deel vorm van die komplekse nomologiese netwerk van konstrukte wat die gedrag van die arbeidende mens onderlê. Werkverbintenis word as ‘n belangrike konstruk beskou vanuit ‘n individuele sowel as vanuit ‘n organisatoriese perspektief. Menslike hulpbronbestuurs-intervensies gerig op die bevordering van Werkverbintenis streef daarna om by te dra tot die bereiking van die organisasie se primêre doel sowel as tot die welstand van die organisasie se werknemers. Sodanige intervensies sal waarskynlik ook deur werknemers waardeer word, aangesien sodanige intervensies die kanse verhoog dat individue selfvervulling in hul werk sal ervaar omdat die werk hul die geleentheid bied om hulself in hul werk uit te leef. Dit is gevolglik noodsaaklik om ‘n geldige begrip te ontwikkel van die Werkverbintenis-konstruk en die sielkundige meganisme wat dit onderlê ten einde menslike hulpronbestuurs-intervensies te ontwerp wat suksesvol Werkverbintenis sal bevorder. Die huidige studie stel die vraag aan die orde waarom variansie in Werkverbintenis tussen verskillende werknemers bestaan wat in verskillende organisatoriese kontekste werk. Die navorsingsdoelstelling van die huidige studie is om ‘n verklarende Werkverbintenisstrukturele model te ontwikkel en te toets wat ‘n geldige antwoord op hierdie vraag sal bied.
‘n Omvattende Werkverbintenis strukturele model is in hierdie studie voorgestel. ‘n Ex post facto korrelatiewe ontwerp met strukturele vergelykingsmodellering (SVM) as die statistiese ontledingstegniek is gebruik om die substantiewe navorsingshipotese soos voorgestel deur die Werkverbintenis strukturele model te toets. Die huidige studie het voorts twee addisionele nouer-fokus strukturele modelle getoets wat die impak van waardekongruensie op Werkverbintenis beskryf deur middel van ‘n ex post facto korrelatiewe ontwerp met polinomiese regressie-ontleding as statistiese ontledingstegniek. ‘n Geriefsteekproef van 227 onderwysers wat in openbare skole werksaam is wat onder die beheer van die Wes Kaapse Department van Onderwys val (WKDO) het aan die studie deelgeneem. Die omvattende Werkverbintenis-model het redelik goeie pasgehalte getoon. Steun is gevind vir all die voorgestelde teoretiese verwantskappe in die Werkverbintenis strukturele model, behalwe vir die invloed van die Sielkundige kapitaal*Werk eienskappe-interaksie-effek op Betekenisvolheid en vir drie van die vyf polinomiese latente regressie-terme wat in die model ingesluit is in ‘n poging om responsoppervlakte-waardes af te lei. Gemengde resultate is verkry vir die responsoppervlakte-ontleding. Betekenisvolle praktiese aanbevelings is gemaak op grond van die navorsingsresultate.
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Kwock, Yongsub. "A Theoretical Integration and Empirical Test of Strategic Management: Environment, Strategy, Structure, Implementation, and Performance in the Hospitality Industry." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/37653.
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The main purposes of this study were to investigate the causality, congruence, and relationships among the constructs in the strategic management process. Perceived environmental certainty, organizational structure, types of strategy, types of strategy implementation, and satisfaction level with performance were selected as relevant constructs for this study.
A total of 184 responses to a survey given to top management in the hospitality industry, including restaurant and lodging firms, were analyzed. The various relationships among the constructs were hypothesized and tested by utilizing exploratory factor, confirmatory factor, and structural equation modeling analyses. The exploratory factor analysis revealed several dimensions of both strategy and strategy implementation constructs. The reliabilities, validities, and model fits of each construct and of all constructs together were assessed by utilizing confirmatory factor analysis. Finally, the various structural relationships among the constructs were tested by structural equation modeling.
Results revealed the existence of causality in the model. Results also indicated a positive relationship between perceived environmental certainty and the defender type of strategy. A negative effect of the defender type of strategy and a positive effect of the prospector type of strategy on organic organizational structure were revealed. Perceived environmental certainty had a positive effect on the collaborator type of strategy implementation. An organic organizational structure had a positive effect on the commander type of strategy implementation. A positive effect of the defender type of strategy on the commander type of strategy implementation, and the positive effect of the prospector type of strategy on the collaborator type of strategy implementation were identified. There were positive effects of the prospector type of strategy and the collaborator type of strategy implementation on the satisfaction level with performance. Finally, a positive effect of the congruence between the prospector type of strategy and the collaborator type of strategy implementation on the satisfaction level with performance was revealed.
Several hypothesized relationships were not supported: a negative effect of perceived environmental certainty on the prospector type of strategy, a negative effect of perceived environmental certainty on organic organizational structure, a positive effect of perceived environmental certainty on the commander type of strategy implementation, a positive effect of an organic organizational structure on the collaborator type of strategy implementation, a positive effect of the defender type of strategy on the satisfaction level with performance, and a positive effect of the commander type of strategy implementation on the satisfaction level with performance.
The results of statistical analysis implied that top management in the hospitality industry did not perceive the environment as an important factor contributing to a firmâ s performance. In addition, top management was reluctant to change organizational structure. Also, many firms in the industry still practice a defensive strategy and strategy implementation with the traditional pyramid type of organizational structure, which does not contribute positively to a satisfaction level with performance. Finally, the prospector type of strategy and the collaborator type of strategy implementation were important contributors to the satisfaction level with performance.
In spite of some limitations, including the problems associated with generalizability, the advantages that could have been gained by a longitudinal study, the lack of some relevant variables, and subjective nature of the data, the findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the strategic management process in the hospitality industry by revealing various relationships among the constructs in the strategic management process.<br>Ph. D.
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Kanat, Irfan Emrah. "E-government Adoption Model Based On Theory Of Planned Behavior: Empirical Investigation." Master's thesis, METU, 2009. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12610714/index.pdf.
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The e-government phenomena has become more important with the ever increasing number of implementations world wide. A model explaining the e-government adoption and the related measurement instrument a survey had been developed and validated in this study. In a post technology acceptance model (TAM) approach, theory of planned behavior (TPB) was extended to t the requirements of e-government context. The
adoption of student loans service of the higher education student loans and accommodation association (KYK) was investigated to obtain data for empirical validation. The
instrument was administered to over four-hundred students and partial least squares path modeling was employed to analyze the data. The results indicate that the model was an improvement over TAM in terms of predictive power. The constructs investigated in the study successfully explained the intention to use an e-government service.
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Blekh, Aleksandr. "Governance and organizational sponsorship as success factors in free/libre and open source software development: An empirical investigation using structural equation modeling." NSUWorks, 2015. http://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/40.
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Recent advances in information technologies and subsequent explosive growth of computer software use in practically all aspects of everyday life provide tremendous opportunities and benefits for improving people's lives. However, significant proportion of software projects represents cancelled, abandoned or otherwise failed projects. This situation exists not only in commercial software products or government information systems, but also in an increasingly popular and important domain of free/libre and open source software (FLOSS).
The problem of failures in software development projects requires identification and understanding of the factors of success and their interrelationships. Practice and previous research suggest that governance of software development projects plays crucial role in their success. Increasing adoption and sponsorship of FLOSS by commercial firms and government organizations present additional challenges; such sponsorship may also interact with governance in FLOSS projects and play a role in determining their success.
This dissertation focused on analyzing the role and significance of governance and organizational sponsorship in the success of FLOSS development. This study used both conceptual analysis and empirical methods. The conceptual analysis phase, a preliminary study based on the review of existing literature, produced a partial model of success in FLOSS development. This model was verified in an empirical phase, which statistically analyzed data from multiple FLOSS repositories and other public sources. The statistical analysis was based on structural equation modeling (SEM) approach.
Results of this study did not confirm hypothesized effects of the main two factors (governance and organizational sponsorship) on FLOSS success, but confirmed a positive effect of project maturity on the success. The likely reason of the lack of support for the main factors is unavailability of sufficient and correct data for proper operationalization. This and other uncovered issues are planned to be addressed in the future research on the topic, for which this dissertation formed a solid conceptual and data analysis framework.
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Chen, Chun-I. Philip. "Factors Affecting Business-to-Business Electronic Commerce Success: An Empirical Investigation." NSUWorks, 2010. http://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/118.
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It is generally believed that Business to Business (B2B) e-commerce has a great impact on business performance improvement. Considerable research also shows that another dependent variable, B2B e-commerce success, can be a good overall measure of B2B systems. This paper investigated and examined the impact of several factors, which are either internal or external to the firm on B2B performance improvement and B2B e-commerce success. It is suggested that the various factors affect B2B success through business performance improvement.
A research model was developed to test and evaluate these factors. A survey instrument was developed to examine the relationships between these factors and business performance. Survey data was collected online from 143 companies in the U.S.A. and Taiwan where their B2B e-commerce systems were operational for more than 1 year. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was used to assess the measurement and the structural model.
Analyses and results of the pooled survey data suggest that the following factors are significant in the B2B e-commerce environments: (a) alignment of business and e-commerce strategy has a positive impact on business performance, (b) strong relationships between the trading partners have a positive influence on business performance, and (c) B2B e-commerce success is significantly influenced by business performance improvements. Thus, firms that seek to implement successful B2B systems should focus on business performance improvements.
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Teker, Mahmut. "Identifying Factors That Facilitate The Use Of Multi-purpose Smart Cards By University Students: An Empirical Investigation." Master's thesis, METU, 2011. http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/12612983/index.pdf.
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The aim of this thesis is to identify factors that affect the university students&rsquo<br>acceptance of multi-purpose Smart Cards. The findings of this study will be beneficial to facilitate the use of Smart-Card enabled system both n universities and in other institutions which either have these systems in use or plan to invest on these systems in the future. The research methodology employed within this study is based on quantitative methods. A survey instrument comprising 51 5-point Likert-type questions has been developed and applied to 207 university Middle East Technical University students.
The data collected has been analyzed using Exploratory Factor Analysis to categorize factors having items. According to analysis results, the data classified under 5 factors<br>Perceived Usefulness, Perceived Ease of Use, Behavioral Intention, Anxiety, and Technological Complexity. Then, the relations between these 5 factors identified and a measurement model was created. For assessing the proposed model Discriminant and Convergent Validity scores were calculated by Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Then, Structural Equation Modeling was conducted with Partial Least Squares for validating the model&rsquo<br>s estimated influence. The study has shown that the main Technology Acceptance Model constructs fit for determining the university students&rsquo<br>intention of Smart Card usage except for Perceived Ease of Use over Behavioral Intention. Moreover, study showed that Anxiety and Technological Complexity were the external factors that have effect on willingness of using multi-purpose Smart Cards. If students have Anxiety, this affects their perception of easiness of the system and it has negative indirect effect on the perceived usefulness and direct effect on intention. Technological Complexity is another factor which has direct affect on the perception of easiness and usefulness and intention.
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Dawson, Matthew D. "AN EMPIRICAL TEST OF A MODEL OF THE IMPACT OF ATTACHMENT STYLE ON DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND MARITAL QUALITY." The Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1038947437.
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Muhammed, Shahnawaz. "Antecedents and Impacts of Knowledge Management Practices Supported by Information Technology: An Empirical Study in Manufacturing Context." University of Toledo / OhioLINK, 2006. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1153916152.
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Heredia, Rojas Boris Fabrizio. "The Contingent Effects of Value Creation Processes on Project Value–An Empirical Analysis from Project Managers’ Perspective." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/18087.
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Projects are seen as platforms for bringing changes that may create value for stakeholders. There are two main schools of thought on the value creation processes; one based on transactional exchange theories and the other on relations-based theories. The former focus on value creation through reduction of transactional costs, while the latter emphasises addressing project stakeholder’s needs through establishing close interactions with involved parties. Accordingly, this research examines effects on project value of the two value creation processes for project delivery: independent value creation– where the firm relies on its capabilities and expertise to deliver the project, without the need for seeking collaboration from other firms; and value co-creation– where the firm and key stakeholders collaborate to deliver the project based on close relationships. Extant studies have conceptually identified the effects on project value of both value creation processes. Nevertheless, there is a little empirical investigation of these effects. Hence, the main objective of this research is to investigate how both processes of value creation affect project value and the moderating effects of two critical contingent variables –requirements uncertainty and project complexity– on the relationship between value creation processes and project value. The study employs a deductive approach to fulfil this aim, and applies a cross-sectional survey to collect data; 168 valid responses from Chilean project managers were returned. A multivariate analysis using PLS-SEM was conducted to validate the conceptual framework and to test the hypotheses. Contributing to literature, the findings demonstrate that both value creation processes impact jointly on project value, and these impacts are moderated by the current level of requirements uncertainty and project complexity. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed. Directions for future research are elaborated.
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Al, Solaiman Sultan. "An empirical study of the factors impacting on the involvement of clients in Saudi Arabian construction projects." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2014. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/72580/1/Sultan_Al%20Solaiman_Thesis.pdf.
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This thesis is an empirical study of the factors impacting on the client involvement in Saudi Arabian construction government projects. The study investigated the impact of some factors that limited the client involvement and developed a framework called "client involvement interactive" to improve the client involvement practices in Saudi Arabian construction projects through the implementation of an implementable strategy elaborated.
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Rudolph, Michael J. "DO INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS SUBSIDIES CORRELATE WITH EDUCATIONAL SPENDING? AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF PUBLIC DIVISION-I COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES." UKnowledge, 2017. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/epe_etds/51.
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Intercollegiate athletics are a prominent feature of American higher education. They have been characterized as the “front door” to the university due to their unique ability to draw alumni and other supporters to campus. It is often supposed that the exposure from high-profile athletics produces a number of indirect benefits including greater institutional prestige. Such exposure comes at a cost, however, as most Division I athletics programs are not financially self-sufficient and receive institutional subsidies to balance their budgets. At present, it is unclear how institutions budget for athletics subsidies or whether the recent increases in subsidies have impacted the overall financial picture of colleges and universities. Prior research has shown that athletics subsidies and student tuition and fees are not significantly correlated for public Division I institutions, which suggests the possibility that institutions have reallocated funds from other core areas to athletics. In this dissertation, the relationship between athletics subsidies and one of the most important core areas of the university – education and related activities – was examined. This relationship was investigated using fixed-effects structural equation models to analyze a panel dataset of public Division I institutions.
It was found that total athletics subsidies (school funds and student fees) per student and education and related spending per student were positively correlated. This suggests that rather than decrease educational spending, institutions that increase total athletics subsidies have simultaneously increased their educational expenditures. However, in the analyses involving the more restrictive definition of athletics subsidies, it was shown that athletics subsidies from school funds was not correlated with educational spending. The results also provided some evidence that differences in the relationship between athletics subsidies and educational spending exist according to Carnegie classification and level of athletics competition. The findings from this study have a number of implications for higher education policy and future research. The absence of a negative relationship between athletics subsidies and educational spending suggests that athletics subsidies are not associated with decreases in educational spending that could ultimately harm the quality of education provided by colleges and universities. Furthermore, the existence of a positive correlation between athletics subsidies and educational spending and the fact that core revenues were controlled for in the models suggest the possibility that institutions have redirected funds from other areas to support education and athletics.
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Schmitz-Justen, Felix J. [Verfasser]. "Forum-based online knowledge communities : knowledge processes and their factors of influence [[Elektronische Ressource]] : an empirical study using structural equation modeling / Felix J. Schmitz-Justen." Bremen : IRC-Library, Information Resource Center der Jacobs University Bremen, 2008. http://d-nb.info/1034767895/34.
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Schmitz-Justen, Felix [Verfasser]. "Forum-based online knowledge communities : knowledge processes and their factors of influence [[Elektronische Ressource]] : an empirical study using structural equation modeling / Felix J. Schmitz-Justen." Bremen : IRC-Library, Information Resource Center der Jacobs University Bremen, 2008. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:101:1-201305171065.
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Alomiri, Hamdi. "The impact of leadership style and organisational culture on the implementation of e-services : an empirical study in Saudi Arabia." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/4343.
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There is a general scarcity of empirical studies investigating the impact of leadership styles on e-Government use in the service industry. This is doubly true of styles such as transformational, transactional and servant leadership. Theorised models propose that leadership style forms the desired organisational culture for implementing e-services, organisational culture being the mediator and the national culture the moderator. This research fills the empirical gap by investigating how leadership forms the organisational culture that facilitates and enhances the implementation and use of e-government in organisations in Saudi Arabia. The research was conducted through the sampling of employees in private and public sectors. While the data for the leadership styles, organisational culture and national culture were collected through the use of questionnaires designed for employees, the e-services were measured through organizations’ official websites. All data were processed and analysed using computer software (WarPPLS) and SPSS. The results support the hypothesized relationships proposed in the theoretical model, wherein all constructs under study (except for the mediating effect of National Culture (NC) on the relationship between leadership styles and organisational culture) positively affect e-services implementation, including Individualized Influence (IINF), Intellectual Stimulation (ISTIM), Individualized Support (ISUP), Contingent Reward (CR), Management by Exception (MbE), Servant Leadership (SL), Bureaucratic Culture (BC), Involvement Culture (INVC), Mission Culture (MC), Innovative Culture (INC), Task Culture (TC) and Future Culture (FC) and the mediating effect of National Culture (NC) on the relationship between organisational culture and e-services implementation. The results also indicated that specific leadership styles have direct and positive impacts on e-services implementation and indirect influences through a mediating organisational culture and a moderating national culture. The empirical findings bring new evidence in support of this proposal, indicating that specific leadership styles play crucial roles in influencing processes and outcomes within organizations. According to these results, e-services differ from one organization to another, and these variations were correlated to leadership styles and organizational culture. It was found that there were positive and significant correlations between total leadership styles (hybrid) and total organizational cultures (hybrid) in the full sample and in e-services implementation. E-services implementation increases when the mean for leadership styles rises, but types of organizational culture were also crucial factors in achieving better e-services. The national culture variable, which was used as a moderator, did not have a significant influence on the relationship between leadership style and organisational culture. Therefore, the moderating role of national culture in the relationship between leadership styles and organisational culture did not have any level of statistical significance, which means that regardless of the national culture (power distance or uncertainty avoidance) the effect of leadership style on organisational culture in the model adopted in this study appeared to be quite consistent. The study links theory to practice by explaining the subject of modern leadership styles and shows their relevance to the Saudi organisations and business environment. As such, it opens up a domain for investigating the application of modern management theories in a different culture. Although a plethora of studies have investigated the effect of factors such as organisational culture and/or national culture on e-services implementation in Saudi’s organisations, no study (to the best of this writer's knowledge) has tackled the issue of e-services implementation and leadership styles in those organisations. Therefore, studying e-services implementation and leadership styles in Saudi’s organisations is a contribution to the literature on the service industry, adding to its knowledge with a case study from a different cultural setting. The study also opens up a horizon for future research on developing the business sector, as it uses standardized tools in terms of reliability and validity within the context of the e-services implementation. Therefore, this study contributes to existing knowledge in that leadership and organisational culture are revealed to be key contributors to e-services implementation. The three leadership styles - transformational, transactional, and servant leadership - were empirically found to be appropriate styles that work well in e-services implementation projects. These styles have direct and positive benefits to e-services implementation and an indirect impact through the mediating means of organisational culture, and empirical findings bring new evidence for this notion. Moreover, the six organisational cultural dimensions were judged to be appropriate supporters of e-services implementation, specifically: involvement, mission, innovation, task-orientation, bureaucracy, and future-orientation.
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Levitskaya, T. "The features of construction the empirical description of the drop contour in automation calculations of the surface properties of the melts." Thesis, Sumy State University, 2017. http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/55770.
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This paper considers the automation of the process
of calculation the density and the surface tension of
the melts according to the method of a recumbent
drop. To solve the assigned task, it has been derived
the empirical formulas of the analytical description of
numeral solution Laplace’s differential equation for
the contour of a drop. It has made possible to
automate fully the calculation of thermodynamic
characteristics.
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Kamilis, Dimitrios. "Uncertainty Quantification for low-frequency Maxwell equations with stochastic conductivity models." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/31415.
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Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) has been an active area of research in recent years with a wide range of applications in data and imaging sciences. In many problems, the source of uncertainty stems from an unknown parameter in the model. In physical and engineering systems for example, the parameters of the partial differential equation (PDE) that model the observed data may be unknown or incompletely specified. In such cases, one may use a probabilistic description based on prior information and formulate a forward UQ problem of characterising the uncertainty in the PDE solution and observations in response to that in the parameters. Conversely, inverse UQ encompasses the statistical estimation of the unknown parameters from the available observations, which can be cast as a Bayesian inverse problem. The contributions of the thesis focus on examining the aforementioned forward and inverse UQ problems for the low-frequency, time-harmonic Maxwell equations, where the model uncertainty emanates from the lack of knowledge of the material conductivity parameter. The motivation comes from the Controlled-Source Electromagnetic Method (CSEM) that aims to detect and image hydrocarbon reservoirs by using electromagnetic field (EM) measurements to obtain information about the conductivity profile of the sub-seabed. Traditionally, algorithms for deterministic models have been employed to solve the inverse problem in CSEM by optimisation and regularisation methods, which aside from the image reconstruction provide no quantitative information on the credibility of its features. This work employs instead stochastic models where the conductivity is represented as a lognormal random field, with the objective of providing a more informative characterisation of the model observables and the unknown parameters. The variational formulation of these stochastic models is analysed and proved to be well-posed under suitable assumptions. For computational purposes the stochastic formulation is recast as a deterministic, parametric problem with distributed uncertainty, which leads to an infinite-dimensional integration problem with respect to the prior and posterior measure. One of the main challenges is thus the approximation of these integrals, with the standard choice being some variant of the Monte-Carlo (MC) method. However, such methods typically fail to take advantage of the intrinsic properties of the model and suffer from unsatisfactory convergence rates. Based on recently developed theory on high-dimensional approximation, this thesis advocates the use of Sparse Quadrature (SQ) to tackle the integration problem. For the models considered here and under certain assumptions, we prove that for forward UQ, Sparse Quadrature can attain dimension-independent convergence rates that out-perform MC. Typical CSEM models are large-scale and thus additional effort is made in this work to reduce the cost of obtaining forward solutions for each sampling parameter by utilising the weighted Reduced Basis method (RB) and the Empirical Interpolation Method (EIM). The proposed variant of a combined SQ-EIM-RB algorithm is based on an adaptive selection of training sets and a primal-dual, goal-oriented formulation for the EIM-RB approximation. Numerical examples show that the suggested computational framework can alleviate the computational costs associated with forward UQ for the pertinent large-scale models, thus providing a viable methodology for practical applications.
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Kim, Seehyung. "A Causal Model of Linkages between Environment and Organizational Structure, and Its Performance Implications in International Service Distribution: An Empirical Study of Restaurant and Hotel Industry." Diss., Virginia Tech, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/27373.
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This research develops and tests a model of the service unit ownership and control patterns used by international service companies. The main purpose of this study is to investigate trivariate causal relationships among environmental factors, organizational structure, and perceived performance in the internationalization process of service firms. A service firm operating in foreign soil has a choice of three general entry mode strategies offering different degrees of ownership and control of its remote operating units located in foreign countries -- full ownership arrangement, joint venture arrangement, and franchising arrangement.
The entry mode strategies chosen depend on the factors relating to internal environment of a specific firm, industry related factors in which the firm operates, and external environment of the operating units at national context. This study identifies these factors, investigates how they affect the firm's choice of entry modes, and finally examines the impact of entry mode on firm's performance. The overall model has been explained by contingency theory that conceptualizes optimal level of ownership and control mode as a response by the firm to the interplay of environmental factors and as a determinant of firm's performance. To this core can be added complementary theories which are borrowed from agency theory, transaction cost theory, and resource dependence theory. These theories explain the linkages between market entry mode and each type of environmental factors.
In order to empirically test the hypotheses, data were collected from hospitality firms regarding the ownership structure of subsidiaries located in foreign countries. As a whole, the conceptual model developed in the study received strong support from the empirical study. This study found a positive impact of contingency fit on performance and so support contingency theory in which some combinations of the environmental dimensions and organizational structure will lead to better organizational performance. Another finding of this study indicates that the increased level of ownership and control will result in enhancing the level of perceived performance. It should be noted that contingency model-based mode choice would provide managers with the optimal performance because there is not one best performing mode choice in volatile international market.
Next, the relationship of market environment with organizational structure was examined through three different perspectives. Market environment was investigated at firm, industry, and national context, which includes five factors -- monitoring uncertainty, asset specificity, cultural distance, political uncertainty, and economic uncertainty. The model is suggestive of a picture in which five environmental factors vie for affecting the choice of market entry modes. All five environmental factors were found to be significantly related to firms' organizational structure. Among five environmental factors, cultural uncertainty has the largest effect on the choice of entry mode followed by monitoring uncertainty, political uncertainty, asset specificity, and economic uncertainty.
One of the important implications of this research is the inclusion of franchising as an actual management strategy and competitive business practice that is related to international ownership and control strategy. Higher degrees of uncertainty associated with the foreign market encourage external dependence of the venture, in which the operation depends more heavily on local relationships. Franchising substitutes the loss of ownership by an increase of external relationships and it takes without losing control on retail operation. Resource exploitation depends on the local market for either inputs or outputs for better performance. Understanding the fit between the each set of contingent variables and the elements of ownership and control strategy will allow marketers to determine when franchising is the suitable mode of operation in global markets.
Collectively, these results suggest that the choice of an organizational form for international service firms involves a complex balance of firm, industry, and country level factors. Managers can maximize performance by aligning entry mode strategy with external contextual circumstances as well as internal resources. Managers may also be able to make better mode choice decisions using the theory-driven criteria examined in this study, increasing their chances for financial and non-financial success.<br>Ph. D.
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Omoge, Akinyemi Paul. "The direct and mediated effects of customer relationship management (CRM) systems usage as service delivery channels on consumer buying behaviour : an empirical appraisal of the context of the Nigerian banking industry." Thesis, Robert Gordon University, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2139.
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Ample evidence from the literature suggests that in recent years, banks have been heavily investing in customer relationship management (CRM) systems. The reasons for this are traced to banks' emergent need to gain and sustain competitive advantage through greater knowledge of their customers. In turn, this increased knowledge is likely to also lead to increased: a) customer base, b) customer satisfaction, c) customer retention and, d) customer loyalty. The literature suggests that there is a knowledge gap, which relates to the reasons for CRM systems in adoption and usage as service delivery channels, as well as its effects on banks' customers. This is particularly the case with regards to the banks' customers' buying behaviour and is stemming from the fact that bank customers display some unique buying patterns. Based on the above, the aim of this study is to find out whether or not there is a potential influence of newly implemented CRM systems on consumer buying behaviour in the context of the Nigerian banking industry and also to assess the extent and nature of this influence (if any).
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Simpson, Joseph P. "Empirical Analysis of Socio-Cognitive Factors Affecting Security Behaviors and Practices of Smartphone Users." NSUWorks, 2016. http://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/951.
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The overall security posture of information systems (IS) depends on the behaviors of the IS users. Several studies have shown that users are the greatest vulnerability to IS security. The proliferation of smartphones is introducing an entirely new set of risks, threats, and vulnerabilities. Smartphone devices amplify this data exposure problem by enabling instantaneous transmission and storage of personally identifiable information (PII) by smartphone users, which is becoming a major security risk. Moreover, companies are also capitalizing on the availability and powerful computing capabilities of these smartphone devices and developing a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) program, which makes companies susceptible to divulgence of organizational proprietary information and sensitive customer information. In addition to users being the greatest risk to IS security, several studies have shown that many people do not implement even the most basic security countermeasures on their smartphones. The lack of security countermeasures implementation, risky user behavior, and the amount of sensitive information stored and transmitted on smartphones is becoming an ever-increasing problem.
A literature review revealed a significant gap in literature pertaining to smartphone security. This study identified six socio-cognitive factors from the domain of traditional computer security which have shown to have an impact on user security behaviors and practices. The six factors this study identified and analyzed are mobile information security self-efficacy, institutional trust, party trust, and awareness of smartphone risks, threats, and vulnerabilities and their influence on smartphone security practices and behaviors. The analysis done in this research was confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) – structural equation modeling (SEM). The goal of this study was to cross-validate previously validated factors within the context of traditional computer security and assess their applicability in the context of smartphone security. Additionally, this study assessed the influential significance of these factors on the security behaviors and practices of smartphone users.
This study used a Web-based survey and was distributed to approximately 539 users through Facebook® and LinkedIn® social media outlets which resulted in 275 responses for a 51% response rate. After pre-analysis data screening was completed, there were a total of 19 responses that had to be eliminated due to unengaged responses and outliers leaving 256 responses left to analyze. The results of the analysis found that vulnerability awareness, threat awareness, and risk awareness are interrelated to one another which all in turn had significance in predicting self-efficacy, security practices, and behaviors. This intricate relationship revealed in this study indicates that a user has to have an increased awareness in all three categories of awareness before they can fully understand how to protect themselves. Having an increased awareness in one category does not impact the overall security posture of the user and that risk, threat, and vulnerability awareness all work together. Another interesting find was that as risk awareness increased the less the smartphone users protected themselves. This finding warrants additional research to investigate why the user is more averse to risk, and willing to accept the risk, despite their increased awareness. Finally, institutional trust and party trust was found not to have any significance on any of the factors.
These findings should give smartphone users and organizations insight into specific areas to focus on in minimizing inappropriate security behaviors and practices of smartphone users. More specifically, users and organizations need to focus on educating users on all three factors of threats, risks, and vulnerabilities in order for there to have any impact on increasing self-efficacy and reducing inappropriate security behaviors and practices.
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Gericke, Andreas. "Evaluation of empirical approaches to estimate the variability of erosive inputs in river catchments." Doctoral thesis, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät II, 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.18452/16861.
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Die Dissertation erforscht die Unsicherheit, Sensitivität und Grenzen großskaliger Erosionsmodelle. Die Modellierung basiert auf der allgemeinen Bodenabtragsgleichung (ABAG), Sedimenteintragsverhältnissen (SDR) und europäischen Daten. Für mehrere Regionen Europas wird die Bedeutung der Unsicherheit topographischer Modellparameter, ABAG-Faktoren und kritischer Schwebstofffrachten für die Anwendbarkeit empirischer Modelle zur Beschreibung von Sedimentfrachten und SDR von Flusseinzugsgebieten untersucht. Der Vergleich alternativer Modellparameter sowie Kalibrierungs- und Validierungsdaten zeigt, dass schon grundlegende Modellentscheidungen mit großen Unsicherheiten behaftet sind. Zur Vermeidung falscher Modellvorhersagen sind kalibrierte Modelle genau zu dokumentieren. Auch wenn die geschickte Wahl nicht-topographischer Algorithmen die Modellgüte regionaler Anwendungen verbessern kann, so gibt es nicht die generell beste Lösung. Die Ergebnisse zeigen auch, dass SDR-Modelle stets mit Sedimentfrachten und SDR kalibriert und evaluiert werden sollten. Mit diesem Ansatz werden eine neue europäische Bodenabtragskarte und ein verbessertes SDR-Modell für Einzugsgebiete nördlich der Alpen und in Südosteuropa abgeleitet. In anderen Regionen Europas ist das SDR-Modell bedingt nutzbar. Die Studien zur jährlichen Variabilität der Bodenerosion zeigen, dass jahreszeitlich gewichtete Niederschlagsdaten geeigneter als ungewichtete sind. Trotz zufriedenstellender Modellergebnisse überwinden weder sorgfältige Algorithmenwahl noch Modellverbesserungen die Grenzen europaweiter SDR-Modelle. Diese bestehen aus der Diskrepanz zwischen modellierten Bodenabtrags- und maßgeblich zur beobachteten bzw. kritischen Sedimentfracht beitragenden Prozessen sowie der außergewöhnlich hohen Sedimentmobilisierung durch Hochwässer. Die Integration von nicht von der ABAG beschriebenen Prozessen und von Starkregentagen sowie die Disaggregation kritischer Frachten sollte daher weiter erforscht werden.<br>This dissertation thesis addresses the uncertainty, sensitivity and limitations of large-scale erosion models. The modelling framework consists of the universal soil loss equation (USLE), sediment delivery ratios (SDR) and European data. For several European regions, the relevance of the uncertainty in topographic model parameters, USLE factors and critical yields of suspended solids for the applicability of empirical models to predict sediment yields and SDR of river catchments is systematically evaluated. The comparison of alternative model parameters as well as calibration and validation data shows that even basic modelling decisions are associated with great uncertainties. Consequently, calibrated models have to be well-documented to avoid misapplication. Although careful choices of non-topographic algorithms can also be helpful to improve the model quality in regional applications, there is no definitive universal solution. The results also show that SDR models should always be calibrated and evaluated against sediment yields and SDR. With this approach, a new European soil loss map and an improved SDR model for river catchments north of the Alps and in Southeast Europe are derived. For other parts of Europe, the SDR model is of limited use. The studies on the annual variability of soil erosion reveal that seasonally weighted rainfall data is more appropriate than unweighted data. Despite satisfactory model results, neither the careful algorithm choice nor model improvements overcome the limitations of pan-European SDR models. These limitations are related to the mismatch of modelled soil loss processes and the relevant processes contributing to the observed or critical sediment load as well as the extraordinary sediment mobilisation during floods. Therefore, further research on integrating non-USLE processes and heavy-rainfall data as well as on disaggregating critical yields is needed.
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Kuncoro, Andreas. "Employing Quality Management Principles to Improve the Performance of Educational Systems: An Empirical Study of the Effect of ISO 9001 Standard on Teachers and Administrators Performance in the Indonesian Vocational Education System." Doctoral diss., University of Central Florida, 2013. http://digital.library.ucf.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ETD/id/5966.
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ISO 9001 has been world widely implemented in both manufacturing and service organizations. A lot of studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of ISO 9001 implementation on the performance of these organizations. Most of these studies show that ISO 9001 implementation realized positive operational improvements and financial success.
Building on the merits of successful implementation of ISO 9001 quality management system in manufacturing and service, educational institutions have been attempted to adopt it in their operations. Even though there are studies relating ISO implementation to education, no research has been done to investigate the effects of ISO 9001 at the individual level.
The objective of this research is to investigate the effects of ISO 9001 quality management implementation on the performance of administrators and teachers. The Indonesian vocational education system is selected as a case example as there is a significant number of such institutions in Indonesia that attempt to achieve ISO certification and there is a national need to improve the performance of vocational education. It is a challenge to assess objectively the degree of ISO 9001 implementation in this specific educational context because of the size and diversity. This study relies on survey that measures the respondents' perception. Hence, this study applies a self-reported survey based performance measurement. The questionnaires are developed based on extensive literature review. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLSSEM) has been used to examine the relationships between the different elements of quality management systems, quality culture; administrator and teacher performances.
The study is able to examine multiple interrelated dependence and subsequent relationships simultaneously among examined factors such as teacher and administrator performance, existing quality culture and ISO principles; and to incorporate variables that cannot be directly measured, such as leadership, for example. The findings of this study show that ISO 9001 implementation has positive significant effect on the performance of the vocational school administrator and teacher. The study also identifies key influencing elements of the ISO quality management system and examines their direct and indirect relationships with teacher and administrator performances. This study is expected to improve the current practices in implementing ISO and quality culture in any educational settings, specifically in the case of vocational educational system.<br>Ph.D.<br>Doctorate<br>Industrial Engineering and Management Systems<br>Engineering and Computer Science<br>Industrial Engineering
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Filippin, Livio. "Relativistic study of electron correlation effects on polarizabilities, two-photon decay rates, and electronic isotope-shift factors in atoms and ions: ab initio and semi-empirical approaches." Doctoral thesis, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/2013/ULB-DIPOT:oai:dipot.ulb.ac.be:2013/261670.
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The first aim of this thesis is to perform relativistic calculation of atomic and ionic polarizabilities and two-photon decay rates. Hydrogenic systems are treated by the Lagrange-mesh method. The extension to alkali-like systems is realized by means of a semiempirical-core-potential approach combined with the Lagrange-mesh method. The studied systems are partitioned into frozen-core electrons and an active valence electron. The core orbitals are defined by a Dirac-Hartree-Fock (DHF) calculation using the GRASP2K package. The valence electron is described by a Dirac-like Hamiltonian involving a core-polarization potential to simulate the core-valence electron correlation. Polarizabilities appear in a large number of fields and applications, namely in cold atoms physics, metrology and chemical physics. Two-photon transitions are part of a priori highly unlikely processes and are therefore called forbidden radiative processes. Experimental situations report decays from metastable excited states through these channels. Long lifetimes were measured for highly charged Be-like ions in recent storage-ring experiments, but their interpretation is problematic. The study of the competition between forbidden (one-photon beyond the dipole approximation, or multi-photon) and unexpected (hyperfine-induced or induced by external magnetic fields) radiative processes is all obviously relevant. The second aim of this thesis is to perform relativistic ab initio calculations of electronic isotope-shift (IS) factors by using the multiconfiguration DHF (MCDHF) method implemented in the RIS3/GRASP2K and RATIP program packages. Using the MCDHF method, two different approaches are adopted for the computation of electronic IS factors for a set of transitions between low-lying levels of neutral systems. The first one is based on the estimate of the expectation values of the one- and two-body nuclear recoil Hamiltonian for a given isotope, including relativistic corrections derived by Shabaev, combined with the calculation of the total electron densities at the origin. In the second approach, the relevant electronic factors are extracted from the calculated transition shifts for given triads of isotopes. These electronic quantities together with observed ISs between different pairs of isotopes provide the changes in mean-square charge radii of the atomic nuclei. Within this computational approach for the estimation of the mass- and field-shift factors, different models for electron correlation are explored in a systematic way to determine a reliable computational strategy, and to estimate theoretical error bars of the IS factors.<br>Doctorat en Sciences de l'ingénieur et technologie<br>info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished
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Justino, Josivan Ribeiro. "Estimativas de mortalidade para a regi?o nordeste do Brasil em 2010: uma associa??o do m?todo demogr?fico equa??o geral de balanceamento, com o estimador bayesiano emp?rico." Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, 2013. http://repositorio.ufrn.br:8080/jspui/handle/123456789/13859.
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Previous issue date: 2013-08-15<br>One of the greatest challenges of demography, nowadays, is to obtain estimates of mortality, in a consistent manner, mainly in small areas. The lack of this information, hinders public health actions and leads to impairment of quality of classification of deaths, generating concern on the part of demographers and epidemiologists in obtaining reliable statistics of mortality in the country. In this context, the objective of this work is to obtain estimates of deaths adjustment factors for correction of adult mortality, by States, meso-regions and age groups in the northeastern region, in 2010. The proposal is based on two lines of observation: a demographic one and a statistical one, considering also two areas of coverage in the States of the Northeast region, the meso-regions, as larger areas and counties, as small areas. The methodological principle is to use the General Equation and Balancing demographic method or General Growth Balance to correct the observed deaths, in larger areas (meso-regions) of the states, since they are less prone to breakage of methodological assumptions. In the sequence, it will be applied the statistical empirical Bayesian estimator method, considering as sum of deaths in the meso-regions, the death value corrected by the demographic method, and as reference of observation of smaller area, the observed deaths in small areas (counties). As results of this combination, a smoothing effect on the degree of coverage of deaths is obtained, due to the association with the empirical Bayesian Estimator, and the possibility of evaluating the degree of coverage of deaths by age groups at counties, meso-regions and states levels, with the advantage of estimete adjustment factors, according to the desired level of aggregation. The results grouped by State, point to a significant improvement of the degree of coverage of deaths, according to the combination of the methods with values above 80%. Alagoas (0.88), Bahia (0.90), Cear? (0.90), Maranh?o (0.84), Para?ba (0.88), Pernambuco (0.93), Piau? (0.85), Rio Grande do Norte (0.89) and Sergipe (0.92). Advances in the control of the registry information in the health system, linked to improvements in socioeconomic conditions and urbanization of the counties, in the last decade, provided a better quality of information registry of deaths in small areas<br>Um dos grandes desafios atuais da demografia ? obter estimativas de mortalidade, de maneira consistente, principalmente em pequenas ?reas. A car?ncia destas informa??es, dificulta a??es de sa?de p?blica e leva ao comprometimento da qualidade de classifica??o de ?bitos, gerando preocupa??o por parte dos dem?grafos e epidemiologistas na obten??o de estat?sticas confi?veis da mortalidade no Pa?s. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste trabalho ? obter estimativas de fatores de ajuste de ?bitos para corre??o da mortalidade adulta, por estados, mesorregi?es e grupos et?rios na regi?o nordeste, em 2010. A proposta est? pautada sobre duas linhas de observa??o: uma demogr?fica e outra estat?stica, considerando tamb?m duas ?reas de abrang?ncia nos estados da regi?o Nordeste, as mesorregi?es como ?reas maiores e os munic?pios como pequenas ?reas. O principio metodol?gico ? usar o m?todo demogr?fico Equa??o Geral e Balanceamento ou General Growth Balance, para corrigir os ?bitos observados, nas ?reas maiores (mesorregi?es) dos estados, por estas serem regi?es menos prop?cias a quebra dos pressupostos metodol?gicos. Em seguida, ser? aplicado o m?todo estat?stico estimador bayesiano emp?rico, considerando como soma dos ?bitos nas mesorregi?es, o valor de ?bito corrigido pelo m?todo demogr?fico e como refer?ncia de observa??o de ?rea menor os ?bitos observados nas pequenas ?reas (munic?pios). Como resultados desta combina??o, um efeito de suaviza??o do grau de cobertura dos ?bitos ? obtido, fruto da associa??o com o estimador bayesiano emp?rico e a possibilidade de avaliar o grau de cobertura de ?bitos por grupos et?rios em n?vel de munic?pios, mesorregi?es e estado, com a vantagem de estimar fatores de ajuste, conforme o n?vel de agrega??o desejado. Os resultados agrupados por estado, apontam para uma melhora significante do grau de cobertura de ?bitos, segundo a combina??o dos m?todos com valores acima de 80%. Alagoas (0,88), Bahia (0,90), Cear? (0,90), Maranh?o (0,84), Para?ba (0,88), Pernambuco (0,93), Piau? (0,85) , Rio Grande do Norte (0,89) e Sergipe (0,92). Os avan?os no controle do registro das informa??es no sistema de sa?de, associado ?s melhorias nas condi??es socioecon?micas e de urbaniza??o dos munic?pios, na ?ltima d?cada, proporcionaram uma melhor qualidade do registro das informa??es de ?bitos nas pequenas ?reas
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Yang, Ma Ga. "Developing a Focal Firm’s Sustainable Supply Chain Framework: Drivers, Orientation, Practices and Performance Outcomes." University of Toledo / OhioLINK, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1356543598.
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Zhu, Shaoming. "Multiscale analysis of protein functions and stochastic modelling of gene transcriptional regulatory networks." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2010. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/41693/1/Shaoming_Zhu_Thesis.pdf.
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Genomic and proteomic analyses have attracted a great deal of interests in biological research in recent years. Many methods have been applied to discover useful information contained in the enormous databases of genomic sequences and amino acid sequences. The results of these investigations inspire further research in biological fields in return. These biological sequences, which may be considered as multiscale sequences, have some specific features which need further efforts to characterise using more refined methods. This project aims to study some of these biological challenges with multiscale analysis methods and stochastic modelling approach. The first part of the thesis aims to cluster some unknown proteins, and classify their families as well as their structural classes. A development in proteomic analysis is concerned with the determination of protein functions. The first step in this development is to classify proteins and predict their families. This motives us to study some unknown proteins from specific families, and to cluster them into families and structural classes. We select a large number of proteins from the same families or superfamilies, and link them to simulate some unknown large proteins from these families. We use multifractal analysis and the wavelet method to capture the characteristics of these linked proteins. The simulation results show that the method is valid for the classification of large proteins. The second part of the thesis aims to explore the relationship of proteins based on a layered comparison with their components. Many methods are based on homology of proteins because the resemblance at the protein sequence level normally indicates the similarity of functions and structures. However, some proteins may have similar functions with low sequential identity. We consider protein sequences at detail level to investigate the problem of comparison of proteins. The comparison is based on the empirical mode decomposition (EMD), and protein sequences are detected with the intrinsic mode functions. A measure of similarity is introduced with a new cross-correlation formula. The similarity results show that the EMD is useful for detection of functional relationships of proteins. The third part of the thesis aims to investigate the transcriptional regulatory network of yeast cell cycle via stochastic differential equations. As the investigation of genome-wide gene expressions has become a focus in genomic analysis, researchers have tried to understand the mechanisms of the yeast genome for many years. How cells control gene expressions still needs further investigation. We use a stochastic differential equation to model the expression profile of a target gene. We modify the model with a Gaussian membership function. For each target gene, a transcriptional rate is obtained, and the estimated transcriptional rate is also calculated with the information from five possible transcriptional regulators. Some regulators of these target genes are verified with the related references. With these results, we construct a transcriptional regulatory network for the genes from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The construction of transcriptional regulatory network is useful for detecting more mechanisms of the yeast cell cycle.