Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Selection process'

The present article talks us about the procedures for selection by request, explaining how it works as an alternative for the common selection procedure on public procurement.Thus, the author explains the process of selection by request with a public entity, privateentity and an international body.
El presente artículo trata sobre los procesos de selección por encargo, explicando así comoopera esta alternativa al proceso de selección clásico en la contratación pública. Así, el autor nos señala el procedimiento en el encargo a una entidad pública, entidad privada y a un organismo internacional.

In this study, a research is developed to establish a comprehensive framework for ERP systems selection process and provide guidance for better ERP systems selection and evaluation by investigating all the aspects of the selection process. The research is conducted through a comprehensive study prior to key information systems journals, conferences, overall enterprise information systems materials in electronic databases, and also in practitioner journals. As a result, the study is able to present a comprehensive framework for ERP systems selection process, identify the problematic issues, reveal the ways to improve the selection activities, and present a road-map for the selection process.

si bien existen anteriores investigaciones que ponen de evidencia la existencia de relación entre la selección de proveedores y la mejora de procesos de negocio (business process improvement - bpi), estas dan poca información acerca del nivel de la misma.
la presente tesis contribuye al cuerpo de conocimientos en ambos campos, mediante la identificación y examen de las relaciones existentes entre los dos tópicos a partir del modelo conceptual desarrollado, el cual explica dichas interrelaciones, y mediante la aportación de los resultados del estudio empírico del modelo, a diferentes niveles operativos, realizado sobre una muestra de grandes empresas que operan en diferentes sectores industriales de londres (reino unido).
en general, los datos confirman el modelo de investigación propuesto. los resultados del estudio demuestran que niveles más altos de calidad, servicio, organización y relación así como niveles más bajos de tiempo de ciclo de los proveedores contribuyen significativamente a los proceso de negocio de iniciativa de mejora y enfoque al cliente del comprador. además, se deduce también que los factores de selección de proveedores, relación y tiempo de ciclo, tienen más impacto sobre un comprador que tenga un enfoque a iniciativa de mejora; y que organización y tiempo de ciclo son factores que tienen más relación con el enfoque al cliente del comprador que otras variables de selección de proveedores.
en el desarrollo de la tesis, empezamos revisando la literatura relevante y desarrollando el modelo de investigación conceptual. describimos los factores claves de selección de proveedor y de la mejora de procesos de negocio (bpi), profundizamos en las interrelaciones entre estas variables y planteamos una serie de hipótesis testeables sobre dichas relaciones. a continuación, discutimos cuestiones metodológicas relativas al desarrollo y validación de la medida de los constructos así como sobre la recogida de datos y procedimientos de análisis. seguidamente, presentamos y discutimos los resultados de nuestros tests que implican modelos de regresión lineal; y concluimos considerando las implicaciones de la tesis en la investigación y en la "práctica" de la selección de proveedores y bpi, y proporcionando también líneas de investigación futura en el campo.
while prior research provides considerable evidence for the existence of relationship between supplier selection and business process improvement (bpi), it yields little insight into the level of the relationship.
by examining the level of the relationship between supplier selection and bpi practices, the present study contributes to the body of knowledge in both fields through identifying and examining the linkages between two topics based on a developed conceptual model, which explicates the interrelationships between supplier selection and bpi constructs, and providing the results of an empirical test of the model at different divisional levels of large firms operating in different industries in the london (united kingdom).
in general, the data support the proposed research model. the results of the study show that higher levels of quality, service, organization and relationship as well as lower levels of cycle time pertinent to the suppliers significantly contribute to the buyers' process improvement initiative and customer focus. additionally, relationship and cycle time have more relations to improvement initiative and organization and cycle time have more impacts on customer focus than other supplier selection constructs.
we begin by reviewing the relevant literature and developing the conceptual research model. we describe key supplier selection and bpi constructs, elaborate on the interrelationships among these variables and pose a series of testable hypotheses regarding the linkages between supplier selection and bpi constructs. next, we discuss methodological issues related to developing and validating the measures of constructs as well as data collection and analysis procedures. thereafter, we present and discuss the results of our substantive tests that involve linear regression models. we conclude by considering the implications for both research and practice and provide recommendations for broadening the scope of future research of supplier selection and bpi.

Si bien existen anteriores investigaciones que ponen de evidencia la existencia de relación entre la Selección de Proveedores y la Mejora de Procesos de Negocio (Business Process Improvement - BPI), estas dan poca información acerca del nivel de la misma.
La presente Tesis contribuye al cuerpo de conocimientos en ambos campos, mediante la identificación y examen de las relaciones existentes entre los dos tópicos a partir del modelo conceptual desarrollado, el cual explica dichas interrelaciones, y mediante la aportación de los resultados del estudio empírico del modelo, a diferentes niveles operativos, realizado sobre una muestra de grandes empresas que operan en diferentes sectores industriales de Londres (Reino Unido).
En general, los datos confirman el modelo de investigación propuesto. Los resultados del estudio demuestran que niveles más altos de Calidad, Servicio, Organización y Relación así como niveles más bajos de Tiempo de Ciclo de los Proveedores contribuyen significativamente a los proceso de negocio de Iniciativa de Mejora y Enfoque al Cliente del Comprador. Además, se deduce también que los factores de Selección de Proveedores, Relación y Tiempo de Ciclo, tienen más impacto sobre un Comprador que tenga un enfoque a Iniciativa de Mejora; y que Organización y Tiempo de Ciclo son factores que tienen más relación con el Enfoque al Cliente del Comprador que otras variables de Selección de Proveedores.
En el desarrollo de la Tesis, empezamos revisando la literatura relevante y desarrollando el modelo de investigación conceptual. Describimos los factores claves de Selección de Proveedor y de la Mejora de Procesos de Negocio (BPI), profundizamos en las interrelaciones entre estas variables y planteamos una serie de hipótesis testeables sobre dichas relaciones. A continuación, discutimos cuestiones metodológicas relativas al desarrollo y validación de la medida de los constructos así como sobre la recogida de datos y procedimientos de análisis. Seguidamente, presentamos y discutimos los resultados de nuestros tests que implican modelos de regresión lineal; y concluimos considerando las implicaciones de la Tesis en la investigación y en la "práctica" de la Selección de Proveedores y BPI, y proporcionando también líneas de investigación futura en el campo.
While prior research provides considerable evidence for the existence of relationship between supplier selection and Business Process Improvement (BPI), it yields little insight into the level of the relationship.
By examining the level of the relationship between supplier selection and BPI practices, the present study contributes to the body of knowledge in both fields through identifying and examining the linkages between two topics based on a developed conceptual model, which explicates the interrelationships between supplier selection and BPI constructs, and providing the results of an empirical test of the model at different divisional levels of large firms operating in different industries in the London (United Kingdom).
In general, the data support the proposed research model. The results of the study show that higher levels of Quality, Service, Organization and Relationship as well as lower levels of Cycle Time pertinent to the suppliers significantly contribute to the buyers' process Improvement Initiative and Customer Focus. Additionally, Relationship and Cycle Time have more relations to Improvement Initiative and Organization and Cycle Time have more impacts on Customer Focus than other supplier selection constructs.
We begin by reviewing the relevant literature and developing the conceptual research model. We describe key supplier selection and BPI constructs, elaborate on the interrelationships among these variables and pose a series of testable hypotheses regarding the linkages between supplier selection and BPI constructs. Next, we discuss methodological issues related to developing and validating the measures of constructs as well as data collection and analysis procedures. Thereafter, we present and discuss the results of our substantive tests that involve linear regression models. We conclude by considering the implications for both research and practice and provide recommendations for broadening the scope of future research of supplier selection and BPI.

Nontraditional manufacturing processes (NTM) appeared to answer the growing demands of market productivity. Needs of higher quality products in less time and new demands such as new exotic work materials, innovative geometric designs as well as much smaller dimensions justify laser processes insight. Laser machining is a NTM which presents several unique advantages in material processing that makes it suitable to solve these demands. However, laser machining is a complex process, because the type of laser, the combination of process parameters, the material and the configuration of the process among other variables, could affect the performance of the process. This thesis focuses on increasing knowledge about the laser milling, establishing relationships between the process parameters and the key process aspects (quality, dimensional accuracy and productivity)
Els processos de mecanitzat no tradicionals van aparèixer per donar resposta a la creixent demana del mercat productiu. A la necessitat de productes d’alta qualitat en el menor temps possible s’hi afegeixen noves demandes com nous materials exòtics, dissenys amb geometries innovadores així com dimensions molt petites. El mecanitzat làser és un procés no tradicional que presenta un seguit d’avantatges únics que el fan adequat per donar solució a aquestes demandes. Tot i això, el mecanitzat làser és un procés complex. El tipus de làser, la combinació dels paràmetres de procés, el material i la configuració, entre d’altres variables, poden afectar l’execució del procés. Aquesta tesi pretén ampliar el coneixement sobre el fresat làser, establint relacions entre els paràmetres de procés i els aspectes rellevants de procés (qualitat, precisió dimensional i productivitat)

The development of new products with micro-metric characteristics and complex geometries has been a manufacturing trend in different industrial sectors, particularly for electronic, military, biomedical and aerospace industries. Manufacturing technologies such as electro discharge machining (EDM), laser beam machining (LBM), lithography machining (LM), and ultrasonic machining (USM) are commonly processes used to produce small pieces. Nonetheless, there are economical and technological barriers that reduce their feasibility for specific applications. Since CNC cutting machines and tools can achieve high levels of accuracy, micro-milling (milling downscaled process) represents a suitable technological process to manufacture micro-products. This thesis focuses on increasing knowledge about the micro-milling, establishing relationships between the process parameters as well as machining conditions and the key aspects of the final piece such as accuracy, quality surface finishing and geometrical quality
El desarrollo de nuevos productos con características micro-métricas y geometrías complejas ha sido una tendencia en la manufactura en diferentes sectores industriales, particularmente para la industria electrónica, militar, biomédica y aeroespacial. Las tecnologías de producción como la electroerosión (EDM), mecanizado láser (LBM), mecanizado por litografía (LM) y mecanizado por ultrasonido (USM) son procesos comúnmente usados para producir piezas pequeñas. No obstante, existen barreras económicas y tecnológicas que reducen su factibilidad para aplicaciones específicas. Puesto que las máquinas-herramientas de corte CNC pueden lograr altos niveles de precisión; el micro-fresado (proceso escalado del fresado convencional) representa un proceso tecnológico adecuado para la fabricación de micro-productos. Esta tesis se centra en aumentar el conocimiento sobre el micro-fresado, estableciendo relaciones entre los parámetros del proceso, así como las condiciones de mecanizado y los aspectos clave de la pieza final pieza final como por ejemplo, la precisión, el acabado superficial de calidad y la calidad geométrica

The Swedish fashion industry can be described as small, but yet very high competitive. Large fashion chains are taking over the market at the expense of mom & pop stores, which are constantly decreasing in numbers. Lately, many international players has entered the Swedish market and increased the competition even more. With falling trade and investment barriers and technological innovation more and more Swedish fashion retail companies see new opportunities for increased profit and growth by expanding the business abroad. Globalization has created great opportunities for these companies to enter far-away markets, yet many of them tend to start internationalizing in nearby markets. The purpose of this study is to create an understanding of how Swedish fashion retailers that want to expand globally decide which international markets to enter. It is a multiple-case study where the focus is on the international market selection process of Lindex and Indiska Magasinet. Through literature studies and interviews with foreign expansion managers at these companies as well as two other key players with attachment to the subject, I have increased my knowledge within this area. Since the study is aiming at understanding Swedish fashion retailers foreign market decisions I have chosen to use a qualitative approach, so that I can keep an interpretative point of view. The study results show that both Indiska Magasinet and Lindex have gradually increased its international involvement. Both companies have started to internationalize to nearby markets and are now heading to more distant countries. This expansion strategy has its pros and cons, but still, it seems to be more advantageous for both companies. The study also shows that neither Lindex nor Indiska Magasinet has taken the macro environmental forces into consideration as much as needed in the screening process for potential foreign markets. Considering the difficulties these companies have faced in certain markets, a slower expansion rate and improvement in the market screening and identification process seems necessary in order to reduce the risk of making similar mistakes in the future. Keywords: Swedish fashion retailers, foreign expansion, identification, nearby markets, important forces

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of a blind selection process on gender discrimination. Due to persistent gender discrimination in selection processes, the intention of the current study was to investigate a blind selection process as a means to decrease gender discrimination against women. A total of 391 individuals were recruited through SONA and convenience sampling to participate in the current study. Materials included a selection scenario, three applicant résumés with applicant names and three with applicant ID numbers, a rank order form, and measures for procedural justice and fairness, modern sexism inventory, and the attitudes towards women scale. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions; one with applicant names, one with applicant ID numbers with no explanation for the ID numbers, and one with applicant ID numbers without an explanation. Results illustrated partial support for hypothesis 1a (H1a) and H2a, such that there was a significant difference in rank orders (H1a) and job suitability scores (H2a) as a function of condition assignment, though in the opposite direction than hypothesized. There was support for H1b, H1c, H2b, and H2c such that in blind conditions, qualified applicants received similar rank orders (H1b) and job suitability scores (H2b), while the unqualified applicant received the lowest rank order (H1c) and job suitability scores (H2c). Procedural justice scores were similar between the two blind conditions, and as such, H3a and H3b was not supported. Participants with an explanation perceived blind conditions as fair and non-blind conditions as unfair, thus H3c was supported. However, H3d was not supported, as participants without an explanation still perceived a blind process as fair and a non-blind process as unfair. Neither H4a nor H4b were supported, as sexism did not serve as a covariate with rank orders as a function of condition assignment. Last, H5 was not supported, as participants across all three conditions were similarly confident in their rank order decisions. Limitations included an imbalanced sample of primarily female (N = 320) psychology students (N = 380). Possible explanations for results obtained include the effects of similarity bias, identification, sophistication and education, and experimenter effects. Results expand the current body of literature in personnel selection processes and create implications for blind selection processes and practical use in organizations to decrease gender discrimination.

The purpose of the present stud is to focus on applying two theoretical models, the justification-suppression model and the role congruity theory, to age discrimination in selection occupational decision-making. Participants from varying age demographics evaluated either stereotype-confirming or stereotype-disconfirming Facebook interests of candidates who are applying for a fictitious job opening. The results supported the role congruity theory in that candidates were rated lower on likability ratings when their Facebook interests were congruent with the stereotypical interests of the candidates’ respective age groups. However, there were no significant differences supporting the justification-suppression model in that perceptions of candidates did not differ in hirability ratings, regardless of their observable Facebook interests. However, the hirability ratings overall decreased after participants viewed Facebook profiles, regardless of the congruence of interests to their stereotypical interests. These results suggest that the presence of Facebook profiles as well as displaying atypical interests regarding respective age groups can result in negative perceptions of likeability or hirability ratings.

Attrition, employee turnover, self-selection, and withdrawal all refer to an employee’s exit from an organization, or from an organization’s recruitment or selection process. When individuals with the desired knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualities (KSAOs) attrit, it represents lost productivity to an organization (Barrick & Zimmerman, 2009). Therefore, organizations should seek a selection program that screens out unwanted characteristics while minimizing the voluntary withdrawal, or quitting, of those who would be a good organizational fit. A military selection context amplifies these two aims because of the limited number of qualified individuals relative to the organization’s personnel needs, and because of the high potential cost of a bad hire. However, there are few studies of attrition during a selection process, and even fewer in a military context that combines physical, cognitive, and personality components as relevant performance dimensions. The purpose of the study was to model attrition from a military special operations selection through training program to determine what combination of physical abilities, cognitive abilities, and personality scales best predicts success. The study examined archival data from 748 candidate records spanning eight different classes during 2019. Secondary purposes of the study included comparing differences in attrition from the first week of the program to the remaining seven weeks, and comparing the predictive validity of a personality trait profile model to a model using personality scales T-scores. In conducting the analysis and modeling, exploratory factor analysis was conducted on the sample Jackson Personality Inventory-Revised (JPI-R) personality scales, finding both similarities and differences with previous study samples (Detwiler & Ramanaiah, 1996; Paunonen & Jackson, 1996). The result of the study was a logit prediction model with a ROC AUC of .784, and an F1 score of .69, that incorporated three physical predictors, performance IQ, and three personality variables: JPI-R T-score for sociability, and two composites created from the factor analysis—a Conscientiousness Composite and an Openness Composite (negative relationship with candidate success). Models for week 1 attrition and attrition from weeks 2-8 differed from the 8-week attrition model, and from each other in the significance and the importance of the personality variables and of cognitive abilities. Physical predictors: run score, pushups score, and sit-ups score, were significant and strong predictors of success for each of the time periods. Verbal IQ was not significant for any time period, while performance IQ was significant in predicting 8-week success, and for success during the week 2-8 time period. Personality predictors varied the most by timeframe, although some component of Conscientiousness predicted strongly for each timeframe. Whereas Openness-related facets predicted for 8-week success and success from week 1 with a negative relationship, Openness factors were non-significant in weeks 2-8. In contrast, Anxiety, a related sub-facet of Neuroticism, predicted moderately (negative relationship) for success from weeks 2-8, but was non-significant for week 1 and for the 8-week program. Unexpected findings included the sample’s different factor structure on the JPI-R, the dominance of the physical predictors in all models, and the strength of personality predictors relative to cognitive abilities. Implications for military and similar types of selection contexts, where selection through training includes a significant physical component, are discussed.
M.S.
The study analyzed attrition from a military special operations selection program to determine what combination of individual differences measured before the program best predicted attrition during the program. The individual differences measured prior to the program were physical abilities, cognitive abilities, and personality. Archival data from 748 candidate records spanning eight different classes during 2019 was analyzed. Attrition is the departure of an individual from an organization, or from a hiring process. This study dealt with attrition from a hiring, or personnel selection process, which is less commonly studied than attrition from within an organization. Secondary purposes of the study included how attrition from the first week of the program differed from the remaining seven weeks, and determining if a specific broad personality profile best predicted attrition. The study found additional results that were not anticipated, specifically, that the military sample differed meaningfully on important dimensions of the Jackson Personality Inventory-Revised (JPI-R) personality scales, in comparison with previous study samples (Detwiler & Ramanaiah, 1996; Paunonen & Jackson, 1996). The practical result of the study was a mathematical prediction model that incorporated a candidate’s scores on pushups, sit-ups, 2-mile run, performance IQ, and three personality variables, and calculates a candidates’ probability of success. The three personality variables that predicted success were scores for sociability, and two composites—a Conscientiousness Composite and an Openness Composite. Mathematical models for week 1 attrition and attrition from weeks 2-8 differed from the 8-week attrition model, and from each other, suggesting that attrition during different timeframes is due to different reasons. Physical predictors: 2 mile run score, pushups score, and sit-ups score, were strong predictors of success for each of the time periods. Verbal IQ did not predict for any time period, while performance IQ predicted 8-week success, and success during the week 2-8 time period. Personality predictors varied the most by timeframe, although a component of Conscientiousness predicted strongly for each timeframe. Openness-related personality facets predicted for 8-week success and success from week 1 with a negative relationship. In contrast, Anxiety, a related sub-facet of Neuroticism, predicted moderately (negative relationship) for success only from weeks 2-8. Unexpected findings included the military sample’s different factor structure on the JPI-R, the dominance of the physical predictors in all models, and the strength of personality predictors relative to cognitive abilities. Implications for military and similar types of selection contexts, where selection through training includes a significant physical component, such as police or firefighters, are discussed.

The overall purpose of this work is to develop systematic methodology for the simultaneous design and selection of processes and molecules (materials). A propertybased approach is used to develop an interface between process and molecular design/selection. In particular, we focus on the problem of designing/selecting materials that are used in the context of a recycle/reuse system of process streams and for energy applications. Fresh and recycled resources (e.g., process streams, biomass, solvents, etc.) are integrated with the process to satisfy property-based constraints for the process units and to optimize the usage of the resources and the design of the process. For molecular design, property operators for mixing streams and group contribution methods (GCM) are used to consistently represent process sources, sinks, and different functional groups on the same property-base. For material selection, property based criteria (e.g., heat rate, high heating value, etc.) are used to bridge the process with material. This consistent representation enables the definition of the optimization problem formulation for product design while taking into consideration the recycle/reuse of process streams. In particular, this dissertation addresses four integrated topics. First, a new graphical approach for material targeting and substitution is presented. This graphical approach offers initial solutions and valuable insights that can be effectively used for conceptual design and for initializing mathematical programming techniques. Second, a mathematical optimization approach is developed along with a decomposition-based global solution procedure for material targeting and substitution using property integration. Third, an implementation approach is developed to synthesize the details of a recycle/reuse process network design based on the targets identified through the graphical and/or the mathematical approaches. Finally, property integration techniques are extended to a broader scope which deals with the lifecycle analysis of biomass utilization for energy generation. A generic model is developed to optimize the types and quantities of the feedstocks used to optimize power generation with biomass-fossil fuel co-fed system. Important issues of biomass growth, harvesting, transportation, processing, and disposal are included. Property-based tracking and constraints are included in the analysis. Also, the issues associated with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are incorporated in the analysis. Case studies are solved throughout the dissertation to demonstrate the applicability of the developed procedures.

Due to the ongoing globalisation and fast changes within the business environment companies are forced to adapt more quickly to customer needs. Therefore, they depend on reliable suppliers which provide them with the necessary goods and services. As a consequence, finding suitable suppliers is of utmost importance for companies. To be able to choose those suppliers companies need to establish criteria on which basis potential suppliers can be evaluate and select afterwards.

Against this background, this master thesis researches the supplier selection process from the end manufacturer’s point of view. Hereby, the focus is laid on theoretical supplier evaluation criteria and methods. Due to the lack of investigations in this branch of industry the authors have chosen the sporting goods manufacturing industry within Sweden and Austria as their field of study. They have been supported in their research by the companies the Arctic City Counting House AB, the ATOMIC Austria GmbH, and the HEAD Sports AG which provided them with the essential empirical data.

Keeping the above mentioned fact in the back of one’s mind, the authors deduce the following research question:

On which basis and how do manufacturers of sports equipment in Sweden and Austria evaluate and select their suppliers?

Within the theoretical part the reader of this thesis first of all gets an overview of supplier-buyer relationships and afterwards is informed about the structure of the supplier selection process, starting with the preparation step, followed by prequalification and evaluation steps and resulting in the final selection and the continuous controlling of the suppliers. In addition, common criteria which are necessary to evaluate suppliers are presented. Furthermore, the reader is provided with an insight into general evaluation models whereby four common theoretical methods are explained in detail (AHP, TCO, DCA, and DEA). Out of this theoretical data a conceptual model was created.

The empirical part consists of practical information which was provided by the three researched companies mentioned above through questionnaires and interviews. The analysed data concludes that the evaluation criteria which are given in theory are also used in practice. In addition, it was discovered that a further criteria category is applied within the researched companies. The values of the evaluation criteria depend on the goals of the respective company. The theoretical evaluation models on the other hand are not used by the examined sporting goods manufacturers. All of them use their own methods which are presented in the empirical as well as in the analytical part of this thesis. Finally, this thesis ends with a conclusion and with the answer of the research question.

Based on this thesis sporting goods manufacturers get an insight in specific supplier evaluation methods and thus gain the chance to learn how other companies within this industry evaluate and select their suppliers.

A big challenge in managing large scale industry processes, like the ones in the paper and pulp industry, is to reduce the amount of downtime and reduce sources of product quality variability to a minimum, while staying cost effective. To accomplish this the key is to understand the complex nature of the processes variables, and to quantify the causal relationships between them and the product quality together with the amount of output. Paper and pulp industry processes consist mainly of chemical processes and the relatively low cost of sensors today enables collection of huge amounts of data, both variables and observations on frequent time intervals. These masses of data usually come with the intrinsic problem of multicollinearity which requires efficient multivari- ate statistical tools for the extraction of useful insights among the noise. One goal in this multivariate situation is to breakthrough the noise and find a relatively small subset of variables that are important, that is, variable selection. The purpose with this master thesis is to help SCA Obbola, a large paper manu- facturer that have had a variable production output, to come up with conclusions that can help them ensure a long term high production quantity and quality. We apply different variable selection approaches that have proven successful in the literature. The results that we get are of mixed success, but we manage to find both variables that SCA Obbola knows affect specific response variables, but also variables that they find interesting for further investigation.
En stor utmaning när det gäller att hantera storskaliga industriprocesser, som i pappers- och massaindustrin, är att minska tiden för driftstopp och reducera källor till varia- tioner i produktkvalitén till ett minimum, och samtidigt vara kostnadseffektiv. För att uppnå detta är det viktigt att förstå processvariablernas komplexa natur och att kvantifiera orsakssambanden mellan dem och produktkvaliteten tillsammans med pro- duktionsmängden. Pappers- och massasindustrin består huvudsakligen av kemiska pro- cesser och den relativt låga kostnaden för sensorer idag möjliggör insamling av stora mängder data, både variabler och observationer inom frekventa tidsintervall. Med des- sa datamängder får man ofta problem med multikollinearitet, vilket kräver effektiva multivariata statistiska verktyg för att extrahera användbara insikter bland bruset. Ett mål i denna multivariata situation är att bryta igenom bruset och hitta en relativt liten delmängd variabler som är viktiga, det vill säga variabel selektion. Syftet med denna masteruppsats är att hjälpa SCA Obbola, en stor pappersprodu- cent som har haft ett varierat produktionsutfall, att komma fram till slutsatser som kan hjälpa dem att säkerställa en långsiktig hög produktionskvantitet och kvalitet. Vi tillämpar olika metoder för variabel selektion, som har visat sig framgångsrika i lit- teraturen. Resultaten av arbetet är av blandad framgång, men vi lyckas hitta både variabler som SCA Obbola vet påverkar specifika responser, men även variabler som de tycker är intressanta för vidare utredning.

In this dissertation, we develop a model selection and estimation methodology for nonstationary spatial fields. Large, spatially correlated data often cover a vast geographical area. However, local spatial regions may have different mean and covariance structures. Our methodology accomplishes three goals: (1) cluster locations into small regions with distinct, stationary models, (2) perform Bayesian model selection within each cluster, and (3) correlate the model selection and estimation in nearby clusters. We utilize the Conditional Autoregressive (CAR) model and Ising distribution to provide intra-cluster correlation on the linear effects and model inclusion indicators, while modeling inter-cluster correlation with separate Gaussian processes. We apply our model selection methodology to a dataset involving the prediction of Brook trout presence in subwatersheds across Pennsylvania. We find that our methodology outperforms the stationary spatial model and that different regions in Pennsylvania are governed by separate Gaussian process regression models.
Ph. D.

School districts face enormous challenges with recent reductions in fiscal resources due to cuts in California's state budget and an average tenure for a school superintendent of only 3 years. School boards are challenged to find a leader who can address the needs of the school district during these difficult times. As numerous school superintendents are retiring, and a new generation of educators is applying for key positions in educational leadership, it is important to better understand the perceptions of school board presidents who have experience in selecting a school superintendent.

This study explored the perceptions of the superintendent selection process of five participating school board presidents. The participants in this study shared their perceptions of the superintendent search process and selection criteria, perceptions on the most important leadership characteristics desired in a superintendent, and perceptions in the standards used to measure leadership in the candidates selected as superintendent.

The findings revealed several components of the selection process that will serve school boards in evaluating the best strategy for them in conducting the superintendent search. When school boards embark on the process of selecting a superintendent, their actions become very public and ultimately reflect on how they view community involvement and input into on-going district leadership. As a result, a well-defined plan of action will reflect well on the school board, build community trust, and set the stage for a positive transition to new leadership at the superintendent level. The assertion that selecting a superintendent may very well be the school board's most important duty of action, it is imperative that such a process be articulated and integrated within the scope of district need and community involvement.

One of the many tasks that an International Human Resource Management department has relates to the field of expatriation in which an employee is sent abroad to work in a foreign subsidiary. Expatriation is not a new concept, in the early modern era of expatriation after World War II, businesses were usually driven by international divisions that supervised the export issues, licensing and subsidiaries abroad. The main role of corporate human re-source department was to make it easier to select staff for foreign postings. This to find employees that were familiar with the activities and products of the company, organization, culture and also at the same time comfortable with working abroad.

The purpose of this thesis is to gain an understanding of how three Swedish multinational companies select and train their Parent-Country National (PCN) expatriates before the in-ternational assignment in China.

In order to reach the goal of our purpose, we have chosen to conduct case studies on three Swedish multinational companies that are currently operating in China, where interviews with the key persons for respective company has been made. The interviews was either conducted through phone or face-to-face.

Our Frame of reference is based upon four sub-chapters in which we in the first chapter defines the concept of Expatriation followed by a brief introduction of the cultural differ-ences between Sweden and China. The third chapter deals with the different selection is-sues and the fourth chapter deals with training issues.

Based on the Frame of reference, we created six major research questions in which from them we developed our interview questions.

Through the Empirical Findings which was analyzed with help of the Frame of reference, we can say that most of the processes within selection and training are not as visible and clear as what it is said in literatures compared to a few Swedish multinational companies practice.

Providing automated support for model selection is a significant research challenge in model management. Organizations maintain vast growing repositories of analytical models, typically in the form of spreadsheets. Effective reuse of these models could result in significant cost savings and improvements in productivity. However, in practice, model reuse is severely limited by two main challenges: (1) lack of relevant information about the models maintained in the repository, and (2) lack of end user knowledge that prevents them from selecting appropriate models for a given problem solving task. This study built on the existing model management literature to address these research challenges. First, this research captured the relevant meta-information about the models. Next, it identified the features based on which models are selected. Finally, it used Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to select the most appropriate model for any specified problem. AHP is an established method for multi-criteria decision-making that is suitable for the model selection task. To evaluate the proposed method for automated model selection, this study developed a simulated prototype system that implemented this method and tested it in two realistic end-user model selection scenarios based on previously benchmarked test problems.

This study examined the influences of tattoos on hirability and salary recommendations in the workplace. The study aimed to find whether educating participants about Title VII cases would moderate the relationship between type of tattoo and hiring recommendations as well as type of tattoo and salary recommendations. This study did not find any significant main effects of tattoos on hirability or salary.

This study investigated the role of contextual factors in personnel selection. Specifically, I explored if specific job factors such as the wage, training, available applicant pool and security concerns around a job, influenced personnel decisions. Additionally, I explored if the individual differences of decision makers played a role in how the previously mentioned job factors affected their decisions. A policy-capturing methodology was employed to determine the weight participants place on the job factors when selecting candidates for different jobs. Regression and correlational analyses were computed with the beta weights obtained from individual regression analyses. The results obtained from the two samples (student and general population) revealed that specific job characteristics did indeed influence personnel decisions. Participants were more concerned with making mistakes and thus less likely to accept candidates when selecting candidates for jobs having high salary and/or high training requirements.

This study is designed to gain a better understanding of the decision process of freight shippers who use commercial truckers. Pursuant to this study, it is possible to gather some insights into the phenomenon of the selection of a trucking company to transport goods. Planning is essential to the attainment of goals in any type of firm, and that is especially true in the volatile environment of commercial trucking. Development of the external environment of trucking is prerequisite to the planning process and essential to the attainment of goals. The external environment of a trucking firm is generally represented by economic, social, and political influences, which extend specifically to the nature and tendencies of its markets, i.e., the shippers.

For many retailers, manufacturers, and wholesalers, inventory is their single largest investments of corporate assets. Problems such as stock-outs and bullwhip effect due to sales fluctuation and poor visibility are normal for manufactures. Unnecessary activities, in the purchasing process internally and externally, such as double order handling, cost both money and time.

It is widely known that firms no longer can compete effectively in isolation of their suppliers and other entities. The future success of many businesses depends on co-operation and the co-ordination of efforts; making Supply Chain Management important. JIT and VMI are two of the philosophies that have been used to update supply chain relationships and management. By recognising your own supply weaknesses, the need for a supply strategy and a purchasing portfolio which classify suppliers emerges.

There is an interest in examining what possible benefits and drawbacks, JIT and VMI collaboration can bring and how they differ from each other. In order to have a successful collaboration and implementation, it is important to know what basis to choose suppliers on and understand what needs to be in place, internally and externally, before starting either a JIT or VMI relationship with different suppliers.

An inductive method was used in order to transform the literature review into a case study research. Explanatory and exploratory strategy was combined as well as qualitative and quantitative data collection such as oral interviews and written questionnaires. The case study was carried out at an accessory purchasing department at a large production company referred to as the “Focal company” in this thesis. Also, participating in the study were selected suppliers of the Focal company.

The literature review and the case study data was analysed which led to the results that:

• JIT and VMI can shorten lead time, improve quality and relationships if used properly, otherwise it can lead to increased inventory levels.

• Key factors for enabeling JIT and VMI are common goals, management commitment, accurate information and suitable software systems.

• Suitable suppliers for JIT and VMI are companies that have equal dependency and/or have interdependency and are willing and able to contribute to the competitive advantage of the buying firm.

• Supplier selection criteria are price, quality, delivery, flexibility, reliability organizational culture, structure and strategy.

• Implementation of JIT is not an option today at the Focal company.

• With a few IT-system updates, a little bit of education and training the Focal company and most of the suppliers in this study are ready for VMI.

• Because of the good balance of power and dependence in the relationships between the Focal company and their suppliers there is a good chance of a successful outcome.

• The Focal company’s rating criteria are well correlating with the literatures findings, which further support that they are ready to select suppliers for integrated relationships.

This research intends to introduce a model in order to choose the best Maintenance Strategy based on the condition of the relevant company. Basically, it is divided into three main parts. First part is the theoretical part and deals with the Maintenance approaches, conceptions, cost, software, and management. Second part explains the structure of selecting maintenance strategy by using improved Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) method and describes some definitions and equations in this scientific method. In the third part, a hypothetical example shows the accuracy of the method and the way it works.

The increased collection of high-dimensional data in various fields has raised a strong interest in clustering algorithms and variable selection procedures. In this disserta- tion, I propose a model-based method that addresses the two problems simultane- ously. I use Dirichlet process mixture models to define the cluster structure and to introduce in the model a latent binary vector to identify discriminating variables. I update the variable selection index using a Metropolis algorithm and obtain inference on the cluster structure via a split-merge Markov chain Monte Carlo technique. I evaluate the method on simulated data and illustrate an application with a DNA microarray study. I also show that the methodology can be adapted to the problem of clustering functional high-dimensional data. There I employ wavelet thresholding methods in order to reduce the dimension of the data and to remove noise from the observed curves. I then apply variable selection and sample clustering methods in the wavelet domain. Thus my methodology is wavelet-based and aims at clustering the curves while identifying wavelet coefficients describing discriminating local features. I exemplify the method on high-dimensional and high-frequency tidal volume traces measured under an induced panic attack model in normal humans.

This thesis project has been carried out at Linköpings universitet at the Department of Mechanical Engineering. The emphasis of the project lies in the exploration of automatic selection of components for a propulsion kit. Specifically for this project, propulsion based on electric power and meeting the requirements for use in a Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV). The key features include a systematic selection method based on user criterias and a model for evaluating propeller performance. These are implemented in a program written as a part of the project. The conclusion is that it is possible to make a program capable of a component selection and that the programs usability is mainly reliant on three factors: model for propeller evaluation, method of selection and the quality of the component database.