Sustainable development: conceptualizations and measurement

The paper builds up from a review of some expected, but other quite surprising results regarding country estimates for the year 2000 of genuine saving, a sustainability indicator developed by a World Bank research team. We examine this indicator, founded on neoclassical welfare theory, and discuss one of its major problems. Theoretical developments from ecological economics are then considered, together with insights from Georgescu-Roegen's approach to the production process, in search for an alternative approach. A model with potentially fruitful contributions in this direction is reviewed; it points the course efforts could take enable sustainability evaluations based on a more realistic set of interrelated monetary and biophysical indicators.

Utilization of Statistical Methods for Management in the Forest Industry

The strongest wish of the customer concerning chemical pulp features is consistent, uniform quality. Variation may be controlled and reduced by using statistical methods. However, studies addressing the application and benefits of statistical methods in forest product sector are scarce. Thus, the customer wish is the root cause of the motivation behind this dissertation. The research problem addressed by this dissertation is that companies in the chemical forest product sector require new knowledge for improving their utilization of statistical methods. To gain this new knowledge, the research problem is studied from five complementary viewpoints – challenges and success factors, organizational learning, problem solving, economic benefit, and statistical methods as management tools. The five research questions generated on the basis of these viewpoints are answered in four research papers, which are case studies based on empirical data collection. This research as a whole complements the literature dealing with the use of statistical methods in the forest products industry. Practical examples of the application of statistical process control, case-based reasoning, the cross-industry standard process for data mining, and performance measurement methods in the context of chemical forest products manufacturing are brought to the public knowledge of the scientific community. The benefit of the application of these methods is estimated or demonstrated. The purpose of this dissertation is to find pragmatic ideas for companies in the chemical forest product sector in order for them to improve their utilization of statistical methods. The main practical implications of this doctoral dissertation can be summarized in four points: 1. It is beneficial to reduce variation in chemical forest product manufacturing processes 2. Statistical tools can be used to reduce this variation 3. Problem-solving in chemical forest product manufacturing processes can be intensified through the use of statistical methods 4. There are certain success factors and challenges that need to be addressed when implementing statistical methods

Viable Health Games: Elements for Success

The main purpose of this study is to identify the elements of children's health games that have a positive impact on children’s health. The investigation is done by evaluating previous health game studies concentrating on children and five health affairs (such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, nutrition and obesity). In order to do so, firstly the topic of children’s health games is explained through its roots, as it is an interdisciplinary topic pertinent with many other fields. For this reason, the topics regarding the children’s health games as games, video games, children’s gameplay, and serious games along with health, relevant health affairs, and health promotion were covered. Secondly, the meta-study was conducted with the 56 articles on children’s health games. These 56 articles were analyzed with the coding technique defined by Charmaz’s Grounded Theory Method (Charmaz, 2006) for finding out which elements of children’s health games have a positive impact on children’s health promotion. The main result suggests that, although there are 24 different elements found and listed which all positive in their nature, their positive impact is a matter of how they are used or implemented through the consumption cycle of children’s health games and how all these elements interact with each other. In addition to this, a pragmatic proposal is formulated for possibly better or more successful health games. The study concludes with the declaration of the limitations encountered through the research and the recommendations for future research.

Viable Health Games: Elements for Success

The main purpose of this study is to identify the elements of children's health games that have a positive impact on children’s health. The investigation is done by evaluating previous health game studies concentrating on children and five health affairs (such as asthma, cancer, diabetes, nutrition and obesity). In order to do so, firstly the topic of children’s health games is explained through its roots, as it is an interdisciplinary topic pertinent with many other fields. For this reason, the topics regarding the children’s health games as games, video games, children’s gameplay, and serious games along with health, relevant health affairs, and health promotion were covered. Secondly, the meta-study was conducted with the 56 articles on children’s health games. These 56 articles were analyzed with the coding technique defined by Charmaz’s Grounded Theory Method (Charmaz, 2006) for finding out which elements of children’s health games have a positive impact on children’s health promotion. The main result suggests that, although there are 24 different elements found and listed which all positive in their nature, their positive impact is a matter of how they are used or implemented through the consumption cycle of children’s health games and how all these elements interact with each other. In addition to this, a pragmatic proposal is formulated for possibly better or more successful health games. The study concludes with the declaration of the limitations encountered through the research and the recommendations for future research.

Marketing performance measurement in the marketing-finance interface

Marketing and finance are both facing challenges in the constantly changing business environment. Finance is challenged to change its role from cost control to value-adding business partner while marketing needs to be able to demonstrate its accountability so how it contributes to firm performance. Finance is the key partner for marketing to prove its impact by helping marketing to measure its actions. By doing so, finance can also emphasize its business partner role. There is not a lot of research conducted of the relationship between marketing and finance departments. The aim of this study is to investigate how the professional differences of marketing and finance and their forms of cooperation affect marketing performance measurement. Literature of marketing and finance disciplines, their cooperation, performance implications of their interface as well as the roles of marketing performance measurement, performance measurement system and measures were reviewed. This research was conducted as a qualitative case study among senior management of marketing and finance in the sporting goods company. The data collected through semi-structured interviews, participant observation and secondary data was described and classified and connections were made. The results of the study show that the nature of marketing and finance disciplines has many effects on their cooperation and performance measurement. Due to the ambiguous nature of marketing, measuring its performance is still seen as a challenge but digitalization is helping the measurement. It was indicated that marketing and finance professionals need to have different skillsets in order to perform their roles effectively and thus cooperation is needed. Marketing performance needs to be measured with both financial and nonfinancial measures. Both marketing and finance interviewees highlighted the importance of marketing measures over financial measures. Measuring marketing performance comprehensively is seen as a challenge since marketing and finance cooperation is still shaped by the cost control and budget management roles, rather than performance measurement. We recognized three constraints affecting this cooperation and performance measurement: people, time and software. If marketing and finance would develop deeper cooperation, they could create comprehensive performance measurement system that improves organizational performance.

Keskeiset suorituskyvyn mittarit asiantuntijaorganisaation strategialähtöisessä tulosyksikköohjauksessa

The subject of the study is a performance measurement system design of a profit center guided expert organization. Successful performance measurement system allows management to focus on the most important issues and guide the opera-tion of activities towards the objectives. The aim of this study is to examine the profit center organization´s performance measurement, what are the challenges associated with the scorecard, which issues the planning process should take into account, in the case of an expert organization. The study was conducted as a qualitative case study, for a one case study organ-ization. The study was made by interviewing personnel from top management to experts in the case organization. Balanced Scorecard as well as ready-made in-strument implementation models, that are presented in the theoretical part of the study, are being used as the design of the indicators. The target company's performance has been measured so far mainly on financial measures and there have also occasionally been measured employee satisfaction and customer satisfaction. The design of the indicators focused on non-economic, and mainly in the organization´s internal performance measurement. Learning and growth, client and processes were elected as the specific perspectives. The or-ganization's vision and strategy were the basis of the perspectives and the suc-cess factors. The thesis ends on selected indicator proposals derived from the success factors and on proposal for further actions for the case organization. Goal-setting, communication and staff commitment rose as matters should be taken into account in the design process. The results of the empirical study are consistent with the theory.

Developing Supply Chain Process Management and Measurement in Global Manufacturing Company

The objective of this research is to create a current state analysis of pulp supply chain processes from production planning to deliveries to customers. A cross-functional flowchart is being used to model these processes. These models help finding key performance indicators (KPIs) which enable examinations of the supply chain efficiency. Supply chain measures in different processes reveal the changes need processes that affect the whole supply chain and its efficiency and competitiveness. Structure of pulp supply chain differs from most of the other supply chains. The fact that there are big volumes of bulk products, small product variations and supply forecasts are made for the year ahead make the difference. This factor brings different benefits but also challenges when developing supply chain. This thesis divides pulp supply chain in three different main categories: production planning, warehousing and transportation. It provides tools for estimating the functionality of supply chain as well as developing the efficiency for different functions of supply chain. By having a better understanding of supply chain processes and measurement the whole supply chain structure can be developed significantly.

Financial working capital - management and measurement

Unexpected changes in cash flow have started to occur more frequently after the financial crisis. The capital structures of companies have also changed, and financial flexibility as well as flexible asset management have therefore become more important. This thesis aims at presenting financial working capital management, a part of flexible asset management, as a possibility to gain financial flexibility and survive the changes. This thesis operates in the interface of corporate finance, strategic management and management accounting, and it has two main objectives: to examine financial working capital management and to develop measures of financial working capital. The research in this thesis has been conducted using archival research and design science. Qualitative comparative analysis and model building are used to formulate tools and strategies for financial working capital management. The tools are tested with simulations, case studies and statistical analysis. The empirical data is collected from companies listed in the Helsinki Stock Exchange. The results of this thesis indicate that there are several possible financial working capital management strategies. FOCAL matrix is created in the thesis to assist in the selection of a strategy. The results also imply that profitability can be improved by reducing financial working capital, which creates a need to change the financial working capital management strategy. Financial flow cycle, and its modification, is developed in this thesis to measure financial working capital. Financial working capital as a concept is presented in this thesis with an orientation towards the management view. New dimensions have also been produced to financial management and working capital management, while providing a holistic approach to financial flexibility. Financial working capital management strategies are presented to managers and practical tools are provided for decision-making.

Onko yrityksen taloudellisella tilalla vaikutusta Tekes-rahoitusta saaneen yrityksen menestymiseen

Tämän tutkielman tavoite on yrityksen tulevan menestymisen tai epäonnistumisen ennustaminen. Tutkimuksen kohteena ovat tutkimus ja kehitys rahoitusta vuosina 2007- 2012 Tekesiltä saaneet mikro- ja pk yritykset. Ennustusta pyrittiin tekemään näille yrityksille niiden rahoitusprojektien alkuhetkeltä (hakemushetki). Tutkimus toteutettiin toimeksiantona Tekesille ja se jatkaa aikaisempaa tutkielmaa, ”Onko projektin henkilöriskitasolla tai talousriskitasolla yhteyttä t&k- projektin onnistumiseen?”. Tämän tutkimuksen johtopäätös oli, ettei varsinkaan talousriskillä ja projektin onnistumisella ole yhteyttä ja sen vuoksi niistä tarvittiin lisää tietoa. Teoreettisessa osuudessa käsitellään yrityksen kasvua ja onnistumisen tai epäonnistumisen ennakointia. Teoria pohjautuu aiheen aikaisempaan kirjallisuuteen ja sen tarkoitus on pohjustaa tutkielmassa tehtyjä valintoja yrityksien menestymisen ennustamiseksi. Tutkimus on toteutettu kvantitatiivisena tutkimuksena. Aineisto koostuu 430 Tekesin t&k- rahoitusta saaneista mikro- ja pk yrityksistä. Empiirisen osuuden tarkoitus oli selvittää, voidaanko koko yrityksen, menestystä ennustaa, jotta rahoitus voidaan kohdistaa paremmin, eli selvittää minkälaisia yrityksiä tulisi rahoittaa, jotta rahoitus kohdistuisi menestyjille. Tämän lisäksi tutkimuksessa haluttiin löytää oikeat muuttujat, joiden avulla yrityksen menestymisen ennustaminen on mahdollista. Menestymisen haluttiin kuvaavan koko yrityksen liiketoiminnan menestymistä. Menestymisen mittariksi valittiin liikevaihdon kasvu ja tarkasteltavaksi ajanjaksoksi aika yrityksen t&k- projektin hakemusvaiheesta, kolmen vuoden päähän projektin päättymisestä. Yritykset jaettiin menestyjiin liikevaihdon kasvun mukaan, ja niistä luotiin neljä koria: “Huiput”, “Kasvut”, “Hiipujat” ja “Konkurssit” ja koreja lähdettiin tutkimaan erilaisten mittarien avulla. Valitut mittarit olivat Tekesin riskiarvio (talousriski, henkilöriski, kehitysriski ja markkinariski), tilinpäätöksen tunnusluvuista kannattavuuden, maksuvalmiuden ja vakavaraisuuden tunnusluvut (liikevoittoprosentti ja sijoitetun pääoman tuottoprosentti, quick ratio ja omavaraisuusaste), projektin omarahoitus (yrityksen hakemusvaiheessa ilmoittama muun rahoituksen lähde, joka voi olla vieraanpääoman ehtoista, oman pääomanehtoista tai tulorahoitusta), sekä muut mittarit (uutuusarvo, jalostusarvo, tuottavuus ja lainojen perimättäjättöhakemukset). Riippumattomuutta testattiin ristiintaulukoinnilla, khiin neliötestillä ja kontingenssikerroin C:n avulla omavaraisuusasteen tunnusluvun osalta yhdistämällä ”Huiput”, ”Kasvut” ja ”Hiipujat” yhteen kotiin ja vertaamalla niitä konkurssiin menneisiin yrityksiin. Lopuksi konkurssiennusteista testattiin pienille yrityksille tarkoitettua Laitisen yhdistelmälukua. Tutkimuksessa havaittiin seuraavaa. Parhaiten yrityksen tulevan kasvun tai konkurssin ennakoivat havainnot seuraavissa muuttujissa: onko hanke rahoitettu lainalla vai avustuksella sekä mikä yrityksen hakemusvaiheen omavaraisuusaste, omarahoitusosuus tai tuottavuus on. Yrityksen hyvä rahatilanne projektin hakemusvaiheessa ei ennusta yrityksen liikevaihdon kasvua. Täydellistä ennustetta kasvulle ei voida tehdä. Laitisen yhdistelmäluku koettiin heikoksi tunnusluvuksi konkurssia ennustettaessa. Tämän takia, sitä muokattiin eri tavoin parhaan mahdollisemman ennusteen saamiseksi. Paras lopputulos saatiin muuttamalla tunnusluvun kriittistä arvoa pienemmäksi.

A Drop of Success – Internationalization Readiness of a Young Finnish Company

This study analyzes a young Finnish micro-sized firm that is attempting to reach internationalization readiness in the pre-internationalization stage. The purpose of this research is to analyze and better understand how a young firm reaches internationalization readiness in the pre-internationalization stage. Small firm internationalization is a vastly researched topic. Little emphasis has been placed on the specific antecedents that help the firm reach internationalization readiness in the pre-internationalization stage. The contribution of this research is thus two-fold. First, the research contributes to known theories of firm internationalization. Second, the research further extends knowledge related to how firms reach internationalization readiness specifically in the pre-internationalization stage. The theoretical background of the research involves the traditional stage theory (Uppsala model), pre-internationalization stage theory, international entrepreneurship theory and dynamic capabilities theory. With the help of these four relevant theories, empirical data was collected. The research method utilized in this study was a qualitative single case study combined with critical realist philosophy. The data analysis of this research was conducted using abduction in order to allow freedom in the analysis of the research findings. The empirical data was collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. The key respondents in this study were the two managers of the case company. The findings of this study revealed four important themes from the case company’s perspective towards reaching internationalization readiness in the pre-internationalization stage. Extensive knowledge of the home market and target market were the two most important themes in this research. The next most relevant theme for reaching internationalization readiness in the pre-internationalization stage was the managers’ previous international business experiences. The final theme affecting the firm’s ability to reach internationalization readiness was the firm’s specific resources. Even though the research findings of this study are case sensitive, the research insights and explanations have the potential to be transferred to similar firms and contexts. Future research should therefore aim towards more longitudinal studies in which the context is emphasized. This should include a variety of firms in similar stages of internationalization and contexts. Future studies of this kind would be of great benefit to academia.

An investigative study on the effects of black fly (diptera: simuliidae) sugar meals on reproductive success and parasite transmission /

Black flies are opportunistic sugar-feeders. They take sugar meals from Homopteran honeydew secretions or plant nectars, depending on availability. Homopteran honeydew secretions contain both simple and complex carbohydrates while plant nectars contain primarily simple carbohydrates. In order to determine whether honeydew secretions offer more energy than plant nectars to their insect visitors a study of wild-caught black flies was undertaken in Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada during the spring of 1 998 and 1 999. It was hypothesized that female black flies maintained on honeydew sugars will survive longer, produce more eggs and have a greater parasite vectoring potential than those maintained on artificial nectar or distilled water. Results demonstrated that: (1) host-seeking female Prosimulimfuscum/mixtum and Simulium venustum maintained on artificial honeydew did not survive longer than those maintained on artificial nectar when fed ad libitum; (2) fiiUy engorged S. venustum and Simulium rugglesi maintained on artificial honeydew did not produce more eggs than those maintained on artificial nectar when fed ad libitum; and (3) S. rugglesi did not have a greater vectoring potential of Leucocytozoon simondi when maintained on artificial honeydew as opposed to artificial nectar when fed ad libitum. However, all flies maintained on the two sugars (artificial honeydew and artificial nectar) survived longer, produce more eggs and had greater vectoring potential than those maintained on distilled water alone.

The influence of investigator disturbance on aggressive behaviour and breeding success of ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) /

Increased losses of eggs and chicks resulting from human intrusion (investigator or other) into seabird colonies has been well documented. In 1990/91, I studied the effects of investigator disturbance on aggressive behaviour and breeding success of individual pairs of ring-billed gulls nesting at two colonies near Port Colborne, Ontario. The insular colony was on an artificial breakwall, associated with the Welland Ship Canal, approximately 1 km off the north shore of Lake Erie. The mainland colony was adjacent to the canal approximately 1 km east of the breakwall. The frequencies of adult threat and assault behaviours, chick movement and adult attacks on chicks were recorded by continuous scan sampling 30 min prior to, 30 min during and 60 (2 X 30) min after investigator disturbance. The frequency of threat and assault behaviours increased during the period of investigator activity in the colony while the duration of wingpulls and beakpulls decreased. Significantly more chicks ran ("runners") from their natal territories during disturbances and "runners" were more frequently attacked than "territorial" chicks. No chicks were fatally attacked during disturbance and "runners" returned to their natal territories quickly after disturbance. Breeding success was determined for pairs nesting in study plots subjected to two levels of disturbance (normal and moderate). The disturbance level of each plot differed in visitation frequency and activities performed on each visit. Investigator disturbance had no effect on the hatching success or fledging success (taken as 21 days of age) of ring-billed gull study pairs at either colony.

The examination of predictors of success in two programmes requiring self-direction /

The new Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy programmes, based in the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University (Hamilton, Ontario) are unique. The teaching and learning philosophies utilized are based on learner-centred and selfdirected learning theories. The 1991 admissions process of these programmes attempted to select individuals who would make highly qualified professionals and who would have the necessary skills to complete such unique programmes. In order to: 1 . learn more about the concept of self-directed learning and its related characteristics in health care professionals; 2. examine the relationship between various student characteristics - personal, learner and those assessed during the admissions process - and final course grades, and 3. determine which, if any, smdent characteristics could be considered predictors for success in learner-centred programmes requiring self-directed learning skills, a correlational research design was developed and carried out. Thirty Occupational Therapy and thirty Physiotherapy smdents were asked to complete 2 instruments - a questionnaire developed by the author and the Oddi Continuing Learning Inventory (Oddi, 1986). Course grades and ratings of students during the admissions process were also obtained. Both questionnaires were examined for reliability, and factor analyses were conducted to determine construct validity. Data obtained from the questionnaires, course grades and student ratings (from the admissions process) were analyzed and compared using the Contingency Co-efficient, the Pearson's product-moment correlation co-efficient, and the multiple regression analysis model. The research findings demonstrated a positive relationship (as identified by Contingency Coefficient or Pearson r values) between various course grades and the following personal and learner characteristics: field of smdy of highest level of education achieved, level of education achieved, sex, marital stams, motivation for completing the programmes, reasons for eru-oling in the programmes, decision to enrol in the programmes, employment history, preferred learning style, strong selfconcept and the identification of various components of the concept of self-directed learning. In most cases, the relationships were significant to the 0.01 or 0.(X)1 levels. Results of the multiple regression analyses demonstrated that several learner and admissions characteristic variables had R^ values that accounted for the largest proportion of the variance in several dependent variables. Thus, these variables could be considered predictors for success. The learner characteristics included: level of education and strong self-concept. The admissions characteristics included: ability to evaluate strengths, ability to give feedback, curiosity and creativity, and communication skills. It is recommended that research continue to be conducted to substantiate the relationships found between course grades and characteristic variables in more diverse populations. "Success in self-directed programmes" from the learner's perspective should also be investigated. The Oddi Continuing Learning Inventory should continue to be researched. Further research may lead to refinement or further development of the instrument, and may provide further insight into self-directed learner attributes. The concept of self-directed learning continues to be incorporated into educational programmes, and thus should continue to be explored.

Body size in the field cricket Gryllus integer (Orthoptera : Gryllidae) :heritability and male mating success

The influence of male body weight on the aggressive and mating behaviour of male Gryllus integer was studied under laboratory conditions. The relationship between adult age and weight was first determined; female weight increased and male weight decreased with age. Virgin males that had been isolated since the adult molt were paired for similar age and a difference in weight of greater than 200 mg. Paired males and a virgin female were observed in a glass arena for 24 minutes or until a mating occurred. Larger males mated significantly more often than smaller males. Larger males attacked more often, were more successful in aggressive encounters and had more contact with the female. Males that did not mate had lower rates of courtship and mounts than males that mated. Females in trials that did not result in a mating were signifcantly heavier than females in trials that resulted in a mating. Larger males that mated were significantly closer in weight to the weight of the female than larger males in trials that did not result in a mating. Larger males in trials that did not result in a mating had higher rates of aggressive stridulation than larger males that mated. Male weight is therefore important in mating success; fitness traits should theoretically show low genetic variability. However, significant heritability values were found for live weight, dry weight, head width, pronotum width and length, hind femur length and forewing length when estimated from the regression of offspring on mid-parent values, offspring and female and male values separately and full-sib correlations. The heritability of hind femur width was significant when estimated from the regression of offspring on male parent and from full-sib correlations. Heritability estimates of forewing length were significantly higher when estimated from the regression of offspring on female parent than when estimated from the regression of offspring on male parent. High phenotypic, genetic and environmental correlations were found between all pairs of traits. Data on male mating success and the heritability of fitness traits were discussed in terms of the maintenance of genetic variability.

Brillouin spectroscopy : measurement of elastic and photoelastic constants of some alkali holide crystals

The assembly and testing of apparatus for the measurement of elastic and photoelastic constants by Brillouin scattering, using a Fabry-Perot interferometer and with argon ion laser excitation is described. Such measurements are performed on NaCI, KBr and LiF using the A = 488.0 nm laser line. The elastic constants obtained here are in very good agreement with the ultrasonic data for all three materials. The discrepancy between ultrasonic and hypersonic sound velocities which was reported by some authors for KBr and LiF is not confirmed, and the elastic constants obtained for LiF are the most accurate to date. Also, the present photoelastic constants are in good agreement with the data obtained by ultrasonic techniques for all three crystals. The results for the KBr and LiF crystals constitute the first set of photoelastic constants obtained for these materials by Brillouin spectroscopy. Our results for LiF are the best available to date.