Site-specific risk assessment and integrated management decision-making: A case study of a typical heavy metal contaminated site, Middle China

A microbial risk assessment (MRA) can provide the scientific basis for risk management decision making. Much data are needed to complete an MRA, including quantitative data for pathogens in foods. The purpose of this document was to provide information on data needs and data collection approaches for MRAs that will be useful for national governments, particularly in developing countries. A framework was developed, which included the following activities: (i) identify the purpose of data collection—this should include stating the specific question(s) to be addressed; (ii) identify and gather existing data—this should include a determination of whether the data are sufficient to answer questions to be addressed; (iii) develop and implement a data collection strategy; (iv) analyze data and draw conclusions; and (v) use data to answer questions identified at the start of the process. The key data needs identified for an MRA were as follows: (i) burden of foodborne or waterborne disease; (ii) microbial contamination of foods; and (iii) consumption patterns. In addition, dose-response data may be necessary, if existing dose-response data cannot be used to estimate dose response for the population of interest. Data should be collected with a view to its use in risk management decision making. Standard sampling and analysis methods should be used to ensure representative samples are tested, and care should be taken to avoid bias when selecting data sets. A number of barriers to data collection were identified, including a lack of clear understanding of the type of data needed to undertake an MRA, which is addressed in this document.

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Using game theory to assess multi-company strategies in watershed management

Ambiente e Agua - An Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Science ◽

10.4136/ambi-agua.1697 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 535

Author(s):

Luke Ogilvie Thompson ◽

Alexandre Bevilacqua Leoneti ◽

René Bañares-Alcántara ◽

Eduardo Cleto Pires

Keyword(s):

Game Theory ◽

Decision Making ◽

Watershed Management ◽

Nash Equilibria ◽

Engineering Problem ◽

Management Decision ◽

Problem Case ◽

Management Decision Making

The main objective of this work was to evaluate the use of game theory as a strategic tool for watershed management decision-making. An engineering problem case study was used in which three organizations compare various scenarios when deciding where to locate a polluting plant on a watershed. Six games were modeled to provide a variety of conditions that could feasibly be implemented and were simulated using software for finding Nash Equilibria solutions. The results show that game theory can provide key insights, such as the consideration of other players’ strategies, and identify possible pitfalls that may occur when the companies seek only to maximize their individual profitability.

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Adoption of renewable energy technologies (RETs) using a mixed-method approach

Journal of Modelling in Management ◽

10.1108/jm2-03-2019-0082 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas Morgan Geddes

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Diffusion Of Innovations ◽

Mixed Methodology ◽

Management Decision ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Approach ◽

Energy Technologies ◽

Water Pumping ◽

Management Decision Making

Purpose This paper aims to propose that the socio-technical perspective is under-represented when appraising the adoption potential of renewable energy technologies (RETs) in late-industrialising countries and that this results in under-adoption. It also aims to identify a methodological approach that allows the socio-technical perspective to be integrated into management decision-making, alongside the more typical economic appraisal methodology. Design/methodology/approach A case study and novel mixed-methodology approach is used, which applies the diffusion of innovations framework, innovation system (IS) framework and system dynamics modelling (SDM) alongside traditional economic modelling and appraisal techniques. This approach is used to assess the adoption potential of solar photovoltaic (PV) and diesel water pumping systems in the wildlife conservation sector and surrounding rural communities in Kenya. The case study approach tests the merits of the mixed-methodology approach. Findings The life-cycle costs of solar PV water pumping systems are lower in nearly all financing and utilisation scenarios; offer additional social, technical and environmental benefits; and the conditions exist for greater adoption. The use of an integrated diffusion of innovations and IS framework generates significant qualitative data that can support management decision-making. The use of SDM techniques aid conceptualisation of the community economic, water and institutional systems into which water pumps may be diffused and provide a starting point for formal SDM simulation. The results suggest that these techniques capture the socio-technical perspective well and, when used alongside traditional project appraisal approaches, produce more complete information with which to support management decision-making. Originality/value This mixed-methodology approach could be used by practitioners to increase the diffusion and adoption of RETs in more complex contexts in late-industrialising countries. The emergent theory built through the case-study approach should be tested further to assess the merits of applying these techniques to support RET management decision-making in other contexts and more broadly.

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Graphical Presentation of Risk Assessment in Management Decision Making Process

The 7th International Scientific Conference "Business and Management 2012". Selected papers ◽

10.3846/bm.2012.051 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Milena Kirova

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Decision Making ◽

Management Decision ◽

Decision Making Process ◽

Management Decision Making ◽

Graphical Presentation

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Implementation of Quantitative Risk Assessment: Case Study

Volume 3: Materials and Joining; Risk and Reliability ◽

10.1115/ipc2014-33641 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

David Mangold ◽

W. Kent Muhlbauer ◽

Jim Ponder ◽

Tony Alfano

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Decision Making ◽

Risk Management ◽

The United States ◽

Management Program ◽

Quantitative Risk Assessment ◽

Management Decision ◽

Classical Statistics ◽

Wide Range

Risk management of pipelines is a complex challenge due to the dynamic environment of the real world coupled with a wide range of system types installed over many decades. Various methods of risk assessment are currently being used in industry, many of which utilize relative scoring. These assessments are often not designed for the new integrity management program (IMP) requirements and are under direct challenge by regulators. SemGroup had historically used relative risk assessment methodologies to help support risk management decision-making. While the formality offered by these early methods provided benefits, it was recognized that, in order to more effectively manage risk and better meet the United States IMP objectives, a more effective risk assessment would be needed. A rapid and inexpensive migration into a better risk assessment platform was sought. The platform needed to be applicable not only to pipeline miles, but also to station facilities and all related components. The risk results had to be readily understandable and scalable, capturing risks from ‘trap to trap’ in addition to risks accompanying each segment. The solution appeared in the form a quantitative risk assessment that was ‘physics based’ rather than the classical statistics based QRA. This paper will outline the steps involved in this transition process and show how quantitative risk assessment may be efficiently implemented to better guide integrity decision-making, illustrated with a case study from SemGroup.

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The prioritization and categorization method (PCM) process evaluation at Ericsson: a case study

Business Process Management Journal ◽

10.1108/bpmj-07-2016-0136 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (2) ◽

pp. 377-398 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jens Ohlsson ◽

Shengnan Han ◽

Harry Bouwman

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Process Improvement ◽

Process Management ◽

Single Case ◽

Management Decision ◽

Organizational Setting ◽

Content Type ◽

Business Context ◽

Management Decision Making

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate and evaluate the prioritization and categorization method (PCM), which facilitates the active participation of process stakeholders (managers, owners, customers) in process assessments. Stakeholders evaluate processes in terms of effectiveness, efficiency and relevance against certain contextual business and industry factors. This collective evaluation serves as a foundation for the management decision-making process regarding process improvement and redesign. Design/methodology/approach The PCM is examined based on a case study at Ericsson. In total, 55 stakeholders, representing different organizational levels and functions, assessed eight core processes. Follow-up interviews and feedback after the evaluation sessions were collected for triangulation purpose. Findings The PCM helps Ericsson evaluate its processes within business context and industry environments. The results show that, to realize seamless end-to-end processes in the eight assessed processes, Ericsson has to make a greater effort to improve its process structures, governance and culture for fulfilling the needs of future business. Ericsson Steering Group is satisfied with the insights provided and has decided to train more stakeholders to use PCM. Research limitations/implications This research is based on a single case within a specific organizational setting. The results may not be necessary generalizable to other business and industry settings. Organizations need to configure PCM in consideration of their own processes and business contingencies to explore and fulfil their process improvement purposes. Originality/value This paper presents a new context-aware, easy-to-use and holistic method for business process management (BPM), the PCM. The method requires the active engagement of stakeholders, it focusses on developing dynamic BPM capabilities and fully embeds organizational contingencies and contextual factors in the decision-making regarding BPM. This paper contributes a novel method to explorative BPM.

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