scholarly journals Stakeholders’ perceptions towards non-native acacias and implications for their management in Portugal

2019 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 557-566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Sofia Vaz ◽  
Joana Ribeiro ◽  
João P Honrado ◽  
Joana R Vicente

Abstract Humans act as drivers for the introduction of non-native trees. Some non-native species may become invasive and cause undesirable impacts, thereby motivating targeted decision-making and management actions. Australian acacias (or wattles; genus Acacia subgenus Phyllodineae) have been introduced worldwide, offering both opportunities and risks for local communities. Understanding how stakeholders perceive invasive acacias is paramount to assist effective decision-making. We assessed stakeholders’ perceptions about these non-native acacias, their invasion process, social-ecological impacts and management. We conducted a questionnaire-based survey with experienced managers and decision-makers in Northern Portugal, where acacia invasions are widespread. We found that most stakeholders are not able to recognize non-native species, failing to identify the introduction period, drivers of dispersion and appropriate management methods of Australian acacias. We could also identify different stakeholder perceptions on the benefits and negative impacts provided by these species. We call for the implementation of technical training and information outreach strategies to address stakeholders’ lack of knowledge (and experience) on the recognition and identification of non-native trees, as well as on their introduction and invasion history, drivers of dispersion, costs and benefits, and effective management actions. Stakeholders’ engagement should be promoted in the design and implementation of biosecurity efforts to control (and/or adapt to) invasive acacias at relevant scales of invasion management.

Author(s):  
Tanushri Banerjee ◽  
Arindam Banerjee

There are several challenges faced by decision makers while deploying Business Analytics in their organization. There may not be one resolution approach that is suitable for creating a Business Analytics culture in all organizations. However, it is easy to perceive that most India-based organizations may have similar issues of data organization that may be impeding their progression in the field of Analytics. Based on their research, the authors have proposed a framework for adoption of Analytics in Indian firms in their book “Weaving Analytics for Effective Decision Making” by SAGE. They propose to use that model for explaining certain domain specific adoption of Business Analytics in organizations in India. They have used a case study of a Global Bank which is in the process of establishing its consumer lending USA operations, an offshore captive operation, in India to describe the process of building an Analytics team in an organization in India. Data processed using R has been added as screenshots for supporting the findings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 545-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Wiebe ◽  
Monika Zurek ◽  
Steven Lord ◽  
Natalia Brzezina ◽  
Gnel Gabrielyan ◽  
...  

In an increasingly globalized and interconnected world, where social and environmental change occur ever more rapidly, careful futures-oriented thinking becomes crucial for effective decision making. Foresight activities, including scenario development, quantitative modeling, and scenario-guided design of policies and programs, play a key role in exploring options to address socioeconomic and environmental challenges across many sectors and decision-making levels. We take stock of recent methodological developments in scenario and foresight exercises, seek to provide greater clarity on the many diverse approaches employed, and examine their use by decision makers in different fields and at different geographic, administrative, and temporal scales. Experience shows the importance of clearly formulated questions, structured dialog, carefully designed scenarios, sophisticated biophysical and socioeconomic analysis, and iteration as needed to more effectively link the growing scenarios and foresight community with today's decision makers and to better address the social, economic, and environmental challenges of tomorrow.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giancarllo Ribeiro Vasconcelos ◽  
Caroline Maria de Miranda Mota

Pairwise comparisons have been applied to several real decision making problems. As a result, this method has been recognized as an effective decision making tool by practitioners, experts, and researchers. Although methods based on pairwise comparisons are widespread, decision making problems with many alternatives and criteria may be challenging. This paper presents the results of an experiment used to verify the influence of a high number of preferences comparisons in the inconsistency of the comparisons matrix and identifies the influence of consistencies and inconsistencies in the assessment of the decision-making process. The findings indicate that it is difficult to predict the influence of inconsistencies and that the priority vector may or may not be influenced by low levels of inconsistencies, with a consistency ratio of less than 0.1. Finally, this work presents an interactive preference adjustment algorithm with the aim of reducing the number of pairwise comparisons while capturing effective information from the decision maker to approximate the results of the problem to their preferences. The presented approach ensures the consistency of a comparisons matrix and significantly reduces the time that decision makers need to devote to the pairwise comparisons process. An example application of the interactive preference adjustment algorithm is included.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 208
Author(s):  
Ermi Sola

AbstractIn general, decision making is a process of choosing alternatives conducted by a certain people in an organization. An accurate decision that solves or answers the problem, needs ...and creativity from the decision makers. The decision makers have to follow any steps of decision making itself. Generally, there many steps in decision making, starting from the clearness of problem it self, develop alternatives, assess the alternatives by determine certain criteria, choose the best alternatives to be a decision, implement it, and control the implementation especially to the decision that is not routine, rarely happens, and special. Judgement, intuition, and creativity is the key to a success and effective decision making.


Author(s):  
András Sajó ◽  
Renáta Uitz

This chapter examines the relationship between parliamentarism and the legislative branch. It explores the evolution of the legislative branch, leading to disillusionment with the rationalized law-making factory, a venture run by political parties beyond the reach of constitutional rules. The rise of democratically bred party rule is positioned between the forces favouring free debate versus effective decision-making in the legislature. The chapter analyses the institutional make-up and internal operations of the legislature, the role of the opposition in the legislative assembly, and explores the benefits of bicameralism for boosting the powers of the legislative branch. Finally, it looks at the law-making process and its outsourcing via delegating legislative powers to the executive.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 577-587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donghyun Kim ◽  
Deying Li ◽  
Omid Asgari ◽  
Yingshu Li ◽  
Alade O. Tokuta ◽  
...  

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-166
Author(s):  
M. Iqbal

ABSTRACTIn the recent past life companies have made many decisions which they have had cause to deeply regret. This paper looks at the range of decision making theories available. It then examines recent examples of decisions that had unfavourable consequences and explores why they were taken, and goes on to describe a systematic approach to decision making which can help management assess more objectively the difficult choices confronting them today. The approach does not require espousal of any specific decision theory or method of value measurement. The focus is on the decision making process and the organisation's capacity to handle change. The paper identifies the three requirements for effective decision making.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document