scholarly journals A Mixed Methods Literature Review and Framework for Decision Factors That May Influence the Utilization of Managed Wildfire on Federal Lands, USA

Fire ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Stephen D. Fillmore ◽  
Sarah M. McCaffrey ◽  
Alistair M. S. Smith

There is increasing discussion in the academic and agency literature, as well as popular media, about the need to address the existing deficit of beneficial fire on landscapes. One approach allowable under United States federal wildland fire policy that could help address this condition is by deliberately managing wildfire with a strategy other than full suppression (hereafter referred to as ‘managed wildfire’). To improve the understanding of the managed fire decision-making process, we conducted a mixed methods review of the existing literature. This review spanned 1976 to 2013 and used thematic coding to identify key factors that affect the decision to manage a wildfire. A total of 110 descriptive factors categories were identified. These were classified into six key thematic groups, which addressed specific decision considerations. This nexus of factors and decision pathways formed what we describe as the ‘Managed Fire Decision Framework’, which contextualizes important pressures, barriers, and facilitators related to managed wildfire decision-making. The most prevalent obstacles to managing wildfire were operational concerns and risk aversion. The factor most likely to support managing a fire was the decision maker’s desire to see the strategy be implemented. Ultimately, we found that the managed fire decision-making process is extremely complex, and that this complexity may itself be a barrier to its implementation.

2011 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 378-389 ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Calkin ◽  
Mark A. Finney ◽  
Alan A. Ager ◽  
Matthew P. Thompson ◽  
Krista M. Gebert

Author(s):  
Paloma Mendoza Cortes

El presente artículo se deriva de la tesis doctoral El proceso de toma de decisiones en el Ejército Mexicano: la función de la Inteligencia Militar. La investigación es retomada para analizar la operación de captura de Ovidio Guzmán, en Culiacán, Sinaloa, México. Se confrontan fuentes de primera mano de inteligencia militar con información de fuentes abiertas y se determinan los posibles fallos de inteligencia y contrainteligencia que condujeron al gobierno mexicano a tomar la decisión de liberar a Ovidio Guzmán frente a los actos de violencia y al uso del ciberespacio por el crimen organizado para tal fin. A partir de la información consultada, se concluye que existió una falta de cooperación interagencial y fallos del Gabinete de Seguridad de México en el proceso de toma de decisiones en situaciones críticas. Abstract This analysis is based on the dissertation The Mexican Army decision-making process: The role of Military Intelligence. The original research is applied to the case of the Ovidio Guzmán capture operation in Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico. First-hand sources of military intelligence are confronted with information from open sources to evaluate the possible intelligence and counterintelligence failures that can explain the Mexican government´s decision to release Ovidio Guzman after members of his cartel committed acts of extreme violence and exploited social media. Based on the sources consulted, the author concludes the key factors that led to the failure of the operation were the lack of inter-agency cooperation and deficiencies in the decision-making process by the Security Cabinet of Mexico.


2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 769-784 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Wang ◽  
Wen Huang ◽  
Xueqiang Yang ◽  
Libing Wang ◽  
Zhihong Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Given the continuous aging of pipeline infrastructure buried underground, water utilities need to make a strategic plan on how to maintain the entire water distribution systems (WDSs) to ensure the required standard of supply. This paper investigates the nexus of three key factors that have a significant impact on the decision-making process of the rehabilitation plan for WDSs. The factors considered include the problem formulations, the pipe selection methods for identifying critical components of WDSs, and the multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs). The nexus was revealed by considering all the combinations of two variants for each factor. The optimal rehabilitation problem of the Exeter network was used as a case study. Results exhibit that the problem formulation determined the range of Pareto fronts essentially, which should give the highest priority in the decision-making process. The pipe selection method played a secondary role, mainly affecting the shape of Pareto fronts. Optimization algorithms also had a considerable impact on the optimality of solutions, subject to their characteristics and parameter settings. This paper also highlights that breakthroughs need to focus on these key factors to facilitate a more cost-effective solution to the rehabilitation of large WDSs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-71
Author(s):  
Titanilla Oravecz ◽  
Ildikó Kovács

Aside from honey’s sweet and distinctive flavor, it can provide various human health benefits, which makes its market value favorable compared to those of other sweeteners. In the study, the purchase decision making process is examined through sensory experiments. The results are based on sensory analysis of 600 adult consumers, which show that, consumers’ demand for honey varies significantly according to the flavor, aroma, color, texture and price. The geographic location of the honey’s production and the product packaging are key factors for some consumer segments. Sensory differentiation and the evaluation of honey quality are different in the analyzed consumer segments, which are described in the study.


10.2196/14629 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. e14629
Author(s):  
Dorra Rakia Allegue ◽  
Dahlia Kairy ◽  
Johanne Higgins ◽  
Philippe Archambault ◽  
Francois Michaud ◽  
...  

Background Exergames have the potential to provide an accessible, remote approach for poststroke upper extremity (UE) rehabilitation. However, the use of exergames without any follow-up by a health professional could lead to compensatory movements during the exercises, inadequate choice of difficulty level, exercises not being completed, and lack of motivation to pursue exercise programs, thereby decreasing their benefits. Combining telerehabilitation with exergames could allow continuous adjustment of the exercises and monitoring of the participant’s completion and adherence. At present, there is limited evidence regarding the feasibility or efficacy of combining telerehabilitation and exergames for stroke rehabilitation. Objective This study aims to (1) determine the preliminary efficacy of using telerehabilitation combined with exergames on UE motor recovery, function, quality of life, and motivation in participants with chronic stroke, compared with conventional therapy (the graded repetitive arm supplementary program; GRASP); (2) examine the feasibility of using the technology with participants diagnosed with stroke at home; and (3) identify the obstacles and facilitators for its use by participants diagnosed with stroke and stroke therapists and understand the shared decision-making process. Methods A mixed methods study protocol is proposed, including a randomized, blinded feasibility trial with an embedded multiple case study. The intervention consists of the provision of a remote rehabilitation program, during which participants will use the Jintronix exergame for UE training and the Reacts Application to conduct videoconferenced sessions with the therapists (physical or occupational therapists). We plan to recruit 52 participants diagnosed with stroke, randomly assigned to a control group (n=26; 2-month on-paper home exercise program: the GRASP with no supervision) and an experimental group (n=26; 2-month home program using the technology). The primary outcome is the Fugl-Meyer UE Assessment, a performance-based measure of UE impairment. The secondary outcomes are self-reported questionnaires and include the Motor Activity Log-28 (quality and frequency of use of the UE), Stroke Impact Scale-16 (the quality of life), and Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire (motivation). Feasibility data include process, resources, management, and scientific outcomes. Qualitative data will be collected by interviews with both participants and therapists. Results At present, data collection was ongoing with one participant who had completed the exergame- telerehabilitation based intervention. We expect to collect preliminary efficacy data of this technology on the functional and motor recovery of the UE, following a stroke; collect feasibility data with users at home (adherence, safety, and technical difficulties); and identify the obstacles and facilitators for the technology use and understand the shared decision-making process. Conclusions This paper describes the protocol underlying the study of a telerehabilitation-exergame technology to contribute to understanding its feasibility and preliminary efficacy for UE stroke rehabilitation. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03759106; http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT03759106. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/14629


Facilities ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erik Carl Backus ◽  
Jakob C. Bruhl

Purpose The facility decision-making process (FDMP), as described in this paper, is a framework based on decades of proven effectiveness in analogous military applications. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate key factors which justify the need for the FDMP before describing the FDMP. Design/methodology/approach This paper conducts a literature review as it relates to facilities specific decision-making, puts forward a new concept for those processes and provides an abridged case study of the concept in application. Findings Facilities management is a key function for nearly every type of business or enterprise. As part of facilities management, many decisions are made about physical assets that a business or enterprise owns or maintains. Currently, there is no uniform decision-making framework, in literature or in practice, which enables consistency, robustness and scalability for facility management decisions. Such a framework would enable facility managers to effectively justify decisions related to capital and operational expenses. Practical implications The FDMP provides a robust procedure for facilities managers and engineers that enables enhanced strength in the face of business enterprise scrutiny as compared with the often-intuitive decision-making processes currently used in practice. Originality/value This novel conceptual process articulates the opportunity to provide for a comprehensive facilities decision-making process that enables better decisions especially as it relates to what are often ill-defined problem sets in facilities management.


2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-59
Author(s):  
Marzia Morena ◽  
Maria Luisa Del Gatto ◽  
Anna Gornati

Purpose – The paper aims at describing a supporting model for the decision-making process that may steer the location decisions of international businesses. This is made possible by a measurement system where the characteristics of a territory are assessed with reference to some key factors that are internationally known to investors, to the aim of spotting the best location to implement a property investment. Design/methodology/approach – The surveys analysed when producing this paper highlighted the presence of internationally renowned and shared factors that the enterprises generally take into consideration in their decision-making process, and which strongly influence the decision to locate a business in a territory to the detriment of another. By adopting and organizing these “key factors” in a systemic way, the model introduced in this paper supports enterprises in their location choice. It analyses and measures some territorial contexts (with no limits regarding their size) based on the scores assigned to these contexts after the analysis of the 12 key factors. Findings – The analysis had two outputs: on the one hand, its results allowed to check whether the areas are actually in line with the expectations and with the requirements of a potential investor, with reference to the activity that such investor is willing to promote; on the other, the identification of the characteristics of the area provides the basis to define the vocation of the areas under examination, thus helping the drawing of future development scenarios. Originality/value – The surveys analysed when producing this paper highlighted the presence of internationally renowned and shared factors that the enterprises generally take into consideration in their decision-making process, and which strongly influence the decision to locate a business in a territory to the detriment of another.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Trautmann ◽  
Attila Piros

Abstract Nowadays, the aesthetic appearance of a product becomes more and more important in several industries. Psychologic studies and researches highlighted that beside the functionality of a product, aesthetic appearance is one of the key factors of the decision-making process before buying a product. The geometric properties—such as basic geometries and lines—of patterns that are simple structures, usually consist of replication of simple elements or their mathematically described modifications. These are all in connection with human emotions. A software called EmPatGen (Emotional Pattern Generator) has been developed that creates patterns automatically based on user preferences. The focus of this research is to support the work of product designers in the automotive industry. With the aid of this program, they are able to design the most aesthetically pleasing car interiors and fulfill specific customer requirements in a much easier manner. This study focuses on the connections of basic geometries and lines created with the introduction of a novel pattern generator program and mathematical model which is based on fuzzy logic.


Author(s):  
Tamara Kaftandzieva ◽  
Violeta Cvetkoska

In an uncertain economic environment, the decision-making process regarding personal finances relies heavily on personal experience and behavior, and is largely influenced by a variety of psychological and socio-demographic factors. The aim of this paper is to analyze the key factors of the decision-making process regarding financial choices of the population of young adults in the Republic of North Macedonia, and to further explain young people’s motives for the proposed decision and the conditions under which the decision was made. The research was conducted through an AHP-based questionnaire that was distributed to respondents ranging in age from 18 to 35 years. According to the obtained results, the respondents value financial security the most, hence their primary choice is investment in real estate and commodities. Young adults are less inclined to invest, especially in the more complex financial instruments. The developed AHP model will help young people make better, fact-based financial choices.


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