scholarly journals A method of deriving operation-specific ski run classes for avalanche risk management decisions in mechanized skiing

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reto Sterchi ◽  
Pascal Haegeli
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Decision Aids ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
Self Organizing Maps ◽  
New Approach ◽  
The Past ◽  
Avalanche Risk Management ◽  
Avalanche Risk

Abstract. An in-depth understanding of the nature of the available terrain and its exposure to avalanche hazard is crucial for making informed risk management decisions when travelling in the backcountry. While the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) is broadly used for providing recreationists with terrain information, this type of terrain classification has so far only seen limited adoption within the professional ski guiding community. We hypothesize that it is the generic nature and small number of terrain classes of ATES and its precursor systems that prevent them from offering meaningful assistance to professional decision makers. Working with two mechanized skiing operations in British Columbia, Canada, we present a new approach for deriving terrain classifications from daily terrain assessment records. We used a combination of self-organizing maps and hierarchical clustering to identify groups of ski runs that have been assessed similarly in the past and organized them into operation-specific ski run hierarchies. We then examined the nature of the emerging ski run hierarchies using comprehensive run characterizations from experienced guides. Our approach produces high-resolution ski run hierarchies that offer a more nuanced and meaningful perspective on the available skiing terrain and provide new opportunities for examining professional avalanche risk management practices and developing meaningful decision aids.

scholarly journals Deriving customized terrain classes for avalanche risk management in mechanized skiing operations from operational terrain assessments

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reto Sterchi ◽  
Pascal Haegeli
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Decision Aids ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Terrain Classification ◽  
Self Organizing Maps ◽  
New Approach ◽  
The Past ◽  
Avalanche Risk Management ◽  
Avalanche Risk

Abstract. An in-depth understanding of the nature of the available terrain and its exposure to avalanche hazard is crucial for making informed risk management decisions when travelling in the backcountry. While the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) is broadly used for providing recreationists with terrain information, this type of terrain classification has so far only seen limited adoption within the professional ski guiding community. We hypothesize that it is the generic nature and small number of terrain classes of ATES and its precursor systems that prevent them from offering professional decision makers meaningful assistance. Working with two mechanized skiing operations in British Columbia, Canada, we present a new approach for deriving terrain classifications from daily terrain assessment records. We used a combination of self-organizing maps and hierarchical clustering to identify groups of ski runs that have been assessed similarly in the past and organized them into operation-specific terrain hierarchies. We then examined the nature of the emerging terrain hierarchies using comprehensive run characterizations from experienced guides. Our approach produces high-resolution terrain hierarchies that offer a more nuanced and meaningful perspective on the available skiing terrain and provide new opportunities for examining professional avalanche risk management practices and developing meaningful decision aids.

Risk Management Decisions and Organizational Structure in the Case of a Development Management Firm

2013 ◽  
pp. 181-202
Author(s):  
Mohammad Baydoun
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
High Level ◽  
Large Scale Project

This case aims to analyze risk management practices of Millennium Development International (MDI) and suggest enhancements based on a theoretical framework derived from the literature while considering the implications to its organizational structure. Al-Shamiyah project in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is used as an example to illustrate the practices of MDI. Due to a high level of risk associated with large-scale development projects, it is argued that the traditional risk management approach is not convenient to the context of these projects. Each large-scale project has a high level of uniqueness that renders benchmarks generated out of previous projects obsolete. Hence, a reactive risk management approach is being promoted. For the purpose of optimizing this approach, engaging necessary experts and securing the presence of key decision makers in the process, the formulated system defines key milestones at which risks need to be assessed and proper decisions need to be taken.

Risk Management Decisions and Organizational Structure in the Case of a Development Management Firm

2016 ◽  
pp. 1220-1237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Baydoun
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Organizational Structure ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
High Level ◽  
Large Scale Project

This case aims to analyze risk management practices of Millennium Development International (MDI) and suggest enhancements based on a theoretical framework derived from the literature while considering the implications to its organizational structure. Al-Shamiyah project in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is used as an example to illustrate the practices of MDI. Due to a high level of risk associated with large-scale development projects, it is argued that the traditional risk management approach is not convenient to the context of these projects. Each large-scale project has a high level of uniqueness that renders benchmarks generated out of previous projects obsolete. Hence, a reactive risk management approach is being promoted. For the purpose of optimizing this approach, engaging necessary experts and securing the presence of key decision makers in the process, the formulated system defines key milestones at which risks need to be assessed and proper decisions need to be taken.

Joint Risk Design in Swiss Middle-Sized Service Companies: Frameworks and Management Practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens O. Meissner
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Business Organizations ◽  
Service Companies ◽  
Strong Focus ◽  
High Degree

Abstract:Today’s social reality will doubtless alter the risk management practices of organizations of all kinds. Whereas large companies and public institutions serve as role models and have the resources to apply standards or develop and set them by themselves, mid-sized businesses usually do not have this possibility. Instead, they apply management practices that base on existing management routines and their typical organizational characteristics. But how do these practices look like? And what is the semantic program that is performed by the organization to manage the risks? This empirical paper contains the analysis of typical risk management practices in mid-sized service companies in Switzerland. The study relies on open, qualitative interviews with top level decision-makers resulting in the description of the characteristics of six companies. The analysis shows that these firms mainly focus on project risk management, and combine it with a strong focus on business speed and agility, the smart combination of their talent pool in teams, the application of a non-bureaucratic governance style and a conscious acceptance of a high degree of intuition in management decisions. This research contributes to a better understanding of the risk design of mid-sized business organizations as very important societal units in splitting, pooling, distributing and addressing their risks.

scholarly journals The comparative method for policy studies: the thorny aspects

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-67
Author(s):  
Tatiana-Camelia Dogaru Cruceanu
Keyword(s):  
Comparative Research ◽  
Comparative Method ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Theoretical Point ◽  
Policy Studies ◽  
New Approach ◽  
The Past ◽  
Policy Systems

Abstract Over the past decades, the comparative method has attracted the attention of the theorists, and studies based on this approach have increased in applied policy research. In their daily and strategically policy decisions, the decision makers from local, regional and national levels use more and more the comparative research methods, especially due to interlinked relationship and the need for bench learning and benchmarking practices. The comparative method allows the actors to analyse other experiences, and thus to take decisions more efficient. This is a normal, an inevitable situation, when the unit of analysis is a country, a field of matters or a process where researchers compare cases from empirical or theoretical point of view. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical view on the capacity of comparative method to foster knowledge in policy studies. The intention is to see and to explore the utility of comparative method for policy studies and policy analysis, since a new approach “evidence-based policymaking” arise, emphasising the importance of using evidence from other political and policy systems.

Dealing with the White Death: Avalanche Risk Management for Traffic Routes

Risk Analysis ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph M. Rheinberger ◽  
Michael Bründl ◽  
Jakob Rhyner
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Avalanche Risk Management ◽  
Avalanche Risk

scholarly journals Corporate Governance and Risk Management: Lessons (Not) Learnt from the Financial Crisis

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (9) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Alessandro Gennaro ◽  
Michelle Nietlispach
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Financial Crisis ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
The Past ◽  
Corporate Governance Codes ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk

The paper aims to understand if and which lessons have been learned since the financial crisis of 2007–2008, highlighting the main deficiencies which still affect the corporate governance and risk management systems more than a decade after. A survey was performed by collecting the answers to 15 questions about corporate governance and risk management practices, given by a representative sample of 200 finance professionals (100 from the USA, 50 from Italy, 50 from the UK). The survey allows saying that corporate governance codes and risk management approach, even though improved and implemented over the past decade, still present problems in terms of principles or application. The results provide insights into how corporate governance issues are addressed and how financial institutions and regulators learn and adapt from a crisis. The paper also gives new perspectives on corporate governance, indicating where regulators need to focus on to rethink the governance mechanisms.

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