87 research outputs found
The construction of new scales: a framework and case study of the EUREGIO cross-border region
No full textThe article proposes a framework for analysing re-scaling processes and applies it to a case study of the Dutch-German EUREGIO cross-border region. While much of the scale debate focuses on the causes and consequences of re-scaling, the article addresses the conditions and circumstances in which new territorial scales emerge and suggests a framework of necessary components of re-scaling processes. Informed by neo-Gramscian thinking, the scales debate as well recent analyses of regionalisation, these are formulated as: political mobilisation, governance building and strategic unification. The case study locates the EUREGIO case with respect to these dimensions. The article concludes that this framework can be used for studying and comparing other re -scaling cases and presents an initial typology for classifying cross-border regions
Building Governance Institutions Across European Borders
No full textPERKMANN M. (1999) Building governance institutions across European Borders, Reg. Studies 33 , 657-667. This paper examines cross-border co-operation (CBC) and associated cross-border regions (CBRs) emerging within the European Union (EU). It analyses both as processes of institution building utilizing recent theories of governance and networks. The discussion is organized in four parts: (1) an overview of CBC in the EU to date and a suggested theoretical framework for understanding it; (2) a specification of CBC governance institutions as an articulation of horizontal and vertical networks; (3) an outline of the interests and agendas of the main actors involved in CBC, including the EU Commission as well as local, regional and central state authorities; and (4) an assessment of CBC governance as the outcome of the aggregate effects of the institutions and actors involved. The concluding section locates CBC within the emerging EU polity, arguing that it represents an example of the building of multi-level governance networks. CBRs, although loosely articulated, are characterized as terrains for producing new transnational actors and new opportunities for existing actors. PERKMANN M. (1999) L'etablissement des institutions gouvernementales a travers les frontie � res europeennes, Reg. Studies 33 , 657-667. Cet article cherche a examiner la cooperation transfrontaliere et les regions transfrontalieres qui se font jour au sein de l'Union europeenne. A partir des theories recentes au sujet de la notion de gouvernement et de reseaux, l'article analyse les deux en tant que processus necessaires a l'etablissement des institutions. L'analyse consiste en: primo, une vue d'ensemble de la cooperation transfrontaliere au sein de l'Ue a ce jour et un cadre theorique qui se voit proposer afin de la comprendre; secundo, un schema des institutions gouvernementales necessaire a la cooperation transfrontaliere qui se sert de structure en faveur des reseaux horizontaux et verticaux; tertio, une esquisse des principaux agents qui contribuent a la cooperation transfrontaliere, y compris la Commission europeenne, les autorites locales, regionales et nationales, et leurs divers programmes; quarto, un bilan de la cooperation transfrontaliere gouvernementale comme resultat des effets cumules des institutions et des agents impliques. La derniere partie positionne la cooperation transfrontaliere au sein du regime politique qui se fait jour dans l'Ue, tout en affirmant qu'elle represente un exemple de l'etablissement de reseaux gouvernementaux a plusieurs niveaux. Les regions transfrontalieres, bien qu'elles ne soient que vaguement unies, se caracterisent comme terrains favorables a l'emergence de nouveaux agents transfrontaliers et de nouvelles opportunites pour les agents actuels. PERKMANN M. (1999) Der Aufbau von grenzuberschreitenden Governanceinstitutionen in Europa, Reg. Studies 33 , 657-667. Der Beitrag befasst sich mit grenzuberschreitender Zusammenarbeit (CBC) sowie grenzuberschreitenden Regionen in der Europaischen Union, die mit Bezug auf aktuelle theoretische Erkenntnisse zu Governance und Netzwerken als Entstehung neuer Institutionen thematisiert werden. Die Analyse umfasst vier Abschnitte: (1) einen U berblick uber den Stand der CBC in der EU und einen entsprechenden theoretischen Rahmen, (2) eine Darstellung der Regierungsinstitustionen von CBC als eine Artikulation horizontaler und vertikaler Netzwerke, (3) die Beschreibung der an CBC beteiligten Akteure, also der EU, und lokaler, regionaler und nationaler Behorden, (4) die Interpretation von CBC als aggregriertem Effekt der beteiligten Institutionen und Akteure. Im Schlussteil wird CBC als ein Beispiel fur die Mehr-Ebenen-Struktur europa �ischer Politikimplementation betrachtet. Gleichzeitig bilden grenzuberschreitende Regionen jedoch ein Terrain fur neue transnationale Akteure und bieten existierenden Akteuren neue Gelegenheiten zur Verfolgung ihrer Ziele.Cross-BORDER Co-OPERATION, Cross-BORDER Region, Euroregion, Governance, Policy Network, European Union,
Predicting a prolonged air leak after video assisted thoracic surgery, is it really possible?
No full textValidation of predictive risk models for prolonged air leak (PAL) is essential to
understand if they can help to reduce its incidence and complications. This
study aimed to evaluate both the clinical and statistical performances of 4
existing models. We selected 4 predictive PAL risk models based on their
scientific relevance. We referred to these models as Chicago, Bordeaux,
Leeds and Pittsburgh model, respectively, according to the affiliation place
of the first author. These predicting risk models were retrospectively applied
to patients recorded on the second edition of the Italian Video-Assisted
Thoracoscopic Surgery Group registry. Predictions for each patient were
calculated based on the logistic regression coefficient values provided in the
original manuscripts. All models were tested for their overall performance,
discrimination, and calibration. We recalibrated the original models with the
re-estimation of the model intercept and slope. We used curve decision
analysis to describe and compare the clinical effects of the studied risk mod
els.
Better statistical metrics characterize the models developed on larger
populations (Chicago and Bordeaux models). However, no model has a valid
benefit for threshold probability greater than 0.30. The Net benefit of the
most performing model (Bordeaux model) at the threshold probability of
0.11 is 23 of 1000 patients, burdened by 333 false positive cases. One of
1000 is the Net benefit at the threshold probability of 0.3. The use of PAL
scores based on preoperative predictive factors cannot be currently used in
a clinical setting because of a high false positive rate and low positive pre
dictive valu
Predicting a Prolonged Air Leak After Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery, Is It Really Possible?
No full text: Validation of predictive risk models for prolonged air leak (PAL) is essential to understand if they can help to reduce its incidence and complications. This study aimed to evaluate both the clinical and statistical performances of 4 existing models. We selected 4 predictive PAL risk models based on their scientific relevance. We referred to these models as Chicago, Bordeaux, Leeds and Pittsburgh model, respectively, according to the affiliation place of the first author. These predicting risk models were retrospectively applied to patients recorded on the second edition of the Italian Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Group registry. Predictions for each patient were calculated based on the logistic regression coefficient values provided in the original manuscripts. All models were tested for their overall performance, discrimination, and calibration. We recalibrated the original models with the re-estimation of the model intercept and slope. We used curve decision analysis to describe and compare the clinical effects of the studied risk models. Better statistical metrics characterize the models developed on larger populations (Chicago and Bordeaux models). However, no model has a valid benefit for threshold probability greater than 0.30. The Net benefit of the most performing model (Bordeaux model) at the threshold probability of 0.11 is 23 of 1000 patients, burdened by 333 false positive cases. One of 1000 is the Net benefit at the threshold probability of 0.3. The use of PAL scores based on preoperative predictive factors cannot be currently used in a clinical setting because of a high false positive rate and low positive predictive value
Predicting a Prolonged Air Leak After Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery, Is It Really Possible?
No full textValidation of predictive risk models for prolonged air leak (PAL) is essential to understand if they can help to reduce its incidence and complications. This study aimed to evaluate both the clinical and statistical performances of 4 existing models. We selected 4 predictive PAL risk models based on their scientific relevance. We referred to these models as Chicago, Bordeaux, Leeds and Pittsburgh model, respectively, according to the affiliation place of the first author. These predicting risk models were retrospectively applied to patients recorded on the second edition of the Italian Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery Group registry. Predictions for each patient were calculated based on the logistic regression coefficient values provided in the original manuscripts. All models were tested for their overall performance, discrimination, and calibration. We recalibrated the original models with the re-estimation of the model intercept and slope. We used curve decision analysis to describe and compare the clinical effects of the studied risk models. Better statistical metrics characterize the models developed on larger populations (Chicago and Bordeaux models). However, no model has a valid benefit for threshold probability greater than 0.30. The Net benefit of the most performing model (Bordeaux model) at the threshold probability of 0.11 is 23 of 1000 patients, burdened by 333 false positive cases. One of 1000 is the Net benefit at the threshold probability of 0.3. The use of PAL scores based on preoperative predictive factors cannot be currently used in a clinical setting because of a high false positive rate and low positive predictive value
The Two Faces of Collaboration: Impacts of University-Industry Relations on Public Research
No full textWe analyze the impact of university-industry relationships on public research. Our inductive study of university-industry collaboration in engineering suggests that basic projects are more likely to yield academically valuable knowledge than applied projects. However, applied projects show higher degrees of partner interdependence and therefore enable exploratory learning by academics, leading to new ideas and projects. This result holds especially for research-oriented academics working in the ‘sciences of the artificial’ and engaging in multiple relationships with industry. Our learning-centred interpretation qualifies the notion of entrepreneurial science as a driver of applied university-industry collaboration. We conclude with implications for science and technology policy.University industry relations; Collaborative research; Contract research; Academic consulting; Science technology links; Engineering
Social Valuation Across Multiple Audiences: The Interplay of Ability and Identity Judgments
No full textHow is an evaluating audience influenced by previous evaluations made by another audience? This question is critical to individuals and organizations reaching out to multiple audiences for key resources. While extant work has suggested evaluators are influenced by previous evaluations made by their peers, we develop theory about how evaluators’ assessment of a candidate is shaped by previous evaluations made by an external (non-peer) audience. We argue that the latter represent exogenous indices that affect evaluators in two opposing ways: they positively influence peer valuation by pointing to candidates’ unobservable abilities; yet, since they are conferred by an external audience, they are also indicative of candidates’ deviation from an expected peer identity. The combination of the two opposite effects suggests an inverted U-shaped relationship between exogenous indices and peer valuation. Further, this effect is moderated by the identity proximity between audiences, and the availability of previous peer evaluations (endogenous indices). We test and find support for our arguments using unique data on the peer valuation of 9,502 academic scientists applying for research grants at a research university. Our work contributes to the understanding of valuation and socially endogenous inferences, and has implications for the management of organizations in multi-audience environments
Improving Quality of Sample Production Process with Particular Reference to AS M
No full textKäesolevas lõputöös käsitletakse AS M.A.S.I Company näidiste valmistamise protsessi ning selle kvaliteedi parendamist läbi väärtust lisamise analüüsi. Lõputöö eesmärk sai täidetud ning ettevõtte juhtkonnale on loodud ettepanekud antud protsessi parendamiseks. Töö teoreetilises osas andis autor ülevaate kvaliteedist ning selle juhtimisest, mis on kvaliteedijuhtimise põhielemendid ja miks on kvaliteedijuhtimine ettevõttele vajalik. Samuti andis töö autor ülevaate kulusäästlikust tootmisest ehk Lean tootmisest – miks oleks vaja seda ettevõttes juurutada ning kuidas see aitaks tõsta kvaliteeti tervikult. Autor andis ülevaate ka protsesside olemusest, tuvastamisest ja avastamisest ning protsesside analüüsist ja ümberkavandamisest. Autor on arvamusel, et kui hakata ettevõttes kvaliteeti parandama peaks alustama ettevõtte sisekultuuri parendamisest. Pika ajalooga ettevõttel on oluline välja tulla oma mugavustsoonist ning sisse viia uuendused. Tihti jäädakse peatuma varem toiminud võtetele, kuid kuna maailm on pidevas muutumisest, siis varem toiminud protsessid ei pruugi aastaid hiljem olla kuigi produktiivsed. Järgmiseks oluliseks etapiks on protsesside tuvastamine ning avastamine. Oluline on ära kaardistada kõik ettevõtte põhiprotsessid ning läbi tuleks viia põhjalik analüüs. Protsessidest tuleks eemaldada kõik klientidele väärtust mitte loovad tegevused, olgu need siis sise- või väliskliendid. Kui protsessidest on eemaldatud kõik ressurssi raiskavad tegurid, siis on väiksem tõenäosus ka defektide esinemine toodetes. Selleks, et rakendada käsitletud teooriat töö praktilises osas, tutvus autor AS M.A.S.I Company näidiste valmistamise protsessiga. Eesmärgi täitmiseks viis autor läbi vaatluse ning kaardistas protsessi BPMN vooskeemi abil. Lisaks viis autor läbi ka intervjuu tootearendusmeistriga selleks, et välja selgitada protsessi probleemsed etapid. Teoorast selgus, et oluline on väärtust lisava analüüsi puhul kaasata ka igapäevaselt protsessis osalevaid inimesi. Analüüsist lähtuvalt on tehtud ettepanekud ettevõtte juhtkonnale protsessi parenduseks. Analüüsist selgus, et AS M.A.S.I Company suurimaks ressursiraiskajaks töö ebaefektiivne jaotus ning osakondade vahelised ootamised. Ootamist tingib näidiste valmistamise etappide osakondade vaheline jaotus. Lisaks veel tootmishoone mitmetasandilisusest tingitud transportimised ning töötajate ülekoormus. Analüüsist tulid välja ka ettevõtte üldised probleemid mis mõjutavad kogu ettevõtte tegevust. Nendeks on töötajate mittepiisav koolitamine, tootmise masinapargi vananemine ning keelebarjäärist tingitud infosulg. Infosulgu tekitab ettevõttes ka hierarhiline struktuur ning ühtse meeskonna tunde puudumine. Autor tegi ettepanekud viia juurdelõikus ja materjalide ladu, mis asuvad tootmishoone esimesel korrusel, tootearendusosakonda. Tootearendusosakonnas on kõik vajalikud seadmed juurdelõikuse teostamiseks olemas, seega selles osas ettevõtte lisakulutusi ei kaasneks. Selleks, et tootearendusosakonnas juurdelõikust teostada oleks vaja ühte lisa inimest. Lisa inimese vajadust kinnitab ka tootearendusmeister ning see, et tihti võetakse tootmisliinist lisa inimesi näidiste õmblemiseks juurde. Autor on arvamusel, et juurdelõikuse ja materjalide lao tootearenduseosakonda viimine vähendaks oluliselt transpordile ning ootamisele kuluvat aega ning protsess muutuks efektiivsemaks. Kangaste ja tarvikute tellimise osas tegi autor ettepaneku kaasata ostja näidiste disainimese etappi algusest peale. See on vajalik selleks, et kangaste ja tarvikute tellimisel oleks ostjal kohe kogu vajalik info olemas ning ära jääks ostja ja disaineri vaheline pidev e-kirjade saatmine. Samuti oleks sellisel juhul võimalik kõik kangad ning tarvikud vastavalt näidiste valmistamise plaanile kohe tellida. Protsessist tuleks eemaldada ka korduvtegevused. Lisaks tegi autor ettepaneku ettevõttes kulusäästliku tootmise ehk Lean tootmise ning Demingi ringi kasutusele võtmise. Vajalik oleks ka töötajate pidev koolitamine ning inglise keele kasutusele võtmine kogu ettevõttes. Inglise keel on vajalik, kuna emaettevõte ja tütaretevõte asuvad erinevates riikides. Antud töö raames viis autor läbi protsesside elutsükkli kolm esimest etappi, mis hõlmasid endas protsessi avastamist, protsessi analüüsi ning protsessi ümberkavandamist. Selleks et protsessi ümberkavandamine ettevõttesse juurutada oleks vaja läbi viia ka protsesside elutsükkli kaks viimast etappi, mis on seotud uue protsessi rakendamise ja kontrollimisega. Selleks, et parendada kogu ettevõtte toimivust ning kvaliteeti tuleks kaardisatada ja analüüsida kõiki ettevõtte protsesse ning seejärel juurutada kvaliteedijuhtimissüsteem.In this graduation thesis, the sample production process and improving its quality through a value added analysis at AS M.A.S.I Company are investigated. The aim of the thesis was achieved and the company’s management has been presented with proposals for improving the process. In the theoretical part of the thesis, the author provided an overview of quality and quality management, the key elements of quality management, and highlighted reasons why quality management is necessary for a company. The author also gave an overview of cost-effective or lean production – why it would be necessary to introduce it in a company and how it would fully help to ensure quality. The author also gave an overview of the nature, identification and discovery of processes, as well as an overview of process analysis and process redesign. The author believes that improving quality in a company should start with improving the company’s internal culture. It is important for a company with a long history to come out of its comfort zone and introduce innovations. Often, companies hold on to the ways that have been effective, but as the world is constantly changing, the processes that worked before may not be as productive years later. The next important step is identifying and detecting processes. It is important to map all company’s key processes and carry out a thorough analysis. All non-value-adding activities for customers should be removed from processes, be they internal or external customers. When all factors that waste resources are removed from the processes, there is less probability of defects, as far as production is concerned. In order to apply the above described theory in the practical part of the work, the author investigated the sample producing process at AS M.A.S.I Company. To achieve the aim, the author performed an observation and mapped the process, using the Business Process Modelling Notation (BPMN) flowchart. In addition, the author interviewed the product development engineer in order to identify the problematic stages of the process. The theory revealed that when carrying out a value-added analysis, it is important to include people involved in the day-to-day process. Based on the analysis, proposals have been made to the company’s management to improve the process. The analysis revealed that at AS M.A.S.I Company, the main waste of resources are the ineffective division of labour and too much waiting in the units. Waiting is caused by the fact that the phases of sample preparation are divided between the units; in addition, there are transport-related activities due to the multi-level production building and work overload. The analysis also revealed the company’s general problems that affect all activities in the company. They include inadequate training of staff, old production machinery and lack of information because of the language barrier. The lack of information is also caused by the company’s hierarchical structure and absence of unified teamwork. The author proposed that the cutting unit and materials store, located on the ground floor of the production building, should be transferred to the product development department. The latter has all the necessary equipment for carrying out cutting, so there will be no additional costs for the company in this area. In order to carry out the cutting in the product development department, only one extra person would be needed. The need for an extra person is also confirmed by the product development expert and the fact that often people from the production line are displaced, to sew samples. The author believes that moving the cutting unit and material store to the product development department would significantly reduce time for transport and avoid waiting, and the process would be more efficient. As regards ordering of fabrics and supplies, the author made a proposal that the buyer in the sample design phase should be involved right in the beginning. This is necessary, because upon ordering the fabrics and supplies, the buyer can immediately have all information needed, and there will be no continuous e-mails between the buyer and the designer. Then, it would also be possible to order all fabrics and supplies immediately according to the sample production plan. Besides, repetitive activities should be removed from the process. In addition, the author suggested lean production should be introduced in the company, as well as the Deming Circle. It would also be necessary to continuously train staff and start using English in the entire company. English is required because the parent company and subsidiary company are located in different countries. In the framework of this study, the author passed through the first three phases of the life cycle of the processes, which included process discovery, process analysis and process redesign. In order to introduce process redesign in the company, it would also be necessary to pass through the last two phases, associated with the implementation and control of a new process. In order to improve the overall performance and quality in the company, it should be necessary to map and analyse all processes in the company and then introduce a quality management system
Policy entrepreneurship and multilevel governance: a comparative study of European cross-border regions
No full textThe author addresses the recent proliferation of cross-border regions, or ‘Euroregions’, in Europe. It is argued that EU multilevel governance patterns generate opportunities for entrepreneurial policy organisations to attract policy tasks and resources. This is conceptualised as policy entrepreneurship and applied to a comparative case-study analysis of three Euroregions: EUREGIO (Germany – Netherlands), Viadrina (Poland – Germany), and Tyrol Euroregion (Austria – Italy). The analysis focuses on the ability of these initiatives to establish themselves as autonomous organisations. It finds considerable variation across the cases in this respect. Following on from this, the paper shows how administrative and institutional environments in different EU member states affect the ability of Euroregions to engage in policy entrepreneurship. It is concluded that it is premature to perceive Euroregions as new types of regional territorial entities; rather, they are part of the policy-innovation scenario enabled by EU multilevel governance.
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