Factors Influencing Management Decisions Research Articles

Algoriths and Procedures for Investment Audit Using a Risk-Based Approach

The research discusses the features of the investment audit at various stages of implementing investment projects. The subject of the study is a methodological approach to its implementation. The goal is to reveal the content of the investment audit method. The work used general scientific principles and research methods: systematization, induction and deduction, comparison, comparison, synthesis, analysis of statistical data. The problems of creating methodology and techniques are relevant for both internal and external audit of investments. The result of the study was the definition of factors influencing management decisions in investment; audit tasks and regulatory regulations for each stage of the investment project; methods used for investment audit and internal control. Also, in the work’s course, the authors developed algorithms, methods and principles for checking assumptions (as components of the investment audit methodology). Also, the authors presented recommendations on implementing an audit by the stages of the investment process. They gave classifiers of procedures, investment risks and assumptions that have been checking during the audit, and reflected their relationship with information sources. The results of the study can be used by internal and external auditors of investment projects, credit and financial institutions, business entities.

Formation of a Methodological Model of investment audit

The paper considers the reasons that actualize the need for an investment audit, reveals its concept as a special type of audit service. The generalization of the existing positions of scientists on the applied methods and procedures of investment audit revealed the leading role of analytical procedures used to provide this service. The subject of the study is an investment audit as a segment of the activities of external and internal auditors. The purpose of the study is to form conceptual approaches and a methodological model of investment audit. The authors used general scientific principles and research methods: systematization, induction and deduction, synthesis and analysis. The empirical basis was statistical data and scientific works of Russian and foreign scientists. The article discusses the reasons that actualize the need for investment audit, reveals its concept as a special type of this service. n the course of the work, the analysis of factors influencing management decisions in the field of investments was carried out. Also, there were determined the audit tasks for each stage of the investment project and regulatory regulations; the methods used for investment audit and internal control were generalized. The paper consists the conceptual and methodological models of investment audit, revealing its principles, methods, prerequisites, information sources, control points. The results of the study have theoretical and applied significance as well as can be used by researchers in the field of financial control, auditors, business entities.

Directions of efective system of managment decisions making on the example of agricultural machinery industry enterprise

In Ukraine, taking into account the constant changes in the economy and policy, the enterprises need to improve management decision-making systems for efficient and well-established production process. Thus it is especially important for the state economy to establish a system of management of the machine-building industry in the field of agricultural production as they: provide the main share of revenues to GDP in Ukraine; are the main source for ensuring the food and agricultural products development. The objective of the paper is to investigate more thoroughly the theoretical foundations of the management decision-making system formation, to develop the direction for optimization under the conditions of uncertainty and risk on the example of agricultural machinery industry enterprise. The theoretical foundations of management decisions at the enterprise as a process for developing and selecting the most effective solution to achieve the best results in the enterprise are outlined in this paper. The factors influencing management decisions such as: degree of risk; information; time; personal qualities of the leader are considered. Methods for application contributing to the most optimal decisions such as: traditional, systematic, economic-analytical, systemic and targeted are identified. Analysis of the current state of agricultural machinery industry development in Ukraine, which shows the dynamics in the direction of deteriorating their condition is carried out. Therefore, there is the need to make management decisions concerning the establishment of their system in management. For example, the agricultural machinery company JSC «Elvorti» is considered. The problem of effective management which requires optimization of directions in the process of making managerial decisions in order to improve its activities is determined. The following factors of the influence on crisis phenomena in the given industry: external factors (political, economic) and internal factors (lack of working capital) significantly affecting the activities results are considered. On the basis of JSC «Elvorti» activity analysis, it is proved that it is necessary to take optimization measures and certain directions in the management decision-making process in order to ensure effective operation. The directions for control, simplification of decision-making process due to automation of document circulation on the basis of 1C, motivation of the personnel which will be able to improve organizational structure of the enterprise and production process are proposed.

Factors influencing management decisions of manufacturing companies in Ethiopia

This study aims to investigate, factors affecting the management decisions of manufacturing companies, in Ethiopia. The study examined the effects of the accounting information system, managers’ level of education, managers’ experience, organizational size, environmental factors, corporate culture, pressure and stress, and risk management decisions. The study is descriptive and explorative. It included a sample of 140 manufacturing companies, engaged in wood and pulps production, non-metallic and chemicals, and its product in Ethiopia, and a questionnaire was distributed to them. The study revealed significant and positive relationship between accounting information systems, management experience, the management level of education, environmental factor, organizational culture, pressure and stress, risk and management decisions. Further, the risk factor showed a positive and insignificant effect on management decisions. The results also found that there was negative and insignificant degree of relationship between management decisions and organizational size.

Stakeholder and field surveys on weed issues and research needs in rice production in Texas

AbstractA paper-based survey was conducted from 2015 to 2017 among stakeholders of the Texas rice industry on current weed management challenges and factors influencing management decisions. A total of 108 survey questionnaires were completed by stakeholders at the rice Cooperative Extension meetings conducted in the rice-growing counties of Texas. In addition, late-season field surveys were conducted prior to harvest in 2015 and 2016 across the rice-growing counties to understand dominant weed escapes occurring in rice fields. Results from the questionnaire survey revealed that rice–fallow–rice was the most common rotation practiced in Texas rice production. Echinochloa spp., Leptochloa spp., and Cyperus spp. were the top three problematic weed issues faced by the respondents. Among the Leptochloa species, Nealley’s sprangletop, a relatively new species in rice fields, was indicated as an emerging concern. Clomazone was the most frequently used PRE herbicide, whereas quinclorac, propanil, imazethapyr, and cyhalofop were the popular POST herbicides. Most respondents (72%) made weed-control decisions on the basis of economic thresholds, whereas 63% made decisions on the basis of weed problems from previous years. Most respondents (88%) expressed moderate to high concern for herbicide-resistant weeds in their operations. Strategies to manage herbicide-resistant weeds and economical weed management practices were among the top suggested research needs. The field survey revealed that jungle rice, Nealley’s sprangletop, and hemp sesbania were the top three late-season weed escapes in rice production in Texas, with frequencies of occurrence of 28%, 19%, and 13%, respectively. Furthermore, average field area infested by a species was the greatest for jungle rice (13%), followed by hemp sesbania (11%) and weedy rice (11%). Findings from the stakeholder and field surveys help direct future research and outreach efforts for sustainable weed management in Texas rice.

New approaches to diagnose and target reproductive failure in cattle.

Reproductive failure and pregnancy loss in cattle are some of the largest economic burdens to cattle producers and one of most perplexing factors influencing management decisions. Pregnancy loss may occur at any point during gestation with the largest percentage of loss occurring in the first 30 days and, subsequently, decreasing as the pregnancy progresses. Losses may be attributed to numerous factors, predisposed issues or environmental conditions such as nutritional stressors or disease. From a research perspective, determining the exact causes of pregnancy loss or embryonic mortality in cattle have been difficult, due to limitations of accurately determining early gestation pregnancy status. Until methods that precisely determine embryo success early in gestation are available, our understanding of in vivo pregnancy loss will lack clarity necessary to develop management strategies to decrease such loss. In this review, we will briefly discuss the pivotal periods of pregnancy loss affecting beef and dairy cattle, methods and technologies to determine pregnancy status and embryo viability and potential opportunities to decrease reproductive failure.

Farmer selection of sources of information for nitrogen management in the US Midwest: Implications for environmental programs

Nitrogen fertilizer has increased crop yields, but in many regions inefficient use has also resulted in water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Attempts to address these environmental issues focus on education and the adoption of more efficient practices. To understand why inefficient use of nitrogen fertilizer persists, scholars have examined factors influencing management decisions including sources of information. Drawing from personal interviews and a mail survey of corn farmers in the Midwest region of the United States, this study goes beyond research that identifies what sources of information are important and examines how different sources are weighed and combined, why some sources are more influential than others, and what organizations and individuals farmers trust given the many private and public sources of information available. We find that most farmers combine several different sources of information to guide their nitrogen fertilizer decisions, private sector sources are highly influential, and that seed and fertilizer suppliers have successfully established trust with farmers through individual relationships with salespeople and crop consultants. These findings suggest that education programs to address environmental degradation associated with nitrogen fertilizer may be more successful if they involve input suppliers.

Key factors influencing management decisions concerning safety equipment selection

The construction industry involves many hazardous activities that may expose workers to a wide variety of health hazards. Selection of construction safety equipment is crucial in ensuring workers’ safety. This article aims to examine key factors influencing management decisions concerning safety equipment selection, utilizing exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). A questionnaire survey is conducted in the construction companies in Bangkok, Thailand. The factor analysis extracts 103 sets of data into six key factors – namely supplier agreements, supplier support, personal, equipment design, safety-related policies and cost value factors – with a total of 20 associated items. The AHP results conclude that the safety-related policies, equipment design and personal factors are the most important factors when selecting construction safety equipment. A construction company can use the study results as a checklist to help assess different safety equipment, and to select the best equipment.

Elective Anesthesia and Surgery in Veteran Patients Abusing Cocaine - Factors Influencing Management Decisions

Elective Anesthesia and Surgery in Veteran Patients Abusing Cocaine - Factors Influencing Management Decisions

Travel or technology? Business factors influencing management decisions

There is an on-going debate on the use of technology as an alternative to business travel, with industry and academia differing in their views on such substitution. This study investigates the trend towards substitution and identifies the factors and barriers that play a role in either supporting or limiting such substitution. The results provide management with an evaluation of the benefits of replacing business trips with videoconferencing and other alternatives, against the potential disadvantages of using these alternatives.

Intra-cultural Differences in the Importance of Plant Resources and Their Impact on Management Intensification in the Tehuacán Valley, Mexico

Management of plant resources is a complex process that involves the interaction of numerous cultural, environmental, economic, and ecological factors Therefore, understanding factors influencing management decisions requires multidisciplinary approaches, including both quantitative and qualitative perspectives. This study explores quantitative approaches as methodological tools with which to identify patterns underlying more intensive management of plant resources. The research was conducted in the village of Santa Maria Tecomavaca, Oaxaca, in south-central Mexico, within the semiarid Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve. Three models explaining the management intensity tendencies were identified, consistent with the pattern of multiple variables influencing plant management.

Outcomes of Elderly Patients with AML in the Hamilton Area: How Are We Doing?

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most common form of leukemia amongst adults. Elderly patients (i.e. over the age of 60) with AML consistently have poorer outcomes than their younger counterparts and very few guidelines exist on the optimal management of AML in this population. A retrospective chart review of patients 60 years of age or older diagnosed with AML was conducted to better define this population, identify biological and patient characteristics that predict outcomes with treatment, and determine factors influencing management decisions. A total of 142 patients diagnosed with AML between April 2002 and April 2007 were included. Patients were analyzed together, as well as in pre-specified age groups (60–65, 66–75, and >75 years). Patients ranged from 60 to 92 years old, with a median of 70 years. Very few patients had a favorable cytogenetic profile (3.5%) at the time of diagnosis (Table 1). In addition, 41.5% of patients had a preceding hematologic diagnosis. Of these, 61.0% had pre-existing myelodysplastic syndrome and 16.9% had chronic myeloid leukemia. The proportion of patients with secondary transformation increased with age (age 60–65 −25%; 65–75 −39%; >75 – 51.3%). Over 60% of patients were induced, with younger patients opting for induction more often (age 60–65 − 88.6%; 65–75 − 66.1%; >75 – 20.5%). The most commonly cited reasons for not treating were the presence of comorbidities (32.1%), patient preference (26.8%), age (17.9%), and preceding hematological conditions (16.1%). Only 25% of those treated were able to complete the entire course of treatment. Despite this, more than half (58.1%) of patients were able to attain remission. As expected, overall survival was dismal across all age groups with 10.6% surviving to one year. Median survival was 2 months with survival decreasing with increasing age (Table 2). With treatment one year survival increased to 15.1% with a median survival of 3.75 months (treated vs. untreated - 15.1% vs. 3.6%, p <0.005). This result was largely driven by survival in the 60–65 year age group, in whom those treated did significantly better than those who were not (1 year survival 20.5% vs. 0%, p <0.005; median 6 vs. 0.18 months). In terms of economic resources, patients who were induced had significantly more outpatient appointments (22.2 vs. 6.4, p <0.0001), hospital days (58.8 vs. 11.6, p <0.0001), and used more blood products (65.7 vs. 12.1, p <0.001), presumably due to increased survival in those who were treated. This dramatic difference between those treated and those who were palliated was seen both in patients age 60–65 and 66–75, but was markedly attenuated in patients older than 75. Our findings are consistent with previous studies. Elderly patients with AML do poorly, with worsening outcomes with increasing age, and survival that is measured in months. This may be due to the increasing prevalence of patients with preceding hematological disorders and secondary transformation with age, as well as poor cytogenetic profiles of this population. In addition, as age and comorbidities increase, more patients opt out of induction chemotherapy. Further research is needed to establish optimal management and improve outcomes of elderly patients with AML.Table 1: CytogeneticsAll patients (n; % of patients)Age 60–65 years (n; % of patients)Age 66–75 years (n; % of patients)Age 76 years and greater (n; % of patients)No of Patients142445939CytogeneticsUnknown40 (28.2%)10 (22.7%)11 (18.6%)19 (48.7%)Favourable5 (3.5%)1 (2.3%)2 (3.5%)2 (5.1%) 12Intermediate59 (41.5%)23 (52.3%)24 (40.7%)(30.8%) 6Unfavourable38 (26.8%)10 (22.7%)22(37.3%)(15.4%)Table 2: Survival RatesAll patients (n; % of patients)Age 60–65 years (n; % of patients)Age 66–75 years (n; % of patients)Age 76 years and greater (n; % of patients1 year survival15 (10.6%)8 (18.2%)5 (8.5%)2 (5.1%)All2/56 (3.6%)0/5 (0%)1/20 (5.0%)1/31 (3.2%)Untreated13/86 (15.1%)8/39 (20.5%)4/39 (10.3%)1/8 (12.5%)Treated(p = 0.004)(p = 0.003)(p = 0.41)(p = 0.23)Median survival (months)2321All15.5 days1.51Untreated3.75262.9TreatedLost to Follow Up52 (36.3%)17 (38.6%)24 (40.7%)11 (28.2%)

Antibiotic use for emergency department patients with acute diarrhea: Prescribing practices, patient expectations, and patient satisfaction

Study objective Physicians commonly prescribe antibiotics to meet patient expectations, even when antimicrobials are unnecessary. We evaluated factors emergency physicians consider in prescribing antibiotics to patients with diarrhea and examined patient expectations, physician-perceived patient expectations, and patient satisfaction. Methods Adults and children presenting with acute diarrhea to 1 of 10 academic emergency departments (EDs) were enrolled in this prospective observational cohort study. Adult patients and guardians of enrolled children were asked about treatment expectations before their physician encounter and about satisfaction with their medical care at discharge. Physicians were asked about factors influencing management decisions and their perceptions of patients' expectations. Results Of 104 patients enrolled, 25% received antibiotics. Physicians were more likely to prescribe antibiotics when features suggestive of bacterial enteritis were present (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1 to 3.9). Physicians were also more likely to prescribe antibiotics when they believed patients expected them (unadjusted OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 4.4) but correctly identified such expectations in only 33% of instances. Satisfaction with care was reported by 100% of patients receiving antibiotics and 90% of those not receiving antibiotics (95% CI for difference of 10%, 3% to 17%). Conclusion Physicians in academic EDs prescribe antibiotics for acute diarrhea to about 1 patient in 4 and are more likely to do so if signs or symptoms compatible with bacterial enteritis are present. Physicians' assessments of patients' expectations for therapy were accurate in only 1 of 3 patients but were nevertheless associated with antibiotic prescription. Patient satisfaction was weakly associated with receipt of antibiotics.

A MODEL OF SITE‐SPECIFIC ANTECEDENTS OF ISO 14001 CERTIFICATION

ISO 14001 constitutes a major dilemma for many American firms. This new standard holds the promise of waste reduction and better process management, but the benefits and costs are very difficult to predict. This study attempts to identify and explain antecedents impacting the decision to pursue certification for some of the first plants certified in the United States. Using data from a large survey of U.S. managers and a Logit analysis, we find the factors influencing management decisions to actively pursue ISO 14001 certification to be distinctly different from those factors influencing management's decision not to pursue certification. For the latter, the decision is economically based; for the former, it is driven by other, more qualitative considerations.

The management and outcome of late post-infarct ventricular tachycardia presenting to a district general hospital

A review was undertaken of late post-infarct ventricular tachycardia in a district hospital cardiac care unit in order to study the clinical course of a total population of such patients from initial presentation to ultimate outcome. Thirty-six patients with this diagnosis were identified over a 3 1 2 - yr period. Twelve were treated by empirically chosen antiarrhythmic drugs. Twenty-four were referred for electrophysiologically guided treatment, of whom 16 were treated by antiarrhythmic drugs, 3 by anti-ischaemic measures alone, and 5 by non-pharmacological antiarrhythmic treatments (antiarrhythmic surgery, percutaneous ablation, defibrillator implantation, cardiac transplantation). Of those treated empirically, 4 died in hospital of their arrhythmia, 1 died suddenly at home, and 2 suffered non-fatal arrhythmia recurrences during mean follow-up of 20 months. There were no arrhythmic deaths in those whose treatment was guided by serial electrophysiology studies, although 4 patients died of cardiac failure or reinfarction, and 3 were hospitalised with a recurrence of ventricular tachycardia during mean follow-up of 16 months. Age, concomitant medical problems and the apparent response to initial antiarrhythmic therapy were the main factors influencing management decisions. The apparent superiority of more intensive management strategies based on electrophysiology studies must be interpreted in the context of the selection processes applied to the total population initially presenting.