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The ultimate aim of support for public policy decision making is to develop ways of facilitating policymaking that can create policies that are consistent with the preferences of policymakers and stakeholders (such as an increase in economic growth, the reduction of social inequalities, and improvements to the environment), and that are at the same time based on the available knowledge and evidential information. Using the design science research methodology, an iterative design process was followed to build and evaluate a research artefact in the form of an analytical method that is also operationalised as a decision support system (DSS) – in order to facilitate the problem analysis, the impact assessment and the decision evaluation activities carried out at the policy formulation stage of the policymaking process. The DSS provides a web-based, user-friendly interface for two main software modules: (i) a tool for modelling and simulation of policy scenarios; and (ii) a tool for multi-criteria evaluation of policy decisions. The target end-users of the DSS tools are policymakers, the support staff of politicians, policy analysts and researchers within governmental departments and parliaments at the various institutional levels of the European Union. The proposed model-based decision support approach integrates systems thinking, problem structuring methods and multi-criteria decision analysis, in what can be described as a 'sense-making' approach. A new policy-oriented quantitative problem structuring method is introduced in this research, the 'labelled causal mapping' method, which aims to reduce the cognitive overload involved in representing complex mental models using system dynamics simulation modelling in order to facilitate knowledge representation and system analysis. One contribution of this work is an object-oriented implementation of a prototype tool for systems modelling and simulation of policy decision situations based on the labelled causal mapping method. The method provides a basis for further computational decision analysis. We proposed criteria models and data formats for common (generic) policy appraisal, and a preference elicitation method for in-depth decision evaluation based on the results of scenario simulation and the preferences of decision makers and stakeholder groups. The artefact evaluation clarifies how well the proposed approach and the DSS tool prototype support a solution to the problem and the extent to which the outcomes in two policy analysis use cases are useful in terms of output analysis and knowledge synthesis. The contributions of this research to theory and practice were articulated based on the design knowledge obtained through an iterative design process, notably the emergence of the concepts of transparency and intelligibility in policymodelling, (i.e., the need for explicit and interpretable models that can provide justification of a specific decision). ; At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 8: Submitted.

The elicitation and processing of relevant information is the core of any policy decision-making process. Modelling is about making sense of the available information. Models are able to incorporate the contextual influences on policy making (e.g. political and economic environments, community sentiment…etc). Systems analysis allows quantitative, empirical testing of models that exist in the study of public policy. Simulation and visualisation techniques can help policy makers to reduce uncertainties on the possible impacts of policies. In an effort to enable adoption of the systems thinking approach to address the central problem of empirical political study, this thesis presents a framework for prescriptive policy analysis that provides decision support to: the problem definition, ex-ante impact assessment and evaluation activities carried out at the policy formulation stage of the policymaking process. We contribute a new tool for systemic modelling and simulation of public policy decision situations. It aims to facilitate the cognitive activity of representing complex mental models using system dynamics simulation modelling. Using the 'labelled causal mapping' method, a policy-oriented problem structuring method introduced in this research, the tool bridges the gap between the user's mental model and the explicit graphical representation in order to enable knowledge representation and system analysis. The method provides a basis for further computational decision analysis using a common policy appraisal format, a multi-criteria model with main evaluation criteria (effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and added value), linked to a set of measurable, context dependent attributes (targeted impact variables from the policy model). A web-based tool prototype has been implemented in a Node.js environment and is accessible both from a web-based graphical user interface as well as a hosted API. Multiple demonstration and test cases, from various policy areas and different EU policymaking levels, were used in several iterations of the build-evaluate cycle. This approach lead to the different studies that make up this research. ; Sense4us - Data insights for policymakers and Citizens

Part 4: Policy Formulation and Modelling ; International audience ; While the simulation-based impact assessment of public policy proposals allows policy makers to identify the feasible policy options and verify their economic, social and environmental impacts, it does not provide the explicit evaluation of policy options. Multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) techniques can support an in-depth performance evaluation of policy options taking into account the preferences of decision makers and stakeholders. These preferences reflect acceptable trade-offs of performance among objectives. This study reviews multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) technique and presents a common policy appraisal format using main evaluation criteria linked to a set of measurable, context dependent attributes. We argue for a rank-based approach for eliciting preferences, select a novel method for attribute weight elicitation, and show how it can be integrated within a public policy multi-criteria evaluation framework. A use case for policymaking, 'Ultra-Low Emission Vehicles (ULEV) Uptake in UK', is used for demonstration of the proposed approach for policy decision analysis. This approach seeks to couple systems modelling and simulation of policy scenarios with MCDA, stakeholder analysis and preference elicitation. The outputs can further provide analytical insights in controversy/acceptability of policy options, and consequently guide further policy formulation and the design of better options.

Businesses need accounting information to support their decision-making. In this regard, the extensive use of Information Technology (IT) has enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of accounting functions that support accounting-related information. Specifically, an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system ensures reporting accuracy, large amounts of transaction processing, and the generation of reports for analysis. Regardless of the numerous benefits that an ERP system provides, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have yet to catch up with their system usage. Hence, this study draws upon the technology-organisation-environment (TOE) framework to propose an integrated model that includes diffusion of innovation (DOI), institutional factors, and TOE to examine ERP adoption antecedents in the context of SMEs in Jordan. A mixed method is applied in this work, and it uses a self-administered questionnaire survey as the main data collection instrument along with interviews. Quantitative data are obtained from 102 respondents through the questionnaire, after which the research model is validated using SMEs in Jordan. The survey results show that relative advantage, top management support, organisational readiness, training, competitive pressure, government support compatibility, and service provider support significantly influence ERP adoption among the SMEs. The findings are expected to shed light on the way SMEs can enhance their ERP adoption for optimum performance, as well as extend the literature dedicated to the antecedents of information system, IT adoption, and their impact.

Background: Access to accurate and relevant patient health information is crucial for community pharmacists to deliver high-quality care. The use of electronic patient medication records (e-PMR) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is currently limited to hospital settings, and community pharmacists do not have access to patient records. Objective: To evaluate the perceptions of community pharmacists regarding the potential benefits, barriers, and concerns associated with the implementation of the e-PMR system in community pharmacies in the UAE. Method: A validated questionnaire was administered to a sample of licensed community pharmacists using proportionate random sampling. The survey was structured and consisted of 40 questions in four sections: characteristics of community pharmacists and pharmacies; perceived usefulness of e-PMR; perceived barriers; and concerns about the use of e-PMR. Results: In total, 552 pharmacists filled out the questionnaire (82.1% response rate). The majority of participants somewhat or strongly agreed that e-PMR would reduce drug abuse (71.6%), dispensing errors (64.4%) and prescribing errors (69.0%), and believed that e-PMR would enhance pharmacists' ability to perform medication reviews (76.0%). Pharmacists in charge (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.5; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6–3.6), facing difficulty tracking the medical history of patients (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 2.8–3.9) and working in pharmacies providing telepharmacy services (AOR = 3.4; 95% CI: 2.7–3.8) were more likely to consider e-PMR useful. Implications: The implementation of the e-PMR system in community pharmacies has potential benefits for patient safety and medication therapy management in the UAE.

Critical infrastructures become more and more entangled and rely extensively on information technology. Adeeper insight into the relationships between critical infrastructures enables the actors involved to more quicklyunderstand the severity of information technology disruptions and to identify robust cross-functional mitigatingactions. This study illustrates how and why disruptions in the payment system in Sweden could create cascadingeffects in other critical infrastructures with potentially severe consequences for many citizens, governmentinstitutions and companies. Data from document studies, interviews and workshops with field experts revealseven challenges for collective cross-functional critical infrastructure resilience that need to be dealt with: 1)Shortage of food, fuel, cash, medicine; 2) Limited capacity of alternative payment solutions; 3) Cities are morevulnerable than the countryside; 4) Economically vulnerable groups in society are more severely affected; 5)Trust maintenance needs; 6) Crisis communication needs; 7) Fragmentation of responsibility for criticalinfrastructures across many actors.

Critical infrastructures become more and more entangled and rely extensively on information technology. A deeper insight into the relationships between critical infrastructures enables the actors involved to more quickly understand the severity of information technology disruptions and to identify robust cross-functional mitigating actions. This study illustrates how and why disruptions in the payment system in Sweden could create cascading effects in other critical infrastructures with potentially severe consequences for many citizens, government institutions and companies. Data from document studies, interviews and workshops with field experts reveal seven challenges for collective cross-functional critical infrastructure resilience that need to be dealt with: 1) Shortage of food, fuel, cash, medicine; 2) Limited capacity of alternative payment solutions; 3) Cities are more vulnerable than the countryside; 4) Economically vulnerable groups in society are more severely affected; 5) Trust maintenance needs; 6) Crisis communication needs; 7) Fragmentation of responsibility for critical infrastructures across many actors.

Critical infrastructures become more and more entangled and rely extensively on information technology. A deeper insight into the relationships between critical infrastructures enables the actors involved to more quickly understand the severity of information technology disruptions and to identify robust cross-functional mitigating actions. This study illustrates how and why disruptions in the payment system in Sweden could create cascading effects in other critical infrastructures with potentially severe consequences for many citizens, government institutions and companies. Data from document studies, interviews and workshops with field experts reveal seven challenges for collective cross-functional critical infrastructure resilience that need to be dealt with: 1) Shortage of food, fuel, cash, medicine; 2) Limited capacity of alternative payment solutions; 3) Cities are more vulnerable than the countryside; 4) Economically vulnerable groups in society are more severely affected; 5) Trust maintenance needs; 6) Crisis communication needs; 7) Fragmentation of responsibility for critical infrastructures across many actors.