Dissertations / Theses: 'Convergent practices'

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Theis, Taylor. "Duality, Symbolism, and Time: A Convergent Practice in Butoh and Surrealist Expression." Thesis, University of Oregon, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/18390.

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Butoh and Surrealism share some common features, three of which are: duality, symbolism and the manipulation of time. This project is an examination of the intersection of these elements and the development of a movement practice using these three, shared focusing lenses of Butoh and Surrealism, culminating in a performance. The methodology of this study sought to generate movement through improvisation and studio exercises based upon a melded Butoh/Surrealist universe developed through applied research in the convergent elements of duality, symbolism and the manipulation of time. The elements that I distilled ultimately informed movement choices shaping a movement offering; a generated example of what could happen when this choreographic process is applied.

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Freeman, Michael James. "The Integration of Iterative Convergent Photogrammetric Models and UAV View and Path Planning Algorithms into the Aerial Inspection Practices in Areas with Aerial Hazards." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2020. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/8738.

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Small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAV) can produce valuable data for inspections, topography, mapping, and 3D modeling of structures. Used by multiple industries, sUAV can help inspect and study geographic and structural sites. Typically, the sUAV and camera specifications require optimal conditions with known geography and fly pre-determined flight paths. However, if the environment changes, new undetectable aerial hazards may intersect new flight paths. This makes it difficult to construct autonomous flight path missions that are safe in post-hazard areas where the flight paths are based on previously built models or previously known terrain details. The goal of this research is to make it possible for an unskilled pilot to obtain high quality images at key angles which will facilitate the inspections of dangerous environments affected by natural disasters through the construction of accurate 3D models. An iterative process with converging variables can circumvent the current deficit in flying UAVs autonomously and make it possible for an unskilled pilot to gather high quality data for the construction of photogrammetric models. This can be achieved by gaining preliminary photogrammetric data, then creating new flight paths which consider new developments contained in the generated dense clouds. Initial flight paths are used to develop a coarse representation of the target area by aligning key tie points of the initial set of images. With each iteration, a 3D mesh is used to compute a new optimized view and flight path used for the data collection of a better-known location. These data are collected, the model updated, and a new flight path is computed until the model resolution meets the required heights or ground sample distances (GSD). This research uses basic UAVs and camera sensors to lower costs and reduce the need for specialized sensors or data analysis. The four basic stages followed in the study include: determination of required height reductions for comparison and convergent limitation, construction of real-time reconnaissance models, optimized view and flight paths with vertical and horizontal buffers constructed from previous models, and develop an autonomous process that combines the previous stages iteratively. This study advances the use of autonomous sUAV inspections by developing an iterative process of flying a sUAV to potentially detect and avoid buildings, trees, wires, and other hazards in an iterative manner with minimal pilot experience or human intervention; while optimally collecting the required images to generate geometric models of predetermined quality.

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Fisher, Jason (Jason Dean). "Innovative practice in the building process : a convergent development approach." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/106759.

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Thesis: S.M. in Real Estate Development, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Program in Real Estate Development in conjunction with the Center for Real Estate, 2016. Cataloged from PDF version of thesis. Includes bibliographical references (pages 60-61). The current practice of building is a slow-moving, fragmented, and conflicted industry that operates on a variety of scales, emotions, professions and realities. The current practice of making buildings has the potential for innovation to align interests among otherwise adverse parties. Buildings are complex and dynamic physical realities, operating as economic, social, and emotional constructs in the urban environment. Buildings also constitute the single unifying element upon which all stakeholders in the process place their expectations. Financial, spatial, emotional, and civic success hangs in the balance of a zero-sum process. The background of the development process is presented, focusing on the current practices of real estate development and architecture and highlighting the critical relationship between each entity. Following the description of the underlying relationships and processes, three case studies of actual practices are presented as innovative and unique alternatives to the current process of building. Each case study outlines a potential integration and convergence of real estate development and architectural design, providing a new viewpoint from which to analyze current practice. Five principles of excellent development emerge from the case studies as decisive benchmarks to analyze the building process. Following initial background information and explicit understanding of current processes and potential innovative alternatives, this thesis proposes a new practice model of integrated real estate development and architectural design, the Convergent Model, which seeks to simplify the building process and align economic, social, and cultural goals within a truly interdisciplinary team of professionals. The process is a potential solution to the compounded and interconnected issues of current practice and is more likely to meet the five principles of excellent development. Finally, the Convergent Model is put into practice through a hypothetical demonstration project. The demonstration project consists of a comparison between a Baseline and a Proposal, two developments on the same site. The Baseline utilizes traditional practices and the Proposal employs the Convergent Model. The development processes are compared side by side and evaluated as an illustrative depiction of the potential for a new development process that is more capable of creating excellent buildings. by Jason Fisher. S.M. in Real Estate Development

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Weinberger, Jayne Heim. "Converging on Rome : pathways to professional practice in opticianry." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2011. http://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/10019968/.

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Parodi, Pascale. "The knowledge management convergence : from theory to practice in knowledge management." Aix-Marseille 3, 2004. http://www.theses.fr/2004AIX30019.

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Le Management du Savoir (KM), n'est pas une nouvelle philosophie impossible à propos de la gestion des organisations, mais plutôt la somme de petites actions qui contribuent à la réussite du tout. Dans le contexte de la nouvelle économie, le KM est devenu incontournable. L'auteur le définit comme "le processus nourricier pour la survie des organisations". L'originalité de ce travail est de démontrer que le KM n'est pas forcement une thématique nouvelle qu'il faut caser à touts prix dans nos organisations. Il s'agit de prêter attention à la "Convergence liée au Savoir" ("Knowledge Convergence" KC) qui a déjà eu lieu, la plupart du temps, dans nos organisations; et non pas de créer une bulle séparée, isolante. Identifier et prendre en compte la "Convergence liée au Savoir" est une façon de commencer à pratiquer le KM. C'est identifier dans les structures établies de nos organisations, les germes de celle-ci. C'est considérer le développement organique qui a déjà eu lieu, et regrouper les efforts existants sous le parasol virtuel du KM. L'objectif est double. Il s'agit d'une part, d'enraciner ces pratiques dans la culture de l'organisation, afin d'entretenir la motivation du personnel. D'autre part, cela permet de réduire les barrières fonctionnelles entre les différents départements dans le but d'atteindre des objectifs communs, et de réaliser des tâches de plus en plus complexes. Les méthodes et pratiques du KM déployées, tiennent lieu de tactiques. Si ces pratiques convergent sous l'œil bienveillant d'une équipe pluridisciplinaire qui les coordonne, alors un nouveau savoir porteur d'avenir pourra émerger ("Knowledge Emergence"), et nous conduire à l' "Avantage Créatif" Knowledge Management (KM) is not a new impossible philosophy about business, but more the sum of all the small actions that are contributing to the success of the whole picture. In the context of the new economy, KM becomes inevitable. The author defines it as "the process of nurturing for surviving in organizations. " The original contribution of this work is to demonstrate that KM is not a new topic that we must fit into our organizations. We rather have to pay attention to the "Knowledge Convergence" (KC), that already most of the time happens in our organizations and not to create a separate isolating bubble. Identify and take in account the KC is a way to start doing KM. This is about identifying in our established structures in organizations, its seeds. This is about the consideration of the organic development that already happened in companies and their linkage under the virtual umbrella of the already existing KM efforts. The goal is double. In one hand this is about enrooting those practices in the company culture sustaining the employees' motivation. On the other hand, it allows reducing the functional barriers between the different departments, in order to achieve common goals and perform more and more complex tasks. KM methods and practices used are tactical. If those converge (KC) under the coordination of a cross-functional team, then a new kind of knowledge could emerge (Knowledge Emergence). This then leads to the "Creative Advantage"

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Anthony, Kathryn E. "THE ROLE OF THE MESSAGE CONVERGENCE FRAMEWORK IN OBSTETRICIANS’ CLINICAL AND COMMUNICATIVE PRACTICES." UKnowledge, 2013. http://uknowledge.uky.edu/comm_etds/17.

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Over the past few years, the rate of elective interventions in pregnancy in the United States, including elective inductions of labor and elective cesarean deliveries, has increased dramatically. While scholars attribute some of the increase in elective interventions to the female patients who request elective procedures from obstetricians, some literature contradicts that notion and suggests physicians are actually the primary perpetuators of the growth in elective procedures. Although pregnant women may seek elective interventions because of desired convenience, physicians can also claim the benefit of convenience in scheduling deliveries. In addition, elective procedures provide physicians greater monetary compensation than labor and deliveries which evolve without intervention. The current dissertation investigates the communicative role of obstetricians in women’s delivery decisions through in-depth interviews with obstetricians practicing in the state of Kentucky (N=28). Guided by the framework of Message Convergence, the study assesses how obstetricians manage uncertainty surrounding patient care and make clinical decisions in the midst of either unclear evidence or competing messages. The study also reveals the ways that physicians utilize their medical expertise to engage in decision-making with patients. In addition, specific scenarios of decision-making regarding delivery are discussed, including patients’ requests and physicians’ provisions of requests; patients’ requests and physicians’ refusals of requests; and physicians’ recommendations for treatment and patients’ refusals of recommendations for treatment. Finally, the internal tensions and conflicts experienced by physicians in the decision-making process with patients are also examined.

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Shao, Wei. "Going Live in a Convergent Broadcasting Newsroom: A Case Study of Al Jazeera English." Thesis, University of Canterbury. Social and Political Sciences, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/4472.

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The purpose of this study was to examine changing news practices especially at the moment of going live in a convergent broadcasting newsroom. The study chose Al Jazeera English, a leading international news network, as a case and adopted content analysis and ethnographic research methods to examine both the content and process of breaking news and live reporting. The professional practices in making breaking, live news were changed as a result of the implementation of convergent journalism in AJE’s newsroom. These changes in both news products and news production were accounted for by the interrelated influences of a set of external and internal factors at the levels of newsroom and organization.

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Suh, Jaekwon. "Political barriers to market convergence electoral systems, political coalitions, and corporate governance /." Diss., Restricted to subscribing institutions, 2008. http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1693027131&sid=6&Fmt=2&clientId=1564&RQT=309&VName=PQD.

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Okabe, Yasuhiro. "Managers' values, career and HR practices in Japan and UK plants : a new perspective of convergence." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2002. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.270527.

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The current research firstly explores the degree of organisation/market orientation of Japanese managers in Japanese plants in Japan - called "Japan plants" hereafter - and British managers in Japanese owned UK plants - called "UK plants" hereafter - in terms of values and attitudes related to the work place. Secondly, the research examines the degree of organisation/market orientation of Japan and UK plants with respect to organisational structures and practices implemented in them. Thirdly, the research investigates the gap between Japanese managers' and Japan plants' organisation/market orientation, and British managers' and UK plants' organisation/market orientation, since recent environmental changes observed in Japan and the UK may create a gap between them British managers showed slight market orientation. In general UK plants also showed slight market orientation. There was little discrepancy between managers' and firms' market orientation in the UK. In contrast, Japanese managers showed very slight organisation orientation whereas Japan plants generally showed high organisation orientation. There was therefore a large discrepancy between firms' and managers' organisation orientation in Japan. This indicated that the speed of change occurring in Japanese managers' attitudes towards their tasks and company was much faster than Japanese firms' attempts to modify organisational structures/practices as a result of environmental changes. The internal pressures for change are pervasive since they directly impact on a key asset of an organisation, namely its human resources. Accordingly, firms will have to more promptly modify their structures/practices in accordance with changes in managers' conceptions and values. In today's globalised economy we are being constantly exposed to, and influenced by the prevailing cultural values and lifestyles. As a result, cultural differences are gradually and almost imperceptibly absorbed and assimilated. Eventually managers' attitudes towards their tasks and companies may not much differ across societies. The universal approach claims that the driving force towards conversion to the same structures/practices is an economic rationale. The current research, instead, suggests that the driving force towards similar structures/practices is the assimilated conceptions and values of managers and other employees.

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Arnason, Stephanie Lara. "Regulating online games in China : policy, practice, innovation, and change." Thesis, University of Edinburgh, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1842/17032.

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The policy and practice of media regulation in China is quickly evolving to cope with the regulatory challenges presented by the rapid development and convergence of new media technology. These challenges include the increasing economic power of international and private stakeholders within this space, as well as the constantly evolving uses of highly converged media. Online games are a central part of this evolving dynamic, which is characterized by strong tensions between producers and operators, government regulators, and users of online games. This research explores the changing dynamic of online games regulation in China as it responds to the forces of internationalization and privatization. It also seeks to identify critical issues for policy development in China that are raised by the new and innovative ways that this media is being used. It draws from and contributes to scholarship from a number of disciplines, but primarily approaches the research from a media studies and area studies perspective. The thesis is presented in five chapters. Chapter I begins with a discussion of emerging practice in online games and its wider policy implications. This is followed by a literature review and an explanation of the methodological approach, which included: case study methodology, participant observation, and key informant Interviews with policy, legal, and game industry experts in China. The core research is then presented in three chapters. Chapter II is a detailed contextual narrative that describes China’s online games policy and places it in historical perspective. Chapter III is an exploratory analysis of key institutions, stakeholder interests, and interactions that shape practical regulation of online games in China. Chapter IV presents a focused analysis and discussion of the gold farming case. The thesis concludes with a summary and discussion of research contributions in Chapter V. The final discussion highlights how the thesis contributes to knowledge in three key areas: new media in China, policy studies of China, and media convergence.

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Keith, Kimberley Frances. "From civilization to participation : the convergence of policy, practice and difference in the art museum." Thesis, Goldsmiths College (University of London), 2010. http://research.gold.ac.uk/4888/.

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This research examines how practitioners in the art museum engage with difference, particularly with the black subject, and the influence that policy, which is intended to promote access and inclusion, has on the process. How difference is imagined and addressed is explored through an investigation of the lived experience of museum professionals in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The research is an ethnographic study that utilizes a multidisciplinary theoretical framework, drawing from sociology, cultural studies, social and cultural history, art history, and museum studies, and its methodological approach includes in-depth interviews in Seattle, New York and London, and long-term participant observation in London. An examination of race, diversity and representation, an overview of historical accounts substantiating the development of support for the arts and culture, and an indication of arts policy in the US and UK provide a context from which to view the empirical data. The data makes visible how specific communities are imagined, how projects are developed for ‘targeted’ audiences, and it reveals how conventions in practice continue to perpetuate an air of exclusivity in institutions purportedly open to all. Contrasting and comparing the stated motivations and intentions of practitioners with observed practice illuminates the challenges inherent in transforming words into action. These challenges expose the mechanisms of essentialism, instrumentalism and exclusion that can be exerted in practice; analysis of the process illustrates the complexity of shifting the narrative and culture of the museum, a shift which denotes the evolution in learning and audience development from a civilizing, transmission approach towards a participatory, individual meaning-making approach. This research intends to enhance the understanding of the agency of museum practitioners, particularly during their engagement with difference and external policy mandates, whilst they are concurrently situated in the evolving material and discursive space of the art museum.

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Bellanger, Caroline Michelle Marie-Pierre. "Divergent practice in a converging system? : the example of environmental impact assessment in the European Union." Thesis, Oxford Brookes University, 1999. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.325269.

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Evans, E. Christine. "Right to reparations in international law for victims of armed conflict : convergence of law and practice?" Thesis, London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), 2010. http://etheses.lse.ac.uk/2215/.

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This thesis analyses the international legal standing of the right to reparations for victims of serious human rights and humanitarian law violations and assesses the degree of practical implementation of the right at the national level through post-conflict and transitional justice measures. The central objective of this study is to chart and evaluate developments in law and practice in order to substantiate arguments in favour of an emerging customary right for individuals to receive reparations for serious violations of human rights and a corresponding responsibility of States. To this end, Part I explores the customary nature of human rights and humanitarian law provisions, outlines the basic premise of State responsibility in relation to violations and identifies the general international norms which establish the obligation of States to provide reparations. An examination of the jurisprudence of the International Court of Justice, the Articles on State Responsibility of the International Law Commission and the convergence of norms in different branches of international law, notably human rights law, humanitarian law and international criminal law as well as extensive human rights jurisprudence, international as well as regional, supports the position that the right to reparations is gaining customary recognition. The adoption in 2006 of the Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law by the General Assembly of the United Nations further strengthens this claim. Following the legal analysis, Part II of the study explores State practice in relation to reparations through four case studies; Guatemala, Sierra Leone, East Timor and Colombia between 1999 and 2009. Analysis is undertaken of peace agreements and to what extent post-conflict measures, such as Truth Commissions, have promoted State responsibility for reparations, been supported by the United Nations, interacted with human rights mechanisms and prompted subsequent elaboration of domestic legislation and reparations policies. The thesis concludes that there is significant convergence in law in favour of the right to reparations. The lacuna between norm and implementation should be overcome by reinforcing State responsibility to provide reparations for victims.

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Alnabwani, Khaldoun. "Habermas et Derrida : divergence théorique et convergence pratique ?" Thesis, Paris 1, 2013. http://www.theses.fr/2013PA010621.

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Cette thèse examine le rapport complexe entre Habermas et Derrida en s'interrogeant sur l'évolution, durant les années 1980, d'une relation conflictuelle en un lien amical et collaboratif. Elle analyse leurs œuvres afin d'évaluer la convergence et la divergence entre leurs pensées. Nous avons essayé en premier lieu de dessiner les contours de la scène culturelle en Allemagne et en France à partir de l'année 1945. Cette approche nous a permis de mieux comprendre la philosophie de chacun d'eux et d'étudier la continuité et la discontinuité, la tension et l'échange philosophique, entre les philosophies allemandes et françaises. Même si notre thèse se divise en huit parties, elle s'étend sur deux champs d'investigation: l'un théorique et l'autre pratique. Concernant le champ théorique, cette thèse se penche sur la querelle franco-allemande relative au débat modernité/post-modernité, dans laquelle ils s'engagèrent et développèrent des critiques sévères l'un à l'égard à l'autre. La question de la modernité nous invite à mettre en question certaines idées générales, notamment celle selon laquelle Habermas serait un défenseur du projet de la modernité, tandis que Derrida serait un post-moderne hostile à la modernité et aux Lumières. Au sujet de leurs philosophies pratiques nous avons effectué une approche comparative de leurs idées sur la morale, l'éthique, la théorie du droit et la philosophie politique. Cette comparaison nous a permis de comprendre les raisons pour lesquelles ils se sont réconciliés et se sont intervenus ensemble pour atteindre certains objectifs politiques, mais aussi juridiques: la réforme du droit international This work examines the complex relationship between Habermas and Derrida by shedding light on the shift from a less pleasant interaction in the 1980s to a rather friendly and collaborative affiliation later in an attempt to highlight comparable areas of interest as well as evaluate areas of convergence and divergence among the two great minds. Intuitively, a philosophical eye looks deep to examine to womb where thoughts are born. We lay out the scene in post WWII Germany and France, both fertile lands for such phenomena. This allows us to garner a sharper image of how the two philosophers evolved within their backgrounds and influenced one another. Two focal points, theory and practice, are covered in eight sections. We will address the Franco German quarrel of Modernity vs. Post Modernity revealing the critique so-called Modernist Habermas and supposed Post Modernist Derrida bathed one another with, and, there, we tackle the question of ideology. The later point, practice, reveals a deep assessment of the two philosophers' stances on morality, ethics, philosophy of law, and politics. We conclude with an analysis of the two's collaboration, as they share comparable fundamentals, and inspect the fruit of that effort, which achieved not only political reform but legal in the shape of a Reform of International Law

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Tarrant, Patrick Anthony. "Documentary practice in a participatory culture." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2008. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/26975/1/Patrick_Tarrant_Thesis.pdf.

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Debates concerning the veracity, ethics and politics of the documentary form circle endlessly around the function of those who participate in it, and the meaning attributed to their participation. Great significance is attached to the way that documentary filmmakers do or do not participate in the world they seek to represent, just as great significance is attached to those subjects whose participation extends beyond playing the part of eyewitness or expert, such that they become part of the very filmmaking process itself. This Ph.D. explores the interface between documentary practice and participatory culture by looking at how their practices, discursive fields and histories intersect, but also by looking at how participating in one might mean participating in the other. In short, the research is an examination of participatory culture through the lens of documentary practice and documentary criticism. In the process, however, this examination of participatory culture will in turn shed light on documentary thinking, especially the meaning and function of ‘the participant’ in contemporary documentary practice. A number of ways of conceiving of participation in documentary practice are discussed in this research, but one of the ideas that gives purpose to that investigation is the notion that the participant in contemporary documentary practice is someone who belongs to a participatory culture in particular. Not only does this mean that those subjects who play a part in a documentary are already informed by their engagement with a range of everyday media practices before the documentary apparatus arrives, the audience for such films are similarly informed and engaged. This audience have their own expectations about how they should be addressed by media producers in general, a fact that feeds back into their expectations about participatory approaches to documentary practice too. It is the ambition of this research to get closer to understanding the relationship between participants in the audience, in documentary and ancillary media texts, as well as behind the camera, and to think about how these relationships constitute a context for the production and reception of documentary films, but also how this context might provide a model for thinking about participatory culture itself. One way that documentary practice and participatory culture converge in this research is in the kind of participatory documentary that I call the ‘Camera Movie’, a narrow mode of documentary filmmaking that appeals directly to contemporary audiences’ desires for innovation and participation, something that is achieved in this case by giving documentary subjects control of the camera. If there is a certain inevitability about this research having to contend with the notion of the ‘participatory documentary’, the ‘participatory camera’ also emerges strongly in this context, especially as a conduit between producer and consumer. Making up the creative component of this research are two documentaries about the reality television event Band In A Bubble, and participatory media practices more broadly. The single-screen film, Hubbub , gives form to the collective intelligence and polyphonous voice of contemporary audiences who must be addressed and solicited in increasingly innovative ways. One More Like That is a split-screen, DVD-Video with alternate audio channels selected by a user who thereby chooses who listens and who speaks in the ongoing conversation between media producers and media consumers. It should be clear from the description above that my own practice does not extend to highly interactive, multi-authored or web-enabled practices, nor the distributed practices one might associate with social media and online collaboration. Mine is fundamentally a single authored, documentary video practice that seeks to analyse and represent participatory culture on screen, and for this reason the Ph.D. refrains from a sustained discussion of the kinds of collaborative practices listed above. This is not to say that such practices don’t also represent an important intersection of documentary practice and participatory culture, they simply represent a different point of intersection. Being practice-led, this research takes its procedural cues from the nature of the practice itself, and sketches parameters that are most enabling of the idea that the practice sets the terms of its own investigation.

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Tarrant, Patrick Anthony. "Documentary practice in a participatory culture." Queensland University of Technology, 2008. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/26975/.

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Debates concerning the veracity, ethics and politics of the documentary form circle endlessly around the function of those who participate in it, and the meaning attributed to their participation. Great significance is attached to the way that documentary filmmakers do or do not participate in the world they seek to represent, just as great significance is attached to those subjects whose participation extends beyond playing the part of eyewitness or expert, such that they become part of the very filmmaking process itself. This Ph.D. explores the interface between documentary practice and participatory culture by looking at how their practices, discursive fields and histories intersect, but also by looking at how participating in one might mean participating in the other. In short, the research is an examination of participatory culture through the lens of documentary practice and documentary criticism. In the process, however, this examination of participatory culture will in turn shed light on documentary thinking, especially the meaning and function of ‘the participant’ in contemporary documentary practice. A number of ways of conceiving of participation in documentary practice are discussed in this research, but one of the ideas that gives purpose to that investigation is the notion that the participant in contemporary documentary practice is someone who belongs to a participatory culture in particular. Not only does this mean that those subjects who play a part in a documentary are already informed by their engagement with a range of everyday media practices before the documentary apparatus arrives, the audience for such films are similarly informed and engaged. This audience have their own expectations about how they should be addressed by media producers in general, a fact that feeds back into their expectations about participatory approaches to documentary practice too. It is the ambition of this research to get closer to understanding the relationship between participants in the audience, in documentary and ancillary media texts, as well as behind the camera, and to think about how these relationships constitute a context for the production and reception of documentary films, but also how this context might provide a model for thinking about participatory culture itself. One way that documentary practice and participatory culture converge in this research is in the kind of participatory documentary that I call the ‘Camera Movie’, a narrow mode of documentary filmmaking that appeals directly to contemporary audiences’ desires for innovation and participation, something that is achieved in this case by giving documentary subjects control of the camera. If there is a certain inevitability about this research having to contend with the notion of the ‘participatory documentary’, the ‘participatory camera’ also emerges strongly in this context, especially as a conduit between producer and consumer. Making up the creative component of this research are two documentaries about the reality television event Band In A Bubble, and participatory media practices more broadly. The single-screen film, Hubbub , gives form to the collective intelligence and polyphonous voice of contemporary audiences who must be addressed and solicited in increasingly innovative ways. One More Like That is a split-screen, DVD-Video with alternate audio channels selected by a user who thereby chooses who listens and who speaks in the ongoing conversation between media producers and media consumers. It should be clear from the description above that my own practice does not extend to highly interactive, multi-authored or web-enabled practices, nor the distributed practices one might associate with social media and online collaboration. Mine is fundamentally a single authored, documentary video practice that seeks to analyse and represent participatory culture on screen, and for this reason the Ph.D. refrains from a sustained discussion of the kinds of collaborative practices listed above. This is not to say that such practices don’t also represent an important intersection of documentary practice and participatory culture, they simply represent a different point of intersection. Being practice-led, this research takes its procedural cues from the nature of the practice itself, and sketches parameters that are most enabling of the idea that the practice sets the terms of its own investigation.

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Terry, Ryan Luke. "On the Convergence of Cinema and Theme Parks: Developing a Predictable Model for Creative Design." Scholar Commons, 2015. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/5784.

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The goal of this research study is to develop a model of information that will enable media conglomerates and other companies, with theme park investments, to make informed and effective decisions based on scholarly and empirical evidences. In order to do this, the following research study uses historic, scholarly, journalistic, and focus group evidences to consolidate the information necessary to create a model to support concepts and designs. The paper begins with establishing why it is important for media conglomerates, with theme park investments, to integrate cinema into the park’s design. Then it looks back through the history of cinema and theme parks, identifying the similarities and differences. Furthermore, it analyzes the development of Universal Studios Hollywood and Disneyland. The study uses the history of Hollywood from its beginning to the decentralization to parallel the development of the movie-based theme park, and how the decentralization of Hollywood and the rise of the movie-based theme park support one another. As the idea of the convergence of one media with another is not a new concept, information on media convergence is used as part of the scholarly research in this area. Because movies and movie-based attractions are each forms of storytelling, the study includes prolific information on media, film, literary, and psychological theories as supporting evidence. The empirical research method utilized in the research, specific to this study, includes four focus groups in Florida, New York City, Cincinnati, and Los Angeles and one interview with a theme park president. Throughout the study, concepts of narrative, spectacle, pleasure, character, and setting are addressed in terms of how these elements work in movies and movie-based theme park attractions.

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Walker, Tamara. "Doing more with less? convergence and public interest in the New Zealand news media." Click here to access this resource online, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10292/788.

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The traditional news media is being reshaped by the phenomenon known as media convergence. This thesis, which is presented as a journalistic, multimedia website (see http://www.artsweb.aut.ac.nz/mediaconvergence), explores media convergence in New Zealand. Its primary objective is to gauge the impact of convergence on the extent to which journalism fulfils its public interest duties. To this end, the defining elements of convergence are examined, along with its driving factors and impact on day-to-day newsroom practices. The research project is based on in-depth interviews with news media experts and practitioners and the results of an industry survey. The research findings indicate that convergence poses significant risks to public interest journalism. At present, however, there is more evidence of benefits than detriments.

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Pozatti, Melissa. "Implementação de métodos de design orientados à inovação em empresas desenvolvedoras de produtos convergências entre teoria e prática." reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/130211.

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No cenário atual, as indústrias que desejarem manter-se competitivas deverão investir em inovação além dos produtos tangíveis, investindo também em serviços e experiências para os usuários. Para isto, tais empresas deverão aprimorar seus processos de desenvolvimento, fazendo uso de ferramentas e métodos orientados à inovação, transformando-a em um processo sistemático. Entretanto, existe ainda uma divergência entre as metodologias ensinadas na academia e a prática industrial, tornando o desenvolvimento estruturado a partir de métodos uma atividade pouco utilizada dentro das empresas. Neste contexto, esta pesquisa buscou estabelecer fatores de convergência entre a teoria e a prática na implementação de métodos de design voltados à inovação. O estudo faz parte de um projeto que visa propor diretrizes para aumentar a competitividade da indústria por meio da inovação em design, desenvolvido dentro de empresas brasileiras desenvolvedoras de produtos. A estratégia da pesquisa consistiu na implementação de métodos nos setores relacionados ao desenvolvimento de produto a partir de diretrizes propostas na literatura, bem como na sua posterior avaliação, a fim de estudar os fatores que propiciam a incorporação de uma rotina de desenvolvimento estruturado nas empresas. Além da implementação, foram realizadas pesquisas bibliográficas, entrevistas, questionários e grupos focais para a consecução dos objetivos propostos. Ao fim da pesquisa apresentou-se um conjunto de fatores para facilitar a utilização de métodos de design que favoreçam a criação de sistema-produtos inovadores. In the present scenario, the industries that wish to remain competitive must invest in innovation beyond the tangible products also investing in services and user experiences. To achieve this, these companies should improve their development processes, using tools and methods oriented to innovation, transforming it into a systematic process. However, there is still a discrepancy between the methodologies taught in academia and industry practice, making the development structured by methods a uncommon use within companies. In this context, this research sought to establish convergence factors between theory and practice in the implementation of design methods focused on innovation. The study is part of a project to propose guidelines for increasing the competitiveness of industry through innovation in design, developed in product developers Brazilian companies. The research strategy consisted in the implementation of design methods based on guidelines proposed in the literature in the sectors related to product development, as well as their subsequent evaluation in order to study the factors that favor the incorporation of a structured routine development in companies. In addition to implementation, were conducted literature searches, interviews, questionnaires and focus groups to achieve the proposed objectives. At the end of the research were presented a set of factors used to facilitate the design methods which favor the creation of innovative system-products.

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Miller, Victoria Lynn. "An Examination of Contemporary Marketing Practices Used by Organization with Different Culture Types: A Test of the Convergence Theory in the US and Cote d'Ivoire." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2005. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/marketing_diss/2.

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A framework for a strategy fit with national and organizational culture holds several implications for multinational business managers. First, culture is a critical variable in the strategy process and it should be explicitly examined as a part of the process. Second, culture might encourage and support organizationally a particular business level strategy and may affect marketing practices. This approach views transactional and relational practices as part of a continuum. This study has examined over 250 firms in the United States and the Cote d’Ivoire on the dimensions of their organizational culture, national culture and contemporary marketing practices. In essence, this is a test of the convergence theory versus cultural specificity debate. The study first establishes a model in the US of the relationship between organizational culture and contemporary marketing practices and then tests it in Cote d’Ivoire. Lisrel is used to examine the goodness of the fit of the model. Results indicate that differences in national cultures call for differences in marketing practices since the US model does not fit in Cote d’Ivoire. The differences between the two models and implications for a new Ivorian model are discussed.

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Mcabride, Ruair-Santiago. "Risk and recovery in an era of convergence : a critical discourse analysis of personality disorder policy and practice in Northern Ireland." Thesis, Queen's University Belfast, 2015. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.678938.

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This thesis is focused on the relationship between discourse, power/knowledge, policy, institutions, and people. Utilising the theoretical framework of critical discourse analysis (CDA) I examine these phenomena through the contested and controversial lens of 'personality disorder'; a psychiatric diagnosis used to categorise people assessed to exhibit impairments of the 'self and dysfunctions in 'interpersonal functioning'. Through an analysis of UK Government policy documents I show how since the turn of the 21 st century 'personality disorder' has become a signature of modern British governance. Influencing this development I show is risk-centric penal policies, recovery oriented mental health practice and the increasing convergence between the institutions of Health and Justice. This analysis reveals 'personality disorder' to be a diagnostic technology through which questions of modern forms of social regulation can be probed. Drawing on semi-structured interview data and documentary data I consider how 'personality disorder' policy developments, which have occurred across the UK, have been experienced locally in Northern Ireland. In so doing I examine how 'personality disorder' is related to other 21 st century shifts in social regulation, including legislative developments and prison health care reforms. I question what these broad changes in modern forms of governance mean both conceptually and practically for people diagnosed with a 'personality disorder.' In this way this thesis draws links between 'personality disorder' as a tool of social control (used to manage people who disrupt the moral order) as well as a technology of the self (used as a form of self-management).

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Braun, Alina [Verfasser], Michael [Akademischer Betreuer] Kohler, and Volker [Akademischer Betreuer] Betz. "In Theory and Practice - On the Rate of Convergence of Implementable Neural Network Regression Estimates / Alina Braun ; Michael Kohler, Volker Betz." Darmstadt : Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek, 2021. http://d-nb.info/1238783104/34.

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Hermet, Alexandre. "La convergence des pratiques conventionnelles internationales : Étude du rôle des traités dans la formation de la coutume." Thesis, Paris 2, 2019. http://www.theses.fr/2019PA020037.

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Cette étude cherche à mettre en lumière les différents raisonnements qui conduisent à identifier une règle coutumière internationale sur le fondement de la convergence des pratiques conventionnelles internationales. Cette hypothèse a été expressément admise par la Commission du droit international en 2018 dans ses projets de conclusions sur la détermination du droit international coutumier. Elle a en effet considéré que « [l]e fait qu’une règle soit énoncée dans plusieurs traités peut signifier, sans toutefois que cela soit nécessairement le cas, que la règle conventionnelle reflète une règle de droit international coutumier » (Conclusion 11, al. 2). Pour mener à bien cette étude, deux aspects des règles coutumières ont été distingués : d’une part leur contenu, c’est-à-dire le comportement qu’elles prescrivent, et d’autre part leur force juridique, c’est-à-dire leur qualité de règles de droit. L’influence des dispositions conventionnelles est en effet différente dans les deux situations : en ce qui concerne la substance de la coutume, cette incidence est certaine mais varie suivant l’abstraction des énoncés conventionnels en cause. En revanche, en ce qui concerne la valeur juridique de la coutume, il est nécessaire de dépasser le principe de l’effet relatif des engagements conventionnels pour qu’ils puissent attester de l’existence d’une règle coutumière This study seeks to highlight the different rationales which lead to the identification of an international customary rule on the basis of the convergence of international conventional practices. This assumption has been expressly accepted by the International Law Commission in 2018 in its draft conclusions on the determination of customary international law. It has held that "[t]he fact that a rule is set forth in a number of treaties may, but does not necessarily, indicate that the treaty rule reflects a rule of customary international law" (Conclusion 11, para. 2). To carry out this study, two aspects of customary rules are distinguished: on the one hand, their content, that is to say the behaviour they prescribe, and on the other hand, their legal bindingness, that is to say their quality of rules of law. The influence of conventional provisions is indeed different in these two situations: as regards the substance of the custom, this incidence is certain but varies according to the abstraction of the conventional statements in question. By contrast, as far as the legal value of custom is concerned, it is necessary to go beyond the principle of relative effects of conventional commitments so that they can attest to the existence of a customary rule

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Chivarar, Sonia, and Haithem Hamdi. "Technology Convergence and Open Innovation : An Empirical Study on How Nexus of Forces Influences the Open Innovation Environment." Thesis, Internationella Handelshögskolan, Högskolan i Jönköping, IHH, Informatik, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hj:diva-23980.

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This study is conducted within the domains of technology convergence and Open Innovation environment. Two frameworks have been adopted in the study, namely; Nexus of Forces and Capability-Based Framework for Open Innovation. The first purpose of the investigation was to identify to what extent and in what ways does Nexus of Forces affects the knowledge capabilities within the Open Innovation environment. The second purpose of the investigation was to identify what practical implications does Nexus of Forces brings to the Open Innovation practices. The investigation was conducted on a single company – Swisscom – by following a case study strategy. The methodological approach for collecting the data was a mixed method approach with concurrent embedded strategy. The study has focused mainly on qualitative data and the quantitative data was nested with the focus to strengthen the findings. For the primary data collection, 6 respondents were selected, Expert A and Expert B for interviews and 4 managers for survey. In regard to the first purpose, our findings have shown that practices of Nexus of Forces have strategical implications on the process of managing knowledge capabilities. The extents of the NoF implications are through a direct and indirect level for the departments, which work with Open Innovation projects and at meta-level for the higher organizational structures within the company. In regard to the second purpose, our findings have shown that practices of Nexus of Forces have tactical implications on the Open Innovation practices. The final outcome of the study is a theoretical model that displays the strategical and tactical implications of Nexus of Forces on the knowledge capabilities and Open Innovation practices within the Open Innovation environment.

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Miller, Victoria Lynn. "An examination of contemporary marketing practices used by organization with different culture types a test of the convergence theory in the US and Cote d'Ivoire /." unrestricted, 2004. http://etd.gsu.edu/theses/available/etd-04052005-095752/.

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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2004. Title from title screen. Wesley Johnston, committee chair ; Kofi Dadzie, Sevin Eroglu, Shaker Zahra, committee members. Electronic text (143 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed July 20, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-143).

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Cook, Caryn. "An exploration and study of the human resource management practices in the post-Soviet state of Latvia (public sector) : a study of the journey of HRM from a command controlled politically motivated system of the cadre to present day." Thesis, University of South Wales, 2016. https://pure.southwales.ac.uk/en/studentthesis/an-exploration-and-study-of-the-human-resource-management-practices-in-the-postsoviet-state-of-latvia-public-sector(d5694367-3fb5-4fc5-a044-387f4e58f035).html.

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This thesis investigates the public sector in Latvia and the research question is “what is the nature of transition of Human Resource Management ideologies and paradigms against the backdrop of larger scale dynamic development in Latvia?” The interest within this research is that of the contextual paradigmatic view of Human Resource Management (HRM) (Brewster et al., 2010; Brewster, 1999; Moreley, 2004) exploring the contextual factors, or surrounding antecedents of HRM (Brewster, et al., 2010). The research is a case study of the public sector within the State of Latvia for what became a journey through the complex history of this country revealing a state with a varied and dramatic past which has been subject to various invasions, occupations and subjected to the control and command society of the Soviet Union for a considerable number of years. The journey from Soviet control of the politically motivated ‘cadre’ system into independence has provided a rich source of research exploring how human resource management (HRM) has developed within the public sector. This was investigated as a case study since it is a ‘constant’ in relation to changes and a good indicator of attitudes to management from a national perspective. As well as past ‘models’ or attitudes to HRM from a Soviet perspective, various models of HRM have been explored and discussed, particularly in relation to the universalistic nature of Westernised typologies. The concept of a European model has been considered and discussed with consideration of various ‘clusters’ of practices which take into account cultural aspects, in particular national culture, as an important element within the study. Overarching this is the growing interest in convergence or divergence of HRM as the Central Eastern European states have developed post-independence (Brewster, 2004). The mixed methods approach used is firmly place within the qualitative field or phenomenological approach and explores aspects such as behaviour, perspectives, experiences and feelings (Atkinson et al., 2001; Marshall and Rossman, 2006). The research utilises grounded theory building (Glaser and Straus, 1967; Charmaz, 2014; Bryant and Charmaz, 2007; Strauss and Corbin, 1997; Glaser, 2002)) combining multiple data collection methods taking a pragmatic approach to research. The level of analysis explores the macro, meso and micro level environments of the Latvian public sector. The macro-level concerns interactions between state and society from a broad perspective, fundamentally this is the level where decision-making takes place, the meso-level explores individual ‘behaviours’ embedded in every day social practices shaped or constrained by material and infrastructural contexts and the micro-level of individual behaviour and action). Exploratory research has considered historical accounts along with what was sparse research within the area. A Soviet perspective was considered for the period immediately preceding independence. Elite interviews were carried out followed by a survey questionnaire. The opportunity to enter the organisation and undertake observations was thwarted by a change of government and therefore ‘access’ afforded to the researcher. The findings are integrated throughout this work as is the nature of grounded theory building, and given the paucity of research has become part of a wider social study of a system finding its identity through difficult times. The results and analysis takes into account not only elite interviews and the survey questionnaire but also background historical research. The result is a fertile breeding ground for investigation which offers many avenues for further research. Various questions for future research are raised within the thesis and remain an interest of the researcher to take forward.

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Stål, Herman. "Inertia and practice change related to greenhouse gas reduction : Essays on institutional entrepreneurship and translation in Swedish agri-food." Doctoral thesis, Umeå universitet, Företagsekonomi, 2014. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-89085.

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To avoid dangerous climate change a massive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is required in a relative short time span. However, as development is moving in the wrong direction, there appears to be great inertia in changing activities. This dissertation’s overarching purpose is, from an institutional perspective, to advance the understanding of greenhouse gas-related inertia, as well as change, in industrial agri-activities. This purpose is addressed in four individual but related papers and an introductory chapter. A case study methodology is utilized to advance knowledge regarding greenhouse gas-related inertia and change. Two change initiatives involving the Swedish Board ofAgriculture, the designated expert authority on agricultural matters, were chosen and explored with qualitative methods. The first case consisted of a project to create at an Action Plan, a policy suggestion regarding strategies to reduce emissions from agriculture. The second case focused on the Swedish Board of Agriculture’s co-owned agricultural extension service, Greppa Näringen. More specifically, the case consisted of the provision of climate advice to farmers. The analyses of the initiatives focused on assessing, discussing and explaining the types of change advanced within them. The papers show how and why convergent rather than divergent change was pursued, describing different mechanisms generating this inertia. För att undvika farliga klimatförändringar krävs massiva minskningar av växthusgasutsläpp på relativt kort tid. Detta kan inte uppnås utan omfattande förändringar av utsläppsintensiva aktiviteter. Det förefaller dock finnas en stor tröghet avseende detta, eftersom utvecklingen går i fel riktning. Såväl tröghet som förändring kan analyseras på olika nivåer, och den industriella nivån är speciellt relevant eftersom industriella aktiviteter bidrar med stora utsläpp. I detta sammanhang är primärproduktion av livsmedel av relativ betydelse, både med anledning av utsläppens storlek och produktionens betydelse för mänsklighetens överlevnad. För att förstå de ofta värdeladdade och idédrivna beteendena involverade i miljörelaterade förändringsprocesser använder jag mig av institutionell teori, en icke-reduktionistisk organisationsteori innehållande ett antal, i sammanhanget passande begrepp. Jag kombinerar institutionell teori med en positionering i det ”starka” hållbarhetsparadigmet, vilket ger ett analytiskt ramverk som betonar betydelsen av divergent, snarare än konvergent, förändring av industriell praktik. Följaktligen är denna avhandlings syfte att, ur ett institutionellt perspektiv, öka förståelsen av tröghet och förändring, relaterat till växthusgasutsläpp och industriella jordbruksaktiviteter. Syftet adresseras i fyra individuella men relaterade papper och en inledande kappa. Kappan presenterar det teoretiska ramverket, metoden, en översikt över artiklarna och en avslutande diskussion av artiklarnas sammanlagda bidrag i relation till litteraturen och avhandlingens syfte. Avhandlingen använder en fallstudie metodologi för att öka förståelsen av tröghet och förändring relaterat till växthusgasutsläpp. Två förändringsinitiativ relaterade till Statens jordbruksverk, expertmyndigheten på jordbruksområdet, valdes ut och utforskades med kvalitativa metoder. Bägge dessa initiativ riktade sig specifikt emot primärproduktion, där de största utsläppen sker. Det första fallet utgjordes av ett projekt för att skapa en handlingsplan: ett förslag på strategier för att reducera utsläpp från jordbruket. Det andra fallet fokuserade på Jordbruksverkets rådgivningsorganisation, Greppa Näringen, och utgjordes av klimatrådgivning riktat mot lantbrukare. Analysen av fallen sökte bedöma, diskutera och förklara den typ av förändring som eftersträvades. Resultaten har beskrivits i de fyra artiklarna, där de två första koncentrerade sig på studiet av handlingsplanen och de två senare på klimatrådgivningen. Artiklarna visar hur och varför som konvergent, snarare än divergent, förändring eftersträvades, genom att beskriva olika mekanismer som skapar denna tröghet. Konvergent förändring inbegriper ett fokus på effektivitet eller rådande politiska mål snarare än att minska förekomsten av utsläppsintensiva aktiviteter. I diskussionen av artiklarnas sammanlagda resultat föreslås att förändringsinitiativen bidrar till tröghet inom industrin genom att påverka öppenheten och motivationen gentemot divergent förändring hos andra aktörer. Avhandlingen bidrar till hållbarhetsfältet genom att ge en institutionell analys av tröghet och förändring på industriell nivå, vilket visar på hur begreppen konvergent/divergent förändring kan användas för att utforska hållbarhetsfrågor. Genom detta exempel kan förändringsprocesser i andra industrier inbegripande andra hållbarhetsfrågor förstås bättre. Utöver detta bidrar avhandlingen till institutionell teori, mer specifikt till diskussionen rörande hållbart entreprenörskap och institutionella logiker. Det förstnämnda bidraget inkluderar förbättrad förståelse av möjliggörande såväl som institutionellt entreprenörskap i fält karakteriserade av institutionell komplexitet, medan det sistnämnda utgörs av konceptualiseringen av konkurrerande institutionella logiker och deras inflytande på översättning.

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Alfalih, Abdullah. "Religion, culture and management : a comparative study of the impact of Islam and Saudi culture on HRM practices of indigenous and foreign owned and managed corporations in Saudi Arabia." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/618494.

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This dissertation provides a journey into the world of beliefs and values of Saudi Arabia’s organisations, people and society at large, and how these influence and shape HRM practices and the employment relationship in the country. Designed as a single country case study, the dissertation uses a multi-case research design where two large companies operating in Saudi Arabia (an indigenous and a foreign multinational corporation) are explored and compared through methodological triangulation in data collection methods (interviews, surveys and focus group). The main findings identify that institutional pressures (regulatory and normative) are strong catalysts facilitating the impact of Islamic teachings on the workplace in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The regulative forces represent the organisations’ rules, regulatory constraints (forced by regulatory bodies) and penalties for violations. They are a result of the KSA’s legal system and its political culture. The normative forces identify values and social behavioural norms which define how things should be done within the organisation. They are a result of the wider Saudi culture. Apart from its contribution to knowledge of the HRM practices of Saudi Arabia at micro- and meta- level, the dissertation also provides an analysis at two additional levels. it contributes firstly to the growing knowledge on the influence of Islamic beliefs in the workplace, and secondly, to the enlargement of theory on the subject of religion and its impact in the workplace. Moreover, the dissertation makes a contribution to the literature on HRM practices and approaches in Saudi Arabia. This extends to other countries of the Arab Gulf, holding strong potential to become a source of knowledge and reference for foreign organisations which operate and wish to operate in that region.

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Dhahi, Sellami Nadia. "Convergence entre les institutions de gouvernance publique et privée : rôle des Systèmes Nationaux de Gouvernance : cas des pays du Maghreb : Tunisie – Algérie – Maroc." Thesis, Bordeaux 4, 2012. http://www.theses.fr/2012BOR40031/document.

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Les pays du Maghreb (Tunisie, Algérie, Maroc) ont engagé de profondes réformes structurelles sur les plans politique et économique. Leurs équilibres macroéconomiques sont à peu près maîtrisés et ils bénéficient d’une multiplication de partenariats avec l'UE et de programmes d'aides internationales. Pour autant, ces pays n'arrivent pas à atteindre un niveau soutenu de croissance leur permettant de se développer. En se basant sur un cadre théorique centré sur l’interrelation entre les mécanismes de gouvernance publique et privée, cette recherche doctorale se propose de comprendre les raisons du blocage de développement dans les pays du Maghreb.A partir d’une définition stricte de la gouvernance et au moyen de la base de données « Profils Institutionnels » du MINEFI, pour les années 2001 et 2009, nous construisons 31 variables institutionnelles de gouvernance publique et privée pour 51 pays développés et en développement. Nous examinons ainsi la dynamique des Systèmes Nationaux de Gouvernance des pays du Maghreb comparée à celle d’autres pays, notamment à celle des Pays de l’Europe Centrale et Orientale (PECO).L’exploitation des données, moyennant des ACP et des régressions linéaires, souligne l’importance des institutions de gouvernance qui se rapportent aux niveaux de formalisation des règles et qui expliquent le développement ou le blocage des pays. Nos résultats démontrent également, en comparaison avec les PECO, que le blocage de la transition des pays du Maghreb est expliqué, dans une large mesure, par leur faible niveau de formalisation des règles souligné par la quasi-stagnation de l’évolution de cette formalisation entre 2001 et 2009. Les niveaux des libertés accordées aux citoyens permettent aussi d’expliquer les différences de développement entre les pays Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) have undertaken substantial structural reforms on the political and economical level. Their macro-economical equilibrium is almost under control and they benefit from increased E.U. partnerships coupled with international aid programs. However, these countries have failed to reach a sustained growth level that would allow them to develop. Based on a theoretical framework centered on the interrelationship between mechanisms of public and private governance, this doctoral research aims at understanding the reasons behind the Maghreb countries’ development block.From a strict definition of governance and using the MINEFI "Institutional Profiles" database, for the years 2001 and 2009, we built 31 variables of institutional, public and private, governance for 51 developed and developing countries. Dynamics of the National Systems of Governance of the Maghreb countries were examined and compared to that of other countries, particularly to that of Central and Eastern Europe countries.The use of data factor analysis and linear regressions has highlighted the importance of governance institutions that are related to the levels of formalization of rules, and that explain the development or its hiatus in these countries. Our results also showed, in comparison with the Central and Eastern Europe countries, that the transition of the Maghreb countries is explained largely by their low level of formalization of rules and by their almost stagnation between 2001 and 2009. The different levels of freedoms granted to citizens also helped explaining the differences in development between countries

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Quelhas, Jane Ferreira. "Da fragmentação às práticas integradoras: contribuições da informática educativa à educação em tempos de complexidade." Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, 2013. http://www.bdtd.uerj.br/tde_busca/arquivo.php?codArquivo=6848.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior A tese pesquisa a problemática da inserção da Escola na Sociedade do Conhecimento no contexto da Cibercultura, considerando o distanciamento que as práticas educativas escolares vêm apresentando em relação ao universo midiático da cultura social contemporânea na qual os alunos estão inseridos. Utiliza como referencial teórico os fundamentos da Teoria da Complexidade, a partir do que ficou conhecido como paradigma complexo de Edgar Morin. Neste contexto, visa refletir sobre a necessidade de ampliar o olhar sobre o conhecimento como forma de superação do paradigma fragmentador. Parte da hipótese de que as práticas educativas, permeadas pela tecnologia, quando fundamentadas em um paradigma complexo, podem abrir novas possibilidades de superação com a promoção de mudanças pedagógicas em direção a um novo paradigma educativo mais dinâmico, criativo e integrador. Investiga se o uso da Informática na Educação pode, de fato, contribuir com as reformas necessárias à Educação em tempos de complexidade. Tendo o Colégio Pedro II como espaço de investigação, a pesquisa desenvolveu-se em duas fases e objetivou compreender o movimento do Colégio para ajustar-se e atender as demandas educacionais da sociedade contemporânea em acelerado processo de transformação e imersa na Cultura da Convergência. Analisa a incorporação e apropriação das tecnologias no processo de escolarização pelo corpo docente do Colégio e como isto tem se dado na prática da instituição. A pesquisa qualitativa de caráter exploratório tem como cenário de investigação os laboratórios de Informática Educativa (espaços multimídia com conexão a Internet) nos diferentes CAMPI do 1 e 2 Segmentos do Ensino Fundamental e nas atividades desenvolvidas, através da atuação dos professores de Informática Educativa, em parceria ou não, com os professores de outras disciplinas. Para analise dos dados foram utilizados conceitos da Teoria da Complexidade, como por exemplo, as categorias provenientes do Tetragrama Organizacional e os Operadores da Complexidade. O material empírico extraído da análise documental e das entrevistas sobre as práticas realizadas nos laboratório do Colégio resulta em mapeamento das diferentes formas de estruturação do trabalho pedagógico dos laboratórios, análise do ciclo docente: planejamento, execução e avaliação. A pesquisa de campo exploratória, inicialmente de caráter descritivo, passa a enfatizar, progressivamente, o caráter qualitativo da pesquisa, objetivando assim, oferecer maior clareza e visibilidade ao real estado da Informática Educativa para o Colégio Pedro II. A pesquisa desenvolvida analisa a realidade escolar no ponto onde estamos, que é a prática da interdisciplinaridade em direção a transdisciplinaridade. A transdisciplinaridade, em vários aspectos, ainda representa uma utopia pedagógica no contexto formal do sistema educacional brasileiro que estrutura-se de modo visivelmente fragmentado. The thesis research the issue of school insertion on the knowledge society in the context of cyberculture, due to the crescent distance between the school educative practices and the social media universe of contemporary culture in which students are placed. Using the theoretical references of the foundation of the Complexity Theory from what became known as the complex paradigm of Edgar Morin. From this context, aims to reflect on the need to broaden perspectives on the knowledge required to overcome the fragmenting paradigm. It comes from the hypothesis that the educational practices permeated by technology, when based upon a complex paradigm, may oper new possibilities for overcoming the promotion of pedagogic shift towards a new more dynamic, creative and integrative educational paradigm. Investigates the use of information technology in education can indeed contribute to the needed education reforms in times of complexity. Having the Colégio Pedro II as the space research, the research was developed in two phases, and aimed to understand the movement of the Colégio Pedro II to fit and meet the educational demands of contemporary society undergoing rapid transformation and immersed in the Convergence Culture. Analyzes the development and appropriation of technologies in the educational process by the docent body of the school and how this has occurred in the institution practices. A qualitative exploratory research in character, has as its scenario of investigation the educative technology of information laboratories (multimedia space with internet connection) in both 1st and 2nd levels of primary school and the activities developed through the performance of teachers on computers, in partnership or otherwise, with the teachers of other disciplines. For data analysis concepts of Complexity Theory, the Organizing Tetragrammaton and the Operators of Complexity were used. The empirical material extracted from document analysis and interviews on practices carried out in the Colégio Pedro II laboratory results in mapping the different ways of structuring the pedagogical work of the laboratories, analysis of teaching cycle: planning, implementation and evaluation. The exploratory field research, at first in descriptive character, shall emphasize progressively the qualitative character of the research, thus aiming to offer more visibility to the actual state of educational information technology for Colégio Pedro II. The research analyzes developed in the school reality where we are, which is the practice of interdisciplinarity towards the transdiciplinarity. Transdiciplinarity, in many ways, still represents a pedagogic utopia in the formal context of Brazilian system of education, which is clearly fragmented.

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Azouz, Kaouther. "Les lieux de savoir à l'heure du web des données : permanences ou mutations des pratiques ?" Thesis, Lille 3, 2020. http://www.theses.fr/2020LIL3H012.

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Par ses techniques et évolutions permanentes, le web développe les pratiques et l’offre de service des bibliothèques, des musées et des archives. Il incite ces institutions à repenser leur perception du savoir et à revisiter leurs méthodes de diffusion et de valorisation de ses contenus pour les communautés de la toile. Confrontés, depuis l’émergence du Web 2.0, à de nouveaux usages et contenus libres et collaboratifs, les bibliothèques, les musées et les archives implémentent le Web de données. Leur visée est d’améliorer la visibilité de leurs ressources et d’assurer une promotion inédite du savoir à travers la confluence de leurs modèles, de leurs pratiques et contenus. Malgré son antériorité, le Web de données et son impact sur les pratiques expertes restent une question appréhendée, dans notre recherche, à travers une double approche. La première est historique. Elle concerne les lieux de savoir. La seconde est interactionniste. Elle aborde la technique. La finalité de cette recherche est de démontrer que le Web de données n’est pas qu’un cadre technique, mais le vecteur de mise en convergence de trois lieux distincts et complémentaires dans leur perception du savoir, leurs métiers, leurs pratiques et publics. L’innovation de ce travail scientifique n’est pas liée à l’analyse du Web de données en bibliothèques, en musées et en archives. Elle est en relation avec le positionnement épistémologique dans lequel nous avons choisi d’aborder la question Through its techniques and permanent evolution, the web impacts the practices and service offer of libraries, museums and archives. It encourages these institutions to rethink their perception of knowledge and to revisit their methods of disseminating and enhancing the value of its contents amongst the web communities. Confronted, since the emergence of Web 2.0, with new uses and proliferation of a free and collaborative content offer, libraries, museums, and archives are implementing the web of data to improve the visibility of their resources and ensure new ways to promoting the dissemination of knowledge through the convergence of their models, practices, and content. Although it may not be innovative and has already been subjected to comprehensive studies, the issue of the data web and its impact on the practices of places of knowledge is addressed in our research through a historical review of places of knowledge and an interactionist approach to technology. The objective of this choice is to demonstrate that the web of data is not only a technical framework but the vector of convergence of three distinct and complementary places in relation to knowledge promotion and identification of their respective professions, practices, and audiences. The innovation of this research is not linked to the analysis of the data web in the three places of knowledge as such, but to the epistemological positioning, we have opted for in dealing with this issue

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Van, Staden Leani. "Technical uncertainties in and practical implications of the capitalisation of borrowing costs in South Africa / Leani van Staden." Thesis, North-West University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/4636.

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The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and the United States Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) have reaffirmed their commitment to accomplishing the convergence of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and US Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (US GAAP), following their March 2010 progress report. Among the standards subject to this convergence project, is IAS 23 - Borrowing Costs. Taken at face value, the convergence of IAS 23 (IFRS) and SFAS 34 (US GAAP), and looking at convergence in general, the idea is productive and beneficial. It will lead to more comparative information as it eliminates the differences. The downside, however, could very easily be that convergence might just be taking place for the sake of convergence, and that the end result might not necessarily lead to more comparative and cost effective information. When specifically considering the convergence of the two borrowing costs standards (SFAS 34 and IAS 23), it is clear that differences remain even after their convergence, and therefore it does not promote comparability. The revision of IAS 23 might actually have been more costly and less beneficial, rather than the other way around. The first article in this dissertation claims that the mandatory capitalisation of borrowing costs is more costly than not, and that the IASB did not adequately consider the cost implications in their decision to change IAS 23, as well as that the benefits obtained from the capitalisation of borrowing costs are not that noticeable in practice. Participants in this study also seemed to agree that the application of IAS 23 is fairly difficult. Delving deeper into the technical aspects of IAS 23, a number of questions also arise relating to its application. This appears to be substantiated by the findings in the second article where instances were identified where the opinions of the participants relating to, for instance, what would be regarded as a 'substantial period of time', were divided. Differences relating to the above above viii may lead to one person capitalising borrowing costs, while another in the same situation would not. On the upside, a few instances were identified where participants were not as divided in their views. Therefore, although there appear to be some uncertainties within IAS 23, there are fewer than one would have expected. In summary, the revised IAS 23, in other words, the mandatory capitalisation of borrowing costs on qualifying assets, was viewed by participants as being more costly and difficult to apply than not and they felt that some technical uncertainties do exist within IAS 23. Recommendations have been made in this dissertation based on the useful information obtained. Thesis (M.Com. (Accountancy))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

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Cardillo, Salvatore. "1. Convergence of Rules and Standards due to Courts' learning effect – A theoretical model. 2. From theory to empirical practice: do Courts really experience learning effect in applying law? Evidence from Tort Law. 3. Refusal to supply an IPR: L'approccio antitrust comunitario tra passato, presente e futuro." Doctoral thesis, Luiss Guido Carli, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/11385/200920.

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Sharma, Reetu. "Coordination of frontline workers for improving the health of children in Rajasthan (India) : a case study." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2014. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:04fb82a2-5291-4233-9b52-e9b2656b5170.

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All governments aim to ensure better health and nutrition to children. The Rajasthan state (India) has implemented a unique frontline coordination model where Accredited Health Social Activist (ASHA) Sahyoginis are expected to support two other frontline workers (FLWs) i.e. the Anganwadi Workers from the Integrated Child Development Services and the Auxiliary Nurse Midwives from the Health department to improve child health. This thesis focuses on examining the existing coordination between the three groups of FLWs in Rajasthan by exploring FLWs' participation in child immunisation and Vitamin A supplementation (two common activities), service coverage and beneficiary's' knowledge (expected outcomes), and the challenges faced and areas that need improvement for better frontline coordination. A mixed methods design was used. Sixteen villages from two blocks (tribal and non-tribal) of Udaipur district (Rajasthan) were selected using multistage purposive sampling. The formative stage included 12 FLWs' in-depth interviews (IDIs) as well as a review of FLWs' job descriptions to understand the process and government expectations on their participation in routine childhood immunisation, polio camps, routine Vitamin A supplementation and Vitamin A campaigns. The next stage included data collection from the 16 selected villages i.e. structured questionnaire survey of FLWs (46), observations of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Day (16), review of FLWs' immunisation and Vitamin A registers (32) and a structured questionnaire survey of registered infants' mothers (321)-all to ascertain the actual participation of FLWs in these four activities and the outcomes. IDIs with FLWs (46) and FLWs' line managers (17) were conducted to understand their experience, issues and solutions for better frontline coordination. The participation of FLWs in three of the four activities (except Polio Camps) was found to be limited. The FLWs and their line managers were also dissatisfied with coordination between FLWs. Poor outcomes also indicated unsatisfactory coordination. Overall, frontline participation and outcomes were better in tribal than non-tribal villages. A variety of factors (i.e. personal, professional, organisational, and geo-socio-cultural) appeared to affect coordination between FLWs. Appropriate recruitment, training, monitoring and supervision and rewards to the FLWs along with greater political commitment for coordinated approached and addressing intra-departmental challenges are proposed to improve frontline coordination and child health in Rajasthan.

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Hakala, Tim. "Settling-Time Improvements in Positioning Machines Subject to Nonlinear Friction Using Adaptive Impulse Control." BYU ScholarsArchive, 2006. https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/1061.

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A new method of adaptive impulse control is developed to precisely and quickly control the position of machine components subject to friction. Friction dominates the forces affecting fine positioning dynamics. Friction can depend on payload, velocity, step size, path, initial position, temperature, and other variables. Control problems such as steady-state error and limit cycles often arise when applying conventional control techniques to the position control problem. Studies in the last few decades have shown that impulsive control can produce repeatable displacements as small as ten nanometers without limit cycles or steady-state error in machines subject to dry sliding friction. These displacements are achieved through the application of short duration, high intensity pulses. The relationship between pulse duration and displacement is seldom a simple function. The most dependable practical methods for control are self-tuning; they learn from online experience by adapting an internal control parameter until precise position control is achieved. To date, the best known adaptive pulse control methods adapt a single control parameter. While effective, the single parameter methods suffer from sub-optimal settling times and poor parameter convergence. To improve performance while maintaining the capacity for ultimate precision, a new control method referred to as Adaptive Impulse Control (AIC) has been developed. To better fit the nonlinear relationship between pulses and displacements, AIC adaptively tunes a set of parameters. Each parameter affects a different range of displacements. Online updates depend on the residual control error following each pulse, an estimate of pulse sensitivity, and a learning gain. After an update is calculated, it is distributed among the parameters that were used to calculate the most recent pulse. As the stored relationship converges to the actual relationship of the machine, pulses become more accurate and fewer pulses are needed to reach each desired destination. When fewer pulses are needed, settling time improves and efficiency increases. AIC is experimentally compared to conventional PID control and other adaptive pulse control methods on a rotary system with a position measurement resolution of 16000 encoder counts per revolution of the load wheel. The friction in the test system is nonlinear and irregular with a position dependent break-away torque that varies by a factor of more than 1.8 to 1. AIC is shown to improve settling times by as much as a factor of two when compared to other adaptive pulse control methods while maintaining precise control tolerances.

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Hopper, William J. "The Primary and Convergent Retrieval Model of Memory." 2016. https://scholarworks.umass.edu/masters_theses_2/350.

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Memory models typically assume that recall is a two-stage process with learning affecting both processes to the same degree. This equal learning assumption is difficult to reconcile with studies of the 'testing effect', which reveal different forgetting rates following learning from test practice versus learning from restudy. Here we present a new memory model, termed Primary and Convergent Retrieval (PCR) that assumes successful recall leads to a selective enhancement for the second stage of recall (Convergent Retrieval). We applied this model to existing testing effect data. In two new experiments, we confirmed novel predictions of the PCR model for transfer between retrieval cues and for recall latencies. This is the first formally specified model of the testing effect and it has broad implications for the nature of learning and retrieval.

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Royle, Tony. "Employment Practices of Multinationals in the Spanish and German Quick-Food Sectors: Low-Road Convergence?" 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10454/6589.

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No This article examines the labour relations practices of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the German and Spanish quick-food service sectors. The demand for greater profitability and lower costs is leading to a greater standardization of work methods across a widening range of food service operators, resulting in the gradual elimination of more expensive, skilled and experienced workers, and an increasingly non-union approach in employee relations practices. The outcome involves increasing standardization, union exclusion, low trust, low skills, and low pay. These sectoral characteristics appear to outweigh both country-of-origin and host-country effects. The findings therefore confirm continuing variation within national industrial relations systems and the importance of sectoral characteristics and organizational contingencies in understanding MNC cross-border behaviour.

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Pool, Christopher Matthew. "Enhancing the practical usability of dynamic traffic assignment." 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/2152/19700.

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A general framework is presented for replacing static traffic assignment with dynamic traffic assignment within the standard four step transportation planning model. Issues including model consistency and the implementation of a proper feedback loop are explored. The new model is compared with the standard four step model in order to highlight the benefits of using dynamic traffic assignment rather than static. The model is then extended to include a term for the difference between experienced and free-flow travel times, which can be used as a proxy for travel time reliability and highlights the benefits of time-dependent DTA. Additionally, a study on improving the quality of convergence for dynamic traffic assignment is conducted in order to help facilitate the usefulness of this modeling approach in practice. A variety of equilibration techniques are tested, and analysis is performed to contrast these techniques with the method of successive averages. text

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Braun, Alina. "In Theory and Practice - On the Rate of Convergence of Implementable Neural Network Regression Estimates." Phd thesis, 2021. https://tuprints.ulb.tu-darmstadt.de/19052/1/Dissertation_BraunAlina_genehmigt.pdf.

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In theory, recent results in nonparametric regression show that neural network estimates are able to achieve good rates of convergence provided suitable assumptions on the structure of the regression function are imposed. However, these theoretical analyses cannot explain the practical success of neural networks since the theoretically studied estimates are defined by minimizing the empirical L_2 risk over a class of neural networks and in practice, solving this kind of minimization problem is not feasible. Consequently, the neural networks examined in theory cannot be implemented as they are defined. This means that neural network in applications differ from the ones that are analyzed theoretically. In this thesis we narrow the gap between theory and practice. We deal with neural network regression estimates for (p,C)-smooth regression functions m that satisfy a projection pursuit model. We construct three implementable neural network estimates and show that each of them achieve up to a logarithmic factor the optimal univariate rate of convergence. Firstly, for univariate regression functions with p contained in [-1/2,1] we construct a neural network estimate with one hidden layer where the weights are learned via gradient descent. The starting weights are randomly chosen from an interval independently of the data. The interval is large enough to guarantee that the estimate is close to a piecewise constant approximation. Secondly, for multivariate regression functions with p contained in (0,1] we construct a neural network estimate with one hidden layer where the weights are learned via gradient descent. The initial weights are chosen from specific intervals dependently on the data and the projection directions. This choice guarantees that the estimate is close to a piecewise constant approximation. The projection directions are repeatedly chosen randomly. Lastly, for multivariate regression functions with p>0 we construct a multilayer neural network estimate. The value of the inner weights are prescribed dependently on the projection directions by a new approximation result for a projection pursuit model by piecewise polynomials. The outer weights are chosen by solving a linear equation system. The projection directions are repeatedly chosen randomly. Since we are able to show a rate of convergence that is independent of the dimension of the data our second and third estimates are able to circumvent the curse of dimensionality.

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Suhr, Hiesun Cecilia. "The mutation of cultural values, popularity, and aesthetic tastes in the age of convergence culture social networking practices of musicians /." 2010. http://hdl.rutgers.edu/1782.2/rucore10001600001.ETD.000052270.

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"From chromaticism to pentatonism: a convergence of ideology and practice in Qin music of the Ming and Qing dynasties." 2009. http://library.cuhk.edu.hk/record=b5896695.

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Tse, Chun Yan Victor. Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2009. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 204-226). Photocopy. Ann Arbor, Mich. : ProQuest LLC, 2011. xi, 226 p. : music ; 29 cm. Abstract also in Chinese; includes Chinese characters. Abstract --- p.i Abstract in Chinese --- p.iii Acknowledgments --- p.iv List of tables --- p.viii List of graphs --- p.ix List of appendices at the end of individual chapters --- p.ix List of abbreviations of qin handbooks --- p.X Chapter Chapter 1 --- Background of the research --- p.1 Chapter Chapter 2 --- Overview of the research methodology --- p.23 Chapter Chapter 3 --- An illustrated methodology in reconstructing qin music from past scores guyuan 古怨 of the Southern Song Dynasty --- p.36 Chapter Chapter 4 --- Chromaticism in Ming Dynasty scores -baixue 白雪 in Shenqi mipu 神奇秘譜 --- p.67 Chapter Chapter 5 --- From chromaticism to pentatonism - baixue 白雪 in other Ming and Qing Dynasty handbooks --- p.91 Chapter Chapter 6 --- Non-circle-of-fifths intonations in Qing Dynasty scores --- p.119 Chapter Chapter 7 --- Varying 4th and 7th degrees - dongting qiusi 洞庭秋思 in Ming and Qing Dynasty handbooks --- p.143 Chapter Chapter 8 --- Convergence of ideology and practice --- p.168 Chapter Chapter 9 --- Conclusion ´ؤ looking back and looking forward --- p.199 References --- p.204

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CHEVRY, Jonathan. "Convergence of international trade and investment law in practice : how should investor-state arbitral tribunals engage with trade norms?" Doctoral thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1814/38107.

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Defence date: 7 December 2015 Examining Board: Professor Petros C. Mavroidis, EUI/Columbia Law School (Supervisor); Professor George A. Bermann, Columbia Law School; Professor Francesco Francioni, EUI; Janet M. Whittaker, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. 2016 winner of the Antonio Cassese Prize for the Best Thesis in International Law. This thesis aims to provide an analytical framework to which investor-State arbitral tribunals can refer in cases where international trade law is invoked. The starting point of the present study is the trend in commentary on international trade and investment law, which makes the argument that international trade and investment law should be reconciled due to the clear "convergence" between (some of) their constitutive elements. This convergence argument is not misguided: there are similarities between the underlying principles of global trade and investment and, as such, a better coordination of these principles would be helpful for several reasons. Such reasons include legal certainty, reduction of transaction costs, better coherence in the operation of international agreements that now combine both trade and investment provisions, to name a few. However, no matter how reconcilable or converging the two disciplines may be, their enforcement mechanisms are structurally different and are likely to remain so even if the reforms towards a modernization of the investment dispute settlement (currently discussed at the EU policy level) are eventually implemented in the near future. In light of this last point, it is possible to claim that integration between trade law and investment law will only have limited or even negative effects if the trade and investment adjudicators continue to exercise their functions in an isolated manner, without taking cognizance of (i) the norms contained in the other discipline and (ii) the other adjudicator's scope of authority. Effective convergence of trade and investment entails a two-way process pursuant to which one adjudicator can use (i.e. take into account, refer to, apply, interpret and enforce) the law of the other and vice-versa. The thesis envisages one of the two dimensions of this process, namely the use of trade law by the investment adjudicator. Looking into the details of the convergence argument, the role of investment dispute settlement mechanism and the use of trade norms over the past two decades by litigants and arbitrators, the present study identifies both the legal techniques and obstacles these actors shall apply or go beyond in order to use trade norms in the most appropriate way and, more importantly, benefit from this use.

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Nguyen, Hieu Thao. "Algorithms for structured nonconvex optimization: theory and practice." Doctoral thesis, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11858/00-1735-0000-002E-E45C-6.

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Kabekwa, Mmoledi. "Probing the experiences of women within the practice of "Gonyalelwa lapa' among BaSotho ba Lebowa' Ga-Masemola Area Sekhukhune District, Makhudumathaga Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa." Diss., 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/11602/919.

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MGS Institute for Gender and Youth Studies ‘Gonyalelwa lapa’ is a form of a marriage whereby a family marries a woman to a deceased son who passed on without having biological children, for the purpose of restoring or reviving the deceased’s name. The woman is married with her existing children, or to bear children who will take the surname of the deceased man. Women find it difficult to leave such marriages for the fear of losing their children whom they signed off by accepting to be married under this type of marriage. This study employs the feminist standpoint methodological approach in order to explore experiences of women who are married for ‘lapa’. The study purposefully selected a sample of 8 women who are married under ‘Gonyalelwa lapa’ as well as 4 key informants. Findings demonstrate that women marry for ‘lapa’ mainly for economic reasons, to escape stigmatization, for the acquisition of the marital surname, which is tied to being acknowledged, respected and recognized by the community. Nevertheless, these women face multidimensional challenges within their in-laws’ households: they receive no support from the inlaws; their girl-children suffer discrimination based on ‘sex-preference’, boys are given more value on the basis that a boy will be able to perpetuate a deceased man’s name. Most women married under this type of marriage suffer from emotional and economic abuse at the hands of their in-laws. The study reveals that these challenges are attributed to lack of physical presence of the husband in the family. The study recommends that a large scale study be conducted on this or related topic, to build knowledge and create an awareness of such a marriage as to facilitate its inclusion in Customary Marriage Act.

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LO, CHIA-EN, and 羅加恩. "The Convergence of Theory and Practice in Planting A Healthy Church：A Case Study of Cheng-Gong Church in the Luzhou District of Xinbei City." Thesis, 2019. http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/vej27r.

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碩士 台灣神學研究學院 基督教研究道學碩士班 107 The following research paper is divided into two halves. The first half focuses on the cross-referencing of John Calvin’s exposition of the foundational and contemporary marks of healthy churches. This work was done in order to form an framework for evaluating and examining the development process and teaching trends of successful churches. The second half of the current research paper is an examination of an actual case-study to see if a specific church congregation has the marks of a healthy church. Possible amendments and suggestions for improvement are also proposed. The congregation chosen for this study is a new church that has not yet been elevated to an independent congregation and is still under review by the governing committee. From the perspective of someone that is invested in the process of the upgrading of a church’s status, subjective comments and suggestions are also provided. At present, there are not many examples of the Presbyterian church investing in church plants, and there are relatively few church plant materials. It is the hope of the author that this article can provide resources for the continuation of planting new churches in the future. The current research paper is divided into five chapters. The first chapter provides an introduction: During the nearly 20 years that the pioneering church being examined in this paper has existed, the pioneering church has continuously made efforts to look for ways to encourage church growth. However, the church has always experienced periods of personnel fluctuation with no growth. What is the main issue for this lack of growth? Is the focus of the church missing the mark? In the second chapter, the essence of the church as original defined by the reformed church is examined in order to understand what kind of church, both in quality and quantity, is in line with the characteristics of a healthy church. The author then proposes signs of an healthy church by referencing Calvin’s explanation of the foundational and contemporary marks of a healthy church. Calvin’s theories are then used to evaluate the case-study congregation. The third chapter presents 20 years of successful church development within the case-study congregation in order to facilitate dialogue and analysis with the theories presented in the fourth chapter. In the fifth chapter, as a church planter, the author provides reflections and concluding remarks.

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Ntumy, Stephanie Eunice Ama. "The relationship between education policies and learner dropout in public schools of the South-Central region of Botswana." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/14133.

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The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between Education Acts and learner dropout at public schools within the South-Central education region of Botswana. Policy-related dropout Theories of Social Class and the hidden curriculum of work, as well as the Inclusive Education Policy were selected as suitable framework-settings for investigating the research problem. A comprehensive review of the literature revealed that the strategies used to implement the Basic Education Act, the Examinations Act, and Policies on Inclusive Education in Botswana diverge from their set stipulations and the current international trends in this regard. The research design used was a mixed-methods approach. Mixed paradigms of the positivists’ and the constructivists’ beliefs were used to conduct a concurrent empirical investigation. The reliability coefficient of the questionnaire instrument (non-demographic variables 1-26) was .985 (close to 1). All the measuring tools were pilot-tested. The sampling technique was stratified for the questionnaire, and was comprehensive for the qualitative instruments. Ethical issues were observed during the course of the study. The scores on the questionnaire showed that 68% of the 75 teacher respondents perceived that the improper implementation of the above-named Acts contributed to learner drop-out. The content analysis transcripts further indicated that 66% of the 28 interviewees linked learner drop-out to the improper implementation of the Acts. Additionally, 84% of the Biology teachers linked the teaching strategies being used to policy decisions. The interpretation of this study has to take note of the limitation discussed in the report. The conclusion drawn from the foregoing research findings is that the teaching-learning process in the public schools is defective in relation to its relevance to the learners, and the education goal. The study therefore recommended dropout tracking strategies by means of a greater synchrony between all the departments of the Ministry of Education Skills and Development (MOESD) as well as further comprehensive research to improve education practice towards curbing learner dropout. Educational Studies D. Ed. (Comparative Education)

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MÍČKOVÁ, Jaroslava. "Projekt praktické činnosti jako prostor rozvoje faktorů tvořivosti u žáka primární školy." Master's thesis, 2015. http://www.nusl.cz/ntk/nusl-189291.

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My dissertation deals with the contribution of practical activities as scope for the factors developing creativity of primary school pupils. Firstly, the definitions of the terms creativity, technical education and project teaching, based on specialised literature, are introduced. These three theoretical spheres focus in detail on the creative process and product, creative factors, convergent and divergent thinking skills, the creative person and the methods that help develop his or her creativity. I try to clarify the technique as a means of development of practical activities. After that I deal with the educational area "Man and the World of Work" and present possible topics for the development of creativity in working education. My thesis demonstrates a project together with its types and focuses on the implementation and benefits of project-based learning. The practical part is focused on the development of individual projects. Fifteen individual projects, helping to develop creativity of pupils at primary schools, were offered to twenty-one teachers. These teachers participated in a questionnaire survey and they were given an opportunity to provide feedback on the above mentioned individual projects. The results of the survey are described in the sixth chapter of this thesis.

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MARANO, Jonathan Francesco. "CHINA’S NEW NORMAL: DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL REFORM AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FOREIGN BUSINESSES." Doctoral thesis, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/11393/251083.

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L’elaborato affronta la tematica del New Normal in Cina, inteso come il programma di riforme che la Repubblica Popolare Cinese ha predisposto per accompagnare la nuova fase di transizione, che vede il sistema-Paese abbandonare il vecchio paradigma della “Fabbrica del Mondo”, alla ricerca di un nuovo modello di sviluppo. Tale modello passa attraverso la ricollocazione verso l’alto dell’economa nazionale nella catena del valore globale ed una maggiore attenzione nei confronti degli aspetti maggiormente qualitativi della crescita economica, nonché di una accresciuta integrazione nell’economia mondiale, grazie ad una promozione dello stato di diritto e di un ambiente economico maggiormente trasparente ed aperto nei confronti degli operatori internazionali. Nell’analisi delle politiche e delle riforme che accompagnano questo cambiamento, svolta attraverso l’analisi di settori considerati strategici e particolarmente significativi (ambiente, sanità e food safety), la premessa alla base del lavoro è che tale transizione non è semplicemente descrivibile come mera convergenza verso un modello ricalcante i sistemi politici ed economici delle economie avanzate occidentali. La riforma è bensì intesa come un processo incrementale, che all’adozione delle cosiddette best practices internazionali affianca un approccio pragmatico, che non recede la linea di continuità con il background storico, politico, istituzionale e culturale -spesso contraddittorio- di quella che è considerata essere la più antica civiltà ortogenetica del mondo. Il contributo chiave del presente lavoro è la problematizzazione, nei suoi vari aspetti, di questa congiuntura storica e del suo portato nei confronti delle strategie di medio e lungo termine degli operatori economici stranieri che decidono di operare in Cina, i quali da un lato possono godere di grandi opportunità di mercato liberate dalle riforme, dall’altro devono essere consapevoli delle sfide inevitabilmente poste dal cangiante contesto giuridico, economico ed istituzionale e delle sue traiettorie di sviluppo.

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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Convergent practices'

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