Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Micro-meso-macro'

In less than a decade, the cryptocurrency known as Bitcoin has gone from a fringe phenomenon to a topic of increasing interest to academia and mainstream investors. However, despite the growing body of research seeking to understand Bitcoin, the pseudonymous, decentralised, and globally-diffused nature of its user base means that the individuals who use it remain poorly understood. In particular, the motivations, risk-appreciation, and investment behaviours of early adopters and innovators are subject to supposition in the absence of data derived from the user base. This thesis seeks to address this gap in knowledge by employing a multi-stage, mixed methodology approach and a theoretical framework to understand the Bitcoin user base. Utilising semantic analysis, a survey of online cryptocurrency communities, and econometric time-series analysis, this thesis addresses the extent and nature of Bitcoin in hedging; how individual users perceive their own motivations, uses, and risks that have driven their behaviour; and the nature of the relationship between the prices of cryptocurrency and indices of confidence. Analysis of the data determined that the use of Bitcoin as an instrument of hedging is limited, and influenced by political and institutional factors. Likewise, its motivations, uses, and risks are reflective of the users’ political ideology, with the community and marketplace becoming more sophisticated as they evolve over time. Additionally, despite several case studies demonstrating risk-averse adoption of Bitcoin, there is no relationship between its prices and confidence.
Doctor of Philosophy

The aim of this research is to explore policy making process, using Jamaica's National Policy for Persons with Disabilities (2000) as a case study. Pursuance of this case study is an attempt to address a gap in the field of research, as there is a dearth in the existing policy making literature within a Caribbean context. The theoretical approach of this thesis synthesises two distinct schools of thought on policy making process. Using Eaton's thesis, that policy is developed within an extra- and intra-societal environment, the thesis explores how macro, meso and micro factors have influenced policy making process.

Há pouca informação sobre o agronegócio sustentável para biocombustíveis elaborados a partir de oleaginosas florestais perenes, num contexto de sóciobiodiversidade. Na presente pesquisa, foi proposto e aplicado um framework para analisar a emergência, evolução e consolidação de uma filière do biodiesel a partir da macaúba, uma oleaginosa florestal perene, orientada pelo desenvolvimento sustentável. Para isso, utilizou-se a combinação de três abordagens e instrumentos, resumidos a seguir: O primeiro é o metaframework transdisciplinar de Munasinghe (2002), o Sustainomics. O segundo, constituído pela análise de filière, uma abordagem francesa, e suas diretrizes mesoanalíticas: tecnologias, estratégia e relações (MONTIGAUD, 1991). O terceiro, no âmbito da Economia Evolutiva, utilizou-se o framework Micro-Meso-Macro (DOPFER, FOSTER e POTTS, 2004). Essas abordagens e alguns de seus instrumentos foram ajustados entre si, por meio de suas dimensões e elementos integrativos, para proposição de um novo framework na presente pesquisa, intitulado “Cadeia Oleaginosa Florestal Perene Micro- Meso-Macro Transdisciplinar-Sustainomics”, concebido tanto para a identificação como a recomendação de prioridades presentes e futuras para a cadeia estudada. A presente pesquisa é exploratória e qualitativa, na qual foram coletados dados primários e secundários. Na coleta de dados primários, foram feitas entrevistas, registradas em vídeo. Dos 7 elos identificados na filière da macaúba, o estudo de caso abordou os sistemas de produção, adotados e prospectados, no Elo Agrícola e na Agroindústria, no período entre 2004 a 2009, no locus geográfico do município de Montes Claros/MG. Os resultados foram interpretados com base nos instrumentos Matriz de Impacto da Ação, Análise diagnóstica sistêmica da filière e em duas técnicas da Economia Evolutiva: a Trajetória Micro Como um Domínio Analítico e a Análise da Trajetória Meso Genérica. Identificou-se em primeiro lugar, que das 6 empresas que atuam diretamente na filière emergente, no Brasil, nenhuma explora exclusivamente biodiesel de macaúba. Em segundo, existe a possibilidade de um jogo do tipo ganha-ganha no caso analisado, possibilitando simultaneamente “a melhoria da vida das pessoas pobres e o combate ao problema das mudanças climáticas” (MUNASINGHE, 2002). Na analise dos resultados são apontados, a recomendação de substituições progressivas: 1) Do diesel fóssil por biocombustíveis, que tenham ciclo de vida, de fato, renovável; 2) Das matérias-primas de ciclo anual, com baixos rendimentos em biocombustíveis, provenientes de monocultivos, por policultivos de culturas perenes, da biodiversidade dos biomas, com foco na macaúba para o Cerrado; 3) Da monocultura da soja pelas matérias-primas para biocombustíveis oriundas dos recursos florestais naturais não madeiráveis, organizada em sistema de produção agroflorestas sucessionais, com inovação pelo uso nas áreas de Reservas Legais, sustentáveis na forma de campos de produção. 4) Da entropia do desmatamento, pela sintropia; 5) Do biodiesel pelo uso direto – SVO: desatrelar o processo tecnológico agroindustrial equivocado de transesterificação do óleo vegetal para retirada da glicerina do óleo; 6) Dos motores de ciclo diesel não adiabáticos, produzidos e utilizados no Brasil, por novas tecnologias disponíveis: operar com temperaturas mais altas para queimar, como biocombustível, também a glicerina, evitar a desnecessária geração de resíduos. Por fim, o framework de análise para culturas perenes oleaginosas sustentáveis (Cadeia Oleaginosa Florestal Perene Micro-Meso-Macro Transdisciplinar-Sustainomics) utilizado neste estudo de caso, pode ser aplicado para outras culturas similares, com o objetivo de evitar catástrofes bruscas, sem demora, eliminando atividades que ameacem superar o limiar de segurança e capacidade de carga dos ecossistemas da Terra, por meio do aumento de sua resiliência.
There is little information about the sustainable agribusiness for biofuels made from perennial oil forest of sociobiodiversity context. This research aimed to propose a framework and analyze the emergence, evolution and consolidation of a biodiesel filière from Macaúba, guided by sustainable development. For this, it proposes a new model by combinning tree approaches and instruments from the models sumarized as follow: The first tool model is the practical method of Munasinghe (2002): a transdisciplinary metaframework, the Sustainomics, that has evaluative techniques of unsustainable activities. The second is the Filière Method, composed by the following mesoanalitics guidelines: technology, strategy and relationships (MONTIGAUD, 1991). The third envolves levels of Evolutionary Economics, derivatives from the Framework Micro-Meso-Macro (DOPFER FOSTER and POTTS, 2004). These approaches and some instruments used from the models, fit together the dimensions and elements of integration, to propose the mentioned new model entitled as a neologism “Cadeia Oleaginosa Florestal Perene Micro-Meso-Macro Transdisciplinar-Sustainomics”, designed to identify and to recommend urgent priorities in the present and in the future, to the studied chain. This research is exploratory, qualitative, within collected primary and secondary data. Primary data was interviews with video recorded. From the seven rings of chain (Macaúba filière) that were identified, the study case addresses the production systems, some adopted and some prospected, in Agricultural and Agroindustry rings, between the period from 2004 to 2009, the geographical locus of the municipality of Montes Claros/MG. The results were analyzed based on the instruments, as follow: Action Impact Matrix, Diagnostic analysis of systemic filière, and two Evolutionary Economics techniques: Trajectory Micro as an Analytical Domain and Analysis of the Meso Generic Trajectory. It was identified, first, that: the six companies operating directly in emerging filière, none operates exclusively Macaw Palm’s biodiesel. The Second consideration refers that it is possible a win-win game, for the analysed case, making possible coexistence: “improving the lives of poor people and addressing the issue of climate change” (MUNASINGHE, 2002). The results pointed the recomendations of progressive replacement of: 1) The fossil diesel through biofuels, which have life cycle, in fact, renewed; 2) The raw materials of the annual cycle, with low yields of biofuels from monocultures, through polycultures of perennial crops, from biodiversity biomes, focusing on Macaw Palm, for Savannah. 3) the monoculture of soybeans for biofuels, through raw-material derived from Non-Timber Natural Forest resources, organized in successional agroforestry system of production, with innovation for use inthe areas of Legal Reserves, as sustainable production fields. 4) The entropy of deforestation, through the Syntropy; 5) From biodiesel through the direct use - SVO: unleash the technological process of wrong agroindustrial transesterification of vegetable oil to remove the glycerin from the oil; 6) From diesel cicle engines non-adiabatic, produced and used in Brazil through new available technologies: to operate at higher temperatures to burn, as biofuel, as well as glycerin, to avoid unnecessary waste generation. Summing up, the analysis model for perennial crops, oilseeds sustainable (Cadeia Oleaginosa Florestal Perene Micro-Meso-Macro Transdisciplinar-Sustainomics), used in this case study can be applied to other similar cultures, in order to prevent sudden disasters, without delay, eliminating activities that threaten to exceed the safety threshold and carrying capacity of Earth's ecosystems, by increasing its resilience.

Les influències de les institucions informals sobre la família, les empreses familiars i els grups ètnics són immenses a causa de la integració d'aquestes organitzacions en el seu context local, que és on s'originen la majoria de les institucions informals. Malgrat això, quan les institucions funcionen de manera eficaç, sovint suposem que són les regles formals les que condueixen els comportaments dels actors. Tot i això, les normes informals subjacents poden complementar, substituir o acomodar les institucions formals, o també competir-hi. Els estudis previs sobre institucions informals estan dispersos i fragmentats, i presenten les institucions informals com a ambigües. Aquesta tesi aporta llum sobre les institucions informals que configuren la família, les empreses familiars i els grups ètnics d'un país en vies de desenvolupament per produir resultats emprenedors. Una revisió sistemàtica dels materials publicats és un punt de partida vital, ja que permet comprendre i conciliar els estudis existents, i subratllar àrees en les quals falta investigació. La revisió dels materials publicats va seguida de dues investigacions qualitatives. El primer estudi qualitatiu se centra en la religió i les tradicions —institucions informals substitutives— per entendre com transmeten trets familiars i pràctiques empresarials que fomenten o dificulten l'emprenedoria transgeneracional. El segon estudi qualitatiu explora el procés mitjançant el qual un grup ètnic s'ancora en un sistema d'aprenentatge informal —una institució informal en competència— per fomentar la creació de valor intergeneracional i, el que és més important, la propagació de l'emprenedoria. En fer-ho, aquest treball ofereix diverses contribucions que amplien la comprensió teòrica en els contextos de l'empresa familiar, l'emprenedoria i un grup ètnic en un país en vies de desenvolupament. Els seus descobriments poden orientar els professionals i els responsables polítics.
Las influencias de las instituciones informales en la familia, las empresas de gestión familiar y el grupo étnico son inmensas debido al arraigo de estas organizaciones dentro de su contexto local, que es donde se originan la mayoría de dichas instituciones informales. A pesar de ello, cuando estas instituciones funcionan de manera eficaz, solemos asumir que son las reglas formales las que impulsan el comportamiento de los distintos protagonistas. Sin embargo, las normas informales subyacentes pueden complementar, sustituir, acomodar o competir con las instituciones formales. Los estudios anteriores sobre las instituciones informales están dispersos y fragmentados, y presentan a las instituciones informales con un carácter ambiguo. Esta tesis arroja luz sobre las instituciones informales que dan forma a la familia, las empresas de gestión familiar y el grupo étnico en un país en desarrollo a fin de producir resultados empresariales. Una revisión sistemática de la literatura existente es un punto de partida fundamental, ya que permite comprender y conciliar los estudios previos y subrayar las áreas en las que es necesaria una mayor investigación. A la revisión de esta literatura le siguen dos trabajos de investigación cualitativa. El primer estudio cualitativo se centra en la religión y las tradiciones (instituciones informales sustitutivas), para comprender cómo infunden aspectos familiares y prácticas comerciales que fomentan o dificultan el espíritu empresarial transgeneracional. El segundo estudio cualitativo explora el proceso por el cual un grupo étnico queda anclado a un sistema de aprendizaje informal (una institución informal competitiva) para fomentar la creación de valor intergeneracional y, lo que es más importante, la propagación del espíritu empresarial. Gracias a ello, este trabajo ofrece diversas contribuciones que amplían la comprensión teórica en los contextos de las empresas de gestión familiar, el espíritu empresarial y un grupo étnico determinado en un país en desarrollo. Sus conclusiones pueden servir de guía a profesionales y legisladores.
The influences of informal institutions on the family, family businesses, and the ethnic group are immense due to these organizations' embeddedness within their local context, which is where most informal institutions originate. Despite that, when institutions function effectively, we often assume that it is the formal rules that drive actors' behaviors. Yet the underlying informal norms may complement, substitute, accommodate, or compete with formal institutions. Previous studies on informal institutions are scattered and fragmented, and present informal institutions as ambiguous. This thesis sheds light on the informal institutions that shape the family, family businesses, and the ethnic group in a developing country to yield entrepreneurial outcomes. A systematic literature review is a vital starting point as it allows for understanding and reconciliation of existing studies and underscoring areas where research is lacking. The literature review is followed by two qualitative research pieces. The first qualitative study focuses on religion and traditions—substitutive informal institutions—to understand how they imbue family features and business practices that foster or hinder transgenerational entrepreneurship. The second qualitative study explores the process through which an ethnic group anchors on an informal apprenticeship system—a competing informal institution—to foster intergenerational value creation and, more importantly, entrepreneurship propagation. By doing so, this work offers several contributions that extend theoretical understanding in the contexts of the family business, entrepreneurship, and an ethnic group in a developing country. Its findings can guide practitioners and policymakers.

Passadas quase quatro décadas desde as críticas sobre o crescimento econômico, que contribuia para um desenvolvimento insustentável a longo prazo, percebe-se que o problema da ênfase na dimensão econômica em detrimento da socioambiental permanece. Desequilíbrios ambientais continuam sendo evidenciados como consequência da atuação da humanidade. Para Ferreira (2007), as empresas têm contribuído para o aumento destes desequilíbrios. A autora aponta que os eventos naturais afetam a agricultura, a indústria e os serviços. Depreende-se disso que, se a empresa não é causadora direta de todos os males ambientais, ela sofre com eles. Tanto o agravamento dos problemas ambientais quanto sociais aumentou a pressão para que as empresas alterem a forma de conduzir seus negócios. Deste modo, muitas empresas têm adotado práticas ditas socialmente responsáveis para atender essa demanda e para sobreviverem no mercado. Nascimento et al. (2008) evidenciam que, para obter sucesso na implantação de ações, a empresa deve perceber-se como parte de um ecossistema de mercado. Isto implica compreender que as ações não dependem apenas das condições internas e de ferramentas adotadas pelos gestores; elas dependem também da interação da empresa com o macro e o meso ambiente. E, para serem sustentáveis, tanto a empresa quanto as demais partes envolvidas devem se preocupar com as diferentes dimensões do desenvolvimento, além da econômica (SACHS, 1996). Assim, torna-se relevante compreender como a atuação relacionada à sustentabilidade, de empresa modelo em responsabilidade socioambiental e das partes interessadas, impacta no alcance do desenvolvimento? Para tanto, analisa-se a gestão socioambiental da Aracruz, observando a relação com os níveis micro, meso e macro organizacional. A Aracruz Celulose é reconhecida internacionalmente por sua atuação socioambiental e considerada uma das vinte empresas-modelo em sustentabilidade do país. A empresa convive com uma questão polêmica, pois utiliza como matéria-prima florestas. Em contrapartida, declara que trabalha para reduzir os impactos ambientais em seus processos, desde o plantio de árvores, à extração, produção e exportação do produto. Revela, ainda, que considera também os aspectos sociais do processo, adotando postura socialmente responsável para com as diferentes partes interessadas. Por essas razões, considera-se um caso relevante para estudo. Com a pesquisa, visa-se a contribuir no campo teórico e prático relacionado à responsabilidade socioambiental e ao desenvolvimento. Para consecução do trabalho, adota-se o estudo de caso único. Para tanto, analisaram-se materiais institucionais e trabalhos acadêmicos sobre a responsabilidade socioambiental da Aracruz. Realizaram-se entrevistas com o diretor de sustentabilidade da empresa e com gestores envolvidos com a questão. Avaliou-se a relação da organização com diferentes stakeholders a partir de entrevistas com a comunidade, parceiros em projetos ambientais, órgão governamental e prestadores de serviços. Aplicou-se também questionário com os demais empregados da empresa. Como resultado, evidencia-se que a Aracruz trabalha questões de governança, transparência, relacionamento com partes interessadas e aspectos socioambientais e de gestão para alcançar a sustentabilidade. No entanto, a sua atuação é afetada por variáveis do macroambiente, especialmente pela variável econômica. Talvez isto dificulte a contribuição para o desenvolvimento integral proposto por Sachs (1996).
After almost four decades since the critics on economic growth which had contributed to a long-term unsustainable development, it is noted that the problem of emphasis on the economic dimension in detriment of the socio-environmental one still remains. Environmental imbalances continue to be evident as consequence of man's work. For Ferreira (2007), companies have contributed to the increase of such imbalances. The author says the natural events affect the agriculture, industry and services. It can be inferred that if the company is not the direct cause of all the environmental damages, it suffers with them. The worsening of both environmental and social problems has increased the pressures in order that companies change the way they lead their business. So, many companies have adopted the so-called socially responsible practices to meet such demand and survive in the market. Nascimento et al. (2008) say that in order to be successful with the implementation of its policies, the company must see itself as part of the market ecosystem. It implies to understand that actions do not depend only on internal conditions and the tools used by the managers; they also depend on the company's interaction with the macro and meso-environment. And, to be sustainable, the company as well as the other parts involved in the process must pay attention to the different dimensions of development, others than the economic one (SACHS, 1996). So, it's relevant to understand the way the performance related to sustainability of socio-environmental model company and its interested parties affects the attainment of development. For this reason, it's analyzed the socio-environmental management of Aracruz, taking into account the relation with micro, meso and macro-organizational levels. Aracruz Celulose is internationally recognized by its socio-environmental behavior and considered as one of the twenty most responsible companies as to sustainability within the country. The company has a controversial question: forests are its raw-material, but it also declares that it works to reduce the environmental impacts in its processes, from the trees plantation to product extraction, production and export. It also reveals that the social aspects of the process are considered using a socially responsible behavior with the different interested parties. For theses reasons it was considered a relevant case to be studied. This work aims at contributing to socio-environmental responsibility and development at the theoretical and practical fields. It was adopted the one-case study. Institutional materials and academic works on the Aracruz socio-environmental responsibility were analyzed and interviews with the sustainability director and other managers involved with the problem were done. It was evaluated the organization relation with different stakeholders from interviews with the community, partners in environmental projects, governmental body and service renderers. A questionnaire was also used with all the company's employees. After the study, it is clear that Aracruz works with issues related to governance, transparence, and relationship with interested parties and socio-environmental and management aspects to reach sustainability. However, its performance is affected by macro-environment variables, mainly the economic one. Perhaps, it makes difficult the contribution for the integral development proposed by Sachs (1996).

Inter-religious dialogue is an essential means for different faiths and believers to develop friendship and understanding in an increasingly global and multifaith society. Additionally, it could provide for increased levels of social harmony in a seemingly divided yet ever-shrinking globalised world. Islam has a long history with Australia that pre-dates European colonisation; however, research into the nature and impact of interfaith dialogue between Muslims and non-Muslims is scarce. To date, there is an extensive gap in the academic record as no comprehensive historical exploration on inter-religious dialogue prior to 9/11 between Muslims and non-Muslims has been undertaken in Australia. Accordingly, it is envisaged that this will be the most comprehensive research on the topic to date. Uniquely, through the application of the sociological population-level constructs of micro, meso and macro-level analysis this research has looked for evidence of cyclical patterns of inter-religious dialogue over Australia’s long history and contact with Islam. A key question for this research is how, if at all, have different sociological levels of dialogue, as represented in the public and private record, contributed to meaningful social harmony? It is hoped that this historical enquiry will place some light on past paradigm shifts in interfaith relations and assist in the future of interfaith dialogue in a uniquely Australian context. Using the public record, along with other related academic works, this research has analysed the available evidence to establish the sociological levels of interfaith dialogue that existed in Australia up to 2001. A brief overview of the history of global and local inter-religious dialogue has been provided that includes the approaches taken by the various religions as outlined in the sacred texts, the Torah, Gospels and Qur’an. It also looks to outline the changes that have occurred surrounding religion in Australia over time. Initial research has demonstrated levels of micro and meso-level dialogue in the pre-colonial period between the Muslim Baijini, Macassans and Australia's Indigenous peoples. Following colonisation, this dialogue largely disappeared and was replaced by a period of mutual monologue, enforced by the dominant Christian hegemony, notwithstanding the contribution by members of the Islamic community to the exploration and construction of modern Australia. Despite the effects of the Immigration Restriction Act (1901), Muslims continued to migrate to Australia and integrate into the community, including those from British India and Albania. Many kept their religious beliefs and thrived in several Australian towns through the 20th Century. As the century progressed, so did the growth of the Australian umma, with migrants arriving from Turkey, Lebanon, Bosnia, Indonesia, the Middle East and North Africa. Through a critical historical analysis of the public and private records, this research has looked to illustrate to true nature of the sociological levels and effectiveness of dialogue from the first contact with Islam, sometime before the 17th Century until the beginning of the 21st Century. Importantly, the key contribution of this research has also found that the levels of dialogue have been measurable and over time, cyclical in nature, when measured using the sociological constructs of micro, meso and macro. Additionally, this research has uncovered the importance of ecumenical dialogue as a precursor to any meaningful inter-religious dialogue, largely driven by the Catholic Church’s Declaration Nostra Aetate in 1965. Other aspects of the findings include, the need for a critical mass, some form of organisation and favourable political conditions. Finally, shortcomings and suggestions for further avenues of research are discussed.

This thesis gains an insight into advertising and integrated marketing communications with an exploration of the relationships between advertisers and consumers at the meso level of interface between the two groups. As an initial investigation into advertising and integrated marketing communications and its relationships to consumers’ behaviour, the inquiry develops by exploring an alternative lineage of interpretive consumer research. The two areas of focus emerging from the literature review are the concepts of manufacturing consent (Herman and Chomsky, 2002) as the macro advertiser/sender level of behaviour and the concept of motivational behaviour research (Tadajewski, 2006) as the micro consumer/receiver level of behaviour. The study utilises a mixed methods research design to explore the interface between advertisers and consumers. From the analysis of the commonalites and variances within the data, a mapping of behaviour between the two groups presented a new and unexpected set of interactions. Interactions that reflect the Foundation Premises within the work of Vargo and Lush (2008) by developing an emergent conceptual model.

Change and stability are critical to the sustained competitive advantage of organizations. Emerging research shows the relationship that exists between human agency and institutions, but also the inter-relationship to the dynamic of change and stability. This study examines the concepts of stability and change in regard to organizational change and institutional theory, and the influence of macro- and meso-structuring mechanisms in processes of institutional reproduction and change. Specific reference is made to institutional orientations toward stability and change as primary dimensions in the analysis of micro-level explanations that contribute to understanding adoption of new organizational practices.

This participative mixed-methods study was conducted in 12 community rehabilitation programs within New York State. It showed how both agency and institutional orientations toward stability and change are influenced through structuring mechanisms, and can be identified and discerned through patterns. The depiction of these orientations were identified by conceptual mapping and pattern matching, a research method emerging in both the change and institutional theory research. The new understandings gained regarding these agency and institutional orientations will contribute to new insights as to how micro-level actions occur and contribute to macro-institutional orientations toward stability and change. This study also supports the conclusion that macro- and meso-structuring mechanisms can become strange attractors which limit organizational potential for change, and that gaining an understanding of these attractor cages can assist organizations in mapping alternative futures.

Benthic diatoms, photoautotrophic, silicate plated, single-celled aquatic organisms dwelling on substrates, have been used in bioindication, since they are good indicators of ecological water state. In this thesis, we have used a multi-scalar approach to observe how diatoms from Spanish Mediterranean rivers are affected by the characteristics of the habitats they live in. These organisms were observed under a taxonomic-indicative, functional-grouped and morphometric prism. The samples stem from Mediterranean rivers pertaining to either the Ebro Basin, or jurisdictions of the Catalan rivers or the Júcar authorities. Ebro samples have a fundamental importance, due to their temporal frame of 10 years, which has permitted the establishment and observation of changes in diatom communities and their characteristics. Two experimental setups, comparing differing water compositions and hydrological characteristics, were made in the other basins. The structure of this thesis takes a gradual decrease in observation range. The macro-scale: chapter studied benthic diatom communities from the Ebro River Basin taxonomically, based on samplings ranging 10 years. We studied if diatom communities were maintained in time, or what parameters could help to the establishment of ecoregions. This study showed that the ecotype division of rivers established by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) did not reflect diatom assemblages well. A double approach of physico- chemical and diatom-sociological aggregation can create a better mirror of diatom communities, thus improving ecoregions for diatoms. The meso-scale chapter investigated the Segre, Ebro tributary, observing the relationship between land use and diatom assemblages and indicator values. Land uses have a direct effect on river water composition. Thus, a link between upstream land cover and diatom assemblages was expected. The results show that only the predominant covers affect both the composition of the diatom community and indicator values. Structural Equation Modelling comparisons have established changes in the importance of physicochemical parameters through time and depending on diatom community structure. Diversity indices and bioindicator values were affected mostly by physicochemical composition, and tangentially by land cover. In the micro-scale chapter, the reaction of diatoms at each site was studied. To do this, we parted the chapter in three sections, two life form experiments to observe how physicochemical composition and hydrology affect life forms, and how morphometry can be affected through abiotic parameter variation in time. The first, made in the Llobregat Basin, was an experimental approach to ascertain the effect of intrinsically different sites on diatom life forms and ecological guilds and the change when these communities are translocated. This showed that, although the physicochemical parameters seemed to favour functional groups, changing the community into a different site could still maintain some of the characteristic life forms. Then, a comparison of functional structure of the diatom community in temporary rivers (that lose part or the totality of its surface water) of Mediterranean basins along the northeast coast was made. It showed that the hydrological regime (connectedness of the stream in total) had a bigger impact than aquatic state (water quantity present at time of sampling). The disconnection of streams also affected the use of conventional diatom bioindicators that will be addressed in the future. Finally, in this microscale prism, we automatically photographed samples from the Ebro River to extract diatom morphometry features. Relating these to physicochemical parameters of each site and their temporal variability, we saw that diatom sizes are affected by water composition. The surface-to-volume ratio (S/V) was highly correlated. An up to now neglected parameter, diatom width, was highly affected by physicochemical parameters. This thesis attempted to establish how diatoms and their traits are affected by their surroundings, observing the effect of abiotic parameters, such as physicochemical composition, land use, and substrate characteristics.
Las diatomeas bentónicas son organismos fotoautotróficos unicelulares, acuáticos y colonizadores de sustratos, que se han usado en bioindicación por ser buenas indicadoras del estado ecológico del agua. En esta tesis hemos estudiado cómo las diatomeas de ríos ibéricos mediterráneos se ven afectadas por la ecología del medio donde habitan, a diversas escalas. Estos organismos se estudiaron a nivel taxonómico e indicativo, funcional y morfométrico. La estructura de esta tesis sigue una aproximación a la reducción de escala de trabajo. El capítulo de macro-escala se basó en una investigación de las comunidades bentónicas epilíticas de las diatomeas del río Ebro, en base a muestreos realizados a lo largo de 10 años. Este estudio se ha demostrado que la división en ecotipos fluviales establecida para el seguimiento de la Directiva Marco del Agua (DMA) no coincide con la diversificación delascomunidades deestosorganismos. Nuestrosresultados apuntanqueunaaproximacióndoble (composición físico-química y estructura de la comunidad) puede reflejar mejor la realidad para las diatomeas. En el capítulo de meso-escala se investigó el río Segre con la finalidad de establecer las relaciones entre los usos del suelo y las comunidades de diatomeas y valores de los índices de diatomeas. Los usos del suelo afectan directamente a la composición del agua fluvial. Por ello, se esperaba una correlación entre el uso del suelo aguas arriba de las comunidadesde diatomeas estudiadas. Los resultados muestranque únicamentelos usos mayoritarios afectan la composición las comunidades de diatomeas y los valores de los índices diatómicos. En el capítulo de microescala se estudió la reacción de las diatomeas en cada punto. Para ello el capítulo se dividió en tres secciones. Un experimento observó el efecto de puntos intrínsecamente diferenciales sobre las formas de vida, y cambios de estas tras su translocación. La otra sección comparó la composición funcional de la comunidad de diatomeas en ríos temporales, que sufren pérdida parcial o total del agua superficial. Finalmente, aún en microescala, se fotografiaron automáticamente muestras de diatomeas del río Ebro para calcular sus características morfométricas. Estas se relacionaron con los parámetros fisicoquímicos de cada punto y con su variabilidad temporal. El resultado fue una clara afectación de tamaños valvares según la composición del agua. La relación superficie-volumen estaba altamente correlacionada y la anchura valvar, obviada hasta ahora, se vio afectada por los parámetros fisicoquímicos.
Les diatomees bentòniques, organismes fotoautotròfics unicel·lulars, aquàtics i colonitzadors de substrats, que s’han utilitzat a la bioindicació per ser bones indicadores del estat ecològic de l’aigua. En aquesta tesi hem estudiat com les diatomees de rius ibèrics mediterranis es veuen afectades per l’ecologia del medi al que habiten a diverses escales. Aquests organismes es varen observar a nivell taxonòmic-indicatiu, funcional i morfomètric. L’estructura d’aquesta tesi segueix una aproximació a la reducció d’escala de treball. El capítol de macro-escala es basà en una investigació taxonòmica de les comunitats bentòniques epilítiques de diatomees del riu Ebre, basat en mostrejos realitzats al llarg de 10 anys. Aquest estudi ha mostrat que la divisió d’ecotips fluvials establerta per a el seguiment de la Directiva Marc de l’Aigua (DMA) no coincideix amb la diversificació de les comunitats d’aquests organismes. Els resultats assenyalen que una aproximació doble (composició fisicoquímica i estructura comunitària) podria reflectir millor la realitat per a les diatomees. Al capítol de meso-escala s’estudià el Segre per tal d’establir les relacions entre els usos del sòl, les comunitats de diatomees i els seus valors indicadors. Els usos del sòl afecten directament a la composició de l’aigua fluvial. Per això, s’esperava una correlació entre els usos del sòl aigües amunt de les comunitats de diatomees estudiades. Els resultats mostren que únicament els usos majoritaris afecten els la composició de les comunitats de diatomees els i valors dels índexs diatòmics. El capítol de micro-escala investigà la reacció de les diatomees a cada punt. Per això, el capítol es dividí en tres seccions. Un experiment observà l’efecte de punts intrínsecament diferencials sobre les formes de vida i canvis d’aquests després de la translocació. L’altra secció comparà la composició funcional de la comunitat de diatomees a rius temporals, que pateixen la pèrdua total o parcial de l’aigua superficial. Finalment, seguint a la micro-escala, es fotografiaren les mostres del riu Ebre automàticament per calcular les seves característiques morfomètriques. Aquestes es relacionaren amb els paràmetres fisicoquímics de cada punt i la seva variabilitat temporal. El resultat fou una clara afectació de mides valvars segons la composició de l’aigua. La relació superfície-volum estava altament correlacionada amb les variacions fisicoquímiques i l’amplada valvar, obviada fins ara, era afectada pels paràmetres fisicoquímics.

This article contributes to the field of evolutionary macroeconomics by highlighting the dynamic interlinkages between micro-meso-macro with a Veblenian meso foundation in an agent-based macroeconomic model. Consumption is dependent on endogenously changing social class and signaling, such as bandwagon, Veblen and snob effects. In particular, we test the macroeconomic effects of this meso foundation in a generic agent-based model of a closed artificial economy. The model is stock-flow consistent and builds upon local decision heuristics of heterogeneous agents characterized by bounded rationality and satisficing behavior. These agents include a multitude of households (workers and capitalists), firms, banks as well as a capital goods firm, a government and a central bank. Simulation experiments indicate coevolutionary dynamics between signaling-by-consuming and firm specialization that eventually effect employment and consumer prices, as well as other macroeconomic aggregates.

Introduction In Senegal, as in many countries, physicians are unevenly distributed. This situation leads to health inequalities, but the solutions adopted to distribute physicians equitably do not give satisfactory results. This situation pushes decision-makers and researchers to look for other solutions such as telemedicine. This technology-based solution is considered to be a good means to improve physician recruitment and retention in underserved areas, thus improving access to healthcare in these areas, but it is still underused in Senegalese health facilities. Objective This study aimed to identify the determinants of the use of telemedicine in Senegal. More specifically, it aimed to identify the individual (micro) and contextual (meso and macro) factors that influence the use of telemedicine in Senegal. Method The study involved mixed methods: a descriptive qualitative study involving individual interviews and a cross-sectional quantitative study involving questionnaires. The first method was used to study the individual (micro) factors such as physicians’ beliefs on the use of telemedicine and physicians’ perception of the impact of telemedicine on their recruitment and retention in underserved areas. It was also used to study the contextual meso (technical, organizational and ethical) and macro (financial, political, legal and socioeconomic) factors that influence the use of telemedicine. The second method was used to study participants’ intention to use telemedicine in their professional activities, another individual (micro) factor. This study included physicians working in public hospitals, those working in district health, and telemedicine projects managers. Qualitative data was collected through individual interviews, transcribed and imported into NVivo 10 where they were coded thematically. Quantitative data was collected by administering questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 23. Results The results showed that telemedicine could contribute to, but could not guarantee the recruitment and retention of Senegalese physicians in underserved areas. It was found that physicians in Senegal have both positive and negative behavioural, normative and control beliefs that can encourage or discourage them from using telemedicine in their professional practice. The most salient behavioural beliefs were that telemedicine makes experts’ opinions accessible across distances (positive behavioural belief), but could lead to medical errors (negative behavioural belief). The most common normative beliefs were that their patients would most probably approve the use of telemedicine (positive normative belief) while their colleagues working in the public sector might disapprove of it (negative normative belief). The most reported control beliefs were that the use of telemedicine is easy (positive control belief), but could be time-consuming (negative control belief). For physicians in Senegal, the findings also demonstrate that the probability that they will use telemedicine in their professional activities is moderate and influenced by their perceived behavioural control which, in turn, is influenced by their positive and negative control beliefs. Finally, the results demonstrate that many contextual meso (technical, organizational and ethical) and macro (financial, political, legal and socioeconomic) factors influence the use of telemedicine in Senegal. Conclusion The results of this study can inform the choice of telemedicine development strategies. These strategies can help to promote the use of telemedicine in Senegal, which in turn can help to increase physician recruitment and retention in underserved areas, resulting in better access to healthcare and, and as a result improved population health.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DO PESSOAL DE ENSINO SUPERIOR
A tese analisa o Programa Universidade para Todos (ProUni) como política pública de inclusão acadêmica e social, destacando sua implementação na Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC - Rio) - universidade confessional e comunitária, com ênfase acadêmico-científica - e na Universidade Castelo Branco (UCB) - universidade privada com ênfase no ensino. A pesquisa consiste num estudo de avaliação do processo de implementação do ProUni em suas dimensões macro-estrutural, meso-intitucional e microssocial, elaborado a partir do olhar e interpretação dos próprios sujeitos sociais envolvidos nesse processo. A tese apresenta o debate teórico sobre o desenho e configuração da relação entre o Estado e a Sociedade, destacando a temática dos movimentos e redes sociais, políticas públicas e ações afirmativas. Dentre a diversidade de abordagens teórico-metodológicas, optamos pela abordagem sobre redes de movimentos (Scherrer-Warren), que oferece base para a análise das (inter) relações entre os diferentes atores sociais e políticos, dando visibilidade à interface entre o Estado e a Sociedade Civil e destacando o papel das redes sociais e redes de políticas no cenário de constituição das políticas públicas. A pesquisa social desenvolvida é de natureza quali-quantitativa, à medida que, numa dimensão de complementaridade, utiliza métodos quantitativos e qualitativos. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo objetiva analisar: i) as dimensões macroestruturais: os rebatimentos dessa política face às determinações e condicionantes dos fatores econômicos, sociais, culturais e políticos da sociedade brasileira; ii) as dimensões meso-intitucionais: os processos instituídos e instituintes mediados em duas instituições de ensino superior; iii) e as dimensões microssociais: as mudanças que o ProUni e as medidas de inclusão acadêmica propiciaram nos aspectos sociais e culturais da vida dos alunos bolsistas ProUni e demais atores sociais. Na dimensão macro-estrutural, o ProUni foi configurado como uma política pública implementada pelo MEC - em interface com os movimentos sociais – que tem como proposta apresentar uma resposta imediata à perspectiva da democratização do Ensino Superior. O programa tem ainda a proposta de organizar a Lei de Filantropia, na medida em que utiliza o processo de renúncia fiscal como estratégia de reserva de vagas em universidades particulares. A tese enfatiza o fato do processo de implementação de políticas públicas ser imbricado por estruturas de governança (governance), compreendida enquanto regras do jogo e arranjos institucionais que constituem o policy cycle. Na dimensão mesoinstitucional de análise, a tese destaca que na PUC-Rio o ProUni representou uma distribuição mais equitativa das bolsas sociais nos diversos cursos de graduação, representando uma democratização das vagas para os alunos bolsistas. Já na UCB o ProUni representou a possibilidade de organizar a filantropia, clarificando e distinguindo as ações extensionistas da dimensão filantrópica de concessão de bolsas de estudos. Na dimensão microssocial, a tese explicita a percepção dos alunos bolsista do ProUni, que consideram que através do Programa conseguiram se inserir na universidade, considerando a mesma um caminho em direção à produção de novos conhecimentos, culturas e ao desenvolvimento das qualificações necessárias à inserção no mundo do trabalho.
The thesis analyses the University for All Program - ProUni - an affirmative action policy carried since 2005 by the Federal Government, in favor of black and low income students. Hence, it evaluates the ProUni implementation processes alongside three axes: its macro-structural, meso-institutional and microssocial effects - according to the perceptions of some incumbents of the Ministry of Education, several leaders of social movements engaged in this affirmative action policy, and a sample of undergraduated students benefited by ProUni scholarships in two private universities. The thesis framework is developed from theories related to social networks, based upon political participation of newtworking organizations (Scherrer-Warren), in order to give a due account for the many political, intercultural and economic processes muddling through these several movements, groups and individual actors participating in these policies and politics. The research develops both quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques, stressing their complementary resources. The tree analytical axes of the thesis point out: i) at the macro-structural level the ways this social policy accounts for determinism and conditioning influences played by economic, cultural and political structures in Brazilian society; ii) at the mesoinstitutional level, it pinpoints the new institutionalization processes generated in two private Universities in Rio de Janeiro area, as results of ProUni implementation of 10% of scholarship in favor of low income and black students; iii) at the microssocial level it emphasizes cultural and social changes and adaptations generated among the undergraduated students and their reference groups. Hence, at the macro-structural level, ProUni is shown as a public policy developed by the Federal Government - alongside several movements of the Civil Society - aimed at improving higher education democratization in Brazil. It is also a rationalization endeavor aimed at tax deduction and philanthropy laws favoring private universities, in exchange of 10% of free enrollment cottas by black and low income students. Therefore, it stresses ProUni governance structures and its politics arrangements inside the policy cycle. At the meso-institutional dimension of analysis, the thesis finds out how ProUni plays a significant effect on democratizing the scholarship practices already developed by the Catholic University of Rio, as well as on reshaping the previous philanthropy and taxes deduction processes implemented by other private university, Castelo Branco University. At the microssocial axis, the thesis finds out the positive perceptions developed by the universities students, in relation to their academic and cultural insertion in higher education, to their increasing opportunities in enhancing new knowledge, intercultural experiences and professional qualifications required by the professional world.

L'acte d'achat de produits monastiques est un moment de rencontre entre deux mondes que tout semble opposer : le monde monastique, silencieux et détaché des biens matériels, et le monde sécularisé de la consommation, bruyant et matérialiste. Notre recherche très contextualisée se place dans la perspective culturelle de la consommation. La problématique est centrée sur la compréhension de l'influence des contextes sur le contenu de l'expérience vécue par l'acheteur de produits monastiques alimentaires et cosmétiques. Notre recherche empirique, fondée sur une approche qualitative de nature ethnographique, est pratiquée en immersion dans le monde de l'économie monastique française. Nous interrogeons les acheteurs sur le sens qu'ils donnent à leur expérience d'achat de produits monastiques dans des magasins physiques d'abbayes, sur une galerie marchande virtuelle d'abbayes, et dans une enseigne physique laïque. Un premier palier de résultats apporte une compréhension contextualisée de l'écosystème monastique, et du contenu de l'expérience d'achat dans trois types de points de vente. Ils mettent notamment en lumière les liens étroits entre achat, don, plaisir et partage, ainsi que la dimension patrimoniale des produits. Un second palier de résultats moins contextualisés défend la thèse que le point de vente physique est un instrument de transfert de sens des contextes extérieurs vers le cœur de l'expérience. Nous mettons ainsi en lumière les limites du e-commerce pour les produits ancrés dans l'histoire et le territoire, et proposons aux décideurs des pistes d'adaptation pour les sites marchands
The act of purchasing a monastic product is a situation when two apparently contradictory worlds come together: the monastic world, silent and detached from material goods, and the secular world of consumption, noisy and materialistic. Our research is highly contextualised and looks at consumption from a cultural perspective. The aim of this research is to understand in which way contexts influence the content of the experience when buying monastic food products and cosmetics. Our empirical research is qualitative, ethnographic in nature, and is carried out inside the world of the French monastic economy. We ask purchasers about the meaning they give to their experience of buying monastic products from abbey shops, from an abbeys' virtual marketplace, and from a secular branded outlet. The first-level results bring a contextualised understanding of the monastic ecosystem, and of the dimensions of the buying experience at the three types of shops. They particularly highlight the close links between purchasing, giving, enjoyment and sharing, and also the patrimonial aspect of these products. The second-level results are less contextualised and support the theory according to which the physical point of sale is the instrument through which the meaning of the external contexts is transferred into the heart of the experience. We are thus able to highlight the limitations of e-commerce for products that are deeply anchored in history and territory, and we advise decision-makers on how best to adapt their strategies for online channels

The potential of Digital twin (DT) technology outside of the industrial field has been recognized by researchers who have promoted the vision of applying DTs technology beyond manufacturing, to purposes such as enhancing human well-being and improving quality of life (QoL). The expanded definition of DTs to incorporate living and nonliving physical entities into the definition of DTs was a key motivation behind the model introduced in this thesis for building health digital twins of citizens. In contrast with DTs that have been developed in more industrial fields, this type of digital twins modeling necessitates protecting each citizen's unique identity while also representing features common to all citizens in a unified way. In nature, DNA is an example of a model that is both unified, common to all humans, and unique, distinguishing each human as an individual. DNA’s architecture is what inspired us to propose a digital twin DNA (DT-DNA) model as the basis for building health DTs for citizens. A review of the literature shows that no unified model for citizens’ health has been developed that can act as a base for building digital twins of citizens while also protecting their unique identity thus we aim to fill this gap in this research. Accordingly, in this thesis, we proposed a DT-DNA model, which is specifically designed to protect the unique identity of each citizen’s digital twin, similar to what DNA does for each human. We also proposed a DT-DNA-based framework to build standardized health digital twins of citizens on micro, meso and macro levels using two ISO standards: ISO/IEEE 11073 (X73) and ISO 37120. To achieve our goal, we started by analyzing the biological DNA model and the influencing factors shaping health in smart cities. The purpose of the first is to highlight the DNA model features which provide the building blocks for our DT-DNA model. The purpose of the latter is to determine the main bases of our DT-DNA model of health DTs. Based on the analysis results; we proposed DT-DNA to model health DTs for citizens. In keeping with our DNA analogy, we have identified four bases, A, T, G, and C, for our unified and unique DT-DNA model. The A base in the proposed model represents a citizen’s anthropometric when we build the DT-DNA on an individual level and represents the city’s regulatory authorities when we build the DT-DNA on community and city levels. The T base represents different tasks included in the provided health data that are required to model citizens’ health DT-DNA on different levels. The G base represents the geographic and temporal information of the city, where the citizen exists at the time of data collection. The C base represents the context at the time of data collection. To proof the concept, we present our initial work on building health DTs for citizens in four case studies. The first two case studies are dedicated for health DTs at the micro level, the third case study is dedicated for health DTs at the meso level and the fourth case study is dedicated for health DTs at the macro level. In addition, we developed an algorithm to compare cities in terms of their community fitness and health services status. The four case studies provide promising results in terms of applicability of the proposed DT-DNA model and framework in handling the health data of citizens, communities and cities, collected through various sources, and presenting them in a standardized, unique model.

Cement-based concrete is one of the main construction materials that is widely used for many construction applications due to its strength, durability, reflectivity, and versatility. However, it is acknowledged that production of cement as a primary material of concrete releases 1.8 Gt carbon dioxide (CO2) into the environment. It is estimated that one ton of cement production releases one ton of CO2 to the atmosphere. That is why, this work aims to create a concrete that could be an alternative to cement-based concrete. Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is an eco-friendly construction material and an alternative to conventional concrete that is produced by reacting aluminate and silicate bearing constituents with a caustic activator (i.e. sodium-based or potassium-based). Both potassium and sodium have been considered as generally safe intergradient by the FDA, based upon the observance of several good manufacturing practice conditions of use. Theses activators are used in various application including concrete, food, as a stabilizer, and as a thickening agent. Moreover, these activators are also used in making soap, as an electrolyte in alkaline batteries and in electroplating, lithography, and paint and varnish removers. Medically, these activators are widely used in the wet mount preparation of various clinical specimens for microscopic visualization of fungi and fungal elements in skin, hair, nails, and even vaginal secretions, Currently, it was determined that these activators solution were found to be a safe and effective treatment of plane warts. Despite the developments in the studies relating to GPC made by various precursors such as fly-ash and slag in the literatures, the use of GPC made by fly-ash and bottom-ash has not been overly researched. In this study, attempts have been made to produce a unique mix proportion for Potassium-based GPC made by fly-ash and bottom-ash and investigate various mechanical properties of this type of GPC including elastic modulus, freeze-thaw resistance, heavy metal leach-ability and corrosion in both laboratory and real environmental conditions using Non-Destructive Tests (NDT)s.
Graduate
2021-12-15

The study investigates resilience in families of children with intellectual disabilities with critical consideration to the role of micro, meso and macro level support in the resilience process. Three overarching questions underpinned this study namely; a) How do families with ID children in Sweden perceive formal support in their resilience process? b) What is the role of informal social support in the resilience process of families with ID children c) How does dynamics within families of children with ID affect family resilience? Qualitative research design was utilized in the collection and analysis of data. Seven parents from six families were purposively selected through the snowballing sampling technique. Study participants were engaged in both in-depth and biographic interviews to gain vivid insights into their experiences. Data was then analyzed using thematic and life line analysis. Findings of the study indicates that, formal support plays an important role in parent’s resilience by setting the pace for resilience. This is achieved through the emotional, psychological as well as financial support provided at the point of diagnosis, a stage that is characterized by high levels of stress. Parents perceived formal support as negative only when it becomes discriminatory and non-inclusive of children with disability. This is more evident in the allocation of resources to special and ordinary schools which sometimes makes it difficult for children with intellectual disability to be in an ordinary school. The study also identified other support systems of which support groups and family bonds proved to be the most beneficial. In situations where formal support is unavailable or limited, support groups and family bonds tends to contribute immensely towards family resilience. It was seen that family dynamics in households of children with intellectual disability is one that requires a constant reorganization of roles and resources to them function properly. For example, the study found that, to cope and function properly as a family, women often worked part time or quit work to care for the child with disability as well as take up other caring roles in the family. This seems good to maintain family equilibrium but could have negative effect on the trajectory of women in such households. Based on these findings, the study recommends that, policy makers in Sweden should review laws regulating the allocation of resources to schools to ensure inclusiveness in the school system especially for children with intellectual disability. Social workers and related professionals are called upon to provide strength- based services by helping families identify resources that support growth and development in the face of adversity. Further research should aim at having the perspective of the whole family especially that of siblings and the child with disability. Also, the long-term effect of gender roles on the economic situation of women in families of children with disability should be explored. Inconclusion, resilience is conceptualized as a complex process which requires the organization of resources at various levels to help families become strong and functional amidst the challenges of parenting a child with intellectual disability.

碩士
國立中央大學
化學工程與材料工程學系
105
Co-crystal is regarded as an approach to promote the solubility of drugs and is developed rapidly in recent years. The aim of this thesis was to discuss the effects of macro-, meso-, and micro-mixing on the stoichiometry and particle size distribution of benzoic acid-sodium benzoate (HBz-NaBz) co-crystals. According to the literature, 1:1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz was synthesized by the grinding method in methanol. The 2:1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz of Form A was synthesized by grinding method in ethanol-water (4:1 v/v) or evaporating in ethanol, and the 2:1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz of Form B was synthesized by evaporating in methanol. However, in this study, we used only the pure water as a solvent to obtain the co-crystals. The aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid and sodium benzoate were reacted to form benzoic acid, and benzoic acid was co-crystallized with sodium benzoate in the aqueous solution to give the co-crystals of HBz-NaBz. The stoichiometric ratios and crystal structure of the solids were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). Different molar ratios of HCl and NaBz, experiment times, and concentrations were screened for the optimal operating condition. In this thesis, only 1: 1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz and Form A of 2:1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz were obtained. Form B of 2:1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz was not detected. 1: 1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz and Form B of 2:1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz were unstable forms, and Form A of 2:1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz was the thermodynamically stable form. In the U-tube experiments, the local concentration of benzoic acid at the feed point would influence the composition of the solids harvested at t = 0.5 h. Therefore, the local concentration of benzoic acid at the feed point was influenced by the stirring rates of the turbine and propeller and the feed rate of HCl(aq) to create the different effects of macro-, meso-, and micro-mixing to produce the different compositions of solids. However, according to Ostwald's Rule of Stages, the solids were transformed to a mixture of 1:1 and 2:1 co-crystals of HBz-NaBz at t = 4 h. According to Ostwald's ripening, all the harvested samples were given more or less the same particle size distribution (PSD) at t = 4 h. This study relates process understanding and product knowledge to the quality control of co-crystals: the stoichiometric ratio and the PSD.

One of the major challenges facing South African IT organisations today is the dramatic shortage of IT professionals. Both literature and business sentiment have indicated that employee turnover within the IT sector is on a continually rising trend. The ramifications of these high turnover rates translate into exorbitant direct and indirect costs to organisations. The purpose of this research was to identify the factors pertaining to the underlying structure of the turnover intention of these employees. A deeper understanding of these drivers may possibly enable management to reduce the turnover intention of employees within their organisations. A quantitative, multi-disciplinary research approach, focussing on the antecedents of turnover intention and the three systemic levels of organisational behaviour (micro, meso and macro) was used to operationalise the main research construct of this study. Data was collected by means of an anonymous self-administered web-based survey. A sample of 188 completed questionnaires was collected using a snowball sampling technique from the population of employees in the IT industry in South Africa. A statistical data reduction method, exploratory factor analysis, was conducted on the dataset to determine the underlying nature of the construct, IT employees’ perceived intention to resign from employment. After an appropriate number of factor analytic rounds, a robust 4-factor model of the data set was established. The results indicated that the factor, Personal Enrichment from Management Support, possibly plays the most significant role in understanding, monitoring, and managing IT employees’ perceived intention to resign from employment. The study provided support that monetary factors had the most significant influence in an employee’s decision to join an organisation; however, nonmonetary benefits, such as job satisfaction and skills development, were found to be more effective in retaining employees. The practical implications uncovered from this study will enable management to gain further insight into understanding the underlying factors and drivers of turnover intention and thereby minimise its impact on the organisation.
Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013.
lmgibs2014
Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)
MBA
Unrestricted

The tension between top-down directives and local-level decision-making is a constant theme running through implementation studies. Through the case study of Sure Start (a UK early childhood program introduced in 1997, which brings together services for children under four and their families and has a particular focus on local level decision-making), this thesis provides a deeper understanding of these relationship tensions by examining the impact of the Localism Act 2011 (UK) on decision-making at the local level. (The aim of the Localism Act, introduced in November 2011, is to facilitate the devolution of decision-making powers from central government to individuals, communities and local councils). The research involved interviews with local-level service providers and bureaucrats, county- and national-level bureaucrats, government ministers and national peak bodies involved in the implementation of Sure Start. Interviews with key actors revealed little evidence of the Localism Act positively influencing decision making at the local level. As well as identifying the reasons why the Localism Act has had so little impact on local-level decision making, the thesis combines policy implementation and complexity leadership theories to develop a new way of thinking about the complex relationships that characterise implementation of local-level programs initiated and funded by central government. This new way of thinking about complex relationship tensions is based on three discoveries. The first is the importance of adequate resources in managing complexity and change. The second is the need for a generative leadership style to nurture an enabling approach to leadership. The third is that fragmentation can have positive as well as negative impacts.

Resting against a background of local and international movements in respect of human rights, South African educators have had to implement a new curriculum, accept diversity and address inclusive education with little or no training, insight and knowledge. Challenges at all levels in education, impact on the successful education of children and the future of young adults who must as equal members of society enter a fast changing global economy. Challenges for educators in South Africa are unique. The lack of knowledge and training for educators and an inadequate infrastructure of the country present as some of the challenges for educators. This qualitative study deals with the subjective experiences of educators in primary schools. The research indicates that when these challenges are addressed educators will be both, better supported and disposed, towards the implementation of inclusive education idealised as the panacea for social transformation in South Africa.
Educational Studies
M. Ed.

This research study focused on measuring the impact of structures that support community-university research partnerships. The broad research question asked: How can we determine the impact of community-university research partnership support structures such as the Office of Community Based Research at the University of Victoria, within the university and within local, regional, national and international communities? Methods of inquiry included: participatory research, institutional ethnography and case study. These are among an increasing number of research approaches consistent with what is called engaged scholarship. Congruent with the methods of inquiry, methods of investigation included: in-context immersion, participant-observer-listener, use of available documents and information, use of an impact assessment framework prototype designed pre-data collection, key informant interviews, field notes, research journaling and the writing process. Data contributing to this study were drawn from key informant interviews. Interview participants were situated within local, regional, national and international communities. Methods of analysis included: a two-pronged approach to organising data, deductive and inductive approaches, the lens of praxis, and the prototype as an analytical framework. Assessment as praxis is proposed as broad analytic framework. Theory was constructed through data analysis. This study’s data and analysis point to impact assessment as a cycle of inquiry and eight elements that inform impact on and through community life and impact on and through the university. The proposed Impact Assessment and Measurement Framework (IAMF) includes eight elements: coupling intention with impact, spheres of impact, categories of impact, conditions of impact, points of impact, impact-focused documentation, multiple perspectives of impact, and impact assessment and measurement statements. Contributions of this study include: recognition of staff who support community-university research partnerships through their varied work spaces, research councils as a type of support structure, impact assessment as a cycle of inquiry, explicating impact through elements of impact assessment, and a literature consolidation of impact assessment in the context of support structures. Future research may include revision and refinement of the IAMF across different types of community-university research partnership support structures.
Graduate

Afrikaans text
Besorgdheid het in die gemeenskap bestaan oar die toenemende getalle kinders wat binne die stedelike konteks van Pretoria op straat leef en werk. Hierdie navorsing is onderneem om die behoeftes van die kinders aan te spreek en om alternatiewe wyses te vind om met hulle te werk. 'n Konteks is geskep sodat na hulle stemme geluister kon word. nag 'n alternatief tot "tradisionele" vorme van gesinsterapie bruikbaar is, op sekere voorwaardes, soos aangedui in hoofstuk vier. Sleutelwoorde: reflekterende span; "straatkinders"; ekosistemiese benadering; ekologie; epistemologie; konstruktivisme; objektivisme; kubernetika; sisteemteorie; mikro-, meso- en makrosisteme; sirkulere en liniere punktuasie Ekosistemiese beginsels is aanvanklik benut, maar was nie vir die span wat saamgewerk het, betekenisvol nie. 'n Gevallestudie-ontwerp was nuttig om die ontwikkeling en "opleiding" van die span wat sou saamwerk, te beskryf, asook die benutting van ekosistemiese beginsels tydens dienste aan die "straatkinders" en hulle gesinne by ltumeleng. Die navorsing het aangedui dat 'n ekosistemiese benadering tot gesinsterapie as
The community showed concern about the increasing number of children living and working on the streets within the urban context of Pretoria. This researchwas undertaken to address the needs of these children and to find alternative ways of working with them. A context was created so that their voices could be heard. Ecosystemic principles were initially used, but were not meaningful to the team who worked together. A case study design proved useful in developing and "training" of the team who would be working together, as well as applying ecosystemic principles while making services available to the "street children" and their families in ltumeleng. The research indicated that an ecosystemic approach to family therapy could be used as an alternative to "traditional" forms of family therapy, subject to certain conditions, as stipulated in Chapter Four.
Social Work
M.A. (Sosiale Wetenskappe (Geestesgesondheid))