Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Stakeholder coordination'

Botswana's population and water demand are growing at a high rate particularly in the dry south eastern part of the country. In 1999, a Water Conservation Policy and Strategy framework document was formulated to guide a transition from a supply driven water management approach to water demand management. This study investigated whether there was a disparity between the framework policy and strategy recommendations and their actual implementation.

During centuries, places – nations, region and cities – have tried to make themselvesmore attractive, productive, lucrative and secure. This strive has accelerated due toglobalization and other external factors. Today there is fierce and global competitionbetween cities regarding promoting exports, convincing firms to invest as well asattracting tourists and inhabitants. The place brand, and the meaning of it, is key forsuccess. However, place branding is challenging. It includes the involvement of allstakeholders – possessing different agendas and target markets – and the coordination ofthose while simultaneously making sure that conflicting messages, harming the placebrand, are avoided. There is a disagreement among researchers whether to prefer asingle brand identity – contributing with a clear and trustworthy message, or if amultiple identity approach – enriching and diversifying the place brand, is desirable.The described conflicts above create the problem background on which this study isbased. Place branding is a relatively new but growing field of research. The topic ismultidisciplinary and we consider it advantageous to study place branding from astakeholder and coordination perspective. In this thesis, the Stakeholders are viewed asthe actors that engage in the act of Coordination to successfully undertake the process ofPlace Branding in order to develop a strong Place brand identity. Based on the purposeand research problems of this thesis, we aim to produce a better tool for analyzing brandidentity development. A theory based preliminary framework was developed with theintention of testing it on the case Place brand Umeå.For this qualitative research, a single case study design is used and nine keystakeholders are identified for the data gathering – using semi-structured interviews,secondary data and observations as data collection methods. The preliminary frameworkis used as an analytical tool and gives guidance to the research. For the analysis,categorization and pattern matching techniques are employed. The main finding of thisstudy is that the theoretical framework of place brand identity development holds andcan be used for the understanding of the process of identity development. The keystakeholders develop the brand identity through individual and common goals andactivities. Coordination can be managed through common activities within areas ofinterdependencies, hence the framework emphasizes the correct identification of keystakeholders, goals and activities. All components of the brand identity developmentprocess are affected by external factors. For the case of Place brand Umeå, theframework was slightly modified according to the empirical findings. We identifiedcoordination problems between the key stakeholders of Place brand Umeå and offeredrecommendations to manage the issues. The main contribution of this research is thetheory-based framework laying the foundation for a general theory on the topic, thuscontributing to theory. Our study also fills other research gaps by contributing with anunderstanding of the stakeholder’s role, prerequisites for coordination and by studyingplace branding in the context of a mid-size city. With regard to the empiricalcontribution, this study offers a range of insights for Umeå and the findings can beregarded as a starting point for brand managers working to develop the place brandidentity in other contexts.

This dissertation’s purpose was to explore the governance of two domestic multi-sport events—2012 Ontario Summer Games and 2013 Canada Games—regarding how stakeholder coordination and knowledge management occurred. Case studies were built using content and social network analyses of 27 interviews and 476 document pages. In both events, the organizing committee staff and sport organizations were the most salient stakeholders, being therefore seen as the focal actors within the event network regarding coordination, initiating communication, building trust, and improving relationships. For the provincial event specifically, findings suggested the organizing committee should exist within an enduring organization in order to maximize resources (e.g., financial, human, etc.), build long-term coordination mechanisms, and enhance knowledge management capacities. Knowledge transfer appeared to occur at both levels, to varying degrees of sophistication. The knowledge management processes at each event stressed the importance of people and of tacit knowledge. Implications for researchers and managers provided.

Sustainable infrastructure that is used and maintained by communities over time, and resilient to hazards, is sorely needed in developing countries where natural disasters cause disproportionate damages and mortality as well as impede development efforts. Shelter is universally recognized as a foundational element of disaster recovery; and while its ability to provide protection from the elements is a core function, it also affords broader social and economic benefits. Unfortunately, conventional approaches in post-disaster shelter reconstruction focus primarily on rapid and recognizable results over long-term outcomes, perpetuating pre-existing vulnerabilities and failing to provide acceptable standards of service. There exists a need to better understand how shelter recovery processes employed by stakeholders lead to eventual infrastructure system outcomes. This research longitudinally analyzed 19 humanitarian shelter projects following Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda) in the Philippines over a three-year period, seeking to answer the overarching research question of what combinations of coordination, stakeholder participation and training across project delivery phases lead to resilient and sustainable community infrastructure systems? A multi-method approach consisting of case study methods and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was employed to analyze the impact of combinations of project processes in leading to infrastructure outcomes. This research (1) identified key factors influencing inter-organizational coordination in post-disaster contexts; (2) identified types of household participation that arise in shelter projects and analyzed their impact on project outcomes; (3) identified methods of construction training used in shelter projects and their impact on household knowledge acquisition; and (4) analyzed combinations of coordination, participation, and training across the planning, design, and construction phases of shelter projects that led to infrastructure resilience and sustainability, in isolation and combination. The results contribute to understanding of shelter processes and organizing structures necessary for resilient and sustainable systems, building theory of reconstruction process pathways. Practically, findings can aid practitioners identify more effective modalities of delivering shelter assistance in post-disaster humanitarian response.

This thesis utilizes principles of the systems engineering process discussed by Dennis Buede in â The Engineering Design of Systems: Models and Methods (2nd ed.)â (2009). The systems engineering process is used to create a functional architecture to analyze interagency coordination in support of counterterrorism efforts in the United States European Command area of operation. The resulting functional architecture serve as tools for policymakers as they determine the best ways to create a synchronous whole of government approach to defend United States interests.

Magister Philosophiae - MPhil
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is viewed by policy makers and practitioners as facilitating the achievement of a balance between water resources use and protection, and the resolution of water-related conflicts. The IWRM approach has found particular use in the new water policies of Southern African countries such as Zimbabwe, where water scarcity, after the land question, is perceived to be a major threat to political, economic, social, military and environmental security. Ultimately, IWRM is seen as providing a framework towards ensuring broader security at the local, national, regional and global levels. However, the pilot phase implementation of the new water policy in the various regional countries has revealed that although the legal and institutional frameworks have been put in place, the implementation of the IWRM approach has tended to be problematic (Latham, 2001; GTZ, 2000; Leestemaker, 2000; Savenige & van der Zaag, 2000; Sithole, 2000). This study adopts a case study approach and empirically examines the institutional challenges of implementing the IWRM approach in the post-pilot phase of Zimbabwe's new water policy. The focus is mainly on the institutional arrangements surrounding the Pungwe-Mutare Water Supply Project located within the Save Catchment Area in Eastern Zimbabwe. The major finding of the study is that, while there are some problems associated with the traditional management approach, there have also emerged new challenges to IWRM. These mainly relate to the transaction costs of the water sector reforms, institutional resilience, stakeholder participation, and the achievement of the desired outcomes. There have also been problems emanating from unexpected political developments at the local and national levels, particularly with regard to the government's "fast track" land resettlement programme. The study also raises some questions concerning the ideological bases of IWRM and the conceptualization of the institutional problem.

L’objectif de cette thèse est d’introduire une nouvelle méthodologie de co-conception basée sur l’ingénierie système qui place les parties prenantes au centre du processus de conception en supposant que les systèmes multi-énergies seront correctement conçus et exploités seulement si toutes les parties prenantes parviennent à des accords mutuels qui satisfont leurs objectifs intrinsèques respectifs. Ces accords émergent progressivement à travers un processus de négociation itératif entre les différentes parties et sont formalisés à l’aide de "contrats formels" qui peuvent être simulés pour faire de la vérification et de la validation tout au long du processus de conception et avant la signature de tout engagement. Les parties prenantes seront prêtes à signer des contrats dès lors qu’elles seront sûres que ces derniers remplissent leurs objectifs et qu’elles peuvent s’engager à respecter leurs obligations telles qu’elles sont énoncées dans les contrats. Des modèles sont utilisés pour structurer les relations entre les parties prenantes à tous les stades du cycle de vie des systèmes : les contrats formels sont dérivés d’objectifs de haut niveau et sont vérifiés à l’aide de "jumeaux numériques" qui sont composés de modèles d’exigences et de modèles comportementaux
The purpose of this thesis is to introduce a new co-design Systems Engineering (SE) methodology that puts stakeholders at the center of the design process by assuming that the ME-CPS can be correctly designed and operated if all stakeholders reach mutual agreements that satisfy their intrinsic objectives. These agreements progressively emerge throughout an iterative negotiation process between stakeholders and are formalized using “formal contracts” which can be simulated for verification and validation all along the development process and before signature. Stakeholders will agree to sign contracts when they are sure that contracts fulfill their objectives and that they can commit to their obligations as specified in the contracts. Models are used to structure the relationships between stakeholders at all stages of the system’s lifecycle: formal contracts are derived from high-level goals and are verified using “digital twins” that are composed of requirement models and behavioral models

This research focuses on the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) on social inclusion over a period of ten years. It analyses the participation of people who experience poverty and/or social exclusion and anti-poverty associations in the OMC. The main objective is to explore whether such participation triggers the redirection of participants’ expectations, political activities and loyalties from the national to the EU level. The research focuses on participation at domestic and EU level. It identifies the core responses (or non-responses) of British and Greek governmental and non-governmental actors to the EU pressures for participation. National responses to EU pressures help understand the participation of the above mentioned stakeholders in the domestic policy-making process. Additionally, by focusing on the participation of British and Greek delegates to the European Meetings of People Experiencing Poverty, this research seeks to understand whether participation through the OMC, at EU level, influences expectations, political activities and loyalties. The empirical findings of the research show that participation in the OMC indeed influences redirection of expectations, political activities and loyalties. However, the differences between the UK and Greece, and the differences between participation domestically and at EU level were found to be significant. This research contributes to existing theory by analysing the effects of participation of wider numbers of citizens in EU processes. It addresses the lack of empirical data regarding the participation of non-traditional stakeholders.

La coopération décentralisée, brique de l’Aide publique au développement et action extérieure des collectivités territoriales, existe légalement depuis 1992. L’intérêt pour la thématique "eau et assainissement" ainsi que pour les pays de la Méditerranée, nous a amené à mener notre recherche dans les Territoires palestiniens, territoires souffrant du manque d’eau. Ces actions de coopération nécessitent une coordination des parties prenantes sur le territoire partenaire. C’est cette coordination que questionne cette recherche. Pour cela les enjeux de la coopération décentralisée ont été comparés entre la littérature et le terrain, ce qui nous a permis de nous intéresser plus particulièrement à l’enjeu du transfert de connaissances. En effet, les actions de formation ont une part de plus en plus importante dans les projets de coopération décentralisée, du fait notamment des difficultés financières des collectivités territoriales. La littérature du transfert inter-organisationnel a aussi été mobilisée lors de cette recherche. Nous sommes ensuite revenus sur les différentes pratiques managériales liées à la gestion de projet, au suivi de projet, à la mise en place de consultations publiques, etc. Nous avons pu voir que la communication publique était peu existante et que d’autres difficultés existaient comme la gestion du turn-over. Nous avons souhaité comprendre quels pouvaient être les impacts liés à cela, ainsi que les solutions envisageables. Lorsque nous nous sommes intéressés aux difficultés, la coordination des parties prenantes est apparue comme primordiale à améliorer
Decentralized cooperation projects, an aspect of the development aid and external action of local authorities, has legally existed since 1992. Simultaneous interest in water and sanitation issues and in Mediterranean countries motivated us to focus our research in the Palestinian Territories, many of which suffer of a lack of water. These cooperative actions require a coordination of the stakeholders on the partner territory. This research questions the efficacy of these coordinated efforts applied to the water and sanitation field. Herein, issues of decentralized cooperation have been compared between the literature and a field study, which allowed us to focus more particularly on the issue of knowledge transfer. Indeed, training accounted for an increasingly important share of decentralized cooperation projects, due in particular to financial difficulties of local authorities. This is why we focused on knowledge transfer’s literature, inter-organizational transfer actually as it does not meet the same difficulties as private organizations (with holding information, power games, an unstable relationship, etc.) but conversely it is rarely assessed and thus warrants investigation. We also followed up on the different management practices related to project management : project monitoring, implementation of public consultations, etc. We found that public communication is scarce and found others difficulties such as frequent management turnovers. We wished to understand the impact of frequent turnover and solutions to the problems they may create

In the summer of 2018, Sweden was taken by surprise and engulfed by forest fires on an unprecedented scale. Various forms of crisis volunteerism (CV) proved essential in the large scale response that ensued. Previous information systems (IS) research gives insights, both theoretically and practically, on the potential of IS and digitalisation to enhance and support crisis response. However, the forest fires demonstrated that CV practices and practitioners in Sweden have practically no such support. CV is, in other words, an essential part of the crisis response system, but unsupported by dedicated digitalisation. The aim of this thesis is therefore to understand what is required to enable a digital transformation (DT) that will significantly improve CV practice and the overall crisis response system. Sweden is not unique in this respect. From an international perspective, IS research devotes much attention to the area of crisis response. However, this is most commonly done using the perspective and needs of crisis management stakeholders as a departing point. Also, despite research on and the availability of IS solutions, the degree of practical implementation would appear to be low. This thesis is therefore also based on the perceived knowledge gap that the lack of IS and digitalisation supporting CV is, in part, a result of the lack of research focus on volunteer stakeholders and the CV practice itself. Another gap noted is the lack of knowledge regarding the real-world practice of CV which contributes to undermining the development and use of IS solutions for CV. This thesis, therefore, provides a much needed holistic understanding of real-world CV. This understanding moves the perspective of volunteer stakeholders to the forefront without losing the perspective of crisis management. This has been done via an empirical study in the aftermath of the Swedish forest fires crisis as well as via studies of international IS literature on crisis response and CV. This has resulted in a unique holistic and comprehensive model that relates to the complexity, dynamics and emergence involved in CV practice. Via this model it is possible to relate specific parts or aspects of CV practice, to the whole practice area and continue modelling attributes in greater detail, as required, depending on DT or IS design needs. Underlying the focus in this thesis lies a mild critique of previous IS research with more reductionist approaches, whereby the relevance of broader contextual understandings has been downplayed. The thesis aligns with perspectives on digitalisation and IS design, proposing the relevance of developing broader holistic understandings of research topics. That is, understandings that have greater potential to reveal how phenomena come into being and are adapted in environmental contexts. DT is understood in terms of a process whereby broader understandings of phenomena are used to identify needs (triggers), strategies and capabilities that will inform IS design initiatives. An analytical framework depicting this process and its main components and relationships has been designed in this thesis to contribute to an understanding of what is required to digitally transform CV practice. In summary, the thesis provides a new holistic approach and understanding for the CV practice area and how it may be digitally transformed. The thesis also contributes to a new perspective on DT, applied to a complex and non-organisation based setting. This knowledge is of relevance to both practitioners and IS researchers in crisis response and CV. The CV practice meta-model and the analytical framework for digital transformation can be used to enable and inform future digital transformation strategies and policy in Sweden and internationally. They can also contribute to guiding the initiation of practical IS design initiatives, with greater potential to enhance and improve both CV and overall crisis response. The research was performed within the information systems (IS) discipline.

Master of Public Health - MPH
Introduction According (UNAIDS/WHO, 2011a) globally, 34.0 million [31.4 million–35.9 million] people were living with HIV at the end of 2011 out of which 80% live in Sub Saharan Africa. In absolute terms, the burden of HIV increased by 354% between 1990 and 2006 (Ortblad et al, 2010). The prevalence of HIV in Zambia stands at 14.3% in the age group 15 to 49 years. Having realized that HIV/AIDS is no longer a health issue alone Zambia embarked on the multisectoral response initiative which allows many stakeholders to play their role. In order to coordinate this multiplicity of stakeholders the government of Zambia created the National HIV/AIDS/STI/TB Council (NAC) with the core mandate to coordinate the national HIV/AIDS response agenda. In turn, the NAC created the Provincial (PATF) and District AIDS Task Forces (DATF) as decentralized structures through which to coordinate the response at provincial and district levels respectively. However, DAFT is not coordinating the response to HIV/AIDS epidemic effectively but the reason for the ineffective coordination has not yet been described. Aim The aim of the study is to explore factors which impact on the capacity of Lusaka DATF to coordinate an effective and sustainable local HIV/AIDS response. Methods A descriptive qualitative research was undertaken using purposive sampling methods. Data collection methods included a Document Review, Key Informant Interviews using semi structured interview guides, Focus Group Discussions and Field Notes. Results The study has found that the following factors promote effective coordination of DATF stakeholders and their activities at local level: recognition of the DATF by stakeholders as a formal structure which is enshrined within the institutional framework of the government; joint planning and resource mobilisation for activities by stakeholders particularly around national commemoration days such as World AIDS Day and the National VCT day and holding of stakeholder forum meetings to share experiences and lessons learnt. The study has also established that the following factors are responsible for preventing the DATF from coordinating effectively include: DATF does not exist as a legal entity enshrined in any Act of Parliament No. 10 of 2002 which created the NAC; there are multiple reporting channels for local stakeholders instead of having only one reporting framework through the DFATF; inadequate stakeholder forums; lack of memoranda of understanding between the DATF and stakeholders; weak technical capacity of the DACA due to factors such as lack of a training programme; inadequate joint planning and resource mobilisation plans and efforts; poor understanding and different interpretations of the of the concept of coordination by different stakeholders; weak feedback mechanisms from the DATF secretariat to stakeholders; and multiplicity of DATF guidelines by different partners which have at times contradicted each other. Poor political, civic and technical leadership engagement has been identified as key inhibiting factors.

The study was an evaluation of organisational communication and its integration within the Msunduzi Local Authority. The purpose was firstly to explore and describe the state of communication in the organisation, and secondly to measure the level of communication integration within the organisation. The qualitative content analysis and individual semi-structured interviews were the suitable data collection techniques for the study. The data was analysed through a thematic analysis, a technique that involves identifying, analysing and reporting in detail patterns or themes within data. The study found that organisational communication at Msunduzi Local Authority was one sided and top down; which indicated that there was little emphasis on feedback from employees. The study revealed that there were more external communication messages than internal, to an extent that the internal stakeholders depended on external media to learn about their organisation. Findings on the consistency of messages revealed that all communications are managed by senior employees within their respective departments and sections; the status of the consistency of messages can be improved if a comprehensive approach can be adopted in communicating internal messages in addition to employing diverse communication channels. On infrastructure for integration, the study found that there is infrastructure and several prospects for information sharing in the organisation created by information communication and technology though not fully explored. With regards to the free flow and sharing of information, the study established that the required systems for communication exist but not adequately utilised. Findings on the co-ordination of communication efforts and actions to promote integrated communication showed flaws. It also appeared that the departments in the organisation function in silos due to lack of cross-functional planning.
Communication Science
M.A. (Communication)

The main research of the study was: How is integrated communication applied in the UKZN AIDS Programme at Westville Campus? The following six subsidiary research questions were formulated to address this topic:  How is communication aligned with the strategic focus in the UKZN AIDS Programme?  How consistent are messages and media used in and outside the UKZN AIDS Programme?  What is the status of infrastructure for integration within the UKZN AIDS Programme?  What is the status of internal stakeholder orientation and differentiation in the UKZN AIDS Programme?  What are the mechanisms put in place to coordinate communication efforts and action within the UKZN AIDS Programme?  What is the status of free flow of information within the UKZN AIDS Programme? A qualitative research design was conducted using field and survey research. These two research methods may be used for descriptive, exploratory, and explanatory research (Mouton 1996:232). Descriptive and exploratory field and survey research were used to ascertain the integrated communication applied in the UKZN AIDS Programme. Data was collected from sixteen UKZN AIDS Programme employees and eight students using semi-structured focus group and in-depth interviews respectively. Data collected was analysed using thematic analysis a technique that involves identifying, analysing and reporting in detail patterns or themes within data.The study found that the UKZN AIDS Programme focuses mostly on the University as its main stakeholder. Therefore, there is little emphasis on employees and students. Besides, the study revealed that there is poor alignment of the programme’s communication strategy with the programme’s strategy. To achieve the UKZN AIDS Programmes’ strategic objectives and mission, there is need to reassess the efforts of the programme and re-strategise. Findings on the consistency of messages and media in the UKZN AIDS Programme reveal that all communications are managed by senior employees and consistent in terms of programme identity by using the university identity, and website messages. The status of the consistency of messages and media in the programme can be improved if a comprehensive approach can be used in communicating internal messages. Findings on the consistency of messages and media in external communication show that the programme tries to communicate different prevention messages using channels favoured by students. However, channels such as drama and peer educators have weaknesses that need to be addressed in addition to employing diverse communication channels. Findings show that some of the messages communicated are relevant in the sense that they address students’ sexual risk behaviour while others are not as they are off tangent such that they address issues students are not concerned about. In addition, findings show that peer educators were not exemplary in their work while drama programmes did not allow students to actively participate in the prevention activities. On infrastructure for integration, the study found that there is infrastructure and several prospects for information sharing in the programme created by information technology though not fully explored. With regards the free flow and sharing of information, the study established that the required systems for communication exist but not adequately utilised. Findings on the co-ordination of communication efforts and actions to promote integrated communication show flaws. Departments in the programme function in silos due to lack of cross-functional planning. The integrated communication conceptual framework used in the study was useful in making the study successfully ascertain integrated communication applied by the UKZN AIDS Programme. The conceptual framework can therefore be used to underpin any research topic on health integrated communication.
Communication Science
MA (Communication)
1 online resource (v, 222 leaves)

This study investigated the challenges faced by implementers of VCT campaigns for higher education distance learning students. Qualitative and explorative approaches, using a case study, were employed as the research methodology. It has been concluded that the administrative planning procedures of VCT campaigns were not properly followed, which resulted in the following difficulties: defining the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, using limited resources, and the inability to reach all the students, in order to get them to actively participate in the campaigns. Lack of coordination of HIV and AIDS activities and the absence of monitoring and evaluation also impacted negatively on the success of VCT campaigns. This study recommends that VCT campaigns have a proper task team constituting of experts in VCT campaign operations, in order to strategically plan and coordinate all the campaigns' activities. The implementers should also monitor and evaluate these activities on a regular basis.