Дисертації з теми "Technology obsolescence"

Depuis les années 1990, face à l’expansion du numérique, le cinéma argentiqueest confronté aux enjeux économiques, politiques et poétiques de l’obsolescence.Notre étude vise à explorer les ambiguïtés, les ambivalences et les potentialitésde l’obsolescence qui ouvre des nouveaux champs de possibles à la réinventiondu cinéma argentique. Nous nous intéressons notamment à cette période de réinventiondu médium-film à partir de la fabrication de l’émulsion-maison, de la réactivationdu sténopé et de l’exposition de la machinerie du cinéma argentique.Conçu comme une articulation entre esthétique et technique, comprenant une viséehistorique, ce travail propose une systématisation théorique de la pratique du laboratoire,de la camera obscura, du sténopé et de la machine avec l’analyse d’un corpusd’oeuvres actuelles réalisées avec ces outils argentiques. Dans le parcours esquissé,qui s’appuie sur des entretiens avec les artistes, nous tentons d’élucider lestechniques impliquées dans les oeuvres et le processus créatif des artistes. Nousverrons enfin comment, à partir de ces liens entre théories et pratiques, des artistesréinventent aujourd’hui, grâce à l’obsolescence, le cinéma argentique à l’âge dunumérique et entretiennent une mémoire de toute sa technicité et machinerie
Since the 1990s, in the face of digital expansion, analogue cinema has been confrontedwith economic, political, and poetic issues of obsolescence. Our study aimsto explore the ambiguity, ambivalence and potential of obsolescence, which opensup new fields of possibilities for the reinvention of analogue cinema. We are particularlyinterested in this period of reinvention of medium-film from the manufactureof the handmade emulsion technique, the reactivation of the pinhole, and theexhibition of analogue cinema machinery. Viewed through a historical lens andconceived as an articulation between aesthetics and technique, this work proposesa theoretical assessment of laboratory practices, the camera obscura, the pinholeand the machine, and an analysis of a body of current work realized using thesefilm tools. Through interviews with artists, we aim to illuminate their creative processesand reveal the techniques involved in the artworks. Finally, we will showhow thanks to obsolescence, artists today are reinventing analogue cinema in thedigital age and maintaining a memory of all its technicality and machinery

Thesis (Ph. D.) -- University of Maryland, College Park, 2004.
Thesis research directed by: Mechanical Engineering. Title from t.p. of PDF. Includes bibliographical references. Published by UMI Dissertation Services, Ann Arbor, Mich. Also available in paper.

The Technology Obsolescence Model (TOM) provides a framework of key factors involved in assessing influences to the decision to replace obsolete Information Technology (IT) systems. TOM focuses upon what is important and significant to the replacement decision. Formulated from well-established models in decision making and technology acceptance, TOM presents a structured interface of influence factors crossing technical, business, organizational, and interpersonal effects matched with demographic influence assessment. Survey results of questions exploring TOM are analyzed for insight into decision motivation and their influences and significance to the replacement decision. Primary questions employ both 7-point Likert scale of importance as well as ordered ranking for prioritization assessment. The survey augments quantitative material with qualitative rationale for prioritized responses. Reviewed survey response focuses on a large, multinational conglomerate organization’s IT department. Primary assessment tools include ANOVA, regression, factor, and correlation analysis. Validity and reliability are examined in detail. Assessment of responses indicates a business-centric focus of decision makers where systems obsolescence may be influential to, but not a primary causal factor for, a replacement decision. While the business and technical benefits of replacement systems are perceived by respondents as most important, statistical analysis identifies obsolescence as one of the only potential significant influencing factors. Demographic effects also demonstrated influence. Findings and recommendations for instrument improvements and continued research opportunities in additional venues, demographic modification, and longitudinal studies are identified as well.

The U.S Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration continue to face common challenges in the development and acquisition of their space systems. In particular, space programs repeatedly experience significant schedule slippages, and spacecraft are often delivered on-orbit several months, sometimes years, after the initially planned delivery date. The repeated pattern of these schedule slippages suggests deep-seated flaws in managing spacecraft delivery and schedule risk, and an inadequate understanding of the drivers of schedule slippages. Furthermore, due to their long development time and physical inaccessibility after launch, space systems are exposed to a particular and acute risk of obsolescence, resulting in loss of value or competitive advantage over time. The perception of this particular risk has driven some government agencies to promote design choices that may ultimately be contributing to these schedule slippages, and jeopardizing what is increasingly recognized as critical, namely space responsiveness. The overall research objective of this work is twofold: (1) to identify and develop a thorough understanding of the fundamental causes of the risk of schedule slippage and obsolescence of space systems; and in so doing, (2) to guide spacecraft design choices that would result in better control of spacecraft delivery schedule and mitigate the impact of these "temporal risks" (schedule and obsolescence risks). To lay the groundwork for this thesis, first, the levers of responsiveness, or means to influence schedule slippage and impact space responsiveness are identified and analyzed, including design, organizational, and launch levers. Second, a multidisciplinary review of obsolescence is conducted, and main drivers of system obsolescence are identified. This thesis then adapts the concept of a technology portfolio from the macro- or company level to the micro-level of a single complex engineering system, and it analyzes a space system as a portfolio of technologies and instruments, each technology with its distinct stochastic maturation path and exposure to obsolescence. The selection of the spacecraft portfolio is captured by parameters such as the number of instruments, the initial technology maturity of each technology/instrument, the resulting heterogeneity of the technology maturity of the whole system, and the spacecraft design lifetime. Building on the abstraction of a spacecraft as a portfolio of technologies, this thesis then develops a stochastic framework that provides a powerful capability to simultaneously explore the impact of design decisions on spacecraft schedule, on-orbit obsolescence, and cumulative utility delivered by the spacecraft. Specifically, this thesis shows how the choice of the portfolio size and the instruments Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) impact the Mean-Time-To-Delivery (MTTD) of the spacecraft and mitigate (or exacerbate) schedule risk. This work also demonstrates that specific combinations/choices of the spacecraft design lifetime and the TRLs can reduce the risk of on-orbit obsolescence. This thesis then advocates for a paradigm shift towards a calendar-based design mindset, in which the delivery time of the spacecraft is accounted for, as opposed to the traditional clock-based design mindset. The calendar-based paradigm is shown to lead to different design choices, which are more likely to prevent schedule slippage and/or enhance responsiveness and ultimately result in a larger cumulative utility delivered. Finally, missions scenarios are presented to illustrate how the framework and analyses here proposed can help identify system design choices that satisfy various mission objectives and constraints (temporal as well as utility-based).

L’industrie des réplicateurs des disques optiques est menacée dans son existence et se trouve en face d’un déclin permanent. Son produit cœur, CD et DVD, est remplacé par des services virtuels. L’Internet facilite la dématérialisation de ces produits physiques : Une technologie, qui a créée des formes de consommation différente. Cette recherche par étude de cas présente le cas des firmes européennes de cette industrie et de leurs innovations dans l’effort de fuir la menace de l’obsolescence. Le but de cette dissertation est de trouver une réponse aux questions centrales, « comment » et « pourquoi » les réplicateurs des disques optiques innovent pendant le déclin et si leurs innovations sont efficaces pour faciliter la survie. Les découvertes de cette recherche qualitative sont catégorisées dans plusieurs façons : Elles sont étudiées sous les concepts de la logique conventionnelle vs la logique d’innovation de valeurs, le transilience map et un corps d’autres théories (Kim et al. 2005, Abernathy et al. 1984). Le système des géométries de la stratégie sert comme grille d’analyse des résultats (Keidel. 2010). Le résultat principal résultante est, que si cette industrie ne peut pas survivre dans sa structure présente, la majorité de ses innovations subit un effet de lock-in multiple : Technologie, liaisons au marché et motivation/qualification des managers manquante, qui empêche de renverser la donne majoritairement à n’être qu’incrémental. L’innovation nécessaire en phase du déclin et ici étouffée
The replication industry of optical discs is threatened in its existence and confronted with permanent decline. Its core product, CD and DVD, is replaced by virtual services. The Internet facilitates the dematerialisation of the physical product: A new technology has shaped a different form of consumption.This research by case study presents the case of European firms of this industry and their innovations in the effort to escape the threat of obsolescence. The objective of this research is to find an answer to the central questions, “how” and “why” the replicators of optical discs innovate during decline and whether their innovations are effective to enable the firms’ survival.The discoveries of this qualitative study are categorised in various ways: They are studied by the concepts of conventional logic vs logic of value innovation, the transilience map and further relevant theories (Kim et al. 2005, Abernathy et al. 1984). The system of geometries of strategy is used as analytical structure (Keidel. 2010). The main result is that this industry cannot survive in its present structure, since the majority of its innovations is subject to the effect of a multiple lock-in: Technology, market linkages and the lack of managerial motivation/qualification are the main reason that this industry’s innovation is by its majority incremental. The necessary innovation during decline is eliminated here

This thesis project addresses the obsolescence of technology through the lens of accessibility to public services. It explores the processes by which electronic devices age in regards to a technological normativity that marginalizes owners of obsolete devices. My research focuses on two main questions: How might we enable owners of non-smart phones to have access to public services that have been digitalized? How might we design public services’ infrastructure in a way that challenges the obsoletion processes of technological devices?  The research is based upon a critical analysis of the term ‘obsolescence’, low-tech approaches and studies that examine the accessibility of technology. This work is based on the study of the digitalization of public services in Sweden, with specific attention to public transportation and to the electronic identification technology which enables access to various essential public services. I present the exploration of these services through the lens of obsolescence and encounter with users of obsolete devices. This leads to the design of two prototypes that propose ways of integrating obsolete devices’ users in the existing digitalized Swedish infrastructures, followed by their analysis. The designs seek to take a critical stand on technological progress as it is understood in the technology industry and propose ways of reimagining the digitalization of public services while taking into account the obsoletion processes they foster. Overall, I argue for design for obsolete devices as a way of caring for groups that are put aside during technological innovation processes. I propose ways of ‘circuit bending’ public services’ infrastructures in a way that is more hospitable to obsolete devices.

While environmental and economic sustainability have been driving factors in the movement towards a more resilient built environment, social sustainability is a factor that has received significantly less attention over the years. Federal support for low-income housing has fallen drastically, and the deficit of available, adequate, affordable homes continues to grow. In this thesis, I explore one way that architects can design affordable housing that is intrinsically sustainable. In the past, subsidized low-income housing has been built as if to provide a short-term solution—as if poverty and lack of affordable housing is a short-term problem. However, I argue that adaptable architecture is essential for the design of affordable housing that is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable. Further, architects must balance affordability, durability, and adaptability to design sustainable solutions that are resistant to obsolescence. I conclude by applying principles and processes of adaptability in the design of Apto Ontario, an adaptable affordable housing development in the low-income historic downtown of Ontario, California (Greater Los Angeles). Along a new Bus Rapid Transit corridor, Apto Ontario would create a diverse, resilient, socially sustainable community in an area threatened by the rise of housing costs.

The core question in this master thesis is: What happens to the essence of an object when it becomes out of date and is no longer in use? I am addressing the sense of dignity in once meticulously designed technical/mechanical items that now has become obsolete. The intention has been to investigate how to give new meaning to obsolete items and find new eligibility for their existence.  The investigation was conducted through the development of a method: collection, analysis, deconstruction, investigation and resurrection of a number of O.T.M.I. (Obsolete Technical Mechanical Items).   The resurrection process consisted of the (re-)writing of the objects’ narratives. These stories along with the objects’ parts, spaces and sounds created a frame for a scenography, a soundtrack and characters to act in a film to tell the story. As interior designers we have the opportunity to transform space and fill it with stories. Imagination is an important tool: We benefit from having the ability to imagine, for instance, how different surfaces will reflect sound and light. Our imagination is highly visual. So I have transformed my imaginary world of Obsolete Technical Mechanical Items to visual and audial elements that support the content and values of a story through researching the objects, finding how to clarify and support the story. The Re-Story.

In the early 1990s claims were made that in all areas of health care, “30-40% of patients do not receive treatments of proven effectiveness”, and, “20-25% of patients have treatments that are unnecessary or potentially harmful”. Many such practices were diffused prior to the acceptance of modern evidence-based standards of clinical- and cost-effectiveness. I define disinvestment in the context of health care as the processes of withdrawing (partially or completely) resources from any existing health care practices, procedures, technologies or pharmaceuticals that are deemed to deliver little or no health gain relative to their cost, and thus are not efficient health resource allocations. Arguably disinvestment has been central to Evidence-Based Medicine(EBM) for well over a decade yet despite general advances in EBM, this topic remains relatively unexplored. This thesis examines the ongoing challenges that exist within the Australian context relating to effective disinvestment. Upper airway surgical procedures for the treatment of adult Obstructive Sleep Apnoea Syndrome (OSA) are used as a case study to contextualise these challenges. This thesis has six sections: 1. A review of the literature outlines developments in EBM broadly and provides a detailed background to OSA, including the numerous treatment options for the condition. This review examines evidence that highlights the importance of ‘highly effective treatment’ over ‘subtherapeutic treatment’ as a necessity to confer improved health outcomes in OSA. It is argued that claims of surgical success inherent in most published results of surgery effectiveness fail to assimilate contemporary evidence for clinically significant indicators of success. 2. Section two comprises the first reported meta-analysis in this area. It presents the pooled success rates of surgery according to various definitions. Specifically, when the traditional ‘surgical’ definition of success is applied the pooled success rate for Phase I (i.e. soft palate) surgical procedures is 55% (that is 45% fail). However, using a more stringent definition (endorsed by the peak international sleep medicine body), success is reduced to 13% (that is 87% fail). Similarly for Phase II (i.e. hard palate) procedures success rates decrease from 86% to 43% respectively when moving from a surgical to a medical definition of success. That various medical specialties differentially define treatment success, I argue, creates uncertainty for observers and non-clinical participants in this debate (eg policy stakeholders and patients). This represents a barrier to disinvestment decisions. 3. Results are presented from a clinical audit of surgical cases conducted as a component of this thesis. Both clinical effectiveness and procedural variability of surgery are reported. A unique methodology was utilised to capture data from multiple centres. It is the first time such a methodology has been reported to measure procedural variability alongside clinical effectiveness (inclusive of a comparative treatment arm). The observed cohort (n=94) received 41 varying combinations of surgery in an attempt to treat OSA. Results on effectiveness demonstrate an overall physiological success rate of 13% (according to the most stringent definition; phases I and II combined). This demonstration of procedural variability combined with limited effectiveness highlights clinical uncertainty in the application of surgical procedures. 4. Section four outlines how a qualitative phase of enquiry, directed at exploring the perspectives and experiences of surgery recipients, was approved by three independent research ethics review boards but was not supported by a small group of surgeons, resulting in the project being canceled. Potential consequences of this for impeding health services research (HSR) are discussed. 5. Two sets of results are reported from a qualitative phase of enquiry (semi-structured interviews) involving senior Australian health policy stakeholders. The first results are of policy stakeholders’ perspectives on the surgical meta-analysis and clinical audit studies in 2 and 3 above. The second results are from an extended series of questions relating to challenges and direction for effecting disinvestment mechanisms in Australia. Stakeholder responses highlight that Australia currently has limited formal systems in place to support disinvestment. Themes include how defining and proving inferiority of health care practices is not only conceptually difficult but also is limited by data availability and interpretation. Also, as with any policy endeavour there is the ever-present need to balance multiple interests. Stakeholders pointed to a need, and a role, for health services and policy research to build methodological capacity and decision support tools to underpin disinvestment. 6. A final discussion piece is presented that builds on all previous sections and summarises the specific challenges that exist for disinvestment, including those methodological in nature. The thesis concludes with potential solutions to address these challenges within the Australian and international context. Systematic policy approaches to disinvestment represent one measure to further improve equity, efficiency, quality of care, as well as sustainability of resource allocation.
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Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2007

Competitive and high-risk environments require complex high technology systems, which need to be supported and maintained over their respective life cycles. These systems often have a significant consequence of failure, and require complex management systems to achieve their operational objectives. Significant leadership and management challenges exist, not only in South Africa, but also in other developing countries, where systems may be utilised beyond the lifespan they were designed for and are susceptible to obsolescence. This study was conducted by following a structured process; the research consisted of three stages. The first stage dealt with the research problem, including the delimitations of the study. The second stage was further divided into three phases. The first phase deconstructed the appropriate literature, which included the interpretation of numerous definitions of logistics, integrated logistics support, and the integrated logistics support elements. In addition, the research was grounded in the fields of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support. The second phase focused on the deconstruction of six case studies from four different high technology complex systems. From the analysis of the first two phases followed the third phase of research, which focused on the identification of areas requiring further research. Further research was conducted by means of a questionnaire, the results of which were analysed for variable dependency and variable association. The third stage of the research included the collation and analysis of the findings of the first two stages of research. The analysis utilised the principles of Mode 2 research and design science research, whereby an ILS framework and associated grounded technological rules have been recommended. These recommendations are robust in nature, as they can be applied in the most challenging environment and circumstances as identified. Furthermore, by grounding the theory in the disciplines of operations management, supply chain management and integrated logistics support, the reliability, validity, relevance, and applicability of the study could be substantiated. This implied that the generated theoretical knowledge could be transferred to and applied in practice, and as such, an organisation can reap substantial value added benefits, and gain considerable competitive advantage in the market place by applying this developed ILS framework and associated ILS grounded technological rules.
Business Leadership
D. BL.

The aim of the study was to examine the implementation of digital preservation practices in academic libraries in South Africa in the light of the rapid changing information environment. The study looked into the strategies, systems and tools being employed to support digital preservation programmes and the costs associated with the various digital preservation programmes. The study was guided by various digital preservation theories and models,namely Davies’ (2000) Policy, Strategy and Resources (PSR) troika model, Kenney and McGovern’s (2003) three leg stool, Corrado and Moulaison‘s (2014) preservation triad and the Carnegie Mellon University’s (1990) Digital Preservation Capability Maturity (DPCM) model and Open Archival Information System (OAIS) model by OCLC (2002), underpinned by the survey research design, triangulation of questionnaires and document analysis as data collection methods. Out of 27 questionnaires distributed to academic institutions, 22 (81.5%) were completed. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive analysis whilst content analysis was used for qualitative data obtained from document analysis. Findings revealed that academic libraries in South Africa were significantly affected by the changes to the digital environment. Most academic libraries face many challenges that hinder the effective implementation of digital preservation. The problems include: lack of funding, lack of skills and training and technology obsolescence. The study identified migration, bit preservation, replication and risk management approaches as the most widely implemented preservation strategies to address preservation challenges faced by academic libraries in South Africa. Although various preservation systems and tools are being developed to enable description, discovery, delivery and preservation of digital collections, there was expressed lack of awareness about digital preservation standards and preservation support organisations. The study also observed that, in some instances, the academic institutions were not fully involved in collaborative and partnerships with other institutions. By collaborating and partnering with other institutions, they would be exposed to new ideas, strategies and tools, and be able to acquire knowledge and skills needed to successfully preserve and manage their digital resources. The findings revealed that the implementation of policies and strategies, provision of adequate resources, sufficient funding and digital preservation knowledge and skills are some of the major factors influencing digital preservation sustainability in academic libraries. This study, therefore, recommends that these institutions can address some of the digital preservation challenges if they leverage on these factors. The study also made several recommendations on how digital preservation can be successfully implemented, and it further proposed a framework for preservation of digital resources in academic libraries, mapped to international preservation models and standards.
Information Science
D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)

This qualitative study uses narrative inquiry (Connelly & Clandinin, 1988, 1990, 2001) and self-study to investigate ways to further understand and facilitate the integration of holistic philosophies of education with media literacy pedagogies. As founder and director of the Youth Media Literacy Project and a self-titled Imagitator (one who agitates imagination), I have spent over 10 years teaching media literacy in various high schools, universities, and community centres across North America. This study will focus on my own personal practical knowledge (Connelly & Clandinin, 1982) as a culture jammer, educator and cancer survivor to illustrate my original vision of a ‘holistic media literacy pedagogy’. This research reflects on the emergence and impact of holistic media literacy in my personal and professional life and also draws from relevant interdisciplinary literature to challenge and synthesize current insights and theories of media literacy, holistic education and culture jamming.