Thesis (Ph. D.)--Lehigh University, 2006. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 163-173).

Includes bibliographical references (p. 193-208).

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 2001. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 169-180). Also available via World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves [188]-192). Also available via World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D.) -- McMaster University, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 134-141). Also available via World Wide Web.

There is a wide variety of drivers for business process modelling initiatives, reaching from organisational redesign to the development of information systems. Consequently, a common business process is often captured in multiple models that overlap in content due to serving different purposes. Business process management aims at exible adaptation to changing business needs. Hence, changes of business processes occur frequently and have to be incorporated in the respective process models. Once a process model is changed, related process models have to be updated accordingly, despite the fact that those process models may only be loosely coupled. In this article, we introduce an approach that supports change propagation between related process models. Given a change in one process model, we leverage the behavioural abstraction of behavioural profiles for corresponding activities in order to determine a change region in another model. Our approach is able to cope with changes in pairs of models that are not related by hierarchical refinement and show behavioural inconsistencies. We evaluate the applicability of our approach with two real-world process model collections. To this end, we either deduce change operations from different model revisions or rely on synthetic change operations.

This thesis is focused on solving specific problems in NGO organization AIESEC Praha, caused by big fluctuation, by process analysis and process management implementation. The aim of this paper is provide theoretical introduction to process management and its associated areas. In the beginning of practical part organization is introduced, also with its culture and legal environment that affects its main processes. Following strategic analysis is base for identification of single processes in the organization. Process analysis itself takes major part of thesis and involves described several driving processes through the organization. At the end the knowledge database Tiki is introduced with final conclusions and evaluation.

Today, globally distributed software development is an unstoppable trend in Information Technology (IT) all over the world due to the benefits it provides such as cost benefits, time saving, accessing the large labor pool and available resources. However, globally distributed software companies face some issues in this regard. Cultural differences are introduced and discussed as one of the fundamental issues in globally distributed IT companies. Further, it is evident from the literature that business analysis process is the fundamental phase of software development process that affects the entire process of software development, and requires effective communication and collaboration among teams and between team members. Globally distributed software development makes the business analysis process and its related sub-phases even much more complicated than it is. Therefore, in this study, the influence of cultural differences on globally distributed business analysis process is analyzed. In order to do that, I conduct a qualitative study in which employees of the Turkey and Poland branches of the GTECH IT Company are interviewed. Hence, in this study remote project team member are asked about varying cultural differences that I extract from several existing cultural models and unify them into an integrated model. There are many studies exist about cultural differences in literature and these studies has similarity and differences which are creating complexity for readers and researchers. Hence, in this research Hofstede’s, Hall’s and Trompenaars’ cultural frameworks are unified and then I develop a new cultural model. By applying this new framework or model I investigated the influence of varying cultural differences on business analysis process that is conducted in a globally distributed IT company.

Mining equipment are becoming very sophisticated and complex. At the same time, mining companies modernise its operation by increased mechanisation and automation (Dhillon, 2008). That requires well-developed and planned maintenance strategy. A proper maintenance strategy and appropriate maintenance actions, are essential to keep equipment safe & reliable, decrease the overall costs, and it helps to eliminate workplace hazards. Maintenance strategies and maintenance actions, in turn, are changed and developed more than any technology (Moubray, 1997). Changing and developing of the maintenance can be due to many factors, perhaps due to the complexity of the systems or due to the development of the technology. One of the best research (developed technology) that has been done in this area is the research by Nowlan and Heap about Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) in 1978. RCM is defined as, “a zero-based, structured process used to identify the failure management strategies required to ensure an asset meets its mission requirements in its operational environment in the safest and cost – effective manner” (Regan, 2012). The RCM is one of the best powerful asset management strategies. RCM can be applied to any asset, nuclear power plant, aeroplane, or truck ship. According to (Nowlan & Heap, 1978), the main goal of implementation an RCM process is to provide the stated function of the facility with required reliability and availability at the lowest cost. In this master thesis, an RCM analysis process has been described in details. Moreover, two types of implementation approaches of an RCM analysis process have also been described. The intention of describing these two approaches is to see what the differences between them are and which one can be recommended for using in mining. The first approach is according to (Hinchcliffe & Smith, 2004) and the second approach is according to (Regan, 2012). Moreover, in this master thesis, there are also two case studies that have been analysed. The intention of analysing these two case-studies is to see how the RCM has been implemented. As a result of the research carried out in this master thesis, some basic streamline RCM analysis process has been recommended for using in mining. This recommended RCM analysis process could be applicable to be used in every industry section. The result of this work can be summarised that RCM is an applicable tool which can be used in mining for selecting the right maintenance approach for different equipment, systems or subsystem. RCM analysis process is discussed from different perspective. In the discussion, the misconceptions about the implementation of an RCM analysis process have been discussed. Altogether, Reliability Centered Maintenance is one of the most powerful asset management strategies that can be used in every industry section. If the RCM is applied by right people and by the right way, the result can be profitable for the mining companies.

[pt] Este estudo estabelece uma modelagem para o processo de análise de fusões e aquisições de empresas e ativos. O modelo é composto por seis fases, que englobam desde as reais motivações para aquisição de uma empresa até o desenvolvimento de um plano de take over que deverá ser implementado para gerir a empresa após a concretização da transação. À luz da proposta apresentada, é analisado o processo de aquisição da Agip do Brasil pela Petrobras. Procura-se verificar a aderência do processo ocorrido com a metodologia proposta, identificando as possíveis conseqüências advindas das diferenças encontradas. A proposta contribui para a manutenção da racionalidade econômica na Companhia na medida em que auxilia o processo de tomada de decisão, tornando-o mais transparente e agregando maior valor aos seus acionistas. / [en] The study establishes a proposal of modeling the assets mergers and acquisition process analysis. The model is composed of six phases, in witch is defined all the steps from the motivation to the acquisition in the beginning process, to the take over plan that will run after the deal. Based on the presented methodology, the case analyzes the acquisition process of Agip do Brasil by Petrobras. The study compares the real process to the proposed methodology, looking for consequences that might appear from the differences found. The proposal contributes to the economic rationality in the company, since it discloses and assists the decision making process, adding value to its shareholders.