Magister Legum - LLM / Across the world, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)1 is disrupting the law.2 The 4IR has specifically disrupted commercial law in areas such as banking,3 competition,4 consumer protection,5 contract,6 insurance,7 labour,8 and personality.9 In addition, company law has also substantially been impacted by the 4IR. Leading legal scholars refer to this process of transformation as the ‘Digitalisation of Company Law’.10 More specifically, the scholars attribute the transformation to technological advancements.

A Indústria 4.0 surge com o objetivo de desenvolver fábricas inteligentes, com alto grau de autonomia e flexibilidade, através da adoção de tecnologias digitais de forma integrada nas empresas e suas cadeias de valor. Ao mesmo tempo, a Indústria 4.0 promove benefícios que vão além da performance operacional, como o desenvolvimento de novas ofertas e novos modelos de negócios para as empresas. A Indústria 4.0 é originada na Alemanha, país com alta performance tecnológica, e rapidamente inspira outras iniciativas no mundo inteiro, inclusive em países emergentes como o Brasil. Estes países possuem maiores barreiras para a adoção das tecnologias relacionadas ao conceito, principalmente devido à atual situação tecnológica dos seus parques industriais. Embora a Indústria 4.0 seja um tema crescente na literatura, ainda existem grandes lacunas de estudo sobre a adoção de tecnologias relacionadas ao conceito no contexto de países emergentes, principalmente por se tratar de uma iniciativa recente. Logo, o objetivo desta dissertação é estudar o conceito da Indústria 4.0 no Brasil, de forma a entender quais são os benefícios do conceito para a performance industrial e as tecnologias habilitadoras. O trabalho tem uma abordagem quantitativa, com análises estatísticas aplicadas em dados de pesquisas surveys conduzidas em nível nacional. Os principais resultados obtidos foram: (i) identificação da relação entre as tecnologias e os benefícios esperados do conceito, (ii) identificação de disparidades entre a percepção industrial brasileira e a literatura sobre os benefícios da Indústria 4.0, (iii) identificação da abrangência do conceito da Indústria 4.0, compreendendo elementos que transcendem a manufatura avançada, e (iv) identificação de tecnologias habilitadoras para a implantação do conceito. Sob a perspectiva acadêmica, esta dissertação traz importantes contribuições para o entendimento do conceito e das tecnologias da Indústria 4.0, assim como o impacto destas na performance industrial. Do ponto de vista prático, os resultados auxiliam na compreensão de um tema de alta relevância empresarial, contribuindo com perspectivas para a diretriz estratégica das empresas à Indústria 4.0. / Industry 4.0 arises with the goal to develop smart factories, with advanced autonomy and flexibility, through the adoption of digital technologies in an integrated manner in companies and in their value chains. The Industry 4.0enables benefits beyond operational performance, as the development of new offerings and new business models for companies. Industry 4.0 was developed in Germany, a country with high technological performance, and quickly inspires other initiatives in the whole world, in developed and emergent countries such as Brazil. These countries face major barriers for the adoption of technologies related to the concept, mainly due to the current technological level of their industrial sites. Even though Industry 4.0 is a growing field in literature, there are still considerable gaps of studies about the adoption of technologies related to the concept in the context of emergent countries, mostly due to its novelty. Therefore, this dissertation aims to study the concept of Industry 4.0 in Brazil, in order to understand its benefits for industrial performance and its enabling technologies. This study has a quantitative approach, with statistical analysis of data from national surveys. The main outcomes obtained were: (i) the identification of a relation between technologies and the expected benefits of the concept, (ii) the identification of disparities between Brazilian industrial perception and the literature about Industry 4.0 benefits, (iii) the identification of a wide scope of Industry 4.0 concept, comprising elements that transcends smart manufacturing, and (iv) the identification of enabling technologies for the implementation of the concept. Under academic perspective, this dissertation brings important contributions to understand the Industry 4.0 concept and technologies, and its impact on industrial performance. As practical contributions, the results contribute for the understandings of a high relevant theme for companies, contributing with perspectives for their strategical orientation towards Industry 4.0.

Flexible forms of employment Abstract The purpose of this thesis is to map the flexible forms of employment currently offered by the Czech legislation as well as those that might possibly become part of the legal system in the Czech Republic. Flexible forms of employment are currently on the rise, and it is therefore relevant to address the possibilities offered by the legislation. Part one focuses on defining the basic terms of the legal and theoretical framework of flexible forms of employment and in this context also the importance of flexicurity as a concept that has shaped the forms of flexible employment in the recent years. Second part of the thesis describes the specific forms of employment in terms of their legal regulation and what challenges are associated with the use of each individual form of flexible employment, furthermore this part explores aspects of flexibility that can be found within these types flexible employment. Examples of such flexible forms of employment mentioned include, but are not limited to, fixed-term employment, homeworking and, in terms of working hours, a condensed working week and flexible working hours. The next part discusses new emerging forms of flexible employment, namely job sharing, employee sharing, interim management, casual work, as well as new forms of...

The Covid-19 pandemic is changing the international business environment. This global event has forced the world into an unbalance, which influences how Swedish SMEs interpret their international operations. Through the international fluctuations, the digitalization has come to partake as an important factor in order to enable the possibility of maintaining an international presence. Therefore, the aim of this thesis is to explore how the Covid-19 pandemic influences the digitalization within Swedish SMEs international operations.        In order to provide a sustainable foundation of the subject, this research have utilized the qualitative strategy. Collecting the data through semi-structured interviews enables a vast set of data, which have been comprehended in relation to chapter 2 Literature review. Through analyzing all gathered data, the outcome of the research illustrates how the pandemic influences the digitalization as well as firms’ international operations. Finally, the thesis conclude that the Covid-19 pandemic accelerates the digitalization within firms, which further influences how firms maintain an international presence. Conclusively, it is contemplated that the Covid-19 pandemic further creates what the authors call “The New Normal”.

Thesis(M.Sc. (Computer Science)) -- University of Limpopo, 2020 / Spectrum scarcity is one of the major problems affecting the advancement of wireless technology. The world is now entering into a new era called the “Fourth Industrial Revolution” and technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain are surfacing at a rapid pace. All these technologies and this new era need high speed network (Internet) connectivity. Internet connectivity is reliant on the availability of spectrum Channels. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) has emphatically alluded on the urgency of finding quick and effective solutions to the problem of spectrum scarcity because the available spectrum bands are getting depleted at an alarming rate. Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks (CRAHNs) have been introduced to solve the problem of spectrum depletion. CRAHNs are mobile networks which allow for two groups of users: Primary Users (PUs) and Secondary Users (SUs). PUs are the licensed users of the spectrum and SUs are the unlicensed users. The SUs access spectrum bands opportunistically by switching between unused spectrum bands. The current licensed users do not fully utilize their spectrum bands. Some licensed users only use their spectrum bands for short time periods and their bands are left idling for the greater part of time. CRNs take advantage of the periods when spectrum bands are not fully utilized by introducing secondary users to switch between the idle spectrum bands. The CRAHNs technology can be implemented in different types of routing environments including military networks. The military version of CRAHNs is called Military Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks (MCRAHNs). Military networks are more complex than ordinary networks because they are subject to random attacks and possible destruction. This research project investigates the delays experienced in routing packets for MCRAHNs and proposes a new routing algorithm called Spectrum-Aware Transitive Multicasting On Demand Distance Vector (SAT-MAODV) which has been optimized for reducing delays in packet transmission and increasing throughput. In the data transmission process, there are several levels where delays are experienced. Our research project focuses on Routing Path (RP) delay, Spectrum Mobility (SM) delay and Node Relay (NR) delay. This research project proposes techniques for spectrum switching and routing called Time-Based Availability (TBA), Informed Centralized Multicasting (ICM), Node Roaming Area (NRA) and Energy Smart Transitivity (EST). All these techniques have been integrated into SAT-MAODV. SAT-MAODV was simulated and compared with the best performing algorithms in MCRHANs. The results show that SAT-MAODV performs better than its counterparts

The research introduces the fourth industrial revolution philosophically, exploring the application of innovation and automation in broad terms and the Internet of Things (IoT) specifically within the mining industry. It explains the business and societal motivation for such interventions, highlighting some of the key benefits. It further explores the inadvertent risks, some of which have already manifested in mining applications and others which can be inferred from other industrial and social applications. A critical analysis is conducted of the application of the South African Mine Health and Safety Act and Regulations on such applications in the mining environment, as well as considering key other pieces of South African legislation. A comparative analysis with Australian legislation confirms that Western Australia has recognised the need for regulation and have started regulating, primarily mining automation, at least. Through these analyses it is established that a legislative vacuum exists, despite the general application of many requirements in relation to safety considerations during the utilisation of IoT applications. The paper concludes by recommending collaboration between the Department of Mineral Resources and the Chamber of Mines to seek ways to lead legislative and regulatory developments in this space in order to enable the sustainability of the South African mining industry. In particular, the research suggests the emphasis should be to legally encourage and permit the implementation of IoT solutions in the mining industry in as many instances as reasonably possible, whilst consecutively addressing the new and emerging risks created through such. / Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / Public Law / LLM / Unrestricted

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The Fourth Industrial Revolution has provided new opportunities to tackle problems in health, education, transport and many other sectors. In the financial sector, new financial technology (FinTech) is providing new ways of tackling the problem of financial exclusion. The uptake of cell phones has enabled financial service providers (FSPs) to expand into areas where the most vulnerable have hitherto been outside the reach of the banking agency model. This has ultimately allowed previously financially excluded individuals to have access to bank accounts. Through SMACT (Social Media, Mobile, Analytics, Cloud and the Internet of Things) technologies, FSPs are able to collect new types of data such as call detail record data and mobile app data which have been leveraged globally to enable the emergence of M-Pesa in Kenya, the WeChat payments module in China and KakaoBank, South Korea’s first online-only bank. The common thread in these innovations is that these are telecommunications company-led business models that have encroached into the area of finance. Such digital disruption has happened in South Africa but little is understood about how inclusive digital financial services are in the South African context. Moreover, what are the barriers to further financial inclusion, given that South Africa has significantly high bank account uptake rates? What role can the Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies have in breaking those barriers and reaching the lower-income population that has largely been mis-sold financial products that were created for the middle to upper-income population? This study sought to investigate how the diffusion of SMACT technology has contributed to financial inclusion in the South African financial services sector. The study made use of a mixed methods approach to answer this research question. Finscope data from 2012 to 2015 was used as the data source for the quantitative section and key informant interviews as the source of data for the qualitative section. The study found that roughly 80% of adults in South Africa are financially included through formal banks. Despite the near 100% uptake rates of cell phones across all income groups, proximity to an ATM or bank branch still significantly determined whether an individual accessed formal financial services. The study also found that ATM withdrawal, store withdrawal and internet banking were infrequently utilised by lower-income adults. In terms of internet banking and digital financial services in general, financial products, especially digital credit, do not appear to be well aligned with the needs of the lower-income consumer. The mismatch of financial products and the needs of lower-income consumers is further worsened by poor financial literacy levels in South Africa, especially among lower-income consumers. The study concludes that more needs to be done to increase economic inclusion, digital inclusion and financial inclusion for the lower-income population in South Africa. While consumer protection and transparency are well covered in the regulatory and legislative framework to which FSPs by and large adhere, a more inclusive and sustainable financial sector will only exist if product fit, affordability, financial literacy and convenience issues are addressed. This should happen in an enabling environment where ICT infrastructure benefits all, interoperability of digital financial services is reached and a regulatory framework more focused on financial inclusion is in place.

Yes / Artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are the two disruptive technologies emerging from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) that have introduced radical shifts in the industry. The amalgamation of AI and blockchain holds tremendous potential to create new business models enabled through digitalization. Although research on the application and convergence of AI and blockchain exists, our understanding of the utility of its integration for business remains fragmented. To address this gap, this study aims to characterize the applications and benefits of integrated AI and blockchain platforms across different verticals of business. Using bibliometric analysis, this study reveals the most influential articles on the subject based on their publications, citations, and importance in the intellectual network. Using content analysis, this study sheds light on the subject’s intellectual structure, which is underpinned by four major thematic clusters focusing on supply chains, healthcare, secure transactions, and finance and accounting. The study concludes with 10 application areas in business that can benefit from these technologies.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2018-08-08T12:18:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Leandro Jaskulskii_.pdf: 10180514 bytes, checksum: 5fe92aa54c270b84ce82c90e29b0433d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-08T12:18:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Leandro Jaskulskii_.pdf: 10180514 bytes, checksum: 5fe92aa54c270b84ce82c90e29b0433d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-04-20 / Nenhuma / Esta dissertação trata da aplicação dos elementos da Indústria 4.0, na realidade do setor industrial metalmecânico brasileiro de 2018. O conceito da Indústria 4.0 foi elaborado objetivando a melhoria de produtividade e da qualidade através da aplicação de recursos digitais, economicamente viáveis nos sistemas empresariais. O Brasil, que neste momento passa por um processo de desindustrialização, pode abordar esta nova realidade de duas formas: abrir mão desta nova tendência, de maneira passiva, devido a sua condição econômica e estrutural; ou, por outro lado, ativamente adaptar os recursos viáveis de maneira a coletar o melhor retorno sobre investimento da digitalização na indústria. A metodologia utilizada para realização do trabalho foi a Design Science Reseach. Na busca do equacionamento do problema de pesquisa, criou-se um método para realizar um diagnóstico da situação atual da empresa estudada, e formatar um plano de implementação dos elementos da Indústria 4.0 viáveis, que priorize os melhores retornos sobre investimento na condição situacional, levando-se em conta o atual ambiente interno e externo da fábrica estudada. Para construção da proposta inicial do método, versão M0, foi feito um amplo levantamento bibliográfico. Uma vez sugerido, o M0 foi ajustado utilizando-se de especialistas em um grupo focal, gerando o método a ser aplicado em uma empresa pertencente à indústria metalmecânica brasileira. Ao final da aplicação M0, foi elaborado um plano de implementação processual dos elementos da Indústria 4.0 adaptado a realidade da empresa em questão. Realizou-se então uma avaliação crítica desta aplicação, para medir a validade do Modelo e seus pontos de melhoria, visando enriquecer e gerar uma versão final intitulada de M1. / This master thesis presents the application of Industry 4.0 elements into 2018 reality of Brazilian metalworking industry. Industry 4.0 concept was created targeting productivity and quality improvements, through digital resources, economically feasible in corporate systems. Brazil, that is under a deindustrialization process, can face this new reality in two ways: given up of new tendency, being passive due to its economic and structural condition; or, by the other hand, adapting in an active way its feasible resources, to collect the digital best return on investments in the industry. The methodology applied was the Design Science Research. To answer the research problem, a diagnosis and implementation plan method were arranged, to apply viable Industry 4.0 elements, prioritizing the best return of investments of factual internal and external ambient of situated factory. To build up the M0 version method, it was made a wide bibliographic study. Once suggested, M0 was adjusted by specialists into a focal group generating the method to be applied into a Brazilian metalworking industry company. By the end of M0 application, a processual action plan was raised, shaped to the studied company atmosphere. Then, an evaluation analysis of this application was made, to validate the model and its improvement points, to generate a final version termed M1.

Digitalization is taking place at a high rate and is being implemented to a large extent in society, however, the construction industry is showing a digital degree of development that cannot be compared with other technically dependent industries. The construction industry generates large amounts of money and produces a long construction process that also produces high costs and has an impact on the environment. Therefore, there is a need to analyze and investigate how the digital aids that come with an increased degree of digitalization can make the construction industry more efficient. The efficiency improvements are specified in, among other things, the advent of AI and its potential in the construction industry, as well as the opportunities and challenges that the construction industry faces when implementing a digital development. The study is based on a comparison between a literature study and an interview study that covers issues that deal with the digital implementation carried out by the various organizations and companies as well as the future potential that comes with their initiatives. It has emerged that there is a general benefit in conducting digitalization at an organizational level. Whether the newly developed digital funds can be implemented is questioned, considering that there is a complex relationship between the subcontractors and the clients. The services and the way of execution offered by the subcontractors require investments to implement digital means and thus increase the degree of digitalization. The larger parties have the power and economic potential to increase the degree of digitization within the organization or company where the smaller parties must relate to this development. The uneven digitalization degree is made visible today as the power for pricing the procurement lies with the subcontractors in the regionally priced services that have not undergone further digital development. To turn more money into the construction industry, the industry needs to achieve a global competitive procurement as well as the manufacturing industry. For the smaller parties to be able to distinguish their way of working, a unique implementation of digital means is needed and thus be able to relate to the larger parties. What is needed to be able to offer digital services that will be desired in the future. / Digitaliseringen pågår i hög takt och implementeras i samhället i stor grad, dock påvisar byggbranschen en digital utvecklingsgrad som inte kan jämställas med andra tekniskt beroende branscher. Byggbranschen omsätter stora mängder pengar och producerar en lång byggprocess som likaså producerar stora kostnader och har en inverkan på miljön. Det finns därför ett behov av att analysera och utreda hur de digitala hjälpmedlen som tillkommer vid en ökad digitaliseringsgrad kan effektivisera byggbranschen. Effektiviseringen preciseras i bland annat AI:s tillkomst och dess potential inom byggbranschen samt vilka möjligheter och utmaningar som byggbranschen ställs inför vid utförandet av en digital utveckling. Studien grundas i en jämförelse mellan en litteraturstudie och en intervjustudie som omfattar frågor som behandlar den digitala implementering som de olika organisationerna och företagen har bedrivit samt den framtida potential som tillkommer med deras initiativ. Det har framkommit att det finns en allmän nytta i att bedriva en digitalisering på en organisationsnivå. Huruvida de nyligen framtagna digitala medlen kan implementeras ifrågasätts, menat att det finns en komplex relation mellan de upphandlande underentreprenörerna och beställarna. De erbjudna tjänsterna och utförandesättet som underentreprenörerna erbjuder kräver investeringar för att implementera digitala medel och därmed öka digitaliseringsgraden. De större aktörerna har makten och den ekonomiska potentialen för att öka digitaliseringsgraden inom organisationen eller företaget där de mindre aktörerna måste förhålla sig till denna utveckling. Den ojämna digitaliseringsgraden synliggörs idag då makten för prissättningen av upphandlingen ligger hos underentreprenörerna i de regionalt prissatta tjänsterna som inte undergått en vidare digital utveckling. För att omsätta mer pengar i byggbranschen behöver branschen uppnå en globalt konkurrensmässig upphandling liksom tillverkningsindustrin, vilket anses tillkomma med en mer produktbaserad upphandling. För att de mindre aktörerna ska kunna särskilja sitt arbetssätt krävs en unik implementering av digitala medel och på sätt kunna förhålla sig till de större aktörerna, vilket behövs för att kunna erbjuda digitala tjänster som kommer vara eftertraktade i framtiden.