This is a history of the mechanisation programme in the British postal service in the 1960s and 1970s, providing a record of the first six years of the network restructuring project known as the Letter Post Plan. This involved the introduction of automated sorting and coding machines and the creation of large, mechanised sorting offices. This brought fundamental changes to mail operations and was the subject of much disagreement and discussion within the industry. The key groups involved were unions, management and engineers, and their roles are considered through planning, negotiation and implementation of the plan. The central theme of the thesis is the interrelation of new technology and industrial relations. The main issues addressed include: the reasons for commissioning the plan in 1969; the preparations made for organisational change including R&D, financial modelling, training and consultation; the effects of the political and economic troubles of the 1970s; the introduction of new consultation arrangements following an embargo on new technology by the Union of Post Office Workers in 1972; and the course of negotiations which led to agreement upon a revised plan in 1975. The Post Office has been criticised over the introduction of mechanisation in this period, including charges of naive management, inadequate engineering and union obstruction. The limited attention the subject has received from historians has echoed this. This thesis contests this interpretation by arguing that the Post Office deserves more credit for the design and implementation of the plan, and that its problems were largely caused by external political and economic forces. It offers a detailed account of the workings of the postal service and the political and technical challenges faced in changing its operations, documenting several progressive and constructive aspects of this process. This therefore contributes to a historiographical reinterpretation of 1970s industrial politics and questions the negative portrayal of the nationalised industries in this period. The research is based primarily on the archival holdings of the British Postal Museum & Archive in London, including policy papers and board minutes, scientific and technical reports, union newspapers and publications, diagrams, photographs and correspondence. Other resources include the Modern Record Centre in Warwick, the National Archives, the works of modern postal historians and literature in the history of science, technology, labour and twentieth century public enterprise.

The research reported by this thesis concerns the operation of Post Office parcel conveyors. It evaluates the behaviour of straight belt conveyors using different parcel loadings. Empirical parcel data supplied by the Post Office is used for the development of a computer-based simulation model. An important problem in parcel conveying is the variability in size, shape and homogeneity of parcels, which may lead to conveyor jamming. Because of statutory requirements for parcel handling by the Royal Mail, it is not possible to carry out physical tests. This research demonstrated the feasibility of parcel conveyor simulation models with computing equipment current in 1970-1975. It established that jamming was unlikely in straight conveyors loaded with parcels conforming to Post Office recommendations. Non-conforming parcels could cause jams, particularly with humid atmospheric conditions. It was established that the continuum theory of Jenike, which assumes the conveyor to be filled with an 'Ideal' material, could not be extended to parcel conveyors. This precludes the use of finite element analysis for solution of this problem. The model established by this research can be developed further, to deal with changes in the direction and cross-section of belt conveyors and additional parcel characteristics.

Today's economy is generally referred to as a knowledge-based economy. Organizations now recognize the value of "knowledge" and strive to achieve better management of their knowledge assets. Knowledge is a critical factor for building organizational innovation and sustaining competitive advantage. The future for the postal sector is more challenging than ever. Its potential value and relevance as a service provider in the knowledge economy are also greater than ever before. However, the services of the postal sector in this knowledge age are facing greater challenges as a result of technological advances,market liberalization, and globalization and government reforms. To address these challenges, technical cooperation and interactions are promoted within the sector by the UPU to allow the sharing of experiences and best practices among postal organizations to facilitate sustainable development, high-quality postal services, creativity and innovation in the postal sector. However, the existing Knowledge Management Frameworks (KMFs) do not adequately take into consideration the specific nature of the postal sector, particularly in relation to capturing, sharing and exploiting knowledge on postal operations or services. Therefore, this research addresses the development of a knowledge management framework for the postal sector. To achieve the research aim, an extensive review of the related literature was carried out. A preliminary study was conducted on knowledge management practice in NIPOST and the UPU postal strategy plans (2009-2016) were examined to gain a better understanding of knowledge issues in the postal sector.

John W. Wozencraft and Michael Horstein. / "January 3, 1961." "Presented at the fourth London Symposium on Information Theory ... 1960." / Bibliography: p. 16. / Army Signal Corps Contract DA36-039-sc-78108. Dept. of the Army Task 3-99-20-001 and Project 3-99-00-000.

The London Postal Map was introduced in 1856. It drew a boundary around London, and then divided the city into ten districts: EC, WC, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W and NW. It was a technological innovation that greatly increased the speed and efficiency of the movement of post around London, in a period when the postal service was the primary form of communication. Service became incredibly quick, frequent, and accessible; almost as instantaneous as the internet today. Deliveries began at 7.22am, with deliveries on the hour, every hour throughout the day. Letters posted at 7.30pm in central London would reach outer London suburbs that same evening. This thesis considers a period from 1830 until 1918, corresponding to the period of the beginnings of the Map’s story, to a major change in the Map during the First World War. It describes the origins of the Postal Map, and then explores its effects in the context of a rapidly developing city. It speculates on meanings of mapping the city where new names and boundaries are introduced and visualized. It investigates the development of the city, understanding the post as an essential part of London’s infrastructure. It considers how people experienced a city in which millions of letters, thousands of postmen, and hundreds of mail carts were moving each week. The Postal Map is argued to be one of the causal factors of modernity within London; it meant urban space was linked to a particular temporality – modern, fast-paced, connected. It changed how Londoner’s conceived their city through providing a new framework for labelling places in relation to each other, stating what was east, what was west.   The project uses the extensive archives held by the Postal Museum, which include hundreds of maps, to tell the story of the Postal Map. It combines methodologies from social history, technological and administrative histories, mapping theory, urban planning history, and design history to gain a rich understanding of the full spatial implications of this designed object: the London Postal Map.

The home delivery service is considered as the bottleneck of online shopping and plays an important role in the success of such business application. A lack of postcode system in the developing countries, Jordan specifically, is one of the main challenges that face delivery couriers and e-retailers. The main aim of this PhD project reported in this thesis is the development of a novel postcode alternative system to enable online shopping and home delivery service of purchased goods in Jordan. The system incorporates two modules: the front-end and the back-end module. The front-end module is combined of two platforms: desktop and smart phone platforms and can be used by online shoppers; the back-end module is designed to be used by retailer/delivery courier as the system administrator. Two studies were conducted in this research; the first study was aiming to understand the problems that face e-consumers when shopping online and the work behaviour of the delivery system in Jordan. Whilst; the second study was aiming to evaluate usability of the designed system. Data was collected by conducting an experimental sessions and distributing questionnaires among three samples of people (consumers, retailers, and delivery couriers). The findings of these studies showed that there was a concern from consumers-side in describing their delivery address to the retailer/delivery courier. In addition, there was a concern from retailers and delivery couriers-side in finding the delivery address location. Furthermore, a user testing was conducted on both modules by involving a number of participants according to the relevance of their use of the system to evaluate the usability of the system. In the evaluation, it was demonstrated that the system makes an important contribution for solving the problem of home delivery service and improving online shopping in Jordan.

La distance à la fois culturelle et temporelle qui nous sépare du moment de naissance des tragédies classiques nous pose toute une série de problèmes pour leur interprétation. Pour en faire face, cette thèse propose une lecture de la tragédie Iphigénie à Aulis d'Euripide dont l'axe principal est la mise en évidence de son milieu historique, culturel et cultuel afin de rendre possible au lecteur moderne une compréhension approfondie d'une des principales tragédies créés par le génie grec. En ce qui concerne le contexte historique, on fait référence surtout à la Guerre du Péloponnèse. C'est par rapport au moment politique vécu par l'auteur qu'on parvient à comprendre la fonction que certains personnages jouent dans la trame. La fortune critique d'Euripide y reçoit également une attention spéciale. On passe ainsi en revue aux principaux courants d'interprétation, à la fois anciens (Aristophane) et modernes (Nietzsche, Snell, Gill et Williams) de l'oeuvre euripidenne. Le vocabulaire employé par Euripide est objet d'une analyse dont la fonction est la mise en évidence de certains traits de l'imaginaire religieux grec présent dans cette tragédie. On parvient, par l'étude de la terminologie religieuse, notamment dans le sacrifice d' Iphigénie, à mieux comprendre l'action et les traits de caractère de certains personnages, comme Agamemon, Mènèlas et Odyssé. Les rituels initiatiques et le locus occupé par la féminin dans la Grèce Classique, surtout au Ve siècle, rendent possible la découverte d'un texte dont a plusieurs significations et dont la richesse échappe bien souvent aux lecteurs modernes qui ignorent les choix linguistiques du tragédien grec. / As distâncias cultural e temporal que nos separam do momento de nascimento das tragédias clássicas colocam-nos uma série de problemas para suas interpretações. Para fazer-lhes face, a presente tese propõe uma leitura da tragédia Ifigênia em Áulis de Eurípides cujo eixo principal é o destaque aos contextos histórico, cultural e cultual a fim de tornar possível ao leitor moderno uma compreensão mais profunda de uma das principais tragédias criadas pelo gênio grego. No que diz respeito ao contexto histórico, faz-se, sobretudo, referência à Guerra do Peloponeso. É por relação ao momento histórico vivido pelo autor que a tese procura compreender a função que certos personagens desempenham na trama. A fortuna crítica de Eurípides recebe igualmente atenção especial. Passa-se em revisa às principais correntes interpretativas tanto antigas (Aristófanes) quanto modernas (Nietzsche, Snell, Gill e Williams) da obra euripideana. O vocabulário empregado pelo tragediógrafo é objeto de uma análise cuja função é a de destacar certos traços do imaginário religioso grego presente na tragédia. Por meio do estudo da terminologia religiosa, notadamente no caso do sacrifício de Ifigênia, compreende-se melhor a ação e os traços de caráter de certos personagens, como Agamenon, Menelau e Odisseu. Os rituais iniciáticos e o locus ocupado pelo feminino na Grécia Clássica, especialmente no século V, tornam possível a descoberta de um texto cujas múltiplas significações e riqueza escapam freqüentemente aos leitores modernos que ignoram as escolhas lingüísticas do dramaturgo grego.

La distance à la fois culturelle et temporelle qui nous sépare du moment de naissance des tragédies classiques nous pose toute une série de problèmes pour leur interprétation. Pour en faire face, cette thèse propose une lecture de la tragédie Iphigénie à Aulis d'Euripide dont l'axe principal est la mise en évidence de son milieu historique, culturel et cultuel afin de rendre possible au lecteur moderne une compréhension approfondie d'une des principales tragédies créés par le génie grec. En ce qui concerne le contexte historique, on fait référence surtout à la Guerre du Péloponnèse. C'est par rapport au moment politique vécu par l'auteur qu'on parvient à comprendre la fonction que certains personnages jouent dans la trame. La fortune critique d'Euripide y reçoit également une attention spéciale. On passe ainsi en revue aux principaux courants d'interprétation, à la fois anciens (Aristophane) et modernes (Nietzsche, Snell, Gill et Williams) de l'oeuvre euripidenne. Le vocabulaire employé par Euripide est objet d'une analyse dont la fonction est la mise en évidence de certains traits de l'imaginaire religieux grec présent dans cette tragédie. On parvient, par l'étude de la terminologie religieuse, notamment dans le sacrifice d' Iphigénie, à mieux comprendre l'action et les traits de caractère de certains personnages, comme Agamemon, Mènèlas et Odyssé. Les rituels initiatiques et le locus occupé par la féminin dans la Grèce Classique, surtout au Ve siècle, rendent possible la découverte d'un texte dont a plusieurs significations et dont la richesse échappe bien souvent aux lecteurs modernes qui ignorent les choix linguistiques du tragédien grec. / As distâncias cultural e temporal que nos separam do momento de nascimento das tragédias clássicas colocam-nos uma série de problemas para suas interpretações. Para fazer-lhes face, a presente tese propõe uma leitura da tragédia Ifigênia em Áulis de Eurípides cujo eixo principal é o destaque aos contextos histórico, cultural e cultual a fim de tornar possível ao leitor moderno uma compreensão mais profunda de uma das principais tragédias criadas pelo gênio grego. No que diz respeito ao contexto histórico, faz-se, sobretudo, referência à Guerra do Peloponeso. É por relação ao momento histórico vivido pelo autor que a tese procura compreender a função que certos personagens desempenham na trama. A fortuna crítica de Eurípides recebe igualmente atenção especial. Passa-se em revisa às principais correntes interpretativas tanto antigas (Aristófanes) quanto modernas (Nietzsche, Snell, Gill e Williams) da obra euripideana. O vocabulário empregado pelo tragediógrafo é objeto de uma análise cuja função é a de destacar certos traços do imaginário religioso grego presente na tragédia. Por meio do estudo da terminologia religiosa, notadamente no caso do sacrifício de Ifigênia, compreende-se melhor a ação e os traços de caráter de certos personagens, como Agamenon, Menelau e Odisseu. Os rituais iniciáticos e o locus ocupado pelo feminino na Grécia Clássica, especialmente no século V, tornam possível a descoberta de um texto cujas múltiplas significações e riqueza escapam freqüentemente aos leitores modernos que ignoram as escolhas lingüísticas do dramaturgo grego.

La distance à la fois culturelle et temporelle qui nous sépare du moment de naissance des tragédies classiques nous pose toute une série de problèmes pour leur interprétation. Pour en faire face, cette thèse propose une lecture de la tragédie Iphigénie à Aulis d'Euripide dont l'axe principal est la mise en évidence de son milieu historique, culturel et cultuel afin de rendre possible au lecteur moderne une compréhension approfondie d'une des principales tragédies créés par le génie grec. En ce qui concerne le contexte historique, on fait référence surtout à la Guerre du Péloponnèse. C'est par rapport au moment politique vécu par l'auteur qu'on parvient à comprendre la fonction que certains personnages jouent dans la trame. La fortune critique d'Euripide y reçoit également une attention spéciale. On passe ainsi en revue aux principaux courants d'interprétation, à la fois anciens (Aristophane) et modernes (Nietzsche, Snell, Gill et Williams) de l'oeuvre euripidenne. Le vocabulaire employé par Euripide est objet d'une analyse dont la fonction est la mise en évidence de certains traits de l'imaginaire religieux grec présent dans cette tragédie. On parvient, par l'étude de la terminologie religieuse, notamment dans le sacrifice d' Iphigénie, à mieux comprendre l'action et les traits de caractère de certains personnages, comme Agamemon, Mènèlas et Odyssé. Les rituels initiatiques et le locus occupé par la féminin dans la Grèce Classique, surtout au Ve siècle, rendent possible la découverte d'un texte dont a plusieurs significations et dont la richesse échappe bien souvent aux lecteurs modernes qui ignorent les choix linguistiques du tragédien grec. / As distâncias cultural e temporal que nos separam do momento de nascimento das tragédias clássicas colocam-nos uma série de problemas para suas interpretações. Para fazer-lhes face, a presente tese propõe uma leitura da tragédia Ifigênia em Áulis de Eurípides cujo eixo principal é o destaque aos contextos histórico, cultural e cultual a fim de tornar possível ao leitor moderno uma compreensão mais profunda de uma das principais tragédias criadas pelo gênio grego. No que diz respeito ao contexto histórico, faz-se, sobretudo, referência à Guerra do Peloponeso. É por relação ao momento histórico vivido pelo autor que a tese procura compreender a função que certos personagens desempenham na trama. A fortuna crítica de Eurípides recebe igualmente atenção especial. Passa-se em revisa às principais correntes interpretativas tanto antigas (Aristófanes) quanto modernas (Nietzsche, Snell, Gill e Williams) da obra euripideana. O vocabulário empregado pelo tragediógrafo é objeto de uma análise cuja função é a de destacar certos traços do imaginário religioso grego presente na tragédia. Por meio do estudo da terminologia religiosa, notadamente no caso do sacrifício de Ifigênia, compreende-se melhor a ação e os traços de caráter de certos personagens, como Agamenon, Menelau e Odisseu. Os rituais iniciáticos e o locus ocupado pelo feminino na Grécia Clássica, especialmente no século V, tornam possível a descoberta de um texto cujas múltiplas significações e riqueza escapam freqüentemente aos leitores modernos que ignoram as escolhas lingüísticas do dramaturgo grego.