A covert communications network (CCN) is a connected, overlay peer-to-peer network used to support communications within a group in which the survival of the group depends on the confidentiality and anonymity of communications, on concealment of participation in the network to both other members of the group and external eavesdroppers, and finally on resilience against disconnection. In this dissertation, we describe the challenges and requirements for such a system. We consider the topologies of resilient covert communications networks that: (1) minimize the impact on the network in the event of a subverted node; and (2) maximize the connectivity of the survivor network with the removal of the subverted node and its closed neighborhood. We analyze the properties of resilient covert networks, propose measurements for determining the suitability of a topology for use in a covert communication network, and determine the properties of an optimal covert network topology. We analyze multiple topologies and identify two constructions that are capable of generating optimal topologies. We then extend these constructions to produce near-optimal topologies that can “grow” as new nodes join the network. We also address protocols for membership management and routing. Finally, we describe the architecture of a prototype system for instantiating a CCN.

Bakalauro darbe analizuojami socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimo, anoniminių alkoholikų (AA) savipagalbos grupėse ypatumai. Tyrimo tikslas - atskleisti socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimo, anoniminių alkoholikų savipagalbos grupėse, ypatumus. Tyrimo uţdaviniai: taikant teorinę analizę ištirti socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimo anoniminių alkoholikų savipagalbos grupėse ypatumus. Taikant interviu metodą, ištirti AA savipagalbos grupės narių socioedukacinius poreikius. Bei taikant turinio analizės metodą, nustatyti socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimo ypatumus AA savipagalbos grupėse. Buvo atliekamas kokybinis tyrimas, siekiant išsiaiškinti anoniminių alkoholikų socioedukacinių poreikių tenkinimą AA grupėje, kokybinio tyrimo respondentais pasirinkti 5 AA grupės nariai. Tyrime dalyvavo 4 vyrai ir 1 moteris. Jų amţius nuo 40 iki 63 metų. Tyrime gautos tokios kategorijos: „Principai ir metodai, susiję su vertybiniu ugdymu, tarnavimu kitiems, bendravimu, išsisakymu, patirties dalinimusi, anonimiškumu, 12 ţingsnių programa, visuomenės informavimu“. „Bendrumo poreikis AA savipagalbos grupėje: socialinio tinklo kaita (prieš ir po dalyvavimo AA grupėje), bendruomenės poveikis bei santykiai ir bendri interesai grupėje“. „Saugumo poreikis ir pagalbos teikimas: socialinės, psichologinės ir fizinės sveikatos pokyčiai“. „Savigarbos, savo vertės jutimo poreikis: savęs vertinimas, savigarbos jausmas“. „Prieraišumo ir meilės poreikis AA grupėje arba po jos uţsiėmimų: intymūs santykiai, santykiai... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The peculiarities of meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help groups of anonymous alcoholics (AA) are analyzed in the final work of Bachelor. The object of research is to reveal the peculiarities of meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help groups of AA. The goals of research are these: through theoretical analysis to explore the peculiarities of meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help groups of AA; through the method of interview to investigate the socioeducational needs of AA in self-help groups; also through the method of content analysis to identify the peculiarities of meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help groups of anonymous alcoholic. Qualitative research was carried out with the purpose to find out meeting the socioeducational requirements in self-help group of anonymous alcoholics. Five members from anonymous alcoholics` group were chosen to be the respondents of qualitative research. Four men and one woman participated in the research. Their age was from 40 to 63. These categories were received in the research: principles and methods related to the value training, serving others, communication, openness, sharing experiences, anonymity, 12 steps programme and informing society. The need of community in the self-help group of AA: “fluctuation of social network (before and after participation in anonymous alcoholics group, influence and relationships of community and common interests in the group”. “The need of... [to full text]

Academic research in 360-degree feedback continues to be dominated by a positivist approach with analyses of the feedback ratings. In contrast, this qualitative study explores how people make sense of 360, across the chain of meaning making involving not only raters and feedback recipients but also HR managers, facilitators and external consultants. Two corporate case studies in the pharmaceutical sector show how 360 evolves as a social process and carries a variety of meanings in different organisations and management contexts. Quasi-scientific rituals are revealed, demonstrating the existence of pseudo-anonymity and of complex use of numerical ratings and narrative comments. Woven alongside these corporate case studies is an autoethnography, which examines emotional and cognitive responses to two rounds of 360 asking for feedback on coaching performance. The autoethnographic thread allows insights into the dynamic relationship between academic and practitioner perspectives, as the researcher moves between both worlds. This PhD makes three contributions: the conceptualisation of 360 as a social process; the questioning of taken-for-granted customs within 360; and a methodological contribution to the development of autoethnographic practice.

Informational privacy of individuals has significantly gained importance after information technology has become widely deployed. Data, once digitalised, can be copied, distributed, and long-term stored at negligible costs. This has dramatic consequences for individuals that leave traces in the form of personal data whenever they interact with information technology, for instance, computers and phones; or even when information technology is recording the personal data of aware or unaware individuals. The right of individuals for informational privacy, in particular to control the flow and use of their personal data, is easily undermined by those controlling the information technology. The objective of this thesis is to study the measurement of informational privacy with a particular focus on scenarios where an individual discloses personal data to a second party which uses this data for re-identifying the individual within a set of other individuals. We contribute with privacy metrics for several instances of this scenario in the publications included in this thesis, most notably one which adds a time dimension to the scenario for modelling the effects of the time passed between data disclosure and usage. The result is a new framework for inter-temporal privacy metrics.

Shared leadership is one of the newest leadership frameworks to date, and it’s currently taking the organizational world by storm. By analyzing previous leadership models and theories, it is clear that shared leadership evolved from these prior ideas. Yet, shared leadership also differs significantly enough that there is much left to be explored and researched on the topic. Due to the fact that shared leadership research is still in early stages, we have very few examples to study in real life settings. Some organizations have adopted shared leadership as their primary leadership structure throughout the entire company, though. W.L. Gore is a completely flat company that does not have bosses, titles, direct reports, or anything that resembles most corporations around the world. The well-known self-help group, Alcoholics Anonymous, also functions using a shared leadership model. However, shared leadership is still mostly a mystery. Even with some examples of the model available for study, there has been little research done on the actual interactions between team members that create a successful shared leadership structure. The limited knowledge that we currently have in relation to shared leadership—its origins, its framework, its application, its barriers, its future—is presented in the following pages.

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 216-226).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 1993. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 181-186).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 216-226).

Thesis (D. Min.)--Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 216-226).

This master thesis studies teenage users that are common to the semi-anonymous question and answer platform Sayat.me. Sayat.me offers users with a profile the possibility to receive questions and feedback from friends and peers. What is so special about the platform is that the commenters’ identity remains undisclosed, which means that all messages are by default anonymous. Previous research has demonstrated the frequent occurrence of cyberbullying or online abuse on these platforms. Adults are puzzled as to why semi-anonymous question and answer platforms are so popular amongst teenagers. Departing from a theoretical framework with key concepts from digital and social media theories, the analysis tries to create a better understanding of this phenomenon from Belgian teenagers’ point of view. The results of the interviews show that, first of all, Sayat.me is not considered as an independent social media site, but rather as an extension of it. On social media, ‘sociality’ and ‘connection’ is what matters, but on Sayat.me sociality mainly plays an indirect role where users receive compliments from and are comforted by friends. Compliments, approval and admiration is what teenagers keeps coming back to the platform. Although teenagers often encounter online abuse, they do not feel cyberbullied, even so they consider this abuse as ‘natural’ on the platform. In addition, it appears that the way you are handling Sayat.me says a lot about you as a person, which is why teens use Sayat.me to present themselves or to portray a certain image. However, teenagers only imagine their friends or peers as the audience and do not consider their Sayat.me for their parents’ eyes. The situation is that parents are confused and do not understand their children’s online behaviour, whilst teenagers are annoyed with their parents’ incomprehension and overprotectiveness.