Dans cette thèse nous étudions les sémantiques ludothéoriques, conçues comme les altérnatives à la sémantique traditionelle de Tarski, qui metent en marche le princip Meaning is in use et l’idée des jeux de language de second Wittgenstein: le sens des constantes logiques est donné par les règles qui en fixent l’usage et qui apparaissent dans les interactions social que sont les jeux de langage. Deux traditions ludotheorique sont présentées: Game Theoretical Semantics (GTS), proposé par Hintikka et Sandu en 1968 et Dialogical logic, proposé initialement par Paul Lorenzen et Kuno Lorenz en 1955 et developé à partir de 1993 par Shahid Rahman et ses collègues. En 1989 Hintikka et Sandu ont arrivé à l’idée des jeux avec des informations imparfaits qui les a emmené à Independence Friendly Logique (IF logic), logique du premiere ordre qui dépasse en expressivité la logique classique. Deux chapitres de cette thèse sont consacrés à l’axiom de choix et au traitement de l’anaphore, deux sujets choisis par Hintikka pour démontrer la fécondité de la logique IF et de GTS. Le but de cette thèse et de montrer que’il est possible de rendre compte aussi bien et à moindre frais dans le cadre dialogique. Plus précisément, la logique IF est comparée avec la théorie constructive des types dans la forme dialogique pour conclure à la supériorité de cette dernière qui a le même pouvoir explicatif qu’IF sans sacrifier pour autant la dimension inférentielle de la logique. / This thesis studies game-theoretically oriented semantics which provide an alternative to traditional Tarski-style semantics, implementing Wittgenstein’s idea of the meaning as use. Two different game theoretical traditions are presented: Game Theoretical Semantics (GTS), developed by Jaako Hintikka and Gabriel Sandu, and Dialogical logic, first introduced by Paul Lorenzen and Kuno Lorenz and further developed by Shahid Rahman and his associates. In 1989 Hintikka and Sandu came up with games with imperfect information. Those games yielded Independence friendly first-order logic (IF logic), exceeding the expressive power of classical first-order logic. It is expressive enough to enable formulating linearly, and at the first-order level, sentences containing branching quantification. Because of this characteristic, Hintikka claims that IF logic is most suitable for at least two main purposes: to be the logic of the first-order fragment of natural language; and to be the medium for the foundation of mathematics. This thesis aims to explore the above uses of IF logic. The properties of IF logic are discussed, as well as the advantages of this approach such as the possibility of taking account of (in)dependency relations among variables; GTS-account of two different notions of scope of quantifiers; the “outside–in” direction in approaching the meaning, which turns out to be advantageous over the traditional “inside-out” approach; the usefulness of game-theoretic reasoning in mathematics; the expressiveness of IF language, which allows formulating branching quantifiers on the first-order level, as well as defining the truth predicate in the language itself. We defend Hintikka’s stance on the first-order character of IF logic against some criticisms of this point. The weak points are also discussed: first and foremost, the lack of a full axiomatization for IF logic and second, the problem of signalling, a problematic phenomenon related to the possibility of imperfect information in a game. We turn to another game-theoretically oriented semantics, that of Dialogical Logic linked with Constructive Type Theory, in which dependency relations can be accounted for, but without using more means than constructive logic and the dialogical approach to meaning have to offer. This framework is used first to analyse and confront Hintikka’s take on the axiom of choice, and second to analyse the GTS account of anaphora.

Proseminar- und Seminarmodule für Studierende bilden das wissenschaftliche Arbeiten oftmals nicht umfassend ab. Zudem besteht die Herausforderung, dass Studierende heterogene Wissensstände aufweisen, häufig geringes Interesse an ihren Seminarthemen zeigen und gelernte Inhalte nach Abschluss eines Seminars meist nicht mehr präsent sind. Daher war es das Ziel des hochschulübergreifenden Projektes KoSemKo, Studierenden mit dem Schwerpunkt Marketing die Möglichkeit zu geben, interessante Ergebnisse, die sie im Rahmen ihrer Seminararbeiten selbst entwickeln, in einer professionellen Konferenz- Atmosphäre zu präsentieren. Studierende sammeln dadurch nicht nur Erfahrung im wissenschaftlichen Schreiben, sondern schlüpfen gleichzeitig bei der Durchführung eines Peer-Reviews in die Rolle der Gutachter_innen und auf der Konferenz in die Rollen der Vortragenden und Teilnehmer_innen. Durch das Einnehmen dieser verschiedenen Perspektiven setzen sich die Studierenden kritisch und tiefer greifend mit ihren Themen auseinander. Dadurch wird zudem die Motivation gesteigert und gleichzeitig die inhaltliche sowie wissenschaftlich/methodische Komponente der Proseminar- und Seminararbeiten verbessert. Ein im Rahmen des Projektes entwickeltes Online-Lernmodul zum wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten unterstützt den Lernprozess der Studierenden und dient im Nachgang der Verstetigung des Gelernten. Das Projekt wurde von der Fachgruppe Marketing der Westsächsischen Hochschule Zwickau sowie der Professur Marketing und Internationaler Handel der Technischen Universität Bergakademie Freiberg realisiert.

This constructive design research dissertation aims to understand how design can be used as part of a composite research approach to generate knowledge about how complex phenomena are composed through their interactions and relationships with various actors, both human and non-human. It has done this by investigating a single phenomenon, the patient experience of radiotherapy. Through the purposeful selection and application of methods, theories, and existing research from design, nursing, and STS, this thesis utilizes a mixed-method approach comprised of qualitative, quantitative methods, and design experimentation, across multiple research sites and patient populations, in three research projects – PERT, DUMBO, and POIS – to generate rich and layered knowledge of the patient experience. Experience prototypes are used to challenge, through intervention or provocation, the relationships between the various radiotherapy actors identified through the empirical methods. Together, the research generated in PERT, DUMBO, and POIS construct a map of the networked, interdependent actors which shape the patient’s emotional experience of radiotherapy: the staff, technology, information, environment, and institutions. It also calls attention to the problematic relationship between radiotherapy patients and the technologies used to treat them, which can lead to anxiety, worry, and fear. This thesis offers contributions related to both improving patient experience and designing for complex social issues. First, this research suggests that individuals, other than primary users, need to be acknowledged in the design of medical technologies. It proposes calling attention to patients by naming them as interactors in their relationships with the aforementioned technologies, removing them from the role of implicated actor. Second, this thesis problematizes treating the actors within a network as independent entities, which medical research and user-centered design often does, and calls for a new type of design practice which attends to these networked relationships. Third, this thesis suggests two ways in which design research practice should be shifted methodologically if it wants to engage with and design for complex social issues like patient experience; widening the researcher’s perspective on the issue through the use of a composite methodology, and having the researcher maintain this scope by remaining closely connected to their research context. The implications of this work concern how design research, design education, and design practice might shift their approaches to fully acknowledge and attend to the complexity of systems like healthcare.

The main purpose of this study was to determine the positive relationship between transformational leadership and organisational culture using a sample of 238 employees of a military organisation. A secondary objective was to determine whether individuals from different race, position and age groups differ significantly in perception regarding transformational leadership and organisational culture. The instruments used in the study were the Leadership Profile Inventory and the Organisational Culture Inventory. The results of the empirical study indicated that there was a significant statistical positive relationship between transformational leadership and the constructive dimension of organisational culture. The findings also indicated that demographic groups differ significantly in perception regarding transformational leadership and organisational culture. It is recommended that interventions aimed at leadership development and organisational culture change take into consideration the relationship between transformational leadership and organisational culture. This study is concluded with recommendations for industrial and organisational psychology practices and further research. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Admin. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Local government has to face new challenges and demands as they approach the 21st century, especially in view of the fact that the South African system of local government has been significantly altered since the first democratic local government elections which were held in November 1995 and July 1996. The integrated development plan (IDP) of a municipality reflects on the municipal council's vision for the long-term development of the municipality with special emphasis on the municipality's most critical development for service delivery purposes. The integrated development plan consists of separate plans developed for new initiatives to fit into the overall strategic planning framework as distinct from the normal operating and capital business plans for each of a Council's existing functions. The plans do not necessarily relate to completely new functions but may relate to changing the way a function operates, enhancing service levels of existing functions or even cutting back services provided by an existing function. Some IDP initiatives may stand apart as individual projects and some may have wide-spread impact across existing functional areas. Emanating from the above is a resultant conflict between administration management of a municipality and the rest of the workforce of the municipality. As a result of the lack of knowledge regarding conflict in a local authority within the framework of an integrated development plan for labour and the need for it to be managed correctly, it was decided to embark on this study and contribute to the existing knowledge on this subject. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Sociology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

South African organizations experienced more conflict in the past ten years because of all the changes in the management of labour relations. Employees at lower, middle and upper management levels within organizations are not well informed about the different types of conflict, the functionality and dysfunctionality of conflict, how conflict takes place within the different job-levels and how to manage and resolve it. Dysfunctional conflict can be destructive and it can affect the productivity of the organization. Because of the lack of knowledge regarding conflict within the steel organization and the necessity for it to be handled correctly, it was decided to seize the opportunity to contribute to the existing knowledge of conflict. Objectives of the study The major objectives of this study are as follows: To determine how literature conceptualizes conflict dynamics by examining theory, industrial sociology, organizational behaviour and general management. To determine the following aspects by means of an empirical study: - What the main reasons are for conflict within the steel organization. - How the handling of conflict differs among the middle and lower job levels within the organization. Research study and methodology The research study is divided into a theoretical and an empirical framework. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 outline the theoretical basis. Various aspects of conflict and handling or managing it are discussed in detail. The study employs the conflict theories of Ralph Dahrendorf and Karl Marx as points of departure, as found in chapter 2, in an attempt to provide a framework for the problem statement and to attempt the attainment of the set of objectives. This chapter discusses conflict and analyzes it as a social interaction characterized by force, strife and animosity. It also offers and analysis of Dahrendorf s and Marx's theories to determine their suitability to the study. Chapter 3 discusses conflict within a business context with reference to functional and dysfunctional conflict. different approaches to conflict. types of conflict, different reactions to conflict as well as its different stages. Chapter 4 addresses the course, handling and management of conflict by analyzing the conflict process while it keeps the theories of Marx and Dahrendorf in mind. Chapter 5 analyzes and describes the data and results found by means of empirical research according to specific statistical methods. The empirical study was conducted among the employees of a steel company. A standardised questionnaire and personal interviews were used. Major findings Chapter 6 consists of analysed information about the assembled data. The major findings of the study support the set of research objectives and prove all of them. Major findings include the following: Cooperation, discipline and communication are problem areas within the steel organization. A large number of employees show dissatisfaction about the nature and extent of their work. Some of the employees misuse their authority and this is a major cause of conflict. A total of 95% of the population show that they would like further training in the dynamics of conflict management. Half of the population show that they are unaware of any policies and procedures of conflict management in the steel company. Conclusion In conclusion as found in chapter 6 the study makes a number of recommendations centring on the training of employees to handle conflict and policy-making about conflict-handling and management. / Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Sociology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.

The thesis explores how European social movements have actively contested that there is no alternative to capitalism by constructing alternative trading practices in solidarity with marginalized peoples in the global South. The study adopts the example of the European Zapatista solidarity network (Redprozapa) to examine the nature of organizations involved in radical political practices. One organization Ya Basta-Milano is focused on to examine in detail the operation of, and challenges faced by, an autonomous political group that engages in solidarity trade. Solidarity and autonomy are the key conceptual themes, which the investigation revolves around. The research dwells upon the potential importance as well as the limitations of solidarity trade as an emerging form of constructive resistance. It concentrates upon the subject of autonomous spaces that embodies the physical and political context in which autonomous social movements promote their practices. It questions the contradictions met in this environment despite the romanticized idea promoted by some academic literature. Finally, it provides methodological insights about solidarity action research and personal implications of working with radical groups as an activist academic.

Le contrat de travail fonde la relation de travail et institue le rapport de subordination qui se concrétise par la concession d’un pouvoir à l’employeur. C’est donc aux parties qu’il revient de définir l’étendue, le domaine et les limites du pouvoir patronal. Le salarié ne consent qu’à une subordination strictement définie et encadrée par le contrat. Une analyse objective de la volonté implicite des contractants, au regard de leurs attentes légitimes et de la finalité du pouvoir institué, et à la lumière des exigences du droit commun des contrats (notamment l’exigence de détermination de l’objet des obligations) et des droits fondamentaux (en premier lieu le droit à la protection de la santé) permet d’identifier leurs droits et obligations réciproques : quelles sont les prérogatives que l’employeur est habilité à exercer ? Quelles sont les données du rapport d’emploi qui ne peuvent être remises en cause unilatéralement ? Par ailleurs, le salarié tire du contrat plusieurs pouvoirs d’initiative (exception d’inexécution, prise d’acte) lui permettant de réagir à un manquement de l’employeur. Ceux-ci concourent à l’effectivité des prévisions contractuelles et témoignent d’une réhabilitation du salarié en tant que contractant : contractant subordonné, certes, mais contractant à part entière avant tout. / The employment agreement establishes the work relationship and institutes the relation of subordination which is reflected by a grant of power to the employer. It is thus up to the parties to define the extent, scope and limits of the employer’s authority. The employee only consents to a subordination strictly defined and controlled by the contract. An objective analysis of the implicit will of the contracting parties, with regard to their legitimate expectations and the finality of the authority instituted, and in light of requirements of contract law (notably the requirement to determine the object of obligations) and fundamental rights (primarily the right to health protection) enables to identify their mutual rights and obligations: which prerogatives the employer is entitled to exercise ? Which elements of the employment relationship cannot be altered unilaterally ? Besides, there are several powers of initiatives which the employee derives from the contract (exception of non-performance, constructive dismissal) allowing the employee to react to a breach by the employer. These contribute to the effectiveness of the contractual provisions and reflect a reinstatement of the employee as contractor : a subordinate contracting party, certainly, but a contracting party in its own right first and foremost.

This work deals with an efficient and robust technique of performing Boolean operations on polygonal models. Full robustness is achieved within an internal representation based on planes and BSP (binary space partitioning) trees, in which operations can be carried out exactly in mere fixed precision arithmetic. Necessary conversions from the usual representation to the inner one and back, including their consequences are analyzed in detail. The performance of the method is optimized by a localization scheme in the form of an adaptive octree. The resulting implementation RazeCSG is experimentally compared with implementations used in practice Carve and Maya, which are not fully robust. For large models, RazeCSG shows only twice lower performance in the worst case than Carve, and is at least 130 times faster than Maya.

In this thesis we present the Stone representation theorem, generally known as Stone duality in the point-free context. The proof is choice-free and, since we do not have to be concerned with points, it is by far simpler than the original. For each infinite cardinal κ we show that the counter- part of the κ-complete Boolean algebras is constituted by the κ-basically disconnected Stone frames. We also present a precise characterization of the morphisms which correspond to the κ-complete Boolean homomorphisms. Although Booleanization is not functorial in general, in the part of the dual- ity for extremally disconnected Stone frames it is, and constitutes an equiv- alence of categories. We finish the thesis by focusing on the De Morgan (or extremally disconnected) frames and present a new characterization of these by their superdense sublocales. We also show that in contrast with this phenomenon, a metrizable frame has no non-trivial superdense sublocale; in other words, a non-trivial Čech-Stone compactification of a metrizable frame is never metrizable. 1