O trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a agilidade nas contratações de projetos de pesquisa no âmbito do Programa de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento da Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (ANEEL). A pesquisa foi motivada pela demora na contratação de alguns projetos e pelo insucesso na contratação de outros, com o concorrente acúmulo de recursos a serem investidos. O primeiro objetivo específico foi a identificação das restrições do programa de P&D da ANEEL e seleção daquelas que afetam a contratação de projetos de pesquisa. O segundo objetivo é a proposição de alternativas para aumentar a agilidade na contratação de projetos de pesquisa. O trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas que correspondem aos objetivos específicos e são apresentadas em dois artigos. A primeira procurou investigar as variáveis do problema. A segunda etapa procurou propor alternativas para agilizar o processo de contratação de projetos de pesquisa das empresas. Na primeira etapa foi aplicado método para lidar com problemas sociais complexos ao longo de reuniões específicas. Uma das reuniões foi realizada com especialistas em pesquisa e outra com os envolvidos no programa de pesquisa. As informações foram trabalhadas e validadas com os participantes. Para desenvolver a segunda etapa, foram realizados três estudos de caso em que foram realizadas entrevistas e o mapeamento dos processos de contratação de empresas de diferentes naturezas jurídicas. Os procedimentos buscaram investigar se existiam diferenças na agilidade de contratação entre as empresas, tendo como base de comparação uma configuração específica de projeto, investigar a motivação para tais diferenças e levantar alternativas para disseminar entre as empresas a agilidade nas contratações. Na primeira etapa, as restrições do programa de P&D foram identificadas e a maior parte delas está relacionada com a gestão interna das empresas. Em seguida, estão as restrições relacionadas a contratação de projetos, mais especificamente a questões de propriedade industrial e de equipamentos comprados ou produzidos pelo projeto. Na segunda etapa, foram confirmadas diferenças na agilidade de contratação entre as empresas. A padronização de procedimentos e as relações recorrentes foram identificadas como motivações para tais diferenças. Entre as alternativas encontradas na literatura para tratar as restrições constatadas na primeira etapa, a formação de relações de longo prazo parece beneficiar a celebração de contratos. A formação de comitês para ajustes nos contratos não foi alvo de questionamento na presente pesquisa, mas também pode ser uma alternativa para agilizar a celebração de contratos. A atribuição da propriedade dos resultados para a parceira que mais contribui é alvo de controvérsia por questões legais. A presente pesquisa contribuiu para o campo gerencial ao propor a criação de uma certificação de qualidade para disseminar a padronização de processos, sendo que a padronização não foi abordada na teoria revisada que trata sobre a contratação de projetos de pesquisa. Essa alternativa contribuiria para tratar as restrições encontradas na contratação de projetos entre as empresas e as executoras com benefícios que extrapolam o escopo da presente pesquisa, visto que as instituições de pesquisa envolvidas no programa de P&D ANEEL estão dentre as principais do sistema de pesquisa brasileiro. Propõe-se desenvolver novas pesquisas que evoluam o conhecimento sobre a agilidade de contratação ao investigar os perfis de contratações, os mecanismos de governança utilizados e as diferenças de agilidade obtidas. / The work´s objective was the investigation of research contracting agility in the context of R&D Program for the Brazilian Electric Energy Sector. The research was motivated by the delay on some projects contract negotiation and by others unsuccessful contracting process, while the funds to invest keep growing. The first specific objective was to discover which constraints of the R&D Program for the Brazilian Electric Energy Sector, which guidelines and instructions are established by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency – ANEEL, affects research projects contracting process. The second objective is the proposition of alternatives to increase contracting agility. The work had two main stages to address the specific objectives and they are presented in two papers. The first stage investigated problem´s topics. The second stage intended to propose alternatives to make the utilities contracting process more agile. The first stage has applied a method for handling complex societal problems. A discussion meeting involved research experts and other the utilities and academy. The information collected was summarized and then validated with the participants. At the second stage, three case studies were developed using interviews and process mapping with public, private and mixed utilities. The procedures applied intended to investigate if there was agility differences in utilities contracting processes, using as reference a specific project configuration, identify the motivation for the differences founded and raise alternatives to make all utilities contracting processes agile. The constraints were identified in the first stage and most of them are related with utilities management. In second place, there are constraints related with project contracting, especially issues about industrial property and equipments developed or bought in the project. At the second stage, contracting agility differences were found. Process standardization and recurrent relationships were identified as possible motivations for these differences. Among the alternatives found in the literature review to handle the constraints identified in the first stage, the long term relationships seems to make contracting easier. The development of committees to adapt contracts during evolution of the collaboration was not in the scope of the present research, but also can be an alternative to make contracting more agile. Share property rights according with technological contribution can be refused because of legal aspects. The present research evolve the management knowledge as it proposes a certification to promote process standardization, besides the standardization was not present in the reviewed theory about research project contracting. This alternative would contribute to handle constraints identified in the contracting experience, with benefits that will exceed the planned scope, as the research institutions in the ANEEL R&D program are among the most importants in the brazilian research system. New researches may expand the knowledge about contracting agility if they investigate contracting configuration, governance mechanisms used and the agility differences obtained.

Ho, Yun Chi Maggie. / "December 2010." / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 211-231). / Abstracts in English and Chinese; some appendixes also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.iv / TABLE OF CONTENT --- p.vi / LIST OF TABLES --- p.xi / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.xiii / LIST OF APPENDICES --- p.xviii / NOTATION --- p.xix / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Significance --- p.2 / Chapter 1.3 --- Objectives --- p.4 / Chapter 1.4 --- Conceptual framework of study --- p.5 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.9 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2 --- Definition of terms --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3 --- Indigenous community and nature reserves --- p.12 / Chapter 2.4 --- Opportunities of cooperating with indigenous community in conservation --- p.15 / Chapter 2.5 --- Incorporating indigenous knowledge --- p.18 / Chapter 2.6 --- Sacred natural sites as traditional conserved areas --- p.21 / Chapter 2.7 --- Challenges --- p.26 / Chapter 2.7.1 --- Erosion of traditions --- p.26 / Chapter 2.7.2 --- Coordination between indigenous population and conservationists --- p.31 / Chapter 2.8 --- International trend --- p.33 / Chapter 2.9 --- Local experiences in nature conservation --- p.36 / Chapter 2.9.1 --- Legislative framework --- p.36 / Chapter 2.9.2 --- Types of Protected Areas (PAs) --- p.37 / Chapter 2.9.3 --- Community involvement --- p.41 / Chapter 2.9.4 --- Privately owned land. --- p.43 / Chapter 2.10 --- Summary --- p.45 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Methodology --- p.47 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.47 / Chapter 3.2 --- Research framework --- p.47 / Chapter 3.3 --- Data collection --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4 --- Analytical approach --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Importance-performance analysis --- p.51 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Participation level assessment --- p.53 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Background of Study Sites --- p.60 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2 --- Background information on Long Valley --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Geographical settings --- p.60 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Demographic information --- p.61 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Cultural heritages --- p.63 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Agricultural history --- p.66 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Avifauna diversity --- p.67 / Chapter 4.3 --- Background information on Fung Yuen --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Geographical settings --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- Demographic information --- p.72 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- Biodiversity --- p.73 / Chapter 4.4 --- Summary --- p.76 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Roles of Stakeholders --- p.78 / Chapter 5.1 --- Introduction : --- p.78 / Chapter 5.2 --- Current management framework : --- p.78 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- Role of government --- p.81 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- Role of NGOs --- p.86 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- Role of local community --- p.97 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- Role of private sector --- p.98 / Chapter 5.3 --- Summary --- p.99 / Chapter Chapter 6 --- Community participation level assessment --- p.102 / Chapter 6.1 --- Introduction --- p.102 / Chapter 6.2 --- Community participation on the two sites --- p.103 / Chapter 6.2.1 --- Long Valley --- p.103 / Chapter 6.2.2 --- Fung Yuen --- p.113 / Chapter 6.2.3 --- Summary --- p.125 / Chapter 6.3 --- Motivation for participation --- p.126 / Chapter 6.3.1 --- Long Valley --- p.126 / Chapter 6.3.2 --- Fung Yuen --- p.128 / Chapter 6.3.3 --- Summary --- p.129 / Chapter 6.4 --- Identifying participation level --- p.130 / Chapter 6.5 --- Suggestions for improvement --- p.134 / Chapter 6.5.1 --- Structure --- p.135 / Chapter 6.5.2 --- Conservation --- p.139 / Chapter 6.5.3 --- Ecotourism --- p.144 / Chapter 6.6 --- Summary --- p.147 / Chapter Chapter 7 --- Performance of MA scheme --- p.150 / Chapter 7.1 --- Introduction : --- p.150 / Chapter 7.2 --- Public perception --- p.150 / Chapter 7.3 --- NGOs´ة staffs --- p.160 / Chapter 7.3.1 --- Involvement of locals --- p.162 / Chapter 7.3.2 --- Management --- p.167 / Chapter 7.4 --- Summary --- p.172 / Chapter Chapter 8 --- Sustainable ma framework --- p.175 / Chapter 8.1 --- Introduction --- p.175 / Chapter 8.2 --- Current situation --- p.175 / Chapter 8.3 --- Challenges --- p.178 / Chapter 8.3.1 --- Interest of landlords --- p.178 / Chapter 8.3.2 --- Bureaucratic problem --- p.180 / Chapter 8.3.3 --- Inadequate institutional support --- p.183 / Chapter 8.3.4 --- Development pressure --- p.185 / Chapter 8.3.5 --- Absence of ecological baseline data --- p.187 / Chapter 8.3.6 --- Rapid change of personnel --- p.188 / Chapter 8.4 --- Opportunities --- p.189 / Chapter 8.4.1 --- Adaptive management --- p.189 / Chapter 8.4.2 --- Community participation --- p.191 / Chapter 8.4.3 --- Trust fund --- p.192 / Chapter 8.5 --- Summary and suggestions for improvement --- p.194 / Chapter Chapter 9 --- Conclusion --- p.199 / Chapter 9.1 --- Introduction --- p.199 / Chapter 9.2 --- Summary of findings --- p.200 / Chapter 9.2.1 --- Roles of stakeholders --- p.200 / Chapter 9.2.2 --- Community participation level --- p.202 / Chapter 9.2.3 --- Performance of MA --- p.204 / Chapter 9.2.4 --- Suggestions for improvement --- p.206 / Chapter 9.3 --- Limitations of the study --- p.208 / Chapter 9.4 --- Suggestions for future study --- p.209 / Bibliography --- p.211 / Appendices --- p.232

The Diploma thesis deals with selection of appropriate methods and tools for planning research projects. The theoretical part focuses on the general theory and the specifics of individual approaches, models and project management tools. Analytical part on the selection of appropriate managemenet elements based on examining enterprise environment. The practical part on the creation of a methodology and its projection to the work with supporting software.

Thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology: Town and Regional Planning in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology / Political independence for Zimbabwe in 1980 brought about fundamental socio-conomic changes which impacted on urbanisation trends in the country. For instance the removal of colonial influx control laws and regulations which had previously served to curtail ruralurban migration marked the beginning of a new developmental era characterised by rapid urbanisation. Political and economic downturns later experienced in the country in the last decade of the twentieth century and after resulted in massive de-industrialisation, company closures and high unemployment. These changes impacted significantly on the spatial structure of cities which had to firstly adapt to socio-political integration, and had to later focus on the basic challenges of providing shelter and alternative means of employment in a depressed economy. The physical and spatial manifestations of such changes included the rapid growth of informality, the collapse of urban infrastructure and the apparent disregard for the colonially styled urban development management frameworks. This research consequently evaluates the performance of current urban planning frameworks and practices in the face of such changing circumstances. This is against a backdrop of the apparent failure by urban planning to transform in line such development trends. The study explores the theoretical framework of rapid urbanisation, urban planning, and technological innovation in urban development management systems. The main focus of the study is on the transformation of planning practices and frameworks. Geo-spatial technology (GST) is mainly used as a demonstration and methodological tool for analysis and evaluation. The methodology is made up of two contrasting case studies based in the CBD of Harare (Zimbabwe‟s capital city) and Epworth (an informal settlement on the outskirts of Harare). The CBD case study measures the performance of planning frameworks within a formally planned set up whilst the Epworth case study demonstrates the (in)effectiveness of current planning practices to contemporary urban development challenges. The main findings of the research support the need to have mobile planning frameworks and tools that have the capacity to promptly respond to fast changing developmental trends. The other main finding highlights the positive relationship between impartial participation in planning and high level of success in achieving planning objectives.

O trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a agilidade nas contratações de projetos de pesquisa no âmbito do Programa de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento da Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (ANEEL). A pesquisa foi motivada pela demora na contratação de alguns projetos e pelo insucesso na contratação de outros, com o concorrente acúmulo de recursos a serem investidos. O primeiro objetivo específico foi a identificação das restrições do programa de P&D da ANEEL e seleção daquelas que afetam a contratação de projetos de pesquisa. O segundo objetivo é a proposição de alternativas para aumentar a agilidade na contratação de projetos de pesquisa. O trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas que correspondem aos objetivos específicos e são apresentadas em dois artigos. A primeira procurou investigar as variáveis do problema. A segunda etapa procurou propor alternativas para agilizar o processo de contratação de projetos de pesquisa das empresas. Na primeira etapa foi aplicado método para lidar com problemas sociais complexos ao longo de reuniões específicas. Uma das reuniões foi realizada com especialistas em pesquisa e outra com os envolvidos no programa de pesquisa. As informações foram trabalhadas e validadas com os participantes. Para desenvolver a segunda etapa, foram realizados três estudos de caso em que foram realizadas entrevistas e o mapeamento dos processos de contratação de empresas de diferentes naturezas jurídicas. Os procedimentos buscaram investigar se existiam diferenças na agilidade de contratação entre as empresas, tendo como base de comparação uma configuração específica de projeto, investigar a motivação para tais diferenças e levantar alternativas para disseminar entre as empresas a agilidade nas contratações. Na primeira etapa, as restrições do programa de P&D foram identificadas e a maior parte delas está relacionada com a gestão interna das empresas. Em seguida, estão as restrições relacionadas a contratação de projetos, mais especificamente a questões de propriedade industrial e de equipamentos comprados ou produzidos pelo projeto. Na segunda etapa, foram confirmadas diferenças na agilidade de contratação entre as empresas. A padronização de procedimentos e as relações recorrentes foram identificadas como motivações para tais diferenças. Entre as alternativas encontradas na literatura para tratar as restrições constatadas na primeira etapa, a formação de relações de longo prazo parece beneficiar a celebração de contratos. A formação de comitês para ajustes nos contratos não foi alvo de questionamento na presente pesquisa, mas também pode ser uma alternativa para agilizar a celebração de contratos. A atribuição da propriedade dos resultados para a parceira que mais contribui é alvo de controvérsia por questões legais. A presente pesquisa contribuiu para o campo gerencial ao propor a criação de uma certificação de qualidade para disseminar a padronização de processos, sendo que a padronização não foi abordada na teoria revisada que trata sobre a contratação de projetos de pesquisa. Essa alternativa contribuiria para tratar as restrições encontradas na contratação de projetos entre as empresas e as executoras com benefícios que extrapolam o escopo da presente pesquisa, visto que as instituições de pesquisa envolvidas no programa de P&D ANEEL estão dentre as principais do sistema de pesquisa brasileiro. Propõe-se desenvolver novas pesquisas que evoluam o conhecimento sobre a agilidade de contratação ao investigar os perfis de contratações, os mecanismos de governança utilizados e as diferenças de agilidade obtidas. / The work´s objective was the investigation of research contracting agility in the context of R&D Program for the Brazilian Electric Energy Sector. The research was motivated by the delay on some projects contract negotiation and by others unsuccessful contracting process, while the funds to invest keep growing. The first specific objective was to discover which constraints of the R&D Program for the Brazilian Electric Energy Sector, which guidelines and instructions are established by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency – ANEEL, affects research projects contracting process. The second objective is the proposition of alternatives to increase contracting agility. The work had two main stages to address the specific objectives and they are presented in two papers. The first stage investigated problem´s topics. The second stage intended to propose alternatives to make the utilities contracting process more agile. The first stage has applied a method for handling complex societal problems. A discussion meeting involved research experts and other the utilities and academy. The information collected was summarized and then validated with the participants. At the second stage, three case studies were developed using interviews and process mapping with public, private and mixed utilities. The procedures applied intended to investigate if there was agility differences in utilities contracting processes, using as reference a specific project configuration, identify the motivation for the differences founded and raise alternatives to make all utilities contracting processes agile. The constraints were identified in the first stage and most of them are related with utilities management. In second place, there are constraints related with project contracting, especially issues about industrial property and equipments developed or bought in the project. At the second stage, contracting agility differences were found. Process standardization and recurrent relationships were identified as possible motivations for these differences. Among the alternatives found in the literature review to handle the constraints identified in the first stage, the long term relationships seems to make contracting easier. The development of committees to adapt contracts during evolution of the collaboration was not in the scope of the present research, but also can be an alternative to make contracting more agile. Share property rights according with technological contribution can be refused because of legal aspects. The present research evolve the management knowledge as it proposes a certification to promote process standardization, besides the standardization was not present in the reviewed theory about research project contracting. This alternative would contribute to handle constraints identified in the contracting experience, with benefits that will exceed the planned scope, as the research institutions in the ANEEL R&D program are among the most importants in the brazilian research system. New researches may expand the knowledge about contracting agility if they investigate contracting configuration, governance mechanisms used and the agility differences obtained.

Um dos grandes desafios das empresas para maximizarem sua capacidade de inovação, necessidade preemente nos dias atuais, é o desenvolvimento de mecanismos que proporcionem a obtenção da complementaridade de competências entre duas ou mais empresas (MOFFAT; GERWIN; MEISTER, 1997). Entre estes mecanismos encontram-se as alianças estratégicas para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos, fenômeno relativamente recente e que já pode ser considerado como tendência nas decisões de pesquisa e desenvolvimento (P&D). O foco do presente trabalho é a análise destas alianças estratégicas, através do estudo da teoria já existente, fazendo surgir reflexões importantes e gerando novas contribuições. O escopo do estudo é, sem dúvida, a questão organizacional, em uma visão macro, permitindo uma análise sistêmica do fenômeno. Muitos trabalhos trazem separadamente temas acerca das alianças estratégicas para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos. Surge com isso, como conseqüência, a oportunidade de estruturação desses elementos, aparentemente dispersos, em uma síntese teórica ou estrutura conceitual, o que possibilita uma compreensão mais profunda do tema. Além disso, é feita uma organização e estudo das variáveis existentes no fenômeno para contribuir com as decisões acerca da forma organizacional mais adequada às alianças / One of the great challenges of the companies to maximize its capability of innovation, an urgent necessity in current days, is the development of mechanisms that allow the complementing of competences between two or more companies (MOFFAT; GERWIN; MEISTER, 1997). One of these mechanisms is the strategic alliances for new product development, a relatively recent phenomenon and one that already can be considered as a trend in research and development (R&D) decisions. The focus of the present work is the analysis of these strategic alliances, through the study of the existing theory, causing important reflections to emerge and generating new contributions. The scope of the study is, with no doubt, the organizational problem, in a macro viewpoint, which makes possible a systemic analysis of the phenomenon. Many papers separately bring subjects concerning the strategic alliances for new product development. That brings the opportunity to structure these elements, apparently dispersed, in a theoretical synthesis or conceptual structure, which makes possible a deeper understanding of the subject. Moreover, the existing variables in the phenomenon are studied and organized, so that this contributes to arrive at the decisions concerning the most suitable organizational format for the alliances.

O trabalho teve como objetivo investigar a agilidade nas contratações de projetos de pesquisa no âmbito do Programa de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento da Agência Nacional de Energia Elétrica (ANEEL). A pesquisa foi motivada pela demora na contratação de alguns projetos e pelo insucesso na contratação de outros, com o concorrente acúmulo de recursos a serem investidos. O primeiro objetivo específico foi a identificação das restrições do programa de P&D da ANEEL e seleção daquelas que afetam a contratação de projetos de pesquisa. O segundo objetivo é a proposição de alternativas para aumentar a agilidade na contratação de projetos de pesquisa. O trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas que correspondem aos objetivos específicos e são apresentadas em dois artigos. A primeira procurou investigar as variáveis do problema. A segunda etapa procurou propor alternativas para agilizar o processo de contratação de projetos de pesquisa das empresas. Na primeira etapa foi aplicado método para lidar com problemas sociais complexos ao longo de reuniões específicas. Uma das reuniões foi realizada com especialistas em pesquisa e outra com os envolvidos no programa de pesquisa. As informações foram trabalhadas e validadas com os participantes. Para desenvolver a segunda etapa, foram realizados três estudos de caso em que foram realizadas entrevistas e o mapeamento dos processos de contratação de empresas de diferentes naturezas jurídicas. Os procedimentos buscaram investigar se existiam diferenças na agilidade de contratação entre as empresas, tendo como base de comparação uma configuração específica de projeto, investigar a motivação para tais diferenças e levantar alternativas para disseminar entre as empresas a agilidade nas contratações. Na primeira etapa, as restrições do programa de P&D foram identificadas e a maior parte delas está relacionada com a gestão interna das empresas. Em seguida, estão as restrições relacionadas a contratação de projetos, mais especificamente a questões de propriedade industrial e de equipamentos comprados ou produzidos pelo projeto. Na segunda etapa, foram confirmadas diferenças na agilidade de contratação entre as empresas. A padronização de procedimentos e as relações recorrentes foram identificadas como motivações para tais diferenças. Entre as alternativas encontradas na literatura para tratar as restrições constatadas na primeira etapa, a formação de relações de longo prazo parece beneficiar a celebração de contratos. A formação de comitês para ajustes nos contratos não foi alvo de questionamento na presente pesquisa, mas também pode ser uma alternativa para agilizar a celebração de contratos. A atribuição da propriedade dos resultados para a parceira que mais contribui é alvo de controvérsia por questões legais. A presente pesquisa contribuiu para o campo gerencial ao propor a criação de uma certificação de qualidade para disseminar a padronização de processos, sendo que a padronização não foi abordada na teoria revisada que trata sobre a contratação de projetos de pesquisa. Essa alternativa contribuiria para tratar as restrições encontradas na contratação de projetos entre as empresas e as executoras com benefícios que extrapolam o escopo da presente pesquisa, visto que as instituições de pesquisa envolvidas no programa de P&D ANEEL estão dentre as principais do sistema de pesquisa brasileiro. Propõe-se desenvolver novas pesquisas que evoluam o conhecimento sobre a agilidade de contratação ao investigar os perfis de contratações, os mecanismos de governança utilizados e as diferenças de agilidade obtidas. / The work´s objective was the investigation of research contracting agility in the context of R&D Program for the Brazilian Electric Energy Sector. The research was motivated by the delay on some projects contract negotiation and by others unsuccessful contracting process, while the funds to invest keep growing. The first specific objective was to discover which constraints of the R&D Program for the Brazilian Electric Energy Sector, which guidelines and instructions are established by the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency – ANEEL, affects research projects contracting process. The second objective is the proposition of alternatives to increase contracting agility. The work had two main stages to address the specific objectives and they are presented in two papers. The first stage investigated problem´s topics. The second stage intended to propose alternatives to make the utilities contracting process more agile. The first stage has applied a method for handling complex societal problems. A discussion meeting involved research experts and other the utilities and academy. The information collected was summarized and then validated with the participants. At the second stage, three case studies were developed using interviews and process mapping with public, private and mixed utilities. The procedures applied intended to investigate if there was agility differences in utilities contracting processes, using as reference a specific project configuration, identify the motivation for the differences founded and raise alternatives to make all utilities contracting processes agile. The constraints were identified in the first stage and most of them are related with utilities management. In second place, there are constraints related with project contracting, especially issues about industrial property and equipments developed or bought in the project. At the second stage, contracting agility differences were found. Process standardization and recurrent relationships were identified as possible motivations for these differences. Among the alternatives found in the literature review to handle the constraints identified in the first stage, the long term relationships seems to make contracting easier. The development of committees to adapt contracts during evolution of the collaboration was not in the scope of the present research, but also can be an alternative to make contracting more agile. Share property rights according with technological contribution can be refused because of legal aspects. The present research evolve the management knowledge as it proposes a certification to promote process standardization, besides the standardization was not present in the reviewed theory about research project contracting. This alternative would contribute to handle constraints identified in the contracting experience, with benefits that will exceed the planned scope, as the research institutions in the ANEEL R&D program are among the most importants in the brazilian research system. New researches may expand the knowledge about contracting agility if they investigate contracting configuration, governance mechanisms used and the agility differences obtained.

Freshwater scarcity is a dire problem for exposed human societies and natural ecosystems—a problem expected to grow worse with anticipated climate change. Reverse osmosis (RO) desalination is currently the most energy-efficient and ubiquitous desalination process used for freshwater production in water-scarce regions. The synergy of high solar radiation and significantly reduced costs in photovoltaics (PV) creates the opportunity for PV to become a dominant and sustainable solution for powering the energy-intensive process of desalination and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.While photovoltaic-powered reverse osmosis (PVRO) is a promising technological solution, several significant challenges must be further addressed to sustain high RO performance. First, the inherently intermittent nature of solar energy generation can adversely affect the freshwater conversion process and thereby decrease water recovery and quality. Furthermore, global desalination capacity is dominated by large-scale plants, whereas PVRO systems are currently limited to small-scale systems. Thus, to truly integrate renewable energy with desalination systems in an impactful way, there is a need to explore pathways for modifying the RO process to enable flexible operation on a large-scale, in response to power variability. Furthermore, the techno-economic feasibility of flexible, renewable-powered RO processes and the potential benefits that could be provided to variable renewable energy (VRE) plants and the electric grid warrants investigation. Brine minimization is another major challenge for sustainable desalination. Brine management is especially an issue for inland desalination plants. Novel approaches that are less costly and less energy intensive are needed to facilitate minimal and zero liquid discharge. To enable high-salinity desalination, several variations of osmotically assisted RO, which each surpass the pressure limitation of conventional RO, have been proposed in the literature but require further assessment. The promise of these enhanced RO approaches entails a reduction in energy consumption when compared with thermal desalination methods. The primary deliverables and novel contributions of this thesis include the development of (i) design, simulation, and cost optimization models for variable-powered, variable-salinity RO systems, (ii) module-scale, cost-optimization models for enhanced RO technologies that reduce transmembrane osmotic pressure to enable high-salinity desalination and brine minimization, (iii) examining the effects of cyclic reverse osmosis on inorganic scaling mitigation, and (iv) quantifying the availability of unconventional, alternative water sources to alleviate local water scarcity in the contiguous US. First, the techno-economic feasibility of PV-powered RO desalination plants in the Gulf region was assessed using Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER) and Desalination Economic Evaluation Program (DEEP) to model both the power system and desalination system, respectively. Subsequently, an hourly simulation model for desalination was developed to replace the use of DEEP in the workflow. Grid-connected and off-grid cases with combinations of PV, batteries, and diesel generators were evaluated primarily by the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and levelized cost of water (LCOW). The shortcoming of conventional and PV-powered RO is that variable power compromises cumulative water production, which in turn increases water costs. Thus, we proposed the concept of active-salinity-control reverse osmosis (ASCRO) which enables control of the transmembrane osmotic pressure and water production in response to variable power. The ASCRO system dynamically controls energy consumption by operating across a range of feed salinity, allowing it to shift over a wide range of pump feed flows and pressures. To accomplish this, ASCRO utilizes feedwater from both low- and high-salinity sources. Enabling a dynamic power consumption profile can enhance demand-response capabilities, compensating for stressors on the grid. Moreover, ASCRO can improve the integration of renewable energy (RE) by responding to power fluctuations without compromising permeate production. This system can include on-site RE and energy storage to power the ASCRO plant and provide services to the grid. We considered the following grid-connected scenarios: 1) ASCRO, 2) ASCRO and battery storage, 3) ASCRO and photovoltaics (PV), and 4) ASCRO, battery storage, and PV. The LCOW was minimized by providing load-shifting and regulation capacity services in the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) market. We quantified that the ASCRO plant can ramp from minimum to maximum load within 84 seconds, which is adequate for participation in fast-timescale markets. The LCOW for these scenarios ranged from 49 – 59 cents/m³. We also present sensitivity analyses showing the effects of capital cost, CAISO market prices, and PV size on LCOW. To investigate alternative pathways to minimal and zero liquid discharge, low-salt rejection reverse osmosis (LSRRO), cascading osmotically mediated reverse osmosis (COMRO), and osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (OARO) were comparatively assessed via module-scale, cost optimization models to gain an accurate perspective of the performance differences between each of these configurations. We quantified the optimal LCOW of each technology for the case of desalinating feedwater at 70 g/L at 75% recovery, which would result in a brine concentration near 250 g/L, a level that allows further treatment with crystallizers. For baseline scenarios, LCOW results for OARO, COMRO, and LSRRO were 5.14, 7.90, and 6.63 $/m³ of product water, respectively, while the corresponding specific energy consumption (SEC) values were 10.31, 12.77, and 28.90 kWh/m³. A sensitivity analysis is also presented. Additionally, we sought to examine the possibility of whether adaptive RO operation could provide the added benefit of fouling mitigation. Using the Pitzer model, nucleation theory, and dissolution kinetics to guide a set of bench-scale fouling experiments, CaSO₄-NaCl solution, supersaturated with respect to gypsum, was fed through a membrane test cell to determine nucleation induction times, rates of flux decline, and scale reversal. Lastly, a geospatial analysis was conducted to estimate volumes of water deficits and potential alternative water sources for the contiguous US. Namely, wastewater effluent, brackish groundwater, agricultural drainage water, and produced water were considered in this analysis as alternatives for alleviating water scarcity. We formulated a conservative estimate of groundwater availability based on environmental flow limits. Additionally, agricultural drainage volumes were estimated based on USGS water use data. Overall, the results showed that water deficits amounted to an equivalent daily capacity of 149 million m³/day—nearly 50% more than the desalination capacity of the world in 2020. Furthermore, the total availability of alternative water sources was estimated to be between 192 – 240 million m³/day, but most of this volume was not in the same location as deficits. Thus, 58 – 65% of national water deficits would have to be alleviated via long-range transport. Additionally, the potential for integrating desalination and water reuse by interconnecting existing RO plants with wastewater treatments plants was also assessed.

Most of the US population is served by large-scale, centralized drinking water, wastewater, and storm water systems built in the late 19th and early 20th century. Multi-trillion dollar investments are needed over the next 20 years to restore failing infrastructure, expand service areas to accommodate growing populations, and meet rising service provision costs driven by environmental and regulatory factors. A formal plan that recognizes the socioeconomic complexity of water services provision in the US is needed to guide these investments. Rising residential water charges over the last 20 years have raised concerns about household affordability of basic water services. Meanwhile, anywhere from 9 to 45 million people (4-28% of the US population) are affected by health-based drinking water quality violations each year. New technologies and evolving social goals have the potential to reshape the sector as we know it. This dissertation is a first attempt at synthesizing the sub questions around which spending is most critical and how rates can be structured for more equitable outcomes. Research on the determinants of historic charge growth has been hindered by a lack of long-term longitudinal data. Unlike energy and telecom utilities, less than 20% of all drinking water utilities (primarily the investor-owned utilities) are economically regulated by public utility commissions. Absent local requirements, municipal water systems whose operating revenues are insufficient to cover operating expenses can make up for budget shortfalls with net transfers from the city general fund. We combine 10 American Water Works Association (AWWA) rate surveys to construct an 18-year unbalanced panel of charges at 446 large utilities (i.e., population served ≥10,000), revealing elevated 2-year compound annual charge growth (CAGR) between 2008 and 2012. We estimate heterogenous impacts of the Great Recession on CAGR with an event study design of 204 utilities, comparing those with 2007 operating ratios below 1.2 (PCR) to those with ratios of ≥ 1.2 (FCR). Despite having the same cumulative 18-year CAGR, 2009-2013 CAGR was 3.9, 5.2, 5.2, and 5.7 percentage points per year higher at PCR utilities for 500, 1,000, 1,500, and 3,000 cf/month, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that large utilities who were likely relying on the general fund at the start of the Great Recession had to sharply increase their charges in the short-term to make up for decreased availability of that funding source. This indicates more immediate affordability challenges at utilities with operating ratios below 1.2 in the event of a similar economic shock. Additional data is needed to evaluate generalizability of these results to smaller systems. Willingness to pay (WTP) for improved drinking water quality is estimated based on the cost of household averting behaviors taken during violations. While buying bottled water is a well-documented reaction to these violations, demographic and socioeconomic differences in water intake, preferred water supply alternatives, and shopping behavior suggest heterogeneity in the timing and form (e.g. soda vs bottled water) of household responses. We quantify this heterogeneity with an event study design using monthly household purchases of soda, water, and juice from the Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel Dataset from 2004 through 2017. We find that, while households spend an average 14.8% more on bottled water during a month with a nitrate violation, these responses are concentrated in non-hispanic (NHP) Black and NHP Other households below the poverty threshold. Bottled water spending is 91.8% higher than usual in violation months for the former group and 90.0% higher than normal in the month after a violation for the latter. A simultaneous 103% increase in juice spending results in a 30.6% increase in combined beverage spending for NHP Black households below the poverty line in a violation month. Meanwhile, an 85.3% increase in soda spending at NHP Other households drives a 58.9% increase in combined beverage spending in months with a violation and a 134% increase in soda spending, along with increased bottled water purchases, results in a 106% increase in combined beverage spending the month after a violation. NHP Black households with an IPR between 1 and 2 spend 129% more on soda during a violation. Our results indicate that studies focused only on bottled water purchases have systematically undercounted the effects on Hispanic, NHP Black, and Other NHP American households below the poverty threshold in their measure of WTP for improved drinking water quality or for the true cost of violations. Additional analysis is needed to determine if the tap water substitutions made by Hispanic households and households below the poverty threshold are increasing their overall sugary beverage consumption, which can have negative long-term health effects that are also not being considered. Finally, we explore the ongoing implementation of onsite and distributed water reuse systems (ODWRS) to better understand how sociotechnical transitions can be supported when they are deemed to be a socially optimal solution. ODWRS collect previously discarded water flows as alternative water sources (e.g. rainwater, stormwater, greywater, wastewater) from one or more buildings and treat that water close to the point of generation or point of use to a quality deemed safe for its intended end use. Widespread adoption of ODWRS requires both acceptance of new technologies (e.g., water treatment, engineering) and alterations to established social systems(e.g., norms, stakeholder engagement, regulations). This has often been discussed as a single transition for all types of systems at the same time. However, the types of ODWRS being implemented in different areas are not the same. We compile and analyze the first national dataset of system-level information on ODWRS to identify clusters of system types associated with specific drivers. We find evidence of multiple transitions based on the combination of original source contamination level and end use application contact level. Low-contamination, low-contact are almost in the final stage of sociotechnical transition for many locations. Many areas with water supply constraints have already begun the transition for high-contamination to low- or medium-contact systems. Wastewater ODWRS are being implemented in places with effluent disposal constraints and stormwater ODWRS are being implemented in areas with combined sewers or high flood risk, though usually only for low-contact end uses.

近年來台灣工業用塑膠製造產業因技術門檻降低、國內人力成本提升，導致廠商的營運愈來愈艱困，並開始尋求各種轉型的方式，包括研發新技術、轉戰高科技市場、改良設備、開發綠色產品…等。在這麼多轉型的選項中，研發一直被視為是企業維持長期競爭力的指標，而本研究即以此為出發點，探討研發管理、新產品開發專案管理、以及經營績效的關聯性。 為求貼近實務狀況，了解當前工業用塑膠製造廠商如何利用研發提升經營績效，本研究選擇採用個案研究法，並挑選於台灣上櫃的M公司作為個案公司，藉由其實際開發案例，分析研發管理、新產品開發專案管理與經營績效三者之間的關係。 研究結果顯示，雖然研發管理與新產品開發專案管理都各自能為公司提升部分的經營績效，但新研發技術運用的順遂與否卻仰賴部門間的合作，唯有在大家具有相同的共識時，企業內部資源才得以整合，並為公司帶來效益。因此，企業除了可以藉由各作業流程的改善提升經營績效外，也可利用共同績效指標的訂定，確保各部門間有一致的方向，以利公司整體運作。