Thesis advisor: Kathleen McInnis-Dittrich / The purpose of this study was to investigate the dynamics of decision-making in formulating anti-poverty policies in Palestine. Particularly, this study was concerned with exploring the key decision makers, their roles, and how the power relationship among them influences the process of formulating anti-poverty policies. In addition, this study was intended to investigate the knowledge about the dynamics of decision making within the Palestinian National Authority (PNA): how actual decisions are made about anti-poverty policies and who is making decisions. Moreover, the scope of this study also included how the unique economic, social, and political contexts of Palestine influence the process of formulating anti-poverty policies. Further, this study explored how anti-poverty policies impact the lives of everyday poor Palestinians. This study utilized political theories, colonialism theory, and hegemony theory, to understand the external factors that affect the formulation of anti-poverty policies. Also, it used public policy theories, elitism, pluralism, and bounded rationality theory, to explore how anti-poverty policies are made and who made such policies in Palestine. This study employed a qualitative approach with a social constructivist paradigm of inquiry. This case study focused on two major sites that are responsible for formulating social policies in Palestine: the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA) and the Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development (MOPAD) in Ramallah. The findings of this study indicated that significant changes have occurred as regards who the key decision makers are and what roles they play in the formulation of anti-poverty policies. In analyzing the power relationship among the key decision makers, the findings showed that although the PNA has increased its control over the decision-making process, the international donor agencies continue to significantly influence this process. The data also revealed that unlike the models of policy making in democratic countries (such as elitism or pluralism), the approach to developing anti-poverty policies in Palestine reflects the participatory model. Consistent with the theory of bounded rationality, the findings revealed that anti-poverty policies have been made with financial, material, political, and other limitations. Implications for formulating anti-poverty policies and for future research are discussed. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Social Work. / Discipline: Social Work.

The world in which organisations operate is undergoing radical transformations. Traditional strategy formulating techniques have become continuously more inadequate to develop robust strategies that are sufficiently agile to sustain the longevity of organisations in the modern business environment. Adding to this conundrum is the fact that over the past decade information and communications technology (ICT) has gained prominence as a key contributor that is revolutionising the ICT landscape through the rapid pace of innovative ICT products and the manner in which organisations conduct business in reaction to these ICT innovations. As an ostensible choice, managers are relying on ICT adoption as a means to close the gap that may exist between the organisation and its environment. The challenges facing managers include understanding the critical ICT adoption factors, identifying the priorities placed on ICT adoption factors by different levels of management and determining the factors that influence decision-makers in their selection for ICT adoption. In short, the challenge for managers is understanding the practical dynamics involved in strategising for ICT adoption. Strategy-as-practice (s-as-p) is ideally suited to address this challenge because it focuses on the micro-activities of individuals within organisations and exposes how their daily activities contribute towards strategising. Thus, s-as-p formed the framework for this study’s research. This study focuses on an individual case organisation and produces insight into the strategising activities of ICT adoption. The data-gathering instrument was in the form of an online questionnaire sent to the various levels of management and to individuals fulfilling organisational positions that contribute to decision-making. Three hundred and fifty two (352) respondents completed the questionnaire successfully. This study investigates, applies and tests the ICT adoption factors within the case organisation. This study’s empirical findings indicate that job context, levels of management, qualifications and managerial views all influence management’s ability in strategising for ICT adoption. The study contributes towards the s-as-p body of knowledge in confirming that significant information can be obtained by focusing on the micro-activities of aggregate individuals, and reveals how this information may contribute towards developing robust strategies by empowering decision-makers with an intimate understanding of their organisational operations. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2015 / Business Management / PhD / Unrestricted

The problem with which this investigation is concerned is that of developing (a) the concept of instructional claim, and (b) credible principles for instructional claim formulation and evaluation. The belief that these constructions are capable of contributing to the advancement of curricular and instructional research and practice is grounded in three major features. The first feature is that of increased precision of basic concepts and increased coherence among them. The second feature is the deliberate connecting of instructional strategies and goal-states and the connecting of instructional configurations with curricular configurations. The third feature is the introduction of fundamental logical principles as evaluative criteria and the framing of instructional plans in such a way as to be subject to empirical tests under the principles of hypothesis testing that are considered credible in the empirical sciences.

Caffeine is frequently used in cosmetics due to its well-characterised skin permeation properties and is widely incorporated in cosmetic-related products intended for skin (Samah & Heard, 2013:631). Despite its polar characteristics (Dias et al., 1999:41), caffeine is an important biologically and cosmetically active compound (Herman & Herman, 2012:13). This active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) has a broad range of advantages in the world of cosmetics, including the improvement of microcirculation in the capillaries (Lupi et al., 2007:107), showing anti-cellulite activity in the fatty tissue (Velasco et al., 2008:24), anti-oxidation activity in sunscreens & anti-ageing products (Koo et al., 2007:964) and the stimulation of hair growth (Fisher et al., 2007:27). Caffeine has also shown significant decreases in UV-induced skin tumour multiplicity (Lu et al., 2001:5003, 5008) and has been proven to prevent photo-damaged skin, which includes the formation of wrinkles and histological alterations (Mitani et al., 2007:86). It is therefore clear that the challenge for the dermal delivery of the hydrophilic caffeine is for it to be retained in the specific skin layers (dermal delivery) where it can exert its action, rather than to permeate through the skin and into the hydrophilic systemic circulation (transdermal delivery) (Wiechers et al., 2008:10). In this study the calculated skin delivery gap (SDG) values, and the transdermal and dermal delivery of caffeine from three different semi-solid topical formulations were compared. The SDG theory was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of dermal delivery of API from topical formulations and is known as the ratio between the concentration required to achieve minimum effect relative to the concentration obtained at the target site (JW Solutions, 2011). During this study the principle of the SDG was investigated by using the formulating strategy, Formulating for Efficacy (FFE™), which aims to optimise skin delivery of APIs from different formulations. The SDG was therefore implemented and in vitro transdermal studies were utilised to ultimately prove or disprove the hypothesis of SDG on the prediction of the topical delivery of caffeine. The human skin consists of two distinctive layers namely the epidermis (including the stratum corneum (SC) and viable dermis) and the dermis (Menon, 2002:S3). The main barrier to dermal and transdermal permeation is the outermost layer of the skin, the SC (Fang et al., 2007:343). The difference between the target site for dermal and transdermal delivery of APIs is crucial to be mentioned. Dermal delivery includes the delivery of an API to the skin surface, SC, viable epidermis or dermis, whereas transdermal delivery requires the API to permeate all the way through the various skin layers and into the systemic circulation (Wiechers, 2000:42). Since this study involves the optimisation of the topical delivery of caffeine, the physicochemical properties of this API as well as those of the skin should be considered. As mentioned before, caffeine is a rather polar molecule (Dias et al., 1999:41), whereas the SC (lipophilic) provides the rate-limiting barrier to the percutaneous absorption of polar (hydrophilic) molecules, such as caffeine (Barry, 1983:105). Caffeine was incorporated into three different formulations: a gel and two creams (differing only in the ratio of the primary and secondary emollient). The three topical formulations each had different polarities, where the Gel represented the hydrophilic formulation (more polar than the skin), whereas the first cream, Cream 1 (containing 5% DMI and 9% glycerine), served as the intermediate formulation (similar polarity as the SC), and the second cream, Cream 2 (10% DMI and 4% glycerine), was the formulation less polar (therefore more lipophilic) than the SC. Franz cell type transdermal diffusion studies were performed on the three semi-solid formulations (Gel, Cream 1 and Cream 2). The diffusion studies were conducted over a period of 12 h, followed by the tape stripping of the skin directly after each diffusion study. Caucasian female abdominal skin was obtained with consent from willing donors. Ethical approval for the acquisition and use of the donated skin was granted under reference number NWU-00114-11-A5. The formulations each contained 1% of caffeine as API. The skin used for the diffusion studies was prepared with the use of a Zimmer Dermatome®. The receptor phase of each Franz cell was withdrawn at predetermined time intervals and subsequently analysed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in order to determine the concentration of caffeine that permeated through the skin. Stratum corneum-epidermis (SCE) and epidermis-dermis (ED) samples were prepared and left overnight at a temperature of 4 °C, and they were analysed the following day with the use of HPLC in order to determine the concentration of caffeine that had accumulated in the particular skin layers. The SDG value for each caffeine formulation was calculated and it was compared to the flux and tape stripping results obtained from the diffusion studies. To ultimately prove or disprove the SDG theory, the skin diffusion studies and tape stripping results were used to determine whether any difference occurred in the absorption or penetration of the API from the different formulations into the skin. The formulation with the intermediate polarity (Cream 1) produced the highest transdermal flux of caffeine due to the hydrophilic and lipophilic nature of caffeine and the formulation, respectively. Cream 1 is sufficiently lipophilic to transport caffeine into the SC and at the same time sufficiently hydrophilic (more polar than Cream 2) to cause a greater driving force of caffeine through to the more hydrophilic epidermis, dermis and systemic circulation. The results from the tape stripping yielded that Cream 2 (the more lipophilic formulation) produced the highest concentration of caffeine into the SCE due to the hydrophilic and lipophilic nature of caffeine and the formulation, respectively. The difference in polarity between the formulation and the API in Cream 2 was the greatest compared to the other formulations, which significantly increased the driving force of caffeine to partition into the SC (Wiechers et al., 2004:177). The hydrophilic gel showed the highest concentration of caffeine in the ED layer of the skin due to the hydrophilic compounds formulated in the Gel, which showed greater ability to partition into the aqueous dermis and viable epidermis (Imai et al., 2013:372). Cream 2 had the lowest calculated SDG value compared to that of the Gel and Cream 1. The smaller the delivery gap, the greater the delivery of the API should be into the skin (Wiechers, 2010). Considering this, it was expected that Cream 2 would deliver greater amounts of caffeine into the skin than the more hydrophilic formulations. Cream 2, which showed the lowest calculated SDG value delivered the highest amount of caffeine into the SCE during the diffusion studies. The calculated SDG values therefore are consistent with the concentration of caffeine in the SCE (the lowest SDG value produced the highest concentration of API in the SCE). However, no correlations were found between the calculated SDG values and ED delivery or the flux of caffeine. The final conclusion for this study is that the SDG theory proved to be effective and trustworthy regarding the delivery of caffeine into the SC. / MSc (Pharmaceutics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Caffeine is frequently used in cosmetics due to its well-characterised skin permeation properties and is widely incorporated in cosmetic-related products intended for skin (Samah & Heard, 2013:631). Despite its polar characteristics (Dias et al., 1999:41), caffeine is an important biologically and cosmetically active compound (Herman & Herman, 2012:13). This active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) has a broad range of advantages in the world of cosmetics, including the improvement of microcirculation in the capillaries (Lupi et al., 2007:107), showing anti-cellulite activity in the fatty tissue (Velasco et al., 2008:24), anti-oxidation activity in sunscreens & anti-ageing products (Koo et al., 2007:964) and the stimulation of hair growth (Fisher et al., 2007:27). Caffeine has also shown significant decreases in UV-induced skin tumour multiplicity (Lu et al., 2001:5003, 5008) and has been proven to prevent photo-damaged skin, which includes the formation of wrinkles and histological alterations (Mitani et al., 2007:86). It is therefore clear that the challenge for the dermal delivery of the hydrophilic caffeine is for it to be retained in the specific skin layers (dermal delivery) where it can exert its action, rather than to permeate through the skin and into the hydrophilic systemic circulation (transdermal delivery) (Wiechers et al., 2008:10). In this study the calculated skin delivery gap (SDG) values, and the transdermal and dermal delivery of caffeine from three different semi-solid topical formulations were compared. The SDG theory was developed to evaluate the effectiveness of dermal delivery of API from topical formulations and is known as the ratio between the concentration required to achieve minimum effect relative to the concentration obtained at the target site (JW Solutions, 2011). During this study the principle of the SDG was investigated by using the formulating strategy, Formulating for Efficacy (FFE™), which aims to optimise skin delivery of APIs from different formulations. The SDG was therefore implemented and in vitro transdermal studies were utilised to ultimately prove or disprove the hypothesis of SDG on the prediction of the topical delivery of caffeine. The human skin consists of two distinctive layers namely the epidermis (including the stratum corneum (SC) and viable dermis) and the dermis (Menon, 2002:S3). The main barrier to dermal and transdermal permeation is the outermost layer of the skin, the SC (Fang et al., 2007:343). The difference between the target site for dermal and transdermal delivery of APIs is crucial to be mentioned. Dermal delivery includes the delivery of an API to the skin surface, SC, viable epidermis or dermis, whereas transdermal delivery requires the API to permeate all the way through the various skin layers and into the systemic circulation (Wiechers, 2000:42). Since this study involves the optimisation of the topical delivery of caffeine, the physicochemical properties of this API as well as those of the skin should be considered. As mentioned before, caffeine is a rather polar molecule (Dias et al., 1999:41), whereas the SC (lipophilic) provides the rate-limiting barrier to the percutaneous absorption of polar (hydrophilic) molecules, such as caffeine (Barry, 1983:105). Caffeine was incorporated into three different formulations: a gel and two creams (differing only in the ratio of the primary and secondary emollient). The three topical formulations each had different polarities, where the Gel represented the hydrophilic formulation (more polar than the skin), whereas the first cream, Cream 1 (containing 5% DMI and 9% glycerine), served as the intermediate formulation (similar polarity as the SC), and the second cream, Cream 2 (10% DMI and 4% glycerine), was the formulation less polar (therefore more lipophilic) than the SC. Franz cell type transdermal diffusion studies were performed on the three semi-solid formulations (Gel, Cream 1 and Cream 2). The diffusion studies were conducted over a period of 12 h, followed by the tape stripping of the skin directly after each diffusion study. Caucasian female abdominal skin was obtained with consent from willing donors. Ethical approval for the acquisition and use of the donated skin was granted under reference number NWU-00114-11-A5. The formulations each contained 1% of caffeine as API. The skin used for the diffusion studies was prepared with the use of a Zimmer Dermatome®. The receptor phase of each Franz cell was withdrawn at predetermined time intervals and subsequently analysed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in order to determine the concentration of caffeine that permeated through the skin. Stratum corneum-epidermis (SCE) and epidermis-dermis (ED) samples were prepared and left overnight at a temperature of 4 °C, and they were analysed the following day with the use of HPLC in order to determine the concentration of caffeine that had accumulated in the particular skin layers. The SDG value for each caffeine formulation was calculated and it was compared to the flux and tape stripping results obtained from the diffusion studies. To ultimately prove or disprove the SDG theory, the skin diffusion studies and tape stripping results were used to determine whether any difference occurred in the absorption or penetration of the API from the different formulations into the skin. The formulation with the intermediate polarity (Cream 1) produced the highest transdermal flux of caffeine due to the hydrophilic and lipophilic nature of caffeine and the formulation, respectively. Cream 1 is sufficiently lipophilic to transport caffeine into the SC and at the same time sufficiently hydrophilic (more polar than Cream 2) to cause a greater driving force of caffeine through to the more hydrophilic epidermis, dermis and systemic circulation. The results from the tape stripping yielded that Cream 2 (the more lipophilic formulation) produced the highest concentration of caffeine into the SCE due to the hydrophilic and lipophilic nature of caffeine and the formulation, respectively. The difference in polarity between the formulation and the API in Cream 2 was the greatest compared to the other formulations, which significantly increased the driving force of caffeine to partition into the SC (Wiechers et al., 2004:177). The hydrophilic gel showed the highest concentration of caffeine in the ED layer of the skin due to the hydrophilic compounds formulated in the Gel, which showed greater ability to partition into the aqueous dermis and viable epidermis (Imai et al., 2013:372). Cream 2 had the lowest calculated SDG value compared to that of the Gel and Cream 1. The smaller the delivery gap, the greater the delivery of the API should be into the skin (Wiechers, 2010). Considering this, it was expected that Cream 2 would deliver greater amounts of caffeine into the skin than the more hydrophilic formulations. Cream 2, which showed the lowest calculated SDG value delivered the highest amount of caffeine into the SCE during the diffusion studies. The calculated SDG values therefore are consistent with the concentration of caffeine in the SCE (the lowest SDG value produced the highest concentration of API in the SCE). However, no correlations were found between the calculated SDG values and ED delivery or the flux of caffeine. The final conclusion for this study is that the SDG theory proved to be effective and trustworthy regarding the delivery of caffeine into the SC. / MSc (Pharmaceutics), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T14:19:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Leticia Nunes Rocha.pdf: 697434 bytes, checksum: 34284c59faa2286d63eff01af4a6082e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-30 / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the presence/absence variables about the behavior model to solve problems and formulate rules. Twenty-four participants (6 in each of the experiments I and II and 12 in experiment III) were exposed to a task that was to organize a sequence of colors. The first experiment consisted of three conditions: a) presence of the model at the moment to answer, b) absence of the model and detailed instructions, c) absence of the model. Experiment II was almost identical to the previous one, except in the second condition, where the models were present and the participant had detailed instructions. Yet the experiment III was conducted with two groups of participants. In Group A, the models were present of the answer of the participant, in contrast to Group B, where the models were absent. In this experiment no participant had access to any instruction. The results suggest that the presence of the model facilitates the behavior for the solution of problems. / O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar o efeito das variáveis presença/ ausência de modelo sobre o comportamento de resolver problemas e formular regras. Vinte e quatro participantes (6 nos experimentos I e II e 12 no Experimento III) foram expostos a uma tarefa que consistia em organizar uma sequência de cores. O Experimento I era constituído de três Condições: a) presença do modelo no momento do responder; b) ausência do modelo + instruções detalhadas; c) ausência do modelo. O Experimento II era praticamente idêntico ao anterior, exceto que na segunda condição, onde os modelos estavam presentes e o participante dispunha de instruções detalhadas. Já o Experimento III, foi realizado com 2 grupos de participantes. No Grupo A, os modelos estavam presentes no momento do participante responder, ao contrario do Grupo B, onde os modelos estavam ausentes. Neste Experimento nenhum participante tinha acesso a qualquer instrução. Os resultados sugerem que a presença do modelo facilita o comportamento de resolução de problemas.

Cette étude a été réalisée dans le cadre d’une maîtrise en Aménagement. Elle s’efforce à démontrer que l’étape d’un projet que l’on appelle problématisation, c’est-à-dire l’étape de construction des problèmes à être résolus, permet de s’assurer que les actions entreprises soient en cohérence et en pertinence avec le contexte du projet. Nous constatons désormais que nous ne pouvons plus nous contenter d’évaluer les projets sur la seule base de son efficience, c’est-à-dire la concordance de ses résultats avec les objectifs prévus. Dans ces circonstances, nous émettons l’hypothèse que la problématisation fait appel à des compétences particulières et généralement peu utilisées par rapport à d’autres étapes de la réalisation d’un projet. À cet égard, nous avons réalisé un travail de recherche exploratoire sur ce thème en ayant comme objectif d’obtenir une compréhension des compétences mobilisées lors de la problématisation en situation de projet en général et d’identifier plus spécifiquement ces compétences dans une situation de projet en particulier, celle des projets de coopération internationale. Pour y arriver, nous avons procédé à la construction d’un référentiel d’emploi et d’activités pour en déduire un référentiel de compétences de la problématisation. Pour ce faire, nous avons réalisé une étude de cas sur les projets de stage de coopération internationale. L’utilisation de la technique de l’« instruction au sosie » et d’une rechercheintervention nous ont permis de dégager les principaux résultats suivant: la problématisation fait appel à des compétences particulières de gestion de l’information et de médiation. Les compétences générales de problématisation que les responsables des stages dans les organisations de coopération internationale v doivent maîtriser sont : être capable de générer les disponibilités de projets à partir de données primaires et secondaires; être capable de faire des choix et de justifier ces choix en fonction de l’analyse des données; être capable de présenter des informations écrites claires, respectueuses des idées des partenaires en fonction du langage de projet utilisé par le public auquel s’adresse la proposition; être capable d’utiliser les commentaires des évaluateurs pour améliorer un projet et être capable de mener à terme un projet. La contribution principale de ce travail de recherche réside dans la proposition d’un outil précieux pour le recrutement et la sélection, l’évaluation du rendement, la formation et le perfectionnement des acteurs de la problématisation. / This study was realized within the framework of a master’s degree in Design and Complexity. It tries to demonstrate the importance of problem building in projects, allowing the action to be in coherence and in relevance with the context where the project takes place. From now on, we consider that the value of the project cannot be satisfied on the only basis of its efficiency, which means the concordance of the results with planned objectives. Consequently, this analysis relies on the assumption that problem building uses specific competencies usually unused compare to others steps during the process of project building. In this regard, an exploratory research was carried out on this subject with the objective of identifying skills during problem building, and more specifically identifying those competencies within a particular project, which are the international cooperation projects. To get there, we realized a table of reference of skills and competencies by using a case study that we did. That case study was based on small projects managed by international cooperation groups in Quebec. The use of both “instruction to the double” and research-intervention techniques allowed us to conclude to the following results: problem building needs specific skills of management of the information and mediation. The main skills of problem building are: the capacity of generating the availabilities of projects from primary and secondary data; the capacity of choosing and justifying these choices according to data analysis; the capacity of presenting clever written information, respectful of the ideas of the partners according to the language of project used by the public whom addresses the proposition; the capacity of using the comments of appraisers to improve a project and be capable of leading a project. vii The main contribution of this research lies in the proposition of a precious tool for the recruitment and the selection, the evaluation and the formation of the actors that conduct problem building.

Cette étude a été réalisée dans le cadre d’une maîtrise en Aménagement. Elle s’efforce à démontrer que l’étape d’un projet que l’on appelle problématisation, c’est-à-dire l’étape de construction des problèmes à être résolus, permet de s’assurer que les actions entreprises soient en cohérence et en pertinence avec le contexte du projet. Nous constatons désormais que nous ne pouvons plus nous contenter d’évaluer les projets sur la seule base de son efficience, c’est-à-dire la concordance de ses résultats avec les objectifs prévus. Dans ces circonstances, nous émettons l’hypothèse que la problématisation fait appel à des compétences particulières et généralement peu utilisées par rapport à d’autres étapes de la réalisation d’un projet. À cet égard, nous avons réalisé un travail de recherche exploratoire sur ce thème en ayant comme objectif d’obtenir une compréhension des compétences mobilisées lors de la problématisation en situation de projet en général et d’identifier plus spécifiquement ces compétences dans une situation de projet en particulier, celle des projets de coopération internationale. Pour y arriver, nous avons procédé à la construction d’un référentiel d’emploi et d’activités pour en déduire un référentiel de compétences de la problématisation. Pour ce faire, nous avons réalisé une étude de cas sur les projets de stage de coopération internationale. L’utilisation de la technique de l’« instruction au sosie » et d’une rechercheintervention nous ont permis de dégager les principaux résultats suivant: la problématisation fait appel à des compétences particulières de gestion de l’information et de médiation. Les compétences générales de problématisation que les responsables des stages dans les organisations de coopération internationale v doivent maîtriser sont : être capable de générer les disponibilités de projets à partir de données primaires et secondaires; être capable de faire des choix et de justifier ces choix en fonction de l’analyse des données; être capable de présenter des informations écrites claires, respectueuses des idées des partenaires en fonction du langage de projet utilisé par le public auquel s’adresse la proposition; être capable d’utiliser les commentaires des évaluateurs pour améliorer un projet et être capable de mener à terme un projet. La contribution principale de ce travail de recherche réside dans la proposition d’un outil précieux pour le recrutement et la sélection, l’évaluation du rendement, la formation et le perfectionnement des acteurs de la problématisation. / This study was realized within the framework of a master’s degree in Design and Complexity. It tries to demonstrate the importance of problem building in projects, allowing the action to be in coherence and in relevance with the context where the project takes place. From now on, we consider that the value of the project cannot be satisfied on the only basis of its efficiency, which means the concordance of the results with planned objectives. Consequently, this analysis relies on the assumption that problem building uses specific competencies usually unused compare to others steps during the process of project building. In this regard, an exploratory research was carried out on this subject with the objective of identifying skills during problem building, and more specifically identifying those competencies within a particular project, which are the international cooperation projects. To get there, we realized a table of reference of skills and competencies by using a case study that we did. That case study was based on small projects managed by international cooperation groups in Quebec. The use of both “instruction to the double” and research-intervention techniques allowed us to conclude to the following results: problem building needs specific skills of management of the information and mediation. The main skills of problem building are: the capacity of generating the availabilities of projects from primary and secondary data; the capacity of choosing and justifying these choices according to data analysis; the capacity of presenting clever written information, respectful of the ideas of the partners according to the language of project used by the public whom addresses the proposition; the capacity of using the comments of appraisers to improve a project and be capable of leading a project. vii The main contribution of this research lies in the proposition of a precious tool for the recruitment and the selection, the evaluation and the formation of the actors that conduct problem building.

Uppsatsen undersöker inledningsvis om FOI:s principer för kravformulering kan anses behöva kompletteras mot bakgrund av Försvarsmaktens behov och undersöker därefter kvalitén i några av flygvapnets kravunderlag relativt principerna för kravformulering. Av resultatet framgår att principerna kan behöva kompletteras med principerna prioritering och kontextuell beskrivning. Av fallstudiernas resultat framgår att kvalitén i flygvapnets kravunderlag relativt principerna för kravformulering generellt är låg, att den varierar mellan underlagen och att den i vissa fall är mycket låg i fråga om uppfyllnad av principerna. Uppsatsen rekommenderar att FOI:s principer för kravformulering utökas med principerna prioritering och kontextuell beskrivning. Vidare rekommenderas flygvapnet att öka kvalitén i framtida kravformuleringarna så att den militära nyttan av arbete med kravformulering även kan öka. Slutligen och som biprodukt visas hur ett bör-krav kan användas i ett kravunderlag på ett annat sätt än det som har varit Försvarsmaktens tradition. / The paper firstly examines if the FOI principles for formulating requirements need to be complemented as a result of the Armed Forces needs and then examines the quality of some of the Air Force requirements documents relative to the principles of requirements formulation. The results show that the principles can be complemented by the principles of priority and contextual description. The case studies results show that the quality of the air force's requirements documentation relative to the principles is generally low, that it varies between the documents and that they in some cases are very low in terms of fulfilling the principles. The paper recommends that the FOI principles for formulating requirements are complemented with the principles of priority and contextual description. It recommends the Air Force to improve the quality of future requirement formulations so that the military utility of such work also may increase. Finally, as a spin-off product, it shows how a should-requirement can be used in a different way than what has been the Armed Forces tradition.

The political history of South Africa, especially that of the apartheid years, has affected the structuring and functioning of business in the country profoundly. In general, White business is highly developed and formal, with access to financial and infrastructural support. Black business is often subsistence-based, informal and struggles for access to support mechanisms. These structural inequities have had a depressing impact on the economy that will continue if they are not resolved. Following the 1994 elections, policies and legislation have been introduced aimed at redressing structural imbalances. There is thus both a political and an economic imperative to bridge the gaps that have arisen between Black and White business. The study proposes Black/White joint ventures as a mechanism to this end. The history of Black/White relationships means that these enterprises are likely to face many problems. A model has been developed through the study for the formulation, structuring and operation of Black/White joint ventures that takes into account the factors that are likely to impact on these ventures and affect their success potential. The process of applying the model in practice is directed towards results that are not prejudiced by the background of the parties to the venture. The study expands the concept of joint ventures within the South African context to incorporate initiatives along a continuum ranging from extensions to employment to full joint ventures. Depending on its nature and objectives, a venture may be placed and remain at any stage along the continuum, or may progress along it. Case studies of Black/White joint ventures were investigated in depth and analysed in terms of the application of the model, in order to determine the relevance of the model. In all cases, the success or failure of the venture under scrutiny could be ascribed to the way in which the presence of various elements identified as being components of the model had been accommodated in practice within the venture. The use of the model when applied to formulating, structuring and operating a Black/White joint venture can contribute to its success potential. / Business Management / DBL