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Service-oriented architecture (SOA) governance has been identified as the most important factor affecting the outcome of SOA within organisations. However, authors have failed to explain how organisations should govern specific aspects of its SOA, leaving a gap in the literature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate established SOA governance mechanisms in order to explain implications of governance in a SOA context. The research question of the study was to identify which SOA governance mechanisms do or do not provide support for different constituents of SOA. The study also contained three sub-questions; (i) Is there a difference between how SOA governance mechanisms support technical vs. non technical constituents of SOA? (ii) Is there any SOA governance mechanism that is more important than others? (iii) Is there a relation between the SOA governance mechanisms?   The study was conducted using theories related to SOA and SOA governance. We identified the most academically accepted SOA governance mechanisms to test their support for different constituents of SOA. To get an holistic view of SOA, we used a SOA maturity framework to identify what the constituents of SOA really are. The support of the SOA governance mechanisms were then studied in relation to the different constituents of SOA, through interviews and observations, during a ten week internship at Scania.   The results showed that as good as every SOA governance mechanism supports the constituents of SOA, although the level of support varied. In general, we found patterns separating the support for technological and non-technological constituents of SOA. The technological constituents of SOA were to a great extent provided the same support from SOA governance mechanisms, which also was true for the non-technological constituents of SOA. Interestingly, except for one SOA governance mechanism, the technological constituents of SOA and the non-technological obtained different levels of support from governance. The most important SOA governance mechanisms are the creation of standards and policies, having processes to create and enforce policies, processes for education, and establishing SOA skills and training. We can also conclude that there is a relationship between many of the SOA governance mechanisms, and that academics and practitioners therefore have to view SOA governance holistically, rather than independent governance mechanisms.

Latterly, ¡§corporate governance¡¨ has become an important idea all over the world. There are many companies around the world went bankrupt. Those are often because that their directors or CEOs did not manage the company for the profit of their shareholders, but for their self. In order to make their benefits, the directors and CEOs even did many things illegally to harm the interest of the company. In order to stop this trend, the administration all over the world attempts to reform their corporate governance system. Although the corporate governance system of Taiwan has also been improved during the recent years, it is hard to say that our system is in the perfect condition. Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to try to analyze the corporate governance system of Taiwan, and to give some suggestion for the governance system in the future. There are six chapters in this thesis. Next segment is the introduction of these chapters. Chapter 1: Descript the incentive, purpose, range and structure of this thesis. Chapter 2: Discuss the agency theory, introduce the idea of ¡§corporate governance¡¨, and realize the capital structure of the company in Taiwan. Chapter 3, 4, 5: Analyze the self-governance mechanisms in Taiwan. The self-governance mechanisms include shareholder, board and supervisory board. At the end of each chapter, the thesis will give some suggestion about our corporate governance in the future. Chapter 6: Summarize all the viewpoints and suggestion in this thesis.

In the context of sustainable supply networks, this research analyzes the evolution of governance mechanisms and network structure, including the interplay between network conditions, context factors, positional power and managerial actions. The study reports on a longitudinal empirical research on a multi-stakeholder sustainable sourcing network established by Nespresso, Nestlé’s specialty coffee subsidiary. The research analyzes both dyadic and multi-actor network dynamics and proposes a framework to study network evolution. Social network analysis techniques are also used to measure evolution of the network's structure and complexity as well as positional power opportunities. The research shows that in the initial start-up phase, in a context marked by uncertainty, pre-existing commercial and personal relationships were favoured in the choice of partners. These pre-existing relationships were also influential in defining the initial network structure and supporting an initial phase of exploration. Governance mechanisms initially relied mostly on informal mechanisms, while formal mechanisms were incorporated over time to enable the supply chain network to grow and to provide clarity to all actors. As the sustainability programme network expanded in size and complexity, Nespresso, the lead organization, also acted on the network's structure by introducing regional offices, thus increasing network centralization and reducing complexity. Power derived by actors occupying central or brokerage positions in multiplex networks also influenced power relationships in the sustainability network by moderating or expanding the power opportunities available to central actors. The research has implications for both the Inter-organizational Relationship and the Social Network Theory literatures. In contrast with prior literature, the research proposes that in conditions of uncertainty, the use of informal governance mechanisms can facilitate a search and experimentation process. Formalization of governance mechanisms can be used, not as a repair mechanism, but rather as an enabler for further growth and efficiency. The research also extends the concept of network complexity and proposes that network managers can reduce this complexity by introducing or managing nodes that in turn contribute to the re-centralization of relationships towards specific nodes. Lastly, the research has implications for managers and proposes mapping of existing commercial and personal relationships as a potentially valuable tool in the creation and management of networks, adapting coordination mechanisms to the objectives of the relationship and actively managing the network's structure as a mechanism to enable network growth and efficiency.

In the context of sustainable supply networks, this research analyzes the evolution of governance mechanisms and network structure, including the interplay between network conditions, context factors, positional power and managerial actions. The study reports on a longitudinal empirical research on a multi-stakeholder sustainable sourcing network established by Nespresso, Nestlé’s specialty coffee subsidiary. The research analyzes both dyadic and multi-actor network dynamics and proposes a framework to study network evolution. Social network analysis techniques are also used to measure evolution of the network’s structure and complexity as well as positional power opportunities. The research shows that in the initial start-up phase, in a context marked by uncertainty, pre-existing commercial and personal relationships were favoured in the choice of partners. These pre-existing relationships were also influential in defining the initial network structure and supporting an initial phase of exploration. Governance mechanisms initially relied mostly on informal mechanisms, while formal mechanisms were incorporated over time to enable the supply chain network to grow and to provide clarity to all actors. As the sustainability programme network expanded in size and complexity, Nespresso, the lead organization, also acted on the network’s structure by introducing regional offices, thus increasing network centralization and reducing complexity. Power derived by actors occupying central or brokerage positions in multiplex networks also influenced power relationships in the sustainability network by moderating or expanding the power opportunities available to central actors. The research has implications for both the Inter-organizational Relationship and the Social Network Theory literatures. In contrast with prior literature, the research proposes that in conditions of uncertainty, the use of informal governance mechanisms can facilitate a search and experimentation process. Formalization of governance mechanisms can be used, not as a repair mechanism, but rather as an enabler for further growth and efficiency. The research also extends the concept of network complexity and proposes that network managers can reduce this complexity by introducing or managing nodes that in turn contribute to the re-centralization of relationships towards specific nodes. Lastly, the research has implications for managers and proposes mapping of existing commercial and personal relationships as a potentially valuable tool in the creation and management of networks, adapting coordination mechanisms to the objectives of the relationship and actively managing the network’s structure as a mechanism to enable network growth and efficiency.

Este estudo contribui tanto para o processo organizacional como para a literatura sobre empresas familiares. O tema se apresenta relevante quanto ao crescimento do conhecimento sobre o processo de profissionalização em empresas familiares. A medida que as empresas crescem, crescem também os desafios presentes nas empresas, e nas empresas familiares estes desafios são ainda maiores devido as questões da família, propriedade e gestão. Nesta fase, muitos proprietários reconhecem a necessidade de profissionalizar a gestão de suas empresas, isso como preparação para sua continuidade e crescimento. A profissionalização pode ser entendida como um processo na qual as empresas caminham para um processo de maior formalidade, com o desenvolvimento de organismos formais de governança e sistemas de controle. A profissionalização na empresa familiar pode representar uma grande mudança na forma de gestão. Diante disso o objetivo da pesquisa é compreender como acontece o processo de profissionalização na empresa familiar, analisando ainda a governança corporativa e seus mecanismos nessas organizações. Para tal objetivo a metodologia utilizada foi uma pesquisa exploratória e descritiva de natureza predominantemente qualitativa, feita a partir do estudo de casos múltiplos. Para coletar os dados foram realizadas entrevistas semi-estruturadas com gestores das organizações escolhidas, da alta e média administração. A investigação foi realizada em duas empresas familiares, uma com sessenta anos de mercado, do setor de prestação de serviços e a outra com mais de vinte anos de mercado do setor de comércio atacadista. Os resultados mostram que a profissionalização foi motivada pelo desejo de continuidade e crescimento das empresas pesquisadas, e que a profissionalização surgiu ligada a questão do processo sucessório em uma das organizações. A Governança Corporativa pode definir regras e procedimentos para a tomada de decisão pelos agentes nessas organizações, além de monitorar e controlar a utilização dos recursos. / This study contributes to both the organizational process and to the literature on family businesses. The theme is presented as relevant to the knowledge on the management of professionalization in family businesses. As companies grow, the present challenges in businesses also grows, and in family businesses these challenges are even greater due to family issues, ownership and management. At this stage, many business owners acknowledge the need to professionalize the management of their companies, as part of its continuity and growth. Professionalization can be understood as a process in which companies move towards a more formal process, with the development of formal governance and control systems. Professionalization in a family business represents a huge change in management. Therefore, the aim of this research is to understand how the professionalization process takes part in the family business, analyzing also the governance and its mechanisms in these organizations. For this purpose the methodology used was an exploratory and descriptive research predominantly qualitative, made from the study of multiple cases. To collect the data, semi-structured interviews were conducted with managers of the chosen organizations, of high and middle management. The research was conducted in two family companies, one over sixty years, of the service sector and the other with more than twenty years, of the wholesale trade sector. The results present that professionalization was motivated by the desire for continuity and growth, and the professionalization also arises linked to the succession process in one of the organizations. Corporate Governance can define rules and procedures for decision making by agents, as well as monitor and control the use of resources.

This thesis examines determinants of post-bankruptcy performance by using insolvent firms under the bankruptcy reorganization proceedings of the 1940 Thai Bankruptcy Act. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether the key governance mechanisms within this process are factors which may contribute to successful reorganization and how they affect a firm's post-bankruptcy performance. Using agency theory, a sample of III filing companies whose plans have been confirmed by the Thai Central Bankruptcy Court during 1999-2002 provide the data of the study. Descriptive statistics and ordinary least squares regression analysis are employed for data analysis. The results indicate that among three types of governance mechanisms in the bankruptcy reorganization process, namely, monitoring, incentive and restructuring mechanisms, monitoring and incentive mechanisms are significant determinants of a firm's post-bankruptcy performance. The key monitoring mechanism is ownership concentration of common shares held by the largest shareholder, whereas the critical incentive mechanisms are cash compensation for the plan administrator and percentage of common shares held by the plan administrator. Asset restructuring is statistically insignificant but positively links to post-bankruptcy performance. The results indicate that these mechanisms can mitigate agency problems of insolvent companies and increase post-bankruptcy performance over a three year period.

The aim of this thesis is to analyze the role that environmental technology plays in the solution of environmental problems in cities, and discuss models and conditions that can facilitate the processes of selection, implementation and use of environmental technologies in and by cities. The technological component is perhaps one of the most important characteristics of modern cities. The dependence of humans on technology is in most cases a given, something that is not ignored in the sustainability debate. The development and implementation of new, “better” technologies is however hindered by the inertia that modern societies have and the influence of the dominant systems (e.g. economic systems based on growth, extraction of natural resources and environmental disturbance). So-called environmental technologies are not always able to efficiently compete against other technologies that are embedded in societies by lock-in mechanisms, e.g. learning by doing and using, scale economies, subsidies, and network externalities. Even with the “right” technologies, an exclusively techno-centered approach to sustainability can result in other problems, and it might reduce the sustainability debate and the cities’ role in it to discussions of an administrative nature. The actual role of local actors and their agency must be also considered in the models and frameworks directed at understanding sustainability transition processes. It is thus important to analyze the dynamics of technology selection, implementation, use and diffusion in cities from a stakeholders’ perspective as well. Not only is the availability of technology of interest for understanding the impact it has on the environment, but also the intensity of its use. This has resulted in increased attention from politicians and scholars on the so-called global cities (e.g. London, New York, Tokyo), which are characterized by their intense use of e.g. transport, security and surveillance, and information and communication. Paradigmatic models of sustainability can however be contested when the role of local actors, power and agency are considered in detail and not isolated from the context. Some authors recognize the need to address what they call “ordinary cities”, since focusing on the cities’ comparative level of development (be it political, economic or technological) hinders the possibility of bidirectional learning. In the end, sustainability is a “collective good,” which means that it is in everyone’s interest to coordinate efforts and learn from the best practices, regardless of where they come from. This thesis focuses on “ordinary cities,” and promises to offer conclusions that can contribute to a better understanding of how societies can learn from each other and how environmental technologies can have deeper and better results when implemented in different contexts than the ones where they were developed. Two questions related to the process of environmental-technology adaptation are addressed in this thesis: How do technology adaptation processes for the solution of urban environmental problems take place in cities? And how do cities benefit from environmental technologies? It is found that environmental technology is not only seen as a solution to environmental problems in cities, but every day more as a component of strategies to attract attention and compete for resources in national and international markets. Cities have different adaptation and learning strategies. This means that technological solutions have to be flexible and adaptive to local conditions, and allow for vernacular knowledge and past experiences to enrich their performance by facilitating their connection to existing systems. Learning between cities is important and necessary for global sustainability transitions. When it comes to environmental technology, this process is facilitated by strong proof-of-concept projects. Such projects are not only expected to be able to show their technical ability to solve a problem, but must also offer contextual connections to the problems faced by interested cities or potential implementers.

SANTIAGO, Maria Glícia Conde. Análise da adequação dos mecanismos de governança utilizados para a gestão da Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC). 2015. 102f. – Dissertação (Mestrado) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Programa de Pós-graduação em Políticas Públicas e Gestão da Educação Superior, Fortaleza (CE), 2015. / Submitted by Márcia Araújo (marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-03-29T16:33:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_mgcsantiago.pdf: 814240 bytes, checksum: 1d1b22ea6552e9d00eb9785d8bbbed8a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Márcia Araújo(marcia_m_bezerra@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-03-29T16:40:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_mgcsantiago.pdf: 814240 bytes, checksum: 1d1b22ea6552e9d00eb9785d8bbbed8a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-29T16:40:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015_dis_mgcsantiago.pdf: 814240 bytes, checksum: 1d1b22ea6552e9d00eb9785d8bbbed8a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / Changes in economic, political and social order of the world in recent decades has determiated a series of challenges to national Governments. The public administration while is organized rigidly and bureaucraticly and reigned by the Republican regime presents itself barely able to react facing the dynamics of technological innovations and therefore the elevation of society demands. The pursuit of efficiency and the strengthening of democracy requires not only an administrative reform, but a reform of the State. Therefore the public Governance appears as a new paradigm whose proposal indicates broader scopes creating a wider perspective of Government with an emphasis on efficiency and control. This expectation try to integrate politics and administration, management and public policy. Thence although there are several conceptions about the concept of public governance it can be said that its essence is a new comprehensive and integrated understanding that will result in best practices and best results for public administration. Within this conjuncture it becomes essential to assert the importance of this study in order to know the governance mechanisms adopted at the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) and their suitability to the fundamental principles of governance. The core of this study is focused on the five control dimensions analysis control Environment; Risk assessment; Control activities; Information and communication and monitoring. The methodology used configurates as a qualitative approach of the information obtained tracing a parallel comparison between governance indices assigned by the units surveyed, the elements collected through interviews and observations set out in the data analysis based on literature that discipline a management approach based also on the concept of governance in the public sector. To analyze the mechanisms of governance adopted by the units interviewed showed that the quality and adequacy of internal controls are still inadequate to the control dimensions as the governance principles discussed in the COSO I (INTOSSAI, 2004). It is therefore concluded that the internal controls still demands structuring, normatization and sectorial responsibilities and competence definitions. It ends with a proposal of future actions for improving Governance in the context of the Federal University of Ceará. / As mudanças na ordem econômica, política e social do mundo nas últimas décadas impuseram uma série de desafios aos governos nacionais. A Administração Pública, por estar organizada de forma rígida e burocrática, na qual impera o regime republicano, mostra-se pouco capaz de reagir perante a dinâmica das inovações tecnológicas e, por conseguinte, às demandas crescentes da sociedade. A busca da eficiência e o fortalecimento da democracia exigem não só uma reforma administrativa, mas uma reforma de Estado. Nesse sentido, a Governança pública mostra-se como um novo paradigma cuja proposta indica escopos mais amplos, colocando uma perspectiva mais abrangente de governo com ênfase em eficiência e controle. Nesta expectativa se busca integrar política e administração, gestão e políticas públicas. Portanto, embora haja diversas concepções acerca do conceito de Governança pública, pode-se dizer que, em sua essência é uma nova compreensão abrangente e integrada que resultará em melhores práticas e resultados para a Administração Pública. Nessa conjuntura, torna-se imperioso afirmar a importância deste estudo em função de conhecer os mecanismos de Governança adotados na Universidade Federal do Ceará (UFC) e a respectiva adequação aos princípios fundamentais da Governança. O cerne deste estudo está focado na análise das cinco dimensões do controle Ambiente de Controle; Avaliação de Risco; Atividades de Controle; Informação e Comunicação e Monitoramento. A metodologia utilizada configura-se numa abordagem qualitativa das informações, traçando um paralelo comparativo entre os índices de Governança atribuídos pelas unidades pesquisadas, os elementos coletados por meio das entrevistas e as observações conferidas nas análises dos dados, com base na literatura que disciplina uma abordagem da gestão baseada no conceito de Governança no setor público. Ao analisar os mecanismos de Governança adotados pelas unidades pesquisadas evidenciou-se o fato de que a qualidade e a adequação dos controles internos ainda são insuficientes no que concerne às dimensões de controle, conforme os princípios de Governança abordados no COSO I (INTOSSAI, 2004). Conclui-se, portanto, que os controles internos setoriais ainda carecem de estruturação, normatização e definição de responsabilidades e competência setoriais. Ao final foram propostas ações futuras para aprimoramento da Governança no âmbito da Universidade Federal do Ceará.

La mondialisation de l’économie et l’internationalisation des marchés ont entrainé le développement sans précédent des alliances stratégiques. De nombreux travaux de recherches se sont attachés à décrire et tenter d'expliquer ce phénomène notamment en s'intéressant à leurs modes de gouvernance. Dans la plupart des travaux, deux modes de gouvernance sont identifiés et théorisés : la gouvernance contractuelle et la gouvernance relationnelle. Dans le prolongement de ces travaux, l'étude de la relation entre mode de gouvernance et performance occupe une place de choix en sciences de gestion. Partant de ce corpus, cette recherche vise à répondre à la question suivante : "Dans quelle mesure la structure de la gouvernance peut-elle améliorer la performance d'alliance?". En mobilisant la théorie des coûts de transactions (Williamson, 1985) et la théorie de l’échange social (Blau, 1964 ; Homans, 1961), cette recherche développe un modèle intégrateur à travers neuf hypothèses de recherche, permettant de comprendre le lien entre la gouvernance contractuelle, la gouvernance relationnelle et la performance d’alliance stratégique. Avec la collaboration de l'association France Biotech, ce modèle a été testé auprès d’un échantillon représentatif des firmes biotechnologiques françaises. La validation des hypothèses de recherche a été faite en ayant recours à la méthode PLS. Trois principaux résultats importants ont émergé : le choix de la gouvernance contractuelle est fortement recommandé en cas de forte spécificité des actifs investis dans l’alliance, une forte dépendance vis à vis du partenaire défavorise le recours à la gouvernance relationnelle ; et l’effet positif de la gouvernance relationnelle sur la performance d’alliance est plus fort que celui de la gouvernance contractuelle. / Economic globalization and internationalization of markets have led to an unprecedented development of strategic alliances. Many research projects have tried to describe and explain this phenomenon, some via exploration of modes of governance. Contractual and relational governance are the two modes of governance identified and theorized upon in the majority of these works. Extending this research avenue further in the area of Management Sciences, a prominent place is held by the relationship between mode of governance and performance. Based on this corpus, this research aims to answer the following question: “To what extent can the governance structure improve the performance of an alliance?” Mobilizing transaction cost theory (Williamson, 1985) and social exchange theory (Blau, 1964 ; Homans, 1961) this research develops an integrative model through nine research hypotheses in an effort to understand the link between contractual governance, relational governance and performance of strategic alliances. Thanks to collaboration with the French Biotech association, the model has been tested using a representative sample of French Biotech firms. The research hypotheses were validate using the PLS method. Three main important results emerge : contractual governance is a strongly recommended choice if there is a high level of asset specificity invested in the alliance ; in the case of strong dependence on a partner, relational governance is not the ideal choice ; and relational governance has a stronger positive effect on alliance performance than does contractual governance.