Le changement du paradigme agricole met en évidence les initiatives des acteurs locaux en matière de développement durable. À partir de l’expérience pratiquée au sein du Groupement des agriculteurs biologiques et biodynamiques du département du Gers (GABB32) autour de la diffusion et du transfert des techniques de production agro-écologiques entre agriculteurs biologiques et conventionnels, cette thèse propose d’analyser le rôle de la dynamique collective dans la transition agro-écologique des exploitations agricoles. Pour étudier l’innovation et son processus, nous avons développé une méthodologie compréhensive qui combine entretiens, observations participatives et non-participatives et analyses documentaires. Ce qui a permis de suivre 30 exploitations agricoles appartenant au groupe couverts végétaux du GABB32. Au total, nous avons effectué 55 entretiens semi-directifs auprès des acteurs locaux : agriculteurs et professionnels agricoles, institutions, associations et citoyens. Les résultats ont porté sur la gestion de l’exploitation, les pratiques participatives d’échanges et de construction de connaissances au sein du groupe et intégrées à des dynamiques au sein du réseau territorial. Nous montrons qu’il existe plusieurs paramètres de nature individuelle et collective. Au niveau individuel, c’est la stratégie et les valeurs de l’agriculteur qui ont un effet sur l’intensité d’innovation. Au niveau collectif, c’est la dynamique qui contribue à avancer par un processus d’innovation. À partir de là, il est possible d’avoir une évolution positive du point de vue de la durabilité des exploitations agricoles. La création d’espaces en faveur des échanges de connaissances entre agriculteurs et les changements vers des pratiques plus durables, ouvrent des interactions en réseau entre différents acteurs et crée de nouvelles coopérations. Les résultats de l’action collective contribuent à la dynamique de développement de l’AB. / Changing agricultural paradigm reveals local actors initiatives with regard to sustainable development. Based on the organics farmers union GABB32 experience around organic and conventional farmers agro-ecological techniques transfer and dissemination, this thesis proposes to analyze the role of collective dynamics in agro-ecological farms transition. In order to study innovations and its processes, we have developed a comprehensive methodology that combines the use of data collection such as interviews, participative and non-participative observation, and documentary analysis, which allowed following 30 farms belonging from the organic farmers union GABB32 cover crops group. In total, we realized 55 semi-structured interviews conducted with the main local actors: farmers, agricultural professional bodies, institutions, associations, and citizens. Results were articulated with farm management, group knowledge exchange and participatory approach, and territorial network dynamics. We reveal several individual and collective parameters in transitions. At the individual level, farmer strategies and values have an impact on the intensity of innovation. At the collective level, dynamics contribute to the advancement of innovation processes. From there, it is possible for farms to obtain a sustainable positive evolution. Creating spaces for knowledge exchange between farmers and changing practices toward sustainability opens network interactions and multi-actors cooperation’s. Collective action results show that they encourage organic farming development.

The importance of technology transfer to produce structural change in developing regions has been well established. However, most previous transfers to developing regions have been unplanned or triggered by actions rather than decisions. Most previous inquiries have been based on unidimensional, sectorial and mostly economic views of technology transfer; this author believes these to be inadequate representations of the transfer process. This dissertation proposes a new inquiring system for technology transfer; one which emphasizes a multidimensional viewpoint of the technology transfer process. Further, this dissertation claims to make three unique contributions: 1. a new hierarchical structure for examining the technology transfer problem. 3. a demonstration example of the suggested methodology. Special emphasis is placed on the needs of planners and policymakers who are considered the clients of the proposed inquiring systems. The hierarchical structure has three levels, each emphasizing the three critical dimensions of technology transfer: 1) resources, 2) transfer mechanisms, and 3) economic and sociocultural consequences. The goals and/or results at each of the three levels of the hierarchical structure are: 2. three measures for assessing thle performance of technology transfer. Level 1: At this level, a novel generalized morphological tree is developed to indicate structural differences of technology transfer along the three critical dimensions. Level 2: At this level, interactious between the variables specified in Level l are considered. These interactions are expressed in the form of self-interaction and cross-interaction matrices. The proposed structure of technology transfer is established in terms of these matrices. Level 3: This level specifies, in a flowgraph form, the decision, information and logic requirements to design a "most satisfactory" technology transfer. The development of these three levels combines quantitative and qualitative viewpoints, since a strictly quantitative approach would lead to an incomplete, unrealistic representation of the problem. The three measures to assess the performance of technology transfer are: feasibility in terms of resources required for transfer,efficiency expressed in terms of applicability of transfer mechanisms, and desirability in terms of the consequences of transfer. Policy statements, in the form of logic or assignment statements, are developed to estimate the nature and magnitude of the three performance measures. A horizontal transfer, specifically the transfer of computer technology to India, is considered to illustrate the proposed methodology. The hierarchical structure is developed and performance measures for the transfer are estimated. The results indicate: (a) the transfer is feasible in terms of most resource requirements, but under the constraints of domestic availability, productivity and cost, (b) the channel direct investment by business -- is most applicable for the transfer. The channels -- entrepreneur and licensing arrangements -- are of limited applicability. The mechanism -- direct investment by Indian government is applicable if long transfer times can be tolerated, and (c) the economic consequences of the transfer are significant and desirable. However, the transfer is found to have little impact on such important sectors as literacy, food, communication and characters of social organization.

Fluctuation in the demand for electrical power and the intermittent nature of the supply of energy from renewable sources like solar and wind have made the need for energy storage a dire necessity. Current storage technologies like batteries and supercapacitors fall short either in terms of power output or in their ability to store sufficient energy. Pseudocapacitors combine features of both and offer an alternative to stabilize the power supply. They possess high rates of charge and discharge and are capable of storing much more energy in comparison to a supercapacitor. In the quest for solutions that are economical and feasible, we have investigated Prussian Blue in aqueous electrolytes for its use as a pseudocapacitor. Two different active materials based on Prussian Blue were prepared; one that has just Prussian Blue and the other that contains a mixture of Prussian Blue and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Four electrolytes differing in the valence of the cation were employed for the study. Cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge-discharge were used to characterize the electrodes. Our experiments have shown specific capacitances of Prussian Blue electrodes in the range of 140-720 F/g and that of Prussian Blue-CNT electrodes in the range of ~52 F/g. The remarkable capacity of charge storage in Prussian Blue electrodes is attributed to its electrochemical activity ensuring surface redox and its tunnel-like structure allowing ease of entry and exit for ions like Potassium. Simple methods of synthesis have yielded specific capacitances of the order of hundreds of Farads per gram showing that Prussian Blue has promise as an electrode material for applications needing high rates of charge-discharge.

No description available.

Цель исследования – развитие методических основ исследования влияния экологических инноваций на эффективность деятельности промышленного предприятия. Объектом исследования выступают экологические инновации на промышленном предприятии. Научной новизной исследования является разработанный методический подход к исследованию влияния экологических инноваций на эффективность деятельности промышленного предприятия, базирующийся на техниках корреляционного анализа и предполагающий реализацию двух исследовательских стратегий: 1) изучение взаимосвязи объемов загрязнения атмосферного воздуха и объемов выпуска продукции; 2) изучение взаимосвязи объемов загрязнения атмосферного воздуха и сроков окупаемости инвестиционного проекта, связанного с экологической инновацией. / The purpose of the study is to develop the methodological foundations for studying the impact of environmental innovations on the efficiency of an industrial enterprise. The object of the research is ecological innovations at an industrial enterprise. The scientific novelty of the study is the developed methodological approach to the study of the impact of environmental innovations on the efficiency of an industrial enterprise, based on the techniques of correlation analysis and involving the implementation of two research strategies: 1) studying the relationship between the volume of air pollution and the volume of output; 2) study of the relationship between the volume of air pollution and the payback period of an investment project related to environmental innovation.

No description available.

The ever increasing enrollment numbers and the corresponding dwindling educational resources in public schools have challenged the Ministry of Education in Malawi to introduce an instructional innovation (TALULAR) based on the use of locally available resources for teaching and learning. The purpose of this study was to determine: (i) whether, and to what extent, the perceived characteristics of innovations and teachers' demographic and employment variables are useful in predicting the implementation of TALULAR, and (ii) the extent to which TALULAR has been implemented by secondary school science teachers in Malawi. Rogers' (2003) diffusion of innovations theory provided the theoretical framework for the study. Using stratified random sampling, 269 science teachers, representing a response rate of 77%, provided data for this study. Among other findings, multiple regression analysis revealed that collectively, the perceived innovation characteristics are significant predictors of TALULAR implementation. The results further revealed that perceived relative advantage and perceived observability in terms of others' use are the two most important predictors of TALULAR implementation, and that implementation of the innovation by science teachers is at a moderate level. These findings might contribute to a deeper understanding of science teachers' perceptions of using the innovation and may aid change agents and agencies in planning a successful nation-wide diffusion campaign to ensure that all teachers not only adopt, but more importantly, implement the innovation in the classroom. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impacts of Peru's research and extension programs on two regions in Peru and assess the implications of those impacts on institutional action by the Agrarian Bank and the Peruvian research and extension service. An LP model was constructed for two regions, Contumaza and Tarapoto, and was run under various levels of risk, alternative credit arrangements, selected price changes, and with and without the newly released varieties. Results from the various scenarios demonstrated that the introduction of new varieties increased net income, labor use, and the demand for credit in both regions. Also, altering the amount of credit available had a much more significant impact on the regions than altering the interest rate. / M.S.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether principals influenced the use of technology by innovative teachers. Data were collected electronically using a survey instrument and an email that contained eight openended questions. Fifty teachers responded to the survey. In addition, 32 of the 50 teachers responded to the openended questions. Analyses of the data indicated that principals were perceived by the teacher to be influential in their use of technology if they demonstrated the following conditions or competencies: (a) development of a technology plan and organized a technology committee, (b) support of and participation in professional development, (c) encouragement of and recognition for best practices in technology, (d) knowledge and use of technology, and (e) providing resources available for technology. No significant difference was found between the perceived influence principals had on innovative teachers and the size of the school or the community served by the school. In addition to these analyses, summaries of the 50 technology programs associated with the respective respondents were included.

Adoption of manufacturing technologies have been cited as an important competitive strategy for successful firms. This study assessed the wood household furniture industry for its current level of technology adoption, examined the impact of competitive variables on technology adoption and strategy formation, as well as, characteristics of innovators or early adopters within the industry. The results provide both insight into the technological direction of this industry and factors influencing the adoption of innovations by industrial organizations. The U.S. wood household furniture industry was surveyed concerning their recent equipment purchases, future purchase plans, and adoption of a list of 21 innovative technologies. Respondents listed recent equipment purchases within the finish machining area of the mill, particularly with automatic controls, as providing them with the most important benefits of increased efficiency and product quality. Respondents indicated that the functional areas of finish machining and the rough mill will receive the majority of new equipment over the next five years with automatic controls increasing in importance over time. A competitive-policy contingent model of technology adoption was developed and empirically tested. Innovativeness of firms was accessed by the number of technologies adopted from a set developed by industry experts. Empirical results suggest that organizational policy is dependent on the competitive conditions under which it was formed and that policy has an important effect on the innovativeness of an organization. Communication variables (signal frequency, cosmopliteness, and professionalization) were found to exhibit greater direct and indirect effects on innovation than industry structural variables with the exception of firm size. Characteristics of early adopters were contrasted with those of later adopters of technologies within the furniture industry based upon their adoption of thirteen processing technologies. Early adopters were found to differ significantly from later adopters on firm size, technological expertise, technological progressiveness, opinion leadership, information sources, and cosmopolitanism of the decision making group. The influence of technology push versus marketing pull strategies on firms was examined in an empirical study. Results of cluster analysis indicate that firms do align themselves along these strategic dimensions and can be contrasted on key characteristics; such as, demographics, company performance and environmental uncertainty. / Ph. D.