Through a heuristics approach, the author began an exploration of the meaning, both intellectually and emotionally, of personal experiences in organisations. Change and learning was focused on, and how continual rounds of restructuring impacted on the writer as a participant/observer. The lack of spirituality in organisations, how we hide our hearts and souls and how we seek certainty using static models, theories and plans became underlying themes through the work. The findings of the research include outputs such as the development of an organisational model of complexity, but more so outcomes that were the intuitive insights that were gained during the research process / Master of Science (Hons)

This thesis explores the nature of creativity in the poetic vision of Percy Bysshe Shelley. "Poetic vision" is chosen for its complex connotations, which include creative imaginings, dreams and intimations of futurity. I examine questions that Shelley raises concerning perception, existence and the fabric of reality. To develop a conceptual framework that has an ontological basis, I draw on the theories of two twentieth-century non-dualist thinkers: David Bohm, who combines science, philosophy and art, and the existential thought of Martin Heidegger. I also investigate ways in which literary expression and life become interwoven and suggest that this reciprocity is explicable through a dynamically creative vision of existence. In Chapter One Shelley's reflections on the creative capacity of poetic visions to influence states of being, and his holistic apprehension of existence in On Life, provide the thesis with a conceptual paradigm which is in contradistinction to the Cartesian schism between mind and matter. A Defence of Poetry is contrasted with Peacock's The Four Ages of Poetry to show that the contention between the two writers' visions springs from questions relating to being. Shelley's declaration that the poetic impulse is central to life is examined in the light of Heidegger’s notion of the poetic as disclosing being and Bohm's quantum concepts of creativity. In Chapter Two Alastor is interpreted as a poem which raises questions about existence and I provide a counter-approach to critical positions of scepticism. Heidegger's concepts of "Being- in-the-world" and "Being-towards-death" provide the basis for an existential analysis of die Poet’s impassioned quest. A comparison between the Poet's dream of his feminine counterpart and Shelley's own vision of his ideal beloved reveals connections between artistic vision and human experience. In Chapter Three on Laon and Cythna. poetic vision is shown to operate from a metaphysical basis of thought, passion, and the human will to enact a radical transformation in consciousness. The poem's investigation of freedom is linked to Heidegger's concept of being absorbed in the "they." Chapter Four continues my extended reading of Laon and Cythna. Shelley's notion of creativity collapses the demarcations between imaginative vision and the physical world. Here his view of reality is contrasted with the psychological investigations of Jean Piaget. The poem’s vision of human empowerment is compared with Peacock's fatahsm in Ahrimanes. Chapter Five investigates challenges to Shelley's optimism. Julian and Maddalo is the major poem interpreted in a chapter v*ere the keynote is the contention between theories about the nature of reality and their validity to human life. Shelley's anxiety about communicating visions of despair is analyzed with regard to the Maniac's tragic predicament. Chapter Six interprets Prometheus Unbound as a dramatic engagement with the spiritual, imaginative, emotional and sensuous planes of being. Existence is seen to be poised on a mobile nexus of thought and emotions. Asia has a dynamic role and, through consideration of her journey with Panthea to Demogorgon, I examine Shelley's complex negotiation between free will and determinism. Spinoza's monism is discussed in relation to "Love's Philosophy. In Chapter Seven on Hellas, "Thought", "Passion", "Will", "Reason" and the "Imagination” are shown to have creative powers which determine futurity. Questions about the structure of reality are explored in the drama's dynamic interchange between the magician-like Ahasuerus and the Turkish tyrant Mahmud. Dreams are given significance as avenues of perception to realms beyond conscious experience and in relation to unfolding the future. Finally, in Chapter Eight Shelley's ideas about poetic creativity are explored through his poems to 'Jane Williams. Whilst composing these lyrics Shelley used the figure of Rousseau, in the Triumph of Life, to suggest a reciprocity between art and life. I examine the similarities between Rousseau's fictional creation of Julie in La Nouvelle Hélose and his subsequent love for Sophie d'Houdetot. Shelley's lyrics to Jane Williams communicate desire at different levels of conscious awareness, from trance-like mesmerism to overt invitation.

Most logistics network design models assume exogenous customer demand that is independent of the service time or level. This paper examines the benefits of segmenting demand according to lead-time sensitivity of customers. To capture lead-time sensitivity in the network design model, we use a facility grouping method to ensure that the different demand classes are satisfied on time. In addition, we perform a series of computational experiments to develop a set of managerial insights for the network design decision making process. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

This essay is around C.S Lewis’s classic children’s novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and it focuses on the metaphorical meaning of the door and what insights it provides each time it is opened. It argues that the journey into Narnia is also a psychological journey, representing spiritual awakening. It draws conclusion that through this psychological journey in Narnia, the protagonists has undergone spiritual rebirth and their psyche has been raised to new heights.

It is projected that energy demand worldwide will double from 2009 until 2050. There is a demand for additional clean renewable energy, which can be supplied by biogas. Farm-based biogas plants exist in small numbers in Sweden; for the benefit of society it important to increase their numbers throughout the country. The aim of this report is to create the tools to allow for a competent evaluation of newly built farm-based biogas plants from an energy efficiency and environmental perspective. In this thesis data from newly built plants has been analyzed to determine mistakes that could be avoided in future expansion. Research has been performed within the bounds of a SLF financed project focusing on the role of cooperation in achieving profitability and environmental benefits in farm based biogas plants. The thesis has found that the investment cost during the technical lifetime of the plant is 11-16 kWh/MWh and 2.65 – 3.65 kg CO2-eq. per MWh. The initial investment is repaid by a factor of at least 50 during the technical lifetime of the plant. Energy ratios have been calculated for two of the plants that express the usable energy produced from each. It has been found that 29 % of Högryd’s 2 GWh in energy production becomes usable electricity and heat; at Lövsta 62 % of its 10 GWh became usable electricity and heat. A larger biogas plant benefits from a higher electrical efficiency, however, the impact of the heat utilization is significant. Replacement of 120 MWh of oil and electricity reduces the import of fossil-fuels more than 1.5 GWh of wood chips.

Since the establishment of the wireless sector, design has been playing a wide range of roles. Specialized literature has been extensively reporting the use of this discipline associated with NPD, focusing on hardware and software development in the mobile communications. On the other hand, evidences of its use to support forecasting are scarce and generic. Finally, formal publications addressing future forecasting from a design perspective in the context of mobile communications have never been reported, leading to a knowledge gap that needs to be addressed. This research investigates the strategic roles, applications and contributions of design and designers for future forecasting in the wireless telecom sector. As a comprehensive discipline, it is used to examine and identify a number of factors that might influence/impact in the development of visionary solutions supporting the design team of traditional handset manufacturers to make better decisions in order to ‘shape’ the future in the wireless industry. Considering these ideas, the aim of this research is to create a ‘design-led future forecasting model for mobile communications’ to assist and support traditional manufacturers’ design team. This PhD study relies on a qualitative methodology comprising a number of data collection and analysis tools (e.g. literature review, case studies analysis, in-depth experts’ interviews, workshops and Grounded Theory). To create the intended framework, extensive secondary and primary data; theoretical and practical inputs were brought together, analysed and combined. The proposed model was evaluated through two rounds of experts’ interviews complemented by two workshops with potential users (e.g. design students) to check and explore its practicalities when applied to design for the future. Finally, this study bridges future forecasting and the wireless telecom through the use of design to address the literature gap. The richness of the developed model provides practical assistance to traditional manufacturer’s design team informing about a broad spectrum of aspects that should be considered when designing for the future in the mobile telecom industry, supporting strategic decision making in different stages of the future-led design process.

Despite advances in the application of analytics in business functions such as marketing and finance, and a significant degree of interest in the topic of Human Resource analytics, its usage is still nowhere near where it could be. This study’s primary aim was to measure the levels of usage of HR analytics among South African organisations, an exercise that has not been done before. This qualitative, exploratory study was conducted among 16 senior Human Resource practitioners from large organisations in South Africa. Being qualitative, a limitation of this study is that it is not representative and therefore the results cannot be generalised. Further opportunities therefore exist for quantitative, longitudinal research in this field to objectively ascertain the extent of usage of HR analytics. It was found that South African organisations’ usage of HR analytics is still in its infancy and that the concept and its implications are little understood. It also found that there is consensus regarding the importance for HR analytics in organisations and that the HR analytical skills challenge is the main hindrance to implementation. Importantly, the study demonstrated and that the overall outlook for HR analytics is positive. The research makes recommendations and proposes a model that should enable organisations, the HR profession and the academic world to implement HR analytics. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / ccgibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Background: Juxtaposed with prevailing romantic myths surrounding images of UK veterinary practice are the reported alarming levels of psychological distress within the profession. Whilst an abundance of published quantitative studies report on the high proportional mortality rate of death by suicide in vets and identify possible causes of stress in the workplace, there is noticeable paucity of qualitative studies that precedent vets’ lived experiences and privilege their voices. Aims: Within this study I aimed to gain an “insider’s perspective” as to what it is like to be a vet (in UK practice) experiencing psychological distress. I also investigated the possible impact on vets of the “culture of death” (i.e. responsibility for administering euthanasia; exposure to death). This was with the aim of generating, deeper, more nuanced insights into how veterinary surgeons made sense of and meaning from their experiences of distress, with a view to enhancement of future counselling psychology initiatives and interventions. Participants: I recruited five veterinary surgeons on a voluntary basis (two males; three females); four participants had received a diagnosis of depression; one self-identified experiencing post-partum depression. Method: I collected data in one single semi-structured interview that lasted up to 90 minutes. I transcribed interviews verbatim and applied interpretive phenomenological analysis to individual accounts, prior to cross-case analysis. Focusing on metaphors participants used, I imported an existential lens for interpreting findings. I further used personal and epistemological reflexivity to generate greater transparency of my own processes and context. Findings: I identified three master-themes: “I suffered from depression, real depression;” “All - consuming: it eats away at you;” and “The Human Element.” Participants made sense of their experiences of psychological distress as depression through metaphors of darkness, descent, void, consumption, motion/inertia and balance. My analysis revealed diversity in experiences; responsibility for multiple, convenience and precipitous euthanasia was located as difficult and sometimes distressing. Two participants had experienced the loss of a veterinary surgeon friend by suicide, which was described as “horrific” and as generating deeper existential questioning. Participants idiosyncratically described depression as a multiple loss experience which was also potentially generative of increased self-awareness, acceptance and source of connection with personal values, interests and significant others. By importing an existential lens for interpreting findings, the multidimensional nature of participants’ experiences of depression was made more visible and highlighted salience of spiritual dimensions, in particular personal values and sense of purpose in life. Conclusions and Implications: Insights generated illustrate diversity and paradox within participant vets’ experiences of depression; revealing both associated losses and gains. Implications for counselling psychologists include considering the importance of sensitivity towards the context of veterinary medicine and understanding the personal meanings of being a vet.

The city of Cape Town suffered a severe water crisis in 2018. At the peak of the drought in South Africa’s Western Cape, a randomised control trial at 105 schools investigated the impact of two behavioural interventions to encourage responsible water usage: detailed water usage data feedback from smart meters, and an interschool competition. Interventions reduced water usage in these schools by 15 to 26%. The information feedback was found to be more effective in reducing night time water use, indicating better water usage by the staff, while the competition was found to be more effective during the day time, indicating better water usage by the pupils. The contrast highlights the way feedback was understood differently by the two groups, with different effects on their assumption of responsibility. This example from Cape Town demonstrates the effectiveness of combining smart technologies with nudges. It provides a model of water conservation interventions for sustainable cities.

This study researches consumer attitudes, needs and preferences with a focus on the Swedish bed market. It is done on behalf of the advertising agency ‘Jung von Matt Stockholm’ for their client Hästens Beds, one of Sweden’s oldest bed manufactures. The purpose of this research is to gain increased consumer knowledge and to identify consumer insights connected to a target group that is identified with this research as a basis, in order to improve and develop the brand's advertising strategy. The research was done as quantitative research using a descriptive questionnaire with a focus on lifestyle, common demographics, values, sleeping patterns, behaviour connected to sleep and price acceptance for beds. The findings of the survey can serve as a basis for Jung von Matt Stockholm to get a deeper knowledge about consumer attitudes and to adapt Hästens Beds’ advertising strategy according to the new learnings. The results show that the assumed price for the displayed Hästens bed in the questionnaire is much lower than the actual price. Moreover, the respondents' willingness to pay the actual price of the bed is very low. The consumer insights that resulted from this research provide Jung von Matt Stockholm with beneficial guidance for future priorities. The findings are of great value for improving and developing Hästens Beds advertising strategy. / Denna studie undersöker konsumenternas attityder, behov och preferenser med fokus på den svenska sängmarknaden. Det görs på uppdrag av reklambyrån Jung von Matt Stockholm för uppdragsgivaren Hästens Sängar, en av Sveriges äldsta sängtillverkare. Syftet med denna uppsats är att få ökad konsumentförståelse och att identifiera konsumentinsikter om ett målgruppssegment som kartläggs med denna undersökningen som grund, för att på så vis förbättra och utveckla varumärkets reklamstrategi. Studien utfördes som en kvantitativ enkätundersökning med fokus på respondenternas livsstil, demografi, värderingar, sovmönster, beteende kopplat till sömn, prisacceptans och betalningsvilja för sängar. Studiens resultat kan utgöra grunden för Jung von Matt Stockholm för att få en djupare förståelse om konsumenternas attityder och för att anpassa Hästens Sängars reklamstrategi därefter. Resultatet visar att respondenterna antog att priset för en Hästenssäng som visades på bild i enkätundersökningen är betydligt lägre än det faktiska priset som sängen kostar i butik. Dessutom är betalningsviljan för sängens faktiska pris väldigt låg hos respondenterna. Slutsatserna från denna studie ger Jung von Matt vägledning för framtida prioriteringar. Resultatet är av stort värde för att förbättra och utveckla Hästens Sängars reklamstrategi.