As a result of the changing scope of data management towards the management of highly distributed systems and applications, integration processes have gained in importance. Such integration processes represent an abstraction of workflow-based integration tasks. In practice, integration processes are pervasive and the performance of complete IT infrastructures strongly depends on the performance of the central integration platform that executes the specified integration processes. In this area, the three major problems are: (1) significant development efforts, (2) low portability, and (3) inefficient execution. To overcome those problems, we follow a model-driven generation approach for integration processes. In this demo proposal, we want to introduce the so-called GCIP Framework (Generation of Complex Integration Processes) which allows the modeling of integration process and the generation of different concrete integration tasks. The model-driven approach opens opportunities for rule-based and workload-based optimization techniques.

This master's thesis is aimed at analyzing the integration processes between the European Union and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a major oil and gas supplier, while the European Union actively seeks diversification of energy resource supplies for the purpose of reaching higher energy security. The aim of the research is to investigate the relations between Azerbaijan and the European Union. The nature of relations between the two stated subjects are being analyzed, and the main preconditions favoring such relations. In order to provide comprehensive analysis, the situation of Azerbaijan's relations with the European Union with the same bilateral relations with the EU of Turkey, Ukraine and China are being analyzed within this thesis.

Background: In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the significance of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involving family businesses, highlighting their pivotal role in the business landscape. Notably, in the M&A literature, the issue of employees’ trust in the organization emerges as a crucial component in facilitating a successful post-M&A integration. However, existing theories of organizational trust in the post-merger integration process, where the outcome of M&As is ultimately determined, may only partially apply to the distinctive dynamics inherent in family business M&As. This divergence can be attributed to the unique characteristics displayed by family businesses. Hence, this thesis aims to address this research gap by comprehensively examining how organizational trust can be applied in the context of family business M&As.  Purpose: Our research aims to explore how organizational trust influences the post-merger integration process of family businesses. The objective of this dissertation is to offer insights to family businesses concerning M&A endeavors, specifically focusing on the post-merger integration phase, by highlighting the crucial role of organizational trust and its consequential influence on the overall M&A outcome. As a result, the fundamental research question of this thesis is as follows: “How does organizational trust influence the post-merger integration process of family businesses?”  Method: As for the methodology, by leaning towards internal realism as our ontological standpoint and social constructionism as our epistemological standpoint, a more comprehensive understanding of organizational trust in the post-merger integration process of family businesses is achieved. This qualitative study applies the abductive approach as it facilitates the exploration of the phenomena in question and the modification of existing theories by combining previously established knowledge and new observations. A multiple case study is conducted, and data is collected through 12 semi-structured in-depth interviews to reach our aim.  Conclusion: Through combining existing literature and qualitative data, a comprehensive framework on organizational trust is created that is specifically tailored to the context of family businesses that have undergone an M&A and that highlights the significance of the following elements of organizational trust: ability, openness, visibility, and benevolence. This framework holds considerable value as it not only entails visibility as an element, which is novel to the literature, and represents, hence, our main contribution, but it also elucidates how family businesses can leverage their unique characteristics to effectively preserve and nurture employees’ organizational trust even in the aftermath of M&As. By recognizing and harnessing their unique attributes, such as longevity and emotional involvement, family businesses can transform these inherent qualities into strategic assets that sustain employees’ organizational trust, ultimately facilitating a smoother post-merger integration process and an overall successful M&A.

The efficient execution of integration processes between distributed, heterogeneous data sources and applications is a challenging research area of data management. These integration processes are an abstraction for workflow-based integration tasks, used in EAI servers and WfMS. The major problem are significant workload changes during runtime. The performance of integration processes strongly depends on those dynamic workload characteristics, and hence workload-based optimization is important. However, existing approaches of workflow optimization only address the rule-based optimization and disregard changing workload characteristics. To overcome the problem of inefficient process execution in the presence of workload shifts, here, we present an approach for the workload-based optimization of instance-based integration processes and show that significant execution time reductions are possible.

The inefficiency of integration processes - as an abstraction of workflow-based integration tasks - is often reasoned by low resource utilization and significant waiting times for external systems. With the aim to overcome these problems, we proposed the concept of process vectorization. There, instance-based integration processes are transparently executed with the pipes-and-filters execution model. Here, the term vectorization is used in the sense of processing a sequence (vector) of messages by one standing process. Although it has been shown that process vectorization achieves a significant throughput improvement, this concept has two major drawbacks. First, the theoretical performance of a vectorized integration process mainly depends on the performance of the most cost-intensive operator. Second, the practical performance strongly depends on the number of available threads. In this paper, we present an advanced optimization approach that addresses the mentioned problems. Therefore, we generalize the vectorization problem and explain how to vectorize process plans in a cost-based manner. Due to the exponential complexity, we provide a heuristic computation approach and formally analyze its optimality. In conclusion of our evaluation, the message throughput can be significantly increased compared to both the instance-based execution as well as the rule-based process vectorization.

O Fenol e compostos fenolicos foram classificados como poluentes primarios pela Environmental Protection Agency (EPA USA). Eles sao geralmente encontrados em efluentes industriais como: poupa e papel; madeireiras; plasticos e polimeros sinteticos; farmaceuticos, pesticidas, oleo e petroquimicas. Os tratamentos de agua convencionais tem mostrado ineficiencia em altas concentracoes de fenol. Este trabalho visa o tratamento de solucao aquosa de fenol via Processos Oxidativos Avancados (POAs) com o objetivo de aumentar a biodegradabilidade possibilitando a aplicacao de um processo convencional (lodos ativados) como pos-tratamento. O pre-tratamento e usado para modificar a estrutura do fenol levando-o a seus subprodutos como substancias aromaticas e acidos carboxilicos. Os experimentos mostraram a eficiencia do pre-tratamento atraves do parametro de biodegradabilidade (DBO5/DQO) apresentando 0,19 em 30 min de reacao foto- Fenton, com concentracao inicial de fenol de 1000 mg.L-1 de Carbono Organico Total (TOC), 1 mmol.L-1 de FeSO4 e 100 mmol.L-1 de H2O2, dosado durante 2 horas de reacao. Apos pre-tratada fotoquimicamente, esta mesma solucao foi utilizada como fonte de carbono em um sistema continuo de lodos ativados para remocao da materia organica residual, apresentando reducao de 92% do TOC inicial. Estes resultados evidenciam a eficiencia da integracao entre os processos foto-Fenton e lodo ativado no tratamento de efluentes contendo compostos recalcitrantes. / Phenol and phenolic compounds have been listed as priority-pollutants by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA USA). They are often found in industrial effluents such as from pulp and paper, timber, plastics and synthetic polymer, pharmaceutical, pesticide, oil and petrochemical industries. Most of the traditional wastewater treatments have shown inefficiency against high phenol concentrations. This work aims to treat phenol solution via Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP´s) to enhance medium biodegradability and using it as an effluent in a continuous activated sludge process. The purpose of the pre treatment is to modify the phenol structure leading it to its byproducts such as aromatics compounds and carboxylic acids. The experiments have shown the effectiveness of the pre-treatment by the biodegradability parameter BOD5/COD which was achieved 0,19 at 30 min of photo- Fenton reaction with a initial phenol concentration of 1000 mg.L-1 of TOC, 1 mmol.L-1 of FeSO4 and 100 mmol.L-1 of H2O2, added with a peristaltic pump along 2 hours of reaction. After the photochemical pre treatment, the same solution was used as a carbon source in a continuous activated sludge system for removing residual organic matter, with a reduction of 92% of the TOC initial. Those results have shown the efficiency when integrating photo-Fenton and activated sludge processes on the treatment of effluents containing recalcitrant organic compounds.

The investigation of state economic policy in the context of integration processes in the EU is becoming more important, particularly as regards ground-taking and preventing possible negative effects for the separate EU countries. It is also clear that there is a lack of adequate theoretical models and solutions for responding to modern challenges, which would allow to evaluate complexly the efficiency of state economic policy of the EU countries in different phases of preparation, grounding, and implementation. Therefore this doctoral dissertation is devoted to the efficiency of state economic policy in the context of integration processes in the EU. The research is focussed on a theoretical study and identification of the factors of efficiency of state economic policy, as well as the identification of potential measures of performance of state economic policy of EU countries in the context of integration processes in the EU; it provides for a macrosimulation model, allowing to evaluate the impact of the identified factors on the efficiency of state economic policy of the EU countries, it also evaluates the impact of the identified factors on the efficiency of state economic policy in selected for research EU countries and offers recommendations regarding the directions of the implementation of state economic policy for increased efficiency of state economic policy of EU countries in the long term perspective. / Vis svarbesni tampa valstybės ekonominės politikos tyrimai integracinių procesų ES kontekste, ypač siekiant pagrįsti ir neleisti pažeisti atskirų ES šalių interesus. Taip pat akivaizdu, kad šiuo metu stokojama šiuolaikiniams iššūkiams adekvačių teorinių modelių ir sprendimų, skirtų kompleksiškai vertinti ES šalių valstybės ekonominės politikos efektyvumą įvairiose šios politikos rengimo, pagrindimo ir įgyvendinimo stadijose. Todėl ši daktaro disertacija skirta valstybės ekonominės politikos efektyvumui integracinių procesų ES kontekste. Tyrimo metu atlikus teorinę studiją identifikuoti valstybės ekonominės politikos efektyvumo veiksniai, identifikuotos ES šalių galimos valstybės ekonominės politikos vykdymo priemonės integracinių procesų ES kontekste, sukurtas makrosimuliacinis modelis, leidžiantis įvertinti identifikuotų veiksnių poveikį ES šalių valstybės ekonominės politikos efektyvumui, įvertintas identifikuotų veiksnių poveikis tyrimui atrinktų ES šalių valstybės ekonominės politikos efektyvumui bei pasiūlytos valstybės ekonominės politikos vykdymo kryptys ES šalių valstybės ekonominės politikos efektyvumui ilgalaikėje perspektyvoje padidinti.

O Fenol e compostos fenolicos foram classificados como poluentes primarios pela Environmental Protection Agency (EPA USA). Eles sao geralmente encontrados em efluentes industriais como: poupa e papel; madeireiras; plasticos e polimeros sinteticos; farmaceuticos, pesticidas, oleo e petroquimicas. Os tratamentos de agua convencionais tem mostrado ineficiencia em altas concentracoes de fenol. Este trabalho visa o tratamento de solucao aquosa de fenol via Processos Oxidativos Avancados (POAs) com o objetivo de aumentar a biodegradabilidade possibilitando a aplicacao de um processo convencional (lodos ativados) como pos-tratamento. O pre-tratamento e usado para modificar a estrutura do fenol levando-o a seus subprodutos como substancias aromaticas e acidos carboxilicos. Os experimentos mostraram a eficiencia do pre-tratamento atraves do parametro de biodegradabilidade (DBO5/DQO) apresentando 0,19 em 30 min de reacao foto- Fenton, com concentracao inicial de fenol de 1000 mg.L-1 de Carbono Organico Total (TOC), 1 mmol.L-1 de FeSO4 e 100 mmol.L-1 de H2O2, dosado durante 2 horas de reacao. Apos pre-tratada fotoquimicamente, esta mesma solucao foi utilizada como fonte de carbono em um sistema continuo de lodos ativados para remocao da materia organica residual, apresentando reducao de 92% do TOC inicial. Estes resultados evidenciam a eficiencia da integracao entre os processos foto-Fenton e lodo ativado no tratamento de efluentes contendo compostos recalcitrantes. / Phenol and phenolic compounds have been listed as priority-pollutants by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA USA). They are often found in industrial effluents such as from pulp and paper, timber, plastics and synthetic polymer, pharmaceutical, pesticide, oil and petrochemical industries. Most of the traditional wastewater treatments have shown inefficiency against high phenol concentrations. This work aims to treat phenol solution via Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP´s) to enhance medium biodegradability and using it as an effluent in a continuous activated sludge process. The purpose of the pre treatment is to modify the phenol structure leading it to its byproducts such as aromatics compounds and carboxylic acids. The experiments have shown the effectiveness of the pre-treatment by the biodegradability parameter BOD5/COD which was achieved 0,19 at 30 min of photo- Fenton reaction with a initial phenol concentration of 1000 mg.L-1 of TOC, 1 mmol.L-1 of FeSO4 and 100 mmol.L-1 of H2O2, added with a peristaltic pump along 2 hours of reaction. After the photochemical pre treatment, the same solution was used as a carbon source in a continuous activated sludge system for removing residual organic matter, with a reduction of 92% of the TOC initial. Those results have shown the efficiency when integrating photo-Fenton and activated sludge processes on the treatment of effluents containing recalcitrant organic compounds.

Работа посвящена исследованию проблем и перспектив функционирования языковой политики «Триединство языков» в контексте глобализации. Материалом исследования послужили официальные документы Министерства образования и науки Казахстана, аналитические отчеты международных организаций, результаты независимых исследований в области науки, экономики и демографии республики. В первой главе работы рассматриваются общие теоретические положения, касающиеся многоязычной компетенции индивида, история становления понятия «полиязычие» и его социолингвистические характеристики. Также в главе вводятся понятия глобализация и языковая политика, анализируются основные подходы к изучению влияния глобальных процессов на языковую ситуацию. Вторая глава описывает историко-культурный контекст формирования современной политики полиязычия в Казахстане, рассматриваются нормативно-правовые основы ее введения. Особое внимание в главе уделяется текущему статусу и роли казахского, русского и английского языков в обществе, а также промежуточным результатам внедрения трехъязычного образования. Третья глава содержит сравнительный анализ трехъязычных языковых политик Казахстана и Гонконга, а также описание мировых тенденций в сфере распространения и изучения иностранных языков, на основе которых формируется гипотеза об элитизации языкового образования. В четвертой главе изучены социально-демографический, экономический и образовательный аспекты интеграционных связей Казахстана с зарубежными странами, сделан вывод о степени влияния экстралингвистических факторов на место языков в жизни населения страны. / The work is devoted to the study of the problems and prospects of the functioning of the language policy "Triunity of languages" in the context of globalization. The research materials included the official documents of the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan, analytical reports of international organizations, the results of independent research in the field of science, economics and demography of the republic. The first chapter of the work examines the general theoretical provisions concerning the multilingual competence of the individual, the history of the formation of the concept of "multilingualism" and its sociolinguistic characteristics. The chapter also introduces the concepts of globalization and language policy. The analysis of the main approaches to studying the impact of global processes on the language situation is given. The second chapter describes the historical and cultural context of the formation of the modern policy of multilingualism in Kazakhstan, examines the legal framework for its introduction. The chapter pays special attention to the status and role of the Kazakh, Russian and English languages in society, as well as the intermediate results of the introduction of trilingual education. The third chapter contains a comparative analysis of the trilingual language policies of Kazakhstan and Hong Kong, as well as a description of world trends in the spread and study of foreign languages, based on which a hypothesis about the elitization of language education is formed. In the fourth chapter, the socio-demographic, economic and educational aspects of the integration relations of Kazakhstan with foreign countries are studied, a conclusion is drawn about the degree of influence of extralinguistic factors on the place of languages in the life of the country's population.

Due to the changing scope of data management from centrally stored data towards the management of distributed and heterogeneous systems, the integration takes place on different levels. The lack of standards for information integration as well as application integration resulted in a large number of different integration models and proprietary solutions. With the aim of a high degree of portability and the reduction of development efforts, the model-driven development—following the Model-Driven Architecture (MDA)—is advantageous in this context as well. Hence, in the GCIP project (Generation of Complex Integration Processes), we focus on the model-driven generation and optimization of integration tasks using a process-based approach. In this paper, we contribute detailed generation aspects and finally discuss open issues and further challenges.