Soil erosion is a major problem confronting land and water resources in many parts of the world and the spatial extent should be assessed and continually monitored. The combination of existing erosion models and remote sensing techniques within a Geographical Information System framework is commonly utilized for erosion risk assessment. In most countries, however, especially in developing countries such as South Africa, there is still an absence of standardized methodological frameworks that deliver comparable results across large areas as a baseline for regional scale monitoring. Assessment at the regional scale is often problematic due to spatial variability of the factors controlling erosion and the lack of input and validation data. Due to limitations of scale at which techniques can be applied and processes assessed, this study implemented a multi-process and multi-scale approach to support establishment of a methodological framework for South African conditions. The approach includes assessment of (i) sheet-rill erosion at a national scale based on the principles and components defined in the (Revised) Universal Soil Loss Equation, (ii) gully erosion in a large catchment located in the Eastern Cape Province by integrating eleven important factors into a GIS, and (iii) sediment migration for a research catchment near Wartburg in KwaZulu-Natal by means of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool. Case Study i illustrates that 20% (26 million ha) of South African land is classified as having a moderate to severe actual erosion risk (emphasizing sheet-rill erosion) and describes the challenges to be overcome in assessment at this scale. Case Study ii identifies severe gully erosion affecting an area of approximately 5 273 ha in the large catchment (Tsitsa valley) of the Eastern Cape Province and highlights gully factors likely to emerge as dominant between continuous gullies and discontinuous gullies. Case Study iii illustrates that a cabbage plot in the upper reaches of a research catchment near Wartburg is a significant sediment source, but is counterbalanced by sinks (river channel and farm dams) downstream. Model assumptions affecting outputs in the context of connectivity between sources and sinks are described. The factor-based nature of this multi-process and -scale approach allowed scrutiny of the role of the main factors in contributing to erosion risk. A combination of poor vegetation cover and susceptible parent material-soil associations are confirmed as the overriding factors in South Africa, and not topography and rainfall as frequently determined in the USA and Europe. A methodological framework with three hierarchical levels is then presented for South Africa. The framework illustrates the most feasible erosion assessment techniques and input datasets for which sufficient spatial information exists, and emphasizes simplicity required for application at a regional scale with proper incorporation of the most important factors. The framework is not interpreted as a single assessment technique but rather as an approach that guides the selection of appropriate techniques and datasets according to the complexity of the erosion processes and scale dependency. It is useful in determining the relative impact of different land use and management scenarios, as well as for comparative purposes under possible future climate change scenarios. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / unrestricted

A cultura de segurança na área nuclear é definida como o conjunto de características e atitudes da organização e dos indivíduos que fazem que, com uma prioridade insuperável, as questões relacionadas à proteção e segurança nuclear recebam a atenção assegurada pelo seu significado. Até o momento, não existem instrumentos validados que permitam avaliar a cultura de segurança na área nuclear. Em vista disso, os resultados da definição de estratégias para o seu fortalecimento e o acompanhamento do desempenho das ações de melhorias tornam-se difíceis de serem avaliados. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal desenvolver e validar um instrumento para a avaliação da cultura de segurança de organizações nucleares, utilizando o Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares como unidade de pesquisa e coleta de dados. Os indicadores e variáveis latentes do instrumento foram definidos utilizando como referência modelos de avaliação de cultura de segurança da área da saúde e área nuclear. O instrumento de coleta de dados proposto inicialmente foi submetido à avaliação por especialistas da área nuclear e, posteriormente, ao pré-teste com indivíduos que pertenciam à população pesquisada. A validação do modelo foi feita por meio da modelagem por equações estruturais utilizando o método de mínimos quadrados parciais (Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling PLS-SEM), no software SmartPLS. A versão final do instrumento foi composta por quarenta indicadores distribuídos em nove variáveis latentes. O modelo de mensuração apresentou validade convergente, validade discriminante e confiabilidade e, o modelo estrutural apresentou significância estatística, demonstrando que o instrumento cumpriu adequadamente todas as etapas de validação. / The safety culture in the nuclear area is defined as that assembly of characteristics and attitudes in organizations and individuals which establishes that, as an overriding priority, nuclear plant safety and protection issues receive the attention warranted by their significance. Until now, there are no validated instruments to evaluate the safety culture in the nuclear area. This fact makes it difficult to assess the results of strategies for its strengthening and of the improvement actions. The main objective of this work was to develop and validate an instrument for the evaluation of the safety culture of nuclear organizations, using the Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares as a research unit and data collection. The indicators and latent variables of the instrument were defined using health and nuclear area models of safety culture evaluation as reference. The data collection instrument initially proposed was submitted to the evaluation by nuclear area experts and, subsequently, to the pretest with individuals who belonged to the researched population. The validation of the model was performed through structural equation modeling using the Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling - PLS-SEM method in the SmartPLS software. The final version of the instrument was composed by forty indicators distributed in nine latent variables. The measurement model showed convergent validity, discriminant validity and composite reliability, and the structural model showed statistical significance. Therefore the overall model has successfully accomplished all the validation steps.

A cultura de segurança na área nuclear é definida como o conjunto de características e atitudes da organização e dos indivíduos que fazem que, com uma prioridade insuperável, as questões relacionadas à proteção e segurança nuclear recebam a atenção assegurada pelo seu significado. Até o momento, não existem instrumentos validados que permitam avaliar a cultura de segurança na área nuclear. Em vista disso, os resultados da definição de estratégias para o seu fortalecimento e o acompanhamento do desempenho das ações de melhorias tornam-se difíceis de serem avaliados. Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal desenvolver e validar um instrumento para a avaliação da cultura de segurança de organizações nucleares, utilizando o Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares como unidade de pesquisa e coleta de dados. Os indicadores e variáveis latentes do instrumento foram definidos utilizando como referência modelos de avaliação de cultura de segurança da área da saúde e área nuclear. O instrumento de coleta de dados proposto inicialmente foi submetido à avaliação por especialistas da área nuclear e, posteriormente, ao pré-teste com indivíduos que pertenciam à população pesquisada. A validação do modelo foi feita por meio da modelagem por equações estruturais utilizando o método de mínimos quadrados parciais (Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling PLS-SEM), no software SmartPLS. A versão final do instrumento foi composta por quarenta indicadores distribuídos em nove variáveis latentes. O modelo de mensuração apresentou validade convergente, validade discriminante e confiabilidade e, o modelo estrutural apresentou significância estatística, demonstrando que o instrumento cumpriu adequadamente todas as etapas de validação. / The safety culture in the nuclear area is defined as that assembly of characteristics and attitudes in organizations and individuals which establishes that, as an overriding priority, nuclear plant safety and protection issues receive the attention warranted by their significance. Until now, there are no validated instruments to evaluate the safety culture in the nuclear area. This fact makes it difficult to assess the results of strategies for its strengthening and of the improvement actions. The main objective of this work was to develop and validate an instrument for the evaluation of the safety culture of nuclear organizations, using the Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares as a research unit and data collection. The indicators and latent variables of the instrument were defined using health and nuclear area models of safety culture evaluation as reference. The data collection instrument initially proposed was submitted to the evaluation by nuclear area experts and, subsequently, to the pretest with individuals who belonged to the researched population. The validation of the model was performed through structural equation modeling using the Partial Least Square - Structural Equation Modeling - PLS-SEM method in the SmartPLS software. The final version of the instrument was composed by forty indicators distributed in nine latent variables. The measurement model showed convergent validity, discriminant validity and composite reliability, and the structural model showed statistical significance. Therefore the overall model has successfully accomplished all the validation steps.

In rural areas, access to electricity is required for better living standard, enhance income options and reduce population migration. In last decades, steady progress has been made but the status of electrification significantly varies across countries. In developing countries, about 1.6 billion people live without electricity and another 2 billion have access but to an unreliable extent. Large population also live in remote areas where extension of grid is not feasible, where people continuing to live under distress conditions. International projections reveal that number of un-electrified people will remain same by the year 2030 if similar pace of electrification is continued in future.From this perspective, the study describes what bigger countries such as India, China and Brazil are doing and where rural electrification stands in priority in a poor country like Ethiopia. Is off-grid technologies show an option for such remote locations" The two case studies of Vietnam and South Africa reveal that work carried out through external support in the absence of national policies. As a result, people have experienced the benefits of technologies but unable to retain them in long term. Electricity has given various advantages but poor affordability of the people hinders the acceptance of technologies in rural areas.The study shows the need of a framework to achieve the long-term support for rural electrification. A framework that could direct the national priorities, understands social, economic and environmental aspects of off-grid technologies, identify key areas to be strengthen, allocates the roles and responsibilities at different working levels, maintains a consistent flow of adequate finance, pursue regular monitoring process and incorporate the monitoring results, or, critical success factors into the national policies to make them more effective. Both macro- as well as micro- level approaches have been suggested in this study.

Cette recherche vise la mise au jour du lien entre la formation à la méthodologie de l’enseignement du français comme langue étrangère et le développement de l’agir professionnel de l’enseignant novice. Elle s’inscrit dans le cadre plus général des travaux ayant pour objet la formation des enseignants et leurs pratiques effectives. La mise en place d’un appareillage, la trame méthodique repère (TMR), destiné à la conception d’unités didactiques et à la formation des pratiques professionnelles enseignantes, est au coeur de la première partie de cette étude qui, dans un second temps, montre de quelle manière la modélisation proposée par la TMR rend possible la circulation des savoirs d’ingénierie, de la formation au développement de l’agir des enseignants novices. / This research brings to light the link between French second language teacher training and the development of beginning teachers’ actions. It is set in the wider field of language teacher education research and teachers’ real practice. The first part of this study presents the implementation of a language teaching methodological framework aimed at lesson design and language teacher training. The second part shows how the sequence of language objects and activities of the framework makes it possible for vocational language teaching knowledge to evolve from training to teaching.

This study set out to develop a framework within which the use of Geographical Information Technologies (GITs) can be enhanced in Road Infrastructure Maintenance (RIM) in Uganda. Specifically it was guided by 3 objectives; 1. To assess the gaps in the use of GITs for RIM in Uganda and the limitations to accessing these technologies, 2. To develop a methodological framework to enhance the use of GITs in RIM and 3. To develop a Geographical Information Systems for Transportation (GIS-T) data model based on the road maintenance data requirements. A participatory approach through a series of interviews, focus group discussions, workshop & conferences, document reviews, field observations & measurements and GIS analysis were employed. Based on the Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) concept and the principle of Causality, the gaps and limitations were established to mainly be concerned with data and organisational constraints as opposed to technical issues. They were classified to include; inadequate involvement of GITs in organisational activities, inappropriate institutional arrangements, absence of data sharing frameworks, budget constraints, insufficient geospatial capacity, digital divide in the perception, adoption & affordability of GITs among the stakeholders and the absence of a road maintenance Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). A methodological framework, comprising of 6 strategic components was developed to enhance the use of GITs in RIM. This included enactment of relevant policy components to guide GIT use, continuous capacity building, establishment of a road maintenance SDI, fostering collaboration and spatial data sharing frameworks, budgetary allocation based on defined activities inclusive of GIT initiatives, and adoption of a dynamic segmentation data model. Conceptual and logical data models were developed and proposed for the Sector. The conceptual model, presented using an entity relationship diagram, relates the road network to the point and line events occurring on it. The logical object relational model developed using the ESRI provided template represents the road and the point and line events in a total of 19 object classes. The Study concludes that in order to ground GIT benefits in the sector; technical, data and organisational concerns involved in GIT undertakings should be accorded equal emphasis. Institutionalisation and diffusion of GITs as aspects of the component strategies are regarded capacity building mechanisms earmarked to boost success in GIT initiatives. Further research on diffusion and funding models for GIT initiatives is recommended. It is suggested that aspects of the proposed model be considered when establishing GIT standards for the sector. The RIM sector is encouraged to embrace Science and Technology and to participate in Research and Development and particularly to adopt the culture of innovation considering the ready availability of off the shelf equipment, freeware and open source software that can foster informed decision making.

Dans la recherche de performance de chaînes logistiques, la modélisation et la simulation de ces chaînes prenant en compte des aspects organisationnels s‘avèrent nécessaire. Dans cette perspective, nous proposons tout d‘abord un nouveau cadre méthodologique de modélisation et simulation orienté agents de chaînes logistiques, prenant en compte explicitement les aspects organisationnels, tant structurels que dynamiques, ainsi que des observables et indicateurs dans la modélisation de ces chaînes. Ce cadre méthodologique est structuré selon deux niveaux d'abstraction principale qui sont : un niveau conceptuel et un niveau opérationnel. Pour chacun de ces niveaux nous avons différents modèles qui sont proposés et décrit en détail. Ensuite, afin de simuler les modèles de simulation de ces chaines logistiques obtenus par ce cadre méthodologique, nous proposons une architecture logicielle multi-paradigmes spécifique. Cette architecture qui supporte l‘intégration de différentes plates-formes de simulation, est basée sur un médiateur, constituant un système multi-agents, et assurant l‘interaction entre les simulateurs. Les agents de ce médiateur sont chargés de collecter les informations permettant de produire les observables, maintenir la structure organisationnelle lorsque des entités organisationnelles (groupes) sont distribués sur différents simulateurs, l‘interopérabilité entre ces simulateurs, et enfin garantir la validité de la simulation d‘un point de vue temporel. Enfin, la mise en œuvre du cadre méthodologique et de l‘architecture logicielle proposés sont illustrées sur un cas industriel réaliste de chaîne logistique. La présentation des phases de conception est détaillée ainsi que la spécification et l‘implémentation du cas industriel au sein de l‘environnement de modélisation et de simulation proposé. / In the search for performance of supply chains, modeling and simulation of these chains, taking into account the organizational aspects are needed. In this perspective, firstly we propose a new methodology for modeling and simulation of supply chains oriented agents, taking into account explicitly the organizational aspects, both structural and dynamic as well as observable indicators in the modeling of these chains. This methodological framework is structured along two main levels of abstraction, conceptual and operational levels. For each level we have models that are proposed and described in details. Then, to simulate the simulation models of supply chains obtained by this methodological framework, we propose a multi-paradigm software architecture specific. This architecture supports the integration of different platforms simulation is based on a mediator, providing a multi-agent system, and ensuring the interaction between the simulators. The agents of this mediator is responsible for collecting required information to produce observables and maintaining the organizational structure while the organizational entities (groups) are distributed over different simulators and interoperability between these simulators, and finally ensuring the validity of the simulation for a temporal point of view. Finally, the implementation of the methodological framework and the proposed software architecture are shown in a realistic industrial case supply chain. The presentation of the design phase is detailed and the specification and implementation of industrial case in environmental modeling and simulation proposed.

L'ingénierie d'entreprise conçoit et met en application des projets d'amélioration de la structure et du fonctionnement des organisations de production de biens ou de services. Elle développe des démarches fondées sur la modélisation, en particulier la modélisation des processus métiers, pour assurer une qualité et une cohérence d'ensemble des projets. Aujourd'hui, la prise en compte du risque en ingénierie d'entreprise fait l'objet de nombreux développements, liés à un environnement perçu comme de plus en plus agressif et imprévisible. Des cadres de référence sont même publiés pour guider les entreprises dans ces nouvelles dimensions du pilotage de l'organisation autour du risque. Notre étude se consacre à la conception des processus métier dirigée par les risques comme une composante à part entière de l'ingénierie d'entreprise. Après avoir fait une synthèse des connaissances sur les univers du risque et des processus, un problème d'intégration de ces connaissances est formulé. Un cadre méthodologique pour le management intégré des risques et des processus est ainsi conçu et décrit. Il repose sur la coordination des cycles de vie de la gestion des risques et de la gestion des processus métier, sur la définition d'un cadre conceptuel unifié permettant d'identifier et de maîtriser les informations échangées entre eux, et enfin sur un langage de modélisation adapté à une description des situations et étendant les capacités d'un outil de modélisation du marché (ARIS Business Architect). Un cas d'études du domaine de la santé vient illustrer le bien fondé de l'application de ce cadre méthodologique sur un cas concret. / Enterprise engineering is concerned with the design of projects which aim to improve the structure and behaviour of organisations producing goods and services. It develops approaches based on modelling techniques, particularly on business process modelling in order to assure the quality and the global consistency of the project portfolio. Nowadays, risk consideration in enterprise engineering is a growing importance since the business environment is becoming more and more competitive and unpredictable. In fact, reference frameworks providing guidance for enterprise risk management are developed to tackle this. Our research focuses on risk driven business process design as an integral part of enterprise engineering. After delivering a synthesis of work related to risks and business processes, a research question concerning the integration of both has been addressed. A framework for the integrated management of risks and business processes is suggested. It is based on three components: a coordination of risk and business process management lifecycles, a unified conceptual framework supporting information exchanges between the coordinated lifecycles, and finally a modelling language adapted to the description of risky situations. The later extends the features of a commercial modelling tool (ARIS Business Architect). A case study from the health sector illustrates the foundation of the methodological framework.

Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) together with Enterprise Architecture (EA) has became a main essence on the way to improve an alignment between business and IT representatives. The result of this alignment should be an increased efficiency of delivering IT projects in the company. Last decade it was the number one declined word in many companies. But most of them found out that SOA did not bring them expected results. The thesis deals with the methodology of building information systems and information and communication technology (IS/ICT) in SOA environment. It is a part of the research plan of the Department of Information Technologies of University of Economics in Prague. The main objective of the thesis is to extend the methodological framework MeFIS2 to add methodical pattern "Building IS in service-oriented architecture environment". In the analytical part of the thesis are presented and analyzed selected methodologies and standards focused on service orientation with aim to assist in the implementation of SOA into companies. A large amount of such methodologies and standards have been unveiled what leaded to a confusing information labyrinth. It's one of the reasons why standardization organizations gradually began to issue additional standards and methodologies to assist in the proper implementation of SOA into companies. The main part of work is to extend methodological framework MeFIS, so that it can be used to create a methodological pattern for building IS/ICT in SOA environment. The result of this section is to achieve the main goal to create a methodological pattern "Building IS in service-oriented architecture environment". In the practical part is the proposed methodological pattern applied in the real case study in the environment of telecommunication operator.