Cette thèse étudie les relations entre contrôle et stratégie. Elle vise à enrichir le cadre théorique des quatre leviers du contrôle de Simons (1995) en s’intéressant aux interactions entre les acteurs de l’organisation, autour des dispositifs de contrôle, pour élaborer et mettre en œuvre la stratégie. Mobilisant le cadre théorique de la sociologie de l’acteur-réseau (ANT), ce travail, basé sur une étude de cas, met en évidence un double processus de traduction de la stratégie. D’une part, les dirigeants conçoivent les systèmes de contrôle pour intéresser les cadres intermédiaires à la stratégie globale, d’autre part les cadres intermédiaires utilisent ces mêmes systèmes pour intéresser la direction à leurs propres propositions de stratégie locale. Dans ce double processus de traduction, le levier interactif de contrôle, basé sur des interactions en face-à-face, joue un rôle central. La recherche permet d’identifier deux usages différents du levier interactif : un usage ouvert, permettant l’émergence de stratégie et un usage plus fermé permettant la mise en œuvre de stratégies délibérées. Cette mise en évidence de deux usages différents du levier interactif permet d’expliquer les contradictions apparentes des recherches mobilisant le cadre théorique de Simons et ouvre la voie à de futures recherches sur les liens entre contrôle et innovation / This thesis analyses the relationship between strategy and management control systems. Its aim is to refine Simons’ four levers of control framework in studying the interactions between top and middle managers around management control tools in order to form and implement the strategy of the organization. Using the actor-network theory (ANT) in a case study, this thesis reveals a double process of translation. On the one hand, top managers design management control systems in order to interest their subordinates to the global intended strategy. On the other hand, middle managers use the same control systems to translate their own local strategic intentions. This double translation process is made possible by two different uses of the interactive lever of control, based on face to face discussions. The first one is non invasive, inspirational and allows strategy emergence, the second one is invasive and allows top managers to implement the intended strategy in involving themselves in the decisions of their subordinates. The evidence of two different uses open ways of research on the relationship between management control systems and strategy or management control and innovation

Research on existing actor-networks has focused traditionally on outcomes, achievements and success at the expense of a detailed consideration of their formation and ability to function. In recognition of this lacuna, this study examined the formation and functioning of tourism-related actor-networks involved in environmental protection and the management of tourism in the coastal city of Hurghada, Egypt. More specifically, it applied the actor-network theory (ANT). In particular, the study applied its four moments of translation – problematization, interessement, enrolment and mobilization – and used Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to analyse the influencing factors, whether positively or negatively, and the degree to which the creation and operations of such collaborations were successful. This study employed a sequential, explanatory mixed-methods design, integrating both quantitative and qualitative data. A questionnaire was used to collect data from 510 employees of tourism-related organizations involved in managing tourism’s environmental impacts on Hurghada. Also, the researcher conducted fourteen semi-structured interviews with the managers and assistant managers of tourism-related organizations involved in environmental protection and the management of tourism. The SEM’s findings revealed the existence of a number of tourism-related actor-networks which were attempting to safeguard local community livelihoods through environmental protection, and of four key factors – trust, coordination, commitment, and communication – which were damaging their formation, functioning and outcomes. This study contributed to theory since it enhanced our knowledge and understanding of the relationships between four previously unconnected bodies of literature. These were, namely, ANT, tourism-related organizations, environmental governance, collaboration, and environmental protection. The study highlighted, also, the factors, both positive and negative, which influenced the formation and functioning of tourism actor-networks involved in managing tourism’s environmental impacts on Hurghada. In practical terms, this study analysed the role of tourism-related organizations in order to identify their main strengths and weaknesses In addition, the researcher considered how partnership networks could consolidate the strengths and overcome the weaknesses of the tourism-related organizations involved in environmental protection and the management of tourism in Hurghada. Also, this study will help these tourism-related organizations, through such networks, to adopt suitable activities, policies, strategies and laws for protecting the assets relating to the local community’s livelihoods. Therefore, knowing the key success factors of collaborative networks and good governance will help these networks of tourism-related organizations to improve their performance in terms of assisting Hurghada’s local community and the poor people in particular.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering / Caterina Scoglio / Society increasingly depends on networks for almost every aspect of daily life. Over the past decade, network science has flourished tremendously in understanding, designing, and utilizing networks. Particularly, network science has shed light on the role of the underlying network topology on the dynamic behavior of complex systems, including cascading failure in power-grids, financial contagions in trade market, synchronization, spread of social opinion and trends, product adoption and market penetration, infectious disease pandemics, outbreaks of computer worms, and gene mutations in biological networks. In the last decade, most studies on complex networks have been confined to a single, often homogeneous network. An extremely challenging aspect of studying these complex systems is that the underlying networks are often heterogeneous, composite, and interdependent with other networks. This challenging aspect has very recently introduced a new class of networks in network science, which we refer to as multilayer and interconnected networks. Multilayer networks are an abstract representation of interconnection among nodes representing individuals or agents, where the interconnection has a multiple nature. For example, while a disease can propagate among individuals through a physical contact network, information can propagate among the same individuals through an online information-dissemination network. Another example is viral information dissemination among users of online social networks; one might disseminate information received from a Facebook contact to his or her followers on Twitter. Interconnected networks are abstract representations where two or more simple networks, possibly with different dynamics over them, are interconnected to each other. For example, in zoonotic diseases, a virus can move from the network of animals, with some transmission dynamics, to a human network, with possibly very different dynamics. As communication systems are evolving more and more toward integration with computing, sensing, and control systems, the theory of multilayer and interconnected networks seems to be crucial to successful communication systems development in cyber-physical infrastructures. Among the most relevant dynamics over networks is epidemic spreading. Epidemic spreading dynamics over simple networks exhibit a clear example where interaction between non-complex dynamics at node level and the topology leads to a complex emergent behavior. A substantial line of research during the past decade has been devoted to capturing the role of the network on spreading dynamics, and mathematical tools such as spectral graph theory have been greatly useful for this goal. For example, when the network is a simple graph, the dominant eigenvalue and eigenvector of the adjacency matrix have been proven to be key elements determining spreading dynamics features, including epidemic threshold, centrality of nodes, localization of spreading sites, and behavior of the epidemic model close to the threshold. More generally, for many other dynamics over a single network, dependency of dynamics on spectral properties of the adjacency matrix, Laplacian matrix, or some other graph-related matrix, is well-studied and rigorously established, and practical applications have been successfully derived. In contrast, limited established results exist for dynamics on multilayer and interconnected networks. Yet, an understanding of spreading processes over these networks is very important to several realistic phenomena in modern integrated and composite systems, including cascading failure in power grids, financial contagions in trade market, synchronization, spread of social opinion and trends, product adoption and market penetration, infectious disease pandemics, and outbreak in computer worms. This dissertation focuses on spreading processes on multilayer and interconnected networks, organized in three parts. The first part develops a general framework for modeling epidemic spreading in interconnected and multilayer networks. The second part solves two fundamental problems: introducing the concept of an epidemic threshold curve in interconnected networks, and coexistence phenomena in competitive spreading over multilayer networks. The third part of this dissertation develops an epidemic model incorporating human behavior, where multi-layer network formulation enables modeling and analysis of important features of human social networks, such as an information-dissemination network, as well as contact adaptation. Finally, I conclude with some open research directions in the topic of spreading processes over multilayer and interconnected networks, based on the resulting developments of this dissertation.

Master of Science / Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering / Caterina M. Scoglio / The generalized epidemic modeling framework simulator (GEMFsim) is a tool designed by Dr. Faryad Sahneh, former PhD student in the NetSE group. GEMFsim simulates stochastic spreading process over complex networks. It was first introduced in Dr. Sahneh’s doctoral dissertation "Spreading processes over multilayer and interconnected networks" and implemented in Matlab. As limited by Matlab language, this implementation typically solves only small networks; the slow simulation speed is unable to generate enough results in reasonable time for large networks. As a generalized tool, this framework must be equipped to handle large networks and contain sufficient support to provide adequate performance. The C language, a low-level language that effectively maps a program to machine in- structions with efficient execution, was selected for this study. Following implementation of GEMFsim in C, I packed it into Python and R libraries, allowing users to enjoy the flexibility of these interpreted languages without sacrificing performance. GEMFsim limitations are not limited to language, however. In the original algorithm (Gillespie’s Direct Method), the performance (simulation speed) is inversely proportional to network size, resulting in unacceptable speed for very large networks. Therefore, this study applied the Next Reaction Method, making the performance irrelevant of network size. As long as the network fits into memory, the speed is proportional to the average node degree of the network, which is not very large for most real-world networks. This study also applied parallel computing in order to advantageously utilize multiple cores for repeated simulations. Although single simulation can not be paralleled as a Markov process, multiple simulations with identical network structures were run simultaneously, sharing one network description in memory.

This thesis investigates the management of social capital processes as they are accomplished-understood, experienced and shaped-by owner-managers. The aim of the thesis is to develop a deeper understanding of the management of social capital processes, to achieve a greater congruence between real-life perspectives and experiences and social capital literature. The thesis argues that social capital is situational, and in the economic situation the theory has been bounded by rational choice framing assumptions. The research problem is that claims for the universality of the economic way of looking at life, and for looking at social capital processes are over-stated. Predicated on this insight the research investigates economic notions of rationality, and low and non-rationality, as well as their inter-dependence in the management of social capital processes. The research follows a qualitative approach for data collection, with flexible pre-coding to guide the research where to look, while retaining an inductive openness to emergent data. The research population is drawn from SME owner-managers in the service and retail sectors, who were researched over two years using semi-structured interviews, observation, and by researcher participant observation. The thesis presents a number of contributions to knowledge. First, the thesis offers an in-depth, single source review explicating the meaning of the economic form of social capital, with reference to its intellectual antecedents, conceptual debates and key theoretical authors. The second (emergent research) contribution is to identify the significance of ethics and autodidactic reading for managing social capital processes. The third (theoretical) contribution argues for an expanded social capital perspective, beyond the prevailing and over-confident rational framing assumptions, and also for a new holistic ontological understanding. The fourth contribution is to identify a number of generic processes which can guide the management of social capital processes.

Citizen proposal is one of many participation governance arrangements introduced the last few decades in Sweden in order to improve communication between local government institutions and citizens. In 2002 citizen proposal was introduced by the state, thus making it possible for the municipalities to allow citizens and other inhabitants to come up with proposals to the elected. In 2007 the law was revised and now gave the municipalities opportunity to delegate decision-making related to citizen proposals to the committees [nämnder/styrelser]. This study examines the implementation of citizen proposals in Kumla municipality 2002-2019. First analysing the arguments raised by the municipality to implement citizen proposal in Kumla, it then proceeds to show how it was implemented before and after the revision of the law that gave opportunity to delegate decision-making to the committees and what consequences it had on the content of the decisions. The study ends by showing how and why Kumla municipality decided to repeal the citizen proposal in favour of another kind of citizen participation.

Background:           City Logistics is experiencing many innovative activities in the recent years. These activities are initiated and enhanced by numerous public and private actors, who jointly form innovative networks.   Purpose:                  The purpose of this thesis is to identify the actors, who jointly form the city logistics network, and determine their contribution towards innovation in these networks.   Method:                  The research is based on an interview study. We conducted interviews with representatives of a variety of city logistics actors. These interviews and additional secondary data were analyzed using content analysis. To illustrate the structure of innovative city logistics networks, we used a combination of systems and network theory.   Conclusion:             The results show that actors from six groups are strongly involved in city logistics innovation. These are policymakers, logistics companies, shippers & receivers, technology providers, research institutions and independent platforms. Actors in innovative city logistics networks show a sufficient level of commitment, but they have different focuses in their innovative activities. The most extensive contributions are made by policymakers and logistics companies. Still, policymakers struggle in their function as coordinators of city logistics.

Digital services have immeasurably transformed the world economy, and so people’s lives, over the past two decades. One industry where digitalization has been slower is the financial services. Nevertheless, this has changed in the past years with the emergence of fintech companies disrupting the traditional banks and payment solutions. Several studies have researched the internationalization process of digital born globals across different industries. However, due to how recent and emerging the fintech industry is, the area is understudied. To gain insight on the internationalization process of digital born globals within the fintech industry this study was based on an empirical multiple-case study including 4 fintech companies from Sweden and Finland. The main finding of this study is that fintech firms do not expand like other digital born globals but instead follow a more traditional, incremental internationalization process. We also observed that fintech companies used an online entry strategy initially allowing a fast entry process. In some cases, they also established offline presence. Overall, we hope to contribute to theory by giving insight on which factors that cause fintech companies to expand, how the internationalization process looks, how external partnerships might influence, and which challenges they might face.

Desde meados dos anos 1960 novos temas tornaram-se cada vez mais caros a sociedade de forma global. Dentre esses temas, o relacionamento entre as ações humanas com o meio ambiente passou a ser visto e discutido nos mais diferentes setores da sociedade, o que fez formatar uma nova dimensão de desenvolvimento, que abarcasse outras variáveis além do crescimento econômico, tais como as advindas da área social e ambiental (SACHS, 2009a e 2009b; VEIGA, 2010). Apesar disso, as discussões acadêmicas levantam o fato de que tal termo carece de um quadro conciso de significados, adquirindo um caráter pluridimensional. Dentre deste debate, o Brasil e sua proeminência de caráter mundial no setor de produção de combustíveis alternativos, se constrói enquanto a base desta pesquisa, que teve como propósito tecer relações mais sólidas entre estes dois temas, especificamente, a sustentabilidade e o etanol de cana-deaçúcar. Para isso, procurou-se entender quais são as traduções de sustentabilidade no setor sucroenergético, ou seja, de que forma o tema da sustentabilidade está sendo estrategicamente definido pelos atores que se relacionam de forma direta com o etanol de cana-de-açúcar, e assim realizar um cruzamento com os principais aspectos de sustentabilidade presentes na literatura sobre a questão. Para a consecução dos objetivos foi utilizada a Teoria Ator-Rede como ferramenta metodológica. Nesse sentido, a sustentabilidade se encaixou como o ator principal da pesquisa, pois causa transformações nos mais diversos atores aos quais se associa. Os resultados se destacam pelo fato de que a interdisciplinaridade é incipiente no setor, muito devido às falhas e dificuldades na divulgação de informação e dados e à baixa participação dos diferentes setores nas discussões. Uma das consequências do pouco diálogo entre as áreas se encontra no fato de que o setor traduz a sustentabilidade baseada na abordagem chamada de Tripé da Sustentabilidade. Nesse sentido, a visão mais integrativa, tão importante para este tema, perde relevância, havendo ênfase prático e teórico para uma das três dimensões da abordagem, qual seja, a econômica, que é operacionalizada através de investimentos em inovações tecnológicas. Apesar desta contestação, para o setor tal carência de paradigmas integrativos se assinala de forma negativa. Para que um estado mais desejável deste setor seja alcançado é fundamental que o seu estado atual seja aclarado em seus meandros, permitindo a formulação de ferramentas de sustentabilidade. / Since the mid-1960s new themes have become increasingly matters of concern in global society. Among these subjects, the relation between human actions with the environment came to be seen and discussed in many different sectors of society, which arranged a new dimension of development that would encompass other variables than economic growth, such as those regarding social and environmental areas (Sachs, 2009a and 2009b; Veiga, 2010). Nevertheless, academic discussions highlight the fact that this term lacks a concise framework of meanings, what acquires a multidimensional characteristic. Within this debate, the prominence of Brazil in the production of alternative fuels builds the basis of this research, which aimed to weave stronger relations between these two issues, specifically, sustainability and sugarcane ethanol. Thus, this dissertation tried to understand what are the translations of sustainability in sugarcane industry, ie how the topic of sustainability is being strategically defined by the actors that relate directly to the sugarcane ethanol and, therefore, achieve a junction between this and the main aspects of sustainability in the literature on the issue. To achieve the goals, Actor-Network Theory has been used as a methodological tool. In this sense, sustainability is embedded as the main actor of the research, because it causes changes in several actors to which it associates. The resultsemphasise the fact that interdisciplinarity is incipient in the sector, largely due to failures and difficulties in disseminating information and data and the low participation of different sectors in the discussions. One consequence of the lack of dialogue between the areas is the fact that the sector translates sustainability based approach called Triple Botton Line. In this sense, a more integrative susteinability view loses relevance, as it\'s clear a practical and theoretical emphasis in one of the three dimensions of the approach, namely, the economic, which is operationalized through investments in technological innovations. Despite this challenge the sugarcane sector itself, points this lack of integrative paradgms in a negative way. For a more desirable state of this sector , it is essential that your current state is cleared in its intricacies, allowing the formulation of sustainability tools.

In “Patria Mia,” his 1913 series of essays in New Age magazine, Ezra Pound uses a metaphor for modernist cultural production that informs and structures this dissertation. “If it lie within your desire to promote the arts,” he writes, “you must not only subsidize the man with work still in him, but you must gather such dynamic particles together; you must set them where they will interact, and stimulate each other.” Salon hostess Mabel Dodge Luhan, in Movers and Shakers, announces a similar transformation in interpersonal relations: “Looking back on it now, it seems as though everywhere, in that year of 1913 . . . there were all sorts of new ways to communicate, as well as new communications.” I argue that these new forms of communication and interaction described by Pound and Dodge not only characterize the early twentieth century but also empower transnational experiments in literature, art, and politics that we now call “modernism.” Because of dramatic and wide-ranging developments in communications and travel technologies, modernists in the early years of the twentieth century cooperated and communicated regarding their experiments in new dynamic ways that make modernism an especially collaborative project. Before the Great War casts a dark shadow over the promises of modernity, editors, writers, artists, political radicals, hostesses, and intellectuals met in small private salons, published in alternative periodicals, and joined avant-garde movements. Reading these collaborative events illuminates the interactivity that crystallizes modernism as a cultural mode of production. To analyze collaborations in the development of modernism, I construct network graphs that visualize the webs of interaction I study. Rather than rely solely on diachronic readings of modernist texts, these visualizations provide a synchronic model for modernist cultural production as simultaneous connections, constituting a modernist totality. To analyze these network graphs, I apply concepts from network theory and sociology, two disciplines that begin in the modernist moment. Thus, this dissertation is both a theory of cultural production and an effect of that cultural production. The network is itself a modernist concept.