abstract: In today's global market, companies are facing unprecedented levels of uncertainties in supply, demand and in the economic environment. A critical issue for companies to survive increasing competition is to monitor the changing business environment and manage disturbances and changes in real time. In this dissertation, an integrated framework is proposed using simulation and online calibration methods to enable the adaptive management of large-scale complex supply chain systems. The design, implementation and verification of the integrated approach are studied in this dissertation. The research contributions are two-fold. First, this work enriches symbiotic simulation methodology by proposing a framework of simulation and advanced data fusion methods to improve simulation accuracy. Data fusion techniques optimally calibrate the simulation state/parameters by considering errors in both the simulation models and in measurements of the real-world system. Data fusion methods - Kalman Filtering, Extended Kalman Filtering, and Ensemble Kalman Filtering - are examined and discussed under varied conditions of system chaotic levels, data quality and data availability. Second, the proposed framework is developed, validated and demonstrated in `proof-of-concept' case studies on representative supply chain problems. In the case study of a simplified supply chain system, Kalman Filtering is applied to fuse simulation data and emulation data to effectively improve the accuracy of the detection of abnormalities. In the case study of the `beer game' supply chain model, the system's chaotic level is identified as a key factor to influence simulation performance and the choice of data fusion method. Ensemble Kalman Filtering is found more robust than Extended Kalman Filtering in a highly chaotic system. With appropriate tuning, the improvement of simulation accuracy is up to 80% in a chaotic system, and 60% in a stable system. In the last study, the integrated framework is applied to adaptive inventory control of a multi-echelon supply chain with non-stationary demand. It is worth pointing out that the framework proposed in this dissertation is not only useful in supply chain management, but also suitable to model other complex dynamic systems, such as healthcare delivery systems and energy consumption networks. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Engineering 2010

Traffic congestion is a one hundred billion dollar problem in the US. The cost of congestion has been trending upward over the last few decades, but has experienced slight decreases in recent years partly due to the impact of congestion reduction strategies. The impact of these strategies is however largely experienced on freeways and not arterials. This discrepancy in impact is partially linked to the lack of real-time, arterial traffic information. Toward this end, this research effort seeks to address the lack of arterial traffic information. To address this dearth of information, this effort developed a methodology to provide accurate estimates of arterial performance measures to transportation facility managers and travelers in real-time. This methodology employs transmitted point sensor data to drive an online, microscopic traffic simulation model. The feasibility of this methodology was examined through a series of experiments that were built upon the successes of the previous, while addressing the necessary limitations. The results from each experiment were encouraging. They successfully demonstrated the method's likely feasibility, and the accuracy with which field estimates of performance measures may be obtained. In addition, the method's results support the viability of a "real-world" implementation of the method. An advanced calibration process was also developed as a means of improving the method's accuracy. This process will in turn serve to inform future calibration efforts as the need for more robust and accurate traffic simulation models are needed. The success of this method provides a template for real-time traffic simulation modeling which is capable of adequately addressing the lack of available arterial traffic information. In providing such information, it is hoped that transportation facility managers and travelers will make more informed decisions regarding more efficient management and usage of the nation's transportation network.

Magister Commercii - MCom / The humble Pong arcade game at the corner store ignited a fundamental culture shift in the 1970s and it is increasingly gaining momentum. A generation of gamers is already permeating organisations. The socio-cultural phenomenon of digital gaming has become pervasive. The intersection point of the three trends, Ubiquitous Computing, Ubiquitous Gaming and Social Networking, is the focus point of this study. It is at this intersection point that both social online gaming and cutting-edge leadership competencies co-exist and have the potential to flourish when implemented with caution and circumspection. Leadership is frequently touted as an almost mystical holy grail in modern business. Leadership :pevelopment is therefore often recognised as a critical pivot for business success. If business leaders can successfully utilise game-based learning to maximise their return on investment in Leadership Development initiatives, this may not only increase business metrics, but also enable business leaders to leave a lasting legacy by sculpting new generations of leaders who are ready and able to face the future. Social Online Simulation Gaming (SOSG) as a learning design and learning technology can prove particularly valuable as a leadership and skills development tool within the "digimodem" world. Current literature, however, does not provide a clearly focused framework for the implementation of ICT supported game-based Leadership Development technologies within the information economy. Current literature fails to integrate and take into account aspects critical to the successful utilisation of SOSG, such as the principles of "Flow Design", the often "Puppet Master" role and the interrelatedness, even interdependence, of the required utilisation competencies There is currently not a clear and specific framework for evaluating the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) competencies, knowledge, skills and attitudes required to successfully use Socia1 ·bnline Simulation Games software within the context of Organisational Leaden;hip Development. This study aimed to create and refine a framework for evaluating the ICT competencies required to successfully implement SOSG as Leadership Development tool.

La santé sexuelle des femmes touchées par un cancer gynécologique peut être affectée par la maladie et ses traitements. Même si l’infirmière est une professionnelle de choix pour aborder la discussion sur ce sujet, de nombreuses études constatent que la communication est minimale en raison d’un manque de formation et de connaissances en santé sexuelle. Peu d’interventions éducatives sont répertoriées pour améliorer la communication des infirmières intervenant auprès de cette clientèle. Cette étude avait pour but de tester et de documenter la faisabilité, l’expérience d’apprentissage et les retombées d’une simulation en ligne réalisée avec une patiente partenaire pour améliorer la communication des infirmières en santé sexuelle chez la clientèle gynéco-oncologique. Une étude de faisabilité utilisant une approche qualitative a été réalisée auprès de 11 infirmières œuvrant avec la clientèle oncologique. Une analyse thématique itérative a été effectuée. Les résultats indiquent que l’activité de simulation en ligne est faisable selon plusieurs indicateurs (p. ex., contexte, ressources). L’expérience d’apprentissage a été décrite comme offrant des interactions réalistes avec une patiente partenaire et encourageant un apprentissage actif et sécuritaire malgré une structure pédagogique pouvant entraver la collaboration en groupe. Les résultats suggèrent que cette intervention pourrait avoir plusieurs retombées positives entre autres sur l’amélioration des connaissances et des habiletés de communication en santé sexuelle oncologique. Cette étude a permis de proposer une intervention éducative novatrice pour améliorer la communication infirmière en matière de santé sexuelle gynéco-oncologique. Différentes recommandations énoncées soulignent l’importance de poursuivre le développement des connaissances et de la formation infirmière en santé sexuelle gynéco-oncologique. / Nursing communication with the gynecological cancer clientele about their sexual health threatened by cancer and its treatments is suboptimal due to the lack of training and knowledge in this field. Few educational interventions exist to improve communication about sexual health among nurses working in Canadian cancer care settings. The aim of this study was to test and to document the feasibility, the learning experience and the effects of an online simulation with a patient-partner to improve nursing communication on sexual health with gynecological cancer clientele. A feasibility study using a qualitative approach was conducted with 11 nurses working with cancer patients. An iterative thematic analysis was performed. The results suggest that the online simulation activity is feasible according to several indicators (e.g., context, resources). The learning experience has been perceived as providing realistic nursing interactions with a patient-partner and encouraging active and safe learning despite an educational structure that may hinder group collaboration. The results indicate that this intervention could have several positive effects, including improving knowledge and communication skills about sexual health in cancer. In sum, this study has proposed an innovative educational intervention to improve nursing communication on sexual health after gynecological cancer. Many recommendations have been elaborated and emphasize the importance of continuing professional development and nursing training in sexual health with cancer patients.