Thesis (M.S.)--University of Missouri--Rolla, 2007. / Vita. The entire thesis text is included in file. Title from title screen of thesis/dissertation PDF file (viewed August 5, 2008) Includes bibliographical references (p. 86-89).

Thèse de doctorat : SCIENCES ET TECHNIQUES : Paris 6 : 1998. / 1 microfiche de 392 images ; 105x148 mm. Microed. du texte dactylogr. 1998PA066148. 119 ref.

A Mobile Ad hoc Network (MANET) is typically a set of wireless mobile nodes enabled to communicate dynamically in a multi-hop manner without any pre-existing network infrastructure. MANETs have several unique characteristics in contrast to other typical networks, such as dynamic topology, intermittent connectivity, limited resources, and lack of physical security. Securing MANETs is a critical issue as these are vulnerable to many different attacks and failures and have no clear line of defence. To develop effective security services in MANETs, it is important to consider an appropriate trust infrastructure which is tailored to a given MANET and associated application. However, most of the proposed trust infrastructures do not to take the MANET application context into account. This may result in overly secure MANETs that incur an increase in performance and communication overheads due to possible unnecessary security measures. Designing and evaluating trust infrastructures for MANETs is very challenging. This stems from several pivotal overlapping aspects such as MANET constraints, application settings and performance. Also, there is a lack of practical approaches for assessing security in MANETs that take into account most of these aspects. Based on this, this thesis provides a methodological approach which consists of well-structured stages that allows the exploration of possible security alternatives and evaluates these alternatives against dimensions to selecting the best option. These dimensions include the operational level, security strength, performance, MANET contexts along with main security components in a form of a multidimensional security conceptual framework. The methodology describes interdependencies among these dimensions, focusing specifically on the service operational level in the network. To explore these different possibilities, the Server-based Security Architectures for MANETs (SSAM) simulation model has been created in the OMNeT++ simulation language. The thesis describes the conceptualisation, implementation, verification and validation of SSAM, as well as experimentation approaches that use SSAM to support the methodology of this thesis. In addition, three different real cases scenarios (academic, emergency and military domains) are incorporated in this study to substantiate the feasibility of the proposed methodology. The outcome of this approach provides MANET developers with a strategy along with guidelines of how to consider the appropriate security infrastructure that satisfies the settings and requirements of given MANET context.

A presente tese tem como objeto regulamentar as situações em que a interferência de terceiro dificulta ou impossibilita o cumprimento das obrigações, especialmente as contratuais. Inicialmente, são analisados os casos em que a legislação regulamenta expressamente a matéria. Delineado o tratamento do tema no ordenamento jurídico e identificado o objeto da pesquisa, foram feitas incursões no direito estrangeiro com o intuito de aproveitar os esforços doutrinários e jurisprudenciais em temas como: oponibilidade (França); nexo de causalidade, com especial destaque para o estudo dos casos paradigmáticos Superga e Meroni (Itália) e teoria do abuso de direito (Portugal). Também foi tratada com minúcia a regulamentação do tema no Draft Common Frame of Reference, de modo que se possibilite a verificação do posicionamento atual não só em vários ordenamentos estrangeiros, mas também no âmbito de esforço europeu de unificação. Após o estudo do direito estrangeiro, trata-se sobre a fundamentação da responsabilidade de terceiro por interferência na relação obrigacional no direito brasileiro. Em termos de teoria geral do direito contratual, destaca-se a diferenciação entre relatividade dos efeitos contratuais, oponibilidade e responsabilidade civil de terceiro. Na sequência, indicam-se os pressupostos para responsabilização de terceiro por violação ao direito de crédito, sempre com a preocupação de fixar parâmetros para aplicação dos artigos 186 e 927 do Código Civil. Após essas passagens centrais, são abordados temas paralelos, mas não de menor importância como: os momentos de aplicação da responsabilidade de terceiro, a solidariedade entre contratante inadimplente e terceiro, bem como os limites de aplicação de cláusula penal e compromissória nos contratos descumpridos. Com a configuração de todo o arcabouço teórico, conclui-se a tese com a análise de casos paradigmáticos. / The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the regulation of situations in which the interference of a third party creates difficulty for or renders impossible the performance of obligations, particularly the contractual ones. Initially, it is analyzed legal provisions that expressly regulates the matter. Once outlined the treatment of the matter by the legislation and identified the situations for which there are no express provisions, the foreign legislation is assessed with the purpose of taking hold from the matured doctrine and case laws on the following matters: effects against third parties (France); causation, with special highlight for the study of paradigmatic cases of Superga and Meroni (Italy) and the theory of abuse of right (Portugal). It is also addressed in detail the regulation of the subject in the Draft Common Frame of Reference, in order to verify the current understanding about the matter, not only in various foreign legal systems but also within the context of a collective effort for unification of the European regulation. After studying foreign legal systems, it is also analyzed the Brazilian Law on the third party responsibility due to its interference in a contractual relationship. In terms of general theory of contractual law, it is studied the difference between the relativity of the contractual effects, the effects against third party and the civil liability of a third party. Afterwards, it is pointed out the requirements for holding a third party liable, always having in mind the concern of establishing parameters for the application of the Civil Code provisions (Articles 186 and 927). Additionally, parallel but equally important themes are also addressed, as it follows: the moment of applying the liability of the third party, the joint responsability between a principal that is in default and a third party, as well as the limits of applying liquidated-damages clause and of an arbitration clause when provided in breached contracts. Once the entire theoretical structure is presented, this thesis is concluded with the assessement of some paradigmatic cases on the matter.

The evolution of the airport business is demonstrated by airports that are adopting new business strategies and commercial models, which allow them to be, for example, service providers instead of real-estate managers, with the focus on cost reduction and increasing non-aeronautical (commercial) revenues. Information technology (IT) can be used by airports to achieve their business goals, such as enhancing performance by delivering cost reductions and generating additional revenue streams. Airports operate in an increasingly competitive and dynamic market, with the aim of attracting a larger share of hub traffic from neighbouring airports. Therefore, financial and operational performance will be key elements for airlines when choosing a new airport destination. The research shows that airports are more focused on passenger satisfaction, resulting in airport performance indicators that have the passenger at its operational core and performance targets (e.g. Airport Service Quality passenger satisfaction survey). IT plays an important role in increasing airport performance through the automation of processes such as the deployment of common-use check-in desks and self-service check-in kiosks. Studies of other industries have shown evidence that IT impacts firm performance, but there have been few studies related to the airport industry. Thus, the aim of this research is to assess the relationship between IT and airport performance, and it proposes a conceptual framework to assess the relationship between IT and airport performance by drawing from studies in other industries. Two methodologies were used in this research, the first one was the case study, and the second one was the online survey. The case studies consisted of 16 faceto- face interviews with senior staff representing two airports in Asia, one airport in Australia, and one airport in Europe. The case studies result show that there is a relationship between IT and airport performance ... [cont.].

Pour rester compétitives dans l'industrie aéronautique, les entreprises développent des stratégies diverses pour gagner un avantage concurrentiel comme l'augmentation du Coût Total de Possession (TCO) avec l'acquisition aéronautique complexe et des programmes de support. Les clients concentrent leurs besoins sur la disponibilité opérationnelle de tels systèmes et ne sont plus enclins à payer un prix supplémentaire pour un tel service, par conséquent le fournisseur est amené à minimiser le TCO tout en conservant un haut niveau de performance de flotte. Dans de tels accords, une partie du risque de performance opérationnelle est transférée vers le fournisseur sous forme de pénalité financière, engendrant ainsi un risque financier sur la rentabilité du contrat. Cette recherche aborde le problème du point de vue du fournisseur en considérant différentes options stratégiques pour la commercialisation de l'offre de services aéronautiques basés sur la performance, garantissant la disponibilité de la flotte. La méthodologie considère un système complexe, représentatif des systèmes aéronautiques actuels et les mécanismes de support rattachés, avec de multiples objectifs contradictoires à atteindre en tant que fournisseur. La méthodologie proposée couvre les catégories suivantes : disponibilité, fiabilité, maintenabilité et supportabilité. Elle considère le système complexe comme un tout incluant l'ensemble des interactions dans ce système et les relations entre la performance de disponibilité et le coût. D'autres facteurs de contribution additionnels sont aussi considérés dans ce mécanisme de support, comme les types d'incertitude de la performance du système, des données, des risques financiers et des coûts. Un modèle de pénalité pour l'utilisation avec les Services Basés sur la Performance (PBS) des offres dans l'industrie aéronautique est aussi fourni. Une méthodologie d'analyse de pénalité est proposée au travers de deux études de cas présentées dans cette thèse, offrant un avantage compétitif au fournisseur, de par la capacité de prévoir la distribution de probabilité de performance du système, et de quantifier le risque financier pour le modèle de pénalité en question. La méthodologie d'analyse démontre aussi que la capacité d'effectuer une analyse de risque sur des pénalités contractuelles est tout aussi importante pour le fournisseur que la capacité de prévoir la performance globale du système. Les conclusions montrent qu'il est tout à fait possible d'avoir une grande exposition de risque financier si un scénario de pénalité inadapté est choisi, même si la performance de disponibilité de la flotte prévue est au-dessus du taux ciblé ou contracté. / To remain competitive within the aeronautic industry, companies are developing various strategies to gain a competitive edge as the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) increases with complex aeronautical acquisition and support programs. Customers are focusing their needs on the operational availability of such systems and are no longer willing to pay a premium for such a service, consequently the supplier is challenged to minimize the TCO whilst retaining a high level of fleet performance. In such accords, some of the operational performance risk is transferred back to the supplier and are usually in the form of financial penalties, which consequently creates a financial risk on the profitability of the contract for the supplier. This research addresses the problem from the point of the supplier when considering different strategic options for the sale and offer of performance-based aeronautic services that guarantee fleet availability. The methodology considers the complex system, as is typical with current aeronautic systems, relating support mechanisms, and the multiple yet contradictory objectives to achieve as a supplier. The methodology proposed covers the categories of Availability, Reliability, Maintainability and Supportability; it considers the complex system as a whole including the interactions within this system and the relationships between availability performance and cost. Additional other contributing factors are also considered within this support mechanism, such as the types of uncertainty on system performance, data, financial risks and costs. The introduction of a penalty model for use with Performance-Based Service (PBS) offers within the aeronautic industry is also provided. A methodology for penalty analysis is proposed through the two case studies presented in this thesis, giving the supplier a competitive advantage through the ability to predict the probability distribution of system performance and to quantify the financial risk for the penalty model in question. The analysis 5 methodology also demonstrates that the ability to perform risk analysis on contractual penalties is just as important to the supplier as the ability to predict overall system performance, as the findings present that it is quite possible to have a large financial risk exposure if the wrong penalty scenario is chosen even if the predicted Fleet Availability performance is above the targeted or contracted rate.

Yes / This study aims to explore how marketers can use text mining to analyze actors, actions and performance effects of service encounters by building on the role theory. This enables hotel managers to use introduced methodology to measure and monitor frontline employees’ role behavior and optimize their service. Design/methodology/approach: The authors’ approach links text mining and importance-performance analysis with role theory’s conceptual foundations taking into account the hotel industry’s specifics to assess the effect of frontline hotel employees’ actions on consumer satisfaction and to derive specific management implications for the hospitality sector. Findings: This study identifies different actors involved in hotel frontline interactions revealing distinct role behaviors that characterize consumers’ perspectives of service encounters with different role types associated with front-office employees. This research also identifies role performance related to role behavior to improve service encounters. Practical implications: Customer–employee interactions can be assessed by user-generated contents (UGC). Performance evaluations relate to frontline employee roles associated with distinct role scripts, whereby different hotel segments require tailored role designs. Insights of this study can be used for service optimization, market positioning as well as for improving human resource management practices in the hotel industry. Originality/value: This study contributes to the service encounter literature by applying role theory in the text mining of UGC to assess frontline employees as actors and the effects of their actions on service quality delivery. / Science Foundation of Ministry of Education, PR China (Grant No. 21YJA630031)