Text in Afrikaans / In die ondersoek na die modus operandi van die bankrower: 'n kriminologiese introspeksie, kan die ondergemelde drie dimensies onderskei word: Die eerste dimensie is 'n kriminologiese introspeksie wat die betekenis wat bankrowers self aan die uitvoer van bankrooftogte heg, behels. Hierdie leefwereld van die subjekte word deur die navorser "betree" en mede-verken. Doelgerigtheid, morele oorwegings, teesin in geweld, charisma, kognitiewe vermoens en 'n materialistiese ingesteldheid is begrippe wat die bankrower as mens belig. Die tweede dimensie word verteenwoordig deur die begrondingsteorie as navorsingsmetode, gebaseer op die werk van Strauss en Corbin {1990), wat toegepas word ten einde sodanige navorsingsdoelstelling te fasiliteer. Tydens die aanvanklike fase van die ondersoek is daar met 28 bankrowers in aanhoud i ng, gefokusde semi -gest ruktureerde ind i epte-onderhoude gevoer. Opvolgonderhoude is met ses van die 28 subjekte gevoer, met die doel om 'n substantiewe begrondingsteorie te ontplooi, verskille op te klaar en die geldigheid van die data te verhoog. Die derde dimensie reflekteer vervolgens die ontplooiing van 'n substantiewe begrondingsteorie wat weerspieel word in proposisies en wat in vier fases van die modus operandi van die bankrower onderskei word, naamlik die beplanning-; uitvoering-; afhandeling-; en heroorwegingsfase. Elk van die ge'identifiseerde fases word gekenmerk deur progressiewe beweging, natuurlike kontinu'iteit, emosionele belewenisse en 'n individualistiese inslag. Twee kernelemente, naamlik besluitneming en rasionaliteit staan prominent binne die kader van die modus operandi van die bankrower. Die substantiewe begrondingsteorie is daarop ingestel om die verskynsel wat bestudeer word, te verklaar. Seide die oorweging van die ondersoek asook ander doelstellings van die navorser word binne die teorie geakkommodeer. Verdere vergelykende studies kan daartoe bydra om die substantiewe begrondingsteorie te verfyn, te falsifiseer, 6f by gebrek daaraan, tot 'n formele teorie uit te bou. Derhalwe word die begrondingsteorie as navorsingsmetode nie slegs as toepaslik beskou vir toekomstige navorsing oor onderwerpe waaroor daar 'n gebrek aan empiriese bevindinge bestaan en waaroor relatief min kennis in kriminologiese literatuur voorkom nie, maar hou dit ook die voordeel van 'n pluriforme navorsingstudie in. / In the investigation into the modus operandi of the bank robber: a criminological introspection, three dimensions can be distinguished. The first dimension is a criminological introspection comprising the meaning attached by bank rob.bers to the execution of bank robberies. This world of the subjects is entered and co-scouted. Sense of purpose, mora 1 considerations, aversion to violence, charisma, cognitive powers and a materialistic disposition are conceptions that elucidate the bank robber as a human. The second dimension is represented by the grounded theory as research method, based on the work of Strauss and Corbin (1990), which are applied to facilitate such research aims. During the initial phase of the investigation, focused, semi-structured, in-depth interviews were held with 28 bank robbers in detention. Subsequent interviews were held with six of the 28 subjects, aimed at expanding a substantive grounded theory, to clear up differences and to increase the validity of the data. The third dimension reflects the development of a substantive grounded theory which is revealed in propositions and signalised in four phases of the bank robber's modus operandi, namely the planning, execution, disposal and reconsideration phases. Each of these identified phases is characterised by progressive movement, natura 1 continuity, emot i ona 1 experiences and an individualistic infusion. The basic elements, namely decision-making and rationalisation, are prominent in the cadre of the bank robber's modus operandi. The substantive grounded theory is aimed at explaining the study phenomenon. Consideration of the investigation as well as other aims of the researcher are accommodated in the theory. Further comparative studies can assist in refining or falsifying the substantive grounded theory or, failing, to expand it to a formal theory. The grounded theory is therefore regarded as appropriate for future research on subjects about which there is a lack of empirical findings and relatively little knowledge in criminological literature. The theory offers, in addition, the advantage of a pluriform research study. / Sociology / D. Litt et Phil. (Kriminologie)

This paper examines causal mechanisms of the process leading up to the Russian military intervention in Syria that began in September 2015. It aims to concretize the causal processes of three different hypotheses that are based on commonplace assumptions of Russian foreign policy on Syria. It thoroughly explores three different causal paths, mapping events that may have had implications to the apparent change of heart within the Russian leadership. The paper analyses the relevance of these processes through a rational choice theory framework.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-09-29T13:41:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 monalisamarialauro.pdf: 510424 bytes, checksum: 31284a9c9c1e1159695542b7f038ffe8 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-09-30T13:52:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 monalisamarialauro.pdf: 510424 bytes, checksum: 31284a9c9c1e1159695542b7f038ffe8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-30T13:52:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 monalisamarialauro.pdf: 510424 bytes, checksum: 31284a9c9c1e1159695542b7f038ffe8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-08-18 / FAPEMIG - Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais / Na presente dissertação, analisa-se o modo peculiar com que Kant apreende o problema da imortalidade da alma em sua filosofia crítica. Neste intuito, prioriza-se um confronto com as provas racional-teóricas presentes no célebre Fédon mendelssohniano, visto que este é uma notável referência na defesa da imortalidade da alma na Aufklärung. Este confronto permite constatar que o argumento da simplicidade da alma de Mendelssohn constitui-se em um paralogismo transcendental, e que sua defesa da incorruptibilidade da alma não se sustenta quando se respeita a condição crítica de uso esquematizado dos conceitos puros do entendimento. Finalmente, a advertência kantiana contra o uso especulativo da razão para além dos limites da experiência possível revela-se como parte de seu empreendimento de fundamentação de uma moralidade autônoma e plenamente ativa na vida humana. Na perspectiva aberta pela lei moral, a permanência da alma resolve-se como um necessário e sólido postulado da razão prática pura. / This thesis analyzes the particular way in which Kant conceives the issue of the soul’s immortality in his critical philosophy. In order to do that, the focus is set on a confrontation with the rational-theoretical proofs present in Mendelssohn’s Phaedon, since this work is a remarkable reference in the defense of the soul’s immortality during the German Aufklärung. This confrontation allows us to verify that Mendelssohn’s argument of the simplicity of the soul constitutes a transcendental paralogism, and his defense of the incorruptibility of the soul fails when measured by the critical condition of a schematized use of the pure concepts of the understanding. Finally, Kant’s caution against the speculative use of reason beyond the limits of possible experience appears as a part of his undertaking of philosophically grounding a morality which is both autonomous and completely active in human life. Following the perspective opened by the moral law, the duration of the soul is explained as a necessary and firm postulate of pure practical reason.

The essay’s main focus has been to investigate and analyze the political actions behind the 2015’s grade compromise; an agreement to introduce grades from the fourth year in primary school. Through a game-theory analysis, mainly based in Leif Lewin’s and Jörgen Herman's research on rationality in politics, this study examined the grade debate  during a fifteen year period. The primary task has thereby been to explain the grade compromise through game-theory. According to the study carried out it is possible to conclude that the conservative parties mainly used strategies as smart rhetorical actions and condemnation of the socialist school policies in order to achieve their goals. They also strategically tried to persuade the opposition to favor their policy. Finally, by postponing the decision process, concerning the grades from grade six, they could promote the election campaign in 2010 and maintain high influence in the government. The red and green parties had for a long time been having differing opinions regarding school policies and education, however, they started cooperating in order to promote their respective preferences. The strategies used were mainly small deviations from their own opinions to make the various outcomes more advantageous. After defeat they strategically embraced the new policy and made it their own to stay strong. The conservative alliance saw the compromise as a strategic way to implement their own policy without relying on the red/green governments execution. The red and green parties also benefited from the compromise. They did not have to discard and abandon their preferences, instead they could prevent the proposal from becoming another legislative change.

Enterprise product, in our case either an embedded system or a software application, development is a complex task, which require model approaches and multiple diverse software tools to be linked together in a tool-chain to support the development process. Individual tools in the tool-chain maintains an incomplete picture of the development process. Data integration is necessary between these various tools in order to have a unified, consistent view of the whole development process. Information integration between these tools is a challenging task due to heterogeneity of these tools. Linked data is a promising approach for tool and data integration, where tools are integrated at data level in a tool-chain. Linked data is an architectural style to integrate and require more definitions and specifications to capture relationships between data. In our case, data of tools are described and shared using OSLC specifications. While such an approach has been widely researched for tool integration, but none covers the aspect of using such a distributed approach for lifecycle data integration, management and search. In this thesis work, we investigated the use of linked data approach to lifecycle data integration. The outcome is a prototype tool-chain architecture for lifecycle data integration, which can support data intensive queries that require information from various data sources in the tool-chain. The report takes Scania´s data integration needs as a case study for the investigation and presents various insights gained during the prototype implementation. Furthermore, the report also presents the key benefits of using a linked data approach for data integration in an enterprise environment. Based on encouraging test results for our prototype, the architecture presented in this report can be seen as a probable solution to lifecycle data integration for the OSLC tool - chain. / Företagets produkt, i vårt fall antingen ett inbyggt system eller ett program, är utvecklingen en komplicerad uppgift, som kräver modell metoder och flera skiftande programverktyg som ska kopplas samman i en verktygskedja för att stödja utvecklingsprocessen. Enskilda verktyg i verktygskedjan bibehåller en ofullständig bild av utvecklingsprocessen. Dataintegration är nödvändigt mellan dessa olika verktyg för att få en enhetlig och konsekvent syn på hela utvecklingsprocessen. Informationsintegration mellan dessa verktyg är en utmanande uppgift på grund av heterogenitet av dessa verktyg. Kopplad data är en lovande strategi för verktygs-och dataintegration, där verktyg är integrerade på datanivå i en verktygskedja. Kopplade uppgifter är en arkitektonisk stil att integrera och kräver fler definitioner och specifikationer för att fånga relationer mellan data. I vårt fall är data av verktyg beskrivna och delad med hjälp av OSLC specifikationer. Medan ett sådant tillvägagångssätt har i stor utsträckning forskats på för integrationsverktyg, men ingen täcker aspekten att använda en sådan distribuerad strategi för livscykeldataintegration, hantering och sökning. I detta examensarbete, undersökte vi användning av länkad data strategi för livscykeldataintegration. Resultatet är en prototyp av verktygskedjans arkitektur för livscykeldataintegration, som kan stödja dataintensiva frågor som kräver information från olika datakällor i verktygskedjan. Rapporten tar Scanias dataintegrationsbehov som en fallstudie för utredning och presenterar olika insikter under genomförandet av prototypen. Vidare presenterar rapporten också de viktigaste fördelarna med att använda en länkad-data-strategi för dataintegration i en företagsmiljö. Baserat på positiva testresultat för vår prototyp, kan arkitekturen presenteras i denna rapport ses som en trolig lösning för livscykeldataintegration för OSLC verktyg - kedja.

Företagsvärlden omfattas av hård konkurrens som kräver en ständig utveckling av produkter, personal och verksamheten. Utvecklingen sker på bekostnad av hårda krav i arbetsbeskrivningar där ständigt förbättringsarbete ingår i arbetsrollen hos individerna. För att kunna sammanlänka ständiga förbättringar med verksamhetens välmående behövs ett strukturerat förbättringsarbete i form av en väl fungerande förslagsverksamhet. Förslagsverksamhetens syfte är att utnyttja erfarenheter och kunskaper från alla medarbetare genom att stimulera individernas kompetens och idégenerering för att sedan bidra med innovativa och konkurrensmässiga förbättringsförslag. Personal är en resurs som omfattar säregna kunskaper som inget annat företag kan kopiera, därför bör den användas till högsta grad. Syftet med examensarbetet är att kartlägga och ange förbättringsåtgärder för förslagsverksamhetsprocessen vid GKN Aerospace Sweden AB i Trollhättan. Arbetet bestod av en inledande litteraturstudie som innehöll indirekta och direkta faktorer som påverkar förbättringsarbetet med en koppling till förslagsverksamheters funktioner. För att konkretisera den teoretiska referensramen om verktygens innebörd till förbättringsarbetet utfördes en teoretisk samt en praktisk benchmarking. Företagets nuvarande förslagsverksamhet kartlades och analyserades för att sedan bygga en grund för kommande förbättringsförslag.GKN Aerospace Sweden är en del av GKN-koncernen som är verksam i fler än 30 länder runt om i världen och har ca 50 000 anställda. Företaget tillverkar komponenter till flyg- och raketmotorer samt utför service och underhåll. I dagsläget arbetar GKN Aerospace med en förslagsverksamhet som är beroende helt av ett internt IT-system och har en medelledtid på 43 veckor till beslut om belöning och åtgärd. Belöningar för förslag som inkommer är ekonomiska och beräknas fram genom en specifik belöningsformel. Hela förslagsverksamhetsprocessen är omfattande och i den ingår flertalet loopar för behandling av förslag. Examensarbetet resulterade i förbättringsförslag utifrån studier och nulägesanalys men skiljs åt från det förväntade målet att förbättra och utveckla nuvarande system. Problemet som uppkom var att nuvarande system inte stödjer verksamhetens förväntningar på förslagsverksamheten. Det resulterade i att ett helt nytt system med tillhörande rutiner och belöningsriktlinjer togs fram för att skapa incitament och högre motivation för inlämnandet av förbättringsförslag. Förbättringsförslagen mynnade ut i: avsatt tid, förbättringsarbete i grupp, uppstartsmöte, ny process, underlag för utveckling av nytt IT-system, ekonomisk och symbolisk belöning. / The business world is constantly subject to intense competition that requires continuous development of products, personnel and operations within the company. The development towards a better state comes at the expense of strict requirements in job descriptions where continuous improvement is part of the working role of individuals. In order to link the continuous improvement of the business well-being, there is a need of structured work for improvement in ways of a well-functioning suggestion scheme. Suggestion schemes main purpose is to utilize the experience and knowledge of all employees by encouraging individuals' skills and creativity, which will contribute with innovative and competitive suggestions. Personnel is a resource that covers particular knowledge that no other company can copy; therefore it should be utilized to the maximum extent possible. The aim of the project is to identify and specify improvement measures for the suggestion scheme at GKN Aerospace Sweden AB in Trollhättan. The work consisted of an initial literature review, which included direct and indirect factors effecting the continuous improvement with linkage to the proposed suggestion scheme. In order to concretize the theoretical framework of the tools main purpose for the continuous improvement, a theoretical and a practical benchmarking was utilized. The company's current suggestion scheme was mapped and analyzed, and a foundation for future improvements was established.GKN Aerospace Sweden is part of the GKN Group, which operates in more than 30 countries around the world and employs about 50 000 individuals. The company manufactures components for aircraft and rocket engines, as well as service and maintenance. In the current situation GKN Aerospace manages a suggestion scheme that depends entirely on an internal IT system and has an average lead time of 43 weeks until a decision is made. The reward system for received suggestions is an economic reimbursement calculated through a complex formula. The entire suggestion scheme process is extensive and includes several loops for conducting the evaluation of suggestions. The thesis resulted in improvement propositions based on studies and situation analysis, but differs from the expected target to improve and develop the current system. The problem that arose was that the current system does not support the company's expectations for the suggestion scheme process. It resulted in a completely new system with associated procedures and reward guidelines were developed to create incentives and higher motivation for the submission of suggestions for improvement. The improvement propositions resulted in: dedicated time for improvements, group-based activities for continuous improvements, start-up meetings, new process, basis for the development of a new IT system, economic and symbolic rewards.Date: 2015-

The purpose of this essay is to explain Chinas growing presence in Africa through a case study regarding the relationship with South Africa and highlight the specific features of this Chinese presence. In order to achieve the essays goal two theoretical perspectives will be applied to examine the data. These two theoretical perspective is the theory of imperialism defined by Johan Galtung and Rational Choice theory defined by Vivien Lowndes, et al. Through a textual analysis of the sources used, the essay has found that Chinese finance projects in Africa that are commercially viable and mutually beneficial for the African countries still somehow have an negative impact on the African countries development. The textual analysis also account for the motives and reasons behind Chinese presence on the continent as lack of resources as the main reason for China and the lack of a developed society for the African countries. The essay examine as well the consequence with the Chineses expansion on the continent for the African sovereignty and their development in the future.

In my essay, I explore the dilemma how I respond to the various hobbies that children carry with them to preschool. I want to be able to allow every child to take part of their hobbies at preschool, but I still get stuck in accepting some hobbies, while I deny others. In my stories, I focus on two situations where I have a hard time accepting the children's hobbies, because I think they interfer with preschool routine. Through my questions, I then go on to examine why I react like this, and how I could act differently towards these children. My method is to write a scientific essay, where I explore my own experience through writing, and reflect on my dilemma by looking at it from different angles. I set out from a hermeneutic perspective, where Hans-George Gadamer's theories on preconceptions and the horizon of understanding form a base for my reflections. I've chosen to explore two different approaches that I could take in my response towards the children. One is based on Gert Biesta's thoughts on a pedagogy of interruption, which is about interrupting the children in what they are doing, to make them take a break from their repetitive behaviour and give them new ways to access their hobbies. The other approach departs from Carina Fast's studies on literacy and the potential children have to learn through popular culture, and where I try to base my actions on what they children are currently doing, to elaborate on that instead. I try to apply both of these approaches on my stories, and reflect on how they would work here and what this could lead to. I feel that no two situations are the same and that I can't tell for sure that a certain method is going to work every time, thus I will have to see each and every situation for what it is and try different approaches each time.

Dissertation (PhD) -- University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The Lucas critique states that if expectations are not explicitly dealt with, conventional econometric models are inappropriate for policy analyses, as their coefficients are not policy invariant. The inclusion of rational expectations in ·conventional model building has been the most common response to this critique. The concept of rational expectations has received several interpretations. In numerous studies, these expectations are associated with model consistent expectations in the sense that expectations and model solutions are identical. To derive a solution, these models require unique algorithms and assumptions regarding their terminal state, in particular when forward-looking expectations are present. An alternative that avoids these issues is the concept of weak rational expectations, which emphasises that expectation errors should not be systematic. Expectations are therefore formed on the basis of an underlying structure, but full knowledge of the model is not essential. The accommodation of this type of rational expectations is accomplished by means of an explicit specification of an expectations equation consistent with the macro econometric model's broad structure. The estimation of coefficients relating to expectations is achieved through an Instrumental Variable approach. In South Africa, monetary policy has been consistent and transparent in line with the recommendations of the De Kock Commission. This allows the modelling of the policy instrument of the South African Reserve Bank, i.e. the Bank rate, by means of a policy reaction function. Given this transparency in monetary policy, the accommodation of expectations of the Bank rate is essential in modelling the full impact of monetary policy and in avoiding the Lucas critique. This is accomplished through weak rational expectations, based on the reaction function of the Reserve Bank. The accommodation of expectations of a policy instrument also allows the modelling of anticipated and unanticipated policies as alternative assumptions regarding the expectations process can be made during simulations. Conventional econometric models emphasise the demand side of the economy, with equations focusing on private consumption, investment, exports and imports and possibly changes in inventories. In this study, particular emphasis in the model specification is also placed on the impact of monetary policy on government debt and debt servicing costs. Other dimensions of the model include the modelling of the money supply and balance of payments, short- and long-term interest rates, domestic prices, the exchange rate, the wage rate and employment as well as weakly rational expectations of inflation and the Bank rate. The model has been specified and estimated by usmg concepts such as cointegration and Error Correction modelling. Numerous tests, including the assessment of the Root Mean Square Percentage Error, have been employed to test the adequacy of the model. Similarly, tests are carried out to ensure weak rational expectations. Numerous simulations are carried out with the model and the results are compared to relevant alternative studies. The simulation results show that the reduction of inflation by means of only monetary policy could impose severe costs on the economy in terms of real sector volatility. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Lucas-kritiek beweer dat konvensionele ekonometriese modelle nie gebruik kan word vir beleidsontleding nie, aangesien dit nie voorsiening maak vir die verandering in verwagtings wanneer beleidsaanpassings gemaak word nie. Die insluiting van rasionele verwagtinge in konvensionele ekonometriese modelle is die mees algemene reaksie op die Lukas-kritiek. Ten einde die praktiese insluiting van rasionele verwagtings III ekonometriese modelbou te vergemaklik, word in hierdie studie gebruik gemaak van sogenaamde "swak rasionele verwagtings", wat slegs vereis dat verwagtingsfoute me sistematies moet wees nie. Die beraming van die koëffisiënte van die verwagtingsveranderlikes word gedoen met behulp van die Instrumentele Veranderlikes-benadering. Monetêre beleid in Suid-Afrika was histories konsekwent en deursigtig in ooreenstemming met die aanbevelings van die De Kock Kommissie. Die beleidsinstrument van die Suid-Afrikaanse Reserwebank, naamlik die Bankkoers, kan gevolglik gemodelleer word met behulp van 'n beleidsreaksie-funksie. Ten einde die Lukas-kritiek te akkommodeer, moet verwagtings oor die Bankkoers egter ingesluit word wanneer die volle impak van monetêre beleid gemodelleer word. Dit word vermag met die insluiting van swak rasionele verwagtings, gebaseer op die reaksie-funksie van die Reserwebank. Sodoende kan die impak van verwagte en onverwagte beleidsaanpassings gesimuleer word. Konvensionele ekonometriese modelle beklemtoon die vraagkant van die ekonomie, met vergelykings vir verbruik, investering, invoere, uitvoere en moontlik die verandering in voorrade. In hierdie studie word daar ook klem geplaas op die impak van monetêre beleid op staatskuld en die koste van staatsskuld. Ander aspekte wat gemodelleer word, is die geldvoorraad en betalingsbalans, korttermyn- en langtermynrentekoerse, binnelandse pryse, die wisselkoers, loonkoerse en indiensneming, asook swak rasionele verwagtings van inflasie en die Bankkkoers. Die model is gespesifiseer en beraam met behulp van ko-integrasie en die gebruik van lang-en korttermynvergelykings. Die gebruiklike toetse is uitgevoer om die toereikendheid van die model te toets. Verskeie simulasies is uitgevoer met die model en die resultate is vergelyk met ander relevante studies. Die gevolgtrekking word gemaak dat die verlaging van inflasie deur alleenlik gebruik te maak van monetêre beleid 'n swaar las op die ekonomie kan lê in terme van volatiliteit in die reële sektor.

In this bachelor’s thesis I have focused on the question why people who live in secular societies use insight or vipassana meditation. The study is based on the rational choice theory developed by Rodney Stark. I have used an inductive qualitative method including e-mail interviews with practitioners of vipassana meditation. The study has shown why some people start the practice and how people’s expectations of vipassana meditation can differ in what they wanted from their practice. The study showed that practitioners and the society that surrounds them influenced each other. The study highlighted the way vipassana meditation was practiced on a secular basis.