This diploma thesis is focused on a design of rationalization solutions for machining workplace in Siemens Company. The machined pieces are shafts, the basic components of the electric motors. The introductory part of this study describes the theoretical basics of machining technology, especially milling. The next part is focused on the company presentation, the analysis of the existing workplace and its technologies and components. In the following section are selected weaker production sites, and then is presented opportunities for improvement and rationalization of this workplace. Following the elaboration of the selected rationalization solution, along with techno – economic evaluation of the production change, which highlights the results of this study.

The Master thesis deals with the analyzing of the actual metodology of information system (thereinafter IS) implementation and the creation of a new more effective methodology that would prevent the repetition of the indentified deficiency. Despite the diversity of individual customers and their requests concerning the IS implementation and modification, it is necessary to apply the procedural approach during the generation of projects. The implementation methodolgy is thus defined by the description of the particular processes of IS implementation.

This thesis deals with rationalization layout of air and fuel filters production in the company MANN-HUMMEL (CZ) s.r.o., which ensures minimization of work in process and design optimal load of production on the basis measured and analyzed times operations of production. Part of thesis is the design layouts of workplace with selection of optimal variation which provides shortening and better overview on flow of material production.

The thesis focuses on the technology of production of the turbine-type component in Edwards company. It specifically focuses on the part of the turning production, in which in the first part an analysis of the component and the technologicity of its construction is created. Problematic aspects are analysed in terms of material structure and procedure technology. An evaluation of the former and the new supplier is made in terms of rationalization of material structure and their statistical evaluation of rationalization improvement towards keeping to geometrical tolerances. Grooving tools greatly influence the overall machining time during turning. An experiment is made to find out the measured values of the radial forces, the process of chip formation and surface roughness during grooving. The technology of procedure further deals with rationalization of the current machine OKUMA LU25-M and purchase of a new machine Mori Seiki NTX 2000, for which new tool equipment is made in cooperation with Walter company. The final technical-economical evaluation sums up all findings from the research of the given issue. In the discussion, further continuation is suggested for the research in the development and for the continuously controlled component productivity.

The demand for healthcare services is currently growing worldwide with an ever increasing pace.Healthcare institutions need to adapt to the changing demographics in order to satisfy the demand. Meanwhile, many hospitals and care units have limited economic means to find appropriate solutions. A concept from the manufacturing industry that is considered to fulfill these criteria’s is called Theory of Constraints (ToC). This concept is focusing on streamlining processes by coordinating the activities and ensuring an efficient stream the production flow. This study has investigated the ability of the concept to support medical and administration staff in the department’s overall objective to decrease overall lead time.The investigation has been realized by conducting a case study at one of the largest emergency hospitals in Stockholm, Sweden. The hospital is one of the leading hospitals within Swedish medicine and receives and treats over 300000 patients annually. The case design consisted of three methods all linked to qualitative data collection, the three methods consisted of interviews, observations and shadowing.The results suggest that the application of ToC revealed little resistance to change among the participants. The concept was able to identify and resolve minor constraints in the case setting; the department of obstetrics and gynecology and also display promising characteristics in terms of solving more complex and intricate constraints. ToC as a concept were able to identify constraints in a healthcare department with a simple yet apparent cause and effect linkage. Finally, the findings indicate that ToC complements the concept of working with Continuous Improvements (CI) within the healthcare.The conclusions from this study have implications both in a theoretical perspective and a practical perspective. The findings provide additional empirical data to a field that is currently dominated by theories. In a practical aspect, the results of this study provides hospitals insights of ToC, a potentially valuable tool to improve efficiency and decrease lead times while working long-term towards an approach with CI. / Det nuvarande behovet för sjukvård ökar med en allt snabbare takt världen över. Sjukhus och andravårdinstitutioner behöver anpassa sig och göra förändringar för att hantera de demografiska förändringar som sker. Samtidigt så har många sjukhus och vårdcentraler mycket begränsade resurser för att hitta lämpliga lösningar. Ett koncept från tillverkningsindustrin som betraktas som en lämplig lösning för denna situation är ett koncept som heter Theory of Constraints (ToC). Detta koncept fokuserar på att effektivisera processer genom att koordinera de aktiviteter som ingår i en process för att i sin tur säkerställa ett effektivt produktionsflöde. Denna studie har undersökt detta koncepts möjligheter att stödja medicinsk och administrativ personal i arbetet med att försöka minska ledtider i en vårdmiljö.Utredningen har genomförts praktiskt genom en fältstudie på ett av Stockholms största sjukhus. Sjukhuset är ett av de ledande inom svensk medicin och tar emot och behandlar uppemot 300 000 patienter årligen. Fältstudiens utformning bygger på tre metoder, intervjuer, skuggningar och observationer vilket alla är sammankopplade med kvalitativ datainsamling.Resultaten indikerar att tillämpandet av konceptet ToC har påvisat litet förändringsmotstånd av de som har deltagit i förändringsarbetet samt att konceptet har haft förmågan att identifiera och lösa mindre restriktioner inom sjukhusavdelningen för Obstetrik och Gynekologi. Detta har i huvudsak gjorts genom att kartlägga olika aktiviteter med en tydlig orsak och verkan samband. Utöver detta så har konceptet initialt påvisat intressanta framsteg för att eventuellt lösa mer komplexa restriktioner som begränsar produktionsflödet i en sjukhusmiljö. Vidare så framgår det att konceptet ToC i viss utsträckning kompletterar filosofin att arbeta med kontinuerliga förbättringar (Continuous Improvements/CI).Slutsatserna för denna studie har implikationer för både ett teoretiskt och praktiskt perspektiv. Utifrån ett teoretiskt perspektiv, så förser resultaten från studien med ytterligare empiriska data i ett område som för närvarande är uppbyggt av teori och litteratur. Utifrån en praktisk synvinkel ger resultaten för denna studie sjukhus och vårdinstitutioner värdefulla insikter om konceptet ToC, ett potentiellt värdefullt verktyg för att förbättra effektiviteten och minska ledtider samtidigt som det stödjer ett långsiktigt arbete med kontinuerliga förbättringar.

This dissertation investigates Aristotle’s theory of phantasia as a cognitive ability, in terms of which mental content is available to the mind of rational beings. The focus is on Catherine Osborne’s extension of phantasia to nonhuman animals in order to allow for and explain non-human animal behaviour in terms of a rational paradigm, which de-emphasises, and does not rely on, linguistic ability. This paradigm for understanding animal behaviour as rational supports, and is supported by, modern theories of cognitive ethology, and argues for the ability of animals to share in conceptual thought. The recognition of rationality in animals by means of this paradigm bears ethical consequences for the treatment of animals. / Classics and Modern European Languages / M.A. (Classical Studies)

Ancré dans une perspective historique, ce mémoire cherche à mettre en application une relecture de la théorie wébérienne de la « rationalisation éthique » comme facteur explicatif de la reconfiguration moderne du rapport entretenu entre les individus et la religion. Un retour sur les changements survenus dans la pensée religieuse de la Renaissance — pensée mise en contraste avec la situation religieuse des populations du Moyen-Âge — permet de mettre en évidence le passage d’une religion syncrétique, ritualiste et imprégnée de magie, à un christianisme épuré, intériorisé et rationnel. L’étude de la pensée religieuse de l’humaniste Érasme de Rotterdam, pris comme « figure historique » porteuse de cette transformation, pointe vers la diffusion à la Renaissance d’un christianisme compris comme système philosophique compréhensif dépouillé de son caractère mystique. Cette diffusion d’un « esprit » chrétien, et l’importance accordée à la mise en œuvre d’une conduite de vie méthodique spécifiquement orientée vers le salut, participe au premier chef d’un processus de « quotidianisation » du charisme religieux, prélude essentiel, dans une perspective wébérienne, à la « rationalisation éthique » et à l’autonomisation de la sphère religieuse dans la vie sociale. / By way of a historical perspective, this masters thesis aims to reconsider the weberian “ethical rationalization” theory as an explanatory factor for the modern transformation of the relationship between individuals and religion. Reviewing the changes in Renaissance religious thought—and contrasting it with the Medieval religious context—enables us to uncover a shift from a syncretic and ritualized religion that is filled with magical elements, towards an uncluttered, internalized and rational Christianity. The focus on Erasmus of Rotterdam’s religious humanist thought—considered here as a “historical figure” and carrier of these transformations—brings light on how Christianity was stripped of its mystical aspects and came to be understood as a comprehensive philosophical system. The dissemination of such a Christian “spirit”, as well as the importance granted to a methodical way of life specifically oriented towards salvation, play a key role in the appearance of a “quotidian ritualization” of religious charisma, which is in itself, according to Weber, an essential preliminary to an “ethical rationalization” and thus to the “autonomization” of the religious sphere in the social life.

À partir d’observations personnelles sur l’importance de la technique et des technologies dans la production musicale, le projet de ce mémoire fut élaboré autour de la sociologie de la musique de Weber. En premier lieu, un questionnement du rapport entre musique, technologie et société permet d’établir de nombreuses voies pour la recherche concernant les médiations techniques de la musique. Ces médiations sont maintenant caractérisées par les changements issus de l’implantation de l’informatique dans de nombreuses sociétés et la modification des rapports de pouvoir et des rapports sociaux par les possibilités nouvelles offertes par le médium numérique. Si Internet semble avoir bouleversé l’industrie de la musique, de nouvelles possibilités de dépasser les limitations des technologies traditionnelles de la musique sont toutefois aussi apparues au sein de ce « système sociotechnique ». Ces modifications prennent la forme de philosophies, mais aussi de pratiques sociales qui se répandent, avant tout, auprès de la jeune génération, ce qu’il est possible d’observer par les changements dans les pratiques musicales. À partir des outils conceptuels de Weber, deux idéaltypes seront créés qui représentent autant de modes de diffusion de musique sur Internet. L’accent est mis sur la différence entre les pratiques sociales et musicales de ces modes de diffusions : l’un est basé sur des pratiques traditionnelles et greffé sur la nouvelle plateforme Internet, l’autre emprunte les caractéristiques de la diffusion de l’information en réseau caractéristique de la culture Internet et se caractérise par des pratiques dites réflexives. Ces idéaltypes, ainsi que les cas qui les constituent et qu’ils mettent en lumière, sont mis à profit pour discuter des motifs de l’action chez différents agents au cœur des pratiques de diffusion et, finalement, des modalités variées que prend la rationalisation de la diffusion de la musique à partir du médium numérique. / Starting from personal observations on the place hold by techniques and technologies in the production of music, this thesis project was created around Max Weber’s Sociology of Music. First, the relations between music, technology and society are critically questioned in order to underline the possible ways of further research concerning the technical mediation of music. The latter are now characterized through the changes brought by the implementation of Informatics in many societies and the modification of the social or power relationships by the new possibilities of the digital medium. It seems that the Internet has shaken the music industry. However, in this socio-technical system new ways are being shaped allowing the overcome the traditional limitations of the music technologies. These ways takes the form of philosophies but also of social popular among the younger generations observable through changes in social practices. Using the Weber’s conceptual tools, two ideal types are created—representing as many diffusion modes of music on the Internet. Two dimensions regarding the difference between these social and musical practices are stressed: the perpetuation of traditional diffusion practices integrated on the Internet platform and the reflexives practices characterized by a diffusion mode expressing the network type of information circulation of the Internet culture. These ideal types, and the related cases chosen to construct and describe them, serve to discuss the multiple motives of action of different social agents relevant for the diffusion practices, and, finally, the various modalities of the rationalization of music diffusion through the digital medium.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

La thèse étudie le travail ordinaire de mobilisation des chômeurs dans différentes organisations militantes. Ce faisant, elle interroge les conditions de leur représentation en regard de l’« autonomie relative » de l’espace des organisations de chômeurs. La faible unification sociale de cette catégorie administrative et la pluralité des inscriptions sociales, politiques et professionnelles des groupes engagés dans la cause déterminent des logiques d’engagement fortement différenciées. En reconstituant l’espace des positions et des prises de position au sein de ces organisations, la thèse montre d’une part l’influence qu’exercent certains groupes sociaux et, à travers eux, les logiques spécifiques à d’autres champs sociaux (syndical, du travail social) sur le travail militant. D’autre part, elle invite à repenser l’opposition classique entre producteurs et bénéficiaires de l’action collective en analysant les effets différenciés du chômage sur les carrières militantes. / This research investigates the ordinary work of mobilization of the unemployed by several militant organizations. By doing so, it interrogates conditions of their representation in light of the “relative autonomy” of the unemployed organizations space. The faint social unification of this administrative category added with the plurality of social, political, and professional admissions of groups involved in that cause determine highly differentiated commitments strategies. Through the reconstitution of stances and standpoints space within the organizations, this thesis shows on the one hand the influence exerted by certain social groups and, through them, specific logic of other social fields (trade-union, social work) on the militant work. On the other hand it tempts to review the classical opposition between producers and recipients of the collective action by analyzing unemployment’s differentiated effects on militant careers.