Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2017-09-26T16:43:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rosemary Francisco_.pdf: 7758052 bytes, checksum: 44ca1c4c6afa003c13d4783f220148be (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-26T16:43:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rosemary Francisco_.pdf: 7758052 bytes, checksum: 44ca1c4c6afa003c13d4783f220148be (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-30 / Nenhuma / Mobile workers are professionals who frequently work on the move, far from a fixed workplace, often performing knowledge-intensive activities. Mobility brings challenges to the processes of knowledge creation and sharing of these workers, and the existing literature lacks theoretical frameworks to explain these phenomena. Considering this gap, this study seeks to answer the following research question: How knowledge creation and knowledge sharing are carried out in collaborative problem-solving situations in the mobile workers’ context? The primary purpose of this investigation is to analyse how knowledge creation and knowledge sharing are carried out in collaborative problem-solving situations in the mobile workers’ context. To reach the research goals, this study applied Activity Theory (AT) and its key concepts as a theoretical lens. This theoretical approach allowed better understanding both the individual (the mobile worker) as well as his relations in his/her social context. Besides, the adoption of the Design Science Research method (DSR) provided tools for a deeper understanding of the research problem and also to propose an approach to stimulate knowledge creation and sharing through collaborative problem-solving in the mobile workers’ context. The results of this study helped to understand the fundamental needs of mobile workers related to knowledge creation and knowledge sharing to solve work problems. It was observed that these workers use their ICT tools, especially mobile ICT, to conduct the majority of their collaborative problem-solving situations and subsequently, to create and share knowledge on the move. The findings also highlight how mobile technologies are used to support collaborative problem-solving in the mobile work’ context. Therefore, the key argument tested and supported in this thesis is that collaborative problem-solving mediated by mobile ICT can support and stimulate knowledge creation and knowledge sharing in the context of mobile workers. This research makes a theoretical contribution by exploring this key argument with the use of AT as a theoretical lens. Since this theory was not used so far to analyse practices of knowledge creation and sharing in the context of mobile workers, this study contributes to the expansion of this theory in this subject. The results of the empirical data also provided lessons from the practice that can contribute to the theory, mainly considering the diversity of workplaces that mobile workers can use to perform their work activity. Also, this study provides methodological and practical contributions; through a detailed descriptive of how to apply the DSR in IS (Information Systems) studies, in addition to the artifact developed that can be used in practice. Finally, this study addresses some questions that can be explored in future research. / Trabalhadores móveis são profissionais que freqüentemente trabalham em movimento, longe de um local de trabalho fixo, muitas vezes realizando atividades intensivas em conhecimento. A mobilidade traz desafios aos processos de criação e compartilhamento de conhecimento para esses trabalhadores, e a literatura existente carece de frameworks teóricos para explicar esses fenômenos. Considerando esta lacuna, este estudo procura responder à seguinte pergunta de pesquisa: Como a criação e o compartilhamento de conhecimento são realizados em situações colaborativas de resolução de problemas no contexto dos trabalhadores móveis? O objetivo principal deste estudo é analisar como a criação e o compartilhamento do conhecimento são realizados em situações colaborativas de resolução de problemas no contexto dos trabalhadores móveis. Para alcançar os objetivos da pesquisa, este estudo aplicou a Teoria da Atividade (AT) e seus conceitos-chave como uma lente teórica. Esta abordagem teórica permitiu uma melhor compreensão tanto do indivíduo (o trabalhador móvel) quanto das suas relações no seu contexto social. Além disso, a adoção do método de pesquisa Design Science Research (DSR) proporcionou ferramentas para uma compreensão mais profunda do problema de pesquisa e também para propor uma abordagem para estimular a criação e o compartilhamento do conhecimento por meio da colaboração na resolução de problemas no contexto dos trabalhadores móveis. Os resultados deste estudo ajudaram a compreender as necessidades fundamentais dos trabalhadores móveis em relação à criação e ao compartilhamento de conhecimento para a resolução de problemas de trabalho. Observou-se que esses trabalhadores utilizam suas ferramentas de TIC, especialmente as TIC móveis, para conduzir a maioria de suas situações colaborativas de resolução de problemas e, posteriormente, criar e compartilhar conhecimento em movimento. Os resultados também destacam como as tecnologias móveis são usadas para apoiar a resolução colaborativa de problemas no contexto do trabalho móvel. Portanto, o principal argumento testado e suportado por esta tese, indica que a resolução colaborativa de problemas, mediada por TICs móveis, pode apoiar e estimular a criação e o compartilhamento do conhecimento no contexto de trabalhadores móveis. Esta pesquisa faz uma contribuição teórica explorando este argumento chave com o uso de AT como uma lente teórica. Uma vez que esta teoria não foi utilizada até agora para analisar as práticas de criação e compartilhamento de conhecimento no contexto dos trabalhadores móveis, este estudo contribui para a expansão desta teoria neste assunto. Os resultados empíricos também forneceram lições da prática que podem contribuir para a teoria, considerando, principalmente, a diversidade de locais de trabalho que os trabalhadores móveis podem usar para realizar suas atividades de trabalho. Além disso, este estudo fornece contribuições metodológicas e práticas; por meio de um descritivo detalhado de como aplicar o DSR em estudos de SI (Sistemas de Informação), além do artefato desenvolvido que pode ser usado na prática. Finalmente, este estudo endereça algumas questões que podem ser exploradas em futuras pesquisas.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-07-07T13:18:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rosiane Serrano.pdf: 2567085 bytes, checksum: 9a27b2246b749bfc0cf46f79adb48dbe (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-07T13:18:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rosiane Serrano.pdf: 2567085 bytes, checksum: 9a27b2246b749bfc0cf46f79adb48dbe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-27 / Nenhuma / Em setores complexos como o de vestuário, no qual a competitividade está atrelada à diferenciação dos produtos, realizar estudos setoriais que possibilitem identificar e prospectar tendências é essencial para o desenvolvimento de estratégias que auxiliem no posicionamento competitivo do setor. Neste contexto, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo aplicar a abordagem sistêmica com o intuito de buscar melhorias alavancadoras do desempenho de um setor. O método de pesquisa abordado foi o Design Science Research, que se caracteriza por ser um processo que usa o conhecimento para projetar artefatos que serão utilizados e submetidos à análise para verificar sua eficácia. Nessas condições, foram aplicados o Pensamento Sistêmico e o Planejamento por Cenários no Setor de Vestuário, especificamente na região norte do Rio Grande do Sul, denominada Alto Uruguai. Inicialmente, conceituou-se a problemática envolvida neste estudo, construiu-se o referencial teórico, abordando-se os principais tópicos para o desenvolvimento da pesquisa, sendo que, posteriormente, foram propostos esboços de pesquisa e, na sequência, realizou-se a aplicação. Ao final, foi feita uma avaliação, buscando evidências sobre o método aplicado e sua efetividade, bem como para atender a um dos objetivos específicos. Como resultados, a pesquisa apresenta um Modelo de Governança visando à sinergia dos diversos atores do setor, um Plano de Ação desenvolvido para a efetividade das ações de alavancagem do segmento, além de um banco de dados inicial do mesmo, contendo as variáveis importantes para o seu contexto. Por fim, evidencia-se, através das entrevistas e da aprendizagem relatada, que o método aplicado permite o entendimento das variáveis que circundam o setor, sendo aplicável para estudos setoriais. / In complex sectors as the clothing sector, which competitiveness is linked to product’s differentiation, it’s essential realize sectorial studies that allows identify and prospect trends to develop strategies that helps in the sector competitive position. In this context, this research has as main objective apply the systemic approach in order to improve the sector performance. The research method used was the Design Science Research, which is characterized by being a process which uses the knowledge to project artifacts that will be used and analyzed to prove its efficacy. Under this conditions, it was applied the System Thinking and the Scenario Planning in the clothing sector, specifically in the north region of Rio Grande do Sul, named Alto Uruguai. Initially, the situation involved in this study was conceptualized, the theoretical referential was described approaching the main topics to the research development. After the method was applied and evaluated, searching for evidences about the method and its effectiveness in order to understand one of the specific objectives. As results the research presents a Governance Model viewing the actor’s sector synergy, an Action Plan developed to ensure the actions’ effectiveness, besides an initial data base containing important variables to the context. Finally, it’s possible to evidence, through interviews and the learning that the applied method allows the variables understanding, being usable to sectorial studies.

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2016-02-05T13:01:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Regina Kossmann Miozzo_.pdf: 3193134 bytes, checksum: 4b94aaaa2557eba1c6f488d6fc5765ad (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-05T13:01:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Regina Kossmann Miozzo_.pdf: 3193134 bytes, checksum: 4b94aaaa2557eba1c6f488d6fc5765ad (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-09-03 / Nenhuma / A gamificação (do Inglês gamification) é um fenômeno crescente que tem despertado o interesse tanto de pesquisadores quanto de executivos. Elementos de jogos têm sido aplicados em contextos e atividades diversas às do entretenimento com o intuito de enriquecer a experiência de quem as executa, gerando maior interesse, envolvimento, diversão e engajamento. Desta forma, a gamificação tem sido utilizada como um recurso para motivar comportamentos de engajamento dos consumidores, tornando-se uma estratégia de marketing. Contudo, até o presente estudo, não foram encontrados na literatura estudos empíricos que apliquem a gamificação para gerar engajamento em consumidores de bens duráveis, como as máquinas agrícolas. Assim, o presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar como os aspectos da gamificação podem desenvolver o envolvimento no consumidor de máquinas agrícolas em uma experiência interativa digital, identificando os elementos mais relevantes para incentivar comportamentos de engajamento com uma marca. A pesquisa adota uma abordagem qualitativa, tendo como método de pesquisa a metodologia Design Science Research (DSR). O estudo foi realizado em uma empresa que desenvolve, produz e comercializa máquinas agrícolas e envolveu consumidores de tratores e colheitadeiras. As atividades realizadas compreenderam entrevistas semiestruturadas e questionários que objetivaram compreender o problema tratado na pesquisa, levantar a motivação da empresa em abordá-lo e obter subsídios para desenhar um artefato que auxiliasse na solução do problema. Os dados coletados na empresa e com consumidores permitiram desenhar e implementar um protótipo de média fidelidade do artefato proposto. O protótipo foi usado e avaliado pelos consumidores, visando verificar o potencial de gamificação para desenvolver o envolvimento e consequentes intenções de engajamento nos consumidores de máquinas agrícolas. Os principais resultados indicam que a gamificação tem o potencial de desenvolver o envolvimento nos consumidores de máquinas agrícolas, porém existem elementos e riscos a serem considerados, em especial os relacionados a suas motivações e interesses. Foram identificadas três perspectivas pelas quais a geração de valor pode ser conduzida, através da gamificação, em direção ao envolvimento e engajamento com uma marca: utilidade, prazer e relacionamento social. Esta pesquisa contribui para enriquecer a literatura sobre a gamificação, acrescentando um estudo empírico sobre seu uso no contexto do marketing. Também demonstra a aplicação de um método para o uso da gamificação em soluções que objetivam estimular envolvimento nos consumidores e intenções de engajamento com uma marca. / Gamification is a growing phenomenon that concerns both researchers and practitioners. Game elements have been applied in several contexts and activities out of entertainment with the aim of enriching the experiences of those who execute them, generating higher levels of interest, involvement, entertainment and engagement. Gamification has been suggested, especially by IT industry, as a marketing strategy to develop consumer engagement. However, there is no empirical research related to the use of gamification to promote engagement in utilitarian brands consumers such as agricultural machinery. The present study aims to analyze which aspects of gamification can develop the involvement of the agricultural machinery consumer in an interactive digital experience, identifying the most relevant elements on encouraging consumer brand engagement behaviors. The research adopts a qualitative approach, adopting the Design Science Research (DSR) as the research method. DSR was applied to the development of a technological artifact which was presented and evaluated by agricultural machinery consumers. In order to get empirical data, the study was performed into a company that develops, produces and commercializes agricultural machinery, involving marketing, IT and after sales professionals, and Brazilian agricultural machinery consumers. The activities performed comprehended semi structured interviews and questionnaires that aimed to understand the problem to be addressed to identify the company´s motivation to find a solution and to get subsidies to design the artifact. Data was collected to design and implement a medium fidelity prototype of the proposed artifact. The prototype was used and evaluated by consumers in order to verify gamification's potential on the involvement development and consequent engagement intentions. The main results indicate gamification does have the potential to develop the involvement of agricultural machinery consumers. However, there are element and risks to be considered, especially the ones related to the consumer's interests and motivations. Three perspectives were identified, by which the generation of value through gamification can be driven towards the brand engagement: utility, pleasure and social relationship. This research contributes to the enrichment of the gamification literature, adding empirical study about its usage in marketing context and also demonstrating the usage of a method to implement gamification in a solution to stimulate consumer involvement and engagement behavior intention.

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2016-08-25T11:59:57Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigo Soares Lelis Gori_.pdf: 3233868 bytes, checksum: 85348cf4692a41fcec31474ebaaed132 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-25T11:59:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rodrigo Soares Lelis Gori_.pdf: 3233868 bytes, checksum: 85348cf4692a41fcec31474ebaaed132 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-07-15 / Nenhuma / As Instituições Federais de Ensino buscam, constantemente, implementar avanços em um de seus principais instrumentos de planejamento e controle, o orçamento público anual. Em vista da natureza e das características especiais destas instituições, o seu processo orçamentário se reveste de especificidades e exige estudos e análise para melhor compreensão desse fenômeno. Surge, então, como um instrumento de auxílio na gestão orçamentária a avaliação de desempenho através de indicadores. A pesquisa avança para a proposição de um modelo que melhor trate o objeto deste estudo. Logo, para a realização deste trabalho, foi utilizada a DSR como método de pesquisa, apoiada pelo método AHP. Assim, o presente estudo se propôs a desenvolver um modelo de distribuição de recursos orçamentários, baseado em indicadores de desempenho para as unidades de ensino que compõem um Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia. A instituição escolhida localiza-se na região Norte. O modelo proposto foi aplicado no processo de distribuição de orçamento para oito unidades que compõem a referida instituição, adotando dois critérios, número de discentes regularmente matriculados e a avaliação de indicadores de desempenho. Três etapas integradas entre si, mas com finalidades diferentes estruturam o modelo proposto. A primeira etapa do modelo consiste na avaliação dos indicadores de desempenho, por meio do método AHP, indicadores estes selecionados por um grupo de nove especialistas. A segunda etapa consiste na obtenção de uma pontuação para cada unidade de ensino da instituição pesquisada, de acordo com a avaliação dos indicadores de desempenho. A terceira e última etapa consiste na definição de um peso para cada unidade de ensino para aplicação no orçamento de 2016 da instituição. Como principal resultado, verificou-se que o modelo proposto, quando comparado com o modelo atual, imprime uma nova postura no processo orçamentário da instituição, implementando mecanismos que permitem valorizar o esforço acadêmico de suas unidades através do uso dos indicadores de desempenho, proporcionando uma equalização entre as unidades que compõem a instituição. / Federal Education Institutions constantly seek to implement advances in one of their main planning and control tools, which is the annual public budget. Due to their nature and special features the institutions’ budget process is very specific, so it demands studies and analysis in order to better understand this phenomenon. As a result of this, and like an aid in budget management, arises the performance evaluation through indicators. The research goes forward for the proposition of a model that better addresses the subject of this study. So, to accomplish this work, it was used the DSR (Design Science Research) as the research method which was supported by AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process). Thus, the present study had as its proposal to develop a distribution model of budget resources, based on performance indicators for the teaching units that comprise a Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology. The chosen institution is located in the North of Brazil. The proposed model was applied on the budget allocation process in eight units that are part of the institution mentioned above. Two criteria were adopted: the number of enrolled students and the performance indicators evaluation. Three integrated steps, but with different purposes, have structured the proposed model. The first step consists in the performance indicators evaluation, through the AHP method; such indicators were selected by a group of nine experts. The second step consists in obtaining a score for each teaching unit of the researched institution, according to the assessment of performance indicators. The third and final step consists in defining a weight for each teaching unit for using in the 2016 budget of the institution. As the main result, it was found out that the proposed model, when compared to the current one, presents a new approach in the institution budget process, implementing tools that enhance the academic effort of its units by using the performance indicators, providing equalization between the units that comprise the institution.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women between the ages of 35 and 74. With 22 thousand new cases and 15 thousand deaths annually ovarian cancer is among the most deadly cancers with a death to incidence ratio of 68%. With 70% of cases High Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer and causes 90% of ovarian cancer deaths. 80% of patients have reoccurrence within five years and only 15-30% of patients with recurrent metastatic ovarian cancer respond to current therapies, chemotherapy and surgery. One reason for the high reoccurrence rate is thought to be linked to the heterogeneity of tumors: there is evidence that, among tumor cells, a subpopulation is cancer stem cells (CSCs). Since CSCs are frequently drug resistant, when the patient undergoes chemotherapy many of the cells may die but the CSCs are left behind and the tumors can therefore regrow. CSCs are also more likely to undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transition which gives these cells the ability to more readily migrate and invade through the extracellular matrix, leaving the primary tumor to form metastases. One key inducer of EMT and therefore possibly of metastasis of particular interest in this project is SNAI1 (Snail). It is therefore the goal of this project to understand the growth, makeup and metastatic ability of HGSOC cell lines to test possible strategies to decrease growth of cancer and prevent metastasis. In this thesis project the phenotype, CSC population make up, and functionality of various HGSOC cell lines was examined. The cell lines assessed were A2780, Kuramochi, OVSAHO, COV318, SKOV3 and OVCAR8. A Snail knockdown OVCAR8 cell line was also assessed as described above and in a xenograft model. It was determined that the cell lines show varying phenotype from epithelial like to mesenchymal like morphology and the cell lines have varying concentrations of cancer stem cells. It was also determined that the CSC population of the HGSOC cell lines were positive for both epithelial and mesenchymal markers in the same cells. OVCAR8 stood out as a hybrid line with both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics and was therefore chosen for the Snail knockdown model. In the Snail knockdown we observed that CSC markers were reduced, however no change between control and knockdown was seen in the in vitro functional experiments. There was a difference seen between Snail knockdown and control in the in vivo mouse xenograft model. Snail knockdown showed a trend for decreasing tumor burden in both primary and metastatic tumors and showed a significant decrease in growth of metastatic tumor at day 43. Based on these results Snail may be an important target for cancer therapy.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is hallmarked by inflammatory immune activation, particularly by the induction of a response by monocytes. Classical (CD14++CD16-) are anti-inflammatory mediators under homeostatic conditions, while intermediate (CD14++CD16+) and non-classical (CD14LowCD16++) monocytes promote inflammation following activation. Monocyte activation and functionality is dependent upon receptor expression and ligand production by a variety of cells, including monocytes. Alterations in the expression of surface receptors often have a direct impact upon monocyte function, such as the increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production in response to activation that accompanies elevated CD14 expression or increased chemotaxis that is elicited by increased CCR2 expression. Ligand-receptor interactions also play a significant role in cell fate, including survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Monocytes are capable of differentiating into phagocytic cells known as macrophages in response to specific ligand-receptor interactions. Macrophages play a significant role in the pathogenesis and progression of CVD. Imbalance between pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages can to lead disease development and progression, such as the skewing toward the M1 phenotype that occurs in CVD. Elucidation of these mechanisms will allow for the development of targeted interventions, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological physical interventions, such as physical exercise. Therefore, this dissertation investigates the role of CD14 and CCR2 monocyte subset receptors that impact immune-mediated inflammation following ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as well as physical activity and cardiorespiratory endurance related differences in the acute exercise response of monocyte signaling, recruitment, and macrophage polarization and their potential role in CVD prevention.

Research in the multidisciplinary science of ecotoxicology is crucial to assess injuries to ecosystem resources from chemical spills or other stressors used to support environmental decision-making. Established guidelines recommend the use of non-standard native species in toxicity investigations. This work focused on the use of native species for aquatic toxicity assessment to make more relevant conclusions on the potential for adverse biological effects to occur as a result to single chemical exposures or exposures to a complex mixture like oil. We apply these studies to investigate petroleum product impacts from the Deepwater Horizon incident and concerns for metal toxicity in estuarine environments using a new model organism. Data generated from comprehensive toxicity testing programs were used in the first probabilistic risk assessment of Deepwater Horizon oil toxicity highlighting a lack of appropriate data and representative phyla. Novel toxicity study methods and a stress-response index were developed and demonstrated sensitivity and success in using the starlet anemone in ecotoxicology studies. Swim performance was used as new method to investigate sublethal indicators of stress resulting in varied responses from sheepshead minnows and Florida pompano. These studies further our ability for better laboratory-to-field extrapolation and for decision-making. The use of native species and complex mixtures like oil presented novel challenges in conducting aquatic toxicity studies. Special emphasis is placed on the necessity to understand the appropriate laboratory conditions for native species not typically held in the laboratory and maintaining study parameters to obtain quality data for more accurate interpretation and replication.

Climate change and increasing anthropogenic activities are causing rapid changes to environmental and ecological processes in the Arctic Ocean. To better understand these changes, scientists have increased research efforts in these regions, but to date the number of studies on Arctic nearshore habitats are lacking. My dissertation responds to the paucity of information and investigates patterns in Arctic nearshore fish communities and food webs to gain insight to how these ecosystems may shift as these changes continue. I used multivariate statistical analysis to examine patterns in community structure and composition to determine that Arctic nearshore fish communities are largely driven by prey availability, salinity and temperature; and that species that are more abundant in warmer conditions are likely to increase in abundance as climatic conditions in the Arctic continue to warm. I improved the ability to apply stable isotope methods to Arctic food web studies by determining more appropriate model parameters using a laboratory-based isotope study on a common Arctic nearshore fish, and discuss its potential as a biological monitor species. These new parameters are used to confirm that a shift in prey resource dependence occurs across the seasonal shift from ice-covered winter to open-water summer conditions. Changes in basal resource dependence also occur later in the season across a latitudinal gradient where a shift to dependence on allochtonous inputs from nearby rivers increased trophic diversity. Using isotopic niche space theory, it was determined that the Arctic nearshore has a diverse prey base but that niche spaces of Arctic warm-water and cold-water species do overlap, and if numbers of warm-water fish continue to increase it will likely increase competition for resources for potentially less-adaptable, well-established, cold-water forage fish. On the other hand, if pelagic productivity is expected to increase and support larger fish biomasses, then there will be more than enough resources for warm-water and cold-water species to coexist, thus creating a more diverse prey base for piscivores in the Arctic.

While IS research into on-line Inter-Personal (IP) Social Networks (SN) is highly visible, there has been surprisingly little focus on the use of on-line social networks for Inter-Organizational (IO) communications, interactions, and goal achievement. We explore the issues and challenges facing organizations in their design and use of inter-organizational social network information systems (IO SNIS). Artifact design principles are drawn from a new and insightful model that contrasts the advantages of existing innovative inter-personal (IP) SNIS artifacts with Social Network Theory on differences between IP and IO Social Networks. This research extends the existing streams of IS social networking research into the inter-organizational domain and encourages additional IS research into the analysis, design, and build of artifacts that animate the social behavior of organizations. We develop a key design concept for IO SNIS and establish the design principles underlying the general artifact design and the specific design features that apply the design constructs to an exemplar IO social domain. This dissertation uses Action Design Research (ADR) approach within the Design Science Research (DSR) paradigm to formulate the research opportunity and anticipate a practice-inspired and theory-ingrained artifact. The researcher works with a practitioner team in the domain of mid-market private equity (MMPE) to explore the model and evaluate existing on-line inter-organizational artifacts to establish specific design features for an IO SNIS artifact. We find that the design principles can generalize from the IO SNIS Design Concept Model to other IO Social domains and that the design features can be used to build an instantiation of IO SNIS in the Private Equity domain.

Life scientists have increasingly been asked to incorporate a dual use responsibility in their research conduct. In this thesis, different aspects of what constitutes a reasonable responsibility in terms of avoiding harmful misuse of research for biological weapon purposes have been explored. The first study investigated the claim that scientists have a dual use responsibility, and also outlined some of its possible content. Criteria for what may constitute preventable harm were used to analyze some proposed obligations in the field, and it was concluded that reasonable obligations include: e.g. considering the potential negative implications of one’s research and reporting activities of concern. In the second study, the conditions for a Precautionary Principle (PP) were explored and applied to the dual use research context. The study found that the main conditions of the PP frequently appear in present discussions and formulations of life scientists’ responsibility. It was also concluded that the PP is applicable to the dual use field and that it is meaningful and useful as a normatively guiding principle. The third study suggested an ethics of dissemination, based on the assumption that scientists have a responsibility to occasionally constrain the dispersion of their research findings. Three core aspects were proposed for an ethics of dual use dissemination. Additionally, to help scientists understand when constraints may be justified, three corresponding conditions for their application were suggested. In the fourth study, the concept of ethical competence was introduced and explored within a dual use context. It was concluded that competence-building is important in the nurturing of individual responsibility and, subsequently, in achieving a culture of dual use responsibility in the life sciences. Finally, the discussion on ethical competence was included in a proposed ethic of deliberation, in which various stakeholders in the dual use debate are conceived to participate in communicative processes. It was argued that spaces for deliberative activities should be institutionalized by the scientific community to ensure structural opportunities for individuals to both assume responsibility and share it. Moreover, it was argued that deliberation can constitute a cornerstone of responsible dual use governance.