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This thesis develops the theory of operator algebras from the perspective of abstract harmonic analysis, and in particular, the theory of von Neumann algebras. Results from operator algebras are applied to the study of spaces of coefficient functions of unitary representations of locally compact groups, and in particular, the Fourier algebra of a locally compact group. The final result, which requires most of the material developed in earlier sections, is that the group von Neumann algebra of a locally compact group is in standard form.

This thesis develops the theory of operator algebras from the perspective of abstract harmonic analysis, and in particular, the theory of von Neumann algebras. Results from operator algebras are applied to the study of spaces of coefficient functions of unitary representations of locally compact groups, and in particular, the Fourier algebra of a locally compact group. The final result, which requires most of the material developed in earlier sections, is that the group von Neumann algebra of a locally compact group is in standard form.

We study fast-slow versions of the SIR, SIRS and SIRWS epidemiological models, and of the SIRS epidemiological model on homogeneous graphs, obtained through the application of the moment closure method. The multiple time scale behavior is introduced to account for large differences between some of the rates of the epidemiological pathways. Our main purpose is to show that the fast-slow models, even though in nonstandard form, can be studied by means of Geometric Singular Perturbation Theory (GSPT). In particular, without using Lyapunov's method, we are able to not only analyze the stability of the endemic equilibria of the SIR and SIRS models, but also to show that in the remaining models limit cycles arise. We show that the proposed approach is particularly useful in more complicated (higher dimensional) models such as the SIRWS model and the SIRS on homogeneous graphs, for which we provide a detailed description of their dynamics by combining analytic and numerical techniques. In particular, for the latter we show that the model can give rise to periodic solutions, differently from the corresponding model based on homogeneous mixing.

Les consommateurs disposent d’une rationalité limitée et sont sujets à divers biais cognitifs. La thèse étudie les conséquences des biais de rationalité sur le comportement des consommateurs ainsi que les implications sur la politique de consommation. Chacun des trois chapitres de la thèse est consacré à un biais particulier (surestimation de la qualité, erreurs d’anticipation de l’utilité, biais de projection) dans un contexte concurrentiel déterminé. Les deux premiers chapitres sont bâtis sur des modèles de duopole standards auxquels sont intégrés des biais de rationalité : le premier est un duopole avec différenciation horizontale inspiré de Dixit (1979), tandis que le second envisage un modèle de différenciation verticale adapté de Gabszewicz & Thisse (1979). Le troisième chapitre étend à trois périodes la modélisation du biais de projection proposée par Loewenstein et al. (2003). J’aboutis à la conclusions que, si les biais cognitifs conduisent dans certains cas à des choix sous-optimaux (chapitres 1 et 2), les consommateurs naïfs peuvent également être avantagés par rapport aux agents sophistiqués (chapitre 3). Ce constat plaide en faveur d’une intervention circonstanciée et mesurée sur le marché. Enfin, des recommandations de politiques économiques sont formulées: je prône une approche renouvelée du droit de la consommation, qui ne serait plus fondé principalement sur l’information du consommateur mais davantage sur des mesures de redressement cognitif. Des exemples de mesures concrètes sont discutés tout au long de la thèse. / Consumers have bounded rationality and exhibit cognitive biases. The thesis studies the consequences of such biases on consumer choice and implications on consumer policy. Each chapter of the thesis investigates one specific bias (quality bias, utility misperception and projection bias) in a given market structure. The first two chapters focus on stan- dard duopoly models, in whichcognitive biases are incorporated: I build a horizontally differentiated duopoly based on Dixit (1979)in chapter 1, and a vertically differentiated duopoly inspired by Gabszewicz & Thisse (1979) in chapter 2. As for the third chapter, it extends to three periods, in a monopolistic framework, the projection bias model proposed by Loewenstein et al. (2003). I come to the conclusion that, while cognitive biases sometimes lead to suboptimal consumption decisions (chapters 1 and 2), naive consumers can be better off than their sophisticated counterparts(chapter 3). This observation pleads in favor of a non-systematic and context dependant legal intervention to counter cognitive errors. I argue in favor of a new approach of consumer policy, that would focus less on information disclosures in favor of debiasing schemes. Examples of such debiasing policies are discussed throughout the thesis.

The 1980 United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods, concluded under the auspices of UNCITRAL, creates a comprehensive statutory legal framework for international sales. Through the express incorporation of the principle of freedom of contract, the convention contains rules which the parties may freely adapt to the particular circumstances of their transaction, by filling any gaps that may arise with trade usages and other practices. In addition, the convention recognises the binding force of international trade usages in certain circumstances, in that it binds parties to usages which are so widely known and have acquired such regularity of observance in international trade as to justify an expectation that they will be observed in the particular transaction. Such acknowledgment of the changing patterns and norms of behaviour which characterise international trade law allows the CISG to be categorised as a major component of the modern lex mercatoria. / Constitutional International & Indigenous Law / LL.M.

The 1980 United Nations Convention on the International Sale of Goods, concluded under the auspices of UNCITRAL, creates a comprehensive statutory legal framework for international sales. Through the express incorporation of the principle of freedom of contract, the convention contains rules which the parties may freely adapt to the particular circumstances of their transaction, by filling any gaps that may arise with trade usages and other practices. In addition, the convention recognises the binding force of international trade usages in certain circumstances, in that it binds parties to usages which are so widely known and have acquired such regularity of observance in international trade as to justify an expectation that they will be observed in the particular transaction. Such acknowledgment of the changing patterns and norms of behaviour which characterise international trade law allows the CISG to be categorised as a major component of the modern lex mercatoria. / Constitutional International and Indigenous Law / LL.M.

Current traditional delivery models used in the Australian construction industry are seen as highly bespoke and adversarial where there is an inappropriate contractual risk allocation, lack of collaboration and poor project management. With the pipeline of investment compounded with the impact that global macroeconomic trends and events (e.g., COVID-19, climate change, political instability, social change, digital revolution) have on supply chains and risk profiles; there are calls from practitioners and researchers for fundamental change to contractual delivery arrangements to support the implementation of collaboration. The standard form of contract known as the New Engineering Contract (NEC) is seen as a logical step in the right direction; however, there is a lack of in-depth investigation to understand and support its implementation, particularly in Australia. This thesis aims to understand whether NEC could be utilised to a greater extent in the Australian construction industry by using institutional theory as a frame of reference. This paper reports on an exploratory interview study with a range of professionals in the construction industry in Australia to understand the current problems with traditional procurement, NEC’s perceived role and contribution to developing contractual practice, the barriers to change and the roles that various actors play in driving the development of NEC. The study confirms that the industry has a range of economic, knowledge-related and cultural factors that motivate the need for change. The effect of these practices has become part of the institution of the construction industry, ‘the way we do things. This has resulted in inefficient and poor performance outcomes. The general perception and experience amongst industry participants is seen as positive to NEC, where many acknowledge clear advantages but also various issues to its implementation. Key institutional actors are perceived to act as barriers to further adoption of NEC are the government, clients/public sector organisations and the legal profession. Other main barriers identified include the limited number of trained professionals and the culture and mindset in the industry. Greater adoption of NEC requires the active role of government, clients, and industry and professional bodies. / I den australiensiska byggindustrin används idag skräddarsydda kontrakt som skapar motsättningar mellan parterna genom obalanserad riskallokering och är förknippade med dåligt samarbete och bristande projektledning. Med tanke på den stora volymen planerade investeringar och den påverkan som globala makroekonomiska trender och händelser (t.ex. covid-19, klimatförändringar, politisk instabilitet, social förändring, digital omställning) har på leveranskedjor och riskprofiler, är det idag många praktiker och forskare som pekar på behovet av nya kontrakt som stödjer samverkan. Standardkontraktet New Engineering Contract (NEC) ses då som ett steg i rätt riktning. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att förstå de nuvarande problemen i den australiensiska byggindustrin och undersöka om NEC skulle kunna användas i större utsträckning. Studien baseras på intervjuer med yrkesverksamma inom byggbranschen i Australien. Med hjälp av institutionell teori diskuteras NEC:s upplevda roll och bidrag till att utveckla avtalspraxis, hindren för förändring samt de roller som olika aktörer spelar i att driva utvecklingen av NEC. Studien visar att branschen präglas av en rad ekonomiska, kunskapsrelaterade och kulturella faktorer som motiverar behovet av förändring. De har blivit en del av byggindustrins institutionaliserade praktiker, "så här gör vi", och har resulterat i ineffektivitet och kvalitetsbrister. De intervjuade är generellt positiva till NEC, men ser både tydliga fördelar och vissa problem med det. Centrala institutionella aktörer som idag fungerar som hinder för fortsatt implementering är statliga myndigheter, andra offentliga byggherrar och den juridiska professionen. Andra barriärer som identifierats är bristen på yrkesverksamma som är utbildade i NEC samt branschens kultur och tänkesätt. En ökad användning av NEC förutsätter en aktiv roll från myndigheter, kunder, branschorgan och professionsföreningar.

No / This paper discusses theoretical and conceptual issues in leadership and how these apply to complex military operations in this global age. It identifies the reason for and the point at which the need for leadership arose among the early humans. It suggests the need for every human activity to be assessed within the context of its relative existence, based on the employment of accepted standards. Thereafter, the subject matter was treated under four main sections; namely, the Elements of Power, Leadership and its Sanctity, Concept of Military Operations, and Analosynthesis. With improvements in technology and mastery over their environments, the homo habilis gained control over their means of subsistence and the basic necessities of life. Their quest for better security and stability, in order to facilitate progressive developments, led to the emergence of community life. This was the stage at which the need for leadership, among humans, became apparent. Lessons on Leadership and Influence dictate that Power and Influence, which is one’s art of getting others to follow one’s lead, are best understood in terms of the interactions among the Elements of Power. The paper identified five enabling factors of power and influence; namely, how power works, how influence works, the TOPS Formula, the influence skills and cultural differences. These would enhance his ability to positively communicate with the led for maximum effect. Defined as a process of influencing a group of individuals to achieve a common goal, leadership is seen as a key variable in the development of human society. Any leader that fails to imbibe some ethical leadership values and principles that would guide his leadership, he would hardly gain the confidence and loyalty of the led. These include respect for others; service to others; justice, fairness and equity for all and sundry; honesty; resourcefulness; and truthfulness/trustworthiness – all leading to the building of a strong, united, virile and prosperous community. It is believed that the crises bedevilling Nigeria today, particularly Northern Nigeria, can be largely attributed to the negation of ethical values/principles on the part of our leaders, both past and present. It is hoped that the Change which Nigerian electorates voted for on 28th March 2015 would make the needed difference. A military operation is a set of activities characterised by mutual belligerent actions; regardless of how the opposing elements are defined, equipped or disposed. Hence, military operations may not be limited to the conventional battlefield; new forms of battlefields and domains of warfare will continue to emerge for as long as human technology is progressive. Currently, a critical analysis yields the existence of five warfare domains; namely, Land, Sea, Air, Space (Strategic Defence Initiative or Star Wars) and Cyber Space. In view of the above, even the concept of military operation, in terms of the troops that execute warfare, must also be re-assessed in tune with the dictates of globalisation. Thus, as opposed to seeing soldiers as some illiterates, dressed in ragtag attire and engaging in a “woo-chebe!” warfare; the contrary should now be the case. Soldiering should be seen as an enterprise for people traversing the entire levels of education/training throughout the social strata of the society; comprising the illiterate and semi-illiterate local informants, highly educated troops, and all shades of professionals and technocrats up to the University Professors, globally. Concomitantly, there is need to also re-evaluate, by reconfiguring and expanding, the concept of the military element of national power into a more suitable gauge of national strength - the socio-military element of national power. That is, the military is no longer expected to function effectively independent of its wider society setting. In a nutshell, for one to succeed as a leader of officers and men in a military operation, one must first of all imbibe the general principles/values of ethical leadership expected of all categories of leaders, as enumerated above. In addition to these, one must then train to internalise those other attributes that would sustain one in leadership position as one confronts an uncertain death; namely, valour, bravery, courage, faithfulness and an existence of a balanced coordination between a healthy mind and a healthy body. / Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF)

This dissertation deals with international transport law and looks at the development of bilateral air service agreements governing international scheduled flights from their inception after the Chicago Conference of 1944 until the present day. The Chicago Conference left a legacy of separation in airline services. Scheduled and nonscheduled flights came into existence and bilateral agreements are needed to regulate international scheduled services. The relationship between the state and its designated airline forms the pivot of the bilateral relationship. However, the aviation relationship between state and airline and between states inter se face challenges as globalisation and development take place in the air transport industry. New methods of cooperation now exist which need to be adapted to suit the needs of individual countries and airlines. South Africa has accepted the challenges of development and undertaken modern methods of cooperation such as code-sharing. / Law / LL.M.