Industry 4.0 has introduced technologies such as machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing, which has disrupted markets across different industries. These technologies are prime examples of what has come to be known as disruptive innovations. With the advancement of disruptive innovations, organizations are constantly looking for new ways to satisfy customer needs. Therefore, organizations have begun to investigate alternative business models that differ from the conventional way of selling products/services. Within B2C-markets, the rise of subscription-based services has not gone unnoticed and has turned into a prominent business model among Fortune-500 organizations. Within B2B-practices however, subscription-based business models are mostly unheard of. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine how IndustryInternet of Things (IIoT) solution providers successfully can transition to a subscription-based business model when launching IoT-based disruptive innovations in industry 4.0 B2B-markets. This purpose was investigated in a quantitative study by constructing a questionnaire based on an adjusted six-factor Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) model. The model was used to stipulate factors influencing buying intention for IoT-technologies. The study was further complemented by qualitative interviews, which aimed to shed more light on buyer's perception of subscription-based business models for IoT-technologies. The respondents consisted of purchasing function employees within the chemical-, food and beverage-, and life sciences industries in Scandinavia and the US. The quantitative results showed that performance expectancy had the most significant impact on buying intention. The qualitative results stipulated themes based on each UTAUT2 factor while also enlightening how interviewees emphasize the importance of not hiding costs and raised concerns regarding the transfer of data ownership when purchasing IoT-technologies. To conclude, the authors stipulated a conceptual framework for the implementation of subscription-based business models when introducing of IoT-technologies within B2B-markets.

Philip Doddridge (1702-51) was pastor of the Independent congregation meeting at Castle Hill, Northampton, and tutor of the Northampton academy from 1729 to his death in 1751. He is regarded as a leader of moderate Dissent during that period and the heir, theologically and pastorally, of Richard Baxter. He has been seen as forming a bridge between the more rational Dissenters, on the one hand, and the more conservative and orthodox wing of Dissent on the other. His thought has not, however, been the subject of a detailed analysis in the context of his time. This thesis sets out to conduct such an analysis in order to examine more closely his position within early eighteenth-century Dissent. Doddridge’s philosophical and theological views are considered in chapters two to five. Chapter two assesses the extent of his indebtedness to the philosophy of John Locke, examining also the views of Isaac Watts and showing how Doddridge and Watts modified Locke’s thought in some areas in order to accommodate Christian beliefs. In chapter three, Doddridge’s views on natural theology, natural law and reason are considered and the influence on him of Samuel Clarke, in particular, is examined. Turning to theology, chapter four looks at the use in early eighteenth-century Dissent of terms such as ‘Baxterian’ and ‘moderate Calvinist’ and then considers Doddridge’s doctrinal positions on a range of subjects which are generally considered to represent Baxterian theology. Chapter five examines Doddridge’s views on the key interconnected areas of confessional subscription, scripture and the doctrine of the Trinity. Practical subjects are then considered in chapters six to eight. Doddridge’s views on Christian piety are examined in chapter six. Chapter seven considers ways in which Doddridge sought to communicate, examining the audiences whom he aimed to reach, the ways in which he attempted to reach them and the content of what he wanted to say. The eighth chapter looks at the subject of identity and argues that Doddridge is to be viewed, not so much as a bridge between different wings of Dissent, but as a leader amongst moderate Calvinists. In conclusion, this thesis argues that Philip Doddridge sought to expound a Calvinist theology in the context of the philosophical and theological debates of his day and to promote an ordered Dissent focused on central evangelical truths and united around the language of scripture.

Le capital social, de par la pluralité de ses fonctions, est le théâtre de la rencontre de l'intérêt des créanciers, des actionnaires et de la société. Sa modification, réalisée à la hausse ou à la baisse, impacte corrélativement l'étendue des prérogatives dont bénéficient ces protagonistes. Si ces derniers peuvent être animés d'objectifs divergents -et doivent, en conséquence, être protégés séparément -ils s'accordent néanmoins sur la nécessité de certaines caractéristiques intrinsèques du capital social. Aussi, il n'est pas surprenant que le législateur se soit attaché à assurer la sauvegarde de leurs droits, soit chacun particulièrement, soit de manière collective. L'étude des différentes mesures de protections prévues par le droit positif révélera tantôt ses imperfections, tantôt ses lacunes et ses incohérences. Sera également mis en exergue le caractère modulable de certains dispositifs, offrant ainsi aux organes sociaux la faculté de les supprimer ou de les façonner en fonction de la vision « distributive» ou« financière» du capital social qu'ils auront arrêtée. Enfin, cette étude mettra en relief l'opportunité d'autoriser sa variabilité sans contrainte si celle-ci est limitée par deux bornes, lesquelles dessineraient le capital« autorisé ». / Due to the multiplicity of its functions, the share capital is the scene where the interests of creditors, shareholders and the company meet. Its modification, whether it be for amplification or reduction, has an impact which corresponds to the extent of the prerogatives which the protagonists enjoy. If the latter may have conflicting objectives -and must therefore be protected separately -they nevertheless agree on the necessity of some intrinsic features of the share capital. This is why it is not surprising that the legislator has made a point of safeguarding their rights, either on an individual basis or collectively. The study of the different protection measures provided for by the positive law sometimes reveals its imperfections, sometimes its shortcomings and its inconsistencies. The adjustable nature of some specific devices will also be highlighted, thereby providing the social organs with the right to remove or shape them according to the "distributive" or "financial" vision of the social capital they will have determined. Finally, this study will highlight whether or not to allow its variability without constraint if it is set within two bounds, which would represent the "authorized" capital.

The field of technological subscription-based services are growing, and more organizations are using this strategy to provide their customers with products and services. Even though the market is growing the theories concerning the perceived value of their customers are not. The perception of value is an important part of a company’s strategy and the need for validated aspects concerning this is important to formulate. Customer-perceived value is a complex area and the gap in the theoretical understanding of this in the technological subscription-based products and services needs to be filled. The aim of this research is to explore this field and to gain a better understanding of what situational factors of the perceived value is. The situation studied in this research lies within the visitor-centered organizations perception of value of subscription-based multi-media guides. After an extensive literature review in this area data has been collected through eight semi-structured interviews. This has resulted in the findings of factors that affect both the beneficial and costly domains of the customer-perceived value. It was also clear that the situation plays a big role in the perceived value. The factors that was mentioned most of the respondents were seen as the most influential and these has been presented in a list in the end of the study. The results can be used as a base for future studies to gain a deeper insight in the area and also to conduct more studies to see if different situations have a bigger affect. The results can also be used as a guideline for practitioners within the field as they develop their products and services to increase value for their customers. / Företag som erbjuder tekniska prenumerationsbaserade lösningar blir fler, och allt fler företag använder sig av denna strategi för att förse sina kunder med produkter och tjänster. Även fast denna marknad växer saknas fortfarande teorier som rör området kring vad deras kunder har för upplevt kundvärde. Upplevt kundvärde är en viktig del av ett företags strategi och behovet av validerade teorier kring vilka aspekter som påverkar detta är viktiga att formulera. Upplevt kundvärde är ett komplext område och gapet i den teoretiska förståelsen kring detta inom området som erbjuder tekniska prenumerationsbaserade produkter och tjänster behöver fyllas. Syftet med denna rapport är att undersöka detta område för att få en bättre förståelse för vilka de situationsbaserade faktorer som påverkar det kundupplevda värdet är. Situationen som har studerats i denna rapport ligger i besöksorienterade organisationers upplevda värde av prenumerationsbaserade multi-mediaguider. Efter en omfattande litteraturstudie inom detta område har data samlats in med hjälp av åtta semi-strukturerade intervjuer. Tack vare det insamlade materialet har denna studie resulterat i en lista på faktorer som påverkar både de fördelaktiga samt kostsamma domänerna av det upplevda kundvärdet. Det var även tydligt att situationen spelar en stor roll i det upplevda kundvärdet. De faktorer som nämndes mest av respondenterna har ansetts haft störst påverkan och det är dessa som presenteras i en lista i slutet av rapporten. Resultatet kan användas som bas för fortsatta studier för att fördjupa sig inom området samt för att genomföra fler studier för att se om olika situationer har mer inverkan. Resultatet kan även användas som en riktlinje för de som praktiserar inom fältet när de utvecklar sina produkter och tjänster för att höja värdet för sina kunder.

This work deals with valuable consideration when changes of ownership of equity securities occur in connection with corporate changes in joint-stock company, especially with unwilling changes -- rise of registered capital with excluding the priority subscription right (§ 204a/5 of the Commercial Code), unwilling transfer of shares on the major shareholder (§ 354 of the "Act on the changes of commercial companies and associations") and squeeze out (§ 183i of the Commercial Code). Valuable consideration defines relatively in detail the Takeover Bid Act. This framework could be to certain extent analogically used for valuable consideration in unwilling transaction. However, its definition itself offers a considerable room for interpretation, so is also seized as the independent secondary topic (chapter 1). The main topic concerns two basic aspects. The first is a company evaluation. In this aspect we will take a look only at the dependence of the expert providing the evaluation on major shareholder (chapter 5). Work aims at the second problematic aspect of unwilling transaction - a premium over the valuable consideration for the infringement of right (chapter 2, especially section 2.4.). The work also deals with unevaluated risks of minority shareholders in the period beginning the day to which the company was evaluated to time of the pay out of ownership (chapter 4).

[ES] Esta tesis se ha desarrollado dentro del marco de la línea de investigación de Economía y Regulación de las Telecomunicaciones. En el programa de Doctorado de Telecomunicaciones por la Universitat Politècnica de València. Como parte del proceso de investigación se participó en los siguientes proyectos de investigación: Plataforma de servicios para ciudades inteligentes con redes M2M densas (TIN2013-47272-C2-1-R), Entrepreneurship in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks (COHWAN, TIN2010-21378 C02-02) y ATLAS-Dynamic network slicing in 5G Radio Access. Así como, se realizó una estancia doctoral en el IMT Atlantique en Rennes- Francia. Como resultado de estas actividades se publicaron varios artículos científicos que permiten sustentar los modelos de negocio para Operadores Móviles Virtuales (Mobile Virtual Network Operators-MVNOs) presentados en este documento. En este estudio, se plantean modelos de negocio que se sustentan en el desarrollo de las características técnicas de Redes de Cuarta Generación (Fourth-Generation Networks-4G) y Redes de Quinta Generación (Fifth-Generation Networks-5G), que facilitan la compartición de infraestructura de los Operadores Móviles de Red (Mobile Network Operators-MNOs). Al respecto, en este documento analiza el estado del arte que permite sustentar la viabilidad técnica de los modelos basados en la compartición de infraestructura, que ha permitido disminuir las barreras de entrada al mercado y el desarrollo de nuevos modelos de negocio para los MVNOs. Sin embargo, los nuevos modelos que permite la compartición de infraestructura deben ser analizados desde el aspecto económico para determinar la viabilidad de los mismos. Específicamente, en el primer modelo se analiza la viabilidad económica de un MVNO que brinda el servicio a su base de usuarios y divide su tráfico de red a dos MNOs, los que alquilan su capacidad de red al MVNO. En el análisis del modelo se consideran tanto las características del sistema como las económicas. En cuanto a las características del sistema, un MVNO proporciona servicio a los usuarios finales utilizando el soporte de infraestructura de dos MNOs. El servicio proporcionado por el MVNO, se modelada mediante una cola M/M/1, donde cada usuario genera paquetes de forma independiente siguiendo un proceso de Poisson. Los tiempos de servicios de los paquetes, se distribuyen exponencialmente. En el sistema propuesto la métrica de calidad más relevante, es el tiempo medio de servicio. El acuerdo entre el MVNO y los MNOs, es tal que, el MVNO dividirá el tráfico de la red entre los dos MNOs y pagará a cada MNO por el tráfico servido a través de su infraestructura. En cuanto a las características económicas, los incentivos se modelan a través de las utilidades de los usuarios y los beneficios de los operadores. En el segundo modelo, se analiza la viabilidad económica de dos escenarios para un modelo de negocio en el que, un MNO alquila su infraestructura de red al MVNO y cada operador sirve a su propia base de usuarios. El primer escenario denominado monopólico, el MNO presta servicio a las dos bases de usuarios (MNO y MVNO). En el segundo escenario denominado estratégico, el MNO presta servicio a su base de usuarios, así como, alquila su infraestructura al MVNO para que preste servicio a su base de usuarios. Para los dos escenarios, la red se ha modelado por una cola con prioridad, utilizando una disciplina de servicio Compartición Discrimitatoria del Servidor (Discriminatory Processor Sharing-DPS). En el análisis de compartición de infraestructura, se considera un pago al MNO por cada usuario que accede al servicio de MVNO. Finalmente, para determinar la viabilidad económica de los diferentes escenarios propuestos para los modelos de negocio, se utilizan conceptos de microeconomía, teoría de juegos y teoría de colas, la cuales han permitido conocer las decisiones en equilibrio que toman los operadores, así como las decisiones en equilibrio de los usuarios; de esta manera se ha obtenido el efecto de estas decisiones sobre los beneficios de todos los agentes del modelo y se han identificado las condiciones bajo las cuales estos nuevos modelos de negocio son viables en entornos de redes 4G y 5G. Como resultado del análisis de los modelos de negocio para los diferentes escenarios propuestos, se observa que la asociación entre MNOs y MVNOs a través de la compartición de infraestructura es viable económicamente para los modelos propuestos. En relación a los usuarios, su comportamiento es sustancial para determinar la viabilidad económica de los diferentes modelos de negocio propuestos, por lo tanto, resulta imprescindible explorar diferentes funciones de utilidad que expresen el comportamiento de los usuarios en estudios futuros. En cuanto a los operadores, en el primer modelo de negocio se demuestra que, la provisión de capacidad de red es un mecanismo válido para optimizar los beneficios de los operadores. Así como, en el segundo modelo de negocio, se demuestra que, la compartición de infraestructura entre un MNO y un MVNO es deseable desde el punto de vista de los usuarios para el modelo de negocio estratégico, ya que permite un mayor número de usuarios. Mientras que, desde el punto de vista económico el modelo de negocio monopólico es más deseable debido a que ofrece un incentivo mayor a los operadores. En resumen, en esta tesis se demuestra la viabilidad económica de modelos de negocio de compartición de infraestructura entre MNOs y MVNOs, soportados técnicamente por las características tecnológicas de las redes móviles de ultima generación. / [CA] Aquesta tesi s'ha desenvolupat dins del marc de la línia d'investigació d'Economia i Regulació de les Telecomunicacions. En el programa de Doctorat de Telecomunicacions per la Universitat Politècnica de València. Com a part del procés d'investigació es va participar en els següents projectes d'investigació: Plataforma de servicios para ciudades inteligentes con redes M2M densas (TIN2013-47272-C2-1-R), Entrepreneurship in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks (COHWAN, TIN2010-21378-C02-02) i ATLAS -Dynamic network slicing in 5G Radio Access. També es va realitzar una estada doctoral en l'IMT Atlantique en Rennes-França. Com a resultat d'aquaquests activitats es van publicar diversos articles científics que permeten sustentar els models de negoci per a MVNOs presentats en el present document. En aquest estudi, es plantegen models de negoci que se sustenten en el desenrotllament de les característiques tècniques de 4G i 5G, que faciliten la compartició d'infraestructura dels MNOs. També s'analitza l'estat de l'art que permet sustentar la viabilitat tècnica dels models basats en la compartició d'infraestructura, que ha permès disminuir les barreres d'entrada al mercat i el desenvolupament de nous models de negoci per als MVNOs. No obstant això, els nous models que permeten la compartició d'infraestructura han de ser analitzats des-de l'aspecte econòmic per a determinar la viabilitat dels mateixos. Específicament, en el primer model s'analitza la viabilitat econòmica d'un MVNO que brinda el servei a la seua base d'usuaris i divideix el seu tràfic de xarxa a dos MNOs, els que lloguen la seua capacitat de xarxa al MVNO. En l'anàlisi del model es considerentant les característiques del sistema com les econòmiques. Respecte a les característiques del sistema, un MVNO proporciona servei als usuaris finals utilitzant el suport d'infraestructura de dos MNOs. El servei proporcionat pel MVNO, es modelada per mitjà d'una cua M/M/1, on cada usuari genera paquets de forma independent seguint un procés de Poisson. Els temps de servei dels paquets es distribueixen exponencialment. En el sistema proposat, la mètrica de qualitat més rellevant és el temps mitjà de servei, que comprén tant el temps d'espera com el temps mitjà de servei. L'acord entre el MVNO i els MNOs, és tal que el MVNO dividirà el tràfic de la xarxa entre els dos MNOs i pagarà a cada MNO pel tràfic servit a través de la seua infraestructura. Respecte a les característiques econòmiques, els incentius es modelen mitjançant les utilitats dels usuaris i els beneficis dels operadors. En el segon model, s'analitza la viabilitat econòmica de dos escenaris per a un model de negoci en què un MNO lloga la seua infraestructura de xarxa al MVNO i cada operador serveix a la seua pròpia base d'usuaris. El primer escenari denominat monopòlic, el MNO dona servei a les dos bases d'usuaris (MNO i MVNO). En el segon escenari denominat estratègic, el MNO dona servei a la seua base d'usuaris, a més a més, lloga la seua infraestructura al MVNO per a que aquest puga prestar servei a la seua base d'usuaris. Per als dos escenaris, la xarxa s'ha modelat per una cua amb prioritat, utilitzant una disciplina de servei DPS. En l'anàlisi de compartició d'infraestructura, es considera un pagament al MNO per cada usuari que accedeix al servei de MVNO. Finalmente, para determinar la viabilidad económica de los diferentes escenarios propuestos para los modelos de negocio, se utilizan conceptos de microeconomía, teoría de juegos y teoría de colas, la cuales han permitido conocer las decisiones en equilibrio que toman los operadores, así como las decisiones en equilibrio de los usuarios; de esta manera se ha obtenido el efecto de estas decisiones sobre los beneficios de todos los agentes del modelo y se han identificado las condiciones bajo las cuales estos nuevos modelos de negocio son viables en entornos de redes 4G y 5G. Como resultado del análisis de los modelos de negocio para los diferentes escenarios propuestos, se observa que la asociación entre MNOs y MVNOs a través de la compartición de infraestructura es viable económicamente para los modelos propuestos. En relación a los usuarios, su comportamiento es sustancial para determinar la viabilidad económica de los diferentes modelos de negocio propuestos, por lo tanto, resulta imprescindible explorar diferentes funciones de utilidad que expresen el comportamiento de los usuarios en estudios futuros. En cuanto a los operadores, en el primer modelo de negocio se demuestra que, la provisión de capacidad de red es un mecanismo válido para optimizar los beneficios de los operadores. Así como, en el segundo modelo de negocio, se demuestra que, la compartición de infraestructura entre un MNO y un MVNO es deseable desde el punto de vista de los usuarios para el modelo de negocio estratégico, ya que permite un mayor número de usuarios. Mientras que, desde el punto de vista económico el modelo de negocio monopólico es más deseable debido a que ofrece un incentivo mayor a los operadores. En resumen, en esta tesis se demuestra la viabilidad económica de modelos de negocio de compartición de infraestructura entre MNOs y MVNOs, soportados técnicamente por las características tecnológicas de las redes móviles de ultima generación. / [EN] This thesis has been developed within the framework of the research line of Economics and Regulation of Telecommunications. In the PhD program of Telecommunications by the Universitat Politècnica de València. As part of the research process, we participated in the following research projects: Service Platform for Smart Cities with Dense M2M Networks (TIN2013-47272-C2-1-R), Entrepreneurship in Heterogeneous Wireless Networks (COHWAN, TIN2010-21378-C02-02) and ATLAS-Dynamic network slicing in 5G Radio Access. A doctoral stay at the ITM Atlantique in Rennes, France, was also arranged. As a result of these activities, several scientific articles were published which support the business models for MVNOs presented in this document. In this study, business models based on the development of the technical characteristics of 4G and 5G are proposed, which facilitate the sharing of the infrastructure of MNOs. In this regard, this document analyzes the state of the art that supports the technical feasibility of models based on infrastructure sharing, which has lowered barriers to market entry and the development of new business models for MVNOs. However, the new models that infrastructure sharing allows, must be analyzed from an economic aspect to determine their viability. Specifically, the first model analyses the economic viability of an MVNO that provides the service to its user base and splits its network traffic between two MNOs, which rent their network capacity to the MVNO. The analysis of the model considers both the characteristics of the system and the economic ones. In terms of system characteristics, one MVNO provides service to end-users using the infrastructure support of two MNOs. The service provided by the MVNO is modelled through an M/M/1 queue, where each user generates packets independently following a Poisson process. The service times of the packages are distributed exponentially. In the proposed system, the most relevant quality metric is the average service time, which comprises both the waiting time and the average service time. The agreement between the MVNO and the MNOs is such that the MVNO will split the network traffic between the two MNOs and pay each MNO for the traffic served through its infrastructure. In terms of economic features, incentives are modelled through user profits and operator profits. In the second model, we analyze the economic viability of two scenarios for a business model in which, an MNO rents its network infrastructure to the MVNO, and each operator serves its user base. In the first scenario, called monopoly, the MNO serves both user bases (MNO and MVNO). In the second scenario, called strategic, the MNO serves its user base, as well as leases its infrastructure to the MVNO to serve its user base. For both scenarios, the network has been modelled by a priority queue, using a DPS discipline. In the infrastructure sharing analysis, a payment to the MNO is considered for each user that accesses the MVNO service. Finally, to determine the economic viability of different scenarios proposed for the business models, concepts of microeconomics, game theory and queuing theory are used, which have allowed us to know the equilibrium decisions made by the operators, as well as the equilibrium decisions made by the users. In this way, the effect of these decisions on the profits of all the agents in the model has been obtained, and the conditions under which these new business models are viable in 4G and 5G network environments have been identified. As a result of the analysis of the business models for the different scenarios proposed, it is observed that the association between MNOs and MVNOs through infrastructure sharing is economically viable for the proposed models. In relation to users, their behavior is substantial to determine the economic viability of the different proposed business models; therefore, it is essential to explore different utility functions that express user behavior in future studies. As for the operators, the first business model demonstrates that the provision of network capacity is a valid mechanism for optimizing operators’ profits. As well as, in the second business model, it is demonstrated that, the sharing of infrastructure between an MNO and an MVNO is desirable from the users’ point of view for the strategic business model since it allows a greater number of users. Whereas, from an economic point of view, the monopolistic business model is more desirable because it provides a greater incentive for operators. In summary, this thesis demonstrates the economic viability of business models of infrastructure sharing between MNOs and MVNOs, technically supported by the technological characteristics of the latest generation mobile networks. / Sacoto Cabrera, E. (2020). Análisis basado en teoría de juegos de modelos de negocio de operadores móviles virtuales en redes 4G y 5G [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/158595 / TESIS

Det har kommit att bli allt vanligare att företag använder spelifieringselement på sina produkter för att motivera och engagera sina användare. Tidigare studier som undersökte spelifiering visar att dessa element har båda positiva och negativa effekter på användarna, samt att flera forskare har börjat undersöka etiska frågeställningar av användningen av spelifiering. Detta arbete har syftat till att undersöka den påverkan som spelifieringselement kan ha på Twitch-åskådare. Genom kvalitativa enkäter och kompletterande intervjuer undersöktes åskådarnas positiva och negativa upplevelser av spelifieringselement på Twitch. Studien omfattade 34 enkätdeltagare som rekryterades genom att posta enkätformuläret i Twitch-relaterade Facebook grupper, Twitch-relaterade Reddit webbplats samt bland studenterna på Högskolan i Skövde. Med hjälp av enkätanalysen identifierades olika aspekter som undersöktes med två stycken intervjudeltagare som rekryterades genom ett kriteriebaserat bekvämlighetsurval. Genom en kvalitativ analys kom studien fram till ett resultat som visar positiva och negativa effekter som spelifiering har på Twitch-åskådarna. Resultatet kan ligga till grund för fortsatt studie kring hur spelifiering kan användas och vilka aspekter bör designers ta hänsyn till. / It has become increasingly common for businesses to use gamification elements to enhance motivation and engagement with their products. Previous studies examining gamification show that gamification has both positive and negative effects on end-users. Ethical issues have also been raised, as concerning, by some in the scientific community. This study aimed to investigate what effect some gamification elements have on Twitch viewers. Twitch viewer experience has been examined through the use of qualitative surveys and complementary interviews. The study included 34 surveys and two interview participants that were recruited through criterion-based selection. The study findings reflect both the positive and negative effects of some gamification elements that are used on the Twitch platform. The findings of this study can be used as a basis for further research on how gamification effect Twitch viewers. As well as a base guideline for future improvements on usage of gamification elements.

Crowdfunding challenges century long boundaries between the public, the industry andinnovation. In that respect the phenomenon holds the potential to decentralize and democratizethe way ventures are financed and realized. Crowdfunding has seen a lot of exitingdevelopments during the last few years, partly because of new crowdfunding platformsemerging on the internet, and partly because of new ground-breaking technology being used forfunding purposes. Meanwhile research has not quite catched up with the recent developments ofdifferent models for crowdfunding. This study’s aim is therefor to give an comprehensiveoverview of the different models of crowdfunding that are being utilized by crowdfundingplatforms on the internet today. A deductive content analysis has been made of 67 currentcrowdfunding platforms. The platforms have been analysed in order to determine what model ofcrowdfunding they utilize. The result has, apart from partly confirming prior studies, alsoproduced new exiting findings on what mechanisms constitute some of the crowdfundingmodels we see today. A new taxonomy of crowdfunding models is discussed and proposed. Theconclusion is that the need for a updated taxonomy, like the one this study provides, was wellneeded in order to understand the field. One important finding is that blockchain technology hasproduced a new form of crowdfunding through cryptocurrency: Initial coin offering. Thatparticular area will likely develop and continue to decentralize and democratise the economicalhuman interaction when it comes to financing.

The study investigates the establishment and development of the Kimberley Africana Library and its mother institution, the Kimberley Public Library within the broader social, economical and political environment in which they took place. The history of these institutions is inextricable until 1984 when the public and Africana sections of the Library were separated and the Kimberley Africana Library was opened to the public in 1986. It was the exceptional collections of Africana and rare books which distinguished the Kimberley Public Library and the main factor which bound the history of these two institutions. The Kimberley Public Library and its progeny the Kimberley Africana Library are the products of a new industrialised era which came about after the discovery of diamonds in South Africa. They emanated from an environment which produced the new wealth of the country, an almost uncharted region which was relatively new to the established British colonies. In order to place the origins of and motivation for the establishment of the Kimberley Public Library and the Kimberley Africana Library in perspective, it is necessary in this study also to include an overview of the development of the diamond mining industry in Kimberley. This development, peculiar as it was to Kimberley, gave rise to the type of social and cultural milieu in which the Public Library was founded by the immigrants to this area. Also included in the study is a brief survey of the development of the library movement in South Africa and the role played by the Kimberley Public Library in the growth of this movement and in the expansion of public library services to the people of the country. The history of the Kimberley Public/Africana Library which covers a period of more than a century is divided into three distinct periods, namely that which deals with the institution as a Subscription Library from 1882 until 1960 and, from 1961 as a free library under the jurisdiction of the Kimberley Municipality and affiliated to the Cape Provincial Library Service. The third period concerns the dichotomisation of the Kimberley Public Library and the establishment of the Kimberley Africana Library in 1986 to house the Library’s renowned collection of Africana and rare books. This section also deals with the period after 1994 when the Kimberley Libraries functioned under the new political dispensation in South Africa. Emphasis is laid on the formation, nature and scope of the Africana Collection which was the raison d’etre for the establishment of the Kimberley Africana Library and the most significant of the items in the collection are broadly described. The study concludes with an assessment of the challenges the Kimberley Africana Library faces and suggests ways and means of resolving these. An Appendix entitled The Founders and the Builders is added in order to elaborate on the exceptional contributions of several prominent Committee members and Librarians who controlled and managed these institutions from their inception in 1882 until 2008. / Information Science / M. Inf. (Information Science)

The Companies Act of 71 of 2008 makes a number of important changes to the rules relating to capital maintenance. In line with the objectives of the Companies Act of 71 of 2008, section 44 of the Act has removed the prohibition on the provision of financial assistance by a company which was contained under the previous section 38 of the Companies Act 61 of 1973. Despite the repeal of the prohibition, a transaction which involves the provision of financial assistance by a company for the acquisition of or subscription of its own securities still needs to be effected in accordance with the requirements and conditions that are provided under the Act and Memorandum of Incorporation. To explore the new developments, within this study, the provision of financial assistance in terms of section 44 of the Companies Act of 2008 is, therefore, analysed in detail. On the other hand, the UK Companies Act of 2006 repealed the prohibition on the giving of financial assistance by private companies in most circumstances. It, however, retained the prohibition to public companies only because of the requirements of the Second Company Law Directive (77/91/EEC). This study also explores the rules of financial assistance by a company under the UK Companies Acts in detail. Though the source of financial assistance by a company both in South Africa and in English Company laws is rooted in the English decision of the Trevor v Whitworth case, currently these countries have adopted what is deemed appropriate and significant in their own countries. This study, therefore, examines and compares the rules governing the provision of financial assistance by a company in the company laws of these two countries. / Mercantile Law / LL.M. (Commercial law)