This dissertation aims to use a system thinking approach to describe and evaluate the Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Program in British Columbia, compare it with other provincial regulated recycling programs and identify strategies on how it can be improved. The research is presented in the manuscript based format, comprised of four interrelated chapters. Following the introduction, chapter 2 describes a multiple regression analysis to assess how various factors identified by informed stakeholders have contributed to recycling rate in 14 transportation zones from 1995 to 2005. This study demonstrates that the existing recycling scheme ineffectively promotes recycling as it has achieved an average of 75% over the past 13 years with large fluctuations among transportation zones. The regression also shows that recycling rate of transportation zones are not highly influenced by LME lead prices and Transportation Incentive (which can be explained by the strong market power of the recycling plants responsible for setting up the price of scrap lead to which the collectors respond). Chapter 3 identifies key components that influence the performance of varied recycling systems based on a comparative analysis of provincial recycling systems informed by expert interviews. In chapter 4, comprehensive evaluation criteria for the lead-acid battery recycling program is developed based on objectives and performance measures elicited through an extensive stakeholder consultation process with various individuals and organizations. Fundamental objectives identified by stakeholders include: reduce environmental impacts, reduce occupational health impacts, reduce net costs, increase equity in resource consumption patterns and increase systematic learning. In chapter 5, we use multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to design and assess effective recycling strategies to meet societal objectives previously identified in the chapter 4. Recycling strategies were compiled using the results of chapter 3. The results reveals that the optimal policy for the lead-acid battery recycling system combines a return to retailer program financed through an advanced disposal fee included in the battery price in combination with increased plant or recycling capacity domestically. This research also provides relevant contributions to the refining and application of value-focused thinking and decision analysis methodologies.

This dissertation aims to use a system thinking approach to describe and evaluate the Lead-Acid Battery Recycling Program in British Columbia, compare it with other provincial regulated recycling programs and identify strategies on how it can be improved. The research is presented in the manuscript based format, comprised of four interrelated chapters. Following the introduction, chapter 2 describes a multiple regression analysis to assess how various factors identified by informed stakeholders have contributed to recycling rate in 14 transportation zones from 1995 to 2005. This study demonstrates that the existing recycling scheme ineffectively promotes recycling as it has achieved an average of 75% over the past 13 years with large fluctuations among transportation zones. The regression also shows that recycling rate of transportation zones are not highly influenced by LME lead prices and Transportation Incentive (which can be explained by the strong market power of the recycling plants responsible for setting up the price of scrap lead to which the collectors respond). Chapter 3 identifies key components that influence the performance of varied recycling systems based on a comparative analysis of provincial recycling systems informed by expert interviews. In chapter 4, comprehensive evaluation criteria for the lead-acid battery recycling program is developed based on objectives and performance measures elicited through an extensive stakeholder consultation process with various individuals and organizations. Fundamental objectives identified by stakeholders include: reduce environmental impacts, reduce occupational health impacts, reduce net costs, increase equity in resource consumption patterns and increase systematic learning. In chapter 5, we use multiple criteria decision analysis (MCDA) to design and assess effective recycling strategies to meet societal objectives previously identified in the chapter 4. Recycling strategies were compiled using the results of chapter 3. The results reveals that the optimal policy for the lead-acid battery recycling system combines a return to retailer program financed through an advanced disposal fee included in the battery price in combination with increased plant or recycling capacity domestically. This research also provides relevant contributions to the refining and application of value-focused thinking and decision analysis methodologies. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Mining Engineering, Keevil Institute of / Graduate

This study is centred on transformation towards sustainable living. It investigated how global education prepares learners to live a sustainable lifestyle. To explore this area, the concept of sustainability, global education and transformative learning were critically examined, with a view to finding their relationships. Literature on sustainability, transformative learning and global education were reviewed to find out how their relationships impact on international students learning about sustainable living. The focus of the thesis is on environmental sustainability, especially through management of anthropogenic factors. The mixed methods research, involving the collection of quantitative and qualitative data was employed for the study. Quantitative data collection was done using survey instruments while qualitative data collection was through face-to-face interview of research participants. Each set of data was collected and analysed separately. The outcomes of the analysis of the two sets of data were integrated at the stage of discussion of findings. The aim of the study was to find out whether global education transforms learners towards sustainable living. Findings from the study showed that global education field transforms students towards sustainable living. Evidence from the study suggests that global education help students to acquire the skills and knowledge required for living sustainably. Also, the actions and behaviours of international students were found to be influenced more towards sustainable lifestyle than those from the host country. The degree of transformation students experience was measured by attitude change, intention to change and actions of students toward the environment. This study contributed to the conceptual understanding of the relationship between global education and transformation of learners towards sustainable living. It made both theoretical and practical contribution to knowledge. The findings from the study will be of benefit to different impact groups. These groups include business organisations, policy makers in government, educational institutions, and individuals.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T17:04:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 24 / Nenhuma / Em ambientes cada vez mais complexos e competitivos, aqueles que conseguem formular uma estratégia robusta e fundamentada terão mais chances de sucesso. Esta pesquisa tem por objetivo desenvolver um método integrando os conceitos, princípios e práticas das abordagens de pensamento sistêmico, planejamento por cenários e planejamento estratégico, visando auxiliar no processo de formulação estratégica. A metodologia de pesquisa se caracteriza pela abordagem qualitativa e o estudo de caso é de natureza exploratória. Associado ao estudo de caso, para subsidiar a proposição do método, foram realizadas entrevistas com os condutores e participantes. Além destes subsídios empíricos, foram considerados as fontes teóricas que abordam os conceitos de planejamento estratégico, pensamento sistêmico e planejamento por cenários. Baseado nas análises das entrevistas, na exploração do estudo de caso e nas teorias apresentadas, é proposto um método sistêmico de formulação estratégica que possa auxiliar organizações de qual / In complex and competitive environments, those organizations that obtain a robust and based formulated strategy will have more possibilities of success. This research has for objective to develop a method integrating the concepts and principles and of the system thinking, scenario planning and strategic planning, aiming at to assist in the strategic formularization process. The research methodology is characterized by a qualitative approach and the case study it is an exploratory feature. Associated to the case study, to subsidize the proposal of the method, interviews with the conductors and participants had been carried through. Beyond these empirical subsidies, the theoretical sources had been considered that approach the concepts of strategic planning, system thinking and scenario planning. Based in the interviews analysis, in the case study exploration and in the presented theories, a system method of strategic formularization is considered that can assist organizations of any type in its strategic proce

With the increasing popularity of information technologies, many companies try to set up a virtual network in order to share their business information. The purpose of creating such a virtual network is to create a new knowledge base on the combination of the existing knowledge. Collaboration is very necessary in such a virtual network as crass-unit collaboration takes place when people from different units work together in cross-unit teams on a common task or provide significant help to each other. Recently, co-design is an emerging technology in the field of informatics. It is considered as the development of system thinking, and it is a collaborative designing process which recruits designers, researchers, stakeholders and others together. The purpose of this collaborative activity is to sole designing problems. Therefore, if we want to increase collaboration in a co-design process, we need to look at a ways of increasing the efficiency of collaboration. The rapid development of accessible, reliable, and user-friendly information technology offers improvements to traditional collaboration, and makes new approaches possible. Many platforms for the exchange of information such as the Internet, email, and video-conferencing are well established aids to collaborative activities. Therefore, my research investigates to create an efficient virtual network for a co-design process. In this research, I will try to investigate that what is the need of a virtual network for co-design process and what are those virtual network soft-wares which can help us in a co-design process. My research discussion is related to the theory of CSCW (Computer Supported cooperative work). / Program: Magisterutbildning i informatik

The purpose of this research was to investigate the application of design processes to the development of novel self-use molecular diagnostic devices for sexually transmitted infections. The argument proposed in this thesis is that the application of design methods at the earliest research stages into miniaturised, low cost, molecular diagnostic technologies will accelerate and improve the process of translating proof of concept diagnostic technologies into usable devices. Concept development requirements and potential issues and barriers to development were identified through interviews with expert stakeholders. These requirements were further refined through a survey of a multidisciplinary diagnostic medical device research group. An action research method was applied to develop a proof of concept prototype to the preclinical trial stage. Through these research studies, a design process model was formulated for use in a research environment. The application of design methods to the proof of concept prototype described in the thesis have resulted in a preclinical trial prototype that exhibits the necessary features for development into a self-use molecular diagnostic device. Issues and barriers were identified and discussed, design guidelines for further development beyond preclinical trial were defined and a generalised design process model for self-use molecular diagnostic devices for sexually transmitted infections was proposed. This research highlights the need for design methods to be applied at the earliest possible stages of the development of novel molecular diagnostic devices.

A prerequisite for improving road safety are reliable and consistent sources of information about traffic and accidents, which will help assess the prevailing situation and give a good indication of their severity. In many countries there is under-reporting of road accidents, deaths and injuries, no collection of data at all, or low quality of information. Potential knowledge is hidden, due to the large accumulation of traffic and accident data. This limits the investigative tasks of road safety experts and thus decreases the utilization of databases. All these factors can have serious effects on the analysis of the road safety situation, as well as on the results of the analyses. This dissertation presents a three-tiered conceptual model to support the sharing of road safety–related information and a set of applications and analysis tools. The overall aim of the research is to build and maintain an information-sharing platform, and to construct mechanisms that can support road safety professionals and researchers in their efforts to prevent road accidents. GLOBESAFE is a platform for information sharing among road safety organizations in different countries developed during this research. Several approaches were used, First, requirement elicitation methods were used to identify the exact requirements of the platform. This helped in developing a conceptual model, a common vocabulary, a set of applications, and various access modes to the system. The implementation of the requirements was based on iterative prototyping. Usability methods were introduced to evaluate the users’ interaction satisfaction with the system and the various tools. Second, a system-thinking approach and a technology acceptance model were used in the study of the Swedish traffic data acquisition system. Finally, visual data mining methods were introduced as a novel approach to discovering hidden knowledge and relationships in road traffic and accident databases. The results from these studies have been reported in several scientific articles.

As the situation of politics and economy becomes more and more unstable in Taiwan, people have higher criticism and expectation to government efficiency. However, both of Taipei Household Registration Office and Department of Health Kaohsiung City Government have successfully implemented many innovations in organization and started the initial change in less than 3 years. Thus, this research tries to analyze why and how innovations could be diffused efficiently in these two government organizations and started the change. This research collects abundant data and information through studying documents and many deep interviews at first. Then, these data or information are made a static analysis by Everett M. Rogers¡¦ theory of Diffusion of Innovations and Innovation Process in Organizations, and a dynamic analysis by Casual Loop Diagrams of Systmes Thinking. All analyses include the comparison of these two cases. There are 15 findings as followed: 1. Creating can bring better performance than problem-solving. 2. Characteristics of innovations and inertia of organization will affect the speed of innovations diffusion and the acceptability of innovations. 3. Both of innovations and organization will be modified to fit each other. 4. The leader is the most influent point for diffusion of innovations in bureaucracy. 5. The leader sets an example with his/her own conduct and starts change from small things can be helpful to diffusion of innovations. 6. The leader persistence of innovations is helpful to diffusion of innovations. 7. How the leader diffuses innovations is a process of dynamic coordination. 8. The leader is a designer of loops. 9. Different cases have similar key successful loops and key successful factors because they have the same structure of bureaucracy. 10. Structure can help and block leaders to diffuse and implement innovations in bureaucracy. 11. The innovation process in organization should be observed in a larger structure or system. 12. Reports of Media can motivate employees effectively and facilitate the phenomenon of ¡§lock-in¡¨. 13. Examination and evolution have much efficiency in changing employees¡¦ behaviors in bureaucracy. However, what can change employees¡¦ attitude often are others¡¦ appreciation, work results or leader¡¦s moral integrity. 14. Reports of Media, education training and visits can break the closed system of bureaucracy. This is helpful for diffusion of innovations in organization. 15. No matter the focal point of innovations is on easy and small things whose results are obvious, or on fundamental, long-term and more difficult things such as system and value change, ¡Ketc, all can result in profound changes in organizations. Moreover, this research also finds whether ¡§democratization¡¨, ¡§media¡¨, and ¡§bureaucracy¡¨ will bring good or bad contribution, these three things aren¡¦t the point and the most important thing is how we use them. We should take the responsibility by ourselves.

The object of the research in this thesis was semiconductor industry downstream process ~ IC Packing industry. Taiwan¡¦s IC Packing capacity has been on the top of worldwide, production technical ability also developed continuously caused by new entrants. New entrants not only bring cluster effects of capacity but also bring more pressure of competition between the IC Packing domain. But in this domain, companies seem to be similar to each other through imitation. When companies become alike it also mean that profit become more lean than before, that will impact seriously on Taiwan¡¦s IC Packing industry whose main capacity are used for no brand consignment. In this thesis, it trying to study objectively of competitive advantages and strategies with some aspects from domain industry, customers, competitor and the objected company in this study. Through the thesis with systematic and mathematical process, studied by documents, questionnaire and inquire of the person in charge to get a simplified mathematics model ~ Innovation Matrix, it can use for getting an objective and comparable strategy analysis. Besides that, in order to study forwards about the Innovation Matrix, this research identified the dynamic of causal relationship by ¡§System Thinking¡¨ about cause-effect-feedback of variances in the Innovation Matrix. Finally, to make this mathematics model ~ Innovation Matrix to become a dynamic model ~ ¡§The dynamics of competitive strategy analysis model¡¨. ¡§S Company¡¨ was the object in this research, trying to find out the interaction of ¡§S company¡¨ and its inner operation process even its hidden structure, in order to create a dynamic of causal relationship model. It¡¦s looking at ¡§S Company¡¨ from a systematic thinking to instead of linear thinking at event. Finally, to prove this ¡§The dynamics of competitive strategy analysis model¡¨ with actual performance figures between ¡§S Company¡¨ and its competitor, then submitted the leverage solution of ¡§S Company¡¨.

Although the operations of enterprise includes four perspectives ¡V finance, customer, internal business processes, learning and growth, the content of each perspective can be further divided into many subjects according to the different characteristic of each enterprise or business field. Among each perspective, they all have causal relationship directly or indirectly. Very often, the other perspectives will be impacted when the strategy or performance of one perspective has been changed, and the final overall performance of enterprise will also be affected via this kind of relationship. Because the relationship among these perspectives is complicated and the problem of time delay is serious, it is difficult for a manager to make correct decisions in this complicated operation system. Once the wrong strategy is taken, the growth of enterprise will be postponed, or even worse, the enterprise will be out of business by the potential risk that caused by the wrong strategy. For instance, the magic development stories of Wonder Techs and People Express are both very typical examples. This research takes A Corporation as the object of case study. Through the collection and study of domestic and foreign relative literature, paper and theses, this case study will help the object company find out the opportunity and its orientation on the present and future market environment by STEP analyzing, inspect the company¡¦s competition and threat by Michael E. Porter¡¦s Five Basic Competitive Forces Analysis, and survey the strength, weakness, opportunity and threat of the company on the market by SWOT method. And finally, the causal relationship diagram of the enterprise operations can be drawn by system thinking methodology with the four-perspective framework of balanced scorecard from the overall view of enterprise. The analysis of this causal relationship feedback diagram will check the influence of the whole enterprise¡¦s operation system by all kinds of operation activities, and even, can set up the enterprise¡¦s Dynamic Strategy Map based on this study. The Dynamic Strategy Map will help the manager analyze the operation strategy through the angle of the whole system operations to avoid just emphasizing on the short-term performance and neglecting the necessary of the long-term fundamental measures required for running the enterprise forever. Moreover, it can also assist the manager to pursue the high leverage point from the causal feedback diagram to be the key performance indicator for improving the enterprise¡¦s operation quality and enhancing its competitiveness, and to allocate the limited resources on the most suitable places to create best benefit. This case study takes the present condition of A Corporation as the research scope. Restricted by company¡¦s specific characteristic and present operation condition, the findings of this research cannot be applied to the other enterprises directly. But by comparing with the similar operation activities of the other enterprise or group, the causal relationship feedback among these operation activities still have the same direction of trend with the object enterprise logically. Therefore, the analysis in qualitative aspect will still have its reference value for the other enterprise.