La formation des dirigeants de TPE/PME constitue un enjeu pour la compétitivité de leur entreprise et pour l’attractivité d’un territoire. Pour répondre aux préoccupations des acteurs territoriaux et en se fondant sur des approches théoriques, cette thèse vise à comprendre l’efficacité d’une formation RH à destination de dirigeants de TPE/PME et à proposer des mesures pour l’améliorer. Dans cet objectif, nous proposons un cadre d’analyse à l’intersection de quatre champs de connaissances (PME, innovation, appropriation des outils de gestion et transfert des acquis d’une formation). Nous mobilisons un positionnement constructiviste et un design de recherche qualitatif et multi-méthodes (étude de cas multiples, recherche-intervention, étude longitudinale). Deux formations non traditionnelles (formation-accompagnement) et de nature différente sont étudiées. Notre échantillon est composé de quatre TPE et une PE. L’évaluation du transfert est faite sur la base des réactions, de l’apprentissage, des effets individuels et des effets organisationnels. Deux composantes sont distinguées : la généralisation et le maintien des acquis de la formation. Nous adaptons les trajectoires de l’appropriation (individuelle, sociale et instrumentale) pour discuter le chemin du transfert et ses influences. Principalement, ces petites entreprises doivent trouver un équilibre entre une formalisation rigide et un management de proximité souple. Le transfert apparaît alors comme un phénomène complexe où changer de paradigme semble nécessaire en adoptant une vision plus globale incluant la dimension du territoire. / SME directors’ training is believed to have a positive impact on company performance and in the appeal of doing business in a particular territory. In order to answer public organisations’ concerns and based on theoretical approaches, this study aims to understand the effectiveness of HR training to SME directors and to suggest measures to improve it. To this end, we propose an analysis framework where four areas meet (SME, innovation, management tools appropriation and training transfer). A constructivist approach has been adopted using qualitative and multi-methods research (multiple case studies, action-research, longitudinal study). The study looks at two non-traditional training methods (accompaniment-training) of different types. The selected case studies are composed of four “Very Small Enterprises” and one “Small Enterprise”. Transfer evaluation is discussed through reactions, learning, individual effects and organisational effects. Two components are identified: generalization and maintenance of training outcomes. We adapt appropriation paths (individual, social and instrumental) in order to explain transfer and its influence. Mainly, these small enterprises have to find a balance between a formal and informal culture and management practices. Transfer is perceived as a complex phenomenon which is calling for paradigm change in adopting a more global vision on which public organisations related to specific territories can have an impact.

Dans l'optique de développement de matériaux performants avec une approche respectueuse de l'environnement, l'obtention de copolymères à blocs de type hard-soft avec une forte proportion de polydiméthylsiloxane (PDMS) en utilisant le procédé d'extrusion est une étape vers des élastomères thermoplastiques d'intérêt. Afin de s'affranchir de la faible réactivité des extrémités de chaînes des longues macromolécules, la voie originale mise en avant consiste en la réalisation de copolymères ayant une partie centrale PDMS courte puis en l'allongement de celle-ci selon les propriétés visées. L'étape critique d'allongement est effectuée à l'aide de bases phosphazènes comme agents de polymérisation de décaméthylcyclopentasiloxane (D5). Dans un premier temps, une approche chemio-rhéologique de la polymérisation du D5 à l'aide de ces superbases a été réalisée. L'acquisition des données intrinsèques de cette réaction permet de mettre au point la modélisation de l'évolution de viscosité du système en cours de réaction, vérifiant ainsi sa compatibilité avec l'utilisation de l'extrusion réactive. Dans un second temps, l'utilisation d'une architecture modèle de PDMS fonctionnalisé en bout de chaîne par des groupements chimiques volumineux de type naphtyl valide l'hypothèse d'allongement du chaînon central par insertion de D5 selon cette catalyse. Finalement, cette approche a été appliquée à des architectures macromoléculaires de type poly(styrène-b-diméthylsiloxane-b-styrène). Dans ce cas, les résultats sont, à cette heure, moins probants. Ceci est potentiellement dû à l'aspect procédé de nos manipulations. Cette dernière observation révèle l'intérêt de l'extrusion dans ce type de synthèse.

The research contained within this thesis formed part of an Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded project based at Loughborough University, which aimed to investigate the use of additive manufacturing (AM), and in particular sintering technologies, for the production of running footwear sole units. Laser sintering (LS) is an AM process which produces parts directly from a computer aided design (CAD) file by selectively fusing successive layers of powdered material using a CO2 laser. LS imparts significant advantages over traditional manufacturing techniques including extensive design freedom, the ability to manipulate the local properties of a single material part as well as economical manufacture of bespoke items due to the elimination of tooling. Modifying the mechanical properties and/or geometry of sole units has been shown to provide benefits in the areas of performance, injury risk reduction and comfort, especially when considering elite athletes on a subject specific basis. Given the attributes of LS outlined above, the technology offers significant potential to produce sole units offering high added-value compared to conventional counterparts which are limited by the constraints of traditional processing techniques such as injection moulding. However, the mechanical capacity of LS polymers in context of such application was unknown. Accordingly, this research investigated the suitability of a laser sintered elastomer (LSE) material, in view of key selected mechanical properties, for the manufacture of running shoe midsoles. The midsole is the primary functional component in the sole unit of a running shoe used for distance running on hard surfaces. Following a preliminary assessment of the selected LSE (TPE 210-S), a new dynamic test method was designed to assess the compressive, fatigue and time dependent recovery properties of midsole material specimens under loading conditions representative of in-service use. The method was successfully implemented on an electro-mechanical test apparatus (previously unreported upon in literature) and used firstly, to benchmark the aforementioned properties of a range of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyurethane (PU) midsole foams representative of the range currently used in production, and secondly, to establish the same property set for TPE 210-S specimens produced across a range of laser powers (LP's). Initial cycle operating ranges in terms of key compressive properties were established for EVA and PU materials. All conventional variants showed considerable deterioration from these initial values over the 125,000 cycle test regime, but subsequently demonstrated partial recovery when left unloaded post-test. PU grades generally exhibited better fatigue performance and findings were consistent with those of previous studies. Whilst variation in LP facilitated linear variation in displacement and stiffness properties for TPE 210-S, all specimens yielded a stiffer and more elastic response than that of conventional foams at the outset; initial compressive operating ranges, whilst within close proximity, did not overlap. However, fatigue performance was found to be superior with only relatively small property changes occurring over the test regime regardless of LP. Furthermore, no signs of catastrophic specimen failure (e.g. cracking) were visually apparent. In this respect the material showed good suitability for midsole applications, but further work is required to address increasing the available compressive property range which fell outside the scope of this work.

Maintenir durablement une activité pendant vingt-trois ans ne s'improvise pas, mais demande au contraire de savoir modeler ensemble pensée et action, contrôle et apprentissage, stabilité et changement. L'élaboration d'une stratégie, par une TPE, suit un processus qui lui est propre c'est-à-dire adapté à ses capacités technologiques et organisationnelles mais aussi lié aux opportunités que son dirigeant arrive à saisir. A l'aide de l'étude du cas d'une petite cave coopérative, nous proposons d'illustrer le processus d'élaboration d'une stratégie. Nous retenons comme fil conducteur le dirigeant qui a occupé à la fois la présidence du conseil d'administration de la coopérative et la direction managériale de la petite firme. Nous verrons que cette originalité fonctionnelle a permis à l'organisation de conjuguer innovation et pérennité sur l'ensemble de ses domaines d'activités, l'autorisant ainsi à poursuivre le développement de son industrie vitivinicole et ce malgré les problématiques fonctionnelles rencontrées ou les évolutions sur son marché. Analyser « l'innovation en train de se faire » a fait émerger l'un après l'autre les évènements-clés qui ont façonné la politique menée de 1988 à 2011 et a permis de mettre en évidence le rôle des acteurs au cœur du processus d'apprentissage stratégique. / To maintain durably an activity during twenty-three years doesn't act as itself but it takes to know how to model together : though and action, control and learning, stability and change. The elaboration of a strategy, by a SME, follows a process of its own that is adapted to its technological and organizationel capacities but it must also be connected to the opportunities seized by the manager.Based one's argument on the case study of a small cooperative cellar, we illustrate the elaboration process of a strategy. We retain the story line of the manager who served as chairman of the board of directors of the cooperative and also as managing director of this small firm. We shall see that this functional originality allowed the organization to combine innovation and sustainability on all fields of activity. This helped it to continue the development of its wine industry, in spite of the functional problems or the evolutions of his Market.To study "the innovation being made" has brought to the foreground one after the other the events-keys, which shaped the corporate policy led from 1988 to 2011, and allowed to highlight the role of the actors at the heart of the process of strategic Learning.

It is relatively straightforward to establish equilibrium inmagnetically confined plasmas, but the plasma is frequentlysucceptible to a variety of instabilities that are driven bythe free energy in the magnetic field or in the pressuregradient. These unstable modes exhibit effects that affect theparticle, momentum and heat confinement properties of theconfiguration. Studies of the dynamics of several of the mostimportant modes are the subject of this thesis. The studies arecarried out on plasmas in the reversed field pinch (RFP)configuration. One phenomenon commonly observed in RFPs is mode walllocking. The localized nature of these phase- and wall lockedstructures results in localized power loads on the wall whichare detrimental for confinement. A detailed study of the walllocked mode phenomenon is performed based on magneticmeasurements from three RFP devices. The two possiblemechanisms for wall locking are investigated. Locking as aresult of tearing modes interacting with a static field errorand locking due to the presence of a non-ideal boundary. Thecharacteristics of the wall locked mode are qualitativelysimilar in a device with a conducting shell system (TPE-RX)compared to a device with a resistive shell (Extrap T2). Atheoretical model is used for evaluating the threshold valuesfor wall locking due to eddy currents in the vacuum vessel inthese devices. A good correlation with experiment is observedfor the conducting shell device. The possibility of succesfully sustaining discharges in aresistive shell RFP is introduced in the recently rebuiltdevice Extrap T2R. Fast spontaneous mode rotation is observed,resulting in low magnetic fluctuations, low loop voltage andimproved confinement. Wall locking is rarely observed. The lowtearingmode amplitudes allow for the theoretically predictedinternal nonresonant on-axis resistive wall modes to beobserved. These modes have not previously been distinguisheddue to the formation of wall locked modes. The internal andexternal nonresonant resistive wall modes grow on the timescale of the shell penetration time. These growth rates dependon the RFP equilibrium. The internal nonresonant resistive wallmodes dominate in Extrap T2R, especially for shallow reverseddischarges. The external nonresonant modes grow solely in deepreversal discharges. <b>Keywords</b>Nuclear fusion, reversed field pinch, resistiveinstabilities, wall locked modes, tearing modes, resistiveshell modes, field errors, EXTRAP-T2, EXTRAP-T2R, TPE-RX

<p>It is relatively straightforward to establish equilibrium inmagnetically confined plasmas, but the plasma is frequentlysucceptible to a variety of instabilities that are driven bythe free energy in the magnetic field or in the pressuregradient. These unstable modes exhibit effects that affect theparticle, momentum and heat confinement properties of theconfiguration. Studies of the dynamics of several of the mostimportant modes are the subject of this thesis. The studies arecarried out on plasmas in the reversed field pinch (RFP)configuration.</p><p>One phenomenon commonly observed in RFPs is mode walllocking. The localized nature of these phase- and wall lockedstructures results in localized power loads on the wall whichare detrimental for confinement. A detailed study of the walllocked mode phenomenon is performed based on magneticmeasurements from three RFP devices. The two possiblemechanisms for wall locking are investigated. Locking as aresult of tearing modes interacting with a static field errorand locking due to the presence of a non-ideal boundary. Thecharacteristics of the wall locked mode are qualitativelysimilar in a device with a conducting shell system (TPE-RX)compared to a device with a resistive shell (Extrap T2). Atheoretical model is used for evaluating the threshold valuesfor wall locking due to eddy currents in the vacuum vessel inthese devices. A good correlation with experiment is observedfor the conducting shell device.</p><p>The possibility of succesfully sustaining discharges in aresistive shell RFP is introduced in the recently rebuiltdevice Extrap T2R. Fast spontaneous mode rotation is observed,resulting in low magnetic fluctuations, low loop voltage andimproved confinement. Wall locking is rarely observed. The lowtearingmode amplitudes allow for the theoretically predictedinternal nonresonant on-axis resistive wall modes to beobserved. These modes have not previously been distinguisheddue to the formation of wall locked modes. The internal andexternal nonresonant resistive wall modes grow on the timescale of the shell penetration time. These growth rates dependon the RFP equilibrium. The internal nonresonant resistive wallmodes dominate in Extrap T2R, especially for shallow reverseddischarges. The external nonresonant modes grow solely in deepreversal discharges.</p><p><b>Keywords</b>Nuclear fusion, reversed field pinch, resistiveinstabilities, wall locked modes, tearing modes, resistiveshell modes, field errors, EXTRAP-T2, EXTRAP-T2R, TPE-RX</p>

Balance between energy consumption and production of electricityis a very important for the electric power system operation and planning. Itprovides a good principle of effective operation, reduces the generation costin a power system and saves money. Two novel approaches to reduce thetotal errors between forecast and real electricity consumption wereproposed. An Adaptive Linear Regression of Original Predictions (ALROP)was constructed to modify the existing predictions by using simple linearregression with estimation by the Ordinary Least Square (OLS) method.The Weighted Least Square (WLS) method was also used as an alternativeto OLS. The Modeling of Prediction Errors (MPE) was constructed in orderto predict errors for the existing predictions by using the Autoregression(AR) and the Autoregressive-Moving-Average (ARMA) models. For thefirst approach it is observed that the last reported value is of mainimportance. An attempt was made to improve the performance and to getbetter parameter estimates. The separation of concerns and the combinationof concerns were suggested in order to extend the constructed approachesand raise the efficacy of them. Both methods were tested on data for thefourth region of Sweden (“elområde 4”) provided by Bixia. The obtainedresults indicate that all suggested approaches reduce the total percentageerrors of prediction consumption approximately by one half. Resultsindicate that use of the ARMA model slightly better reduces the total errorsthan the other suggested approaches. The most effective way to reduce thetotal consumption prediction errors seems to be obtained by reducing thetotal errors for each subregion.

The theory of language teaching for specific purposes approach has over 30 years in Brazil. Develop research on this approach is important for the teacher education area and, in particular, for Portuguese teachers in service in Brazilian Basic Education Mode of Technical Professional Education (TPE), as this type of education has, in the Portuguese teaching, the theoretical foundations that govern the conception of foreign language teaching for specific purposes (Magalhães, 2011). Considering this context, this research was developed with the aim of investigating the Language teacher knowledge on the specific purposes approach to Portuguese language teaching in the TPE. The theory that supports this work about language teaching for specific purposes was Ramos (2005); Dudley-Evans & St. John (2005); the Brazilian Technique and Professional Educational is based in Kunze (2009); Magalhães (2011); Pacheco (2012). To base the teacher education, specifically, the teacher education for work in TPE, Oliveira Junior (2008); Neto (2009). To develop this study, we had as subjects Portuguese teachers, belonging to (or belonged) to teacher staff of SEG schools SISTEMA DE ENSINO GAÚCHO of Santa Maria, RS, with classes for the several courses of technical formation of medium level, in Language and Communication subject. The results show that Portuguese teachers who are working in TPE, as did not possess knowledge of language teaching for specific purposes approach at undergraduate, had to seek information for their own account to supply the difficulties they faced in this teaching practice in the TPE mode. These teachers, even studying on this approaching teaching, still believe that being a teacher for specific purposes is a difficult task as it requires greater preparation than requires regular education. / O desenvolvimento de estudos acerca da abordagem instrumental da língua, a qual completa mais de 30 anos no Brasil, faz-se relevante não só para repensar, de modo geral, o trabalho realizado na área de formação de professores de língua estrangeira, mas também para nortear as atividades de docentes de língua portuguesa que atuam na esfera da Educação Profissional de Nível Técnico (EPT), haja vista a aplicabilidade de vários de seus pressupostos teóricos dentro desse campo (MAGALHÃES, 2011). Partindo de tal constatação, o presente trabalho objetiva investigar o conhecimento do professor de Letras sobre a abordagem instrumental do ensino da língua portuguesa na EPT. Em termos de fundamentação teórica, serão considerados os trabalhos de Ramos (2005); Dudley-Evans e St. John (2005) para embasar as considerações feitas a respeito do ensino instrumental de línguas; os estudos de Kunze (2009); Magalhães (2011); Pacheco (2012) para discutir a Educação Técnica e Profissionalizante brasileira; as contribuições de Oliveira Junior (2008) e Santos Neto (2009) para debater questões relativas à formação de professores em especial, à formação do docente para atuar na EPT. Para efetuar este estudo, foram selecionados, como sujeitos da pesquisa, professores de língua portuguesa que pertencem (ou pertenceram) ao quadro de docentes das escolas do Sistema de Ensino Gaúcho (SEG) em Santa Maria, RS, ministrando aulas na disciplina de Linguagem e Comunicação ofertada para os diversos cursos de formação técnica em Nível Médio. Os resultados indicam que os professores de língua portuguesa atuantes na EPT, como não tomaram conhecimento sobre a abordagem instrumental para o ensino de línguas durante a graduação, acabaram tendo que buscar informações por conta própria para sanarem as dificuldades que enfrentaram em sua prática. Observou-se também que, apesar de complementarem autonomamente sua formação no tocante ao ensino instrumental, os professores creem que atuar nesse campo constitui tarefa difícil, pois exige preparo maior do que o envolvido na execução das atividades docentes no ensino regular.

Additive manufacturing is gaining popularity at a rapid rate and has been a resourceful production process to reduce material usage, wastage (scrap) and manufacturing costs for various applications. The project conducted, emphasizes on Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE SE6300C-65A) material, which is a highly versatile compound, and has the ability to exhibit properties of both rubber (Elastomers) in terms of flexibility and plastic (Polymers) in terms of recyclability. Cost reduction without compromising quality is one of the important factors for industries. The project involves the use of TPE pellets to extrude filaments that could be used for 3D Printing. Filament extrusion involves process variables like Nozzle Temperature, De-humidification of pellets, Diameter of the nozzle, Distance of collection, Cooling and Angle of inclination of the extruder. These process variables are optimized to accomplish the desired quality of filament. The filament produced through extrusion is further used to make products using Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). FDM also involves numerous process variables like Layer Thickness, Build Orientation, Print Infill, Print Speed etc. In this study, different test specimens, in terms of geometrical shapes are printed from the material, TPE SE6300C-65A and tested in order to understand how the surface features as well as the dimensional accuracy change with different process variables. It is observed that the surface topography produced throughout FDM process is majorly affected by the angle of orientation of the printed part. The main goal of this thesis is to give the reader a better understanding on which process variable, such as layer thickness, temperature and print speed affect the surface roughness of the models and also a comparison between these three variables, highlighting which is more or less affecting. It is also observed the dimensional accuracy of the real specimen deviate from the value input into the CAD software. The results obtained in this study clearly suggest that there is a lot of opportunities for future improvements especially regarding the dimensional accuracy, it is imperative to achieve the highest precision possible in order to have commercial values for the FDM 3D printing.

L’intelligence économique (IE) et la veille sont des stratégies d’entreprise qui sont bien implantées dans les grandes entreprises et les grandes PME. Depuis le rapport Carayon en 2003, l’intelligence économique est devenue une politique publique. Ces concepts ont intéressé assez tôt plusieurs disciplines scientifiques, ce qui leur confère un caractère interdisciplinaire. Ce sont des objets empiriques et hybrides car ils sont issus des pratiques des entreprises. Les principales disciplines à s’y être intéressées sont les SIC et les sciences de gestion, pour les principales, mais aussi les sciences économiques. Le sujet a été beaucoup observé, surtout dans les grandes entreprises, notamment par les sciences de gestion car l’intelligence économique et la veille sont principalement des stratégies d’aide à la décision. Aujourd’hui, en SIC, ces objet sont étudiés notamment d’un point de vue informationnel, car l’information se situe au cœur des processus examinés. Il existe des problématiques récurrentes à l’analyse de ces concepts, assez jeunes, qui tournent autour des difficultés d’implémentation de ces stratégies dans les entreprises d’une part, et des obstacles à l’établissement de la politique publique française en la matière d’autre part. Des paradoxes existent à leur sujet. Les petites entreprises et notamment les TPE ont été très peu étudiées par les diverses disciplines scientifiques qui s’y intéressent ce qui paraît surprenant au regard de l’importance de ce type de structure dans l’économie nationale. Par ailleurs, les politiques publiques, assez bien perçues par les grandes entreprises et grandes PME, échouent à percer auprès des petites entreprises. Ce qui nous amène à nous interroger sur les raisons des obstacles constatés au sujet de ces stratégies et politiques publiques auprès des petites entreprises. Les postulats de cette recherche, qui se positionne dans le courant compréhensif, sont fondés sur l’idée centrale qu’il existe des caractéristiques spécifiques aux petites entreprises du fait de leurs contraintes structurelles. Ces petites entreprises mettent en œuvre des stratégies d’IE disruptives, qui leur sont propres, et qui sont fondées sur des processus inverses à ceux qui sont modélisés pour les grandes entreprises. Ces processus sont à caractère communicationnel. L’intelligence économique et la veille dans les petites entreprises s’établissent sur une culture informationnelle collaborative de partage des informations. Ces stratégies sont mises en œuvre dans le cadre d’une structure organisationnelle innovante, réticulaire, la quasi-organisation, à la communication organisante et construite sur une stratégie réseau. Enfin, l’intelligence économique dans la petite entreprise s’appuie sur une sphère de médiation, la biocénose économique, constituée d’un enchevêtrement de relations entre plusieurs acteurs dont les institutions semi-étatiques qui jouent un rôle moteur. Les résultats d’une enquête effectuée auprès de dirigeants de petites entreprises dans le secteur aéronautique spatial défense en Nouvelle Aquitaine, secteur innovant s’il en est, viendront illustrer un modèle d’intelligence économique adapté à la petite entreprise qui sera proposé à la discussion. / Competitive intelligence (CI) and business intelligence are strategies that are well established in large companies and large SMEs. Since the Carayon report in 2003, competitive intelligence has become a public policy. These concepts have been of interest to several scientific disciplines since then, which gives them an interdisciplinary character. They are empirical and hybrid objects because they are derived from the practices of companies. The main disciplines to be studied here are the CIS and the management sciences, for the main ones, but also for the economics. The subject has been much observed, especially in large companies, notably by the management sciences because the competitive intelligence is mainly strategy of decision support. Today, in SIC, these objects are studied in particular from an information point of view, because information is at the heart of the processes examined. There are recurring problems in the analysis of these rather young concepts, which revolve around the difficulties of implementing these strategies in companies on the one hand, and the obstacles to the establishment of French public policy on the matter on the other hand. There are paradoxes about them. Small businesses and especially very small businesses have been little studied by the various scientific disciplines concerned, which is surprising given the importance of this type of companies in the national economy. On the other hand, public policies, which are fairly well perceived by large companies and large SMEs, fail to penetrate small businesses. This leads us to question the reasons for the barriers to these small business strategies and policies. The postulates of this research are based on the central idea that there are characteristics specific to small enterprises because of their structural constraints. These small companies are implementing their own disruptive CI strategies, which are based on processes that are inverse to those modeled for large enterprises. These processes are communicational in nature. Competitive and business intelligence in small businesses are based on a collaborative information-sharing culture. These strategies are implemented within the framework of an innovative organizational structure, reticular, quasi-organization, based on an organizational communication and built on a network strategy. Finally, competitive intelligence in small enterprises is based on a sphere of mediation, economic biocenosis, constituted by an entanglement of relations between several economic actors including state institutions which play a leading role.