Digital platform organizations challenges the organizational landscape by utilizing technology enabling cost efficient transactions. Uber is a commonly known example of such an organization, where tensions have arisen in various local contexts due to that the organization draw their boundary tightly around the platform to the benefit of organizational efficiency. Uber has as a consequence, been highly questioned in its liability of their primary operations: Is it a technology platform, or a transportation firm?   This thesis sets out to answer:  How is the organizational boundary of Uber challenged in various local contexts? The purpose is to provide an explanation towards how the organizational boundary of a digital platform organization could be understood in relation to local context, and how it can or cannot evolve in regards to these contexts. The results show that context matters for the boundary of Uber. In addition, a pattern amongst the context specific events emerged influencing the boundary. These can be categorized into four configurations: Adjusting, Expanding, Withdrawing and Intertwining. Each of the configurations explain the underlying reasons for the varying fluctuations the boundary of Uber show, and thus answer how the organizational boundary of Uber is challenged in various local contexts.

In Taiwan, more than 25% of all water uses comes from groundwater, and thus groundwater is a very valuable water resource for both domestic and industrial uses. However, groundwater at many existing former industrial sites and disposal areas was contaminated by halogenated organic compounds that were released into the environment. The chlorinated solvent trichloroethene (TCE) is one of the most ubiquitous of these compounds. In this laboratory-scale feasibility study, a hybrid two-stage process combining fiber filtration (FF) and nanofiltration (NF) was applied to remove to suspended solids (SS) and TCE from contaminated groundwater for water purification. In this study, a man-made kaolin solution was used to simulate groundwater purification using FF system. Then, microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), and NF systems were applied for TCE removal. The hybrid membrane process using FF and NF units was used to evaluate the feasibility on TCE removal. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) were used to investigate membrane morphology and structure after use. A 3-D excitation emission fluorescence matrix (EEFM) was used to evaluate the potential of membrane organic fouling. Results show that the optimization filtration velocity of FF was 15.3 m/hr, and the observed TCE and SS removal efficiencies were 80% and 60%, respectively. Removal mechanisms for MF and UF were mainly sieving, and the removal mechanism for NF was mainly electrostatic repulsion. Results indicate that NF had the highest TCE removal efficiency (98.2%). When initial TCE concentration was 1 mg/L, NF membrane pore might shrink caused increased TCE removal (rejection). When TCE concentration was higher 1 mg/L, membrane damage and pore enlargement was observed with decreased TCE removal efficiency. The observed SS, sulfate, and hardness removal efficiencies were 99.8%, 98.7%, and 98.7% respectively, when FF and NF hybrid process was used. Higher TCE concentration might enlarge membrane pore, which caused decreased membrane separation and increased flux. Approximately 46% of flux drop was observed when NF was used alone compared to the hybrid membrane process using FF as the first treatment stage. Membrane analyses show that residual TCE was adsorbed on the membrane. Low zeta potential of groundwater was observed due to the compressed electric double layer, which caused aggregation of particle. High zeta potential of permeate was due to the particle dispersive through hybrid process. Results from SEM analysis show that membrane morphology was damaged by TCE, and heavy metal in groundwater deposited on membrane. Results of EEFM analysis indicate that groundwater contained humic acid (HA) and soluble microbial by-product (SMP). HA and SMP might be adsorbed on fiber filter, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) that attached on fiber filter might be washed out. The organic powders on the surface of the fiber filter might be washed out causing the increased in NPDOC concentrations. Humic acid could be removed through NF process, and SMP might be adsorbed in membrane pore caused organic fouling, and SMP might be washed out after treatment by the FF+NF hybrid process. Results indicate that FF as pre-treatment can maintain higher flux. Higher TCE concentration caused membrane destruction and decreased membrane separation. TCE contaminated groundwater can be affectively treated by the hybrid membrane system to meet the groundwater standard and reclaimed water standard. Reclaimed water could be used for industrial cooling water and irrigation purposes.

No description available.

In situ thermal treatment (ISTT) applications require successful gas capture for the effective remediation of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous phase liquid (DNAPL) source zones. Gas production and transport mechanisms during bench-scale electrical resistance heating (ERH) experiments were examined in this study using a quantitative light transmission visualization method. Processed images during water boiling indicated that gas bubble nucleation, growth and coalescence into a connected steam phase occurred at critical gas saturations of Sgc = 0.233 ± 0.017, which allowed for continuous gas transport out of the heated zone. Critical gas saturations were lower than air-water emergence gas saturations of Sgm = 0.285 ± 0.025, derived from the inflection point of ambient temperature capillary pressure-saturation curves. Coupled electrical current and temperature measurements were identified as a metric to assess gas phase development. Processed images during co-boiling of pooled trichloroethene (TCE) DNAPL and water indicated that discontinuous gas transport occurred above the DNAPL pool. When colder zones were introduced, condensation prevented the development of continuous steam channels and caused redistribution of DNAPL along the vapour front. These results suggest that water boiling temperatures should be targeted throughout the subsurface (i.e., from specific locations of DNAPL to extraction points) during ERH applications. Because convective heat loss and non-uniform power distributions have the potential to prevent the achievement of boiling temperatures, a thermal enhancement was developed where dissolved gas delivered to the target heated zone liberates from solution at elevated temperatures and increases gas production. Processed images of ERH-activated carbon dioxide (CO2) exsolution indicated that discontinuous gas transport occurred above saturations of Sg = 0.070 ± 0.022. Maximum exsolved gas saturations of Sg = 0.118 ± 0.005 were sustained during continuous injection of the saturated CO2 solution into the heated zone. Estimated groundwater relative permeabilities of krw = 0.642 ± 0.009 at these saturations are expected to decrease convective heat loss. Discontinuous transport of exsolved gas at sub-boiling temperatures also demonstrated the potential of the enhancement to bridge vertical gas transport through colder zones. In conclusion, sustained gas saturations and transport mechanisms were dependent on the mechanism of gas production and effects of condensation. / Thesis (Master, Civil Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2014-03-27 15:26:30.683

Nearly 250,000 sites with past and present potentially polluting activities need urgent remediation within Europe. Major pollutants include organochlorines (OCls), e.g. chlorinated ethenes (CEs) and hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs), mainly used as industrial solvents and pesticides, respectively. Due to improper handling and disposal, OCls contaminants are present in the soil or groundwater surrounding sites, where they have been produced or used. CEs and HCHs can undergo degradation by microorganisms indigenous to the soil or groundwater. Therefore natural attenuation (NA), relying on the in situ biodegradation of pollutants, is considered as a cost effective remediation strategy, yet it requires accurate monitoring methods. Compound specific isotope analysis (CSIA) is a powerful tool to provide information on the extent of degradation and, when combining two isotope systems (2D-CSIA), such as carbon (δ13C) and chlorine (δ37Cl), on reaction mechanisms. The diagnostic reaction-specific isotope enrichment factors (εC and εCl) were determined in laboratory experiments for the anaerobic degradation of PCE, TCE (Paper II) and α-HCH (Paper III) by mixed bacterial cultures enriched from CEs and HCHs contaminated sites, respectively. The related mechanism-specific εCl/εC ratios were calculated as 0.35 ± 0.11 (PCE), 0.37 ± 0.11 (TCE) and 0.52 ± 0.23 (α-HCH). These values are smaller than previously reported values for pure cultures. This is explained by the microbial community composition changes observed during degradation of PCE and α-HCH, which also reflect the variability of the microbial community at the field level. Furthermore, εCl/εC ratio might be bacteria specific. These values allowed the estimation of the extent of contaminant degradation at the respective study sites (Paper III and IV). Application of both isotope systems (δ13C and δ37Cl) led to comparable estimates. However the choice of representative ε values is crucial for an accurate assessment. These studies show that CSIA is useful to quantify in situ degradation of OCls contaminants and identify reaction pathways, by combining δ13C and δ37Cl. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Submitted. Paper 4: Manuscript.</p>

O processo de terceirização da Tecnologia de Informação (TI) tem crescido nas últimas décadas, tanto em números de artigos publicados, quanto em evidências práticas desse processo. Estudos acadêmicos e prática empresarial reforçam a necessidade de entender esse fenômeno para que, com isso, a empresa possa obter sucesso. Devido à complexidade que envolve esse processo, vários estudos têm sido usados para entender tal fenômeno. Recentemente, estudos associados ao campo da inovação têm sido utilizados para entender melhor o processo de terceirização. Um dos questionamentos existentes nesses estudos refere-se ao fato da possibilidade de relacionamento entre terceirização de TI e inovação. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho traz como objetivo geral analisar a terceirização de TI como fonte externa de inovação. Para entender o objeto de estudo desta tese, foi desenvolvida uma base teórica com foco nas abordagens epistemológicas: das estratégias de terceirização de TI, inovação e Teoria dos Custos de Transação. Logo após, foram apresentados os métodos do trabalho, fundamentados em abordagem qualitativa exploratória e descritiva. Na abordagem qualitativa exploratória foram estudadas três emresas como casos iniciais: Gerdal, Yara e Springer. Na pesquisa qualitativa descritiva foram selecionadas quatro empresas: Energia 1, Energia 2, Automotivo 3 e Automotivo 4. No total foram realizadas 16 entrevistas, que foram interpretadas através da técnica de análise de conteúdo, com o auxílio do software MaXQDA. No caso da Energia 1, foram analisados os projetos relacionados ao GAFIX (Gestão Integrada de Ativos Elétricos) e GIS (Geographic Information System). Na Energia 2, o estudo focou nas soluções móbile e biométrica, gerando redução de perdas e danos. Na Automotivo 3, foi estudado o sistema de varejo para manufatura discreta. Na Automotivo 4, o foco foi a readaptação das soluções de transporte. Nos casos constatou-se que a relação terceirização de TI e inovação trata-se de um tema evidente, especialmente pelas complexas relações existentes entre seu relacionamento. Como pode ser observada na base teórica e na análise dos resultados, a materialização dos benefícios do processo de terceirização da TI envolve um profundo processo de análise das possibilidades de inovação, geradas entre clientes e fornecedores. Desse modo, o presente estudo pretendeu contribuir para a discussão dos estudos de terceirização de TI e inovação, incentivando futuros debates, que venham a contribuir para a evolução desse campo. / The process of outsourcing of Information Technology (IT) has grown in recent decades, both in numbers of articles published and in practical evidence. Academic studies and business practice reinforce the need to understand this phenomenon so that the company are more likely to succeed. The complexity involved in this process has fostered the use of many different methodological and theoretical approaches to understand this phenomenon. More recently, studies related to the field of innovation have been used to better capture the nature of the process of outsourcing. One of the questions addressed by these studies is the likely relationship between outsourcing and innovation. In this context, the present work primarily aims to analyze the relationship between outsourcing and external sources of innovation. To provide a better understanding of this subject, we developed a theoretical framework based on epistemological approaches: strategies for outsourcing, innovation and the theory of transaction costs. Then, we presented the thesis’ methodology, which is based on qualitative – exploratory and descriptive – analyses. First, in the exploratory stage, we studied three companies as early cases: Gerdau, Yara and Springer. After, in the descriptive study, we selected five companies: Energia 1, Energia 2, Automotivo 3 e Automotivo 4. 16 interviews were conducted in total. These interviews were interpreted using the technique of content analysis, supported by the software MaXQDA. In the case of Energia 1, GAFIX related projects (Integrated Asset Electric) and GIS (Geographic Information System) were analyzed. In Energia 2, we focused on mobile and biometric solutions, which ultimately reduce damages and losses for the company. In the Automotivo 3, we analyzed the retail system for discrete manufacturing. In Automotivo 4, the focus was on transportation solutions rehabilitation. Through the analysis of the aforementioned cases, we could draw the conclusion that the processes of IT outsourcing and innovation are an evident theme, especially amongst the complex relationship existent between partners. As we can see in both the theoretical mark and in the analysis of results, the exploitation of the benefits of IT outsourcing processes involves a thoroughly process of examining the possibilities of innovation, which is generated amongst customers and suppliers. Thus, this study aimed to contribute to IT outsourcing and innovation studies, encouraging further discussion, which may contribute to the evolution of this field.

O processo de terceirização da Tecnologia de Informação (TI) tem crescido nas últimas décadas, tanto em números de artigos publicados, quanto em evidências práticas desse processo. Estudos acadêmicos e prática empresarial reforçam a necessidade de entender esse fenômeno para que, com isso, a empresa possa obter sucesso. Devido à complexidade que envolve esse processo, vários estudos têm sido usados para entender tal fenômeno. Recentemente, estudos associados ao campo da inovação têm sido utilizados para entender melhor o processo de terceirização. Um dos questionamentos existentes nesses estudos refere-se ao fato da possibilidade de relacionamento entre terceirização de TI e inovação. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho traz como objetivo geral analisar a terceirização de TI como fonte externa de inovação. Para entender o objeto de estudo desta tese, foi desenvolvida uma base teórica com foco nas abordagens epistemológicas: das estratégias de terceirização de TI, inovação e Teoria dos Custos de Transação. Logo após, foram apresentados os métodos do trabalho, fundamentados em abordagem qualitativa exploratória e descritiva. Na abordagem qualitativa exploratória foram estudadas três emresas como casos iniciais: Gerdal, Yara e Springer. Na pesquisa qualitativa descritiva foram selecionadas quatro empresas: Energia 1, Energia 2, Automotivo 3 e Automotivo 4. No total foram realizadas 16 entrevistas, que foram interpretadas através da técnica de análise de conteúdo, com o auxílio do software MaXQDA. No caso da Energia 1, foram analisados os projetos relacionados ao GAFIX (Gestão Integrada de Ativos Elétricos) e GIS (Geographic Information System). Na Energia 2, o estudo focou nas soluções móbile e biométrica, gerando redução de perdas e danos. Na Automotivo 3, foi estudado o sistema de varejo para manufatura discreta. Na Automotivo 4, o foco foi a readaptação das soluções de transporte. Nos casos constatou-se que a relação terceirização de TI e inovação trata-se de um tema evidente, especialmente pelas complexas relações existentes entre seu relacionamento. Como pode ser observada na base teórica e na análise dos resultados, a materialização dos benefícios do processo de terceirização da TI envolve um profundo processo de análise das possibilidades de inovação, geradas entre clientes e fornecedores. Desse modo, o presente estudo pretendeu contribuir para a discussão dos estudos de terceirização de TI e inovação, incentivando futuros debates, que venham a contribuir para a evolução desse campo. / The process of outsourcing of Information Technology (IT) has grown in recent decades, both in numbers of articles published and in practical evidence. Academic studies and business practice reinforce the need to understand this phenomenon so that the company are more likely to succeed. The complexity involved in this process has fostered the use of many different methodological and theoretical approaches to understand this phenomenon. More recently, studies related to the field of innovation have been used to better capture the nature of the process of outsourcing. One of the questions addressed by these studies is the likely relationship between outsourcing and innovation. In this context, the present work primarily aims to analyze the relationship between outsourcing and external sources of innovation. To provide a better understanding of this subject, we developed a theoretical framework based on epistemological approaches: strategies for outsourcing, innovation and the theory of transaction costs. Then, we presented the thesis’ methodology, which is based on qualitative – exploratory and descriptive – analyses. First, in the exploratory stage, we studied three companies as early cases: Gerdau, Yara and Springer. After, in the descriptive study, we selected five companies: Energia 1, Energia 2, Automotivo 3 e Automotivo 4. 16 interviews were conducted in total. These interviews were interpreted using the technique of content analysis, supported by the software MaXQDA. In the case of Energia 1, GAFIX related projects (Integrated Asset Electric) and GIS (Geographic Information System) were analyzed. In Energia 2, we focused on mobile and biometric solutions, which ultimately reduce damages and losses for the company. In the Automotivo 3, we analyzed the retail system for discrete manufacturing. In Automotivo 4, the focus was on transportation solutions rehabilitation. Through the analysis of the aforementioned cases, we could draw the conclusion that the processes of IT outsourcing and innovation are an evident theme, especially amongst the complex relationship existent between partners. As we can see in both the theoretical mark and in the analysis of results, the exploitation of the benefits of IT outsourcing processes involves a thoroughly process of examining the possibilities of innovation, which is generated amongst customers and suppliers. Thus, this study aimed to contribute to IT outsourcing and innovation studies, encouraging further discussion, which may contribute to the evolution of this field.

O processo de terceirização da Tecnologia de Informação (TI) tem crescido nas últimas décadas, tanto em números de artigos publicados, quanto em evidências práticas desse processo. Estudos acadêmicos e prática empresarial reforçam a necessidade de entender esse fenômeno para que, com isso, a empresa possa obter sucesso. Devido à complexidade que envolve esse processo, vários estudos têm sido usados para entender tal fenômeno. Recentemente, estudos associados ao campo da inovação têm sido utilizados para entender melhor o processo de terceirização. Um dos questionamentos existentes nesses estudos refere-se ao fato da possibilidade de relacionamento entre terceirização de TI e inovação. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho traz como objetivo geral analisar a terceirização de TI como fonte externa de inovação. Para entender o objeto de estudo desta tese, foi desenvolvida uma base teórica com foco nas abordagens epistemológicas: das estratégias de terceirização de TI, inovação e Teoria dos Custos de Transação. Logo após, foram apresentados os métodos do trabalho, fundamentados em abordagem qualitativa exploratória e descritiva. Na abordagem qualitativa exploratória foram estudadas três emresas como casos iniciais: Gerdal, Yara e Springer. Na pesquisa qualitativa descritiva foram selecionadas quatro empresas: Energia 1, Energia 2, Automotivo 3 e Automotivo 4. No total foram realizadas 16 entrevistas, que foram interpretadas através da técnica de análise de conteúdo, com o auxílio do software MaXQDA. No caso da Energia 1, foram analisados os projetos relacionados ao GAFIX (Gestão Integrada de Ativos Elétricos) e GIS (Geographic Information System). Na Energia 2, o estudo focou nas soluções móbile e biométrica, gerando redução de perdas e danos. Na Automotivo 3, foi estudado o sistema de varejo para manufatura discreta. Na Automotivo 4, o foco foi a readaptação das soluções de transporte. Nos casos constatou-se que a relação terceirização de TI e inovação trata-se de um tema evidente, especialmente pelas complexas relações existentes entre seu relacionamento. Como pode ser observada na base teórica e na análise dos resultados, a materialização dos benefícios do processo de terceirização da TI envolve um profundo processo de análise das possibilidades de inovação, geradas entre clientes e fornecedores. Desse modo, o presente estudo pretendeu contribuir para a discussão dos estudos de terceirização de TI e inovação, incentivando futuros debates, que venham a contribuir para a evolução desse campo. / The process of outsourcing of Information Technology (IT) has grown in recent decades, both in numbers of articles published and in practical evidence. Academic studies and business practice reinforce the need to understand this phenomenon so that the company are more likely to succeed. The complexity involved in this process has fostered the use of many different methodological and theoretical approaches to understand this phenomenon. More recently, studies related to the field of innovation have been used to better capture the nature of the process of outsourcing. One of the questions addressed by these studies is the likely relationship between outsourcing and innovation. In this context, the present work primarily aims to analyze the relationship between outsourcing and external sources of innovation. To provide a better understanding of this subject, we developed a theoretical framework based on epistemological approaches: strategies for outsourcing, innovation and the theory of transaction costs. Then, we presented the thesis’ methodology, which is based on qualitative – exploratory and descriptive – analyses. First, in the exploratory stage, we studied three companies as early cases: Gerdau, Yara and Springer. After, in the descriptive study, we selected five companies: Energia 1, Energia 2, Automotivo 3 e Automotivo 4. 16 interviews were conducted in total. These interviews were interpreted using the technique of content analysis, supported by the software MaXQDA. In the case of Energia 1, GAFIX related projects (Integrated Asset Electric) and GIS (Geographic Information System) were analyzed. In Energia 2, we focused on mobile and biometric solutions, which ultimately reduce damages and losses for the company. In the Automotivo 3, we analyzed the retail system for discrete manufacturing. In Automotivo 4, the focus was on transportation solutions rehabilitation. Through the analysis of the aforementioned cases, we could draw the conclusion that the processes of IT outsourcing and innovation are an evident theme, especially amongst the complex relationship existent between partners. As we can see in both the theoretical mark and in the analysis of results, the exploitation of the benefits of IT outsourcing processes involves a thoroughly process of examining the possibilities of innovation, which is generated amongst customers and suppliers. Thus, this study aimed to contribute to IT outsourcing and innovation studies, encouraging further discussion, which may contribute to the evolution of this field.

No description available.

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is a particular concern in places with inadequate ventilation and frequently attributed to chemical contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs)released from indoor sources that are frequently encountered in everyday life such as adhesives, carpeting, upholstery, manufactured wood products, copy machines, pesticides, cleaning agents inside buildings, plumbing vents, and painting. Furthermore, it is a major issue for modern human beings who spend most of their time indoors or must stay indoors for self-isolation due to special circumstances such as the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic that occurred in 2019 and 2020. Main indoor VOCs are trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, toluene, and para-xylene (p-xylene). In general, these compounds are not present in indoor spaces at acute concentrations, but prolonged exposure to these compounds can have chronic health effects such as allergic sensitization, increased cancer risks, and respiratory diseases. In this study, the adsorption process with various advantages has been applied to remove VOC’s using commercially available hydrophobic adsorbents. The hydrophobic adsorbents can contribute to reducing the possibility of chemical adsorption (chemisorption) of moisture from the air, which can decrease the capacity of adsorbent by clogging the pores. The adsorption of these major VOCs was investigated in this work for three major types of industrial hydrophobic adsorbents: activated carbons, zeolites, and polymer. This study will show the investigation into finding the most promising hydrophobic adsorbent for removal of TCE, benzene, toluene, and p-xylene, which are the main VOCs found indoors. The promising hydrophobic adsorbent has been determined by comparing Henry’s law constants and heat of adsorption values for the different adsorbents, which were estimated by using a concentration pulse chromatographic technique by utilizing a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. For all adsorbents, Henry’s law constants at room temperature of p-xylene were always the highest followed by toluene, benzene, and TCE. For all adsorbates, Henry’s law constants at room temperature of AC BPL and HiSiv 3000 were higher than the other hydrophobic adsorbents. For a developing modern society dealing with a pandemic, this study can contribute to producing the optimized gas masks and indoor filters for the removal of indoor air pollutants, which can help people who suffer from SBS. It can also help society for taking preventative actions towards dealing with SBS.