The natural streets model is a research prototype that has been shown to perform better than the conventional GIS-based streets segments for explaining traffic flow and human movement. However, given its experimental status, a gap in the literature was identified. Therefore, the aim of this thesis was to contribute to the literature by investigating the wider applications of natural streets and observe whether a city’s spatial configuration (or structure) is related to outcomes of human behaviour and activity. In this case, the two previously unstudied outcomes were chosen: crime and traffic accidents. Taking an exploratory approach, Stockholm was chosen as the case study. Using the space syntax methodology, the street segments and natural streets connectivity was used to analyse whether accessibility or ‘potential through movement’ is associated with crime and traffic accidents. Two study areas were generated: a primary study area consisting of six nested zones and a secondary study area with hot spots and cold spots for events of crime and traffic accidents. To observe the statistical association between connectivity and events of crime and traffic accidents for natural streets and street segments, a classical regression model was used. The regression analysis showed that natural streets perform significantly better than street segments as they are better able to explain events of crime and traffic accidents. However, more so for traffic accidents. Most importantly, the topological structure or scaling characteristics of natural streets served as a better indicator for measuring human phenomena. The implication of this is that it could potentially be used to further the understanding of human activities in the context of the urban environment.

Much has been researched and written on the concept of intelligence in the last century and while much of it has been applied in educational settings and commercial organisations, little has been investigated and applied within a sports context. Early research in the 1970s identified sport intelligence as comprising primarily of reaction time and recall and it was only in 2002, some 30 years later, that it again appeared in the literature with sport intelligence being considered a psychological characteristic of Olympic champions. The research of Gould, Diffenbach and Moffet (2002) into sport intelligence hypothesised that sport intelligence included having “the ability to analyse, being innovative, being a student of the sport, making good decisions, understanding the nature of elite sport, and being a quick learner” (p. 5). Later research by Blue (2009) proposed a comprehensive model of sport intelligence as it applied to golf wherein he posited that sport intelligence – albeit in a golfing context – comprised a ‘competition’ and ‘developmental’ intelligence. Other than the thematic assessment of Gould et al. (2002) and the golf-specific study of Blue (2009) no literature, data or research was available internationally, on the African continent nor in South Africa. The researcher responded to the call for further research and decided to complete a qualitative, exploratory study in South Africa. The research commenced by covering what was available on sport intelligence literature and to build on it by reviewing and considering general intelligence theories. Both orthodox and unorthodox approaches were considered and the review suggested that sport intelligence would conceptually and theoretically consist of a number of dimensions and constructs including a series of cognitive processes like memory, reasoning, problem solving, decision making and other rational processes. The third source of literature was a review of sport psychology and it emphasised the importance and significance of emotional, motivational and other psychological factors in addition to the influences of personality. The literature review led to the researcher identifying 14 hypotheses which were explored with 15 credible sport participants, whereafter a thorough content analysis of the 14 hypotheses was performed. 13 of the 14 initial hypotheses were accepted with one included as a theme within another. The thematic assessment resulted in the identification and development of a systems model of sport intelligence comprising six components as follows:  A neurophysiological component;  A cognitive/rational component;  An emotional/affective component;  A team/group component;  A societal/ecological component; and  A metaphysical component. The investigation and analyses furthermore indicated that the components do not exist in isolation of one another and each dimension seems of equal significance. The data suggested a parallel process and dynamic interplay between these components and this led to a systemic perspective being adopted when synthesising the model into a logical and coherent framework. Each of the components were critically evaluated from a cognitive and systemic perspective. The systemic perspective proposed challenges the view that performance is not only an individual endeavour but also a systemic endeavour. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Consulting Psychology)

Much has been researched and written on the concept of intelligence in the last century and while much of it has been applied in educational settings and commercial organisations, little has been investigated and applied within a sports context. Early research in the 1970s identified sport intelligence as comprising primarily of reaction time and recall and it was only in 2002, some 30 years later, that it again appeared in the literature with sport intelligence being considered a psychological characteristic of Olympic champions. The research of Gould, Diffenbach and Moffet (2002) into sport intelligence hypothesised that sport intelligence included having “the ability to analyse, being innovative, being a student of the sport, making good decisions, understanding the nature of elite sport, and being a quick learner” (p. 5). Later research by Blue (2009) proposed a comprehensive model of sport intelligence as it applied to golf wherein he posited that sport intelligence – albeit in a golfing context – comprised a ‘competition’ and ‘developmental’ intelligence. Other than the thematic assessment of Gould et al. (2002) and the golf-specific study of Blue (2009) no literature, data or research was available internationally, on the African continent nor in South Africa. The researcher responded to the call for further research and decided to complete a qualitative, exploratory study in South Africa. The research commenced by covering what was available on sport intelligence literature and to build on it by reviewing and considering general intelligence theories. Both orthodox and unorthodox approaches were considered and the review suggested that sport intelligence would conceptually and theoretically consist of a number of dimensions and constructs including a series of cognitive processes like memory, reasoning, problem solving, decision making and other rational processes. The third source of literature was a review of sport psychology and it emphasised the importance and significance of emotional, motivational and other psychological factors in addition to the influences of personality. The literature review led to the researcher identifying 14 hypotheses which were explored with 15 credible sport participants, whereafter a thorough content analysis of the 14 hypotheses was performed. 13 of the 14 initial hypotheses were accepted with one included as a theme within another. The thematic assessment resulted in the identification and development of a systems model of sport intelligence comprising six components as follows:  A neurophysiological component;  A cognitive/rational component;  An emotional/affective component;  A team/group component;  A societal/ecological component; and  A metaphysical component. The investigation and analyses furthermore indicated that the components do not exist in isolation of one another and each dimension seems of equal significance. The data suggested a parallel process and dynamic interplay between these components and this led to a systemic perspective being adopted when synthesising the model into a logical and coherent framework. Each of the components were critically evaluated from a cognitive and systemic perspective. The systemic perspective proposed challenges the view that performance is not only an individual endeavour but also a systemic endeavour. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Consulting Psychology)

Straipsnyje išnagrineta Moisilo- Teodoresko sistema su jaunesniaisiais koeficientais. Sistemos eilė išsigimsta hiperplokštumos taškuose. Rastas keitinys, kurio pagalba keičiama sistemos koeficientų skleidinio laipsnine eilute struktūra. Šio koeficiento struktūra atitinka sistemos koeficiento skleidinio pagrindines matricos struktūrą. Rastas formalus keitinys, leidžiantis sistemą suskaldyti i dalines sistemas, kada sistemos jaunesniųjų narių skleidinio pagrindinė matrica yra blokinė- diagonalinė. / The paper examined Moisilo-Teodoresko system junior coefficients. Number of degenerate system hiperplane points. We find the amendment, as an aid System gradual series coefficients of expansions in the structure. This coefficient structure expansions of the system coefficient matrix of the main structure. Found a formal amendment to allow the system divide into subsystems, when younger members of the system expansions in the main blockdiagonal of the matrix.

Esta tese investiga como as estruturas de governança se delimitam e a alocação de direitos de propriedade ocorre mediante uma oportunidade de captura de valor. A análise aplicada ao sistema agroindustrial (SAG) da carne bovina voltado às exportações para a União Europeia em relação ao SAG-típico (mercado) é utilizada como base empírica. Buscou-se na economia de custos de transação e teoria de direitos de propriedade os elementos para avançar no conceito de sistemas agroindustriais e subsistemas estritamente coordenados (SSEC). Ao teorizar a relação entre a qualidade do ambiente institucional e a tolerância organizacional, esta tese contribui ao avançar com os mecanismos de proteção de direitos de propriedade e ajuda a explicar a eminência dos SSEC. Buscou-se identificar as regularidades observadas dos agentes que atuam nessas transações - ativos específicos investidos, grau de recorrência, grau de conhecimento e capacidade de adaptação - internas e para o mercado externo e compará-las. Esta análise delimita as diferenças institucionais, os agentes coordenadores dos diferentes sistemas estritamente coordenados e as fronteiras de um SAG-típico e um SSEC voltado para as exportações e outro voltado para o mercado interno de qualidade. Por meio de três estudos de casos com as maiores indústrias de processamento brasileiras estudou-se a coordenação com o pecuarista e os sistemas que cada uma delas apresenta. Entre as regularidades dos estudos de caso e contribuições, concluiu-se que a eminência dos SSECs-qualidade para o mercado interno decorre do choque institucional que levou a criação do SSEC-exportador para a EU e o processo de aprendizagem organizacional. Isto permitiu explorar o grau de tolerância organizacional dos arranjos dessas empresas. Agregando a primeira metodologia, a pesquisa quantitativa junto aos pecuaristas foi realizada com o objetivo de validar as variáveis que discriminam os SSECs exportador e da qualidade em relação ao SAG-típico no sistema da carne bovina. / This thesis investigates how governance structure are constituted and property rights allocated when faces a new opportunity to capture value is observed. The research is applied to beef cattle agribusiness system (SAG) coordinated to attend European Union imports contrasting with the typical SAG (Brazilian Market). Based on transaction costs economics and property rights theory elements we advance on SAG and strictly coordinated subsystems (SCSS). Theorizing about the relation institutional environment quality and organizational tolerance. This thesis contributes with the protection mechanisms of property rights and helps to explain the eminence of SCSSs. Searching to identify the regularities observed between agents and compare these transactions (specific assets, recurrence, knowledge, adaptation capacity). This analysis permits to delineate institutional differences, coordinator agents from different SCSSs and their frontiers of a typical SAG x SSEC-exporter to UE or quality. Though three case studies with the major Brazilian processing companies, it was studied the coordination with producers and the systems that each one have. The regularities presented on the case studies and the contributions, it can be concluded that the eminence of SCSS-quality to the internal market was a consequence of the institutional chock that leads the creation of the SCSS to UE and the organizational learning process. This allowed to explore the concept of organizational tolerance of this arrangements. Aggregated to the first methodology, a quantitative research with producers was done to validate the variables that distinguishes the SCSSs -exporter and quality one in relation of the typical in beef cattle system.

Esta tese investiga como as estruturas de governança se delimitam e a alocação de direitos de propriedade ocorre mediante uma oportunidade de captura de valor. A análise aplicada ao sistema agroindustrial (SAG) da carne bovina voltado às exportações para a União Europeia em relação ao SAG-típico (mercado) é utilizada como base empírica. Buscou-se na economia de custos de transação e teoria de direitos de propriedade os elementos para avançar no conceito de sistemas agroindustriais e subsistemas estritamente coordenados (SSEC). Ao teorizar a relação entre a qualidade do ambiente institucional e a tolerância organizacional, esta tese contribui ao avançar com os mecanismos de proteção de direitos de propriedade e ajuda a explicar a eminência dos SSEC. Buscou-se identificar as regularidades observadas dos agentes que atuam nessas transações - ativos específicos investidos, grau de recorrência, grau de conhecimento e capacidade de adaptação - internas e para o mercado externo e compará-las. Esta análise delimita as diferenças institucionais, os agentes coordenadores dos diferentes sistemas estritamente coordenados e as fronteiras de um SAG-típico e um SSEC voltado para as exportações e outro voltado para o mercado interno de qualidade. Por meio de três estudos de casos com as maiores indústrias de processamento brasileiras estudou-se a coordenação com o pecuarista e os sistemas que cada uma delas apresenta. Entre as regularidades dos estudos de caso e contribuições, concluiu-se que a eminência dos SSECs-qualidade para o mercado interno decorre do choque institucional que levou a criação do SSEC-exportador para a EU e o processo de aprendizagem organizacional. Isto permitiu explorar o grau de tolerância organizacional dos arranjos dessas empresas. Agregando a primeira metodologia, a pesquisa quantitativa junto aos pecuaristas foi realizada com o objetivo de validar as variáveis que discriminam os SSECs exportador e da qualidade em relação ao SAG-típico no sistema da carne bovina. / This thesis investigates how governance structure are constituted and property rights allocated when faces a new opportunity to capture value is observed. The research is applied to beef cattle agribusiness system (SAG) coordinated to attend European Union imports contrasting with the typical SAG (Brazilian Market). Based on transaction costs economics and property rights theory elements we advance on SAG and strictly coordinated subsystems (SCSS). Theorizing about the relation institutional environment quality and organizational tolerance. This thesis contributes with the protection mechanisms of property rights and helps to explain the eminence of SCSSs. Searching to identify the regularities observed between agents and compare these transactions (specific assets, recurrence, knowledge, adaptation capacity). This analysis permits to delineate institutional differences, coordinator agents from different SCSSs and their frontiers of a typical SAG x SSEC-exporter to UE or quality. Though three case studies with the major Brazilian processing companies, it was studied the coordination with producers and the systems that each one have. The regularities presented on the case studies and the contributions, it can be concluded that the eminence of SCSS-quality to the internal market was a consequence of the institutional chock that leads the creation of the SCSS to UE and the organizational learning process. This allowed to explore the concept of organizational tolerance of this arrangements. Aggregated to the first methodology, a quantitative research with producers was done to validate the variables that distinguishes the SCSSs -exporter and quality one in relation of the typical in beef cattle system.

Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή έχει ως στόχο τη συνεισφορά στην ανάλυση και ερμηνεία της έντασης και διαμάχης κατά τη διάρκεια παραγωγής και εφαρμογής προγραμμάτων πολιτικής σχετικών με τη διασφάλιση της ποιότητας στο ελληνικό πανεπιστήμιο. Η βασική θεώρηση της εργασίας είναι ότι δρώντες (συλλογικοί και μεμονωμένοι) σχηματίζουν δίκτυα πολιτικής τα οποία συνασπίζονται και συγκρούονται με άλλους αντίστοιχους συνασπισμούς δικτύων έχοντας ως διακύβευμα την προώθηση και εφαρμογή πολιτικών σχετικά με το πανεπιστήμιο. Από την ανάλυση της ελληνικής περίπτωσης διαφαίνεται ότι κάθε προσπάθεια προώθησης ενός θεσμοποιημένου συστήματος διασφάλισης της ποιότητας στα ελληνικά πανεπιστήμια είχε ως αποτέλεσμα την αύξηση της έντασης στο χώρο του πανεπιστημίου. Οι ελληνικές κυβερνήσεις εντατικοποίησαν τις προσπάθειές τους για την ψήφιση και εφαρμογή ενός σχετικού νόμου, καθώς το θέμα της διασφάλισης της ποιότητας είχε τεθεί ως κεντρικό, ήδη από το 1998, μέσω των ευρωπαϊκών εκπαιδευτικών πολιτικών στην ανώτατη εκπαίδευση. Η παραγωγή, η επεξεργασία και η ερμηνεία των ερευνητικών δεδομένων οδήγησε επιγραμματικά στα κεντρικά ευρήματα της παρούσης διδακτορικής διατριβής: Η πρώτη αλλαγή πολιτικής πραγματοποιείται το 2005 με την παραγωγή συγκεκριμένου προγράμματος πολιτικής για τη διασφάλιση της ποιότητας στο ελληνικό πανεπιστήμιο (Ν.3374/2005). Η αλλαγή αυτή πραγματοποιείται κυρίως εξαιτίας των εξωτερικών συνθηκών του υποσυστήματος. Τόσο πριν από την παραγωγή του προγράμματος όσο και αμέσως μετά δημιουργούνται δύο ισχυροί αντιτιθέμενοι συνασπισμοί δικτύων με συγκρίσιμους πόρους. Κατά τη διάρκεια της αρχικής περιόδου εφαρμογής του προγράμματος, οι εξελίξεις εντός του υποσυστήματος πολιτικής του ελληνικού πανεπιστημίου προκαλούν αλλαγές στους πόρους των δύο συνασπισμών και στη θέση ισορροπίας της ισχύος. Ο συνασπισμός δικτύων «Εναντίον» του προγράμματος πολιτικής φαίνεται να αποδυναμώνεται διαρκώς με αποτέλεσμα να μην μπορεί να διατηρήσει με αποτελεσματικό τρόπο την ένταση σε υψηλά επίπεδα. Ο δε συνασπισμός «Υπέρ» φαίνεται να ισχυροποιείται αρκετά έναντι του αντιτιθέμενου συνασπισμού, με αποτέλεσμα να μπορεί να μεταβάλλει τις μεταξύ τους ισορροπίες ώστε να δημιουργούνται σαφώς ευνοϊκότερες συνθήκες για την υλοποίηση του προγράμματος, ιδιαίτερα από το 2008 και μετά. Οι παραπάνω αλλαγές πολιτικής, αν και σημαντικές, δεν συνοδεύονται από παράλληλη παραγωγή γνώσης εξαιτίας πολιτικής εμπειρίας τόσο εντός όσο και μεταξύ των αντιμαχόμενων συνασπισμών δικτύων. Αυτό συμβαίνει παρά το γεγονός ότι η πολιτική εμπειρία δεν υπήρξε αμελητέα καθώς η σύγκρουση και η αντιπαράθεση για το συγκεκριμένο ζήτημα πολιτικής ήταν διαρκώς παρούσα για μία δεκαετία περίπου. / The present thesis aims to the contribution in analysis and interpretation of intensity and conflict during the establishment and implementation of policy programs relative with Quality Assurance in Greek Universities. The basic view of this thesis is that actors form policy networks which create advocacy coalitions and collide with other corresponding network coalitions having at risk the establishment and implementation of policies programs for universities. It seems that in Greece whenever an effort for the establishment of institutionalized quality assurance system takes place the result is the presence of intensity and conflict. However, European educational policies in higher education since 1998 have placed quality assurance as one of the main action lines, fact that results the intensifying of efforts of Greek governments for the voting and implementation of a relative law. The production, the analysis and finally the interpretation of research data led succinctly to the central findings of the present thesis: In 2005 due to external to the policy sub-system events and parameters a first policy change takes place with the establishment of a policy program of quality assurance in universities (Law 3374/2005). So much before the establishment of the policy program what immediately afterwards, at the first period of implementation, two powerful conflicting advocacy coalition networks with comparable resources are created. During the initial period of the policy program implementation developments internal to the policy sub-system of Greek university cause changes in the allocation of resources in the two coalition networks. The advocacy coalition network “Against” the policy program appears to be permanently undermined. As a result this coalition finds difficulties on maintaining with effective way the intensity in high levels. The advocacy coalition network “In favour” to the policy program appears to be strengthened enough against the conflicting coalition. Therefore, this coalition is able to alter the balance point between the two advocacy coalitions and to create more favourable conditions for the implementation of the policy program particularly from 2008 and afterwards. These policy changes, no matter how important they are, they are not accompanied by production of “policy oriented learning” inside or across the conflicting advocacy coalitions. Policy oriented learning does not take place despite the fact that the policy experience of all actors and networks on this specific policy theme was not negligible since the conflict and the juxtaposition on the specific policy issue was continuously present for roughly a decade.