A computação em nuvem é um modelo que catalisa mudanças marcantes na forma com que a Tecnologia da Informação é distribuída. Como benefícios, sobressai-se a viabilidade de acesso rápido, de qualquer lugar, a recursos disponibilizados como serviços e utilizados sob demanda, subsidiando a criação de novos modelos de negócios. Entretanto, com os ativos da TI externos à organização, aumenta-se o interesse por estudos sobre adoção. A literatura retrata a utilização de vários modelos de adoção, entre eles o TAM (Technology Acceptance Model) e o TOE (Technology-Organizational-enviroment framework). Uma pesquisa que utilizou a combinação TAM-TOE revelou bom grau de previsão da adoção pelo modelo, porém indicou a necessidade de estudos de casos para aprofundar o tema em outros contextos, ensejando a questão: como ocorre o processo de adoção da computação em nuvem em relação às questões organizacionais e ambientais? Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática da literatura para confirmar lacunas de pesquisa e estender o modelo TAM-TOE, destacando-se elementos da teoria institucional no processo de adoção. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa, descritiva e estruturada por meio de estudos de casos múltiplos, com unidade de análise definida pelo estudo do processo de adoção de um serviço de nuvem em empresa de grande porte caracterizada como suporte no modelo de grade estratégica da TI. Sete unidades foram analisadas abordando-se influência das pressões institucionais sobre a alta gestão, as avaliações dos serviços e os termos de licenciamento dos contratos. O estudo contribui para a elucidação de comportamentos diferenciados das pressões institucionais sobre a alta gestão na decisão de adoção, destacando-se os mecanismos coercitivos. Expõe situações onde a gestão dos serviços requer a participação da TI sob o modo tradicional e discute aspectos contratuais sobre o licenciamento de serviços. Por fim, apresenta-se uma reflexão sobre a utilização do modelo, do método e limitações da pesquisa, com a indicação de estudos futuros para aprofundar as contribuições indicadas em outros contextos. / Cloud Computing is a model that has brought revolutionary changes in the way Information Technology (IT) is distributed. As benefits, it stands out the feasibility of fast access possible from anywhere to resources made available as on-demand services that help to create new business models. However, with IT assets outside the organization, interest in adoption studies have increased. The literature describes the use of several adoption models, among which are the Technology-Acceptance-Model (TAM) and the Technology-Organizational-environment (TOE). One research used the TAM-TOE combination and revealed a good degree of prediction to justify adoptions, but indicated the need for case studies to better understanding of adoptions in other contexts, raising the question: how should the process of adopting cloud computing occur regarding organizational and environmental questions? A systematic literature review was conducted to confirm research gaps and to broaden the TAM-TOE model, highlighting elements of institutional theory and its influence in the adoption process. This is a qualitative, descriptive and structured research using multiple case studies, with unit of analysis defined by the study of the process of adopting a cloud service in a large company characterized as support in the IT strategic grid model. Seven units were analyzed by addressing institutional pressures on top management, service evaluations and contract licensing terms. The study contributes to the elucidation of different behaviors of the institutional pressures on the top management in the decision making for its adoption, emphasizing the coercive mechanisms. It exposes situations in which the service management might require the participation of IT in the traditional way and the discussion of contractual aspects about the licensing of services. Finally, a reflection on the use of the model, method and limitations of the research is presented, indicating future studies.

Context: There has been recent speculation that the intrinsic muscles of the foot may play a larger role in lower extremity control and injury than previously believed. Multiple studies have shown that certain intrinsic muscles increase in size and strength after transitioning to minimalist shoe running, theoretically decreasing injury risk. There are currently no studies that examine the effect that training barefoot has in other athletic populations. Objective: Our purpose was to compare the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscle size and strength in gymnasts (who predominantly train barefoot) and cheerleaders (who predominantly train shod). Another purpose was to measure time to stability for both groups shod and unshod. Design: Observational study. Setting: Human Performance Laboratory. Participants: 16 collegiate gymnasts (height = 159.3 ± 4.9cm, weight = 56.7 ± 4.3kg) and 16 collegiate cheerleaders (height = 161.9 ± 5.4cm, weight = 58.7 ± 7.1kg) volunteered for this study. Main Outcome Measure(s): The muscle size of 6 intrinsic and extrinsic muscles of the foot were measured using ultrasound, toe flexor strength, as assessed using a custom-made dynamometer, and time to stability following a drop landing, as assessed using ground reaction force data collected with force plates. Results: There were no significant group differences in great toe flexor strength (p = 0.274), lateral toe flexor strength (p = 0.824), or any of the time to stability conditions (p = 0.086 – 0.90). Only one muscle, fibularis longus, was significantly bigger in gymnasts than cheerleaders (p = 0.017) Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the barefoot training of gymnasts may not have as large of an impact on the foot musculature and strength as running barefoot or in minimalist shoes has on these factors.

No description available.

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) holds the potential to improve contemporary business operations, which are redefined frequently based on the demands of global competition. There are numerous EDI systems, which an enterprise can choose to adopt in order to meet its needs and goals. International literature demonstrates a variation of views regarding the adoption of new technologies, which differ according the size of each organization along with internal and external impediments and determinants. The use of EDI worldwide has gained a positive acceptance by commercial companies, industries and service providers, followed by rapid adoption mainly in the processes of large organizations. Conversely, the predictions of previous years’ studies have not been materialized to the expected extent. In Greece in particular, there is low penetration and a reluctance to adopt EDI technologies by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). This study is based on the theoretical framework of Technology, Organization and Environment (TOE). A qualitative multiple case study research design has been used, in order to provide further insights on the factors that affect the decision of Greek SMEs in adopting EDI technologies. The significance of the perceived direct and indirect benefits, the effects of the perceived financial cost and technical competence and the importance of industry and government pressure on corporate level, are analyzed and discussed. An empirical support of the low penetration of EDI in the Greek SMEs' community is also provided. This research contributes in the existing knowledge about EDI adoption decisions regarding Greek SMEs by providing a variation of views, further insights on how Greek SMEs behave and react during the current economic recession and a new cost factor that emerged within the analysis of multiple cases. Avenues for future research are recommended in order to expand this study's findings in the field of corporate IT innovation.

The adoption and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) is widely regarded as essential in contemporary organisational environments. Such technologies have substantial effects on an organisation’s productivity and competitiveness. However, the nature of the effects varies across types of organisation (small to large), by country-context (developed and developing countries) and with the type of ICT adopted. This thesis focuses primarily on Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in a less-researched developing country context, the region of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with special reference to Oman. In terms of the ICT under investigation, recognising the emergence of more interactive forms of technology, this thesis focuses on social media applications. It is widely recognised that the adoption and use of these applications change the ways in which organisations conduct their activities and represent a critical business opportunity for SMEs. This opportunity will only be realised by SMEs if, and when, social media are adopted in their organisations. This therefore creates a requirement to understand the factors that influence SMEs in making the adoption decision. The research related to such factors is scarce, not least because the technologies are relatively new. By using the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework, this study therefore attempted to understand the factors influencing the decision by SMEs to adopt social media. It employed a sequential, exploratory mixed method, where both qualitative and quantitative approaches were combined to meet the research objectives. In the first stage, a preliminary TOE model of 18 factors was developed from the analysis of semi-structured interviews with 18 SMEs owner-managers in Muscat, the capital city of Oman. In the second stage, a survey involving 205 SMEs in Muscat was conducted to examine empirically the preliminary model. The survey data were analysed using logistic regression (LR). Of the factors examined, compatibility, observability, trialability, trust, image, perceived lack of managerial time, market scope, customer pressure and family and friends’ support were found to have significant influence on SMEs’ decisions to adopt social media. These findings have important implications and value for the research community, SMEs and policy makers (in particular, the Public Authority for SME Development (PASMED)) in terms of formulating improved strategies for social media adoption. The resulting research model proposed in this thesis can improve these stakeholders’ understandings of why some SMEs have chosen to adopt social media technologies, while other SMEs which face similar market conditions have not.

Automatisering med robotar blir mer relevant och förväntas öka framgent. Befintlig forskning på området fokuserar på privata organisationer och effekten av automatiseringen. Vidare finns det forskning kring hur beslut att implementera nya teknologiska innovationer enligt Technology-Organization-Environment-modellen (TOE-modellen), vilken används för att förklara hur en organisations kontext påverkar införandet av innovationer utifrån teknologi-, organisation samt miljökontext. Dock finns endast begränsat material att finna där modellen sätts i relation till RPA som innovation i offentlig sektor. Studien syftade till att undersöka hur faktorer enligt en utvecklad TOE-modell påverkar beslut att införa RPA som innovation i offentliga verksamheter. Genom semi-strukturerade intervjuer erhölls resultat som visade på att teknologi-, organisation- och miljökontext enligt TOEmodellen har en betydelse när beslut att införa RPA som innovation i verksamheten och således har TOE-modellen relevans även i offentliga verksamheter. Dock visade även resultatet på en viss skillnad kring ett fåtal av faktorerna, något som kunde härledas till skillnader i konkurrensförutsättningar mellan privat och offentlig sektor.

abstract: 消防工作是城市发展的基础保障。随着全国经济社会发展，高层建筑、大型商场等人员密集场所不断增多，消防安全监管的覆盖面越来越广、压力越来越大。高层建筑密集、消防基础设施不到位，火灾隐患多，单纯依靠人工巡检和传统方式监管，难以满足安全需求。 智慧消防将依托物联网、云计算、大数据、移动网等信息技术，与传统消防业务加大融合力度，构建一个立体式、覆盖全社会的火灾防控体系，这对于加大、加强消防部门的监督、管理手段和力度，提高各单位火灾预防能力，最大限度地保障社会和人民群众生命财产的安全具有十分重要和现实的意义。总体上来看，多数企业用户对于智慧消防的理解和参与程度不尽相同，导致目前关于智慧消防的认识还未统一，在具体执行层面相互之间也还没有达成共识，智慧消防在全社会的应用范围还处于初级和探索环节。 本文在相关文献综述的基础上，分别基于技术-组织-环境(TOE)框架和说服模型，通过回归分析对影响智慧消防技术接受意愿和购买行为的因素进行了理论分析和实证检验。相关结论可以为政府相关部门、社会企业等主体的日常决策提供参考和借鉴。 本文的研究结论主要有以下几点：（1）TOE框架对于分析企业是否采用智慧消防技术进而实现消防安全工作信息化、智能化升级具有一定的解释力，该框架下技术、组织和环境三个层面共计6个影响因素会对企业智慧消防技术的采用产生显著的正向作用，分别是技术维度的有用性、易用性、兼容性，组织维度的配套资源和风险偏好，以及环境维度的模仿压力。（2）技术的先进性、高管态度、政府压力没有通过显著性检验。（3）基于说服模型，本研究探索了影响企业购买智慧消防技术的考虑要素，企业的曝光率、知名度，营销团队的素养和专业话能力作为说服者特征，显著影响购买行为；企业接受智慧消防技术，自身经营状况作为说服对象特征，影响其的购买意愿；说服过程中提高技术的实用性证明有明显的促进购买效果。（4）本研究发现智慧消防企业规模并不足以显著影响购买行为，说服情境特征如说服场景和时间点也没有明显的作用。 / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2020

The design of rubble mound breakwaters usually focuses on the main armor layer. A review of the existing literature reveals that different equations are used to design rock armors in non-breaking wave conditions. However, most rubble mound breakwaters are constructed in the depth-induced breaking zone where they are attacked by waves breaking in the foreshore; in these conditions, existing design equations are not valid. Therefore, in this PhD thesis, the hydraulic stability of double-layer rock armors is analyzed through a series of small-scale tests conducted with a bottom slope m=1/50. Based on test results, a new potential relationship is given to design rock armors in depth-limited breaking wave conditions with armor slope cot¿=1.5, stability numbers within the range 0.98¿Hm0/(¿Dn50)¿2.5, and relative water depth at the toe 3.75¿hs/(¿Dn50)¿7.50. When concrete units are used for the armor layer, mound breakwaters are usually protected by a toe berm. This toe berm is placed on the seafloor or underlayer, providing support for the concrete armor units which are placed later on the structure slope. Toe berm design is commonly related to the armor design; in non-breaking wave conditions, the mass of toe berm rocks is one order of magnitude lower than the units of the layer. In breaking wave conditions, however, the highest waves start breaking on the bottom and impact directly on the toe berm. This is the common case of rocky sea bottoms with m=1/10 or higher slopes and thus, a correct design of the toe berm is crucial to guarantee the armor stability. The present PhD thesis examines the hydraulic stability of rock toe berms placed on a m=1/10 bottom slope and in very shallow waters (0.5<hs/Dn50<5.01). Small-scale tests were conducted with double-layer cube armored breakwaters and rock toe berms with different widths (Bt) and thicknesses (tt). Firstly, a new equation is proposed to design emerged and submerged standard rock toe berms (Bt=3Dn50 and tt=2 Dn50) using three parameters: (1) deep water wave height, Hs0, (2) deep water wave length, L0p, and (3) water depth at the toe, hs. Secondly, the influence of toe berm width (Bt) on toe berm stability is analyzed introducing two new concepts to characterize wide toe berms (Bt>3Dn50): (1) the nominal toe berm or the most shoreward toe berm area which effectively supports the armor layer, and (2) the sacrificial toe berm or the most seaward toe berm area which serves to protect the nominal toe berm. Considering the nominal toe berm damage, a new method is developed to reduce the rock toe berm size (Dn50) by increasing the toe berm width (Bt) if the required rock size is not available at the quarries. Finally, cube armor damage is examined, and the influence of the placement technique on armor stability is also characterized from physical tests conducted with cubes randomly- and uniformly- placed on the armor in two layers. / El manto principal de los diques en talud suele estar formado por escollera natural o elementos prefabricados de hormigón; su función es resistir la acción del oleaje. Una revisión del estado del arte pone de manifiesto que son numerosas las fórmulas existentes para el diseño de mantos derivadas de ensayos físicos a escala reducida con oleaje sin rotura por fondo. Sin embargo, la mayoría de diques en talud se construyen en la zona de rompientes con oleaje limitado por fondo, donde las ecuaciones de diseño habituales no son del todo válidas. En esta tesis doctoral se analiza la estabilidad hidráulica de mantos bicapa de escollera, a partir de ensayos a escala reducida con pendiente de fondo m=1/50. En base a los resultados obtenidos de los ensayos físicos, se propone una nueva relación potencial para el diseño de mantos de escollera en condiciones de oleaje limitado por fondo, válida para taludes con cot¿=1.5, números de estabilidad 0.98¿Hm0/(¿Dn50)¿2.5, y profundidades relativas a pie de dique de 3.75¿hs/(¿Dn50)¿7.50. Cuando el manto principal está formado por elementos de hormigón, es habitual construir una berma de pie que proporciona apoyo a los elementos del manto y, en su caso, colabora en la protección de la zona inferior del dique contra la socavación. Dicha berma suele construirse con escollera natural y su peso está condicionado al de los elementos del manto en el caso de no haber rotura por fondo. El peso de los elementos de la berma de pie suele ser un orden de magnitud inferior al peso de las unidades del manto; sin embargo, si la pendiente de fondo es fuerte (p.e. m=1/10) y las aguas someras esta regla no se cumple ya que algunas olas rompen sobre el fondo impactando directamente sobre la berma de pie. En estos casos, el peso de la escollera de la berma puede sobrepasar el de las unidades del manto y su correcto diseño es crucial para garantizar la estabilidad del dique. Además de estudiar la estabilidad del manto principal de diques de escollera, la presente tesis doctoral analiza también la estabilidad hidráulica de bermas de pie de escollera ubicadas en fondos con pendiente m=1/10 y aguas someras (0.5<hs/Dn50<5.01), en base a ensayos físicos a escala reducida realizados con mantos bicapa de cubos y bermas de escollera con diferentes dimensiones. En primer lugar, se propone una nueva ecuación para el diseño de bermas escollera estándar (Bt=3Dn50 y tt=2 Dn50), tanto emergidas como sumergidas, a partir de tres parámetros: (1) altura de ola en aguas profundas, Hs0, (2) longitud de onda en aguas profundas, L0p, (3) profundidad a pie de dique, hs. Posteriormente, se analiza la influencia del ancho de la berma (Bt) en su estabilidad hidráulica, introduciendo dos nuevos conceptos para caracterizar bermas de pie anchas (Bt>3Dn50): (1) berma nominal o zona de la berma de pie sobre la que realmente apoya el manto principal, y (2) berma de sacrificio o zona de la berma de pie que protege a la berma nominal. A partir del daño de la berma de pie nominal, se propone un nuevo método para reducir el tamaño de piedra (Dn50) incrementando el ancho de la berma (Bt) cuando no se disponga del tamaño requerido en cantera. Finalmente, se examina el daño del manto de cubos y se analiza la influencia del método de colocación sobre el mismo, a partir de ensayos realizados con mantos bicapa de cubos con colocación aleatoria y uniforme. / El mantell principal dels dics en talús sol estar format per roca o elements prefabricats de formigó, la seva funció és resistir l'acció de l'onatge. Una revisió de l'estat de l'art manifesta que són nombroses les equacions de disseny existents per a condicions d'onatge no trencat. No obstant això, la majoria de dics en talús es construeixen a la zona de rompents amb onatge limitat per fons, on les equacions de disseny existents no són del tot vàlides. En aquesta tesi doctoral s'analitza l'estabilitat hidràulica de mantells bicapa de roca, a partir d'assajos a escala reduïda realitzats amb pendent de fons m = 1/50. En base als resultats obtinguts dels assajos, es proposa una relació potencial per al disseny de mantells de roca en condicions d'onatge limitat per fons vàlida per a talussos amb cot¿ = 1.5, nombres d'estabilitat 0.98¿Hm0/(¿Dn50) ¿2.5, i profunditats relatives a peu de dic de 3.75¿hs/(¿Dn50)¿7.50. Quan mantell principal està format per elements de formigó , és habitual construir una berma de peu que proporciona suport als elements del mantell i, si escau, col¿labora en la protecció de la zona inferior del dic contra la soscavació. Aquesta berma sol construir amb roca i el seu pes està condicionat al dels elements del mantell en el cas de no haver trencament per fons. El pes dels elements de la berma de peu sol ser un ordre de magnitud inferior al pes de les unitats del mantell; però, si el pendent de fons és fort ( p.e. m = 1 /10) i les aigües someres aquesta regla no es compleix ja que algunes onades trenquen sobre el fons impactant directament sobre la berma de peu. En aquests casos, el pes de la roca de la berma pot sobrepassar el de les unitats del mantell, i el seu correcte disseny és crucial per garantir l'estabilitat del dic. A més d'estudiar l'estabilitat del mantell principal de dics de roca, la present tesi doctoral analitza també l'estabilitat hidràulica de bermes de roca ubicades en fons amb pendents m = 1/10 i aigües someres (0.5<hs/Dn50<5.01), utilitzant assajos a escala reduïda realitzats amb mantells de doble capa de cubs i bermes de roca amb diferents dimensions. En primer lloc, es proposa una nova equació per al disseny de bermes de roca estàndard (Bt = 3 Dn50 i tt = 2 Dn50), tant emergides com submergides, a partir de tres paràmetres: (1) alçada d'ona significant en aigües profundes, Hs0, (2) longitud d'ona en aigües profundes, L0p, i (3) profunditat a peu de dic, hs. Posteriorment, s'analitza la influència de l'amplada de la berma (Bt) en la seua estabilitat hidràulica, introduint dos nous conceptes per caracteritzar bermes de peu amples (Bt > 3 Dn50): (1) berma nominal o zona de la berma de peu sobre la qual recolza el mantell principal, i (2) berma de sacrifici o zona de la berma de peu que protegeix la berma nominal. A partir del dany de la berma de peu nominal, es proposa un nou mètode per reduir el tamany de roca (Dn50) incrementant l'amplada de la berma (Bt) quan no es disposi de la mida requerit en pedrera. Finalment, s'examina el dany del mantell de cubs i s'analitza la influència del mètode de col¿locació sobre el mateix , a partir d'assajos realitzats amb mantells bicapa de cubs amb col¿locació aleatòria i uniforme. / Herrera Gamboa, MP. (2017). Mound Breakwater Design in Depth-Limited Breaking Wave Conditions [Tesis doctoral no publicada]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/82553 / TESIS

This thesis is concerned with Semi-trailing arm suspension on racing car Škoda 130RS of group V. Kinematic analysis of suspension has been performed as well as stress analysis of single parts. On basis of these analysis, suspension design has been created. Design of suspension and fixtures are solved with regard to simplicity of manufacture, reduction of weight and reduction of maximal stresses. Adjustment of geometry of suspension (toe and camber) is realised by changing the position of fixtures on the body.

Cloud computing innovation adoption literature has primarily focused on individuals, small businesses, and nonprofit organizations. The functional linkage between cloud adoption and diffusion is instrumental toward understanding enterprise firm-level adoption. The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to explore strategies used by information technology (IT) executives to make advantageous enterprise cloud adoption and diffusion decisions. This study was guided by an integrated diffusion of innovation and technology, organization, and environment conceptual framework to capture and model this complex, multifaceted problem. The study’s population consisted of IT executives with cloud-centric roles in 3 large (revenues greater than $5 billion) telecom-related companies with a headquarters in the United States. Data collection included semistructured, individual interviews (n = 19) and the analysis of publicly available financial documents (n = 50) and organizational technical documents (n = 41). Data triangulation and interviewee member checking were used to increase study findings validity. Inter- and intracase analyses, using open and axial coding as well as constant comparative methods, were leveraged to identify 5 key themes namely top management support, information source bias, organizational change management, governance at scale, and service selection. An implication of this study for positive social change is that IT telecom executives might be able to optimize diffusion decisions to benefit downstream consumers in need of services.