Thesis (M.S. - Hydrology and Water Resources)--University of Arizona, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 161-163).

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects that continuous change in the form of software upgrades have on end-users. These effects could increase upgrade implementation costs in organisations.

Organisational learning is seen by many to be a key determinant of organisational performance. This is demonstrated by the growth of the 'learning company' concept (Pedler et al. 1991), and by the suggestion that the ability to learn faster than one's competitors is the only sustainable competitive advantage (DeGeus 1988). Consequently, organisations need to integrate and maximise the knowledge and learning of their individuals, and central to the learning process in firms is an effective means of transferring knowledge and learning between individuals and their organisation as a whole. Mental models (individual and shared) have been postulated as a mechanism through which this occurs (Senge 1990a; Kim 1993; Hayes and Allinson 1998). An individual mental model can be characterised as a simplification or representation of understanding of an idea, notion, process or system which provides the cognitive framework in which that individual's knowledge in respect of that issue is stored, whilst shared (group or organisational) mental models can be characterised as the common elements that exist between individual mental models. Both of these have been theoretically linked with individual and organisational learning. Literature in respect of individual and organisational learning, mental models and a third issue cognitive style is reviewed. Cognitive style represents the way individuals obtain, store and operationalise knowledge, and is included here as it is recognised as potentially affecting how learning and mental models interact (Hayes and Allinson 1998). A research model is posited which integrates key theory in respect of these three concepts, and research undertaken in two phases is presented. Phase One focused upon the representation of individual and shared mental models through semi-structured causal interviews with senior mangers in participant organisations, whilst Phase Two involved organisation wide surveys of these models, aspects of learning and cognitive style. Results obtained suggest that the complexities of an organisation, its environment, learning and mental models all mitigate against the identification of a simple relationship between these constructs. However some of the sources of these complexities are identified and suggested, and it is posited that the progression of work addressing organisational learning would best be served through a case study approach addressing the sources of complexity and effectiveness of learning in relation to specific mental models and within organisations.

Network management is a critical concept in innovation and technology transfer. Linkages among network members are fundamental in the innovation process which has been heralded for its contribution to wealth creation in economies increasingly characterized by both globalization and technological connectivity. Innovation networks involve relationships among members of governments, businesses and universities that collaborate continuously to achieve shared scientific goals. This study focuses on identifying the key management factors operating in such networks and on determining the process through which these lead to successful technology transfer. This is of increasing interest for many countries seeking to foster innovation, technology transfer and, in turn, international competitiveness. The study integrates the technology transfer and network research streams in order to provide a unique contribution towards understanding key network factors that are important in technology transfer. Extant technology transfer literature predominantly provides a perspective of a focal organization or, at best, that of inter-organisational relationships while its empirical investigation from a network perspective remains limited. In order to develop a more holistic network perspective, this study draws on the network literature and in particular that of the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) group. Although neither a comprehensive network management theory nor suitable measures at the network level of analysis currently exist, the network literature is quickly evolving and has highlighted several concepts that contribute to achieving network outcomes, albeit in a conjectural fashion. Therefore, this study applies these concepts towards contributing to network management theory development in both the network and technology transfer fields. This study adopts a multi-method research approach. Qualitative exploratory research was necessary as concepts from the technology transfer and network management literatures were combined in a novel way. It was also essential in developing appropriate scales. Quantitative research then followed in order to test these scales by applying exploratory factor analysis and reliability testing. The developed scales were then employed to advance theory development, using confirmatory factor analysis via structural equation modelling. The study predominantly investigates networks within several industries that are relevant internationally and consistent with some of Australia’s national research priorities. Consequently, a pilot study was conducted in the wine industry to purify scales followed by full field work undertaken in the information and communications technology and biotechnology/nanotechnology industries. Common patterns that emerge within different industries strengthen theory development and lead to generalizations to other related industries while differences lead to industry-specific implications. A number of patterns were uncovered. Evidence was provided for the significant impact of power distribution, trust, coordination and harmony on achieving network outcomes in the ICT and the biotechnology/nanotechnology industries. While both communication and R&D efficiencies were deemed important in achieving network effectiveness, the specific relationships among these factors varied between industries. The study contributes to advancing theory on network management and offers practical management implications particularly for the industries under investigation. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1346750 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, Business School, 2008

nÃo hà / Este trabalho tem como foco a anÃlise refl exiva sobre o processo de transferÃncia da gestÃo do PerÃmetro Irrigado Morada Nova, no perÃodo compreendido entre 2004 e 2007, momento em que ocorre a implantaÃÃo do Plano Plurianual do Governo Federal para o quadriÃnio 2004-2007. à neste Plano Plurianual que se insere o Programa 1038 â TransferÃncia da GestÃo dos PerÃmetros PÃblicos de IrrigaÃÃo, estabelecendo diretrizes para transferir, em definitivo, a gestÃo do governo para os usuÃrios do sistema de irrigaÃÃo. A metodologia utilizada neste trabalho envolveu uma pesquisa bibliogrÃfica e uma documental, incluindo pesquisa de campo, envolvendo os irrigantes do PerÃmetro Irrigado Morada Nova, localizado no municÃpio de Morada Nova, Estado do CearÃ, por representar um espelho de todos os perÃmetros implantados na dÃcada de setenta; e consulta a documentos ofi ciais, complementados com relatos tÃcnicos. O estudo permitiu compreender que o processo da transferÃncia da gestÃo avanÃou na recuperaÃÃo das infraestruturas, mas deixou a desejar um trabalho de apropriaÃÃo das tÃcnicas metodolÃgicas deste processo junto a comunidade dos usuÃrios do sistema de irrigaÃÃo. Este estudo possibilitou, tambÃm, identifi car a exclusÃo significativa de irrigantes pela nÃo participaÃÃo e envolvimento no processo da transferÃncia da gestÃo. / This study focuses on the refl ective analysis on the process of transferring the management of the Irrigated Perimeter Morada Nova in the period between 2004 and 2007, when it occurs in the implementation of Plan Plurianual of the Federal Government for the 2004-2007 quadrennium. It is in this Plan Plurianual which the Program 1038 - Transfer of Public Management of the Lengths of Irrigation, establishing guidelines for transfer, ultimately, the management of the government to users of the irrigation system. The methodology used in this study involved a literature search and a documentary, including fi eld research involving irrigating of the Perimeter Irrigated Morada Nova, to represent a mirror of all perimeters implanted in the decade of seventy, and consultation with offi cial documents, complemented with technical reports . The study could understand that the process of transferring advanced management in the recovery of infrastructure, but no longer want to work for an appropriation of methodological techniques of this process with the community of users of the irrigation system. This study has also, identify the significant exception of not irrigating the participation and involvement in the process of transfer of management.

ALBUQUERQUE, José Alfredo. Avaliação do Programa de Transferência da Gestão em Perímetros Públicos de Irrigação: o caso de Morada Nova. 2008. 96 f. Dissertação (Mestrado em Avaliação de Políticas Públicas) – Universidade Federal do Ceará, Pro - Reitoria de Pesquisa e Pós-Graduação, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Avaliação de Políticas Públicas, Fortaleza-Ce, 2008. / Submitted by Ana Paula Paula (mappufce@gmail.com) on 2012-04-11T13:26:16Z No. of bitstreams: 1 JOSÉ ALFREDO DE ALBUQUERQUE.pdf: 2364988 bytes, checksum: c63c7b1aedc953133c1fa45bb8d5097e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Josineide Góis(josineide@ufc.br) on 2012-04-24T14:26:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 JOSÉ ALFREDO DE ALBUQUERQUE.pdf: 2364988 bytes, checksum: c63c7b1aedc953133c1fa45bb8d5097e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-04-24T14:26:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JOSÉ ALFREDO DE ALBUQUERQUE.pdf: 2364988 bytes, checksum: c63c7b1aedc953133c1fa45bb8d5097e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / This study focuses on the reflective analysis on the process of transferring the management of the Irrigated Perimeter Morada Nova in the period between 2004 and 2007, when it occurs in the implementation of Plan Plurianual of the Federal Government for the 2004-2007 quadrennium. It is in this Plan Plurianual which the Program 1038 - Transfer of Public Management of the Lengths of Irrigation, establishing guidelines for transfer, ultimately, the management of the government to users of the irrigation system. The methodology used in this study involved a literature search and a documentary, including field research involving irrigating of the Perimeter Irrigated Morada Nova, to represent a mirror of all perimeters implanted in the decade of seventy, and consultation with official documents, complemented with technical reports . The study could understand that the process of transferring advanced management in the recovery of infrastructure, but no longer want to work for an appropriation of methodological techniques of this process with the community of users of the irrigation system. This study has also, identify the significant exception of not irrigating the participation and involvement in the process of transfer of management. / Este trabalho tem como foco a análise reflexiva sobre o processo de transferência da gestão do Perímetro Irrigado Morada Nova, no período compreendido entre 2004 e 2007, momento em que ocorre a implantação do Plano Plurianual do Governo Federal para o quadriênio 2004- 2007. É neste Plano Plurianual que se insere o Programa 1038 – Transferência da Gestão dos Perímetros Públicos de Irrigação, estabelecendo diretrizes para transferir, em definitivo, a gestão do governo para os usuários do sistema de irrigação. A metodologia utilizada neste trabalho envolveu uma pesquisa bibliográfica e uma documental, incluindo pesquisa de campo, envolvendo os irrigantes do Perímetro Irrigado Morada Nova, localizado no município de Morada Nova, Estado do Ceará, por representar um espelho de todos os perímetros implantados na década de setenta; e consulta a documentos oficiais, complementados com relatos técnicos. O estudo permitiu compreender que o processo da transferência da gestão avançou na recuperação das infraestruturas, mas deixou a desejar um trabalho de apropriação das técnicas metodológicas deste processo junto a comunidade dos usuários do sistema de irrigação. Este estudo possibilitou, também, identificar a exclusão significativa de irrigantes pela não participação e envolvimento no processo da transferência da gestão

The construction industry's environment is continually changing. Employees are now more geographically widespread and diverse, both culturally and educationally, than ever before. A great deal of research has been carried out on knowledge acquisition and storage, but there is still a distinct lack of research into knowledge presentation and communication. Information and knowledge presentation play a significant role in daily decision-making processes, when inappropriate decisions may result from inaccurate or poorly communicated information. The simplified, filtered coherent presentation of explicit knowledge can be instrumental to a successful, profitable and safety conscious business. Wates Construction is a major construction company and employs around 1300 people directly, as well as various subcontractors on different projects. Their current turn over is around £1billion, they are based in the UK and have branches in Ireland and Abu Dhabi. Wates realised their existing information system was inefficiently conveying information to its employees and the need to provide a simplified system, to assist staff's decision-making processes. Earlier IT professionals' attempts to make the system more usable had made no significant difference to its performance.

Near-field wireless power transfer (WPT) technology facilitates the energy autonomy of heterogeneous systems, significantly augmenting complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistor (CMOS) technology. In low-power wearable devices, existing power conditioning integrated circuits do not maximize the power factor (PF) for rectification and power conversion efficiency (PCE) due to multiple conversion. Additionally, there is no core power management for the entire power flow. The majority of the research focuses on active rectifiers, which reduce the turn-on voltage for rectification. Certain studies target the output voltage regulation via feedback to the transmitter or direct battery charging without power maximization. Firstly, this study investigates a high-power factor WPT front-end circuit that is namely the mono-periodic switching rectifier (MPSR) and implemented in a 0.18µm 1.8V/5V CMOS process. Integrated phase synchronizers are used to align the waveshape of a wirelessly-coupled sinusoidal voltage source in a receiving coil to the corresponding conducting current. Using this approach, the PF can be increased from roughly 0.6 to unity without requiring any wireless or wired feedback to the transmitter. The proposed MPSR can also provide AC-DC rectification, and step up and down the sinusoidal voltage source's peak amplitude using a pulse-width modulator. Measured voltage conversion ratios range between 0.73X and 2X, and the PF can be boosted up to unity. Secondly, the wireless power system-on-chip (WPower-SoC) is proposed and implemented in a 0.18µm 1.8V/3.3V CMOS process. The WPower-SoC integrating power management can provide rectification, output voltage regulation, and battery charging. Additionally, the implementation of feedforward envelope detection (FED) can reduce the variation in a wireless power link and improve load transient responses. Simulated results demonstrate that 5% of the output voltage regulation is improved when an output load changes. Moreover, the FED reduces approximately 40% of the transient response time. Overshoot and undershoot voltages are decreased by 23% and 26.5%, respectively. The measured output voltage regulates at 3.42V and can supply output power up to 342mW. A temperature sensor as part of the power management core remains active when the WPT receivers enter sleep mode to prolong the battery usage time. In the final part of this study, a nano-watt high-accuracy temperature sensing core is implemented in a 0.18µm 1.8V/3.3V CMOS process that can self-compensate the temperature shift without the need for additional compensating techniques that consume extra power.

The present thesis is concerned with the phenomenon of language transfer of fluency in sponteneous speech of advanced learners of English, whose first language is Czech. Particularly, it considers the transfer of speech rate and two selected speech management strategies: filled pauses and repeats. These strategies commonly occur in the speech of native speakers. Non-native speakers, however, tend to overuse these and the difference in distribution as compared to native speech can negatively influence their fluency. The thesis examines the hypothesis that speech rate and the use of filled pauses and repeats are affected by transfer from L1 alongside increased planning pressures, leading to overuse of these strategies in the speech of advanced learners and the differences in distribution. The data for analysis were taken from English and Czech recordings of eight advanced learners.

The growing pressure on natural resources and biodiversity has led to a widespread acknowledgement of the services nature provides for humans. The appropriate representation of the benefits of sustainable land use in decision-making is still a challenge and tools that facilitate land use planning processes are needed. The dissertation presents a multicriteria assessment approach for a qualitative estimation of regional potentials to provide ecosystem services. This approach has been applied in several case studies in Saxony, Eastern Germany and Brasil. The ecosystem services concept builts the methodological framework for the assessment as it offers a universal approach to evaluate the impact of Land use/ Land cover change (LULCC) on human well-being. Since standardized methodical approaches for ecosystem services assessment at the landscape level are lacking, a particular requirement was to conceive a method that is easily transferable to other case study areas. Further the method should enable the use of existing and easily available environmental data, and it should be transparent for stakeholders and decision makers. The results of our study show that the combination of selected ecosystem services and land cover data such as CORINE Land Cover (CLC) can contribute to regional planning by communicating the effect of LULCC on ecosystem services, especially when applied as an evaluation basis in the tool GISCAME. The approach supports also the assessment of the performance of a region to provide ecosystem services and the comparison of regions towards this aspect. In the discussion section, the limitations of the developed approach are discussed. Main sources of uncertainty are related to coarse land cover data, lacking knowledge on the provision of ecosystem services at a landscape scale, and the difficulty to make relevant the ecosystem services concept in regional planning processes.