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Platform-centric startups that generate value by facilitating interactions between two or more interdependent groups digitally transform and disrupt the business environment, leading to significant changes in how people purchase, sell, communicate, and even live. Some of these, such as Uber and Airbnb, have become among the most beloved and successful brands, though they had serious challenges in building up their brands at the early stages due to lack of resources. The purpose of this dissertation is to develop a framework of branding in platform-centric startups by identifying the pillars of brand‐building and linking the relevant factors. This study employs qualitative method to propose a four-level framework including passion, innovation, co-creation, and moralization for brand-building in startups. The novelty of this framework reveals that the locus of brand-building is gradually expanding from the founders to the company, then to the customers, and finally to a larger societal constituency. The framework can assist founders and stakeholders in monitoring the growth of a new venture in the real business world while guiding branding scholars to investigate the discipline of startup branding.

The number and types of input devices and related interaction technique types are growing rapidly. Innovative input devices such as game controllers are no longer used just for games, propriety consoles and specific applications, they are also used in many distributed virtual environments, especially the so-called serious virtual environments. In this dissertation a distributed, service based framework is presented to offer context-sensitive interaction interoperability that can support mapping between input devices and suitable application tasks given the attributes (device, applications, users, and interaction techniques) and the current user context without negatively impacting performances of large scale distributed environments. The mapping is dynamic and context sensitive taking into account the context dimensions of both the virtual and real planes. What device or device component to use, how and when to use them depend on the application, task performed, the user and the overall context, including location and presence of other users. Another use of interaction interoperability is as a testbed for input devices, and interaction techniques making it possible to test reality based interfaces and interaction techniques with legacy applications. The dissertation provides a description how the framework provides these affordances and a discussion of motivations, goals and the addressed challenges. Several proof of the concept implementations were developed and an evaluation of the framework performance (in terms of system characteristics) demonstrates viability, scalability and negligible delays. / Ph. D.

With the advance of reliable network technology, software development has progressed from traditional, platform-centric software construction to network-centric software evolution. An evidence of this change is largely reflected in the technologies that are supporting the emerging theory of Network-Centric Operations (NCO). Amongst these technologies is software architecture as a software engineering sub-discipline. Although the concepts of network centricity are widely recognized within the software and system engineering communities, no unified characterization of network-centric software systems is unanimously adopted. The state-of-the-practice is characterized by differing interpretations about how we should design and implement this class of systems. In this research, our focus is twofold: 1) Providing a characterization framework to reason about network-centric software systems and 2) introducing one solution approach to designing this class of system based on a new architectural style, the network-centric architectural style. In so doing, we set the stage for the software architecture community to analyze the "fitness of use" of current architectural styles and architecture design practices within this new network-centric paradigm. In addition, we set the stage for our continued research that will address further software engineering challenges pertinent to network-centric software systems, which include capability-based requirements engineering and quality attributes-based design. / Master of Science

Situation (al) awareness (SA) is critical to analyze, predict and perform tasks effectively in a dynamic environment. Many studies on SA have ignored network dynamism and its effect on SA, focusing on simple environments. Many studies involving the network and SA have refrained from attempting to model information space dynamism (i.e. dynamic scenarios which may have more than one probable outcome). Few studies have identified the need for a flexible, robust and overarching framework which could model both the network and information space dynamisms and provide for analysis of different types of networks (heterogeneous/homogeneous) at multiple scales. We utilize the NCOPP (Network Centric Operations Performance & Prediction), a uniform framework with "plug-&-play" capabilities to provide analysis and performance prediction of networked information systems. In this work, we demonstrate the flexibility of the NCOPP framework and its ability to model a hierarchical sensor system satisfactorily. We model the network & information space dynamisms using probability and statistics theory (e.g. Bayesian prediction, probability distribution curves). We model the behavior of entities/nodes involved in the process of sharing information to achieve greatly improved situation awareness about a dynamic environment within hierarchical information network systems. Our behavior model mathematically represents how successful/unsuccessful predictions critically impact the achievement of effective situation awareness. In the behavior model, we tie together the cost of considering predictions which accounts for limited resources and the indirect effect of unsuccessful predictions. We research and show how the NCOPP framework can model real world networked information systems at different levels of granularity. We leverage the framework's capabilities to perform experiments that not only assist in an objective comparison of distributed information filtering and central data processing paradigms but also provide important insights into the effect of network dynamism on the quality and completeness of information in the system. We demonstrate the ability of incorporating key network information, in the process of achieving SA to improve the performance of the system. We exhibit the improvement in performance achieved with inclusion of the network characteristics during dynamic allocation of resources. We were able to show that simple hierarchical filtering (via distributed processing) results in significant reduction in the information in regards to "false alarms" when compared to systems employing central information processing. Experimental results show a direct positive impact in the completeness of SA when information sharing in hierarchical systems is supplemented by network delay information. Overall, we demonstrated the ability of the NCOPP framework to provide meaningful insights into the interactions of key factors involved in operation of networked information systems, with a particular emphasis on SA. / Master of Science

The purpose of this thesis is to characterize, compare and contrast four network-centric software architectures, namely Client-Server Architecture (CSA), Distributed Objects Architecture (DOA), Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Peer-to-Peer Architecture (PPA) and seven associated frameworks consisting of .NET, Java EE, CORBA, DCOM, Web Services, Jini and JXTA with respect to a set of derived criteria. Network-centric systems are gaining in popularity as they have the potential to solve more complex problems than we have been able to in the past. However, with the rise of SOA, Web Services, a set of standards widely used for implementing service-oriented solutions, is being touted as the "silver bullet" to all problems afflicting the software engineering domain with the danger of making other architectures seem obsolete. Thus, there is an urgent need to study the various architectures and frameworks in comparison to each other and understand their relative merits and demerits for building network-centric systems. The architectures studied here were selected on the basis of their fundamentality and generality. The frameworks were chosen on the basis of their popularity and representativeness to build solutions in a particular architecture. The criteria used for comparative assessment are derived from a combination of two approaches — by a close examination of the unique characteristics and requirements of network-centric systems and then by an examination of the constraints and mechanisms present in the architectures and frameworks under consideration that may contribute towards realizing the requirements of network-centric systems. Not all of the criteria are equally relevant for the architectures and frameworks. Some, when relevant, are relevant in a different sense from one architecture (or framework) to another. One of the conclusions that can be drawn from this study is that the different architectures are not completely different from each other. In fact, CSA, DOA and SOA are a natural evolution in that order and share several characteristics. At the same time, significant differences do exist, so it is clearly possible to judge/differentiate one from the other. All three architectures can coexist in a single system or system of systems. However, the advantages of each architecture become apparent only when they are used in their proper scope. At the same time, a sharp difference can be perceived between these three architectures and the peer-to-peer architecture. This is because PPA aims to solve a totally different class of problems than the other three architectures and hence has certain unique characteristics not observed in the others. Further, all of the frameworks have certain unique architectural features and mechanisms not found in the others that contribute towards achieving network-centric quality characteristics. The two broad frameworks, .NET and Java EE offer almost equivalent capabilities and features; what can be achieved in one can be achieved in the other. This thesis deals with the study of all the four architectures and their related frameworks. The criteria used, while fairly comprehensive, are not exhaustive. Variants of the fundamental architectures are not considered. However, system/software architects seeking an understanding of the tradeoffs involved in using the various architectures and frameworks and their subtle nuances should benefit considerably from this work. / Master of Science

Software-based system architecture has been recognized as a foundation laying out the underpinnings that are critically important for successful engineering of large-scale complex systems. In recent years, architecting has played a more crucial role in engineering network-centric system of systems. The software paradigm has been shifting from treating software as a product (SaaP) to treating software as a service (SaaS). SaaS is also referred to as the Cloud Computing, where the term "cloud" is used as a metaphor for "network". As the complexity of the architecture of network-centric software-based system of systems has increased, the description of such architecture has posed significant technical challenges. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has developed the DoD Architecture Framework [DoDAF 2009a, DoDAF 2009b] for describing system architectures. IEEE proposes a Recommended Practice for Architectural Description of Software-Intensive Systems [IEEE 2000]. SEI provides high-level guidelines for Documenting Software Architectures [Clements et al 2003]. However, all of the diagrams proposed by DoD, IEEE, and SEI are two-dimensional static graphical and textual representations that do not reveal the dynamic characteristics of a system architecture. This thesis presents a conceptual framework (CF) for specifying the architecture of a network-centric software-based system of systems. The developed CF provides the beginning part of a larger research effort. The main goal of the overall research is to employ the automation-based software paradigm and to automatically generate a visual simulation model of a system architecture, with which experiments can be conducted to assess the dynamic characteristics of that architecture. The CF, developed in the research described herein, enables the automatic generation of a visual simulation model representing a system architecture. The proposed CF is evaluated in half a dozen case studies to demonstrate that it provides the necessary elements for automatic generation of a simulation model as the description of a complex system of systems architecture. / Master of Science

For years, Ward 7 in Washington, DC, has been a neglected area cut off from the rest of the city. For decades, the Anacostia River has served as a dividing line between Wards 7 and 8 from the rest of Washington DC. However, the neighborhood has much more to offer than being characterized as a location of violence, unemployment, insecurity, and isolation. The neighborhood is home to many people of color. This thesis poses the question: How can a community abandoned and neglected for decades be revived into a place of refuge? The project's target demographic includes families, students, and the community. However, the neighborhood has several obstacles, including food deserts, a lack of community gathering spaces, nearby amenities, residents having to drive to get necessities, and a lack of accessibility, transportation, walkability, and affordable housing. The first thing that needs to be acknowledged about Ward 7 is the lack of equal treatment and opportunities compared to the other wards. Children and adults should not be forced to travel long distances to get necessities. They should not feel afraid and unsafe to travel around and feel left out of social gatherings by choosing to live in Ward 7. The main goal of this thesis is to design and build a community in Ward 7 to accommodate housing and transform the neighborhood into an urban environment by enhancing different types of spaces to work in harmony to create an inclusive community experience for all. This thesis will also adapt sustainable elements to build a sustainable living environment that contributes to their well-being and the health of the individual community and the environment. This project introduces affordable housing with various amenities, grocery shops, a gym, a community space for study and work, sit-down restaurants, outdoor seating places, a neighborhood café, a pavilion, and two bridges: One is an amenity bridge that links the building to the pavilion. The other is a pedestrian bridge that allows residents and community members to stroll or bike to Kingman Island. / Master of Architecture / For decades, the Anacostia River has served as a dividing line between Wards 7 and 8 from the rest of Washington DC. The neighborhood is home to many people of color and green spaces, and an attractive and vibrant community for everyone. However, I feel that this community, like any other, needs equality. Children and adults who reside in the area need a higher standard of living. Equal opportunities should be provided. This thesis poses the question: How can a community abandoned and neglected for decades be revived into a place of refuge? The project aims to create an inclusive community experience by enhancing different types of spaces and adapting sustainable elements to build a sustainable living environment that contributes to their well-being, individual health, and environment. The neighborhood has several obstacles, including food deserts, a lack of nearby amenities, residents having to drive to get necessities, accessibility, transportation, walkability, and affordable housing. The project proposes affordable housing with various amenities, grocery shops, a gym, a community space for study and work, sit-down restaurants, outdoor seating places, a pavilion, and two bridges. An amenity bridge links the building to the pavilion; the other is a pedestrian bridge that allows residents and community members to stroll or bike to Kingman Island.

Tunable white-armaturer utgör idag en stor del av marknaden och förväntas öka ytterligare under de kommande åren. Då många leverantörer idag producerar och marknadsför sina egna lösningar för att skapa ett dynamiskt ljus kan det vara svårt att veta vilken standard dessa lösningar håller och hur väl den tekniska specifikationen stämmer överens med verkligheten. Syftet med denna studie har varit att undersöka om informationen mot beställare är tillräcklig samt om den redovisade data av Tunable White-armaturer är korrekt. Studien bygger på två delar. En experimentell undersökning genomfördes där fem tunable white-armaturers CRI (färgåtergivning) mättes mellan olika CCT-nivåer (färgtemperatur) och sedan jämfördes det med vad leverantörer har specificerat på deras hemsidor. En enkätundersökning genomfördes sedan som riktades mot 144 ljusdesigners i Sverige, varav 52 valde att besvara enkäten. Frågorna berörde redovisning av Tunable white-armaturer samt vikten av en god ljuskvalitet med inriktning på CRI. Resultaten från författarnas experimentella undersökning visar att alla tunable white-armaturer som testades skiftar i CRI under olika färgtemperaturintervaller. Den största skillnaden som mättes var på fabrikat 3 där det skiftade 9 CRI mellan 2700K-6000K. En jämförelse kunde sedan göras och visade att två av fem leverantörers specifikationer inte stämmer överens med vad som redovisats i respektive produktdatablad. Av att tyda svaren från enkätundersökningen kunde slutsatsen dras att det finns mycket skilda åsikter angående de tekniska specifikationerna gällande tunable white-armaturer. En del ansåg att det redovisas tillräckligt väl idag medan andra ansåg att det inte redovisas tillräckligt väl. Majoriteten ansåg att det är mycket viktigt med en god CRI när man föreskriver tunable white-armaturer i sina projekt. Man kunde också se att många ljusdesigners önskade att man redovisade färgåtergivning i TM-30-15 istället för CRI-metoden eller att man bör redovisa i givna färgtemperaturer. Det som kan fastställas av denna studie är att det finns en tendens till att vissa armaturleverantörer har sämre CRI än vad företaget i fråga redovisat. Denna studie enbart mätt TW-armaturer från fem företag verksamma i Sverige samt endast vid 100% ljusflöde. Författarna anser dock att denna studie kan leda till en diskussion om bättre redovisning av tunable white-armaturer behövs, samt ge läsaren en ökad förståelse för komplexiteten inom området. / Tunable white luminaires today form a large part of the market and are expected to increase further in the upcoming years. As many manufacturers today produce and market their own solutions to create a dynamic light, it can be hard to know what quality these solutions have and how well the technical specification is. The purpose of this study were to investigate whether the information to the user is sufficient and whether the presented data of tunable white luminaires is correct. This study is based on two parts. An experimental study where five tunable white luminaires CRI (color rendering) were measured between different CCT levels (color temperature) and then compared these to what providers have specified on their websites. The second part was a survey was conducted to 144 lighting designers based in Sweden, 52 of whom chose to answer the questionnaire. The questions concerned the presented information of tunable white luminaires as well as the importance of a good light quality focusing on CRI. The results from the authors experimental survey showed that all tunable white luminaires that where tested are changing in CRI under different color temperature intervals. The biggest difference that was measured was on manufacturer 3 where 9 CRI shifted between 2700K-6000K. A comparison could be made and showed that two of five of the suppliers specifications did not match with the authors measurements. By analyzing the answers from the survey, some conclusions could be drawn. There were very different opinions regarding the technical specifications of tunable white luminaires. Some felt that it is enough as it is today, while others felt that more information was needed. The majority considered it very important to have a good CRI when selecting tunable white luminaires in their projects. One could also see that many lighting designers wanted to present color reproduction in TM-30-15 instead of the CRI method or to present CRI at given color temperatures. What can be determined by this study is that there is a tendency for some luminaire suppliers to have worse CRI than presented. This study only measured tunable white fixtures from five companies operating in Sweden and only at 100% luminosity. However, the authors consider that this study could lead to a discussion about better specifications for tunable white luminaires, as well as giving the reader an increased understanding of the complexity of the subject.