Thesis (Ph.D.)--Victoria University of Wellington, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Computer Science, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Carleton University, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 115-129). Also available in electronic format on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 132-136).

Place branding is commonly understood as the application of marketing and commercial ideas, strategies, measurements and logic to the realm of places such as cities, regions and nations. Nevertheless, place branding is also understood as the locus where political activities – imbued with political impact and political effects – appear and affect the soft and hard infrastructures of urban agglomeration and other spatial environments. In this regard, by performing an analysis that helps unpack the multiple characters and impacts of political structures and processes in relation to place branding activities, the present dissertation aims to offer a conceptualization of the political dimension of place branding. By drawing on the critical assessment of the academic literature on place branding and on a series of studies about the branding processes in the region of Romagna and in the Greater Stockholm, the present dissertation further specifies an alternative conceptual framework (i.e. ecological politics) that suggests how place branding should be seen an empirical and theoretical political apparatus that acts, in praxis, based on an emerging, multifaceted and spatio-temporal enfolding of politics. More specifically, the ecological politics of place branding is characterized by four main aspects: the unfolding of a biopolitical ecology around place-branding practices; the ideological appropriation of place-branding processes; the positioning through politicized actions between the interest groups; and finally place-branding as a process of policy-intervention. Finally, on more general level, the present dissertation, by recognizing the political activities and efforts of place branding as crucial elements to be analyzed, makes the case for a more explicit, complex and manifold political analysis of the political dimension of place branding, which allows attention to be given to the impact that branding processes, practices and activities have on cities, regions and nations / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 4: Manuscript.</p><p> </p>

Thesis (MA (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: When studying information and knowledge management case studies, it becomes evident that barriers to information and knowledge sharing persist, even in organisations that are lauded for their IKM initiatives. This study set out to probe why this is the case. To this end the study explored persistent barriers to information and knowledge sharing through an investigation of a Most Admired Knowledge Enterprise (MAKE) award winning organisation. It was predicted that the persistent barriers would correspond to the characteristics of organisations as complex social systems. Results indicated that the persistent barriers identified in the MAKE award winning organisation mirror the characteristics of complex social systems. The findings suggest one possible explanation for the persistence of barriers to information and knowledge sharing, namely that these barriers are rooted in the nature of organisations as complex systems. Viewing poor information and knowledge flows through a complex social systems lens draws attention to the ‘wicked’ nature of the issue, i.e. the reality that persistent barriers form interacting meshes that can at best be mitigated but not eliminated. Also, viewing persistent barriers as inherent in organisations suggest alternative ways of attending to these barriers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: ‘n Oorsig van inligting- en kennisbestuur (IKB) gevallestudies wys duidelik dat hindernisse tot inligting- en kennisdeling gedurig volhou, selfs in organisasies met hoogs aangeskrewe IKB inisiatiewe. Die oogmerk van hierdie studie was om vas te stel waarom dit so is. Die studie het daarom hardnekkig volhoudende hindernisse tot inligting- en kennisdeling binne ‘n erkende Most Admired Knowledge Enterprise (MAKE) organisasie ondersoek. Dit is voorspel dat die volhoudende hindernisse sou ooreenstem met eienskappe van organisasies as komplekse sosiale stelsels. Die bevindinge het gewys dat volhoudende hindernisse wat binne die erkende MAKE organisasie identifiseer is, wel die eienskappe van komplekse sosiale stelsels weerspieël. Die bevindinge wys op een moontlike verklaring vir die hardnekkig volhoudende bestaan van hindernisse tot inligting- en kennisdeling, naamlik dat hierdie hindernisse spruit uit die aard van organisasies as komplekse stelsels. Deur na suboptimale inligting- en kennisvloei deur die lens van ‘n komplekse sosiale stelsel te kyk, word die ‘wicked’ aard van die probleem uitgewys, dit wil sê ‘n realiteit waar volhoudende hindernisse interaktiewe strikke vorm wat bloot aangespreek, maar nie elimineer kan word nie. Alternatiewe maniere word voorgestel hoe sulke hindernisse aangepak kan word.

Thesis (MPhil (Information Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis investigates investment theory in the light of complexity theory. These insights from diverse fields contain powerful images, metaphors and ways of thinking that allows one to seek new ways of comprehending the nature of the economy and therefore the nature of investment and the related issues of uncertainty and decision making. Complexity theory views the economy as being a dynamic, continuously adaptive, nonlinear system. This is in contrast to traditional or classical economic theory that views the economy as being a simple, linear, equilibrium deterministic system. This thesis is a conceptual study exploring the implications of a complexity worldview for investment decisions by looking at the nature and characteristics of complexity and then overlaying it on the characteristics of the economy. It is argued that complexity is caused by three elements: the structure of the system, human behaviour and exogenous factors. Thereafter follows an analysis of how investment decisions are made in the light of complexity by illustrating the investment models of two very successful, yet different investors: Warren Buffet and George Soros. Buffet’s model hinges on value. He realises that emergent phenomenon driven by irrational behaviour of investors leads to intrinsic values of shares to differ widely from perceived value. When quoted or perceived values are low than it is advisable to purchase as you have a margin of safety. Over the long term the market recognises the real value of the share. He tries to ignore the vagaries of the market and to focus on fundamentals. His list of fundamentals include; the franchise value of the company, quality of management and industry dynamics. George Soros in contrast utilises emergence patterns to locate potential investments. His model is that systems are flawed, human thinking and decision making is flawed and the interaction of the two lead to perturbations and oscillations. He focuses in trying to understand the flaw in systems and in human behaviour and to find some kind of pattern that he could utilise to make a profit. It is shown that both investment models can be understood from a complexity perspective and that these two investors built aspects from complexity into their decision models. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis ondersoek investeringsteorie in die lig van kompleksiteitsteorie. Met die hulp van metafore en insigte vanuit kompleksiteitsdenke word gesoek na nuwe maniere om die aard van die mark en investering verwante aspekte van onsekerheid en besluitneming te verstaan. Die kompleksiteitsperspektief sien die ekonomie as’n dinamiese en aanpassende nie-lineêre sisteem. Dit word gedoen deur die implikasies wat kompleksiteit vir investeringsbesluite inhou konseptueel te ondersoek. Die aard en eienskappe van komplekse sisteme word verduidelik en dan op die ekonomie toegepas. Daar word geargumenteer dat kompleksiteit deur drie elemente veroorsaak word: die struktuur van die sisteem, menslike gedrag en eksogene faktore. Daarna word die praktyk van investeringsbesluite geanaliseer in terme van kompleksiteit duer investeringsmodelle van twee suksesvolle, maar uiteenlopende, investeerders te ondersoek, naamlik Warren Buffet en George Soros. Buffet se model draai rondom waarde. Hy sien die irrasionele gedrag van investeerders as ‘n ontvouende fenomeen wat lei tot ‘n gaping tussen intrinsieke en verwagte waarde. Sy investering word gebaseer op die aanname dat oor die langer termyn die mark die intrinsieke waarde herken. Hy ignoreer dus korttermyn skommelinge in die verwagte waarde en fokus op die fundamentele, waaronder die maanwaarde van die besigheid, die kwaliteit van die bestuur, en industrie-dinamika tel. Soros se model daarenteen gebruik ontvouende patrone en potensiële investeringsgeleenthede te ontbloot. Sy model is dat sisteme inherente teenstrydighede het as ook menslike gedrag en besluitneming. Dit lei tot ossilasies en versteurings. Sy fokus is gerig daarop om hierdie versteurings in die sisteem tot voordeel aan te wend. Daar word getoon hoedat beide investeringsmodelle vanuit ‘n kompleksiteitsperspektief verstaan kan word en dat die twee investeerders sulke aspekte in hulle investeringsbesluite inbou.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Organisations are faced with ever increasing complexity. While there are many responses to complexity just as there are many definitions of complexity this thesis highlights the use of agile software development as a useful method. The case of agile software development is influenced by its people first approach and minimal process implementation to implement constraints in which phenomena of complexity can be understood. Chapter 1 introduces why complexity is relevant in the organisation today and the issues associated with complexity. A basic introduction to agile software development and why it is a response to complexity is tabled. Chapter 2 investigates the concepts of complexity. To highlight the difference between linear and non-linear systems and reductionistic thinking the ideas that not all things are complex is explored. Key concepts of complex systems are described to come to a better understanding of what entails a complex system. Information theory and dynamic systems are discussed including system attributes such as attractors and bifurcations. Finally the theory of complex adaptive systems is presented and a classification of all complexity theories is tabled. Chapter 3 is centred on agile software development, presenting practices and processes as a understanding of how agile software development is applicable to complexity. Three agile methods are identified. Chapter 4 presents the ideas of modelling and limits to understanding. Models of complex systems are useful but are limited, due to the properties of complex systems. The concept of mental models leads to models of organisations and how leaders need to help with transformation of these models towards models that are more aligned to agile type thinking. Chapter 5 looks at the core concepts, and practices of agile applied to complexity and why these are relevant in responding to complexity. Towards the end of chapter the role of narrative is explored in the terms of problem definition and solutioning in complex systems. Chapter 6 concludes the thesis with insights where agile software development is an appropriate response to complexity and the conditions in which it is not. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Organisasies staar toenemende kompleksiteit in die gesig en alhoewel daar verskeie maniere bestaan om kompleksiteit teen te werk, asook verskeie definisies van wat kompleksiteit is, focus die tesis op aanpasbare ("agile") sagteware ontwikkeling as n bruikbare metode. Met eienskappe soos “mense/verbruiker/gebruiker – eerste” benadering asook minimale proses implementering, verskaf aanpasbare sagteware ontwikkeling die raamwerk waar binne die konsep kompleksiteit verstaan kan word. Hoofstuk 1 bespreek die kwessies rondom kompleksiteit en die relevansie daarvan in organisasies vandag. Verder word aanpasbare sagteware ontwikkeling kortliks bespreek en hoe dit gebruik kan word om kompleksiteit te verstaan, word getoon. Hoofstuk 2 ondersoek die verskillende konsepte random kompleksiteit. Daar word gekyk na linêre en nie-linêre stelsels asook die oortuiging dat nie alle dinge kompleks is nie word geondersoek. Sleutel kenmerke van komplekse stelsels word beskryf om sodoende ‘n better begrip te kry van wat ‘n komplekse stelsel behels. Informasie teorie en dinamiese stelsels word bespreek, insluitend kenmerke soos “attraktors” en “bifurkasies”. Laastens, word die teorie rondom komplekse aanpasbare stelsels bespreek en ‘n klassifikasie van alle komplekse teorieë word uiteengesit. Hoofstuk 3 fokus op “agile software development” en hoe sulke praktyke en prosesse toepaslik is op kompleksiteit. Daaropvolgend word drie aanpasbare metodes ge-identifiseer en individueel bespreek. Hoofstuk 4 verduidelik die idees rondom modellering en grense van begrip. Modelle van komplekse stelsels kan nuttig wees, maar weens die eienskappe van komplekse stelsels, is die nuttigheid beperk. Die konsep van mentale modelle lei tot modelle van organisasies en hoe leiers hierdie modelle moet transformer na modelle wat meer in-lyn is met agile denkwyses. Hoofstuk 5 kyk na die kern konsepte en praktyke waar “agile” toegepas word tot kompleksiteit en waarom dit relevant is om kompleksiteit teen te werk. In die tweede helfde van die hoofstuk word die rol van narratief ondersoek in terme van probleem-identifisering en die soek na oplossings in komplekse sisteme. Hoofstuk 6 sluit af met insigte tot aanpasbare sagteware ontwikkelingsmetodes as toepaslike oplossing tot kompleksiteit asook die toestande waaronder dit geld.

This collected volume gives a concise account of the most rel-evant scientific results of the COST Action IS1104 "The EU in the new complex geography of economic systems: models, tools and policy evaluation", a four-year project supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology). It is divided into three parts reflecting the different perspectives under which complex spatial economic systems have been studied: (i) the Macro perspective looks at the interactions among international or regional trading partners; (ii) the Meso perspective considers the functioning of (financial, labour) markets as social network structures; and, finally, (iii) the Micro perspective focuses on the strategic choices of single firms and households. This Volume points also at open issues to be addressed in future research.

Submitted by SÍLVIA HELENA GUTTIER FARIA null (silviaguttier@hotmail.com) on 2017-12-17T23:50:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO_FINAL_SÍLVIA.pdf: 991663 bytes, checksum: 3ee83a18190a533881815a818cb4826b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Satie Tagara (satie@marilia.unesp.br) on 2017-12-18T12:36:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 faria_shg_me_mar.pdf: 991663 bytes, checksum: 3ee83a18190a533881815a818cb4826b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-18T12:36:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 faria_shg_me_mar.pdf: 991663 bytes, checksum: 3ee83a18190a533881815a818cb4826b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Nesta Dissertação, investiga-se o conceito de identidade social, a partir da perspectiva do paradigma da complexidade. Com amparo na teoria sistêmica, optamos por tal proposta de análise do conceito de identidade social, pois acreditamos na razoabilidade de uma investigação interdisciplinar, no que diz respeito a essa temática. A caracterização do conceito de identidade social se pautará nos conceitos de diferença e informação, assim, nos inspiramos no pensamento de Cilliers (2010), sobre o conceito de diferença, e de Bateson (1972), quanto ao conceito de informação. Bateson entende a informação como a diferença que faz diferença e, nesse contexto, é possível pensar que aspectos de identidade social emergem, seja por processos, seja por propriedades, com base na dinâmica entre os elementos sistêmicos em contato com informação sobre diferenças – em tal dinâmica, salientamos a atividade de parâmetros de ordem e de controle, conceitos que serão caracterizados no decorrer da Dissertação. Ilustramos a caracterização do conceito de identidade social através de alguns exemplos da sociedade contemporânea, relacionados ao desenvolvimento das tecnologias de informação e comunicação. / In this dissertation, the conception of social identity is investigated, starting with the perspective of the complexity paradigm. With the support on the systemic theory, it’s opted for the proposal of the analysis of the social identity conception, because it’s believed in the reasonability of an interdisciplinary investigation, concerning this topic. The characterization of the social identity will be ruled on the conceptions of difference and information, so it has been inspired on Cilliers’ thought (2010) on the conception of difference, and Bateson’s (1972) on the conception of information. Bateson understands information as the difference that makes the difference and, in this context, it’s possible to think that aspects of social identity come up, either by processes or by properties, based on the dynamic between the systemic elements in contact with information on differences – it’s pointed out in such dynamic the activity of order and control parameters, conceptions that will be characterized in the dissertation. The characterization of the social identity conception it’s emphasized through some examples of the contemporary society, related to the technologies of information and communication development.