This research explored the extent to which different knowledge conversion processes require different kinds of leadership. The research was inspired by Nonaka and Konno (1998) and proposed that knowledge conversion processes may each require their own form of leadership because they are conducted under different bas or contexts. Vera and Crossan's (2004) work provided a foundation for this research through the argument that knowledge conversion processes need not only transformational but also transactional leadership. The leadership framework based upon transformational and transactional leadership was therefore adopted for the study. Semi-structured interviews and the Multifactor Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ), developed by Bernard Bass and Bruce Avolio to assess leadership under the transformational and transactional leadership framework, were used to gauge the opinions of participants about leadership and knowledge conversion processes. Scenarios/descriptions derived from Nonaka and Takeuchi (1995) were used to focus the mindset of the participants involved in the interviews and the questionnaire, which was administered at the time of the interviews to support triangulation. Findings suggested that knowledge conversion processes do not differ to the extent that they require both transformational and transactional leadership. However, qualitative evidence indicated that knowledge conversion processes were somewhat different in terms of certain dimensions of transformational leadership. These differences related to the need for a strong sense of purpose, a compelling vision of the future and long-termism in some but not all situations involving the leadership of knowledge conversion processes.

Syftet med detta examensarbete är att effektivisera monteringsprocessen genom att hitta en lämplig produktionslayout i den gemensamma monteringsavdelningen. Rapporten bygger på följande frågeställningar: 1. Hur fungerar den befintliga produktionslayouten för de fyra olika teamen? 2. Vilken/Vilka kriterier kan påverka effektiviteten i den gemensamma monteringsavdelningen? 3. Hur ser ett förslag till en ny produktionslayout ut som tar hänsyn till dessa kriterier? Frågeställningarna besvaras med hjälp av en fallstudie som gjordes på företaget. Data samlades in genom intervjuer med berörd personal inom det undersökta området och observationer gjordes i produktionslokalen. Studier av grundläggande teorier inom produktionslogistik bygger ett teoretiskt ramverk för hela rapporten och ger stöd till genomförandet av projektet. I undersökningen studeras plockningsprocess och omställningsprocess extra noggrant för att kunna minska tidsåtgången för dessa arbeten. Resultatet visar att Garo har lagt upp sina produktionsresurser på ett sätt så att det blir smidigt för montörer att genomföra sitt arbete. Företaget producerar en stor mängd varianter för att tillfredsställa marknadens efterfrågan. Orderkvantiteterna är oftast små och monteringen sker antingen mot lagerorder eller mot kundorder. Ca 50% av produktionen sker mot kundanpassade ordrar. Enligt observationer är den befintliga produktionslayouten i de fyra monteringsteamen av den cellbaserade typen, där varje arbetsbänk motsvarar en produktionscell. Enligt teorin av de sju produktionssystemen skall denna layout passa utmärkt för företags verksamhet med hänsyn till sina omväxlande produktmodeller och rekommenderas därför att behållas. Anledningen till att den inte bidrar till den önskade effektiviteten i monteringsteamen är att det har funnit slöserier som genereras av icke värdeskapande aktiviteter i arbetsprocessen. De största slöserierna identifierats i monteringsprocessen är väntan, onödigt lager och onödig transport. För att öka effektiviteten i monteringsteamen måste företaget eliminera slöserierna genom att:  Effektivisera plockningen  Skapa bättre flexibilitet på arbetsbänkarna  Rationalisera efterarbete i omställningen

Given a graph G and an initial colouring of its vertices with two colours, say black and white, an irreversible k-threshold conversion process on G is an iterative process in which a white vertex becomes permanently coloured black at time t if at least k of its neighbours are coloured black at time t-1. A set S of vertices is an irreversible k-threshold conversion set (k-conversion set) of G if the initial colouring in which the vertices of S are black and the others are white results in the whole vertex set becoming black eventually. In the case where G is (k+1)-regular, it can be shown that the k-conversion sets coincide with the so-called feedback vertex sets, or decycling sets. In this dissertation we study the size and structure of minimum k-conversion sets in several classes of graphs. We examine conditions that lead to equality and inequality in existing bounds on the minimum size of a k-conversion set of G, for k- and (k+1)-regular graphs G. Furthermore, we derive new sharp lower bounds on this number for regular graphs of degree ranging from k+1 to 2k-1 and for graphs of maximum degree k+1. We determine exact values of the minimum size of a k-conversion set for certain classes of trees. We show that every (k+1)-regular graph has a minimum k-conversion set that avoids certain structures in its induced subgraph. These results lead to new proofs of several known results on colourings and forest partitions of (k+1)-regular graphs and graphs of maximum degree k+1. / Graduate

A busca por alternativas viáveis de produção de energia limpa e renovável, utilizando recursos naturais, tem sido um grande desafio. Em especial, o interesse no uso da energia solar para obter energia elétrica tem aumentado. Todavia, as células solares convencionais que são confeccionadas a partir de silício cristalino (Si-c) apresentam uma eficiência de conversão limitada, principalmente, devido às perdas por incompatibilidade espectral. Sendo assim, um dos objetivos dos pesquisadores na área de fotovoltaicos tem sido converter eficientemente fótons da região do visível do espectro solar para a região do infravermelho, onde a célula solar de Si-c possui maior eficiência. A eficiência desta conversão poderia ser melhorada de 28% até 40% usando conversores de energia compostos por íons terras raras. Neste trabalho foram estudadas as propriedades espectroscópicas dos íons terras raras Térbio (Tb3+) e Itérbio (Yb3+), embebidos em três diferentes materiais: vidro aluminosilicato de cálcio com baixa concentração de sílica (7%) (LSCAS), vidro tetraborato de cálcio-lítio (Calibo) e nano-cristais de óxido de zircônia (ZrO2). Sendo assim, nossos estudos visam elucidar os mecanismos geradores dos processos de conversão ascendente e descendente de energia. No processo de conversão ascendente de energia há conversão dos fótons de excitação de baixa energia na região do infravermelho em fótons de alta energia na região do visível. Por outro lado, no processo de conversão descendente de energia ocorre a conversão dos fótons de excitação de alta energia na região do ultravioleta/visível em um ou mais fótons de baixa energia na região do infravermelho. As propriedades espectroscópicas dos materiais estudados foram discutidas a partir das medidas de absorção, luminescência, excitação, evolução temporal da luminescência, curva de potência, difração de raios-X, X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure e ressonância paramagnética eletrônica, em função da concentração dos íons Tb3+ e Yb3+. Os resultados mostraram que todas as amostras apresentam conversão ascendente de energia. Assim como, em todas as amostras ocorre o processo de conversão descendente de energia. Em ambos os processos foram identificados os mecanismos geradores dos mesmos. Estes resultados mostram um avanço nos estudos dos processos de conversão ascendente e descendente de energia em sistemas co-dopados com íons Tb3+ e Yb3+. Os resultados sugerem que os materiais estudados podem ser empregados para aumentar a eficiência de conversão da célula solar de Si-c via conversão descendente de energia. / The search for possible alternatives to produce clean and renewable energy using the natural resources has been a great challenge. In particular, the interest to use the solar energy to produce electricity has been increased. However, crystalline silicon-based (c-Si) conventional solar cells have limited conversion efficiency, mainly due to spectral mismatch losses. Thus, one of the goals of some researchers in the photovoltaic field has been to efficiently convert photons in the visible region of the solar spectrum to the infrared region, where the c-Si solar cell has its higher efficiency. The efficiency of this conversion could be enhanced from 28% up to 40% using energy converters based on rare-earths ions. In this work, the spectroscopic properties of rare earth ions, such as Terbium (Tb3+) and Ytterbium (Yb3+) embedded in three different materials were studied: low- silica calcium aluminosilicate glass (7%) (LSCAS), lithium calcium tetraborate glass (Calibo) and zirconium oxide nano-crystals (ZrO2). Thus, our studies aimed to elucidate the mechanisms that generate the Up-conversion and Down-conversion processes. In the Up-conversion process, there is the conversion of the low-energy excitation photons in the near-infrared to high-energy photons in the visible. On the other hand, in the Down-conversion process there is the conversion of the high-energy excitation photons in the ultraviolet/visible region to low-energy photons in the near-infrared region. The optical properties of the studied materials were discussed through absorption, luminescence, excitation, temporal evolution of the luminescence, power curve, X-ray diffraction, X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements, as a function of the concentration of Tb3+ and Yb3+ ions. The results showed that all samples exhibit Up-conversion process. In addition, in all samples occurs the Down-conversion process. In both processes were identified the mechanisms that produce them. These results show a breakthrough in the studies of the Up-conversion and Down-conversion processes in Tb3+ and Yb3+ co-doped systems. The results suggest that the materials are applicable in enhancing the conversion efficiency of the Si-c solar cell via NIR Down-conversion.

A busca por alternativas viáveis de produção de energia limpa e renovável, utilizando recursos naturais, tem sido um grande desafio. Em especial, o interesse no uso da energia solar para obter energia elétrica tem aumentado. Todavia, as células solares convencionais que são confeccionadas a partir de silício cristalino (Si-c) apresentam uma eficiência de conversão limitada, principalmente, devido às perdas por incompatibilidade espectral. Sendo assim, um dos objetivos dos pesquisadores na área de fotovoltaicos tem sido converter eficientemente fótons da região do visível do espectro solar para a região do infravermelho, onde a célula solar de Si-c possui maior eficiência. A eficiência desta conversão poderia ser melhorada de 28% até 40% usando conversores de energia compostos por íons terras raras. Neste trabalho foram estudadas as propriedades espectroscópicas dos íons terras raras Térbio (Tb3+) e Itérbio (Yb3+), embebidos em três diferentes materiais: vidro aluminosilicato de cálcio com baixa concentração de sílica (7%) (LSCAS), vidro tetraborato de cálcio-lítio (Calibo) e nano-cristais de óxido de zircônia (ZrO2). Sendo assim, nossos estudos visam elucidar os mecanismos geradores dos processos de conversão ascendente e descendente de energia. No processo de conversão ascendente de energia há conversão dos fótons de excitação de baixa energia na região do infravermelho em fótons de alta energia na região do visível. Por outro lado, no processo de conversão descendente de energia ocorre a conversão dos fótons de excitação de alta energia na região do ultravioleta/visível em um ou mais fótons de baixa energia na região do infravermelho. As propriedades espectroscópicas dos materiais estudados foram discutidas a partir das medidas de absorção, luminescência, excitação, evolução temporal da luminescência, curva de potência, difração de raios-X, X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure e ressonância paramagnética eletrônica, em função da concentração dos íons Tb3+ e Yb3+. Os resultados mostraram que todas as amostras apresentam conversão ascendente de energia. Assim como, em todas as amostras ocorre o processo de conversão descendente de energia. Em ambos os processos foram identificados os mecanismos geradores dos mesmos. Estes resultados mostram um avanço nos estudos dos processos de conversão ascendente e descendente de energia em sistemas co-dopados com íons Tb3+ e Yb3+. Os resultados sugerem que os materiais estudados podem ser empregados para aumentar a eficiência de conversão da célula solar de Si-c via conversão descendente de energia. / The search for possible alternatives to produce clean and renewable energy using the natural resources has been a great challenge. In particular, the interest to use the solar energy to produce electricity has been increased. However, crystalline silicon-based (c-Si) conventional solar cells have limited conversion efficiency, mainly due to spectral mismatch losses. Thus, one of the goals of some researchers in the photovoltaic field has been to efficiently convert photons in the visible region of the solar spectrum to the infrared region, where the c-Si solar cell has its higher efficiency. The efficiency of this conversion could be enhanced from 28% up to 40% using energy converters based on rare-earths ions. In this work, the spectroscopic properties of rare earth ions, such as Terbium (Tb3+) and Ytterbium (Yb3+) embedded in three different materials were studied: low- silica calcium aluminosilicate glass (7%) (LSCAS), lithium calcium tetraborate glass (Calibo) and zirconium oxide nano-crystals (ZrO2). Thus, our studies aimed to elucidate the mechanisms that generate the Up-conversion and Down-conversion processes. In the Up-conversion process, there is the conversion of the low-energy excitation photons in the near-infrared to high-energy photons in the visible. On the other hand, in the Down-conversion process there is the conversion of the high-energy excitation photons in the ultraviolet/visible region to low-energy photons in the near-infrared region. The optical properties of the studied materials were discussed through absorption, luminescence, excitation, temporal evolution of the luminescence, power curve, X-ray diffraction, X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Structure and electron paramagnetic resonance measurements, as a function of the concentration of Tb3+ and Yb3+ ions. The results showed that all samples exhibit Up-conversion process. In addition, in all samples occurs the Down-conversion process. In both processes were identified the mechanisms that produce them. These results show a breakthrough in the studies of the Up-conversion and Down-conversion processes in Tb3+ and Yb3+ co-doped systems. The results suggest that the materials are applicable in enhancing the conversion efficiency of the Si-c solar cell via NIR Down-conversion.

Submitted by FRANCINE BETTIO COSTA null (franbettiocosta@gmail.com) on 2016-06-24T00:23:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Francine Bettio Costa - Tese de Doutorado.pdf: 2483860 bytes, checksum: 50a1ed14dcf31cd79adfc9cd65def751 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-06-28T14:49:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 costa_fb_dr_ilha.pdf: 2483860 bytes, checksum: 50a1ed14dcf31cd79adfc9cd65def751 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-28T14:49:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 costa_fb_dr_ilha.pdf: 2483860 bytes, checksum: 50a1ed14dcf31cd79adfc9cd65def751 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-22 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Pró-Reitoria de Pós-Graduação (PROPG UNESP) / A busca por novas fontes renováveis de energia tem se tornado de grande apelo devido à necessidade de se reduzir os impactos ambientais. Esse interesse tem motivado a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento de células fotovoltaicas (CFs) mais eficientes e baratas. Assim, a energia solar fotovoltaica tem sido uma opção para se complementar e ampliar a geração de eletricidade. Entretanto, as células de silício cristalino (Si-c) disponíveis no mercado apresentam baixa eficiência de conversão da radiação luminosa em energia elétrica devida, principalmente, às perdas por incompatibilidade espectral entre as regiões de máxima emissão solar (região do visível - Vis) e de máxima eficiência fotovoltaica da célula de Si-c (região do infravermelho - IV). Para minimizar essas perdas e, consequentemente, melhorar a eficiência da CF, conversores descendentes de energia compostos por íons terras-raras são usados na conversão de fótons de alta energia (Vis) em fótons de menor energia (IV). Nesse ínterim, no presente trabalho foram estudadas as propriedades espectroscópicas dos íons neodímio (Nd3+) e itérbio (Yb3+) incorporados, como dopantes, no vidro telurito-tungstênio (TW). Tais propriedades foram obtidas a partir de medidas de difração de raios-X, densidade de massa, espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier, Raman, absorção óptica, luminescência, excitação, evolução temporal da luminescência e lente térmica. Este estudo foi dividido em duas etapas. Primeiramente, vidros TW dopados com Nd3+ foram preparados em diferentes atmosferas, i.e., uma atmosfera ambiente e outra rica em O2, para investigação da influência dos grupos hidroxilas (OH) nas propriedades espectroscópicas de amostras com diferentes concentrações de Nd3+. A dependência com a concentração indicou que a transferência de energia do íon Nd3+ para o grupo OH foi desprezível e que a eficiência quântica luminescente do nível 4F3/2 diminuiu com o aumento da concentração de Nd3+. Posteriormente, vidros TW co-dopados com Nd3+ e Yb3+ foram preparados em atmosfera ambiente para investigação da correlação entre os íons Yb3+ e os mecanismos de conversão descendente de energia (CDE). Os resultados mostraram que a luminescência, oriunda do nível 4F3/2, diminuiu com o aumento da concentração de íons Yb3+. Simultaneamente, observou-se um aumento correspondente na emissão do Yb3+ e uma redução no calor gerado pela amostra. A transferência de energia Nd3+ → Yb3+ foi observada qualitativamente e a eficiência dessa transferência foi avaliada quantitativamente por valores do tempo de vida. Esses resultados indicam que o vidro TW co-dopado com íons Nd3+ e Yb3+ é um sistema com potencial para ser usado como material conversor descendente de energia aplicado sobre as células fotovoltaicas de Si-c. / The demand for new and renewable energy sources has been of great appeal due to the reduction of environmental impacts. This interest has motivated the research and the development of more efficient and less expensive photovoltaic (PV) cells. Thus, the photovoltaic solar energy has been an option to complement and expand the generation of electricity. However, commercialized crystalline silicon cells present low conversion efficiency of the light irradiation energy into electric energy, mainly due to the spectral mismatch between the regions of maximum solar emission (visible spectrum) and of maximum PV cell efficiency, which is in infrared region. To minimize such losses and, consequently, improve the efficiency of PV cell, down-converters with rare-earth ions in their structure are used to convert the high energy photons (at the visible - Vis) into low energy photons (at the infrared - IR). Meanwhile, in the present work we study the spectroscopic properties of neodymium (Nd3+) and ytterbium (Yb3+) ions incorporated as dopants in a tellurite-tungsten (TW) glass matrix. The characterization of the samples were obtained from measurements of X-ray diffraction, mass density, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, optical absorption, luminescence, excitation, temporal evolution of the luminescence and thermal lens. This study was divided into two stages. Primarily, Nd3+-doped TW glasses were prepared in different atmospheres, i.e., an ambient atmosphere and in another rich in O2 to investigate the influence of the hydroxyl (OH) groups in the spectroscopic properties of samples with different concentrations of Nd3+. The results showed that the energy transfer from Nd3+ ion to the OH group was negligible. The concentration dependency indicated that the energy transference from the Nd3+ ion to the OH group was negligible. In addition, the luminescent quantum efficiency of 4F3/2 level decreased with increasing of Nd3+ concentration. Subsequently, Nd3+ and Yb3+ co-doped TW glasses were prepared in ambient atmosphere to investigate the correlation between Yb3+ ions and down-conversion (DC) mechanisms. The results showed that the luminescence of the 4F3/2 decreased as the concentration of Yb3+ was increased. Simultaneously, it was observed a corresponding increase in the emission of the Yb3+ and a reduction in the generated heat by the sample. The Nd3+ → Yb3+ energy transfer was observed qualitatively and the efficiency of such transfer was quantitatively evaluated by lifetime values. The results indicate that the co-doped TW glasses by Nd3+ and Yb3+ are systems with potential to be used as down-converter material applied to the c-Si photovoltaics cells.

Orientador: João Carlos Silos Moraes / Abstract: The demand for new and renewable energy sources has been of great appeal due to the reduction of environmental impacts. This interest has motivated the research and the development of more efficient and less expensive photovoltaic (PV) cells. Thus, the photovoltaic solar energy has been an option to complement and expand the generation of electricity. However, commercialized crystalline silicon cells present low conversion efficiency of the light irradiation energy into electric energy, mainly due to the spectral mismatch between the regions of maximum solar emission (visible spectrum) and of maximum PV cell efficiency, which is in infrared region. To minimize such losses and, consequently, improve the efficiency of PV cell, down-converters with rare-earth ions in their structure are used to convert the high energy photons (at the visible - Vis) into low energy photons (at the infrared - IR). Meanwhile, in the present work we study the spectroscopic properties of neodymium (Nd3+) and ytterbium (Yb3+) ions incorporated as dopants in a tellurite-tungsten (TW) glass matrix. The characterization of the samples were obtained from measurements of X-ray diffraction, mass density, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, optical absorption, luminescence, excitation, temporal evolution of the luminescence and thermal lens. This study was divided into two stages. Primarily, Nd3+-doped TW glasses were prepared in different atmospheres, i.e., an ambient atmosphere and... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Resumo: A busca por novas fontes renováveis de energia tem se tornado de grande apelo devido à necessidade de se reduzir os impactos ambientais. Esse interesse tem motivado a pesquisa e o desenvolvimento de células fotovoltaicas (CFs) mais eficientes e baratas. Assim, a energia solar fotovoltaica tem sido uma opção para se complementar e ampliar a geração de eletricidade. Entretanto, as células de silício cristalino (Si-c) disponíveis no mercado apresentam baixa eficiência de conversão da radiação luminosa em energia elétrica devida, principalmente, às perdas por incompatibilidade espectral entre as regiões de máxima emissão solar (região do visível - Vis) e de máxima eficiência fotovoltaica da célula de Si-c (região do infravermelho - IV). Para minimizar essas perdas e, consequentemente, melhorar a eficiência da CF, conversores descendentes de energia compostos por íons terras-raras são usados na conversão de fótons de alta energia (Vis) em fótons de menor energia (IV). Nesse ínterim, no presente trabalho foram estudadas as propriedades espectroscópicas dos íons neodímio (Nd3+) e itérbio (Yb3+) incorporados, como dopantes, no vidro telurito-tungstênio (TW). Tais propriedades foram obtidas a partir de medidas de difração de raios-X, densidade de massa, espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier, Raman, absorção óptica, luminescência, excitação, evolução temporal da luminescência e lente térmica. Este estudo foi dividido em duas etapas. Primeiramente, vidros TW dopado... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

The Swedish Migration Agency has, through the years, received criticism regarding its management and assessments of different cases. One of these critiques has been towards the Agency’s management of asylum seekers claiming to have converted as a refugee claim. Therefore, this thesis aims to strengthen the Agency’s management of these cases. Using the critisism made against the Swedish Migration Agency, I suggested recommendation and amendments to the Agency’s established guidelines. The findings in this thesis showed extensive criticism towards the Agency’s usage of religious knowledge tests to assess the genuineness of a conversion. The critic also argues that the Agency lacks religious understanding and that the Agency should focus on identity, community, and faith in a higher power. The analysis presented a need to address religion, the conversion process, and the role of the Agency’s personnel in the guideline.

This research project focuses on conversions from Islam to Christianity in the Sudan. It first gives a biblical and theological understanding of conversion and then introduces the sociological and psychological understanding of such a change in religious affiliation. It discusses conversion as a spiritual decision process and develops a spiritual decision matrix for evaluating conversion processes of Muslims. The heart of the study is an analysis of the conversion processes of six converts with a Northern Sudanese background from different Muslim tribes. The interviews that were conducted with these converts are analysed in terms of five parameters: reasons for conversion; factors that led to conversion; stages in the conversion processes; problems encountered during the conversion processes; and results of the conversion. These parameters are compared with existing data from six studies of Muslims in other geographical areas who also converted to the Christian faith. / Christian Spirituality Church History and Missiology / M.Th. (Missiology)

This thesis analyses the conversion processes of 17 urban Muslims in Kenya who decided to follow Jesus Christ. It first describes conversion from a multidisciplinary perspective by introducing sociological, psychological, anthropological, theological and missiological understandings of such a change in religious affiliation. Next in-depth interviews are analysed using principles of grounded theory, where new theory is developed by interaction between data from reality, the analysis and existing theories (abductive reasoning). The main findings are that the conversion of Muslims who accept Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord is a process that develops over a period of time through phases with a cognitive and an affective dimension. Changes with regard to convictions and attitudes take place simultaneously on several properties or ‘layers’ of both dimensions. The process is influenced by significant factors in the form of causal and intervening conditions, resulting in consequences for the convert in the form of a transformation as well as in changed relationships with the community. Gender, socio-economic level, education as well as the community from which the converts come influence the process. In order to describe the complex dynamics that are at work in such conversion processes of Muslims, a Matrix of Conversion Processes is developed in which the multiple movements of a convert on the two dimensions are put in relation to six chronological phases. A matrix of different types of conversion processes and the description of four typical processes emerge from the analysis. In order to facilitate conversion processes, cognitive and affective elements need to be addressed together. The interaction between different factors, the will-power of the person and the influence of God determine the development, an understanding that is relevant for conversion studies, as well as for missiology and the missionary task of the church in Kenya and beyond. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th. (Missiology)