Cette étude a pour objet de démontrer la possibilité d'existence de droits sur des choses de genre, c'est-à-dire sur des choses définies de manière générale et d'exposer ensuite ses implications. Cette hypothèse est traditionnellement écartée par la théorie des biens, qui n'admet l'existence de droits de propriété et de droits réels que sur des choses individuellement déterminées. Le principe d'une réservation de choses génériquement déterminées est pourtant concevable et mérite, dans ces conditions, être reconnu. Les conséquences principales de cette reconnaissance sont au nombre de deux. Les droits sur choses de genre présentent tout d'abord la particularité de pouvoir survivre à la confusion de la chose qui constitue leur assiette. Ils présentent également la particularité plus remarquable de pouvoir, dans un assez grand nombre d'hypothèses, survivre à la disparition matérielle ou juridique de la chose qui en constitue l'objet. / The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the possibility of existence of rights over generic things, i.e things whose constitution is determined in consideration of generic features, and to present its implications. Property law has, historically, never admitted the fact that a right could be established on things other than those which are individually determined, and can be refered to as "this" thing. Rights over generic things are, nevertheless, a reality and therefore deserved to be recognized. They have two main characteristics. First of all, they have the ability to survive the mixing of their object with other identical things. They can also, in a rather important number of cases, survive the material or juridical loss of their object.

Neste trabalho estudamos variedades determinantais essencialmente isoladas (EIDS), definidas por W. Èbeling e S. M. Gusen-Zade em [23]. Este tipo de singularidades é uma generalização das singularidades isoladas. A variedade determinantal genérica Mtm, n é o subconjunto das matrizes m X n, tais que o posto seja menor que t, onde t &le; min{n;m}. Uma variedade X &sub; CN é determinantal se é definida como a pré-imagem de uma função holomorfa F : CN &rarr; Mm;n, sobre a variedade determinantal genérica M t</sup m;n, com a condição codim X = codim Mtm;n. Uma variedade determinantal tem singularidade isolada se N &le; (n- t + 2)(m- t + 2) e admite suavização se N < (n-t+2)(m-t+2). Trabalhos recentes têm estudado variedades determinantais com singularidade isolada, [35, 31]. O número de Milnor de uma superfície determinantal é investigado em [35, 31, 12]. Para variedades determinantais de dimensões maiores a característica de Euler evanescente é definida em [31, 12]. Neste trabalho estudamos o conjunto de limites de hiperplanos tangentes às variedades determinantais X2 &sub; C4 e X3 &sub; C5 para dar uma caracterização deste conjunto, em que o número de Milnor de sua seção com a superfície no primeiro caso ou a 3- variedade no segundo caso não é mínimo. O primeiro caso foi estudado por Jawad Snoussi em [38]. Provamos também que se X é uma EIDS de dimensão d e H e H\' são dois hiperplanos fortemente gerais, se P &sub; H e P\' &sub;H\' são planos lineares de codimensão d - 2 contidos respectivamente em H e H\', o número de Milnor das superfícies correspondentes X &cap; P\' são iguais. Este resultado foi provado para o caso em que a seção genérica é uma curva em [26]. Estudamos a transformada de Nash de uma EIDS e discutimos condições suficientes para que esta transformada seja suave. Outro objetivo é estudar a obstrução de Euler de singularidades determinantais essencialmente isoladas. Obtemos fórmulas que relacionam a obstrução de Euler com a característica de Euler evanescente da suavização essencial de suas seções gerais. Estudamos as variedades determinantais com o conjunto singular de dimensão 1 para ilustrar os resultados. / In this work, we study the essentially isolated determinantal singularities (EIDS), which have been defined by W. Èbeling and S. M. Gusen-Zade in the article [23]. This type of singularities is a natural generalization of isolated ones. A generic determinantal variety Mtm;n is a subset of the space of m X n matrices, given by matrices of rank less than t, where t &le; min. A variety X &sub; CN is determinantal if X is defined as the pre-image of Mtm;n by a holomorphic function F : CN &rarr; Mm;n with the condition codim X = codim Mtm;n. Determinantal varieties have isolated singularity if N &le; (n - t + 2)(m - t + 2) and they admit smoothing if N < (n - t +2)(m - t +2). Several recent works investigate determinantal variety with isolated singularities. The Milnor number of a surface was defined in [35, 31] and the vanishing Euler characteristic was studied in [31]. In this work we study the set of limits of tangent hyperplanes to determinantal varieties X2 &sub; C4 and X3 &sub; C5 to give a characterization of this set by the fact that the Milnor number of its section with the surface in the first case or the 3-dimensional determinantal variety in the second case is not minimum. The first case is studied by Jawad Snoussi in [38]. We also prove that if X is a d- dimensional EIDS and H and H\' are strongly general hyperplans, if P &sub; H and P\' are linear plans of codimension d - 2 contained in H and H\', the Milnor number of the surfaces X &cap; P and X &cap; P\' are equal. In the case that the generic section is a curve the result has been proved in [26]. We study the Nash transformation of an EIDS and give sufficient conditions for this transformation to be smooth. Another aim of our study is the Euler obstruction of essentially isolated determinantal singularities. We obtain inductive formulas associating the Euler obstruction with the vanishing Euler characteristic of the essencial smoothing of their generic sections. We study the determinantal variety with singular set of dimension 1 to illustrate the results.

Introduction: Due to the increase in healthcare costs, generic medicines have been adopted for used in both developed and developing countries. When a generic or ‘multisource interchangeable medicine’ is to be registered, studies that prove that the generic is equivalent to the Innovator Product (IP) are used. The generic medicine is required to prove that it will mirror the IP in terms of safety, quality and efficacy and, in South Africa, the Medicines Control Council (MCC) ensures that generic medicines meet these requirements. Generic medicines may be registered using bioequivalence data obtained from comparison with a domestic reference product (usually the local innovator product) or in certain cases, a foreign reference product (FRP). The bioequivalence data can either be from in vivo or in vitro studies. The MCC guidelines require that for modified release preparations, in vivo bioequivalence studies are done for approval of registration; the exception being if a proportionally higher dose has already been registered. No information is currently given to prescribers and dispensers or to the public about whether a generic product was registered against a foreign or domestic reference product. Aims and Objectives: 1.) To determine the number of generic medicines in a predetermined sample registered using a FRP as comparator and to document the transparency of pharmaceutical companies when approached to disclose information regarding the registration of these products. 2.) To describe and document the use of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (Act 2 of 2000) [PAIA] from the perspective of a ‘layperson’ in the context of medicines’ regulation, in both private and public bodies. Methods: 20 modified release and Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) class IV products were selected from the ‘generics dictionary’ – a commercial publication – and letters were sent to the manufacturers of the products requesting information about the tests done to prove equivalence and whether they were performed against a domestic or foreign reference product. The same information was also requested from the MCC. The requests were all made using the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA). Results: Nine companies were represented by the 20 products chosen. Information was obtained about thirteen products. Ten of these products were registered using FRPs. Four products were registered based only on comparative dissolution studies. Four companies provided the requested information, two companies responded by refusing the requests and three did not respond at all. The MCC refused the request for information even after an internal appeal was lodged. Conclusions: The Promotion of Access to information Act was unsuccessful in obtaining information from the public body, and partly successful in obtaining it from the private bodies. While the title of the Act seems to indicate that the Act can be used to obtain information as such, it only provides for access to specified records. The MCC and the pharmaceutical companies involved in the study were under no obligation to provide the information as the request had not complied with PAIA requirements. The use of FRPs for registration is a reality in the pharmaceutical industry in South Africa. Neither the public nor healthcare professionals who prescribe medicines or who are involved in dispensing generic medicines as substitutes are aware of whether or not a FRP has been used to register a generic. Interchangeability cannot necessarily be guaranteed if the reference product was not proven equivalent to the local innovator product. It is debatable as to whether or not this information would be of any particular benefit to members of the public. Prescribers may choose to write ‘no substitution’ on their prescriptions if they were unconvinced that an FRP is acceptable. This could have consequences for healthcare costs. Dispensers are the most vulnerable in South Africa as they are obliged by law to substitute generic medicines when innovator medicines have been prescribed. Dispensers’ views on the acceptability of the use of FRPs can be seen as irrelevant. In the end, as this study demonstrates, the only option in the present situation is to rely entirely on the MCC’s rigour in assessing applications for registration of generic medicines.

Este trabalho descreve a Klein, uma biblioteca genérica para álgebra linear em C++. A Klein facilita o uso de matrizes e vetores, permitindo que o usuário programe de modo similar ao Matlab. Com ela podemos, por exemplo, implementar um passo do método de Newton para a função f, através da expressão x = x - inv(jac(x)) * f(x), onde x é o vetor, jac a Jacobiana e inv a inversa. Além disso, por se tratar de uma biblioteca genérica, os tipos envolvidos nestas expressões podem ser escolhidos pelo programador. O trabalho também discute como a biblioteca é testada, tanto do ponto de vista de corretude quanto de desempenho. / We describe the Klein library, a generic libray for linear algebra in C++. It simplifies the use of vectors and matrices and let the user program as in Matlab. With Klein, one can for instance implement Newton\'s method as x = x - inv(jac(x)) * f(x), where x is a vector, jac is the Jacobian matrix, inv is the inverse operator and f(x) is the function of which we want to find zero. Moreover, Klein is generic in the sense that it allows the use of arbitrary types of scalars (float, double, intervals, rationals, etc). We also explain how it is tested, both for correctness and performance.

Scientific data life cycles define how data is created, handled, accessed, and analyzed by users. Such data life cycles become increasingly sophisticated as the sciences they deal with become more and more demanding and complex with the coming advent of exascale data and computing. The overarching data life cycle management background includes multiple abstraction categories with data sources, data and metadata management, computing and workflow management, security, data sinks, and methods on how to enable utilization. Challenges in this context are manifold. One is to hide the complexity from the user and to enable seamlessness in using resources to usability and efficiency. Another one is to enable generic metadata management that is not restricted to one use case but can be adapted with limited effort to further ones. Metadata management is essential to enable scientists to save time by avoiding the need for manually keeping track of data, meaning for example by its content and location. As the number of files grows into the millions, managing data without metadata becomes increasingly difficult. Thus, the solution is to employ metadata management to enable the organization of data based on information about it. Previously, use cases tended to only support highly specific or no metadata management at all. Now, a generic metadata management concept is available that can be used to efficiently integrate metadata capabilities with use cases. The concept was implemented within the MoSGrid data life cycle that enables molecular simulations on distributed HPC-enabled data and computing infrastructures. The implementation enables easy-to-use and effective metadata management. Automated extraction, annotation, and indexing of metadata was designed, developed, integrated, and search capabilities provided via a seamless user interface. Further analysis runs can be directly started based on search results. A complete evaluation of the concept both in general and along the example implementation is presented. In conclusion, generic metadata management concept advances the state of the art in scientific date life cycle management.

This thesis discusses the creation of a novel platform that incorporates multiple communication methods, including SMS, email and web-based technologies, for interacting with users of mobile communication devices. The platform utilises people in a mobile environment to solve a range of different application problems, where each problem is a separate and distinct scenario type with unique objectives. There are existing applications available that interact with users of mobile communication devices to provide a service, such as regular weather updates to the users. Other applications have been designed to manage and coordinate the users to perform tasks within a mobile environment, such as performing field studies for scientific purposes. However, the existing applications are designed for only one specific scenario, with the design and implementation solely focused on solving the objectives of that scenario. Each component of these applications needs to be developed from scratch in order to cater for the application s requirements. There is currently no integrated communications platform that offers a framework for supporting a range of different scenario types. The new platform, entitled the Connected-Mobile Platform, aims to support the rapid development and implementation of new scenarios. This platform is composed of a framework of generic components that enable the active running of multiple scenarios concurrently, with the ability to tailor to the requirements of new scenarios as they arise via a structured process. The platform facilitates a means to coordinate its users in order to tackle the objectives of a scenario. The thesis investigates several system architectures to determine an appropriate architectural design for constructing the proposed platform. The platform has a generic framework, based on a client-server architecture, to facilitate the inclusion of a multitude of scenarios. A scenario represents a problem or an event, whereby the platform can utilise and interact with users of mobile communication devices to attempt to solve the objectives of the scenario. Three mobile communication methods are supported; the Short Message Service, electronic mail and web-forms via the mobile internet. Users are able to select and switch between the different methods. The thesis describes the platform s tailored communication structure for scenarios and autonomous analysis of messages. The thesis discusses case studies of two different scenarios to evaluate the platform s facilities for rapid scenario development. The Diet Diary scenario, which is for individual users, aims to manage a user s daily calorie intake to help them reach their desired weight goal. The focus is on the platform s functionality for analysing and responding to messages autonomously. The Missing Persons scenario, which utilises multiple users, involves tracking and locating people who have been reported missing. The focus is on the platform s functionality for coordinating the multiple users, through the creation of assignments, in order to distribute the scenario objectives. The thesis concludes by highlighting the novel features of the platform and identifying opportunities for future work.

Σήμερα η επιστήμη υπόσχεται νέες ανακαλύψεις που θα μας επιτρέπουν να ζούμε όχι μόνο περισσότερο αλλά και καλύτερα. Πρωτεύοντα ρόλο σε αυτή τη διαπίστωση κατέχει η φαρμακοβιομηχανία, όπου μέσω της συνεχούς έρευνας και ανάπτυξης παράγει νέα, καινοτόμα, πρωτότυπα φάρμακα. Τα πρωτότυπα φάρμακα εξακολουθούν να κατέχουν ηγετική θέση στην παγκόσμια φαρμακευτική αγορά, παρόλο που μετά τη λήξη της πατέντας τους δέχονται έντονες πιέσεις από την παραγωγή των αντίστοιχων γενοσήμων φαρμάκων. Είναι απαραίτητο να τονιστεί ο σημαντικός ρόλος των πρωτοτύπων στην προστασία της δημόσιας υγείας, όταν μάλιστα στην ελληνική αγορά έχουν εισέλθει μια πλειάδα γενόσημων φαρμάκων, υπό το μανδύα της οικονομικής κρίσης και της περιστολής των φαρμακευτικών δαπανών. Μέσα σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία προσπαθεί να αναζητήσει τους λόγους και τα κίνητρα της συνταγογράφησης των πρωτότυπων φαρμάκων από τους Έλληνες γιατρούς, μέσα σε ένα ταραχώδες συνεχώς μεταβαλλόμενο εξωτερικό περιβάλλον. Ουσιαστικά λοιπόν αναζητήσαμε ποιοι είναι αυτοί οι παράγοντες που κάνουν τους γιατρούς να συνταγογραφούν τα πρωτότυπα φάρμακα και πως αυτοί σχετίζονται με μια σειρά εξωτερικών παραγόντων. Τα ευρήματα της μελέτης προέκυψαν από τις απαντήσεις που έδωσαν 83 γιατροί διαφόρων ειδικοτήτων. Για την επιλογή των γιατρών δόθηκε έμφαση στη συμμετοχή ειδικοτήτων που έχουν υψηλή συνταγογράφηση, με κύριες ειδικότητες τους παθολόγους και τους ορθοπεδικούς. Η έρευνα πραγματοποιήθηκε σε γιατρούς των περιοχών των νομών Αχαΐας, Ηλείας και Κεφαλονιάς. Τα σημαντικότερα συμπεράσματα που προέκυψαν μετά τη στατιστική ανάλυση των απαντήσεων που δόθηκαν ήταν: 1) η πολύ μεγάλη αποδοχή που εξακολουθούν να έχουν τα πρωτότυπα φάρμακα από την ελληνική ιατρική κοινότητα, ακόμα και όταν υπάρχουν αντίστοιχα γενόσημα, 2) το ευρύτερο πλαίσιο των παραγόντων που επηρεάζουν τη συνταγογραφία των γιατρών είναι: α) η αποτελεσματικότητα, β) το κύρος/όνομα της φαρμακευτικής εταιρίας, γ) η τιμή του φαρμάκου, δ) η καινοτομία, ε) η ασφάλεια/ανεπιθύμητες ενέργειες, 3) οι εταιρίες με πρωτότυπα φάρμακα επηρεάζουν τη συνταγογραφία των γιατρών ανάλογα με το κύρος και το όνομά τους, 4) η άσχημη οικονομική κατάσταση που επικρατεί στη χώρα καθώς και τα μέτρα που έχουν ληφθεί στο χώρο της υγείας, δείχνουν να στρέφουν κάποιους γιατρούς από τα πρωτότυπα προς τα γενόσημα, 5) οι «διαμορφωτές γνώμης» επηρεάζουν σχετικά τη συνταγογραφία των Ελλήνων γιατρών, μόνο όμως όταν εμφανίζονται σε συνέδρια και συμπόσια ως ανεξάρτητοι επιστήμονες, ενώ δεν την επηρεάζουν καθόλου ως προσκεκλημένοι ομιλητές σε εταιρικές εκδηλώσεις, 6) οι πρακτικές marketing των εταιριών με πρωτότυπα υπερτερούν από τις αντίστοιχες των εταιριών με γενόσημα, 7) ο ιατρικός επισκέπτης επηρεάζει θετικά τη συνταγογραφία των γιατρών όταν είναι καλά ενημερωμένος για το φάρμακό του, 8) παρατηρείται τάση των γιατρών για χαμηλό ρίσκο στη συνταγογράφηση, 9) τα γενόσημα φάρμακα είναι πολύ πιο πιθανό να συνταγογραφηθούν σε αδύναμες οικονομικά και κοινωνικά ομάδες. Συμπερασματικά θα μπορούσαμε να πούμε πως οι Έλληνες γιατροί εξακολουθούν να εμπιστεύονται τόσο τα πρωτότυπα φάρμακα που προστατεύονται με πατέντα, όσο και τα πρωτότυπα εκτός πατέντας φαρμακευτικά σκευάσματα (σκευάσματα δηλαδή τα οποία αν και κυκλοφόρησαν ως πρωτότυπα έχουν απολέσει την προστασία της πατέντας τους). Παρόλο όμως που θεωρούν τα προαναφερθέντα φάρμακα αποτελεσματικά και αξιόπιστα, μια σειρά από εξωτερικούς παράγοντες τους δημιουργεί την τάση να κινηθούν προς την κατεύθυνση των γενοσήμων, περισσότερο από ότι στο πρόσφατο παρελθόν. / Today science promises new discoveries that will allow us to live not only longer but also better. The pharmaceutical industry plays a leading role to this fact where through continuous research and development, new, innovative, brand named drugs are produced. Brand named drugs continue to hold the leading place in the global pharmaceutical market, although after the expiration of their patent they face severe pressure from the production of their counterparts, generic drugs. It is essential to emphasize the important role that brand named drugs have to the protection of the public health, even though at the same time many unknown generic drugs have entered the Greek pharmaceutical market under the justification of the financial crisis and the containment of pharmaceutical expenditures. Under this prism, the present thesis tries to determine the reasons and the motivations of Greek physicians for prescribing brand names drugs, within a turbulent and constantly changing external environment. Our basic purpose was to discover the factors that make the physicians prescribebrand named drugs and how these factors were related with a number of external factors. The findings of this thesis are derived from the answers given by 83 doctors of different specialties. The specialties were those that have high prescription capability, with pathologists and orthopedics being the two most numerous specialties. The research was conducted with the participation of doctors from the counties of Achaia, Ilia and Cephalonia. The most important findings that came up after the statistical analysis of the answers given were: 1) The great acceptance that brand named drugs still have from the Greek medical community, even when their counterpart generics exist in the market 2) The main factors that influence the doctors prescriptions are: a) the efficacy of the medicine b) the prestige / name of the pharmaceutical company c) the price of the medicine d) the innovation of the medicine e) the safety / side effects 3) The pharmaceutical companies that produce brand named drugs influence the doctors prescriptions by their prestige and good name 4) The financial crisis in Greece and the measures that have been taken by the state for reducing the pharmaceutical expenditures seem to influence some doctors to prescribe more generics than they did in the past 5) “Opinion leaders” influence the prescription attitude of the Greek doctors only when they appear to congresses and forums as “independent” scientists. On the other hand they seem not to influence at all when they appear as speakers to any corporate event sponsored by a pharmaceutical company 6) Marketing practices of companies producing brand named drugs seem to be more effective than those that produce generic drugs 7) A medical representative that is well educated about his drug positively influences the prescription habits of the doctors 8) It is observed a tendency of doctors for taking low risk when they prescribe madicines to their patients 9) Generic drugs are more likely to be prescribed to low income and low social status groups of the population. In conclusion we can say that Greek doctors still trust not only the brand named drugs protected under patent, but also the off patent brand name drugs (brand named drugs that their patent has expired). Although they consider the aferementioned drugs effective and reliable, a number of external factors create a tendency for them to prescribe now more generic drugs than they used to prescribe in the recent past.

Στην Ελλάδα ο όρος “γενόσημα” φάρμακα έχει γίνει ευρέως γνωστός τον τελευταίο καιρό, παρ’ό,τι στην Ευρώπη και σε άλλες χώρες του κόσμου η χρήση γενοσήμων είναι γνωστή εδώ και δεκαετίες. Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία έχει σκοπό να μελετήσει τους παράγοντες που επηρεάζουν τη στάση ασθενών-καταναλωτών και επαγγελματιών υγείας ως προς τα γενόσημα φάρμακα. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, μελετώνται διάφοροι παράγοντες που βρέθηκαν μέσα από τη βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση ότι επηρεάζουν τις πεποιθήσεις των ασθενών-καταναλωτών και των επαγγελματιών υγείας. Αρχικά, έγινε μια βιβλιογραφική ανασκόπηση σε μελέτες της διεθνούς βιβλιογραφίας σχετικά με το θέμα των γενόσημων φαρμάκων. Στη συνέχεια, κατασκευάστηκαν δύο ερωτηματολόγια, ένα που απευθυνόταν σε ασθενείς-καταναλωτές και ένα που απευθυνόταν σε επαγγελματίες υγείας. Το πρώτο ερωτηματολόγιο συμπλήρωσαν 364 ασθενείς-καταναλωτές. Το δεύτερο συμπλήρωσαν 95 επαγγελματίες υγείας (ιατροί και φαρμακοποιοί). Τα στοιχεία που συλλέχθηκαν από τα ερωτηματολόγια αναλύθηκαν στη συνέχεια με τη βοήθεια του προγράμματος SPSS. Από τις αναλύσεις που έγιναν, διαπιστώσαμε πως στους περισσότερους πλέον ασθενείς ο όρος «γενόσημα φάρμακα» είναι γνώριμος αλλά, υπάρχει έλλειψη σωστής πληροφόρησης. Παρόλα αυτά, οι μισοί σχεδόν ασθενείς έχουν θετική στάση προς τα γενόσημα φάρμακα και είναι διατεθειμένοι να τα χρησιμοποιήσουν μετά από σύσταση του ιατρού κυρίως, ή και του φαρμακοποιού. Επίσης, οι πιο σημαντικοί λόγοι που τους ωθούν να αγοράσουν ένα φάρμακο είναι η ασφάλεια και η αποτελεσματικότητά του. Από τις αναλύσεις των απαντήσεων των επαγγελματιών υγείας διαπιστώσαμε πως υπάρχει έλλειψη γνώσεων και σωστής πληροφόρησης. Ενώ είναι πρόθυμοι να συνταγογραφήσουν/χορηγήσουν γενόσημα φάρμακα, παρόλα αυτά, προτιμάται η χρήση πρωτότυπων φαρμακευτικών σκευασμάτων, πιθανότατα λόγω της έλλειψης εμπιστοσύνης προς τον ΕΟΦ. Πιστεύεται πως η βελτίωση της αξιοπιστίας του Οργανισμού και η καλύτερη ενημέρωση των επαγγελματιών υγείας θα συμβάλει στην αύξηση χρήσης των γενοσήμων. Το κράτος έχει θεσπίσει ήδη αρκετά μέτρα για την αύξηση χρήσης των γενοσήμων. Προτείνεται όμως, να γίνει μια πιο ολοκληρωμένη προσπάθεια μέσα από τα κανάλια των επαγγελματιών υγείας, της φαρμακευτικής βιομηχανίας αλλά και των ασθενών-καταναλωτών, ώστε να αποδώσει η προσπάθεια αυτή και επιτευχθεί ο σκοπός της. / In Greece the term "generic" drugs has become widely known lately, although in Europe and other countries of the world, generics are known for decades. This thesis aims to study the factors that affect the attitude of patients-consumers and health professionals to generics. More specifically, it examines various factors found through the literature to influence the beliefs of patients, consumers and healthcare professionals. Initially, there was a literature review on studies of the literature on the subject of generic drugs. Then, we constructed two questionnaires, one aimed at patients-consumers and one that was aimed at health professionals. The first questionnaire was completed by 364 patient-consumers. The second was completed by 95 health professionals (doctors and pharmacists). The data collected from the questionnaires were then analyzed using the SPSS program. From the analyzes, we found that among most patients the term "generic" is familiar, but there is a lack of proper information. However, almost half patients have positive attitude towards generics and are willing to use them with the recommendation of a physician primarily, or a pharmacist. Also, the most important reasons that make them buy a drug is knowing it’s safe and effective. The analyzes of the responses of health professionals found that there is lack of knowledge and correct information among them. While they are willing to prescribe/dispense generics, however, original drugs are preferred, probably due to lack of confidence in the regional EMEA. According to them, improvement of the reliability of the Agency and better information of the health professionals will help increase the use of generics. The state has already adopted several measures to increase the use of generics. But it is proposed that a more integrated effort, through the channels of health professionals, pharmaceutical industry and patients and consumers should take place so that to this effort and purpose are achieved.

Aims and Objectives of Research. 1. To develop a 'one stop' generic decision making matrix (Outsourcing Decision Model) that provides the necessary clarity into defining whether an organisation should proceed with an outsourcing initiative or not. This would be based upon a distillation of existing models and reviewed literature. With the recognition that there may be subsequent advantages following the process, the model will include not only these but a means of evaluation in order to ascertain whether or not an outsourcing initiative may be or was successful or not. This latter aspect must logically be viewed as very important as an outsourcer must be aware of the benefits and also whether or not they were achieved. In addition, the model would include sufficient guidance with potential supporting metrics and their application. 2. To validate the Outsourcing Model through specific case studies using a triangulated approach in comparing the selected automotive OEM with some of its major competitors. Within the context of the case study, the research would also attempt to understand how the subject outsourcing organisation compares to its major competitors in equivalent comparable products and whether or not this reflects in the success of these companies. This case study not only provides a means of reinforcing the remaining case studies by using a triangulated method of application to the research developed outsourcing decision model but also provides a deeper understanding of the context of the supplier and competitors within the industry. 3. To test, via case studies the effect of specificity relating to the outsourced end product rather than the outsourced entity. This aspect provides the deepest application to the researched outsourcing decision model and therefore the most comprehensive validation. In addition, because the case studies are retrospective, they have the benefit of providing data to establish the level of success. This would be very important, particularly as it would enable a focus on particular criteria that failed to highlight a particular outcome and therefore provide a chance to make amendments. Low specificity is a well established criterion in defining an outsourced entity which is reflected within the body of the research. The further extension of this theory towards the outsourcing of and outsourced entity related to an established previously outsourced commodity is a new concept with no identifiable literature or evidence relating to its importance. The fact that it provides an element within the research that is potentially unique and carries no extra task burden it has been captured as an added element within the two important validation case studies: 4. To evaluate if outsourcing performance can be enhanced through the introduction of a second supplier into a single supplier sourcing situation. Subsequent to outsourcing, this aim and objective focuses upon the possibility of enhancing performance through the introduction of a second supplier. Particularly in cases whereby expertise may have been lost from an outsourcer, ultimate results relating to the outsourced entity may be compromised through either opportunism or diminished supplier performance. Whether these aspects are deliberate or unintended, an outsourcer should have some means of mitigating this risk. This mitigation may potentially be enabled through the use of a second supplier in order to provide a degree of competition. 5. To identify a link between Specificity, Commonality and Platform Sharing. The Author's professional role was very heavily based around the modern practices within the Automotive Industry. Outsourcing, platform sharing and commonality are well publicised strategies that have been adopted by various car manufacturers in order to gain efficiencies. Research was carried out in order to provide a better understanding of these strategies and to establish if there is any link between them. A confirmation of any linkages may then provide potential for establishing greater synergies between them.

This thesis seeks to examine how the meaning of corporate identity was constructed through the corporate advertisements that were published in Nigeria's national press media between 1970 and 2005 by the major operators in the Nigerian banking industry. In order to accomplish this task, this research has been divided into ten chapters. The first chapter introduces the research. It conceptualises a research question and provides an overall trajectory for this thesis. Chapter two established four ontologically grounded reasons for pursuing this research from the social constructionist perspective and chapter three sought to examine how the meaning of corporate identity was constructed (in theoretical literature) between 1970 and 2008. Chapter four presents an analysis of the construction of the meaning of the concept of corporate identity in the Nigerian banking industry between 1970 and 2005. Chapter six concerns research methodology and the specific research method drawn to address the question being investigated in this research. Chapters seven and eight presents the empirical findings and chapter nine makes an attempt to establish what has been accomplished in the process of this research by discussing its outcomes. Chapter ten concludes the thesis. It considers the contributions emerging from this research and its implications in terms of relevance for corporate identity theory and practice. In addition, it examines the limitations of the research as well as possible future research directions of this study. Finally, the thesis ends with a summary and conclusion. Findings from this research indicate the emergence of four new scholarships, namely generic, distinctive, innovative and transformative corporate personalities. Importantly, the outcome of this study provides ample evidence to argue that the industry construction of the meaning of corporate identity witnessed an ongoing flow of changes and stabilities, which run through these new scholarships.