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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

Process modelling success factors and measures

Bandara, Wasana January 2007 (has links)
Business process modelling has gained widespread acceptance, particularly in large IT-enabled business projects. It is applied as a process design and management technique across all project lifecycle phases. While there has been much research on process modelling, there has been little attention on 'how to' conduct process modelling effectively, or on the evaluation of process modelling initiatives and outcomes. This study addresses this gap by deriving a process modelling success model that contains both the success factors (independent variables) and success dimensions (dependent variables) of process modelling. The study employs a multi-method approach, blending both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The research design commenced with a comprehensive literature review, which includes the first annotated bibliography in process modelling research. A multiple case study approach was used to build the conceptual process modelling success model which resulted in a model with eleven (11) success factors (namely Modeller Expertise, Team Structure, Project Management, User Competence, User Participation, Management Support, Leadership, Communication, Modelling Tool, Modelling Language and Modelling Methodology), two (2) moderating variables (namely Process Complexity and Project Importance) and five (5) process modelling success dimensions (namely Modeller Satisfaction, Model Quality, User Satisfaction, Model Use and Modelling Impact). This conceptual model was then operationalised and tested across a global sample, with an online survey instrument. 290 valid responses were received. The constructs were analysed seeking a parsimonious, valid and reliable model. The statistical analysis of this phase assisted in deriving the final process modelling success model. The dependent variables of this model consisted of three (3) contextual success factors (namely Top Management Support, Project Management and Resource Availability), two (2) Modelling specific success factors (namely Modelling Aids and Modeller Expertise), and two (2) moderating variables (namely Importance and Process Complexity). The dependent variable; Process Modelling Success (PMS) was derived with three (3) success measurement dimensions (namely Model Quality, Process Impacts and Process Efficiency). All resulting success factors proved to have a significant role in predicting process modelling success. Interaction effects with the moderating variables (Importance and Process Complexity) proved to exist with Top Management Support (TMS) and Resource Availability (RA). A close analysis to their interaction relationship illustrated that Importance (IMP) moderated the relationship between Top Management Support (TMS) and Process Modelling Success (PMS) in a linear manner and that Process Complexity (PC) moderated the relationship between Resource Availability (RA) and Process Modelling Success (PMS), also in a linear manner. This is the first reported study with empirical evidence on process modelling success. The progressive outcomes of this study have been readily accepted by the practitioner and academic community, with 16 published internationalrefereed- conference papers [including best paper award at the Pacific Asian Conference on Information Systems (PACIS 2004)], 2 journal publications, and over 5 major industry presentations made upon invitation.
2

Methodological Challenges of Researching Positive Action Measures

Archibong, Uduak E., Darr, Aliya, Eferakorho, Jite, Scally, Andy J., Atkin, K., Baxter, C., Johnson, M.R.D., Bell, M., Waddington, L., Wladasch, K., Bedard, T., Adejumo, O., Sharps, P.W., Bradshaw, P. January 2009 (has links)
This paper highlights some ofthe methodological challenges which have arisen in collecting data for an international study on positive action measures. It will describe strategies employed to encourage participation in the study from as wide a range of organisations and individuals using a mixed method approach. The paper will also discuss the methodological and sensitive issues related to this type of research in organisations and strategies adopted by the research team to ameliorate any problems that have arisen whilst maintaining trustworthiness and rigour in the study.
3

Intensely distributed nanoscience : co-ordinating scientific work in a large multi-sited cross-disciplinary nanomedical project

Roubert, Francois January 2017 (has links)
This thesis is concerned with the study of biomedical scientific research work that is intensely distributed, i.e. socially distributed across multiple institutions, sites, and disciplines. Specifically, this PhD probes the ways in which scientists co-operating on multi-sited crossdisciplinary projects, design, use and maintain information-based resources to conduct and coordinate their experimental activities. The research focuses on the roles of information artefacts, i.e. the tools, media and devices used to store, track, display, and retrieve information in paper or electronic format, in helping the scientists integrate their activities to achieve concerted action. To examine how scientists in globally distributed settings organise and co-ordinate their scientific work using information artefacts, a multi-method multi-sited study informed by different ethnographic perspectives was conducted focused on a large European crossdisciplinary translational research project in nanodiagnostics. Situated interviews with project scientists, participant observations and participatory learning exercises were designed and deployed. From the data analysis, several abstractions were developed to represent how the joined utilisations of key information artefacts support the co-ordination of experimental activities. Subsequently, a framework was developed to highlight key interactional strategies that need to be managed by experimenters when using artefacts to organise their work cooperatively. This framework was then used as a guiding device to identify innovative ways to design future digital interactive systems to support the co-ordination of intensely distributed scientific work. From this study, several key findings came to light. We identify the role of the experimental protocol acts as a co-ordinative map that is co-designed dynamically to disseminate various instantiations of experimental executions across sites. We have also shed light on the ways the protocol, the lab book and the material log are used jointly to support the articulation of scientific work. The protocol and the lab book are used both locally and across co-operating sites to support four repeatability and reproducibility levels that are key to experimental validation. The use of the local protocol / lab book dyads at each site is further integrated with that of a centralised material log artefact to enable a system of exchange of scientific content (e.g. experimental processes, intermediate results and observations) and experimental materials (both physical materials and key information). We have found that this integration into a co-ordinative cluster supports awareness and the articulation of experimental activities both locally and across remote labs. From this understanding, we have derived several sensitising tensions to frame the strategies that scientific practitioners need to manage when designing their multi-sited experimental work and technologists should consider when designing systems to support them: (1) formalisation / flexibility; (2) articulability / local appropriateness; (3) scrutiny / tinkering; (4) accountability / applicability; (5) traceability / improvisation and (6) lastingness / immediacy. Lastly, based on these tensions, we have suggested a number of implications for the design of interactive information artefacts that can help manage both local and multi-sited co-ordination in intensely distributed scientific projects.
4

Corruption in Sweden : Exploring Danger Zones and Change.

Andersson, Staffan January 2002 (has links)
In this dissertation I study corruption in the public sector in Sweden, a country which the literature regards as having few corruption problems. Sweden is therefore classified as a “least corrupt” case, and such countries are seldom studied in corruption research. My work is thus an effort to fill a gap in the literature. This research is also motivated by a conviction that such a case provides a fertile ground for studying danger zones for corruption. For example, this work allows me to explore how institutional and contextual changes impact on corruption and danger zones. Though the main focus of this work is on Sweden, I also have comparative ambitions. First, I locate Sweden in a cross-national context. I then study corruption in Sweden using a comparative methodology and with an eye to international comparisons. I apply a combined theoretical approach and a multi-method investigation based on several empirical sources and both quantitative and qualitative techniques. This research strategy enables me to capture a phenomenon (corruption) that is more difficult to identify in countries with relatively few obvious corruption scandals than it is in countries in which the phenomenon has traditionally been studied. Regarding danger zones for corruption, the results show that some of the zones identified in the international literature, such as public procurement, are also important in Sweden. For the Swedish case, my empirical research also identifies the types of corruption that occur, perceptions of danger zones and corruption, how corruption changes over time, and how corruption is fought. With regard to the latter, one conclusion is that ingrained (male) sub-cultures can be problematic and may need to be opened up using a combination of measures like promoting a more heterogeneous group of politicians, creating more transparent proceedings in decision groups and conducting more effective audits. The research also highlights the importance of adapting control measures to existing structures of delegation. For example, if delegation arrangements are changed to improve efficiency and cut costs, new accountability measures may be necessary. In general, delegation and control structures should be structured in such a way as to make the cost of shirking quite high. Finally, based on the results of this multi-method investigation, I conclude that one avenue for further corruption research is to connect our knowledge of danger zones to what we know about mechanisms effecting corrupt behaviour, and then to apply this to discussions of new models of the politics of management in multi-level governance.
5

Investigating the role of personality on prospective memory performance in young adults using a multi-trait multi-method approach

Talbot, Karley-Dale 31 August 2020 (has links)
Prospective memory (PM) refers to a person’s ability to remember to do something in the future. It is a complex behaviour that is essential for the daily functioning of young and old alike. Despite its importance in everyday life, few studies have sought to examine the role of personality on PM performance using a multi-trait multi-method approach in young adults. The current study aimed to investigate the differential roles of the Big 5 personality traits on event- and time-based PM performance using multiple measurement methods. In addition, the study aimed to add to the current PM and personality literature by addressing several of the identified methodological limitations of the literature as outlined by Uttl and colleagues (2013). Results demonstrated few strong relationships between PM subtypes (event and time-based) performance indicators, though performance on the lab-based event-based PM task was stronger than on the lab-based time-based PM task even after controlling for ongoing task performance. Participants were also found to perform better on lab-based rather than naturalistic PM tasks. Naturalistic and self-report PM measures were significantly related to each other, but not to lab-based PM. Regarding personality, the relationship between specific personality traits and PM performance differed depending on the PM subtype and/or measurement method being investigated with conscientiousness, memory aid strategy use, and substance use engagement being found to best predict self-reported PM errors in daily life. The current study demonstrated that each PM measurement method taps into different aspects of behavioural and cognitive functioning. Without the use of all three measurement methods, whilst also considering the individuality of the client, researchers and clinicians may be doing a disservice to individuals with true PM difficulties as they may overlook important factors contributing to their poorer performance. / Graduate
6

Implementation of high-resolution direct push sensing in geoarchaeological exploration of wetland sites

Rabiger-Völlmer, Johannes 07 February 2024 (has links)
Wetland sites provide important knowledge about settlement history and historical infrastructure in the form of buried archaeological features. However, the subsurface is difficult to access, e.g. due to high groundwater levels or unstable sediments, making archaeological excavation difficult and the conservation of recovered artefacts, e.g. timbers, is expensive. In addition, one of the aims of heritage conservation is to disturb structures in such contexts as little as possible as part of preserving. Therefore, alternative non- and minimal-invasive methods, e.g. geophysical prospection and vibra-coring, are used for exploration. However, geophysical surveys face the issue of inaccurate depth values and rely on sufficient contrasts in the measured physical parameters. Vibra-coring allows direct access to the sediments, but again gives inaccurate depth values due to high compaction rates. For this reason, the implementation of alternative methods and the development of new methodical approaches to wetland site exploration are of extraordinary importance. One such wetland site is the Fossa Carolina, an early medieval canal that today is partially buried. Located in Southern Germany next to Treuchtlingen, south of Nuremberg, the canal was intended at the time to provide a navigable link between the Rhine-Main and Danube basins by bridging the European watershed. In the research for this thesis, direct push sensing was used as an alternative exploration technique to explore the site. In this method, various probes are pushed into the unconsolidated subsoil and the parameters are measured in situ with high depth accuracy. (i) Therefore, the colour logging tool (CLT) and the electrical conductivity (EC) probe were applied. (ii) In order to record archaeological structures and features, the soundings were distributed closely along a transect using an adaptive exploration strategy, thus recording a high-resolution cross-section of the structure. (iii) These prospections were integrated into a spatial-hierarchical multi-method approach by combining direct push sensing with geophysical survey and vibra-coring, inter alia. (iv) Thus, a deeply buried section of the Fossa Carolina (West-East Section) was explored, demonstrating at least one-way navigability and revealing the backfill stratigraphy. (v) Furthermore, the approach used helped to clarify the nature of conspicuous magnetic anomalies in the area adjacent to the canal. In the Northern and North-Eastern Sections, magnetic anomalies provided evidence of water-supplying structures. The exploration of these structures revealed an Early Holocene structure in the North-Eastern Section and a historic gravel road in the Northern Section. (vi) Additionally, a strong magnetic anomaly with a course parallel to the canal in the Northern Section could be temporally and stratigraphically associated with the construction of the canal. Thus, for the first time, a larger remnant of the construction process outside the canal could be identified, even if the origin could not be conclusively clarified. (vii) In a broader context, the in situ direct push cross-sections were integrated into a 3D modelling approach for the entire Fossa Carolina to quantify the excavation volume. (viii) The methodological approach was successfully applied to a wetland site at Pestenacker in Southern Germany to collect evidence for Holocene floodplain dynamics in the Late Neolithic settlement. Finally, the thesis demonstrates the enormous methodological potential of direct push sensing for the exploration of buried archaeological sites. In particular, the colour logging tool is proving to be extremely effective, further enhanced by the intelligent combination in multi-method approaches. This is confirmed by the significant results obtained at Fossa Carolina that shed new light on the canal{'}s navigability, water supply, and construction structure. Overall, this thesis demonstrates the valuable contribution that direct push methods can make to geoarchaeological research. It both introduces a new methodological approach and provides new empirical evidence concerning the construction of an example of early medieval infrastructure.:Preface Acknowledgements Abstract Kurzfassung Contents List of Figures List of Tables Acronyms and Symbols 1 Introduction 1.1 Geoarchaeological exploration in wetlands: possibilities and challenges 1.1.1 Proven exploration methods 1.1.2 Direct push sensing 1.1.3 Exploration strategies 1.2 The study site 1.2.1 The Fossa Carolina - State of the art in brief 1.2.2 Natural settings 1.3 Aims of the thesis 2 Published Studies 2.1 Minimalinvasive Direct-push-Erkundung in der Feuchtboden(geo)archäologie am Beispiel des Karlsgrabens (Fossa Carolina) 2.2 Non-invasive prospection techniques and direct push sensing as high-resolution validation tools in wetland geoarchaeology – Artificial water supply at a Carolingian canal in South Germany? 2.3 High-Resolution Direct Push Sensing in Wetland Geoarchaeology—First Traces of Off-Site Construction Activities at the Fossa Carolina 2.4 3D-Modelling of Charlemagne’s Summit Canal (Southern Germany)—Merging Remote Sensing and Geoarchaeological Subsurface Data 2.5 A hydrological tipping point and onset of Neolithic wetland occupation in Pestenacker (Lech catchment, S Germany) 3 Discussion 3.1 Direct push sensing for wetland exploration 3.1.1 High-resolution direct push sensing cross-sections 3.1.2 Integration and comparison of direct push sensing in a spatially hierarchical multi-method approach 3.1.3 Direct push colour logging tool (CLT) data for ground truthing 3.1.4 Perspectives on direct push sensing in geoarchaeology 3.2 Results of the exploration of the Fossa Carolina 3.2.1 Chronostratigraphic recording in the West-East and Northern Sections 3.2.2 Characteristics of the canal construction in the West-East and Northern Sections 3.2.3 Validation of off-canal structures in the Northern and North-Eastern Sections 3.2.4 Water supply for the Fossa Carolina 3.2.5 Pending issues in the study of the Fossa Carolina 4 Conclusion References Appendix A1 - Author publications A2 - Article contribution A3 - Declaration of originality A4 - Bibliographic description / Feuchtgebiete bergen durch begrabene archäologische Strukturen wichtige Erkenntnisse zur Siedlungsgeschichte und historischen Infrastruktur. Schwierige Untergrundverhältnisse, z. B. durch hohen Grundwasserspiegel oder instabile Sedimente, erschweren jedoch archäologische Ausgrabungen und die Konservierung der geborgenen Artefakte, z. B. Hölzer, verursacht hohe Kosten. Darüber hinaus ist ein Ziel der Bodendenkmalpflege, archäologische Strukturen so wenig wie möglich zu beeinträchtigen und sie in situ zu erhalten. Daher werden alternative nicht- und minimal-invasive Methoden, z. B. geophysikalische Prospektionen und Rammkernsondierungen, zur Exploration eingesetzt. Bei geophysikalischen Untersuchungen ergeben sich jedoch Schwierigkeiten durch ungenaue Tiefenwerte und die Methoden sind auf ausreichende Kontraste der gemessenen physikalischen Parameter angewiesen. Rammkernsondierungen ermöglichen einen direkten Zugriff auf die Sedimente, erzeugen jedoch wiederum ungenaue Tiefenwerte durch hohe Kompaktionsraten. Aus diesem Grund sind die Implementierung alternativer Methoden und die Entwicklung neuer methodischer Ansätze für die Erforschung von Feuchtgebietsstandorten von herausragender Bedeutung. Die Fossa Carolina, ein frühmittelalterlicher, heute teilweise verschütteter Kanal, ist ein solcher Standort. Das Bauwerk befindet sich in Süddeutschland in der Nähe von Treuchtlingen, südlich von Nürnberg und sollte eine schiffbare Verbindung zwischen dem Rhein-Main- und dem Donaueinzugsgebiet herstellen, indem es die europäische Hauptwasserscheide überbrückte. Zur Erkundung des Bauwerks wurde als Alternative die in situ Direct-Push-Methode eingesetzt. Bei dieser Methode werden verschiedene Sonden in den unkonsolidierten Untergrund gedrückt und die Parameter in situ tiefengenau gemessen. (i) Dabei kamen die Farbsonde, engl. colour logging tool (CLT), und die Sonde zur Messung der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit, engl. electrical conductivity (EC) probe, zum Einsatz. (ii) Zur Erfassung archäologischer Strukturen und Befunde wurden die Sondierungen mit einer adaptiven Erkundungsstrategie auf einem Transekt engmaschig verteilt und somit ein hochaufgelöster Querschnitt des Bauwerks erfasst. (iii) Darüber hinaus wurden diese Prospektionen in einen räumlich-hierarchischen Multimethodenansatz integriert, indem in situ Direct-Push-Sondierungen mit z. B. geophysikalischen Erkundungen und Rammkernsondierungen kombiniert wurden. Somit wurde (iv) ein tiefliegender, begrabener Abschnitt der Fossa Carolina im West-Ost-Bereich erkundet, dort die Schiffbarkeit für mindestens eine Schiffsbreite nachgewiesen und die Sedimentstratigraphie der Verfüllung beschrieben. Weiterhin wurde der Ansatz genutzt, um magnetische Anomalien im Umfeld des Kanals zu prospektieren. (v) Im nördlichen und nordöstlichen Bereich lieferten magnetische Anomalien Hinweise auf wasserzuführende Bauwerke im Untergrund. Die Erkundung ergab eine frühholozäne Struktur im nordöstlichen Bereich und eine historische Schotterstraße im nördlichen Bereich. (vi) Weiterhin konnte eine starke magnetische Anomalie mit parallelem Verlauf zum Kanal im nördlichen Bereich zeitlich und stratigraphisch dem Bauwerk zugeordnet werden. Somit konnte zum ersten Mal eine größere Spur des Baus außerhalb des Kanals nachgewiesen werden, auch wenn die Entstehung nicht abschließend geklärt werden konnte. (vii) Im übergeordneten Kontext konnten die Daten der in situ Direct-Push-Transekte in einen 3D-Modellierungsansatz für die gesamte Fossa Carolina zur Quantifizierung des Aushubs integriert werden. (viii) Neben der Erforschung der Fossa Carolina wurde der methodische Ansatz zusätzlich an einem Feuchtgebietsstandort bei Pestenacker in Süddeutschland angewendet, um Informationen über die holozäne Auendynamik an der spätneolithischen Siedlung zu gewinnen. Schlussendlich belegt die Dissertation das enorme methodische Potential der in situ Direct-Push-Erkundungen für die Prospektion von Bodendenkmälern. Dabei erweist sich insbesondere die Farbsonde als äußerst wirkungsvoll, was durch die gezielte Kombination in multi-methodischen Ansätzen noch verstärkt wird. Dies wird durch die aussagekräftigen Ergebnisse an der Fossa Carolina belegt, mit deren Hilfe insbesondere neue Erkenntnisse zur Schiffbarkeit, Wasserzuführung und Baustruktur gewonnen werden konnten. Insgesamt demonstriert diese Dissertation den wertvollen Beitrag, den in situ Direct-Push-Methoden zur geoarchäologischen Forschung leisten können. Sie präsentiert sowohl einen neuen methodischen Ansatz als auch neue empirische Erkenntnisse zu einem frühmittelalterlichen Bauwerk.:Preface Acknowledgements Abstract Kurzfassung Contents List of Figures List of Tables Acronyms and Symbols 1 Introduction 1.1 Geoarchaeological exploration in wetlands: possibilities and challenges 1.1.1 Proven exploration methods 1.1.2 Direct push sensing 1.1.3 Exploration strategies 1.2 The study site 1.2.1 The Fossa Carolina - State of the art in brief 1.2.2 Natural settings 1.3 Aims of the thesis 2 Published Studies 2.1 Minimalinvasive Direct-push-Erkundung in der Feuchtboden(geo)archäologie am Beispiel des Karlsgrabens (Fossa Carolina) 2.2 Non-invasive prospection techniques and direct push sensing as high-resolution validation tools in wetland geoarchaeology – Artificial water supply at a Carolingian canal in South Germany? 2.3 High-Resolution Direct Push Sensing in Wetland Geoarchaeology—First Traces of Off-Site Construction Activities at the Fossa Carolina 2.4 3D-Modelling of Charlemagne’s Summit Canal (Southern Germany)—Merging Remote Sensing and Geoarchaeological Subsurface Data 2.5 A hydrological tipping point and onset of Neolithic wetland occupation in Pestenacker (Lech catchment, S Germany) 3 Discussion 3.1 Direct push sensing for wetland exploration 3.1.1 High-resolution direct push sensing cross-sections 3.1.2 Integration and comparison of direct push sensing in a spatially hierarchical multi-method approach 3.1.3 Direct push colour logging tool (CLT) data for ground truthing 3.1.4 Perspectives on direct push sensing in geoarchaeology 3.2 Results of the exploration of the Fossa Carolina 3.2.1 Chronostratigraphic recording in the West-East and Northern Sections 3.2.2 Characteristics of the canal construction in the West-East and Northern Sections 3.2.3 Validation of off-canal structures in the Northern and North-Eastern Sections 3.2.4 Water supply for the Fossa Carolina 3.2.5 Pending issues in the study of the Fossa Carolina 4 Conclusion References Appendix A1 - Author publications A2 - Article contribution A3 - Declaration of originality A4 - Bibliographic description

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