Software measurement process is a significant part of process improvement in software organizations. The organizations usually follow a measurement process that includes measures selection, data collection, and analysis to improve their processes. Most of the software organizations face difficulties in deciding the measures to collect since there is no universal set of measures for all types of organizations and projects. Experience shows that measurement can be more successful if the measures are collected based on the goals of the organization or the project which it will serve. A few methodologies exist to aid the software organizations. Goal Question Metric (GQM) is one of the most widely known and used one. However, one of the major constraints for the organizations is the associated cost when collecting the measures. Therefore, software organizations also require selecting the optimum set of measures which are good enough for the organization. This thesis study aims to provide solution for this problem. We propose a model, named ‗Optimum Measure Set Decision Model (OMSD)‘, which is an extension of GQM paradigm. The model is based on a heuristics approach, which aims to provide the optimum set of measures from a large number of possible measures. To develop the model, we identified the factors which are significant in selecting the optimum set of measures based on the literature survey results. Then, we evaluated those factors by conducting an empirical study. As the empirical research strategy, we used traditional fixed non-experimental design strategy. We performed a survey by distributing a structured questionnaire in order to evaluate the important factors we identified when selecting the optimum number of measures to be collected in an organization. We evaluated the heuristics rules by means of some sample cases we created. Moreover, we provided an idea for an alternative solution to optimize the number of measures to be collected for the future research. / Software measurement process is a significant part of process improvement in software organizations. The organizations usually follow a measurement process that includes measures selection, data collection, and analysis to improve their processes. Most of the software organizations face difficulties in deciding the measures to collect since there is no universal set of measures for all types of organizations and projects. Experience shows that measurement can be more successful if the measures are collected based on the goals of the organization or the project which it will serve. A few methodologies exist to aid the software organizations. Goal Question Metric (GQM) is one of the most widely known and used one. However, one of the major constraints for the organizations is the associated cost when collecting the measures. Therefore, software organizations also require selecting the optimum set of measures which are good enough for the organization. This thesis study aims to provide solution for this problem. We propose a model, named ‗Optimum Measure Set Decision Model (OMSD)‘, which is an extension of GQM paradigm. The model is based on a heuristics approach, which aims to provide the optimum set of measures from a large number of possible measures. To develop the model, we identified the factors which are significant in selecting the optimum set of measures based on the literature survey results. Then, we evaluated those factors by conducting an empirical study. As the empirical research strategy, we used traditional fixed non-experimental design strategy. We performed a survey by distributing a structured questionnaire in order to evaluate the important factors we identified when selecting the optimum number of measures to be collected in an organization. We evaluated the heuristics rules by means of some sample cases we created. Moreover, we provided an idea for an alternative solution to optimize the number of measures to be collected for the future research. / Cell# 0046-762640583, 0046-762509253

The clothing and textile industry has a significant impact on the world economy and has secured itself as one of the six most important industries in South Africa. This industry faces many challenges and over the years has been branded by economical changes, company closure, extensive job losses, low productivity, lack of investment in machinery, intensive competition from low-priced imports, trends toward outsourcing and growth in the informal sector (Pride&Ferrell, 1993:34). All of these factors had a direct impact on the South African clothing industry’s overall output. This study’s focus is primarily on the South African clothing production industry that has, despite its prominence in the country’s economy, shown considerable decline in the last decade. For South African clothing production to survive, it is important to connect to global value chains and to increase exports. To do this, clothing manufacturers and operational managers have to improve operational productivity and overall plant performance. Although companies are unable to control external and environmental factors, they can adjust internal factors within the company. Therefore this study explores the utilisation of a company’s resources in relation to their productivity. In this study the aim was to explore and describe the interactive contribution of resources (human, operational and physical) with regard to the operation and outputs of a South African clothing production system from a management’s and employees’ perspectives to formulate recommendations whereby the clothing industry could become more competitive in the current cut-throat environment. A clothing production company can be viewed as a social system with constant interaction with the environment. It does not operate in a vacuum and consists of a collection of interrelated parts of various subsystems (Spears&Gregoire 2004:24). The systems theory was adapted as a theoretical framework for this study, as it provides a basis for understanding how the various interactive resources are interrelated to the clothing production system and contribute to the overall outputs thereof (Spears&Gregoire, 2004:24). A case study research design was followed, which permitted a more flexible and multi-perspective approach to understand the phenomena under study (Maree, 2007:5). A combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques was used with relevant data analysis procedures. The unit of analysis was a clothing production company in the Bronkhorstspruit area in Gauteng. The operational management, line supervisors as well sewing machine and cutting room operators participated in the study. Purposive sampling was used to select the case, and the individuals within the case study (Babbie&Mouton, 2003:166). Individual interviews were held with the operational management. From the focus group interviews, with the line supervisors, a questionnaire was developed. The sewing machine and cutting room operators participated in the completion of the questionnaire. Qualitative data analysis was done on the interviews and focus group interviews according to Miles and Huberman’s (1994:10) data analysis process. Overall 137 questionnaires were completed and was thereafter analysed by a statistician. Findings indicated that the internal resources in this factory were interrelated. Thus the optimisation of each resource individually contributed to a more efficient overall production output. Human resources were the core and heartbeat of any production company. Employees’ needed, employees’ satisfaction, training, and communication and feedback were crucial for optimal outputs. Resources that had a direct relation to human resources were performance appraisal, motivation, training and ergonomics. Optimum training was facilitated by motivating workers. Performance appraisal was directly influenced by training as management trained employees through a performance appraisal system. When the trained employees knew how to operate their equipment effectively it contributed to ergonomic posture and the optimum usage of equipment. Thus all four of these resources were closely interrelated on all levels. Operational and physical resources (technology, production planning, material handling and production system used) were all related to ergonomics and indirectly related to the other human resources mentioned. Quality control was incorporated into all the resources within the company and played a role within the use of every one of the above-mentioned resources. Human resources implemented quality control in their work on hand, which was facilitated by technology, production planning, material handling and the production system used. An investigation of a single resource would therefore not have reflected a true scenario in terms of strengths and shortcomings that could be attended to, to improve the outputs of a clothing production system. This study revealed the pertinence of all of the resources in terms of the success of a clothing production system but clearly indicated that failure to control one resource could jeopardise the entire system unless other resources are able to compensate for such shortcomings. In this particular study the potential role of human resources in terms of the success of a clothing production system was confirmed. Although not conducive in the long term, when properly trained and well-treated, employees could be motivated to overcome frustrations caused by poor working conditions created by poor ergonomic features and dated machinery. The hierarchy of resources and the interactive contribution of resources towards the output of the system should therefore be understood and acknowledged by management in order to succeed and to survive in a cut throat industry. / Dissertation (MConsumer Science)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Consumer Science / unrestricted

Directional selection is prevalent in nature yet phenotypes tend to remain relatively constant, suggesting a limit to trait evolution. The genetic basis of evolutionary limits in unmanipulated populations, however, is generally not known. Given widespread pleiotropy, opposing selection on a focal trait may arise from the effects of the underlying alleles on other fitness components, generating net stabilizing selection on trait genetic variance and thus limiting evolution. Here, I look for the signature of stabilizing selection for a suite of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in Drosophila serrata. Despite strong directional sexual selection on CHCs, genetic variance differed between high and low fitness individuals and was greater among the low fitness males for seven of eight CHCs. Univariate tests of a difference in genetic variance were non-significant but have low power. My results implicate stabilizing selection, arising through pleiotropy, in generating a genetic limit to the evolution of CHCs in this species.

This work summarizes readiness of the Czech Republic for addoption of common currency euro. It describes the history of common European currency in the first chapter and economic and monetary union in second chapter. The fourth chapter analyzes the fulfillment of Maastricht convergence criteria in the Czech Republic in comparison to Slovenia. The last chapter focuses on the fulfillment of the optimum currency area criteria in these countries

The goal of this diploma thesis is to assess the suitability and readiness of the Slovak Republic to adopt a single European currency. In analyzing the costs and benefits relating to Slovakia?s accession to the EMU, this thesis is guided by the theory of the OCA. The thesis provides a survey of the OCA theory, attempts to measure some of the OCA indicators and calculate OCA index for Slovakia. The results suggest that Slovakia fulfils the necessary condition for joining the monetary union, i.e. it is relatively well aligned with the euro area. The diploma thesis concludes that Slovakia is relatively suitable and well-prepared to join the euro area in 2009.

This thesis focuses on the construction of optimum designs for the estimation of the variance components in multistage variability models. Variance components are the model parameters that represent the different sources of variability that affect the response of a system. A general and highly detailed way to define the linear mixed effects model is proposed. The extension considers the explicit definition of all the elements needed to construct a model. One key aspect of this formulation is that the random part is stated as a functional that individually determines the form of the design matrices for each random regressor, which gives significant flexibility. Further, the model is strictly divided into the treatment structure and the variability structure. This allows separate definitions of each structure but using the single rationale of combining, with little restrictions, simple design arrangements called factor layouts. To provide flexibility for considering different models, methodology to find and select optimum designs for variance components is presented using MLE and REML estimators and an alternative method known as the dispersion-mean model. Different forms of information matrices for variance components were obtained. This was mainly done for the cases when the information matrix is a function of the ratios of variances. Closed form expressions for balanced designs for random models with 3-stage variability structure, in crossed and nested layouts were found. The nested case was obtained when the information matrix is a function of the variance components. A general expression for the information matrix for the ratios using REML is presented. An approach to using unbalanced models, which requires the use of general formulae, is discussed. Additionally, D-optimality and A-optimality criteria of design optimality are restated for the case of variance components, and a specific version of pseudo-Bayesian criteria is introduced. Algorithms to construct optimum designs for the variance components based on the aforementioned methodologies were defined. These algorithms have been implemented in the R language. The results are communicated using a simple, but highly informative, graphical approach not seen before in this context. The proposed plots convey enough details for the experimenter to make an informed decision about the design to use in practice. An industrial internship allowed some the results herein to be put into practice, although no new research outcomes originated. Nonetheless, this is evidence of the potential for applications. Equally valuable is the experience of providing statistical advice and reporting conclusions to a non statistical audience.

L’objectif de cette thèse est d’approfondir l’analyse du processus de convergence et des moteurs de la croissance économique dans la Zone Franc (ZF). En premier lieu, l’utilisation du test de racine unitaire en panel avec prise en compte des chocs structurels de Carrion-I-Silvestre et al. (2005) a mis en évidence une convergence stochastique uniquement dans l’UEMOA. L’analyse complémentaire en termes de β-convergence dans cette dernière a montré un processus de rattrapage du Burkina Faso et du Mali, une convergence du Togo vers la moyenne communautaire et des divergences du Niger et du Sénégal de cette moyenne. Ensuite, nous avons estimé l’impact de la ZF en comparant les pays membres à d’autres pays en développement analogues. L’estimation en panel à effets aléatoires a montré qu’en moyenne les pays de la ZF avaient une croissance inférieure à celle de leurs contrefactuels. Cette infériorité a d’ailleurs été favorisée par les politiques d’inflation, de dépenses publiques et de crédits bancaires mais atténuée par les politiques d’investissement. Finalement, l’utilisation de l’estimation bayésienne itérative et la comparaison de ces estimateurs a révélé que la ZF et les regroupements économiques et/ou monétaires africains n’ont pas introduit de spécificités dans la convergence et les moteurs de la croissance économique. Au-delà de la ZF, cette approche a mis en exergue la prépondérance des dotations naturelles pour les processus de convergence et de la croissance économique des pays Africains. En définitive, les résultats de cette thèse suggèrent des réflexions supplémentaires sur le mode de fonctionnement de la ZF. / L’objectif de cette thèse est d’approfondir l’analyse du processus de convergence et des moteurs de la croissance économique dans la Zone Franc (ZF). En premier lieu, l’utilisation du test de racine unitaire en panel avec prise en compte des chocs structurels de Carrion-I-Silvestre et al. (2005) a mis en évidence une convergence stochastique uniquement dans l’UEMOA. L’analyse complémentaire en termes de β-convergence dans cette dernière a montré un processus de rattrapage du Burkina Faso et du Mali, une convergence du Togo vers la moyenne communautaire et des divergences du Niger et du Sénégal de cette moyenne. Ensuite, nous avons estimé l’impact de la ZF en comparant les pays membres à d’autres pays en développement analogues. L’estimation en panel à effets aléatoires a montré qu’en moyenne les pays de la ZF avaient une croissance inférieure à celle de leurs contrefactuels. Cette infériorité a d’ailleurs été favorisée par les politiques d’inflation, de dépenses publiques et de crédits bancaires mais atténuée par les politiques d’investissement. Finalement, l’utilisation de l’estimation bayésienne itérative et la comparaison de ces estimateurs a révélé que la ZF et les regroupements économiques et/ou monétaires africains n’ont pas introduit de spécificités dans la convergence et les moteurs de la croissance économique. Au-delà de la ZF, cette approche a mis en exergue la prépondérance des dotations naturelles pour les processus de convergence et de la croissance économique des pays Africains. En définitive, les résultats de cette thèse suggèrent des réflexions supplémentaires sur le mode de fonctionnement de la ZF.

This diploma thesis deals with the problem of real convergence of new member countries of the Eurozone. Development in recent years in Europe has clearly shown that monetary union is suitable only for homogenous group of countries. The main aim of the thesis is to analyze the progress of convergence in Slovakia, Slovenia and Estonia after the year 2000 and answer the question which country was best prepared to join the monetary union. Used method of investigation is analysis of historical time series and regression analysis. Main conclusion of the thesis is that highest level of convergence was achieved in Slovenia, but the country with lowest cost of joining Eurozone was Estonia. In final part of the thesis is presented own forecast of future development of real convergence until the year 2030. Theoretical background of the prognosis is based on Solow's growth model and resulting theory of convergence.

The goal of this diploma thesis is to examine whether the theory of Optimum Currency Area (OCA) confirms the view that the economies of southern and northern member states of the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) display different economic characteristics. The thesis strives to answer whether a hypothetical separation of current EMU into two separate monetary blocks makes sense from the perspective of the theory of OCA. First, the thesis examines the evolution of the theory of OCA with a special focus on suggested criteria and their usefulness for the analysis of hypothetical break-up of EMU. These criteria are subsequently divided into economic and political criteria and into centrally fulfilled and separately fulfilled criteria. The thesis then examines how the member states of the EMU cope with the proposed criteria.

O problema da árvore geradora de comunicação ótima recebe um grafo com comprimentos não negativos nas arestas e um requerimento não negativo entre cada par de vértices; sendo o objetivo encontrar uma árvore geradora do grafo que minimize o custo de comunicação, que é a soma sobre cada par de vértice da distância entre eles na árvore vezes o requerimento entre eles. Este problema é NP-difícil, assim como vários casos particulares dele. Neste trabalho estudamos algumas variantes deste problema, introduzimos novos casos particulares que são também NP-difíceis e propomos esquemas de aproximação polinomial para alguns deles. / The optimum communication spanning tree problem receives a graph with non-negative lengths over the edges and non-negative requirements for each pair of nodes; being the objective to find a spanning tree of the graph that minimizes the communication cost, which is given by the sum, over each pair of nodes, of the distance, in the tree, between the nodes multiplied by the requirement between them. This problem and several of its particular cases are NP-hard. In this work we study some of the variants, also we introduce new NP-hard particular cases of the problem and propose polynomial approximation schemes for some of them.