This thesis contributes to the research field information logistics. Information logistics aims at improving information flow and at reducing information overload by providing the right information, in the right context, at the right time, at the right place through the right channel. Ontologies are expected to contribute to reduced information overload and solving information supply problems. An ontology is created to form some kind of shared understanding for the involved stakeholders in the domain at hand. By using this semantic structure you can further build applications that use the ontology and support the employee by providing only the most important information for this person. During the last years, there has been an increasing number of successful cases in which industrial applications successfully use ontologies. Most of these cases however, stem from large enterprises or IT-intensive small or medium-sized enterprises (SME). The current ontology development methodologies are not tailored for SME and their specific demands and preferences, such as that SME prefer mature technologies, and show a clear preference for to a large extent standardised solutions. The author proposes a new ontology development methodology, taking the specific characteristics of SME into consideration. This methodology was tested in an application case, which resulted in a number of concrete improvement ideas, but also the conclusion that further specialisation of the methodology was needed, for example for a specific usage area or domain. In order to find out in which direction to specify the methodology a survey was performed among SME in the region of Jönköping. The main conclusion from the survey is that ontologies can be expected to be useful for SME mainly in the area of product configuration and variability modelling. Another area of interest is document management for supporting project work. The area of information search and retrieval can also be seen as a possible application field, as many of the respondents of the survey spend much time finding and saving information.

Zimbabwe's entrepreneur owners of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) comprise approximately 94% of business owners but contribute only 50% of the country's gross domestic product. Entrepreneur owners play an important role in strengthening Zimbabwe's economy because they create approximately 60% to 80% of employment opportunities. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies owners of SME in Zimbabwe use to sustain their businesses. The population consisted of 5 owners of SMEs who have successfully implemented the strategies to sustain their businesses for over 5 years. The general systems theory was the conceptual framework of the study. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and review of company financial documents. Member checking and methodological triangulation were used to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings of the study. The data analysis process was conducted using Yin's 5-phases of qualitative data analysis. Four themes emerged from data analysis, including passion and dedication, quality of products and services, customer satisfaction, and employing staff with the right skills. The results of the study could lead to positive social change for SMEs and the communities by helping owners of SME to create growth strategies, increase revenues for the country, and create long-term employment opportunities for the communities. The findings from the study could catalyze positive social change by improving workforce capabilities, creating awareness of the success of entrepreneurs in Zimbabwe, and increasing the interest of financial institutions in lending to SMEs.

About 70% of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) involving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies fail because the strategies employed do not integrate all the critical success elements, leaving SMEs without the needed capital to take advantage of strategic and market opportunities. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the M&A strategies SME owners in Ghana employed to raise capital. Seth's value creation theory was the conceptual framework adopted for this study. The population consisted of 5 SME owners in Ghana who had successfully raised financial resources through inbound M&As within the past 10 years. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and review of corporate annual reports and M&A documents. The data were organized and analyzed using Yin's 5-step data analysis and cross-case synthesis techniques to identify patterns and emergent themes. The 6 themes that emerged from the analysis were value creation, control and autonomy, entrepreneurial quality, leadership, trustworthiness, and effective negotiation. SME owners can integrate entrepreneurial quality and effective negotiations to achieve successful closure of M&A deals. The findings of this study might facilitate SME access to capital for expansion and growth that will contribute to positive social change through job creation and increased youth employment in emerging economies.

Orientador: Maria Encarnação Beltrão Sposito / Resumo: Os avanços tecnológicos nos sistemas de telecomunicações e transportes que têm se desenvolvido no âmbito da mundialização da economia, articulados aos sistemas de informatização, permitiu, de um lado, que os papéis das cidades fossem constantemente redefinidos, bem como se ampliassem os fluxos que a partir delas e que até elas se desenham, estabelecidos tanto com cidades próximas como também com as mais distantes e, por outro, fez aflorar o potencial das estratégias locacionais como elemento diferenciador que garante a preferência do consumidor e o melhor desempenho econômico de estabelecimento varejista. Por estratégias locacionais consideramos, nesta tese, além da localização, as estratégias de fidelização e ampliação do uso do crédito, e o monitoramento do comportamento do consumidor, tendências do varejo atualmente. Esta tese, inicia-se com a apresentação da história dos magazines e as transformações ocorridas em decorrência da intensificação do processo de urbanização, para em seguida enfocar as estratégias espaciais e lógicas econômicas de algumas empresas varejistas do ramo de magazines no Brasil, nos estados de São Paulo e Paraná, e nas cidades de Presidente Prudente e Londrina, na medida em que também ressaltamos a capacidade delas em redefinir ou reforçar o papel que as cidades desempenham na rede urbana. Analisamos as escolhas espaciais dos citadinos entrevistados em Presidente Prudente e Londrina, para entender as relações entre consumo, crédito e cotidiano e, fin... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The technological advances in telecommunication and transportation systems which have been developed in the range of the economic globalization, making use of the computerization systems, resulted, on the one hand, in a constant redefinition of city roles in commerce, as well as in an increment of fluxes that move from them and to them, and which are established with near and far cities, and, on the other hand, gave rise to a potential of location strategies as a factor that makes the difference which grants the customer preference as well as a better economic performance for the retail dealings. As location strategies, we understand, in this thesis, not only the position a commercial establishment occupies, but also, its customers’ loyalty strategies, the increment of credit provision and the monitoring of customer’s behavior as well as the trends towards retailing deals for a given moment. The present work begins with the presentation of the history of stores and the transformations they went through because of the intensification of urbanization processes. After that, it will focus on the spatial strategies and economic logic some retailing stores deal with in the fashion store branch in Brazil, specifically in Presidente Prudente, a city of São Paulo State and Londrina in Paraná State. We also highlight their ability to redefine or reinforce the role cities perform in citizens’ inter-relational network. We analyzed the Londrina’s and Presidente Prudentes’ interviewees’ sp... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

DNA中の二本鎖切断(DSB)に対するアスコルビン酸(AA)およびDMSOの保護効果を、蛍光顕微鏡による巨大DNA(T4 DNA; 166kbp)の単分子観察によって評価した。凍結／解凍の状態に対して3つの異なる形態の放射源、可視光、γ線、および超音波の環境下にさらした。1‐プロパノールと2‐プロパノールの間で異なる効果が表れた。ゲノムDNA分子の高次構造の変化は、1−プロパノールを用いると、長軸長が濃度60％で最小を示し、次にアルコール含有量の増加と共に増加する傾向があることを見出した。一方、2−プロパノールを用いると、長軸長はアルコール含有量の増加と共にほぼ単調な減少を示した。 / The protective effect of ascorbic acid (AA) and DMSO against double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA was evaluated by single-molecule observation of giant DNA (T4 DNA; 166kbp) through fluorescence microscopy. Samples were exposed to three different forms of radiation: visible light, γ-ray, and ultrasound or freeze/thawing. The change of the higher-order structure of genomic DNA molecules in the presence of alcohols by use of single DNA observation with fluorescence microscopy, by focusing our attention to unveil the different effect between 1-propanol and 2-propanol. / 博士(工学) / Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering / 同志社大学 / Doshisha University

This research reports on the fabrication and characterization of integrated dual nanometer-sized electrodes. The electrodes are made of closely spaced nanometer-sized platinum and gold achieved by inserting and pulling platinum wire in cylindrical glass pipette plated with gold. Cyclic voltammetry has been used to characterize the electrodes. Our results show that both electrodes can work individually and can accomplish generation/collection experiments. Factors that may affect the performance of the electrodes as well as formation mechanism of the gold film by electroless plating are discussed.

Hydrogen evolution via proton reduction occurs at a high rate at the surface of Pt than at Au electrodes. Using cyclic voltammetry, chemically modified nanometer-sized Au electrodes, prepared by the Laser-Assisted Puller Method, were employed to examine current amplification by electrocalysis at Pt nanoparticles adsorbed on the modified Au electrode surfaces. The electrodes were modified with Self-Assembled Monolayers (SAMs) of cysteamine and soaked in Pt colloid solutions overnight. Monitoring the decrements of the characteristic steady-state catalytic current for proton reduction indicated that aggregates of Pt nanoparticles are adsorbed on the cysteamine monolayers and desorb from them particle by particle. The results also indicate that some particles are strongly attached to the modified electrode surface and do not deplete even after thorough rinsing.

Purpose: This master thesis aims to investigate the SMEs' perceptions about digitalization and sustainability of the firm and distinguish the factors that affect them. Furthermore, it illustrates how the SMEs’ digitalization process is linked to their sustainability.  Theoretical approach: This master thesis is based on the previous research and literature on SMEs’ digitalization and sustainability of the firm. Additionally, it proposed a conceptual model that links SMEs' digitalization process to their sustainability. Methodology: This research followed the qualitative method in which the data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with eight SMEs. These SMEs are located in Sweden, France, and Iran. However, the responses were analyzed based on the secondary analysis method. Findings: The study's findings demonstrate that digitalization affects an SME's sustainability through growth, competitiveness advantages, value creation, internal efficiency, and saving costs. Regardless of where SMEs are located, they mostly have the same perception of digitalization and insufficient knowledge about the firm's sustainability, and mainly the same factors affect their digitalization process and sustainability. Practical implications: The results of this study could provide a perspective on adopting the new technology by SMEs. It could inspire SMEs to increase their digitalization capability by adopting new technologies to ensure long-term sustainability in their organizations. It also sheds light on confusing the firm’s sustainability with SDGs, which SMEs must investigate. Originality/Value: This study adds to the digitalization and sustainability of the firm literature by investigating SMEs' perceptions about digitalization and firm’s sustainability, factors that influence the digitalization and sustainability process of the SMEs and examining how SMEs' digitalization processes are linked to their sustainability

The world shipping freight market for the transportation of bulk cargo - liquid and dry - is characterised by the somewhat erratic and extreme fluctuations exhibited by many of the measures that can be used to describe the "state" of the market. Such 'measures' include the spot freight rates - the cost to the shipper of chartering a unit of shipping capacity 'on the spot' (that is, not reserving the vessel in advance), - the proportion of chartered tonnage at any time taken on a period (time) basis as opposed to a voyage (single) basis, and the rate at which orders for new vessels reach the shipyards. These factors are extremely variable, and have exhibited a similar form of behaviour for a large number of years. This present thesis describes an attempt to investigate the behaviour of the freight market (bulk cargo); the aim of the investigation being to identify the structure of the market system and to construct a System Dynamics model which describes the complex relationships in the market and which can be used to explore questions relating to present or future market behaviour. The construction of such a model is described, together with an exhaustive chapter on the analysis of the model, covering loop-analysis, the behaviour of the model under various test inputs, and the senstivity of the model to significant changes in parameter values. The final chapter considers the use of the model, and, in particular, describes its use in an investigation of the feasibility or desirability of introducing tonnagestabilization schemes into the market. Such schemes aim to prevent the freight rates from falling to unacceptably low values, by implementing a scheme whereby tonnage is withdrawn from operation and laid-up: the decrease in the supply of tonnage then has a positive influence on the freight rates. It is concluded that the problems involved in designing such schemes preclude the schemes from implementation. The appendices cover the various data used in the determination of market relationships, as well as the computer listing, in Fortran, of the market model. Also included in an appendix is a description of the application of System Dynamics to a hypothetical company. The tcompany model' allows for the examination of chartering policies and lay-up policies under a variety of conditions of market demand.

Climate change presents a significant global challenge, affecting various aspects such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and altered precipitation patterns. Climate adaptation and climate mitigation are two fundamental strategies for addressing climate change. While mitigation focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adaptation involves adjusting to climatic changes and their consequences. Both strategies are essential for a comprehensive response to climate change. For construction SMEs in the Koronoberg region, recognizing the importance of this dual approach is vital when offering climate adaptation-related renovation services. The construction sector plays a crucial role in shaping the built environment and has a substantial impact on greenhouse gas emissions, making it a vital area for addressing climate change. This study focuses on assessing the readiness and challenges faced by construction small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Kronoberg region of Sweden in providing climate adaptation-related renovation services. The study aims to evaluate the current state of preparedness of SMEs, identify specific challenges, and develop strategies to support their transition towards sustainable and resilient climate adaptation renovations. The findings reveal a growing awareness among construction SMEs regarding climate adaptation needs, with strategies emphasizing the use of wooden materials, energy efficiency, and sustainable practices. The outcomes provide valuable insights and recommendations for construction SMEs operating in the Kronoberg region, facilitating their long-term viability in supporting sustainable and resilient communities. However, challenges such as limited resources, absence of regulations, and standardized guidelines hinder implementation. Despite these challenges, the study highlights opportunities for growth and innovation through stakeholder collaboration, technological advancements, and sustainable strategies. The implications for construction SMEs include the need for continued awareness, adoption of sustainable practices, overcoming challenges, stakeholder collaboration, and embracing innovation and technology. Overall, construction SMEs in the Kronoberg region have the potential to contribute to a sustainable future by prioritizing climate adaptation, engaging in knowledge sharing, and actively participating in collaborative efforts. Their actions can drive positive change in the construction sector, mitigating the environmental impact of buildings and fostering a more sustainable and resilient built environment. Moreover, this research lays the foundation for further investigation in other regions or countries, fostering the global transition towards sustainable and resilient built environment.