There are three different uses of the term 'information' in ordinary language: in the restricted sense, it means diverse types of material objects, such as data or documents ('information as thing'); alternatively, the term is used as in reference to the act of informing or becoming informed ('information as process'), or to equate to knowledge ('information as knowledge'). Each of these connotations represents a legitimate view of information in its own right, being equally significant to information-intensive organisations. The literature lacks studies that approach information from an integrative viewpoint, however. The purpose of this study was to explore and develop the notion of 'information governance' as an integrative, systemic approach to information in the context of research organisations. Soft Systems Methodology was used in a case study involving the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation. Qualitative data was gathered through in-depth interviews with researchers and information/knowledge managers, followed by a thematic, two-level analysis. From a 'macro level' of analysis (the wider Brazilian agricultural research system) it was found that, to solve increasingly complex research problems, collaborative, multidisciplinary networking is needed. On the other hand, competitive forces are continuously emanating from the systems of research steering, funds and resources' allocation, quality control, and recognition and reward. This conflict inhibits the collaborative sharing of 'information as thing' and 'as knowledge', disturbs internal communication flows and contributes to low levels of synergy and cross-departmental partnerships, ultimately affecting research outcomes. At a 'meso level' (the local practices and culture of agricultural knowledge production), different epistemic cultures were identified (named in vitro, in situ and in silico research), which respond differently to the opposing forces of collaboration and competition. Based on a deep understanding of the agricultural research system and underlying epistemic cultures, a framework for effective governance of information was developed. Action to improve the governance of information at Embrapa would involve nurturing an information culture that supports collaborative work. Given that interactions between researchers are determined by their individual pursuits and struggles, this would require a change in the corporate system of performance evaluation and reward, according to the different epistemic cultures.

Driven by the highly cyclical nature of their increasingly commoditised product offerings, many capital goods manufacturers are seeing the benefits of delivering services integrated with their core product offerings. Whilst existing research is almost unanimous in advocating the value of a servitization strategy, understanding how these product-service systems (PSSs) can be developed and delivered remains a significant challenge. The closely related PSS field, which has its heritage in the environmental and social science disciplines, is more mature in this area and a number of models have been proposed. The research reported within this thesis contributes to knowledge by investigating whether the approaches to PSS development, reported within the PSS literature, reflects the PSS development practice of servitized manufacturers. More specifically, soft systems methodology was used to explore the delivery of PSSs within the UK railway industry in order to gain an understanding of the implications for developing new PSSs. With this understanding, the existing approaches to PSS development were evaluated with respect to one servitized manufacturer through an in-depth single case study. The findings highlighted a number of significant differences between the practice of the servitized manufacturer and the literature. A survey was used to investigate whether the differences were generalisable to a larger sample of servitized manufacturers. The findings point towards the simplification of the reported phases within PSS development and the inclusion of a number of previously unreported processes and activities. Based on these results a new model of PSS development is proposed to better reflect the practice of servitized manufacturers. The model, consisting of four phases and seventeen processes, was operationalised in the form of a workbook and tested through application. Applying the workbook resulted in the successful creation of a number of new PSS concepts.

The primary aim of the research project was to develop conceptual models of rural ambulance service delivery based on different worldviews or philosophical positions, and then to compare and contrast these new and emerging models with existing organisational policy and practice. Four research aims were explored: community expectations of pre-hospital care, the existing organization of rural ambulance services, the measurement of ambulance service performance, and the comparative suitability of different pre-hospital models of service delivery. A unique feature was the use of soft systems methodology to develop the models of service delivery. It is one of the major non-traditional systems approaches to organisational research and lends itself to problem solving in the real world. The classic literature-hypothesis-experiment-results-conclusion model of research was not followed. Instead, policy and political analysis techniques were used as counter-points to the systems approach. The program of research employed a triangulation technique to adduce evidence from various sources in order to analyse ambulance services in rural Victoria. In particular, information from questionnaires, a focus group, interviews and performance data from the ambulance services themselves were used. These formed a rich dataset that provided new insight into rural ambulance services. Five service delivery models based on different worldviews were developed, each with its own characteristics, transformation processes and performance criteria. The models developed are titled: competitive; sufficing; community; expert; and practitioner. These conceptual models are presented as metaphors and in the form of holons and rich pictures, and then transformed into patient pathways for operational implementation. All five conceptual models meet the criteria for systemic desirability and were assessed for their political and cultural feasibility in a range of different rural communities. They provide a solid foundation for future discourse, debate and discussion about possible changes to the way pre-hospital services are delivered in rural Victoria.

This thesis seeks to review Urban Sustainability in cities of the Developing South within the broader spectrum of Sustainable Development. Notably, the Developing South has for many years struggled to embrace Sustainability in its general terms: in part, because of the fragile institutions that cannot be counted on to uphold sustainability in the truest sense of the word; and in part because of the numerous challenges that often distract any attempt to prioritize Sustainable Development. Sustainability then becomes an option in the midst of other options, rather than an option that should affect all other options. Narrowing it down further to matters urban makes it even stranger in a host of cities across the Developing South. It is against this backdrop that this study seeks to examine in depth the contextual challenges that have invariably stood in the way of Sustainable Development across the Developing South. While it may not be practically possible in a four-month study to offer outright solutions or recommendations that could address these challenges in entirety, this study nevertheless has endeavoured to stay true to the realities that are often ignored whenever challenges of Sustainable Development are mentioned on global platforms. Among these realities is the reality of slum presence in most cities of the Developing South that existentially complicates any equation for urban sustainability ever formulated to provide a way out or forward for these cities. State governments understand this too well, and so do Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and international organizations alike involved in the crusade for improved living conditions for city resident, and in particular slum residents. Yet the State governments have never been as resolute in their quest for slum free cities. The question then remains: exactly what are the sustainable approaches for this noble cause? While the State governments have over the years insisted on enforcing conventional approaches (that include forced evictions, relocations and/ or redevelopment); one international network, however, thinks and responds differently to slum situations. The network is Shack/Slum Dwellers International (SDI). It is considerably this network of slum dwellers and their undeniably innovative approach to urban sustainability and inclusivity that largely frames the direction and general content of this study. Specifically, the methodology adopted in the study is one of a Case study - which in this case is SDI; and two separate Cases, namely Railway Relocation Action Plan (RAP) in Nairobi, Kenya and slum Re-blocking project in Joe Slovo, Cape Town, South Africa, respectively - as typical cases that captures in large part the enormous contribution that SDI is making towards inclusive and sustainable cities in the Developing South. In the discussion part, however, the study introduces Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) as a comparative methodology to SDI’s approach. SSM particularly benefits from LUMAS model and Social Learning – both key components that potentially reserve a dynamic capacity to enriching SDI’s approach as a future reference methodology for urban sustainability and inclusivity.

<p>Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 1996</p>

After the introduction of the term,  sustainable development, a variety of  academicians from different disciplines tried to conceptualize it in their own way, drawing on these views, many different degrees but with similar titles have been established in many universities all around the world. Masters  program in  Sustainable Development  (MSD) at Uppsala University and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is one the most recent ones. Before starting this study, it was investigated that the expectations of the different actors in this program are not fulfilled completely. Presence of many different ideas and perspectives in addition to the high number of actors involved in the situation made the situation too complex to be fixed easily. Therefore, the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), as an appropriate approach for improving complex problematic situations,  is  used to reform the organization of  the  MSD in coming years. The process of identifying the  challenges of this program and then  improving some of them in  practice  are described in this thesis. Alongside the  action phase, the applications of Systems Approach in transformation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) are explored.  It is investigated that three levels of learning, i.e. basic, meta-  and epistemic learning, and accordingly three levels of organizational change, i.e. the first, second and third order, need to be recognized, if an ESD program is to be different from the unsustainable trends of education.

After the introduction of the term, sustainable development, a variety of academicians fromdifferent disciplines tried to conceptualize it in their own way, drawing on these views, manydifferent degrees but with similar titles have been established in many universities all around theworld.Masters program in Sustainable Development (MSD) at Uppsala University and the SwedishUniversity of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is one the most recent ones. Before starting this study, itwas investigated that the expectations of the different actors in this program are not fulfilledcompletely. Presence of many different ideas and perspectives in addition to the high number ofactors involved in the situation made the situation too complex to be fixed easily. Therefore, theSoft Systems Methodology (SSM), as an appropriate approach for improving complex problematicsituations, is used to reform the organization of the MSD in coming years. The process ofidentifying the challenges of this program and then improving some of them in practice aredescribed in this thesis. Alongside the action phase, the applications of Systems Approach intransformation of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) are explored.It is investigated that three levels of learning, i.e. basic, meta- and epistemic learning, andaccordingly three levels of organizational change, i.e. the first, second and third order, need to berecognized, if an ESD program is to be different from the unsustainable trends of education.

Disertacijoje siekiama teoriškai pagrįsti ir sukurti bibliotekininko edukatoriaus ugdymo koncepcinį modelį profesionalius bibliotekininkus rengiančioje aukštosios mokyklos studijų programoje. Tikslui pasiekti išanalizuotas bibliotekininko edukatoriaus poreikis besimokančioje visuomenėje bei apibrėžta bibliotekininko edukatoriaus samprata, vaidmuo, gebėjimų visuma ugdant informacinį raštingumą; nustatyta dabartinė bibliotekininkų edukatorių rengimo būklė, susiejant ją su besimokančios visuomenės poreikiais bei sukonstruotas bibliotekininko edukatoriaus ugdymo koncepcinis modelis; įvertintas bibliotekininko edukatoriaus ugdymo koncepcinio modelio validumas realioje aplinkoje ir pasiūlytas šio modelio praktinis taikymas profesionalius bibliotekininkus rengiančioje aukštosios mokyklos studijų programoje. Atsižvelgiant į tai, kad informacinio raštingumo gebėjimų ugdymas Europos Sąjungos ir Lietuvos strateginiuose dokumentuose yra vienas iš instrumentų įgyvendinant besimokančią visuomenę, bibliotekininko edukatoriaus ugdymas yra aktualus ir pagrįstas. Bibliotekininkas edukatorius įgyvendindamas visuomenės informacinio raštingumo gebėjimų ugdymą užtikrina besimokančios visuomenės plėtrą, nes ugdo gebėjimą nustatyti reikalingos informacijos pobūdį ir mastą, efektyviai ir veiksmingai pasiekti reikalingą informaciją, kritiškai ją vertinti bei kūrybiškai pasinaudoti savo asmeniniams, individualiai ar dirbant komandoje efektyviai naudotis informacija siekiant užsibrėžto tikslo ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The dissertation is aimed at theoretical substantiation and framing of the conceptual model of librarian-educator’s training within the university study programme designed for the training of professional librarians. Pursuing the above-stated objective the need for librarians-educators in the learning society has been analysed and the concept, role and set of competences necessary for the development of information literacy have been defined; current situation in librarian-educator’s trainings has been identified coupling it with the needs of the learning society and the conceptual model of librarian-educator’s training has been framed; the validity of the conceptual model of librarian-educator’s training in real environment has been evaluated and practical application of the said model within the framework of the university study programme aimed at the training of professional librarians has been proposed. Taking into consideration the fact that in European Union and Lithuanian strategic documents development of information literacy skills is identified as an instrument for the development of the learning society, it can be stated that the training of librarians-educators is relevant and substantiated. Through the training of information literacy skills librarian-educator ensures the development of the learning society as he/she nurtures the ability to identify the nature and scope of required information, effectively access, critically evaluate and creatively use the... [to full text]

The dissertation is aimed at theoretical substantiation and framing of the conceptual model of librarian-educator’s training within the university study programme designed for the training of professional librarians. Pursuing the above-stated objective the need for librarians-educators in the learning society has been analysed and the concept, role and set of competences necessary for the development of information literacy have been defined; current situation in librarian-educator’s trainings has been identified coupling it with the needs of the learning society and the conceptual model of librarian-educator’s training has been framed; the validity of the conceptual model of librarian-educator’s training in real environment has been evaluated and practical application of the said model within the framework of the university study programme aimed at the training of professional librarians has been proposed. Taking into consideration the fact that in European Union and Lithuanian strategic documents development of information literacy skills is identified as an instrument for the development of the learning society, it can be stated that the training of librarians-educators is relevant and substantiated. Through the training of information literacy skills librarian-educator ensures the development of the learning society as he/she nurtures the ability to identify the nature and scope of required information, effectively access, critically evaluate and creatively use the... [to full text] / Disertacijoje siekiama teoriškai pagrįsti ir sukurti bibliotekininko edukatoriaus ugdymo koncepcinį modelį profesionalius bibliotekininkus rengiančioje aukštosios mokyklos studijų programoje. Tikslui pasiekti išanalizuotas bibliotekininko edukatoriaus poreikis besimokančioje visuomenėje bei apibrėžta bibliotekininko edukatoriaus samprata, vaidmuo, gebėjimų visuma ugdant informacinį raštingumą; nustatyta dabartinė bibliotekininkų edukatorių rengimo būklė, susiejant ją su besimokančios visuomenės poreikiais bei sukonstruotas bibliotekininko edukatoriaus ugdymo koncepcinis modelis; įvertintas bibliotekininko edukatoriaus ugdymo koncepcinio modelio validumas realioje aplinkoje ir pasiūlytas šio modelio praktinis taikymas profesionalius bibliotekininkus rengiančioje aukštosios mokyklos studijų programoje. Atsižvelgiant į tai, kad informacinio raštingumo gebėjimų ugdymas Europos Sąjungos ir Lietuvos strateginiuose dokumentuose yra vienas iš instrumentų įgyvendinant besimokančią visuomenę, bibliotekininko edukatoriaus ugdymas yra aktualus ir pagrįstas. Bibliotekininkas edukatorius įgyvendindamas visuomenės informacinio raštingumo gebėjimų ugdymą užtikrina besimokančios visuomenės plėtrą, nes ugdo gebėjimą nustatyti reikalingos informacijos pobūdį ir mastą, efektyviai ir veiksmingai pasiekti reikalingą informaciją, kritiškai ją vertinti bei kūrybiškai pasinaudoti savo asmeniniams, individualiai ar dirbant komandoje efektyviai naudotis informacija siekiant užsibrėžto tikslo ir... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-20T20:20:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 57844.pdf: 757561 bytes, checksum: cbc7ca4d90b60a8018fc9274080f0639 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-05-17T00:00:00Z / O objetivo neste estudo foi propor um programa de mudança na relação empresa-fornecedores num momento em que técnicas sobre o tema são discutidas na vivência de um relacionamento ainda nada colaborativo. Para tanto se utilizou a metodologia do tipo Soft Systems adequada à natureza social do objeto de estudo: as relações entre empresa varejista e seus fornecedores. Esta metodologia permite o levantamento de dados em campo, a caracterização do modelo de relacionamento vigente na empresa, a comparação deste modelo com o modelo idealizado e a elaboração de um programa de intervenção para readequação do modelo vigente.