Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify and develop relevant keyperformance indicators within the warehouse operations in amanufacturing company, and how they can be used for control. Research question: In a manufacturing company, which are the most important KPIs forcontrolling and monitoring the warehouse operations, and how can thoseKPIs be developed?Methodology: This master thesis is based on a case study at a pharmaceutical companynamed Fresenius Kabi. A qualitative approach has been used whereprimary data was collected through 10 structured & semi structuredinterviews and through observations in the warehouses to understand thecurrent state. Secondary data was used in form of academic papers to seewhat previous research had to say about KPIs and operation & processmanagement. Internal documents were also used as a secondary source. Findings: Two key performance indicators have been developed, productivity andcost efficiency. A template has been designed to produce the KPIs. Thisstudy contributes to the understanding of how to develop KPIs that fits amanufacturing company´s warehouse operations and a recommendation onhow you could develop a system for producing the data.

The need for information in real time and the technology development has become more fast and more efficient. Companies today need to be more responsive to their customers to stay on top. Also, companies’ business processes need effective support from information technology solutions. The fit, or alignment, between the business process and the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system design is crucial in order to leverage efforts within marketing and sales. If there is a misfit, companies do not take full advantage of the potential that CRM systems can leverage in terms of better managing relationships with customers, which in turn may result in higher rates of closed deals. The main purpose of this bachelor thesis in Information Systems is to identify and describe critical success factors influencing on the degree of alignment between a business process and a CRM system from an organisational perspective. The sub-purpose is to identify and describe the influence of process−system alignment on performance. The IT company Apica has been used as the case study company in the bachelor thesis. Apica is suitable for this study since it has already adopted a CRM system related to its sales process. A research literature-based analysis model was developed in order to be able to more precisely investigate the chosen purpose. The intention is to review critical success factors that influence the success of the process−system alignment. In the chosen qualitative approach, a semi-structured interview guide was developed, based on the analysis model. Five interviews with co-workers in the case study company were conducted. The analysis of the collected primary empirical data has led to the following conclusions. A high degree of process−system alignment concerning a well-defined and functional business process in relation to a CRM system has a positive influence on the company’s sales process performance. A higher degree of process−system alignment can improve the company’s process performance, increase the sales force productivity and lead to better decision making. According to the findings, the positive outcome of a process−system alignment depends mainly on three factors: management commitment, data management, and system integrations. The empirical results also suggests a new finding: A successfully aligned sales process with the CRM system also lead to knowledge sharing. Knowledge sharing contributes to that salespeople learn from deals made in the past. The historical data help salespeople in managing customer relationships, which may lead to shorter sales cycles and larger deal sizes, which implies increased sales.

Cette thèse se propose de contribuer à la compréhension de la problématique générale de la performance, ceci par l’exploration du contenu de la vision stratégique appliquée au contexte des propriétaires-dirigeants de PME. Notre thèse émerge ainsi des observations du terrain et de son évolution, notamment les difficultés rencontrées par certaines PME pour survivre et à contrario les facteurs favorisants la réussite et la performance de certaines d’entre elles. Cette recherche s’articule ainsi autour d’un processus continu d’aller-retour entre la littérature et le terrain. Les PME représentent un des terreaux les plus propices à la recherche sur le concept de vision stratégique et sa relation à la performance. La revue de littérature fait en effet apparaitre le propriétaire-dirigeant, qualifié d’entrepreneur, comme un facteur central dans l’explication de la performance de son entreprise. Nous proposons ici une approche cognitive de la performance, approche que nous illustrons au travers des représentations de propriétaires-dirigeants de PME de leur performance. Ainsi, nous nous intéressons aux contenus des représentations véhiculées par les propriétaires-dirigeants de PME, la conception de la performance dans leur vision stratégique. Cette représentation se compose de structures émergentes des concepts reliés entre eux à l’intérieur de ces représentations. En ce sens, nous partons du principe qu’un concept ne prend vraiment sa signification que dans ses relations avec d’autres. La thèse présente son projet en termes de problématique et de méthodologie, au travers d’un processus de collecte de données, par entretiens en profondeur, sur 9 PME performantes primées à plusieurs reprises. A cet effet, nous avons utilisé la méthodologie de la cartographie cognitive qui permet d’analyser la vision stratégique comme un réseau de concepts dans une dynamique des relations les liants. Le traitement et l’analyse des données récoltées nous conduisent à proposer un modèle de lecture cognitive de la performance adapté au contexte des propriétaires-dirigeants de PME. La performance apparait comme un concept multidimensionnel, hiérarchique et dialogique. En effet dans sa PME le propriétaire-dirigeant doit faire des arbitrages entre les différents objectifs et les intérêts multiples des différents acteurs. Enfin, l’étude démontre une importance avérée aux ressources humaines et à l’ancrage territorial de son entreprise. / This thesis aims to contribute to the understanding of the general issue of performance, this by exploring the contents of the strategic vision applied to the context of SME owner-managers. Our thesis emerges from field observations and its evolution, the difficulties of some of SMEs to survive and conversely the contributing factors of success and the performance of some of them. Thus, this research revolves around an ongoing go-return process between literature and results of our field research. Concretely, we find in the SMEs one of the more conducive soils to research on the concept of strategic vision and its relationship to performance. Indeed, the owner-manager, Often described as an entrepreneur, holds in his SME a central predominant position and is one of the major internal factors to consider. Here we propose a cognitive approach to performance, we illustrate that approach through representations of owner-managers of SMEs performance. Thus, we focus on the content of the representations conveyed by the owner-managers of SMEs, the performance conception in their strategic vision, this representation consists of a emerging structures of concepts interconnected within these representations. In this sense, we assume that a concept really takes its meaning only in its relations with others. The thesis presents its problematic and methodological project, through in-depth interviews of nine performing SMEs (award winning repeatedly). To this end, we used the methodology of cognitive mapping that can analyze the strategic vision as a network of concepts in a dynamic relationship. The processing and analysis of collected data lead us to propose a model of cognitive reading of performanceadapted to the context of SME owner-managers. The performance appears as a multidimensional concept, hierarchical, and dialogical. Indeed, in its SME, the owner-manager must make trade-offs between different objectives and different interests of different stakeholders. Finally, the study demonstrates proven importance to human resources and territorial anchorage of its business.

Esta tese apresentada ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Informática na Educação (PPGIE), linha de pesquisa ambientes informatizados e ensino a distância, tem como objetivo geral analisar os Fatores Críticos de Sucesso (FCS) relacionados com os elementos de gestão em cursos de educação a distância via internet. Como objetivos específicos busca identificar os FCS no gerenciamento dos recursos nos cursos em educação a distância via internet; e propor novos elementos que auxiliem o processo de gestão dos cursos de educação a distância via internet. Os elementos de gestão para a educação a distância (EAD) foram definidos com base na literatura e pela análise conjunta da autora e de especialistas. A partir disto destacam-se os elementos de gestão: qualidade, gerenciamento, infra-estrutura, recursos humanos, recursos financeiros, e modelo pedagógico. Estes elementos utilizados no protocolo do estudo de caso para a identificação dos FCS foram validados com especialistas em EAD e no Curso de Graduação em Administração a distância da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). A metodologia da pesquisa é o estudo de casos-múltiplos baseado no Curso de Graduação em Pedagogia - Licenciatura (PEAD), e no Curso de Graduação Tecnológica - Planejamento e Gestão Para o Desenvolvimento Rural (PLAGEDER) da UFRGS. A partir dos resultados obtidos nos estudos de caso constatou-se que alguns dos FCS identificados não estavam associados aos elementos correspondentes. Verificou-se também, que um mesmo FCS está ou pode estar relacionado a mais de um elemento de gestão. Neste sentido, os FCS identificados foram resgatados e reagrupados nas categorias dos elementos de gestão. Estas constatações possibilitaram uma nova reflexão sobre os FCS e os elementos de gestão. A partir do resgate teórico, percebe-se a existência de FCS que, embora não tenham sido identificados na pesquisa, merecem uma atenção especial. Dessa forma, alguns fatores foram incorporados, por estarem relacionados com os novos elementos de gestão da EAD. Assim, apresentam-se os novos elementos para auxiliar o processo de gestão em cursos de educação a distância via internet são: qualidade do ensino, responsabilidade da coordenação do curso, gerenciamento dos recursos e modelo pedagógico do curso. / The general objective of this thesis, which was presented at the Graduate Program in Computer Science in Education (PPGIE), line of research computed environments and distance learning, is to analyze Critical Success Factors (CSF) associated with management elements in distance learning courses via the Internet. The specific objective is to identify CSFs in the management of resources in distance learning courses via the Internet and to propose new elements to help the management process in distance learning courses via the Internet. Management elements for distance learning (DL) were defined based on the literature and on a conjoint analysis by the author and specialists. The following management elements stood out: quality, management, infrastructure, human resources, financial resources and pedagogical model. These elements, used in the case study protocol to identify CSFs, were validated by specialists in DL and by the Distance Business Undergraduate Course of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). The research methodology is the study of multiple cases based on the Undergraduate Course in Pedagogy - Teaching (PEAD) and on the Technological Undergraduate Course - Planning and Management for Rural Development (PLAGEDER) of UFRGS. Based on the results obtained from case studies, some CSFs identified were not associated with the corresponding elements. It was also observed that one CSF is or may be related to more than one management element. In this sense, identified CSFs were rescued and regrouped into the categories of management elements. Such findings allowed a new reflection on CSFs and management elements. Based on the theoretical background, there is an existence of CSFs that, although not being identified in the study, deserve special attention. Therefore, some factors were incorporated for being related to new management elements of DL. Thus, the new elements presented to aid the management process in distance learning courses via the Internet are as follows: teaching quality, responsibility of course coordination, resource management and course pedagogical model.

The study sought to investigate the performance measurement practice of retail Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Zimbabwe and to develop a performance measurement framework for monitoring and managing the performance of retail MSMEs in developing countries. The performance measurement framework may enhance the chances of success and survival of these retail MSMEs. The framework was developed based on a review of the literature and an empirical study. Questionnaires were administered to 373 owner/managers of which only 189 responded. Interviews were held with 20 senior employees in the accounts/finance departments of MSMEs. Stratified random sampling was employed to select the 20 senior employees interviewed. Interviews were also held with eight (8) owner/managers who were purposively selected from the 189 MSMEs who participated in the study. It was established that most of the MSMEs do not measure the CSFs identified from the literature review. The study identified innovation, management of costs, and management of customers, management of competitors, market scanning, employee motivation, and management of regulators as the factors that need to be measured and monitored if MSMEs are to succeed. The performance measurement framework which emerged from the study focused more on measurement of non-financial performance rather than financial performance. Most owner/managers interviewed indicated that the proposed performance measurement framework can be used to enhance the performance of MSMEs. The study recommends that a confirmatory study such as structural equation modelling should be carried out in order to test the cause-effect relationship between the CSFs identified in this study. The study also recommends a longitudinal study where the researcher will assess the performance measurement practices of the retail MSMEs over time rather than relying on the perceptions of owner/managers and employees of the MSMEs. Keywords: Critical success factors, MSMEs, performance measurement, / Management Accounting / D. Phil. (Management Accounting)

As with many new technology implementations before, Business Intelligence (BI) implementations have come under scrutiny in terms of the value added to organisations. The latest academic research uses various different ‘traditional financial methods’ such as the Return on Investment (ROI) calculations to determine the value of investments. In some instances customized measurement tools are proposed as a result of empirical studies conducted. The main objective of this study is to perform qualitative investigation on the theoretical value of BI implementations in organisations. If it is assumed that BI does add value to organisations, the primary research question aims to investigate how this value is added. A balanced scorecard second generation approach is used as theoretical framework in order to address the question. This approach is also known as strategy mapping. The research process starts with an extensive literature review on the topic of BI value evaluations and BI related balanced scorecards and strategy maps. As a result, various theoretical and practical research contributions are produced. One of the theoretical contributions includes an inventory of previous academic literature on the topic of BI value evaluations. This inventory is also presented diagrammatically. A preliminary version of the BI balanced scorecard is developed and used as foundation for a semi-structured interview template to investigate the value of BI in organisations.\ The semi-structured interview template was used as primary data generation instrument to gather data for this multiple-case study project. Four organisations participated in the study. The data obtained from the study was analysed and presented using an updated version of the theoretical framework of the study and was labelled as the intermediate version of the scorecard. The intermediate version of the BI balanced scorecard provided valuable input towards investigating how value was achieved as a result of BI implementations. These results were verified as part of a final verification process through a consultation process with the same study participants. A final version of the BI balanced scorecard is presented and included in a complete BI value solution. This version of the balanced scorecard is also a valuable practical contribution of the study. The verified results of the investigation indicated the following:- (1) BI adds value to organisations in all four perspectives of the organisation, namely the business value perspective, user orientation perspective, operational excellence perspective as well as the future orientation perspective. (2) Furthermore, the study confirmed that BI adds value to organisations through a number of benefits including an increase in sales and compliance to regulatory requirements (to name a few). (3) However, the study also indicated that value-related studies must adopt a holistic approach in an attempt to cater for the many facets of the topic. (4) Despite the challenge of implementing BI in organisations, the perceived value of BI implementations amongst senior management remained positive. This was supported by the continuous implementation of new BI projects in organisations. (5) There was a definite relationship between BI implementations and organisational performance. This is evident through the positive impact on sales figures, risk and compliance management and operational management. The study contributes to the broader field of Information Systems (IS) in numerous ways. Firstly the research discovers gaps in existing research, then proposes a method to investigate the research question as a result of the gaps identified, and -iiiuses this method as a tool to investigate the problem. The main contribution of the study is to contribute to the body of knowledge by investigating the value of business intelligence to organisations. / College of Engineering, Science and Technology / D. Litt et. Phil. (Information Systems)

This present study aims to identify the critical success factors in corporate distance education programs, based on the case study of SICREDI, Cooperative Credit System with more than 10.000 employees and 1.000 units around Brazil. The study characterizes itself as descriptive-exploratory, due to the no validation of research instruments to measure the critical success factors in distance education, being mostly quantitative. Thus, the present study seeked, through the application of Reeves´ model (1997) and adapted by Joia (2005), to identify the relation of the 10 dimensions (constructs), defining and characterizing the variables, with the dependent variable success (goals achievement). The results founded showed 35% of relation with the factors Motivation Source, Structural Flexibility, Pedagogical Philosophy and Cultural Sensibility with the dependent variable success (goals achievement). The study is aligned with Joia and Costa (2005) in the factor Motivation Source and with Joia and Lima (2007) at the factor Pedagogical Philosophy. Otherwise, the few research developed till now with the present model show that the projects change in each company when referring to the factors that lead to success in distance education initiatives. Therefore, is necessary, by the limitations of case studies (used in all the researches with the present model), to proceed with multi-cases with a higher number of organizations and respondents, permitting, then, the theory consolidation about the critical success factors in corporate distance education programs. / O presente estudo tem por objetivo identificar os fatores determinantes do sucesso em programas de educação corporativa a distância, com base no estudo de caso do SICREDI, Sistema Cooperativo de Crédito com mais de 10.000 colaboradores e 1.000 unidades no Brasil. O estudo caracteriza-se por ser de natureza descritivoexploratória, devido a não validação de instrumentos para mensuração dos fatores críticos de sucesso em educação a distância, sendo eminentemente quantitativo. Dessa forma, o trabalho em questão buscou, através da aplicação do modelo de Reeves (1997) e adaptado por Joia (2005), identificar a relação das 10 dimensões (constructos), com a definição e caracterização das variáveis, com a variável dependente sucesso (atingimento dos objetivos). Os resultados encontrados mostraram uma relação de 35% dos fatores Fonte de Motivação, Flexibilidade Estrutural, Filosofia Pedagógica e Sensibilidade Cultural com a variável dependente sucesso (atingimento dos objetivos). O trabalho alinha-se com Joia e Costa (2005) no fator Fonte de Motivação e com Joia e Lima (2007) no fator Filosofia Pedagógica. Entretanto, as poucas pesquisas realizadas até então com o presente modelo mostram que os projetos mudam em cada empresa no que se refere aos fatores que levam ao sucesso das iniciativas de educação a distância. Dessa forma, é necessário, pelas limitações dos estudos de caso (usados em todas as pesquisas com o modelo), proceder-se com estudos multi-casos com um número bem maior de organizações e respondentes, podendo-se então, começar-se a consolidação da teoria acerca dos fatores chaves do sucesso em educação corporativa a distância.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-09-28Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:23:49Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 isoni_mm_dr_mar.pdf: 2959477 bytes, checksum: 9a578ac62a6c184407b31cbe4b2d01de (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente estudo caracteriza-se como pesquisa descritiva e analítica, e buscou estudar o fenômeno das construções de relacionamentos sociais que ocorrem no ciberespaço, para compreender seus fundamentos em Comunidades Mediadas pela Internet (CMI) para, dessa forma, reconhecer as razões do sucesso e descrever o ciclo de vida dessas comunidades. Com o objetivo geral de identificar os fatores de atração e participação de membros em CMIs, distribuídos em seu ciclo de vida, a pesquisa teve como objetivos específicos: diferenciar atributos definidores e atributos de sucesso de CMIs; discutir associação e participação como Fatores de Sucesso (FS) em CMIs; descrever a natureza dos FS para os níveis de percepções; para cada fonte de informação (estrutural, temporal, estratégico e ambiental), identificar os FS que transcorrem pelas fases do Ciclo de Vida da CMI; e discutir subconjuntos de FS conforme a natureza de cada CMI. A metodologia de pesquisa utilizou uma estratégia do tipo “observação participante”, junto a uma CMI existente na plataforma Orkut, a fim de coletar e extrair graus de concordância (alta média e baixa), sobre treze FS (foco, senso comunitário, tecnologia, serviço, sociabilidade, membros, gestão, reconhecimento, participação, liderança, reputação, confiança e sustentabilidade), fundamentais na trajetória da CMI ao sucesso. Por serem ainda escassos os estudos que abordam a noção holística de vida e morte das CMI, esta tese apresenta o modelo de ciclo de vida das CMI (MCV-CMI), retratando as etapas iniciais, de criação, de crescimento, de maturidade e de transformação ou morte de uma CMI existente na plataforma Orkut, que conta hoje com mais de 1200 integrantes. Essa comunidade foi selecionada em função da adequação à metodologia adotada. A pesquisa utilizou o software LimeSurvey para a construção da base de dados, que resultou... / The current study is a descriptive and analytical research which aimed at studying the phenomenon of social network building which takes place in cyberspace, in order to comprehend its fundamentals in IMCs (Internet-Mediated Communities). This way, we wanted to identify the reasons of success and describe the life cycle of such communities. The research general goal was that of identifying the participation and attraction factors for IMC members, throughout their life cycle, whereas its specific goals were: to discriminate IMC defining attributes and success attributes; to discuss association and participation as IMC Success Factors (SF); to describe the SF’s nature for the different perception levels; to identity the SFs which live through the IMC life cycle phases, for each information source (structural, chronological, strategic and environmental); and to discuss SF subgroups according to each IMC’s nature. The research methodology used a “participant observation” type of strategy, at an existing IMC at the Orkut platform, in order to collect and extract agreement levels (high, moderate and low) on thirteen SF (focus, sense of community, technology, service, sociability, members, management, recognition, participation, leadership, reputation, reliability and sustainability), which are fundamental in the IMC’s course for success. The studies that address the holistic notion of IMC life and death are still scarce, thus, this thesis presents the IMC life cycle model (IMC-LCM), picturing the initial steps, of creation, growth, maturity and transformation or death of an existing IMC at the Orkut platform, which counts more than 1200 members to-day. This community was chosen for the adequacy to the adopted methodology. The research used the LimeSurvey software for the database construction, which generated a sample of 104 respondents. This allowed the perceptual mapping... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Esta tese apresentada ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Informática na Educação (PPGIE), linha de pesquisa ambientes informatizados e ensino a distância, tem como objetivo geral analisar os Fatores Críticos de Sucesso (FCS) relacionados com os elementos de gestão em cursos de educação a distância via internet. Como objetivos específicos busca identificar os FCS no gerenciamento dos recursos nos cursos em educação a distância via internet; e propor novos elementos que auxiliem o processo de gestão dos cursos de educação a distância via internet. Os elementos de gestão para a educação a distância (EAD) foram definidos com base na literatura e pela análise conjunta da autora e de especialistas. A partir disto destacam-se os elementos de gestão: qualidade, gerenciamento, infra-estrutura, recursos humanos, recursos financeiros, e modelo pedagógico. Estes elementos utilizados no protocolo do estudo de caso para a identificação dos FCS foram validados com especialistas em EAD e no Curso de Graduação em Administração a distância da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). A metodologia da pesquisa é o estudo de casos-múltiplos baseado no Curso de Graduação em Pedagogia - Licenciatura (PEAD), e no Curso de Graduação Tecnológica - Planejamento e Gestão Para o Desenvolvimento Rural (PLAGEDER) da UFRGS. A partir dos resultados obtidos nos estudos de caso constatou-se que alguns dos FCS identificados não estavam associados aos elementos correspondentes. Verificou-se também, que um mesmo FCS está ou pode estar relacionado a mais de um elemento de gestão. Neste sentido, os FCS identificados foram resgatados e reagrupados nas categorias dos elementos de gestão. Estas constatações possibilitaram uma nova reflexão sobre os FCS e os elementos de gestão. A partir do resgate teórico, percebe-se a existência de FCS que, embora não tenham sido identificados na pesquisa, merecem uma atenção especial. Dessa forma, alguns fatores foram incorporados, por estarem relacionados com os novos elementos de gestão da EAD. Assim, apresentam-se os novos elementos para auxiliar o processo de gestão em cursos de educação a distância via internet são: qualidade do ensino, responsabilidade da coordenação do curso, gerenciamento dos recursos e modelo pedagógico do curso. / The general objective of this thesis, which was presented at the Graduate Program in Computer Science in Education (PPGIE), line of research computed environments and distance learning, is to analyze Critical Success Factors (CSF) associated with management elements in distance learning courses via the Internet. The specific objective is to identify CSFs in the management of resources in distance learning courses via the Internet and to propose new elements to help the management process in distance learning courses via the Internet. Management elements for distance learning (DL) were defined based on the literature and on a conjoint analysis by the author and specialists. The following management elements stood out: quality, management, infrastructure, human resources, financial resources and pedagogical model. These elements, used in the case study protocol to identify CSFs, were validated by specialists in DL and by the Distance Business Undergraduate Course of Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). The research methodology is the study of multiple cases based on the Undergraduate Course in Pedagogy - Teaching (PEAD) and on the Technological Undergraduate Course - Planning and Management for Rural Development (PLAGEDER) of UFRGS. Based on the results obtained from case studies, some CSFs identified were not associated with the corresponding elements. It was also observed that one CSF is or may be related to more than one management element. In this sense, identified CSFs were rescued and regrouped into the categories of management elements. Such findings allowed a new reflection on CSFs and management elements. Based on the theoretical background, there is an existence of CSFs that, although not being identified in the study, deserve special attention. Therefore, some factors were incorporated for being related to new management elements of DL. Thus, the new elements presented to aid the management process in distance learning courses via the Internet are as follows: teaching quality, responsibility of course coordination, resource management and course pedagogical model.

Resumo: O presente estudo caracteriza-se como pesquisa descritiva e analítica, e buscou estudar o fenômeno das construções de relacionamentos sociais que ocorrem no ciberespaço, para compreender seus fundamentos em Comunidades Mediadas pela Internet (CMI) para, dessa forma, reconhecer as razões do sucesso e descrever o ciclo de vida dessas comunidades. Com o objetivo geral de identificar os fatores de atração e participação de membros em CMIs, distribuídos em seu ciclo de vida, a pesquisa teve como objetivos específicos: diferenciar atributos definidores e atributos de sucesso de CMIs; discutir associação e participação como Fatores de Sucesso (FS) em CMIs; descrever a natureza dos FS para os níveis de percepções; para cada fonte de informação (estrutural, temporal, estratégico e ambiental), identificar os FS que transcorrem pelas fases do Ciclo de Vida da CMI; e discutir subconjuntos de FS conforme a natureza de cada CMI. A metodologia de pesquisa utilizou uma estratégia do tipo "observação participante", junto a uma CMI existente na plataforma Orkut, a fim de coletar e extrair graus de concordância (alta média e baixa), sobre treze FS (foco, senso comunitário, tecnologia, serviço, sociabilidade, membros, gestão, reconhecimento, participação, liderança, reputação, confiança e sustentabilidade), fundamentais na trajetória da CMI ao sucesso. Por serem ainda escassos os estudos que abordam a noção holística de vida e morte das CMI, esta tese apresenta o modelo de ciclo de vida das CMI (MCV-CMI), retratando as etapas iniciais, de criação, de crescimento, de maturidade e de transformação ou morte de uma CMI existente na plataforma Orkut, que conta hoje com mais de 1200 integrantes. Essa comunidade foi selecionada em função da adequação à metodologia adotada. A pesquisa utilizou o software LimeSurvey para a construção da base de dados, que resultou... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The current study is a descriptive and analytical research which aimed at studying the phenomenon of social network building which takes place in cyberspace, in order to comprehend its fundamentals in IMCs (Internet-Mediated Communities). This way, we wanted to identify the reasons of success and describe the life cycle of such communities. The research general goal was that of identifying the participation and attraction factors for IMC members, throughout their life cycle, whereas its specific goals were: to discriminate IMC defining attributes and success attributes; to discuss association and participation as IMC Success Factors (SF); to describe the SF's nature for the different perception levels; to identity the SFs which live through the IMC life cycle phases, for each information source (structural, chronological, strategic and environmental); and to discuss SF subgroups according to each IMC's nature. The research methodology used a "participant observation" type of strategy, at an existing IMC at the Orkut platform, in order to collect and extract agreement levels (high, moderate and low) on thirteen SF (focus, sense of community, technology, service, sociability, members, management, recognition, participation, leadership, reputation, reliability and sustainability), which are fundamental in the IMC's course for success. The studies that address the holistic notion of IMC life and death are still scarce, thus, this thesis presents the IMC life cycle model (IMC-LCM), picturing the initial steps, of creation, growth, maturity and transformation or death of an existing IMC at the Orkut platform, which counts more than 1200 members to-day. This community was chosen for the adequacy to the adopted methodology. The research used the LimeSurvey software for the database construction, which generated a sample of 104 respondents. This allowed the perceptual mapping... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Silvana Aparecida B. Gregório Vidotti / Coorientador: Carlo Gabriel Porto Bellini / Banca: Isa Maria Freire / Banca: Guilherme Ataíde Dias / Banca: Plácida Leopoldina Ventura Amorim da Costa Santos / Banca: Ricardo César Gonçalves Sant'Ana / Doutor