Thesis (M.Com. (Development Theory and Policy))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Economic and Business Sciences, 2016. / Increasingly, innovation through technology transfer is seen as a mechanism through which economic growth can be spurred. The South African National Innovation System (NIS) is built on this premise, leading to the emergence of Technology Transfer Organizations (TTOs) such as the Technology Innovation Agency’s (TIA’s) Technology Stations Programme. The Technology Stations Programme addresses, and attempts to alleviate, the slow overall decline of South African industrial sectors through innovation work for industrialization. It is not clear, however, how the TIA monitors and evaluates, and hence measures the economic and socio-economic outcomes of the Technology Stations Programme. This is because the relationship between the strategic objectives of the programme, and the performance indicators used for impact assessment is not clear. This study identifies the use of the Science, Engineering, Technology and Innovation (SETI) Scorecard of indicators as the framework for performance reporting at the Technology Stations Programme. The study describes the SETI framework and then evaluates it, finding that it is not well defined and lacks the properties required of a framework of indicators to make it an adequate tool for performance reporting. Other problems compromising the reporting on the Technology Stations Programme have to do with the seemingly incomplete nature of reports, occasional incoherence and seeming carelessness where there are graphic errors in the reporting. This inadequate monitoring and evaluation, and performance reporting is concerning because interview work suggests that the Technology Stations Programme is highly successful in supporting SMMEs and offering them technology related services that contribute to industrial policy through innovation work. The failure to have a SETI Scorecard of indicators that is functional enough to make these outcomes in the Technology Stations Programme visible in formal reporting is concerning as programme evaluation should make known the effects of policies. In the case of the Technology Stations Programme these effects are crucial as the technology transfer taking place in the programme is anticipated to achieve grand objectives in the way of economic value adding and industrial expansion. This necessitates the need to capture the outcomes related to these objectives, and make future decisions on the Technology Stations Programme as well as other technology transfer programmes.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts May 2016 / The technology of 3-D Printing is afforded extensive coverage in the media. Discourses surrounding this technology are charged with ideas of revolutions in manufacturing, democratisation of technology, and the potential to change the face of consumption and production. This technology is being marketed to the consumer and hobbyist. The consumer-grade 3-D printer is a result of the labour of a loose-knit worldwide community of hobbyists known as the "Maker movement". This movement, a convergence of the traditional "Hacker" culture and Do It Yourself (DIY) is constructed around ideas of affective labour. That is, labour performed for the sole purpose of enjoyment of doing so, and for a sense of well-being and community. The explosion of "affordable" 3-D printing as a technology is a result of this affective labour, yet little mention is made of any forms of labour in popular media discourses surrounding this technology. In this paper I construct a history of the Maker movement while theorising the forms of labour inherent to this movement using the Autonomist Marxism of Michael Hardt and Antonio Negri as a framework. Then, working within the field of Cultural Studies, and drawing on Actor-Network Theory (ANT), I perform Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) on a small sample of texts to illustrate the occlusion and obfuscation of labour within these discourses of the consumer 3-D printer

Thesis (M.M. (Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation)), University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Wits Business School, 2016. / Over the past few years the South African market has seen the launch of a number of online video services providers. The leading providers in the industry are Vidi, ON-Tap, MTN front row and ShowMax. The industry has also attracted some international competition with big players like Netflix launching its services in the South African market in January 2016. Although this industry has seen the emergence of many new players, it is still in its infacy stages in South Africa and is still to be seen if it will mature into a long term profit making industry. It is important to research the diffusion of innovation and more specially to look at how technopreneurs that are in this field or considering entering this industry can influence the speed and success of how this new innovation is diffused. This research will focus on two areas. Firstly, it will seek to look at the factors that influence the potential adopter’s propensity to adopt a new product. Secondly the research will look at the role played by the technopreneur in ensuring that online video services are adopted successfully. Since the online video services industry is not yet mature the research was conducted using the mixed method approach. The quantitative research was conducted by distributing online survey questionnaires. These questionnaires were distributed using email, as well as social media networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin. The qualitative research was conducted by performing interviews with a predetermined list of respondents. The combination of the two types of research led to a better understanding of this topic. The results the research highlighted the fact that the South African market poses very unique challenges for entrepreneurs that want to enter this industry. South African technopreneurs have an advantage against international players like Netflix because they understand challenges of internet access, payment issues as well as preferred content. / XL2018

by Wong Tak-Kwong. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 76-81). / Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.7 / Chapter 3 --- R&D Activities and Competing for a Researcher --- p.12 / Chapter 3.1 --- Licensing Decision of a Successful Innovator --- p.16 / Benefits of Firm i with Licensing / Benefits of Firm j with Licensing / Chapter 3.2 --- Competing for the Researcher --- p.23 / Characterization of Equilibrium / Chapter 3.3 --- Concluding Remark --- p.29 / Chapter 4 --- Innovation from An Independent Researcher --- p.30 / Chapter 4.1 --- Licensing with Bargaining --- p.34 / Licensing Decision of the Researcher / Licensing Decision of Firm i / Licensing Decision of Firm j / Chapter 4.2 --- Ownership Re-allocation --- p.44 / Chapter 4.3 --- Concluding Remark --- p.48 / Chapter 5 --- An Analysis of Sequential Innovation --- p.50 / Chapter 5.1 --- Choices of Licensing and Conducting R&D --- p.55 / Decision of the Follower / Licensing by the Successful Innovator / Chapter 5.2 --- Equilibrium of Sequential R&D --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3 --- Simultaneous R&D or Sequential R&D --- p.68 / Chapter 5.4 --- Concluding Remark --- p.74 / Chapter 6 --- Conclusion --- p.75 / Chapter 7 --- Bibliography --- p.76

by Ling Ho-Ming, Desmond, Yeung Yuk-Lam. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2000. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-75). / Questionnaire also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.i / ACKNOWLEDGMENTS --- p.ii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iii / LIST OF FIGURES & TABLES --- p.vi / Chapter CHAPTER I --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Problem Statement --- p.2 / Chapter 1.2 --- Purpose of the study --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- Hypotheses of the Study --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Hypothesis 1 --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Hypothesis 2 --- p.5 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Hypothesis 3 --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Hypothesis 4 --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.5 --- Hypothesis 5 --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.6 --- Hypothesis 6 --- p.7 / Chapter 1.3.7 --- Hypothesis 7 --- p.7 / Chapter CHATPER II --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1 --- Development of Videoconferencing --- p.8 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Type of Videoconferencing System --- p.10 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Application of Videoconferencing System --- p.12 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Benefits and Costs of Using Videoconferencing --- p.15 / Chapter 2.2 --- Videoconferencing in China --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Background --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Market Situation --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Industry Players --- p.26 / Chapter CHAPTER III --- METHODOLOGY --- p.29 / Chapter 3.1 --- Scope of Study --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2 --- Research Design --- p.33 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Mail survey --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3 --- Sampling Plan --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Target population --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- Sampling method --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- Judgment sampling --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Sample size --- p.35 / Chapter 3.4 --- Instrument --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Questionnaire --- p.36 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Pilot test --- p.37 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Data Collection --- p.37 / Chapter 3.5 --- Data analysis --- p.38 / Chapter CHAPTER IV --- RESULTS --- p.40 / Chapter 4.1 --- Exploratory Research --- p.40 / Chapter 4.2 --- Descriptive Research --- p.40 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Respondents' Background Characteristics --- p.41 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Perceived Degree of Agreement on Benefits of VC --- p.45 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Perceived Importance of Selection Criteria --- p.46 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Factor Groupings of Benefits --- p.47 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Factor Groupings of Criteria --- p.49 / Chapter 4.2.6 --- Relationship Between Overall Employee Size and Office(s) Using VC Equipment --- p.51 / Chapter 4.2.7 --- Relationship Between Average Annual Sales Revenue and Office(s) Using VC Equipment --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.8 --- Difference in Perceptions Between VC Using Companies and Non-VC Using Companies --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.9 --- Difference in Perceptions Between Companies Planning to Purchase VC and Companies Not Planning to Purchase VC --- p.52 / Chapter 4.2.10 --- Comparison of Mean Scores for Different Years of Establishment of Shanghai Office --- p.53 / Chapter 4.2.11 --- Comparison of Mean Scores for Different Sized Companies --- p.53 / Chapter 4.2.12 --- Comparison of Mean Scores for Companies with Different Average Annual Sales Revenue --- p.54 / Chapter CHAPTER V --- "DISCUSSION, CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS" --- p.55 / Chapter 5.1 --- Discussion of Survey Findings --- p.55 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- Respondents' Background Characteristics --- p.55 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- Discussion of Benefit Factors --- p.57 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- Discussion of Criteria Factors --- p.58 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- Relationship Between Overall Employee Size and Offtce(s) Using VC Equipment --- p.61 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- Relationship Between Average Annual Sales Revenue and Office(s) Using VC Equipment --- p.61 / Chapter 5.1.6 --- Difference in Perception Among Various Respondents' Characteristics --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2 --- Conclusions --- p.63 / Chapter 5.3 --- Recommendations --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.1 --- Attractiveness of VC Industry in China --- p.65 / Chapter 5.3.2 --- Suggested Market Positioning --- p.66 / Chapter 5.3.3 --- Suggestions for Future Research Studies --- p.71 / REFERENCES --- p.73 / APPENDIX 1 --- p.76 / APPENDIX 2 --- p.77 / APPENDIX 3 --- p.79 / APPENDIX 4 --- p.83 / APPENDIX 5 --- p.84 / APPENDIX --- p.85 / APPENDIX 7 --- p.86 / APPENDIX 8 --- p.87 / APPENDIX 9 --- p.88 / APPENDIX 10 --- p.89

Thesis. 1975. M.S.--Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Alfred P. Sloan School of Management. / Bibliography: leaf 51. / by Alan J. Berger. / M.S.

Accurate identification of small-molecule compound substrates and effectors, within specific tissues, represents a highly relevant yet equally elusive objective. Accomplishing this goal would have major implications on the assessment of compound efficacy and potential toxicity with significant impact on drug discovery and development. Computationally, there are no methods to elucidate a compound mechanisms of action (MoA) in cell-context-specific and genome-wide fashions. Experimental approaches are equally limited in that they are effective in identifying only specific drug substrate classes (e.g., high-affinity substrates of kinase inhibitors) rather than the full repertoire of proteins that effect compound activity in a specific tissue, including those that may cause undesired toxicity. They are costly, laborious, and the relevant mechanistic assays can only be performed in vitro. Here I introduce DeMAND, a novel algorithm for the regulatory network-based elucidation of compound Mechanisms of Action. The algorithm interrogates a context-specific regulatory network using at least six gene-expression profiles representative of in vitro or in vivo compound perturbation to identify compound dysregulated sub-networks as well as substrates and effector proteins. In experimental tests, the algorithm correctly identified proteins in the established MoA of over 90% of the tested compounds, including protein such as SIK1, a private effector of doxorubicin responsible for its cardiac toxicity, which is however not affected by less toxic topoisomerase inhibitors, such as camptothecin. Using gene expression profiles following perturbation of diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells with 14 and 92 compounds, respectively, at different concentrations and time points, I identified and validated several novel effector proteins. These include RPS3A (ribosomal protein S3A), VHL (von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor, E3 ubiquitin protein ligase), and CCNB1 (cyclin B1) as effectors of the mitotic spindle inhibitor vincristine, all of which significantly affected microtubule architecture and/or modulated vincristine activity when silenced, as well as JAK2 (Janus kinase 2) as a novel effector/modulator of mitomycin C, which desensitizes cells to mitomycin C treatment when silenced. Finally, I used DeMAND to evaluate compound similarity by comparing the proteins in their MoA. I tested the similarity of altretamine, a compound with currently unknown substrates, and sulfasalazine, which were predicted to have similar MoA and in particular to be inhibitors of the GPX4 (glutathione peroxidase 4) protein. Experimental validation confirmed this prediction as well as increase in lipid reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, a recently established downstream effector of sulfasalazine. Critically, DeMAND suggests that regulatory networks reverse engineered de novo form large molecular profile datasets can provide novel mechanistic insight into drug activity, thus providing a significant novel contribution to our search for highly specific and non-toxic small-molecule inhibitors.

Microfabrication has given rise to numerous technologies and has resulted in new paradigms for how science and technology has advanced in recent years. Having originated from the microelectronics industry, microfabrication techniques have increasingly been leveraged in the development of various other fields. Such techniques have an increasing presence in the field of medical devices, especially with the advent of microfluidics. The capability that microfluidics lends to miniaturizing and making portable analytical tools was, and still is, extremely useful in the advancement of medical technologies. In this dissertation, we explore novel microfabrication techniques towards the development of next-generation medical devices. We can broadly classify these devices as devices that function in in vitro and in vivo settings. In vitro devices typically function in a non-invasive manner such as when patient samples are processed externally for diagnostic purposes. In vivo medical devices, on the other hand, normally play a role in disease treatment upon implantation into a patient, such as with stents, pacemakers and drug delivery devices. Here we demonstrate how microfabrication techniques can be implemented in the improvement of devices involved in diagnosis and treatment; two important branches of medical sciences that go hand in hand. Firstly, microfabrication and microfluidic techniques were implemented in developing a CD4+ T helper cell counter. This integrated device, where capture and analysis are performed on the same platform, also employs a chemiluminescence-based method of detection. This a rather simple and elegant technique that is amenable for miniaturization in future as it does not require the use of external complex light source (such as for fluorescence imaging) nor the use of image/data analysis methods. The second part of this dissertation describes novel microfabrication techniques for the development of a new class of implantable devices- hydrogel MEMS devices. This technique is comparable to additive manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. Current 3D printing or fabrication techniques for biocompatible materials normally result in standalone structures. Using our technique, we are not only able to construct microcomponents entirely out of hydrogels but also have the capability to assemble and align various moving components to form a robust MEMS-like device. As these MEMS devices are constructed entirely out of biocompatible PEG-based hydrogels, they are ideal candidates for implantable devices. Once implanted, they can be wirelessly actuated using simple permanent magnets and the operation of the devices do not require onboard power-sources or electronics, which is common for current MEMS-based implantable devices. These devices can also be designed to deliver payloads and this delivery can be actively controlled. We also explore the use of hydrogel MEMS in the in vivo delivery of therapeutics, and assess its efficacy in delivering local, low-doses of a chemotherapeutic drug in a disease model. We envision that these devices, and the technology from which they are borne, will open up a new paradigm in the way implantable devices are developed.

A automação do manejo da irrigação é uma alternativa para maximizar a eficiência de uso da água e a produtividade de culturas irrigadas. Entretanto, a maioria dos controladores de irrigação automatizados é ativada eletricamente e inapropriada para uso em propriedades rurais onde não há disponibilidade de energia. Nesta pesquisa, foi desenvolvido e avaliado um controlador de irrigação acionado mecanicamente pela tensão da água no solo. O equipamento usa a variação de tensão dentro do tensiômetro, instalado na zona radicular da cultura, para acionar mecanicamente uma válvula de três vias (válvula de atuação hidráulica), que por sua vez, opera sobre uma válvula de suprimento da irrigação (válvula hidráulica). O controlador foi projetado e construído utilizando conexões de PVC e outros componentes de PVC construídos em tornos mecânicos. Foram construídos dois protótipos de controlador, denominados protótipo I e II. A tensão da água no solo requerida para acionar o sistema de irrigação é regulada pelo ajuste de uma mola. O desempenho de seis amostras do protótipo I e protótipo II foi avaliado em campo e laboratório, respectivamente. O equipamento foi capaz de ligar e desligar o sistema de irrigação tanto na avaliação em laboratório quanto no campo. Entretanto, variações (desvios padrão de até 5 kPa) nas tensões para acionar e desligar a irrigação foram observadas entre as amostras dos controladores. Porém, a calibração tanto do acionamento quanto do desligamento para cada controlador individualmente é possível e mostrou-se capaz de reduzir a variação para < 1 kPa. Simulações de água no solo foram conduzidas utilizando-se o programa SWIMv2.1 para avaliar o efeito da acurácia do sensor, tipo de solo, taxa de aplicação de irrigação e a profundidade de instalação do sensor no desempenho da irrigação. O controlador apresentou os melhores desempenhos quando instalado em profundidades maiores que 15 cm e para tensões de acionamento maiores do que 15kPa. Em situações em que maior precisão é requerida no acionamento do SI (irrigação de culturas com sistema radicular raso) e/ou é necessário maior flexibilidade na definição lâmina de água a ser aplicado é recomendada a utilização de dois controladores, um para ligar e outro para desligar o SI. As melhores eficiências de aplicação da irrigação e de armazenamento da água no solo foram verificadas com o controlador instalado em profundidades de 30 a 40% da profundidade efetiva do sistema radicular. / The automation of irrigation scheduling is critical to maximizing water use efficiency and productivity in irrigated crops. However, the majority of automated irrigation controllers are electrically actuated and inappropriate for use by small-plot holders where there is no electricity. This research has developed and evaluated a mechanical irrigation controller actuated by soil-water tension for use by small-plot holders. The device uses the energy fluctuations inside a tensiometer located in the active root zone of the crop to mechanically actuate a switch valve which in turn operates the irrigation supply valve.The controller was designed and construced using readily available irrigation fittings and other components constructed in a lathe. It was constructed two prototypes, called prothotype I and II. The performance of six irrigation controllers from the prototype I and prototype II were evaluated in laboratory and in field experiments, respectively. The controller was able to turn on and off irrigation system both in field and laboratory conditions. However, variations (up to 5 kPa standard deviation) in the irrigation actuation and cut-off soil tensions were indentified between individual controllers. However, the calibration of either the actuation or the cut-off soil tension for individual controllers is possible and shown to reduce the variation between controllers to < 1 kPa for the calibrated function. Soil-water simulations were conducted using SWIMv2.1 model to evaluate the effect of sensor accuracy, soil type, irrigation application rate and the installation depth of the sensor on irrigation performance. The controller was shown to perform best when placed in depths bigger than 15 cm and soil-water activation bigger than 15 kPa. In the situation where more precision is required in the actuation of the irrigation system (irrigated crops with shallow root system) and/or is necessary more flexibility in the water depth to be applied, it is recommended utilize two controllers, one to turn on the irrigation and another to turn it off. The best application and soil water storage efficiencies were verified in controller placement depths between from 30 to 40% of the active root system of the crop.

This dissertation is a collection of three essays on price and welfare. The first chapter investigates the optimal price index for central banks to stabilize in a model economy where volatile prices are harmful to welfare through monetary friction. The second chapter estimates the impact of recent technological innovation, namely the internet, on the dynamics of prices and welfare through a variety of real mechanisms. The third chapter analyzes the impact of financial regulation on the prices of financial assets and the welfare of the financial market participants. There is currently a debate about what price index central banks should target when economies are open and exposed to international price shocks. Chapter 1 derives the optimal price index by solving the Ramsey problem in a New Keynesian small open economy model with an arbitrary number of sectors. This approach improves on existing theoretical benchmarks because (1) it makes an explicit distinction between the consumer price index (CPI) and the producer price index (PPI), and (2) it allows exogenous international price shocks to play a role. Qualitatively, I use the analytical expression of the optimal price index to discuss that popular indices, such as the PPI and the core/headline CPI, are suboptimal because they ignore the heterogeneity in price stickiness and the effect of inflation on the trade surplus. Quantitatively, I calibrate a 35-sector version of the model for 40 countries and show that stabilizing the optimal price index yields significantly higher welfare than alternative indices. In Chapter 2, which is joint work with Yoon J. Jo and David Weinstein, we estimate the impact of e-commerce on Japanese prices and welfare. First, we consider the possibility that e-commerce may have lowered prices by driving down the average prices of goods available online. Second, we compute the welfare gains due to the ability of e-commerce to enable consumers to purchase goods from other regions. Third, we compute the gains that arise through e-commerce's ability to arbitrage intercity price differences. We find that all three channels produced welfare gains in Japan, but our estimates suggest that the first and second channels are by far the most important, with welfare gains through these channels being eleven to sixteen times larger than through the price arbitrage channel. Overall, we find that increased inter-city arbitrage raised Japanese welfare by 0.12 percent, the gains due to new varieties available through online shopping raised welfare 0.7 percent, and the gains due to overall price reductions for goods available online raised welfare by 1 percent. In Chapter 3, which is joint work with Sakai Ando, we analyze the impact of dealer regulation on price quality (informativeness and volatility) and its implications for the welfare of market participants. We argue that although price informativeness, volatility, and the dealer's profitability all deteriorate, against conventional wisdom, other market participants are better off due to the dealer's risk-shifting motive. A static model is used to clarify the main intuition, and the robustness of the welfare results, as well as the fragility of the conventional wisdom about price quality, are discussed by incorporating dynamics and endogenizing information acquisition.