Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Economy of functionality'

Cette thèse explore le rôle central des villes dans les réponses aux défis sociaux et environnementaux contemporains, soulignant leur importance dans l'architecture sociale et économique mondiale. Elle met en évidence comment les villes, qui abritent plus de la moitié de la population mondiale et produisent 70 % du PIB global tout en couvrant seulement 2 % de la superficie terrestre, font face à d'importants défis de durabilité et d'équité, notamment en raison de la pauvreté affectant 85 % des citoyens et de leur contribution majeure aux émissions de gaz à effet de serre et des déchets produits.S'appuyant sur la temporalité et la dynamique de l'économie industrielle de Marshall, la thèse adopte une approche hétérodoxe pour répondre aux conventions de l'économie traditionnelle et soutient que la prospérité et la résilience devraient servir à reconsidérer les modèles d'organisation productive urbaine. Elle intègre également la perspective de l'économie circulaire et fonctionnelle dans une démarche transdisciplinaire, visant à explorer de nouvelles pistes de recherche et à approfondir la compréhension du rôle économique des villes.Structurée en deux parties comprenant chacune deux chapitres, la première partie de la thèse contextualise les défis urbains et reconsidère le concept de ville à travers une fragmentation théorique dans l'analyse urbaine. La deuxième partie examine la dynamique urbaine et le développement économique, se concentrant sur la prospérité et la résilience face aux défis sociétaux. Cette partie introduit également une réorganisation de la fragmentation théorique, en adoptant une approche transdisciplinaire, dénommée « théorie de la ville ».Enfin, la thèse analyse l'impact de la crise du COVID-19 et les réponses formulées selon la « théorie de la ville ». En complément, elle met en avant la structuration d'un projet basé sur la « théorie de la ville » et labellisé par le programme France 2030 ainsi que le 4e Programme d'investissements d'avenir (PIA). Ce projet vise à revitaliser les quartiers prioritaires et à promouvoir l'initiative « Démonstrateurs de la ville durable »
This thesis, structured in two parts each containing two chapters, proposes a heterodox approach in response to the conventions of traditional economics. This orientation stems from the desire to explore alternatives to the status quo. The first part of the thesis focuses on contextualizing urban challenges and redefining the concept of the city while revisiting the foundations of economic spatialization and highlighting theoretical fragmentation in urban analysis.To support an alternative perspective, it was crucial to deepen the analysis of the influences and perspectives of Marshall's industrial economics, emphasizing the temporality and dynamics of economic models, thus laying the necessary groundwork for the second part of the thesis. This part addresses the main discussion on urban dynamics, economic development, and the concepts of prosperity and resilience in the face of societal challenges. It examines the role of the city and its interaction with the state. The need to consolidate these theoretical fragments gives rise to what I call the "city theory."This reorganization through the "city theory" does not claim to establish a new theory but aims to bridge theoretical gaps, identify new research paths, and apply transdisciplinarity to rethink productive activity in an urban context. The fourth chapter of the thesis examines the crisis and post-crisis of COVID-19 by applying the "city theory." It also discusses the orientation of a project based on the "city theory" within the framework of the France 2030 program and the 4th Future Investments Program (PIA), involving various ministries and partners, to promote innovative solutions to revitalize priority neighborhoods, particularly the "Sustainable City Demonstrators" initiative

South African education has undergone many changes in the past two decades. In an attempt to educate all South African children and provide as many prospects as possible, a funding system was adopted with the intention of achieving "redress, equity and quality" (DoE, 2006). The goal of redress was important to begin solving system discrepancies between different social groups in the country whereas the goal of equity is one of the means to attain redress. The Quintile Funding System has been considered the means to achieve equity and redress. This tiered system directs more funding to those learners in need of financial support than more affluent learners. By increasing funding to learners of a lower socio-economic status (SES), learners who would otherwise be disadvantaged, could possibly reap the benefits of more opportunities through good quality education. This study aims to investigate the functionality and relevance of the quintile funding system. By using the preProgress in International Reading Literacy Study (prePIRLS) 2011 reading literacy test results and background survey questionnaire data, the SES of each quintile is examined. The reading literacy achievement is also used as a proxy for education quality and, by examining the differences in prePIRLS 2011 reading literacy achievement of the quintiles, the levels of quality may be established. The SES and reading achievement enables a comparison between quintiles to justify the use of a five-tiered funding system. An effective funding system should ensure that the largest number of learners in the country reap the most benefits from a good quality education.
Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2016.
Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
MEd
Unrestricted

This chapter has two key themes: (1) a list of customer needs is interesting, but insufficient for many development decisions, (2) establishing a quantified, dollar value for each requirement is more helpful. To that end, we present an approach and method to establishing the quantitative monetary value for new product features and performance. This approach is targeted to product development managers and engineers engaged at the “front-end” of the product development process when the decisions about selection and trade-off of product functions and features are made. This approach examines the customer’s business operations and essentially establishing their business case for your product down to the feature and performance levels. This provides for much better trade-off decisions in new product development. This approach also helps to identify whitespace opportunities, those new product and/or service opportunities that are not being served by any current product. Moreover, because the methodology is fine grained, the whitespace opportunities are resolved into clear and actionable product development projects.
Center for Innovation in Product Development

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, 2008.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 57-60).
Use of materials in liquid Pb/Pb-Bi systems in the higher temperature (550°C-700°C) in advanced liquid metal cooled advanced reactor systems is limited by their corrosion resistance. To address this issue, an Fe-12Cr-2.55Si alloy system is being developed and researched, and when used along with T91 (9Cr-lMo) as base material, it will be applicable in tubes production mainly for advanced LBE (Lead-Bismuth Eutectic) reactor systems. An analysis was carried out on this new technology's benefits and its commercialization to evaluate whether or not the technology has economic feasibility if it then is used and commercialized in LBE nuclear industry. The results indicate that this new material has potential to be favored. Before coming to this conclusion, factors such as examination of IP landscape & competing technologies, current and potential of competitiveness of the LBE reactors and the new materials, and a simple business strategic & entry market analysis have been conducted.
by Handra.
M.Eng.

Ces dernières décennies ont été marquées par l’apparition d’un nouveau contexte en faveur du développement soutenable, dans lequel de nouveaux modes de consommation et de production émergent. Ce nouveau contexte tend à se substituer à l’innovation intensive, les entreprises industrielles à réorienter leur business model vers l’innovation soutenable. Cependant ce changement nécessite des bouleversements stratégiques et organisationnels que certaines entreprises ne parviennent pas à surmonter. Ces situations d’entreprises révèlent un double enjeu : la nécessité de caractériser l’innovation soutenable d’une part et l’intérêt de définir une stratégie d’évolution et de diffusion de l’innovation soutenable au sein des entreprises d’autre part. Afin de caractériser l’innovation soutenable, trois notions sont mobilisées : le business model, la soutenabilité et la fonctionnalité. Les résultats de cette exploration suggèrent l’utilisation du business model comme objet intermédiaire afin de favoriser la co-construction et l’évolution de business models. L’étude de la soutenabilité du business model conduit à la proposition de l’association de l’économie de fonctionnalité - business model serviciel - à l’éco-conception - modèle de conception environnemental - comme déclinaison de l’innovation soutenable. L’analyse de la fonctionnalité révèle une complémentarité de ces deux démarches. Celles-ci permettent de définir de nouvelles offres du point de vue des valeurs d’usage et permettent d’intégrer l’utilisateur dans la définition de l’offre. L’exploration de ces trois notions conduit également à la proposition d’un changement de paradigme en faveur du paradigme soutenable suivi du développement de trajectoires de business models afin de garantir aux entreprises l’atteinte à long terme des plus hauts niveaux de l’innovation soutenable. Ces résultats théoriques servent ensuite au développement d’une méthode d’aide à la décision : Business Model Explorer for Sustainability (BMES). La méthode BMES permet aux entreprises de concevoir de nouveaux business models soutenables et de définir des trajectoires vers ces business models soutenables comme stratégie de diffusion de l’innovation soutenable à long terme. Elle s’appuie sur la notion d’upgradabilité comme déclinaison opérationnelle de l’innovation soutenable. La méthode est développée et testée avec les deux industriels partenaires du projet IDCyclUM : Neopost et Rowenta. Une des principales perspectives de recherche proposée consiste à engager des travaux visant à poursuivre la définition de l’innovation soutenable qui reste un concept ambigu pour lequel il n’existe pas de consensus à l’heure actuelle
Over the past decades, a new context in favor of sustainable development emerged. New models of consumption and production are developed. This shift from intensive innovation to sustainable innovation leads some companies to rethink their business model. However, this business model evolution requires strategic and organizational changes that some companies fail to overcome. These companies’ situations reveal a double challenge : the need to characterize sustainable innovation on the one hand and defining a strategy for disseminating sustainable innovation on the other hand.To characterize sustainable innovation, three notions are mobilized : the business model, sustainability and functionality. The results of this exploration suggest the use of the business modelas an intermediary object to promote the co-construction and the evolution of business models. The study of sustainable led us to associate functional economy - servicial business model - to eco-design- environmental design - as a declination of sustainable innovation. Functionality concept analysis revealed the complementarity of functional economy and eco-design approaches. This allows us to define new offers from the use-values point of view. The exploration of these three notions also leads to propose a paradigm shift in favor of sustainable paradigm. This paradigm shift is followed by the development and characterization of business models trajectories. These trajectories guide companies in achieving the highest levels of sustainable innovation on the long term. These theoretical results were used to develop a method called Business Model Explorer for Sustainability (BMES). The BMES method allows companies to develop sustainable business models and to define trajectories toward these business models. The method is based on the upgradability concept as operational application of sustainable innovation. The method was developed and tested with the two industrial partners of IDCyclUM project : Neopost and Rowenta. One of the main proposed research perspectives is to continue defining sustainable innovation. This concept remains indeed ambiguous and there is still no consensus about its definition at present

RESUME :

Comme la plupart des villes africaines, Yaoundé, capitale du Cameroun, est confrontée aux phénomènes d’urbanisation croissante. Cette urbanisation rapide n’est pas accompagnée d’une croissance économique. En fait, le pouvoir d’achat extrêmement bas, le chômage, le sous-emploi, la pauvreté, voire la misère, ont amené une frange importante de la population à inventer de nouvelles solutions pour s’assurer un revenu. C’est alors qu’apparaît le phénomène d’agriculture urbaine et périurbaine. La caractérisation de cette agriculture a mis en évidence une interaction entre les catégories d’acteurs, les types d’espaces, les types de cultures, les produits obtenus et les revenus moyens générés. Il ressort de l’analyse des résultats que cette forme d’agriculture emploie près de 2000 personnes, pour la plupart des jeunes et, surtout, des femmes, dont la moyenne d’âge est de 35 ans. C’est une activité basée principalement dans les bas-fonds marécageux, le bas des pentes, les abords des routes avec une forte pression sur l’espace. Les cultures sont diversifiées et sont à dominance maraîchère, vivrière et floricole. Elles varient en fonction des trois espaces étudiés, à savoir l’auréole urbaine, la zone périurbaine et l’hinterland rural.

L’analyse du système de commercialisation a mis en évidence trois types de circuits à travers lesquels les produits transitent des producteurs aux consommateurs. Ce sont notamment les circuits longs, les circuits courts et les circuits directs. Dans ces circuits de commercialisation, la régulation du marché se réalise au niveau de tous les intervenants. Cela signifie que les prix des produits ne sont pas fixés d’avance, mais varient en fonction de la demande. En ce qui concerne la rentabilité, l’analyse sur les comptes d’exploitation des cultures de céleri, de ndolé et de morelle noire indique que cette agriculture est rentable avec un gain moyen journalier de près de trois euros pour les producteurs. C’est la raison pour laquelle certains maraîchers estiment qu’à la place d’un travail salarial de près de 75euros / mois, ils préfèrent rester dans leur jardin.

Cependant, aucun cadre juridique et réglementaire lié à l’exercice de cette activité n’est disponible. Aucun article de loi ne l’autorise. Nous avons noté également de nombreuses autres contraintes liées à l’organisation des producteurs, aux pratiques, à la structuration et la mise en marché des produits. Ces résultats ont alors d’importantes implications quant à la compréhension des interactions entre les agriculteurs en ville et le monde politique de Yaoundé. Les fonctions multiples de cette activité tel que l’emploi pour les jeunes, les revenus substantiels pour les couches des populations les plus vulnérables, la gestion des déchets urbains et la beauté du paysage étant autant d’attraits qui concourent à son encouragement.

Les stratégies qui visent à susciter l’implication des producteurs urbains dans le développement de la ville de Yaoundé ont été mises en œuvre à travers la CAUPA (Coalition pour la promotion de l’agriculture urbaine et périurbaine en Afrique). L’intégration de ces stratégies dans les schémas directeurs d’aménagements urbains, pourrait contribuer à concilier les défis d'une amélioration du bien-être des populations en quête de survie. Cette thèse met en évidence la nécessité d’une médiation entre les différentes catégories d’acteurs pour une agriculture urbaine et périurbaine de qualité. Les résultats pourront permettre aux décideurs et administrateurs des villes de disposer d‘informations utiles sur l’importance de cette forme d’agriculture qui est, non seulement montante, mais aussi controversée.

SUMMARY:

As in most African cities, Yaounde, the capital city of Cameroon, is faced with the phenomenon of urbanization. This leads to socio-economic problems especially in food supply and acquisition of basic necessities. The extremely low purchasing power, unemployment, underemployment, poverty - say misery, brought a significant proportion of the population to invent new solutions to ensure basic income through urban and peri-urban agriculture. The characterization of this agricultural system highlights the interaction between various stakeholders, types of spaces and crops, productivity and average revenue generated. Results show that this agricultural system has generated employment for about 2000 people, mainly youths and especially women, with 35 years average age. The activity is based mainly in lowland floody zones, low slope, landscaping roads with increase land pressure. Vegetables, gardening and flowers are dominant diversified crops noticed in the area. These crops vary from urban, peri-urban and rural areas, three landscape which were studied.

The analysis of the marketing chain show three main types of distribution chains through which products pass from producers to consumers. These include long distribution, short distribution and direct channel. In these channels, the regulation of the market is achieved at the level of all stakeholders. This means that the prices of the products are therefore fixed in advance, and also are functions of demand. Regarding profitability, the analysis on the farmer’s accounts of Celery, Bitter leaf and Black nightshade indicates that this agriculture is profitable with an average daily gain of almost 3 euro per producers. That's why some gardeners believes that instead of a salary of almost 75 euro per month, they prefer to stay in their farm.

However, no legal and regulatory framework related to this activity is available in the case of Yaounde. Also, there are many other constraints related to the organization of producers, practices, structuring and implementation of products in the markets. These results have important implications to the understanding of the interaction between farmers and policy makers. The multiple functions of this activity such as youth employment, income for substantial segments of the most vulnerable populations, urban waste management and the beautification of the landscape is as much attraction that contribute to its promotion.

A strategy to encourage the implication of urban producers in the development of the city of Yaounde has been implemented through CAUPA. The integration of these strategies in urban planners, could help for the challenges of improving people’s welfare. Subsequently, this thesis brings forth the need for a mediation between different stakeholders and contributes to good quality of peri-urban agriculture. The results can therefore enable decision-makers and policy to provide useful information on the importance of this form of agriculture which is not only rising, but also controversial.

Doctorat en Sciences agronomiques et ingénierie biologique
info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Thesis (PhD (Economics)--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLSIH ABSTRACT: At the time of South Africa‟s transition to democracy the school system was envisaged to be a powerful vehicle for nation-building and transformation. The chronic low performance of the South African school system has subsequently become the subject of widespread public concern. This thesis examines the distribution of cognitive achievement amongst South African children and the factors influencing it, especially socio-economic status, and asks what the implications of this are for future economic development. The methodologies employed are predominantly quantitative as various sources of data are examined in order to collect evidence pertaining to the question above. Chapter 1 lays down a conceptual framework for understanding the role of schooling in economic development. The point is made that although education is often envisaged as a vehicle for development and mobility out of poverty, the home socio-economic status of children impacts significantly on their educational outcomes. Chapter 2 reviews recent and relevant literature to establish main currents of thinking regarding the influence of socio-economic status on educational outcomes. Chapter 3 follows this with an empirical examination of the influence of socio-economic status on reading achievement amongst South African children. The results indicate that the relationship between socio-economic status and educational achievement in South Africa is particularly strong by international standards. Furthermore, the historical divisions within the school system remain key to understanding continuing inequalities in educational outcomes. The socio-economic status of students is crucial in determining which part of the school system students enter; then for those entering the historically disadvantaged system the chances of achieving high quality educational outcomes are small, regardless of their home background. The main priority in the latter part of chapter 3 and thereafter is the attempt to identify factors that improve cognitive achievement, given the socio-economic context of schools and their students. In chapter 4, this search is taken up by examining a rich collection of data regarding school and teacher practices in South African primary schools. In chapter 5 this is done by analysing trends in the ability of high schools to convert demonstrated grade 8 achievement into matric outcomes. An additional perspective is provided through a comparison of the performance of South Africa‟s independent and public schools in Chapter 6. The final chapter summarises the results from these various approaches and highlights several key areas on which, it is recommended, attempts to improve South Africa‟s schools should focus. These include the management of school resources, teacher work ethic, time management and planning within schools, curriculum coverage, the accuracy of assessment and feedback to students, and parent commitment to education. Improving these areas within the large and struggling part of the South African school system will be decisive for the country‟s economic development.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Ten tye van Suid-Afrika se demokratiese oorgang is die skoolstelsel as ʼn sterk instrument vir nasiebou en transformasie gesien. Die kroniese swak vertoning van die Suid-Afrikaanse skoolstelsel het sedertdien tot wye openbare besorgdheid gelei. Hierdie proefskrif ondersoek die verdeling van kognitiewe prestasie onder Suid-Afrikaanse kinders en die faktore wat dit beïnvloed, veral sosio-ekonomiese status, asook die implikasies daarvan vir toekomstige ekonomiese ontwikkeling. Die metodologie wat gebruik word, is hoofsaaklik kwantitatief, want verskeie databronne word ondersoek om getuienis in te win rakende bogenoemde vraagstuk. Hoofstuk 1 stel ʼn konseptuele raamwerk daar om die rol van onderwys in ekonomiese ontwikkeling te verstaan. Die punt word gemaak dat, alhoewel onderwys dikwels as ʼn instrument vir ontwikkeling en uitstyging uit armoede gesien word, die sosio-ekonomiese status van kinders se huislike omgewing hulle onderwysuitkomste beduidend beïnvloed. Hoofstuk 2 bied ʼn oorsig van onlangse en relevante literatuur om die hoofstrome van denke oor die invloed van sosio-ekonomiese status op onderwysuitkomste aan te dui. Hoofstuk 3 volg dit op met „n empiriese ontleding van die invloed van sosio-ekonomiese status op leesvaardigheid onder Suid-Afrikaanse kinders. Die resultate dui daarop dat die verband tussen sosio-ekonomiese status en onderwysuitkomste volgens internasionale standaarde in Suid-Afrika besonder sterk is. Verder is die historiese verdelingslyne binne die skoolstelsel van sleutelbelang om voortgesette ongelykheid in onderwysuitkomste te verstaan. Die sosio-ekonomiese status van studente bepaal grootliks tot watter deel van die skoolstelsel kinders toegang kry. Vir daardie kinders wat in die histories-afgeskeepte deel van die stelsel beland, is die waarskynlikheid van hoë gehalte onderwys klein, ongeag hulle gesinsagtergrond. Die klem in die laaste gedeelte van hoofstuk 3 en daarna val daarop om faktore te identifiseer wat kognitiewe uitkomste verbeter, gegewe die sosio-ekonomiese konteks van skole en studente. In hoofstuk 4 word hierdie speurtog voortgesit deur ʼn ryk verskeidenheid data rakende skole en onderwysers se praktyke in Suid-Afrikaanse laerskole te ondersoek. In hoofstuk 5 word dit gedoen deur ʼn analise van die vermoë van hoërskole om graad 8-vlak prestasie in graad matriekuitkomste te omskep. ʼn Vergelyking van die prestasie van Suid-Afrika se onafhanklike skole met openbare skole in hoofstuk 6 bied verdere perspektief hierop. Die finale hoofstuk som die bevindinge van hierdie verskillende benaderings op en belig sekere sleutelaspekte waarop pogings om Suid-Afrika se skole te verbeter klem behoort te lê. Dit sluit in bestuur van skoolhulpbronne, onderwysers se werksetiek, tydsbestuur en beplanning binne skole, dekking van die kurrikulum, die akkuraatheid van assessering en terugvoer daaroor aan studente, en ouers se betrokkenheid by onderwys. Verbetering op hierdie gebiede binne die groot, sukkelende deel van die Suid-Afrikaanse skoolstelsel sal deurslaggewend wees vir die land se ekonomiese ontwikkeling.

This thesis examines the impact of emerging practices of remote work and working-from-home on cities. While the study adopts a global perspective, empirical data from a case study of the City of Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, is analysed. Insights from the thesis inform several recommended strategies guiding urban planning and design practitioners to consider the evolution of residential neighbourhoods towards mixed live/work urban environments. While the majority of data analysed in the thesis was collected before the COVID-19 outbreak, some implications for post-pandemic cities were also able to be discussed.

La thèse vise à répondre à deux questions principales concernant certaines caractéristiques de la classification des actifs fondée sur la liquidité. Une première question porte sur la validité d'une telle classification : la classification des actifs fondée sur la liquidité identifie-t-elle un type naturel ? Je soutiens que le type «actifs liquides» est uni par la propriété fonctionnelle de la liquidité qui peut être réalisée de deux manières véritablement différente : les opérations monétaires et les opérations de crédit. Je soutiens également que le type « actifs liquides » gagne son accréditation de type naturel en jouant un rôle épistémique dans les modèles économiques. Je souligne enfin que la dépendance à l’esprit ne menace pas le réalisme sur le type «actifs liquides». La deuxième question concerne l'extension des catégories résultant de la classification des actifs fondée sur la liquidité : existe-t-il une frontière nette entre les catégories d'actifs classées en fonction de leur liquidité ? J'utilise le cas de «monnaie» pour discuter s'il est possible de trouver une distinction sans ambiguïtés entre les catégories de «monnaie» et de «non-monnaie». Je soutiens qu'un tel point de vue ne peut réussir que si, à la suite de l'essentialisme traditionnel, il existe un ensemble de propriétés intrinsèques qui sont nécessaires et suffisantes pour appartenir au type naturel désigné par le terme «monnaie». Cependant, d'après la connaissance actuelle en économie monétaire, il n'y a ni ensemble de propriétés intrinsèques ni caractéristiques nécessaires et suffisantes que l'on pourrait utiliser pour séparer sans ambiguïtés «monnaie» de «non-monnaie»
The thesis aims to address two main questions regarding certain features of liquidity-based asset classification. A first question is about the validity of such a classification: Does liquidity-based asset classification pick out a natural kind? I use the case of the category ‘liquid assets’ to show that liquidity is a functional property that can be realized in two genuinely different ways: monetary trades and credit trades. Accordingly, ‘liquid assets’ can be regarded as a functional kind with multiple realizations. I also argue that the kind ‘liquid assets’ earns its credential of natural kind by playing an epistemic role in explanatory economic models. I finally point out that mind-dependence does not threaten realism about the kind ‘liquid assets’. The second question is about the extension of the categories resulting from liquidity-based asset classification: Is there a sharp boundary between categories of assets that are classified based on their liquidity? I use the case of ‘money’ to discuss if it is possible to find an unambiguous distinction between the categories ‘money’ and ‘non-money.’ I argue that such a view can be successful only, if following traditional essentialism, there is a set of intrinsic properties that are necessary and sufficient for membership in the natural kind designated by the term ‘money.’ However, based on what is currently known by monetary economists, there is neither set of intrinsic properties nor necessary and sufficient characteristics that one could use to separate ‘money’ unambiguously from ‘non-money.’

Ces dernières décennies ont été marquées par l’apparition d’un nouveau contexte en faveur du développement soutenable, dans lequel de nouveaux modes de consommation et de production émergent. Ce nouveau contexte tend à se substituer à l’innovation intensive, les entreprises industrielles à réorienter leur business model vers l’innovation soutenable. Cependant ce changement nécessite des bouleversements stratégiques et organisationnels que certaines entreprises ne parviennent pas à surmonter. Ces situations d’entreprises révèlent un double enjeu : la nécessité de caractériser l’innovation soutenable d’une part et l’intérêt de définir une stratégie d’évolution et de diffusion de l’innovation soutenable au sein des entreprises d’autre part. Afin de caractériser l’innovation soutenable, trois notions sont mobilisées : le business model, la soutenabilité et la fonctionnalité. Les résultats de cette exploration suggèrent l’utilisation du business model comme objet intermédiaire afin de favoriser la co-construction et l’évolution de business models. L’étude de la soutenabilité du business model conduit à la proposition de l’association de l’économie de fonctionnalité - business model serviciel - à l’éco-conception - modèle de conception environnemental - comme déclinaison de l’innovation soutenable. L’analyse de la fonctionnalité révèle une complémentarité de ces deux démarches. Celles-ci permettent de définir de nouvelles offres du point de vue des valeurs d’usage et permettent d’intégrer l’utilisateur dans la définition de l’offre. L’exploration de ces trois notions conduit également à la proposition d’un changement de paradigme en faveur du paradigme soutenable suivi du développement de trajectoires de business models afin de garantir aux entreprises l’atteinte à long terme des plus hauts niveaux de l’innovation soutenable. Ces résultats théoriques servent ensuite au développement d’une méthode d’aide à la décision : Business Model Explorer for Sustainability (BMES). La méthode BMES permet aux entreprises de concevoir de nouveaux business models soutenables et de définir des trajectoires vers ces business models soutenables comme stratégie de diffusion de l’innovation soutenable à long terme. Elle s’appuie sur la notion d’upgradabilité comme déclinaison opérationnelle de l’innovation soutenable. La méthode est développée et testée avec les deux industriels partenaires du projet IDCyclUM : Neopost et Rowenta. Une des principales perspectives de recherche proposée consiste à engager des travaux visant à poursuivre la définition de l’innovation soutenable qui reste un concept ambigu pour lequel il n’existe pas de consensus à l’heure actuelle
Over the past decades, a new context in favor of sustainable development emerged. New models of consumption and production are developed. This shift from intensive innovation to sustainable innovation leads some companies to rethink their business model. However, this business model evolution requires strategic and organizational changes that some companies fail to overcome. These companies’ situations reveal a double challenge : the need to characterize sustainable innovation on the one hand and defining a strategy for disseminating sustainable innovation on the other hand.To characterize sustainable innovation, three notions are mobilized : the business model, sustainability and functionality. The results of this exploration suggest the use of the business modelas an intermediary object to promote the co-construction and the evolution of business models. The study of sustainable led us to associate functional economy - servicial business model - to eco-design- environmental design - as a declination of sustainable innovation. Functionality concept analysis revealed the complementarity of functional economy and eco-design approaches. This allows us to define new offers from the use-values point of view. The exploration of these three notions also leads to propose a paradigm shift in favor of sustainable paradigm. This paradigm shift is followed by the development and characterization of business models trajectories. These trajectories guide companies in achieving the highest levels of sustainable innovation on the long term. These theoretical results were used to develop a method called Business Model Explorer for Sustainability (BMES). The BMES method allows companies to develop sustainable business models and to define trajectories toward these business models. The method is based on the upgradability concept as operational application of sustainable innovation. The method was developed and tested with the two industrial partners of IDCyclUM project : Neopost and Rowenta. One of the main proposed research perspectives is to continue defining sustainable innovation. This concept remains indeed ambiguous and there is still no consensus about its definition at present

Questa tesi ha lo scopo di verificare l’influenza che la teoria economica esercita sullo sviluppo del concetto di impresa giuridicamente e funzionalmente rilevanti per il diritto commerciale brasiliano contemporaneo. L’obiettivo è quello di individuare come le modalità di costruzione di rapporti tra diritto ed economia rendono difficile da un lato, per realizzare il compito di elaborare un concetto giuridico dell’impresa, e dall’altro, di individuare possibili alternative alle reimpostazione del problema per facilitare la stesura di um concetto di impresa giuridicamente rilevante fondati negli dati pertinenti il teorico economico. L’indagine è condotta dalla messa in discussione dei fini normativi svolte dall’impresa e il concetto economico di impresa per cui lavorano gli giuristi. Questi aspetti della teoria sono raccolti per verificare la coerenza tra la finalità normativa dell’impresa e il suo concetto economico dominante. Il test viene effettuato analizzando il concetto giuridico di impresa e il concetto economico di impresa. Nella seconda parte di questa tesi, si indaga le teorie economiche dell’impresa fornito dall'economia neoclassica e dalla Nuova Economia Istituzionale, per verificare le strutture e le funzioni dell’impresa. Poi, per intraprendere uno sforzo interdisciplinare di integrazione tra diritto ed economia, dai presupposti metodologici del Funzionalismo Giuridico. Sulla base del risultato dell’affermazione di dialogo interdisciplinare, si procede alla elaborazione di un concetto giuridico di impresa fondati nel dato teorico economico, per verificare l’ipotesi che la impresa è una situazione giuridica complessa.
Esta tese tem por objeto a influência que dado teórico econômico exerce na elaboração de um conceito de empresa juridicamente relevante e operacionalizável no direito comercial brasileiro contemporâneo. Seu objetivo consiste em identificar de que modo as formas de construção das relações entre direito e economia dificultam, por um lado, a consecução da tarefa de elaborar-se um conceito jurídico de empresa, e, de outro lado, identificar alternativas possíveis para a reimpostação do problema que auxiliem na elaboração de um conceito de empresa juridicamente relevante e operacionalizável a partir do dado teórico econômico. A pesquisa é conduzida a partir do questionamento das funções normativas desempenhadas pela empresa e o do conceito econômico de empresa com o qual trabalham os juristas. Estes aspectos da teoria são cotejados para verificar se há congruência entre a função normativa preponderante da empresa e o seu conceito econômico. Este teste é realizado mediante a análise do conceito jurídico de empresa e o conceito econômico de empresa. Na segunda parte desta tese, investiga-se as teorias econômicas da empresa fornecidas pela economia neoclássica e pela Nova Economia Institucional, para verificar-se as estruturas e funções da empresa. Em seguida, empreende-se esforço de integração interdisciplinar entre direito e economia, a partir das pressuposições metodológicas do Funcionalismo Jurídico. Com base no resultado da afirmação do diálogo interdisciplinar, parte-se para a elaboração de um conceito de empresa juridicamente relevante e operacionalizável a partir do dado teórico econômico, mediante o teste da hipótese segundo a qual a empresa constitui uma situação jurídica complexa.
This thesis aims at verifying the influence that the economic data has on the legal concept of firm in contemporary brazilian commercial law. Its goal is to identify how the distinct ways chosen to build the relationships between law and economics make it difficult to achieve the task of drawing up a legal concept of the firm and to identify possible alternatives to face the problem in a way that could lead to a relevant legal concept of the firm. The survey is conducted from the questioning of legal functions performed by the firm and how the lawyers build an economic concept of the firm. This test is performed by the analysis of the legal concept of enterpreneur and the economic concept of the firm. In the second part, this thesis investigates the economic theories of the firm provided by neoclassical economics and by New Institutional Economics, to check the economic structures and functions of the firm. Then, it undertakes an interdisciplinary effort between law and economics, from the theoretical assumptions provided by the Legal Functionalism. Based on the result of the interdisciplinary dialogue, it proceeds to the development of a legal concept of the firm starting from the economic theory, by testing the hypothesis that the legal meaning of the firm is a nexus of contracts relationship.

The Ellison Executive Mentoring Inclusive Community Building (ICB) Model is a paradigm for initiating and implementing projects utilizing executives and professionals from a variety of fields and industries, university students, and pre-college students. The model emphasizes adherence to ethical values and promotes inclusiveness in community development. It is a hierarchical model in which actors in each succeeding level of operation serve as mentors to the next. Through a three-step process--content, process, and product--participants must be trained with this mentoring and apprenticeship paradigm in conflict resolution, and they receive sensitivitiy and diversity training, through an interactive and dramatic exposition. The content phase introduces participants to the model's philosophy, ethics, values and methods of operation. The process used to teach and reinforce its precepts is the mentoring and apprenticeship activities and projects in which the participants engage and whose end product demontrates their knowledge and understanding of the model's concepts. This study sought to ascertain from the participants' perspectives whether the model's mentoring approach is an effective means of fostering inclusiveness, based upon their own experiences in using it. The research utilized a qualitative approach and included data from field observations, individual and group interviews, and written accounts of participants' attitudes. Participants complete ICB projects utilizing the Ellison Model as a method of development and implementation. They generally perceive that the model is a viable tool for dealing with diversity issues whether at work, at school, or at home. The projects are also instructional in that whether participants are mentored or seve as apprentices, they gain useful skills and knowledge about their careers. Since the model is relatively new, there is ample room for research in a variety of areas including organizational studies to dertmine its effectiveness in combating problems related to various kinds of discrimination.

A dissertação aborda o conceito de “Sustentabilidade” na vertente da construção numa lógica de desenvolvimento da Indústria da Construção, face aos desafios ambientais, sociais e económicos que se colocam às empresas do sector neste início de século. Neste trabalho, pretende-se desmistificar o conceito “Construção Sustentável”, que devido a maus exemplos do passado – que se espera não virem a ser repetidos no presente e no futuro –, ficou quase irremediavelmente associado à construção em que o único objectivo era a diminuição do impacte ambiental, e em que se relegava para segundo plano, para além de outros, parâmetros tão importantes como a qualidade, durabilidade e custo. Este conceito perdeu e continua a perder credibilidade, devido às constantes manobras de marketing avançadas por algumas empresas do sector, que o associam erradamente aos seus produtos, numa lógica selvagem de maximização das vendas e dos lucros. A Indústria da Construção é um dos sectores económicos mais importantes em Portugal. Este sector continua, no entanto, a basear-se excessivamente nos sistemas construtivos tradicionais e na utilização de mão-de-obra não qualificada, sendo caracterizado por uma excessiva utilização de recursos naturais e energéticos. Tal situação causa grande impacte ambiental com igual potencialidade de vir a ser minorado. Neste trabalho são identificados os impactes ambientais da construção em geral e do sector dos edifícios em particular, sendo apresentadas algumas medidas e alguns exemplos de novas tecnologias construtivas e de outras – que resultam do ressurgimento e melhoramento de tecnologias já aplicadas há milhares de anos –, cuja aplicação e desenvolvimento visam alcançar os desígnios de uma Construção cada vez mais sustentável, que assente equilibradamente nos domínios ambiental, económico e social. No final deste trabalho, desenvolve-se uma metodologia que se espera adequada à avaliação relativa da sustentabilidade de soluções construtivas. Essa metodologia é, no final, aplicada a algumas soluções construtivas convencionais e não convencionais para pavimentos e paredes exteriores. Espera-se que as práticas aconselhadas com vista à minoração do impacte ambiental da construção, a metodologia desenvolvida e os resultados obtidos sirvam de base aos diversos intervenientes na Construção, nas tomadas de decisão que potenciem a realização de edifícios cada vez mais sustentáveis.
This thesis embraces the “Sustainability” concept in the construction industry being the logical outcome the development of this industry that faces environmental, social and economical challenges, which enterprises have to consider in the beginning of this century. This thesis aims at demystifying the “Sustainable Construction” concept. Due to bad examples in the past, that hopefully will not be repeated in the present and future, this concept became almost irremediably associated to construction, in which the prime objective was reducing environmental impact leaving important parameters, like quality, durability and cost behind. This concept has lost and continues to loose credibility due to constant marketing manoeuvres by companies in this sector, that deceivingly associate this concept to their products, in order to, in a fiercely manner, maximize sales and profit. The construction industry is one of the most important economical sectors in Portugal. Nevertheless, this sector continues to base itself on traditional construction systems and unqualified workers, being characterized by excessive usage of natural and energetic resources. This situation causes great environmental impact with great potentialities to be reduced. This thesis identifies, in general, the environmental impacts in the construction industry, and particularly, in the building sector. A few measures and examples of new construction technologies and others are also presented, that are the result of technological renewal and improvement of building technologies, some of them, already applied thousands of years ago. The development and application of these technologies aim at a construction, more and more sustainable, that settles evenly on environmental, economical and social domains. A methodology, that is expected to be adequate to validate the sustainability of construction solutions, is presented at the end. This methodology is then applied to some conventional and non-conventional solutions of pavements and exterior walls. It is hoped that the practices approached, the methodology developed and the results obtained, may serve as a basis for the various construction intervenients, in the decision making process, in accomplishing buildings more sustainable.

碩士
國立中山大學
政治學研究所
94
The economical globalization has led the region economic cooperation development. In 2002 Euro was released, the European integration is being made an epoch . US and Canada, Mexico have set up the North America free trade area in 1994, and it will start the Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations. Under this background, this thesis set out the cooperation between China and ASEAN with the approach New-functionalism. This thesis divides into six chapters to study the cooperation between China and ASEAN cooperate of economic cooperation with the China, the first chapter is an introduction, in the second chapter Neo-functionalism will be explored . In the third chapter, the modernization of China, the evolution of ASEAN and subsquentlly the motive of cooperation from both of them are the major point to be analyzed. Last but certainly not least, whether the Neo-functionalism can be applied to explore the case of the PRC-ASEAN free trade area, will be comprehensively analyzed.

碩士
國防大學政治作戰學院
政治研究所
103
In this article, it's based on Neo-Functionalism to view practice and variables of Cross-Strait economic and trade relations in order to explore the challenges faced by economic and trade relations and the impact on two sides relations. Taiwan experienced a second party alternation in 2008. The KMT's in office again, and it's the very major turning point in cross-strait relations. The two sides restart the SEF and the ARATS consultations on the basis of the "1992 Consensus" which has in-terrupted for 10 years. It reached a number of agreements on important issues of eco-nomic and cultural. Especially in 2010, the most representative event is that the two sides signed the "Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement". However, the effect upon Cross-Strait political integration didn’t set the world on fire, and it may adjourn the follow-up protocols. The findings of this article is that the development of cross-strait economic and trade relations conforming to a number of Neo-Functionalism viewpoints and starts progres-sive policies from economic and trade issues. However, the controversial political issues will be in abeyance. In the process, the promotion from political leaders decided the in-teraction of cross-strait. However, the idea of "One-China Policy" is the biggest variable on the Cross-Strait relations. Close Cross-Strait economic and trade relations is based from the fragile "1992 Consensus," but with the political elite, it is hard to reach a con-sensus based on Cross-Strait relations, Taiwan people agree with the recession, and the public doesn't support. Furthermore, the interests can't be extended to the people. Under the circumstances, economic and trade integration can't continue to produce "spillover effect" and it's difficult to achieve specific objectives of political integration.

The study utilizes regional integration theories like neo-functionalism, intergovernmentalism and new regionalism to analyse the formation, structure and transformation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). It examines the role of ECOWAS as a sub-regional economic body and its transformation to a political and security body dealing with sub-regional conflict resolution. Though neo-functionalism is generally analysed in reference to European regional integration, the study attempts to draw some lessons from this theory. Also, new regionalism theory is utilized to examine the transformation of ECOWAS from a mere economic body to a security and political entity. Regionalism in West Africa was initially geared towards mere economic cooperation; however, the emergence of ECOWAS on the scene and its subsequent transformation witnessed several changes towards the path of security cooperation. Despite its involvement with the gigantic political and security related activities, a general evaluation of economic integration in West Africa depicts a low level of progress. The poor state of sub-regional economic integration shows that ECOWAS did not complete its regional economic integration agenda before diverting to other sectors of integration. ECOWAS peacekeeping operations have been the dominant topic in sub-regional conflict resolution in West Africa. However, other forms of conflict resolution, including mediation, negotiation, conciliation and arbitration have been severally utilized. Also, in some of the cases, peacekeeping operations have been deployed only after other peaceful efforts have failed. ECOWAS peacekeeping operations are divergent operations with different forms and mandates. Therefore, they are better analysed under the framework of peacekeeping, peace-enforcement and peace-making theories. ECOWAS peacekeeping operations have been a subject of debate by proponents of the principle of non-interference and those of the responsibility to protect. The expediency of military intervention for humanitarian reasons as well as the prevention of genocide, war crimes and catastrophic loss of lives has questioned the principle of non-interference and validated the principle of responsibility to protect.
Political Sciences
D. Litt. et Phil. (International Politics)

Sustainability is becoming a top priority in today’s world. However, and even though people are starting to see sustainability as an urgent matter, there is still no significant shift in consumers’ behavior. Past research points to mistrust in the environmental claim of products for this gap in behavior. Therefore, this thesis aims to understand whether co-creation can close the gap between consumer’s attitudes and actual behavior towards sustainable products. In an experimental study with two types of products: a hand sanitizer (strong related attributes) and a daily shampoo (gentle related attributes), 282 participants reported their purchase intentions for co-created sustainable products and non co-created sustainable products. Our findings show that trust in the sustainable claim has a mediating effect between the relationship of the sustainability claim and purchase intentions of sustainable products. Additionally, we found that, even though communicating the innovation strategy (co-creation or firm internally developed products) did not have an effect on trust as significant as expected, learning that a product was co-created has an important effect on purchase intentions due to higher perceived trust in the product’s functionality. Our results revealed a partially significant effect product type has, as consumers have higher trust in strong products. These findings contribute to the literature on co-creation as an innovation strategy, placing it in a new setting, trying to understand the impact communicating co-creation may have on sustainable products. In addition, it draws important managerial implications for companies who want to pursue a more sustainable practice.
A Sustentabilidade está a tornar-se num assunto de grande relevância atualmente. Porém, e apesar da população geral começar a ver a sustentabilidade como um assunto urgente, continua a não existir uma alteração significativa no comportamento das pessoas. A literatura revela a falta de confiança na sustentabilidade dos produtos como uma das maiores barreiras à sua aceitação. Desta forma, esta tese tem como objetivo perceber se a co-criação pode diminuir o intervalo entre as atitudes do consumidor e o seu comportamento, no que toca à sustentabilidade. Num estudo experimental com dois tipos de produtos: um desinfetante de mãos, representado produtos relacionados com força, e um champô, representado produtos relacionados com gentileza, 282 participantes reportaram as suas intenções de compra de produtos sustentáveis co-criados e não co-criados. Os resultados obtidos levaram-nos a concluir que a confiança tem um efeito mediador entre alegações de sustentabilidade dum produto e as intenções de compra dos mesmos. Adicionalmente, e apesar da comunicação do tipo de design utilizado para desenvolver um novo produto não ter um efeito tão significativo na confiança como o esperado, a co-criação tem um efeito significativo na confiança em atributos funcionais. Os resultados revelaram um efeito parcialmente significante do tipo de produto, pois os consumidores têm tendência a confiar mais nos produtos fortes. Estes resultados contribuem para a literatura, expandindo a pesquisa sobre co-criação como uma estratégia de inovação, colocando-a num novo contexto ao tentarmos perceber o impacto que esta pode ter em produtos sustentáveis. Adicionalmente, fornecem sugestões importantes para a gestão.

After the Eastern enlargement in the year 2004 and 2007 the European Union is on the threshold of another expansion. Turkey and Croatia are the first countries that received the official candidate status. Turkey is the longest waiting contender for the adoption into the European Union structures; Croatia is the most anticipated candidate to receive the membership. The thesis "Comparison of preparedness of economies of Turkey and Croatia to join the European Union. " aims to compare the economic preparedness of these two countries for European Union full membership and also detects the cons and pros of possible integration. The goal of this thesis is to answer the question whether it is the theory of neo-realism or the theory of neo-functionalism that explains the current accession process of Turkey and Croatia to the European Union. In the past the European integration has overcome many obstacles, has achieved many substantial results and due to its effectiveness has managed to extend the territory of peace, stability and prosperity across the continent. The coming sixth wave of enlargement has a difficult goal but it is also a great challenge that can change again the map of European Union and extend its operation and influence into Asia Minor and the western Balkans.

Dissertação de mestrado em Economia Industrial e da Empresa
O trabalho de investigação relatado neste relatório de dissertação teve como objetivo avaliar a presença dos ginásios e health clubs na Internet, procedendo a uma análise comparativa dos websites de ginásios e health clubs portugueses de pequena, média e grande dimensão. A avaliação dos websites foi efetuada através de uma grelha de avaliação identificada com base num processo exaustivo de revisão de literatura. A grelha utilizada engloba um conjunto diversificado de questões relacionadas com as características técnicas dos websites, informações sobre a empresa de fitness, serviços prestados e serviços online. A avaliação conduzida, para além de permitir caracterizar de forma detalhada a presença de cada ginásio e health club na Internet, possibilitou igualmente efetuar uma análise comparativa dos vários websites de forma a identificar as diferenças mais relevantes existentes entre eles. Para além disso, com as informações obtidas, foi possível relacionar os indicadores dos ginásios e health clubs com a sua performance na Internet. O número de filiais, o número de trabalhadores, a concorrência, o total do ativo e o resultado operacional estão associados à qualidade da presença online dos ginásios e health clubs portugueses avaliados. No entanto, o resultado líquido influencia de forma negativa a qualidade do website das instituições consideradas no estudo.
The research work reported in this dissertation report was aimed at evaluating the presence of gymnasiums and health clubs on the Internet, comparing the health websites of small, medium and large portuguese clubs. The evaluation of the sites was carried out based on a designed grid from an exhaustive literature review process. The grid used contain a diverse series of questions related to the technical characteristics of the sites, information about the fitness company, services provided and online services. The conducted evaluation, beyond to allow a detailed characterization of a presence of each gymnasium and health club on the Internet, also made it possible to perform a comparative analysis of several sites and thus identify as the most relevant differences between them. Furthermore, with the information obtained, it was possible to relate the indicators of gyms and health clubs with their performance on the Internet. The number of affiliates, the number of employees, the business competition, the total assets and the operating income are associated with the quality of the online presence of portuguese gyms and health clubs evaluated. However, the net income influences the quality of the website of the institutions considered in the study.

Introdução: Ao longo dos últimos anos, diversos estudos têm demonstrado que o sentido das emoções na saúde tem vindo progressivamente a ser valorizado, bem como o reconhecimento de que, a Inteligência Emocional (IE) é a que melhor responde às exigências dos atuais sistemas de saúde. Objetivo: Avaliar a Inteligência Emocional dos profissionais de saúde da Rede Nacional dos Cuidados Continuados Integrados (RNCCI) e verificar em que medida as variáveis sociodemográficas, profissionais e familiares têm efeito significativo nessa Inteligência. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, não experimental, transversal e numa lógica de análise descritivo-correlacional. A amostra é constituída por 106 profissionais de saúde a exercerem a sua atividade profissional em unidades de internamento da RNCCI na região centro do País. O instrumento de colheita de dados agrega um questionário de caracterização sociodemográfica, um de caracterização profissional, a Escala de Apgar Familiar e por último, o Questionário de Competência Emocional (QCE). Para o tratamento estatístico foi utilizado o programa SPSS versão 19. Resultados: A amostra é maioritariamente feminina, casada, com uma média de idades de 34,13 anos. As classes profissionais mais representadas são a médica, a de enfermagem e de fisioterapia. Os dados obtidos revelam associações significativas entre a Inteligência Emocional e a profissão, o grau académico, a formação e a funcionalidade familiar. As restantes variáveis em estudo não influenciam a IE da nossa amostra. Como variáveis preditivas de IE aferimos o número de elementos do agregado familiar e a funcionalidade familiar, sendo esta última a que apresenta maior peso preditivo. Conclusão: Perante tais evidências, torna-se claro que, os profissionais de saúde devem apostar no desenvolvimento das habilitações académicas e a RNCCI fomentar a formação dos seus cuidadores formais. Para além disso, a funcionalidade familiar dos profissionais do cuidar deve ser estimulada com vista à prestação de cuidados emocionalmente inteligentes que contribuam para a humanização dos cuidados de saúde.
Introduction: Over the past few years, several studies have shown that the sense of emotions in health has been progressively enhanced, and that the Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the one that best meets the demands of today's healthcare systems. Aim: Assess the Emotional Intelligence of health professionals of the National Network for Integrated Continuous Care (NNICC) and verify the extent to which socio demographic, family and professional variables have significant effects on that Intelligence. Methodology: This is a quantitative, non-experimental, transverse study in a descriptive and correlational logic of analysis. The sample consists of 106 health professionals who work in internment units NNICC in the center of the country. The instrument for data collection adds a sociodemographic questionnaire, a professional characterization questionnaire, the Family Apgar Scale and finally the Emotional Competence Questionnaire (ECQ). For the statistical analysis we used SPSS version 19. Results: The sample is mostly female, married with an age average of 34.13 years. The most represented professional categories are the medical, nursing and physiotherapy. Data collected Data showed significant associations between emotional intelligence and the profession, the academic degree, training and family functionality. The other study variables did not influence EI in our sample. As predictive variables of EI we assessed the number of members of the household and family functionality, the latter being the one with the greatest predictive weight. Conclusion: Given this evidence, it is clear that health professionals should focus on upgrading academic qualifications and the NNICC should promote the training of their formal caregivers. Furthermore, the familiar functionality of health professionals should be encouraged in order to make them provide emotionally intelligent care contributing to the humanization of the health care.

Back pain is a major health problem in the Western World impacting on individuals, their families and the whole society. Back pain causes significant economic costs due to health expenses and absenteeism from work. Most cases of back pain respond well to treatments and are resolved within weeks. However, some individuals do not respond well to medical treatments and experience persistent back pain that becomes chronic in nature. Chronic back pain is characterised by its duration and its poor response to medical interventions. The literature researched indicated that in most cases the experience of chronic back pain is heavily influenced by psychosocial factors, which impact on individuals more than the original injury or disease. There is limited literature in relation to biopsychosocial factors and treatment up-take. The aim of this study was to explore the impact of biopsychosocial factors in the experience of chronic back pain. It was hypothesised that biopsychosocial factors would have an impact on the number of treatments received and the level of disability reported. A total of 201 adult participants (men and women) completed a battery of questionnaires that collected demographic information, psychological distress, social support, pain levels and disability scores. The findings indicated that psychosocial factors had a greater impact on the number of treatment sessions and reported disability than level and/or duration of pain. Education level was the strongest marker for both hypotheses with tertiary educated participants reporting significantly higher numbers of treatment sessions and lower disability scores. The findings of this study supported the Biopsychosocial Model of Health and the Theory of Social Causation. In addition, the findings supported previous research that advocated that a diagnosis of chronic back pain is a unique condition different from acute or temporary pain. Furthermore, the findings supported the creation of new diagnostic and measurement tools for chronic back that include psychological and social measures in addition to biological indicators. Finally, the findings offered renewed backing for interdisciplinary approaches to the treatment of chronic back pain in light to its multifaceted nature.

Nowadays, the world faces several environmental challenges that require urgent adoption of environmentally friendly practices. However, consumer adoption of green products is still below the desirable levels. One reason is consumers’ lack of trust on products’ green claims. Innovation literature shows that co-creation is built on trust. This research analyses whether co-creation can be used by firms to increase trust in green products, consequently leading to higher purchase intentions. Additionally, tests where co-created green attributes should lie: the product’ periphery (i.e., packaging) or on the products’ core (i.e., ingredients). Through three experimental designs, our results show that trust on the product’s green claims is not relevant for the purchase of green products. However, for consumers high on environmental attitude, trust (green and functional) on the product’s claims explain the preference for a green product. Further, findings indicate that green co-created products enhance green and functionality trust when compared to products that are internally developed, pointing to the relevance of co-creation in green products. Interestingly, consumers’ trust did not differ whether the co-created green attributes were on the peripheral or on the core of the product. This thesis contributes to the literature on new green co-created products and helps managers to understand that co-creation can be a solution to increase consumer’s trust and demand for these products.
Atualmente, o mundo enfrenta vários desafios ambientais que requerem a urgente adoção de práticas ambientalmente amigáveis. Porém, a adoção de produtos verdes pelos consumidores está ainda abaixo do nível desejado. Uma razão é a falta de confiança nas alegações verdes dos produtos. A literatura sobre inovação mostra que a cocriação se baseia na confiança. Esta investigação analisa se a cocriação pode ser usada pelas empresas para aumentar a confiança nos produtos verdes, consequentemente levando a mais intenções de compra. Adicionalmente, testa onde os atributos verdes cocriados devem estar: na periferia do produto (i.e., embalagem) ou no núcleo do produto (i.e., ingredientes). Através de três projetos experimentais, os nossos resultados mostram que a confiança no produto não é relevante para a compra de produtos verdes. Contudo, para consumidores com uma atitude ambiental alta, a confiança (no verde e na funcionalidade) do produto explicam a preferência por um produto verde. Além disso, os resultados indicam que produtos verdes cocriados realçam a confiança no verde e funcionalidade quando comparados com internamente desenvolvidos, apontando para a relevância da cocriação em produtos verdes. Interessantemente, a confiança dos consumidores não diferiu quer os atributos verdes cocriados estivessem no periférico ou no núcleo do produto. Esta tese contribui para a literatura sobre novos produtos verdes cocriados e ajuda os gestores a entender que a cocriação pode ser uma solução para aumentar a confiança do consumidor e a procura por estes produtos.

Revisão da literatura: O acesso ao desporto inclui o tema da acessibilidade e da mobilidade nas instalações desportivas, como direito das populações especiais. A literatura aponta várias lacunas no exercício deste direito. Identificaram-se ausências de diversos tipos: de atitudes, de programas, de informação, de apoios financeiros, de recursos materiais e de recursos humanos e dos seus processos de formação. Objetivos: Averiguar as caraterísticas relativas às disposições construtivas e de equipamento, bem como à funcionalidade existente nas instalações desportivas no concelho de Oeiras designadamente, a qualidade e a capacidade de adaptação às populações especiais. Métodos: Foi elaborado um formulário de características de acessibilidade a partir de 5 documentos orientados para este tema. Avaliamos as instalações desportivas do concelho de Oeiras. Aplicámos o teste de Qui-Quadrado para verificar a relevância da relação entre as variáveis. Resultados: Os dados revelaram que a maioria das instalações desportivas do concelho de Oeiras tem preocupações com as acessibilidades. Muitas delas não recebem praticantes de modalidades adaptadas ou frequentadores do espaço: 38.7% das instalações têm praticantes com deficiência ou mobilidade reduzida e as que oferecem modalidades adaptadas, são públicas. Conclusões: As características de acessibilidade das instalações desportivas do município de Oeiras são maioritariamente direcionadas para a deficiência motora. As demais (visual, auditiva e intelectual), são um tanto descuradas. Alguns dos critérios referidos na lei são cumpridos.
Background: The access to sports includes the accessibility and mobility to sport facilities theme as a right to the handicapped population. The literature points several gaps on the exercise of this right. Absences were identified, such as: the attitudes, the programs, the information, the financial supports, the material and human resources and their training. Objectives: To verify the characteristics related to the constructive and equipment dispositions, and also to the functionality that exists in Oeiras sport facilities. To know about its quality and its ability to adapt to people with special needs. Methods: It was created an accessibility characteristics form, based on 5 documents oriented to the theme. We applied it to sport facilities in Oeiras. The data were analyzed by applying the Qui-Squared test to verify the relevance between variables. Results: The data revealed that the majority of sport facilities in Oeiras cares about accessibilities. Lots of them don’t receive participants of adapted sports or who goes to that space: 38.7% of sport facilities have athletes with a handicap or reduced mobility, and those that offer adapted sports are public. Conclusions: The accessibility characteristics of sport facilities in Oeiras are mostly directed to motor handicap. Visual, hearing and intellectual handicap are a little neglected. Some criteria referred on the law are found on our search.