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Agile strategy in the context of digital transformation
Get PDFThis study uses digital transformation as a context to explore strategic agility in
organisations. Strategic agility has been widely studied from a capability perspective, but
attention to agility from a process or practice perspective has so far been limited. The
present research defines strategic agility as a ‘dynamic meta-capability’ that enables
organisations to balance organisational tensions in their ongoing organisational strategy
process. This enables them to adapt actively or reactively to internal or external
environmental circumstances while both pursuing their long-term strategic intent and
renewing business models effectively. Overall, a strategy process perspective is adopted,
acknowledging practice and capability views, to address the following research question:
how do organisations manage strategic agility within the strategy process in the context
of digital transformation? The present research is conducted from a constructionist
perspective using a qualitative inductive multiple case study approach in seven traditional
or pre-digital organisations. Data collection included twenty-two semi-structured
interviews supported by secondary data such as annual reports. Data were analysed using
reflexive thematic analysis to gain in-depth insights.
The study develops a Strategic Agility Framework and makes three main contributions to
the field. First, the process view is extended by identifying an operationalisation process
dimension used in addition to strategy development and implementation in the
organisations studied. The study also identifies a continuous reflection and balancing
cycle needed for strategic agility. Second, seven strategic ambidexterity principles are
developed, which extend the capability view of strategic agility. Third, the practice view
of agility is extended by identifying ongoing prioritisation of strategy projects, to both
allocate resources and plan capacities, as a key barrier or enabler for strategic agility.
Finally, the study uses these contributions to develop seven recommendations for
practitioners to improve agility within their strategy process by using the Strategic Agility
Framework
Acoustic emission propagation through bone tissue with focus on a jaw bone surrogate model
Get PDFImplants are used to improve quality of life, for example, dental implants can resolve negative effects of tooth loss, however current techniques for monitoring dental implants have
limitations. An Acoustic Emission Finite Element framework could reduce limitations,
whilst adding more capabilities. To realise this, simulations of AE propagation through
an implant-less system are needed. Therefore the aim of this study was to simulate AE
propagation through bone tissue. To that end, a material model for bone was developed
and implemented into FE, in-conjunction with µCT-image-based 3D rib models created
from fifteen rib samples used in the AE experiments. These experiments were then sim ulated in FE – ten of the samples were used to identify viscoelastic parameter β for the
material model. The remaining five were used to validate the simulations of AE propa gation through bone. The material model was verified against theory, and the viscoelastic
parameter, β, was identified to range from 0.0648 to 0.22 for the ten samples, with no
clear correlation with bone sample properties. The material model was validated with
three out of the five samples used for validation. Simulation of AE propagation through
bone can be accomplished, thus there is potential for development of an AE FE implant
monitoring framework
Multiscale methods for stochastic differential equations and applications
Get PDFThis thesis is on multiscale methods for Stochastic Differential Equations (SDEs).
We provide theoretical results for the method of averaging for SDEs, as well as an
application to parameter inference. We first study Poisson equations and averaging
for SDEs, the former as a means of producing results on the latter. We treat Poisson
equations on non-compact state spaces for coefficients that can grow super-linearly.
This is one of the two building blocks towards the second (and main) result of the
thesis, namely we obtain a uniform in time (UiT) averaging result (with a rate) for
SDE models with super-linearly growing coefficients. Key to obtaining both our UiT
averaging result and to enable dealing with the super-linear growth of the coefficients
(both of the slow-fast system and of the associated Poisson equation) is exponential
decay in time of the space-derivatives of appropriate Markov semigroups. Motivated
by applications to mathematical biology, we then study the averaging problem for
slow-fast systems, in the case in which the fast dynamics is a stochastic process
with multiple invariant measures. We work in the setting in which the slow process
evolves according to an Ordinary Differential Equation (ODE) and the fast process
is a continuous time Markov Process with finite state space and show that, in this
setting, the limiting (averaged) dynamics can be described as a random ODE (that
is, an ODE with random coefficients.) We also present an application of the results
presented in this thesis to statistical modelling, namely parameter inference.
The content of this thesis has resulted in two papers, one submitted and one
published (see [1] and [2]), with a third close to submission.UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) grant no. EP/S023291/
Social class and the legal profession in Scotland : a Bourdieusian analysis
Get PDFThis thesis adopts a Bourdieusian theoretical lens to explore social class dynamics and related
inequalities within law firms. By situating the research within the thus-far sociologically
neglected context of the legal profession in Scotland, this study contributes to knowledge
surrounding the (re)production of class-based (dis)advantages within professional fields. The
thesis draws on qualitative data collected during 50 semi-structured interviews conducted with
professionals across ten law firm offices in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The thesis makes a
theoretical contribution specifically to Bourdieu-inspired literature on inequalities in
professional fields by arguing for wider application of an explicitly relational reading of
Bourdieu’s theory, which affords dominant and non-dominant forms of cultural capital equal
epistemological value, emphasising a field-analytic grounding of symbolic value. Several other
theoretical contributions are made to the sociology of professions literature, including greater
understanding of the relative symbolic value of non-dominant forms of cultural capital in the
legal profession. Additionally, insights are provided as to the role of reflexive habitus in
generating strategic presentation of self during professional interactions. Finally, the thesis also
contributes to knowledge of professional actors’ socialisation and the development of
hybridised habitus among lawyers from non-privileged social class origins
Sustainable development of urbanised coastal zones : a framework for sustainable project management of coastal developments
Get PDFCoastal zones worldwide face increasing environmental, and sustainability risks due to rapid
development and population growth. Dubai, a prime example of such development, has
experienced unprecedented urban expansion and demographic shifts, placing immense stress on its
coastal ecosystems and resources. Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) has been a
predominant approach to mitigate these risks. However, the traditional linear ICZM approach has
often failed to address long-term sustainability goals, primarily due to inadequate legislation,
coordination, and the failure to capture the intricate interrelationships between various uses and
users of coastal zones. This thesis seeks to bridge this gap by developing a circular ICZM framework
tailored to the specific needs of Dubai and to the coastal regions facing similar challenges. The
research commences with an extensive literature review, analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, and
lessons learned from existing ICZM applications worldwide. Through this review, the study identifies
recurring issues that coastal developments have faced. A numerical model is established for a
district along the Dubai coastline to validate and refine these findings. This model assesses the
congruence of empirical results with the conclusions drawn from the literature review concerning
long-term sustainability goals. The case study reveals alignment with the global trend: there is a
pressing need for a new, circular ICZM framework that captures the complexities of coastal zones
holistically, including both physical and social elements of coastal development. The proposed
framework in this study places a premium on stakeholder engagement, legislative backing, and
effective coordination. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with sector leads from diverse
backgrounds to ensure a comprehensive perspective on the proposed ICZM framework. The insights
gathered from the interviews inform the framework's development and ensure its applicability to
the unique context of coastal developments. By emphasizing stakeholder inclusivity and addressing
the shortcomings of traditional ICZM approaches, this research aims to provide a robust
management structure that fosters the long-term sustainability and resilience of the coastal zones.
The proposed circular ICZM framework represents a significant step forward in coastal
management, advocating for a more adaptive, collaborative, and all-encompassing approach to
address the multifaceted challenges posed by rapid coastal development and population growth.
As coastal areas worldwide grapple with similar issues, the lessons learned from Dubai's case study
can serve as a valuable reference for coastal management initiatives in other regions. Ultimately,
this research contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable coastal resilience, offering a
blueprint for future management strategies in the face of accelerating coastal change
The generation and transportation of bioaerosols in building drainage systems
Get PDFThat gases from the building drainage system might be harmful to the health has been
the subject of debate and scientific enquiry for practically as long as building drainage
as we now know it has existed. As knowledge developed of bacteria and the germ
theory of disease, investigators sampled air from sewers and drainage systems, and the
design of sanitation advanced, and by the first decades of the twentieth century a
consensus emerged that drainage systems built to basic standards could function safely
and effectively. Over the intervening century, the safety of various facets of sanitation
have come under scrutiny; a number of papers were published on airborne pathogenic
bacteria carried on skin particles while showering; others addressed the aerosolisation of
bacteria and viruses from WCs, but the clinical significance of these was not shown.
A small number of recent field reports have implicated the movement of aerosolised
pathogens through the building drainage system in the transmission of infectious disease
to humans, leading to renewed research interest in the subject. Notably, human-human
transmission via airborne virus in the building drainage system has been strongly
implicated in a number of cases of SARS-CoV-1 and -2.
This thesis investigates whether bioaerosols generated in the building drainage system
can and do cause human-human pathogen transmission. Specifically, in light of a
review of the literature, this work tests the hypothesis that viruses are aerosolised and
transported on viruses in the building drainage system.
Following a broad-based review, the novel work in this thesis is developed in three
strands.
The first section contains a systematic review and meta-analyses of data on diarrhoea
and faecal viral load in COVID-19, conducted in the early stages of the pandemic.
The second part of this work presents the development, execution, and analysis of
experimental work to quantify the generation and transportation of aerosols in the
building drainage systems, under realistic conditions.
The third part of this work describes the development of the apparatus and methods
from the second, to test for the generation and transportation of aerosols bearing the
model viral pathogen Pepper Mild Mottle Virus.
An analysis of the results gathered in this thesis supports the possibility and fact of
human viral infection via bioaerosols in the building drainage system
Near zero index nonlinearities in transparent conducting oxides
Get PDFThis thesis delves into the nonlinear optical properties and applications of transparent
conducting oxides (TCOs), with a particular focus on their near-zero-index (NZI) prop erties. Its primary aim is to enhance the fundamental understanding of these materials,
and progress them towards applications within the realm of nonlinear photonics. To this
end, the first results exhibited characterises both the linear and optically pumped refrac tive index of a thin TCO film over its entire NZI wavelength region. From this study,
large optical nonlinearities acting on both the real and imaginary index are demonstrated.
An investigation into the transient index also established the ultrafast nature of the non linearity. Following this, the thesis explores another fundamental nonlinear process in
NZI films: four-wave mixing. By optically pumping a TCO thin film with 787 nm light
and seeding it in the near-infrared, visible photons were successfully generated over sub wavelength propagation distances. This process also benefits from the inherent visible
transparency of the film, allowing generated light to exit with little attenuation. Additionally, higher-order nonlinearities in thin TCO films were investigated by generating
and analyzing harmonics across a broad spectrum (200-725 nm). Moving towards a more
application oriented study, the standard nonlinear element in a FROG characterisation
system was replaced with a TCO film, demonstrating that a system utilising NZI nonlinearities surpasses commercial alternatives in sensitivity, compactness, and cost. Finally,
considering the favourable qualities of TCOs - namely, significant nonlinearities over
short distances, CMOS compatibility, and low-cost manufacturing - they are well positioned to become key materials for integrated photonics. To this end, a waveguide that
incorporates TCOs and mitigates their losses was designed and experimentally shown to
enable the use of NZI enhanced nonlinearities over longer distances. Overall, this thesis
sets the stage for future advancements in optical technologies and integrated photonics by
both investigating the fundamental material properties of TCOs and demonstrating their
transformative potential for a variety of optical applications
Optimisation of asset management in energy systems via machine learning techniques
No full textAs today’s energy systems become more complex, asset owners face various challenges
in the health management of critical assets, and the need to adapt to trends in decarbonization, digitalization, and whole-system thinking. This thesis aims to develop new
asset health management and optimization solutions for energy network assets using different case studies. The thesis reviews key trends and challenges in the current energy
systems and discusses existing asset health management (AHM) strategies, highlighting
the importance of creating predictive strategies and prognostics and health management
(PHM). Various approaches and their applications to enhance PHM capabilities for asset
owners are also discussed. The thesis presents a novel design workflow to achieve an
integrated and holistic AHM solution and applies this workflow to three different critical assets: maritime hybrid propulsion energy systems, subsea power cables, and wind
turbine blades. A prognostic model is created which shows accurate remaining useful
life predictions of the standby power source and achieves significant fuel savings on the
diesel engine. A fusion prognostics approach is also developed to evaluate subsea power
cable integrity and produce remaining useful life estimations. This case study contributes
to the building of existing cable integrity data library, and presents a fusion prognostics
approach to enable comprehensive understanding of in-situ interactions of subsea power
cables with the operating environment, allowing effective instructions of maintenance
and inspection tasks. Finally, wind turbine blade integrity analysis using advanced sensing and robotics for non-destructive evaluation of wind turbine blades is presented. The
machine learning algorithms employed for this task show high accuracy in characterizing physical features of composite material blades, as well as identifying critical surface
and sub-surface defects. Overall, this thesis presents novel design and implementation
of tailored, holistic AHM solutions to energy system critical assets that utilizes advanced
sensing, robotics, machine learning, and digital technologies. The proposed solutions
help create efficient and effective strategies that fit with the needs of asset owners and
operators
The impact of donor support on public financial management and fiscal reform in developing countries : the case of Jordan
Get PDFIn recent decades, many developing countries have received external assistance to
implement economic reforms, with public financial management (PFM) and fiscal
reforms being critical components. Jordan, facing a series of crises, requires substantial
support in these areas. This study aims to evaluate the impact of donor support on fiscal
reforms in Jordan and explore its historical context. The investigation involves analysing
the design, implementation, and management of PFM and fiscal reform initiatives which
cover revenue management, public budgeting, budget execution, accounting, financial
reporting, and public expenditure management. This investigation addresses strategies
and tools employed, methods for measuring performance, mechanisms promoting
sustainability, and techniques supporting reform initiatives. Critical theory is adopted to
understand power dynamics, interests, and politics influencing and shaping change and
reform efforts in Jordan. Using an interpretive approach within the critical research
paradigm, the research triangulates findings from contextual analysis, surveys, and
interviews to ensure objectivity, credibility, validity, and reliability. The study provides
a comprehensive understanding of the key mechanisms driving PFM reform and the
factors influencing its success. It identifies several critical factors for successful PFM
reform, emphasising the need to prioritise political commitment, collaboration,
government ownership, communication, and accountability. The research notes
challenges related to sustainability and adaptability and provides insights to inform policy
and strategic planning for donor agencies and recipient governments. It encourages future
studies to enhance the understanding of PFM reforms in other countries, improve
generalisability, and explore the importance of accountability in improving the
performance of PFM reform initiatives
Heritage and innovation in the crafts of weaving : ethnographic insights between Scotland and Thailand and new approaches to traditional cultural engagement
No full textThe development of traditional textile crafts is connected to history, culture, and
economics. Traditional textiles play an important role in reflecting the material cultures
of the two different regions considered in this research and their unique geography,
identity, and cultural heritage; at the same time, the study of heritage and incorporating
innovation are seen here to drive the sustainable future of design development.
This research aims to examine the cultural significance and challenge safeguarding of
weaving crafts by focusing on heritage and innovation. To achieve this, the research will
investigate textile production processes between Thailand and Scotland, as a
representation of Europe and Asia, to understand the varied relationships between
heritage and innovation. In order to gain insights, the research triangulates methods,
including desktop research, ethnography observations, in-depth interviews, and practice-based reflection from the researcher’s own experience. The findings illustrated that
heritage is perceived differently in these areas of study. In Scotland, narrative storytelling
plays a key role in uniting the country's heritage and identity. This heritage includes
industrial elements and centres around materials, locations, and historical context rather
than the actual process of making. Conversely, in Thailand, heritage is closely linked to
local skills and remains connected to the manufacturing process. The focus remains on
the craftsmanship and processes of creation, with industrial innovation situated on the
periphery rather than at the core of cloth making. However, it also found that the
perspectives on heritage can vary between insiders and outsiders.
The research explored how traditional Thai silk weaving techniques might be used on a
loom in Scotland. Gibbs' reflective model was adopted to analyse and discuss the situation
and feelings while examining the factors that contributed to the value of these traditional
techniques. A set of visual sign designs that can effectively communicate with a universal
audience was developed through data gathering and content analysis. This research thus
delves into the possibilities of innovation in fabric production as well as heritage. Unlike
most studies, it does not solely concentrate on innovation in processes, materials, and
design, but the research outcome provides innovative tools, including a deck of cards,
cloth tags, and website, to approach broader stakeholders. The purpose of these tools is
to educate makers, designers, and consumers, with the aim of enhancing and extending
intangible cultural heritage. These tools demonstrated that universal symbols of the entire
fabric-making process can allow stakeholders to consider whether traditional or
innovative production techniques had been used. The cards encourage makers and
designers more creative opportunities to explore new experiences related to traditional
concepts and innovative ideas around textile development. The cloth tag and website
enable consumers to understand the fabric provenance. These tools were examined
through the workshop as well as public engagement. This feature is also particularly
helpful for those who are not knowledgeable about the products they are buying. It might
also reflect the stakeholders' behaviours in relation to sustainable fabric usage in the
future. Therefore, the research approach amplifies the perspectives of practitioner
academics, designers, and stakeholders who are potential customers or users, illuminating
the value of heritage textiles
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