Organizational culture and knowledge management success at project and organizational levels in contracting firms

Author name used in this publication: Patrick S. W. Fong2009-2010 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Knowledge and experience sharing in projects-based building maintenance community of practice

Author name used in this publication: Patrick S. W. Fong2009-2010 > Academic research: refereed > Publication in refereed journalAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

Exposure to nanomaterials in consumer products

VW

Learning knowledge management concepts via the use of a scenario building tool on an e-learning platform

Author name used in this publication: Teresa B. Y. LiewAuthor name used in this publication: Patrick S. W. FongAuthor name used in this publication: Adela LauRefereed conference paper2009-2010 > Academic research: refereed > Refereed conference paperAccepted ManuscriptPublishe

European Union, Germany and Security Sector Reform in Afghanistan

政治学 / Political Science and International RelationsThe paper analyzes progress, shortcomings and some corrections made of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) as part of the overall Bonn Process. It focuses on the following issues: (i) the SSR’s core task to transform distorted war structures into legitimate and sustainable state structures is outlined; (ii) the conceptual flaws of the SSR are illustrated in the context of the inappropriate international approach toward state-building in Afghanistan; (iii) the SSR’s initial approach of five different, though insufficiently interlinked pillars is described; (iv) the counter-narcotics pillar is taken as an example to analyze political deficits of the SSR approach; (v) the reform of the police illustrates how corrections have been made due to lessons learned; (vi) the neglected reform of the justice sector demonstrates that the SSR’s approach has ignored Afghan realities and therefore poorly failed. The paper concludes by arguing that the international community should consider how a downgraded end-state can be made compatible with a future political system shaped by “Afghan ownership”. This implies to realistically downgrade timeframes and gradually transform the political system in such a way that it corresponds with the socio-cultural traditions of the Afghan society.GRIPS-GCOE State-Building Workshop: Afghanistan (March 4, 2009

Development of an inventory for consumer products containing nanomaterials : Final report

No RIVM report number ( 000201006 ) in publicationWhile various databases include consumer products containing nanomaterials, there is no consistent and reliable overview of these products. This study commissioned by DG Environment developed a methodology to identify consumer products containing nanomaterials, and tested it in populating a searchable database with a sample of 200 such products. In designing the database, attention was given to identifying and establishing the purpose and key stakeholders. A data model was developed for a structured record of data on individual products. The data model is directed to meeting user requirements in a searchable database. In addition, a methodology has been developed to address the validity of nano claims given the large degree of uncertainty about claim validity with respect to nanomaterials in consumer products. Using the data model, a sample database was populated with 200 products, which is searchable in various ways, and an output is made available in static HTML pages. This methodology and sample database could form the basis for further development of a database on nanomaterials in consumer products at the EU market. Recommendations for further action are included in the reportRIV

Lay Beliefs And Responses Concerning HypertensionAnd Its Management In Two CulturallyDistinct Groups

Objective: To determine quantitatively whether there are significant differences in lay beliefs about hypertension and its management between African- Caribbean (A.C.) living in the UK but born in the West Indian Caribbean Islands and white hypertensive patients in the UK. Design: Self-administered postal (and surgery) questionnaire. Setting: Two general practices in the Wembley / North London and Dagenham (Essex) areas. Participants: Male and female patients aged between 35 and 69 years of age registered with the above practices and receiving treatment for hypertension. These were selected from the age/sex/disease registers. Interventions: None Main outcome Measures: African-Caribbean vs. White/Caucasian responses to the 16-item questionnaire and determining statistical significance (the P value). This was done to determine whether or not there are significant differences in lay beliefs between the two ethnic groups i.e.A.C. versus white Caucasian. Results: Out of 525 patients who were sent the 16-item questionnaire, there were 427 responses (238 men, 189 women). This was an 81% response rate. In terms of race, there were 224 white and 203 African-Caribbean respondents. The responses to the questions strongly suggested that there are significant ethnic differences on matters of lay beliefs regarding hypertension and its management. This quantitative study supported the findings and conclusions of a previous (1988) qualitative one by Myfawny Morgan and C.J.Watkins on the same subject. Conclusions: Lay beliefs appear to be extremely important amongst all cultures and it would appear that these do have an impact on how an individual views his or her medical condition and how the doctors manage it. Intercontinental and international encounters appear to be here with us to stay due to a variety of factors e.g. trade, education, sports and wars. It is therefore of utmost importance that medical practitioners bear this in mind in their encounters with patients. An acceptance of this approach by all doctors and health workers may improve compliance. Keywords: Hypertension, Ethnicity, Lay beliefs, Compliance, Doctors SA Fam Prac Vol.25(2) 2002: 16-2

Between a rock and a hard place? Navigating domestic and international expectations on German foreign policy

This article takes stock of German foreign policy during Angela Merkel's third term in office (2013–17). It argues that the longer-term significance of Germany's foreign policy during this period is twofold. First, the Merkel government was confronted with multiple European and international crises which worked as a magnifying glass for the growing international expectations on Germany to become more actively engaged on the international stage. Second, the tenure of the Grand Coalition saw a significant shift in the German domestic foreign policy discourse that was marked by a concerted effort of leading decision-makers to make the case for Germany to accept greater international responsibilities. This emerging consensus among foreign policy elites expresses a changed self-conception of German foreign policy which, however, continues to be viewed with scepticism in the broader public. Informed by such a broad two-level perspective that focuses on the interplay between international and domestic expectations on German foreign policy, the article explores the record of the Grand Coalition in the main international crises it had to engage with. It suggests that the Merkel government was better able to live up to its own aspirations in two-level contexts which left it with greater domestic room for manoeuvre

Heritability estimates and correlations between subjectively assessed and objectively measured fleece traits in Merino sheep

Data from 2801 individuals (born from 1996 to 2002) were used to obtain heritability (h2) estimates for five objectively measured and six linearly assessed type fleece traits (scored on a 1-50 point scale) from the Tygerhoek Merino flock. Correlations of the objective traits with the subjective traits were also derived. Estimates of h2 for the subjective traits accorded with literature estimates, and exceeded 0.2 for wool quality (0.31), wool colour (0.38), yolk (0.25), as well as belly and points (0.25). Corresponding h2 estimates amounted to 0.19 for regularity of crimp score and 0.13 for staple formation score. Genetic correlations of objective traits with subjective traits were either favourable or negligible in the majority of cases. The only exceptions were positive genetic correlations of fibre diameter (FD) and coefficient of variation of FD with staple formation score and belly and points score. Genetic progress in subjective traits thus appears possible, if desired in a selection strategy. South African Journal of Animal Science Supp 2 2004: 38-4

Carcass characteristics and meat quality of progeny of five Merino dam lines, crossed with Dormer and Suffolk sires

This study details the slaughter traits of lambs born from a terminal crossbreeding experiment that involved five Merino type dam lines crossed with Dormer and Suffolk sires. Dam lines included dual purpose types; South African Mutton Merino (SAMM), Dohne Merino, SAMM rams crossed to commercial Merino ewes (SAMM cross) and specialist Merino lines selected either for clean fleece weight (FW+) or for an increased fertility (Rep+). Data include between 228 and 483 individual records, depending on the trait. The unadjusted fat depth 25 mm from the midline at the 13th rib of lambs from dual-purpose ewes was between 22 and 32% greater than that of lambs from FW+ Merino ewes. Progeny from Rep+ Merino ewes showed a closer resemblance to the progeny of dual-purpose breeds than to those of FW+ Merino ewes in this instance. Adjustment for slaughter weight eliminated these differences. The initial pH of meat from progeny of FW+ Merino ewes was lower than that from progeny of dual-purpose ewes, and Rep+ Merino ewes. No differences in Warner-Bratzler shear values of the meat were found between the different crosses. Crossbred progeny of the Merino lines performed satisfactorily for all the traits considered, and will not be discriminated against in the market. No conclusive differences in favour of either sire breed were found. Keywords: Dohne Merino, meat quality, SA Mutton Merino, terminal crossbreeding South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 38 (4) 2008: pp. 355-36