Browsing by Author "Lemon, Mark"
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Item Open Access A crop choice framework for a more sustainable agriculture, the case of the Argolid Valley in Greece(1996-08) Blatsou, Condylenia; Lemon, MarkThis thesis integrates a number of disciplines from the natural and social sciences to develop a crop choice framework for a “more” sustainable agriculture. The biophysical, socio-political and technoeconomic influences upon farmer’s decisions form the central component of the framework with policy makers the intended target. The sustainability of agriculture generates a lot of debate among academic and policy communities. The literature concerning this debate is considered and it is argued that sustainability is site specific and can only be discussed in relative rather than absolute terms. The research is carried out in three phases each of which contributes to the final framework. The first phase produces a generic framework which is then applied to a particular area, the Argolid Valley in the Peloponnese, Greece. The modified framework is then used to evaluate a specific “crop” (greenhouse roses) and it is demonstrated that the crop will only be adopted by a minority of farmers with particular characteristics. However, it constitutes a useful example for the assessment of whether a crop is promoting sustainability in all its social, economic, ecological and agronomic dimensions. The thesis provides an overview of the disciplinary components that a crop choice framework should include and the techniques employed to support this. Similarly, by underlining the critical role of the farmer, it aims to produce a conceptual framework which is useful for policy formulation and decision-making.Item Open Access Developing and implementing a knowledge management strategy in a muti-cultural engineering design environment(Cranfield University, 2006-12) Temple, John; Lemon, MarkThis thesis is about the development and implementation of a Knowledge Management Strategy in a multi-cultural engineering design environment in the automotive industry. It aims to use knowledge management as a vehicle for organisational change by first, understanding the cultural interactions between partners on their models of learning and then to develop and trial a set of tools and frameworks to raise the capability and improve the efficiency of Nissan Technical Centre Europe. The main argument of this thesis is that national culture is so invasive and influential on organisational culture that it can become dysfunctional in a global organisation. The “way we do things around here” is a powerful mechanism by which people value themselves and build their identities. Through an action research approach to the design and implementation of a knowledge management strategy the thesis argues that, rather than try to homogenise cultures, global companies need to maximise the different cultural strengths and create agendas for dialogue. In the longer term this will help build relationships, understanding and empathy and ultimately enhance capability. Organisational cultures cannot be dictated but they can be shaped. Operationally, things may appear to be the same across borders but the cultural mechanisms to facilitate operations are inherently different; this difference needs to be understood and appreciated. Organisational efficiency depends on being able to draw on nationalistic and organisational cultural strengths whilst accepting that these strengths need balancing to ensure they do not become self defeating. The conclusion of the thesis is that knowledge management at Nissan is a process of cultural change, shaped by those in positions of power at any given point in time and dependent on the interaction of structural, organisational, technological and procedural elements which cannot be treated separately and that efficiency, sustainability and the beginnings of a knowledge based learning culture can be realised by organising around knowledge and that knowledge management and organisational learning depend on developing a global mindset which allows for a variety of cultural contexts.Item Open Access The development and application of cultural archetypes for understanding innovation capability(Cranfield University, 2002) Sahota, Parminder Singh; Lemon, MarkThis thesis recognizes that organizational culture is a primary determinant of innovation capability and argues the need to better understand this relationship or process as a necessary prerequisite to nurturing it in a more structured and systematic manner. The study explores this relationship within an R&D environment in telecommunications. It draws upon the knowledge management, organisational behaviour and organisational theory literatures to conceptualise organisational culture as a repository of knowledge. Using a soft systems bottom up approach four cultural archetypes with specific knowledge dynamics are identified and developed through a three-phase multi-method research strategy. These provide a clearer understanding of the relationship between organisational culture and innovation capability. The thesis concludes by considering strategies for improving innovation capability through the effective and appropriate movement between these archetypes.Item Open Access Exploring smart grid possibilities: a complex systems modelling approach(De Gruyter Open, 2015-08-26) Rylatt, R. Mark; Snape, J. Richard; Allen, Peter M.; Ardestani, Babak M.; Boait, Ekkehard; Fan, Denis; Fletcher, Graham; Gammon, Rupert; Lemon, Mark; Pakka, Vijay; Rynikiewicz, Christophe; Savill, Mark A.; Smith, Stefan; Strathern, M.; Varga, LizSmart grid research has tended to be compartmentalised, with notable contributions from economics, electrical engineering and science and technology studies. However, there is an acknowledged and growing need for an integrated systems approach to the evaluation of smart grid initiatives. The capacity to simulate and explore smart grid possibilities on various scales is key to such an integrated approach but existing models – even if multidisciplinary – tend to have a limited focus. This paper describes an innovative and flexible framework that has been developed to facilitate the simulation of various smart grid scenarios and the interconnected social, technical and economic networks from a complex systems perspective. The architecture is described and related to realised examples of its use, both to model the electricity system as it is today and to model futures that have been envisioned in the literature. Potential future applications of the framework are explored, along with its utility as an analytic and decision support tool for smart grid stakeholders.Item Open Access Exploring the design and perceived benefit of sustainable solutions: a review(Taylor & Francis, 2009-12-31T00:00:00Z) Coley, F. J. S.; Lemon, MarkThe demand for more innovative solutions to meet progressively complex consumer requirements is increasingly at the forefront of design practice and research. Coinciding with this is the stipulation for more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable services. Although many approaches towards the design of more systemic and sustainable solutions exist, the terminology to describe them is manifold. Subsequently, confusion surrounding the cross-disciplinary process that stakeholders are required to follow is increasingly apparent. This paper presents a critical review of multiple-design approaches from the perspective of the stakeholders involved and identifies a set of attributes that are common to them. It is concluded that stakeholders could substantially benefit from a supportive framework of common characteristics to enable the integrative design of more systemic and sustainable solutions.Item Open Access Exploring Whole System Design(Cranfield University, 2008-12) Coley, F. J. S.; Evans, Stephen; Lemon, MarkThe emergence of increasingly complex problems, combined with growing concerns for the environment, is fuelling the demand for more innovative and sustainable products, services and systems. Whole system design is one approach that aims to integrate social, economic and environmental phenomena into a comprehensive design solution. The approach encourages the development of partnerships between actors from a variety of different backgrounds, disciplines and sectors to develop an innovative, sustainable and optimised solution at a whole system level. However, there is limited research concerning the integrative process that actors are required to follow in order to reach such a solution. The aim of this study was to gain improved knowledge and understanding surrounding the process of whole system design and to identify those factors that influence its success. This was achieved in two phases; firstly a longitudinal case study was undertaken which followed the process of whole system design from beginning to end. 22 design and progress meetings were observed, 18 interviews were carried out and a multitude of relevant documentation was analysed. This resulted in the identification of 10 themes. The second phase of the research aimed to validate initial findings by conducting 5 smaller cases and interviewing 11 individually selected experts. The study ultimately produced 8 confirmed themes, 68 individual findings and 37 factors that enable and inhibit the process of whole system design. As a result of this study, an improved knowledge and understanding surrounding the process of whole system design has been presented. In particular, findings have been provided concerning: the development of partnerships, the pertinence of human and non-human interaction, the requirement of individual characteristics, enhanced understanding of purpose and process, the necessary alignment of individual and organisational motivation, the necessity of sense making activities, the role of a facilitator and the need for integration, each of these within the context of whole system design. The framework of these findings provides a novel contribution to knowledge within the context of whole system design.Item Open Access Information and communication technology (ICT) in the early years of education(2008) Abdalla, Eman Shafik Hassan; Lemon, MarkInformation and communication technology (ICT) has become an important factor in the education field, especially for pupils with special educational needs. The aim of this research is to understand how ICT is perceived to affect the learning capability of primary age pupils, including those with special educational needs. The specific objectives are to: (i) Investigate the literature about the relationship between information and communication technology (ICT) and pupils with special educational needs; (ii) Identify some of the factors that affect the use of information and communication technology (ICT) for assisting pupils’ learning (reading and writing) ability in three case studies school; (iii) Investigate the current use of ICT resources in three schools and the roles played by teachers and parents in these schools to help pupils learn in both classroom and home environments; (iv) Assess the perceived impact of ICT on pupils’ learning through observation and interviews in the case study schools; (v) Communicate examples of best practice, for both teachers and parents, on more effective way of using ICT to improve pupils’ learning. The research has been carried out in three schools one of which is a special school for pupils with special educational needs. Data have been collected in three ways. Firstly, direct observation has been carried out in the classroom; secondly, interviews have been carried out with teachers; and finally a survey of 175 parents was carried out by questionnaire. The key finding drawn from this research indicate that ICT is perceived to have a positive impact on pupils’ learning regardless of their educational needs. The study also identified that ICT is perceived to improve the quality of teaching and ICT use by primary age children. A second issue raised the shortage of teacher training for ICT, especially staff development, and finally, teachers and parents needed time to become skilled with the new technologies before attempting to teach with them. The study presents examples of best practice to distinguish between how teachers and parents might improve their support for pupils using ICT. These include the need for teachers to match learning needs, style and curricula and for parents to understand how their pupils learn and the nature of any learning problem.Item Open Access Mapping the process of product innovation: Contextualising the 'black box' of computer and video games design(Cranfield University, 2000-01) Lake, Eric M.; Lemon, MarkThe academic literature hitherto has mainly addressed the 'effects' of video games and not their creation. The thesis seeks to gain an understanding of the motivations behind the design choices in creating home computer and video games software in light of this 'gap'. The research sought to understand the process of constructing games by examining: (i) the individual designer's aims and how these were mediated by the contexts of. - (ii) the development team and organisation; (iii) the needs of the audience and their presence in the innovation process and (iv) the impact of the hardware manufacturer's quality assessment upon the game's design. These aims were met by outlining the industry structure operating in the video games' market from the period between the early 1980s to mid-1990s. This was performed with reference to the rise of Sega and Nintendo's hardware and software strategy, covering their diffusion from Japan to the US and UK. This highlighted the context surrounding the creation of three computer games from initial concept to actual commodity that served as the subject of case study analysis. The discussion seeks to explore the implications of the choices made in designing the games and widens the debate to the creation of other games. It is argued that the design of games mirrors aspects similar to the creation of other entertainment media but possess certain problems associated with aesthetic conventions, labour, industry and technical issues unique to this medium. Consequently the thesis outlines certain dimensions that impinge'upon the process of product innovation in entertainment software. From a theoretical perspective the application of a social constructivist approach to the emergence of a leisure technology is a novel one and demonstrates the contingent nature of game design.Item Open Access Resolving the trategic gap in environmental management : tropospheric ozone in Bedfordshire(Cranfield University, 1998-03) Cannibal, Gen Luiz; Lemon, MarkPresent approaches used in environmental management are typified by a reliance on technical and economic tools within a segregated top-down institutional framework. This is ill suited to cope with a whole breed of problems that impact on common environmental resources and are the result of the widespread and legitimate activity of the majority of individuals within society. These have been termed as "no technical solution problems". Tropospheric ozone is a good example of such a problem. The main source of the pollutant is diffuse and distant from its impact. The form the pollution event takes shows spatial and temporal variation. It is also to a great extent a result of the use of the motor-car which is not usually an activity in for its own sake but a supporting feature of common life-styles. Policy needs to be able to identify the social requirements of the activity which may vary in among populations and represent this variation by recognising the needs and desires of a wide range of the public. The thesis proposes that the main problem for environmental management is not the lack of scientific knowledge or regulatory clout, but how modem society has been managed with regard to its impact on environmental resources. It argues that the paradigm of interdisciplinarity is necessary tool for bridging what can be seen as a distinct strategic gap between the present institutional culture in air quality management and the social and physical environments it aims to influence. This proposition is supported by investigations into the quantitative and qualitative nature of those social and biophysical processes which are responsible for the generation, transportation and impact of tropospheric ozone. The thesis concludes by proposing a novel strategic framework the management of this pollutant based on the need to identify and communicate issues inherent to the social and physical aspects of the problem, as well as the resolution of conflicts arisingfrom them.Item Open Access Total quality management framework for Libyan process and manufacturing industries(Cranfield University, 2006) Youssef, Soltan; Lemon, MarkThere are many challenges facing Libyan process and manufacturing industries in today's competitive market. One of these major challenges is the ability of Libyan companies to effectively introduce quality management approaches such as Total Quality Management (TQM) that can empower their people and improve their ability to respond to international competition. The main aim of this study was to identify the drivers and barriers to the adoption of TQM in Libyan process and manufacturing industry and to develop a model through which Libyan companies could implement and maintain improved quality systems. To achieve this aim, the research approach adopted both quantitative and qualitative methods. A generic framework of the critical success factors for implementing TQM was developed from the literature and endorsed by practitioners and experts in the field. Structured questionnaires were utilized to elicit the opinions of 400 managers from the Libyan process and manufacturing industries regarding the extent of quality management initiatives implemented in these companies. Semi-structured interviews were then used to identify mangers' opinions about the topics related to TQM implementation in companies in Libya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The research indicates a low level of critical TQM success factors within the Libyan companies, mostly caused by a minimal awareness of TQM philosophy, methods and tools, especially among top management. It also indicates that quality initiatives and practices in Libyan companies are still in the early stages and most of the companies studied were proceeding with quality improvement programmes without a well-defined vision and objectives. Based on these results the original TQM framework was modified for use within Libyan process and manufacturing industries. The framework propagates an approach to implementation incorporating top-down deployment and bottom-up participation. It prescribes guidelines for introducing TQM in four phases and is designed to help Libyan companies get started and move step-by-step towards a TQM culture. Moving from one phase to the next depends upon the harnessing of knowledge and expertise gained during the previous phase and fulfilling each phase assessment criteria. The implementation of this model will work faster and more efficiently if there is strong commitment from the top management and employees within the Libyan companies.Item Open Access The variety of individual attributes as a basis for organisational adaptivity: a case study(Cranfield University, 1997) Scamans, Jane; Lemon, MarkA growing literature has emerged which calls for organisations to become more adaptive in the face of complex and uncertain operating environments. This thesis reviews literature dealing with organisational learning and argues that individual attributes are undervalued. There . has been an emphasis on the mechanistic features of the individual within the organisation to the detriment of other attributes such as personal skills and knowledge. A case is made for a more human-centred approach to managing change which focuses upon the exploitation of these particular human factors as one of the central sources of adaptive potential. While some of these factors are formally recognised in the workplace it is argued that many others are acquired outside and therefore do not always appear to have immediate relevance or value. Evidence for this is drawn from a case study in the Commission for Local Administration. This employed a multi-method investigative approach to identify the variety of individual attributes and results are presented in the form of personal process maps which represent individual perceptions of the process of change. These support a broad classification of individual variety to be described. Findings are exploited to both identify the role of individual attributes in managing change and to construct a typology of individual attributes as a basis for adaptive capability. A number of concluding inferences are made regarding implications for management and future work.