Strategy Implementation Bottlenecks: Identification, Analysis and Removal

This thesis investigates the strategy implementation process of enterprices; a process whichhas lacked the academic attentioon compared with a rich strategy formation research trdition. Strategy implementation is viewed as a process ensuring tha the strtegies of an organisation are realised fully and quickly, yet with constant consideration of changing circumstances. The aim of this sudy is to provide a framework for identifying, analysing and removing the strategy implementation bottleneck af an organization and thus for intesifying its strategy process.The study is opened by specifying the concept, tasks and key actors of strategy implementation process; especially arguments for the critical implementation role of the top management are provided. In order to facilitate the analysis nad synthetisation of the core findings of scattered doctrine, six characteristic approaches to strategy implementation phenomenon are identified and compared. The Bottleneck Framework is introduced as an instrument for arranging potential strategy realisation problems, prioritising an organisation's implementation obstacles and focusing the improvement measures accordingly. The SUCCESS Framework is introduced as a mnemonic of the seven critical factors to be taken into account when promoting sttrategy implementation. Both frameworks are empirically tested by applying them to real strategy implementation intesification process in an international, industrial, group-structured case enterprise.

Balanced Scorecard -mittaristo strategisena ohjausty��kaluna konserniymp��rist��ss��. Case: Stora Enso Packaging Oy

T��ss�� pro gradu -tutkielmassa analysoidaan nelj��st�� eri n��k��kulmasta koostuvan Balanced Scorecardin soveltamista strategisena ohjausty��kaluna. Tavoitteena on Balanced Scorecardin toteuttamiseen liittyv��n strategisen p����t��ksenteon tukeminen. Teoriaosuus on toteutettu kirjallisuuden pohjalta ja empiirinen aineisto on koottu l��hinn�� case-yrityksen omasta Balanced Scorecard -projektista. Case-yritys on maailmanlaajuisem Stora Enso -konsernin t��ysin omistama t��yden palvelun aaltopahviratkaisuihin erikoistunut tyt��ryhti��konserni. Balanced Scorecard -projekti yrityksess�� on ollu k��ynniss�� jo parin vuoden ajan ja nyky����n k��yt��ss�� on my��s atk-pohjainen Balanced Scorecard -ohjelmisto. Tulevaisuudessa tavoitteena on Balanced Scorecardin ja siihen liityv��n ohjelmiston ottaminen k��ytt����n koko konsernin kaikilla organisaatiotasoilla. Tutkimuksen tuloksena mallin todetaan teorian lis��ksi my��s k��yt��nn��ss�� kokoavan hajanaiset tiedot tiiviiksi ja johdonmukaiseksi kokonaisuudeksi. Balanced Scorecardin onnistuminen riippuu paljolti ty��ntekij��iden sitoutumisesta ja johdon halusta aikaansaada muutoksia. Oikein sovellettuna Balanced Scorecard on tehokas kommunikointiv��line, joka kehittyy jatkuvasti organisaation mukana. Suurimpana ongelmana tai haasteena Suomessa n��hd����n mallin sis��ist��minen alemmilla organisaatiotasoilla. Tutkimuksessa tarjotaan t��h��n ratkaisuksi uuden suomenkielisen k��sitteen lanseeraamista ja parempaa tiedottamista esimerkiksi intranetin v��lityksell��.

Novel Proteins Involved in Dynamics of The Photosynthetic Apparatus

During the past few years, a considerable number of research articles have been published relating to the structure and function of the major photosynthetic protein complexes, photosystem (PS) I, PSII, cytochrome (Cyt) b6f, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase. Sequencing of the <i>Arabidopsis thaliana (Arabidopsis)</i> genome together with several high-quality proteomics studies has, however, revealed that the thylakoid membrane network of plant chloroplasts still contains a number of functionally unknown proteins. These proteins may have a role as auxiliary proteins guiding the assembly, maintenance, and turnover of the thylakoid protein complexes, or they may be as yet unknown subunits of the photosynthetic complexes. Novel subunits are most likely to be found in the NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH) complex, the structure and function of which have remained obscure in the absence of detailed crystallographic data, thus making this thylakoid protein complex a particularly interesting target of investigation. In this thesis, several novel thylakoid-associated proteins were identified by proteomics-based methods. The major goal of characterization of the stroma thylakoid associated polysome-nascent chain complexes was to determine the proteins that guide the dynamic life cycle of PSII. In addition, a large protein complex of ��� 1,000 kDa, residing in the stroma thylakoid, was characterized in greater depth and it was found to be a supercomplex composed of the PSI and NDH complexes. A set of newly identified proteins from <i>Arabidopsis</i> thylakoids was subjected to detailed characterization using the reverse genetics approach and extensive biochemical and biophysical analysis. The role of the novel proteins, either as auxiliary proteins or subunits of the photosynthetic protein complexes, was revealed. Two novel thylakoid lumen proteins, TLP18.3 and AtCYP38, function as auxiliary proteins assisting specific steps of the assembly/repair of PSII. The role of the 10-kDa thylakoid lumen protein PsbR is related to the optimization of oxygen evolution of PSII by assisting the assembly of the PsbP protein. Two integral thylakoid membrane proteins, NDH45 and NDH48, are novel subunits of the chloroplast NDH complex. Finally, the thylakoid lumen immunophilin AtCYP20-2 is suggested to interact with the NDH complex, instead of PSII as was hypothesized earlier.

Selective inhibition of human tankyrases

Tankyrases belong to the Diphtheria toxin-like ADP-ribosyltransferase (ARTD) enzyme superfamily, also known as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). They catalyze a covalent post-translational modification reaction where they transfer ADP-ribose units from NAD+ to target proteins. Tankyrases are involved in many cellular processes and their roles in telomere homeostasis, Wnt signaling and in several diseases including cancers have made them interesting drug targets. In this thesis project, selective inhibition of human tankyrases was studied. A homogeneous fluorescence-based assay was developed to screen the compound libraries. The assay is inexpensive, operationally easy, and performs well according to the statistical analysis. Assay suitability was confirmed by screening a natural product library. Flavone was identified as the most potent inhibitor in the library and this motivated us to screen a larger flavonoid library. Results showed that flavones were indeed the best inhibitor of tankyrases among flavonoids. To further study the structure-activity relationship, a small library of flavones containing single substitution was screened and potency measurements allowed us to generate structure-activity relationship. Compounds containing substitutions at 4��-position were more potent in comparison to other substitutions, and importantly, hydrophobic groups improved isoenzyme selectivity as well as the potency. A flavone derivative containing a hydrophobic isopropyl group (compound 22), displayed 6 nM potency against TNKS1, excellent isoenzyme selectivity and Wnt signaling inhibition. Protein interactions with compounds were studied by solving complex crystal structures of the compounds with TNKS2 catalytic domain. A novel tankyrase inhibitor (IWR-1) was also crystallized in complex with TNKS2 catalytic domain. The crystal structure of TNKS2 in complex with IWR-1 showed that the compound binds to adenosine site and it was the first known ARTD inhibitor of this kind. To date, there is no structural information available about the substrate binding with any of the ARTD family members; therefore NAD+ was soaked with TNKS2 catalytic domain crystals. However, analysis of crystal structure showed that NAD+ was hydrolyzed to nicotinamide. Also, a co-crystal structure of NAD+ mimic compound, EB-47, was solved which was used to deduce some insights about the substrate interactions with the enzyme. Like EB-47, other ARTD1 inhibitors were also shown to inhibit tankyrases. It indicated that selectivity of the ARTD1 inhibitors should be considered as some of the effects in cells could come from tankyrase inhibition. In conclusion, the study provides novel information on tankyrase inhibition and presents new insight into the selectivity and potency of compounds.

Deoxygenation of fatty acids for production of fuels and chemicals

The decreasing fossil fuel resources combined with an increasing world energy demand has raised an interest in renewable energy sources. The alternatives can be solar, wind and geothermal energies, but only biomass can be a substitute for the carbon���based feedstock, which is suitable for the production of transportation fuels and chemicals. However, a high oxygen content of the biomass creates challenges for the future chemical industry, forcing the development of new processes which allow a complete or selective oxygen removal without any significant carbon loss. Therefore, understanding and optimization of biomass deoxygenation processes are crucial for the future bio���based chemical industry. In this work, deoxygenation of fatty acids and their derivatives was studied over Pd/C and TiO2 supported noble metal catalysts (Pt, Pt���Re, Re and Ru) to obtain future fuel components. The 5 % Pd/C catalyst was investigated in semibatch and fixed bed reactors at 300 ��C and 1.7���2 MPa of inert and hydrogen���containing atmospheres. Based on extensive kinetic studies, plausible reaction mechanisms and pathways were proposed. The influence of the unsaturation in the deoxygenation of model compounds and industrial feedstock ��� tall oil fatty acids ��� over a Pd/C catalyst was demonstrated. The optimization of the reaction conditions suppressed the formation of by���products, hence high yields and selectivities towards linear hydrocarbons and catalyst stability were achieved. Experiments in a fixed bed reactor filled with a 2 % Pd/C catalyst were performed with stearic acid as a model compound at different hydrogen���containing gas atmospheres to understand the catalyst stability under various conditions. Moreover, prolonged experiments were carried out with concentrated model compounds to reveal the catalyst deactivation. New materials were proposed for the selective deoxygenation process at lower temperatures (~200 ��C) with a tunable selectivity to hydrodeoxygenation by using 4 % Pt/TiO2 or decarboxylation/decarbonylation over 4 % Ru/TiO2 catalysts. A new method for selective hydrogenation of fatty acids to fatty alcohols was demonstrated with a 4 % Re/TiO2 catalyst. A reaction pathway and mechanism for TiO2 supported metal catalysts was proposed and an optimization of the process conditions led to an increase in the formation of the desired products.

Le discours de crise: La repr��sentation des r��fugi��s dans le Figaro et Lib��ration

Under september ma��nad 2015 gav so��kordet ���kris��� dagligen upphov till ett trettiotal tra��ffar i so��kmotorn till Frankrikes sto��rsta dagstidningar. Dagspressen o��verflo��das av kriser och i skrivande stund a��r den mest omtalade krisen de flyktingstro��mmar som na��r Europa som resultat efter flera a��rs krig i Mellano��stern. Pro gradu-avhandlingen studerar flyktingkrisen som en diskursiv ha��ndelse, en social konstruktion av en fo��reteelse som tar de aktuella personerna och deras a��sikter i beaktande. Avhandlingen a��r uppbyggd som en linje som inleds med mediestrategier och ga��r till iscensa��ttandet av nyheten, fo��r att sedan analysera de olika a��sikterna och personerna som ger upphov till lingvistisk polyfoni och ma��ngtydighet. Syftet med avhandlingen a��r att studera hur medierna pa��verkar va��r fo��rsta��else av en kris. Fo��r att fa�� en dynamisk bild av bevakningen av flyktingkrisen studeras rubriker till ett hundratal titlar som publicerats i september 2015 av tva�� stora franska dagstidningar: Le Figaro och Libe��ration. Tidningarnas motsatta politiska orientering sta��r som grund fo��r en helta��ckande och varierande genomla��sning av medieuppma��rksamheten kring flyktingkrisen. Som metod utfo��rs en diskursanalys pa�� materialet fo��r att fa�� reda pa�� hur de ba��da tidningarna framsta��ller krisen. Skillnader och likheter studeras, sa��va��l som fo��rekommande teman och en karakteristisk vokabula��r i anknytning till krisen. Hypotesen a��r att flyktingarnas egna a��sikter kommer i skymundan i medierna. Som resultat har jag noterat element i krisen som tidigare framsta��llts som viktiga ur lingvistisk synvinkel pa�� krisdiskurs av lingvisten Marie Veniard. Uto��ver det observeras na��gra kompletterande betydelsekomponenter som sta��r i fo��rbindelse med flyktingkrisens komplexa natur. Ett speciellt mo��nster fo��r att framsta��lla flyktingarna har visat sig vara ofta fo��rekommande i de ba��da tidningarna. Flyktingarna na��mns fo��r att ge rubrikerna ett autentiskt va��rde men paradoxalt nog mo��jliggo��r de a��ven otydlighet i fra��ga om vem som faktiskt yttrar sig, flyktingarna eller journalisterna?