Participative modelling and big issues: defining features of system dynamics?

In this article the author discusses participative modelling in system dynamics and issues underlying it. It states that in the heart of system dynamics is the servo-mechanism theory. It argues that it is wrong to see an optimal solution being applied by the empowered parties just because it exhibits self-evident truth and an analysis is not enough to encourage people to do things in different way. It mentions other models including the simulation models used for developing strategy discussions.

Informed, uninformed and participative consent in social media research

The use of online data is becoming increasingly essential for the generation of insight in today’s research environment. This reflects the much wider range of data available online and the key role that social media now plays in interpersonal communication. However, the process of gaining permission to use social media data for research purposes creates a number of significant issues when considering compatibility with professional ethics guidelines. This paper critically explores the application of existing informed consent policies to social media research and compares with the form of consent gained by the social networks themselves, which we label ‘uninformed consent’. We argue that, as currently constructed, informed consent carries assumptions about the nature of privacy that are not consistent with the way that consumers behave in an online environment. On the other hand, uninformed consent relies on asymmetric relationships that are unlikely to succeed in an environment based on co-creation of value. The paper highlights the ethical ambiguity created by current approaches for gaining customer consent, and proposes a new conceptual framework based on participative consent that allows for greater alignment between consumer privacy and ethical concerns.

Contrato de gestion: viabilidade en la administraçion pública del ecuador: un estudio estrategico para su implementacion

O objetivo da presente dissertação é analisar a viabilidade de aplicação do Contrato de Gestão na administração pública do Equador e simular um contrato nas empresas públicas do Equador. O primeiro capítulo apresenta uma análise histórica, os "pontos críticos" atuais e uma análise estratégica da administração pública do Equador, baseando-se nas qualificações do pensamento estratégico. O segundo capítulo faz uma descrição do setor empresarial público equatoriano. O terceiro capítulo apresenta um referencial teórico da Administração Estratégica, da Administração por Objetivos e do Contrato de Gestão. O quarto capítulo contem um modelo para implementação do Contrato de Gestão nas empresas públicas equatorianas, incluindo o instrumento jurídico de acordo com o modelo proposto. O presente trabalho chega à conclusão de que a administração pública do Equador se ressente de instrumentos modernos de administração, como é o caso do Contrato de Gestão e que, ao mesmo tempo, possui as condições legais e institucionais para sua aplicação.

Agir ensemble pour une gestion plus efficace des services de l'eau potable et l'assainissement en Haïti

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Reformas del esquema de gestión de la CEPAL: delegación de autoridad y rendición de cuentas = Reform of the ECLAC management scheme: delegation of authority and accountability = Réforme du mécanisme de gestion de la CEPALC: délégation de pouvoirs et justification de l'emploi des fonds

Incluye Bibliografía

Avances en la aplicación del plan piloto de gestión = Progress in the implementation of the pilot management scheme = Degré d'avancement de la mise en oeuvre du plan pilote de gestion

Incluye Bibliografía

Conférence-débats agir ensemble pour une gestion plus efficace de l'eau potable et l'assainissement en Haïti

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Participative site-specific agriculture analysis for smallholders

Site-specific agriculture has been adopted in a high-tech context using, for instance, in situ sensors, satellite images for remote sensing analysis, and some other technological devices. However, farmers and smallholders without the economic resources and required knowledge to use and to access the latest technology seem to find an impediment to precision agricultural practices. This article discusses the possibility of adopting precision agriculture (PA) principles for site-specific management but in a low technology context for such farmers. The proposed methodology to support PA combines low technology dependency and a participatory approach by involving smallholders, farmers and experts. The case studies demonstrate how the interplay of low technology and a participative approach may be suitable for smallholders for site-specific agriculture analysis.

Le Bassin de Ribeira Seca de Santiago, Cap Vert: une gestion basée sur l'approche GIRE

[FR] Dans cet article, l´auteur caractérise l´eau et l´agriculture des îles du Cap Vert et analyse les défis de l´eau après la construction du barrage de Poilao dans la Vallée de Ribeira Seca, sur l´île de Santiago, en se servant de l´approche GIRE (Gestion Intégrée des Ressources en Eau). Au niveau de la législation, il s´avère nécessaire de proposer de nouvelles lois, décrets et règlements qui soient en accord avec notre réalité, en opposition à un important lot d´instruments juridiques inapplicables, obsolètes et de compréhension difficile. La construction du barrage de Poilão a produit des impacts environnementaux, socio-économiques et sur l´irrigation. Il s´agit de trouver un modèle de gestion qui s´adapte à la réalité du Cap Vert et de l´île de Santiago, regroupant tous les partenaires pour une gestion durable de la vallée de Ribeira Seca et qui puisse servir d´exemple aux futurs barrages à construire.

La gestion des espaces agricoles à la périphérie des centres urbains ouest-africains /// Arbeitspapiere / Institut für Ethnologie und Afrikastudien ; 21

agriculture périurbaine, droit foncier, conflits fonciers, developpement urbain