La construcción de sentido del inicio de un cambio estratégico en las organizaciones: el caso de la Universidad del Rosario

A través de un caso de estudio se explora cómo la construcción de sentido de un grupo de directivos, bajo una misma inspiración, generó el inicio de un cambio estratégico en una prestigiosa y reconocida universidad colombiana, la Universidad del Rosario. Una institución que en un momento determinado notó que estaba siendo percibida dentro del sector de la educación superior como pequeña, estática en el avance de algunas disciplinas del conocimiento y conservadora; en otras palabras, que estaba perdiendo el reconocimiento que usualmente la había acompañado. A través del estudio de este caso se utilizó la técnica de análisis de discurso para comprender la construcción de sentido del inicio de un cambio estratégico en las organizaciones. Esta técnica permitió analizar la información cualitativa derivada de las entrevistas que se realizaron en profundidad a la cúpula de directivos de la institución y a algunos destacados representantes del sector de la Educación Superior en Colombia. Los resultados sugieren que se hicieron presentes, efectivamente, algunas condiciones específicas que marcaron el inicio de un cambio estratégico en la institución y un viraje en su identidad e imagen. Hechos que se sustentaron en los miembros de un equipo que procuró interpretar y comprender los cambios existentes en el entorno global y local, y asimilar, igualmente, algunos destacados retos que se planteaban por aquella época, al interior de la propia Universidad

Caracterización de la cultura organizacional y lineamientos de intervención para la implementación de procesos de cambio en las organizaciones. Caso empresa sector financiero

El presente Trabajo de Grado busca caracterizar la cultura organizacional de una empresa del sector Financiero en Colombia y realizar orientaciones de acciones para el cambio organizacional de acuerdo con la estrategia de perdurabilidad establecida por la Alta Dirección de dicha empresa. Para este fin, se realiza una cuidadosa revisión y actualización del estado del arte de los conceptos clave ¨Cultura Organizacional¨ y ¨Cambio Organizacional¨. Es de resaltar que para el primero de ellos, se toma como punto de partida el estado del arte sobre Cultura Organizacional realizado por el profesor Carlos Eduardo Méndez Álvarez y cuyo marco temporal abarca desde los orígenes del concepto en el siglo XIX hasta el año 2006. Asimismo, luego de una cuidadosa revisión de los Modelos de Cambio Organizacional existentes y de la realidad de la empresa objeto de estudio, se adopta el Modelo ADKAR que consta de cinco fases: Conciencia del Cambio, Deseo, Conocimiento, Capacidad – Habilidad y Refuerzo. Asimismo, a partir de la construcción de un fundamento teórico sólido y a través de la aplicación de la metodología para describir la Cultura Organizacional en Colombia MEDECO se busca una aproximación a la Cultura Organizacional de la empresa objeto de estudio con el fin de describir e identificar los rasgos predominantes de su cultura organizacional y entregar una propuesta final con los rasgos necesarios que alientan la consecución exitosa de los procesos de cambio.

Automatic generation of active coordinates for quantum dynamics calculations: application to the dynamics of benzene photochemistry

A new practical method to generate a subspace of active coordinates for quantum dynamics calculations is presented. These reduced coordinates are obtained as the normal modes of an analytical quadratic representation of the energy difference between excited and ground states within the complete active space self-consistent field method. At the Franck-Condon point, the largest negative eigenvalues of this Hessian correspond to the photoactive modes: those that reduce the energy difference and lead to the conical intersection; eigenvalues close to 0 correspond to bath modes, while modes with large positive eigenvalues are photoinactive vibrations, which increase the energy difference. The efficacy of quantum dynamics run in the subspace of the photoactive modes is illustrated with the photochemistry of benzene, where theoretical simulations are designed to assist optimal control experiments

Polydispersity-induced macrophase separation in diblock copolymer melts

The effect of A-block polydispersity on the phase behavior of AB diblock copolymer melts is examined using a complete self-consistent field theory treatment that allows for fractionation of the parent molecular-weight distribution. In addition to observing the established shift in phase boundaries, we find the emergence of significant two-phase coexistence regions causing, for instance, the disappearance of the complex phase window. Furthermore, we find evidence that polydispersity relieves packing frustration, which will reduce the tendency for long-range order.

The role of satellite image-processing for national-scale estimates of gene flow from genetically modified crops: rapeseed in the UK as a model.

1. There is concern over the possibility of unwanted environmental change following transgene movement from genetically modified (GM) rapeseed Brassica napus to its wild and weedy relatives. 2. The aim of this research was to develop a remote sensing-assisted methodology to help quantify gene flow from crops to their wild relatives over wide areas. Emphasis was placed on locating sites of sympatry, where the frequency of gene flow is likely to be highest, and on measuring the size of rapeseed fields to allow spatially explicit modelling of wind-mediated pollen-dispersal patterns. 3. Remote sensing was used as a tool to locate rapeseed fields, and a variety of image-processing techniques was adopted to facilitate the compilation of a spatially explicit profile of sympatry between the crop and Brassica rapa. 4. Classified satellite images containing rapeseed fields were first used to infer the spatial relationship between donor rapeseed fields and recipient riverside B. rapa populations. Such images also have utility for improving the efficiency of ground surveys by identifying probable sites of sympatry. The same data were then also used for the calculation of mean field size. 5. This paper forms a companion paper to Wilkinson et al. (2003), in which these elements were combined to produce a spatially explicit profile of hybrid formation over the UK. The current paper demonstrates the value of remote sensing and image processing for large-scale studies of gene flow, and describes a generic method that could be applied to a variety of crops in many countries. 6. Synthesis and applications. The decision to approve or prevent the release of a GM cultivar is made at a national rather than regional level. It is highly desirable that data relating to the decision-making process are collected at the same scale, rather than relying on extrapolation from smaller experiments designed at the plot, field or even regional scale. It would be extremely difficult and labour intensive to attempt to carry out such large-scale investigations without the use of remote-sensing technology. This study used rapeseed in the UK as a model to demonstrate the value of remote sensing in assembling empirical information at a national level.

Architectural effect on the surface tension of an ABA triblock copolymer melt

The excess surface energy of lamellae formed by an ABA triblock copolymer melt oriented parallel to a neutral surface is evaluated using self-consistent field theory (SCFT). Consistent with experiments and previous SCFT calculations, we find a preference for the A-rich domains at the surface, which can only be attributed to the architectural asymmetry between the A and B blocks. The behavior was previously attributed to a loss of bridging configurations that occurs when the B-domain resides at the surface. Here we demonstrate that it is actually the presence of chain ends that reduces the excess surface energy of an A-rich domain relative that of a B-rich domain.

The role of satellite image-processing for national-scale estimates of gene flow from genetically modified crops: rapeseed in the UK as a model

1.There is concern over the possibility of unwanted environmental change following transgene movement from genetically modified (GM) rapeseed Brassica napus to its wild and weedy relatives. 2. The aim of this research was to develop a remote sensing-assisted methodology to help quantify gene flow from crops to their wild relatives over wide areas. Emphasis was placed on locating sites of sympatry, where the frequency of gene flow is likely to be highest, and on measuring the size of rapeseed fields to allow spatially explicit modelling of wind-mediated pollen-dispersal patterns. 3. Remote sensing was used as a tool to locate rapeseed fields, and a variety of image-processing techniques was adopted to facilitate the compilation of a spatially explicit profile of sympatry between the crop and Brassica rapa. 4. Classified satellite images containing rapeseed fields were first used to infer the spatial relationship between donor rapeseed fields and recipient riverside B. rapa populations. Such images also have utility for improving the efficiency of ground surveys by identifying probable sites of sympatry. The same data were then also used for the calculation of mean field size. 5. This paper forms a companion paper to Wilkinson et al. (2003), in which these elements were combined to produce a spatially explicit profile of hybrid formation over the UK. The current paper demonstrates the value of remote sensing and image processing for large-scale studies of gene flow, and describes a generic method that could be applied to a variety of crops in many countries. 6.Synthesis and applications. The decision to approve or prevent the release of a GM cultivar is made at a national rather than regional level. It is highly desirable that data relating to the decision-making process are collected at the same scale, rather than relying on extrapolation from smaller experiments designed at the plot, field or even regional scale. It would be extremely difficult and labour intensive to attempt to carry out such large-scale investigations without the use of remote-sensing technology. This study used rapeseed in the UK as a model to demonstrate the value of remote sensing in assembling empirical information at a national level.

Inverse problems in dynamic cognitive modeling

Inverse problems for dynamical system models of cognitive processes comprise the determination of synaptic weight matrices or kernel functions for neural networks or neural/dynamic field models, respectively. We introduce dynamic cognitive modeling as a three tier top-down approach where cognitive processes are first described as algorithms that operate on complex symbolic data structures. Second, symbolic expressions and operations are represented by states and transformations in abstract vector spaces. Third, prescribed trajectories through representation space are implemented in neurodynamical systems. We discuss the Amari equation for a neural/dynamic field theory as a special case and show that the kernel construction problem is particularly ill-posed. We suggest a Tikhonov-Hebbian learning method as regularization technique and demonstrate its validity and robustness for basic examples of cognitive computations.

Fast and accurate SCFT calculations for periodic block-copolymer morphologies using the spectral method with Anderson mixing

We study the numerical efficiency of solving the self-consistent field theory (SCFT) for periodic block-copolymer morphologies by combining the spectral method with Anderson mixing. Using AB diblock-copolymer melts as an example, we demonstrate that this approach can be orders of magnitude faster than competing methods, permitting precise calculations with relatively little computational cost. Moreover, our results raise significant doubts that the gyroid (G) phase extends to infinite $\chi N$. With the increased precision, we are also able to resolve subtle free-energy differences, allowing us to investigate the layer stacking in the perforated-lamellar (PL) phase and the lattice arrangement of the close-packed spherical (S$_{cp}$) phase. Furthermore, our study sheds light on the existence of the newly discovered Fddd (O$^{70}$) morphology, showing that conformational asymmetry has a significant effect on its stability.

Droplets of structured fluid on a flat substrate

We study the equilibrium morphology of droplets of symmetric AB diblock copolymer on a flat substrate. Using self-consistent field theory (SCFT), we provide the first predictions for the equilibrium droplet shape and its internal structure. When the sustrate affinity for the A component, $\eta_A$, is small, the droplet adopts a nearly spherical shape much like that of simple fluids. Inside the spherical droplet, however, concentric circular lamellar layers stack on top of each other; hence the thickness of the droplet is effectively quantized by a half-integer or integer number of layers. At larger $\eta_A$ and smaller contact angle, the area of the upper-most layer becomes relatively large, resulting in a nearly flat, faceted top surface, followed by a semi-spherical slope. This geometry is remarkably reminiscent of the droplet shapes observed with smetic liquid crystals.

Positioning Janus nanoparticles in block copolymer scaffolds

The periodic domains formed by block copolymer melts have been heralded as potential scaffolds for arranging nanoparticles in 3d space, provided we can control the positioning of the particles. Recent experiments have located particles at the domain interfaces by grafting mixed brushes to their surfaces. Here the underlying mechanism, which involves the transformation into Janus particles, is investigated with self-consistent field theory using a new multi-coordinate-system algorithm.

Unit-cell approximation for diblock−copolymer brushes grafted to spherical particles

This paper examines the equilibrium phase behavior of thin diblock-copolymer films tethered to a spherical core, using numerical self-consistent field theory (SCFT). The computational cost of the calculation is greatly reduced by implementing the unit-cell approximation (UCA) routinely used in the study of bulk systems. This provides a tremendous reduction in computational time, permitting us to map out the phase behavior more extensively and allowing us to consider far larger particles. The main consequence of the UCA is that it omits packing frustration, but evidently the effect is minor for large particles. On the other hand, when the particles are small, the UCA calculation can be readily followed up with the full SCFT, the comparison to which conveniently allows one to quantitatively assess the effect of packing frustration.

Compression of polyelectrolyte brushes in a salt-free theta solvent

This paper examines the normal force between two opposing polyelectrolyte brushes and the interpenetration of their chains that is responsible for sliding friction. It focuses on the special case of semi-dilute brushes in a salt-free theta solvent, for which Zhulina and Borisov [J. Chem. Phys., {\bf 107}, 5952, (1997)] have derived analytical predictions using the classical strong-stretching theory (SST) introduced by Semenov and developed by Milner, Witten and Cates. Interestingly, the SST predicts that the brushes contract maintaining a polymer-free gap as they are compressed together, which provides an explanation for the ultra-low frictional forces observed in experiment. We examine the degree to which the SST predictions are affected by chain fluctuations by employing self-consistent field theory (SCFT). While the normal force is relatively unaffected, fluctuations are found to have a strong impact on brush interpenetration. Even still, the contraction of the brushes does significantly prolong the onset of interpenetration, implying that a sizeable normal force can be achieved before the sliding friction becomes significant.

Effects of polydispersity on the order-disorder transition of diblock copolymer melts

The effect of polydispersity on an AB diblock copolymer melt is investigated using latticebased Monte Carlo simulations. We consider melts of symmetric composition, where the B blocks are monodisperse and the A blocks are polydisperse with a Schultz-Zimm distribution. In agreement with experiment and self-consistent field theory (SCFT), we find that polydispersity causes a significant increase in domain size. It also induces a transition from flat to curved interfaces, with the polydisperse blocks residing on the inside of the interfacial curvature. Most importantly, the simulations show a relatively small shift in the order-disorder transition (ODT) in agreement with experiment, whereas SCFT incorrectly predicts a sizable shift towards higher temperatures.

Kinetics of layer hopping in a diblock copolymer lamellar phase

In the ordered state, symmetric diblock copolymers self-assemble into an anisotropic lamellar morphology. The equilibrium thickness of the lamellae is the result of a delicate balance between enthalpic and entropic energies, which can be tuned by controlling the temperature. Here we devise a simple yet powerful method of detecting tiny changes in the lamellar thickness using optical microscopy. From such measurements we characterize the enthalpic interaction as well as the kinetics of molecules as they hop from one layer to the next in order to adjust the lamellar thickness in response to a temperature jump. The resolution of the measurements facilitate a direct comparison to predictions from self-consistent field theory.