La gestion des conflits interpersonnels en milieu universitaire

Cet article examine l'utilisation et l'efficacité des méthodes de gestion de conflit interpersonnel utilisées par les doyens d'université avec leurs directeurs de département et les professeurs de leur faculté. L'auteur discute les implications théoriques de l'étude pour la gestion des conflits ainsi que les implications pratiques pour l'administrateur.This study is based on three models, those of: Pondy, Blake and Mouton, and Thomas. The author particularly refers to the five main methods or strategies for managing interpersonal conflict developed by Blake and Mouton.The subject of the article is the university dean. It examines his efforts at management of conflicts with department directors and teaching staff, and their effectiveness. The sample includes five Ontario universities of average size, and five deans on each campus, representing various disciplines and professional faculties. Interviews were conducted with them, and a questionnaire was sent to all department directors concerned.Five hypotheses were developed along the lines of Blake and Mouton methods/strategies for managing interpersonal conflict, each related also to efficiency.As far as results are concerned, "problem solving" is perceived for example, by department directors as the best method used by deans to manage interpersonal conflict. However, this is not the style used by most deans."Forcing" used in a general way in conflict management are seen as inefficient by teaching staff. However, periodic constraint in specific areas is considered slightly effective by department directors.Professors see "compromising" as moderately effective when used as an overall style of conflict management. Department directors interpret this style as "neutral" efficiency when used in specific areas. According to department heads and professors, this is the style most frequently used."Smoothing" is considered moderately effective when used as a general style of conflict management by professors, while department heads see it as neutral or slightly ineffective when used in specific areas

Deans in Canadian Universities: A Managerial Perspective

The main objective of this article is to investigate the dean's roles and functions from a managerial perspective. It reports the findings of an empirical study con- ducted in selected Canadian universities which tried to identify the dimensions of an effective deanship and find correlates of effective performance for a dean. More specifically, this article focuses on the following variables and their relation- ships: dean's managerial effectiveness, dean's conflict-handling modes, length of time the dean has served in office and size of the dean's faculty.Cet article a pour objectif principal d'examiner les fonctions et les rôles de doyen d'université dans une perspective managériale. L'article s'appuie sur une étude empirique qui fil t réalisée à partir d'un échantillon d'universités canadiennes. L'enquête cherchait à identifier les principales dimensions et facteurs qui consti-tuent et influencent l'efficacité administrative des doyens d 'université. Cet article s'intéresse, d'une façon plus spécifique, aux variables suivantes et à leurs relations entre elles: efficacité managériale des doyens, modes de gestion des conflits utilisés par les doyens, le temps que les doyens ont servi dans leurs fonctions, la. taille de la faculté des doyens

Impact damage evolution under fatigue loading by InfraRed Thermography on composite structures

This study deals with cumulative damage and its evolution in already impact damage composite structure. In order to follow the growing damage and to compare it with cumulative model, tests are monitored with an InfraRed thermography system. A carbon-epoxy composite is first low-energy impacted and then fatigued under tension-compression loading. This study also enables a very fast analysis of predicting the damage evolution coupling InfraRed Thermography as NDT method and InfraRed thermography as a following system

Les marchés aux bestiaux : Paris et sa banlieue

Appréhender l'évolution multiséculaire et les variations saisonnières de l'approvisionnement de Paris en bestiaux de boucherie-charcuterie, du XVIIe au début du XXe siècle, nécessite au préalable de lister les lieux de marché. Ces derniers sont particulièrement nombreux, avec d'importantes variations spacio-temporelles — il est que les marchés sont particulièrement recherchés en raison des importants droits qu'ils procurent. Progressivement, Sceaux et Poissy s'imposeront pour la boucherie au XVIIIe siècle, le marché de Paris étant lui concurrencé par Saint-Germain-en-Laye pour les porcs. Au XIXe siècle, malgré le bel épisode de La Chapelle, l'essentiel tient à la mise en place de La Villette. L'approvisionnement de Paris et de sa banlieue croit quasiment constamment : en trois siècles, du début du XVIIe au début du XXe siècle, il fait plus que décupler. De fortes variations séculaires — l'accélération décisive de la croissance encadre le milieu du XIXe siècle — se conjuguent avec d'importantes modifications entre les types animaux — le porc progresse plus que la viande de boucherie, mais c'est avant tout le fait du XIXe siècle, le bœuf est le grand gagnant au XVIIIe siècle... L'augmentation des quantités livrées sur les marchés de Paris se fait grâce aux vieilles régions productrices, mais aussi par la mise à contribution de nouvelles régions, ce qui permet de gommer très largement les variations saisonnières, d'autant plus facilement que l'interdit religieux du Carême s'estompe pendant la période.Looking ahead to the development and seasonal variation in the supply of livestock to Paris from the 17th century to the early 18th century, requires taking a census of market venues. The latter were numerous and witnessed variations over time and in the space they covered. Sceaux and Poissy were earmarked for beef products in the 18th century while Paris vied with Saint-Germain-en-Laye for pork. The major event of the 19th century was the setting up of La Villette. Supply increased by more than tenfold from the beginning of the 17th century to the beginning of the 20th century. The increase in quantities delivered was met by established producing regions and the contribution of new ones. This helped reduce seasonal variations while concurrently the interdict of Lent became less distinct

Fatigue behaviour of impacted composite structures

The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical behavior of different impact-damaged composite materials. Three composite materials were realized using the Liquid Resin Infusion process (LRI) accord- ing to three different cycles of polymerization. Thus the temperature of the glass transition of the resin was controlled and the influence of this parameter was then determined. In accordance with the aeronautical use of composite materials, the plates were subjected to Barely Visible Impact Damage (BVID). Two experimental methods were developed to ensure that impact condi- tions were respected. The first method, using the numerical digitalization of surfaces made it possible to reconstruct the defect. Thus the residual indentation could be measured. This indentation had to be lower than 0.3 mm. The second method, using passive infrared thermography, enabled the thermal cartography on the surface to be determined. The size of the damage area was then obtained. Through the use of these two methods, the best cycle of polymerization was determined and fatigue tests were carried out to estimate the evolution of the defect. For this purpose and in compliance with impact and fatigue testing standards, a new and adapted sample was imagined (FAI sample). The fatigue testing conditions were determined to avoid buckling effects and to limit the rise of the temperature of the sample. An experimental method using infrared thermography was then developed to follow the size evolution of the defect. This real time evolution was then compared to the loss of rigidity of the sample

The detection of aeronautical defects in-situ on composite structures using Non Destructive Testing

A study of three Non Destructive Testing methods (Ultrasonic Testing, InfraRed Thermography and Speckle Shearing Interferometry, known as Shearography) was carried out on different specific types of composite specimens having a variety of defects. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of these NDT methods in the detection of in-situ defects resulting from Barely Visible Impact Damages (BVID) or in-service damages to complex surfaces such as wings or rods. The size and position of all the defects were determined by GVI (General Visual Inspection): GVI being the reference. The evaluation of the three NDT techniques enabled conclusions to be drawn regarding defect detection and size. The first part of the study deals with determining and measuring defects. It appears that only the ultrasonic method enables the depth of a defect to be determined. In the second part of the study, the results obtained by the three NDT methods are compared. Finally, the feasibility and the time taken to set up the experimental protocol are analyzed. The study shows that all the defects were revealed by, at least, one of the three NDT methods. Nevertheless it appears that InfraRed Thermography and Shearography produced results very quickly (in about 10 s) compared to Ultrasonic Testing

Effects of the nature of the doping salt and of the thermal pre-treatment and sintering temperature on spark plasma sintering of transparent alumina

A slurry of a-Al2O3 was doped with Mg, Zr and La nitrates or chlorides, in various amounts in the range 150-500 wt ppm and then freeze-dried to produce nanosized doped powder (~150 nm). The powder was sintered by SPS to yield transparent polycrystalline alpha alumina. The influence of the nature of the doping element and the starting salt, the thermal treatment before sintering and the sintering emperature on the transparency of the ceramics were investigated. The transparency of the ceramics of nanosized Al2O3 was shown to depend mainly on the way the powder was prepared, the nature of the doping salt also had an effect. Finally, a high real inline transmittance, reaching 48.1% was achieved after optimization

Diversity in Biorefinery : an interdisciplinary approachon Science, Business and "doubly green" Chemistry

International audienceThe word “biorefinery” was coined to describe an industrial process of cracking biomass resembling the industrial cracking of fossil carbon (Kamm and Kamm, 2005). But it can also be seen as an "Intermediary Object" (Vinck 2009) socially constructed by macroactors in European projects such as "Star-Colibri", with a view to developing a particular vision of the transition towards the use of renewable resources. Narrative approaches are mobilized by sociologists to describe the complexity of systemic change in a multilevel perspective (Grin, Rotmans and Schot, 2010). Narratives have also been used in Economics and Management of Technologies since the works of David (1985) to Dumez and Jeunemaitre (2005), to identify and describe various potential technological trajectories. We used a similar (analysis, cognitive process, method, procedure.) in the course of an interdisciplinary approach involving economists chemists and biochemists. Our "narrative approach" aims at highlighting the diversity of technological expectations. In the dominant vision of the biorefinery, large-scale units crack the biomass into a limited number (top 10 chemical intermediates) of standardized "small molecules", easily purified and introduced into the traditional petrochemical processes. Production of liquid fuels ("bio"-fuels) would enable economic operators to reach this large scale, while chemicals with high added value should ensure their economic balance (Bozell, Petersen 2010). However, other technical routes are worth considering: For example the intrinsic complexity and self-organization properties of biomass materials can be used as a way to introducing principles of green chemistry in processes operating more systematically on the macromolecular level ("one pot", whole plant, "reactive extrusion", modified starches, photochemistry and so on ..). They minimize fractionation steps and thus the use of energy or water. They can also entail smaller scale chemical units, which would not need to be stitched to the existing network of large-scale commodities production (of "bio"fuels,) and would be better rooted in local production areas. The discussion on the transition must therefore integrate the diversity of possible technical (ways) (routes) and examine how institutional policies support either of these solutions

Évaluation des retombées d'un programme de formation en gestion de dirigeants de PME

Cet article rend compte d'une expérience d'évaluation d'un programme de formation offert à l'intention de propriétairesdirigeants de PME québécoises par le ministère de l'Industrie, du Commerce et de la Technologie de la province. La recherche utilise le modèle de Kirkpatrick qui propose d'évaluer un programme déformation selon quatre niveaux distincts: réactions, apprentissage, comportements et résultats. Deux cent quatre-vingt-un participants ont été rejoints par téléphone au moins un an après la tenue de leur séminaire. L'étude documente d'une façon descriptive les différents niveaux d'impact du programme de formation. Elle apporte un éclairage nouveau sur une opération rarement effectuée qui présente de nombreuses difficultés d'ordre théorique et opérationnel.Leaders of Quebec small businesses have access to a large number of management training programs offered by private and public agencies. Those who enroll in such programs hope to generate positive results for their business. However, the real impacts of the programs are not well documented. This paper is an account of an empirical evaluation of a training program offered to owner-managers of small businesses by the ministere de l'Industrie, du Commerce et de la Technologie (MICT) of the Province of Quebec. CONTEXT OF THE STUDYIn 1988, the MICT offered 28 different seminars, 18 of which were aimed at owners of industrial firms, and 10 at owners of commercial and service companies. The topics discussed covered a wide range of subjects presented in workshops going from basic seminars (such as, financial and human resources management) to advanced seminars (such as, "just-in-time" management techniques and strategic planning). Seminars are in the form of one-day workshops with 10 to 15 participants.A workshop leader, generally a consultant, university professor or businessman recognized for his competence, is responsible for the transmission of information using audio-visual materials. He introduces many practical examples and encourages communication between the participants, who are then invited to discuss their real-life business problems and to prepare concrete action plans to be implemented when they return to their organization.THE KIRKPATRICK MODELA review of the literature in training program evaluation indicates that this operation is rated as essential by all authors in the field. However, it is only rarely carried out in practice. Even when an evaluation is attempted, it is often limited to measuring the participants' reaction to the seminar since it presents a number of theoretical and operational difficulties. However, our review of the literature enabled us to locate a model which is accepted as an authority by training professionals. The Kirkpatrick model proposes an analysis of the effectiveness of a training program according to four levels: reactions, learning and behaviours of the participant and results for the organization.METHODOLOGYFrom September 1986 to June 1987, the MICT seminars attracted some 3000 people. The sample is made up of about 10% of the population, namely 189 leaders of industnal businesses and 92 leaders of commercial businesses, making a total of 281 in all. Data was gathered by phone in March 1988, approximately one year after the seminar was held, using a questionnaire based on the Kirkpatrick model.RESULTSThe participants' reactions towards the seminar are the first evaluation level in the Kirkpatrick model. On the whole, the MICT seminars seem to have been well rated by the participants. The satisfaction level is very high with respect to content and format as well as teaching and logistic support for the sessions. The second evaluation level, learning, is an attempt to determine to what extent the information transmitted in the seminars was learned and mastered. The seminars seem to have been well assimilated by the participants, since 86,9% of them state that they are completely or moderately in a position to use what they have learned during the session.The third evaluation level aims to shed light on the changes undergone by the participant, new behaviours and projects undertaken as a result of the new knowledge. Changes in the participant himself as a result of the seminar were identified. Two hundred and thirty-eight participants generated 306 reflections that were classified under three headings: (1) Awakening, Increase in Knowledge and Awareness (33,7%), (2) Changes in Values and/or Priorities (33,3%), (3) Changes in Behaviour (33%).The seminars had a concrete impact in terms of new projects. In fact, 51,2% of the respondents state that the knowledge acquired gave rise to a concrete project or activity in their enterprise. They mentioned 198 activities or projects which have been classified into nine categories. They are: (1) New Systems or Methods (38,9%), (2) Changes to Already Existing Systems or Methods (27,3%), (3) Analysis and Planning Activities (8,6%), (4) Establishment and Start-up of a New Unit (8,6%), (5) Training Activities (6,1%), (6) Hiring of Personnel (3,5%), (7) Purchase of Equipment or Real Estate (1,5%). Three per cent of the respondents were unable to specify the exact nature of their project.The fourth evaluation level of the Kirkpatrick model uses different performance indicators to measure the effects of new projects and behaviour patterns on the organization. One hundred and fourty-four respondents listed 205 consequences for their own enterprise. These consequences were classified according to the type of impact.They are positive for the enterprise in all but a few cases (4). Negative impacts are considered as temporary or compensated by positive ones in other functional spheres of the enterprise. The consequences for the enterprise are: (1) Turnover/ Sales (13,7%), (2) Profits (9,8%), (3) Costs (12,7%), (4) Management/Control (20,5%), (5) Personnel (18,5%), (6) Product (7,3%), (7) Market (6,3%), (8) Undefïned or Non-measurable Impact (9,3%), (8) Negative Impact (2,0%). CONCLUSIONBased on the results of the study as a whole, it is possible to summarize the impacts of the seminars on the participants and their businesses as being positive or even very positive. The program of the management seminars offered by the MICT seems to be a valuable tool for spreading information among small business managers whose need for training has been confirmed by several studies. The Kirkpatrick model was found to be a valuable tool in this evaluation. It is systematic, complete and intuitively logical. Moreover, it was relatively easy to operationalize. The instrument developed for this study is economic and flexible, since the survey may be done by phone. To conclude, the Kirkpatrick model is an adequate response to the theoretical, methodological and practical challenges of training program evaluation