The Moroccan university: Between the plurality of controls and the primordiality of instrumentation by management control: an exploratory qualitative analysis of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah University

Abstract The aim of this article is to study the reality of the performance management and control system in universities. The research methodology used, based on a qualitative approach, is founded on a case study of the Sidi Mohamed ben Abdellah University in Fez. The results obtained showed first of all the existence of a plurality of control modes within university establishments, which complicates the performance management system. On the other hand, with this plurality, we noted the lack of a management control system, which is closely linked to performance. Thus, our findings demonstrate the need to change the traditional culture of management based on means, and to orientate it towards new managerial practices inspired by the private sector, in this case management control. The stakeholders interviewed are very interested in this orientation, focusing on the culture of results and performance, which is manifested in all dimensions of university performance: scientific research, pedagogy, governance and openness. Key words: Performance management system, Control system, University, New public management, Organizational and cultural change, Management control. Résumé Cet article étudie la réalité du système de contrôle et de management de la performance dans les universités. La méthodologie de recherche mobilisée, basée sur une approche qualitative, est fondée sur une étude de cas à savoir l’université sidi Mohamed ben Abdellah de Fès. Les résultats obtenus ont d’abord montré l’existence d’une pluralité de modes de contrôle au sein des établissements universitaires ce qui complexifie le système de management de la performance et la nécessité de se doter d’un système de contrôle de gestion qui est en relation intime avec la performance. Ainsi, nos aboutissements démontrent la nécessité de changer la culture traditionnelle de management basée sur les moyens et l’orienter plutôt vers de nouvelles pratiques managériales inspirées du secteur privé, en l’occurrence le contrôle de gestion. Les parties prenantes interviewées portent beaucoup d’intérêts à cette orientation en se centrant sur la culture de résultat et de performance qui se manifeste sur toutes les dimensions de la performance universitaire à savoir : la recherche scientifique, la pédagogie, la gouvernance et l’ouverture. Mots clés : Système de management de la performance, Système de contrôle, Université, Nouveau management public, Changement organisationnel et culturel, Contrôle de gestion

INVESTIGATION OF THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF POLY (ETHYLENE GLYCOL) DIACRYLATE BY NANOINDENTATION USING ATOMIC FORCE MICROSCOPY

Poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel based polymers are among the most widely used synthetic materials for biomedical applications. Because of their biocompatibility, and ease of fabrication, hydrogels are highly suitable for use as constructs to engineer tissues as well as for cell transplantation. A critical parameter of importance for PEG hydrogels is their mechanical properties which are highly dependent on the environmental conditions. Properties of PEG-based hydrogels can be engineered to resemble scaffolds composed of extracellular matrix molecules, which provide structural support, adhesive sites and mechanical as well as biomechanical signals to most cells. The mechanical properties of these synthetic scaffolds can affect the migration, proliferation and differentiation of the cells. Accordingly, it is important to investigate the mechanical properties of these hydrogels and observe their effect on cell behavior as PEG-based scaffolds for example. In this research, the objective is to measure the mechanical properties such as the elastic modulus (Ec) and the stiffness (S) of polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel matrices at the nanoscale. The effect of varying parameters in the fabrication of PEGDA hydrogels including monomer molecular weight, initiator concentration and rates of hydration were investigated via nanoindentation using an atomic force microscope (AFM). Two different silicon nitride based cantilevers were used to study the effect of varying loading rates on the mechanical properties of these materials. Indentation parameters such as loads applied and indent depths were varied for each hydrogel sample. Different models were used to fit the experimental data to obtain the parameters of interest for the material (Ec and S). In particular, the data was best described using the model of Oliver-Pharr to analyze and fit the nanoindentation curves. Scanning electron microscope was used to image and confirm the geometry of the tip before and after the indentation experiments. Under high load and displacement modes, the indentation analysis was relatively easy and the elastic modulus and stiffness values were obtained for all dry PEGDA hydrogel sample. The variation of the initiator concentration has been analyzed as well. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel increase as the amount of the initiator increase in the precursor. The degree of hydration dramatically affects the mechanical behavior of the PEGDA. The presence of water within the hydrogel network weakens the internal as well the external mechanical properties, leading to smaller values of elastic modulus and stiffness compared with the dry condition. The mechanical properties of the indenter (cantilever tips) have significant impact on the results. It is important to study carefully the indenter properties before and after the indentation experiments. Since little work has been done on investigating the mechanical properties of PEGDA hydrogels at the nanoscale via AFM, the analysis of the mechanical behavior of this type of hydrogel using this strategy is of great importance

Real Exchange Rate Misalignment and Economic Growth: An Empirical Study for the Maghreb Countries

It has long been recognized in academic and policy debates that domestic policies play an important role in explaining economic growth. The paper investigates the role of real exchange rate (RER) misalignment on long-run growth in three countries of the Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) over the period 1980-2008. We fi rst estimate equilibrium RER relying on the Fundamental Equilibrium Exchange Rate (FEER) approach, from which misalignment is derived. Second, we estimate a dynamic panel growth model in which among the traditional determinants of growth, our measure of misalignment is included. The results indicate that the coeffi cient for RER misalignment is negative, which means that a more depreciated (appreciated) RER helps (harms) long-run growth. As a consequence, an appropriate exchange rate policy would close the gap between RER and its equilibrium level

Real Exchange Rate Misalignment and Economic Growth: An Empirical Study for the Maghreb Countries

It has long been recognized in academic and policy debates that domestic policies play an important role in explaining economic growth. The paper investigates the role of real exchange rate (RER) misalignment on long-run growth in three countries of the Maghreb countries (Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco) over the period 1980-2008. We fi rst estimate equilibrium RER relying on the Fundamental Equilibrium Exchange Rate (FEER) approach, from which misalignment is derived. Second, we estimate a dynamic panel growth model in which among the traditional determinants of growth, our measure of misalignment is included. The results indicate that the coeffi cient for RER misalignment is negative, which means that a more depreciated (appreciated) RER helps (harms) long-run growth. As a consequence, an appropriate exchange rate policy would close the gap between RER and its equilibrium level