the symbolic messages of two pairs of advertisements (perfumes and cigarettes) are decoded using semiotic analysis in order to compare the different strategies that are utilized to target different customer groups according to demographic variables such as gender and age. The findings of the semiotic analysis are discussed from the point of view of effective advertising campaigns.
Sources of Innovative Opportunity and Mass-Customization – An Analysis of ...Mikko Ahonen
A short 15-minutes presentation in the 5th World Conference on Mass Customization & Personalization MCPC2009 in Helsinki, Finland.
The actual research paper can be found at: http://beyondcreativity.blogs.com/mblog/2009/09/masscustomization-mcpc2009-emf-health-business-in-drucker-framework.html
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014 Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice 24-28 August 2014 in Davos, Switzerland
the symbolic messages of two pairs of advertisements (perfumes and cigarettes) are decoded using semiotic analysis in order to compare the different strategies that are utilized to target different customer groups according to demographic variables such as gender and age. The findings of the semiotic analysis are discussed from the point of view of effective advertising campaigns.
Sources of Innovative Opportunity and Mass-Customization – An Analysis of ...Mikko Ahonen
A short 15-minutes presentation in the 5th World Conference on Mass Customization & Personalization MCPC2009 in Helsinki, Finland.
The actual research paper can be found at: http://beyondcreativity.blogs.com/mblog/2009/09/masscustomization-mcpc2009-emf-health-business-in-drucker-framework.html
5th International Disaster and Risk Conference IDRC 2014 Integrative Risk Management - The role of science, technology & practice 24-28 August 2014 in Davos, Switzerland
Panel I: "International Disaster and Risk Reduction, Sustainability and Resiliency"
Wolfgang Kroeger, Professor, ETH Risk Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Understanding the Role of Thermography in Energy Auditing: Current Practices...Matthew Louis Mauriello
Our talk at CHI2015 in Seoul, South Korea. Find more information at: http://www.cs.umd.edu/~mattm/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzCuvr8QB4U
Makeability Lab: http://www.cs.umd.edu/~jonf/
ABSTRACT
The building sector accounts for 41% of primary energy consumption in the US, contributing an increasing portion of the country's carbon dioxide emissions. With recent sensor improvements and falling costs, auditors are increasingly using thermography-infrared (IR) cameras-to detect thermal defects and analyze building efficiency. Research in automated thermography has grown commensurately, aimed at reducing manual labor and improving thermal models. Though promising, we could find no prior work exploring the professional auditor's perspectives of thermography or reactions to emerging automation. To address this gap, we present results from two studies: a semi-structured interview with 10 professional energy auditors, which includes design probes of five automated thermography scenarios, and an observational case study of a residential audit. We report on common perspectives, concerns, and benefits related to thermography and summarize reactions to our automated scenarios. Our findings have implications for thermography tool designers as well as researchers working on automated solutions in robotics, computer science, and engineering.
Knowledge Generation, Use and Management in Sustainable Infrastructure Engi...William Hall
Guest lecture slides for University of Melbourne course in sustainable engineering.
Covers the following topics:
Key frameworks of understanding for sustainability practice
o Tragedy of the commons
o Elinor Ostrom (Nobel Laureate) on models of governance
o Herbert Simon (Nobel Laureate) on
- Theoretical basis for decision support
- Theory of hierarchically complex systems
o Intersecting theories of organization and knowledge
Engineering for sustainability unavoidably involves understanding the social use of resources
o People, communities and their imperatives
o Social systems & infrastructure
o Knowledge & decision support
Topic 1 ― Sustainability and the “tragedy of the commons”
Infrastructure includes those components of the complex system of systems comprised of the environment and people responsible for mediating the material and energetic interactions of people, systems and their environment.
To successfully engineer infrastructure for sustainability you must understand the human components as well as the environmental components.
Topic 2 ― Theories of organization and knowledge
Physical theories are the basis for structural engineering.Theories of knowledge and organization are the basis for enterprise engineering. Knowledge has a physical basis.
Abstract
The number of internet-of-things (IoT) connected devices is increasing daily, providing new opportunities for information access and interactivity. This talk will focus on work developing low-cost, IoT systems for social good using a user-centered design approach with a focus on applications in the built environment. We will discuss how such systems can empower end-users through access to new information, provide services that alleviate their daily challenges, and discuss future directions for these increasingly ubiquitous technologies.
Bio:
Matthew Louis Mauriello is a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, where he was advised by Jon E. Froehlich, and an M.S./B.S. in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from the State University of New York at Albany. His research in the area of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) focuses on applying user-centered design and computer science techniques to social good problems, emphasizing those facing our health, education, environmental, and computing systems. His work has been published in top-tier venues for HCI and Ubiquitous Computing with several receiving awards for being in the top 5% of submissions at venues including the international SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI)—the premier venue for HCI research.
In this session, the concept of technology exaptation is introduced. With examples and descriptions, it is argued that exaptation can be a valuable approach to consider new applications for existing technology projects.
This is a session done with the University of Lorraine, Nancy, in 2021.
Creative destrution, Economic Feasibility, and Creative Destruction: The Case...Jeffrey Funk
This paper shows how new forms of electronic products and services such as smart phones, tablet computers and ride sharing become economically feasible and thus candidates for commercialization and creative destruction as improvements in standard electronic components such as microprocessors, memory, and displays occur. Unlike the predominant viewpoint in which commercialization is reached as advances in science facilitate design changes that enable improvements in performance and cost, most new forms of electronic products and services are not invented in a scientific sense and the cost and performance of them are primarily driven by improvements in standard components. They become candidates for commercialization as the cost and performance of standard components reach the levels necessary for the final products and services to have the required levels of performance and cost. This suggests that when managers, policy makers, engineers, and entrepreneurs consider the choice and timing of commercializing new electronic products and services, they should understand the composition of new technologies, the impact of components on a technology's cost, performance and design, and the rates of improvement in the components.
Engineering Ethics In Engineering
Engineering : Engineering And Ethics
The Importance Of Ethics In Engineering
Foundation Of Engineering Ethics And Values
Engineering Ethics Essay
Engineering Ethics
Ethics And Ethics Of Engineering Ethics
Ethics in Engineering Essay
Importance Of Ethics In Engineering
The Codes Of Ethics And Ethics In Engineering
Ethics in Technology Essay
11 09 14_experiences, physical artefacts in communication_jyväskyläMerja Bauters
Presentation at CILC II – Institutions, Interactivity, Individuals 2nd International Conference on Interactivity, Language and Cognition, September 11-12, 2014, Jyväskylä. Finland
Panel I: "International Disaster and Risk Reduction, Sustainability and Resiliency"
Wolfgang Kroeger, Professor, ETH Risk Center, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
Understanding the Role of Thermography in Energy Auditing: Current Practices...Matthew Louis Mauriello
Our talk at CHI2015 in Seoul, South Korea. Find more information at: http://www.cs.umd.edu/~mattm/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzCuvr8QB4U
Makeability Lab: http://www.cs.umd.edu/~jonf/
ABSTRACT
The building sector accounts for 41% of primary energy consumption in the US, contributing an increasing portion of the country's carbon dioxide emissions. With recent sensor improvements and falling costs, auditors are increasingly using thermography-infrared (IR) cameras-to detect thermal defects and analyze building efficiency. Research in automated thermography has grown commensurately, aimed at reducing manual labor and improving thermal models. Though promising, we could find no prior work exploring the professional auditor's perspectives of thermography or reactions to emerging automation. To address this gap, we present results from two studies: a semi-structured interview with 10 professional energy auditors, which includes design probes of five automated thermography scenarios, and an observational case study of a residential audit. We report on common perspectives, concerns, and benefits related to thermography and summarize reactions to our automated scenarios. Our findings have implications for thermography tool designers as well as researchers working on automated solutions in robotics, computer science, and engineering.
Knowledge Generation, Use and Management in Sustainable Infrastructure Engi...William Hall
Guest lecture slides for University of Melbourne course in sustainable engineering.
Covers the following topics:
Key frameworks of understanding for sustainability practice
o Tragedy of the commons
o Elinor Ostrom (Nobel Laureate) on models of governance
o Herbert Simon (Nobel Laureate) on
- Theoretical basis for decision support
- Theory of hierarchically complex systems
o Intersecting theories of organization and knowledge
Engineering for sustainability unavoidably involves understanding the social use of resources
o People, communities and their imperatives
o Social systems & infrastructure
o Knowledge & decision support
Topic 1 ― Sustainability and the “tragedy of the commons”
Infrastructure includes those components of the complex system of systems comprised of the environment and people responsible for mediating the material and energetic interactions of people, systems and their environment.
To successfully engineer infrastructure for sustainability you must understand the human components as well as the environmental components.
Topic 2 ― Theories of organization and knowledge
Physical theories are the basis for structural engineering.Theories of knowledge and organization are the basis for enterprise engineering. Knowledge has a physical basis.
Abstract
The number of internet-of-things (IoT) connected devices is increasing daily, providing new opportunities for information access and interactivity. This talk will focus on work developing low-cost, IoT systems for social good using a user-centered design approach with a focus on applications in the built environment. We will discuss how such systems can empower end-users through access to new information, provide services that alleviate their daily challenges, and discuss future directions for these increasingly ubiquitous technologies.
Bio:
Matthew Louis Mauriello is a postdoctoral scholar at Stanford University. He holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, where he was advised by Jon E. Froehlich, and an M.S./B.S. in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics from the State University of New York at Albany. His research in the area of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) focuses on applying user-centered design and computer science techniques to social good problems, emphasizing those facing our health, education, environmental, and computing systems. His work has been published in top-tier venues for HCI and Ubiquitous Computing with several receiving awards for being in the top 5% of submissions at venues including the international SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI)—the premier venue for HCI research.
In this session, the concept of technology exaptation is introduced. With examples and descriptions, it is argued that exaptation can be a valuable approach to consider new applications for existing technology projects.
This is a session done with the University of Lorraine, Nancy, in 2021.
Creative destrution, Economic Feasibility, and Creative Destruction: The Case...Jeffrey Funk
This paper shows how new forms of electronic products and services such as smart phones, tablet computers and ride sharing become economically feasible and thus candidates for commercialization and creative destruction as improvements in standard electronic components such as microprocessors, memory, and displays occur. Unlike the predominant viewpoint in which commercialization is reached as advances in science facilitate design changes that enable improvements in performance and cost, most new forms of electronic products and services are not invented in a scientific sense and the cost and performance of them are primarily driven by improvements in standard components. They become candidates for commercialization as the cost and performance of standard components reach the levels necessary for the final products and services to have the required levels of performance and cost. This suggests that when managers, policy makers, engineers, and entrepreneurs consider the choice and timing of commercializing new electronic products and services, they should understand the composition of new technologies, the impact of components on a technology's cost, performance and design, and the rates of improvement in the components.
Engineering Ethics In Engineering
Engineering : Engineering And Ethics
The Importance Of Ethics In Engineering
Foundation Of Engineering Ethics And Values
Engineering Ethics Essay
Engineering Ethics
Ethics And Ethics Of Engineering Ethics
Ethics in Engineering Essay
Importance Of Ethics In Engineering
The Codes Of Ethics And Ethics In Engineering
Ethics in Technology Essay
11 09 14_experiences, physical artefacts in communication_jyväskyläMerja Bauters
Presentation at CILC II – Institutions, Interactivity, Individuals 2nd International Conference on Interactivity, Language and Cognition, September 11-12, 2014, Jyväskylä. Finland
Presentation in Applying Peirce, The Second International Conference on Peirce's Thought and Its Applications, Helsinki, Finland & Tallinn, Estonia, 21-23 April 2014, http://www.nordprag.org/ap2.html
An ambitious collection of original readings introducing students to key
theory and key issues within cultural studies and popular culture.
Bringing together established writers such as Andy Bennett, Douglas
Kellner, Chris Rojek, Barry Smart and John Storey with academics
researching cultural texts in new and innovative ways, the book challenges
our common-sense notions of ‘culture’, placing debates centrally within
the power dynamics and dominant meaning-making of capitalist society.
With a total of twenty-fi ve chapters presented in a user-friendly style
this is an essential text for any student new to the subject.
Tiedonhankinta- ja osallistumisnäkökulman sijaan ”tiedonluomisnäkökulma”
oppimiseen. Vuorovaikutus työstettävien kohteiden ja tuotosten kehittämisen kautta, ei vain ihmisten välinen vuorovaikutus (“dialogisuus”) tai ihmisen mielen
prosessit (“monologisuus”)
Triadinen rakenne: kehitettävä kohde välittää yksilöiden (1.)
vuorovaikutusta toisten kehittäjien kanssa (2.) siten että kohde tarkoitettu
ja muokattu jatkokäyttöön ja –käyttäjille (3.)
Threats to mobile devices are more prevalent and increasing in scope and complexity. Users of mobile devices desire to take full advantage of the features
available on those devices, but many of the features provide convenience and capability but sacrifice security. This best practices guide outlines steps the users can take to better protect personal devices and information.
How to Get CNIC Information System with Paksim Ga.pptxdanishmna97
Pakdata Cf is a groundbreaking system designed to streamline and facilitate access to CNIC information. This innovative platform leverages advanced technology to provide users with efficient and secure access to their CNIC details.
Why You Should Replace Windows 11 with Nitrux Linux 3.5.0 for enhanced perfor...SOFTTECHHUB
The choice of an operating system plays a pivotal role in shaping our computing experience. For decades, Microsoft's Windows has dominated the market, offering a familiar and widely adopted platform for personal and professional use. However, as technological advancements continue to push the boundaries of innovation, alternative operating systems have emerged, challenging the status quo and offering users a fresh perspective on computing.
One such alternative that has garnered significant attention and acclaim is Nitrux Linux 3.5.0, a sleek, powerful, and user-friendly Linux distribution that promises to redefine the way we interact with our devices. With its focus on performance, security, and customization, Nitrux Linux presents a compelling case for those seeking to break free from the constraints of proprietary software and embrace the freedom and flexibility of open-source computing.
Goodbye Windows 11: Make Way for Nitrux Linux 3.5.0!SOFTTECHHUB
As the digital landscape continually evolves, operating systems play a critical role in shaping user experiences and productivity. The launch of Nitrux Linux 3.5.0 marks a significant milestone, offering a robust alternative to traditional systems such as Windows 11. This article delves into the essence of Nitrux Linux 3.5.0, exploring its unique features, advantages, and how it stands as a compelling choice for both casual users and tech enthusiasts.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of technologies, XML continues to play a vital role in structuring, storing, and transporting data across diverse systems. The recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) present new methodologies for enhancing XML development workflows, introducing efficiency, automation, and intelligent capabilities. This presentation will outline the scope and perspective of utilizing AI in XML development. The potential benefits and the possible pitfalls will be highlighted, providing a balanced view of the subject.
We will explore the capabilities of AI in understanding XML markup languages and autonomously creating structured XML content. Additionally, we will examine the capacity of AI to enrich plain text with appropriate XML markup. Practical examples and methodological guidelines will be provided to elucidate how AI can be effectively prompted to interpret and generate accurate XML markup.
Further emphasis will be placed on the role of AI in developing XSLT, or schemas such as XSD and Schematron. We will address the techniques and strategies adopted to create prompts for generating code, explaining code, or refactoring the code, and the results achieved.
The discussion will extend to how AI can be used to transform XML content. In particular, the focus will be on the use of AI XPath extension functions in XSLT, Schematron, Schematron Quick Fixes, or for XML content refactoring.
The presentation aims to deliver a comprehensive overview of AI usage in XML development, providing attendees with the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions. Whether you’re at the early stages of adopting AI or considering integrating it in advanced XML development, this presentation will cover all levels of expertise.
By highlighting the potential advantages and challenges of integrating AI with XML development tools and languages, the presentation seeks to inspire thoughtful conversation around the future of XML development. We’ll not only delve into the technical aspects of AI-powered XML development but also discuss practical implications and possible future directions.
Pushing the limits of ePRTC: 100ns holdover for 100 daysAdtran
At WSTS 2024, Alon Stern explored the topic of parametric holdover and explained how recent research findings can be implemented in real-world PNT networks to achieve 100 nanoseconds of accuracy for up to 100 days.
DevOps and Testing slides at DASA ConnectKari Kakkonen
My and Rik Marselis slides at 30.5.2024 DASA Connect conference. We discuss about what is testing, then what is agile testing and finally what is Testing in DevOps. Finally we had lovely workshop with the participants trying to find out different ways to think about quality and testing in different parts of the DevOps infinity loop.
Building RAG with self-deployed Milvus vector database and Snowpark Container...Zilliz
This talk will give hands-on advice on building RAG applications with an open-source Milvus database deployed as a docker container. We will also introduce the integration of Milvus with Snowpark Container Services.
20 Comprehensive Checklist of Designing and Developing a WebsitePixlogix Infotech
Dive into the world of Website Designing and Developing with Pixlogix! Looking to create a stunning online presence? Look no further! Our comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to know to craft a website that stands out. From user-friendly design to seamless functionality, we've got you covered. Don't miss out on this invaluable resource! Check out our checklist now at Pixlogix and start your journey towards a captivating online presence today.
Alt. GDG Cloud Southlake #33: Boule & Rebala: Effective AppSec in SDLC using ...James Anderson
Effective Application Security in Software Delivery lifecycle using Deployment Firewall and DBOM
The modern software delivery process (or the CI/CD process) includes many tools, distributed teams, open-source code, and cloud platforms. Constant focus on speed to release software to market, along with the traditional slow and manual security checks has caused gaps in continuous security as an important piece in the software supply chain. Today organizations feel more susceptible to external and internal cyber threats due to the vast attack surface in their applications supply chain and the lack of end-to-end governance and risk management.
The software team must secure its software delivery process to avoid vulnerability and security breaches. This needs to be achieved with existing tool chains and without extensive rework of the delivery processes. This talk will present strategies and techniques for providing visibility into the true risk of the existing vulnerabilities, preventing the introduction of security issues in the software, resolving vulnerabilities in production environments quickly, and capturing the deployment bill of materials (DBOM).
Speakers:
Bob Boule
Robert Boule is a technology enthusiast with PASSION for technology and making things work along with a knack for helping others understand how things work. He comes with around 20 years of solution engineering experience in application security, software continuous delivery, and SaaS platforms. He is known for his dynamic presentations in CI/CD and application security integrated in software delivery lifecycle.
Gopinath Rebala
Gopinath Rebala is the CTO of OpsMx, where he has overall responsibility for the machine learning and data processing architectures for Secure Software Delivery. Gopi also has a strong connection with our customers, leading design and architecture for strategic implementations. Gopi is a frequent speaker and well-known leader in continuous delivery and integrating security into software delivery.
Enchancing adoption of Open Source Libraries. A case study on Albumentations.AIVladimir Iglovikov, Ph.D.
Presented by Vladimir Iglovikov:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/iglovikov/
- https://x.com/viglovikov
- https://www.instagram.com/ternaus/
This presentation delves into the journey of Albumentations.ai, a highly successful open-source library for data augmentation.
Created out of a necessity for superior performance in Kaggle competitions, Albumentations has grown to become a widely used tool among data scientists and machine learning practitioners.
This case study covers various aspects, including:
People: The contributors and community that have supported Albumentations.
Metrics: The success indicators such as downloads, daily active users, GitHub stars, and financial contributions.
Challenges: The hurdles in monetizing open-source projects and measuring user engagement.
Development Practices: Best practices for creating, maintaining, and scaling open-source libraries, including code hygiene, CI/CD, and fast iteration.
Community Building: Strategies for making adoption easy, iterating quickly, and fostering a vibrant, engaged community.
Marketing: Both online and offline marketing tactics, focusing on real, impactful interactions and collaborations.
Mental Health: Maintaining balance and not feeling pressured by user demands.
Key insights include the importance of automation, making the adoption process seamless, and leveraging offline interactions for marketing. The presentation also emphasizes the need for continuous small improvements and building a friendly, inclusive community that contributes to the project's growth.
Vladimir Iglovikov brings his extensive experience as a Kaggle Grandmaster, ex-Staff ML Engineer at Lyft, sharing valuable lessons and practical advice for anyone looking to enhance the adoption of their open-source projects.
Explore more about Albumentations and join the community at:
GitHub: https://github.com/albumentations-team/albumentations
Website: https://albumentations.ai/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/100504475
Twitter: https://x.com/albumentations
Essentials of Automations: The Art of Triggers and Actions in FMESafe Software
In this second installment of our Essentials of Automations webinar series, we’ll explore the landscape of triggers and actions, guiding you through the nuances of authoring and adapting workspaces for seamless automations. Gain an understanding of the full spectrum of triggers and actions available in FME, empowering you to enhance your workspaces for efficient automation.
We’ll kick things off by showcasing the most commonly used event-based triggers, introducing you to various automation workflows like manual triggers, schedules, directory watchers, and more. Plus, see how these elements play out in real scenarios.
Whether you’re tweaking your current setup or building from the ground up, this session will arm you with the tools and insights needed to transform your FME usage into a powerhouse of productivity. Join us to discover effective strategies that simplify complex processes, enhancing your productivity and transforming your data management practices with FME. Let’s turn complexity into clarity and make your workspaces work wonders!
A tale of scale & speed: How the US Navy is enabling software delivery from l...sonjaschweigert1
Rapid and secure feature delivery is a goal across every application team and every branch of the DoD. The Navy’s DevSecOps platform, Party Barge, has achieved:
- Reduction in onboarding time from 5 weeks to 1 day
- Improved developer experience and productivity through actionable findings and reduction of false positives
- Maintenance of superior security standards and inherent policy enforcement with Authorization to Operate (ATO)
Development teams can ship efficiently and ensure applications are cyber ready for Navy Authorizing Officials (AOs). In this webinar, Sigma Defense and Anchore will give attendees a look behind the scenes and demo secure pipeline automation and security artifacts that speed up application ATO and time to production.
We will cover:
- How to remove silos in DevSecOps
- How to build efficient development pipeline roles and component templates
- How to deliver security artifacts that matter for ATO’s (SBOMs, vulnerability reports, and policy evidence)
- How to streamline operations with automated policy checks on container images
Dr. Sean Tan, Head of Data Science, Changi Airport Group
Discover how Changi Airport Group (CAG) leverages graph technologies and generative AI to revolutionize their search capabilities. This session delves into the unique search needs of CAG’s diverse passengers and customers, showcasing how graph data structures enhance the accuracy and relevance of AI-generated search results, mitigating the risk of “hallucinations” and improving the overall customer journey.
Encryption in Microsoft 365 - ExpertsLive Netherlands 2024Albert Hoitingh
In this session I delve into the encryption technology used in Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Purview. Including the concepts of Customer Key and Double Key Encryption.
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 6DianaGray10
Welcome to UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series part 6. In this session, we will cover Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI.
UiPath Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI webinar offers an in-depth exploration of leveraging cutting-edge technologies for test automation within the UiPath platform. Attendees will delve into the integration of generative AI, a test automation solution, with Open AI advanced natural language processing capabilities.
Throughout the session, participants will discover how this synergy empowers testers to automate repetitive tasks, enhance testing accuracy, and expedite the software testing life cycle. Topics covered include the seamless integration process, practical use cases, and the benefits of harnessing AI-driven automation for UiPath testing initiatives. By attending this webinar, testers, and automation professionals can gain valuable insights into harnessing the power of AI to optimize their test automation workflows within the UiPath ecosystem, ultimately driving efficiency and quality in software development processes.
What will you get from this session?
1. Insights into integrating generative AI.
2. Understanding how this integration enhances test automation within the UiPath platform
3. Practical demonstrations
4. Exploration of real-world use cases illustrating the benefits of AI-driven test automation for UiPath
Topics covered:
What is generative AI
Test Automation with generative AI and Open AI.
UiPath integration with generative AI
Speaker:
Deepak Rai, Automation Practice Lead, Boundaryless Group and UiPath MVP
UiPath Test Automation using UiPath Test Suite series, part 6
Antti Silvast Electricity Supply Risks in a Socio-Semiotic Framework
1. Semiotiikan X Oscarin päivän seminaari
27.11.2009
Electricity Supply Risks in a Socio-Semiotic
Framework
Antti Silvast
Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki
2. The structure of the presentation
About the PhD project
Previous research
Research design
Tentative results
3. The PhD is part of the Managing Insecurity
research project (2009-2011)
The main objective of the project is to examine the role of
risk technologies in the management of insecurities, and
in the production of welfare in the Nordic context,
especially in Finland.
The empirical subprojects focus on four different fields
where risk techniques are applied: life insurance and
insurance medicine, the management of private
economies through insurance, the production of solidarity
with private and social insurance, and the management
of electricity supply.
4. Previous research: control room
ethnographies
Interviews and observations that are focused on control
rooms of various infrastructure companies, for example:
California’s electricity system operator CAISO (Schulman
et al 2004; Schulman & Roe 2008; de Bruijne 2006).
The Dutch landline and mobile telecommunications
company KPN Mobile (de Bruijne 2006) .
The passenger railway company Dutch Railways
(Steenhuijsen 2009).
The Dutch rail infrastructure manager ProRail (ibid).
5. Control room ethnographies
The studies claim that operator skills, experience and
knowledge are central for the real-time balancing between
careful anticipation of uncertainties and improvisation in
the face of “turbulent inputs” (Schulman & Roe 2008, 64).
Operators (e.g. controllers, dispatchers, technical
supervisors, department heads) as reliability professionals.
Furthermore, also particularly interest on the inter-
organizational aspects of control rooms.
Links and feedback through telephones, pagers, computers,
communication systems, real-time measurements etc.
(Schulman et al 2004, 16; de Bruijne 2006, 89.)
6. Control room ethnographies
The deregulation, oversight, liberalization and
privatization of infrastructure services -> the fragmentation
of infrastructure organizations and institutions.
Hence an increasingly central aspect of infrastructures’
reliability: the skills, experience and knowledge of the
control room operators.
7. Research design
Main question: how is reliable electricity provision
accomplished during day-to-day work in Finnish electricity
distribution companies?
No society-wide or culture-wide theoretical/sociological
presuppositions of ”risk” or ”security”
8. Research design
For data gathering, interviewing at the control rooms.
Conduct interviews at the control rooms where work is going
on .
Start with very general questions, then move on to detailed
questions and ’probes’ (comments, repetition of the replies,
request for clarifications, summaries) (Gobo 2008, ch. 11.)
9. Descriptions from a research site of one
company
The control rooms of this electricity distribution company
are responsible for:
1. Maintaining key voltages.
2. Maintaining electricity frequency.
3. Balancing energy load and generation.
4. Observing load limits (e.g. power line temperature).
5. Buying and selling both energy and fuel (e.g. gas, turf).
6. Planning energy load and generation for the subsequent
day.
7. Answering customer phone calls (outside office hours). (cf.
Schulman & Roe 2008, 27-30.)
Also subject to regulatory oversight
10. Descriptions from a research site of one
company
The energy market control room
Brokering energy on the Nordic common energy markets.
Brokering fuel for power plants (e.g. gas, turf).
Balancing energy consumption with generation.
2 operators at a time, 7 operators all together. 24/7 work in
three shifts (morning, day, night)
The electricity distribution control room
Switching the electricity distribution grid
Responding to alarms
Coordinating with remote maintenance teams
Answering the customer fault phone line
1 operator at a time, 5 operators all together. 24/7 work in
three shifts (morning, day, night)
12. What happens in exceptional situations?
Operator (Mm1): There is nothing else to it. District
heating has so many additional heat plants. The only thing
is that money gets burned.
Interviewer: So it is just costs then?
Operator (Mm1): Yes, there is not, THERE IS NO
SECURITY RISK. Except if a boiler explodes, then for the
boiler men. But there is nothing else. If some plant is
dropped out of production, one scrapes together the
energy and heat from elsewhere.
13. On-the-spot improvisations
Interviewer: Is this work routine-like or does it change
daily?
Operator (Mm2): Yes, I mean it changes in principle. Or it
is kind of similar, but every moment this is such guess-
work. There is no such moment where you could throw
your feet to the table, moments when the shift would go
through without any disturbances. There is never such a
moment that is hundred percent sure, that you could say
what is the temperature for instance and it depends on
that so fully.
14. Adapting to varying circumstances
Interviewer: Earlier you mentioned that all the work is
mutually agreed and standardized, then how much is this
regulated by such standards, different standards and
laws?
Operator (Dm4): In principle electricity work is usually
highly standardized. If everyone follows the standard, then
it is highly kind of structured. There is the problem,
however, that when you go to the work destination, the
destination might be highly varying. And then comes your
own adaptation of how you want to do it.
15. The physical well-being of people
According to Operator (Bm1), the work is “about the physical
well-being of people”.
But Operator (Dm3): “The customers have become more and
more demanding.”
Operator (Dm1): “It is this cell-phone age that has done this.”
Operator (Dm1): “Of course it is always a problem that if those
calls start to come and you are alone and you have to try to
answer all of them. And if someone wants to report that I have
trimmed the tree line here, during a twenty [kilovolts] fault. And
he does not get through necessarily because there is so much
[calls]. And for some [callers] the information about fault is also
not enough.”
16. Applying the actant model
A.J. Greimas (1980/1966) sought to build a general theory
of meaning.
According to the so-called actant model, all narratives can
be modeled as the struggles of six actants: subject,
object, helper, opponent, sender, receiver.
The actant model aims to be both as simple and as
general “structuring hypothesis” as possible
17. Applying the actant model
A motivation for the actant model comes from the various
qualities of actants: persons, computers, profit, city parts,
the weather, “the people”, etc (cf. Science and
Technology Studies) (see Silvast 2009).
With actant model (and socio-semiotics more generally),
the relationship between “ideology” and “discourse” is not
'fixed' beforehands (c.f. Critical Discourse Analysis, see
Törrönen 2005).
18. Actant model I: achieving reliable supply
Sender/receiver: the physical well-being of customers
Subject: control room operator
Object: reliable electricity supply
Helpers: planning, real-time adjustments, local know-how
Opponent: surprising events
19. Actant model II: the demanding customer
Sender: the turbulent technology and environment
Receiver: the customer
Subject: the customer
Object: managing events
Helpers: practical coping
Opponent: “more and more customer demands”, cell
phones, customer’s sensitive computers
20. Thank you!
For correspondence, please contact:
Antti Silvast
University of Helsinki, Department of Sociology
Vuorikatu 6 (PO BOX 4), 00014 University of Helsinki
antti.silvast(at)helsinki.fi
21. References
• de Bruijne, Mark (2006). Networked Reliability: Institutional Fragmentation and the
Reliability of Service Provision in Critical Infrastructures. Dissertation for TUD
Technische Universiteit Delft.
• Gobo, Giampietro (2008). Doing Ethnography. Sage.
• Greimas, A.J. (1980). Strukturaalista semantiikkaa. Kääntänyt Eero Tarasti.
Helsinki: Gaudeamus (ransk. alkuteos 1966).
• Roe, Emery & Schulman, Paul (2008). High Reliability Management: Operating on
the Edge. Stanford: Stanford Business Books.
• Schulman, Paul; Roe, Emery; van Eeten, Michel & de Bruijne, Mark (2004). High
Reliability and the Management of Critical Infrastructures. Journal of
Contingencies and Crisis Management (12) 1: 14-28
22. References
• Steenhuijsen, Bauke (2009).Competing Public values: Coping Strategies in
Heavily Regulated Utility Industries. Dissertation for TUD Technische Universiteit
Delft.
• Silvast, Antti (2009). Riskiyhteiskunta ja merkityksenanto: sähkönjakelun
häiriöiden semioottista tarkastelua. Teoksessa Hannula, Erja & Ulla Oksanen
(2009). Murtuvat merkit: semiotiikan teoreettisen ja soveltavan tutkimuksen
näkökulmia. Helsinki: Palmenia, 187-198.
• Törrönen, Jukka (2005). Rajankäyntiä kriittisen diskurssianalyysin ja semioottisen
sosiologian välillä. Teoksessa Räsänen, Pekka, Anu-Hanna Anttila & Harri Melin
(toim.) Tutkimus menetelmien pyörteissä. Jyväskylä: PS-kustannus, 139-162.