The book investigates the various aspects characterizing Megaprojects from numerous perspectives and by integrating different disciplines: engineering, economics, business organization, human resource management, law, etc. It represents the first output of MeRIT (the Megaproject Research Interdisciplinary Team), and focuses on the intrinsic and unavoidable complexity of Megaprojects. The chapters have intentionally not been standardized, and humanistic topics are not separated from technical ones: this way of reading and interpreting Megaprojects through the cross-pollination of various disciplines reflects the MeRIT approach. Addressing the complexity involved in Megaprojects requires the use of a hermeneutic circle of sorts: understanding the project as a whole is achieved by referring to the specific parts, while each part can only be understood in relation to the whole. This circular approach appears to be the only one applicable to Megaprojects: no final destination, no final synthesis can be achieved. This volume consists of eight chapters written by researchers in law, economics, sociology, business organization, engineering, architecture and landscaping. The topics covered will be relevant to researchers, practitioners involved in the development of Megaprojects, and policymakers at the EU level.

Documents the conference with 57 papers. Among the topics are a multicriteria decision making approach to concurrent engineering in product design, a morphological heuristic for scheduling, multiple-viewpoint computer-aided design models for automotive body-in-white design, product development pract

A notable contribution to our understanding of ourselves. This book explores the realm of human behavior in social situations and the way that we appear to others. Dr. Goffman uses the metaphor of theatrical performance as a framework. Each person in everyday social intercourse presents himself and his activity to others, attempts to guide and cotnrol the impressions they form of him, and employs certain techniques in order to sustain his performance, just as an actor presents a character to an audience. The discussions of these social techniques offered here are based upon detailed research and observation of social customs in many regions.

Virtual and Collaborative Teams is of importance to practitioners and researchers because it brings together in a single accessible source, a variety of current research and practice on the subject of virtual and collaborative teams. Geographic distance, technology, lack of social presence, lack of adequate training and lack of instructional resources are just some of the unique challenges faced by virtual teams. This book is a unique resource in that it provides a variety of research and practice from a wide range of disciplines, nationally and internationally. The essays blends theory and practice, encompassing quantitative and qualitative research, case studies, interview research and theoretical models.