This thesis seeks to address not only <i>what </i>and <i>how </i>but also the <i>why</i> issues that accounts for the HR practices with Chinese characteristics through both inside-out and outside-in approaches.  This thesis also aim to find out whether there are any lessons western firms can learn from the Chinese approach to people management which is deeply embedded in Chinese traditional thinking and its core values. Semi-structured personal interviews were conducted with 21 senior and middle/top-level Chinese male and female managers.  Findings are presented in narrative form through in-depth direct statements of interviewees to provide authentic examples of how Chinese managers conceptualize and practice Chinese traditional thinking and core values in HR management.  Results demonstrate that Chinese traditional thinking comprise unique features that might be described as <i>holistic </i>and <i>naïve, fuzzy </i>and <i>processual, indirect </i>and <i>long-term, </i>and that this approach translates into an adherence to five core values, which are <i>He </i>(harmony «!»), <i>Zhong Yong </i>(the Doctrine of Mean «!»), Hierarchy, Superiority and Loyalty («!»), <i>Guanxi </i>and <i>Renqing </i>(personal connections, relationship and human sympathy/favour «!») and <i>Face </i>(<i>Mianzi </i>and <i>Lian </i>«!») which have significantly affected contemporary Chinese HR practices. The research shows that the penchant for harmony is responsible for the steady and smooth development strategies of Chinese organisations; a relatively mild approach to personnel reforms; harmonious interpersonal relationships; nominal performance appraisal systems; and the importance of leaders as the role model.  The principle of <i>Zhongyong </i>accounts for the preference for modest and reserved people in recruitment and selection; the harmonious and balanced relationships between superiors and subordinates; a relatively mild, lenient and gentle leadership style; and the soft, flexible and conflict-free way of communication and negotiation in Chinese HRM practices.

This thesis addresses the issues of modelling a groundwater system in a data-scarce environment, the Yobe river basin, north east Nigeria. Despite significant investment in the past towards water resources developments, basic data on groundwater resources are limited. Short-term studies by Consultants contain some weaknesses and have not fully investigated the mechanisms of flow to and from the aquifer. Fieldwork studies conducted during this work and in the past (Alkali, 1995) showed that the shallow aquifer system is hydrogeologically complex. Concerns such as the relative magnitudes of recharge mechanisms to the aquifer, hydrologic conditions of the aquifer, a large change in river stage, presence of unconfined 'windows' for vertical recharge, and the fact that the region is located in a semi-arid region need to be addressed. This increased the concerns for the need to explore the system through modelling. Modeling can give insights into the whole system behaviour which other approaches cannot provide. Therefore modelling was carried out and it has provided valuable insights into the complex system. This thesis reports on the procedure of developing a groundwater model that is basic and exploratory based on limited data. Detailed conceptual model was developed using data from previous workers and from a fieldwork undertaken in this study. The conceptual model provided key hydrogeological information on the various physical processes and how they interact with the shallow Fadama alluvial aquifer. It describes the aquifer as around 10 m thick and about 4 km wide with the river partially penetrating it. The aquifer consists of areas that are confined and some that are unconfined. The river is ephemeral and its stage changes rapidly over 4 m. Recharge mechanisms to the aquifer consist of vertical recharge from rainfall and overland flooding through permeable topsoil, river to aquifer flow and 'leakage' through low permeability cover. The conceptual model was idealized and translated into a computational groundwater model using MODFLOW. The model investigated the role of each components of flow in determining the overall water balance of the system. The relationship between river stage and river coefficient in the study of river-aquifer interaction was investigated. Finally the response of the aquifer system to pumping was explored. Groundwater head output from the model was used in the calculation of the various flow components. The main findings and conclusions of the work are that: (i) a comprehensive conceptual model is fundamental in developing a numerical groundwater model; (ii) the exploratory model developed using limited data is plausible because it is hydrologically credible and fits the available data; (iii) the water balance shows that the river to aquifer flow dominates the recharge from rainfall and overland flooding. Contrary to initial belief, the largest river to aquifer flow occurs before the river reaches its peak; (iv) flows between river and aquifer are insensitive to variation of river coefficient with river stage. The limiting factor in the exchange of water between them is the hydraulic gradient and the transmissivity of the aquifer; (v) in representing the river with a constant river coefficient, the coefficient has a threshold value above which the river-aquifer interaction does not change significantly; (vi) over-pumping of the aquifer will decrease river flow to disadvantage of downstream users; (vii) the replenishment of the aquifer can be improved by pumping it at a modest rate.

Algal production is often the limiting factor in large-scale oyster hatcheries, and constant, reliable production is required to grow enough algae to support all oyster larvae and broodstock grown and conditioned in a hatchery. The algal rooms in the Michael C. Voisin Oyster Hatchery at Grand Isle, LA are temperature-controlled to maintain consistent temperature, but this hatchery is also unique in its ability to recycle natural seawater pumped from the northern Gulf of Mexico. Effects of recycling seawater on algal production in an oyster hatchery, however, are undocumented. In this study, Tisochrysis lutea, Chaetoceros calcitrans and C. muelleri were grown in different water sources to determine if productivity would be affected by water source. Algae were grown in ambient filtered seawater, recycled filtered seawater, and artificial seawater for a period of 10 days. To evaluate algal production, cell concentrations were measured every other day and dry biomass and growth rate were calculated. Water chemistry (nitrate, phosphate, and silicate concentrations) was measured initially and at ten days. Dry weights and growth were significantly different between species (p=0.0475, p<0.0001), but not water sources. C. muelleri grew the greatest in biomass and the slowest growth rate , followed by C. calcitrans, and T. lutea. Nitrate and phosphates had no significant effects on growth between species, although silicate content was significantly higher in T. lutea. Overall there were no statistically significant effects for the interaction of the three water sources on the growth of these algal species over time (p=0.2882). Although there were no significant differences, algae grown in ambient bay water grew denser and greater biomass than those in recycled bay water or artificial seawater.

With modern naval vessels headed in the direction of integrated power systems, new attention must be paid to efficiency of both power and space. However, modern designs for ship power systems often incorporate DC link converters, or synchroconverters, into their design. Not only does this add extra steps into the power conversion process, it also adds the DC link, which requires large capacitors and can aggravate problems experienced in a short circuit. Modern research for cycloconverters is showing that they have many advantages over the synchroconverter when used in a ship power system. However, cycloconverters also have downsides. One of these problems is the incorporation of harmonics into the supply current, distorting the generator output, as well as voltage harmonics at the output of the converter, which can cause problems at the various loads. Most disastrous of all, additions of subharmonics, or interharmonics which occur below the fundamental can appear. Subharmonics are nearly unfilterable and they can cause serious problems for any power system. This study specifically considers higher frequency inputs to see if these subharmonics can be mitigated in a cycloconverter system. / US Navy (USN) author.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited / In a time when defense spending is under close scrutiny, each command faces a potential shortage of funding. There is, in theory, a level of resource, called the critical mass of core resources, below which a command cannot continue to fulfill stated mission objectives. This thesis develops a critical mass/core resource model for use in Navy budgeting and applies the model to the Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, Crows Landing, CA. The model may be more useful than the current incremental approaches in the formulation, negotiation, and execution phases of budgeting. The model provides a framework that may strengthen and protect the command from priorities imposed by outside forces, or, more likely, will permit commands to identify mission opportunity costs or losses resulting from budget cuts. The critical mass model may be superior to current budget formats in the execution phase because resources are normally allocated on mission priority. / http://archive.org/details/budgetingundercr00gilb / Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy

The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and the reefs they create are highly valued for the ecosystem services they provide to coastal estuaries. Recently, their capacity to contribute to nutrient mitigation has spurred interest as researchers have identified 3 mechanisms directly or indirectly associated with oyster reef habitat. This study measured bioassimilation, long-term nutrient burial, and oyster-mediated denitrification in shallow-water (< 1 m water depth) and deep-water (> 1 m water depth) oyster reefs located in two southern Louisiana estuaries. Carbon and nitrogen assimilated into shell and tissue of small (< 75 mm) and large (> 75 mm) oysters was within the range of previous studies but was found to be less influenced by reef type, and more dependent on location specific factors and reproductive status. Post-spawning oysters were found to have higher percent nitrogen content in tissue compared to pre-spawning populations, likely a result of the loss of gametes and increase in feeding related activities during the post-spawn season. Carbon and nitrogen burial rates at oyster reefs ranged from 23.02-57.69 g m-2 yr-1 and 1.09-4.49 g m-2 yr-1 respectively and did not exceed that of other habitat types in Louisiana. However, they were considered to be an important source of nutrient mitigation in these estuaries. Shallow-water reefs buried significantly more nitrogen and carbon, which may be attributed to their proximity to the marsh edge and thus greater influx of detrital material. Closed-system ex-situ incubations revealed some of the highest ever recorded sediment denitrification rates at oyster reefs in the United States (> 1000 µmol m-2 hr-1). However, these values were within the range of those documented in Louisiana coastal systems, and similar to those recorded in nearby reference sediments. Variation in denitrification was found to correspond to site and season, rather than the influence of oyster reef habitat. Because the estuaries in this study are a matrix of reefs and soft bottom sediments, oysters may influence nutrient mitigation outside the boundaries of their active reefs. Thus, bioassimilation, burial, and denitrification may not be localized, but instead may resonate across larger areas as determined by historical reef acreage and hydrodynamics. These are among the first estimates for nutrient mitigation at oyster reefs in Louisiana, and indicate the potential of this ecosystem service in our region. Future research should consider site-specific conditions such as nutrient loading rates, oyster density, and active harvest to accurately quantify this ecosystem service across the coastal region of the state.

Garden visiting has become a popular leisure pursuit in recent years. Within a tourism and recreation context, scant research exists on the subject of gardens as recreational resources and the manner in which they are presented to and consumed by the public. This thesis explores the scope and nature of gardens as tourism and recreation resources in the UK. The thesis examines the conceptual foundations of the garden, in order to establish what reasons explain predisposition towards garden visiting, and why gardens provide a desirable environment in which people want to spend leisure time. The activity of garden visiting is analysed using a two-dimensional approach, which takes into account the supply of gardens open to the public and the demand for garden visits. In this respect, the supply-side relates to the perceptions of garden owners/mangers, while the demand aspect is linked with the outlook of garden visitors. Uniting these two perspectives yields an intriguing area of research, that of the visitor experience, how that experience is perceived and managed, and which elements are crucial in its formation. Understanding the visitor experience is a critical for operators of garden attractions, in line with all attractions. This thesis presents the results of two surveys, one of garden owners/managers (n=546) and one of garden visitors (n=593). Data analysis provides a source of information on the range and characteristics of gardens open to the public, approaches to managing the visitor experience and issues for owners/managers in relation to operating a garden visitor attraction as well as visitors characteristics, motivations, behaviour and perceptions of the garden experience. The data generated allows the identification of a range of themes and implications for the operators of garden attractions, in particular those issues that will influence future development.

M.A. / Organizations become increasingly dependant on information. We live in an era called the information age, where there is an overwhelming amount of information and information resources available. Internal and external information is vital for the survival and success of the organization. Information is not static. It flows from one point to another and in the process value is added to the information. Sharing of information is crucial for managing an organization. Information management is therefore an important factor to optimize usage of information. In order to supply the right person with the right information in the right format, information systems should be replenished by human ability. This system is designed to support the employee in his work and to lead management in their decision making. Resources are managed according to certain rules. Information can be managed by means of an information policy or -strategy. Because the information strategy is more detailed than the information policy, this study considers the advantages and development of an information strategy for an enterprise. The above-mentioned will be applied to education as it is today. In this respect it is vital to keep in mind that education is involved in the education and forming of learners. Information and standardization is of the utmost importance to the professional educators involved in this process. For the educators, parents, administrative staff and learners to make decisions, the information must reach them in time. In the second half of this citation, an empirical study was conducted to determine the status of the information flow in the education department. Knowledge of the following were tested: information management, the current practice of information flow, the participants, and the response on required information. Appointments with selected participants were made by telephone and information were gathered by questionnaire. The information was then analyzed and interpreted according to the principles of the grounded theory. In spite of the fact that information management is an unmistakable part of an enterprise, there are no standing principles for the dissemination of information within the education department. There is an urgent need for the management of information in order to better the information flow in the education department. It is suggested that the enterprise should implement an information management plan as soon as possible, and attend to the information flow within the education department. Information must be supplied to the persons involved in the desired format and on the required time, for the education department to be informed.

M.Phil. / The construction of mathematical models for making projections of future energy demand is an important step in the formulation of an energy policy for a country or region. In this dissertation the different approaches to energy modelling are investigated. The history of the modelling effort in the world and South Africa is briefly discussed. The development of a comprehensive database is of vital importance for the success of any modelling effort. An energy database for South Africa was developed. An existing energy forecasting model was updated and extended to cover eleven final consuming sectors. Projections of energy demand were made to illustrate the mechanism of the model.

Student Number : 0316820H - MA research report - School of Human and Community Development - Faculty of Humanities / The diagnosis of a serious disability brings many changes to the family of the newly diagnosed member. Each type of disability and each child is unique. The characteristics of autism make raising an autistic child challenging and places great stress on the family. The diagnosis of autism therefore presents the family with a great deal of unique challenges. Coping is necessary for the maintenance of the family and for the quality of life to remain intact for the individual family members. Traditionally the emphasis has been on treating the autistic child. However, recently more attention has been devoted to providing supportive and counselling services to the families of autistic children. Research has shifted its focus towards identifying those resources that enable the family to cope successfully in the face of chronic stress. The present study used the process model of stress and coping (Folkman & Lazarus, 1984) to examine the variables that may alleviate parental stress. These variables include both personal and socio-ecological coping resources, for example, personality variables, parenting skills, previous coping skills, social support and support from formal agencies. The sample selected consisted of 31 parents of autistic children. The parents were recruited through schools that cater specifically to autistic children and the parents were all volunteer participants. The results indicated that intervention and parent education levels are associated with the level of stress experienced by parents of autistic children. These results highlight the need for family-based intervention programmes that are specifically tailored to suit the needs of the family being helped. Without adequate services, it is unlikely that any amount of psychosocial support will be able to prevent family stress.