Dissertation thesis aims to analyse prerequisites for performance measurement and to classify, define and evaluate techniques of performance measurement. It discusses information potential of financial reporting for NGO performance evaluation and conducts a survey on current situation in foundation transparency and performance measurement. Solutions to most important problems are suggested.

Orientador: Eliane Mauerberg-de-Castro / Resumo: Em 2012 o Comitê Paralímpico Internacional (IPC) lançou a Agitos Foundation (tratada nesse estudo como “Fundação Agitos – FA”), com o objetivo de cumprir os objetivos estratégicos de desenvolvimento e educação através do esporte. Após os Jogos Paralímpicos de Londres 2012, juntamente com o início de um novo ciclo rumo aos Jogos Paralímpicos Rio 2016, a FA iniciou seus trabalhos com a implantação de programas de desenvolvimento paradesportivos, incluindo a realização de workshops para capacitação profissional, como treinadores, atletas, classificadores e gestores. Esse estudo tem por objetivo analisar o impacto dos programas implementados pela FA em treinadores do esporte Paralímpico considerando o perfil profissional, habilidades, intenções e motivações através de componentes atitudinais e formação, direta e indiretamente relacionados ao esporte Paralímpico / paradesporto. Participaram desse estudo 28 treinadores que atenderam aos workshops da FA entre 2012 e 2016, representantes de 14 países da América do Sul, Central e do Norte (20 do sexo masculino e 8 do feminino), com média de idade de 37 anos, a maioria apresentando nível superior em educação física. Um questionário foi construído para avaliar dimensões de origem intrínseca: motivação, competências, formação; e dimensões de origem extrínseca: situação local sobre os esportes para pessoas com deficiência e questões culturais no que diz respeito aos direitos de pessoas com... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In 2012 the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) launched the Agitos Foundation (herein referred as “Fundação Agitos – FA”), with the objective of fulfilling the strategic objectives of development and education through sport. After the Paralympic Games of London 2012, along with the beginning of a new cycle towards the Paralympic Games Rio 2016, FA began its work with the implementation of parasport development programs, including the organization of workshops for professional qualification, like coaches, athletes, classifiers and sport managers. This study aims to analyze the impact the programs implemented by FA have on Paralympic coaches considering their professional profiles, skills, intentions and motivations through attitudinal components and training background, directly and indirectly related to the Paralympic sport / parasport. Twenty-eight coaches that participated on the FA workshops between 2012 and 2016 representatives from 14 South, Central and North American countries (20 males and 8 females), average age 37 years, participated in this study, majority with degree in physical education. A questionnaire was constructed to assess dimensions of intrinsic origin: motivation, competences, training background; and dimensions of extrinsic origin: situation of local disability sports and cultural issues towards disability rights. Regarding the attitudinal and professional competences, the profile presented by these coaches indicated that participation in the FA wo... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Magister Educationis - MEd / South Africa is a multicultural and multilingual country, with eleven official languages which include English, Afrikaans, IsiXhosa, IsiZulu, IsiNdebele, Sesotho, Setswana, Sepedi, TshiVenda and Xitsonga. While the nine African languages have official status, they are used for teaching and learning in the Foundation Phase (Grades R – 3) only. English is accorded high prestige and status, and it is used as the main Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT) from Grade 4 to tertiary level. This occurs mostly in schools with African language-speaking learners only, while English and Afrikaans speaking learners maintain their home languages as LoLT from pre-primary to tertiary education. This study argues that if learners do not have a solid foundation in their home language and in the first additional language (FAL), they may not cope with the demands of the Grade 4 curriculum where English additional language is used as the main LoLT. Therefore, this study explored the teaching and learning of English (FAL) in Grade 3 and the extent to which it prepared learners for transition to English LoLT and their epistemic access to knowledge in Grade 4. The Constructivist and Sociocultural theories were used to understand how the teaching and learning of English LoLT occurred in the selected Grade 3 classroom, in an under resourced township school in the Western Cape. The study made use of a qualitative research approach. Data were collected by means of classroom observations, interviews and document analysis. Interviews were conducted with the Grade 3 class teacher, the Head of Department (HOD) and the principal. Data were analysed thematically. The findings of the study show that the Grade 3 teacher made use of learner-centred strategies in teaching English. However, the learners were not challenged to think critically. Learners had reading and writing difficulties, as well as low proficiency in English. The study concludes that English (FAL) is a barrier to Grade 3 learners’ epistemic access to learning and it could negatively impact on their transition to English LoLT in Grade 4.

Durante muito tempo as estruturas de concreto foram consideradas livres de manutenção, ou seja, estruturas quase eternas a menos que fossem sobrecarregadas ou destruídas intencionalmente ou por acidente. Esse pensamento caiu por terra nas últimas décadas quando várias estruturas de concreto começaram a apresentar problemas degradando-se bem mais rápido que o esperado. O monitoramento estrutural nasceu da necessidade de acessar a condição de segurança de uma estrutura de forma mais rápida, precisa e com o benefício de criar uma base de dados sobre a estrutura monitorada. O monitoramento de edifícios ainda é um assunto pouco abordado nas pesquisas e publicações. O alto custo agregado às pontes, viadutos e outras grandes estruturas atraem o interesse de pesquisadores e fabricantes de equipamentos. O problema escolhido como alvo no monitoramento a ser desenvolvido foi a degradação de blocos de fundações em concreto armado com reação álcali-agregado (RAA) pela dificuldade de acesso em inspeções. Uma simulação da expansão causado por RAA em concreto foi desenvolvida para experimentos com sensores e técnicas de monitoramento de fundações. No experimento foram testadas aplicações de strain gauges na armadura, na superfície através de um long gauge adaptado e LVDTs (linear variable differential transformer) aplicados na superfície. A ancoragem dos long gauges não suportou o esforço, impedindo a correta avaliação do sensor. Os LVDTs têm grande potencial para acompanhar o desenvolvimento de fissuras, mas sofrem depois de alguma expansão, pois se desalinham com a superfície do concreto. Os strain gauges aplicados na armadura mostraram boa relação com a expansão medida e têm grande potencial no monitoramento. O processo de decisão e projeto do monitoramento para os blocos é explicado e definido. Uma proposta de aplicação do conceito de estrutura tolerante a dano aos blocos de fundação com RAA é dada para otimização de planos de manutenção e intervenções. / For a long time, concrete structures were considered \"maintenance-free\", i.e. quasi eternal, unless they were overloaded or destroyed intentionally or by accident. This thought has been reconsidered in recent decades when several concrete structures began to present problems and degraded much faster than expected. Structural monitoring has been originated from the need to access the safety condition of a structure more quickly, accurately and with the benefit of creating a database of the structure monitored. The high cost related to bridges, overpasses and other large structures still attracts the interest of researchers and equipment manufacturers. However, the monitoring of buildings is still a subject rarely addressed in research and publications. The problem chosen to be addressed in this research is the degradation of reinforced concrete foundation blocks by alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR) due to difficult access during inspections and unpredictable development of the problem. A review on the sensors available on the market and on monitoring techniques used in other structures with the problem was undertaken. A simulation of the AAR`s expansion in concrete has been developed for an experiment with sensors and monitoring techniques of foundations. In this experiment, strain gauges were applied on the reinforcing bars and adapted on a long gauge on the surface. LVDTs (linear variable differential transformer) were also applied on the surface. The anchoring of the long gauges did not support the applied tension, preventing a correct evaluation of the sensor. LVDTs have great potential to monitor the development of cracks, but after the concrete suffering some expansion, they get misaligned with the surface. The strain gauges used in the armor showed a good relation with the expansion and have great potential in monitoring. The whole decision and design process for the structural health monitoring (SHM) for AAR attacked foundation blocks is explained and the project is defined. A proposal of a damage-tolerant approach for the block is given for optimization of maintenance and interventions.

Entrepreneurship in the fashion industry is a substantial issue since the fashion business landscape consists of many small actors that compete on the fashion market. On their way to a distinct position in the textile and fashion world, many fashion design entrepreneurs, who start up an own label, are confronted with personal challenges and a multitude of external obstacles. These companies need a structured venture launch and strong business foundations to survive the always troublesome first years of a new entrepreneurial venture. To run a sustained venture within the apparel industry may be more complex and demanding than one would believe. In the fashion sector several concepts exist in order to support entrepreneurial companies’ growth. Three selected supportive concepts received by fashion entrepreneurs at early stage have been examined and analysed. The supportive models are business incubators for creative entrepreneurs, the partnership of a designer and business partner and the concept of an external professional management. / Program: Magisterutbildning i fashion management med inriktning modemarknadsföring

Entrepreneurship in the fashion industry is a substantial issue since the fashionbusiness landscape consists of many small actors that compete on the fashion market.On their way to a distinct position in the textile and fashion world, many fashion designentrepreneurs, who start up an own label, are confronted with personal challenges anda multitude of external obstacles. These companies need a structured venture launchand strong business foundations to survive the always troublesome first years of a newentrepreneurial venture. To run a sustained venture within the apparel industry may bemore complex and demanding than one would believe. In the fashion sector severalconcepts exist in order to support entrepreneurial companies’ growth. Three selectedsupportive concepts received by fashion entrepreneurs at early stage have beenexamined and analysed. The supportive models are business incubators for creativeentrepreneurs, the partnership of a designer and business partner and the concept ofan external professional management. / Program: Magisterutbildning i fashion management med inriktning modemarknadsföring

The purpose of this study was to describe and to assess the development, current status, and contributions of Student Foundation programs in institutions of higher education in the United States.

THE ABSTRACT Topic: Problems of activity of foreign foundations and endowment funds in Czech Republic. This thesis is primary aimed to clarify problems regarding to activity of foreign foundation and endowment funds in Czech Republic. The purpose of this work is to explain related problems and provide possible solutions for such issues. In the early chapters, the author familiarizes readers with history of foundations and endowment funds in Czech Republic and explains the terminology and meaning of foundations and endowment funds as a legal person. Secondly, the author analyses legal situation in Czech law and presents various options for activity of foreign foundations and endowment funds in Czech Republic. Furthermore, the author deals with the description of the solution consisting in the establishment of branch in Czech Republic. This part of the thesis is the largest content because the author provides possible solutions for various problems arising from establishing of branch. The thesis also describes foreign legislation relating to foundations and endowment funds. And finally, the author states possible changes in Czech law, which will lead to the better foundation's legislation in Czech Republic and attaches drafts of documents usable for the thesis topic.

Seismic considerations greatly influence the lateral and vertical design of a structure, often necessitating larger elements than would otherwise be required. Seismic isolation greatly reduces the demands on a structure due to earthquake loading, allowing the use of smaller, more efficient members and foundations. This case study illustrates the theory and procedure of evaluating the response of a recently built multi-span highway bridge using the most recent (2009) AASHTO code. Based on this response, an equivalent structure was designed to incorporate a seismic isolation system, and the substructure of the isolated bridge redesigned to meet the reduced demands more economically. The reduction in demands was quantified, and the member demands and overall responses of the two designs were compared. An overview of isolator design for the common isolator types available in the United States, with examples specific to the isolated structure that was designed, is also included as an addendum.

In the rapidly changing ‘knowledge economy’ where ‘innovation’ and ‘responsiveness’ are vital, tertiary education can be at a point transformation. Since the late 1990s the New Zealand government began to shift part of its tertiary education policy with an increasing focus on what is commonly called ‘foundation’ education. The shift was aimed at ensuring all New Zealanders are equipped for the knowledge economy and raising the skills of individuals. A variety of research and education programmes were launched, and existing foundation or bridging programmes strengthened through policy, research and educational endeavours. Bridging education programmes (a subset of foundation education) are designed to prepare non-traditional and under-prepared students for ongoing study at a higher level. This current research sought to identify the influence of a university bridging programme (Level 4) on students who progressed into further study at undergraduate level. The bridging programme commenced in 2003 providing a pathway for students into undergraduate health degrees. The key question for this thesis was: how does bridging education influence students? To determine the influence of the bridging programme, this research was based on a case-study of seven students who completed four or eight papers in the bridging programme. Participants were in ongoing study (for at least one year) in a Bachelor of Health Science (any major). The methodology was qualitative in design, drawing extensively on a case-study approach to research the influences of the bridging programme. The method of data collection utilised was individual semi-structured interviews with former bridging students to ascertain their perceptions, views and experiences of the influence of a bridging programme, both historically and currently. In examining this unique context, information on the influences of bridging education was explored and the importance of bridging education, from the participant’s perspective, understood more clearly. This thesis and the research within revealed that the influence of the bridging programme began at the participant’s time of enrolment and continued into their undergraduate study and their lives. The bridging programme influenced the way participant’s interacted with a range of factors including: the institution; their undergraduate programme; with educators and peers; and with family, friends and others in society. Equally, it is acknowledged that these factors influenced the participant’s, facilitating or impeding their ongoing learning. The participants also identified several challenges (financial and relational) related to the influence of tertiary study which they faced. The research revealed the programme influenced their ongoing success and continuation in undergraduate study. The programme provided an effective bridge into tertiary education (academically, emotionally and socially). Participant’s acknowledged the influence on their cognitive and meta-cognitive growth and development. The range of tertiary leaning skills and knowledge gained and/or enhanced was considerable. Close links between the academic skills taught in the bridging programme and required in undergraduate study were evident. Positive improvements in confidence, self-efficacy and motivation were also attributed to the influence of the programme. Holistic personal development occurred as the skills and knowledge gained and developed were transferred and extended from academia into other areas of the lives of former bridging students and thus further influenced their family, personal friends and society. The influence of the bridging programme has enabled new opportunities, ways of being and employment to become more than a dream, but a reality which the participants continue to move towards. Overall, it could be claimed that the influence of the bridging programme was holistic. A series of recommendations are provided for theory, policy and practice. The significance for social issues and action are discussed and avenues for further research outlined.