Destination Math was a program utilized by Xcellence ISD. A determination if usage of the software had a significant positive effect on math performance was needed. In this study, the researcher created a student database that included the usage data from the comprehensive mathematics software program, Destination Math, and the math residual value, an added value statistic that was derived from the math scores of the 2006 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. An analysis was performed to determine if time spent using the Destination Math software resulted in differences between student usage level groups in regard to the math residual value (MRV). The researcher also looked at the usage levels of teachers and campuses to determine if there were differences in the MRV for different classifications of usage. Certain student classifications were added as independent variables. Since Destination Math was offered in Spanish, it was theorized that the program might be beneficial to students who were designated as Limited English Proficient (LEP). Therefore, this student classification was included as an independent variable. Because research existed that provided evidence that some software contained a gender bias, the student classification of gender was also included as an independent variable. The population for this study included every student in Xcellence ISD in grades 3-11 who took the math portion of the TAKS test during the week of April 18-21, 2006. Altogether, 3177 students were included in the data analysis for this study. This represented 53% of the tested population. Students with no usage data reported by Destination Math were eliminated from the study. While there are a number of cited studies that document score gains with Destination Math, this researcher did not find that residual math scores were significantly different among teacher or campus usage groups. While there was a significant difference between the student usage groups, High users exhibited negative MRVs. The results of this study are consistent with another large quantitative study that involved Destination Math. This researcher feels that there are an ample number of studies that provide evidence that Destination Math can have a positive effect on student math performance. However, the program should not be purchased with the intent to improve significantly the residual math scores.

<p>Background and problem: As Internet usage has become increasingly common and important in our society it is crucial for companies to acknowledge the impact of online branding. As differences between products are decreasing it is no longer sufficient to compete solely on price or quality. Thus the importance of brands and branding is increasing. Even though branding is a heavily research topic, almost all research has been performed with consumer markets in mind, more or less ignoring industrial markets. This is done in spite of most markets being predominated by industrial firms.</p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how printer manufac-turers’ online brand messages can be perceived regarding functional benefits and representational satisfaction, and how this may affect the examined brands.</p><p>Method: To fulfil our purpose we chose to conduct a qualitative method, since this would provide us with in-depth answers. To structure our study we created a questionnaire to use as an analysical tool for our examination of the selected companies.</p><p>Conclusions: The conclusions drawn from this study are that printer manufacturers mainly emphasise the functional factors of their products to a large extent. Further, almost all brands of our sample can be perceived to be augmented ones. Of the few companies with highly developed brands, those with separate web sites for business and consumer buyers were in majority. Finally, since most printer manufacturers stress functionality the added-value of their brands is not as sustainable as it could be.</p>

BACKGROUND: Trachoma is a leading cause of avoidable blindness. Currently, trachoma is endemic in 57 countries, infects approximately 84 million people globally, and continues to threaten over 10 % of the world’s population with the risk of blindness. Caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis, blindness due to trachoma is caused by repeated eye infection resulting in the inflammation of the upper eyelid eventually leading the upper lid to pull inward scratching and tearing the cornea causing it to become opaque resulting in loss of vision. The World Health Organization recommends eliminating trachoma as a public health problem using the SAFE strategy: Surgery, Antibiotic, Face washing and Environmental control. OBJECTIVES: This review examined the benefits of the added value of water, sanitation, and hygiene education interventions on preventive mass drug administration for trachoma. METHODS: Trials were identified from MEDLINE, PubMed, and LISTA EBSCO databases using a series of search terms. No restrictions were put on study date, location, design, or language of publication. The abstracts were examined from each of the searches, and any abstract describing risk factors, survey results of mass drug administration (MDA), or providing a general overview of trachoma were automatically discarded. Full text of papers including the combined use of key words including SAFE, WASH, intervention, impact, added value, MDA, azithromycin/ Zithromax® were obtained for review. Twelve full texts articles were retrieved all relevant information were placed in a standardized data extraction form. MAIN RESULTS: Three studies met the complete criteria for inclusion. All studies found a significant change in reduction of active trachoma prevalence. One study focused on the added benefit of antibiotic and environmental components on hygiene education delivered by radio. Another trial compared two villages; the control community performed MDA and the surgery while the intervention village added the F and E components. The final study as well focused the added benefit of ‘F’ and ‘E’ on ‘A’. Two of the three studies found this reduction was from the added benefit of face washing ‘F’ and environmental control ‘E’ to antibiotic use. CONCLUSIONS: In order to eliminate blinding trachoma as a public health problem, recurrence of the active form of the disease must be interrupted before repeated scarring leads to trichiasis. The antibiotic component of the SAFE strategy is a quick fix to the immediate problem. The ‘F’ and ‘E’ components are the more sustainable interventions, yet little research has been done on the actual amount of added value the individual ‘A’‘F’&’E’ components have to one another. After thorough review of the articles, articles were found which documented the ‘F’ and ‘E’ components provide significant value to the overall decrease of prevalence of active. However, the limited results of the search suggest more research can better elucidate the ability of the ‘F’ and ‘E’ components to reduce trachoma prevalence and ultimately impact blinding.

Kiekvienos įmonės tikslas yra uždirbti pinigus dabar ir ateityje, pilnai tenkinant klientų (rinkos) poreikius, generuojant didėjančią pridėtinę vertę ir adekvačiai ją paskirstant. Įmonėms vykdant veiklą rinkos ekonomikos sąlygomis, konkurencinė kova tarp įmonių nuolatos stiprėja, taigi norėdamos išlikti rinkoje įmonės taiko įvairius metodus ir priemones savo tikslams pasiekti. Vis dėl to siekdamos pelningumo didinimo įmonės privalo nuolatos ieškoti rezervų vykdomai veiklai gerinti, plėsti siūlomų produktų ir paslaugų asortimentą, diegti inovacijas ir žinoma, tobulinti valdymo metodiką. Siekiant įvertinti UAB „X“ veiklos pelningumo didinimo galimybes, buvo pasirinkta įmonės veiklos valdymo analizė, kurios metu buvo atskleisti vidaus ir išorės rezervai, leidžiantys didinti įmonės efektyvumą ir pelningumą. Darbo tikslas: Atlikti UAB „X“ veiklos analizę ir pateikti siūlymus kaip įmonei uždirbti pinigus dabar ir ateityje, pilniau tenkinant klientų (rinkos) poreikius, generuojant didėjančią pridėtinę vertę ir adekvačiai ją paskirstant. Darbo objektas: UAB „X“ 2004 – 2007 metų veikla. Darbo uždaviniai: 6. Atskleisti įmonės veiklos analizės reikšmę ir vietą valdymo sistemoje. 7. Aptarti pagrindinius įmonės veiklos analizės metodus, tyrimo būdus ir analizės rūšis. 8. Atlikti UAB „X“ 2004 – 2007 metų laikotarpio pagrindinės (gamybinės) ir finansinės veiklos analizes. 9. Atlikti biuro reikmenų rinkos tyrimą, atskleidžiant įmonės pagrindinę veiklą įtakojančius aplinkos veiksnius. 10... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The general purpose of every company is to earn money today and sustain the constant cash flow grow in the future, through overall customer (market) needs satisfaction and reasonable usage of company’s resources and competences. Doing business in today‘s market-based economy companies usually faces a lot of difficulties related with generating sustained economic growth, which requires increase in productivity and insists for significant investments in human and physical capital and accelerating technological change. The general solution, willing to survive, sustain competitive advantage and insist profit growth is to search for alternative solutions increasing work efficiency, products and services assortment enlargement, spread of innovations and company management improvement. Willing to evaluate joint stock Company “X” profit growth possibilities, it was decided to carry out activity analysis as a mean to identify and describe practical activities implemented by organization and evaluate their impact on its operations efficiency and overall results. The purpose of work is to carry joint stock Company “X” 2004-2007 year period activity analysis. The object of work is to conduct joint stick Company “X” activity analysis by searching for an optimal solution, how to earn money today and sustain the constant grow in the future. The tasks of work: 1. Disclose the theoretical background of activity analysis and emphasize its significance for company management. 2. Exclude... [to full text]

Manaakitanga plays an important role in Māori society. There are several meanings associated to this Māori cultural concept, one of which refers to the fostering and nurturing of relationships between a host and a visitor. The well-being of the visitor is paramount to the development of this relationship as the mana (prestige) of the host is at stake. If the host fails to manaaki (support) their visitor this could result in the loss of mana within the Māori community as the host has shown they are incapable of attending to the needs of others. In recent times, there has been an increased presence of the term manaakitanga in tourism related documents, which has generated several interpretations of this cultural concept. Currently, various government organisations use this concept as a basis for developing both short and long-term strategies. This is particularly noticeable in the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015. However, there are varied interpretations of the term manaakitanga by the tourism industry, which are in conflict with Māori operators understanding and knowledge of manaakitanga reflected in their businesses. In order to contextualise the experiences and perspectives provided by Māori tourism operators, a theoretical framework has been developed. This framework called ‘Te Kōhai’ located in kaupapa Māori (Māori ideology) ideology best reflects the world-view of the participants who form the basis of this study. Thus, this study has been prompted by the research question - how is manaakitanga interpreted in a Māori tourism operation? Possible misinterpretation of manaakitanga may result in the concept being used incorrectly and the transgression of cultural practices, thus compromising the experiences offered by Māori tourism operations. It is important then, to investigate, whether manaakitanga is understood as ‘hospitality’ in the tourism industry and more specifically, by people who work within a Māori tourism operation. Additionally, it is important to determine how staff employed in a Māori tourism operation, understand and portray this concept. Subsequently, interpretations of manaakitanga from the perspective of Māori tourism operators, forms the basis of this thesis.

Manaakitanga plays an important role in Māori society. There are several meanings associated to this Māori cultural concept, one of which refers to the fostering and nurturing of relationships between a host and a visitor. The well-being of the visitor is paramount to the development of this relationship as the mana (prestige) of the host is at stake. If the host fails to manaaki (support) their visitor this could result in the loss of mana within the Māori community as the host has shown they are incapable of attending to the needs of others. In recent times, there has been an increased presence of the term manaakitanga in tourism related documents, which has generated several interpretations of this cultural concept. Currently, various government organisations use this concept as a basis for developing both short and long-term strategies. This is particularly noticeable in the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015. However, there are varied interpretations of the term manaakitanga by the tourism industry, which are in conflict with Māori operators understanding and knowledge of manaakitanga reflected in their businesses. In order to contextualise the experiences and perspectives provided by Māori tourism operators, a theoretical framework has been developed. This framework called ‘Te Kōhai’ located in kaupapa Māori (Māori ideology) ideology best reflects the world-view of the participants who form the basis of this study. Thus, this study has been prompted by the research question - how is manaakitanga interpreted in a Māori tourism operation? Possible misinterpretation of manaakitanga may result in the concept being used incorrectly and the transgression of cultural practices, thus compromising the experiences offered by Māori tourism operations. It is important then, to investigate, whether manaakitanga is understood as ‘hospitality’ in the tourism industry and more specifically, by people who work within a Māori tourism operation. Additionally, it is important to determine how staff employed in a Māori tourism operation, understand and portray this concept. Subsequently, interpretations of manaakitanga from the perspective of Māori tourism operators, forms the basis of this thesis.

The topic of this thesis is evaluation of the success restructuring company. The main idea of this Diploma Thesis is to determine whether the merger and sales of the company was beneficial for company, owners, and employees or not. This idea of Thesis examined evaluating method by means of economic value added. As an additional method there are bankruptcy models, financials analysis and analysis of the company's turnover.

A produção de leite é uma das principais atividades geradoras de renda em regiões onde a agricultura familiar ocupa grande parte dos estabelecimentos familiares, como é o caso do município de Rolador-RS. Todavia, o universo de agricultores que produzem leite apresenta certa heterogeneidade e, por conta disso, configura-se diferentes sistemas de produção de leite. Essa diversidade de sistemas de produção de leite influencia de forma diferente a sociedade na qual estão inseridos. Assim, o objetivo desta dissertação é realizar uma análise da agricultura de Rolador com foco na autonomia e na transferência de valor agregado dos sistemas de produção de leite. Para isso, utilizou-se da Teoria dos Sistemas Agrários como base teórica e metodológica. Como resultados, foram identificados dois sistemas de produção de leite com diferenças significativas entre si (Familiar Leite Mecanização Completa – FLMC – e Familiar Leite Mecanização Incompleta – FLMI). O primeiro é caracterizado por uma produção mais intensiva e especializada, enquanto o segundo possui características que o aproximam de uma produção mais extensiva. Além das diferenças técnicas, observou-se o que o FLMI é consideravelmente mais autônomo do que o FLMC, visto que utiliza mais sua própria base de recursos e está menos relacionado com o mercado do insumos e agentes externos. Além disso, tem ocorrido um intenso processo de concentração produtiva, que se traduz no incentivo, por parte das empresas, à sistemas de produção similares ao FLMC. De acordo com os dados deste trabalho, uma política com estas orientações é incoerente com uma noção de desenvolvimento rural baseada num processo equitativo e inclusivo. / The milk production is one of the main income generating activities in regions where family farming occupies a large part of family establishments, such as the case Rolador-RS municipality. However, the universe of theses farmers show some heterogeneity, and in reason of that, there are different configurations of milk production systems. This diversity of milk production system influences differently the community where are inserted. Therefore, the aim of this Master Thesis is conduct an analysis of Rolador agriculture focusing on autonomy and value transfer of milk production systems. For that, the methodology and theory used as study basis was the Theory of Agrarian Systems. As results, two milk production systems have identified with significant differences between each other (Family Milk Full Mechanization - FMFM - and Family Milk Incomplete Mechanization - FMIM). The first one characterizes per intense and specialized production, while the second has extensive production as a characteristic. In addition, to the technical differences, it has observed that the FMIM is considerably more autonomous than the FMFM, since this one uses more of its own resource base and is less related to the market of external inputs and agents. Moreover, there has been an intense process of productive concentration, which displays into the incentive by companies to production systems similar to FMFM. According to the data of this study, a policy with these guidelines is inconsistent with a notion of rural development based on an equitable and inclusive process.

Åskådarna inom idrottssektorn har en aktiv roll och en stor betydelse för idrottsorganisationers ekonomi. Tidigare forskning visar att det är viktigt för idrottsorganisationer att integrera med åskådarna med tilläggstjänster som skapar mervärde, eftersom matchen i sig säkerställer inte återkommande åskådare. Konsekvensen av minskat publiksnitt utsätter idrottsorganisationernas ekonomi, eftersom åskådarna generar centrala intäkter för idrottsorganisationer men kan även ha en indirekt effekt på de övriga intäkterna. Publiksnitten för innebandyn i Sverige och i SSL Herr har varit låg och sjunkit under de två senaste säsongerna med 14 procent. Därför har det varit av intresse att förstå hur innebandyföreningar i SSL Herr arbetar för att skapa tjänstevärde för åskådarna. Syftet för studien har varit att genom en jämförelse av innebandyföreningar i SSL Herr undersöka om det finns faktorer i deras matcharrangemang, i sådana fall vilka, som har påverkat förändringen i publiksnittet. För att besvara syftet genomfördes semi-strukturerade intervjuer med respondenter från sju olika innebandyföreningar i SSL Herr. Det insamlade materialet har tolkats med hjälp av den teoretiska referensramen där resultatet visar att det finns skillnader och likheter i innebandyföreningars matcharrangemang vilka kan påverkat förändringen i publiksnittet. Det finns samband mellan ökat publiksnitt och restaurangmöjligheter, vilket kan vara en stor bidragande faktor för förändringen i publiksnittet. Studien påvisar även att det kan vara problematiskt att skapa atmosfär och tjänstevärde för åskådarna i för stora arenor i förhållande till publiksnittet. Slutligen visar studien att det kan vara problematisk för innebandyföreningar att planera in matchdagar om de har en geografisk position där de konkurrera med övriga aktörer inom upplevelseindustrin. Vissa innebandyföreningar verkar lämna ansvaret att skapa en bra atmosfär till åskådarna och är inte underförstådda att de i lika stor utsträckning kan själva påverka atmosfären inne i arenan. Under de senaste åren har publiksnitten sjunkit i de flesta åskådaridrotter i Sverige där innebandy är bara ett exempel av problemet som legat till grund för studien. Denna studie visade att det finns brister i tjänsteerbjudandet och därför bör vidare studier inrikta sig mot innebandyns åskådare men även andra idrotter i Sverige. / Spectators in sport have an active role and are significant for sports organizations' economy. Previous research shows that it is important for sports organizations to integrate with spectators with additional services that create added value, because the game itself does not ensure recurring spectators. The consequence of reduced number of spectators exposes the sports organizations' economy, as spectators generate a central income for sports organizations, it may also have an indirect effect on other income. The number of spectators for floorball in Sweden and in "SSL Herr" has been low and has decreased with 14 percent under the last two seasons. Therefore, it has been of interest to understand how floorball organizations in "SSL Herr" work to create service value for the spectators. The purpose of this study has been to investigate whether there are factors in floorball organizations in "SSL Herr" game events, in such cases, which have influenced the change in the number of spectators. To answer the purpose of this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with respondents from seven different floorball organizations in "SSL Herr". The gathered material has been interpreted using the theoretical frame of reference, where the results show that there are differences and similarities in floorball organizations game events that may have affect the change in the number of spectators. There is correlation between increased number of spectators and restaurant possibilities, which can be a major contributing factor to the change in the number of spectators. This study also shows that creating ambience and service value for spectators in large arenas can be problematic if the number of spectators is low. Finally, the study shows that it may be problematic for floorball organizations to schedule game days if they have a geographic position where they compete with other actors in the experience industry. Some floorball organizations seem to leave the responsibility to create a good ambience to the spectators and are not implied that they can influence the ambience themselves. Over the last few years, the number of spectators has reduced in most of the spectator sports in Sweden where floorball is just one example of the problem that was the basis for this study. This study showed that there are shortcomings in the service offerings and therefore future studies should focus on floorball spectators but also other sports in Sweden.

A produção de leite é uma das principais atividades geradoras de renda em regiões onde a agricultura familiar ocupa grande parte dos estabelecimentos familiares, como é o caso do município de Rolador-RS. Todavia, o universo de agricultores que produzem leite apresenta certa heterogeneidade e, por conta disso, configura-se diferentes sistemas de produção de leite. Essa diversidade de sistemas de produção de leite influencia de forma diferente a sociedade na qual estão inseridos. Assim, o objetivo desta dissertação é realizar uma análise da agricultura de Rolador com foco na autonomia e na transferência de valor agregado dos sistemas de produção de leite. Para isso, utilizou-se da Teoria dos Sistemas Agrários como base teórica e metodológica. Como resultados, foram identificados dois sistemas de produção de leite com diferenças significativas entre si (Familiar Leite Mecanização Completa – FLMC – e Familiar Leite Mecanização Incompleta – FLMI). O primeiro é caracterizado por uma produção mais intensiva e especializada, enquanto o segundo possui características que o aproximam de uma produção mais extensiva. Além das diferenças técnicas, observou-se o que o FLMI é consideravelmente mais autônomo do que o FLMC, visto que utiliza mais sua própria base de recursos e está menos relacionado com o mercado do insumos e agentes externos. Além disso, tem ocorrido um intenso processo de concentração produtiva, que se traduz no incentivo, por parte das empresas, à sistemas de produção similares ao FLMC. De acordo com os dados deste trabalho, uma política com estas orientações é incoerente com uma noção de desenvolvimento rural baseada num processo equitativo e inclusivo. / The milk production is one of the main income generating activities in regions where family farming occupies a large part of family establishments, such as the case Rolador-RS municipality. However, the universe of theses farmers show some heterogeneity, and in reason of that, there are different configurations of milk production systems. This diversity of milk production system influences differently the community where are inserted. Therefore, the aim of this Master Thesis is conduct an analysis of Rolador agriculture focusing on autonomy and value transfer of milk production systems. For that, the methodology and theory used as study basis was the Theory of Agrarian Systems. As results, two milk production systems have identified with significant differences between each other (Family Milk Full Mechanization - FMFM - and Family Milk Incomplete Mechanization - FMIM). The first one characterizes per intense and specialized production, while the second has extensive production as a characteristic. In addition, to the technical differences, it has observed that the FMIM is considerably more autonomous than the FMFM, since this one uses more of its own resource base and is less related to the market of external inputs and agents. Moreover, there has been an intense process of productive concentration, which displays into the incentive by companies to production systems similar to FMFM. According to the data of this study, a policy with these guidelines is inconsistent with a notion of rural development based on an equitable and inclusive process.