Šiuolaikinėje visuomenėje komandinis darbas yra ganėtinai populiarus bei užima svarbią poziciją. Komandos kuriamos remiantis įvairiais tikslais, tačiau vienas iš pagrindinių komandinės veiklos taikymo argumentų – greitesnis bei produktyvesnis sprendimų priėmimas bei kokybiškesni rezultatai. Šis magistro darbas yra ganėtinai aktualus, kadangi komandinio darbo plėtros galimybės Lietuvos švietimo įstaigose yra labai perspektyvios bei gali būti plačiai įgyvendinamos. Darbą sudaro keturios dalys: trys teoriniu pagrindu pagrįstos dalys bei tyrimas. Teorinėje darbo dalyje išanalizuoti įvairių Lietuvos bei užsienio autorių komandinio darbo teoriniai aspektai, pritaikant juos švietimo organizacijoms. Įgyvendintas pagrindinis šio darbo tikslas: išnagrinėta komandinio darbo samprata bei ypatumai, išanalizuota jo nauda, privalumai bei trūkumai, išanalizuota darbuotojų motyvacijos problematika dalyvaujant komandinėje veikloje bei nustatytos komandinio darbo panaudojimo galimybės švietimo įstaigose. Taipogi atskirai nagrinėjama vadovo bei komandos narių atliekamų vaidmenų įtaka komandos darbui, atsakyta į klausimą, kokiais kriterijais remiantis vykdoma komandos narių atranka bei aptartos psichologinės ypatybės. Taip pat išanalizuota bei įvertinta komandinio darbo patirtis Europos šalyse ir jo populiarumo priežastys. Remiantis teorinėmis prielaidomis bei analize, atliktas komandinio darbo tyrimas švietimo organizacijoms. Šioje darbo dalyje buvo stengiamasi įgyvendinti tam tikrus... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / In the modern society team work is quite popular and has a very important role. Teams are created based on different tasks, however, one of the basic arguments while applying team work is quicker and more productive decision making and results of a better quality. The paper is relevant, as possibilities of development of team work in educational organizations in Lithuania are perspective and could be widely realizable. The paper consists of four parts – three parts deal with the theoretical aspect, and there is a research. Theoretical parts analyze how different Lithuanian and foreign authors view theoretical aspects applied in educational organizations. Implementation of the main aim of the paper is carried out that is the concept of team work, benefits, advantages and disadvantages, the topic of employees’ motivation in team work, and possibilities of application it in educational organizations. Furthermore, the influence of leader and members’ role on team work is analyzed, the answer is given on what basis the choice of members is fulfilled and psychological specifications are discussed. The experience and popularity of team work in European countries is analyzed and evaluated. Based on the theoretical assumption and analysis, the research on team work in educational organizations is carried out. This part was aimed at the following tasks – to find out teachers’ opinion and evaluation of the importance of team work and its application and benefit at their working places... [to full text]

Energy crops may present an opportunity to reduce Nova Scotia’s Greenhouse Gas emissions by offsetting fossil fuel use and provide economic benefits for farmers. They have also received government policy support. To investigate this opportunity, I conduct a partial social cost-benefit analysis using non-equity weighted monetary valuation of growing switchgrass on inactive and underused farmland in Nova Scotia for local residential heating. The private net benefit for farmers, processors and consumers is estimated between $24.9 million and $209.9 million. I estimate that the external net benefit to society from the potential reduction in GHG emissions (at $50/tonne CO2E) ranges from $11.3 million to $72.2 million. This must be taken with caution as the analysis does not account for the entire ecological footprint of the project. While a net benefit to society is suggested, the paper also points to a need for more research surrounding the life-cycle emissions of energy crops.

Magistro baigiamajame darbe analizuojama socialinio inovacinio projekto ,,Socialinis taksi“ sukurta nauda visuomenei. Pirmoje darbo dalyje pristatoma socialinių inovacinių projektų idėja, aptariama inovacijų situacija Lietuvoje ir projektų vertinimo metodai. Antroje dalyje analizuojamas kaštų naudos analizės atlikimo procesas, pinigų srautų, projekto laikotarpio ir diskonto normos nustatymo problematika, socialinės naudos skaičiavimo būdai. Trečioje dalyje pateikiama projekto naudos visuomenei vertinimo schema, pristatomi tyrimo metu naudoti metodai – interviu, anketavimas, kaštų naudos analizė, jautrumo analizė. Ketvirtoje šio magistrinio darbo dalyje pateikiami respondentų apklausos rezultatai ir jais remiantis atliekamas projekto naudos vertinimas. Darbo pabaigoje pateikiamos išvados ir rekomendacijos. / In this master‘s thesis the benefit created by social innovation project ,,Socialinis taksi“ is calculated. In the first part the idea of social innovation projects is introduced, the situation of innovation in Lithuania is discussed and project evaluation methods are defined. In the second part the process of cost benefit analysis is introduced and the main problems related with determining the period of the project, it‘s cash flow and discount rate are discussed. In the third part the plan for further analysis is set and methods used in the final chapter are presented. In the final chapter the results of the survey are overviewed and cost-benefit analysis is performed. At the end of this paper conclusions are made and recommendations are provided.

The main research question in this thesis is do immigrant new mothers use maternity and parental leave benefit differently from native new mothers. I use Employment Insurance Coverage Survey micro data from 2000 to 2009 and fixed effect models to investigate the different weeks taken by new mothers and the different amount of benefits received during the leave period between immigrant new mothers and native new mothers. The results in my thesis show that immigrant new mothers received lower amount of benefit during the leave than native new mothers. There are no significant differences by the duration of the leave have taken between immigrant and native new mothers. I also find that the higher education a new mother received before they were pregnant, the higher benefit amount they could receive.

Tillage erosion is the dominant soil erosion process in hummocky landscapes. The topsoil lost from the convex upper slope positions (i.e., hilltops knolls, ridges) gradually makes its way to the concave lower slope positions (i.e., foot slopes, toe slopes/depressions), while reducing yield capability in the knolls. The accumulation of topsoil in the concave lower slope positions does not increase yield potential. Landscape restoration is a process by which organic-rich topsoil is removed from lower slope positions and is moved to the knoll positions where it is applied and incorporated as additional topsoil. Field studies on this matter have shown increases in crop yield productivity due to land restoration on the convex upper slope positions. Using a model developed in STELLA ®, this research examines the net monetary benefit of landscape restoration in specific landscape scenarios modeled after areas in Manitoba which are prone to tillage erosion. This study demonstrates that farming operations in hummocky landscapes, experiencing topsoil loss at knolls benefit from landscape restoration as it can lead to positive net returns. In this study, the research shows that landscape restoration, in the Rural Municipality of Lorne (South Western Manitoba), led to revenues greater than restoration costs for arable land used for agricultural purposes. Depending on soil conditions and tillage choices the payback period for landscape restoration ranged from 8 to 18 years.

The purpose of this research was to understand an indigenous perspective on the development and commercialization of non-timber forest products, such as medicines and foods, in Pikangikum First Nation, Northwestern Ontario, Canada. Framed by a research agreement between Pikangikum First Nation and the University of Manitoba, this collaborative research was based on participant observation, field trips, semi-structured interviews, and community workshops. The appropriate development and commercialization of Anishinaabe mushkeekeeh (medicine) and meecheem (food) requires the guidance of community Elders, Anishinaabe knowledge, and traditional teachings. The community is cautiously interested in developing collaborative, diligent, and culturally respectful partnerships that interface knowledge systems. Benefit sharing means the joint ownership of intellectual property and financial benefits, developing employment and capacity-building opportunities for community members, and planning products for community use. This thesis offers a community perspective on how NTFPs might be researched, developed and commercialized in joint and mutually beneficial partnerships with a First Nation.

Studiens syfte är att undersöka och redovisa vilka förutsättningar räddningstjänsten har att implementera SROI-modellen som ett utvärderingsverktyg för sin verksamhet. Arbetet bör ses som en förstudie till ett sådant projekt. Inom ramen för undersökningen har fem djupintervjuer utförts med räddningschefer och utbildningssamordnare fördelade på fyra olika kommuner. Utöver detta har sekundärkällor i form av utbildningsmaterial samt andra undersökningar studerats. Slutsatser: Räddningstjänsten ombeds i allt högre grad redovisa sin verksamhet i form av mätbara mål. Ansvariga inom räddningstjänsten saknar ofta verktyg för att formalisera och redovisa det utvärderingsarbete som regelbundet genomförs. Det framgår att man i varje region utför regelbunden utvärdering, men generellt inte uppfattar det så. Undersökningen indikerar att SROI är ett lämpligt verktyg att implementera och använda för räddningstjänsten. SROI kan fungera som en mall för att formalisera utvärderingsprocessen för att göra den synlig för såväl interna som externa intressenter.

Background: In 2007, Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health launched the Seniors’ Drug Plan (SDP), whereby provincial beneficiaries at or above the age of 65 receive medications at a maximum self-payment of $15. The purpose of this study was to document the impact of the SDP using provincial health-administrative databases. Methods: Aggregate medication utilization and costs were described using the prescription drug database starting two years before the implementation of the SDP and continuing for two years after. Interrupted time series analysis using segmented regression models were developed to test the impact of the SDP. Also, the probability of achieving optimal medication adherence was examined among cohorts receiving medications after SDP implementation versus similar patients receiving medications before the SDP and also a group of patients <65 years who were not eligible for the SDP at all. The impact of the SDP on the outcome of optimal adherence was estimated using logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: Monthly government spending on medications increased by 47.5% following implementation of the SDP, while total medication dispensations only increased by 5.8%. The SDP was associated with more dispensations per month among prevalent users (+5.4%, 95% CI: 1.3% to 9.5%) but not incident users who did not receive the study medication in the previous 365 days (+1.3%, 95% CI: -8.0% to 10.7%). Similarly, the SDP did not appear to impact the use of blood-glucose-lowering agents, (-0.5%, 95% CI: -6.2% to 5.2%). A small but significant increase in the odds of optimal medication adherence was observed after the SDP compared with before (OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.11). However, the impact was only observed in prevalent users (OR=1.08, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.12), but not incident users (OR=1.05, 95% CI 0.98 to 1.13). Also, the impact of the SDP on medication adherence was not consistent for all medication classes examined. Discussion: In summary, the SDP resulted in substantially higher government investment into drug costs without a major effect on medication utilization and adherence. However, cost reduction for seniors must have provided substantial relief independent of the impact on adherence and utilization.

Varje år ökar antalet äldre personer och i samband med den ökningen blir även antalet äldre personer med körkort allt fler. Med åldern är det vanligt att reaktionsförmåga, syn och hörsel försämras vilka alla är viktiga egenskaper för trafiksäkerheten. Läkare i Sverige är skyldiga att rapportera till Transportstyrelsen om en individ inte anses vara lämplig att köra bil. Att läkare över huvud taget tar upp körkortsfrågan med sina patienter sker endast i 60 procent av fallen och därmed fortsätter många olämpliga körkortsinnehavare att köra bil. Majoriteten av länder inom Europeiska Unionen (EU) har någon form av övre åldersbegränsning i körkorten där körkortsinnehavarna måste genomgå en kontroll för att få körkortet förnyat. Det är endast Sverige och sex andra länder inom EU som inte har någon form av körkortskontroll för äldre och i denna studie kommer en kostnadsnyttoanalys utformas för att ta reda på om kontroller för körkortsinnehavare över 75 år skulle reducera antalet döda och skadade i trafikolyckor och därmed vara samhällsekonomiskt lönsamt. De länder som tillämpar körkortskontroller har olika bestämmelser hur metoderna är utformade och studien tar upp hur det fungerar i några av länderna. Vidare redovisas forskning inom området och resultatet av undersökningar av olika testmetoder. Merparten av forskningsresultaten visar att körkortskontroller inte har någon större effekt på trafiksäkerheten och det går inte med säkerhet att säga hur många liv som räddas och antal skadade som skulle kunna reduceras genom införandet av tester. Därmed har dessa siffror fått antagits utan att ha något säkert underlag och utifrån denna antagning visar kostnadsnyttoanalysen att införandet av körkortskontroller inte skulle generera välfärd i Sverige. Utifrån resultatet går det att dra slutsatsen att Sverige har gjort en god bedömning om att endast ha anmälningsplikt för läkare förutsatt att den följs bättre. Även om resultatet visar att kontroller för personer över 75 år inte ska införas bör ändå trafiksäkerheten för äldre utvecklas genom att till exempel förenkla körningen vid vänstersvängar och förbättra kollektivtrafiken. / The numbers of elderly increase every year and the amount of older people with a license will increase as well. When getting older, it is natural that the reaction time, hearing and vision will change and these are all important features for traffic safety. Doctors in Sweden are required to report to the Swedish Transport Agency if an individual does not seem appropriate to drive. It is not common that doctors ask their patients about their physical health and ability to drive, the questions are only asked in about 60 percent of the physical evaluations and because of that, inappropriate license holders may proceed to use a vehicle. The majority of countries within the European Union embrace some kind of upper age limit to provide drivers with a valid license and several countries have compulsory medical examinations for license holders at a certain age. It is only Sweden together with six other EU countries that does not provide any license controls for elderly and in this study a cost benefit analysis is designed to determine whether controls for drivers over the age of 75 would reduce deaths and injuries caused by traffic accidents and thus increase welfare. The countries that apply driving license controls have different rules how the controls are designed and the study presents how it works in some of the countries. Further, research within the area shows that license controls does not have any sufficient effect on traffic safety. It cannot with certainty be said how many lives are saved and the amount injuries that could be reduced by an introduction of these tests. Thus, these numbers are adopted without any sufficient evidence and from this an assumption of the cost benefit analysis will show that an introduction of license controls would not generate a welfare increase in Sweden. Based on the result it is possible to conclude that Sweden has made a good assessment to have only a reporting requirement for physicians but the reports must be stricter. Although the result shows that license controls for people over the age of 75 should not be imposed, nevertheless traffic safety for elderly should be further developed, for example with simplifying left turns and improve public transportation.

The South African pharmaceutical market is seen as part of the so called "pharmerging" markets, together with countries like India, China and Brazil. These "pharmerging" markets are the fastest growing markets within the global pharmaceutical industry. The distribution of chronic medicine in South Africa is a growing market, as the disease burden in South Africa continues to escalate, with the incidence of chronic conditions growing at a rapid rate. The study will focus on one of South Africa’s pioneer courier medication service providers, with more than twenty years’ experience in the healthcare industry. The company will be referred to as Pharmacy X. The mission of Pharmacy X is to provide the right chronic medication, to the right patient, at the right place, at the right time. It is imperative to ensure that a patient receives his/her chronic medication on the scheduled date of delivery to ensure compliance and customer satisfaction. To achieve a competitive advantage, companies increasingly depend on their supply chain partners to minimize cost and improve business processes. The core value chain activity of outbound logistics has been outsourced by Pharmacy X to several courier companies. This study will aim to understand the importance of the outbound logistics function within the value chain of the company and the costs involved with the outsourcing of the function. The primary objective of this study was to determine the feasibility of an in-house courier operation in the Bloemfontein area versus the current outsourced courier model. In order to achieve the primary objective of the study, several secondary objectives were set and reached throughout the four chapters of this study. The study applied cost benefit analysis techniques to determine the feasibility of the Bloemfontein courier investment project. All the cost benefit analysis techniques concluded that the Bloemfontein courier investment will be a financial viable operation. The Bloemfontein courier investment will increase shareholder value over the period of the project compared to the current outsourced model. The contribution of this case study to determine the feasibility of a courier operation investment can be of value to Pharmacy X. The current projected total courier cost of Pharmacy X for the 2013 financial year amounts to more than a third of the total operational cost. The findings within the case study can lead to a greater national roll out of courier operations in order to reduce costs and increase profit margins for Pharmacy X. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014