Dissertation characterizes the applicable best practices in human resource management and defines the essence of positive effect of applying best practices in human resource management on the performance achieved by the organization.

Thesis advisor: Maria E. Brisk / This dissertation analyzed how exemplary mainstream teachers of English Language Learners (ELLs) taught these students across contexts--English monolingual immersion and bilingual. The research for this study was grounded directly in the teaching practices of exemplary teachers for English Language Learners (ELLs). Teacher participants undertook inquiry into their own practices to provide the knowledge and information needed to assist other teachers in improving their practices with ELLs. The research in this case drew upon previous research in the area of professional knowledge and expertise. The major goal was to understand from a holistic viewpoint the successful teacher of ELLs--their backgrounds, knowledge and practices, and how these were mediated by teaching contexts--English monolingual immersion and bilingual. Using a constructivist grounded-theory design, four descriptive case studies were the focus of the dissertation. Using interviews, observations, recall sessions, and a focus group, each teacher was studied to determine their backgrounds both personally and professionally, teaching practices, and attitudes towards ELL students, in order to create a theory of what it takes to be an effective teacher of ELL students. The results suggest that certain background experiences can positively impact the teaching of ELL students: learning a second language, being immersed in a culture different from one's own, and an understanding of second language development. The results also indicated common patterns among the teachers' planning and preparation, teaching practices, and attitudes towards their ELL students. Commonalities in teachers' planning and preparation included the use of themes and units, language goals for their ELL students, knowledge of students' backgrounds, and preparation of exemplars and models. Commonalities in classroom practices included repetition of key vocabulary and phrases, prompting and coaching ELL students, thoughtful grouping and pairing, frequent check-ins with ELL students, and, in the bilingual context, use of the students' first language for learning and instruction. Finally, all of the teachers demonstrated common observable attitudes towards their ELL students such as kindness, sensitivity, and encouragement. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2008. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Curriculum and Instruction.

A inovação tornou-se um tema importante para as organizações empresariais no atual ambiente econômico, marcado pela intensa competição por mercados, tecnologias e recursos, e o cenário brasileiro não foge a regra. As empresas se esforçam para entender os fatores que influenciam a inovação e a sua complexa dinâmica a fim de desenvolverem ou ajustarem sua cultura, suas estruturas e seus processos organizacionais com o intuito de estimulá-la. O estudo da inovação não é algo totalmente novo, vários artigos e trabalhos acadêmicos foram desenvolvidos sobre o tema, não obstante, o assunto ainda é um amplo campo de pesquisa. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo contribuir no esforço de um melhor entendimento da inovação nas empresas, mais especificamente em qual a influência das práticas do processo de desenvolvimento de produto no desempenho inovador das organizações e, a diferença de uso das práticas nas organizações com perfil mais e menos inovador. Cerca de 50 gerentes, envolvidos com a atividade de desenvolvimento de produto de empresas localizadas no Brasil de diferentes nacionalidades e tamanho, participaram da pesquisa. Técnicas de correlação e análise multivariada permitiram identificar quais práticas da atividade de desenvolvimento correlacionaram-se com os indicadores de desempenho inovador e, a diferença entre as empresas mais e menos inovadoras em relação ao uso destas. O estabelecimento de mecanismos de coleta de idéias de colaboradores, fornecedores e clientes e de um sistema para a avaliação e seleção das melhores idéias são extremamente importantes a fim de que, uma empresa identifique e selecione as melhores oportunidades tecnológicas e de mercado. Outros fatores também identificados foram: a existência de um método para a execução dos projetos na organização, a utilização de equipes multidisciplinares e a colaboração externa, com fornecedores e clientes. O envolvimento do nível executivo da empresa, apoiando a equipe de projeto, provendo diretrizes e desempenhando um importante papel nas decisões de continuar ou abortar projetos, também merece destaque. Outras práticas, no entanto, não foram passíveis de identificação na presente pesquisa como: a necessidade de alinhamento contínuo do projeto com as informações de mercado em todo o ciclo de desenvolvimento, a preocupação pela melhoria contínua e o desenvolvimento de um plano de lançamento, suportado por uma base de dados contendo informações sobre testes em protótipos, antes da introdução do produto no mercado. / The innovation has become an important subject for the corporations in the current economic environment, characterized by an intense competition for markets, technologies and resources, and the Brazilian scenario is not different. Companies struggle to understand the factors which could influence the innovation and its complex dynamic in order to create or align its culture, its organizational structure and processes with the objective to harvest it. The innovation research it is not something new, a variety of academic articles and researches have been developed about it however, the field still is a green field for research. The current work has the objective to contribute for the effort of a better understanding of corporation innovation, in special, what it is the influence of product development practices in the innovation performance and what it is the difference in the use of practices between corporations with a more or less innovator profile. Around 50 managers, involved in product development activity at companies located in Brazil of different nationality and size, joined the research. Correlation and multivariate techniques identified which product development practices correlated with innovation metrics and, the difference between companies more or less innovators regarding the use of these practices. The establishment of a mechanism for gathering employers, suppliers and customers? idea and one for assessing and selecting the best ones are extremely important in order to the company identify and select the best technologies and markets opportunities. Others factors also highlighted by the research were the existence of an established methodology for executing its projects inside the organization, the use of a multidisciplinary teams and the external collaboration, with its suppliers and customers. The executive level involvement, supporting project team, providing directives to it and playing a crucial role in the go-kill projects, also deserve some attention. Others practices however were not identified in the current research such as: the need of continuously keeping the project aligned with market information during the whole development cycle, process improvement mentality and the creation of a launching plan, supported by a database contained information about prototype tests, before the product introduction in a market.

As pressões geradas pela competitividade têm aumentado intensamente justificando assim uma maior preocupação com a gestão do Processo de Desenvolvimento de Produtos (PDP). Administradores têm priorizado a sistematização deste processo a partir da implantação de atividades, ferramentas, conceitos e melhores práticas dos modelos referenciais para o PDP. Os modelos referenciais são adotados nas empresas através de projetos de mudança ou melhoria na empresa e incluem: o diagnóstico das necessidades de melhoria, seleção de melhores práticas, implantação e acompanhamento da mudança do PDP. Entretanto, nem sempre as melhores práticas são realizadas integralmente na rotina da empresa, posteriormente à implantação, o que suscita a dúvida sobre a efetividade dos métodos de melhoria para atingir uma mudança duradoura e de sucesso. O objetivo desta dissertação é identificar práticas que contribuam para uma mudança duradoura no PDP de empresas e incorporar estas práticas a um método de melhoria existente. Os resultados indicam que os métodos de melhoria para o PDP, presentes na literatura, contemplam um conjunto de melhores práticas com forte enfoque nos aspectos de gestão do processo, porém não tão fortes nas práticas relacionadas à gestão da equipe envolvida na execução das mudanças. Desta forma, práticas de gestão de pessoas foram incorporadas num método de melhoria para PDP e experimentado através de um estudo de caso em empresa do setor metal-mecânico. As características de maturidade da empresa limitam a aplicação integral da proposta, confirmando que a adoção das práticas de gestão de pessoas depende da cultura organizacional vigente e, por conseqüência, do estilo e apoio gerencial, o que em última instância reflete o nível de maturidade da organização para os processos de mudança e melhoria do PDP. / Pressures of competition have increased strongly justifying more concern with the Product Development Process (PDP) management. Administrators have focused on the systematization of this process through the implementation of activities, tools, concepts and best practice from reference models. The PDP reference models are adopted in companies via improvement or change projects that include: the diagnostic of requirements for improvement, the selection of best practices, the implementation and monitoring of PDP change. However, the best practices are not always performed entirely on the company's routine, after the implantation, what raises doubt about the effectiveness of improvement methods to achieve long lasting change and success. This article aims to present a literature review and comparison of the improving methods to identify the best practices that address a well succeeded PDP improvement. The results indicate that the methods of improvement for PDP, existing in the literature, include a set of best practices with a strong focus on aspects related to resources management of the project improvement, but not as strong in practices related to team management involved in implementing changes. Thus, practices related to people management were incorporated into a comprehensive method of improvement for PDP and experienced through a case study in a metal mechanic company. The company maturity characteristics limited the full implementation of the proposal, confirming that the adoption of best practices related to people management depends on organizational culture and, consequently, on the management style and support. The latest, ultimately, reflects the level of maturity of the organization to change processes and PDP improvement.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate and examine specific kindergarten through third grade practices perceived as contributing to literacy achievement at 3 high-achieving elementary schools within the Washington County Virginia Public School System. The study was completed through a process of open-ended interviews with participants comprising classroom teachers, reading specialists, and administrators. The findings from this study may assist practitioners by providing information relative to programs, resources and instructional strategies that are perceived as contributing to literacy achievement. The findings of this study suggested that the perceptions among classroom teachers, reading specialists, and administrators regarding literacy practices were parallel. In summation, the participants’ perceptions included a balanced approach to literacy instruction with an emphasis on the following: phonics acquisition in kindergarten through second grade; a focus on explicit comprehension instruction beginning in third grade; development of vocabulary to increase background knowledge and comprehension; frequent opportunities for independent reading practice; targeted instruction in small-group and one-on-one settings; and the use of supplemental literacy and assessment resources. Recommendations from this study included the consideration of providing balanced literacy instruction in kindergarten through third grade; an emphasis on phonics skills in kindergarten through second grade, and an emphasis on comprehension skills beginning in third grade; frequent and consistent guided and independent reading time within the classroom setting; an increased emphasis on vocabulary development; the provision of targeted small-group and one-on-one instruction; and the use of supplemental literacy and assessment resources.

Conventional wisdom suggests effective and timely school communications increase parental involvement. Guided by this wisdom and contemporary parental involvement theory, effective educational institutions have established systems that foster communication and collaboration between school representatives and the local community. Despite such efforts, research has revealed persistent declines in parental involvement within schools. This phenomenological study documented 16 parents' perceptions of communication between teachers and parents at 2 K-8 schools in the American southwest. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore parents' perceptions of the effectiveness of various school-based communication systems and the specific impact these systems had on parental involvement. NVivo software was used to facilitate identification of common themes. Emergent themes addressed (a) communications that elicit parent involvement, (b) effective communications, (c) regular and timely communications, (d) preferred communication mode, and (e) parent communication center. Findings revealed that both schools lacked effective communication tools, inhibiting the ability to reach students' families and negatively impacting participation. Proposed for future consideration was development of a strong foundation for parents' participation in their child's education and enhancement of unrestricted, bidirectional communications. The anticipated social impact of this study is that effective practices could be brought to the forefront, leading to ideas to increase timely communication between home and school and parental involvement.

The criminal justice program in a community college located in the southwestern United States had experienced an increase in student plagiarism. However, the current teaching practices of criminal justice instructors to prevent and manage the increased student plagiarism have not been effective. The purpose of this study was to explore criminal justice college instructors' experiences, perceptions, and teaching strategies related to undergraduate student plagiarism using Goleman's emotional intelligence theory and Daloz's mentoring theory. Employing a qualitative instrumental case study design, data were collected through semistructured interviews with 10 criminal justice college instructors. Member checking and reflective journaling ensured accuracy and credibility with initial findings from the interview data. The interview data were coded and analyzed using matrix and thematic analysis. Findings revealed 6 categories: professional development, instructor-student relationships, Turnitin reports, policy enforcement, instructor discretion, and mentoring students. To address the findings, a department plagiarism policy was proposed through a position paper to key stakeholders at the community college. The implementation of the department plagiarism policy has the possibility to create positive social change by promoting ethical writing standards and providing support for students' future academic success.

Low health literacy is a problem the U.S. faces and, like health care itself, is a complex issue stemming from patient demographics and the healthcare providers being very diverse. Tools have been developed to mitigate the risks of low health literacy, however, without formal policy. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore and compare commonalities in health literacy best practices of organizations that are recognized as leaders in health literacy and are addressing low health literacy in their communities. By comparing the organizations' abilities to implement standards of plain language and health literacy tools/guidelines, best practice and policy recommendations could be made to various organizations regardless of level (local, state, federal, or nonprofit). The theoretical framework was based on the Evans and Stoddart framework of determinants of health and the health behavioral theories. The conceptual framework was based on health literacy best practices and policy. The research questions focused on how organizations implement health literacy tools/guidelines, the impact of health literacy best practices on policy development and addressing health literacy through formal policy. The qualitative multiple case study used open-ended interview questions via telephone conferencing, with 13 participants from health literacy organizations. The analysis was done by coding and bracketing the responses manually and with NVivo software. Results indicate that health literacy policy development and involvement exists but it is not derived from the health literacy best practices. The implications for positive social change for this study impacts the patient (individual), community, organization, and society through best practices and recommendations for policy development.

Corporate governance issues resulting from bad governance, fraudulent activities, insider abuse, and corruption have attracted the attention of shareholders and regulators in the banking industry. The financial crisis that erupted from the United States affected the financial institutions of both developed and developing countries, among which Nigerian banks belong. The Central Bank of Nigeria removed 8 managing directors and executive directors due to bad governance, nonperforming loans of 61%, and toxic assets of $13.3 billion; the Central Bank injected 620 billion naira into the banks. The purpose of this multiple case study was to develop an understanding of corporate governance strategies needed to ensure regulatory compliance and enhance financial performance from the perspective of senior management of the regulatory authority and corporate financial leaders. Agency theory served as the conceptual framework for the study. The population for this study was10 senior regulatory leaders and corporate financial leaders in Nigeria. The data sources were semistructured interviews, research notes, codes of corporate governance, and financial reports of banks. Member checking was used to improve the credibility and trustworthiness of the data. After compiling, disassembling, reassembling, and coding the data, 5 themes including the need for: improvement on compliance to corporate governance regulations; effective board governance; training education and awareness on best practices, strategic risk management and internal control; and strategic and effective leadership. Potential implications for social change may include knowledge for investors and the public, who have increasingly relied on financial services in Nigeria to support personal and business goals to identify banks with best practices.

Although the demand for public presentations exists, barriers prevent many Master Gardener Volunteers from participating in speaking events. This study identifies the perspectives of both County Extension Agents and Master Gardener Volunteers on effective Master Gardener Speakers Bureaus. Characteristics and best practices of successful Speakers Bureaus are identified as well as barriers to their development and growth. A parallel mixed method study was designed to simultaneously gather qualitative and quantitative data. The results conclude for Master Gardener Speakers Bureaus to be successful, both agents and volunteers need to have a positive attitude and be support of the Speakers Bureau’s efforts. Utilizing volunteer leadership and offering training are the two best practices that emerged from the data and are recommended to overcome the barriers for Master Gardener Speakers Bureaus.