Presently, within the human resource management (HRM) genre and including the construction management discipline, the identification and development of appropriate performance measures is seen as the only viable means for validating and engendering managerial excellence. There is also a growing awareness that appropriate predictive modelling practices can help engender the identification and development of these measures. Against the background that project-based sectors of the construction industry in developing countries need to adopt a proactive approach towards recognising and embedding performance measures in HRM practices, this thesis addresses the development of a model for predicting the performance of project managers (PMs) in mass house building projects (MHBPs) in Ghana. A literature review of the significance of performance measures in the HRM genre is first presented including an evaluation of the methodologies for measuring the performance of PMs. This is followed by a review of research and development in the management of human resources in the construction industry in developing countries including Ghana. Informed by the literature, an appropriate theoretical framework is adopted which draws on the organisational psychology theory of job performance, the conventional wisdom in project success criteria and an emerging framework of project lifecycle. Subsequently, a competency-based multidimensional conceptual model is developed. The conceptual model reflects both the elements of performance behaviours and outcomes in predicting the performance of PMs at the conceptual, design, tender, procurement, construction and operational phases of the project lifecycle. Adopting positivism as an appropriate research paradigm, structured questionnaire survey is used to elicit the relevant data from property developers in Ghana for the construction phase of the project lifecycle. Subsequently the data is analysed using one-sample t-test, factor analysis and multiple regression analysis (stepwise). From a broad range of competency-based measures used as independent variables, it is found that, the best predictors of the PMs’ performance at the “construction phase” of MHBPs are: job knowledge in site layout techniques for repetitive construction works; dedication in helping works contractors to achieve works programme; job knowledge of appropriate technology transfer for repetitive construction works; effective time management practices on the house-units; ability to provide effective solution to conflicts while maintaining good relationships; ease with which the PM is approachable by works contractors; and volunteering to help works contractors solve personal problems. These independent variables explained 74.4% of the variance in the model (at p < 0.0005). Validation of the model confirmed its goodness of fit and hence predictive accuracy. The findings suggest that at the construction phase of MHBPs, PMs who exhibit these behavioural competencies are likely to achieve higher levels of performance. Accordingly, PMs who aspire to achieve better managerial performance outcome on MHBPs should strive towards developing and improving these competencies. It is contended that the developed model could be used by property developers for the selection and recruitment of potential PMs and also for developing appropriate training requirements towards best practice improvement in the implementation of MHBPs. While the study focuses on Ghana, there is the potential for the model to be adopted for use by other developing countries towards the advancement of improved HRM activities in project management practice.

Este trabalho expõe a necessidade de inserção da produção rural no fenômeno chamado globalização, para tanto propõe a capacitação da população rural, ora residente e proveniente do programa de reforma agrária, através da educação escolar. A pesquisa aborda aspectos históricos e presentes do papel social da escola, dos recursos e Políticas educacionais, da história da educação, da construção escolar e da zona rural paulista. Demonstra a situação que se encontra atualmente a rede escolar rural do Estado de São Paulo e propõe alternativas para sua viabilização construtiva com qualidade adequada, de acordo com o estabelecido pela proposta pedagógica ora adotada. Ao final, realiza reflexões prospectivas e recomenda estudos a fim de viabilizar uma escola rural que se adeqüe à evolução da proposta pedagógica e às novas formas de relação de trabalho. / This work reveals the need to include rural production in the so called globallization phenomenon. In this view, it proposes that the capacitation of the rural population, wich lives in the rural area and is derived from the agrarian reform program, be undertaken by school education. This research approaches historical and present aspects of the social role of school, the funding and educational politics, the history of education, of school building and of the characteristics of the rural zone in the state of São Paulo. It describes and analyses the present situation of the rural school sistem of the state of São Paulo and proposes alternatives for a constructive realization with adequate quality, in accordance with the present established pedagogic proposals. At last, it raises a series of prospective reflexions and recommends studies to be understaken aimed at the construction of a rural school adequate to present state of evolution of the pedagogic proposals and to the new forms of labour relations.