There is increasing evidence that relational behaviors play a role in helping firms improve the performance of their strategic alliances, but there is still a preponderance of attention given to firm level elements and a dearth of literature investigating lower levels of analysis. This has helped create a "managerial relevance gap" (Bell, den Ouden, & Ziggers, 2006) between theoretical and operational requirements. This study attempts to fill one portion of that gap by investigating individual and team level factors that shape decisions to promotively collaborate with partners in alliances. The question of interest in this paper was whether supervisors and workgroup peers influence individuals to collaborate in an alliance, and whether those individuals consequently perform collaborative behaviors that improve performance. An analysis of survey responses from 1,242 members of a pharmaceutical sales organization produced three key findings. The first indicates that individuals' attitudes toward collaboration are related to collaborative behaviors, and that these behaviors in turn are positively related to performance. The second outcome of the study shows that attitudes of one's peer group do influence collaborative attitudes while those of one's supervisor do not. Third, there is an insignificant relationship between collaborative attitudes and performance. While evidence of indirect effects mediation was shown, it is therefore not possible to demonstrate either a full or partial mediation effect between collaborative attitudes and performance. These findings, along with the limitations of this study, are discussed. Finally, implications for future research and managerial practice are explored.

La proposition présente les résultats d’une analyse qualitative des enjeux de la collaboration inter-organisationnelle basée sur une étude empirique (22 entrevues semi-dirigées à travers le prisme des cinq dimensions du modèle conceptuel de Thomson, 2009) des mécanismes de collaboration mis en place par l’Alliance sherbrookoise pour les jeunes en santé. L’Alliance est composée de grandes organisations publiques sherbrookoises, soit le CIUSSS de l’Estrie-CHUS, la Commission scolaire de la région de Sherbrooke, la Ville de Sherbrooke et le Réseau des centres de la petite enfance. La recherche a comme objectif de comprendre comment les processus collaboratifs au sein de l’Alliance affectent son fonctionnement. L’étude du fonctionnement de l’Alliance permet de saisir la complexité des enjeux entourant les collaborations inter-organisationnelles, une compréhension essentielle pour éventuellement outiller et accompagner les organisations sujettes à ce type de pratiques collaboratives. Les résultats générés par cette étude ont permis de dresser un portrait des processus entourant la collaboration inter-organisationnelle à l’Alliance, ce qui mène à une compréhension plus fine de son fonctionnement actuel, de ses forces, de ses limites et, surtout, des leviers de changements efficaces pour l’organisation. Dans un spectre plus large, la recherche contribue à nourrir les discussions entourant le développement de modèles de gouvernance plus ouverts et collaboratifs.

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1999 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / This paper reports on the Space Shuttle, Record and Playback Subsystem (RPS) upgrade project turnaround brought about through extensive collaborative software development. The new project and systems engineering methodologies employed on this project resulted in many positive effects over the status quo method employed to develop and upgrade systems. These effects include; 1) a reduction in the initial software development costs, 2) a reduction in the development timeline, 3) improved marketability of the software technology developed, 4) improved product quality deployed to operations, and 5) improved maintainability. Attributes within each of the aforementioned are examined in support of these assertions. Prior to implementing this new method, the RPS upgrade project had been under development for seven years using the standard software development method. This involves developing custom applications using Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) hardware, operating systems and compilers. A change in strategy was effected on this pathfinder project by adopting a COTS telemetry ground station software package to provide basic ground station functionality and building additional required capabilities to complete the project. The merits of having employed this methodology are explored using the probable outcome of continued custom software development as a basis for comparison . This collaboration between the United Space Alliance (USA) and AP Data Systems Inc.(an AP Labs company), resulted in software innovations in FM and PCM processing software as well as general ground station management software. The four technology transfer submittals for new software innovations resulting from this collaboration are discussed.

Children and youth with emotional and behavioural disorders [EBD] have complex needs that span an array of service providers (Stroul & Friedman, 1994; VanDenBerg, 2008) and given the paucity of supports for this population they may not receive the support that they require (Burns et al., 1995; Farmer et al., 2003). There is a considerable amount of research that supports the integration of services for children and youth with EBD through the wraparound approach (VanDenBerg, Osher, & Lourie, 2009). There also is research that supports the notion that community schools may provide the most effective host environment for the integration and provision of support for this population (Dryfoos & Maguire, 2002; Grossman & Vang, 2009). However, there is limited Canadian research about the efficacy of the wraparound approach in the context of a community school. In order to explore this issue a qualitative, multi-case study was conducted of three community schools in the province of Manitoba to determine the extent to which community schools foster interdisciplinary collaboration and may support the implementation of the wraparound approach (Bruns, Suter, Force, & Burchard, 2005; Bruns, Walker, & The National Wraparound Initiative Advisory Group, 2008; Goldman, 1999). The findings from this study suggest that at the practice level, the community schools that were studied fostered collaboration and the integration of support. In addition, the community schools that were studied possessed many of the requisite conditions that support the implementation of the wraparound approach as a process to guide individualized planning for children and youth with complex needs. Barriers to the full-scale implementation of the wraparound approach in the context of the community schools were identified and primarily included system level constraints on collaborative practices. Future research may involve piloting the implementation of the wraparound approach as outlined in the “Wraparound Protocol for Children and Youth with Severe to Profound Emotional and Behavioural Disorders,” (Healthy Child Manitoba, 2013) in designated community schools within the province of Manitoba in order to build upon the strengths of community schools as effective host environments for the implementation of the wraparound approach and also to identify the means by which the system level constraints to collaborative practices might be overcome. / February 2016

The aim of this thesis is to locate current problems concerning the process of finding common ground between a creative producer and its respective client, furthermore it aims to propose a solution to this problem in the context of collaborative video editing. The paper starts off by exploring research related to the topic. After that, it establishes, through interviews with experts within fields of video editing and graphic design, what the currently existing problems are concerning communication within their line of work. As a solution to these problems, a collaborative software is proposed with the idea of bridging the understanding between the video editor and its client. The paper ends with some conclusions surrounding the current state of the topic and proposes a way forward for both practitioners and researchers.

This thesis aims to establish how high school librarians in Scotland and America can become effective evidence-based decision-makers. Initial data collection consisted of written questionnaires to elicit background data from librarians on the extent of their evidence-based practice. Three main themes emerged: collaboration; interprofessional relationships and roles; and decision-making. These themes are discussed in more detail. A range of qualitative methodologies was designed and implemented to gain more in-depth information on practice and viewpoints, involving librarians and stakeholders. A draft model was created of the effective evidence-based practitioner in a high school library, based on an interpretation of findings and readings from the literature. After member-checking and validating by stakeholders, a final model was produced. This emergent model focuses not on the role of the school librarian in isolation, but stresses the importance of interrelationships involving the librarian. The study makes an original contribution to knowledge by giving a better understanding of the effective evidence-based high school librarian in the wider context of education. There is also a contribution to knowledge by adding to the general theory of workplace decision-making and evidence-based practice which is applicable outwith the school sector, and the pragmatic solution-driven model of decision-making is introduced. Key findings give an insight into the complexity of the school library situation, and highlights that ideally there will be positive relationships between school management, school librarian and collaboration. When these come together, it can mean an increase in student achievement, and more effective evidence-based decisions can be made. Findings also demonstrate links between these elements with evidence, national bodies and skills and qualities needed to be an effective evidence-based high school librarian, and identify how the new and complex expectations made of school librarians can be met. Recommendations are made to help stakeholders improve practice.

Typical hospital setups comprise units such as clinics, inpatient wards, outpatient services, casualty services, operating theatres, laboratories, medical schools (for university hospitals) and out-reach medical camps. Healthcare professionals are required to support these different units hence the need to be constantly mobile in undertaking their duties. These duties require that they frequently consult colleagues, receive handover from previous duty staff or share information on previous work undertaken. Successful use and adoption of handheld devices such as PC tablets, PDAs and smartphones integrated to health information systems can minimize the physical mobility. Information sharing using M-health solutions in complex and diverse healthcare settings draw focus beyond the spatiality gains to the coordination of the teams, processes and shared artefacts in healthcare. CSCW research abounds with various concepts that can be useful in characterizing mobility and communication amongst collaborating health workers. Design for mobile health solutions, therefore, provides an opportunity to further ground theoretical frameworks from exemplary studies on health information systems. The overall objective of the study is to propose design suggestions that target successful information sharing in the deployment and use of M-health solutions. To achieve this objective, the thesis investigates and analyses factors influencing the use and adoption of M-health solutions. A qualitative literature review is used in the study to explore significant factors in the acceptance and use of health information systems. A questionnaire developed from these key factors is used to determine the perceptions of healthcare professionals on M-health solutions based on related literature and on a field study. Finally, the findings are discussed using concepts from CSCW literature namely, mobility, common information spaces, temporality and cognitive and coordinative artefacts. As a result, a conceptual model integrating constructs from the Technology acceptance model (TAM) and IS Success model was developed that can be useful in investigating perceptions in the use of M-health solutions. Design suggestions were proposed for the development of future M-health solutions that aim to achieve successful information sharing amongst healthcare professionals.

This research study explores the perceptions and experiences of individuals involved in the business collaborations of the Coal Authority (TCA) with other public and private sector organisations. The study offers two major contributions to professional knowledge and practice. The first is that the social and behavioural activities associated with the business collaboration process are of as much concern as the economic and structural aspects. The second is a conceptual model and framework which makes sense of the public sector business collaborating process, and identifies behaviours and practices which are perceived by the participants to positively contribute to successful business collaborating and to minimise the risk of inter-organisational collaboration failure. The research accounts underpinning the study are based on the researcher's direct observation, interviews, accounts and life experiences of over fifty individuals that he engaged with during his thirty months involvement within the research process. This was complemented by his reflective diary recording in real time the thought processes from the participants in both the public and private sector involved in business collaborating on a day-to-day basis, as he immersed himself in a purposeful way in the research setting. Twenty-four of the collaborators work for public sector organisations, twenty-nine work in the private sector. Thematic discourse analysis was used to interpret their life experiences and develop the framework around the four perspectives that emerged. The four perspectives are: • The context perspective • The business and strategy perspective • The delivery perspective • The people perspective Personal reflections on the research process and the framework are based on the Kirkpatrick (1967) four level theoretical model for the evaluation of learning and development outcomes. The researcher also describes the changes in behaviour and practices within TCA with regard to the way the people within TCA interact and collaborate with people from other organisations as a result of the study and its findings. Finally, the researcher demonstrates his achievement of the six learning outcomes of his DBA doctoral programme.

It is theorized that competition in the global market requires highly skilled human capital with different types and levels of skills, and with transferable skills. Internships are intended to nurture the skills and make students better professionals, better innovators, and more likely to get employment. In this thesis I evaluated these claims by examining the effect of the skills developed by internships on the professional performance, innovation capability and employability of Mexican students. The purpose of this thesis is to evaluate both the mandatory internship program in its ability to improve employability and to test some of the educational theories of workforce improvement and of what skills contribute to workers’ innovation capacity. Internships prepare students for the workplace by giving them opportunities to develop relevant skills. The Committee on the Assessment of 21st Century Skills of the U.S. National Research Council (NRC), identified three categories of workplace skills enabling individuals to face 21st Century challenges: cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills. I tested the relevance of these skills to interns’ professional performance using intern evaluation data on interns working at a multinational enterprise in the global steel industry, Ternium Mexico. A general model of internship outcomes was used to predict Main task and learning performance internship outcomes, and ordered logistic regression was used to predict Overall internship performance. The results confirmed that (1) cognitive intelligence or technical skills are necessary but not sufficient for success in executing professional tasks and (2) certain interpersonal and intrapersonal skills were also significantly associated with better professional performance as an intern. vi The ability to innovate is one of the most important and desired meta-skills for individuals, firms, and economies. It is believed that nurturing students’ innovation capability will improve their employability and their ability to deal with a rapidly changing future. A recent conceptual model of Individuals’ Innovation Capability, the D4 innovation model, has four stages: defining, discovering, developing, and demonstrating. Using the same internship evaluation data set, I determined whether the four D innovation skills: defining, discovering, developing and deploying skills, predicted Individuals’ Innovation Capability. The study confirmed that three of the innovation skills, discovery, developing and deploying, increase Individuals’ Innovation Capability. The foundation skills of oral communication and ability to self-update, and the professional competencies of establishing priorities and explicit knowledge also foster individual innovation capability. Internships have often been required for graduation by institutions of higher education because internships are perceived to help students increase their employability as well as provide educational value. I conducted statistical analyses to test whether students’ performance as interns and the number of internships they completed are predictive of their Probability of Employment, controlling for various labor-market conditions. The study analyzed the records of graduates at a private Mexican university who had completed undergraduate degrees as well as mandatory internships. A logistic regression model for job placement four months following graduation included: individual factors, personal circumstances, external conditions, and interactions with external conditions. This study revealed that the performance as an intern played an important role on employment and that employability depended on the interaction of a vii graduate’s personal assets, his/her family connections, and whether or not the labor market was contracting. This thesis is an empirical exploration of educational theory concerning the value of internships and also the skills that internships should foster. Since educational policy is frequently driven by theory, such validation is a potentially useful reality-check for policy makers. This work can inform educational policy and provide the underpinnings for shaping initiatives that benefit students, firms and the region.

Congruent with the second wave of feminism and continuing into the 1990s, a group of feminist compositionists felt that argument should not have a major, if any, place in the feminist classroom and began to redefine, revision, and reposition argument. With a rhetorician’s bias, this report looks at one articulation of why they turned away from argument—Sally Miller Gearhart’s claim that “any intent to persuade is an act of violence”—, what they turned to, some critique surrounding their approaches and theories, and how a broader understanding of rhetoric and the role of agonism in rhetoric and education can add depth to the feminist approach. / text