Doctor of Education / Department of Educational Leadership / Sarah Jane Fishback / This qualitative case study sought to understand in what formative ways instructors in one teaching department of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) used common summative assessments and what similar practices instructors used as a result of common summative assessments. This research analyzed data from semi-structured interviews with purposefully selected participants, instructors in the Department of Army Tactics at CGSC, a representative mixture of civilian and active duty. This research confirmed that the formative use of summative assessments was typical among Department of Army tactics instructors and that continued or expanded formative use of summative assessments will increase student learning. Because so much of assessment is context dependent, this research will add to the body of knowledge in a particular area that the current literature did not fully address; the formative use of common summative assessments in higher education. Four conclusions were drawn from analysis of this research. First, the formative use of common summative assessments, especially feedback given to students, was typical of the Department of Army Tactics instructor, essentially a normal part of the assessment process. Second, DTAC instructors did not have a common understanding of the difference between summative and formative assessment, how they used the information gathered was more important than what the instrument was labeled. Third, “teaching to the curriculum” instead of “teaching the test” was typical in DTAC, an indication that the instructors saw their role beyond just preparing students for upcoming assessments. Fourth, the stratification of students during the grading process was typical, with the unintended consequence of students not being judged on quality of work alone.

This case study research was conducted to determine if three moderately priced iPad apps could assist children with autism in the area of social skill development. Five participants from Grades 6-12 were selected for this study. The researcher met with each participant three times. After being given a demonstration, each participant was observed using the apps and then asked questions relating to their experiences using them. The researcher and participants discussed the themes of the apps to determine whether the participant comprehended the social situations that were presented. The results of each case study varied based on the cognitive abilities of the participant. All participants had success with at least one app and indicated that they would continue using the apps in the future. More research is needed to determine the true potential of the iPad as a tool for children with autism to enhance their social skills. / May 2016

In history of organizational management have crisis been an issue that has been trying to be solved for so long. A crisis can have so many faces, which makes it so hard to recognize. Crisis management is something that all deal with at some point. Which makes this area so interesting, because there is always room for improvement. That’s why the purpose of this thesis is to get more understanding on how crises can be described and what type of response they use in terms of the description. The thesis is a qualitative case study that will analyze several crises from the recent events of Kommunal.The results show huge variety of different crises Kommunal face but that they are mostly preventable and self-made. Making excuses and justify what actually happened are the most common responses for that. The results also show that Kommunal intend to choose many different ways to respond when a crisis has emerged instead of having one single strategy. / I historien av organisationsutveckling har kris varit en fråga som man har försökt att lösa allt för länge. En kris kan ha så många ansikten, vilket gör det så svårt att känna igen. Krishantering är något som alla behandlar någon gång. Vilket gör detta område så intressant, eftersom det alltid finns utrymme för förbättringar. Det är därför syftet med denna uppsats är att få mer kunskap om hur kriser kan beskrivas och vilken typ av åtgärd som de använder. Avhandlingen är en kvalitativ fallstudie som kommer att analysera flera olika kriser hos Kommunal.Resultaten visar stort utbud av olika kriser Kommunal möter men att de är oftast är möjliga att undvika på grund av att dem är skapade från egna misstag. Ursäkter och olika typer av förklaringar av vad som faktiskt hände är de vanligaste åtgärderna Kommunal använder. Resultaten visar också att Kommunal har för avsikt att välja många andra olika sätt att reagera och agera när en kris har uppstått i stället för att ha en enda strategi.

The aim of this paper is to answer to a research question: “How does the entrepreneur’s motivation affect the success of the company in rural areas?” The theoretical framework conducted for this study discusses rural entrepreneurship and motivation as a success factor. Relevant material for this study is gathered by utilizing the databases of Halmstad university and Google Scholar. A case study approach is used and academic literature on the topic is reviewed. Different motivational factors of entrepreneurs in rural areas were identified based on this study. Further studies in this field is encouraged to strengthen this topic and/or provide with other aspects missing in this research due to limitations.

Huawei représente un des exemples les plus remarquables de rattrapage réussi par les firmes chinoises. Ayant démarré ses activités en 1987, cette entreprise est maintenant classée deuxième équipementier de télécommunications dans le monde, derrière Ericsson. Dans cette recherche, les sources de compétitivité de Huawei sont étudiées à travers un cas longitudinal incluant tous les évènements majeurs de 1987 à 2011. Ces évènements sont analysés selon 3 unités principales : produit/marché et technologie, relations avec les autres firmes et routines. A cette fin, la littérature sur les ressources (RBV), les compétences dynamiques, les réseaux, et les routines, est mobilisée. La littérature sur le rattrapage technologique et économique est aussi utilisée. Quatre phases sont identifiées et analysées. Ensuite, une analyse longitudinale est réalisée, afin de mettre en valeur les trajectoires de Huawei selon les trois unités d'analyse. Enfin, le style stratégique de Huawei est analysé, afin d'identifier les principes généraux qui ont guidé ses décisions stratégiques au cours de son histoire. Les limitations, les contributions à la recherche à la pratique des entreprises, ainsi que des pistes de recherche sont étudiées. / Huawei is one of the most remarkable examples of sucessful catching-up among chinese companies. It started its activities nearly from scratch in 1987, and is now ranked second telecommunications equipment vendor in the world, after Ericsson. In this research the sources of competitiveness of Huawei are investigated using a longitudinal case study (of arond 100 pages) including all major events from 1987 to 2011. These events are analysed according to three main units: product/market and technology decisions, relationships with other firms, and routines. For this analysis, reference is made to several literature streams, namely the resource-based view, the dynamic capability approach, the network approach and the routines-related literature. The catching-up literature is also mobilised. Four different phases are identified and analysed. Then a longitudinal analysis is conducted for the three analysis untis in order to identify the strategic path of Huawei. Finally, an analysis of the strategic style of Huawei is conducted, in order to identify the general principles that have guided strategic decisions overt the company's history. Limitations, possible contributions to literature and practice are discussed, as well as research directions.

Background: In 2009, midwifery became a regulated profession and was integrated into the delivery of perinatal health care in Nova Scotia at three model sites. The integration process was challenging for health care providers, and particularly for midwives and nurses, who have different scopes of practice, yet similar roles and skills. Little is known about how midwives and nurses collaborate. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore collaboration between midwives and nurses in Nova Scotia, Canada. Methodology: This research was conducted as an instrumental case study, guided by Stake's approach for qualitative case study research. Intersectional feminist poststructuralism (IFPS) provided the theoretical perspective to explore concepts of; power, discourse, and gender, as they related to collaboration between midwives and nurses. Individual, one on one interviews with 17 participants were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Twenty-five documents were reviewed, and field notes were maintained. Feminist poststructuralist discourse analysis was used to analyze the data. Findings: Four main themes were identified; 1) Negotiating Roles and Practices: ‘Every Nurse is Different, Every Midwife is Different, Every Birth is Different’, 2) Sustaining relationships: ‘The more we can just build relationships with one another’, 3) Reconciling Systemic Tensions: The Medical Model and the Midwifery Model, 4) Moving forward: A Modern Model for Nurses and Midwives Working Together. Discussion and Implications: This study illustrated the potential for building more collaborative teams of midwives and nurses in Nova Scotia, and in Canada. Midwives and nurses in Nova Scotia are positioned to demonstrate leadership in a midwife and nurse led birthing model of care that works. More research, leadership, government funding and support is needed to implement this model of care. Conclusion: The findings of this study can be used to build sustainable, collaborative, equitably distributed midwifery (and birthing) services in Nova Scotia, and throughout Canada.

Situation faced: Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo, as a subsidiary of Raiffeisen BankInternational AG, providesa wide range of banking products and services to all categories of customers in the private individual and business segments. In the first six months of 2018, the profit of the Bank was 11 Million Euro, being the highest in the banking market. The on-line banking channels has increased significantly and today the customers chose to do more than 80% of transactions through E-Banking, mobile phone,or ATMs. Raiffeisen Bank has started to adopt BPM since 2006 as a systemic and structured approach to analyze, improve, control, and manage processes with the aim to improve the quality of products and services. But, how well is BPM adapted and implemented in the bank, and what is the impact of BPM to the strategic goals? b)Action taken: This paper tackles the problem from two angles. First, a literature review is used to clarify the concept of BPM its scope. Second, semistructured interviews were used to collect data from nine participants covering high positions in Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo. In addition, the Research ffered both an evaluation of the significant aspects of the implementation process, and examinedthe key factors effects on alignment of BPM with organization strategy. c)Results achieved: his study unveils that BPM is well understood and is con-sidered an important practice within the bank. Its implementation is familiar to the top management. Especially, process visualization is a considered a core element within BPM projects. Existing project can further benefit from BPM by applying process ownership and defining responsibilities within the end to end processes in every department were these processes are performed. Moreover, this study collects evidence that strategy objectives can be led by BPM. d)Lessons learned: Experience has taught that there are many challenges whenapplying BPM initiatives. However, once these are applied, they help achieving strategic objectives. Two main challenges of implementing BPM were related to lack of proper IT support and budget needed to cover staff training. This paper recommends that BPM initiatives be strategy driven. It should be treated in a holistic way, including several methodologies like Six Sigma, Lean, and Agile. In this way, the Bank is lead towards thinking how its product or services are delivered to the customers.

This study analyses the effect of introducing student portfolios as a means of assessing the learning of mathematics. It examines the intended and the unforeseen outcomes in terms of the students, the caregivers, and the teachers involved, using quantitative data to match classroom environments with the response to the innovation. A major focus of the qualitative aspect of the study is the decisionmaking process that was associated with the implementation of change. For this study, all the junior students in a New Zealand secondary school were asked to compile portfolios of their mathematical work. The portfolios were graded by the teachers, the marks contributing to the students' assessments for the year's work. At the outset, the plan was to survey the 510 students involved to determine their attitude towards mathematics, survey them again once the innovation was in place to quantify the classroom environment, then repeat the first survey. Analysis was expected to reveal whether classroom environments that approximated a "portfolio culture" (Duschl & Gitomer, 1991) contributed to an improved attitude towards mathematics. This quantitative approach was supplemented with taped interviews of students and teachers, ongoing records of less formal interactions, review of examination marks and school reports, and questionnaires mailed to the homes of a sample of the students. As the study progressed, it emerged that the major impact was on the teachers, and the focus shifted to them. For four years, follow-up surveys were conducted with teachers, including those who had transferred to other schools. The study found that all students can benefit from portfolios, both in terms of skills and attitude towards mathematics. / Portfolios legitimated the involvement of caregivers, a positive change that provided greater links between classroom activity and the world of employment. The professional practice of teachers was affected by portfolios, prompting development of new classroom resources and techniques, increased collegial cooperation, and well-informed reflection on teaching and assessment. Teachers maintain great influence on classroom culture, and for many of those involved in the study, portfolios prompted a renewed interest in the process undertaken by students as they develop mathematical ideas, and a change in the relationship between teacher and students. The "portfolio culture" resulted in students improving in their appreciation of mathematics, and a changed role for the student within the social environment of the classroom.

This research explores the determinants of inter-partner learning in alliances. The potential for organisations to learn from their alliance partner is well recognised in the literature. The Knowledge Based View of the Firm (KBV) posits that an organisation’s knowledge base, especially its tacit knowledge base, is a source of sustainable competitive advantage. Three key determinants of inter-partner learning are: intent to learn, transparency (i.e. willingness to share knowledge) and receptivity (i.e. capacity to learn). These three concepts are used to guide a single case study of an alliance between a National Sport Organisation (NSO) and a Professional Sport Franchise (PSF). Data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with key informants at both organisations. Each individual transcript was colour coded in relation to each of the four research questions. All relevant quotes were then copied into separate files for each organisation and categorised by research question. The results of the study suggest that 1) despite historical conflict, the relationship between alliance partners is becoming increasingly positive; 2) intent to learn was low in both organisations but higher in the NSO; 3) the NSO was more transparent than the PSF; and 4) receptivity was low for both organisations. Key conclusions of the research are that the NSO and PSF are failing to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by their relationship, but intent, transparency and receptivity remain useful concepts to explore inter-partner learning.

Outpatient consultations form a large part of the healthcare of patients at tertiary hospitals, both as a precursor to in-patient treatment and for the management of on-going health conditions or long-term rehabilitation and monitoring after treatment. These outpatient consultations are generally conducted at the hospitals, most often located in large cities. Patients who live outside these cities face extensive travel to attend these consultations, placing a burden on themselves and on their families or carers. An ability of a tertiary hospital to deliver outpatient consultations in a telehealth mode to regional or remote locations closer to the patients’ homes would potentially relieve much of this burden of travel. Tertiary healthcare is highly complex. It can involve multiple clinicians, can require long time periods for its completion and often includes the patients and their families in the management of the healthcare situation. Outpatient consultations typically involve high levels of interpersonal discussion supported by access to data about the patient. Telehealth methods of delivering these outpatient consultations will be very demanding on the network connection between hospital and remote telehealth nodes. The next generation of Internet or intranet, often referred to as “broadband”, will have the capacity to deliver multiple high-quality, low-latency video streams and to provide shared access to large data sets. The prospective match of the capabilities of broadband networks and the needs of tertiary-level telehealth opens the possibility of effective, tertiary-level outpatient consultations in a telehealth mode of delivery. In this thesis I use a case-study-based approach to evaluate the development and pilot trial of a broadband telehealth system in a tertiary paediatric context. I use the data from these case studies to explore the way that a human-centred approach can be used to evaluate outpatient telehealth trials at a tertiary level of healthcare. My results show that human-centred evaluation for this level of telehealth must take a broad approach; that the telehealth activities must take place in a realistic setting; that qualitative and quantitative responses from participants must be complemented by observational data; that data must be gathered from all the participants; and that their competence to give meaningful responses must be recognised and their multiple, and possibly differing, points of view must be taken into account. Finally, my results show that the researchers must take into account the wider clinical and hospital contexts and in particular the participants’ view of these contexts, when interpreting evaluation data. My overall prediction is that telehealth applications for tertiary-level outpatient consultations will have important, transient phases in their development, and that a human-centred evaluation approach is the appropriate way to evaluate telehealth applications during these phases. These transient phases are not reported in conventional telehealth literature but my analysis of my case studies suggests that they are central to this class of tertiary level telehealth delivery.