Cooperative Extension produces public value through educational programming that benefits the greater community. Forests provide numerous valuable benefits to society through the provision of ecosystem services. Cooperative Extension educational programming positively impacts forest owners, who in turn conduct actions that enhance ecosystem services. A heretofore unrecognized relationship exists between Cooperative Extension and ecosystem services that provides opportunity for mutual benefit. Applying ecosystem services values to Extension natural resources-related programmatic outcomes through benefit transfer provides an avenue for Extension to make significant advancements in monetizing public value. Beyond serving simply as a source of financial justification, however, linkages with ecosystem services also provide Cooperative Extension with opportunities to improve the design and delivery of educational programs, do a better job articulating an array of public benefits resulting from agency accomplishments, and optimize allocation of sparse resources and Extension efforts. This dissertation thoroughly explores these concepts by providing an overview of: Cooperative Extension in general and Extension forestry more specifically; public value in an Extension context; ecosystem services; ecosystem services valuation; benefit transfer, and; connections between these diverse topics. In addition, benefit transfer principles are applied to an existing Extension evaluation data set in attempt to monetize Cooperative Extension's impact, lessons learned are explored, and the Cooperative Extension public value discussion is re-framed as one aspect of overall continuous organizational improvement. / Ph. D.

Early reading intervention has not eradicated reading deficiencies at the middle school level. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), adolescents continue to read below grade level in middle grades. Response to intervention (RTI) is one method of combating this educational concern. This study examined the impact of implementation of a RTI program within one district across multiple middle school campuses. Using individual structured online questionnaires, focus groups, and document analysis, the researcher employed a qualitative, multi-site case study design to evaluate the perceptions of impact of RTI through the lens of middle school reading teachers. Participants included a convenient purposive sample of middle school reading teachers in a suburban school district of about 24,000 students in North Central Texas. I present a review of relevant research at the middle school level to provide a framework for the current study. Additionally, an outline of methodology, research questions, and the proposed data analysis plan are provided. I discuss the intended use of constant comparative analysis to report findings in themes. Particularly, facilitators, hindrances, and impact are a priori themes for reporting.

Submitted by Aelson Maciera (aelsoncm@terra.com.br) on 2017-08-07T19:09:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCLG.pdf: 1961386 bytes, checksum: 4f4c104b8de66d6468ef02dfd76b6148 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-09T13:23:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCLG.pdf: 1961386 bytes, checksum: 4f4c104b8de66d6468ef02dfd76b6148 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-09T13:23:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCLG.pdf: 1961386 bytes, checksum: 4f4c104b8de66d6468ef02dfd76b6148 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-09T13:29:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCLG.pdf: 1961386 bytes, checksum: 4f4c104b8de66d6468ef02dfd76b6148 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-07 / Não recebi financiamento / The practices of Continuous Improvement (CI) and the Innovation of products and processes get competitive advantage for organizations, in relation to competitors, whether in positioning by low cost or differentiation strategy. These practices need to be managed and integrated in order to ensure, in the long run, the desired results. Although seen as significant for the strategic goals of the organization, often are managed independently and with different goals. There is little consensus in the literature if the use of Continuous Improvement Practices has positive or negative impact on the processes and outcomes of Innovation in firm. However, are observed recurring statements about the necessity of coexistence and integration of CI programs and Practices and Innovation. There is interest in examining what existing relations in the context of organizations that make it possible to identify whether a greater intensity of use of CI practices influences the perceived performance in innovation of products and processes. In order to analyze the possible relations, the study was conducted by survey on a sample of 102 companies of Auto parts, Pharmaceuticals, Electric-Electronics appliances the State of São Paulo in Brazil. The sample data were analyzed by descriptive and multivariate statistical methods (cluster analysis). The descriptive analysis showed significant evidence on integration relations between CI and Product and process innovation, as well as, the IC contribution in creating a fertile environment for Innovation. Multivariate analyzes revealed existence of associations between the intensity of use of IC practices and perceived performance in Innovation, mainly in processes. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the topic and management application in organizations, besides indicating opportunities for further studies. / As práticas de Melhoria Contínua (MC) e de Inovação de produtos e processos geram vantagem competitiva para as organizações, seja em posicionamento por baixo custo ou em estratégia de diferenciação. Essas práticas precisam ser gerenciadas e integradas de forma a assegurar, no longo prazo, os resultados desejados. Apesar de vistas como significativas para os resultados estratégicos da organização, muitas vezes são gerenciadas de forma independente e com objetivos distintos. Há pouco consenso na literatura sobre se o uso de práticas de Melhoria Contínua tem impacto positivo ou negativo nos processos e resultados de Inovação nas empresas. Entretanto, são observadas afirmações recorrentes sobre a necessidade de coexistência e integração das práticas e programas de MC e da Inovação. Há interesse em analisar quais as relações, existentes no âmbito das organizações, que possibilitam identificar se uma maior intensidade de uso das práticas de MC influencia o desempenho percebido em Inovação de produtos e processos. Com o intuito de analisar as possíveis relações, foi conduzida uma pesquisa survey em uma amostra de 102 empresas industriais dos setores de Autopeças, Farmacêutico e Eletro-Eletrônico do Estado de São Paulo. Os dados obtidos foram analisados por métodos estatísticos descritivos e multivariados (análise de cluster). As análises descritivas de dados mostraram evidências significativas sobre as relações de integração entre a MC e a Inovação de produtos e processos, bem como, a contribuição da MC na criação de um ambiente propício a Inovação. As análises multivariadas revelaram a existência de associações entre a intensidade de uso de práticas de MC e o desempenho percebido em Inovação, principalmente em processos. Os resultados contribuem para uma melhor compreensão sobre o tema e aplicação gerencial nas organizações, além de indicar oportunidades de desdobramentos para pesquisas futuras.

Engineering is inherently a process of constant change. The process of managing engineering changes is however, not a new topic and it is well defined and implemented in various other engineering management philosophies. Yet, on its own, it still remains a very challenging problem to organisations. This research examines the applicability of engineering change management to a large steel manufacturing company who identified the lack of an engineering change management system as the main contributing factor of numerous problems the company experienced over time. The study sets out to determine the high level understanding, the level- and sophistication of practical implementation and quality (identified problems with existing, or the lack of existing systems) of the engineering change management procedures. The study also compared how three surveyed companies relate in terms of their engineering change management systems and how the companies relate to the academic principals found in literature. Furthermore everyday user experience was measured to determine what aspects of engineering change is important and what needed improvement As part of the research, literature was reviewed and it was found that various authors, practitioners and academics agreed that engineering change management is increasingly important as an engineering management item. The literature revealed high-level requirements, models and constituents that are required for successful engineering change management. A questionnaire survey was developed as the experiment to measure how engineering change management was perceived practically. The aspects and phases listed from literature were examined and the perceptions, experience and feedback from the engineers that face engineering changes on a daily basis was determined. The general understanding and feeling towards their engineering change management was analysed and used to identify areas of common problems. The two other surveyed companies: a petrochemical company and a specialised product company provided means to determine if the process of engineering change management could be generalised and applied to the large steel manufacturing company. The analysis of the results of the survey provided valuable information that was used to conclude why some companies were able to achieve success with their engineering change management procedures and why others failed or struggled. The research effectively showed how engineering change management is perceived both negatively and positively in industry and identified common areas where improvement can be made. Furthermore, it can be concluded that engineering change management remained generic from a high-level and would thus be applicable to the large steel manufacturing company. The study also determined that engineering change management can effectively be used to mitigate and reduce the effects of uncontrolled changes that were listed by the large steel manufacturing company. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Engineering is inherently a process of constant change. The process of managing engineering changes is however, not a new topic and it is well defined and implemented in various other engineering management philosophies. Yet, on its own, it still remains a very challenging problem to organisations. This research examines the applicability of engineering change management to a large steel manufacturing company who identified the lack of an engineering change management system as the main contributing factor of numerous problems the company experienced over time. The study sets out to determine the high level understanding, the level- and sophistication of practical implementation and quality (identified problems with existing, or the lack of existing systems) of the engineering change management procedures. The study also compared how three surveyed companies relate in terms of their engineering change management systems and how the companies relate to the academic principals found in literature. Furthermore everyday user experience was measured to determine what aspects of engineering change is important and what needed improvement As part of the research, literature was reviewed and it was found that various authors, practitioners and academics agreed that engineering change management is increasingly important as an engineering management item. The literature revealed high-level requirements, models and constituents that are required for successful engineering change management. A questionnaire survey was developed as the experiment to measure how engineering change management was perceived practically. The aspects and phases listed from literature were examined and the perceptions, experience and feedback from the engineers that face engineering changes on a daily basis was determined. The general understanding and feeling towards their engineering change management was analysed and used to identify areas of common problems. The two other surveyed companies: a petrochemical company and a specialised product company provided means to determine if the process of engineering change management could be generalised and applied to the large steel manufacturing company. The analysis of the results of the survey provided valuable information that was used to conclude why some companies were able to achieve success with their engineering change management procedures and why others failed or struggled. The research effectively showed how engineering change management is perceived both negatively and positively in industry and identified common areas where improvement can be made. Furthermore, it can be concluded that engineering change management remained generic from a high-level and would thus be applicable to the large steel manufacturing company. The study also determined that engineering change management can effectively be used to mitigate and reduce the effects of uncontrolled changes that were listed by the large steel manufacturing company. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / Die studie is ondemeem om empiries vas te stel wat die aard en omvang van Totale Kwaliteitbestuur as 'n interne organisatoriese reeling vir personeel in die Toetsvliegen Ontwil<kelingsentrum in die Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag is en om terselfdertyd te bepaal of die gesindheid van die personeel van die Toetsvlieg- en Ontwikkelingsentrum jeens Totale Kwaliteitbestuur positief is en of hulle van mening is dat die toepassing van Totale Kwaliteitbestuur vir hulle aanvaarbaar is. Ondersteunend tot die empiriese ondersoek is ook 'n teoretiese studie gedoen om Totale Kwaliteitbestuur binne die konteks van die organisasieteorie te beskryf, om 'n toepaslike definisie vir Totale KwaHteitbestuur vir hierdie stuc:tie te bepaal en om die Totale Kwaliteitbestuursdimensies vanuit die literatuur te bestudeer en die dimensies in 'n model te integreer wat gebruik kan word om verbeterde werkverrigting by die Toetsvlieg- en Ontwikkelingsentrum te bepaal. Daar is ook aandag gegee aan die proses van Totale Kwaliteitbestuur en organisatoriese reelings vir die vestiging daarvan in die Toetsvlieg- en Ontwikkelingsentrum om sodoende die konteks van die studie te beklemtoon. / The study was to determine empirically the nature and extent of Total Quality Management as an internal organisational arrangement for personnel at the Test Flight and Development Centre in the South African Air Force, while at the same time determining whether the attitude of the personnel of the Test Flight and Development Centre found the application of Total Quality Management positive and acceptable. A theoretical study was done in support of the empirical study to describe Total Quality Management within the context of the organisational theory, to find an appropriate definition for Total Quality Management for this study, to study Total Quality Management dimensions from the literature, and to integrate these dimensions into a model that can be used to determine improved performance at the Test Flight and Development Centre. The process used for the implementation of Total Quality Management at the Test Flight and Development Centre were also studied. / Public Administration / M. Admin. (Public Administration)

It is important for organizations to understand the factors responsible for establishing sustainable continuous improvement (CI) capabilities. This study uses learning curves as the basis to examine learning obtained by team members doing work with and without the application of fundamental aspects of the Toyota Production System. The results are used to develop an effective model to guide organizational activities towards achieving the ability to continuous improve in a sustainable fashion. This research examines the effect of standardization and waste elimination activities supported by systematic problem solving on team member learning at the work interface and system performance. The results indicate the application of Standard Work principles and elimination of formally defined waste using the systematic 8-step problem solving process positively impacts team member learning and performance, providing the foundation for continuous improvement Compared to their untreated counterparts, treated teams exhibited increased, more uniformly distributed, and more sustained learning rates as well as improved productivity as defined by decreased total throughput time and wait time. This was accompanied by reduced defect rates and a significant decrease in mental and physical team member burden. A major outcome of this research has been the creation of a predictive probability model to guide sustainable CI development using a simplified assessment tool aimed at identifying essential organizational states required to support sustainable CI development.

Besök eller kontakt med statliga myndigheter innebär ofta väntetid och långa handläggningstider. Nynäshamns kommun har för att minska väntetiderna skapat ett kontaktcenter vars syfte är att förenkla för kunden samt minska handläggningstider för rutinärenden. Kontaktcenters syfte efterföljs inte och många av de ärenden som kontaktcenter behandlar innebär för kunden långa väntetider. Syftet med detta projekt är att undersöka hur kontaktcenter kan effektivisera det dagliga arbetet med målet att minska handläggningstiderna. Verksamheten har studerats med fokus på ett av de mest problemutsatta ärendena, nämligen handläggning av färdtjänst. Projektet som är grunden till rapporten var ett förbättringsprojekt där DMAIC användes som struktur för genomförandet. I datainsamlingen användes både kvantitativa och kvalitativa metoder såsom intervjuer, observationer, sekundära data och workshop. För att analysera datainsamlingen användes värdeflödesanalys, histogram och träddiagram utifrån de åtta slöserierna inom Lean. Detta för att identifiera vilka delar i processen som var i störst behov av förbättring samt vad som kunde utvecklas. Utifrån värdeflödesanalysen identifierades att den studerade processen bestod av mycket slöseri då enbart 2 timmar och 15 minuter av den totala handläggningstiden på 30 dagar var värdeskapande. Det resulterade i att väntetiden, transporter, lagerhållning och defekter studerades närmare och resulterade i tydliga åtgärder som verksamheten bör åtgärda. Studien resulterar i fyra tydliga åtgärdsförslag. Åtgärderna utgår från att effektivisera processerna och arbetssätten i syfte att minska handläggningstiderna. Dessutom krävs ett införande av standardiserade arbetssätt för att bibehålla samt fortsätta utveckla den studerade processen men även andra processer och arbetssätt inom verksamheten. / Visits or contacts with government agencies often mean a waiting time and long processing times. Nynäshamns kommun has, in order to reduce waiting times, created a contact center in order to simplify for the customer and reduce processing times for routine cases. The purpose of the contact center is not working and many of the cases that contact center deals with results in long waiting times for the customer. The purpose of this project is to investigate how the contact center can be more effective with the goal of reducing processing times. The business has been studied with a focus on one of the most problematic issues, namely handling of travel services for the disabled. The project is an improvement project and therefore DMAIC was used as a structure for the implementation of the study. The data collection used both quantitative and qualitative methods such as interviews, observations, secondary data and workshop. To analyze the data collection, value flow analysis, histograms and tree diagrams were used based on the eight wastes in Lean. Analysis tools were used to identify which parts of the process were in greatest need of improvement and what could be developed. Based on the value flow analysis, it was identified that the process studied consisted of a lot of waste because only 2 hours and 15 minutes of the total processing time of 30 days was value-creating. As a result, the waiting time, transport, warehousing and defects were studied more closely and resulted in four clear measures that the business should implement. The measures focus on making the processes and modes more effective to reduce processing times. In addition, an introduction of standardized working methods is required to maintain and continue to develop the studied process, but also other processes and working methods within the business.

A globalização reforça a necessidade das empresas aprimorarem seus processos e produtos continuamente para se manterem competitivas e atenderem às expectativas de um mercado dinâmico e de acionistas cada vez mais exigentes, que buscam maximizar seus lucros. A melhoria contínua acima mencionada não se refere apenas à qualidade percebida pelo consumidor final, mas também à qualidade e confiabilidade dos processos de produção. Desta forma, quando as empresas têm melhores processos, melhores são os produtos originados e também os seus custos. Porém, a questão é como esses processos são modelados na fase de projeto e como ferramentas de qualidade, sobretudo o Seis Sigma metodologia mais em voga na atualidade podem utilizar tais modelos para obter melhores resultados. Essa dissertação propõe a utilização de ferramentas de modelagem e simulação tais como as Redes de Petri para modelagem de processos produtivos fornecem um modelo formal para a representação de sistemas de produção, capturando aspectos inerentes a tais sistemas como concorrência, paralelismo e sincronização suportando a aplicação da metodologia Seis Sigma, a qual geralmente atua somente no nível de melhoria do processo produtivo e não do projeto que o originou. Dessa forma, essa dissertação trás uma proposta de integração entre os times que projetam o processo e os que executam a produção, demonstrando tal viabilidade por meio da análise dos projetos/modelos durante a aplicação da metodologia Seis Sigma. É realizado um estudo de caso na estamparia de uma indústria automotiva que ilustra a aplicação da metodologia proposta. / The globalization strengthens the necessity for companies to improve its processes and products in order to remains competitive and to attend expectations of a dynamic market and shareholders each time more demanding and eager to maximize their profits. The continuous improvement mentioned above, is not related only to the quality perceived by the final consumer, but also to the quality and reliability of the production processes. Therefore, as better processe the company gets, as better would be their final products and as lower would be the costs. However, the question is wheter a continuous improvement using Six Sigma could benefit from the design documentation for the target process returning also an improved documentation after the cycle is completed. This work considers the use of Petri Nets for production processes modeling - even if any other design and modeling representation would return similar results - supporting the Six Sigma methodology application. The main result is a proposition of continuous improvement life cycle that maintains the design documentation consistent and up-to-date. Thus, this work pursuits the integration between the teams that design processes and those who implement them in the manufacturing plant. To show the potential of the models analysis during Six Sigma projects a case study is analyzed for the Press Shop area in an Automotive Industry.

Para a condução de um estudo clínico hoje é necessária colaboração e participação de um diverso grupo de partes interessadas, incluindo patrocinadores do estudo, governo, agencias regulatórias, comitês de ética, pacientes, investigadores clínicos. Os centros de pesquisa clínica, local onde estudos clínicos são realizados, devem conseguir gerenciar tudo isso para que possam conduzir os estudos clínicos de forma a garantir a acurácia e qualidade dos dados, bem como a segurança dos sujeitos de pesquisa. Na busca da melhoria contínua do desempenho de uma organização, a Teoria das Restrições atua por meio de ações gerenciais sobre os gargalos, apresentando ferramentas que podem auxiliar na compreensão de um problema complexo, entre elas está a Árvore da Realidade Atual (ARA). É importante realizar um diagnóstico do ambiente interno da organização, sendo predecessor às mudanças e intervenções nas organizações de forma eficaz. O encontro de um problema leva a identificação de uma oportunidade de melhoria dos processos. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é verificar se a ARA pode auxiliar a gestão de uma unidade de pesquisa clínica, já que se trata de um problema complexo, apontando oportunidades de melhoria. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo de caso na Unidade de Pesquisa Clínica (UPC) do HCFMRP-USP, sendo realizadas todas as etapas para construção da ARA. Como resultado, foi construída a ARA, sendo identificados 257 Efeitos Indesejáveis (EIs) e 04 causas raízes desses efeitos, que juntas constituem os problemas centrais do centro. Para cada uma das causas raízes foi proposto um plano de ação. Conclui-se que a utilização da ARA mostrou-se eficiente no âmbito de pesquisa clínica, uma vez que conseguiu sintetizar as principais oportunidades de melhoria de um centro de pesquisa, e direcionar os esforços dos gestores em ações específicas e estratégicas. / Cooperation among a diverse group of stakeholders, including: research, sponsors industry, academia, government, nonprofit organizations, clinical investigators, patients, physicians, and regulators is necessary in conducting a clinical trial today. The investigators and sites where clinical studies are conducted, should be able to manage it all those things, so they can conduct clinical studies to ensure the accuracy and quality of data as well the safety of research subjects. In pursuit of continuous improvement of an organization\'s performance, Theory of Constraints operates through management actions on bottlenecks, with tools that can assist in the understanding of a complex problem, among them is the Current Reality Tree (CRT). It is important to make a diagnosis of the organization\'s internal environment, and before the changes and effectively interventions in organizations. Finding a problem leads to the identification of an opportunity to improve process. The aim of this study is to verify if the Current Reality Tree can assist the management of a clinical research site, since it is a complex problem, pointing out opportunities for improvement. For this, we conducted a study case in the Clinical Research Unit (UPC) HCFMRP-USP, being applied all steps from CRT methodology. As a result, it was built ARA, identified 257 Undesirable Effects (EIs) and 04 root causes of these effects, which together are the core problems. For each of the root causes was proposed a plan of action. With this it has been concluded that the use of the ARA was efficient under clinical research, one could summarize the main opportunities for improvement of a site, and direct the efforts of managers in specific and strategic actions.