The primary goal of this case study using qualitative and quantitative methods was to investigate pre-service elementary teachers’ initial self-efficacy beliefs about science and science teaching by exploring the K-12 science experiences of these prospective elementary teachers. Of the 108 participants who completed the science teaching efficacy belief survey (STEBI-B) (Enochs & Riggs, 1990), 12 participants were selected to be interviewed using Flanagan’s (1954) critical incident technique. Participants were asked to share their past positive and negative incidents during their K- 12 years with science and science teachers. They were also asked to report how past incidents affected them at present and how they believed they would impact them as future teachers of science in elementary schools. The past positive and negative incidents were analyzed using Bandura’s (1977) four sources of self-efficacy (mastery, vicarious, social persuasion, and physiological/emotional) and by school level; and the impact of the past science incidents on the subjects’ present and future beliefs as science teachers were categorized. The results of this study revealed that pre-service elementary teachers’ self-efficacy and beliefs were largely influenced by their past experiences with science in the K-12 years, and mastery experiences dominated as a source of self-efficacy. Implications for practice and recommendations for future research were made based on the findings of the study.

This study aims to examine how study participants at the International Library in Sweden work with multilingual literature. Interviews with members of the staff were performed by using the critical incident technique. Qualitative content analysis was used to find themes and categories in the interviews. The following research questions are used in this study: According to the informants, what governs their work, how is it organized and who, according to them, are the library’s users? How do the informants work with multilingual media, what challenges do the informants encounter and how do they work with these challenges? The theoretical framework used to analyze the results originates from models of collection development, theories of strategies in organizations and theoretical frameworks of learning in organizations. The results of the study show that the informants face several challenges in the process of working with multilingual media. The study also presents different strategies used by the informants to meet these challenges. The results suggest that the International library in Sweden is an organization characterized by adhocracy and learning with a strong occurrence of emergent strategies. Many times the informants must make their way up as they go along. The results suggest that working with multilingual collection building demands experience and adaptation to new situations and highlight the importance of language skills and support between colleagues

Introduktion: Antalet interhospitala transporter med intuberad patient eller där intubationsberedskap krävs ökar i Sverige och internationellt. Detta betyder att specialistsjuksköterskan i större grad kommer att få ansvara för dessa transporter. Studier visar att specialistsjuksköterskan kan uppleva sig utelämnad, tappa kontrollen, jobba i en ovan miljö och även känna en känsla av oro. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka anestesi- och intensivvårdssjuksköterskors erfarenheter av betydelsefulla strategier för en patientsäker interhospital transport med intuberad patient eller där intubationsberedskap krävs. Metod: Studien genomfördes med kvalitativ ansats där tolv semistrukturerade intervjuer med retrospektiv ansats genomfördes. Intervjuerna transkriberades ordagrant och data analyserades enligt Critical Incident Technique. Resultat: Fem slutkategorier med övergripande strategier för en säker interhospital transport identifierades: att kontrollera och behärska utrustningen samt de läkemedel som används, att förbereda sig genom att bilda sig en uppfattning och identifiera risker och problem i förväg, att stabilisera patienten och optimera förutsättningarna innan avfärd för en säker transport, att ha en plan för oförutsedda händelser och att vara vaksam på förändringar under transporten samt att inse sina begränsningar och begära förstärkning. Slutsats: Det finns flera viktiga strategier som bidrar till en ökad patientsäkerhet under interhospitala transporter, bland annat noggrann förberedelse och planering. Dessa strategier bidrar med kunskap och lärdomar till verksamma specialistsjuksköterskor och ger mindre erfarna specialistsjuksköterskor en viktig grund att stå på. Studiens mycket konkreta och praktiska strategier kan användas som en grund när rutiner och checklistor till interhospitala transporter tas fram.

Research related to the school counselor's journey to social justice advocacy is minimal. An exploration of the school counselor's journey to social justice advocacy and the impact it has on the counselor's work with students is needed. Furthermore, research related to the needs and challenges of undocumented students have not been explored. The purpose of this study was to explore the social justice identity development of professional school counselors who identify as advocates for undocumented students through critical incidents. The study is grounded in Bobbie Harro's Cycle of Liberation and Relational Cultural Theory to answer the following research questions: (1) What do school counselors who identify as social justice advocates describe as critical incidents in their social justice identity development when working with undocumented students? (2) How have these critical incidents impacted the social justice identity development of professional school counselors? I enlisted a qualitative approach utilizing the Critical Incident Technique (Flanagan, 1954) to address the research questions. Six secondary school counselors participated in this study. Five were female, two were white, two were Hispanic, one was African-American, and one was bi-racial. Four were citizens, one was a naturalized citizen and one was a DACA recipient. One had been a school counselor for 1 - 3 years, two for 3-5 years, and 3 had been school counselors for more than 7 years. The critical incidents identified by the participants related to personal experiences such as parental influence, family experiences, and influence of educators; formal learning such as experiential learning and academic learning; past work experiences; and student impact on the counselor.  The school counselor's relationship with an undocumented student or immigrant played a role in the participants social justice identity development. The school counselors' identity development mirrored Harro's (2000) Cycle of Liberation. As a result of the critical incidents provided by the participants, connection and introspection emerged. The connection and introspection liberated the counselor and served as the process towards the counselors' social justice identity development. / Ph. D. / Research related to the school counselor’s journey to social justice advocacy is minimal. There is also little research that discusses working with and on behalf of undocumented students. This study explored the critical incidents (meaningful experiences) that led school counselors to better serve the needs of undocumented students in a secondary school setting. Six school counselors were interviewed with varied years of experience and citizenship status. The findings showed that (a) the students in their setting had a significant impact on the school counselor’s social justice identity, (b) the meaningful experience led to the school counselor’s self-reflection, and as a result (c) led the school counselor to use a more relational approach to advocacy. School counselors are encouraged to participate in professional development to increase their awareness of undocumented students. Counselor educators are encouraged to develop assignments and activities that allow for student reflection of their social justice identity. Lastly, all counselors are encouraged to be reflective of their experiences that lead them to advocacy.

Este trabalho aborda a avaliação do processo de projeto e desenvolvimento do produto do ponto de vista do projetista de nível superior. Ao fazê-lo, o autor espera estar pavimentando um caminho, que eventualmente, conduza a um método mais amigável de avaliar a qualidade do processo de projeto do produto e que possa vir a ser realmente considerado útil por divisões e/ou organizações de projeto. As razões para a seleção desta abordagem são explicadas. Ressalta-se também, que o trabalho envolve duas fases: a pesquisa preliminar e a pesquisa propriamente dita. Apresenta-se em seguida uma discussão que conduz à seleção de uma metodologia que combina a utilização da abordagem SERVQUAL e do método do incidente crítico (CIT) na primeira fase. Introduz-se o conceito central de fator de eficácia, bem como se estabelece suas relações com os itens de satisfação e as dimensões SERVQUAL. Com base nos resultados da fase preliminar, elabora-se um questionário de pesquisa abrangente, que é submetido a um grupo de projetistas de nível superior do setor automotivo, compreendendo as operações brasileiras de duas grandes montadoras internacionais, de dois fornecedores diretos (Tier 1) das montadoras e de uma grande montadora internacional de caminhões e ônibus. Os dados obtidos através das respostas ao questionário são compilados, apresentados e discutidos dentro de cada ambiente organizacional. Faz-se então uma análise conjunta, a fim de identificar aquelas ações gerenciais consideradas pelo setor automotivo como sendo mais importantes, tanto para garantir, quanto para avaliar a eficácia do processo de projeto e desenvolvimento do produto. Classifica-se essas ações em ações gerenciais de garantia e de avaliação de acordo com critérios fornecidos pelas normas ISO da qualidade. Finalmente, com base nas ações gerenciais de avaliação, define-se indicadores e se propõe um índice de eficácia único e flexível, que pode ser calculado utilizando-se, tanto dados organizacionais, quanto setoriais para fins de avaliação e benchmark. / This work approaches the subject of product design process evaluation from the designer?s point of view. In so doing, the author hopes to be paving the way that may eventually lead to a more ?friendly? method of evaluating the quality of the product design process and which may actually be found useful by design divisions and/or organizations. The reasons for selecting such an approach are explained. It is also pointed out that the work involves two phases: Preliminary research and research proper. Then, a discussion is made leading to the selection of a methodology combining SERVQUAL and the critical incident technique (CIT) for the first phase. The central concept of effectiveness factor is introduced and its relationship with satisfaction items and SERVQUAL dimensions is established. Based on the results of the preliminary phase a comprehensive questionnaire is drawn up, and submitted to a selected group of designers in the automotive industry, comprising Brazilian plants of two major car manufacturers, two tier 1 suppliers and one major truck (lorry) and bus manufacturer. Data provided by the answers to said questionnaire are compiled, presented and discussed within each organizational environment. A joint analysis is then carried out in order to identify those management actions that are considered by the automotive industry as being more important for both assuring and evaluating the effectiveness of the product design and development process. Assurance and evaluation management actions are classified according to criteria supplied by the ISO quality management standards. Finally, based on the evaluation management actions indicators are defined and a single and flexible effectiveness index is proposed, which can be calculated using both company and industry data for evaluation and benchmark purposes.

The aim of this Master’s thesis is to investigate if the library can be a real partner for researchers in managing and dealing with their research information. In this study, six researchers have been interviewed about their problems with information management. This study uses the method Critical Incident Technique for the interviews with the researchers. This method focuses mainly on problems and what happens around those problems. The interview results have been prepared with automatic clustering and analysed with the help of a theoretical model from Minnesota University Library. This is a model of the scholarly research process described in four overlapping areas: 1) Discover, 2) Gather, 3) Create and 4) Share. The studies result gives that there seems to be no problem with accessing full text information, the problem is rather narrowing down the search to get enough time to read it all. The researchers do not find any search skills in the library that match their own search skills. On the question if the library works well as a partner, the answer in this study is no. The researchers do not see the library as a partner in working with research information, but only as a supplier of documents. When they need assistance, they turn to colleagues, students, email, and as a last resort, the library.

Este trabalho aborda a avaliação do processo de projeto e desenvolvimento do produto do ponto de vista do projetista de nível superior. Ao fazê-lo, o autor espera estar pavimentando um caminho, que eventualmente, conduza a um método mais amigável de avaliar a qualidade do processo de projeto do produto e que possa vir a ser realmente considerado útil por divisões e/ou organizações de projeto. As razões para a seleção desta abordagem são explicadas. Ressalta-se também, que o trabalho envolve duas fases: a pesquisa preliminar e a pesquisa propriamente dita. Apresenta-se em seguida uma discussão que conduz à seleção de uma metodologia que combina a utilização da abordagem SERVQUAL e do método do incidente crítico (CIT) na primeira fase. Introduz-se o conceito central de fator de eficácia, bem como se estabelece suas relações com os itens de satisfação e as dimensões SERVQUAL. Com base nos resultados da fase preliminar, elabora-se um questionário de pesquisa abrangente, que é submetido a um grupo de projetistas de nível superior do setor automotivo, compreendendo as operações brasileiras de duas grandes montadoras internacionais, de dois fornecedores diretos (Tier 1) das montadoras e de uma grande montadora internacional de caminhões e ônibus. Os dados obtidos através das respostas ao questionário são compilados, apresentados e discutidos dentro de cada ambiente organizacional. Faz-se então uma análise conjunta, a fim de identificar aquelas ações gerenciais consideradas pelo setor automotivo como sendo mais importantes, tanto para garantir, quanto para avaliar a eficácia do processo de projeto e desenvolvimento do produto. Classifica-se essas ações em ações gerenciais de garantia e de avaliação de acordo com critérios fornecidos pelas normas ISO da qualidade. Finalmente, com base nas ações gerenciais de avaliação, define-se indicadores e se propõe um índice de eficácia único e flexível, que pode ser calculado utilizando-se, tanto dados organizacionais, quanto setoriais para fins de avaliação e benchmark. / This work approaches the subject of product design process evaluation from the designer?s point of view. In so doing, the author hopes to be paving the way that may eventually lead to a more ?friendly? method of evaluating the quality of the product design process and which may actually be found useful by design divisions and/or organizations. The reasons for selecting such an approach are explained. It is also pointed out that the work involves two phases: Preliminary research and research proper. Then, a discussion is made leading to the selection of a methodology combining SERVQUAL and the critical incident technique (CIT) for the first phase. The central concept of effectiveness factor is introduced and its relationship with satisfaction items and SERVQUAL dimensions is established. Based on the results of the preliminary phase a comprehensive questionnaire is drawn up, and submitted to a selected group of designers in the automotive industry, comprising Brazilian plants of two major car manufacturers, two tier 1 suppliers and one major truck (lorry) and bus manufacturer. Data provided by the answers to said questionnaire are compiled, presented and discussed within each organizational environment. A joint analysis is then carried out in order to identify those management actions that are considered by the automotive industry as being more important for both assuring and evaluating the effectiveness of the product design and development process. Assurance and evaluation management actions are classified according to criteria supplied by the ISO quality management standards. Finally, based on the evaluation management actions indicators are defined and a single and flexible effectiveness index is proposed, which can be calculated using both company and industry data for evaluation and benchmark purposes.

In the island-city state of Singapore, growth and development are very much dependent on global trade. Project management is one of the key competencies that organizations and the government seek to develop to stay relevant and plugged-in to the global community. This research attempts to examine the predictors of project success in the Singapore context. This study uses Pinto's Project Implementation Profile (PIP) instrument as a basis and starting point for further study. It seeks to discover and identify critical success factors (CSFs) in Singaporean project environment. The study also aims to validate whether the PIP, which is commonly used in western societies, is also applicable in the Singapore context. A methodology combining Critical Incident Technique (CIT) has been used to identify possible CSFs, which are subsequently rationalized and validated with the CSFs in the PIP. A questionnaire survey (n= 267), involving project management professionals across several key sectors and industries, provided data for quantitative analysis. Multivariate analyses, which include factor analysis and multiple regression, were applied to identify and validate the CSFs that are significant in predicting project success. The results produce a predictive equation involving five CSFs that are significant in predicting project success in the Singapore context. The study generally supports the applicability of Pinto's PIP in Singapore, although with some differences. It is expected that the findings of this study will provide value to future researchers who are keen to further explore the 'elusive' CSFs of project management. The business community is also expected to leverage on the findings of this study to optimize their scarce project management resources in achieving and sustaining business competencies.

The aim of this thesis is to empirically study challenges and opportunities in the operational work in contract-based R&amp;D alliances in order to increase the understanding of this type of work system and explore how these work systems could be sustainable. Based on the concept of sustainable work systems, this thesis addresses issues of how work in R&amp;D alliance should support both the competitiveness of the firm as well as regeneration of human resources. In the area of product development, the main drivers for creating alliances are often strategic and concern the globalization of today’s business environment. Issues such as increased cost-based competition, shorter product life cycles, and a greater need for flexibility to tackle technological or strategic shifts have all been argued to motivate companies to form R&amp;D alliances. No doubt adopting the firm’s development of new products to an R&amp;D alliance strategy has a substantial impact on the operational work. However, despite the vast research on why companies engage in R&amp;D alliances, the knowledge of operational work and how they are operationally managed is still limited. Several scholars have recently reported that failed operations may be one of the most important reasons for situations where R&amp;D alliances do not reach their goals. An empirical investigation covering 14 R&amp;D alliances has been conducted based on the Critical Incident Technique. The findings – supported by 158 critical incidents, which have been identified by operational leaders – reveal new knowledge about the R&amp;D alliance operational work with implications for both competitiveness and regeneration of human resources. A central contribution stems from the specific insights given to challenges and opportunities that operational leaders face in the R&amp;D alliance work, in five perspectives on the R&amp;D alliance process: Formation, Formal R&amp;D process, Informal relationships, Embeddedness, and Exit. Further examination of the critical incident data showed several implications for operational leaders with direct contributions to both product development and alliance theory. First, four critical roles for operational leaders in R&amp;D alliances have been suggested: Facilitating, Finishing, Ambassadoring, and Trustkeeping. Secondly, a framework of trust formation mechanisms has been applied and tested. This concluded that process-based, characteristic-based, and institutional-based mechanisms represent important aspects in alliance operation; the relevance of these trust formation mechanisms contributes both to the knowledge of micro-processes of trust formation and specific managerial abilities in R&amp;D alliances. Third, we examine the influence of two types of contextual risks that have been addressed in previous alliance research: relational and performance risks. The comparative analysis of a sub-sample of alliances shows that these risks influence the operational work in R&amp;D alliances for which operational leaders could be specifically trained and prepared. Lastly, a framework that addresses support from HRM in inter-organizational context has been developed and analyzed. This has indicated that HRM represents an important, although unexploited, resource when engaging in R&amp;D alliances. Furthermore, we have suggested a tentative framework for the R&amp;D alliance as a sustainable work system. The overall findings from this study have been synthesized from a sustainable work systems perspective, based on three organizational principles that have been drawn from practice-centered product innovation: broadened roles and responsibilities, work as a collaborative process, and decentralization of strategic information. A fourth principle has been incorporated as well: support systems for sustainable work. This concluded that, in order to be sustainable, companies that engage in R&amp;D alliances should carefully manage and reassess the consequences of these organizational principles in order to simultaneously support the goals that are involved in this type of work system: to simultaneously support innovation, inter-organizational relationships, and the regeneration of human resources. / <p>QC 20100813</p>

The purpose of this study was to discover, document, and describe the salient actions, events, beliefs, attitudes, social structures and processes related to professional learning conversations from the perspective of nine assistant principals (APs). The participants were elementary, middle and high school APs, three at each level. Using a modified critical incident technique through participant written response and two in depth interviews with each respondent, this study investigated the lived experiences of these APs related to the practice of professional learning conversations in their schools. The research questions focused on: (1) the participants' beliefs and attitudes about professional learning conversations, (2) their roles in facilitating these conversations, (3) their ability to identify elements of trust within the groups of teachers with whom they work and (4) their roles in building trust. The research literature is clear that teacher collaboration is a key factor in professional growth and self-efficacy, yet often the structure of the school day, a negative emotional environment, and a culture of teacher isolation prohibit meaningful teacher collaboration. Although faced with many obligations and directives, school administrators have considerable influence over the organizational structure within their individual schools. Furthermore, assistant principals often become the face of administration within their schools as they directly supervise teachers and APs are less studied than students, teacher or principals. How these individuals perceive and value professional learning conversations will likely impact the level of collaboration at their individual schools. The findings of this study indicate that professional learning conversations for teacher growth were more prevalent at the elementary school level, that trust may be more difficult to cultivate at the middle and high schools, and that protocols as structures for facilitating conversations and building trust were not widely in use. A better understanding of the opportunities and barriers schools face related to professional learning conversations as well as a better understanding of the dynamics of trust will assist district and school administrators to engage in a problem solving process for better collaboration. Ultimately, administrators have an opportunity and a responsibility to touch the hearts and minds of the individuals on the front line of the work - the teachers in the classrooms working with students. Without teacher confidence, hope, optimism, resilience and self-efficacy, no amount of financial incentive, cajoling, or sanction will improve student learning.