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No description available.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Lund University, 2001. / Title from title screen of PDF file (viewed 9 Dec. 2003). Includes bibliographical references.

This research has developed a research relationship model for understanding the relationship between volunteer management practice correlates and volunteer retention using volunteer motivation and volunteer satisfaction as mediators. The model uses social exchange theory, human resource management theory, volunteer functional inventory and volunteer satisfaction index as part of the theoretical underpinning for its validation and contributed to gain knowledge on the application of management theory widely used in the for-profit organisations to the non-profit and volunteer dependent sectors. A comprehensive literature review provided the basis to identify the research gap, formulate the research questions, aim and objectives, leading to the development of the theoretical framework and the research relationship model. The theoretical framework in turn enabled the researcher to develop the research methodology to collect data and test the model. The main research gap was the lack of knowledge about the correlates of volunteer management practice as determinants of volunteer retention and influence of volunteer motivation and volunteer satisfaction as mediators. The concept of mediation was introduced in this research as a novel technique that enabled the researcher to conduct a deeper investigation into the relationship between volunteer management practice correlates and volunteer retention. However prior to the introduction of the mediator concept, the original model developed by Cuskelly et al. (2006) was tested and found to be statistically insignificant. This provided the basis for modifying the model investigated by Cuskelly et al. (2006) leading to the development of the research model for this research. The various relationships developed in the research model were hypothesized. The model was tested using the data collected through the research instrument developed for the purpose. Quantitative research method was used to collect data from a sample set of volunteers using survey questionnaire in a context-free environment. Pilot survey enabled the researcher to confirm the utility of the instrument for using in the main survey. 386 participants provided their response to the online questionnaire that was posted on a web portal. The collected data was subjected to rigourous statistical tests. Descriptive statistics, reliability tests and validity tests were conducted on the data. Exploratory Factor analysis revealed underlying factors of volunteer management practice different from those identified by other researchers namely Cuskelly et al. (2006) whose model was used as the base model in this research. Further, structural equation modelling was used to test the model and verify hypothesis. The results indicated that two volunteer management practice correlates namely volunteer training and support and volunteer performance management and recognition, were found to indirectly influence volunteer retention. Volunteer training and support influenced volunteer retention through volunteer motivation as well as volunteer satisfaction. Volunteer performance management and recognition influenced volunteer retention through volunteer satisfaction. In addition volunteer planning and recruitment was identified as a moderator of volunteer training and support and volunteer performance management and recognition as correlates. These findings contribute significantly to helping both volunteer managers and volunteers in improving the intention of volunteers to stay longer with an organisation. Thus by implementing the findings of this research; volunteer managers can enhance their volunteer management practice leading to retention of volunteers for longer periods than now. The research findings contribute to theory in terms of widening the understanding of the operationalization of social exchange and HRM theories in a combined manner in understanding the relationship between volunteer management practice and volunteer retention.

Vaidos Ivanovaitės magistriniame darbe „Įgalinančių paslaugų rizikos grupės jaunimui kūrimo patirtis“ nagrinėjamos trys pagrindinės, per tiriamųjų patirtį atsiskleidusios, temos: rizikos grupės jaunimas, jį įgalinančios paslaugos, bei įgalinančių paslaugų rizikos grupės jaunimui kūrimo procesas. Tyrimo tikslas yra atskleisti įgalinančių paslaugų rizikos grupės jaunimui kūrimo Lietuvoje patirtį. Taikant fenomenologinį tyrimo metodą, atskleidžiamas kitoks tyrimo dalyvių, asmenų, kuriančių įgalinančias paslaugas rizikos grupės jaunimui, požiūris į rizikos grupės jaunimą. Į jaunimą žvelgiama ne kaip į potencialius socialinio darbo klientus, iš visuomenės iškritusius asmenis, bet kaip į ekspertus, žinančius, kokių paslaugų jiems reikia, kaip į žmones, pajėgius daryti pokyčius savo gyvenime. Darbuotojai, naudodami savo bei aplinkoje esančius išteklius, kuria įgalinančias paslaugas, kurios padėtų mažinti jaunimo rizikos laipsnį, padėtų jaunuoliams tapti pozityviais visuomenės nariais. Paslaugų kūrimas pirmiausia orientuojamas į jaunimo poreikius, yra nuolat kintantis procesas, kaip ir įgalinimas. / There are three main topics analyzed in Vaida‘s Ivanovaite‘s master theses: youth with less opportunities, empowering services and development of empowering services, for youngster at risk. Those topics were uncovered according the experience of the participants of the research. The main aim of the research is the experience of the empowering services development for youngsters with fewer opportunities. A different research participants attitude to the youngsters with less opportunities was uncovered using qualitative research methods. They look at the youngster‘s not as to the potential social workers clients, who are excluded from the society, but as to those who knows which services fits for them the best, and those who are able to make changes in their lives. Workers using the resources of their environment , are developing empowering services, which would increase their possibilities to become a positive members of the society. The development of empowering services is orientated to the needs of the youngsters and is the constantly changing process the same as empowerment itself.

Bakalauro baigiamajame darbe nagrinėjama Zarasų rajono kaimo turizmo sodybų siūlomų paslaugų įvarovė ir nustatomos paslaugų vystymo galimybės Zarasų rajone. Kaimo turizmo tema aktuali praktikai tuo, kad Zarasų rajone gausu gamtinių ir kultūrinių išteklių siūlant atitinkamas paslaugas. Pirmoje darbo dalyje teoriniu aspektu nagrinėjama turizmo samprata, turizmo klasifikacija, turizmo plėtra, ekonominė nauda regionui, kaimo turizmo esmė, raida ir ypatumai, paslaugų vystymo galimybės. Antroje darbo dalyje pristatoma metodologija ir organizavimas, atliekama tyrimo metu gautų duomenų analizė ir pateikiami tyrimo rezultatai. Trečioje yra tiriamoji darbo dalis, kurioje analizuojamas kaimo turizmo paslaugų vystymas Zarasų rajone remiantis atliktos anketinės apklausos duomenimis. Šio darbo išvados ir rekomendacijos gali būti panaudotos sodybų savininkams nustatant tikslus ir strategijas. Pateiktos priemonės klientų pritraukimui. Pagrindiniai rezultatai ir išvados: respondentai siūlomų veiklų įvairovę ir pasiūla kaimo turizmo sodybose Zarasų rajone įvertino neigiamai; siūlomos paslaugos Zarasų rajone neišnaudoja esamo gamtinio ir kultūrinio potencialo turizmo paslaugų plėtrai; siūlomų paslaugų kompleksas kaimo turizmo sodybose yra siauras, dažniausiai siūlant tik vandens pramogas; Zarasų rajone trūksta specializuotų kaimo turizmo sodybų; sodybų savininkai turėtų siūlyti daugiau pažintinių paslaugų, tokių kaip amatų mokymas ir ekskursijų po lankytinus objektus; populiariausios sodybos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The Bachelor's thesis concentrates on the analysis of the variety of rural tourism services in Zarasai district and on identifying oportunities of service development in Zarasai district. The issue of rural tourism is relevant, because Zarasai district is rich in natural and cultural resources, wich are not used while providing the services. The first part of the paper examines the theoretical aspect of the concept of tourism, classification of tourism, the development of tourism and its economic benefits for the region, the essence of rural tourism, its development and features, oportunities of service development. The second part presents the research methodology and the structure of the study, the analysis of the data of the research, and, based on these data, analysis of the rural tourism development in Zarasai district is provided. The conclusions and recommendations may be useful for the owners of rural tourism homesteads identifying objectives and strategies for the development of their businesses as well as customer attraction. The main results and conclusions: respondents have evaluated the variety of the activities and the supply of rural tourism homesteads negatively: the scope of services in Zarasai district does not exhaust natural and cultural resources in the tourism services development; the scope of services is narrow, often only offering water activities; Zarasai district lacks specialized rural tourism homesteads; the owners of rural tourism homesteads... [to full text]

The English Higher Education system continues to face many political and organisational changes with respect to funding, fees, student numbers and quality controls. Within this changing landscape, the introduction of up to £9,000 annual tuition fees for Home/EU undergraduates probably has the highest impact on students’ perceptions, their decision-making and, most of all, expectations in relation to their university experience. To investigate the implications of recent changes, an exploratory research approach is applied, using mixed methods across three distinct research phases. An initial study aims to measure the expectations of commencing students in light of the fee changes and to explore how demographic and other personal characteristics influence student expectations in relation to their overall university experience and specifically to the ancillary services offered by Higher Education Institutions. Through this, services related to student employability are identified as an area of increasing concern for students. The second study aims to further investigate this area from a student perspective through the exploration of students’ motivations to participate in an extra-curricular employability programme. The expectations regarding such a programme are also investigated prior to the programme and the satisfaction levels of students after the completion of the programme are evaluated. The analysis of the second study suggests that confidence is a key factor within the context of student employability. Consequently, the final study aims to explore the role and importance of confidence within employability from a student point-of-view and to evaluate how confidence and employability may be developed throughout the university experience. From this study, it is argued that Higher Education Institutions should focus on the development of confidence within students in order to improve their employability. As an outcome, recommendations are formed on how to support such development through general and course-specific activities within and outside the curriculum. Overall, the research addresses various gaps within the fields of interest, particularly through the focus on a student perspective, and provides methodological, theoretical and practical contributions. The different stages of the research suggest that it is important to the competitiveness and strength of universities to understand student expectations and to design and develop high-quality university experiences which meet the needs and demands of students. Based on the data collected, recommendations are given on how Higher Education Institutions can manage and meet student expectations and develop activities to enhance student employability and increase confidence.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--Lund University, 2001. / Title from title screen of PDF file (viewed 9 Dec. 2003). Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis describes the construct a project of tourism development in the district of Pilsen city which is created based on data obtained from a questionnaire survey, survey of area and from contacting local authorities and other organizations. Based on this finding was a created device aimed at agrotourism and cycling associated with the provision of accommodation.