Formal project management methodologies and processes play a vital role in organisations that run large complex projects and programmes. Is it possible that these methodologies and processes can end up defeating the purpose for which they are introduced? Can these methodologies actually cause projects to fail by becoming the focus of attention? If so, what can be done to reverse this bizarre situation? This study intends to give some insights into these complex questions. Methodologies that are not usually used in such environments are applied to a particular messy situation on a project in an attempt to bring about some relief. The events took place in a conservative, rapidly changing and highly politicised organisation that had embarked on a programme comprising many large interdependent projects that needed to be implemented in an aggressive time frame. A particular large and complex project was running into trouble due to, in no small measure, the strict enforcement of onerous project management procedures. The project team was becoming demoralised and very stressed, which aggravated the situation further. Project managers usually adopt a "hard" approach to making changes. The aim of this research is to see whether using a "softer" approach in the environment described above could alleviate the situation. In this study, systems thinking and action research form the core of the multi-methodological approach to understanding the problem situation and identifying appropriate interventions to bring about improvements. Given the culture of the organisation concerned, will the application of these methodologies improve the situation by bringing the project back on track and improve staff morale? Other concepts that play a role in this study include complexity theory and the learning organisation that are deemed essential to the understanding of the holistic picture. 111 "This we know. The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth. This we know. All things are connected like the blood that unites one family. All things are connected. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and the daughters of the earth. We did not weave the web of life; we are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves." (Chief Seattle) / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2004.

Malaria is the one of most important diseases in the world, especially in sub-Sahara Africa. This dissertation outlines the enormous burden of the disease in terms of social and economic costs in southern Africa. This dissertation assessed the range and quality of the cost-effectiveness of malaria prevention in sub-Sahara Africa. Six studies published from 1999 to 2003 are reviewed, covering insecticide treated nets, residual spraying, chemoprophylaxis for infants and environmental management. For infants, ITNs cost from US$ 2019 - $2879 per death averted and cost $ III per DALY; chemoprophylaxis cost $ 4.1 per DALY and chemoprophylaxis plus iron cost $ 5.0 per DALY. For children, ITNs cost $ 1559 per death averted, $ 57 per DALY and $ 61 per sick child averted. For non-specific age group, ITNs cost $ 29 per infection averted, and RHS $ 9. Generally all interventions assessed are cost effective use of resources. The chemoprophylaxis is the least expensive malaria prevention among cost effective malaria prevention interventions, followed by residual spraying one round a year, residual spraying two rounds a year, insecticide treated nets with net treatment only and insecticide treated nets with net provision and treatment. There are operational, managerial and financial challenges faced these most cost-effective malaria interventions. Particularly, chemoprophylaxis is faced the tremendous drug resistance potential and is not being recommended to wide use; financial constraints and the potential delaying of children's immunity acquisition lowers the cost-effectiveness of insecticide treated nets; residual spraying is a relatively simpler, faster and cheaper method, but faces political and economic pressure of concerning environmental issues, especially the use of DDT. The integrated approach of environmental management plus residual spraying could be the most cost-effective method of malaria prevention with least adverse environment effects. However, policy makers should apply their knowledge to local conditions. Further, comprehensive education programmes are needed to gain support and understanding from local communities. This would raise the cost-effectiveness of all interventions. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

This study investigates the challenges of implementing a performance management development system (PMDS) in the Department of Transport as a learning organisation. The objectives were: * To evaluate the PMDS that is currently utilised to motivate employees and to determine problems encountered in the implementation thereof with a view to employing a learning organisation approach. * To determine new approaches to the implementation of the PMDS. * To uncover problems encountered in the implementation of the PMDS. The study focused on managers and supervisors as the main role-players in the assessment of the PMDS. Supervisors were given questionnaires concerning issues pertaining to PMDS and learning organisations. Respondents were asked whether the role of trainers is visible in strengthening communication structures allowing employees to participate meaningfully in the decision-making processes of their organisation. The following research questions were asked: * What challenges do the Department of Transport in KZN, Pietermaritzburg faces concerning the PDMS and in becoming a mature learning organisation? * Is the PMDS compatible with a learning organisation? * How has the PMDS been utilised to motivate employees and to uncover problems encountered in the implementation of the PMDS? * How does the Department of Transport identify new approaches required for the implementation of the PMDS? / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

The present thesis deals with the determinants of good memory performance. A more specific objective of the thesis was to examine prerequisites for successful recall performance from the point of view of cue effectiveness. The concept of cue effectiveness was proposed as a superordinate construct underlying the act of remembering in general as well as,exceptional memory performance. It was argued that to the extent that effective cues are provided when retrieval is attempted, good recall would be obtained even without use of specific mnemonic systems. Two characteristics of cue effectiveness were assumed to determine the level of recall performance. First, a retrieval cue has to provide a compatible description of the information encoded, and second, an optimal cue is the one that also represents a distinctive description of that information. Provided that these two characteristics of cue effectiveness are fullfilled, successful recall was expected to occur. In order to optimize cue efficiency an experimental paradigm was introduced. The main feature of the self-generation paradigm is that, in contrast to traditional cued-recall experiments, subjects are provided with cues, which according to the individual's own conceptualization constitute an appropriate description of the previously encoded information. The four studies composing the empirical section of the thesis, demonstrated, first, that self-generated cues serve as extremely powerful retrieval aids. Secondly, it was demonstrated that compatibility and distinctiveness may be the cardinal concepts underlying the empirical phenomenon per se and the essence of the notion of cue effectiveness. Finally, it was proposed that the methodological contribution is of such a nature that it may apply successifully to more practical situations. / <p>Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Univ. 1986, härtill 4 uppsatser</p> / digitalisering@umu

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, early mortality, and kidney failure. There is a substantial burden of CKD in Manitoba’s rural and remote First Nations. Early detection and treatment of CKD in this population may be cost-effective. We constructed a Markov model comparing screening for CKD, by both estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria, to usual care using the perspective of the health care payer. Patients were classified into initial risk groups based on results from the First Nations Community Based Screening to Improve Kidney Health and Prevent Dialysis initiative. Screening in Manitoba’s rural and remote First Nations was associated with a $33,500/QALY incremental cost-effectiveness ratio in comparison to usual care. Restricting to communities accessible primarily by air travel, this ratio fell to $16,180/QALY. In conclusion, at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000/QALY, screening for CKD in Manitoba’s rural and remote First Nations is likely cost-effective.

The effectiveness of parenting programs in preventing child problem behaviors have been increasingly supported in the literature. However, studies revealed contradictory findings of how children with severe problem levels benefit from the programs. In this study, I performed secondary analysis on parent-reported externalizing behaviors, ADHD and ODD symptoms of 749 children, aged 3-12 years, to evaluate the effectiveness of four different parenting programs on children with clinical and non-clinical problems. Mixed design ANOVA models revealed that the programs significantly reduced children’s externalizing behaviors, ADHD and ODD symptoms at post-test. Furthermore, the same mixed design ANOVA models and follow-up tests revealed consistent significant differences in program response for children with and without initial clinical problems on all outcomes. Cohen’s d within-group change effect sizes showed consistently large program effects for children with clinical problem levels on all outcomes. Findings indicate that group-based parenting programs are effective for children with externalizing behavior, ADHD and ODD symptoms, at least in the short term, and that children with clinical problem levels may benefit substantially.

The present study examines the impact of socio-demographic and attitudinal characteristics of pastors and laypersons on the implementation process. The research is based on the hypothesis that implementation of social action programs is related to the importance given to these programs by members of an organization. The findings reveal that different sets of socio-demographic characteristics are influential regarding the importance given to programs by pastors and laypersons. Additionally, the results show that the attitudinal characteristics have greater impact on pastors' perception of social action programs than that of laypersons. The priority in the implementation process of social programs is proven to be identical with the overall perception of the importance of these programs. / Department of Sociology

Magistro baigiamajame darbe išanalizuoti susirinkimų organizavimo Lietuvos savivaldybėse aspektai ir nustatytos efektyvumo problemos, pasiūlyti rekomendaciniai problemų sprendimo būdai. Įvadinėje darbo dalyje analizuojamos efektyvumo ir veiksmingumo sąvokos valdymo proceso kontekste. Pirmojoje darbo dalyje teoriniu aspektu analizuojami pagrindiniai susirinkimų planavimo, organizavimo ir tinkamo jų vedimo, priimtų sprendimų įforminimo bei įgyvendinimo aspektai. Empirinėje darbo dalyje pateikiama tyrimo metodologija, analizuojami tyrimo, atlikto Lietuvos savivaldybėse, rezultatai, pateikiamos tyrimo išvados bei pristatomi pasiūlymai susirinkimų proceso tobulinimui. / The Master’s thesis analyzes the aspects of meeting organization in Lithuanian municipalities and determines efficiency problems, as well as provides recommendations for improvement. The introduction of the thesis analyzes the concepts of efficiency and effectiveness in the context of management. The first section of the thesis theoretically analyzes the main aspects of planning and organizing meetings, as well as how to hold a meeting, record a decision that was adopted, and implement it properly. The empirical part of the meeting provides research methodology, analyzes results of the research that was accomplished in Lithuanian municipalities, provides research conclusions, and presents recommendations for improving the process of meetings.

Research on the development of management strategies for the establishment of an effective organizational culture in schools was conducted in the following phases. In the first place, an. attempt is made to determine the nature of organizational culture, the context in which organizational culture functions, and the transformation and establishment of an effective organizational culture. as well as to describe the characteristics and advantages of an effective organizational culture. Secondly the aspects of organizational culture are discussed on the basis of a theoretical model that has been developed from literature. In so doing, every aspect of organizational culture is spell out, the role and place of each aspect of the culture is explained, as is the contribution of every aspect of organizational culture to the efficacy of such a culture. In the third place, the degree to which aspects of the organizational culture are emphasized in schools has been empirically determined by means of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Fourthly, research results have indicated that the intangible fundamentals and the concrete manifestations of organizational culture are emphasized at good schools while this happens to a lesser degree at average and poor schools. It becomes clear that certain basic aspects are present in the intangible fundamentals and the concrete manifestations of the organizational culture of schools. The successful functioning of these aspects Is essential for the establishment of an efficient organizational culture In schools. Finally these primary aspects of organizational culture form the basis for the development of management strategies which can be used to establish an effective culture of organization in schools. Special mention is made of general points of departure and guidelines for developing action plans and putting them to effect. The actual plans of action are not addressed, as schools should develop their own plans according to their unique composition, requirements and environment. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003

Research on the development of management strategies for the establishment of an effective organizational culture in schools was conducted in the following phases. In the first place, an. attempt is made to determine the nature of organizational culture, the context in which organizational culture functions, and the transformation and establishment of an effective organizational culture. as well as to describe the characteristics and advantages of an effective organizational culture. Secondly the aspects of organizational culture are discussed on the basis of a theoretical model that has been developed from literature. In so doing, every aspect of organizational culture is spell out, the role and place of each aspect of the culture is explained, as is the contribution of every aspect of organizational culture to the efficacy of such a culture. In the third place, the degree to which aspects of the organizational culture are emphasized in schools has been empirically determined by means of quantitative and qualitative research methods. Fourthly, research results have indicated that the intangible fundamentals and the concrete manifestations of organizational culture are emphasized at good schools while this happens to a lesser degree at average and poor schools. It becomes clear that certain basic aspects are present in the intangible fundamentals and the concrete manifestations of the organizational culture of schools. The successful functioning of these aspects Is essential for the establishment of an efficient organizational culture In schools. Finally these primary aspects of organizational culture form the basis for the development of management strategies which can be used to establish an effective culture of organization in schools. Special mention is made of general points of departure and guidelines for developing action plans and putting them to effect. The actual plans of action are not addressed, as schools should develop their own plans according to their unique composition, requirements and environment. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003