The goal of this thesis is to work up an overview about problematic relating to evaluation of use and effectiveness of IS/IT in organization. The accent in analyzing and evaluating is placed on soft metrics of IS/IT and its character. Author creates a task to specify and make clear why to evaluate IS/IT and which utility such evaluation brings. Other goal is to explain possible approaches of evaluating and the differences between them. The thesis is divided into two logical parts. First part contains theoretical base focused on soft metrics of measuring IS/IT. The second part is focused on describing practical measurement of IS/IT in organization. For full description of given area, author presents important aspects of public sector and significant law restrictions. This thesis presents one of the possible approaches to evaluate IS/IT in organization. Its benefit lies in connecting theoretical base with practical example, which author considers "best practice" in area of elaborated problematic.

In this thesis, I explore the topic of chief executive officer (CEO) compensation in UK publicly traded firms. My objective is threefold. First of all, I investigate debt-holders‟ reaction to CEO compensation in terms of the cost of debt financing. Secondly, I examine the possible link between CEO compensation and expectation management. Thirdly, I examine whether and how the interactive relation between CEO career horizon and compensation package affects a firm‟s research and development spending. Multiple regression is employed in this thesis to investigate the causal relationship between these above mentioned aspects I‟m interested (the cost of debt, expectation management and research and development spending) and CEO compensation. I consider all major compensation components for a typical CEO in UK publicly traded firms: defined benefit pension, bonus, restricted shares, traditional stock options and performance-vested stock options. The accumulated equity incentives, such as ownership, are also examined. My major findings are as follows. First of all, I find that an increase in defined benefit pension and bonus in CEO compensation are associated with a lower bond yield spread, while an increase in stock options and ownership intensifies it. Secondly, I document that CEO equity incentives that will be vested in the following year are positively associated with the probability of employing expectation management to meet or beat financial analysts‟ forecasts about a firm‟s reporting earnings. Thirdly, I demonstrate that older CEOs will not spend less in research and development expenditures in general. However, older CEOs with more defined benefit pensions and ownership are reluctant to engage in such an investment. iii My results generate several implications for CEO compensation research. First of all, I show that debt-holders rationally incorporate the information of CEO compensation about risk-taking and risk-avoiding incentives when pricing a firm‟s publicly traded debts. Secondly, I provide the evidence that CEO compensation motivates top managers to manipulate information disclosure by employing expectation management for personal gains. Thirdly, the joint influence of CEO career horizon and compensation package on a firm‟s research and development spending is highlighted. CEO compensation motivates a short-sighed and risk-averse investment policy when top managers have a short career horizon. The first novel contribution in this thesis is the coverage of CEO pension, which is overlooked by the most of previous literature on compensation studies. Secondly, I provide the evidence that the popularity of expectation management in the UK, which is well documented in the literature, can be partly explained by CEO compensation. Finally, the interactive relation between CEO compensation and career horizon on a firm‟s investment policy is re-examined. It provides further material in the debate of career horizon problem, which has no consensus in the previous literature. Overall, this thesis generates some empirical evidence about the influence of CEO compensation on managerial behaviour. Some adverse effects of CEO compensation highlighted in this thesis may help remuneration committee to design a better pay package for top managers in the future.

This work discusses about issues of investment decision, which is crucial for every business. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the effectiveness of selected investment project. To assess the potential of this investment, was necessary to assess the current status, whether the enterprise has enough resources to finance this intensive investment. Whether the project is not associated with an increase in the financial risk of the company. Then were identified revenues and expeditures of the project.It was finally in the evaluation of the effectiveness of investments carried out an analysis of the risk of the project.

Thesis(Mtech (Industrial Engineering)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / In the nuclear industry, Quality Management Systems are extremely important, especially if one wishes to improve public acceptance of radioactive solutions. There is normally minimum communication between the public and scientists, especially in nuclear science. People are not comfortable with nuclear technology, based on the past history of the Chernobyl catastrophe. Consequently, it is difficult to discuss important and sensitive issues like disposing of nuclear waste. Quality Management Systems can improve public confidence and communication. Integrated Management Systems in the project planning stage of the project can be a proactive step towards preventing unnecessary delays and costs. There is a perception that quality is implemented or executed at the implementation stage of the Project Life cycle. Most people believe that a Quality Management System is quality control only and forget the aspect of Quality assurance. The project managers are more concerned with finishing the project and saving costs. Quality holds together the three pillars of project management, which are schedule, costs and scope. There are a plethora of things that can go wrong if the Quality Management System is not implemented on time, like scope changes that are not captured, monitored and controlled. This can lead to scope creep, unnecessary costs and schedule overruns. If there is no cost control, the project can also overrun its budget and consequently be stopped. PBMR is the only company that is active in new nuclear projects in South Africa, except Koeberg, which was commissioned about thirty years ago.

閱讀是一切的根本，而圖書館是推廣閱讀和提供全民終身學習的場所。本研究為探討苗栗縣公共圖書館閱讀推廣成效評鑑與讀者滿意度，以提供本縣及其他縣（市）級圖書館作為提升服務品質的參考。本研究採取訪談法、文獻分析法及問卷調查法進行，採便利抽樣方式以苗栗縣18鄉鎮市立公共圖書館使用讀者為調查對象，發出樣本數共1,050份問卷，回收問卷969份，扣除樣本資料不完整者，有效樣本910份，有效問卷回收率為86.66%。 本研究利用SPSS統計軟體進行問卷統計，並以敘述性統計、獨立樣本t檢定、單因子變異數分析、信度分析等方法進行統計分析，研究分析結果如下： 一、基本資料：使用圖書館民眾以女性較多，職業以學生讀者為主，參加閱讀推廣活動最主要的訊息來源為海報文宣DM、網站、親友通知。最常參加的圖書館閱讀推廣活動為繪本共讀、說故事活動。 二.調查結果：對於本縣公共圖書館閱讀推廣成效與讀者滿意度調查顯示獲得讀者支持與肯定，整體表現滿意度高。民眾滿意度最高之前六項為：「嬰幼兒」館藏（4.66）、「兒童」館藏（4.62）、「借書次數」比以前增加（4.60）、推廣活動「訊息的提供管道」（4.59）、「Bookstart閱讀起步走-嬰幼兒」閱讀推廣活動（4.58）及「兒童」閱讀推廣活動（4.58）。而民眾最不滿意的之前六項為：「本土語言」館藏（3.13）、「多元文化」館藏（3.15）、「多元文化」閱讀推廣活動（3.20）、「本土語言」閱讀推廣活動（3.32）、「銀髮樂齡」館藏（3.70）及「銀髮樂齡」閱讀推廣活動（3.84）。 最後提出本研究結論，作為公共圖書館經營與運作之參考，並對未來相關後續研究提出建議。 / Reading is the foundation of everything, and the library is the place to promote reading and provide lifelong learning for all. This study aims to survey the overall satisfaction of Miaoli County Public Library patrons and examine the effectiveness of the library’s reading programs. The methods covered by this research study include a personal interview, literature analysis, and an expansive survey on Miaoli County Public Library patrons from the main library and its 18 branches. Of the 1050 questionnaires that were distributed as part of the survey, 969 questionnaires were completed. The questionnaires with incomplete answers were excluded, and the remaining 910 surveys were used in this analysis, resulting in a response rate of 86.66%. In this study, the researcher uses descriptive analysis, independent T-test, one-way ANOVA, and reliability test to analyze the data. The results are as follows: Most of the patrons of Miaoli County Public Library are female and students. The patrons primarily acquire information about reading activities through library posters, the online website, or by word of mouth from their family members. The most popular library reading promotion activities are the picture book reading and story-telling activities. The results also show that most patrons are satisfied with the library’s service and promote reading activities. They are most satisfied with the library’s infants and young children collections (4.66), children collections (4.62), frequency of borrowing books (4.59), bookstand activities (4.58) and reading activities for children (4.58). Otherwise, they are most unsatisfied with the library’s native language collection (3.13), Multiculturalism collection (3.15),reading activities on Multiculturalism (3.20), reading activities of native language (3.32), collections for elders (3.70) and reading activities for the elders (3.84). The results of this study are presented as reference for improving public library operations and can serve as insight for future research.

The goal of this research was to determine, in a South African context, whether there is any correlation between chief executive officer compensation and the performance of the company. For the purposes of the research , the compensation of chief executive officers was broken down into three components: salary, bonus and "other" remuneration, while company performance was measured on return on equity, return on assets and earnings per share figures. Studies on this topic have been carried out in other countries, most notably in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. It appears that no research of a similar nature has been carried out in South Africa. Data in respect of the forty largest listed companies in South Africa were collected over a period of five years. The econometric models used for the research were based on models identified in the literature study. The data were then analysed for evidence of a correlation between chief executive officer compensation and the performance of the company. The results of this study indicate that there is no linear relationship between chief executive officer compensation and company performance variables. The econometric models did, however, show correlations between certain variables, taking into account the other predictor variables in the model. Evidence of correlations between age and experience and compensation was also found , which may present potential avenues of research to scholars in the future.

Thesis (D. Tech.) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2007 / Success in today’s competitive business environment demands innovative approaches. Organisations must be able to react effectively and make informed decisions in order to be in the best position to take advantage of collaborated business opportunities in the organisation’s external network. The results of strategic decisions are affected by the strategic choices that are made and how successfully those objectives are implemented. In many cases the strategies have mediocre success or fail to achieve what they set out to do due to the failure to formulate and implement strategies that enhance the development of a sustainable competitive advantage in the long term. The case study organisation, MultiChoice Africa (Pty) Limited, serves as an example in understanding the knowledge base imperative in utilising strategic management instruments such as Kaplan and Norton’s (1996a: 8-18, 224-292) Balanced Scorecard to guide leadership in creating real-time value, thereby creating a sustainable competitive advantage. Balanced Scorecards have largely been developed and applied to internal managerial purposes, though they are seldom used for external marketing. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the strategic value of the Balanced Scorecard in the networked economy, utilising a case study design by following a phenomenological paradigm approach. The outcome was based on a pre- and postanalysis of the implementation of the Balanced Scorecard within the case study organisation, focusing on the perceived value towards overcoming the barriers to strategy implementation, developing a competitive advantage and sustaining this advantage. Sustainability was specifically defined and tested against the environment and ethical behaviour as the results indicated that a link exists between sustainable competitive advantage and the appropriate utilisation of the Balanced Scorecard. Research results suggest that respondents appear to be enthusiastic and have started the process of transforming the organisation into a ‘Balanced Scorecard organisation’. The main advantages included an increased awareness of vision, linking operational tasks to strategic employees’ participation and flexibility. Shortcomings, on the other hand, included the perceived lack of contribution of the Balanced Scorecard to the final outcome as well as to the transformation process. A number of limitations were evident in the design, deployment and utilisation of the Balanced Scorecard in overcoming the barriers to strategy implementation and how to gain a sustainable competitive advantage in the networked economy. Important aspects surrounding employees and stakeholders were also highlighted as the design of the case study organisation’s original Balanced Scorecard is based on its value chain. However, due to the networked economy and its implications for the organisation, the Balanced Scorecard architecture should be modified to make provision for a networked design. These modifications should incorporate additional constructs that need to be taken into consideration when creating larger networks and establishing collaborative communities of practice. Key to the organisation’s future strategic value and intent is the successful implementation of change management (transformation) as a driver into the application of the Balanced Scorecard in the networked economy. Insight gained was used to propose a theoretical model based on global business landscape demands, utilising new and innovative strategies and business model architectures that require the convergence of aggregated metrics of all role players in the borderless network, as outlined in the ‘Networked Balanced Scorecard’ theoretical model. The theoretical model outlines how organisations can reform and integrate their Balanced Scorecards to support strategy formulation, implementation and control. It therefore supports sustainable competitive advantage and is based on embracing components of competitive intelligence and collaboration in the networked economy. It is thus suggested that organisations can no longer implement sustainable competitive advantage strategies in isolation, but need to focus on organisational development strategies that encapsulate the network concomitance structure and architecture, thereby attaining the new value proposition for strategic intent.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / ENGLISH SUMMARY: Total quality management (TQM) can be defined as a systemic approach on a global level, based on process management of continuous quality improvement by all human resources within the business or company environment, with the specific intent to satisfy the implicit expectations of all stakeholders in the specific business environment. Various factors play a role in the active drive towards a quality-driven learning environment. These factors include increasingly changing market forces, changes in customer requirements and the very way in which quality is perceived by the employees within a company. The above statement raises some important questions, such as • What is the quantifiable value of quality, and • Why is it very easily ignored by various companies? The reason for such questions is the significant shift needed in the thought patterns of management, difficulty in abandoning misconceptions about TQM and difficulty in learning from own mistakes and those of others. It seems that the biggest barrier to the implementation of a total quality system is the misconception that quality will immediately be perfect and is a quick solution which is self-sustaining. TQM is, in fact, not a model that is built in concrete, but a journey consisting of sequential steps. As with any staircase, it can only be sustainable if it is solidly founded on factors such as managerial commitment, drive, fairness, motivation and mobilisation of human resources. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Totale gehaltebestuur word gedefinieer as ‘n sistemiese metode op ‘n globale vlak, gebaseer op die bestuur van deurlopende gehalteverbetering deur al die menslike hulpbronne binne 'n onderneming, dit wil sê die sake- of maatskappy-omgewing, met die spesifieke oogmerk om aan die implisiete verwagtinge van die aandeelhouers in die onderneming (besigheidsomgewing) te voldoen. Daar is verskeie faktore wat 'n rol speel in die aktiewe strewe na ‘n kwaliteitsgedrewe leeromgewing. Hierdie faktore behels onder meer die voortdurend veranderende markkragte, veranderinge in die verwagtings van kliënte, en die kwaliteitsbeskouing van die werkers binne ‘n maatskappy. Bogenoemde ontlok belangrike vrae, soos • Hoe word die meetbare waarde van kwaliteit bepaal, en • waarom word dit so maklik deur ondernemings geïgnoreer? Hierdie soort bevraagtekening is 'n aanduiding dat daar ‘n merkbare en betekenisvolle gedagteskuif by bestuur nodig is ten opsigte van hul beskouing van gehalte, dat wanbegrippe oor totale gehaltebestuur verander moet word, en dat probleme in verband met die leer van lesse uit eie foute en dié van ander oorbrug sal moet word. Die grootste probleem ten opsigte van die ontwikkeling van ‘n totale gehaltebestuurstelsel, is die wanpersepsie dat gehalte meteens foutloos sal wees, dat dit ‘n vinnige oplossing is en dat dit selfonderhoudend sal wees. Totale gehaltebestuur is nie ‘n model wat, by wyse van spreke, in beton gegiet is nie, maar ‘n proses met opeenvolgende stappe. Soos met enige stel "trappe", kan dit net volhoubaar wees as dit ‘n sterk fundering het, wat gerugsteun word deur bestuursbetrokkenheid en - deursettingsvermoë, dryfkrag, regverdigheid, motivering en die mobilisasie van die werksmag.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2007. / Please refer to fulltext for abstract

Thesis (MEd (Education Policy Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Evaluation is seen as one of the key elements to enhance the teaching skills and subject knowledge of teachers, thereby facilitating effective and quality teaching and learning. One way of ensuring that this becomes a reality at South African schools is the introduction of an evaluation policy, namely the Integrated Quality Management System, as contained in the document Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS), Collective Agreement Number 8 of 2003 of the Education Labour Relations Council. This research was conducted against the backdrop of IQMS implementation in South African schools since 2005, and explored answers to the following questions: How do teachers experience the implementation of the IQMS (a form of evaluation)? To what extent does the IQMS contribute to the support, development and growth of teachers? Has the implementation of the IQMS had any positive impact on the quality of teaching and learning in schools? The data for the research were collected in 39 schools in Paarl and surrounding areas. The findings of the research study are based on a quantitative (questionnaire) investigation in the framework of an interpretive and positivistic paradigm. The results of the research showed that a significant number of teachers experience the goal and implementation of the IQMS as problematic. This leads to the conclusion that the implementation of the policy has not necessarily contributed to a fundamental improvement in the quality of teaching and learning in the participating schools. This conclusion is also based on the lack of meaningful and ongoing support and assistance that respondents receive before and after the evaluation process. The findings of this study correspond with those of international studies on the same topic, and indicate that teachers face universal problems, particularly with regard to the implementation of evaluation policies. This study could contribute to further research on the topic. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Evaluering word as een van die kernelemente beskou om onderwysers se onderrigvaardighede en vakkennis te verbeter, en sodoende doeltreffende en goeie onderrig en leer in die hand te werk. Een manier om toe te sien dat dít in Suid- Afrikaanse skole werklikheid word, is die instelling van evalueringsbeleid, oftewel die Geïntegreerde Gehaltebestuurstelsel (GGBS), soos dit in die dokument Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS), Collective Agreement Number 8 of 2003 van die Raad op Arbeidsverhoudinge in die Onderwys vervat word. Hierdie studie is teen die agtergrond van GGBS-inwerkingstelling in Suid-Afrikaanse skole sedert 2005 onderneem, en soek na antwoorde op die volgende vrae: Hoe ervaar onderwysers die inwerkingstelling van die GGBS ( vorm van evaluering)? In watter mate dra die GGBS by tot die ondersteuning, ontwikkeling en groei van onderwysers? Het die inwerkingstelling van die GGBS enige positiewe invloed op die gehalte van onderrig en leer in skole? Die data vir die navorsing is in 39 skole in die Paarl en omgewing ingesamel. Die bevindings van die navorsingstudie is gegrond op kwantitatiewe (vraelys-) ondersoek in vertolkende en positivistiese paradigma. Die navorsingsresultate toon dat beduidende aantal onderwysers die doel en inwerkingstelling van die GGBS as problematies ervaar. Dít lei tot die gevolgtrekking dat die inwerkingstelling van die beleid nie noodwendig tot grondliggende verbetering in die gehalte van onderrig en leer in die deelnemerskole gelei het nie. Dié gevolgtrekking berus ook op die gebrek aan sinvolle en deurlopende ondersteuning en hulp wat die respondente voor en ná die evalueringsproses ontvang. Die bevindings van hierdie studie stem ooreen met dié van internasionale studies oor dieselfde onderwerp, en toon dat onderwysers, bepaald wat die inwerkingstelling van evalueringsbeleid betref, met universele probleme te kampe het. Hierdie studie kan tot verdere navorsing oor die onderwerp bydra.