The purpose of this study was to identify instances when workers in a business environment used thinking skills, including creative thinking, decision making, and problem solving in a manner that was beneficial and to examine how they perceived they acquired thinking skills. Twenty-seven banking employees from nine branches were interviewed using the behavioral event interview method. The nine branches represented three banks operating in Virginia. At each branch, a manager, a new account representative, and a teller were interviewed. The behavioral event interview method was selected as it has been a successful tool in both industrial and educational settings. Additionally, its purpose is to identify competencies necessary to do a given job well. The tape recorded interviews were transcribed and yielded a total of 55 behavioral events. The events were reviewed and instances of creative thinking, decision making, problem solving, and combinations of the three were identified and coded according to definitions presented in the study. Sixty-two instances of thinking skill use were identified within the events. Instances from the interviews of creative thinking, decision making, problem solving, and combinations of these were presented. Further, two interrelated themes emerged from the instances of thinking skill use. The first theme involved the generation of new ideas, determining the best alternative, implementing an alternative, or a combination of these in order to generate business or sales for the bank. The second theme involved the generation of new ideas, determining the best alternative, implementing an alternative, or a combination of these in order to solve a known problem. This study revealed that the interviewees did not receive formal thinking skill preparation from education or work training programs. They attributed most of their thinking skill development to experience. Outcomes of this study can be used to teach thinking skills by the infusion approach, the most commonly used method for teaching these skills. It relies on the skills being taught in real-life contexts. / Ph. D.

In 1947 seven cooperative part-time office training programs were organized in the State of Virginia. / Master of Science

This study assessed intended communication behavior in terms of ethics, information content effectiveness, and the potential relationship between the two. Participants were 33 university finance majors who wrote open-ended responses to simulated loan presentation scenarios containing ethical communication content. The analysis consisted of a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods. A panel of bank loan officers judged the finance majors" open-ended responses for ethics and content effectiveness. From the officers' scores, the responses were categorized as: (1) ethical, (2) unethical, (3) effective, (4) ineffective, (5) ethical/effective, (6) ethical/ineffective, (7) unethical/effective, or (8) unethical/ineffective. The finance majors' answers tended to be judged as ethical, but the judgements were mixed as to the effectiveness of their responses. The responses that were judged to be both ethical and effective tended to be direct followed by a sales pitch on the benefits of the loan. The sales pitch portion of the responses was typically irrelevant to the question posed in the scenarios. Responses that were judged to be both unethical and ineffective tended to be either responses that were naive or responses that avoided the question being asked in the scenario. The findings indicate that it is difficult to provide an unethical response that is also effective. However, an ethical response can just as easily be effective or ineffective. In other words, an effective response is likely to be ethical, but an ethical response gives no indication as to whether it is effective or ineffective. One main conclusion resulted from the findings: Effective communication does not have to occur at the expense of communicating in an unethical manner. Beneficiaries of this study are both business people and educators. It can help banking trainers determine what content should be targeted in management training programs with regard to communication behavior in a loan presentation. Business communication faculty can benefit in two primary ways: the study shows the intended communication behavior of finance majors ("where the students are") and it provides preliminary data on what communication techniques are considered effective, ineffective, ethical, and unethical by business people, specifically loan officers. / Ph. D.

The horse industry is a significant contributor to the economy of any area in which it is found. Products and services oriented toward its recreational and competitive aspects are provided by workers in more than 71 categories of equine occupations. The equine industry is undergoing continuous technological change, and there is increasing competition for equine industry jobs; both affect its work force. Graduates of 46 two-year college equine programs are appearing on the job market yearly and many are finding equine industry jobs. However, there was no formal, organized communication about equine curricula among these institutions, and needs-based prioritized curricula did not exist. A current study of equine educators and employers was needed to advise equine curricular planners of the curricular content goals needed to align equine curriculum with equine industry job requirements. The procedural problem of this study was to analyze occupational needs-based curricular objectives for two-year equine curricula. The equine industry occupations were determined and categorized according to the U.S. Department of Labor (1977). Two-year equine curricular content goals were identified from the literature and from existing college equine programs. These goals were made consistent in syntax utilizing Vogler's Performance Instruction System (1991). Course titles according to the U.S. Office of Education's (1981) classification system were used, and college level educational requirements were gleaned from accreditation standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1991). Equine industry employers were polled according to frequency of use and difficulty of execution of the skills in the work place while educators determined the level and type of expertise desirable in their graduates; these data were analyzed according to Vogler (1991). Prioritized lists of content goals by course were determined, as well as curricula for one- and two-year equine educational programs at the college level. / Ed. D.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary objective of the South African National Defence force is the protection of its citizens against external threats. The nature of the work, especially in operational situations, very often causes members of the SANDF to work in remote and unknown territory. The SANDF is composed of different units such as the army, air force and navy. All of these units typically control a specific aspect of the environment, especially in operational situations, and is very often also geographically spread over a large area. The battle commander would typically be in charge of all these units and must direct and control them efficiently towards achieving their assigned mission. In order to be an effective battle commander, the commander must thus be able to understand the terrain that his/her units are operating in, and maps are often the only information to base such understanding on. Map use is thus a critical success factor in effective battle command, and also for every member of the units navigating the often unknown terrain. The aim of the study is to conduct an investigation into the status quo of map use proficiency in the military, and specifically the South African National Army. The investigation comprises the following: • To conducting a detailed task analysis into map use in a military context, in order to establish specific map use functions and related skills regarded as critical in the military context. • The development of a proficiency test, taking the form of a questionnaire, based on the skills identified in the task analysis. Comparing the results of the questionnaire with map use skills identified in the task analysis, to determine the level of map use proficiency in military context. The secondary aims of the study comprise the following: • To investigate the level of map use training and determine if a need exists in term of additional map use training in the military, based on subjective opinions. • To investigate the level of computer literacy and the need for formal computer training in the military context. The key conclusions of the study are the following: • A gap between optimal and actual performance has been identified in terms of map use in the military context. • This gap can largely be attributed to insufficient structures and processes within the military context to facilitate effective map use. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doel van die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag is om die burgers van die land te beskerm teen eksterne gevare. Die aard van die werk veroorsaak dat soldate, tydens operasionele toestande, dikwels na onbekende en vreemde areas verplaas ten einde bogenoemde primêre doel te bereik. Die weermag bestaan tipies uit verskillende eenhede, wat elk gefokus is op die verrigting van spesifieke funksies, en dikwels geografies wyd versprei is. In gesamentlike operasies, is die operasie bevelvoerder tipies in beheer van die verskillende eenhede en moet hy toesien dat hul bewegings gekoordineer is ter bereiking van hul doel. Die operasie bevelvoerder, ten einde die doelwit effektief te bereik, moet in staat wees om die terrein waar die verskillende eenhede beweeg te ontleed, en effektief tot doelbereiking kan benut. Kaarte is een van die primêre bronne van inligting, ten einde die terrein te ontleed om dit sodoende tot voordeel te kan gebruik. Effektiewe gebruik van kaarte is dus 'n kritieke faktor wat bydra tot die sukses van die operasie bevelvoerder, asook vir feitlik elke lid binne die verskillende eenhede wat deur dikwels onbekende terrein moet navigeer. Die doelwitte van die studie is om 'n ondersoek in te stel na die status quo met betrekking tot kaart-gebruiksvaardigheid in die Suid Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag. Die studie behels die volgende: • 'n Omvattende taak-analise ten opsigte van die gebruik van kaarte in die militêre konteks, om sodoende spesifieke funksies en verwante vaardighede te identifiseer wat as kritiek vir die militêr beskou word. • Om 'n vaardigheidstoets in 'n vraelys te inkorporeer, gebaseer op bogenoemde geïdentifiseerde kaart-gebruiksvaardighede. • Om die resultate van die vaardigheids-toets te vergelyk met dié geïdentifiseer in die taak-analise, om sodoende die vlak van kaartgebruiksvaardighede te bepaal in die militêre konteks. Die sekondêre doelwitte behels die volgende: • 'n Ondersoek na die vlak van kaart-gebruiksopleiding en om te bepaal of 'n behoefte bestaan na verdere kaart-gebruiksopleiding, gebaseer op subjektiewe opinies. • 'n Ondersoek na die vlak van rekenaargeletterdheid, en die behoefte aan rekenaar-opleiding. Die afleidings wat uit die studie gemaak kan word is die volgende: • daar bestaan 'n prestasie-gaping tussen optimale and werklike prestasie met betrekking tot die gebruik van kaarte in die militêre konteks, en • hierdie gaping kan grootliks toegeskryf word aan onvoldoende strukture binne die miliêre konteks, wat nie kaart-gebruiksvaardighede fasiliteer nie.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary objective of the South African National Defence force is the protection of its citizens against external threats. The nature of the work, especially in operational situations, very often causes members of the SANDF to work in remote and unknown territory. The SANDF is composed of different units such as the army, air force and navy. All of these units typically control a specific aspect of the environment, especially in operational situations, and is very often also geographically spread over a large area. The battle commander would typically be in charge of all these units and must direct and control them efficiently towards achieving their assigned mission. In order to be an effective battle commander, the commander must thus be able to understand the terrain that his/her units are operating in, and maps are often the only information to base such understanding on. Map use is thus a critical success factor in effective battle command, and also for every member of the units navigating the often unknown terrain. The aim of the study is to conduct an investigation into the status quo of map use proficiency in the military, and specifically the South African National Army. The investigation comprises the following: • To conducting a detailed task analysis into map use in a military context, in order to establish specific map use functions and related skills regarded as critical in the military context. • The development of a proficiency test, taking the form of a questionnaire, based on the skills identified in the task analysis. Comparing the results of the questionnaire with map use skills identified in the task analysis, to determine the level of map use proficiency in military context. The secondary aims of the study comprise the following: • To investigate the level of map use training and determine if a need exists in term of additional map use training in the military, based on subjective opinions. • To investigate the level of computer literacy and the need for formal computer training in the military context. The key conclusions of the study are the following: • A gap between optimal and actual performance has been identified in terms of map use in the military context. • This gap can largely be attributed to insufficient structures and processes within the military context to facilitate effective map use. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die primêre doel van die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag is om die burgers van die land te beskerm teen eksterne gevare. Die aard van die werk veroorsaak dat soldate, tydens operasionele toestande, dikwels na onbekende en vreemde areas verplaas ten einde bogenoemde primêre doel te bereik. Die weermag bestaan tipies uit verskillende eenhede, wat elk gefokus is op die verrigting van spesifieke funksies, en dikwels geografies wyd versprei is. In gesamentlike operasies, is die operasie bevelvoerder tipies in beheer van die verskillende eenhede en moet hy toesien dat hul bewegings gekoordineer is ter bereiking van hul doel. Die operasie bevelvoerder, ten einde die doelwit effektief te bereik, moet in staat wees om die terrein waar die verskillende eenhede beweeg te ontleed, en effektief tot doelbereiking kan benut. Kaarte is een van die primêre bronne van inligting, ten einde die terrein te ontleed om dit sodoende tot voordeel te kan gebruik. Effektiewe gebruik van kaarte is dus 'n kritieke faktor wat bydra tot die sukses van die operasie bevelvoerder, asook vir feitlik elke lid binne die verskillende eenhede wat deur dikwels onbekende terrein moet navigeer. Die doelwitte van die studie is om 'n ondersoek in te stel na die status quo met betrekking tot kaart-gebruiksvaardigheid in die Suid Afrikaanse Nasionale Weermag. Die studie behels die volgende: • 'n Omvattende taak-analise ten opsigte van die gebruik van kaarte in die militêre konteks, om sodoende spesifieke funksies en verwante vaardighede te identifiseer wat as kritiek vir die militêr beskou word. • Om 'n vaardigheidstoets in 'n vraelys te inkorporeer, gebaseer op bogenoemde geïdentifiseerde kaart-gebruiksvaardighede. • Om die resultate van die vaardigheids-toets te vergelyk met dié geïdentifiseer in die taak-analise, om sodoende die vlak van kaartgebruiksvaardighede te bepaal in die militêre konteks. Die sekondêre doelwitte behels die volgende: • 'n Ondersoek na die vlak van kaart-gebruiksopleiding en om te bepaal of 'n behoefte bestaan na verdere kaart-gebruiksopleiding, gebaseer op subjektiewe opinies. • 'n Ondersoek na die vlak van rekenaargeletterdheid, en die behoefte aan rekenaar-opleiding. Die afleidings wat uit die studie gemaak kan word is die volgende: • daar bestaan 'n prestasie-gaping tussen optimale and werklike prestasie met betrekking tot die gebruik van kaarte in die militêre konteks, en • hierdie gaping kan grootliks toegeskryf word aan onvoldoende strukture binne die miliêre konteks, wat nie kaart-gebruiksvaardighede fasiliteer nie.

Doctorat en sciences psychologiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of the ”accelerated” development training programme by using two specifically compiled in-basket exercises equivalent in complexity. A pre- and post-evaluation were performed to determine whether learning transfer actually took place-that is, whether competencies developed. The research focused on the following competencies: action orientation; planning and organising; analysis and problem solving; teamness; and impact. From the statistical analysis conducted, significant differences were obtained for three competencies, impact, action orientation and problem solving. The separation of variables proved to be problematic and the results could not be attributed directly to the training programme. The results are explained, the design of the evaluation critically reviewed and recommendations made to improve the design of the evaluation. The value of the study is discussed and directions for possible future research provided. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. A.(Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Thesis (M.Tech.: Homoeopathy)-Dept. of Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2007 iv, 126 leaves / The first formal Homeopathic education programme in South Africa began in 1989 and was instituted by Technikon Natal, now Durban University of Technology – DUT. The course offers a Master’s Degree in Technology in Homeopathy. Similarly Witwatersrand Technikon now University of Johannesburg began offering the course from 1993. Since the first (from DUT) intake there have been 13 years of graduates. Included in the course is excellent homeopathic training and a comprehensive medical training programme, consisting of anatomy, physiology, pathology, histology and diagnostics subjects. Although a statutory requirement no postgraduate internship training regarding graduates of this programme has been formalised. Thus this study was deemed valuable as it aimed to provide clarity on past internship received and a perception of what an internship ought to entail. The purpose of this retrospective survey was to determine the perceptions and opinions of M.Tech:Homeopathy graduates around the current non-implementation of statutory internship, in order to inform the formulation of an appropriate and effective homoeopathic internship, as required by Act 63 of 1982 (as amended). Other objectives included gathering data/perceptions regarding the contents and outcomes of a proposed Homeopathic internship as perceived by M.Tech:Homeopathy graduates. As well as assessing/determining the possible existence of associations between demographic factors and the perceptions around internship regarding its recommended contents and outcomes.

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters Degree in Technology, (Tourism Management) in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism, Durban University of Technology, 2009. / There is a growing demand for professionally educated and trained staff in the tourism sector. However, current literature reveals a significant disparity between the tourism education provided by institutions and the skills required by the industry. A major challenge facing tourism education institutions is the identification of industry needs and requirements and the involvement of industry in curriculum design. The aim of this research is to examine the education, skills and training required of tourism employees and whether the provisions of higher education tourism courses are adequately meeting industry needs. Identifying this „gap‟ will assist in improving the development of tourism education programmes to meet the needs of industry. The research examines the relevance of the tourisms qualification from three stakeholders‟ perspectives, namely, managers from the tourism sector, tourism graduate employees, and tourism academics. Surveys, in the form of structured questionnaires, were used to obtain information from the three groups. The overall findings of the study revealed that gaps do exist in the tourism curriculum according to the perceptions of stakeholder groups that participated in this study. The recommendations are that closer collaboration is required between academics, managers from the industry when designing tourism curriculum and also to sustain the relevance of the curriculum to meet the needs of industry.