ABSTRACT AN ANALYSIS OF TED ENGSTROM’S PHILOSOPHY AND PRACTICE OF EXCELLENCE AND MENTORING Benjamin Paul Dockery, Ph.D. The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2015 Chair: Dr. Michael S. Wilder The research begins by raising questions surrounding a distinctively Christian approach to leadership. Specifically, this dissertation introduces the challenge of emphasizing both leadership excellence and leadership development in the life of a Christian leader. Next, Ted Engstrom is introduced as the key subject under analysis who provides a gateway into these leadership challenges. The thesis of the dissertation argues for the necessary wedding of these two leadership principles, excellence and mentoring, as evidenced in the life and writings of Engstrom and supported with biblical and theological argumentation. In order to make this case, the research considers the six decades of Engstrom’s ministry in the context of American Evangelicalism, and, more specifically, demonstrates his influence at Zondervan Publishing, Youth for Christ, World Vision, and organizational consulting. Additionally, Engstrom’s written contribution to the areas of excellence and mentoring are framed within his broader contributions in the following fields: organizational leadership, time management, personal integrity, and board management. Next, this dissertation outlines Engstrom’s understanding of excellence and builds out a supplemental account of excellence using biblical and theological support. Similarly, this dissertation provides an extended analysis of mentoring that starts with Engstrom’s account and extends to the biblical models and theological foundations. Before concluding, this research also argues that Engstrom is a leader worthy of imitation by summarizing personal interviews with those Engstrom formally and informally mentored. The conclusions supports an emphasis on excellence that requires mentoring while simultaneously holding to an emphasis on mentoring that demands excellence. In conclusion, the argument interacts with recognized experts in the field of leadership to draw implications for Christian leaders in the twenty-first century. The hopeful outcome is a renewed equilibrium between excellence and mentoring as hallmark traits of Christian leadership.

[pt] O ambiente atual, instável e competitivo, obriga as organizações a mudanças e adaptações constantes. Os estudos em redes, unindo recursos e conhecimentos, agregando potencial de crescimento e amadurecimento em determinado campo, são ferramentas de destaque nesse ambiente que requer gestão de informação eficiente e formação de base de conhecimento organizacional, constituída pela aprendizagem organizacional. O objetivo desta pesquisa é verificar a relação entre os conceitos de aprendizagem organizacional e organização de aprendizagem com a prática dos centros de excelência na Petrobras, empresa brasileira no setor de energia. Pretende-se entender se os centros de excelência visam, funcionando como ferramenta de aprendizagem organizacional, transformar -ou sustentar- a Petrobras como uma organização de aprendizagem. O método de pesquisa utilizado é o estudo de caso na Petrobras, com dados obtidos por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas e pesquisa documental. A análise de dados foi realizada de maneira descritiva-analítica, o que proporcionou uma visão dos valores e as relações existentes à luz dos referenciais da aprendizagem organizacional. Os resultados do presente estudo permitiram verificar a ligação entre esses conceitos, relacionando, portanto, esses centros às questões requeridas pelas organizações de aprendizagem e aprendizagem organizacional. Contudo, foi observado que não há o mesmo foco de aprendizado em assuntos corporativos, como acontece em temas técnicos e tecnológicos. Esta lacuna é um motivo de preocupação, visto que o intuito é de envolver todos os setores da organização, resultando na sugestão de aumentar a abrangência de implantação. / [en] The current environment, unstable and competitive, forcing the organizations to constant changes and adaptations. The network studies, linking resources and expertise, aggregate growth potential and maturity in a particular field, are highlighted tools in this environment what requires efficient information management and also organizational knowledge formation basis, made up through organizational learning. This survey aims at investigate the relation between the learning organization concept as well as the organizational learning concept with the Centers of Excellence practice in Petrobras, a Brazilian national company in the energy sector. It intend to understand whether the centers of excellence aim at, working as an organizational learning tool, turn into or keep up Petrobras as a learning organization. The research method used is the case study in Petrobras, with the recorded data gathered by means of semi-structured interviews and documental survey. The data analysis was performed in a descriptive-analitical way, which leads to a view of values and the relation present in view of the organization learning referentials. The outcomes of this current study disclosed and allowed to come to the conclusion that there is a linkage between these concepts, relating, therefore, these centers to the required issues by learning organizations and organizational learning. Nevertheless, it was realized that the focus on learning is not the same concerning on corporate issues, as it happens with technical and technological subjects. This gap is a cause for concern about, since the idea of such concepts is to involve all organization sectors, resulting on the criticism and suggestion of increasing the scope of deployment.

Denna studie studerar Halmstad kommuns kommunikation i en särskilt ansträngd situation och vill bidra med kunskap om organisationskommunikation i liknande kommunikationsinsatser.  Hur har Halmstad kommun arbetat för att föra in dricksvattenbrist på kommunens invånares agenda under bevattningsförbudet 2017? Vilka strategier har Halmstad kommun använt sig av i sin kommunikation under bevattningsförbudet? Hur beskrivs Halmstad kommuns kommunikation gentemot kommuninvånarna och de lokala medierna av kommunens och lokaltidningens representanter? Vilken retorik har Halmstad kommun använt i kommunikationen under bevattningsförbudet? Denna uppsats studerar Halmstad kommuns strategi och retorik under kommunens bevattningsförbud 2017. Med hjälp av Excellence Theory in public relations och intervjuer analyseras Halmstad kommunens kommunikationsstrategi samt en retorisk analys av tre kommunikationsinsatser. Uppsatsens resultat visar att Halmstad kommun har haft som del av sin strategi att vara kommunikativa, informativa och öppna under bevattningsförbudet. Vilket speglar sig i retoriken som använts i de studerade kommunikationsinsatserna.

O presente trabalho objetiva identificar e analisar as dimensões de excelência logística, desenvolvidas como forma de se obter vantagens competitivas, buscando analisar a influência do trabalho organizado em equipes na excelência logística de uma organização do mercado de Gás Liquefeito de Petróleo. O trabalho foi realizado através de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os temas excelência logística nas organizações e trabalho organizado em equipes. Como metodologia foi proposto um construto teórico de excelência logística e trabalho em equipe, realizado através de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre os temas, com a apresentação de um estudo de caso em uma empresa líder do mercado em que atua, de forma a ilustrar a aplicação dos conceitos propostos. Como resultado, o trabalho conclui que a organização do trabalho em equipes se mostra grande apoiadora das práticas de excelência logística nessa organização, integrando e possibilitando o desenvolvimento das diferentes dimensões de excelência logística. / This paper aims to identify and analyze the dimensions of logistics excellence, developed as a way to gain competitive advantage, seeking to analyze the influence of teamwork in the logistics excellence of a Liquefied Petroleum Gas organization. The study was conducted through a literature review on the issues logistics excellence in organizations and teamwork. The methodology has been proposed a theoretical construct of logistics excellence and teamwork, accomplished through a literature review on the issues, with the presentation of a case study in a leading company in the market it operates, in order to illustrate the application of concepts proposed. As a result, the paper concludes that the organization of teamwork is a strong supporter of logistics best practices in this organization, integrating and enabling the development of the different dimensions of logistics excellence.

A excelência logística constitui-se em um dos temas de freqüentes discussões no contexto acadêmico e empresarial, face à representatividade da atividade logística para a competitividade das organizações. Diversos autores apontam a existência de áreas-chave para o alcance dessa excelência, mas deixam de abordar as possíveis relações que possam existir entre elas. Diante deste cenário, o trabalho tem como objetivo contribuir com a identificação e caracterização das relações entre tais áreas-chave, mais especificamente no disparo e nos resultados gerados por processos de mudanças relacionados à logística. Para tanto, realizou-se um estudo de múltiplos casos junto a seis empresas do setor de bens de capital agrícolas identificadas pelo processo de amostragem do trabalho como empresas de excelência logística. Os resultados da pesquisa permitiram constatar que áreas-chave da excelência logística se relacionam diretamente com o disparo de processos de mudanças, além de sofrerem impactos com os resultados gerados pelos mesmos. Outro importante resultado reside na construção de uma estrutura apontando as principais características de casos bem sucedidos em gestão de mudanças relacionadas à logística de empresas do setor de bens de capital agrícolas, podendo servir como base de referência para empresas de outros setores na melhoria de seus processos logísticos. / The logistical excellence has been a frequently discussed topic in the enterprise and academic context, due to the importance of logistics to enhance the companies\' competitiveness. Several authors pointed out the existence of key elements to achieving the logistical excellence, but they usually fail to approach possible relationships among these elements, mainly when referring to triggers and results of logistics change process. In this way, the aim of this work was to identify and characterize these relationships. Therefore, a multiple-case study was undertaken in six companies, which were identified by research sampling process as high logistical performing companies. The results of this research confirm the relationships between the key elements and the change triggers and outcomes. The second research\'s contribution concerns the construction of a descriptive panel about the main characteristics of successful logistics change management in agricultural capital goods sector, which may be used by different industrial segments as reference for logistics process improvement.

O regime da cidade virtuosa é o tema central dos escritos políticos de Alfrb÷ levando a uma ordem política cujos princípios são a realização da excelência humana ou da virtude, conduzindo à atividades úteis à aquisição da perfeição e da felicidade, pois o homem não se torna perfeito meramente pelos princípios naturais presentes nele e ele não é eternamente perfeito, mas precisa adquirir sua perfeição através da atividade que procede da compreensão racional, da deliberação e da escolha entre várias alternativas sugeridas pela razão. / The virtuous regime is the central theme of Alfrb÷s political writings and theres a political order whose guiding principles are the realization of human excellence or virtue, taking to activities useful to the achievement of perfection and happiness. Man is not rendered perfect merely through the natural principles present in him and he is not eternally perfect, but need to achieve his perfection through the activity proceeding from rational understanding, deliberation and choosing among the various alternatives suggested by reason.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T18:40:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 GILSON DE GODOY.pdf: 992571 bytes, checksum: cbc25671cfb1ef7c6fb09f337af0177b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-06-19 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The aim of this dissertation is to identify the contributions of the implementation of a program of excellence in performance and the respective participation of the Accounting Department. The research is of the descriptive-exploratory type and the method of proceeding is the study of a single case, accomplished in a large Americanmultinational company in the glassmaking sector, and a leader in the market. The data were collected by means of interviews and documentary sources. The object of the study is a corporative program of excellence in performance, developed by Corning Enterprise. The Foundation for the National Prize of Quality demonstrates the bases and criteria of the excellence, which had been elaborated on the bases of the American prize Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, with which Corning has already been awarded some times. A characteristic of this prize is not to prescribe methodologies and tools of management to reach the excellence, each organization chooses, adjusts or develops a program on the basis of the fundaments of the excellence. The data collected show that the participation of the Accounting Department is relevant in the process of management of Corning Enterprise. The Accounting Department represents the main source of information for the management and develops projects for the Program of Excellence in Performance. With the objective to generate other contributions for this program, the Accounting Department is starting a process of consolidation and evidencing of the various financial gains of all the projects of the company, as well as, of analyzing and selecting projects based on the financial returns. It was concluded that the Accounting supplies financial and non-financial information, which contribute to the management of the organizations. Much of such information is strategic and vital to lead the organizations so that they can reach their objectives. The accounting reports can include information on the programs of excellence in performance and quality, integrating the indicators and contributing to the strategic control / O objetivo desta dissertação é identificar as contribuições da implantação de um programa de excelência em desempenho e a respectiva participação da Contabilidade. A pesquisa é do tipo exploratório-descritivo combinado e o método de procedimento é estudo de caso único, realizado em uma empresa multinacional americana de grande porte, do setor vidreiro e líder de mercado. Os dados foram coletados através de entrevistas e fontes documentais. O objeto do estudo é um programa corporativo de excelência em desempenho desenvolvido pela empresa Corning. A Fundação para o Prêmio Nacional da Qualidade apresenta os fundamentos e critérios da excelência, os quais foram elaborados nas bases do prêmio americano Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, no qual a Corning já foi premiada algumas vezes. Uma das características desse prêmio é não prescrever metodologias e ferramentas de gestão para atingir a excelência, cada organização escolhe, adapta ou desenvolve um programa com base nos fundamentos da excelência. Os dados coletados demonstram que é relevante a participação da Contabilidade no processo de gestão da empresa Corning. A Contabilidade representa a principal fonte de informações para os gestores e desenvolve projetos para o Programa de Excelência em Desempenho. Com o objetivo de gerar outras contribuições para esse programa, a Contabilidade está iniciando um processo de consolidação e evidenciação dos vários ganhos financeiros de todos os projetos da companhia e, também, analisando e selecionando projetos com base no retorno financeiro. Conclui-se que a Contabilidade fornece informações financeiras e nãofinanceiras que contribuem com a gestão das organizações. Muitas dessas informações são estratégicas e vitais para conduzir as organizações ao alcance de seus objetivos. Os relatórios contábeis podem incluir informações dos programas de excelência em desempenho e de qualidade, integrando indicadores e contribuindo com o controle estratégico

Considerando a importância da busca pela excelência para que empresas e organizações possam se manter competitivas, diversos organismos buscaram premiar aquelas que demonstrassem melhor desempenho nos seus processos de gestão. Essas premiações são resultado de avaliações realizadas com base em critérios estabelecidos em modelos de excelência em gestão e fornecem um meio de avaliar o desempenho das organizações e identificar seus pontos fortes e fracos. O objetivo do presente trabalho é propor um modelo de avaliação da gestão dos órgãos do Poder Executivo do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, que possibilite realizar um diagnóstico e identificar ações de melhoria, introduzindo uma cultura de excelência. Este modelo foi construído com base em estudo realizado sobre os modelos existentes e nas opiniões dos servidores públicos. Foi validado por meio da aplicação a três órgãos públicos estaduais, demonstrando ser um modelo aderente à realidade aplicada, que fornece importantes contribuições ao seu desenvolvimento dos órgãos e que pode ser utilizado como instrumento de comparação entre eles. Espera-se que o Modelo de Avaliação da Gestão sirva como ferramenta para fortalecer a gestão dos órgãos estaduais e estimular a melhoria contínua e a busca por resultados. / Considering the importance of the search for excellence that companies and organizations can remain competitive, several groups sought to award those that demonstrated better performance in their management processes. These awards are the result of assessments based on established criteria in management excellence models and provide a means to evaluate the performance of organizations and identify their strengths and weaknesses. The objective of the present work is to propose a management assessment model of Rio Grande do Sul’s Executive, which makes it possible to have a diagnosis and identify improvement actions, introducing a culture of excellence. This model was built based on a study of existing models and the opinions of public servants. It was validated through the application to three state public agencies, demonstrating that it is a model adherent to the applied reality, which provides important contributions to departments development and can be used as a comparison tool among them. It is hoped that the Management Assessment Model will serve as a tool to strengthen the management of state agencies and stimulate continuous improvement and search for results.

This thesis explores children's and teachers' perspectives on creativity, and its implementation, within one primary school classroom in Scotland. The data collection phase of the research employed an ethnographic approach, involving four and a half months of fieldwork in the primary school classroom. Data were generated from participant observation/informal conversations with children and teachers and one round of semi-structured interviews with twenty-five children (aged eleven to twelve) and two teachers. Creativity within primary education has been mainly studied through psychological research, which is mainly based on theories of developmental psychology. Such theories view creativity solely as an individual trait. Despite recognition of the importance of sociocultural issues to the flourishing of children's creativity, the study of their collaborative creativity has been neglected - particularly in relation to socio-cultural power dynamics. This thesis specifically analyses the balance between individual and collective creativity in the primary classroom, examines how collaborative creativity can acknowledge childhood diversity, and poses questions about how we include children with differing and complex identities in creative processes. Furthermore, this research has been carried out in Scotland, within the context of a fairly new curriculum, the Curriculum for Excellence. This curriculum has been viewed by some as a progressive, modern and motivating curriculum that enables children's autonomy, and by others as one that has been highly influenced by accountability and performativity regimes, which leave limited space for children's and teachers' autonomy. This thesis examines how the Curriculum for Excellence is interpreted in everyday practice and the extent to which it enables the cultivation of children's creativity. The thesis does so by shedding light on the practical interconnections between children's and teachers' agency, structural enablers/barriers, and cultural processes. The findings of this study show that children perceive, perform and embody creativity not only as an individual trait, but also as a collaborative process. However, the findings also show that collaborative creativity entails many complexities and that cultural barriers to creativity may emerge when power among people (children and teachers) operates in ways that create cultures of exclusion. The thesis concludes that the multiple identities of the Curriculum for Excellence, its multiple interpretations, and lack of coherence regarding what is expected of teachers, leads to a blurred landscape of implementation. The thesis argues that lack of a clear plan, strategy and framework for enabling creativity inhibits the founding principles of the Curriculum for Excellence from being achieved. The thesis also argues that environmental and structural barriers within the research setting inhibit the flourishing of children's creativity, but that the structural barriers can sometimes be overcome through the construction of enabling cultures. The thesis is able to define enabling cultures as cultures that value diversity, promote inclusion, and view space not as static, but as a dynamic process. In so doing, the findings of this study emphasise the interconnected importance of: viewing creativity as an individual trait; perceiving creativity as a collaborative process; and thinking in spatial terms, for example, in ways that create the space for children to perceive, perform and embody creativity in their diverse, but equally valuable ways. This finding enables this study to argue that there is a need for future policies and curricula which promote and encourage greater flexibility in teaching and learning practices, in order to enhance children's and teachers' agency and thus allow them to collaboratively create the types of enabling environments, originally envisaged by the Curriculum for Excellence, that will allow children's creativity to flourish.

Environmental deterioration and social injustice highlight the discrepancy between ‘educated' and ‘wise' and, by corollary, call into question our approach to education. In order to investigate how we might advance Education for Sustainability (EfS) in a Scottish secondary school context this research engages with: relevant theory, the educational policy context, and practice in the form of two action research pilot projects. The concepts of utopianism and design are proposed as original and potentially useful to understand, guide and evaluate EfS and are linked to an analytical framework to clarify the concept of EfS endorsed in this thesis. The analytical framework developed comprises four thinking modes: systems thinking; future thinking; an emphasis on values and priorities; and action competency, each qualified through reference to practice. The pilot projects highlighted the challenges of monitoring and evaluating; illustrated opportunities and challenges to deliver EfS theory; offered new theoretical insights into EfS implementation; and enabled reflection on the status of EfS in the wider curriculum. The challenge of undertaking action research as a postgraduate student led to critical analysis of action research in academia. The thesis highlights the potentially promising policy context to facilitate EfS, particularly in Scotland, but also the practical challenges to implement EfS. Such challenges include: concerns over the clarity of policy documents; teachers' interest and ability to facilitate pupil-led learning; and resources to support the quality of EfS being delivered. Recommendations for future research include additional classroom-based projects; policy implementation analysis; and investigation of teachers' values, attitudes and capacity. It was concluded that utopianism, design, and the four thinking modes can potentially contribute to qualifying EfS in current policy and facilitate pupils to critique the status quo, and develop and share alternative visions of a sustainable future.