A survey of performance management (PM) practices in 101 U.S. organizations explored whether their PM systems, as perceived by human resources (HR) executives, reflect the best practices advocated by researchers to provide a benchmark of current PM practices. Results suggest that many of the PM practices recommended in the research literature are employed across the organizations surveyed, but several gaps between research and practice remain. Results also indicated that the majority of PM systems are viewed by HR executives as effective and fair. Implications for the science and practice of PM are discussed.

The purpose of this research is to understand and describe the causes affecting the financial institutions’ implementation of reverse mortgage in Sweden as well as the consequences of a large scale implementation, shedding some new light upon the issue of reverse mortgages. This was done from a financial institution point of view. As existent literature in this field of research is currently small in extent, especially in a Swedish context where almost no academic literature has been written, it serves as an exploratory research. From a researcher’s point of view it could hopefully give interesting insights on how new financial products are implemented in general, shedding some light on possible difficulties that may arise during these processes. The research was designed using a qualitative research method. In order to investigate the issues presented several individuals were interviewed from different financial institutions offering various kinds of reverse mortgages in Sweden. Interviews were semi-structured and only the six financial institutions that offer reverse mortgage in Sweden were included. The findings made, as well as the interview questions, were divided into several different sections adopted from the theoretical framework so as make the research more comprehensible and stringent. Because the research design is of exploratory nature it evolved over time, as the authors did not know initially what they would find. The findings provided many interesting insights that were not thought of before. Three major themes were found that could help explain the causes affecting the financial institutions’ implementation of reverse mortgage in Sweden as well as the consequences of a large scale implementation. These themes were age, generation, mentality, macro economical factors, and financial institutions offering reverse mortgage.

En s’appuyant sur le développement et la légitimation théorique du modèle de l’agilité organisationnelle, cette recherche explore les perceptions et les représentations des managers sur l’agilité organisationnelle afin de clarifier et opérationnaliser ce construit. Pour ce faire, nous effectuons dans un premier temps un retour aux sources de l’agilité organisationnelle qui est apparue en 1991. Ce travail met en exergue un fondement théorique fort centré sur quatre capacités d’agilité : la réactivité, la flexibilité, la rapidité, et la compétence.Cette exploration théorique nous permet de poursuivre notre recherche en deux temps. Nous avons tout d’abord réalisé un questionnaire afin de récolter, vingt-cinq ans après les premiers développements de l’agilité, les perceptions des managers sur la définition des capacités d’agilité, sur les pratiques associées à ces capacités, et sur l’agilité organisationnelle. Nous avons ensuite comparé nos résultats obtenus fin 2011 avec ceux d’une échelle de mesure de l’agilité organisationnelle validée et publiée dans la littérature en décembre 2011.Finalement, cette recherche permet d’obtenir deux résultats majeurs. Tout d’abord, nous observons que les managers ne perçoivent pas l’agilité organisationnelle à la manière des développements théoriques de la littérature. Les managers articulent différemment les pratiques managériales et organisationnelles et celles-ci ne suivent pas les développements théoriques. Le deuxième résultat majeur est l’amélioration de l’échelle de mesure de l’agilité organisationnelle parue en 2011. Ce deuxième résultat, fruit du croisement de nos travaux et de ceux Charbonnier-Voirin (2011), a été par ailleurs testé auprès de managers. / Based on the development and the theoretical legitimisation of organisational agility model, this research explores the perceptions and representations of managers on organizational agility to clarify and operationalize this construct. To do this, we first get back to the sources of organisational agility that appeared in 1991. This work highlights a strong theoretical foundation based on four agility capabilities: responsiveness, flexibility, quickness, and competence.This theoretical exploration allows us to continue our research in two phases. We first conducted a questionnaire to collect, twenty-five years after the first development of agility, perceptions of managers on the definition of agility capabilities, the practices associated with these capabilities. We compared our results with those of a measurement scale of organizational agility published in the literature in December 2011.Finally, this research provides two major results. First, we observe that managers do not perceive organizational agility as the theoretical developments read in the literature. Managers articulate the different managerial and organizational practices and they do not follow the theoretical developments. The second major result is the improvement of the measurement scale of organisational agility published in 2011. T

O presente estudo analisou como a experiência pode ser o alicerce para o ensino de empreendedorismo, de forma que a aprendizagem tenha significado para os jovens graduandos. O ensino de empreendedorismo ainda é muitas vezes apenas focado na abertura de pequenas empresas, tendo o plano de negócios como sua base. Este alicerce utilizou as teorias da aprendizagem experiencial e aprendizagem significativa, conceituando o ensino de empreendedorismo pela articulação de ambas as teorias. Alguns aspectos foram estudados em profundidade e constituíram os objetivos específicos da presente tese: compreender o que deve ser ensinado em empreendedorismo na graduação, elaborar e testar um conjunto de propostas de aulas para a disciplina de empreendedorismo, levantar os estilos de aprendizagem das turmas investigadas e discutir as premissas da aprendizagem experiencial no âmbito do ensino de empreendedorismo. Por ser um tema ainda em construção, trata-se de uma pesquisa de natureza exploratória, qualitativa, sendo que a mesma foi desenhada em três fases: na fase 1 realizou-se o levantamento de dados secundários que proporcionou a fundamentação teórica da tese e o desenvolvimento do modelo conceitual; a fase 2 e a fase 3 correspondem à pesquisa empírica, sendo a fase 2 voltada à aplicação do modelo em aulas de empreendedorismo, comparando os dados obtidos com dois grupos de alunos, e a fase 3 estruturada para validar os achados e discutir as premissas. Foram delineados como procedimentos metodológicos o levantamento bibliográfico, a pesquisa participante e as entrevistas semiestruturadas com especialistas. Vários resultados foram obtidos de forma a conceituar o ensino de empreendedorismo, podendo-se destacar: (1) a construção do conhecimento em rede se mostrou adequada ao ensino de empreendedorismo, (2) a teoria de aprendizagem experiencial se mostrou efetiva para o desenvolvimento de um modelo conceitual e estimulou a significância e a criatividade no grupo investigado, (3) várias didáticas foram analisadas, com destaque para o plano de negócios, estudo de caso, resolução de problemas, mapas mentais e narrativas, (4) plano de negócio é um meio para a aprendizagem de empreendedorismo e não o seu fim, (5) não é necessário que o professor de empreendedorismo já tenha sido proprietário de um negócio, (6) os docentes poderiam se preparar melhor pedagogicamente e (7) os alunos não gostam de aulas expositivas e querem ser protagonistas do seu aprendizado. O estudo contribui ao ser um passo para o entendimento de um contexto ainda não convergente na literatura e para que instituições de ensino e docentes tenham um novo olhar sobre o ensino de empreendedorismo, tema atual e instigante. / This study examined how experiences can be the foundation for teaching entrepreneurship, so that learning becomes meaningful to the graduates. The teaching of entrepreneurship is often focused only on opening small businesses, and has the business plan as its basis. This foundation has used the theories of experiential learning and meaningful learning, conceptualizing the teaching of entrepreneurship through the articulation of both theories. Some aspects have been studied in depth and constituted the specific objectives of this thesis: to understand what must be taught as entrepreneurship in a graduation course, to elaborate and test a set of proposals for classes concerning the subject entrepreneurship, to raise the learning styles of the investigated groups and discuss the premises of experiential learning in teaching entrepreneurship. Because such a subject is still under construction, it is a research of exploratory and qualitative nature, and it was designed in three phases: in phase 1 it was carried out a survey of secondary data which provided the theoretical foundation for the thesis and the development of the conceptual model; phase 2 and phase 3 correspond to the empirical research, being the second phase focused on the implementation of the model in entrepreneurship classes, comparing the results obtained with two groups of students and the third phase was structured to validate such results and discuss the premises. As methodological procedures were outlined the bibliographic research, the participatory research and semi-structured interviews with experts. Several results were obtained in order to conceptualize the teaching of entrepreneurship, such as: (1) the construction of knowledge in a network way was adequate to the teaching of entrepreneurship, (2) the theory of experiential learning was effective for developing a conceptual model and stimulate the significance and creativity in the investigated group, (3) several didactics were analyzed, with emphasis on the business plan, case study, problems solving, mental maps and narratives, (4) the business plan is a way for learning entrepreneurship and not its end, (5) it is not necessary for the entrepreneurship teacher to have previously been a businessman, (6) the teachers could be better prepare pedagogically and (7) the students do not like expositive classes and want to be protagonists of their learning process. The study is helpful insofar as it represents a step towards the understanding of a context not yet convergent in the literature and contributes so that schools and teachers may have a new perspective on the teaching of entrepreneurship, a current and thought-provoking theme.

Magister Artium (Psychology) - MA(Psych) / Ulwaluko is a Xhosa word that refers to male circumcision, an initiation ritual performed to transform boys into men. The ritual is supposed to instill good moral and social values. Research has demonstrated that, the practice of Ulwaluko has undergone many changes primarily because of urbanization, acculturation and the emergence of back-door circumcision schools amongst other things. This has culminated in instances of moral decline such as criminal activity, drug abuse, risky sexual behaviour and inhumane behaviour among some of the initiates. There has been a recent upsurge in research on Ulwaluko in South Africa. However, lacking in this body of scholarship is a focus on how Ulwaluko constructs masculinities. This served as the motivation for my study. Given the above, my study explored the role of Ulwaluko in the construction of masculinity in men at the University of the Western Cape (UWC). Hegemonic masculinity (Connell, 1994; Connell & Messerschmidt, 2005) was used as a theoretical framework conceptualizing this study. The study utilised a qualitative framework and data was collected using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Seven participants aged from 19 to 32, consented to be part of the study. These were recruited using purposive sampling. The ethical considerations of the study adhered to the guidelines stipulated by UWC. Data was transcribed, and analysed using thematic decomposition analysis. The findings of this study indicate that Ulwaluko constructs masculinity in hegemonic ways. Through hegemony it establishes, maintains and retains control over young men, boys and women. It constructs an idealised masculine identity that is morally upright, faced with ritual challenges and burdened by a prescriptive set of masculine role expectations. This study also shows the self-reflexive, critical and imaginative engagement by men as they negotiated Ulwaluko‟s ideal masculinity. Such contestations resulted in the creation of rival masculinities. It also demonstrates how subject position(s) impact understandings and constructions of masculinities. This study provided a richer and more nuanced contextual understanding of the psychosocial realities of men who underwent Ulwaluko

No description available.

Thesis (MPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis is an exploratory study into the feasibility of the use of wordless picture books with the aim to develop a culture of and love for reading within the South African context, as approached from my viewpoint as an illustrator. Despite a growing body of literature that advocates the use of wordless picture books in educational and literacy development, not much research exists on their use within the South African context exists. Additionally, there are few locally published wordless picture books available in South Africa, with the market being dominated by American and European imports. Those that do exist locally lack variety and are largely labelled as educational. In addition, South Africa has a very low general reading rate, with reading and books being viewed as synonymous with an academic activity or obligation. Further, children are not encouraged to read for enjoyment at home, as their parents often do not have a reading culture of their own. Although educational books can be used in the home for joint reading, the use of books that are created for ‘strictly educational purposes’ leads to a risk of losing the magic of reading purely for enjoyment. A risk that runs parallel with this is the perpetuation of this negative view of reading in general. The inherent characteristics of wordless picture books serve as motivating factors that could contribute to developing a more positive attitude to books in general, and as such, foster a culture of reading that parents can transfer to their children. Through a semiotic and narratological analysis of wordless picture books, as well as a conceptualisation of the medium in my practical work, I debate the strengths of the medium as applied to the South African context. An empirical study forms part of this research in an effort to understand better how these books would function in joint reading between a child and their parent or primary caregiver. My fundamental argument is that the creation, production and use of this genre of picture books should be considered more favourably, and warrant further investigation within the South African context. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie verhandeling is ‘n ondersoekende uitvoerbaarheidstudie oor die gebruik van boeke sonder woorde om ‘n kultuur van en liefde vir lees in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks te ontwikkel ,soos gesien vanuit my uitgangspunt as illustreerder. Ten spyte van ‘n groter wordende omvang van literatuur wat die gebruik van boeke sonder woorde in opvoedkundige- en geletterdheidsontwikkeling voorstaan, bestaan daar weinig navorsing oor hul gebruik in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks. Daarbenewens is daar min boeke sonder woorde wat plaaslik uitgegee word en word dié mark deur invoere uit Amerika en Europa oorheers. Dit wat wel plaaslik beskikbaar is, toon ‘n gebrek aan verskeidenheid en word meestal as opvoedkundig beskou. Verder het Suid-Afrika ‘n baie lae algemene leesgeneigtheid waar lees en boeke as sinoniem met ‘n akademiese aktiwiteit of verpligting beskou word. Voorts word kinders tuis nie aangemoedig om vir die genot daarvan te lees nie, omdat hul ouers dikwels self nie ‘n leeskultuur handhaaf nie. Hoewel opvoedkundige boeke tuis vir gesamentlike lees gebruik kan word, skep die benutting van boeke van ‘n ‘suiwer opvoedkundige aard’ die risko dat lees bloot vir die genot daarvan, verlore mag gaan. ‘n Risiko wat gelyktydig hiermee ontstaan, is die voortsetting van ‘n negatiewe siening oor lees. Boeke sonder woorde beskik oor inherente eieskappe wat as motivering vir lees dien en sodoende ‘n positiewer ingesteldheid teenoor boeke in die algemeen ontwikkel. Hierdeur kan ‘n kultuur van lees gekweek word wat ouers weer aan hul kinders kan oordra . Deur middel van semiotieke en narratologiese ontleding van boeke sonder woorde, sowel as ‘n konseptualisering van hierdie medium in my praktiese werk, beredeneer ek die sterkpunte van die medium soos toegepas binne die Suid-Afrikaanse opset. ‘n Empiriese studie vorm deel van die navorsing ten einde ‘n beter begrip te kry oor die benutting van dié boeke in gesamentlike lees tussen die kind en sy/haar ouer of primêre versorger. My grondliggende argument is dat die skepping, produksie en gebruik van hierdie genre van prentboeke sonder woorde gunstiger oorweeg behoort te word en verdere ondersoek binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks regverdig.

This study focuses on what impact the Management Control System of Non-life Insurance Industry under Financial and Non-financial Holding Company has on a company¡¦s financial and business performance. (Management Control System, hereinafter referred to as MCS) . The scope of the MCS is not conclusive, it consists of management accounting and other control methods. This study adopts Simons¡¦s Diagnostic Control Systems and Interactive Control Systems as a yardstick, and the indicators of the financial and business performance are collected from Taiwan Insurance Institute. This study is based on the exploratory study --- in-depth interviews in case studies. In order to understand what types of the MCS a Non-life Insurance Industry company choices , and each respondent¡¦s feedback on the MCS , the study is followed by semi-structured interviews. By the comparison of multiple-case designs and a more in-depth discussion , this study has found that: (1) There is no special relationship of the MCS selection between Non-life Insurance Industry under Financial and Non-financial Holding Company . (2) Both Non-life Insurance Industry under Financial and Non-financial Holding Company have Strategic Alliances in marketing . (3) Only Non-life Insurance Industry under Financial Holding Company could take the advantage of the joint-marketing in the distribution channel of a bank. (4) Non-life Insurance Industry under Non-financial Holding Company tends to have better business performance when using Interactive Control Systems . Therefore, the study suggests that when Non-life Insurance Industry under Non-financial Holding Company tries to design the control system of an organization, it is better to use the Interactive Control System to help the performance of a company.

The non-interest and profit-loss sharing schemes of Islamic finance (IF) are attracting increasing global attention. Despite exposure to the similar opportunities as other Western countries that have adopted the financial business model there is little evidence of Islamic finance windows operating in the conventional institutions in Canada. This thesis takes a qualitative approach to bring the issue forward in Canadian social science literature by exploring the perceived challenges to, and the potential of, the development of IF offerings with a focus on factors affecting the supply and management decisions in the industry. The study used an inductive approach with archival data and critical survey of literature to arrive at the hypotheses surrounding the challenges. These were tested deductively by semi-structured interviews and panel discussions both in Canada and the US on a sample of senior officials involved in both IF and conventional financial institutions. Using a thematic analysis the study arrived at findings supporting the hypotheses related to awareness, regulation, management intent and internal resources. In the external environment, factors affecting strategic decision on offering IF services are mainly due to regulation, lack of awareness, even among Muslim communities, or misgivings about Sha’riah authenticity. Internally, highly customized IT infrastructures, lack of funds and foreign investment make it unfeasible. Management interest when proposed with the concept is high but not in a top-down manner and there is an overall uncertainty avoidance culture and little proactivity with market research. Access to specific Sha’riah knowledge is not considered a hurdle anymore. It is apparent that investments in Sha’riah compliant stocks would be easiest to set up. Mortgage structures can be affected by the capital market structure, even if not tax structures. Knowledge on this can have implications for banks seeking to expand their investment portfolios and aid government policies.

The non-interest and profit-loss sharing schemes of Islamic finance (IF) are attracting increasing global attention. Despite exposure to the similar opportunities as other Western countries that have adopted the financial business model there is little evidence of Islamic finance windows operating in the conventional institutions in Canada. This thesis takes a qualitative approach to bring the issue forward in Canadian social science literature by exploring the perceived challenges to, and the potential of, the development of IF offerings with a focus on factors affecting the supply and management decisions in the industry. The study used an inductive approach with archival data and critical survey of literature to arrive at the hypotheses surrounding the challenges. These were tested deductively by semi-structured interviews and panel discussions both in Canada and the US on a sample of senior officials involved in both IF and conventional financial institutions. Using a thematic analysis the study arrived at findings supporting the hypotheses related to awareness, regulation, management intent and internal resources. In the external environment, factors affecting strategic decision on offering IF services are mainly due to regulation, lack of awareness, even among Muslim communities, or misgivings about Sha’riah authenticity. Internally, highly customized IT infrastructures, lack of funds and foreign investment make it unfeasible. Management interest when proposed with the concept is high but not in a top-down manner and there is an overall uncertainty avoidance culture and little proactivity with market research. Access to specific Sha’riah knowledge is not considered a hurdle anymore. It is apparent that investments in Sha’riah compliant stocks would be easiest to set up. Mortgage structures can be affected by the capital market structure, even if not tax structures. Knowledge on this can have implications for banks seeking to expand their investment portfolios and aid government policies.