Job quality is important: there is a substantial evidence base which illustrates the potential risks of poor quality work. These arise from the occurrence of accidents and disease due to unmanaged hazards, as well as from psychosocial factors such as poor pay and security, shift working or the combination of low control and high demands. There is also a body of evidence which demonstrates a positive impact from good quality work, with contributions to longevity, improved health and happiness, and business success. Despite this recognition of the importance of job quality, there is a lack of agreement around exactly what it is: particularly when trying to define it as a single construct. This research aimed to address this insufficiency by exploring the concept of the good job, and seeking to define job quality from an ergonomics perspective. This approach encourages a broad outlook, taking account of the physical and psychosocial aspects of work, the interactions between them, and the impact of individual variation. A theoretical model is presented to summarise the concept of job quality based on these considerations: this was applied to a study of three bus companies using both a quantitative survey tool and qualitative methods. In developing the model, an initial study was undertaken using repertory grid interviews to explore notions of work and job quality, and to identify the most important areas for further investigation. Interviews were conducted with individuals (n=18) who were employed in a wide range of jobs, and varied substantially in their priorities and preferences. Job content and relationships were often identified as more important than pay levels; but there was also evidence of compromise, where interviewees had prioritised jobs which met their practical needs. Also, individuals perceived a good job differently from one which was good for their health, and overall did not consider good health to be an essential outcome of a good job. Two subsequent studies were undertaken with a focus on jobs commonly done by those with low formal education, who may have more to gain from improved job quality. Semi-structured interviews were carried out firstly with cleaners and manufacturing employees (n=30) and then with bus drivers (n=80). A number of job features such as safety and job/employment security were found to be important for almost all interviewees, and thus were identified as core features of a good job. Other factors such as autonomy and preferences for particular working patterns were more variable, highlighting the importance of job-employee fit. The theoretical model of job quality constructed was based on these findings and the literature. The model was applied in a qualitative study of bus and coach drivers in three companies to assess whether this was a good job, whether it could be a good job, and what the barriers to this might be. In two of the companies bus driving was found to be a poor job, with low pay and inadequate health and safety management. In the third company it was better but there were still challenges: particularly time pressures, low physical activity, and varied and unsociable working patterns. It was identified that some of the barriers to good job quality for bus drivers and potentially in jobs more generally are difficult to address as they are intrinsic to the job. The best solution to these difficulties is to ensure a good fit between job and employee. Other barriers were identified which appeared to be financial, such as low pay in the two smaller companies, but they could also reflect cultural factors within the organisation or within wider society. A final study considered the measurement of job quality, in the light of the importance and extent of individual variation highlighted throughout the research. The DGB-Index (Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund Index), a questionnaire tool designed and used in Germany which specifically accounts for this, was used in the same three bus companies (n=423). The results were compared with those from the qualitative study and reached similar conclusions, thus confirming the utility of the DGB-Index for job measurement and comparison when translated into English. The research demonstrated that it is possible to define and measure job quality and to compare it between organisations. The model of a good job constructed to facilitate this differs from those found in the literature: it takes into account the variation between individuals and the fact that they construe good jobs in different ways. Thus it highlights the importance to job quality of a good fit between job and individual in addition to the need for work to be good in terms of the more universal features such as job security, safety and adequate pay.

Thesis (MBA)--Stellenbosch University, 2001. / Some digitised pages may appear illegible due to the condition of the original hard copy / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Cape of Good Hope Bank limited is a subsidiary company of Nedcor Limited. The Bank was established in 1831, making it the oldest Financial Institution in South Africa. As a competitor within the financial services sector, the Bank has increasingly been faced with issues that include changing client needs, increased competition, and an ever increasing operating cost structure. The Treasury and Investments Division of the Bank, which is responsible for the funding side of the business, is primarily focussed on the receiving of deposits from the corporate and retail markets. The emphasis within this mini thesis, is within the retail sector, that of the investments received from 27000 individual clients serviced from 12 "Investment centers" geographically found within the Cape Peninsula. The activities within the Division are dynamic and require continuous change in order to remain competitive. The need to integrate activities and decision making across functional areas in order to gain synergy, has resulted in the use of matrix type teams that operate across functional units, using knowledge and expertise found therein. This approach has necessitated the introduction of the principles of project management as a methodology to implement the desired changes. The projects to date have had mediocre implementation, indifferent emphasis, no real ownership or vested interest, and a lack of follow through. The effect is compounded into a lack of delivery on expectations, and allows for wasted effort, time and at greater cost. In order to understand why the above issues are occurring, this mini thesis attempts to offer that there is an ideal "culture" within which project management operates successfully, and that the current culture of the division is different to the "ideal". The role of the leader, in shifting the culture closer to the ideal, is of paramount importance. It has been suggested that the style of the leaders need to be modified in order to become more effective as divisional change agents within the sphere of successful project management methodology. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Kaap die Goeie Hoop Bank is 'n filiaalmaatskappy van Nedkor Beperk. Die Bank is gestig in 1831 en is die langste-bestaande Bank in die land omdat dit in die kompiterende finansiële dienstesektor moet oorleef, is dit blootgestel aan veranderende kliëntbehoeftes, koste druk en 'n groeiende mededinging. Tesourie en Beleggings divisie van die Bank, wat veranwoorderlik is vir die befondsings funksie, fokus primêr op die aantrekking van deposito's uit die korporatiewe en persoonlike markte. Hierdie werkstuk lê klem op laasgenoemde waar beleggings van 27000 individuele kliente bedien word vanaf 12 beleggingsentra versprei oor die Kaapse Skiereiland. Die aktiviteite van die divisie is dinamies en vereis voortdurende verandering om tred te hou met markveranderinge. Die behoefte om besluitneming en aktiwiteite oor 'n aantal funksionele areas sinergisties te integreer, het daartoe gelei dat matriks struktuur oor funksionele grense opereer en gebruik maak van kennis en kundigheid. Hierdie benadering noodsaak die aanwending van gesonde projekbestuurbeginsels om die nodige veranderinge metodies aan te bring. Tot dusver het implementering middelmatige sukses gehad as gevolg van geen werklike eienaarskap of gevestige belange, onvoldoende en wisselende prioriteite. Die gevolg was onvoldoende lewering teenoor verwagtinge en vermorsing aan tyd en koste. Om 'n beter begrip te kry van hierdie "onvoldoende lewering teenoor verwagtinge", poog hierdie minitesis om te soek na die ideale "kultuur" waar binne projekbestuur suksesvol kan plaasvind deur die huidige kultuur van die divisie te konstrasteer met die "ideale". Die rol van die leier is van hoogste belang om die kultuurverskuiwing te laat plaasvind. Dit word voorgestel dat die bestuurstyl van die leierskap aangepas word om meer effektiefte word as divisie "veranderings agente" sodat projekbestuur metodologie in die proses sukses kan behaal.

Thesis (DLitt)--Stellenbosch University, 1957. / Please refer to full text for abstract.

Thesis (DPhil (History))--University of Stellenbosch, 1946. / 409 leaves printed on single pages, preliminary pages i- ix and numbered pages 1-445. Includes bibliography. / Digitized at 330 dpi black and white PDF format (OCR), using KODAK i 1220 PLUS scanner. / No abstract available

This study examined the role and function of public relations in public higher education institutions by focusing on the messages being communicated by four public research-oriented universities. This study was designed to determine if and how these universities communicate their public good responsibility and how that communication is perceived by two constituent groups—higher education reporters and state legislators. The researcher used two qualitative methods: thematic analysis and in-depth/elite interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the universities’ mission and vision statements, strategic plans, legislative appropriations requests, presidential speeches, and 800 press releases (200 from each of four universities), to determine whether references to the public good were either present or absent in messages the universities disseminated during 2006 and 2007. In-depth/elite interviews were used to obtain the perspectives of the chief public relations officers at each of the four public research-oriented universities about their public relations strategies and communication goals. Higher education reporters covering these respective institutions and members of the legislature in positions of leadership on committees involved with higher education policy and funding issues were also interviewed to understand their perceptions about the universities. This study found the following 24 references to public good: the core concepts of research, teaching and public service; the benefits the universities create as engines of economic development; diversity; the recruitment and retention of faculty; the university as a center for arts, entertainment and cultural events; faculty and student achievement; student career enhancement; and institutional prestige, among others. The study demonstrated that public research-oriented universities are using public relations strategies and techniques to construct and distribute messages to their key constituents about the benefits they provide to the State and its citizens. Major findings also include the observation that higher education reporters cover higher education as a statewide beat which focuses on the state’s two flagship or Tier 1 universities—the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University and the institutions in the reporters respective cities. In addition, the higher education reporters write about “issues” related to higher education rather than institutions per se. The study also found that State Legislators only recognize the two Tier 1 institutions as research institutions and their perspectives about these institutions are driven by how these universities are funded. / text

在台灣地區，由於社會變遷亟遽，經濟高度發展，人口增加與都市化的發展，竊盜犯罪問題日益嚴重；根據民意調查分析，國內民眾最為關心的，除了「經濟發展」就是「治安良窳」的議題。台灣地區自1999至2003年，每年至少有18萬輛以上的機車失竊，約有8萬輛以上找不回來；每年機車失竊，約流失新台幣152億元，因此機車竊盜問題值得深究。而，台北縣為全國人口的第一大縣，縣民幾近於每2人即擁有1輛機車，故以台北縣作探討，可以做為典範。 本研究透過三角交叉檢視法，以自行編制機車竊盜問卷之量化研究為主，有效問卷400份，再輔以參與觀察法及訪談法。訪問對象為國內實際操作之在職基層警察。 本研究重要發現：將機車竊盜問卷資料歸類成專業技能、防竊觀點、肅竊經驗、心態反應、服務品質與自我期待等區分六項。就基層警察使用電腦資訊而言，可推論仰賴「機械的垂直思考模式」的被動性，較「廣泛的水平思考模式」主動性為高。造成機車竊盜破獲率低的相關原因，有「不了解機車竊盜者，竊盜機車的過程」、「員警心態消極」、「法律審理流程冗長」、「贓物保管不易」、「追贓能力不足」以及「不了解機車竊盜者竊盜機車後的銷贓管道」等因素。大多數基層警察對研究機車竊盜問題之意願低落，陷入「想做，但不會做；想問，又不知怎麼問？要問誰？」的迷思。 另外；在基層警察問卷調查的回應中顯示：對於執行「行政介入」工作，感覺並不困難，但並不能真正了解以行政手段取代司法強制的意涵。基層警察受理報案的觀念正確而又積極；造成犯罪黑數，發生遲、匿報的原因，非在個人懶惰及想卸責、推諉、怕麻煩等因素；並從員警根本就不願意吃案，認為「提升警察專業能力」，可以提昇民眾對治安的滿意度。 本研究結果，具體提出了「行政介入」的刑事策略等防範竊盜的措施之道。「行政介入」的刑事策略，預期可使機車竊盜的發生率降低；那麼，民生痛苦指數必然是下降的、民眾對治安的滿意度也將會提昇，不啻是民眾、政府與警察間的的三贏，「優良治理」的刑事政策，會影響改善治安的期待效果，將獲得更進一步的確認。因而，本文具有理論以及實務上的貢獻。 / The theft crime is getting worse in Taiwan due to rapid social change, economic development, population growth, and urbanization. According to public opinion polls, Taiwanese are concerned deeply about either economic development or public security. More than 180 thousand motorcycles have been stolen during 1999 to 2003. Among these amounts, about 80 thousand motorcycles cannot be found thereafter. The average cost of those missed motorcycles is approximate 15.2 billion NT dollars every year. Therefore, the topic of preventing motorcycle from theft has to be further researched. Taipei County was selected as a case in this research for the reason that it is the most populous county in Taiwan and nearly one out of two residents owns a motorcycle. This research adopted the triangulation approach mainly by quantitative research with questionnaires. The valid questionnaires are 400 copies. In addition, this research also used the participant observation and interviewing as the auxiliary method. The defined interviewees to be sampled were the practitioners from the local police forces. The significant finding from this research: the questionnaires are categorized into six sections including professional skill, anti-theft awareness, theft tackling experience, emotion expression, service quality and self expectation. According to the custom of local polices using computer information the local polices could be inferred that they depend on the inactive「mechanical vertical thinking pattern」 more than on the active「wide lateral thinking pattern」. Several reasons cause the low clearance rate such as they don’t realize the thief and process of motorcycle theft, passiveness, lengthy judiciary process, difficulty to keep loots, incapability to trace the source of loots, not realizing the way how to sell loots and etc. Most of local polices have low intention for doing research on the motorcycle theft problem. They are facing the dilemma of incapability to solve the problem or no access to consultant. Furthermore, the response from questionnaires reveals that it is not difficult for local polices to acknowledge executing public intervention. However, they cannot comprehend the meaning of using public intervention to substitute for the judiciary enforcement. The conception of local polices for receiving theft cases is rarely accurate and active. The reasons causing dark figures of crime, delay cases and concealment are not because of local polices’ laziness and irresponsibility. The local polices are unwilling to cover up the reported theft cases. From the point of view, promoting police’s professional capability could uplift the satisfaction in public security from the citizens. The research finding has provided concrete solutions for theft prevention through the penal strategies of public intervention. The penal strategies in public intervention could be expected to reduce the motorcycle theft. Therefore, the misery index would be decreased and the satisfaction in public security will be improved. It is a win-win strategy among the public, government and police. The good governance in penal strategies can affect the expected results in bettering public security. This outcome will be further verified in the research. Thus, the research has its theoretical and practical contributions. Key words：public intervention good governance

本篇論文主要在討論兩個人參選時的開票情況，研究「n+m人投票且無人投廢票的情況下，其中一人至少得n票且一路領先的開票方法數等於此人得n票的所有開票方法數」 ，第一章介紹研究動機及他人所使用的方式，使用路徑的方法證明一人得n票，另一人得m票，n≥m，得n票的人一路領先且勝出的方法數等於 C_n^(m+n)-C_(n+1)^(m+n)=C_m^(m+n)-C_(m-1)^(m+n)，再用計算相消的方式算出，此人至少得n票且一路領先的開票方法數等於此人得n票的所有開票方法數。 第二章介紹用一個折路徑的方法，將所有「一人得n票開票方法數」中非一路領先的路徑圖，經由一個壓扁、翻轉的摺紙方式，對應到「此人至少得n票且一路領先」的開票情況路徑圖，經由數學論證，這樣的路徑，是一對一且映成，並舉出兩個例子驗證其結果。 論文最後，提出一個猜想：若參選人數為三人時，其中一位參選人一路領先且勝出的開票方法數，應該可以用立體空間的方塊圖之路徑來證明。本篇論文，雖然沒有繼續討論這個有趣的問題，但也留下一個新的研究方向。 / The theme of this thesis is mainly to discuss of situation of counting and announcing the ballots in an election with two candidates. In explaining the contents of the "Total n+m votes, there’s no invalid vote. One candidate wins at least n votes and lead all the way. Under this circumstance this number of the way will be equal to all numbers of the way for these n votes of this candidate.” At first, we will introduce the methodology of the other adopt, the methodology of previous path of way proves one candidate known to have n votes, another candidate has m votes, the method of candidate with n votes who leads all the way and won will be equal to C_n^(m+n)-C_(n+1)^(m+n)=C_m^(m+n)-C_(m-1)^(m+n), and then result of calculating cancellation will prove this candidate will have at last n votes and leads the way to victory will be equal to all the methodologies of counting and announcing the ballots in this election. A method of flip the path will be introduced in the second chapter. Corresponding to the road map of ballot counting for the candidate who has n votes and lead the way to victory, the road map of same one with n votes without leading the way through a step-ping, flip the way of origami will be mathematically proves such reflect of the way will be reflect one to one and onto. By means of the discrete method is able to prove this result and the method to verify availability Finally, I would like to propose a surmise: If the number of candidates increased to 3, the methodology of the one who leads all the way should be able to use three-dimensional space of a block diagram of the path to prove. Although this thesis does not to continue pondering the interesting question, but also left a new research direction.

The goal of this research was to determine which population factors were associated with iPad pricing differences across countries. Specifically, this paper measured the relationship between iPad prices in a given country and its U.S. dollar exchange rate, amount of income inequality, Gross Domestic Product per capita, luxury good sales growth, Individualism Index score, and population density. Panel data was collected for the iPad 2, the iPad Retina, and the iPad Mini tablets from 38 countries of varying geographic locations, economic paradigms, and political structures. The pooled data set yielded 114 observations in total. Regressing iPad price as a percent of national average income revealed a positive relationship between price and status consciousness as well as cultural individualism. There existed a negative relationship between iPad price and luxury sales growth. These results indicated that the iPad served as a status symbol with higher demand in countries that promoted individualism and exhibited higher degrees of income inequality.

The current study examined the reading strategies of 19 bilingual undergraduate students who varied in reading proficiency (good or average) and language background (Chinese or Spanish). Using the think-aloud method, students’ reading strategies were measured and compared to determine whether strategy use differed as a function of reading proficiency, language background, and/or text level. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted to corroborate the findings obtained from the think-aloud protocols. Results from this study suggest that reading proficiency affects strategy use at the syntactic level, whereas language background affects strategy use at the vocabulary level. These findings have significant implications in education, particularly in the area of English language teaching. Students should be encouraged to use their first language reading skills when reading English text, as it facilitates their comprehension and improves their English literacy development.

Frågeställning: Hur tillämpas god ekonomisk hushållning i kommuners styrning utifrån kommunallagen? – Finns det skillnader mellan Eskilstuna kommun, Nyköpings kommun och Strängnäs kommun? Vad blir konsekvensen om god ekonomisk hushållning inte uppfylls? Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur kommuner förhåller sig till god ekonomisk hushållning i deras styrning, om det är någon skillnad mellan Eskilstuna kommun, Nyköpings kommun och Strängnäs kommun i förhållande till kommunallagen. Metod: Deduktiv ansats har använts i studiens framställande. Informationen har samlats in, den har analyserats och av den teoretiska referensramen och empirin har en slutsats dragits. Respondenter valdes ut genom ett strategiskt urval och dessa kontaktades via mejl. Slutsats:  Eskilstuna kommun, Nyköpings kommun och Strängnäs kommun är styrda av de uppsatta mål som kommunfullmäktige sätter. Dessa mål är direkt kopplade till kommunallagen. Genom att arbeta med mål och riktlinjer, och att ha en ekonomi i balans tillämpas god ekonomisk hushållning utifrån kommunallagen. En skillnad som kan ses mellan kommunerna är att de har olika mål vilket i sin tur leder till att en god ekonomisk hushållning uppnås på olika grunder. Gemensamt är strävan efter att uppnå alla de mål som är uppsatta av kommunfullmäktige för att följa god ekonomisk hushållning. Den stora skillnaden som finns mellan kommunerna är att Nyköpings kommun har haft svårigheter under år 2011 och år 2012 med att uppnå en god ekonomisk hushållning i deras verksamhet. Vad konsekvenserna blir av inte uppnådd god ekonomisk hushållning är lite svårare att svara på då det inte finns några riktlinjer om vad som händer. Det som framkom under studien är att det är politikerna som hålls som ansvariga för inte uppnådd god ekonomisk hushållning men att inga repressalier utdelas. / Research questions:  How to apply good financial management in municipalities control based on the Local Government Act? - Are there differences between Eskilstunas Municipality, Nyköpings municipality and Strängnäs municipality? What are the consequences if good financial management is not fulfilled? Purpose:  The purpose of this study is to examine how municipalities are related to good financial management in their management, if there are any differences between Eskilstunas Municipality, Nyköpings municipality and Strängnäs municipality in relation to the Local Government Act. Method: Deductive approach has been used in this study. The information has been collected, it has been analyzed and from the theoretical framework and empirical a conclusion has been drawn. Respondents were selected through a strategic selection and these were contacted by email. Conclusion: Eskilstuna municipality, the municipality of Nyköpings and Strängnäs are guided by the goals that the City Council sets. These objectives are directly linked to the Local Government Act. By working with the objectives and guidelines and to have a balanced economy good financial management is applied by the Local Government Act. One difference can be seen between the municipalities is that they have different goals, which in turns leads to good financial management is achieved on different grounds. The common denominator is striving to achieve all the goals set by the City Council to follow good financial management. The major difference found between municipalities is to Nyköpings Municipality has had difficulties in the year 2011 and 2012 to achieve good financial management in their economics. What consequences are not reached by good financial management is a bit more difficult to answer as there are none guidelines about what will happen. What emerged during the study is that it is the politicians who are held responsible for not achieved a good economic management, but no reprisals inflicted.