This study has quantitatively explored the relationships between investment, the use oftechnology and manufacturing perfonnance in UK manufacturing industry from 1979 to 1995. The exploration ofthe relationships is based on the review and the meta-analysis ofmanufacturing practice and performance relationships in the past along with the related theories and economic factors. The review of the operational management theory and the economic factors, which may influence manufacturing performance and practice relationship, helps to establish the wide context for this research and also contributes to the identified gaps. The meta-analysis ofthe relationships between practice and performance in the published studies has also contributed to the identified gaps in this research area. After the consideration ofthe discovered gaps and the availability of the database, the relationship between investment, the use oftechnology and manufacturing performance has been explored in this research. In order to quantitatively evaluate the relationships between investment, the use of technology, their interaction and manufacturing perfonnance, econometric modelling techniques have been used as methodological approaches. Two types ofmethods have been developed based on the review ofthe econometric techniques used in the past and the exploration of relevant econometric literature. The first method uses multiplicative interaction regression models combined with the centralisation method and ordinary least square estimation technique to investigate the relationship between investment, technology usage and their interaction and one dimensional perfonnance. The second method employs multiple-output models using the maximum correlation estimation technique to investigate the relationships between investment, technology usage and their interaction and two dimensional performance measures. A UK manufacturing database including two time periods, the 1980s and the early 1990s, covering seventeen years has been used to test the hypothesised relationships between investment in several forms, technology usage, their interaction and financial performance. The research discovers that it was difficult for investment to bring benefits for performance improvement at the year ofinvestment. The results support the hypotheses that a long-term planned investment brought benefits for manufacturing companies in the 1980s, however was not the case in the early 1990s. Technology usage was very important for performance improvement in the 1980s but the benefits brought by technology were diminishing as the mature stage ofsome key technologies was reached in the early 1990s. The analysis of the data suggests that the economic recession in the early 1990s was an important factor in explaining the phenomena and other economic factors might playa role as well. Investment and technology did interact with each other to contribute to performance improvement but it was not always the case. The results of the multiple-outputs model support the hypothesis that profitability and growth were two joint products of investment, the use oftechnology and their interaction in the immediate year or two after investment. This research also demonstrates the values of mUltiplicative interaction regression modelling and multiple-outputs modelling for manufacturing relationship studies.

Failure of high profile companies such as Enron, World.com had initiated a call for an investigation to analyse the reason for such radical consequence to prevent further similar financial crises. One of the common factors identified by the researchers is the poor disclosure, transparency and Corporate Governance (CG) mechanisms. Similar to the UK, the compliance towards CG codes are voluntary for the majority of the countries around the globe including Kuwait. CG codes aimed to improve the governance of a company including transparency. Thus, voluntary disclosure had been examined by numerous academics to emphasise the importance of accountability, transparency that in turn increase the confidence of investors and creditors in the financial markets of emerging economies. This thesis is based on Kuwait, as it is a resource rich country and attracts foreign investments. The Central Bank of Kuwait (CBK) issued instructions for CG mechanism especially to the financial sector in 2004. From the research in hand, there was no longitudinal study in Kuwait concerning the impact of GC mechanism to voluntary disclosure. The sample in this thesis consists of 155 Kuwaiti listed companies from 2007 to 2010, 620 firm-year observations. A self-constructed index was developed to evaluate the level of voluntary disclosure and how it developed over time. Both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis were used. Most of the thesis results were consistent with previous studies; there was a gradual increase in the level of voluntary disclosure and its categories over the observed period. All CG mechanisms findings revealed significant associations with voluntary disclosure, except board size and role duality, have a negative significant association. Ownership structure indicates insignificant association with voluntary disclosure. Firm characteristics have a significant positive association with voluntary disclosure, except profitability, has a significant negative association, while gearing is found an insignificant association. Furthermore, the level of voluntary disclosure in the financial sector is higher than the non-financial sector. The contributions to knowledge in this thesis are; 1) It is the first empirical longitudinal study in Kuwait concerning voluntary disclosure, and its relationship with GC mechanism, ownership structure and firm characteristics, as far as the researcher is aware. 2) It provided evidence of the importance of CG to enhancing the level of voluntary disclosure in Kuwait business environment, especially that the level of voluntary disclosure in the financial sector is higher than the non-financial sector. 3) Employed many quantitative methods, such as OSL regression, Normal score, GLS regression, Tobit regression and Quantile regression (divided into 25%, 50% and 75%). 4) A self-constructed index, which was developed in this thesis, could be suitable for other Arab Gulf countries that are similar in the business environment and experiencing the same economic changes. 5) Provides evidence of the possibility of employing the disclosure theories derived from developed countries in emerging countries. 6) It is possible to generalise the results of the disclosure index to other companies not investigated in this thesis. Moreover, this thesis implies that the legislative and regulatory authorities, in particular, the capital markets authority Kuwaiti, need to increase efforts to enhance the role of corporate governance practices in Kuwaiti listed companies.

Typescript (photocopy). / Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries / Department: Dietetics, Restaurant, and Institutional Management.

This thesis is an inquiry into the practice of imagining of organisational futures. The aims of this research are to promote understanding of imagining as relational, discursive and dialogical practice in organisations, to develop opportunities for imagining in organisations drawing on systemic and social constructionist theories and practices, and to develop propositions informing systemic constructionist practice. It is a reflexive, qualitative, case and practice based research, informed by ethnographic sensibility, using Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) theory and discourse analysis as research methods. The focus of this research is not to solve problems but to make sense and create connections. This research promotes an understanding of imagining as relational, discursive practice and a critical appreciation of imagining in organisational theory and systemic constructionist practice with organisations, in particular the relevance of imagining in organisational opportunity, alignment and coordination, organisational decision making, and organisation development. Reflections on imagining practice are articulated as concepts of games of imagining expressing archetypical discursive forms of imagining, discursive reflexivity, a practice of reflexive evaluating of the unfolding talk for the emergent possibilities in it, and game changing, an expanding of possibilities for imagining from within a conversational situation. Drawing on reflections from theory and practice this research promotes the relevance of relational, discursive imagining for organisational task attainment and makes a case for advancing imagining practices through developing the participation in imagining processes and by foregrounding and institutionalising imagining in organisations. It argues that such developments can be of a transformational nature and positions systemic constructionist practice as a resource for such a development. This research contributes to systemic constructionist practice research by developing practice based frameworks that serve to orientate practitioners in the living moment of practising. It builds on established frameworks of systemic constructionist theory and practice, expands their relevance, and also invites critical and appreciative sensibilities in relation to systemic constructionist practice. This research contributes to a small body of empirical case research into organisational imagining informed by social constructionist positions and ethnographic sensibility.

Few studies have been undertaken which examine the correlation between design of the receptionl/waiting areas of the outpatients' departments and the implications for Private Finance Initiative (PFI) and non-PFI hospitals, in particular the interior environment with reference to user satisfaction. This study investigates to what degree user satisfaction has been achieved in the design of the receptionlwaiting areas in PFI and non-PFI hospitals. The aim of the investigation is to determine whether user satisfaction can be achieved in PFI or non-PFI hospital environments, particular in the outpatients' department. To ascertain whether hospital environments facilitate user friendly and therapeutic characteristics/attributes conducive to user satisfaction, two strands of investigation were undertaken; a) investigation and analysis of PFI and non-PFI hospital design; b) the study of users (PFI and non-PFI) via questionnaire surveys and analysis of their perceptions. The research methods utilised combinations of qualitative information from interviews, discussions with hospital end users, architects/designers and Consortium executives. The surveys undertaken with patients, hospital staff and NHS Trust Managers provided quantitative data to measure the degree to which user satisfaction had been achieved. The main findings of the design analysis identify the strengths and weaknesses in the design of the 'main' and 'sub' reception/waiting areas respectively. The results of the patient surveys, discussions and interviews revealed more positive perceptions of the hospital facilities for PFI hospitals and a general acceptance of the hospital facilities in the non-PFI hospitals. However, the other comments section of the questionnaires reveals some psychological needs of the user were not being met. The hospital staff surveys, discussions and interviews revealed the spatial planning was not ideal for their functional needs. The survey of NHS Trust Managers, Architects/Designers and Building Contractors revealed the difficulties associated with the collaborative process and the implications for the design development process, when reflecting upon 'cost effectiveness' and 'value for money' issues. The conclusions drawn from the study suggest that there is a case for the standardisation of therapeutic environments in the development of 'new build' hospital projects via the design development and collaborative process. The recommendation (see p. 313) provides a design protoeo/that enhance and aids the design development process via selective expertise, which addresses the functional and psychological needs of the hospital end user.

The "global marketplace" has been a driving force for change, resulting in a dramatic increase in competition and expectations of consumers. With more mailing options available, consumers are scrutinizing service and cost performance at a level never-before experienced by the United States Postal Service. For an organization that has operated as a relatively stable government agency for 224 years, the environmental changes are severe, and necessitating the need for change. This thesis studied the impact of a management intervention on performance at a USPS processing and distribution center. The intervention installed a performance measurement system. A quasi-experimental methodology utilizing a nonequivalent comparison group was utilized to evaluate the impact of this intervention on both management process variables and operational performance indicators. The framework for the management process variables originated from the sociotechnical literature. There was evidence to support that operational performance improved and several process management variables changed following the intervention. / Graduation date: 1999

This thesis researches how the consultant can participate in the creation of successful processes in organizations using multiple theoretical and practical traditions and a pragmatic reflexivity. The research shows how the consultant can do this using a heuristic model developed in the thesis called the consultancy room consisting of three dimensions: distinctions of position, distinctions of system, and distinctions of time. The thesis shows 6 different and distinct positions that the consultant can use in practice: the OD, systemic, solution-focused, appreciative, narrative and strategic position. To show their practical usefulness multiple examples of developing teams are described. The research shows that positions are firstly to be understood as theories that the consultant knows from experience and literature and brings to the organization and secondly the research also shows how such positions are created and coordinated with the customer before and during the consultancy process. The thesis further shows how the consultant can work with multiple distinctions of system. Three prototypical distinctions of system are introduced: the individual, the group, and the organization as part of the consultancy room to help the consultant increase his orientational abilities in practice. And a further distinction between the conversational and the linguistic system is made to help the consultant reflect in and on practice. The conversational system addresses the design of the process by reflecting with the customer about who should talk to whom in order to develop the situation. The linguistic system addresses how the system in focus is being talked about. The thesis shows how the different positions look at and give different possibilities for action in relation to the different distinctions of system. Finally the thesis shows how the consultant can work with multiple distinctions of time. Three prototypical distinctions of time are introduced: the moment, the meeting, and the process as part of the consultancy room to help the consultant navigate in practice. Again the different positions give different ideas of how to act in the moment and how to design meetings and longer processes. The research is done using the researchers own practice as data. A pragmatic research method is created and based in particular on the work of John Dewey (Dewey 1916 1938, Brinkmann 2006) and Gregory Bateson (Bateson 1972 1984)looking at similarities and differences between multiple examples from the researchers practice.

Orientadores: Gastão Wagner de Sousa Campos, Nelson Rodrigues dos Santos / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-15T16:39:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Alves_FabioLuiz_M.pdf: 868609 bytes, checksum: ddd3782bd9e46828eab8144cc3d66090 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: A organização hospitalar e o seu modo de funcionamento tradicional podem ser vistos como um reforço ao modelo de trabalho em saúde sustentado pelo modelo biomédico. Esta pesquisa é o relato analítico da interação do pesquisador, um médico sanitarista, com o desenvolvimento de um projeto institucional em um hospital público e universitário, com características muito próprias, com papel de assistência, ensino e pesquisa. Foram estudadas as principais diretrizes em implementação com o objetivo de descrever e analisar os arranjos e suas tessituras para a gestão, o trabalho em saúde e a inserção do HC-UNICAMP no SUS regional. O trabalho de Apoio Institucional foi avaliado como processo de intervenção no desenvolvimento da pesquisa e construção das diretrizes institucionais. A metodologia utilizada foi o estudo de documentos oficiais com base em seleção, leituras e análises dos seus conteúdos das portarias normatizadoras, atas de reuniões e instrumentos estruturados. Outra fonte importante foi a produção de um diário de campo que registrou considerações, observações e acontecimentos vivenciados nos espaços coletivos com outros atores no campo de intervenção. No estudo documental utilizamos categorias de análise à partir do conceito de práxis, em que os sujeitos compreendem suas ações e práticas sociais, o que lhe ampliaria o caráter criativo a partir das possibilidades objetivas e subjetivas apreendidas da realidade. O estudo permitiu construir a matriz analisadora de síntese das principais diretrizes como caráter teleológico da modelagem para o Chefe de Atenção Clínica, Unidade Produtiva, Colegiado de Gestão, Protocolo Assistencial e Contrato de Gestão. Os resultados demonstram que o processo de mudança se deu a partir da implementação das diretrizes com a intervenção do Apoio Institucional observando transformação na organização da gestão e do trabalho em saúde / Abstract: The hospital organization and its traditional mode of operation can be seen as a model for strengthening health work supported by the biomedical model. This research is the analytical report of the interaction of the researcher, a sanitarian with the development of an institutional project in a public hospital and university, with its own characteristics, the role of care, teaching and research. We studied the main guidelines being implemented in order to describe and analyze their textured arrangements and for the management, health work and the insertion of HCUNICAMP in regional SUS. The work of Institutional Support was assessed as an intervention process in the development of research and building of institutional guidelines. The methodology used was the study of official documents on the basis of selection, reading and analysis of the contents of normalizing ordinances, minutes of meetings and structured instruments. Another important source was the production of a diary which recorded considerations, observations and events experienced in collective spaces with other actors in the field of intervention. The desk study use categories of analysis from the concept of praxis, in which individuals understand their actions and social practices, which will broaden the creative genius from the opportunities seized objective and subjective reality. The study allowed us to construct a matrix analyzer summary of the main guidelines as teleological character modeling Chief Clinical Care Unit, Production, Collegiate Management, Protocol Assistance and Contract Management. The results show that the process of change took place after the implementation of the guidelines with the assistance of the Institutional Support observed transformation in the organization management and health work / Mestrado / Saude Coletiva / Mestre em Saude Coletiva

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2016-08-01T15:40:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 suzanamariasilvamartins.pdf: 1597610 bytes, checksum: 19af7edd6898b60dda2db9fbe7fcfc3a (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Diamantino Mayra (mayra.diamantino@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-08-02T10:56:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 suzanamariasilvamartins.pdf: 1597610 bytes, checksum: 19af7edd6898b60dda2db9fbe7fcfc3a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-02T10:56:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 suzanamariasilvamartins.pdf: 1597610 bytes, checksum: 19af7edd6898b60dda2db9fbe7fcfc3a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-21 / A presente dissertação desenvolvida no Programa de Pós-graduação Profissional em Gestão e Avaliação da Educação Pública tem como objeto de investigação a gestão da política pública educacional da Secretaria da Educação do Estado da Bahia para Educação do Campo, especialmente com relação às classes multisseriadas, tendo como referência o regime de colaboração estado-município. Diante dessa realidade, delimitou-se como objeto de investigação a gestão das classes multisseriadas no município de Inhambupe. Esta pesquisa apresenta a seguinte questão: de que maneira se desenvolve a gestão das escolas ou classes multisseriadas no contexto da política de Educação do Campo, no município de Inhambupe, considerando o regime de colaboração estado-município? Para responder ao questionamento foram coletados e analisados documentos, entrevistados gestores na Secretaria da Educação do Estado da Bahia e na Secretaria de Educação e Cultura do município de Inhambupe. Como resultado, a pesquisa revelou alguns desafios a serem enfrentados na gestão pública, como a formação específica de professores; desarticulação e fragmentação na gestão da implementação da política de Educação do Campo; sistematização dos dados institucionais, para ter unidade nas informações, entre outros. Para atender os desafios apresentados foi elaborado um Plano de Ação Educacional, com três linhas assim definidas: constituição e instituição de Grupo de Trabalho na SEC (GT de Educação do Campo da SEC); diálogo com os municípios/classes multisseriadas e por fim, o fortalecimento da implementação do Pronacampo/Programa Escola da Terra. Essas linhas apontam possibilidades de superação dos desafios identificados durante a pesquisa e visam formar uma rede de relações entre estado e município, no sentido de fortalecer a parceria das referidas instituições de ensino e potencializar a operacionalização dessas ações. / This work developed at the Graduate Program in Professional Management and Public Education Evaluation has as research object the management of public education policy of the State Department of Education Bahia for Rural Education, especially with regard to multigrade classes, taking reference to the collaborative state-municipality.Given this reality, it was delimited as research object the management of multigrade classes in the city of Inhambupe. This research presents the question: how is developed the management of multigrade schools or classes in the context of Rural Education Policy in the municipality of Inhambupe, considering the collaborative state-municipality? To answer the question were collected and analyzed documents, interviewed managers in the Secretariat of the Bahia State Education and the Department of Education and Inhambupe municipality of Culture. As a result, the survey revealed some challenges to be faced in the public administration, such as specific teacher training; disarticulation and fragmentation in the management of the implementation of Rural Education Policy; systematization of institutional data, to have unity of information, among others. To meet the challenges presented has been prepared an Educational Action Plan, with three lines defined as follows: constitution and the establishment of the Working Group with the SEC (GT Field SEC Education), dialogue with municipalities / multigrade classes and finally the strengthening the implementation of Pronacampo / Earth School Program. These lines indicate possibilities of overcoming the challenges identified during the research and aim to form a network of relations between state and county, to strengthen the partnership of these educational institutions and enhance the implementation of these actions.

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1985 S33