Thesis (M.S.)--Miami University, Dept. of Family Studies and Social Work, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF document. Includes bibliographical references (p. 20-22).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2007. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-140).

This thesis deals with the topic of process management and its importance within the modern management conception. The literature search introduce the progress of the process management and its principles, the approaches to improve the management processes, it presents the chosen tools of the process modelling, sorts of changes in the transition from the functional to process management, and introduces more closely the Business Process Reengineering and Total Quality Management. The practical part attends to the analysis of the present state of the choosen company, presents the company basic characteristics, organization structure, working positions, staff evaluation system, it identifies and describes the core, secondary and supportive managerial processes in progress within the company. Deals with the proposals how to implement the process management elements within the measurement and evaluation of processes, staff motivation and internal communication. The main benefits of this thesis include the elaboration of the process map of the organization, diagrams of the majority of processes together with their detailed descriptions, denomination of the staff responsible for the particular processes, determination of the key performance indicators suitable for the measuring of the processes effectiveness in time. We have elaborated the questionnaire on the periodic measurement of the customer satisfaction. We have also designed a new module of staff remuneration and suggested the implementation of the knowledge database and other precautions having an influence on the process management, internal communication and, in particular, on the customer satisfaction.

M.Ed. (Educational Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Litt. et Phil. / The main objective of this study is to determine the role of the communications manager in the changing South African business environment and the compilation of a contextual sensitive generic framework of the required outputs for communications managers in South African organisations. With this objective in view, a comprehensive theoretical study has been conducted to determine the role of public relations as a organisational sub-system, based on the principles of the systems approach. The main inward and outward public relations functions and xv the role of the communications manager as cosmopolitan on the border between the organisation and the environment has thereafter been discussed. As a result thereof, it became apparent that an integrated approach to communications is central to the effectiveness of public relations in a dynamic business environment. The validity and approaches of existing models of public relations have been evaluated as a basis for the development of an integrated public relations model. The integrated communication approach to public relations suggests that public relations cannot function in isolation of the other sub-systems in the organisation and that the public relations function is directly influenced hereby. With the integrated communication approach as basis, the influence of change and the socioeconomic implications thereof for public relations in South Africa have been determined. The implications of the intended standardisation in terms of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), the state of professionalisation of the public relations profession in South Africa and the requirements for competence in communication, have been determined by means of an in-depth theoretical inquiry and discussions with enlightened individuals and institutions. As a result, a generic framework for communications management in the South African business environment has been compiled with a view to contribute to the determination of the requirements for public relations in terms of the essential outputs as will be defined by the NQF. In the final section the proposed generic framework has been empirically tested on the basis of personal interviews conducted with communications managers of thirty of the Top 100 organisations in South Africa. After the results have been analysed and the implications discussed, the conclusion was reached that the proposed contextual sensitive generic framework has succeeded in expressing the essential outputs, as defined in the existing business environment. The framework was then interpreted in accordance with the levels of work and the implications for the state of public relations, as well as for research in this area, pointed out. The study illustrates the importance of the role of communications management in the South African business environment and presents a valuable contribution by creating an output model as basis for the suggested standardisation in terms of the NQF.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the communication competence of supervisors upon an employee's job satisfaction. Results obtained supported the 5 hypotheses proposed. Findings indicated the importance of supervisory communication responsiveness in areas of listening, sensitivity, and expression of interest in subordinate's ideas and concerns in ensuring satisfaction with supervision received. Support was also generated for the value of an "open" communication climate where continual feedback and idea exchange interact to produce organizational identification. Significant relationships were found to exist between communication climate and dimensions of the JDI: satisfaction with supervisor, work satisfaction, pay satisfaction, satisfaction with promotion opportunities, satisfaction with coworkers. Finally, communication skills training for supervisors was recommended to animate organizational growth and development.

The main objective of the thesis was to define and analyze key aspects of managerial work in multicultural environment, in one of the Shared Services Center department, of multinational company based in Prague, Czech Republic. Further thesis aimed to define essential competencies of the successful manager and leader driving performance of multicultural department and provides recommendations to improve managerial performance in key aspects of manager s work such as communication, motivation, performance management and cross-cultural leadership. It is argued that presence of intercultural interactions between managers and their subordinates, impacts effectiveness of the managerial performance. Thesis consists of theoretical and practical part. First part of the thesis explores theoretical concepts regarding culture, communication, motivation and leadership with respect to multicultural environment specifics. In the second part, used research methods, conducted research analysis and outcomes are presented. Further in practical part recommendation towards analyzed aspects of managerial work that would lead to higher overall department performance are defined.

The thesis deals with an analysis of marketing communication of the Avanti Hotel resident in the city of Brno and subsequent processing of communication mix proposals. The work aims at designing completion proposals that will help improve the current situation of the hotel. The work consists of three parts – theoretical (that includes explained terms from the given field), practical (in which the current state of the company is assessed) and proposal (with proposals how to meet the set objectives).

The first part of the thesis is focused on he theoretical knowledge needed for a high-quality elaboration of business plan. The second part of this work is focused on the creation of a business project in the area of recreational (holiday) accommodation - offering of the cottage, which can be used in both summer and winter season. The main aim of my thesis is to create a high-quality business plan. I believe, that my business project will be successful business start in the area of holiday accomodation.

Background: In today's dynamic business environment, organizations face high pressure for change and adaptation. It is generally perceived that change is inevitable and many believe that change is an ongoing and never-ending process. The retail industry is a highly competitive sector, and thus it becomes paramount for organizations to successfully manage change. The subject of change management has been present for a long period, however, a remarkably low amount of research has been focused on change management for retail store managers. Therefore, this study aims to examine retail store managers' communication during change processes. Purpose: This study’s purpose is to create a comprehensive understanding of retail store managers’ communication during change processes. Moreover, to identify which elements should be prioritized by retail store managers communicating during change. Method: To achieve the purpose of this thesis, a qualitative interview study was conducted, and it consisted of seven semi-structured interviews with retail store managers. The thesis was guided by an inductive approach, and a thematic analysis of the empirical findings was utilized. Conclusion: This study found that retail store managers' communicational structure was similar as it was based on the same elements, adaptability, selectivity, multiple channels, and prioritization. The structure enabled retail store managers to ensure that the communication was clear and open, thus minimizing employee stress and uncertainty. Continuing, the results indicated that retail store managers should prioritize certain communicational elements, for instance, clarity, openness, and long-run perspective.