The purpose of this study is to investigate the motivations for international academic alliance development, the configuration of alliance networks and their sustained management in Business Schools within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). A purposive sample of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) engaged with international alliance activities was selected from seven Business Schools within the target markets of France, Germany and Scotland. In order to investigate issues inherent within international alliance development this sample provided access to academic and administrative elites competent to discuss their alliance portfolios, from a strategic perspective, through semi-structured interview conducted in their home institutions. A key feature of the research was that, in the interest of minimising the potential for superficial or pre-conceived conclusions to be drawn, interviews with participants from two respondent institutions were positioned outside the researcher's direct ‘preferred partner' network. This insider-outsider perspective reduced potential bias through over-familiarity with solely networked institutional respondents when analysing the development, configuration and management of international academic alliances and alliance portfolios (APs).The study identifies three key findings on the basis of the analysis of institutional alliance activity. Firstly, that HEIs, operating within an appropriate regulatory environment can utilise both exploitation and exploration alliance strategies simultaneously to extend their resource base. The two strategies can be mutually reinforcing, and are not contradictory in tertiary education. Secondly, the analysis indicates that the extent to which resource extension may be achieved is reflected in the alliance strategy employed as HEIs internationalise. The movement from exploitation to exploration alliance strategy signifies a fundamental change in strategic intent and direction of the Business School, so new internationalisation strategy definitions are proposed for tertiary education. Thirdly, alliance management capability has the potential to develop, within complex partnership scenarios, as an institutional core competence, providing the potential for sustainable competitive advantage. On the basis of this analysis tools are developed which can assist in the strategic decision-making process for further evolution of alliance networks within institutional internationalisation strategies. The resultant application of these strategic tools allows for Business Schools to determine the characteristics of appropriate alliance partners to fill the gaps identified within their alliance network or portfolio.

Este trabalho versa sobre o processo de construção da gestão democrática da educação na rede estadual de ensino do Rio Grande do Sul. O Objetivo desta investigação é percorrer a trajetória da gestão democrática da educação na rede estadual do Rio Grande do Sul de 1985 a 2001. Esta análise levou em consideração as influências das políticas neoliberais no decorrer dos anos 1990 e seus impactos nas políticas de gestão da educação. Foi utilizada uma abordagem qualitativa, com a análise da legislação educacional sobre o tema, atas de reuniões, programas de governo e entrevistas semi-estruturadas com os diferentes os sujeitos participantes deste processo. Embasando-se nos dados coletados, assim como na análise conjuntural de desenvolvimento deste processo, concluiu-se que os movimentos iniciados pelo CPERS/Sindicato na década de 1980 muito estimularam o debate sobre a proposta de gestão democrática, assim como os embates e as negociações com os diferentes governos estaduais do período pesquisado. Existiram algumas rupturas neste processo, porém a sociedade civil organizada soube reivindicar seus direitos tendo no governo Olívio Dutra uma discussão mais apurada sobre o tema. As resistências do poder legislativo, dos professores e da mídia para com o Governo Olívio Dutra acabaram originando alguns entraves para a ampliação da gestão democrática da educação. No entanto, a legislação construída foi um importante instrumento indutor de mudanças nas práticas escolares, fazendo parte do processo que está em pleno desenvolvimento. / This work approaches the process of construction of the education democratic management in the state educational network in Rio Grande do Sul from 1985 to 2001. It analyzes the correlation of forces in the process, as well as its subjects, proposals and confrontations. This analysis has taken into consideration the influences of neo-liberal policies along the 1990s and their impacts on the policies of education management. A qualitative approach has been adopted, involving the analysis of educational legislation on the theme, meetings records, government programs and semi-structured interviews with different subjects participating in this process. Based on data collected, as well as on the conjunctional analysis of development of this process, it was concluded that the movements initiated by CPERS/Union in the 1980s encouraged the debate about the proposal of democratic management, along with the confrontation and negotiations with different state governments during the period investigated. There were some disruptions in this process, yet the organized civil society was able to claim their rights, having a more accurate discussion about the theme during Olívio Dutra government. The resistances by the legislative power, teachers and media to Olívio Dutra government ended up giving rise to some hindrances for spreading the democratic management in education. However, the legislation constructed was an important means to induce changes in school practices, as part of the process that is being developed.

This study examined the nature of quality assurance frameworks in science education and the factors negatively affecting the quality of science education in the Johannesburg South district. The study explored the quality assurance practices, challenges that impede the attainment of quality science education in schools and the impact of quality assurance on the quality of science education. The Integrated Quality Management System, which encompasses whole-school evaluation, is the main policy used in secondary schools’ quality assurance system. A mixed methodology design was used in the research. The data collected was both qualitative and quantitative and was obtained from both primary and secondary sources. The qualitative data provided research opportunities which extended the type of information collected. It implied an interpretive or subjective approach with the focus being on how the respondents experienced and understood the quality assurance processes. Concurrent triangulation designs or convergent parallel design was used in order to develop a complete understanding of the research problem by obtaining different but complementary data for validation purposes and enhancing triangulation. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected at the same time and the findings were integrated in order to understand deeper the quality assurance mechanisms applied in science education. The use of multiple perspectives, theories and research methods resulted in rich information being gathered for analysis. The study revealed that quality assurance practices, ranging from Integrated Quality Management System, Whole-school Evaluation and Assessment Quality Assurance among others, had a positive influence on the quality of science education. The results indicated that quality assurance policies and mechanisms present were followed by schools and the district support helped to improve the quality of science education. The presence of quality assurance policies and mechanisms had a positive bearing on the quality of science education. The lack of infrastructural resources, non-availability of laboratory technicians, science educator work overload, parents’ non-involvement in academic support, poor learner subject selection criteria and non-rigorous quality assurance follow-up mechanisms were the main factors hindering the quality of science education. / Educational Studies / D. Phil. (Education)

Learners in disadvantaged environments are less likely to do well at school. Yet some of the most successful schools operate in such environments. The purpose of this study was to establish the relative influence of various determinants of school success in disadvantaged environments. To this end literature study was done in two phases. The first resulted in a taxonomy of success factors, which was then used to guide the second in-depth phase. Thereafter an empirical study was done, involving qualitative field work at four successful schools in disadvantaged environments. Empirically it was discovered that there is no single most important success factor because all success factors are interrelated and interdependent. The over-arching success factor discovered in this study which was involvement of all stakeholders. / Education / M.Ed.

The principles of Total Quality Management (TQM), initially designed to effect continuous improvement in the business sector, have been successfully applied in educational settings. Hence, this study was undertaken to explore educator participation in the implementation of a TQM Strategy at selected academically underperforming secondary schools in the Moses Kotane Area to address shortfalls. A literature review on TQM provided a conceptual framework for the empirical inquiry. Special attention was given to the role of educators in TQM implementation. The empirical study used qualitative research methods to explore the use of TQM in fifteen schools selected by purposive sampling. Observation, document analysis and focus group interviews were used to gather data. The findings indicate that educators regard TQM as an improvement tool; however, they hold negative and positive views about TQM. Finally, recommendations were made to enhance the implementation of TQM in underperforming secondary schools in the Moses Kotane Area. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

TQM has been identified as an approach that can be adopted to improve quality in business as well as in education. The main aim of this approach is to involve everybody in decision-making of the organization, in this case a school, with the purpose of achieving highest commitment from staff and customer satisfaction. TQM can be a way which can bring about changes in the education system. It is a philosophy with continuous improvement which can provide a set of practicable tools and techniques to meet the present and the future desires of any educational system. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the influence of TQM on school improvement in secondary schools in the Uthungulu District, Kwazulu-Natal. The questionnaires were handed to schools in the Uthungulu District which is made up of 5 circuits, namely, Umhlathuze Circuit, Umfolozi Circuit, Umlalazi Circuit, Mthonjaneni Circuit and Inkandla Circuit. The research concentrated mainly on School Management Teams (SMTs) and Post Level 1 educators (PL1 educators) from senior secondary schools (high schools). On the whole, respondents in the study area have shown a positive attitude towards understanding the significance of Total Quality Management principles in schools. The findings seem to suggest that everyone has a responsibility of encouraging implementation of TQM in schools. It is important to develop quality management systems, because without them, it is impossible to implement. The quality improvement teams should be empowered to manage themselves and provide programmes that will enable them to be more effective. The proposed model of the study provides information about basic elements and factors which need to be taken into cognisance during the TQM and implementation process. The model identifies the main principles of TQM with continuous improvement at the centre of them all. The main aim of implementing TQM in school should be continuous improvement. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

South Africa is currently undergoing a process of change from a segregated education system to a more democratic system of education. The country is characterised by drastic policy shifts in the social, economic and political arenas. The problem that called for this research is that education managers at national, provincial, district, and circuit levels are facing challenges in the understanding, interpretation and implementation of education policies as they apply to support staff, educators, learners and their parents or guardians. Lack of access to and knowledge of acts, policies and procedures in educational leadership and management seem to impact negatively on the effective functioning of public schools in the provisioning of quality education in Limpopo province of South Africa. A qualitative research methodology coupled with ontology and epistemology theories were used in a phenomenological interpretive perspective. The rationale for choosing the qualitative approach was that the subject of this research study required data on the experiences, perceptions and views of the research participants. Three research instruments of data collection were employed, namely participant observation, document analysis and interviews. Purposive sampling was chosen to select the education managers as participants who were likely to be knowledgeable about and experienced in the phenomenon under study. Focus group and individual interviews were conducted with educators, education managers, and educator union representatives. I used content analysis method to catergorise data into themes. The findings in this study revealed that knowledge of the education policies is a pre-requisite for the implementation of such policies for quality education. It was evident that education managers have inadequate understanding of the formulation, interpretation and implementation of policies. Education managers had contrasting perceptions of education quality and divergent interpretationsof education policies. The deployment of circuit managers undermined the value of management qualifications, experience and expertise in such management posts. The absence of a policy enforcement agency and a lack of coordination within different levels of education management in the province have led to unresolved cases of misconduct and non-compliance with education policies. The researcher recommends that induction of newly appointed education managers, continuous training of the serving education managers, mentoring and monitoring of the implementation of education policies should receive priority for the provision of quality education in public schools. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Submitted by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2014-10-06T17:45:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO PRISCILLA AZEVEDO. 2014.pdf: 977398 bytes, checksum: 99cade26b601d5a6b89e416e1d042340 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Maria Creuza Silva (mariakreuza@yahoo.com.br) on 2014-10-07T14:13:34Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO PRISCILLA AZEVEDO. 2014.pdf: 977398 bytes, checksum: 99cade26b601d5a6b89e416e1d042340 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-07T14:13:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO PRISCILLA AZEVEDO. 2014.pdf: 977398 bytes, checksum: 99cade26b601d5a6b89e416e1d042340 (MD5) / O processo de consolidação do SUS tem colocado problemas e desafios aos gestores e técnicos do setor saúde, os quais englobam questões ligadas aos trabalhadores. Este estudo objetiva compreender e analisar o processo de implementação da Política Estadual de Gestão do Trabalho e Educação na Saúde (PGTES) na Bahia, no período de 2008 a 2012, identificando os fatores que facilitaram ou dificultaram esse processo. Para tanto, utiliza o referencial da teoria do ciclo da política pública e caracteriza-se como uma pesquisa qualitativa exploratória, do tipo estudo de caso. Entrevistas semi-estruturadas foram realizadas com 19 informantes chave que tiveram participação na implementação da PGTES. Foram analisados relatórios de gestão e documentos referentes às estratégias de desenvolvimento e implementação da PGTES. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo categorial. Os resultados apontaram ações importantes implementadas pela PGTES, quais sejam: novo Plano de Cargos, Carreiras e Vencimento, ampliação da qualificação de trabalhadores de nível médio e de nível superior, melhor relação e aproximação com as instituições de ensino, fortalecimento das diretorias na capacidade de ampliar ações, cursos de formação em gestão do trabalho, aumento do número de profissionais concursados, institucionalização do planejamento, maior interlocução com lideranças do controle social, regulamentação dos estágios, aula pública do SUS, dentre outros. O estudo revelou que dificuldades técnicas e de operacionalização de recursos para processos educativos, assim como fragilidade no financiamento das ações de gestão do trabalho, representaram os maiores obstáculos à implementação da PGTES na Bahia. / The consolidation process of the SUS has posed problems and challenges to managers and technicians in the health sector, which include issues related to workers. This study aims to understand and analyze the implementation process of the State Policy-Making for Work and Education in Health (PGTES) in Bahia, in the period 2008-2012, identifying the factors that facilitated or hindered this process. We also use the public policy cycle as the theoretical framework and is characterized as an exploratory qualitative research, the case study type. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 key informants who have participated in the implementation of PGTES. Management reports and documents relating to the development strategies and implementation of PGTES were analyzed. Data were subjected to analysis of categorical content. The results showed significant actions taken by PGTES, as: new plan posts, career and salaries, expansion of qualifying mid-level and higher-level workers, better relationship and proximity to educational institutions, strengthening the ability of boards to expand actions, training courses on management of work, increasing the number of gazetted professionals, institutionalization of planning, greater dialogue with leaders of social control, regulation of internships, public class SUS, among others. The study revealed that technical difficulties and in the operationalization of resources to educational processes, as well as fragile financing of the actions of work management, were major obstacles to the implementation of PGTES in Bahia.

O estudo enfoca o financiamento da educação pública brasileira, especificamente a implantação da política de descentralização/desconcentração de recursos às escolas estaduais do Rio Grande do Sul (RS). O tema da descentralização/desconcentração de atribuições dentro do processo de reformas vivido pela área da educação nos últimos anos, especificamente no estado do RS, somado às questões da autonomia financeira da escola, suscitou a realização do presente trabalho. A questão central de pesquisa diz respeito às possibilidades e limites da política de autonomia financeira das escolas públicas estaduais para o avanço da gestão democrática na educação pública do RS. A pesquisa abrange a análise da implementação dessa política em duas escolas públicas estaduais, localizadas no município de Guaíba (RS), no período de 1995 a 2005. Foram estudadas as fontes de recursos com as quais as escolas contam para sua manutenção, a captação de verbas na própria escola e junto à comunidade, a gestão desses recursos e suas implicações no cotidiano escolar.O método escolhido para orientar a pesquisa foi o estudo de caso, que propiciou a investigação de uma política pública educacional dentro de seu contexto, a escola. O estudo baseia-se em várias fontes de evidência, como análise de documentos, coleta de dados financeiros, entrevistas, visitas às escolas e à 12ª Coordenadoria Regional de Educação e observação de reuniões nas escolas. As categorias analíticas que dão suporte à analise são a descentralização de recursos, a autonomia financeira da escola, a gestão financeira e a gestão democrática da escola. Em síntese, esperamos discutir a importância da gestão de recursos financeiros públicos transferidos para as unidades escolares, bem como aqueles captados e geridos no próprio estabelecimento de ensino, e suas implicações com a gestão democrática. / This study focuses on Brazilian public education financing, especially the implantation of the policy of decentralization/dispersion of resources in the public schools in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS). The subject of decentralization/dispersion of attributions within the reform process experienced by the educational area in the last years, especially in Rio Grande do Sul, in addition to the questions of financial autonomy of schools, lead to the realization of the present work. The main research question is concerned to the possibilities and limits of financial autonomy policies of public schools for the democratic management progress in the public education in RS. The research includes the analyses of implementation of these policies in two public schools, located in the municipality of Guaiba (RS), from 1995 to 2005. We studied from where the resources schools have for their maintenance came from, as well as the collection of money in the school itself and in the community, the management of these resources and its implications in the routine of the schools. The method chosen to guide the research was the case study, which was biased toward the investigation of an educational public policy inside its context, the school. This study is based on many sources of evidence, as analyzing documents, collecting financial information, interviewing, visiting schools and the 12º Regional Education Coordination and observing schools meetings. The analytic categories that give support to the analysis are: the decentralization of resources, financial autonomy of the school, financial management and democratic management of the school. In short, we hope to discuss the importance of management of public financial resources transferred to the schools units, as well as that ones collected and administrated in the teaching establishment itself and its implications towards the democratic management. / El estudio enfoca el financiamiento de la educación pública brasileña, específicamente la implantación de la política de descentralización/desconcentración de recursos a las escuelas estaduales de Río Grande do Sul (RS). El tema de la descentralización/desconcentración de atribuciones dentro del proceso de reformas vivido por el área de la educación en los últimos años, específicamente en el Estado de RS, agregado a las cuestiones de la autonomía financiera de la escuela, suscitó la realización del actual trabajo. La cuestión central de la investigación dice respecto a las posibilidades y a los límites de la política de la autonomía financiera de las escuelas públicas estaduales para el avance de la gestión democrática en la educación pública del RS. La investigación incluye el análisis de la puesta en práctica de esta política en dos escuelas públicas estaduales, situadas en la ciudad de Guaíba (RS), en el período de 1995 el 2005. Fueron estudiadas las fuentes de los recursos con los cuales las escuelas cuentan para su mantenimiento, la captación de montajes de dinero dentro de la propia escuela y junto a la comunidad, la gestión de estos recursos y sus implicaciones en el día a día de la escuela. El método elegido para orientar la investigación fue el estudio de caso, que propició la investigación de una política pública educativa dentro de su contexto, la escuela. El estudio se basa en algunas fuentes de evidencia, como análisis de documentos, colecta de datos financieros, de entrevistas, de visitas a las escuelas y a la 12ª Coordenadoria Regional de Educación y de la observación de reuniones en las escuelas. Las categorías analíticas que apoyan el análisis son la descentralización de recursos, la autonomía financiera de la escuela, la gestión financiera y la gestión democrática de la escuela. En síntesis, esperamos discutir la importancia de la gestión de los recursos financieros públicos transferidos a las unidades escolares, bien como aquellos captados y manejados en el establecimiento educativo, y sus implicaciones con la gestión democrática.

Este trabalho versa sobre o processo de construção da gestão democrática da educação na rede estadual de ensino do Rio Grande do Sul. O Objetivo desta investigação é percorrer a trajetória da gestão democrática da educação na rede estadual do Rio Grande do Sul de 1985 a 2001. Esta análise levou em consideração as influências das políticas neoliberais no decorrer dos anos 1990 e seus impactos nas políticas de gestão da educação. Foi utilizada uma abordagem qualitativa, com a análise da legislação educacional sobre o tema, atas de reuniões, programas de governo e entrevistas semi-estruturadas com os diferentes os sujeitos participantes deste processo. Embasando-se nos dados coletados, assim como na análise conjuntural de desenvolvimento deste processo, concluiu-se que os movimentos iniciados pelo CPERS/Sindicato na década de 1980 muito estimularam o debate sobre a proposta de gestão democrática, assim como os embates e as negociações com os diferentes governos estaduais do período pesquisado. Existiram algumas rupturas neste processo, porém a sociedade civil organizada soube reivindicar seus direitos tendo no governo Olívio Dutra uma discussão mais apurada sobre o tema. As resistências do poder legislativo, dos professores e da mídia para com o Governo Olívio Dutra acabaram originando alguns entraves para a ampliação da gestão democrática da educação. No entanto, a legislação construída foi um importante instrumento indutor de mudanças nas práticas escolares, fazendo parte do processo que está em pleno desenvolvimento. / This work approaches the process of construction of the education democratic management in the state educational network in Rio Grande do Sul from 1985 to 2001. It analyzes the correlation of forces in the process, as well as its subjects, proposals and confrontations. This analysis has taken into consideration the influences of neo-liberal policies along the 1990s and their impacts on the policies of education management. A qualitative approach has been adopted, involving the analysis of educational legislation on the theme, meetings records, government programs and semi-structured interviews with different subjects participating in this process. Based on data collected, as well as on the conjunctional analysis of development of this process, it was concluded that the movements initiated by CPERS/Union in the 1980s encouraged the debate about the proposal of democratic management, along with the confrontation and negotiations with different state governments during the period investigated. There were some disruptions in this process, yet the organized civil society was able to claim their rights, having a more accurate discussion about the theme during Olívio Dutra government. The resistances by the legislative power, teachers and media to Olívio Dutra government ended up giving rise to some hindrances for spreading the democratic management in education. However, the legislation constructed was an important means to induce changes in school practices, as part of the process that is being developed.