Fidelity to a program model and innovations added to the program model have been found to positively impact large scale program expansion and implementation (Blakely et al., 1987). Research examining the effectiveness of Healthy Families America (HFA) programs has been hindered by the differences that exist among HFA programs. This study examines the impact program fidelity and innovations have on outcome measures of updated immunizations, primary medical care providers, and participant retention for 102 HFA sites. Factor analysis and regression were used to analyze archival data. Results indicate that fidelity was positively related to percentage of participants with updated immunizations and primary medical care providers. Innovations, specifically additional services offered to participants and additional training opportunities for HFA staff, had positive relationships with participant retention.

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

This thesis examines the informational efficiency of the European carbon market based on the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS). The issue is approached from three different perspectives. I explore whether the volatility embedded in carbon options is a rational forecast of subsequently realized volatility. Then, I investigate if, and to what extent, new information about the structural and institutional set-up of the market impacts the carbon price dynamics. Lastly, I examine whether the European carbon market is relevant for the firm valuations of covered companies. First, perhaps because the market is new and derivatives’ trading on emission allowances has only started recently, carbon options have not yet been extensively studied. By using data on options traded on the European Climate Exchange, this thesis examines an aspect of market efficiency which has been previously overlooked. Market efficiency suggests that, conditional upon the accuracy of the option pricing model, implied volatility should be an unbiased and efficient forecast of future realized volatility (Campbell et al., 1997). Black (1976) implied volatility and implied volatility estimates directly surveyed from market participants are used in this thesis to study the information content of carbon options. Implied volatility is found to be highly informative and directionally accurate in forecasting future volatility. There is no evidence, however, that volatility embedded in carbon options is an unbiased and efficient forecast of future realized volatility. Instead, historical volatility-based forecasts are shown to contain incremental information to implied volatility, particularly for short-term forecasts. In addition, this thesis finds no evidence that directly surveyed implied volatility estimates perform better as a forecast of future volatility relative to Black’s (1976) estimates. Second, the market sensitivity to announcements about the organizational and institutional set-up of the EU ETS is re-examined. Despite their importance for the carbon price formation, demand-side announcements and announcements about the post-2012 framework have not yet been researched. By examining a very comprehensive and updated dataset of announcements, this thesis adds to the earlier works of Miclaus et al. (2008), Mansanet-Bataller and Pardo (2009) and Lepone et al. (2011). Market participants are found to rationally incorporate new information about the institutional and regulatory framework of the emissions trading scheme into the carbon price dynamics. However, they seem to be unable to accurately assess the implications of inter-temporal banking and borrowing on pricing futures contracts with different maturities. The impact of macroeconomic conditions on the market responsiveness is investigated by splitting the dataset into subsamples according to two alternative methods: 1) a simple split into pre-crisis and full-crisis time periods, and 2) according to a Bai-Perron structural break test. Evidence is found that in the context of economic slowdown and known allowances oversupply, the relationship between the carbon price and its fundamentals (institutional announcements, energy prices and extreme weather) breaks down. These findings are consistent with the arguments in Hintermann (2010), Keppler and Mansanet-Bataller (2010) and Koop and Tole (2011) that carbon price drivers change in response to the differing context of the individual trading periods. Third, the role of carbon performance in firm valuation is understudied. Since companies were not obliged to disclose their carbon emissions prior to the launch of the EU ETS, there exists little empirical evidence of the effect of carbon performance on market value. Earlier studies of the European carbon market have only focused on the impact of ETS compliance on the profitability and competitiveness of covered companies (e.g. Anger and Oberndorfer, 2008). There is also little research on how the newly available emissions data has altered the carbon performance of companies. This thesis addresses these gaps in the literature by examining the stock price reactions of British and German firms on the day of verified emissions release under the EU ETS over the period 2006 – 2011. An event study is conducted using a Seemingly Unrelated Regressions model to deal with the event clustering present in the dataset. Limited evidence is found that investors use information about the carbon performance of companies in their valuations. The information contained in the carbon emissions reports is shown to be somewhat more important for companies with high carbon-intensive operations. This thesis finds no conclusive evidence that the cap-and-trade programme has been able to provide regulated companies with enough incentives to de-carbonize their operations. The market does not punish companies which continue to emit carbon at increasing rates or reward companies which improve their carbon performance. In brief, the results of the thesis suggest that the market is not fully efficient yet. Inefficiently priced carbon options may allow for arbitrage trades in the market. The inability of investors to incorporate rules on inter-temporal banking and borrowing of allowances across the different trading periods leads to significant price reactions when there should be none. A recessionary economic environment and a known oversupply of emission allowances have led to a disconnect between the carbon price and its fundamental drivers. And, lastly, the signal embedded in the carbon price is not strong enough to invoke investor action and turn carbon performance into a standard component of investment analysis.

Compensation Services manages return to work, wage loss, pension and health-care benefits to injured workers, and those suffering from occupational diseases. This thesis presents the methodology and results of a comprehensive study conducted to determine the relationships between existing performance measures, quantify the factors influencing these performance measures, and deterrriine relative efficiencies across case management operations. We use principal components analysis, cluster analysis, and multiple regression to derive the relationships between performance outcomes and influencing factors. We then use data envelopment analysis, incorporating these multiple inputs and outputs, to assess overall relative efficiencies and set performance targets. The analysis has brought about an increased understanding of service delivery location performance and performance measurement. Results may be used to provide managerial decision support, communicate best practices, and serve as a basis for further efficiency or quality initiatives. The factors accounted for in the multivariate analysis can explain between 20% - 50% of the variability in key performance outcomes across case management desks. The overall efficiency analysis revealed strong performers both within case management offices and across regions. Four case management offices consistently contain strongperforming case management desks across several methods of evaluating efficiency. Transferring best practices has the potential to significantly increase relative efficiency improvements for case management desks across the province.

<p>The role that mentor and prot&eacute / g&eacute / play in transforming South African society in general and the business environment in particular, is important and lends new meaning to leveling of the playing fields. Fundamental to success of any mentorship programme is the relationship between the mentor and the prot&eacute / g&eacute / . Since mentors play a key role in shaping the prot&eacute / g&eacute / they have to employ strategies that offer practical and emotional support to the prot&eacute / g&eacute / while understanding the implication of mentoring in a particular social and political context. The mentor is also an intermediary between the prot&eacute / g&eacute / and the organization. This research report developed an exploratory analytical framework to understand mentoring relationships, with particular reference to the South African regulatory context and the internal organization factors that impact mentoring relationships, and the effect on affirmative action in South African organizations.</p>

This study centred on factors contributing to the perceived organizational effectiveness within an educational service provider. The guiding assumption of this research was that the general public supports effective organizations because they are perceived as rendering an effective and efficient service. This results in a reciprocal relationship between the organization and its clients. The Kip McGrath Education Centres was studied since it is an organization that has been rendering educational service in South Africa since 1996. There are to date thirty-five centres operating in the country. However, while there has been phenomenal growth in terms of geographical expansion, no studies have been done to establish what has contributed towards this organization's perceived effectiveness. Literature sources informed this study of the indicators that characterize effective organizations. Some of these indicators of effectiveness were used in this research to determine whether the organization under study can be viewed as one such effective organization. The theoretical underpinning of this study is that there are inherent contradictions within models of effective organizations. As such, effectiveness should be determined according to a given model and relevant indicators. This study surveyed perceptions of the major stakeholders on matters pertaining to the organizational effectiveness of the Kip McGrath Education Centres at Newholmes. Both the qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used. That is, questionnaires were used to obtain information from large samples of educational stakeholders and interviews schedules and check-lists were used to collect qualitative data from small samples and observations of facilities and activities at the centre. The findings revealed that the organization under study was rendering an effective service that clients seem to have valued. This consequently led to their support of the organization which led to its growth in size, judged by student numbers. The conclusions derived from these findings were that an effective organization is one that is able to develop because it possesses salient features necessary for delivering an effective and efficient service to its clients, thus ensuring their continued support. A major finding was that parents were willing to pay for the services offered by the Newholmes KMEC because they felt they got their money's worth. This leads to the conclusion that when the public has confidence in an education provider, the public is willing and able to pay for the services. A recommendation arising out of this would be to determine the extent to which perceived effectiveness translates into genuine effectiveness judged by the quality of programmes offered by a number of private education providers. This would offer evidence and support for the role of the private sector in educational provision which can guide government policy and practice. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

The Department of Health adopted the District Health System as a means to unify South Africa's fragmented health services into a comprehensive, integrated National Health System (NHS). The Primary Health Care (PHC) approach is the driving force in promoting equity and accessibility to essential PHC services. Successful implementation of the PHC approach is in part, dependent on the availability of essential drugs, which impacts on patient quality of care and well-being. According to a report compiled by Pillay, McCoy and Asia in 2001 , the pharmaceutical component of the health sector reflected deficiencies in terms of the lack of equity in access to essential drugs, irrational use of drugs, poor security and cost-ineffective procurement and logistic practices. This study utilised a case study approach to examine the suitability, acceptability and feasibility of implementing a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health (KZNDOH) the private provider, to improve pharmaceutical service delivery at provincial PHC clinics in the Ethekwini South Sub-District (ESSD). Participative observations and semistructured interviews conducted at PHC clinics in the target area provided valuable insight into problems of drug management supply, adherence to effective and rational prescribing and dispensing practices and additional training needs of the nurses. This study found the proposed PPP complementary to the mission and objectives of the Provincial DOH and suitable within the socio-political environment, in which the private provider operates. Recommendations were made to improve upon weaknesses inherent in the value chain and address deficient resources, capabilities and competences necessary to attain the PPP's critical success factors. The implementation of the proposed PPP rests on the ability of the private provider, to prove to the Provincial DOH and the National Treasury that the PPP is affordable, represents value for money and is in keeping with the goals of the NHS. Therefore, recommendations for management of these and other key stakeholders were made. On completion of all necessary modifications to the proposed model, the revised PPP to improve pharmaceutical service delivery at PHC clinics in the ESSD was found to be suitable, acceptable and feasible to both the KZN DOH and the private provider. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2006.

This paper looks at the Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) transaction at TransUnionITC. The transaction was concluded in 2005 however TransUnionITC has been involved in BEE activities and initiatives for the past decade. TransUnionITC has been instrumental in enhancing BEE policies in that they have been involved in rural training and awareness programs aimed at making consumers aware of their account history profiles and how they affect their economic participation. The TransUnionITC BEE transaction is analysed here in terms of the following: TransUnionITC Considerations, the BEE partners, equity holding effectiveness, management after the BEE transaction, beneficiaries of the transactions, the BEE implementation process, Financial Services Charter scorecard, the DTI's generic scorecard or compliance issues, problems encountered, stakeholder expectations management and survey of TransUnionITC staff. The company strategy will also be analysed to see if it has changed as a result of the transaction and how this has affected the company's strategic focus. Factors that have been influenced by the transactions such as profitability and new opportunities will be explored. There are at least 24 laws as well as policy and regulatory provisions dealing with empowerment (Business Map, BEE Rationale and evaluation - 2005), these include sector charters, various tender boards, small business promotion bodies, labour relations institutions and regulatory councils. Some of these include: Maritime transport and services industry charter, Forwarding and clearing Industry charter, Mining sector charter, Tourism industry charter, Petroleum and liquid fuels industry charter and Financial Sector Charter, Information Communication Analysis of the implementation of Black Economic Empowerment: The case of TransUnionITC. Technology (lCT) charter. These charters are still under review, and will be finalised after the revision of the codes of Good Practice after December 2005. TransUnionITC falls within the FSC charter and as a result their BEE transaction will be analysed to see if it complies with this specific charter. / Thesis (MBA)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2006.

The establishment, restoration, enhancement and maintenance of the Culture of Learning, Teaching and Service (COLTS) in a school, remains a precondition for a successful Education System. Colts aims at restoring functionality in the schools with the view to improve the quality of learning and teaching activities. The COLTS campaign programmes were launched in February 1997 by the then President Mandela, to promote a culture of learning, teaching and service in every institution in the country. From the National to Circuit level the focus is directly or indirectly devoted to the Culture of Learning, Teaching and Service in a school. The Culture of Learning, Teaching and Service promotes the idea that it is the duty of educators to teach and of learners to learn. The question is how Learning, Teaching and Service structures, processes ensure viability with the application of a Viable System Model (VSM) in a school The Viable System Model is a powerful diagnostic tool to promote viability in an organization. Therefore, the Viable System Model is applied as a methodology for understanding structures and processes of learning and teaching in a school. The application of a Viable System Model in the context of learning and teaching is used as a consistent intervention tool to develop the organizational competence. The application of a Viable System Model as an intervention tool in managing the Culture of Learning, Teaching and Service becomes a powerful learning experience or challenge for schools. The core business of any school organization is learning and teaching; thus its mechanisms for identity and viability determine survival and success. This demands that the learning and teaching programmes or approaches need to adapt to the changing environment and the new approaches require a new way of thinking, research and learning. Therefore, the Viable System Model is applied as a methodology that is capable of improving performance in a school as an organization. It is used as a diagnostic tool to check the culture of learning, teaching and service structures and processes to ensure viability and effectiveness. The culture of learning, teaching and service context explores the usefulness of VSM in dealing with complex situations in the organization. The aim is to use a Viable System Model to improve synergy between learning and teaching autonomy of parts and the whole school. It is hoped that the usefulness a of Viable System Model in the culture of learning, teaching and service context will develop a school's competence. The restoration of COLTS is a challenge to both the Education System and school community. The VSM is applied at different levels of COLTS to make specific recommendations, taking into consideration the internal and external environment. The VSM theory is used to pinpoint the various systemic or structural constraints within and outside the school. For schools to succeed as adaptive goal-seeking entity, they need understanding and application of VSM. The relevance of VSM theory such as the idea of recursion, cybernetic principles and arrangement of functions at different levels provide organizations with flexibility they need to survive in complex changing environments. Through the application of a Viable System Model, schools are encouraged to learn and understand how change unfolds through circular patterns of interaction rather than linear patterns. The discord or common faults, constraints and harmonising elements in the COLTS scenario reveal that the relationship between school and the environment should be understood as ongoing processes that need to be maintained. Therefore, the COLTS activities should meet the business idea of the organization and the principles of viability. To achieve learning and development in COLTS context, schools need to practice new behaviour skills and integrate new skills into new ways of thinking and doing. The school has to seize the opportunities created by the process of using a Viable System Model as a tool for maintaining COLTS in school. In conclusion, personal living model and the Toulmin Argument Model are included as part of systematic management, reflection and learning experiences. The models are a self-reflective process of how I can deal with COLTS issue in my organization which becomes an on - going process for personal and school as an organization to develop into new thinking horizons in COLTS context. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2001.

The purpose of the study was to examine factors related to identification with organizational goals in two Centres of re-education in Quebec. The personnel of these Centres are semiprofessionals with specialized training related to re-education. In a pretest it was found that identification of educators with the organizational goals was similar in both Centres in spite of a greater number of role conflicts in one Centre. This result was contrary to what could be expected. Therefore the question raised was what additional factors enter into the relationship between the organizational goals and educators. / Factors examined in this study are based on Mintzberg's management roles descriptors, and substitutes for hierarchical leadership identified in the literature. Substitutes for leadership tested fall in three general domains: personal, job, and organizational characteristics. The following questions were examined: do the substitutes for hierarchical leaders differ in the two Centres; is the performance of management roles perceived as different in the two Centres. / Data were obtained from questionnaires submitted to educators and managers in the two Centres. Results show significant differences in identification with the profession, intrinsic feedback from the task itself, perceived organizational formalization, and cohesiveness of the work group. / These findings suggest that the educators in one Centre identified with the goals of the organization primarily through identification with the profession. Educators in the second Centre identified with the goals of the organization primarily through the task itself and the cohesive work group. / These findings suggests that the educators in one Centre identified with the goals of the organization primarily through identification with the profession. Educators in the second Centre identified with the goals of the organization primarily through the task itself and the cohesive work group.