Thesis (MComm (Industrial Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / The leadership-for-performance framework designed by Spangenberg and Theron (2004) aspires to explicate the structural relationships existing between leader competency potential, leadership competencies, leadership outcomes and the dimensions of organizational unit performance. The Performance Index (PI) and Leadership Behaviour Inventory (LBI) comprise the leadership-forperformance range of measures. The PI was developed as a comprehensive criterion measure of unit performance for which the unit leader could be held responsible. The basic PI structural model has been developed to explain the manner in which the various latent leadership dimensions measured by the LBI affect the eight unit performance latent variables that are assessed by the PI. Although preliminary research suggests the basic PI structural model could be refined, continued research in this regard can only be justified if the basic PI measurement model is shown to be measurement invariant across independent samples from the target population. As part of ongoing research of the leadership-for-performance range of measures, this crossvalidation study investigated the extent to which the PI measurement model may be considered measurement invariant across two independent samples from the same population. Two samples were collected through non-probability sampling procedures and included 277 and 375 complete cases after imputation by matching. Item analysis and dimensionality analysis were performed on each of the PI sub-scales prior to the formation of item parcels. No items were excluded based on item- and dimensionality analysis results. Two composite indicator variables (item parcels) were created from the items of each sub-scale and were treated as continuous variables in the subsequent statistical analyses. Structural equation modelling, using robust maximum likelihood estimation, was used to perform a confirmatory first-order factor analysis on the item parcels for each sample. The measurement model was fitted to both samples independently and close fit for each sample was established. The measurement model was cross-validated using a progressive series of measurement invariance tests. Results indicated the PI measurement model did not display full measurement invariance across the two samples although it did cross-validate successfully under the configural invariance condition. Statistically significant non-equivalence was found to exist in both the measurement error variances and the factor covariances (p<0,05), although the p<0,05 critical value was only narrowly surpassed in both cases. The measurement model did, however, display metric invariance across the samples as no significant differences were found between the factor loadings, suggesting the content of each item is perceived and interpreted in a similar manner across samples from the target population. When considered in combination, these results may be viewed as quite satisfactory as they indicate that themeasurement model does not appear to vary greatly when fitted to data from the two samples. As this study has established at least metric invariance of the PI, it therefore provides some basis of confidence for proceeding with subsequent research aimed at establishing the structural invariance of the basic PI structural model and eventually research that links the leadership behaviour to work unit performance as measured by the PI. Limitations of this study are discussed.

Assignment (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The responsibility for the performance of any organisational unit ultimately lies with the leadership of the unit. Given this perceived pivotal role of leadership in work unit performance, the ultimate objective is to capture the nature of the presumed relationship between leadership and unit performance in a comprehensive structural model. To validate such a leadership model, however, requires an explanation of the manner in which the unit performance dimensions affect each other. Spangenberg and Theron (2002b) developed a generic, standardized unit performance measure (PI) that encompasses all the unit performance dimensions for which the unit leader could be held responsible. The objective of this paper is to investigate the internal structure of the PI in order to establish the inter-relationships between the eight unit performance latent variables. The PI consists of 56 questions covering eight dimensions. The validation sample consisted of 304 completed PI questionnaires. However, after imputation 273 cases with observations on all 56 items remained in the validation sample. Item analysis and dimensionality analysis was performed on each of the sub-scales using SPSS. Thereafter, confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the reduced data set using LISREL. The results indicated satisfactory factor loadings on the measurement model. Acceptable model fit was achieved for the measurement model. Subsequently, the structural model was tested using LISREL. The results provided statistics of good fit. Only four hypotheses failed to be corroborated in this study. Conclusions were drawn from the results obtained and suggestions for further research are made. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die prestasie van enige organisatoriese werkeenheid is die uiteindelike verantwoordelikheid van die leierskap van die eenheid. Gegewe hierdie waargenome sleutelrol van leierskap in werkeenheidprestasie, is die uiteindelike doelwit om die aard van die veronderstelde verwantskap tussen leierskap en eenheidprestasie in 'n omvattende strukturele model vas te lê. Die validering van so 'n leierskapmodel vereis egter 'n uiteensetting van die wyse waarop die eenheidprestasie-dimensies mekaar onderling beïnvloed. Spangenberg en Theron (2002b) het 'n generiese, gestandaardiseerde eenheidprestasie-meetinstrument (PI) ontwikkel wat al die eenheidprestasie-dimensies insluit waarvoor die leier van die eenheid verantwoordelik gehou kan word. Die doel van hierdie studie is om ondersoek in te stel na die interne struktuur van die PI ten einde die inter-verwantskappe tussen die agt eenheidprestasie latente veranderlikes vas te stel. Die PI bestaan uit 56 vrae wat die agt dimensies dek. Die validasiesteekproef bestaan uit 304 voltooide PI vraelyste. Na vervanging van ontbrekende waardes is die validasiesteekproef egter gereduseer tot 273 gevalle met waarnemings op al 56 items. Item-ontleding en dimensieanalise is op elk van die sub-skale met behulp van SPSS gedoen. Daaropvolgend is bevestigende faktor-analise op die verkorte datastel gedoen met behulp van LISREL. Die passingstatistieke het hier aanvaarbare resultate opgelewer. Vervolgens is die strukturele model met behulp van LISRELgetoets. Die resultate het hier bevredigende passingstatistieke gelewer. Daar kon vir slegs vier hipoteses nie steun gevind word in die studie nie. Op grond van die resultate is daar tot bepaalde gevolgtrekkings gekom en daar word aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing gemaak.

O planejamento e controle da segurança (PCS) apresenta-se, freqüentemente, como um dos principais requisitos de normas regulamentadoras e sistemas de gestão da segurança. Contudo, algumas limitações em termos de concepção e implementação têm sido identificadas nestes planos. Na medida em que o PCS e o planejamento e controle da produção (PCP) são entendidos como processos de mesma natureza, integrar o processo de PCS ao processo de PCP pode contribuir para aumentar a eficácia e eficiência de ambos os processos. A partir deste pressuposto, foi desenvolvido um modelo de PCS integrado ao processo de PCP, por meio de estudos empíricos em obras industriais, nas quais existem exigências rigorosas do cliente final quanto à segurança. Em que pese os resultados satisfatórios alcançados inicialmente, identificou-se a necessidade de aperfeiçoamentos em seus elementos através da implementação em novos contextos de construção. Assim, este estudo propõe aperfeiçoamentos nas práticas e ferramentas do modelo de PCS, como também visa a melhor compreensão de seus princípios, através da realização de um estudo empírico em um novo contexto de construção. Para isto, foram desenvolvidos dois estudos seqüenciais em um empreendimento, cuja característica principal foi o pequeno grau de exigência em relação a segurança por parte do cliente final. No primeiro, foi realizado um estudo de caso exploratório, que teve um caráter de preparação para o segundo, no qual se adotou como estratégia de pesquisa a pesquisa-ação. Com o primeiro estudo, pode-se identificar o nível de utilização dos elementos do modelo na empresa estudada. Na etapa de pesquisa-ação implementou-se o modelo no novo contexto e novas práticas e ferramentas foram testadas. Uma vez que o planejamento da segurança ocorre segundo três níveis hierárquicos, os principais resultados dizem respeito a uma melhor compreensão das decisões tomadas em cada nível e, em particular, no desenvolvimento de uma sistemática para a realização de planos diários de segurança e definição de diretrizes para a realização de estudos formais do método de execução de processos considerados de alto risco. Os indicadores de avaliação de desempenho da segurança propostos pelo modelo foram aperfeiçoados, principalmente por intermédio de um maior envolvimentos dos trabalhadores no processo de coleta. Além disto, foi desenvolvida uma sistemática pró-ativa para avaliação de subempreiteiros com a participação dos mesmos durante as avaliações. / Safety planning and control (SPC) is frequently presented as one of the main requirements in regulatory norms and safety management systems. However, some of the limitations in terms of conception and implementation have been identified in these plans. When SPC and production planning and control (PPC) are understood as processes of the same nature, integrating SPC to PPC can contribute to enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of both processes. From this supposition, a SPC model integrated to PPC was designed from empirical studies developed in industrial construction sites, in which the final client had strict safety demands. In spite of the satisfactory results obtained initially, the need for refinement in the model’s elements, through its implementation in new construction contexts, was identified. Therefore, this study proposes refinements in the SPC model’s practices and tools, as well as a better understanding of its principles, through the development of empirical studies in a new construction context. In this sense, two sequential studies were developed in a project, where the main characteristic was the final client’s small level of demand related to safety. In the first investigation, an exploratory case study was carried out and was a preparation for the second study, which adopted action research as its research strategy. With the first study, the level of use of the model’s elements in the investigated company was identified. In the action research phase, the model was implemented in a new context and new practices and tools were tested. Since safety planning is done in three hierarchical levels, the main results regard a better comprehension of the decisions made in each level and, specifically, in the development of a system for the fulfillment of daily safety plans and the definition of directives for the development of formal studies for carrying out processes considered of high risk. The safety performance evaluation indicators proposed by the model were refined, mainly through a more intense involvement of the workers in the data collection process. Moreover, a pro-active system was developed for the evaluation of subcontractors with their participation during the evaluation.

abstract: With various gaps remaining in business incubation literature, developing scales that capture the multi-dimensional constructs of the incubation process remains a necessity. While living and traveling within Brazil, this author journeyed within Brazil's well-developed incubation ecosystem in order to investigate the reproducibility and validity of scales whose authors propose measure the constructs that capture the process of business incubation which were defined in their options-driven theory of business incubation as "selection performance", "monitoring and business assistance intensity", and "resource munificence". Regression analysis resulted in the data suggesting that there is no statistically significant predictive ability of the Hackett and Dilts scales when used to predict incubatee outcomes from this study's sample of incubators. The results of the analysis between total score in each of the three constructs and incubatee outcomes suggested that when the total score within the construct of selection performance increases, there tends to be a decrease in incubatee outcomes where the incubatee was surviving and growing profitably at the time of its exit from the incubator. Also, there tends to be a decrease in incubatee outcomes where the incubatee was surviving and growing on a path toward profitability at the time of the incubator exit. The results show no predictive ability of the remaining two constructs of "monitoring and business assistance intensity" and "resource munificence" to capture business incubation performance. The item specific analysis of all correlating and inter-correlating variables for each of the dependent variables, resulting in several significant relationships, however, many demonstrate negative relationships which also run contrary to the relationships proposed by Hackett and Dilts. These results have challenged both the validity of the Hackett and Dilts scale as a tool for investigating the constructs of the incubation process, and the ability of the options-driven theory to explain and predict business incubation outcomes. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.Tech Technology 2012

Background: The number of small and medium-sized enterprises has been increasing and has gradually become the main part of economic development over years. However, it is challenging for them to compete in the fast-changing business environment, especially with the changing demands of their stakeholders. In order to control and improve business processes, Management Control System is important for monitoring each process while Performance Measurement System, as an essential part, is a good way of managing goals and targets and help companies improve. Since the business process is closely related to stakeholders, it is necessary to study how small and medium-sized enterprises manage their stakeholders’ expectations to improve their use of performance measurements and control business processes. Findings: We have selected two small and medium-sized enterprises in Kronoberg County in Sweden for our case study. We have found that our research model based on literature is well explained more in detail in practice. Based on the literature, we identify that key stakeholders for small and medium-sized enterprises are basically primary stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, employees, owners/shareholders and community. Performance Measurement System can be used and developed by managing these stakeholders’ expectations. After collecting empirical data, we have discovered that competitors or other companies have an impact on the use of Performance Measurement System as well. Small and medium-sized enterprises also have several important stakeholders to consider and they try to develop and improve Performance Measurement System by managing their stakeholders’ expectations from different perspectives. Results: It is important for small and medium-sized enterprises to find out what their main stakeholders are first before they can manage their expectations. After identifying key stakeholders, different aspects of these stakeholders need to be considered. For instance, employees’ capability of working need to be measured and they have a big impact on Performance Measurement System use and development, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises. Suppliers and customers situations need to be considered since they may come from different regions or countries where there are political issues. Therefore, risks of doing business require enterprises to be flexible and react quickly. Managing these aspects regarding stakeholders is crucial for developing and improving Performance Measurement System in small and mediumsized enterprises.

The construction industry has inherent problems due to its structure and fragmentation. Its poor performance has been challenged by its client base and it has been forced to seek ways to deliver improved performance. This project was initiated as a response to this challenge and represents one organisation's attempt to deliver improvements. This organisation provides both design and construction solutions, offering ‘total life of asset support' from business consultancy through to decommissioning, in a neutral contractual environment. Initial investigations of the integration of design and construction and of the use of the EFQM Excellence Model concluded that a holistic view of the organisation's performance was needed. Most organisations use traditional, easily quantifiable measures, such as time and cost, whilst neglecting the softer cultural issues, as a way of assessing overall business performance. This prompted further research into the use of performance measurement and also a review of the culture that existed within the organisation. It became clear that many performance initiatives failed because of the lack of ‘Change Action driven by Results (CAR)'. The failure to initiate change or implement action based on the results achieved, means that performance measures are not being integrated into the management systems of the organisations. Based on the conclusions of this work, this project has developed and implemented the Integrated Business Improvement System (IBIS) within the primary case study unit and also two other organisations, all of which are part of AMEC Plc. The project details the barriers that were experienced during the development and implementation of the system and concludes that it is the human component that is critical for the successful implementation and use of any improvement system. The findings of this work have been presented in five peer- reviewed papers.

A argamassa é um material largamente utilizado na construção civil, desempenhando diversas funções. Entretanto, muitas falhas vêm sendo observadas nos revestimentos de argamassa, principalmente nas fachadas. O aparecimento de manifestações patológicas em um edifício compromete a sua estética e o conforto ambiental, ocasionando uma desvalorização do mesmo perante o mercado, aumento insatisfação dos usuários e também elevados gastos com reparos e manutenção. Outro problema é a grande incidência de perdas de materiais, que resultam em prejuízos financeiros às empresas, além de acarretar a geração de entulho, que muitas vezes não recebe o devido tratamento e disposição final, tendo um impacto negativo também no meio ambiente. O objetivo dessa dissertação é identificar as causas do baixo desempenho de revestimentos de fachada de argamassa em edifícios e propor diretrizes para melhoria deste processo. Foram desenvolvidos oito estudos de caso em empresas construtoras de Porto Alegre - RS. Para a coleta de dados foram utilizadas várias ferramentas de descrição de processos e de avaliação do seu desempenho.Os principais resultados indicaram uma série de problemas no processo: alta variabilidade nas espessuras de revestimento, nos traços utilizados durante a confecção das argamassas e nos métodos de produção, inclusive dentro de uma mesma obra, elevadas perdas de materiais e de mão-de-obra, baixa produtividade, decorrente do inadequado dimensionamento das equipes de produção e de problemas no sistema de movimentação e armazenamento de materiais, e manifestações patológicas em revestimentos recentemente concluídos. Ao final do trabalho, é proposto um método de avaliação do processo de revestimento de argamassa em fachadas, são identificadas e descritas boas práticas introduzidas pelas empresas e são sugeridas melhorias no processo estudado. / Mortar is a widely used material in various functions in the construction industry. Nevertheless, many fails have been observed in rendering, mainly in façades. The incidence of building pathologies negatively affects its aesthetics and environmental comfort, and may result in a reduction of its market value, low degree of user satisfaction, and also high repair and maintenance costs. Another problem is the high incidence of materials waste, that causes financial losses, as well as generates site waste, which often does not receive an adequate treatment and final disposal, having also a negative impact in the environment. The main objective of this dissertation is to identify the main causes of low performance of building external rendering in mortar and to propose guidelines for improving this process. Case studies were carried out in eight different construction companies form Porto Alegre – RS. Several data collection tools were used for describing the main processes involved and assessing their performance. The investigation pointed out the problems in this process: high variability in rendering thickness, in mortar proportions, and in production methods, even in the same construction site; high percentage of material waste and low labor productivity, due to the inadequate definition of production teams and drawbacks in the material transportation and storage system; and building pathologies in recently concluded rendering. At the end, this study proposes a method for evaluating the process of mortar rendering in façades, identifies and describes best practices introduces by the companies and suggests improvements in that process.

O objetivo principal deste estudo reside em propor a utilização do indicador EVA® valor econômico agregado, como forma de medir e comparar o desempenho econômico de unidades de uma rede de hotéis. O trabalho irá sugerir a implantação de um modelo de avaliação de desempenho de unidades hoteleiras, com base no indicador EVA® valor econômico agregado. Será utilizada a técnica de estudo de caso, aplicada a duas unidades da rede hoteleira, com o objetivo de desenvolver e verificar a eficácia do indicador EVA®. Como resultado, pretende-se possibilitar à empresa contar com um sistema de avaliação de desempenho que lhe ofereça uma melhor orientação para cada decisão a ser tomada. O trabalho também tem por objetivo contemplar a comparação de alguns indicadores de desempenho, comumente utilizados pelas empresas, com o EVA®, abordar a conceituação de custo de capital e suas formas de cálculo, estabelecer, para esta rede de hotéis, uma fórmula, ou método, para definição de seu próprio custo, definir os ajustes contábeis necessários para cálculo do EVA® e desenvolver o modelo conceitual de avaliação a partir do EVA®, em um caso prático. / The main objective of this study lives in proposing the use of the indicator EVA® economic value added, as form of to measure and to compare the economic performance of units of a net of hotels. The work will suggest the implantation of a model of evaluation of performance of hotel units, with base in the indicator EVA® economic value added. The technique of case study will be used, applied to two units of the hotel net, with the objective of to develop and to verify the effectiveness of the indicator EVA®. As result, intends to make possible to the company to count with a system of performance evaluation that offers it a better orientation for each decision to be taken. The work also has for objective to contemplate the comparison of some performance indicators, commonly used by the companies, with EVA®, to approach the concept of capital cost and their calculation forms, to establish, for this net of hotels, a formula, or method, for definition of his own cost, to define the necessary accounting adjustments for calculation of EVA® and to develop the conceptual model of evaluation starting from EVA®, in a practical case.

Os sistemas de medição de desempenho em segurança e saúde no trabalho (SMDSST) contribuem para identificar e caracterizar os riscos de acidentes, sendo um elemento fundamental da gestão da SST em qualquer setor industrial e também uma base para a melhoria contínua. O presente trabalho propõe um conjunto de critérios para avaliar SMDSST no setor da construção civil. Os critérios desenvolvidos foram estabelecidos a partir de três tipos de requisitos: (a) consistência do SMDSST com uma filosofia de gestão da SST, denominada engenharia de resiliência; (b) conformidade dos SMDSST com requisitos gerais de sistemas de medição de desempenho, tais como o grau de definição dos indicadores, a sua incorporação na rotina organizacional e o alinhamento das medidas com as estratégias; e (c) contribuição para a identificação e monitoramento dos principais fatores causais de acidentes, classificando-os em falhas relacionadas aos subsistemas pessoal, tecnológico, organizacional e do ambiente externo. A aplicação dos critérios é ilustrada por meio de dois estudos de caso, realizados em duas construtoras. Os resultados indicaram que tais critérios contribuem para a identificação de oportunidades de melhoria nos SMDSST tradicionais no setor da construção civil, tais como o desenvolvimento de novos indicadores e adaptações naqueles já existentes. / Performance measurement systems in occupational health and safety (SMDSST) help to identify risks of accidents, and play a key role in the management of occupational health and safety in any industry, establishing a basis for continuous improvement. This research work proposes a set of criteria for assessing SMDSST in the construction industry. This set of criteria was devised by taking into account three groups of requirements: (a) consistency of the SMDSST with an occupational health and safety management philosophy, known as resilience engineering; (b) compliance of the SMDSST with general performance measurement system, such as the definition of indicators, their incorporation into the organizational routine, and alignment of measures with strategies; and (c) contribution for the identification and control the main accident causal factors, classifying them in failures related to personnel, technological, organizational and external environment subsystems. The application of criteria is illustrated in two case studies carried out in different construction companies. Results indicated that the proposed criteria help to identify opportunities for improvement in SMDSST, such as development of new indicators and improvement in the existing ones.

Esta dissertação contempla uma seqüência de dois artigos que discorrem sobre visão financeira para gestão de indicadores de desempenho, sendo estes intitulados: “Proposta de sistema de indicadores de desempenho integrado do planejamento estratégico ao planejamento orçamentário – uma abordagem com foco no resultado operacional financeiro” e “Implantação de sistema de indicadores de desempenho integrado do planejamento estratégico ao planejamento orçamentário – uma abordagem com foco no resultado operacional financeiro”. O objetivo principal é desenvolver e aplicar um modelo de gestão para orientar a estruturação do plano orçamentário e de indicadores de desempenho com foco no resultado operacional para melhorar o processo decisório nas organizações. O primeiro artigo apresenta uma revisão teórica para verificar os principais conceitos sobre indicadores financeiros e não-financeiros, planejamento estratégico e planejamento orçamentário para sustentar o desenvolvimento de uma sistemática para orientar a estruturação do plano orçamentário e de indicadores de desempenho. O segundo artigo apresenta um estudo de caso de implementação, em uma indústria de autopeças, da sistemática desenvolvida no primeiro artigo. Neste segundo artigo é possível identificar os impactos financeiros de indicadores não-financeiros e a correlação entre estes indicadores e o resultado operacional. Como resultado, a sistemática foi validada parcialmente e se mostrou adequada para o gerenciamento do plano estratégico, estruturação do plano orçamentário e definição de indicadores com impacto no resultado operacional para uma organização industrial, permitindo guiar a empresa para alcançar o EBIT planejado. / This dissertation includes a sequence of two articles which concerns about a financial view to management of key performance indicators, such articles are entitled: “Proposal for a performance indicators system integrated from strategic planning to the budgetary planning - an approach focusing on the operational financial results” and “Implementation of a performance indicators system integrated from strategic planning to the budgetary planning - an approach focusing on the operational financial results” . The main purpose is develop and apply a management system to direct the structuring of the budgetary planning and the performance metrics focusing the operational result in order to improve the decision-making process in the organizations. The first article introduces a theoretical review to verify the main concepts about financial indicators and no- financial indicators, strategic planning and budgetary planning to support the development of a systematic to direct the structuring of the budgetary planning and performance metrics. The second article presents a case study of implementation of the systematic developed on the first article, in an automotive industry. Then, it is possible to identify the financial impacts of no-financial indicators and the correlation between these indicators and the operational result. As a result, the systematic was partially validated and has been shown appropriate to the management of the strategic planning, the structuring of the budgetary planning and the defining indicators with impact on the operational result to an industrial structure, making possible to direct the company to achieve the planned EBIT.