Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2001. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 93-107). Also available on the Internet.

It is standard practice in one-dimensional gasdynamic simulations of high performance two-stroke engines to model the exhaust tail pipe entry as an area change using an algorithm similar to the area change of the reverse cone. In the reverse cone the area continually steps down while at the tail pipe entry it changes from stepping down to constant area. At this point a vena contracta can form that effects the flow resistance of the tail pipe. In an effort to improve the accuracy of the gasdynamic simulations the area change algorithm at the tail pipe entry was replaced with a restriction algorithm that incorporates a coefficient of discharge and allows an increase in entropy on the expansion side. The coefficient of discharge is defined as the actual measured mass flow divided by the mass flow predicted by the restriction algorithm. An experimental set up was designed and constructed to measure mass flows for a variety of tail pipe entry geometries at a range of pressures covering the pressure ratios encountered in a real engine. From the mass flow results the coefficients of discharge for a range of pressure and area ratios and reverse cone angles could be calculated and arranged into matrix form to define Cd-maps. The Cd-maps were incorporated into the simulation software and tested to ensure that it functioned correctly. <p<Finally, the simulation results with and without the Cd-maps were compared to measured results and it was shown that incorporating this refinement improves the accuracy of the simulation results on the “over run” part of the power curve. This is the part of the power curve after maximum power and very important in the development of high performance two-stroke engines. These maps can be used for all future simulations on any engine size that uses the same tail pipe geometry. / Dissertation (MEng (Mechanical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering / unrestricted

This research used quantitative and qualitative methodologies to investigate how working professionals are impacted and account for workplace cultural differences. This paper also sought to make a case for additional quantitative and qualitative research into what shapes and maintains culture by looking at leadership's knowledge of their organization's way of doing things and the impact these multiple knowledge areas have on performance. The literature review section analyzed performance improvement models, the effect of leadership, the behavior engineering model (BEM) and related models, organization culture, and performance. This work also outlined the methodology utilized in studying and reviewing culture and performance. This research aimed to determine a better understanding and increase the use of performance improvement and cultural models to aid organizations in achieving their missions.

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21st century work environments are becoming more dynamic; they are fast-paced and require critical incidents to be dealt with in a shorter time frame. At the same time, in order for organizations to survive knowledge management (KM) systems need to be in place that allow organizations to learn from these incidents and use the knowledge gained to solve new problems. The knowledge life cycle consists of three phases: create, preserve, and disseminate. The knowledge life cycle also involves the transformation of knowledge from tacit to explicit, which is important to shift knowledge from the individual level to the organizational level; this represents a very important objective of KM. KM is not a domain on its own but intersects with other areas such as organizational learning, performance support, and communities of practice. Learning and performance support are among the concerns of practitioners in the sister fields of instructional design and technology (IDT) and human performance technology (HPT). Yet still, there are not many studies that examine KM through the lens of these professions. There is a need for knowledge to be accessible and for structures to be put in place to facilitate the knowledge life cycle. The purpose of this study was to explore how workers in a fast-paced environment go through the knowledge life cycle when dealing with critical incidents, and the factors that acted as driving and restraining forces. A single instrumental case study research design was used to study employees of a walk-in computer software help desk. The HPT model along with principles and procedures of critical incident technique were used to create a framework for data collection, which included interviews, a focus group session, and examination of extant data. Findings revealed that workers went through the knowledge life cycle by making internal and external connections and both organizational and individual factors impacted the flow of knowledge. A disconnection between available tools and work processes posed the greatest barrier to going through all the knowledge life cycle process. / Ph. D.

A RESEARCH REPORT PRESENTED TO: THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WiTWATERSRAND BUSINESS SCHOOL. IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTERS OF MANAGEMENT DEGREE IN HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND. / This study attempts to establish what bank treasury dealers are measured and rewarded on in general, and more specifically whether customer orientation factors are included as criteria of measurement and reward in the performance management process, Furthermore, this study attempts to establish the !evel of customer orientation in bank treasuries by utilising the Narver and Slater Marketing Orientation Scale (1990) and then makes a comparison between that level and the degree to which it is managed by the pertormance management process in terms of both recognition and reward. To achieve this, a study was undertaken in two commercial banks and one merchant bank with a sample size of 70. A trIangulated study was undertaken with the initial qualitative phase consisting of pilot interviews with three senior treasury managers, one from each bank, as well as an independent treasury consultant. Thereafter the quantitative study was undertaken utilising questionnaires distributed to each bank. The median, range and mean were utilised to determine whether or not customer orientation is included as a criteria of firstly, measurement and secondly reward in the performance management process. Thereafter, the ANOVA technique was used to determine the significance of the differences in the means. Sheffe's test of Multiple Palrwise Comparison of Means was then used to determine which means were different. The Spearman rank-order correlation was used to analyse the relationship between the level of customer orientation as per the Narver and Slater Market Orientation Scale (1990), against firstly what the respondents are measured on in their performance management process and secondly, what they are rewarded on. The findings generally indicate that some (but not all) of the customer orientation factors, are included in the performance rnanaqement process in South African bank treasuries to varying degrees. / Andrew Chakane 2019

The fusion of the Internet with instructional design, and curricula delivery methods eliminated transactional distance in online learning. However, distance education (DE) in Nigeria has not aligned its pedagogy to the new reality in technology. The purposes of this non-experimental, predictive, validity study were to determine faculty and administrators' perceived barriers and concerns to online adoption and to validate the behavior engineering model (BEM) instrument. Ninety-six respondents from four public universities in Nigeria completed the questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling (SEM) were used respectively, to assess barriers and concerns militating against faculty and administrators' online adoption, as well as validate the survey instruments. For faculty and administrators, incentive, motive, knowledge and skills influenced DE adoption. Except for age, all demographic factors influenced faculty's concerns. Gender was observed to influence administrators' concern. "Level of online use" influenced neither faculty nor administrators' concerns. Technographic characteristics influenced faculty, but not administrators.' Though the BEM instrument was reliable in measuring faculty and administrator's stages of concern, however, the 6-factor BEM, tested at the 95% significant level, did not give a good fit. The study contributes to positive social change by identifying gaps to effective DE implementation, and recommended the appropriate interventions to transform the DE experience for students and their universities. The study also proposed the framework to fast track Nigeria's vision and mission for DE.

The delivery of land administration (LA) systems particularly in urban areas underpins housing, industry and infrastructure development as well as the smooth operation of land and credit markets. However, fragmentation of LA activities across several autonomous organizations generally impairs end to end business processes flow and delivery. To facilitate improved service of LA systems we suggest the end to end measurement and monitoring of their business processes across organizational boundaries. This study proposes a performance measurement system that can facilitate end to end measurement and comparison of cross organizational business processes (CBPs) in LA. The research, which is structured in 2 parts, is based on a multi site study of LA CBPs in 6 urban municipalities across Namibia, Zimbabwe and South Africa. First, a measurement instrument (scorecard) built on six key CBP performance measurement areas of quality and technological innovation (enablers of results), cost and time (measures of results) and customer satisfaction and society (measures of external success (or impact), is presented. To facilitate measurement across organizational boundaries, the proposed dimensions were embedded onto a multi level structural model that link process activities to sub processes and CBPs. For 5 of the 6 municipalities, a conventional case of subdivision of privately owned land within an established township was used to develop CBP descriptions and process models for each municipality. A comparison of CBP and sub process similarities between municipalities was then done using the similarity scenario degree. Our results showed similarities of over 60% for most CBPs while mixed values were obtained for sub processes. The similarity results were further used as a base for the construction of a business process reference model. The second part of the research tested the applicability of quality and time dimensions. Using the survey examination and approval and deeds examination and approval sub processes, the quality of submitted work was measured using performance indicators of process yield and rejection rates at 2 survey examination and 3 deeds registration sites. Our results showed that 80% and 60% of survey records submitted at both survey examination sites were rejected and returned backwards for corrections due to quality deficits. Based on our results, we conducted a root cause analysis at one of the survey examination sites to identify major contributors to lower process yield. In addition, we suggested numerous technological innovations to improve quality. Using the same sites, we then went on to measure and compare cycle times for cadastral survey examination and approval considering quality. Our results showed that 70% and 52% of survey records with good quality had approval times of 20 days or less for the first and second sites, respectively while only 32% and 18% of records with poor quality (for same sites) were approved within 60 days. Furthermore, shorter cycle times appeared to indicate lower process costs. After the separate analysis of the quality and time measurements, a global performance index that aggregates individual measures into a composite value was presented. Overall, the study has shown the potential of end to end CBP performance measurement in improving delivery and service of land administration in a holistic manner. The results are important for initiatives directed at integration and improvement of land administration operations. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2010.

abstract: Guitar Hero III and similar games potentially offer a vehicle for improvement of musical rhythmic accuracy with training delivered in both visual and auditory formats and by use of its novel guitar-shaped interface; however, some theories regarding multimedia learning suggest sound is a possible source of extraneous cognitive load while playing so players may score higher with sound turned off. Also, existing studies have shown that differences in the physical format of interfaces affect learning outcomes. This study sought to determine whether (a) the game’s audio content affects rhythmic accuracy, and (b) the type of game controller used affects learning of rhythmic accuracy. One hundred participants were randomly assigned in approximately equal numbers (ns = 25) to the four cells of a 2x2 between-subjects design. The first variable was the audio content of the game with two levels: on or off. The second variable was the type of game controller: the standard guitar-style controller or tablet interface. Participants across all conditions completed a pre- and post-test with a system that required them to tap along with repeated rhythmic patterns on an electronic drum pad. Statistical evidence showed better outcomes with a tablet controller with respect to input time error, reduction of extra notes played, and reduction of missed notes; however, the guitar-style controller produced superior outcomes in terms of avoiding missed notes and was associated with higher satisfaction by participants. When audio was present better outcomes were achieved at multiple factor-levels of reduction of missed responses, but superior outcomes in input time error were seen without audio. There was no evidence to suggest an interaction between controller type and the presence or absence of audio. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Educational Technology 2017

The purpose of this study was to look at the social facilitation effect and analyze it as it pertains to employee electronic performance monitoring .