Project (M. Eng.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1987. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 86-87). Also available via the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Rochester Institute of Technology, 2008. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 119-125).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Stanford University, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 169-175).

In recent years, the UK government skills policy has emphasised the role of workforce skills development as a key driver of economic success and improving productivity across all sectors of the economy. The importance of skills (as a vehicle for enhancing productivity performance) is highlighted within numerous government reports, such as Skills White Papers (2003 and 2005), in addition to the Leitch Review of Skills (2006) which coincided with the outset of this research. Thus, the aim of this research was to examine the relationship between skills development and productivity in the construction industry in order to assess the assumptions of government skills policy in the context of the sector. A multi-method approach was adopted in this research. This involved the analysis of: official construction statistics, levy/grant and financial accounts data of construction companies, in addition to a telephone survey. The main findings of the research are published in five peer reviewed academic papers, demonstrating the tenuous nature of the relationship between skills development and productivity performance, particularly when considering the heterogeneous nature of the construction industry. Government claims about the mono-causal relationship between skills and productivity should be treated with caution. A simple boost in qualification levels or participation rates of training is unlikely to lead to productivity improvements in the construction sector. However, skills development and training activities needs to be targeted and focused if the desired outcome of enhancing productivity performance is to be achieved. Construction companies needs to be proactive in addressing the skills and training needs of their business through drawing on the various support available through CITBConstructionSkills training grants or participating in appropriate skills/training initiatives, such as apprenticeship schemes. The provision of 'productivity-based' training grants should be considered by CITB-CS in order to prompt construction companies to consider training as a plausible means for enhancing their productivity performance. Finally, the recommendations presented in this thesis and areas for further research sets out the potential way forward in terms of advancing knowledge in this area.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1996. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 472-498).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Berkeley, 1987. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 142-157).

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-03-09T20:40:44Z No. of bitstreams: 1 julianagoncalvestaveira.pdf: 2007833 bytes, checksum: 42c853236922fd3e295e36bad7586914 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-03-13T17:17:53Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 julianagoncalvestaveira.pdf: 2007833 bytes, checksum: 42c853236922fd3e295e36bad7586914 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-13T17:17:53Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 julianagoncalvestaveira.pdf: 2007833 bytes, checksum: 42c853236922fd3e295e36bad7586914 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-17 / A literatura aponta que a P&D e as medidas de capital humano seriam um dos principais insumos para a inovação. Além disso, é comprovada a importância desta sobre a produtividade e desenvolvimento. A partir de um modelo estrutural nos moldes do modelo CDM, esta tese analisa o impacto das atividades inovativas sobre a produtividade da firma industrial brasileira ao conectar o insumo da inovação, o produto da inovação e a performance econômica das empresas. Pretendeu-se ainda avaliar paralelamente duas medidas de insumo inovativo, o gasto interno com P&D e trabalhadores classificados como PoTec. Para tal, utilizar-se-á principalmente dados da Pesquisa de Inovação (PINTEC), disponibilizada pelo IBGE, e de trabalhadores da RAIS, disponibilizada pelo MTE, para construção de um painel de dados. Do ponto de vista econométrico, submete-se esta base de dados ao método probit de efeitos aleatórios de Chamberlain, para a estimação da decisão de investir em pesquisa e da função de produção da inovação, estimador proposto pelo Wooldridge (1995) para correção do viés de seleção, dentro da estimação da equação de intensidade de gasto em P&D, e, por último, o método de efeitos fixos, para a estimação da função de produção da firma. Constata-se a importância de se inserir na análise o controle de efeitos não observados e de uma medida alternativa ao gasto em P&D, para se obter estimativas consistentes. Para o caso brasileiro, observa-se que a intensidade do gasto com trabalhadores PoTec afeta positivamente a probabilidade de inovar para o mercado e destaca-se a importância da inovação para o aumento da produtividade da indústria nacional. / The following literature suggests that R&D and human capital measures are the main inputs for innovation. Furthermore, it is well established that innovation is fundamental for productivity and development. This study, from a structural model in line with the CDM model, analyzes the impact of innovative activities on the productivity of Brazilian industrial firms connecting innovation input, innovation output and firms' economic performance. This paper aims to evaluate two parallel measures of innovative input, internal R&D expenditure and workers classified as PoTec. For this purpose, mainly data from the Pesquisa de Inovação (PINTEC) will be used, which were released by the IBGE, and in regards to workers, RAIS data, provided by the MTE, in order to create panel data. From an econometric perspective, one can submit this database to Chamberlain's random effects probit model to estimate the decision to invest in research and innovation production function. For the R&D expenditure equation, one uses an estimator proposed by Wooldridge (1995) for selection bias correction, and finally, uses a fixed effects model for the estimation of the firm's production function. To provide consistent estimates, the importance of controlling unobserved effects and considering an alternative measure to R&D expenditure is noted. For Brazil, it can be observed that the intensity of PoTec workers positively affects the probability of innovation in the market and highlights the importance of innovation for increased productivity of the domestic industry. The results point to the importance of controlling unobserved effects and using alternative measures to R&D expenditure in order to provide consistent estimates. For Brazil, it can be observed that the extent PoTec workers positively affects the probability of leading to innovation in the market and it is important to highlight that innovation increases domestic industry productivity.