Urban air quality management is a system for governments to lead cities towards achieving good air quality standards in an efficient way. Good air quality can avoid many environmental issues which are regarding air problems. At least, reduce environmental impacts efficiently in some extent. Carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and particulate matter (PM) are the common elements of air pollution. Topography, weather, the physical and chemical properties of pollutants and emission sources are also accomplices of air pollution. Östersund was a case study in this thesis because it has satisfactory air quality and won the European Mobility Week Award in 2014. Weather, winds, transportation and heating systems are the factors that influence urban air quality in Östersund. Green Traffic, Green Energy, and Green Highway are efficient projects in connection with air quality improvement in Östersund. Through successful technical application and institutional management, Östersund became one of the best climate cities in Sweden. This study is main focus on how Östersund municipality manages the local urban air quality then tries to find the suitable parts for China to learn. Here learn means find the suitable ways to improve urban air quality in China. It doesn’t mean copy all these projects. Emissions from vehicles, dust and the old style structures of energy are the main factors to reduce urban air quality in China. China did similar projects like Östersund did to improve urban air quality but the results were not so distinct so far. Vast land and large population are significant characteristics in China which make China’s ability slow to solve the air problem. Controlling the dust and emission from vehicles, using renewable resources and clean energy, optimizing industrial structure and complete legislations are beneficial projects to improve urban air quality in China. The projects of Green Traffic and Green Highway, and public participations are significant parts in Östersund which worth to learn for Chinese cities.

This study utilized the principles of Total Quality Management and Q Methodology to determine the attitudes of 18 junior and senior students in the music business program at Anderson University.The concourse for this study was developed using Schmidt's four principles of Total Quality Management: customer satisfaction, continuous improvement, empowerment, and teamwork. The Q sample included a total of 54 statements related to personal beliefs regarding the Music Business program.The subjects completed a Q sort, which included positive and negative statements about the Music Business program based on Schmidt's four principles.The subjects of the study were 50 percent male, 50 percent female, 50 percent junior class status, and 50 percent senior class status. Each student had completed the introductory courses within the department, and was taking upper-class level specialized music business classes.PQMethod software was used to tabulate the Q sorts, and two factors were found. Attitude types were named "Contented" and "Discontented." The two factors were not closely correlated. The "Contented" group felt their experience as a Music Business major was positive, and had a positive outlook on the future of the program. The "Discontented" group felt the program did not meet their expectations, and they had little expectation for future improvements. / Department of Journalism

The thesis explored the effect of government regulation on the cost of developing Facility Plans for pollution abatement facilities in Indiana. The study used cost data from nearly 300 sewage works projects across Indiana from 1968 to 1976. The cost of professional services for these projects was computed on a per capita basis for each fiscal year and fluctuations in cost were analyzed in light of regulatory changes.It was found that the effect of these regulatory changes was to escalate costs, especially in fees for projects in municipalities with less than 2,000 population. / Department of Urban Planning

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2007.

Total Quality Management (TQM) is an industrial or manufacturing theory that has greatly assisted business to transform to become more competitive in the global market. The South African public education system is currently facing various challenges and obstacles that must be overcome in order to cater for the demands of the 21 51 century. Much of the focus thus far has been on addressing the imbalances and inequities of the past. Now that the battle for equality is slowly being won, the focus is changing to quality in education provision. Total Quality Management offers an opportunity to attain quality in the education sector. Many writers abroad have adapted the principles of TQM to the education environment. Case studies in the United States of America and United Kingdom in particular, point to the success of TQM. Given the South African education scenario, this study explores the scope and applicability of Total Quality Management to the South African public schooling system. In February 2000, President Thabo Mbeki expressed the need to pay special attention to the improvement of the quality of management of our schools. The practice of TQM offers an opportunity to improve the quality of management in our schools. In addition, there has been much discussion and debate around whether schools are preparing learners for the real world. It is the express desire of the Minister of Education, Professor Kader Asmal, to create an education system for the 21 51 century. One of the cardinal principles of TQM is giving the customer what the customer needs- the customer in this case being the learner, the parent, tertiary institutions, commerce and industry and society at large. Currently there is ample evidence to suggest that there is a huge gap between what society expects and what schools and tertiary institutions are providing. Today, it is becoming increasingly evident that customer choice and customer perception of quality is of paramount importance. Therefore, schools that can offer quality in terms of product and customer service will survive and prosper. TQM is about meeting and exceeding customer expectations of service. There is ample evidence to suggest that TQM has carried the burden of being responsible in many cases for improving quality and productivity. Schools are constantly faced with rising costs. Parents are being called upon to pay increasingly more for the education of their children. Schools are constantly searching for innovative ways of cutting costs without compromising quality. TQM helps to systematically identify sources of error, and eradicate costly waste. This study explores whether TQM can do for the public schooling system what it has done for business. The scope and applicability of TQM to the public schooling system is investigated through carefully structured questionnaires administered to school-based personnel at different ranks, working in rural and urban schools, as well as ' advantaged' and 'disadvantaged' schools. In addition, chairpersons of school governing bodies/members and departmental officials are interviewed. The research carefully examines the many concerns around implementing TQM in public schools. There is concern that the principles of industry would not find favour in an education environment. A business-like approach to education may result in many meaningful aspects of schools and schooling being compromised or lost. The study ascertains whether some of the basic ingredients for quality management are present in our schools. Despite certain concerns, the majority were optimistic that TQM can be implemented. The conclusions arrived at and the recommendations made indicate that the theory, principles and practices of TQM can be adapted and applied to the South African schooling system. The argument that the vast backlogs in education do not favour the application of quality management in education is challenged. It is concluded that TQM offers the best possible opportunity to address inferior quality learning in certain quarters. Based on the success stories, a carefully structured implementation plan for TQM is suggested. Applying TQM will ensure a high quality public education. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2003.

Consulting Engineers worldwide, and in South Africa, render a professional service to clients consisting of project feasibility studies, planning reports, design, documentation and construction monitoring for infrastructure projects. In rendering this service, consulting engineers are subject to certain project risks that can have a huge influence on their company’s success and hence their profitability. Quality Management is an instrument through which the risks associated with consulting engineering can be mitigated to a certain degree, if a Quality Management System (QMS) is successfully introduced and continuously managed. The QMS must conform to the requirements of a recognized system like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and in this particular case ISO 9001, which is a model for quality assurance systems in design, development, production, installation and servicing. The quality system requirements of ISO 9001 are aimed at preventing nonconformity at all phases of the product life cycle from design and/or development to servicing. The study was carried out by obtaining a convenience sample of qualitative questionnaires among professional civil engineers in consulting management positions, testing their experience of a QMS. This study has indicated that a QMS can only be successful in a company if the users have a positive attitude towards the system, and if they believe in the benefits thereof. It is therefore required that the system be launched and maintained in a user-friendly manner, with the emphasis on real risk-reducing aspects. As one of the requirements of ISO 9001 is continuous improvement of the system, recommendations are made in this study towards improving the QMS of the particular company. The influence of a QMS on the frequency and extent of Professional Indemnity cases against a company was investigated and reported on by studying 20 case studies of projects that have experienced difficulties, and have resulted in lawsuits against the consulting engineer. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The aim of this research was to develop guidelines for improving the implementation of Quality Management Systems to provide quality service delivery in education. The research was done by means of both a literature review and an empirical research. The focus of the literature review was to determine the nature and purpose of existing Quality Management Systems (QMS) in education; and the role of District Officials and Schools Management Teams (SMTs) in the implementation of QMS to provide quality service delivery in education. Factors that contribute to the ineffectiveness of the implementation of the existing QMS in education were highlighted. The empirical research findings revealed that SMTs, being responsible for the implementation of QMS, lack knowledge and understanding of QMS implementation. Responses obtained from questionnaires revealed: limited support by District Officials, non-availability of support programmes; limited knowledge of the vision, mission and goals of the Department of Education; and limited resources provision. SMTs indicated dissatisfaction with the manner in which guidance and regulations pertaining to QMS implementation are provided. Curriculum and assessment support programmes were stated as limited, thus affecting learners’ and teachers’ performance. The impact of limited provision of resources; limited dedication to individual employees’ personal development by leadership and management; unclear communication means; and poor rewarding strategies to encourage employees and learners to perform were further highlighted. Based on the results obtained from the literature study and the empirical research, guidelines for improving the implementation of QMS to provide quality service delivery in education were developed and presented. / PhD, Education Management, North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2012

Consulting Engineers worldwide, and in South Africa, render a professional service to clients consisting of project feasibility studies, planning reports, design, documentation and construction monitoring for infrastructure projects. In rendering this service, consulting engineers are subject to certain project risks that can have a huge influence on their company’s success and hence their profitability. Quality Management is an instrument through which the risks associated with consulting engineering can be mitigated to a certain degree, if a Quality Management System (QMS) is successfully introduced and continuously managed. The QMS must conform to the requirements of a recognized system like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and in this particular case ISO 9001, which is a model for quality assurance systems in design, development, production, installation and servicing. The quality system requirements of ISO 9001 are aimed at preventing nonconformity at all phases of the product life cycle from design and/or development to servicing. The study was carried out by obtaining a convenience sample of qualitative questionnaires among professional civil engineers in consulting management positions, testing their experience of a QMS. This study has indicated that a QMS can only be successful in a company if the users have a positive attitude towards the system, and if they believe in the benefits thereof. It is therefore required that the system be launched and maintained in a user-friendly manner, with the emphasis on real risk-reducing aspects. As one of the requirements of ISO 9001 is continuous improvement of the system, recommendations are made in this study towards improving the QMS of the particular company. The influence of a QMS on the frequency and extent of Professional Indemnity cases against a company was investigated and reported on by studying 20 case studies of projects that have experienced difficulties, and have resulted in lawsuits against the consulting engineer. / Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

In today’s competitive market, survival and response to customer needs and expectations are enabled through high-quality products for low costs – quality products provided by suppliers fulfilling today’s quality-requirements for a low price. Companies have until recent years selected suppliers only according to a pricing structure, leaving other criteria’s, such as quality, behind. The purpose of this master thesis is therefore to investigate quality aspects that must be considered from a supplier evaluation perspective and design a simple evaluation tool for first-time supplier selections. Both new and existing suppliers will be tested with the tool according to information given during a case study made at Flexit AS, a Norwegian ventilation-systems company looking to introduce a structured approach for selecting suppliers. Through an extensive literature- and empirical study, where a survey, of which evaluation criteria’s to be included in the evaluation tool, was conducted together with several both semi-structured and unstructured interviews, a foundation for the design of the tool was presented. Quality management systems and quality performance measurements, such as rejection rate and delivery precision, are considered as fundamental aspects to consider when assessing a supplier. Acceptance levels of approval are set according to in-house objectives. If any evaluation tool including quality should be usable, an in-house quality system must therefore first be implemented by the in-house company – a notable improvement recommended to the case company. The design of the tool given from the thesis provides the evaluator with an opportunity to visualize and compare existing suppliers according to five criteria’s including cost, together with an additional spreadsheet for evaluation of new suppliers put forward as a foundation and an indicator if new suppliers are considering quality on a basic level.

Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements of the Degree of Master of Technology: Quality, Durban University of Technology, 2014. / There has been a call from society for both the provision of a quality education and for a quality “student” who can contribute to the economy and citizenry of South Africa. It therefore makes sense for any educational structure to develop and adopt, strategies and systems in order to meet these new calls, and to provide technologically relevant education that will meet the demands of modern society. This has led to a renewed need for consistency, conformity and quality within higher education. Concerns about students’ capabilities have been raised, and have led to questions about the accountability of higher education institutions. A quality management system framework may ensure that these higher education structures are able to deliver a quality education to their external and internal customers. This research investigated the current quality management systems used in dental assisting both locally and world-wide, and then developed a quality management system framework to suit South African conditions. An action research study, using data gathered from a purposive census sample, and data obtained by means of a mixed-method approach, was conducted in two phases. A preliminary study (Part A) was conducted amongst the four South African dental assisting education programme providers and deficiencies in the quality management systems of these programmes were identified. The preliminary work (Part B) in this study consisted of a comparative analysis of the quality management systems of a convenience sample of dental assisting education providers in twenty countries. Both good practices and deficiencies in practices were identified. A further review of the literature identified possible solutions to improve the quality of the dental assisting education programmes, and was used as the foundation for the development of the Dental Assisting Higher Education – Quality Management Framework (DAHE-QMF). The results of the preliminary study - the comparative analysis and the literature review - revealed that the development and implementation of a quality management system framework for dental assisting in South Africa could lead to an improvement of the standards of training, and thus the competence of the student. The framework will be presented to the four programme leaders at the four Universities of Technology that offer dental assisting education for their consideration of partial/total adaptation of the framework.