Aim: With the tendency of globalization, the field of the human resource management (HRM) in multinational companies (MNC) becomes a heated topic. Being interested in this field, we choose Bank of China (BOC) to investigate what factors influence the process of transfer and adaptation of HRM practices for a Chinese bank in a cross cultural environment. Method: This work has been adopted qualitative method as the primary data by interviewed six respondents of managers and employees from BOC in China and Sweden by means of the face-to-face interview, e-mail, Skype and the online instant messaging software (QQ). Extant literature, books and online resources are the secondary data. Result & Conclusions: The result reveals that when transferring and adapting the HRM practices in a foreign country, MNCs are influenced by national and company level factors. At the national level, national culture and laws and regulations in the targeted country are the primary aspects while corporate culture of the targeted company and the strategic goals of the branches are the main factors at the company level. Suggestions for future research: This study only focuses on four main factors affecting the process of transfer and adaption of HRM process, which may not contain all factors. Besides, it is based on a case study with qualitative data, thus the research areas can be expanded to a broader domain and the research methods can be used in both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Last but not least, staffing performance can be a very interesting field to be investigated. Contribution of the thesis: We contribute with a model based on four factors to identify the process of transfer and adaptation of HRM practices in a MNC. We also make a unique contribution to empirical study of the process of HRM practices of a Chinese bank entering to Sweden. Finally, this model can be utilized as a tool of other MNCs when implementing HRM practices from the home country to the host country.

This research is about the social/spatial management of water in an urban setting. The water utility of Piacenza, Italy, and specifically, the organization of the now extinct canal system, was investigated for the period between 1545 and 1736. Through analysis of the administration of the canal system and the water utility this thesis constructs an aspect of the political ecology of Piacenza. Political ecology as a discipline lies at the intersection of the environmental context, land use, spatial design, demographics and social relationships. The study looked at how the city organized itself to manage urban water and sanitation delivery, the methods used to communicate with the users, the actions taken to keep the system in good repair, the responses to crises, and the limitations of the social organization and technological capabilities. The archival documents contained within the Congregazione sopra l’ornato (CSO), the municipal committee charged with management of the canals, form the core of the research. Analysis revealed a finely-tuned social system that involved noble oversight, the use of expert engineers, public/private partnerships for maintenance of the canals with millers and consorti as key people, and an attempt to control cheating with fines and penalties.

The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between job satisfaction and organisational commitment. A sample of 73 employees from the South African Police Services - Stanger was utilised. Data was collected using questionnaires and unstructured interviews. The job satisfaction questionnaire designed by Weiss, Dawis, Lofquist and England (1977) was used to measure the different dimensions of job satisfaction whilst the organisational commitment questionnaire developed by Allen and Meyer (1990) was used to measure the different dimensions of organisational commitment. The results indicated variations in the subject's levels of job satisfaction, whereas moderate levels of affective, normative and continuous commitment was found. The correlation analysis showed no significant relationship among the dimensions of organisational commitment (Affective, Normative and Continuance). In terms of job satisfaction, significant relationships occurred among pay, working conditions, supervision, opportunities for advancement and recognition but there was no significant relationship among pay and equitable rewards. No significant relationship occurred between the dimensions of job satisfaction and affective and continuance commitment but there was a significant relationship between job satisfaction dimensions and normative commitment. There was no significant difference in the organisational commitment dimensions and job satisfaction dimensions among gender. No significant difference was found between affective and continuance commitment among the other biographical variables. However, there was a significant difference in the level of normative commitment among the age group, home language group and ethnic group. A significant difference was found between the job satisfaction dimensions and the other biographical variables. According to the results of the multiple regression, opportunities for advancement was the best predictor of affective commitment, working conditions, supervision, relation with co-workers and equitable rewards were the best predictors of normative commitment and relation with co-workers was the best predictor of continuance commitment. / Thesis (M.Admin)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2004.

21st century human resource (HR) managers face new challenges that require the management of employee resources and the management of information resources overload to support human resource management (HRM). The proposed research will examine the integrated approach that could be adopted by human resource information systems (HRISs) to identify, classify, store and evaluate human resource information assets to meet the strategic needs of HRM in the 21st century organisational era. The information assets may include databases, documents, policies, procedures, as well as the un-captured tacit expertise and experience stored in individual’s heads, in the form of knowledge. We live in an information economy powered by the human capacity to create value out of knowledge – an intangible asset that is referred to as Due to scarcity in natural resources, modern and knowledge organisations increasingly depend on the knowledge contained in the organisation to succeed and remain competitive. This study examines the perceptions of Human Resource Information System usage for knowledge management in the context of human resource management. Data for the study was obtained from a sample of 70 human resource employees employed at retail organisations within South Africa. The data was quantitatively analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The study indicated uncertainty about the use of HRIS functions while the respondents agree with using technology as a tool for sharing information. The concept of knowledge was explored as a strategic asset for the organisation to capitalise on as a competitive advantage, and the study explained that while HR employee’s value and recognise the various forms of the knowledge assets within employees, HR employees were uncertain about knowledge challenges. Although knowledge is generally shared within organisations, the benefits must be further explained in order to gain commitment and support. / Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

The purpose of this research was to assess stakeholder interest pertaining to best management practices for free-roaming horses in the Chilcotin, British Columbia. The study site is located between the towns of Hanceville to the east and Tatla Lake to the west. A case study approach was adopted, utilizing on-site observation, document analysis and semi structured interview methods. Analysis, through the reduction and interpretation of data, allowed for the emergence of the themes and subthemes. Themes were free-roaming horse interaction with both the biophysical and socioeconomic landscape as well as management. British Columbia government, ranchers, First Nations and Non Governmental Organizations were interviewed on their awareness and interaction with free-roaming horses, the management and policies pertaining to the species. Free-roaming horses have historically represented a social and economic resource, although stakeholders have had little input into management decisions. Antiquated policies, clashing social values, changing land title and land use and difficult economic times have resulted in a lack of clarity regarding jurisdiction, and therefore management, for the free-roaming horses. Management goals are not clear due to lack of classification as livestock or wildlife under provincial or federal legislations. A strategy, which promotes decentralization, collaboration and transparency in decision and policy-making is recommended. Multi-stakeholder research is the first step toward creating such a strategy.

Assessments of landscape connectivity are increasingly required in natural resource management. Understanding how landscape structure affects the movement and dispersal of animals may be essential for ensuring the long-term persistence of species of conservation concern. Functional connectivity models describing how features on the landscape influence animal movement behaviour have been produced in two different ways. The resistance surface models landscape connectivity as its inverse, the resistance to movement and dispersal, while the landscape graph represents landscape connectivity by describing the relationships among resource patches. Both methods have limitations that make them less effective for modelling highly-mobile and wide-ranging species such as ungulates and carnivores. This thesis develops a method called grains of connectivity that combines the continuous representation of landscape connectivity provided by resistance surfaces and the scalability provided by landscape graphs to create a flexible modelling framework for these species. The first half of the thesis reviews the conceptual origins of the grains of connectivity method and examines its properties using simulated landscapes. In the second half, empirical evidence of movement and dispersal in a boreal woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) population is used to validate functional connectivity hypotheses generated using the method. Connectivity for caribou at the temporal scale of generations is examined using a landscape genetics approach, while connectivity at the seasonal scale is assessed using the distribution of caribou telemetry locations. Grains of connectivity may be most useful for study systems where animals are not found exclusively in well-defined resource patches and there is uncertainty in the behavioural parameters influencing movement and dispersal. Additionally, the scalability of the analysis can be used to selectively remove spatial heterogeneity that may be uncorrelated with movement and dispersal giving an improved description of the pattern affecting the landscape connectivity process.

Climate change is inevitable. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has forewarned the global community of the consequences of unrestrained burning of fossil fuels (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC], 2011, para. 2). Until there is an economically viable source of alternative energy that can meet current and future demands, consumption of fossil fuels will continue to rise unless abated by models of governance that can assure sustainable use (Homer-Dixon & Garrison, 2010, p. 4). Climate change mitigation strategies take place in isolated cases where the resources and capability exist to address it. Biosphere reserves are governed as such. Each biosphere reserve has the ability to include climate change mitigation strategies within their mandates. Can these models of governance be used to demonstrate how to effectively address and mitigate climate change in other systems?

<p>Rice not collected by harvesters and natural seeds are important foods for waterfowl. Estimation of abundance of these seeds is necessary for calculating waterfowl habitat conservation needs in the Louisiana Chenier Plain (LCP) and Texas Mid-Coast (TMC). My objectives were to quantify dry mass of rice and other seeds from August-November 2010, and estimate waterbird abundances on farmed and idle ricelands in these regions from December 2010-March 2011. Rice abundance in farmed ricelands ranged from 159.7 kg/ha (CV = 66.6%) to 1,014.0 kg/ha (CV = 8.3%). Natural seed abundance in idle ricelands ranged from 99.7 kg/ha (CV = 32.9%) to 957.4 kg/ha (CV = 17.2%). Greatest waterbird densities occurred in shallowly flooded disked ricelands (mean = 7.35 waterbirds/ha, 90%; CI = 2.37-19.70). Ratoon, disked, and shallowly flooded ricelands are important habitat for non-breeding waterbirds but variable estimates of seed and waterbird abundances warrant continuation of this study.

<p> Mississippi has an abundant supply of underground aquifers which are utilized by community water systems as their source of drinking water. As the demand for water increases through the increasing population and the influx of industries, there is a need to manage the consumption and distribution of this valuable resource. Since its inception, the Mississippi drinking water industry has spawned new regulations, new management options, and creative ideas to promote a safer more efficient community water system. </p><p> The Mississippi State Department of Health-Bureau of Public Water Supply's Capacity Development Assessment is a comprehensive survey completed annually for every community water system in Mississippi. The Capacity Development Assessment will be used to gauge the quality of performance of the specified community water systems based exclusively on size classification, exclusively on government structure classification, and government structure by size classification. </p><p> Over the past 15 years, Mississippi has seen several centralization efforts occur, where a municipality, utility district, and/or a rural water association merges with one or multiple adjoining or close proximity community water systems. This results in one of the three main legal structures of government over community water systems increasing in size in an effort to heighten performance. This research has analyzed the size (population) and government structures of Mississippi community water systems and has determined that economies of scale do exist. Government structure alone does not have an effect on the performance of community water systems but size alone does have an effect on the performance of community water systems. Municipalities and rural water associations reach optimal performance at the medium size classification and utility districts reach optimal performance at the small size classification. </p><p> Regardless of the driving force, it is valuable to see that all of the Mississippi consolidating government structures are able to achieve optimal performance. Future state and/or federal legislatures, county governments, city governments, public water supply associations, and business economic drivers can benefit by knowing which structure(s) of community water system governance is the most productive and efficient when the time comes to explore the option of persuasion or mandates to increase viability or heighten performance. </p>

<p> Many households in developing countries rely on contaminated and untreated drinking water sources, contributing to gastrointestinal illness and other health risks. Even piped water quality is often unreliable because of poorly-maintained treatment or distribution systems. Household water treatment (HWT) systems aim to enable users to treat their water at the point of use, making it safe to drink. While some HWT options have been successful in improving health in developing countries, low adoption and sustained use outside pilot projects and epidemiological trials remains one of the current challenges with this approach. Furthermore, Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment models predict that the health benefits from water quality interventions drop significantly with even occasional consumption of contaminated water. Therefore, to be effective, HWT options need to achieve high user compliance rates and provide safe water reliably. </p><p> I begin my thesis with an interdisciplinary analysis of the field of water, health, and development, followed by a description of my research study site. Using an interdisciplinary research approach, grounded in the local context, I led the development of an ultraviolet (UV) water disinfection system for rural households. This included an iterative process of design and field tests to create a user-friendly system and laboratory research to improve the performance of the technology. I also collaborated with a non-profit organization based in Mexico in the design of an implementation program to support the adoption and consistent use of the UV system. </p><p> Then I present the design and application of a stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial in rural Mexico to evaluate compliance with the implementation program and field efficacy of the UV system. I developed a framework that disaggregates and measures the components of compliance from initial adoption of a safe water practice to exclusive consumption of safe water. I applied this framework to measure compliance across intervention and control groups and to test if additional program components that improve convenience to users can be a cost-effective approach to increase compliance. I present evidence that the implementation program significantly improved compliance with the habit of consuming safe water, when compared to the practice of purchasing water bottled in reusable 20 L containers in the control group. The additional program components proved to be a cost-effective strategy to increase compliance immediately post-intervention, but their impact degraded with time. By analyzing results across different compliance components, I find limitations of the current HWT approach. I present the rational for pilot testing strategies outside the current HWT paradigm, such as expanding a narrow focus on drinking water to making all domestic water safe to drink or switching from a product-based to a service delivery model. </p><p> As a second component of the randomized trial, I present a series of controlled comparisons to evaluate the field efficacy of the UV system using <i> E. coli</i> as a fecal contamination indicator in drinking water. I use an as-treated-analysis to isolate the impact of the system and contrast these results with an impact evaluation of the implementation program led by a research colleague. I also created a drinking water reliability framework to compare potential contamination impacts from different household water management practices and a logistic regression model to assess household risk factors for post-UV-treatment contamination. I show that treating water with the UV system and storing it in 20 L narrow-necked containers, allowed households to significantly improve their drinking water quality and gain access to a more reliable source of safe water. </p><p> In the final chapter I investigate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the use of HWT technologies in Mexico. I do that by carrying out a literature review of existing studies assessing energy use of water treatment technologies; using secondary data to perform a life cycle assessment (LCA) capturing the embedded CO₂ equivalent emissions of individual HWT products; and developing model to calculate a metric of GHG emissions per volume of water used representative of the HWT sector in Mexico. Filtration, ozone, and UV disinfection technologies resulted in similar LCA emissions, while reverse osmosis had emissions five times higher than the average of the rest. I also find GHG emissions of HWT to be 30 times lower than water bottled in 20 L reusable containers. In a context in which mortgage institutions have created green credit mechanisms, this result is useful for expanding financing options for HWT products, which are often more cost-effective than bottled water, but require a higher capital investment. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)</p>