Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2016-04-29T13:19:13Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 1827584 bytes, checksum: 8e2c4699b20e87ffce14b44d0467564c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T13:19:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivo total.pdf: 1827584 bytes, checksum: 8e2c4699b20e87ffce14b44d0467564c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-02 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / To reduce waste and increase the generation of value for customers, more and more construction companies have sought to apply the Lean Construction. However, there is no unanimous formalization of the implementation process and companies lack information about their real capacity to go through a lean transition. As stressed by the literature, one of the key factors for the success of any lean implementation is to assess the readiness of the organization. This paper assumes that this assessment should consider the technical, human and cultural dimensions and their interrelationships. Seeking ways to evaluate, an important tool based on graph theory and matrix algebra, identified in the literature as Graph Theoretic Approach (GTA), has been applied in different contexts, with desirable properties such as the ability to model interactions between criteria and generating hierarchical models for solving complex decision-making problems. Thus, this study aims to develop a readiness assessment method for implementation of Lean Construction using the GTA as a tool for its operationalization. As steps involved in building the method, it was carried out a literature review, in which it was possible to identify the readiness factors and sub-factors considered in the evaluation, and the parameterization of the model, through the establishment of inter-relations between the selected factors and sub-factors. The developed method was tested through the application in construction companies. As a result from the application, it was obtained the classification of two companies which showed insufficient and partial readiness levels. From the case studies, it was concluded that the proposed method is suitable for its purpose, meeting the criteria of feasibility, usability and utility. The method results allow to provide a diagnostic of the current situation of construction companies, which serves as a driver for change initiatives towards the Lean Construction. / Visando reduzir desperdícios e aumentar a geração de valor para seus clientes finais, cada vez mais empresas construtoras tem buscado aplicar a Construção Enxuta. O que se constata é que não há uma formalização unânime do processo de implementação e que as empresas carecem de informações sobre sua real capacidade para passar por um processo de transição enxuta. Como ressalta a literatura, um dos fatores chave para o sucesso de qualquer implementação enxuta consiste em avaliar a prontidão da organização. Esta pesquisa parte do pressuposto que essa avaliação deve considerar as dimensões de ordem técnica, humana e cultural e suas inter-relações. Na busca de meios para a avaliação, uma importante ferramenta baseada na teoria dos grafos e álgebra matricial, identificada na literatura como Graph Theoretic Approach (GTA), vem sendo aplicada em diversos contextos, apresentando propriedades desejáveis como a capacidade de modelar interações de critérios e de gerar modelos hierárquicos para resolução de problemas de tomada de decisões complexas. Desta forma, este trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver um método de avaliação de prontidão para implementação da Construção Enxuta utilizando a GTA como ferramenta para sua operacionalização. Como etapas inerentes à construção do método foi realizada uma revisão bibliográfica, na qual foi possível identificar os fatores e os subfatores de prontidão considerados na avaliação, e a parametrização do modelo, por meio do estabelecimento das inter-relações entre os fatores e os subfatores selecionados. O método desenvolvido foi testado por meio da aplicação em empresas construtoras. Como resultado da aplicação, obteve-se a classificação de duas empresas avaliadas as quais apresentaram níveis insuficientes e parciais de prontidão. A partir dos estudos de caso, foi possível concluir que o método proposto é adequado aos fins a que se destina, atendendo aos critérios de viabilidade, usabilidade e utilidade. Os seus resultados permitem fornecer um diagnóstico da situação atual das construtoras, o qual serve de balizador para iniciativas de mudança em direção à Construção Enxuta.

Many learners enter formal schooling without having mastered the necessary school readiness skills. Academically, those who are not equipped with the necessary school readiness skills often experience certain difficulties, a situation that can even lead to failure at the end of their first year at school. Had these learners been assessed for school readiness earlier, and their teachers informed of the interpreted results, they could have been helped to improve their literacy level earlier. With their knowledge, teachers are able to provide appropriate additional support to meet identified school readiness needs. A concern amongst educators is that many school readiness assessment instruments are available but they do not test the same skills. A further issue is that scientifically proven criteria for evaluating school readiness assessment instruments are not known to be available. Using information about the skills being assessed according to helpful and insightful criteria, would enable educators to know how best to assist learners. Learners do progress and learn differently. Focusing on the skills needed to succeed at school is essential for learners’ development. Hence the reason for engaging in this research was to explore school readiness assessment. From semi-structured interviews conducted, Grade 1 teachers did not have detailed knowledge of school readiness assessment and the instruments used. It is therefore recommended that awareness of the criteria for successful school readiness assessment becomes an integral part of the preparation for formal schooling. Irrespective of their age, applying such instruments could help learners who are not yet ready for school to be better prepared pre-schoolers. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Early Childhood Education / MEd / Unrestricted

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Doctor Of Philosophy in Library and Information Science in the Department of Library and Information Studies at the University of Zululand, 2018 / E-records readiness is key to the implementation of electronic records management programmes and ultimately the e-Government in the public sector. However, past studies about Swaziland show no evidence of research that ascertains the depth of e-Records readiness in the context of the current e-Government strategy. Studies that have been documented on records management systems in the country have largely focused on paperbased records management in government ministries. The aim of the study was to assess e-Records readiness in the Swaziland government ministries with a view to conceptualising framework for the effective management of e-Records as a facilitating tool for e- Government. The study sought to establish the national legal and policy framework governing management of electronic records in Swaziland’s government ministries in the context of e-Government; the level of compliance to policies, standards, tools, procedures and responsibilities for e- Records management in the government ministries; establish the e-Records management products and technologies existing in the government ministries; examine resource capacity and training for e-Records management staff; find out if there is internal awareness of the link between the e-Record management and the e-Government strategy; as well as explore the depth of the government wide digital preservation strategy. The IRMT (2004) E-Records Readiness Tool was adapted and used as the analytical framework for this study. This tool is designed to assist organizations to benchmark themselves and to determine where they stand in respect to the management of electronic records. The study mainly used the quantitative research approach exploiting a survey that utilized a questionnaire as a data collection instrument. The quantitative approach was however complemented by a qualitative research approach which utilized observation and interview techniques. Using both quantitative and qualitative approaches made it possible to triangulate and validate the findings. The unit of analysis was the Swaziland government ministries, with a survey design involving all the 19 Government Ministries. The target study participants comprised of the Directorate of Swaziland National Archives, the Directorate of Computer Services, the Directorate of E-Government, the records officers and the action officers.

Premature mortality resulting from the growing global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) is a contemporary development challenge. Low-income and lower-middle-income countries are disproportionately affected, with the poorest in society considered the most vulnerable. A paucity of literature exists on how leadership practices at the implementation level relate to ensuring readiness for NCD services. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether any relationship exists between leadership practices at the county level and readiness for NCD services in Kenya. Path-goal and adaptive leadership theories were used to guide this quantitative correlational study, using secondary data from a 2013 Service Availability and Readiness Assessment survey. Correlation and multiple linear regression tests were used to determine the strength and direction of any relationship between the independent variable of leadership practices (annual work planning, therapeutic committees, and supportive supervision), and the dependent variable of NCD readiness (county readiness score). The results indicated a statistically significant relationship between therapeutic committee (p = .002) and supportive supervision practices (p = .023) and NCD readiness. Leadership practices also had a statistically significant predictive relationship with NCD readiness (p = .009). This study may be significant to county health leaders in relation to their efforts to ensure proximal access to quality NCD services in Kenya. The results of this study may help to promote the development of capacity-building programs targeting health leadership and prioritization of actions to ensure access to NCD prevention and treatment services at the county level in Kenya.

This research aims to support sustainability practitioners at the beginning of a change initiative towards sustainability to increase the success of the change. Moving towards sustainability is a complex journey and requires radical and structural transformational change in companies. Mutual understanding of the company and the practitioner is required to design a suitable change process. Existing tools related to sustainability, change management, corporate analysis and assessment were analyzed. In addition, practitioners in organizational change and sustainability were interviewed. Identified were eight Areas of Inquiry for the practitioner to focus on at the initial stage of an engagement: Vision; Purpose and Commitment; Urgency, Importance and Business Case; Level of Integration of Sustainability; Business Goals and Strategy; Culture and Capacities; Communication and Stakeholder Engagement; Measurement and Reporting. These areas form a platform for dialogue to guide sustainability practitioners in gaining understanding of the organizational change capacities and sustainability within the company and, in doing so, contributes to addressing the sustainability challenge at large.

BACKGROUND: More than 70% of the global premature mortality from NCDs occurs in low- and middle-income countries. These countries, including Nigeria, also have varied but mostly limited health system capacity to respond to cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. Substantial gaps exist in our understanding of the subnational capacity to respond to these conditions in Nigeria. This encompasses a variety of issues, perhaps most importantly the readiness of facilities to provide care and the quality of care provided to patients with these conditions. As the Lagos State government accelerates the rollout of its mandatory state-based health insurance scheme, the number of patients with diabetes and hypertension receiving care will increase, poor management of which can threaten the scheme's financial sustainability. This mixed-methods study was conducted as part of the baseline activities of an impact evaluation of the health insurance program and was designed to answer three questions: 1) What is the capacity and readiness of health facilities in Lagos State to provide hypertension (HTN) and diabetes (DM) care? 2) What is the level of the quality of care provided to patients with HTN and DM, and how does it vary by patient and facility characteristics? 3) What are the barriers to providing diabetes and hypertension care from providers' perspectives? METHODS: The data for this study were collected using three approaches. We conducted a facility survey among public and private facilities (n=84) in Lagos State to assess facility readiness and the functionality of systems required for diabetes and hypertension care. Linear mixed-effects models were used to determine the level and factors associated with the process quality of care provided to patients in 2019 by analyzing clinical data collected via medical chart abstraction. Finally, in-depth interviews were conducted with health care providers (n=20) to explore their practices and the barriers faced in providing care to patients with diabetes and hypertension. RESULTS: The essential inputs needed for diabetes and hypertension care were mostly available; the mean HTN readiness score was 66%, and the DM readiness score was 68.9%. At the same time, systems to facilitate longitudinal care were mostly lacking; 35% had a mechanism for tracking patients who missed appointments, and 52% assigned unique patient identification numbers to NCD patients. Based on the clinical records, the quality of care provided to patients was very low; overall, patients with diabetes and hypertension received less than 30% of recommended care processes. Less than a third of the patients had their blood pressure or blood glucose controlled. There was substantial variation in the mean quality score by patient and across care processes, with lifestyle modification counseling (LSM) counseling the least likely to be delivered. According to providers, the inability to pay for laboratory tests and medications and non-compliance with medications and clinic visits are key barriers to delivery of high-quality services. Barriers at the organizational level included poorly functioning two-way referrals, non-availability of LSM counseling materials, and lack of recall and follow-up systems. CONCLUSION: While the service readiness scores for diabetes and hypertension are moderately high among these health facilities, there are critical deficits in their ability to provide long-term, integrated care of high quality to patients. Addressing these deficits will require the implementation of a comprehensive model of care co-created by providers, health system managers, patients, and insurers. Lessons can be drawn from the implementation of other chronic disease programs to kick start this process. / 2024-08-30T00:00:00Z

Thesis (M.A. Information Studies (Electronic Records Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / There is a strong argument for a direct link between records management and delivery of justice to citizens in that to an extent that a country is ready to embrace information and communication technology (ICT), the lower the level of corruption in that country. This study investigated the role of electronic records management for effective delivery of justice in Limpopo Province police stations (LPPS) with the adoption of the exploratory survey research design based on quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The study adopted a pragmatic worldview to sample 100 police detective officers and 6 records managers with a 65% response rate in Lebowakgomo and Mankweng clusters of Limpopo province with the use of questionnaire and interview as data collection instruments. The study analysed quantitative data through SPSS for Windows while adopting Thematic Analysis for qualitative data. This study found that the LPPS had inadequate human resource and ICT infrastructure capacity for effective electronic records management and delivery of justice to citizens; that e-docket system had a positive impact in enhancing electronic records management, specifically with 24hour access and timely sharing of records; that poor internet connection emerged as the most prominent challenge faced when managing records; and that monitoring of the e-docket system and increased human resource and ICT infrastructure capacity could improve electronic records management. The study made the following recommendations in order to enable effective delivery of justice to citizens through electronic records management in LPPS: that there be minimum training requirements for those working with records in order to cultivate a culture of appreciating proper records management; that police stations be provided with enough computers with adequate network capacity; that a qualified records manager be appointed to administrate the management of records; and that offsite backup be implemented to ensure system recovery in case of disaster. / National Research Foundation (NRF)

Magister Public Health - MPH / Over the years major changes have occurred in the focus, approach and application of monitoring and evaluation systems as a result of increased levels of emphasis towards achieving results (outcomes) as opposed to activities and outputs. As the focus of management changes from activities to results, so too has the focal point of M&E shifted from the traditional M&E system of progress monitoring that only deals with assessing inputs and implementation processes, to a results-based M&E system that emphasizes the need to assess the contributions of intervention to development outcomes. Nowadays funders, stakeholders and donor agencies want to see the difference that development initiatives make in the livelihood of project beneficiaries.Results-based M&E systems are essential components of most organisational structures responsible for development services and this is very fundamental as it provides vital information and empowers policy makers to take better informed decisions. The foundation of an M&E system is the very first step which is in essence called a ‘readiness assessment’. Such an assessment must be conducted before the actual establishment of an M&E system. Just as a building must begin with a foundation, constructing an M&E system must also begin with the establishment of a readiness assessment. Without this assessment and an understanding of the preparedness and commitment of the organisation, establishing an M&E system may be fraught with difficulties and failure.The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programme of Ikamva Labantu has always been in the form of a reporting-type check list. The Centre is in a process of establishing an effective M&E system. The problem being investigated in this study is whether Ikamva Labantu has achieved a sufficient level of readiness to establish a results-based monitoring and evaluation system. However, the study shall also highlight crucial aspect of PM&E and RBM&E that will have to be taken into consideration with the establishment of the actual M&E system.With the use of the qualitative research method, the aim of this study is to analyse and assess the readiness assessment phase for establishing a monitoring and evaluation system in the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Programmes of Ikamva Labantu Centre, Khayelitsha.

A gap exists in education research in the area of online readiness for secondary courses. In the current study, I examined the use of an online readiness assessment to inform students and educators of the necessary skills, aptitudes, and propensities needed for secondary course completion. In this research study, the perceptions of 17 secondary students in a North Texas public school were examined. Using a three-phase design, qualitative demographic surveys, focus groups, and open-ended end-of-course success questionnaires were collected and analyzed. The findings revealed the Revised McVay Online Readiness Assessment beneficial for providing students with information regarding skills needed for their online course success. Students were interested in how prior online experience influences online readiness and successful completion as well as the influence prior expectations of online learning had on online success. In addition, the study revealed the importance of student readiness relating to more specific self-regulatory skills including time-management, metacognitive self-monitoring, and task-strategies. The study results also revealed students found importance in knowing their comfort with online communication. K-12 school system and curriculum leaders may consider and take action to ensure effective curriculum and programs are implemented to achieve the desired results of student online course completion as well as providing students with necessary skills, such as comfort in online communication, and self-regulation specific to time-management, metacognitive self-monitoring, and task-strategies. The study results suggest an online readiness assessment would prove even more useful with the inclusion of such specific skills.

The application of information communication technologies (ICTs) in records management in many organisations underscores the need for the assessment of e-records readiness. This provides a useful guide in benchmarking, gauging progress and comprehending e-records management. This study examined e-record readiness in labour organisations with a view to proposing a framework for labour organisations in Botswana. The study was largely guided by a quantitative paradigm and used a survey research strategy. This was complemented by methodological triangulation of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. All the 50 registered labour organisations in Botswana were surveyed, 45 of which responded, representing a response rate of 90%. Data was obtained through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, document review and observations. The study established that e-records readiness in labour organisations in Botswana was evident, low and evolving, evidenced by the slow adoption of ICTs; inadequate records management standards and practices; and low integration in the national e-readiness framework. The study confirmed that most labour organisations had embraced the utilisation of ICTs in their work; exhibited some form of records management function and acknowledged the existence of national policy directives and strategies on e-readiness. However, traditional ICTs mainly the fax and telephone, were more prevalently adopted and used than newer ones such as e-mail and the Internet. The use of social media technology (Web 2.0 - Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter) was yet to be explored. The management of both paper-based and electronic records was not satisfactory and fell short of best recognised records management standards and practice. The integration of labour organisations into national e-readiness initiatives as espoused in key policy proclamations within the context of the pursuance of a holistic knowledge and information society was slow and remained challenging. In order to foster successful e-records readiness in labour organisations, several recommendations were advanced that underscored effective ICT adoption and use, implementation of best records management practices and rigorous integration of labour organisations into the information and knowledge society in Botswana. In addition, an integrated framework for examining and understanding e-records readiness in labour organisations was proposed and documented. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information Science)