Submitted by Diego Designe (diego.designe@gmail.com) on 2012-10-26T23:40:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ANTECEDENTES AO SUCESSO NA OPERAÇÃO DE PMOS UM MODELO ESTRUTURAL - PublicaçãoV1.pdf: 4161368 bytes, checksum: daf1eb19a326376f1c3bb0afc764bf33 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Janete de Oliveira Feitosa (janete.feitosa@fgv.br) on 2012-11-07T18:05:48Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ANTECEDENTES AO SUCESSO NA OPERAÇÃO DE PMOS UM MODELO ESTRUTURAL - PublicaçãoV1.pdf: 4161368 bytes, checksum: daf1eb19a326376f1c3bb0afc764bf33 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marcia Bacha (marcia.bacha@fgv.br) on 2012-11-08T17:44:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ANTECEDENTES AO SUCESSO NA OPERAÇÃO DE PMOS UM MODELO ESTRUTURAL - PublicaçãoV1.pdf: 4161368 bytes, checksum: daf1eb19a326376f1c3bb0afc764bf33 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-11-08T17:45:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ANTECEDENTES AO SUCESSO NA OPERAÇÃO DE PMOS UM MODELO ESTRUTURAL - PublicaçãoV1.pdf: 4161368 bytes, checksum: daf1eb19a326376f1c3bb0afc764bf33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-08-29 / This explanatory-exploratory study aims to determine the key success factors for the operation of PMOs in organizations. As a way to reach this target, firstly, it was developed an adequate literature to: (a) conceptualize Project Management; (b) identify the different ways of PMO action; (c) identify the key success factor for PMOs operation; (d) identify the group of factors that impacts the success of PMOs; (e) develop a meta-model including the factors that impact and define the operation success of PMOs; (f) develop a survey as a tool for collecting data and (g) develop adequate methodology to the structural equation use. The survey application (collecting data tool) resulted on 553 valid answers, being filled for project management specialists. In total, 489 of them were Brazilians, and 64 of them were foreigners project managers from several countries in the world. After collecting the data, the study applied exploratory factorial analysis (EFA), confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA) and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the proposed theoretical model. The theoretical model initially developed was not supported, notwithstanding had been obtained some adjustments necessary, as well as supported by adequate theoretical justification. Even setting the model, the final result says that it explains nearly 7% of the therefrom model proposed for the success of PMOs operation. / O objetivo deste estudo explano-exploratório é determinar os fatores chave de sucesso para a operação de PMOs (Project Management Office) nas organizações. Como meio de alcançar o objetivo traçado, realizou-se o levantamento bibliográfico para: (a) conceituar gerenciamento de projetos e PMOs; (b) identificar as diferentes formas de atuação de PMO; (c) identificar os fatores chave de sucesso na operação de PMOs; (d) identificar os fatores que influenciam o sucesso na operação de PMOs; (e) elaborar um meta-modelo contendo os fatores que influenciam e definem o sucesso na operação de PMOs; (f) desenvolver questionário estruturado como instrumento de coleta de dados e (g) levantar metodologia aplicável para o uso de equações estruturais. Durante o período de aplicação do instrumento de coleta de dados, foram obtidas 553 respostas válidas, preenchidas por especialistas em gerenciamento de projetos, sendo 489 do Brasil e 64 de diversos países no mundo. A partir dos dados obtidos, a pesquisa valeu-se das técnicas de Análise Fatorial Exploratória (AFE), Análise Fatorial Confirmatória (AFC) e Modelagem de Equações Estruturais (SEM) para confirmar o meta-modelo teórico proposto. Verificou-se que o meta-modelo inicial não foi confirmado sendo, portanto, necessário a realização de ajustes, os quais foram implementados com justificativas teóricas adequadas. Ainda assim, o meta-modelo final, obtido após as alterações realizadas, explica cerca de 7% da variância dos fatores de sucesso na operação de PMOs.

Submitted by Marcia Silva (marcia@latec.uff.br) on 2016-07-15T20:54:28Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERT EDUARDO GURGEL DO AMARAL ARDUINO.pdf: 2065093 bytes, checksum: cff22b2b72c45eeee85f4facfd01289c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-15T20:54:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERT EDUARDO GURGEL DO AMARAL ARDUINO.pdf: 2065093 bytes, checksum: cff22b2b72c45eeee85f4facfd01289c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-24 / O objeto do estudo foi elaborar uma modelo estrutural completo dos fatores que influenciam o sucesso da atuação do PMO e que benefícios essa atuação positiva traria para a gestão de projetos no Sistema Eletrobras e a partir disso, realizar um aperfeiçoamento do modelo estrutural por meio de métodos estatísticos. Para isso foi realizado uma pesquisa de campo (survey) no intuito de levantar dados junto aos profissionais envolvidos em Gestão de Projetos dentro do Sistema Eletrobras, a partir do modelo proposto e foram evidenciados os fatores de sucesso na atuação do PMO (Project Management Office) que possibilitam o escritório de gerenciamento de projetos tornar-se um vetor de gestão por excelência na empresa. Para alcançar o objetivo idealizado, realizou-se (a) Levantamento bibliográfico para conceituar gerenciamento de projetos e PMOs, (b) identificou-se os fatores que influenciam o sucesso de atuação do PMO, (c) identificou-se as abordagens teóricas dos fatores diretos que mais contribuem para que o PMO da Eletrobras possa atuar como um vetor de gestão por excelência, otimizando o aumento da eficiência da sua atuação e o sucesso na gestão de projetos. Averiguou-se quais abordagens teóricas, a partir do sucesso de atuação do PMO, traziam benefícios para a gestão de Projetos no Sistema Eletrobras. Assim, para realizar os trabalhos estatísticos para a avaliação de adequação do modelo, foi utilizado o software SPSS Statistics, para a execução da AFE (Análise Fatorial Exploratória), em busca de testar o modelo baseado na teoria previamente apresentada. Foram obtidas 116 respostas válidas preenchidas por colaboradores com envolvimento em gerenciamento de projetos no sistema Eletrobras. No início o modelo teórico era composto por vinte abordagens teóricas e três fatores independentes. Após as etapas do SEM, obteve-se dezessete abordagens e dois fatores independentes, diferentes do modelo proposto. Com isso, a hipóteses H1 e H2 não foram rejeitadas, pois apresentaram fator significante com (P < 0,05). A hipótese H3 teve que ser excluída, pois na AFE suas abordagens teóricas compuseram um único conjunto com a hipótese H2, visto que a Matriz da Variância Total Explicada demonstrou ser o modelo mais ajustado com somente dois fatores. Todas as análises foram validadas pelo alpha de cronbach. / The object of study was preparing a full structural model of the factors that influence the success of the PMO acting and that this positive performance would bring benefits for project management in the Eletrobras System and from this, carry out an improvement of the structural model through methods Statistical. For it was conducted a field survey (survey) in order to collect data with professionals involved in Project Management within the Eletrobras System, from the proposed model and were shown the success factors in the performance of the PMO (Project Management Office) which enable the project management office become a vector of management excellence by the company. To achieve the idealized goal, there was (a) Bibliographic survey to conceptualize project management and PMOs, (b) identified the factors that influence the PMO acting success, (c) identify the theoretical approaches of the factors direct that contribute most to the PMO Eletrobras can act as a vector management par excellence, optimizing the increased efficiency of its operations and success in project management. It was found that theoretical approaches, from the PMO acting success, bringing benefits to the Project management in the Eletrobras System. Thus, to perform statistical work for the evaluation of the adequacy of the model, SPSS Statistics software was used, for the implementation of EFA (Exploratory Factor Analysis), seeking to test the model based on the theory presented previously. 116 valid responses were obtained filled by employees with involvement in project management in the Eletrobras System. Earlier the theoretical model was composed of twenty theoretical approaches and three independent factors. After the stages of SEM, seventeen approaches was obtained and two independent factors, other than this model. With this, the H1 and H2 hypotheses were not rejected because they presented with significant factor (P <0.05). The hypothesis H3 had to be excluded, as their theoretical approaches the AFE comprised a single set with the hypothesis H2, whereas Matrix Total Variance Explained proved to be the most adjusted model with only two factors. All analyzes were validated by Cronbach's alpha.

Tidigare forskning har visat att barn kan delas in i olika roller vid mobbningssituationer i grundskolan,det är därför av intresse att hitta faktorerna som påverkar vilken roll som elever kan komma att ha. I denna uppsats är syftet att analysera samband mellan motivationer (Extrinsic, Amotivation,Identification) och beteenden (Defending, Passive och Pro-Bullying). Det är även intressant attundersöka om det finns eventuella skillnader i beteende beroende på ålder och kön. För attanalysera samband mellan psykologiska begrepp används latenta variabler i samröre medfaktoranalysmodeller (SEM), denna typ av modell tar inte hänsyn till skillnader mellan klasser,således används även multilevelmodeller. Den senare av de två modellerna tar hänsyn till skillnadermellan klasser men inte det faktum att variablerna är latenta. En ytterligare aspekt av uppsatsen är att jämföra metoderna med varandra och analysera eventuellaskillnader i slutsats. Det kommer att användas två typer av multilevelmodeller i uppsatsen, en medmedelvärden som skattning på den latenta variabeln och den andra multilevelmodellen använderfaktorpoäng som beräknas via en konfirmativ faktoranalys. Resultatet visade att det finns signifikanta samband mellan alla typer av beteende och motivationer iminst en av metoderna som användes. I alla metoder fanns det signifikant positiva relationer mellanPassive och Amotivation, Defending och Identification samt mellan Pro-bullying och Extrinsic.Samband som hade en signifikant negativ relation i alla metoder är Passive och Identification, Pro-bullying och Identification samt mellan Defending och Amotivation. Relationer som är signifikanta men endast i en metod är Pro-Bullying och Amotivation, Passive och Extrinsic samt Defending ochExtrinsic. Dessa relationer har positiva samband. Det finns ingen relation mellan kön respektive ålder och ett specifikt beteende som blev signifikant ialla metoder. Relationer mellan beteende och ålder respektive kön som blev signifikant i minst enmetod är Passive och kön, Defending och kön samt mellan Defending och ålder. Resultatet från dettaär att killar är mindre passiva och mer Defending jämfört med tjejer. Relationen mellan Defendingoch ålder är negativ. Intraclass-korrelationen och Likelihood ratio-test visar att det finns signifikant varians mellan klasser ide tre beteendena när en modell utan förklarande variabler testas. Testet visade att det inte fannssignifikant varians i beteende mellan skolor. Likelihood ratio-test på modeller med förklarandevariabler visar att det endast vid beteendetypen Defending fanns en signifikant skillnad mellan eleveri olika klasser. I övriga beteende finns det alltså inte signifikanta skillnader mellan klasser. Skillnaden mellan faktorpoäng och medelvärde blev väldig liten, det blev endast skillnader irelationen mellan Defending och ålder. Mellan SEM och multilevel är skillnaden större och där finnsdet skillnader i slutsats i fem stycken relationer. Dessa är Passive och Extrinsic, Pro-Bullying ochAmotivation, Passive och kön, Defending och Extrinsic samt mellan Defending och kön. / Previous research has shown that children can be divided into different roles during situations ofbullying in primary school. Therefore, it is of interest to find factors that affect what those roles couldbe. In this thesis, the purpose is to analyze the relation between motivation (Extrinsic, Amotivation,Identification) and behavior (Defending, Passive, Pro-Bullying). It is also of interest to analyzepossible differences in behavior depending on age and gender. To be able to analyze relationsbetween psychological concepts, latent variables will be used in conjunction with models for factoranalysis (SEM). This type of model does not take differences between classes into consideration,therefore multilevel models will also be used, where the latter takes differences between classes intoconsideration but not the fact that the variables are latent. Another aspect of this thesis will be to compare the methods to each other and analyze potentialdifferences in drawn conclusions. There will be two different types of multilevel models, one ofwhich uses mean as the estimator for the latent variable while the other model will be using factorscores that are calculated with a confirmative factor analysis. Results showed that there are significant relations between all types of behavior and motivations inat least one of the methods used. In all the methods, there were significant positive relationsbetween Passive and Amotivation, Defending and Identification, as well as Pro-Bullying and Extrinsic. Relations that had a significant negative association were Passive and Identification, Pro-Bullying andIdentification, as well as Defending and Amotivation. Relations that were significant, but only in one method, are the following: Pro-Bullying andAmotivation, Passive and Extrinsic, Defending and Extrinsic. These have a positive relation. There is no relation between gender, or age, and a specific behavior that was significant in all themethods used. Relation between behavior and age, or gender, that was significant in at least one, isPassive and gender, Defending and gender, Defending and age. The results from this show that boysare less passive and more defending compared to girls. The relation between Defending and age isnegative. The intraclass correlation, and Likelihood ratio test, shows that there is a significant variancebetween classes in the three behaviors when a model without explanatory variables is being used.The tests also indicated that there was no significant variance in behavior between schools. ALikelihood ratio test of models with explanatory variables show that the only type of behavior with asignificant difference between students and classes is Defending. The difference between factor scores and mean was very small, there were only differences in therelation between Defending and age. Between SEM and Multilevel, the difference is greater, wherethere are differences in conclusion in five of the relations; Passive and extrinsic, Pro-Bullying andAmotivation, Passive and gender, Defending and Extrinsic, as well as Defending and gender.

Since the early 1990s with the AIDS pandemic, there has been an increasing interest on the importance of risky sexual behaviors, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). An important antecedent for these behaviors is alcohol use. Studies consistently show an increased frequency of both alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors in MSM populations. However, to date, there has not been a precise estimate of the effect size in these diverse populations and a consistent way to measure it. More so, the importance of context is often cited as a source of variability, but is rarely measured in these studies. Contextual factors are different and specific for MSM, as they have been approached by two theories, both of which will be guiding this dissertation: Singer’s Syndemic Theory and Meyer’s Minority Stress Theory. Chapter 1, then presents a comprehensive review of both theories as they apply to alcohol use, risky sexual behaviors, and contextual factors driving them. Chapter 2 answers the first research question about effect sizes through a systematic literature review. The effect sizes or measures of association of these contextual risk and protective factors were summarized using meta-analytic techniques. Using five electronic databases, we identified 26 studies in 26 years (1990–2015), all diverse in terms of sampling techniques, assessment of sexual orientation, operationalization of alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors, contextual factors included, and measurement of effect sizes. Despite this diversity, studies reporting an effect size were pooled and summarized using both descriptive and meta-analytic techniques, as appropriate. Meta-analyses were conducted using Cochrane’s guidelines for generic inverse variance outcomes with random effects. The pooled effects of alcohol use on condomless anal intercourse (CAI; OR 1.73 [95% CI 1.43, 2.10], I2 0%), heavy episodic drinking on CAI (OR 1.88 [95% CI 1.25, 2.81], I2 32%), and heavy episodic drinking on condomless oral sex (OR: 8.00; 95% CI 2.48, 25.81), as well as the effects of substance use, mental health status, violence and victimization, and self-reported HIV status as contextual factors in the pathway between alcohol use and risky sexual behaviors were calculated, reported, and discussed along with study limitations and implications for public health. Chapter 3 answers the second research question regarding a standardized measurement model for effect sizes and the multiple mediation of contextual factors. We used the male subset of Wave IV of the AddHealth dataset to test our hypotheses through structural equation modeling approaches, including measurement analysis with invariance testing, path analysis for direct effects, and multiple mediation analysis through bootstrapping for indirect effects. The AUD scale was invariant between MSM and MSW, but the risky sexual behavior scale was not. For MSM, the standardized direct effect of AUD onto risky sexual behaviors was –1.25 and the standardized total indirect effect of the multiple mediation model was 1.58, 95% CI [1.42, 1.73]. Among the mediators, the strongest indirect effect for any measured or latent mediator was the mental health construct (2.09). We conclude that even though AUD has the same measurement structure for MSM and MSW, its effect on risky sexual behaviors does not operate the same way for these two populations, supporting both causal and contextual behavioral theories. Conclusions are individually discussed, respectively, in Chapters 2 and 3. However, Chapter 4 puts both manuscript conclusions in context and further discusses future implications for public health research, practice, and policy.

The use of social media in the retail banking environment has changed the way the banking industry communicates with customers, creates sales and performs marketing and operational tasks. Social media strategies need to be aligned to business goals and effectively used to integrate social media as part of the overall marketing strategy. Only by understanding brand loyalty, multi-channel systems and social media channels can marketers effectively implement social media. In measuring brand loyalty, factors that influence customer buying behaviour and components that influence online interaction are essential in engaging different groups of customers in social media. This research study aimed to examine the use of social media within the South African retail banking environment with a focus on creating and maintaining brand loyalty. An exploratory, mixed method research design was employed. Data collection instruments used in the study includes online surveys, structured interviews, and focus groups. Participants consisted of marketing personnel and customers. Three lead/head social media marketing personnel participated in the interview process, 14 marketing personnel took the online survey and 4 participated in a focus group. Participants for the online survey also consisted of 40 customers who were connected through the internet and performed various online banking activities. Data was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Data from the online surveys completed by customers was analysed quantitatively using descriptive analysis, structural equation modelling (SEM) and factor analysis which was performed on the brand loyalty variables and the brand loyalty measures. Content analysis was used to qualitatively analyse data from the structured interviews. Data from the online surveys completed by marketing personnel was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Findings indicated that social media forms an integral part of the marketing strategy that needs be aligned with the core business goals. Banks therefore need to focus on creating campaigns that are fun, exciting and appealing to the target market. A culture of innovation and new ideas is essential to grow the product/service. Building brand trust and creating customer satisfaction forms the core of creating brand loyalty on social media. Banks need to be aware of factors that influence customer brand loyalty and components that influence loyalty on social media in order to measure things that matter through analytical tools so that an actionable strategy can be put in place and implemented.

This study investigated and distinguished between two different aspects of trust (i.e. inter-personal and inter-organisationl) in business relationships. Reviewing the extant literature, a model of business relationships was developed, bridging social exchange theory and transaction cost economics, in addition to using some ideas from the resource-based view. This model was built on an overall framework consisting of three main groups of business relationship characteristics, (1) attitudes (inter-personal and inter-organisational trust) (2) behaviours (commitment, information sharing and relationship-specific investments) and (3) outcomes (financial and non-economic (soft) performance). The overall framework suggested that the attitudinal characteristics affect behavioural characteristics, which consequently affect relationship outcomes. Furthermore, the role of the other party’s opportunistic behaviour as an antecedent of trust aspects was suggested in the model. In line with the overall framework, a basic model was developed with sixteen hypotheses. The model was extended considering dependence as a moderator, and suggesting two additional hypotheses.A questionnaire was designed to measure the characteristics in the model. Data collected from 331 informants (i.e. middle or senior managers knowledgeable about supplier relationships) was used to empirically test the model, using structural equation modeling. The analysis was performed testing the model fit and its underlying hypotheses, additionally using a control variable (the relationship length) and multiple-group analysis (controlling for the size of the company). Inter-personal trust and inter-organisational trust were found to be two distinct constructs (by means of implementing several techniques testing discriminant validity). The results supported the impact of inter-personal trust on inter-organisational trust, inter-personal trust impacting on commitment and information sharing while inter-organisational trust impacting on commitment, information sharing and relationship-specific investments (all in a positive way). The positive effect of behavioural characteristics on relationship outcomes was supported, commitment and relationship-specific investment influencing both financial and non-economic performance, while information sharing influencing non-economic performance. Relationship-specific investments impact positively on commitment, and financial performance impacts positively on non-economic performance. The moderating effects were supported; the positive effect of inter-organisational trust on relationship-specific investments and the positive effect of relationship-specific investments on commitment decrease as dependence increases. The negative effect of the other party’s opportunistic behaviour on trust dimensions was found, while its expected negative effect on relationship-specific investments was not supported in the whole sample. A mixture modeling approach was performed to explore this result. The negative effect was supported in a number of responses, as expected. However, surprisingly a positive effect was also found in a group of responses that were characterised by having relatively longer relationships with the supplier and observing a higher degree of opportunistic behaviour. Additionally relationship-specific investments had a stronger effect on its consequences within this group. Potential explanations for the findings with regard to this group were introduced. The research contributions and implications were also discussed.

The retail banking services sector, a key driver for global economic growth, faces drastic challenges, such as globalised competition and continuously changing customer expectations that call for an in-depth understanding of customer switching, particularly in Asia’s emerging markets. Research shows that minor reductions in switching can notably enhance profitability. Yet only insufficient or fragmented research to explain switching exists. For this study titled “A Cross-Cultural Study of Consumer Switching in the Retail Banking Services Sector” at The University of Manchester, completed in September 2014, Frank Siegfried identified the theory of planned behaviour as the most suitable framework, while Singapore served as a test bed in view of its diverse population. A qualitative pilot study was conducted (February to April 2010), consisting of 22 semi-structured interviews, in which a suitable definition of switching and a better understanding about the cross-cultural context of this study were developed. These insights were instrumental in the design of a new theoretical model, built on constructs that had not been combined in a single framework before, applying constructs of the theory of planned behaviour as the foundational framework, and subsequently integrating the concept of past behaviour, selected cultural dimensions from the GLOBE model and four distinct predisposing and precipitating factors. Next, a quantitative study was conducted (January to May 2013) and, after data cleaning, a quasi-representative sample of 1,431 cases was subjected to analysis. For comparability with other studies, both regression analysis (RA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) were performed. Notable results that were consistent in RA and SEM include: Attitude towards switching (attitude) successfully explained switching intention. Subjective norms had a positive effect on attitude, which implied a mediated effect of subjective norms on switching intention. Contradicting the initial hypothesis, a significant effect of perceived behavioural control on switching intention was negative. Past behaviour had a significant, but weak positive effect on attitude and switching intention, as well as an indirect positive effect on switching intention, mediated by attitude. Lack of trust positively affected switching intention. Service failure had a strong positive effect on switching intention, with perceived behavioural control moderating this effect. Performance orientation had a moderately strong effect on perceived behavioural control. High in-group collectivism negatively affected service failure. These results constitute the new Comprehensive Banking Service Switching Model (CBSSM). Interestingly, a large number of constructs and construct paths that played an important role in the literature could not be confirmed as significant contributors to the model. Overall, tests of model fit still showed a significant contribution of the proposed extensions to the foundational model. Weighting the importance of various constructs in a single framework enhances the understanding of switching of retail banking services in Singapore and offers new insights for strategic planning, particularly in the areas of branding, marketing, service operations and human capital management. Theoretical, methodological and managerial implications are discussed in detail.

Effectively integrating technology into classroom instruction presents teachers with several dilemmas about their understanding of how students learn, their approach to designing learning activities, and their conceptualization of their role as teachers (Windschitl, 2002). Using the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model (Koehler & Mishra, 2005, 2009; Mishra & Koehler, 2006) as the conceptual model undergirding the research, this study was designed to build evidence towards establishing the validity and reliability of a measurement instrument employed to assess the technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge teachers utilize, as well as gain an understanding of how this knowledge is affected by teacher beliefs about technology use in classroom practice. Three contextual factors were also investigated, namely leadership support for technology, teaching self-efficacy, and traditional beliefs about children. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was selected for analyzing data gathered in this research design. The relationships among four latent factors and three latent variables were examined using measurement models to determine a final structural model. Results (N = 75) suggest that the TPACK-deep scale has potential as a measure of teachers’ beliefs about their technological, pedagogical, and content knowledge. The findings yielded by the present exploratory study pertain to Design, Exertion, Ethics, and Proficiency—which are considered the four factors of the TPACK-deep scale (Kabakci-Yurdakul et al., 2012). Furthermore, this study’s findings indicate positive predictive relationships between leadership support for technology and teachers’ beliefs about using technology in their classrooms. While positive predictive relationships between teachers’ teaching self-efficacy and their beliefs about technology integration in classroom practice were found, no statistically significant association between teachers’ beliefs about using technology and their traditional beliefs about children could be established for three (Design, Exertion, Ethics) of the four TPACK-deep factors under investigation.

It is generally believed that Business to Business (B2B) e-commerce has a great impact on business performance improvement. Considerable research also shows that another dependent variable, B2B e-commerce success, can be a good overall measure of B2B systems. This paper investigated and examined the impact of several factors, which are either internal or external to the firm on B2B performance improvement and B2B e-commerce success. It is suggested that the various factors affect B2B success through business performance improvement. A research model was developed to test and evaluate these factors. A survey instrument was developed to examine the relationships between these factors and business performance. Survey data was collected online from 143 companies in the U.S.A. and Taiwan where their B2B e-commerce systems were operational for more than 1 year. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) technique was used to assess the measurement and the structural model. Analyses and results of the pooled survey data suggest that the following factors are significant in the B2B e-commerce environments: (a) alignment of business and e-commerce strategy has a positive impact on business performance, (b) strong relationships between the trading partners have a positive influence on business performance, and (c) B2B e-commerce success is significantly influenced by business performance improvements. Thus, firms that seek to implement successful B2B systems should focus on business performance improvements.

Although governments try to create strict policies and regulations to prevent abuses, use of excessive force is still a problem for almost every country including Turkey. This study is intended to help Turkish National Police administrators to understand and prevent police use of excessive force. Studies on police brutality categorize three factors that explain why police officers use excessive force; these are individual, situational and organizational. In addition to brutality theories, job satisfaction literature is examined in this study to understand the use of excessive force. Job satisfaction is found to be related with burnout, turnover, stress, commitment, and performance. The impact of officers' attitude toward the criminal justice system and/or laws has not been tested widely. Police officers attitudes toward human rights laws are examined in this study to measure its impact on attitude toward use of excessive force. A secondary data collected in Turkey are analyzed by structural equation modeling which provides confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and causal relationships between variables. It is found that police officers' attitude toward human rights laws is a significant predictor of their attitudes toward use of excessive force. Job satisfaction and education level are the other significant variables affecting attitude toward use of excessive force. Based on the analyses of findings, educational and policy implications are posed for Turkish police administrators to better understand and prevent police use of excessive force.