The main aim of this thesis study is to identify the factors that affect higher education students&rsquo / perceptions of computerized assessment for learning. This study additionally aims to help effective use of computers in assessment activities by guiding the teachers or educational organization by interpreting the factors that affect students&rsquo / attitudes toward computer use in examinations. Quantitative research design has been used in this study. When choosing the participants, nonprobability sampling strategy was used due to its convenience. A total number 332 student of Middle East Technical University participated in the study. The data has been analyzed via Confirmatory Factor Analysis and interpreted by Structural Equation Modeling. The data loaded under 5 constructs: Perceived Ease of Use, Perceived Usefulness, Intention, Computer Attitude and Anxiety. By identifying the relations between these constructs, a structural model was created to determine the intention of students&rsquo / towards computerized assessment. The findings of this study have revealed that &ldquo / perceived usefulness&rdquo / is the most important determinant in students&rsquo / willingness to use computerized assessment. Additionally, if students have anxiety resulted from computer use, this affect their easiness perceptions negatively. Computer attitude is another factor that affects students&rsquo / perceptions of easiness and their anxiety. Finally it is concluded that students&rsquo / computer attitudes and anxiety affect their behaviors toward computerized assessment.

This study aimed to examine the role of secondary appraisal of the event, cognitive appraisal of the situation, emotions experienced and coping styles used after a real life stressful event that university students experienced. Five hundred and sixty students (271 females and 289 males) from Middle East Technical University voluntarily participated in the study. A pilot study which consisted of two stages, interviews and survey was conducted before the main study in order to test the appropriateness and applicability of the appraisal and emotion measures. Cognitive Appraisal of the Situation Scale (CASS), Emotions Checklist, Cognitive Appraisal of the Emotion Scale (CAES) and Coping Styles Scale (CSS) were used to assess cognitive appraisals, emotions and coping styles. Stress level, harm/loss and threat appraisals of the stressful events, cognitive appraisal of situation, emotions experienced by the individuals after the stressful event, cognitive appraisal of the emotions and coping strategies used by the participants were the variables used in the structural equation modeling (SEM). The results of the analysis revealed that, problem focused coping was predicted by positive emotions and cognitive iv appraisal of emotion. Emotion focused coping was predicted by negative emotions, stress level and secondary appraisal. The results also yielded that cognitive appraisal of emotion was a moderator variable between positive emotions and problem focused coping. Findings of the research were discussed in the framework of Cognitive Theory of Emotions and Interactional Model of Stress and Coping.

With the advent of knowledge-intensive economies, plus the ever-accelerating development of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), organisational knowledge has become the key driver of an organisation's value and ultimately, an important source of an organisation's sustainable competitive edge. Thus, numerous organisations have started to invest heavily in establishing knowledge management systems (KMSs). Subsequently, they wish to access knowledge from individuals in order to enhance their acquisition of knowledge and ultimately transform this into organisational knowledge. Even though existing research studies have evidenced extensively the intrinsic and extrinsic motivators of individuals' knowledge-sharing behaviour in organisations from diverse perspectives (e.g. organisational behaviour, sociology and psychology), individuals still seem inclined to hoard their knowledge, rather than share it with others in organisations. To this end, this research aims to investigate and identify essential elements related to individuals' knowledge-sharing behaviour within the complex context of the virtual organisation of Taiwanese Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), comprising the whole system of Taiwanese Farmers' Associations, by integrating multilevel perspectives of individuals in organisations (the micro-level), workplace networks in organisations (the meso-level) and organisational culture (the macro-level).

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.

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.

<p>Driven by various benefits, such as authenticity, enjoyment, sustainability, socialization, and uniqueness, peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation has become an increasingly important socio-economic phenomenon. To study this emerging hospitality consumption format systematically and to enhance the understanding of consumers’ motivations, perceptions, and behavioral intentions in the P2P accommodation context, three projects were proposed and completed in this dissertation. These focused on the mechanisms underlying consumers’ perceptions and participation in the world of P2P accommodation. Project I provided a comprehensive overview of how diverse motivators can influence consumers’ satisfaction and loyalty toward P2P accommodation services, following the push and pull theoretical framework. By conducting a meta analysis, Project I revealed that improving push motivators (i.e., psychological and intrinsic motivators) is more important than pull motivators (i.e., cognitive and extrinsic motivators) in enhancing consumers’ satisfaction, re-patronage intentions, and the spreading of positive word-of-mouth interactions. Next, by employing the dual-process theory, Project II comprised a series of three studies to investigate how various types of online reviews (i.e., fact-based versus emotion-based; property-focused versus host-focused) can affect consumers’ consumption decisions pertaining to P2P accommodation. The findings revealed that fact-based reviews result in higher booking intentions due to enhanced trust in the P2P property/host. Moreover, it was found that female consumers exhibit higher booking intentions when they read host-focused reviews. Finally, drawing on the norm activation theory, Project III comprised an investigation into how consumers’ altruistic value versus egoistic value orientations impacted their consumption intentions of sustainable P2P accommodation. Furthermore, by employing both survey and experimental design studies, the underlying mechanism explaining the impacts of various consumption value orientations on behavioral intentions was explored, focusing on booking intentions and willingness-to-pay-more for sustainable green P2P accommodation. Bringing these findings together, this dissertation provides theoretical and practical implications from various perspectives with regard to how consumers’ motivators and perceptions lead to their participation in the P2P accommodation world.</p>

Immigration is a debatable topic, and Sweden offers a unique context due to its long-established liberal immigration policies and recent political shifts, making it an ideal case study for understanding broader European trends. The current study explores changes in public attitudes toward immigrants in Sweden from 2012 to 2020 using data from the final five waves (from 2012 to 2020) of the European Social Survey (ESS). Employing multi-group analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM), this research aims to identify how attitudes have shifted over the study period and to analyze significant demographic (age, gender, domicile) and socioeconomic (income, education) influences on immigration attitudes. The results reveal a shift from generally positive to more negative perceptions, particularly between 2018 and 2020. Older age groups and individuals from rural areas exhibited more negative attitudes, while females generally displayed more positive attitudes than males. Moreover, females with higher education and higher income levels also demonstrate more favorable attitudes. These findings are crucial for policymakers, as they highlight the need for strategies that address demographic influences and suggest specific areas where interventions can help reduce negative views and improve social cohesion.

近年來，大型資料庫的建制與分析逐漸成為一種教育研究趨勢，本研究即以PISA 2003資料庫為例，目的是建立影響數學成就的結構方程式模型。在評閱相關文獻後，研究者採用內在動機、工具性動機、數學焦慮、自我概念與數學成就等變項，探討之間的影響關係模型。此外，為使本研究所建立的模型具有模型穩定之證據，因此，將有效樣本隨機分割為建模樣本與驗證樣本，進行最終模型的交叉驗證。 據此，本研究首先使用描述性統計以瞭解香港學生的整體表現傾向，其次，透過探索性因素分析確立研究問卷的信效度，最後，以結構方程式模型建立模型並交叉驗證。資料蒐集對象為香港十五歲之在學學生，有效樣本達4,389位。 依據統計分析結果顯示，內在動機與工具性動機對數學成就沒有直接影響效果，但是內在動機與工具性動機透過數學焦慮及自我概念對數學成就產生間接影響，本研究歸納出七點結論茲分述如下： 1.工具性動機較內在動機更為強烈 2.數學焦慮在動機與數學成就間扮演中介變項之性質 3.自我概念在動機與數學成就間扮演中介角色 4.自我概念在數學焦慮與數學成就間扮演中介角色 5.在內在動機、工具性動機與數學焦慮中，工具性動機扮演負向壓抑變項角色 6.在內在動機、工具性動機與自我概念中，工具性動機扮演負向壓抑變項角色 最後，根據研究結果提出各項建議，以供教學實務上及未來研究參考。 / Recently, establishing and analyzing databases becomes a trend in the field of education research. This study took PISA 2003 database as an example to create a psychometric model of factors that influence mathematics achievement. Based on the literature review, the researcher decided to put influential factors, including intrinsic motivation, instrumental motivation, mathematics anxiety, self-concept, and mathematics achievement into the model. Afterwards, through cross-validation the present study had verified the model stability. In the aspect of statistic analysis, the descriptive static shows HK students’ general learning tendency. Moreover, the exploratory factor analysis confirmed the reliability and validity of the questionnaires. Lastly, the structural equation modeling(SEM) was used to set structural model. The valid samples were 4,389 15-year-old students. According to the results, intrinsic motivation and instrumental motivation had no direct effect on mathematics achievement and had indirect effect through mathematics anxiety and self-concept. The results were summarized as follows: 1.Students had more instrumental motivation than intrinsic one. 2.Mathematics anxiety was a mediator variable between motivations and mathematics achievement. 3.Self-concept was a mediator variable between intrinsic motivations and mathematics achievement. 4.Self-concept was a mediator variable between mathematics anxiety and mathematics achievement. 5.Instrumental motivation was a negative suppressor variable among intrinsic motivation, instrumental motivation, and mathematics anxiety. 6.Instrumental motivation was a negative suppressor variable among intrinsic motivation, instrumental motivation, and self-concept. Finally, according to the findings, implications and suggestions for teaching of mathematics and future research were discussed.

在急速變遷與多元渾沌的現今，如何轉化複雜且遽增的壓力以提升個體本身的幸福感實屬一重要的議題。本研究主要目的在建立生活壓力、解釋風格與情緒幸福感的結構方程式模型，藉以探討之間的影響關係，進而瞭解解釋風格在這關係中所扮演的中介效果。 本研究以兩組各644位政治大學的大學生為研究對象，採問卷調查法施以生活壓力量表、解釋風格量表及情緒幸福感量表，使用的資料分析方法包括：t考驗、單因子變異數分析、因素分析、及結構方程式模型。本研究以第一組樣本探究不同性別與不同年級在研究變項上的差異，接著，經建構與修正模式後提出最終的關係模式，最後，以第二組樣本驗證最終模式的穩定性。主要結果茲分述如下： 一、在背景變項方面： (一)不同性別與不同年級大學生在「生活壓力」與「解釋風格」上有顯著差 異。 (二)不同性別與不同年級大學生在「情緒幸福感」上未有顯著差異。 二、在結構模式方面： (一)課業壓力、人際壓力對解釋風格有直接正向效果。 (二)課業壓力、人際壓力對情緒幸福感有直接負向效果。 (三)解釋風格對情緒幸福感有直接負向效果。 (四)人際壓力能直接影響情緒幸福感，也能透過解釋風格間接影響情緒幸福感。 (五)解釋風格在課業壓力與情緒幸福感間扮演完全中介變項的角色。 (六)最終模式的交叉驗證具有模式穩定性。 最後，根據研究結果提出建議，供諮商輔導實務及未來研究參考。 / With the rapid change and the multicultural context of the modern society, how to deal with the complicated and hastily increased stress and to promote people’s well-being is an important issue. The main purpose of this study is to construct the structural equation modeling (SEM) of stress, explanatory style, and emotional well-being. By this way, the researcher can explore the relationship among the three variables, and know the mediator variable of explanatory style. The participants were two groups of students at National Chengchi University, and each group included 644 college students. The data was collected by questionnaires, including the stress scale, the explanatory style scale, and the emotional well-being scale. Moreover, the data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, factor analysis, and SEM. The study, firstly, used the first group to explore the differences of gender and grade, and constructed the final structural model after setting and modifying model. Finally, the researcher used the second group to verify the stability of the model. The main results were summarized as follows: About the background variables: 1.Students with different gender and grade were significantly different in the scores of stress and explanatory style. 2.Students with different gender and grade were not significantly different in the scores of emotional well-being. About the structural model: 1.Academic stress and relationship stress had positive influence on explanatory style directly. 2.Academic stress and relationship stress had negative influence on emotional well-being directly. 3.Explanatory style had negative influence on emotional well-being directly. 4.Relationship stress had influence on emotional well-being directly, and it also affected emotional well-being through explanatory style. 5.Explanatory style was a mediator variable between academic stress and emotional well-being. 6.Through the cross-validation, the final structural model was of model stability. Finally, based on the findings of the study, the researcher made some practical strategies for counselor and some suggestions for further studies.

Inserida de maneira central na atualidade está a questão da difusão da tecnologia de informação (TI) em todos os níveis da sociedade. Governos em todo o mundo têm se preocupado com a inclusão de seus países na “economia digital" e investido na construção de infra-estruturas tecnológicas que permitam conectar suas instituições, cidadãos e empresas entre si e com o mercado global. Isso se reflete em um intenso processo de informatização da sociedade, e, especialmente no caso das empresas, se faz necessário para que possam participar deste mercado. Apesar disso, muitos estudos apontam dois aspectos que destoam desse quadro: em primeiro lugar, não se comprovou relação direta entre investimentos realizados em TI e a obtenção de resultados como o aumento da lucratividade ou produtividade empresariais; e, em segundo lugar, muitas empresas, especialmente de micro, pequeno e médio porte encontram-se em posição relativamente atrasada nesse processo. Quanto ao primeiro aspecto, o que tem despontado como principal conclusão dos estudos é o fato de que não importa o quanto se investe em tecnologia, mas sim o como essa tecnologia é utilizada para o efetivo apoio aos processos empresariais. Em relação ao segundo aspecto, o que se aponta é a necessidade de os gestores das empresas terem à sua disposição recursos que possibilitem realizar (a) uma avaliação de como a empresa se encontra em relação ao uso da TI; (b) um correto posicionamento desse uso em relação a outras empresas de mesmo porte e setor e; (c) o conhecimento das alternativas disponíveis para a informatização. Assim, o objetivo principal deste trabalho é o desenvolvimento de uma medida unificada para a avaliação do uso da TI, e que será denominada “grau de informatização". A medida do grau de informatização foi desenvolvida com base em quatro dimensões: infra-estrutura de TI; uso organizacional; gestão de TI; e impactos organizacionais advindos da utilização da TI, tendo como foco específico empresas do setor industrial. O desenvolvimento dessa medida unificada para o “grau de informatização" se insere no contexto maior de um projeto que tem como objetivo a disponibilização de um instrumento para que empresas possam avaliar seus processos de informatização, e, ao mesmo tempo, desenvolver a cultura da avaliação de TI e obter conceitos e conhecimentos necessários para que esse processo possa ser bem sucedido. Esse projeto é denominado “iDigital – Perfil da Empresa Digital" e é realizado em parceria entre a Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo (FIESP), a Fundação Instituto de pesquisas Econômicas (FIPE) e a Faculdade de Economia, Administração e Contabilidade da Universidade de São Paulo (FEA/USP). Para a elaboração da medida, foram selecionadas e analisadas variáveis obtidas em 345 questões apresentadas em um questionário disponibilizado na Internet, e que foram sintetizadas em 66 indicadores que compõem a medida proposta. A amostra final obtida contou com 1.391 empresas, sendo que 830 atenderam os requisitos para o cálculo da medida proposta. Para teste e validação da medida, foi utilizado o modelo de equações estruturais (SEM). A medida atendeu a requisitos de confiabilidade e validade interna, e mostrou ter validade externa ao se confirmarem as proposições de evolução com o porte de empresa, diferenciação por setores empresariais, e inexistência de correlação com os investimentos em TI realizados pelas empresas. / The diffusion of information technology (IT) in all levels of society is central to the context of the new economy. Around the world, governments are investing in the development of a technological infrastructure to make possible to their institutions, citizens and companies to connect among them and to the global market. This need is reflected in an intense process of computerization of the society, and, in the case of commercial companies, it is even necessary to compete. In spite of this, some studies show two facts that are not aligned with this situation: first, there is no proof of a direct causal link between investments in IT and organizational performance; second, it is shown that in many companies this process is delayed, and it is especially the case of small and medium business. In relation to the first fact, the main conclusion of such studies is that it is not the amount invested in IT that matters, but how it is invested and how technology is effectively used to support organizational processes. Relative to the second fact, it is pointed that managers and executives have a need for evaluation instruments that allow them to: (a) evaluate the organizational use they are making of IT; (b) obtain a knowledge of their positioning in relation to other companies; and (c) inform them about possible uses of IT in their companies. So, the main objective of this work is to develop a measure to evaluate the organizational use of IT, that is, a measure of the “computerization level" of industrial firms. The development of this measure was based on four dimensions: IT infrastructure; Organizational Use of IT; IT Management; and IT Impacts, being industrial companies the focus of the research. The development of this measure is inserted into a greater context of a project that aims to make available an evaluation instrument that at the same time allows the evaluation of the companies computerization processes and acts as a mean to disseminate knowledge to executive managers about the possible uses of IT. The development of this measure was done by selecting and analyzing variables obtained in 345 questions presented in a web questionnaire, and that were summarized into 66 indicators. A sample of 1391 companies was obtained, and 830 were effectively used to develop the measure. To test and validate the measure, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed. The final computerization level measure reached reliability and internal validity requirements and showed external validity as initial propositions of being related to size and sector of companies and of not being related to investments in IT were confirmed.