This thesis is an attempt to propose an analytical model for estimating and predicting capability in human networks (i.e. work teams). Capability in this context is the ability to utilise the collective inherent and acquired resources of individuals to complete a given task. The motivation of proposing a method for measuring collective capability of teams is to assist project managers and team builders to allocate and assign “The most capable teams” to a project to maximise the likelihood of success. The review of literature in engineering, human sciences and economics has led to a definition of capability. One of the key findings of this research work is that collective capability can be predicted by: 1. Demographic homophily of members of the team, 2. The diversity of skills that each member brings to the team, 3. The past experience or attainments of the members, and 4. The strength of relationship amongst the members of the team. The influence of the four predictors of capability is investigated through the design of empirical surveys conducted among postgraduate students over a period of 2 years. The data collected from the surveys are used to assess the correlation between the predictors and the dependent variable using standard statistical methods. The conclusions of the study confirm that there are positive and significant relationships between the independent predictors and collective capability of project teams. The demographic homophily of the individuals in team and their instrumental (task related) relationships’ strength become the two most effective predictors which have the highest effect on the collective capability of a team as a whole. The skills diversity of the members in a group and their previous level of attainments/experiences in similar projects were also proved to be effective factors (with lower level of effect) in increasing the capability of the whole team in fulfilling the requirements of a pre-defined project.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-16T14:48:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2591414 bytes, checksum: 7d0876b45145b2d4909efd2ccc9586f4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-04-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / With high degree of breadth on the organisation and interdependence with its processes, the deployment of integrated management systems (ERP Enterprise Resource Planning) is not a simple task. Project management failures, unmet expectations, lengthy deployment deadlines and costs that reach up to five times the value of product licensing itself are among the factors that stimulate the development of research on the organizational consequences of deploying such systems and managerial factors that influence or hinder the success of deployments. It can be seen a predominance of technical focus on the issues inherent in deploying ERP. However, it's growing discontent with the inability of that focus to explain some important aspects in CISS projects. In fact, software development is a complex sociotechnical activity, whose success lies in the collective sense of work teams as to their efficiency and ability to solve problems in joint effort. Accordingly, the focus of research, even in those involving technical and social prospects, has prioritized the technology provider teams performance, or development teams, thus ignoring completely the performance of its counterpart in the success of a deployment the customer team. Working on this subject, Bellini (2006) proposed a conceptual framework, METRICS, for planning, control and evaluation support on the performance of the "CuTe" (customer teams), in implementing customized information systems software (CISS). The framework was applied in the execution of a major project ERP deployment in southern Brazil, adopting case study and indepth interviews with analysts, developers and users-keys (lead users) from the system. Considering the relevance of this discussion, the demand for validation of theoretical models, the calling to methodological diversity in the field and regional differences that may interfere in this validation, this dissertation seeks answer to question: the METRICS framework members constructs are verifiable from the construction of cognitive maps of professionals engaged in CISS projects in Brazilian Northeast? Aiming, therefore, to obtain empirical evidence that contribute to a new and original assessment of the original theoretical constructs and nomological networks contained within the framework. Data collection to answer the research question was enlighted by the theory of personal constructs and repertory grid method, integrated with laddering techniques and content analysis, applied on interviews with 16 professionals involved in CISS projects, while the outcomes were discussed from the socio-technical perspective of work systems. With 68 measures empirically verified, 77.3% METRICS framework found backing in professional practice of individuals engaged in CISS projects in the Brazilian states of Bahia, Paraíba and Pernambuco. Discussion of conceptual and theoretical results suggests METRICS framework s actuality, as well as its suitability for broader research on professional management and IT teams. / Com elevado grau de abrangência sobre a organização e interdependência com seus processos, a implantação de sistemas integrados de gestão (ERP enterprise resource planning) não é tarefa simples. Falhas de gestão de projetos, expectativas não atendidas, longos prazos de implantação e custos que alcançam até cinco vezes o valor de licenciamento do produto em si estão entre os fatores que estimulam o desenvolvimento de pesquisas sobre as consequências organizacionais da implantação de tais sistemas e os fatores gerenciais que influenciam ou dificultam o sucesso das implantações. Observa-se predominância de enfoque técnico sobre as questões inerentes à implantação ERP. No entanto, é crescente o descontentamento com a incapacidade desse enfoque em explicar alguns aspectos importantes em projetos. De fato, o desenvolvimento de software é uma complexa atividade sociotécnica, cujo sucesso reside no senso coletivo das equipes de trabalho quanto à sua eficiência e capacidade de resolver problemas em esforço conjunto. Nesse sentido, verifica-se que o foco das pesquisas, mesmo aquelas envolvendo as perspectivas técnica e social, tem priorizado o desempenho das equipes provedoras de tecnologia, ou equipes de desenvolvimento, assim ignorando quase por completo o desempenho de sua contraparte no sucesso de implantações a equipe-cliente. Trabalhando sobre essa temática, Bellini (2006) propôs o framework conceitual METRICS para apoio ao planejamento, controle, avaliação e registro do desempenho de equipes-clientes (CuTes customer teams) em projetos de desenvolvimento de sistemas de informação customizados (CISS). O framework foi aplicado na execução de um grande projeto de implantação ERP na Região Sul do Brasil, adotando estudo de caso e entrevistas em profundidade com analistas, desenvolvedores e usuários-chaves (lead users) do sistema. Considerando a relevância dessa discussão, a demanda por validação de modelos teóricos, o chamado à diversidade metodológica no campo e diferenças regionais que possam interferir nessa validação a presente dissertação busca resposta à seguinte questão de pesquisa: Os construtos do framework METRICS são verificáveis a partir da construção de mapas cognitivos de profissionais de TI atuantes em projetos CISS no Nordeste? Objetiva-se, portanto, obter evidências empíricas que contribuam para uma nova e original validação dos construtos e redes nomológicas daquele framework. A obtenção dos dados para resposta à questão de pesquisa se deu à luz da teoria dos construtos pessoais e do método repertory grid integrado a técnicas de laddering e análise de conteúdo, com aplicação em entrevistas com 16 profissionais de TI atuantes em projetos CISS, e os resultados foram discutidos sob a perspectiva sociotécnica dos sistemas de trabalho. Com 68 medidas verificadas empiricamente, 77,3% do framework METRICS encontrou respaldo na prática profissional de indivíduos engajados em projetos CISS nos estados da Bahia, Paraíba e Pernambuco. Os resultados sugerem a atualidade conceitual e aplicada do framework METRICS em projetos CISS, bem como sua adequação para a realização de pesquisas mais abrangentes sobre gestão de profissionais e equipes de TI.

The purpose of the current research was to determine whether goal-setting as motivational work theory influences productivity and the productivity measurement and enhancement system (ProMES) as a human resource intervention that provides feedback improves productivity in an Angolan female handball team after the implementation. Motivation and productivity are important to the success of a sports organisation. Goal-setting theory was formulated on the premise that conscious goals affect action. The ProMES approach offers a method for measuring action results, in other words team productivity, which takes this feature of typical team settings into account. Each participant completed a questionnaire toolkit and the results showed that when athletes are task oriented and collectivist they believe in goal-setting and productivity improves. The ProMES process itself, with its participative aspects and process of role clarifying and expectations can successfully be used within the sports industry. This research also reaffirms the relationship between motivation and productivity. / Business Management / M. Admin. (Business Management)

The purpose of the current research was to determine whether goal-setting as motivational work theory influences productivity and the productivity measurement and enhancement system (ProMES) as a human resource intervention that provides feedback improves productivity in an Angolan female handball team after the implementation. Motivation and productivity are important to the success of a sports organisation. Goal-setting theory was formulated on the premise that conscious goals affect action. The ProMES approach offers a method for measuring action results, in other words team productivity, which takes this feature of typical team settings into account. Each participant completed a questionnaire toolkit and the results showed that when athletes are task oriented and collectivist they believe in goal-setting and productivity improves. The ProMES process itself, with its participative aspects and process of role clarifying and expectations can successfully be used within the sports industry. This research also reaffirms the relationship between motivation and productivity. / Business Management / M. Admin. (Business Management)