Increased global competition is forcing organizations to increase their use of group decision making today. Computerized group decision support aids (CGDSAs) are being developed to improve the efficiency of these groups and to improve decision quality. Even though the use of CGDSAs has increased, very little research has been done on the evaluation of CGDSAs. The purpose of this research was to develop a model-based generalized methodology for CGDSA evaluation from the user's perspective. Two models were developed as a foundation for the CGDSA evaluation methodology. The first model was a model of group decision making and the second model was a model of computer-aided group decision making. The group decision making model was based upon a basic input-output model with the problem as the input and the selected alternative as the output. Analogous to how problems are viewed in terms of classical design of experiments, independent variables affect the outcome (problem solution the dependent variable) of the decision making process. As in design of experiments, independent variables are either noise variables or control variables. In the model presented, the independent variables are further divided into four categories (internal, external, process, and problem) in the group decision making model as a way to help develop an exhaustive list of independent variables affecting the decision making process. The generalized methodology for CGDSA evaluation mapped directly to the computer-aided group decision making model. Solution quality is measured directly or by measuring independent variables that have been previously been correlated to solution quality using standard design of experiment techniques. The generalized methodology for CGDSA evaluation was applied to the assessment of ConsensusBuilder, an example of a CGDSA. As prescribed by the CGDSA evaluation methodology, usability was also assessed and practical use considerations were followed when designing the evaluation. The value of the ConsensusBuilder evaluation for this research was that it was possible to perform a thorough evaluation of ConsensusBuilder, a CGDSA, using the CGDSA Evaluation Methodology developed in this research. In addition to the ConsensusBuilder evaluation, six different CGDSA evaluations cited in the literature were assessed in terms of the CGDSA evaluation methodology. / Graduation date: 2002

Thesis (M.A. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2004.

The importance of human resource development as a means of ensuring that the organisation and institution maintain their competitiveness cannot be over-emphasised. Training and development of employees are critical to organisations, because it ensures the acquisition of required skills, which is paramount for the provision of effective service delivery, in particular local sphere of government. The Workplace Skills training that refers to the strategic human resource training and development, aims at developing the workforce, labour skills capacity, thereby achieving the institutional goals, policies and objectives of the institution. The Workplace Skills Plan is the key strategic planning document relating to workplace training, career pathing and employment equity for the Municipality. It details the training planned by a municipality in a given financial year as legislated by the Local Government Sector Education Training Authority (LGSETA). Workplace Skills Plan, through LGSETA, the Skills Development Legislative framework and the Employment Equity Act, makes provision, ensuring that employees in the public service should enhance their skills in order to deliver effective services to its customers, the public. For quality and effective service delivery at the Nigel Local Municipality to take place, the implementation of the Workplace Skills training is imperative for the enhancement of a skill workforce that will be able to ensure that the customer is satisfied with the product and service rendered by the employees. / Thesis (M. Development and Management)--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2009.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 416-460).

This qualitative study investigated the urgent need for business and public schools to design a comprehensive system for preparing all students for a technological workplace, while giving them the necessary academic foundation for functioning effectively in a work environment. Businesses and communities need to participate with schools, regardless of where the schools are located. Schools, businesses and communities must explore and work together to create new methods for supporting technology in schools and in the workplace. The interviewees who participated in the study consisted of 21 teachers and administrators from four high schools located within four districts in San Antonio, Texas. Two of the high schools were located in southern San Antonio and were classified as lower socioeconomic institutions. The other two high schools were located in northern San Antonio and were classified as upper socioeconomic institutions. Also, seven business leaders were interviewed from (1) grocery, (2) San Antonio city government, (3) military, (4) large retail chain, (5) technology organization and business, (6) telecommunications, and (7) a youth-oriented organization. The major conclusions of the study were that businesses believe that a skill-deficient workplace hampers economic growth and productivity, and a knowledge-deficient high school graduate limits his or her opportunities for an extended academic experience. Few businesses in San Antonio supported or contributed to technology competencies in the selected schools in San Antonio by participating in curriculum development or as partnerships within the schools. All teachers had a high level of understanding about the importance of technology competencies for students. Furthermore, they believed that teachers and administrators must have a well-organized and fluid technology training program that will help integration of technology into the curriculum. Schools within the lower socioeconomic classification did not have many opportunities for training or access to technology; therefore, the teachers did not have the opportunity for building their competencies. In comparison, the schools located in northern San Antonio had more than adequate opportunities for training and access to technology. Educational, business, and community organizations must be concerned with all aspects of student learning and their ability to utilize technology. It is not enough to supply hardware and software to schools.

<p>Syftet med denna uppsats är att utifrån Försvarsmaktens regelverk och policys gällande personalhantering se om de krav som ålderkategorin <em>80-talisten</em> ställer på en framtida arbetsgivare, överrensstämmer med de rådande arbetsförhållanden som finns inom Försvarsmakten utifrån dess styrande dokument.</p><p> Uppsatsen bygger på tidigare forskning om åldersgenerationen från 80-talet. Mot 80-talisten ställs de styrande dokument som gäller Försvarsmaktens personalhantering för att på detta vis erhålla en jämförelse som mynnar ut i vilka krav och erbjudande som överrensstämmer mellan organisation och individ. Maslows behovspyramid används till att förklara de olika behoven av ersättningar. Uppsatsen är en kvalitativ teoretisk studie.</p><p> Slutsatserna av uppsatsens analys är att Försvarsmaktens arbetsförhållande överrensstämmer bra med vad 80-talisten vill erhålla av en framtida arbetsgivare. För att Försvarsmakten skall vara en optimal arbetsgivare för 80-talisten krävs mer individualiserad lönesättning, planering och genomförande av arbetstid samt att anställningsformen bör ses över så att rörlighet inom organisationen blir lättare. Om dessa punkter förbättras kommer organisationen bättre möjliggöra för 80-talisterna att nå sina mål om personlig utveckling.</p> / <p>The aim of this thesis is to on the basis of Swedish Armed Forces regulations and policies (applicable personnel management) see if the needs of the generation Y (people born 1978-1990) set on a future employer broadly, complies with the prevailing working conditions that exist within the Swedish Armed Forces in terms of its governing documents.<strong><em></em></strong></p><p>The essay builds on previous research on so called the generation Y. The governing documents relating to  Swedish Armed Forces personnel management is used to obtain a comparison between the requirements and offer, to see what that correspond between the organization and individual is. Maslow’s theory of needs is used to explain the differing needs of allowances. The essay is a qualitative theoretical study.</p><p>The conclusion of the paper’s analysis is that the offers of Swedish Armed Forces, correspond well with the generation Y´s demands in a future employer. To optimizing the Swedish Armed Forces as an employer requires individualized wage setting, planning and implementation of working time and working arrangements should be reviewed to allow movement within the organization easier. If these points are improved in the organization, achieves the generation Y its personal development.</p>

This research was initiated due to the novelty of the topic. Humor is a common phenomenon in the daily interaction of many people; however this study is particularly interested in humor as used by managers. As a preconception to the study it was assumed that appropriately used humor results in benefits for a leader, thus we wish to explore how managers in Swedish organizations reason about if and how humor can be used as a management tool. For this purpose we employed qualitative research with semi-structured interviewing method. The subjects for investigation reside in Umeå, northern Swedish town, and are leaders in 8 medium/big sized, private, service companies. The findings of this research suggest that managers often do realize the benefits of using humor and even consider it as a management tool. Our findings furthermore illustrate that the utility of humor to achieve the desired organizational outcomes of reduced stress, group cohesiveness, improved communication, creativity and leadership effectiveness is in fact very situation dependent.  We could also see that our respondents tended to attribute the use of humor to their natural skills as they reason that they rarely use humor on purpose. Interestingly though, our findings showed both that managers were aware of the effects of humor and that they often utilized the benefits of humor. We therefore conclude that humor thus instead is consciously used as the managers often clearly are aware of the beneficial effects that humor brings. However, we do believe that it could be difficult to state to what extent one implements the benefits of humor in practice since humor is, as mentioned by the majority of our respondents, simply a part of their personality. We think that one of the most important things that this study can contribute with would be to inform the reader that it is acceptable and OK to use humor also as a manager or a leader. People do not have to be less serious or effective because they have fun at work. On the contrary there are instead many benefits with humor that our research shows and if implemented, humor could contribute to make the workplace more pleasant.

The aim of this study was to investigate how a workplace should be formed to promote health according to the employees. The study was made in IKEA handla hemma in Älmhult, Sweden. The aim of the study was to find out why people experience health at their workplace environment, from a salutogenetic point of view. The study is based on 12 strategically selected interviews and where analysed according to Grounded Theory. This resulted in a model where the core category was “The prevailing spirit of the organisation” and the five main categories was “That the organisation creates favourable conditions to promote health”, “That there is a god atmosphere amongst the colleagues and the bosses”, “The personal point of view about health”, “The relationship to goals and responsibility” and “The personal point of view about their surroundings”. The result shows that it’s important to look upon health in its entirety. Health isn’t stronger than its weakest point. The findings should work as a guide in the on going work with the employees at IKEA handla hemma. For the future it would be interesting to do a study in a workplace with worse health and then compare them with each other.

Syftet med denna uppsats är att utifrån Försvarsmaktens regelverk och policys gällande personalhantering se om de krav som ålderkategorin 80-talisten ställer på en framtida arbetsgivare, överrensstämmer med de rådande arbetsförhållanden som finns inom Försvarsmakten utifrån dess styrande dokument.  Uppsatsen bygger på tidigare forskning om åldersgenerationen från 80-talet. Mot 80-talisten ställs de styrande dokument som gäller Försvarsmaktens personalhantering för att på detta vis erhålla en jämförelse som mynnar ut i vilka krav och erbjudande som överrensstämmer mellan organisation och individ. Maslows behovspyramid används till att förklara de olika behoven av ersättningar. Uppsatsen är en kvalitativ teoretisk studie.  Slutsatserna av uppsatsens analys är att Försvarsmaktens arbetsförhållande överrensstämmer bra med vad 80-talisten vill erhålla av en framtida arbetsgivare. För att Försvarsmakten skall vara en optimal arbetsgivare för 80-talisten krävs mer individualiserad lönesättning, planering och genomförande av arbetstid samt att anställningsformen bör ses över så att rörlighet inom organisationen blir lättare. Om dessa punkter förbättras kommer organisationen bättre möjliggöra för 80-talisterna att nå sina mål om personlig utveckling. / The aim of this thesis is to on the basis of Swedish Armed Forces regulations and policies (applicable personnel management) see if the needs of the generation Y (people born 1978-1990) set on a future employer broadly, complies with the prevailing working conditions that exist within the Swedish Armed Forces in terms of its governing documents. The essay builds on previous research on so called the generation Y. The governing documents relating to  Swedish Armed Forces personnel management is used to obtain a comparison between the requirements and offer, to see what that correspond between the organization and individual is. Maslow’s theory of needs is used to explain the differing needs of allowances. The essay is a qualitative theoretical study. The conclusion of the paper’s analysis is that the offers of Swedish Armed Forces, correspond well with the generation Y´s demands in a future employer. To optimizing the Swedish Armed Forces as an employer requires individualized wage setting, planning and implementation of working time and working arrangements should be reviewed to allow movement within the organization easier. If these points are improved in the organization, achieves the generation Y its personal development.

This case study aims to find out what characterizes the Brazilian company Semco and the Swedish company Freys hotels as private owned democratic companies, and whether the mechanisms used to apply and carry on the democratic process are sufficient or not to truly make the workplaces democratic. The way this study is conducted, is by analyzing the definition of workplace democracy and its managerial approaches. To be able to map and study the democratic process in the companies, the authors chose to analyze the parts of the organization that sustain democracy. These parts are structure, information/communication process, individuals and decision-making. The theories applied, are theoretical thoughts and definitions of the managerial approaches (empowerment and participation) used to introduce democracy at the workplace. In addition a political framework for analyzing democracy is used. Five previous studies were also highlighted in the theory chapter, in order to reinforce the authors’ choice of theories and give a broaden understanding of the subject studied in this essay. For analysis, seven hypotheses characterizing a democratic company and the use of workplace democracy were tested. The analysis was carried out using collected primary and secondary data from books, articles, interviews and inquiries with employees from Semco and Freys Hotels. Another interview was conducted with Professor Carl Von Otter at the National Institute for Working Life, who explained the meaning of a democratic corporation. The results show that the hypotheses can be used to describe workplace democracy. However, the managerial approaches are not sufficient to make a company democratic since they can be used in order to restrain employee participation. Participation and involvement should be the basic idea that comes with employment. Another conclusion from the study is that the application and success of workplace democracy depends on the national context.