The dynamic nature of performance management is a significant issue for organisations. A review of the empirical performance management literature highlights that little research has examined an organisation�s holistic performance management framework. Most prior studies have been partial (i.e., examine various performance management elements), and there is a lack of depth in analysis (because of the short-term nature of many studies). In addition to the few studies that have examined the interconnections between the performance management elements, there has also been a lack of research examining incentive systems (especially at lower levels), target-setting, and performance evaluation. The literature review in this thesis also highlights the diversity in the performance management elements studied, the lack of theoretical development, diversity in who is interviewed and research sites, etc. This diversity in field study research provides a difficult base on which to build a cumulative body of literature (as most studies examine a different research question in a different context). This PhD research examines the overall performance management framework in a large and complex Australasian organisation, Sensol, over a 14 year period. The research is inductive, empirical and interpretative so as to gain a deeper understanding of Sensol�s performance management framework. The narrative highlights the multiple voices that exist in Sensol to illustrate the complexity of performance management at various levels. Otley�s (1999) performance management framework is a useful research tool (e.g., initial data analysis, structuring device). The documentary evidence traces the history and development of Sensol�s performance management framework. The designers� story tells about the sophisticated nature of Sensol�s approach to performance management. In contrast, the business unit managers describe the complexities in operationalising performance management in a complex, diversified and decentralised organisation. The researcher�s story explains the importance of understanding the highly interconnected nature of Sensol�s performance management framework and of understanding the behavioural issues (e.g., intense sibling rivalry, short-termism). It includes the importance of history, context (e.g., hierarchical culture), decentralised structure (e.g., interrelated business units), the trade-offs between financial and social objectives (and signalling effect of weightings), performance measurement issues (e.g., EVA�, scorecard, dominance of EBIT, transfer pricing), the subjectivity of objective setting and performance management processes (e.g., averaging, little differentiation between good and poor performers), problems with the annual incentive scheme (e.g., double dipping, risk and penalties, lack of understanding and line of sight, low trust), strategic programmes (e.g., lack of visibility), target-setting (e.g., conservative targets, impact of capping), and information flows (i.e., poor data, black boxes). The research also highlights the importance of understanding how the formal and informal performance management systems operate. There are considerable differences between the designers� rhetoric on the formal HPMF system (i.e., the intended design), compared to the system in use (e.g., formal and informal systems). This point has been recognised in some prior field studies but is an under-researched area. An understanding of the impact of the background to the performance management literature from classical management theory provides some insights into why the value-based management literature focuses on formal system design control tools, goal congruence, top-down focus, and the universal applicability of their techniques. Ignoring informal systems may be one reason that the traditional control problems remain evident with the new value-based management techniques. A final contribution of this PhD research is to use historical documents to identify how little change there has been over time and how performance management issues keep going around in circles (e.g., lack of accountability, transfer pricing). Some reasons for these circles include that history is lost, complacency, culture, communication issues (e.g., good news, blocking behaviours, standardisation). A feature of Sensol�s performance management framework is how it used EVA� and the balanced scorecard in a complementary manner. However, rather than adopting these new techniques as prescribed by consultants, Sensol built these new techniques onto their existing performance management system. This highlights the importance of understanding the history of an organisation�s performance management framework, so as to understand the reasons for the current design and operation.

Thesis (M.S.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

<p>The biggest field in the recent decade in software development has been a subject known as Agile Development. In Agile development the construction of the software is an iterative process and is done with close contact with the costumer. One of the most well-known agile methods is Extreme Programming, which suggests a number of practices to develop software. One of those practices is test-Driven Development, which is the writing of the test code before you write the actual code. This means that one can test the code after it is finished. This creates an opportunity to change the design of the code and then test it again with your test code and discover if any functionality has been lost. The purpose of refactoring is the improvement of the design of existing code. How refactoring affects the performance is not widely discussed and therefore this thesis is going to examine that field. Code examples with and without refactoring principles have been tested. The investigation has been divided into two parts, part one tests individual refactoring principles and part two tests a test application. There are many opinions how to interpret the results of a performance test. After an extensive investigation the arithmetic mean was chosen, mainly because it reflects the total runtime for a series of executions. To test the hypothesis that total execution time will change with refactoring the Students t-test was used. It was chosen because it can be applied even when the variance is unknown. The results were clear, the arithmetic mean increased in five out of six refactoring principles. The test application also increased, but with only 4 %. The reason for the small increase was that it is not possible to go from a non refactored application to a fully refactored application. Another reason is that is was developed with Swedish Rail Administration’s framework which of course was not refactored. The conclusion of this thesis was that one should be careful with refactoring the parts of the code that is executed the most. One should have the “90-10 rule” in mind, it states that 90 % of the execution time is done in 10 % of the code. Another important aspect is that very often is an existing framework used, if you only refactor the new code and not the framework it leads to that only a subset of the code is being refactored. This means that the application does not get fully refactored and therefore the consequences of the refactoring mitigates.</p>

Many failures of interpersonal communication and coordination in the aircraft cockpit have been found to occur as a result of poor management of flightdeck 'resources'. Crew Resource Management (CRM) is a concept that has evolved within the aviation community to specifically address this issue of resource management. The concept of CRM has necessitated a paradigm shift from individual pilot issues to crew behavior or group-level issues. Despite a decade of research, CRM remains a poorly defined concept. Ongoing research in the field of CRM has led to the development of a few models of CRM and group performance, but although these models provide valuable insight into the issues involved, they fail to present a much needed, coherent theory of crew performance. I believe that the application of the principles of systems engineering can lead to a better definition of the terms and concepts involved in CRM, thereby leading to its better understanding. Using the principles of Structured Analysis and Design Technique (SADT) and IDEF0, I developed a model of crew performance. By treating the crew as a system, performance was analyzed from a CRM perspective, resulting in a functional model of crew performance which acts as a framework for understanding and integrating the various terms and concepts involved in CRM, such as mental models and situation awareness. The model was then applied towards analyzing two aircraft accidents representative of "good" and "bad" CRM. The model is potentially useful in developing objective measures of crew performance so as to enable the establishment of CRM standards for evaluation. A comprehensive representation of crew performance, it can be applied to analyzing aircraft accidents and incidents. It is also potentially useful as an instructional aid in the development of training programs for CRM instructors and check airmen, and in the design of flightdecks. / Graduation date: 1995

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Physical activity (PA) is a critical determinant of long term health and is necessary for the prevention of youth onsetadult diseases. It is recommended that all youth accumulate at least 60+ min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) most days of the week in bouts lasting at least 10 min. PURPOSE: To evaluate the PA patterns of Missoula youth in order to make better recommendations for PA interventions for a wellness policy. METHODS: 324 elementary and middle school students from 5 schools wore accelerometers on their wrists for 5 days. The data were converted to activity energy expenditure (AEE) and also evaluated for single min and bouts of activity lasting at least 10 min of MVPA daily, in- versus out-of-school, and during sport, physical education (PE), and recess. Grade and gender differences were also assessed. RESULTS: The data show better than national averages in daily min of MVPA, with 70% of all students meeting the recommendation in 10 min bouts. Students showed low levels of MVPA during PE, recess, and sport. Sport was responsible for the highest accumulation of MVPA, followed by recess and then PE in both 1 and 10 min bouts. There was a drop in MVPA in both genders as grade level increased (both in and out of school), with more MVPA in single and 10 min bouts occurring out of school than in school. Males showed higher levels of MVPA than females during PE in 1 min bouts, recess in 1 and 10 min bouts, and in school in 1 and 10 min bouts. When scaled for body weight, genders did not differ in AEE. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest an overall healthy youth PA environment in Missoula. However, the 30% of students not meeting the recommendations for health in 10 min bouts are still of concern. Interventions could focus on encouraging slight increases of MVPA during PE, sport, and recess, especially at the middle school level. Increasing out of school MVPA is also necessary to make the biggest impact due to already overburdened school systems.

The purpose of the guide is to describe the steps in designing, implementing, and evaluating a cardiovascular health program for middle school students, called CATCH Fridays, and to create a guide for others who wish to replicate the program at their school.

INTRODUCTION: Interval training intensities are typically based on percentages of VO2max, heart rate max, or lactate threshold. Interval training based on current race pace has not been evaluated. PURPOSE: This study examined intervals at 95% VO2peak compared to race pace intervals on VO2peak, ventilatory threshold, time trial performance, peak power output, and vertical jump height in recreationally active subjects. METHODS: 34 subjects were randomly assigned to one of four training groups (TM-95%, Cycle-95%, TM-RP, Cycle-RP). Pre- and post- study, all subjects performed a ramped protocol test to exhaustion on a treadmill or electronically braked cycle ergometer for determination of VO2peak and ventilatory threshold and a 2.5 mile treadmill time trial or a 20 kilometer cycle time trial. The training intervention for the 95% groups was 4 x 4 minute intervals at 95% of VO2peak with 2 minute rest periods. The RP groups performed intervals with 2 minute rest periods at speeds 1% faster than their average time trial speed and increased 2% each week. All groups were matched for total work in ml/kg/min. Lab controlled interval sessions were three times per week for eight weeks. A-priori contrasts (1 tailed, dependent) were used to evaluate changes by interval type, mode of training, and gender. A two-way mixed design ANOVAs (time by group) were calculated to measure between group interactions (alpha p < 0.05). Results are presented as mean ± standard error (SE). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between any of the four groups from pre to post in all dependent variables. However within groups, all subjects significantly improved in VO2peak, VT, time trial performance, and vertical jump height. No group was significantly able to increase peak power output. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that RP intervals were just as effective at improving VO2peak, ventilatory threshold, and time trial performance as 95%VO2peak intervals independent of gender and exercise mode. These data provide athletes with another option for training. Further research is needed to evaluate race pace intervals efficacy on physiological function, performance, and long term use.

The focus of previous running research has been on physiological determinates of performance utilizing small sample sizes and short time frames with little regard to previous training methods. PURPOSE: The goal of this research was to describe, compare, and evaluate the relationships between anthropometric, run training, and ancillary training variables during the 2008 season and performance of male finishers at the NCAA Division I cross country championship 10k race. METHODOLOGY: An online survey was created based on previous research and all coaches who had male runners finish the 2008 NCAA championship race were asked to include their athletes in the online survey. 42 out of 252 runners (17%) completed the survey. RESULTS: Runners with better pre-college 1600 meter (r = 0.37) and 3200 meter (r = 0.32) track times ran faster at the championship race. A composite of these pre-college times was the best significant (p < 0.05) predictor of performance (adj. r2 = 0.12). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed an increased number of core training sessions during the peak period and form/drill sessions during the transition period also were significant (p < 0.05) predictors of slower 10k finish time. Threshold training during the peak period was a significant (p <0.05) predictor of 10k finish time (adj r2 = 0.07) when compared only to run-training variables. Evidence of the training principles of progressive overload, periodization, specialization, and tapering were evident in the data. CONCLUSION: Recruiting faster runners is important for college coaches to have successful teams. Due to a low number of significant (p < 0.05) findings, there is no single best training method when training for the 10k race although excessive ancillary training can hinder rest and hurt run-training and race performance while threshold training during the peak period can lead to overtraining and slower performance times at the NCAA championship 10k race. Optimal performance in the NCAA cross country championship 10k race is dependent on coaches who can recruit faster runners and best integrate all training methods into each period and the entire season specific for his/her athletes.

Hotter environments can often alter the normal exercises responses of metabolism and work performance compared to exercise in a more neutral condition. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of a hot (H) and room temperature (RT) environment on glycogen resynthesis during recovery from exercise. Recreationally active males (n = 9) completed two trials, each with 60-min of cycling exercise at 60% of maximum watts in a temperature-controlled chamber (32.6°C), followed by 4 hours of recovery at the same temperature (H) or 22.2°C (RT). Subjects were fed a carbohydrate beverage (1.8 g/kg bodyweight) at 0 and 2 hours post-exercise. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis at 0, 2, and 4 hours post-exercise for analysis of muscle glycogen. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 120, 150, 180, and 240 minutes of recovery for glucose and insulin analysis. Ambient and core temperatures were monitored for the duration of the trial. Expired gas was collected prior to 2- and 4-hour biopsies for calculation of whole-body carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation. Glycogen, core temperature, CHO oxidation, and blood marker values were analyzed using two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Average core temperature was significantly higher in H compared to RT (38.1°C ± 0.01° vs. 37.9°C ± 0.08°, p<0.05) during recovery. Glycogen was not different at 0 and 2 hours post-exercise. However, at 4 hours post-exercise muscle glycogen was significantly higher in RT vs. H (105 ± 28 vs. 88 ± 24 mmolkg-1 wet weight, respectively). Blood glucose levels were similar between H and RT for the first two hours, but showed lower values (p<0.05) in RT compared to H at time points 150, 180, and 240 minutes post-exercise. CHO oxidation during recovery was higher in H compared to RT (0.36 ± 0.04 g/min vs. 0.22 ± 0.03 g/min, respectively, p<0.05), with greater CHO oxidation at 4-hours post-exercise in both trials. Glycogen resynthesis during recovery is impaired in a hot environment, likely due to increased oxidation of CHO instead of synthesis.

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a growing health concern among American Indian populations. Many behavioral risk factors for T2DM are influenced by the family unit. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of certain parent/guardian variables on youth type 2 diabetes risk factors. Methods: The parents/guardians of 10-14 year old Northern Plains American Indian youth (n=37) were surveyed regarding their knowledge for physical activity and nutrition, support behaviors for physical activity and nutrition in their youth, and their individual physical activity and nutrition behaviors. Youth variables including physical activity behavior, dietary behavior, and body mass index percentile-for-age (BMI %ile) were also collected. Results: Higher levels of parent/guardian physical activity support were correlated with higher youth BMI %ile (r= 0.433, p=0.013). Parent/guardian nutrition support was also significantly correlated with higher youth BMI %ile as well (r=0.406, p=0.021). Parent/guardian physical activity support and nutrition support were not significantly correlated (p>0.05) with youth physical activity behavior or dietary behavior. Parent/guardian knowledge about physical activity and nutrition was not associated with youth physical activity, youth dietary intake, or youth BMI %ile. Parent/guardian nutrition behaviors and physical activity behaviors were also not significantly correlated with youth physical activity, dietary intake, or BMI %ile. Discussion: The results for parent/guardian support to be associated with higher youth BMI %ile were unexpected and deserve attention in future research to evaluate the motivating forces behind parent/guardian support of youth physical activity and nutrition. Although parents/guardians have an influential role in the lives of adolescents, this role did not translate broadly to measurable outcomes concerning T2DM risk factors for the 10-14 year old Northern Plains American Indian youth in the study. While this study was not conclusive regarding the influence of parent/guardian factors on youth disease risk factors, this topic merits further research in light of the increasing incidence of T2DM among American Indian youth.