Thesis (M.P.A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Louisville, 2005. Thesis (Ph. D.)--Western Kentucky University, 2005. / University of Louisville, Department of Leadership, Foundations, and Human Resource Education. Western Kentucky University, Department of Educational Administration, Leadership and Research. Vita. "May 2005." Includes bibliographical references (leaves 217-235).

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 2005. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

The purpose of this study is to examine the opinions of elementary schools faculties and folks in Kaohsiung city and Kaohsiung county on the core school-based management balance mode in order to properly promote power and status of elementary schools faculties and folks and elementary education efficiency. This study was conducted by literature analysis and questionnaires survey. The subject of this study is the faculties and folks of the elementary schools located in Kaohsiung city and Kaohsiung county. The data was collected by the self-designed scale of the researcher, and analyzed by the statistic methods of frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and chi-square test. The sampling subjects are 490 school faculties and 160 folks with valid samples of 557. The following conclusions are derived: First, our country has already had the authorized foundation to promote the core school-based management balance mode. Secondly, on the whole, the opinions of elementary schools faculties on the core school-based management balance mode are apparently different owing to the different educational background. Third, the opinions of elementary schools folks on the core school-based management balance mode are not apparently different owing to the different background and environment. Forth, the character of core school committee of balance mode is decision-making. The members should include the teacher with administration (including head of office and team leader), the teacher, principal, folks and scholars; in addition, the teacher will possess more seating and be the first one on the allocation of member seating arrangement. Lastly, the study results are analyzed and discussed to provide conclusions and suggestions for the reference of education governing authorities, school administrations and related studies.

The broad purpose of this dissertation is to enhance the quality of managerial decisions through evidence-based management. Specifically, it raises three key questions: What is evidence? What are the attributes of knowledge that can facilitate informed decision making? How can such knowledge be generated? To answer these questions this thesis proposes a theory of evidence, suggesting that the strength of evidence is contingent upon its methodological fit, contextuality, transparency, replicability, and consensus. A model of evidence-based decision making is offered that explores how managers’ judgment, experience, and personal values along with the values of other stakeholders, contextual factors, and ethical constraints, may affect the decision process. Moreover, this thesis argues that in order to foster evidence-based management practice we need knowledge that is rigorous, relevant and actionable. To this end, a theory of actionability is proposed, and an empirical study is conducted to determine the attributes of actionable management knowledge. Based on the study, an actionability index is suggested. Evidence that is actionable requires sustainable collaborative effort to produce, curate and communicate. To accomplish that a theory of evidence-based collaboration is proposed. This theory conceives the collaboration as an independent organization that oversees the process of bringing rigour, relevance, and actionability together, and provides an interactive platform for producers, arbiters and users of management knowledge to communicate and collaborate. A template, guided by the theory of collaboration, is designed to produce systematic reviews that are useful for management practice. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

acase@tulane.edu / Introduction: The Home-based Management of Malaria (HMM) is a cornerstone of malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and is recommended by WHO to provide prompt access to antimalarial treatment for children in under-served areas. Although HMM has been shown to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality with chloroquine, it has not been examined previously in the era of artemisinin-based combination therapies. The objectives of this study were to determine whether HMM reduced: 1] the time from when a mother or guardian realized her child was ill to the time when the child was brought for treatment and 2] malaria morbidity in children less than 5 years of age. Methodology: This cross-sectional retrospective study (2008-2014) was performed in intervention villages (receiving HMM) and control villages (not receiving HMM) to examine the effectiveness of HMM. Key Results: More mothers and guardians were informed about the malaria control activities performed (98% vs. 24%) in intervention than control villages (p < 0.001). Consistent with that result, mothers and guardians in intervention villages sought care for their sick children earlier than mothers in control villages (p < 0.001) and were more likely to obtain treatment from community health workers (CHWs) in their home villages. In contrast, more children were referred for malaria treatment to health posts and health centers from control than intervention villages (p < 0.001). Likewise, more children with complicated malaria were referred for treatment from control villages (p < 0.001), although those conclusions were limited by the small numbers of complicated (severe) malaria cases. Conclusions: These results indicate HMM shortens the time mothers wait before taking their children to receive treatment. Because more children with uncomplicated or complicated malaria are referred for treatment from control than intervention villages, these results indicate that the availability of HMM treatment in the child’s home village reduces morbidity (the risk of severe malarial disease). However, additional studies with larger numbers of subjects will be necessary to determine if HMM reduces mortality. / 1 / Ibrahima SECK

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 222-238). Available also in a digital version from Dissertation Abstracts.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2003. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Available also from UMI Company.

Many actors claim results to be at the heart of their operations and to apply the Result-Based Management (RBM) approach in delivering humanitarian assistance, yet few are capable of clearly defining what it means and the long-term effects of this approach. Although seemingly simple from an outsider's perspective, the long-going debate on how to best measure and handle results demonstrate the complexity of the issue. This research examines how the RBM approach can be used by a humanitarian donor and looks specifically at the humanitarian unit (HUM) at Sida's methods for measuring results. It demonstrates that the difficulty in operationalizing ambitious goals and the lack of clarity of objectives hinder HUM from using results management to its full potential, especially when it comes to using the learning component to inform decision-making. The kind of results obtained depended on the reporting mechanisms and the partnership approach used at HUM facilitates the assessment of results; HUM's extensive knowledge of their partner's work is a comparative advantage which is not part of the RBM approach.

With declining wild fisheries and increasing seafood demand from a growing population, attention has turned to aquaculture in general, and shellfish aquaculture in particular, to meet this demand. Aquaculture has grown dramatically in the last twenty years through intensification of operations and the expansion of the industry into new areas. This growth has been associated with environmental degradation and social conflict leading some to question its sustainability. However, those studying the problem point to significant opportunities for sustainable forms of aquaculture by focusing on the cultivation of species such as shellfish and the adoption of ecosystem-based management (EBM). Shellfish aquaculture has a long history in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada with an abundance of coastline and suitable water conditions. There is significant development potential for shellfish aquaculture in B.C., which creates an opportunity to ensure this development occurs in an ecologically sound way through the use of governance approaches like ecosystem-based management. Transitioning from conventional approaches to resource management to an ecosystem-based approach presents several challenges particularly for the management of one sector. This study highlights how an understanding of the industry and the existing governance context can inform the implementation of EBM. The specific research objectives include: (1) to understand the governance system for shellfish aquaculture in B.C.; (2) to understand the shellfish aquaculture industry within the context of EBM; and (3) to explore EBM as an approach to governance in the shellfish aquaculture industry in B.C. The main method of inquiry is a questionnaire survey (October 2006 to February 2008) of the shellfish aquaculture industry. Supporting methods include an analysis of industry data, an in-depth analysis of government documents, policies and regulations, and targeted interviews with federal and provincial government regulators. The empirical knowledge gained through the main research instrument was combined with the contextual knowledge gained through the supporting methods to achieve a more holistic understanding of the case study. The results show that the governance setting for the shellfish aquaculture industry is multi-lateral and the lack of comprehensive and targeted legal instruments, and the ill-use of marine spatial planning and conflicts with other coastal users have together contributed to an inefficient and costly site application process. EBM has the potential to address some of these challenges with the current governance process by making some decisions on an ecosystem-scale as opposed to an application-by-application basis, such as assessing the presence of fish habitat and consulting with stakeholders. The results of the survey of the shellfish aquaculture industry show that the industry is geographically diverse, and understands and values the connection between their business and the large ecosystem. This suggests that the industry may be supportive of EBM. However, the industry faces many economic challenges that may influence their capacity to participate, as such regulators should look towards the use of economic incentives to achieve policy objectives. Although this research provided several recommendations for management and the industry in moving forward with this new approach to governance, three fundamental elements are needed: • marine spatial planning that is integrated within the governance framework; • the integration science and management through adaptive management including an ongoing monitoring framework that informs governance strategies; and, • engaging the industry as active partners in this governance approach through co-management. This research makes significant contribution to understanding the shellfish aquaculture industry in B.C. Prior to this study there was little information available characterizing the structure and socio-economic make-up of the industry. The results of the survey and the in-depth analysis of the governance context for the shellfish aquaculture industry provide a previously unavailable base of information from which to build future studies. In addition this research contributes to the growing body of literature on EBM assessing the potential challenges and opportunities for moving the theoretical concept into practice. / Graduate