While service and support delivery for youth and families has been a priority within education in Saskatchewan for the past thirty years, educators and schools struggle to respond to the changing and often complex needs of students and families today.<p> The primary purpose of this study was to formulate a conceptual framework to explore the construct of social capital and the variables affecting social capital creation, acquisition and mobility. My secondary purpose was to then use network inquiry to investigate how networks of relations in a school community could be invested in and utilized to increase sources of social capital in an educational context for educators, students and families. As both an interpretive qualitative study and a critical qualitative study, this dissertation used focus groups to explore the experiences and sense-making of 16 participants in an educational setting to answer questions regarding social capital.<p> Having used network inquiry to investigate existing levels of social capital in a school community and the opportunities for social capital growth, the findings affirm the potential of network inquiry to contribute to the discourse on service delivery in schools. Furthermore, by identifying the academic and non-academic variables that contributed to successful collaborative partnerships and the determinants for increased capacity, process is emphasized before outcome, which holds potential for promising practices. Finally, because this study was conducted in an educational context, this may help policy makers to provide a framework to investigate processes for optimum service delivery and to frame educational policies for improved outcomes for youth and families.

While service and support delivery for youth and families has been a priority within education in Saskatchewan for the past thirty years, educators and schools struggle to respond to the changing and often complex needs of students and families today.<p> The primary purpose of this study was to formulate a conceptual framework to explore the construct of social capital and the variables affecting social capital creation, acquisition and mobility. My secondary purpose was to then use network inquiry to investigate how networks of relations in a school community could be invested in and utilized to increase sources of social capital in an educational context for educators, students and families. As both an interpretive qualitative study and a critical qualitative study, this dissertation used focus groups to explore the experiences and sense-making of 16 participants in an educational setting to answer questions regarding social capital.<p> Having used network inquiry to investigate existing levels of social capital in a school community and the opportunities for social capital growth, the findings affirm the potential of network inquiry to contribute to the discourse on service delivery in schools. Furthermore, by identifying the academic and non-academic variables that contributed to successful collaborative partnerships and the determinants for increased capacity, process is emphasized before outcome, which holds potential for promising practices. Finally, because this study was conducted in an educational context, this may help policy makers to provide a framework to investigate processes for optimum service delivery and to frame educational policies for improved outcomes for youth and families.

A community coalition is a formal alliance of organisations, groups and agencies that have come together for a common goal. Collaborative partnerships between the health professionals and the communities they serve have received attention as a strategy for achieving health gain and are spreading globally. This partnership approach has a potential for a synergistic maximization of impact and has been advocated as a means to increase citizen participation and ownership among under-privileged groups. Despite the popular appeal and theoretical promise of this approach, the precise domains that need to be fostered by the stakeholders to implement this complex model remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the characteristics and perceptions of the CPs' stakeholders as regards the structural characteristics and operational parameters of the partnerships, as well as the correlates of effectiveness and impact for each participant group. Of particular interest was to identify the characteristics which enable partnerships to fulfill their organizational tasks and goals, regardless of the scope or complexity of purpose. The five CPs were located across South Africa and aimed at Health Professions Education reforms. Quantitative data was collected from 668 coalition members and qualitative data from 46 strategic participants. The partnerships' documents were also scrutinized and ample participant observations were undertaken. The data was then pooled and the comparison groups were constructed: the professionals, comprising of staff from the academic institutions and the health service providers, the community members and the full-time paid employees of the partnerships, the core staff. The analyses of the partner's opinions and views as well as the predictors of accomplishment of diverse stakeholders hold lessons for managers concerned with health coalitions. Generally, training and development seem to be the main thrust of the partnerships' missions. The observation is that clarity of roles, procedures and responsibilities is imperative. Clarity requires transparency to each others agendas. Although there was an under-representation of the youth, there seemed to exist a mixture of various levels of satisfaction in the partnerships, with the community members in need for more sense of ownership. The findings also point to that consultation in decision making seem to be lacking with unilateral decision making taking place. This might lead to power struggles and hidden agendas between the partners that could hamper the advancement of the partnerships. Explanation of why stakeholders are satisfied or committed or what explains their views on effectiveness and activity levels of their partnerships may inform efforts in other settings. With diverse partners, it is important to be somewhat cautious in the consideration of the stakeholders engaged in these collaborative efforts. Partners working together need not be considered homogenous entities. The groups come from different backgrounds, organizations and cultures. The attitude to be created in collaborative interventions is one of a clear understanding that embraces the different origins and aspirations of the stakeholders and recognises the mutual roles, responsibilities, resources and limits. Only by paying due attention to their individual values and weaving it into a common vision can the partnership process be taken forward.

Abstract Kongsberg Automotive (KA), a first- and second-tier supplier to some of the largest automotive manufactures, has acknowledged the need to enhance their competitiveness and to collaborate within the supply chain. In order to do this, KA must improve the current business processes by establishing long term relationships with their suppliers. Today, KA face a high level of inventory, which has resulted substantial amount of tied up capital and inefficient processes. Therefore, this study will evaluate KA’s and three chosen suppliers’ possibilities and the effects that a vendor managed inventory (VMI) partnership will imply. VMI is a concept within supply chain management, where the supplier is fully responsible for managing the customer’s inventory level. To achieve this, the supplier is given access to sensitive information of the customer’s inventory level and demand and can, thereby, replenish the customer’s stock when needed. Although, some firms have embraced the concept with success, others have retreated forcefully. To fulfil the purpose of this study, we have done a broad literature review regarding VMI and performance measurements, as well as, organisational structures and information sharing in collaborative partnerships. Further, to better understand the implementation and effects of VMI, a benchmarking study was made at Volvo Powertrain in Skövde, an early VMI pioneer. In addition to the thorough study of KA’s processes, field visits were made at the suppliers’ to visualize their material and information flow in order to examine in what areas VMI would have an impact. The conclusion of this study is that a VMI strategy, in supplement with a consignment stock policy, is possible for KA. However, issues concerning responsibilities and ownership have become apparent throughout the study that needs to be agreed upon. Further, the study indicates that the benefits from a VMI implementation will be greater for KA, than for the suppliers. Specifically, a reduction in inventory value can be attained by KA, while the suppliers only can obtain minor improvements within the areas of inventory, production, and order processing. On the other hand, the suppliers will face drawbacks, mainly in their order processing, which will result in increased costs. However, we advice KA to further discuss and test the VMI and consignment stock strategy in a pilot project in order to find the right solution for the company and the suppliers.

<p>Abstract</p><p>Kongsberg Automotive (KA), a first- and second-tier supplier to some of the largest</p><p>automotive manufactures, has acknowledged the need to enhance their competitiveness</p><p>and to collaborate within the supply chain. In order to do this, KA must improve the</p><p>current business processes by establishing long term relationships with their suppliers.</p><p>Today, KA face a high level of inventory, which has resulted substantial amount of tied</p><p>up capital and inefficient processes. Therefore, this study will evaluate KA’s and three</p><p>chosen suppliers’ possibilities and the effects that a vendor managed inventory (VMI)</p><p>partnership will imply.</p><p>VMI is a concept within supply chain management, where the supplier is fully responsible</p><p>for managing the customer’s inventory level. To achieve this, the supplier is given</p><p>access to sensitive information of the customer’s inventory level and demand and can,</p><p>thereby, replenish the customer’s stock when needed. Although, some firms have embraced</p><p>the concept with success, others have retreated forcefully.</p><p>To fulfil the purpose of this study, we have done a broad literature review regarding</p><p>VMI and performance measurements, as well as, organisational structures and information</p><p>sharing in collaborative partnerships. Further, to better understand the implementation</p><p>and effects of VMI, a benchmarking study was made at Volvo Powertrain in</p><p>Skövde, an early VMI pioneer. In addition to the thorough study of KA’s processes,</p><p>field visits were made at the suppliers’ to visualize their material and information flow in</p><p>order to examine in what areas VMI would have an impact.</p><p>The conclusion of this study is that a VMI strategy, in supplement with a consignment</p><p>stock policy, is possible for KA. However, issues concerning responsibilities and ownership</p><p>have become apparent throughout the study that needs to be agreed upon. Further,</p><p>the study indicates that the benefits from a VMI implementation will be greater for KA,</p><p>than for the suppliers. Specifically, a reduction in inventory value can be attained by KA,</p><p>while the suppliers only can obtain minor improvements within the areas of inventory,</p><p>production, and order processing. On the other hand, the suppliers will face drawbacks,</p><p>mainly in their order processing, which will result in increased costs. However, we advice</p><p>KA to further discuss and test the VMI and consignment stock strategy in a pilot</p><p>project in order to find the right solution for the company and the suppliers.</p>

The aim of this dissertation is to provide insight into some characteristics of collaborative partnerships in Hungarian teacher education, and to use this as evidence in pointing out the need for a change in current teacher education practices in the preparation of teachers/mentors. The Portfolio brings together accounts of two research projects upon perspectives of collaborative partnerships. Project 'A', Collaborative development of observation strategies in the context of mentor-based teacher education programmes in Hungary investigates the results of a collaborative partnership which originally developed from a successful initiative in ELT. Later, however, the findings proved capable of wider application, producing results at school improvement. Data were gathered mainly from participating mentors' research reports. With the help of qualitative research and analysis the potential benefits of this joint project are highlighted. From the analysis of data particular features of mixed mentor-based programmes emerge which have not been documented in the literature before. Project 'B', Impact Study of a Nation-wide Hungarian Mentor Project in ELT attempts to investigate how the reflective approach to teacher training (See Part I for definition) introduced at the beginning of the nineties changed mentoring in Hungary. Data were gathered from questionnaires. With the help of a survey method it is demonstrated how the Mentor Project affected all the people and institutions involved in the project. The research provides insights not only into the future of mentoring in Hungary, but into the wider implications for mentoring as a whole. Special attention is paid to evaluating the collaboration between participants of the project. The evidence from the data is used for pinpointing areas which require further improvement in the preparation of mentors. The research results of both projects show that work in collaborative partnerships encourages teachers to adopt a self-critical approach to their practice. Also, they clearly point to the need for collaborating with participants of mentor training at all levels. Both projects derived from empirical investigation and they were prompted by the Candidate's continued interest in mentoring and her long experience of working as a mentor/mentor co-ordinator in Hungarian teacher education. They are based on Hungarian experience but throughout all the study parallels are drawn with the international context. Special attention is paid to exploring the origins of Hungarian school-based partnership, as it is believed this is intrinsic to the understanding of the current controversies of university practice-school partnership. It is the Candidate 's conviction that besides preserving some universally valid elements of teacher education models, it is necessary to find ways which are in agreement with and catering for particular local needs. While there is a clear difference in the context and the processes which were necessary to setup the two projects, both of them explored ways for improvement. They were meant to encourage participants of partnerships to establish a basic agreed philosophy, which would create a common ground for working with mentees. Specifically, ways, which on the one hand remain faithful to the past model of the first school-based teacher training institution, and, at the same time, meet the challenges of the future.

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This research focuses on the challenges and opportunities facing local governance agents in advancing an ecosystem approach to conceptualizing and governing community health in Norfolk County, Ontario. Norfolk County is a rural, agriculturally-based community dependent upon tobacco production. This industry has collapsed, triggering widespread socioeconomic impacts and community health pressures. The government is searching for alternative modes of economic development and tensions are high with respect to the direction and nature of these developments. Some citizens are concerned about the security of their rural livelihoods. Others are concerned about ecological integrity. Still others are convinced of the need for aggressive economic growth. Local decision-makers are struggling to meet all of these requirements. An ecosystem approach views health as part of the broader socio-ecological system, recognizing that health outcomes are by-products of complex biophysical, social, political and economic system interactions at nested spatial and temporal scales. The approach contrasts with conventional health models, which tend to be reactionary, narrowly focused, and short-sighted. Such models are typical of the hierarchical, technocratic nature of public administration which renders decision-making structures and processes ill equipped to deal with complex problems. More systemic, integrated, participatory and collaborative approaches to decision-making are needed in order to better address the complexities involved in facilitating healthy and sustainable community development. Additionally, governance agents must also be able to embrace and navigate these evolving approaches to health conceptualization and governance. An investigation into Norfolk County grounds this analysis by revealing the challenges and opportunities facing local governance agents in advancing an ecosystem approach. The case study research effectively tests the utility and feasibility of the ecosystem approach through a qualitative analysis. The research contributes criteria required for advancing an ecosystem approach to community health governance and practice and empirically tests them within the context of Norfolk County.

This research focuses on the challenges and opportunities facing local governance agents in advancing an ecosystem approach to conceptualizing and governing community health in Norfolk County, Ontario. Norfolk County is a rural, agriculturally-based community dependent upon tobacco production. This industry has collapsed, triggering widespread socioeconomic impacts and community health pressures. The government is searching for alternative modes of economic development and tensions are high with respect to the direction and nature of these developments. Some citizens are concerned about the security of their rural livelihoods. Others are concerned about ecological integrity. Still others are convinced of the need for aggressive economic growth. Local decision-makers are struggling to meet all of these requirements. An ecosystem approach views health as part of the broader socio-ecological system, recognizing that health outcomes are by-products of complex biophysical, social, political and economic system interactions at nested spatial and temporal scales. The approach contrasts with conventional health models, which tend to be reactionary, narrowly focused, and short-sighted. Such models are typical of the hierarchical, technocratic nature of public administration which renders decision-making structures and processes ill equipped to deal with complex problems. More systemic, integrated, participatory and collaborative approaches to decision-making are needed in order to better address the complexities involved in facilitating healthy and sustainable community development. Additionally, governance agents must also be able to embrace and navigate these evolving approaches to health conceptualization and governance. An investigation into Norfolk County grounds this analysis by revealing the challenges and opportunities facing local governance agents in advancing an ecosystem approach. The case study research effectively tests the utility and feasibility of the ecosystem approach through a qualitative analysis. The research contributes criteria required for advancing an ecosystem approach to community health governance and practice and empirically tests them within the context of Norfolk County.

Development has always been problematic especially in the mining sector where it often takes place at a rapid pace. Not only is the physical environment influenced but other aspects such as legislation and the relationship between role players are also influenced. The focus of this thesis is tripartite partnership formation between business, local government and the community for sustainable development in the Rustenburg platinum region. In essence the study was about answering the broad question of "how can one improve the chances of setting up a sound foundation, that in turn can lead to a successful, integrated, cooperative and unified partnership in the Rustenburg platinum region?" In an attempt to answer the above, both a theoretical and practical approach was used. Functionalism and the exchange theory were used to set up practical guidelines for successful partnership formation. The thesis also investigated how appropriate these two theories are for the mining industry in South Africa today, i.e. they were validated against the data obtained from the study. In addition, other existing case studies in the mining industry were studied in order to validate the guidelines formulated from the two theories. At a methodological level, expanded qualitative data analyses were applied in a comprehensive manner to ensure a close relationship between empirical data and theory. The empirical data was gathered both by desk research and by in-depth personal interviews. The results of the study produced some models of how a partnership could be structured to function optimally. As part of the results an "ideal" model for the partnership in the Rustenburg platinum region was created and the set of guidelines was ranked according to its importance in the Rustenburg platinum region. Should these guidelines and this model be used the chances of setting up a successful, integrated, cooperative and unified partnership in the Rustenburg platinum region could be significantly increased. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Sociology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2006.