The Group Mentoring Programme which is the subject of this evaluative research was developed and implemented under the auspices of the Australian Library and Information Association by the author and a colleague. The main aim of the Programme was to facilitate the transition of new graduates in librarianship into the profession. The objectives of the research were: (1) to conduct an impact evaluation of the Programme; (2) to explore and develop the conceptual and theoretical bases of mentoring; and (3) to identify sources of stress anticipated and experienced by new graduates in their transition into the profession. This evaluative research represents the first report in the research literature to date in which a group mentoring programme of this kind has been evaluated using a quasi-experimental research design. The population comprised all graduates in librarianship from the two Western Australian universities offering these courses in 1996. Subjects in the experimental group were self-selected, and the remainder of the population made up the comparison group. (This was divided into two groups - those who did not have a current mentor, and those who had a current mentor.) Data were collected by means of pre- and post-test questionnaires, and analysed by multiple regression analysis. The main outcome variable was measured by Hall's Professionalism Scale, a validated measuring instrument. Results indicated that the Group Mentoring Programme was effective in only one of the five domains of professionalism as measured by this scale (that is, in having a sense of 'calling' to the field). This suggested that a group mentoring programme, by itself, is not a sufficient strategy for new graduates to attain a professional identity. A four-stage model of mentoring as continuing professional development is suggested as a strategy for teaching professionalism in a more formal, ++ / structured way. Results also showed that career-development outcomes were significantly higher in the Group Mentoring participants than in the two comparison groups, indicating that group mentoring is an effective career development strategy in the first year of such a programme. The concept of mentoring is extended to include group mentoring, which incorporates the essential characteristics of mentoring; it is also suggested that group mentoring includes the potential for practising three forms of mentoring relationships: individual, peer and co-mentoring. Two broad areas for future research are suggested: longitudinal studies examining the outcomes of group mentoring, and studies extending the theoretical and conceptual bases of group mentoring.

The diploma thesis focuses on brand development of a chosen company in Olomouc, a sweet and coffee shop called Zmrzlinárium Café Centro, that specializes in fabrication and sale of ice cream. On theoretical bases this thesis analyses outside and inside environment of the coffee shop and evaluates its current situation. Analysing competitors, customers, suppliers and suplements, there is defined the brand positioning on the market of coffee shops and sweet shops in Olomouc and surrounding area. Analysing brand identity there are detected competitive and risk areas in the field of further development of the brand, which are then incorporated into proposals of solving the brand concept in order to support its competitiveness in future.

Thesis (MA(Psychology))-University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.

This thesis deals with the problematics of brand development of a chosen business, which is pizza and burger manufactory and delivery Comics Pizza & Burgers in Brno. The thesis is divided into three parts. The theoretical part defines theoretical bases which serve to create a brand development strategy. The analytical part follows, based on the findings in the theoretical part and a methodical outline. This part first describes basic business data, which is followed by an analysis of the inner and outer business environment as well as an assessment of the current business situation from the market, clientele, and competition standpoints. These analyses serve to evaluate the newly researched information and to create the designs found in the final part of the thesis.

Diploma thesis is focused on the brand building proces of the retail chain with sports equipment Decathlon. Appropriate theoretical concepts for brand development and for identification of competition are identified in the thesis. On the basis of this knowledge and using the methodology of market and competition analysis, the next part of the thesis analyzes the brand and its position towards competition, the market, as well as the survey of customer perception. The final step is to formulate suitable measures for brand development in the chosen market, which are based on the previous parts of the work.

The Importance of Graphical Symbols in the Region Formation Process: the Case of the Liberec Region The thesis analyzes the role of symbols and graphic symbolism in the process of regional and spatial identity formation in the context of the theory of institutionalization of regions by A. Paasi. The goal of the thesis is to contribute to a scientific discussion of this topic using the example of a specific region - the Liberec Region. In the theoretical part of the thesis, general studies of spatial identities, mainly with regard to creating the symbolic shape of region, are discussed, and the importance of symbolism in forming the region, its spatial identity and power relations is assessed. This section aims to define the key concepts, terms and also types of symbols used in this study. In the research part of thesis, first, the selection of the studied area is justified (region with intensively changed landscape), and, second, its situational analysis is presented, focusing mainly on the social phenomena and elements which could play role of regional symbols. Next, the actual symbolism of the region, as presented in various sources and media, is evaluated. Subsequently, it is compared with the graphic symbols of regional and local institutions, classified and analyzed according to the form...