This is a multi-article dissertation that seeks to address the current state of online teaching evaluation processes in post-secondary institutions. The last two decades have seen a dramatic increase in enrollment in online courses at post-secondary institutions. Unfortunately, evaluating online instructors has been a neglected field of research leaving many post-secondary institutions to develop their own evaluation systems. A deeper analysis of the current practices of online instructor evaluation will help administrators to strengthen their evaluation processes, thereby providing more effective online teaching. The first article is a literature review that explores common practices of post-secondary institutions. By performing an extensive review of the literature, it is clear that very little research has been done to address online instructor evaluation beyond student evaluations. The second article compares different approaches to online instructor evaluation in various post-secondary institutions. By performing interviews with administrators, we found that many institutions are using a variety of types of evaluations and not just student evaluations to evaluate online teaching. The third article is a study that explores how well institutions that utilize a master course model evaluate online teaching competencies. This is done by performing a content analysis of their observational rubrics.

Due to the ongoing globalisation and fast changes within the business environment companies are forced to adapt more quickly to customer needs. Therefore, they depend on reliable suppliers which provide them with the necessary goods and services. As a consequence, finding suitable suppliers is of utmost importance for companies. To be able to choose those suppliers companies need to establish criteria on which basis potential suppliers can be evaluate and select afterwards. Against this background, this master thesis researches the supplier selection process from the end manufacturer’s point of view. Hereby, the focus is laid on theoretical supplier evaluation criteria and methods. Due to the lack of investigations in this branch of industry the authors have chosen the sporting goods manufacturing industry within Sweden and Austria as their field of study. They have been supported in their research by the companies the Arctic City Counting House AB, the ATOMIC Austria GmbH, and the HEAD Sports AG which provided them with the essential empirical data. Keeping the above mentioned fact in the back of one’s mind, the authors deduce the following research question: On which basis and how do manufacturers of sports equipment in Sweden and Austria evaluate and select their suppliers? Within the theoretical part the reader of this thesis first of all gets an overview of supplier-buyer relationships and afterwards is informed about the structure of the supplier selection process, starting with the preparation step, followed by prequalification and evaluation steps and resulting in the final selection and the continuous controlling of the suppliers. In addition, common criteria which are necessary to evaluate suppliers are presented. Furthermore, the reader is provided with an insight into general evaluation models whereby four common theoretical methods are explained in detail (AHP, TCO, DCA, and DEA). Out of this theoretical data a conceptual model was created. The empirical part consists of practical information which was provided by the three researched companies mentioned above through questionnaires and interviews. The analysed data concludes that the evaluation criteria which are given in theory are also used in practice. In addition, it was discovered that a further criteria category is applied within the researched companies. The values of the evaluation criteria depend on the goals of the respective company. The theoretical evaluation models on the other hand are not used by the examined sporting goods manufacturers. All of them use their own methods which are presented in the empirical as well as in the analytical part of this thesis. Finally, this thesis ends with a conclusion and with the answer of the research question. Based on this thesis sporting goods manufacturers get an insight in specific supplier evaluation methods and thus gain the chance to learn how other companies within this industry evaluate and select their suppliers.

<p>Due to the ongoing globalisation and fast changes within the business environment companies are forced to adapt more quickly to customer needs. Therefore, they depend on reliable suppliers which provide them with the necessary goods and services. As a consequence, finding suitable suppliers is of utmost importance for companies. To be able to choose those suppliers companies need to establish criteria on which basis potential suppliers can be evaluate and select afterwards.</p><p>Against this background, this master thesis researches the supplier selection process from the end manufacturer’s point of view. Hereby, the focus is laid on theoretical supplier evaluation criteria and methods. Due to the lack of investigations in this branch of industry the authors have chosen the sporting goods manufacturing industry within Sweden and Austria as their field of study. They have been supported in their research by the companies the Arctic City Counting House AB, the ATOMIC Austria GmbH, and the HEAD Sports AG which provided them with the essential empirical data.</p><p>Keeping the above mentioned fact in the back of one’s mind, the authors deduce the following research question:</p><p>On which basis and how do manufacturers of sports equipment in Sweden and Austria evaluate and select their suppliers?</p><p>Within the theoretical part the reader of this thesis first of all gets an overview of supplier-buyer relationships and afterwards is informed about the structure of the supplier selection process, starting with the preparation step, followed by prequalification and evaluation steps and resulting in the final selection and the continuous controlling of the suppliers. In addition, common criteria which are necessary to evaluate suppliers are presented. Furthermore, the reader is provided with an insight into general evaluation models whereby four common theoretical methods are explained in detail (AHP, TCO, DCA, and DEA). Out of this theoretical data a conceptual model was created.</p><p>The empirical part consists of practical information which was provided by the three researched companies mentioned above through questionnaires and interviews. The analysed data concludes that the evaluation criteria which are given in theory are also used in practice. In addition, it was discovered that a further criteria category is applied within the researched companies. The values of the evaluation criteria depend on the goals of the respective company. The theoretical evaluation models on the other hand are not used by the examined sporting goods manufacturers. All of them use their own methods which are presented in the empirical as well as in the analytical part of this thesis. Finally, this thesis ends with a conclusion and with the answer of the research question.</p><p>Based on this thesis sporting goods manufacturers get an insight in specific supplier evaluation methods and thus gain the chance to learn how other companies within this industry evaluate and select their suppliers.</p>

SUMMARY Key words: sporting event, economic impact and evaluation methods. The object of the work: sporting event’s economic impact’s evaluation methods analysis. Problem (research) question: Is cost – benefit analysis more effective than economic impact analysis evaluating event’s economic impact? Research hypothesis: cost – benefit analysis is more effective than economic impact analysis evaluating event’s economic impact. The purpose of the work: To evaluate sporting event’s economic impact by accomplishing sporting event’s economic impact’s evaluation methods analysis. Tasks of the work: a. To analyze the theoretical aspects of the sporting event’s economic impact’s evaluation. b. To educe sporting event’s economic impact’s evaluation methods. c. To define factors influencing the sporting event’s input and benefit. d. To substantiate sporting event’s economic impact’s evaluation methodology analyzing the European junior track-and-field athletics championship. Conclusions: 1. Sporting event’s economic impact is evaluated by its benefit. According to scientific literature there can be tangible (in terms of money) and intangible benefit. The tangible benefit of sporting event’s economic impact is evaluated using mathematical methods. Intangible benefit isn’t included as denominate in terms of money. 2. There are various economic impact evaluation methods presented in scientific literature. The economic impact analysis methods or cost – benefit analysis is mostly used for... [to full text]

Disertacijoje nagrinėjamos verslo valstybinio reguliavimo rūšies – valstybinio subsidijavimo įtakos verslui problemos bei galimybės padidinti verslo reguliavimo efektyvumą. Pagrindinis tyrimo objektas yra valstybinis subsidijavimas įmonėms, kaip valstybės intervencijos į rinkos funkcionavimą forma. Autoriaus atlikta tyrimo objekto analizė leido nustatyti svarbiausius subsidijų parametrus, lemančius jų įtaką verslui, pasiūlyti naują verslo reguliavimo priemonių vertinimo modelį. Pagrindinis disertacijos tikslas – nustatyti valstybinio subsidijavimo įtaką verslui. Darbe sprendžiami šie pagrindiniai uždaviniai: nustatyti subsidijų poveikiui didžiausią įtaką turinčius parametrus, parengti rekomendacijas subsidijų dydžiui ir formai, kurie leistų siekti didesnio subsidijų efektyvumo, bei suformuluoti pasiūlymus tiek tolimesniems tyrimams, tiek ir verslo reguliavimo priemonių vertinimui. Disertaciją sudaro įvadas, keturi skyriai, rezultatų apibendrinimas, naudotos literatūros, autoriaus publikacijų disertacijos tema sąrašai ir šeši priedai. Įvadiniame skyriuje aptariama tiriamoji problema, darbo aktualumas, aprašomas tyrimų objektas, formuluojamas darbo tikslas bei uždaviniai, aprašoma tyrimų metodika, darbo mokslinis naujumas, darbo rezultatų praktinė reikšmė, ginamieji teiginiai. Įvado pabaigoje pristatomos disertacijos tema autoriaus paskelbtos publikacijos ir pranešimai konferencijose bei disertacijos struktūra. Pirmajame skyriuje analizuojami valstybinio verslo reguliavimo... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The dissertation examines type of state regulation of business – state subsidizing effect on business and possibilities to increase the efficiency of business regulation. The main object of analysis is state subsidising to companies as a form or state intervention to market functioning. The author‘s conducted research object analysis allowed the identification of subsidy parameters influencing the effect on business and propose new model for evaluation of business regulation measures. The main aim of dissertation – determine the effect of state subsidising effect on business. The dissertation addresses following key challenges: determine subsidy parameters having biggest influence on subsidy effect, prepare recommendations for subsidy size and form, that will allow higher effect of subsidy, formulate recommendations and proposals for future research and valuations of business regulation measures. Dissertation consists of an introduction, four chapters, research generalisation, a summary of the literature and the author of publications on the dissertation topic and six annexes. Introductory chapter discusses the research problem, the relevance of research and describes the object of the formulated goal and objectives, describes research methodology, scientific novelty, the results of practical significance. Introductory chapter is concluded with the dissertation author publications and conferences, and the thesis structure. The first chapter is devoted to analysis of the... [to full text]

Os negócios evoluem cada vez mais aceleradamente. Essa expansão está representada pela predisposta valoração de ativos intangíveis em função dos ativos físicos. Mas a principal razão para a avaliação dos intangíveis talvez seja a gestão estratégica desses ativos. Tal desafio levou estudiosos a calcular e a mensurar o valor dos diferentes tipos de ativos intangíveis de uma entidade. Com isso, este trabalho passa a questionar-se sobre quais são os principais métodos de avaliação econômica de ativos intangíveis. Para tanto, o objetivo geral é estudar a mensuração dos ativos intangíveis e seu papel no meio empresarial. O estudo do ativo intangível torna-se fundamental dentro do atual cenário econômico mundial, vista a notória diferença entre o patrimônio contábil e o valor de mercado das empresas. A contabilidade vem se aprofundando, nas últimas décadas, no estudo do ativo intangível. Estudiosos, contadores e investidores têm buscado métodos de incorporar e divulgar, nas demonstrações financeiras, os ativos intangíveis das empresas. A pesquisa divide-se em definição de ativos; referencial teórico relativo aos ativos intangíveis e identificação e análise dos principais métodos de mensuração de ativos intangíveis. / Business is developing faster and faster these days. This expansion is represented by the predisposed valuation of intangible assets in terms of physical assets. But the main reason for the evaluation of intangible assets may be the strategic management of these assets. This challenge made scholars calculate and measure the value of different types of intangible assets of a company. Consequently, the objective of this work is to pose the question: what are the principal methods of economic valuation of intangible assets? The overall goal of this work is to study the measurement of intangible assets and their role in business. The study of intangible assets becomes crucial in the current global economic scenario, given the striking difference between the equity accounting and the market value of companies. In recent decades, accounting has been gathering strength in the study of intangible assets. Scholars, accountants and investors have sought methods to incorporate and report in the financial statements, the intangible assets of companies. The research has two aims: to define the assets, the theoretical framework related to the intangible assets and to identify and analyze the main methods of measurement of intangible assets.

Os negócios evoluem cada vez mais aceleradamente. Essa expansão está representada pela predisposta valoração de ativos intangíveis em função dos ativos físicos. Mas a principal razão para a avaliação dos intangíveis talvez seja a gestão estratégica desses ativos. Tal desafio levou estudiosos a calcular e a mensurar o valor dos diferentes tipos de ativos intangíveis de uma entidade. Com isso, este trabalho passa a questionar-se sobre quais são os principais métodos de avaliação econômica de ativos intangíveis. Para tanto, o objetivo geral é estudar a mensuração dos ativos intangíveis e seu papel no meio empresarial. O estudo do ativo intangível torna-se fundamental dentro do atual cenário econômico mundial, vista a notória diferença entre o patrimônio contábil e o valor de mercado das empresas. A contabilidade vem se aprofundando, nas últimas décadas, no estudo do ativo intangível. Estudiosos, contadores e investidores têm buscado métodos de incorporar e divulgar, nas demonstrações financeiras, os ativos intangíveis das empresas. A pesquisa divide-se em definição de ativos; referencial teórico relativo aos ativos intangíveis e identificação e análise dos principais métodos de mensuração de ativos intangíveis. / Business is developing faster and faster these days. This expansion is represented by the predisposed valuation of intangible assets in terms of physical assets. But the main reason for the evaluation of intangible assets may be the strategic management of these assets. This challenge made scholars calculate and measure the value of different types of intangible assets of a company. Consequently, the objective of this work is to pose the question: what are the principal methods of economic valuation of intangible assets? The overall goal of this work is to study the measurement of intangible assets and their role in business. The study of intangible assets becomes crucial in the current global economic scenario, given the striking difference between the equity accounting and the market value of companies. In recent decades, accounting has been gathering strength in the study of intangible assets. Scholars, accountants and investors have sought methods to incorporate and report in the financial statements, the intangible assets of companies. The research has two aims: to define the assets, the theoretical framework related to the intangible assets and to identify and analyze the main methods of measurement of intangible assets.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-05-08T14:53:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2404865 bytes, checksum: dfd6d135719f4f789d987b0587179d09 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This paper proposes a method for evaluating the progress of Lean Production in companies, taking into account the adherence of the production system evaluated against the ideal model advocated in the literature. This research considered the premise that not all lean practices are universally applicable and that it is sometimes necessary to perform a study of possible modifications to the Lean Production System suits manufacturing organizations. Based on the literature review conducted requirements for a measurement of lean production were detected. Subsequently, various existing methods were analyzed and it was observed that none of them fully met all the requirements. Thus, we developed a new method that would meet the proposed requirements. The proposed method identifies the adequacy of the production system of the Lean Production companies, assesses the implementation of lean practices in the company, examines the relationship of practices to the characteristics of the organization and generates the relative degree of implementation, which corresponds to the current level of implementation of lean practices in the company taking into account the degree of implementation that need to possess her. Then a case study was conducted in an organization in the footwear industry in order to test the applicability of the same. In the case study structured company employees directly linked to the implementation of Lean Production process interviews were conducted. From the case study, it was concluded that the proposed method is suitable for their intended purposes, establishing a relationship between the estimated and the ideal production system model of Lean Production. The method was able to identify the characteristics of the production system analyzed by evaluating lean practices which are necessary and in what degree of implementation. Furthermore, it was found that the method is easy to use and has a good interaction with users. / Este trabalho propõe um método de avaliação do progresso da Produção Enxuta nas empresas, levando em consideração a aderência do sistema produtivo avaliado em relação ao modelo ideal preconizado na literatura. Esta pesquisa considerou a premissa de que nem todas as práticas enxutas são universalmente aplicáveis e que por vezes é necessário realizar um estudo das possíveis modificações para que a Produção Enxuta se adapte ao sistema produtivo das organizações. Com base na revisão da literatura realizada foram detectados requisitos necessários para um método de avaliação da Produção Enxuta. Posteriormente, foram analisados diferentes métodos existentes e foi observado que nenhum deles atendia completamente a todos os requisitos. Assim, foi desenvolvido um novo método que atendesse aos requisitos propostos. O método proposto identifica a adequação do sistema produtivo das empresas à Produção Enxuta, avalia a implementação das práticas enxutas na empresa, analisa a relação das práticas com as características da organização e gera o grau relativo de implementação, o qual corresponde ao grau de implementação atual das práticas enxutas na empresa levando em consideração o grau de implementação que ela necessita possuir. Em seguida foi realizado um estudo de caso em uma organização do setor calçadista a fim de testar a aplicabilidade do mesmo. No estudo de caso foram realizadas entrevistas estruturadas com colaboradores da empresa diretamente ligados ao processo de implementação da Produção Enxuta. A partir do estudo de caso, foi possível concluir que o método proposto é adequado para os seus devidos fins, estabelecendo uma relação entre o sistema produtivo avaliado e o modelo ideal da Produção Enxuta. O método se mostrou capaz de identificar as características do sistema de produção analisado, avaliando quais práticas enxutas são necessárias e em qual grau de implementação. Além disso, foi possível constatar que o método é de fácil utilização e possui uma boa interação com os usuários.

A disfagia orofaríngea é um déficit frequentemente relacionado à consequências graves, como a desidratação, desnutrição, aspiração, pneumonia e morte. A avaliação fonoaudiológica a beira do leito é indicada para a detecção precoce deste distúrbio, no ambiente hospitalar. Geralmente inclui a coleta de informações acerca da dificuldade de deglutição; revisão da história médica; observação do estado clínico atual; avaliação da fala, voz e estruturas orofaciais e; observação do paciente durante os testes de deglutição com diferentes consistências de alimentos. Neste estudo, foi proposta a elaboração e validação de conteúdo do Protocolo Fonoaudiológico de Introdução e Transição da Alimentação por Via Oral para pacientes com risco para disfagia orofaríngea (PITA). Este protocolo visa auxiliar o fonoaudiólogo no gerenciamento clínico da disfagia, durante a fase de introdução e transição da alimentação por via oral na internação. O processo de elaboração e validação de conteúdo do PITA foi conduzido em três fases. A primeira fase baseou-se na fundamentação teórica e avaliação do protocolo-piloto. A segunda fase teve como objetivo a elaboração do PITA, sendo determinadas as definições constitutivas e operacionais de cada variável eleita. A terceira fase, a validação de aparência e conteúdo foi conduzida por meio da análise de treze juízes com expertise na área de estudo. Durante a terceira fase, os juízes foram convidados a avaliar o PITA, por meio de um questionário de validação de aparência e conteúdo. Para a análise das respostas dos juízes foram aceitos os índices de 0,78 para validação de conteúdo dos itens individualmente (IVC-I) e 0,90 para o índice de validação total do protocolo (IVC-T). Como resultado, o PITA foi constituído por vinte e um itens, com suas respectivas definições constitutivas e operacionais. Os resultados da terceira fase foram divididos em duas etapas. Na primeira, após a avaliação dos juízes, houve necessidade de modificar, incluir e excluir algumas variáveis. Na segunda, após repetição da avaliação dos juízes, os índices calculados apresentaram-se adequados, conforme a proposta do estudo, sendo definida a aparência e conteúdo do protocolo final. Assim, o PITA apresenta-se como um protocolo teórico, elaborado com base na literatura científica disponível. Por meio da avaliação de juízes experientes na área de estudo foi possível aperfeiçoar o instrumento e validá-lo em sua aparência e conteúdo. Outras pesquisas são essenciais para a aplicação experimental em larga escala, abrangendo diferentes fonoaudiólogos, pacientes, doenças de base e instituições. Apesar de ser um instrumento de baixo custo e fácil utilização, há ressalvas quanto à sua subjetividade e adverte-se a necessidade de treinamento prévio do examinador para a correta aplicação do instrumento. / Dysphagia is a deficit often related to serious consequences such as dehydration, malnutrition, aspiration, pneumonia, and death. Speech evaluation at bedside is indicated for early detection of this disorder in the hospital. It usually includes collecting information about dysphagia; medical review; current clinical status; assessment of speech, voice, and orofacial structures and; clinical tests with intake of different food textures. In this study, the development and validation of content of the \"Oral Feeding Transition Protocol (OFTP) was proposed. This protocol aims to assist speech pathologists in the clinical management of dysphagia, during the introduction and the transition to oral feeding at hospitals. The process of developing and validating the content of OFTP was conducted in three phases. The first phase provided theoretical background and evaluation of the pilot protocol. The OFTP was elaborated in the second phase, when the constitutive and operational definitions of each chosen variable were determined. The third phase was carried out in order to validate the protocol content. This validation was performed through the analysis of thirteen judges with expertise in dysphagia. During the third phase, the judges were asked to assess the OFTP, through a questionnaire of content validation. For this analysis the following validation indexes were accepted: 0.78 for individual items (IVC-I), and 0.90 for the overall scale (CVI-T). As a result, the OFTP was composed of 21 items, with their respective constitutive and operational definitions. The results of third phase were divided in two stages. In the first stage, after the judges evaluations, it was necessary to modify, add and delete some variables. In the second stage, after a new evaluation of the judges, the calculated indexes demonstrated to be adequate, as proposed by the study, and the final version of the protocol was determined. The OFTP is a theoretical protocol based on the available scientific literature. The evaluation of expert judges improved the tool and validated appearance and content of the protocol. Further research is essential for the experimental application with a large scale, different speech therapists, patients, underlying diseases, and institutions. The OFTP is a low cost instrument, with simple procedures for application. Despite this, there are concerns about its subjectivity; specific training is needed prior to the correct application of the instrument.

Medius is a software company which provides IT-solutions that streamlines and automates business processes. The purpose with this thesis was to investigate the possibility to integrate usability evaluation in the development process of Medius software MediusFlow. How such integration would be done, and which usability evaluation methods could be used. To be able to provide a suggestion, a prestudy was conducted, this in order to get a good overview of Medius as a company as well as the development process of MediusFlow. With the prestudy as a basis, the main study was conducted, and four different usability evaluation methods were chosen. In this study, the four chosen methods were Cognitive Walkthrough, Coaching Method, Consistency Inspection and Question-Asking protocol. These usability evaluation methods were carried out, evaluated and analyzed.  Based on the studies and the literature, a suggestion regarding integration of usability evaluations was made.  The result from this case study was presented as a process chart, where the different phases in Medius software development process are matched together with suiting usability evaluation methods. The relevant phases and their suggested methods: Preparation phase - Cognitive Walkthrough and Coaching Method in combination with Thinking-Aloud and Interviews Hardening phase - Coaching Method in combination with Thinking-Aloud and Interviews, as well as Consistency Inspection Maintenance - Field observation This result is a part of the overall work towards a more user-centered design of the software.