The research sought to investigate the Critical Excellence Factors (CEFs) that drive Excellence in banking industry. Moreover, it examines whether customers perceive the service of an excellent bank differently from a less-excellent bank. Three hypotheses were formed then tested through case study and survey strategy (triangulation), within the Saudi banking industry context. The study combines the EFQM excellence model as an internal assessment tool (case studies), with the SERVQUAL gap model for external assessment (questionnaires). Analysing and contrasting the two sets of results allowed the study to achieve its main objective. Based on the empirical work, the study identifies several CEFs that must be carefully considered when driving excellence in banking. These factors were proposed in a generic integrated model for driving Excellence in Banking.

Scotland's Curriculum for Excellence (Scottish Executive 2004) reframes the role of teachers to include responsibility towards children's health, demanding that health and wellbeing be considered ‘across learning'. In legitimating intervention by schools in increasingly personal aspects of children's lives this policy has shifted the boundaries between the state and the child. The thesis explores how different professional and academic discourses of wellbeing are invoked in the context of learning, leading to a critique of the purposes of the policy. Drawing from Ereaut and Whiting (2008) five discursive themes are identified: physical health promotion; social and emotional literacy; care; philosophical discourse of flourishing; and sustainability. Fielding's (2007a) constructs of the ‘person centred learning community' and the ‘high performance learning organisation' are used. The former aligns with a welfare-liberal understanding of learning as valuable personal development supporting wellbeing as flourishing. The latter is underpinned by neo-liberal principles seeking to manipulate emotional wellbeing to raise performance. This distinction between learning for wellbeing, and wellbeing for learning informs the Critical Discourse Analysis. Data is drawn from policy documents, and semi-structured interviews with policy actors and teachers. Analysis demonstrated that the policy overlooks key contributions of education to wellbeing, prioritising discourses of other professional groups. Moreover, health and wellbeing is consistently and repeatedly portrayed as a prerequisite of learning, rather than an outcome of education. This invites the interpretation of a neo-liberal attempt to build human capital by harnessing emotions of children. However, this is tempered by the interviews, where more nuanced representations show how seemingly different discourses can exist alongside each other, demonstrating that there is space in Curriculum for Excellence for an interpretation of learning for human flourishing. The thesis concludes by offering a model demonstrating how discourses of care, physical health promotion and psychology could contribute to education for flourishing.

This dissertation contributes to the literature on resiliency and character strengths. College students (N = 223) were administered questionnaires to determine the hassles they experienced in the last month, as well as their levels of life satisfaction, resiliency, and the four character strengths of Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Gratitude, Humility/Modesty, and Love. Reponses to the Ego Resiliency Scale were used to divide students into the following three groups: resilient, moderate-resilient, and low-resilient. Self-reported levels of life satisfaction, Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Gratitude, Humility/Modesty, and Love were compared across the three groups to determine whether they were significantly related to resiliency. The results indicate that Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence, Gratitude, and Humility/Modesty had a significant relationship with resiliency, but that Love did not. Resilient students' levels of Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence as well as Gratitude were significantly higher than those of low-resilient students. However, resilient students' levels of Humility/Modesty were significantly lower than those of low-resilient students. Although Love was not significantly related to resiliency, the levels of Love for resilient students were relatively higher than those of low-resilient students. Life satisfaction also was significantly related to resiliency. Resilient students' levels of life satisfaction were significantly higher than those of low-resilient students. Gratitude and Love predicted students' levels of life satisfaction. Therefore, Gratitude seems to be the essential character strength related to both resiliency and life satisfaction among college students.

This thesis deals with two related questions. The first relates to a critical inquiry into the processes of curriculum creation and formation within a medical school which has undergone a significant curriculum revision. I explore the notion that such processes can be understood as a form of practice in which the relationship between content and process is held together by what is explored in the thesis as an indivisible, paradoxical tension. Exploring curriculum as a kind of process is a novel approach in a school steeped in the traditions of the natural sciences. The common metaphors for curriculum in this setting refer to blueprints, models, behavioural competencies and objective standards. These are all founded on the belief in an objective observer who can maintain some form of distance between themselves and the subject in question. Issues of method are, therefore, central to my explorations of how we might, instead, locate curriculum in social processes and acts of evaluation involving power relations, conflict and the continuous negotiation of how it is we work together. The paradox of process and content in this way of understanding is that participants in curricular practice are simultaneously forming and being formed by their participation. In this way of thinking, it makes no sense to say one can either “step back” to “reflect” on their participation or that there is a way to approach participation “objectively.” The other question I address in this thesis has to do with the emergence of excellence. By emergence, I refer to thinking in the complexity sciences which attempts to explain phenomena which have a coherence which cannot be planned for or known in advance. “Excellence” is a kind of idealization which has no meaning until it is taken up and “functionalized” within specific settings and situations. In the setting of participating in curriculum formation, excellence may be understood as one possible outcome of persisting engagement and continuous inquiry which itself influences the ongoing conversation of how excellence is recognized and understood. In other words, excellence emerges in social processes as a theme simultaneously shaping and being shaped by curricular practice. This research was initiated as a result of a mandate to establish a program which could demonstrate excellence in the area of relationships in health care. The magnitude of this mandate felt overwhelming at the time and raised a lot of anxiety. I found that the traditional thinking regarding participation in organizational change processes (which, within my setting, could be understood as “set your goal and work backwards”) did not satisfactorily account for the uncertainties and surprises of working with colleagues to create something new. The method of inquiry can be read as another example of a process / content paradox through which my findings regarding curriculum and excellence emerged. This method involved taking narratives from my experience as an educator and clinician and a participant in varied forms of curricular processes and inquiring into them further by both locating them within relevant discourses from sociology, medical education and organizational studies and also sharing them with peers in my doctoral program as well as colleagues from my local setting. This method led to an inquiry and series of findings which was substantively different from my starting point. This movement in thinking offers another demonstration of an emergent methodology in which original findings are “discovered” through the course of inquiry. These findings continue to affect my practice and my approach to inquiry within the setting of medical education. The original contributions to thinking in medical education occur in several ways. One is in the demonstration of a research method which takes my own original experience seriously and seeks to challenge taken for granted assumptions about a separation of process and content, instead exploring the implications of understanding these in a relation of paradox. By locating my work within social processes of engagement and recognition, I explore the possibility that excellence can also be understood as an emergent property of interaction which is under continuous negotiation which itself forms the basis for further recognition and exploration of “excellence.” The social processes which shape and are shaped by “excellence” are fundamental to the practice of curriculum itself. Both curricula and “excellence” emerge within the interactions of people with a stake in the desired outcomes as the product of continued involvement and consideration of ongoing experience. Finally, a process view of medical education is presented as a contribution to understanding the work of training physicians who are comfortable with the uncertainties and contingencies involved in the humane care of their patients.

Abstract Background The organisations actions are continuing to be disconnected from Earth system research and to what level organisations have an impact, if all to minimize risk of collapse of Earth systems are unknown (Whiteman etl al 2013) this is the problem this paper is seeking to address. By connecting organizations sustainability work with Earth boundaries research by developing the Swedish SIQ business excellence model. Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop SIQ model so it contains what is necessary to identify organizations impact on Earth 9 boundaries.  Method A qualitative research method has been used and the analysis has been done by using the Planetary Boundaries research and top-down & bottom-up perspective as a lens to identify problem, solution and to analyse the SIQ model, then data has been collected by literature studies. Results The result chapter is the presentation of a model than show the relation between the Earth system and boundaries. This is followed by the analysis of the SIQ model that suggest main development needs in the environmental management criteria. The development should incorporate a top-down & bottom-up perspective in order to effectively consider external criteria’s such as Earth boundaries in the management of the organization at management and activity level. Discussion For organisations to consider external factors such as Earth boundaries the SIQ criteria’s and goals has to interact. And by interacting Earth boundaries with the SIQ model the gap between organizations and environmental science are reduces. By reducing this gap the organizations activities can contribute to minimize the degradation on Earth systems and risk for collapse / Bakgrund Företagens aktiviteter fortsätter att vara särkopplade från vetenskapen om Jordens globala system och till vilken utsträckning företagen motverkar kollaps av Jordens system är oklart (Whiteman et al. 2014) och det är denna utmaning som denna uppsats söker att utforska genom att koppla företagens hållbarhetsarbete med Jordens 9 gränser genom at utveckla SIQ modellen. Syfte Syfte med denna uppsats är att utveckla SIQ modellen så den innehåller det som krävs för att företagen skall identifiera sin inverkan på Jordens 9 gränser. Metod En kvalitativ metod har använts och för att analysera har gjorts genom att använda Jordens 9 gränser och top-down/bottom-up perspektivet som lins för att identifiera problem, lösningar och analysen av SIQ modellen och datainsamlingen har gjorts genom litteraturstudier. Resultat Resultatkapitlet introducerar en modell som visar samverkan mellan Jordens system och 9 gränser ner till företagen aktiviteter. Modellen följs av analysen av SIQ modellen som visar störst utvecklingspotential i miljöledningskriterierna. Utvecklingen bör samverka med top-down/bottom-up perspektiven för att modellen skall på bästa sätt omhänderta externa faktorer såsom Jordens gränser i styrningen av företagen på överordnad och utförarnivå. Diskussion För att företagen skall kunna omhänderta alla externa faktorer såsom Jordens gränser så måste SIQ kriterierna och företagens mål samverka. Genom att integrera Jordens gränser med SIQ modellen så har gapet mellan företagen och miljövetenskapen minskats. Genom att minska detta gap kan företagens aktiviteter bidra till att minimera nerbrytningen och risk för kollaps av Jordens system.

Under investigation in this study was the effect of ASE certification of automotive technician training programs and other selected factors on ASE test outcome and job placement rate. This research ponders whether the time and money invested in certifying technician training programs is returning desired improvements in this automobile manufacturer's dealer service staff. The study focussed on technicians employed at Chrysler dealerships around the United States. The 2 samples totalling 387 males between the ages of 22 and 30 were drawn from 1,007 graduates of automotive technician training programs. Technicians that completed a formal training program beyond the high school level certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) were compared to others whose training was not certified by ASE. Comparisons were made on the basis of ASE Automobile Technician Test scores and on the length of time from training program completion to employment. This research sought to identify the significance of association between three main predictors - the status of training program ASE certification, work experience and year of training program completion - and the most desirable levels of ASE test outcome (at or above 90% on the ASE test) and job placement rate (immediately following completion of training). The logistic regression procedure in SAS was used to analyze categorical data in testing the statistical hypotheses. Resulting odds ratios provided indications of significant associations between ASE program certification, technician experience and year of program completion and each of the dependent variables, ASE test outcome and job placement rate. The findings indicated that ASE automotive training program certification status was a significant predictor of ASE test outcome and of job placement rate. Recommendations for further study suggest a look at how technician skill levels affect implementation of the Clean Air Act or dependency on foreign sources of fuel, how training program certification impacts desirable results in industries other than automotive, and how realignment of resources might enhance the performance of training programs already certified.

Este estudo visa analisar a relação entre Aprendizagem Organizacional (AO) e Centro de Excelência (CoE), através de um estudo de caso em uma multinacional do setor de Tecnologia da Informação nos Estados Unidos (matriz) e no Brasil (filial), para validar as seguintes hipóteses: a) AO afeta positivamente CoE; e b) a condição de matriz ou subsidiária afeta a relação entre a AO e CoE. Para a formação de um Centro de Excelência é fundamental ter uma estrutura de Aprendizagem Organizacional efetiva, que promova troca de competências que possam agregar valor para a empresa, e que possibilite que elas sejam compartilhadas entre as unidades da organização. Apesar da importância estratégica desses temas para alavancar a vantagem competitiva das empresas, ainda há poucos estudos na literatura acadêmica que os relacionam, havendo uma lacuna ainda maior quanto à metodologia quantitativa. Sendo assim, foi feito um estudo de caso quantitativo, com o uso de Survey, em que foram analisadas as respostas de 91 funcionários através de equações estruturais, usando o software SmartPLS. Os resultados evidenciam a influência positiva de Aprendizagem Organizacional em Centro de Excelência, sendo que há alguns subprocessos de AO que apresentaram uma alta significância nessa influência. Não foram encontradas evidências que confirmem a moderação da condição de matriz ou subsidiária nessa relação / This study aims to analyze the relationship between Organizational Learning (OL) and Center of Excellence (CoE), through a case study in an information technology multinational in the United States (headquarters) and in Brazil (subsidiary), to validate the following hypotheses: a) OL positively affects CoE; and b) the matrix or subsidiary condition affects the relationship between OL and CoE. In order to form a Center of Excellence, it is essential to have an effective Organizational Learning structure that promotes the exchange of competences that can add value to the company and that allow them to be shared among the units of the organization. Despite the strategic importance of these themes to leverage the competitive advantage of companies, there are still few studies in the academic literature that relate them, and there is an even larger gap regarding quantitative methodology. Thus, a quantitative case study was done using Survey, in which the responses of 91 employees were analyzed through structural equations using the SmartPLS software. The results evidenced the positive influence of Organizational Learning in a Center of Excellence, and there are some subprocesses of OL that presented a high significance in this influence. No evidence was found to confirm the moderation of the condition of matrix or subsidiary in this relation

Este estudo visa analisar a relação entre Aprendizagem Organizacional (AO) e Centro de Excelência (CoE), através de um estudo de caso em uma multinacional do setor de Tecnologia da Informação nos Estados Unidos (matriz) e no Brasil (filial), para validar as seguintes hipóteses: a) AO afeta positivamente CoE; e b) a condição de matriz ou subsidiária afeta a relação entre a AO e CoE. Para a formação de um Centro de Excelência é fundamental ter uma estrutura de Aprendizagem Organizacional efetiva, que promova troca de competências que possam agregar valor para a empresa, e que possibilite que elas sejam compartilhadas entre as unidades da organização. Apesar da importância estratégica desses temas para alavancar a vantagem competitiva das empresas, ainda há poucos estudos na literatura acadêmica que os relacionam, havendo uma lacuna ainda maior quanto à metodologia quantitativa. Sendo assim, foi feito um estudo de caso quantitativo, com o uso de Survey, em que foram analisadas as respostas de 91 funcionários através de equações estruturais, usando o software SmartPLS. Os resultados evidenciam a influência positiva de Aprendizagem Organizacional em Centro de Excelência, sendo que há alguns subprocessos de AO que apresentaram uma alta significância nessa influência. Não foram encontradas evidências que confirmem a moderação da condição de matriz ou subsidiária nessa relação / This study aims to analyze the relationship between Organizational Learning (OL) and Center of Excellence (CoE), through a case study in an information technology multinational in the United States (headquarters) and in Brazil (subsidiary), to validate the following hypotheses: a) OL positively affects CoE; and b) the matrix or subsidiary condition affects the relationship between OL and CoE. In order to form a Center of Excellence, it is essential to have an effective Organizational Learning structure that promotes the exchange of competences that can add value to the company and that allow them to be shared among the units of the organization. Despite the strategic importance of these themes to leverage the competitive advantage of companies, there are still few studies in the academic literature that relate them, and there is an even larger gap regarding quantitative methodology. Thus, a quantitative case study was done using Survey, in which the responses of 91 employees were analyzed through structural equations using the SmartPLS software. The results evidenced the positive influence of Organizational Learning in a Center of Excellence, and there are some subprocesses of OL that presented a high significance in this influence. No evidence was found to confirm the moderation of the condition of matrix or subsidiary in this relation

Pretende-se averiguar, neste trabalho, a concepção de pensamento, ou inteligência, que os diálogos A República VI e VII e Fédon apresentam. Trata-se de pontuar a partir da análise das questões que envolvem o trabalho cognitivo da alma, mais precisamente os temas sobre o conhecimento, a reminiscência, o método dialético e a apreensão das ideias, a concepção de excelência da racionalidade que o pensamento filosófico sugere. Dada a hipótese de que os diálogos oferecem uma visão de aquisição de superioridade da alma, visão coincidente em muitos aspectos, tem-se a sugestão do pensar nos termos de atividade e de estado igualmente superiores, ou excelentes, no qual se tem a plena realização das capacidades racionais. O cerne da pesquisa consiste em verificar na descrição da atividade filosófica o que caracteriza a inteligência e obter uma compreensão acerca desse trabalho do pensamento em sua máxima capacidade, o qual se desenvolve na busca do conhecimento que possa dizer acerca das questões mais importantes, como o Bem e a imortalidade. / It is intended to investigate, in this paper, the concept of thought, or intelligence that is presented in the dialogues Republic VI and VII and Phaedo. It concerns to point out from the analysis of the issues surrounding the cognitive work of the soul, more precisely the themes about knowledge, the reminiscence, the dialectical method and the apprehension of ideas, the concept of the excellence of rationality that the philosophical thought suggests. Given the hypothesis that the dialogues offer a view on acquisition of superiority of the soul, coinciding view in many aspects, there is the suggestion of thinking in terms of activity and state equally superior or excellent, in which one has the full accomplishment of the rational capacities. The research core consists in verifying the description of philosophical activity which characterizes the intelligence, and acquiring an understanding of this work of the thought in its full capacity, which develops in the pursuit of the knowledge that can tell about the most important issues, such as Good and immortality.

The Excellent Enterprise's successful secret is always an important subject discussed by the enterprise operators and the managerial educational field.The scholars used to mention that the ¡§Intangible Resources " have great influence to the organization, and suggest that the characteristic of successful enterprise should contain soft variable such as culture, leadership and so on. Among them, some of the text books and publication of entrepreneur emphasized that the mission is one of the key factors for organizational management.In the past research of how mission influences organization effectiveness, researcher used interview and statistical analysis as major research methods, however, if we use System Dynamics as another approach of research method to establish the enterprise model could present the process of how mission Influence organization effectiveness more specifically. The merit of System Dynamics Model is that all of organizational issue of the management process is dynamical complexity, non-linearity, however, System Dynamics Model simulation process may help the modeler understand the relationship between system structure and behavior, and the static system feedback diagrams will become dynamical ¡§future laboratory". However, because of the soft variable lacking for specific index and method for measurement, it is still a challenge to put the soft variables in the Enterprise Model. This paper adopt System Dynamic as the research method to study how loyalty for mission of a leader in excellence enterprise influence organizational performance ¡V taking Japanese Matsushita Electricity industrial Ltd. Company as the case company to analyze how the mission loyalty affect the soft variables of organization and produce the indirect influence to the organization. By collecting researches of Excellence Enterprise and information of Matsushita Electric Ltd. Company, we constructed the Matsushita Electric Ltd. Company¡¦s System Dynamics Model, and put the soft variables in to model and run the simulation, find out the relationship between Excellence Mission and organizational performance. By discussing how the leader¡¦s Mission loyalty affects the organizational performance indirectly, we can prove that soft variables in organizational business and the System Dynamics modeling cannot be neglected.