Summary:  Business Administration, Business Process & Supply Chain Management, Degree Project (master), 30 higher education credits, 5FE02E, Spring 2012   Authors:      Mahmudul Islam and Tan Zhu Tutor:           Peter Berling Date:             May, 2012   Keywords: e-procurement, MRO procurement, e-procurement implementation, driving forces of e-procurement, hindering factors of e-procurement   Title: Driving forces and hindering factors of e-procurement adoption for MRO products in Bangladesh and China.    Background: MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations procurement) materials, as time goes by, are now attracting more and more enterprises´ attentions due to their enormous varieties, large quantity and huge cost. The traditional MRO procurement method has the problem of lacking of centralized management, funds, and channels, short of products and information flow. Meanwhile, e-procurement (electronic procurement), due to its advance, has nowadays been introduced to more and more enterprises for procuring mainly MRO materials, which leads to much savings and efficiency.   Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is aiming at throwing light upon two cases: one is BATA shoes in Bangladesh and one is GE aviation group in China, the driving forces and hindrances of their electronic procurement for MRO goods. Thereafter the authors intend to compare both cases according to the empirical findings and draw some future suggestions.   Method: In this thesis, the authors will employ qualitative multiple case studies method in the combination of interview and questionnaires with both cases to create the deep understanding of e-procurement implementation of them.   Results, conclusion: First, the current status of e-procurement implementation for MRO materials will be explained in the within-case analysis. Then, the internal driving forces and hindrances of each case will be thoroughly analysed according to the four sections-perceived benefits, perceived critical success factors, future organizational performance and perceived barriers in the theoretical framework. Finally, the authors will use cross-case analysis comparing both cases´ driving forces and hindrances according to the model, in order to draw systematic future suggestions for BATA shoes in Bangladesh with GE´s successful views.   Future work: The authors find it interesting that in the future if the seller firms´ perspective on e-procurement implementation for MRO materials could be studied.  Also a quantitative study on e-procurement for MRO, its impact on organizational performance would be very interesting subject to focus on.  Moreover, a study in the background of different countries, their cultural influences on e-procurement implementation would also be a suggestion.

Career success has become one of the most central issues in the 21st century as the nature of careers has undergone major changes over the past two decades. The change in perception that has taken place in terms of the nature of work has led to increased uncertainty about career development as a construct and as a practice. Career success has therefore become not only of interest and concern for individuals, but also a priority to organisations as the realisation of employees’ personal goals and success can eventually contribute to the realisation of the organisation’s goals and successes. Therefore the general objective of this study was to explore the experience and conceptualisation of career success among South African executives. This study utilised a qualitative research design with an exploratory approach to investigate executives’ conceptualisation and experience of career success. A non-probability purposive, voluntary sample of 24 participants was drawn from two seperate international financial organisations with offices located in Johannesburg. The data collection process was performed through semi-structured individual interviews and the verbatim transcriptions that were captured from these interviews, were analysed using content analysis. The twelve main themes that were extracted from the interviews are set out as follow: general conceptualisation of career success; executives’ personal meaning associated with career success; transformation of perceptions; future goals of executives; factor’s influencing executives’ career success; personality attributes related to career success; contributing factors to the career success of executives; hindering factors in career success; potential for experiencing turnover intention; consequences of career success; role of the organisation; and prerequisites for career success. It is crucial that organisations be made more aware of the significance of executives’ conceptualisation and experience of career success (as highlighted within this research).This is especially the case when considering future career and succession planning and mapping. Organisations should be familiar with the potential influencing and hindering factors (e.g. lack of opportunities, lack of support, organisational culture, etc.). They should be prepared to address the adverse impact that these factors could have as obstacles to employees and particularly for executives to attain career success. If these hindrances are not addressed it could lead to increased job dissatisfaction and consequently increased turnover intention. They should also be alert to the contributing factors and other factors conducive to career development (e.g. support and buy-in from organisation, or being given challenges and opportunities) that facilitate career success. By providing an environment that helps career development along, the experiece of career success is increased. This can lead to various positive outcomes, such as increased job performance, organisational commitment, employee engagement, career satisfaction and talent retention. Talent retention is particularly important as one can gather from the data collected among the executives. Thus, in order to retain them as valuable employees, it is crucial to address and fulfil their career needs accordingly. / Thesis (MCom (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Career success has become one of the most central issues in the 21st century as the nature of careers has undergone major changes over the past two decades. The change in perception that has taken place in terms of the nature of work has led to increased uncertainty about career development as a construct and as a practice. Career success has therefore become not only of interest and concern for individuals, but also a priority to organisations as the realisation of employees’ personal goals and success can eventually contribute to the realisation of the organisation’s goals and successes. Therefore the general objective of this study was to explore the experience and conceptualisation of career success among South African executives. This study utilised a qualitative research design with an exploratory approach to investigate executives’ conceptualisation and experience of career success. A non-probability purposive, voluntary sample of 24 participants was drawn from two seperate international financial organisations with offices located in Johannesburg. The data collection process was performed through semi-structured individual interviews and the verbatim transcriptions that were captured from these interviews, were analysed using content analysis. The twelve main themes that were extracted from the interviews are set out as follow: general conceptualisation of career success; executives’ personal meaning associated with career success; transformation of perceptions; future goals of executives; factor’s influencing executives’ career success; personality attributes related to career success; contributing factors to the career success of executives; hindering factors in career success; potential for experiencing turnover intention; consequences of career success; role of the organisation; and prerequisites for career success. It is crucial that organisations be made more aware of the significance of executives’ conceptualisation and experience of career success (as highlighted within this research).This is especially the case when considering future career and succession planning and mapping. Organisations should be familiar with the potential influencing and hindering factors (e.g. lack of opportunities, lack of support, organisational culture, etc.). They should be prepared to address the adverse impact that these factors could have as obstacles to employees and particularly for executives to attain career success. If these hindrances are not addressed it could lead to increased job dissatisfaction and consequently increased turnover intention. They should also be alert to the contributing factors and other factors conducive to career development (e.g. support and buy-in from organisation, or being given challenges and opportunities) that facilitate career success. By providing an environment that helps career development along, the experiece of career success is increased. This can lead to various positive outcomes, such as increased job performance, organisational commitment, employee engagement, career satisfaction and talent retention. Talent retention is particularly important as one can gather from the data collected among the executives. Thus, in order to retain them as valuable employees, it is crucial to address and fulfil their career needs accordingly. / Thesis (MCom (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Till akutmottagningen söker patienter i alla åldrar. Akutsjuksköterskan ska ha kunskap om och kunna omhänderta alla patienter som kommer till akutmottagningen. Pediatriska patienter har särskilda behov, deras fysiologi skiljer sig gentemot vuxna och de utgör därför en specifik patientgrupp. De kommunicerar och uttrycker sig inte heller som vuxna och kan redan i tidig ålder ge uttryck för smärta på sina egna sätt. Patientens aktiva deltagande varierar och patienten kan behöva olika former av stöd beroende på var i vårdprocessen de befinner sig. Det finns många faktorer som påverkar ett omhändertagande, både positivt och negativt. Syftet med studien var att belysa främjande och hindrande faktorer vid omhändertagande av barn på somatisk akutmottagning och utformades efter PEO (Population, Exposure, Outcome). Som metod användes en strukturerad litteraturöversikt med systematisk sökmetod. Resultatet av sökningarna i PubMed och Cinahl gav 15 artiklar med mixad ansats som analyserades med integrerad analysmetod. Det framkom sex huvudkategorier. Kommunikation och information med föräldrar som tar upp vikten av en öppen kommunikationsmiljö, informationsöverföring, sjuksköterskors centrala roll för kommunikation och att använda olika informationskällor för att underlätta kommunikationen. Under rubriken “kommunikation med barnet” framkom delaktighet i samtal om vårdprocessen, åldersanpassad kommunikation och information samt kommunikation om smärtupplevelser. Distraktion, smärtlindring, visad omtanke samt vårdmiljö var andra faktorer som visade sig påverka omhändertagandet av barn på somatisk akutmottagning. Slutsatsen från studien indikerar att omhändertagande av barn på somatisk akutmottagning kräver fokus på barnets delaktighet, familjecentrerad vård och kommunikation. Främjande faktorer kring omhändertagande är aktiv kommunikation, åldersanpassad och tillfredsställande information, distraktioner, snabb smärtlindring, anpassade vårdmiljöer samt visad omtanke. Hindrande faktorer är osäkerhet från närstående, lång väntan på smärtlindring och kommunikationssvårigheter. För ett effektivt och tillfredsställande omhändertagande av pediatriska patienter behöver hänsyn tas till de här främjande och hindrande faktorerna. / Patients of all ages come to the emergency department. The emergency specialist nurse must have knowledge of and be able to care for all patients who come to the emergency department. Pediatric patients have special needs, their physiology differs from that of adults and they therefore constitute a specific patient group. They do not communicate and express themselves like adults but can already at an early age express pain in their own ways. The patient's active participation varies and the patient may need different forms of support. There are many factors that affect emergency care, both positive and negative. The purpose of the study was to elucidate promoting and hindering factors in the care of children in somatic emergency departments and was designed according to PEO (population, exposure, outcome). The method used was a structured literature study with a systematic search. The result of the search in Pubmed and Cinahl yielded 15 articles with a mixed approach that were analyzed using an integrated analysis method. Six main categories emerged. Communication and information with parents that address the importance of an open communication environment, information transfer, nurse´s central role in communication and using different sources to facilitate communication. Under the heading "communication with the child", participation in conversations about the care process, age-appropriate communication and information and communication about pain experiences emerged. Distraction, pain relief, caring and care environment were other factors that were found to affect the care of children in somatic emergency departments. The conclusion from the study indicates that caring for acutely ill children requires a focus on the child's participation, family-centered nursing and communication. Promoting factors regarding emergency care are age-appropriate information, distractions, rapid pain relief, adapted care environments and shown consideration. Impeding factors are uncertainty from relatives, long waits for pain relief and communication difficulties. For good emergency care of pediatric patients these promoting and hindering factors need to be taken into account.

Malaria is a major public health problem in under developed countries especially countries undergoing war or conflict due to breakdown of health system and exposure of the vulnerable population through displacement. The knowledge, practice and attitude (KAP) of community members have direct influences on malaria preventive measures. A quantitative, explorative and descriptive study was conducted among rural communities of Mundri East County using interview schedules to ascertain malaria related knowledge, practices and attitude and the common factors hindering the malaria control measures at house hold level. Data were collected from 68 respondents from the randomly selected household through personal interviews using a pre-tested interview schedule which was analysed using the SPSS version 15 computer soft ware program. Most of the respondents demonstrated some understanding of malaria as a disease, its transmission, prevention and treatment, although there is a need to improve this through the preferable and acceptable community channels as well as the methods of accessing the modern and scientifically proved and acceptable methods. Given the relatively moderate acceptability of malaria control measures used by the participants in Mundri East County, there is need to conduct further research on the practical implemented measure including the local herbs used for preventive and treatment of malaria Understanding the factors that inhibits or promotes the malaria control measures at community level is necessary for better planning and implementation of malaria intervention programme, which keeps complex and sensitive matters such as educational background, religious and cultural beliefs, and political affiliations in mind. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

Career success has become one of the most central issues in the 21st century as the nature of careers has undergone major changes over the past two decades. The change in perception that has taken place in terms of the nature of work has led to increased uncertainty about career development as a construct and as a practice. Career success has therefore become not only of interest and concern for individuals, but also a priority to organisations as the realisation of employees’ personal goals and success can eventually contribute to the realisation of the organisation’s goals and successes. Therefore the general objective of this study was to explore the experience and conceptualisation of career success among South African executives. This study utilised a qualitative research design with an exploratory approach to investigate executives’ conceptualisation and experience of career success. A non-probability purposive, voluntary sample of 24 participants was drawn from two seperate international financial organisations with offices located in Johannesburg. The data collection process was performed through semi-structured individual interviews and the verbatim transcriptions that were captured from these interviews, were analysed using content analysis. The twelve main themes that were extracted from the interviews are set out as follow: general conceptualisation of career success; executives’ personal meaning associated with career success; transformation of perceptions; future goals of executives; factor’s influencing executives’ career success; personality attributes related to career success; contributing factors to the career success of executives; hindering factors in career success; potential for experiencing turnover intention; consequences of career success; role of the organisation; and prerequisites for career success. It is crucial that organisations be made more aware of the significance of executives’ conceptualisation and experience of career success (as highlighted within this research).This is especially the case when considering future career and succession planning and mapping. Organisations should be familiar with the potential influencing and hindering factors (e.g. lack of opportunities, lack of support, organisational culture, etc.). They should be prepared to address the adverse impact that these factors could have as obstacles to employees and particularly for executives to attain career success. If these hindrances are not addressed it could lead to increased job dissatisfaction and consequently increased turnover intention. They should also be alert to the contributing factors and other factors conducive to career development (e.g. support and buy-in from organisation, or being given challenges and opportunities) that facilitate career success. By providing an environment that helps career development along, the experiece of career success is increased. This can lead to various positive outcomes, such as increased job performance, organisational commitment, employee engagement, career satisfaction and talent retention. Talent retention is particularly important as one can gather from the data collected among the executives. Thus, in order to retain them as valuable employees, it is crucial to address and fulfil their career needs accordingly. / Thesis (MCom (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Career success has become one of the most central issues in the 21st century as the nature of careers has undergone major changes over the past two decades. The change in perception that has taken place in terms of the nature of work has led to increased uncertainty about career development as a construct and as a practice. Career success has therefore become not only of interest and concern for individuals, but also a priority to organisations as the realisation of employees’ personal goals and success can eventually contribute to the realisation of the organisation’s goals and successes. Therefore the general objective of this study was to explore the experience and conceptualisation of career success among South African executives. This study utilised a qualitative research design with an exploratory approach to investigate executives’ conceptualisation and experience of career success. A non-probability purposive, voluntary sample of 24 participants was drawn from two seperate international financial organisations with offices located in Johannesburg. The data collection process was performed through semi-structured individual interviews and the verbatim transcriptions that were captured from these interviews, were analysed using content analysis. The twelve main themes that were extracted from the interviews are set out as follow: general conceptualisation of career success; executives’ personal meaning associated with career success; transformation of perceptions; future goals of executives; factor’s influencing executives’ career success; personality attributes related to career success; contributing factors to the career success of executives; hindering factors in career success; potential for experiencing turnover intention; consequences of career success; role of the organisation; and prerequisites for career success. It is crucial that organisations be made more aware of the significance of executives’ conceptualisation and experience of career success (as highlighted within this research).This is especially the case when considering future career and succession planning and mapping. Organisations should be familiar with the potential influencing and hindering factors (e.g. lack of opportunities, lack of support, organisational culture, etc.). They should be prepared to address the adverse impact that these factors could have as obstacles to employees and particularly for executives to attain career success. If these hindrances are not addressed it could lead to increased job dissatisfaction and consequently increased turnover intention. They should also be alert to the contributing factors and other factors conducive to career development (e.g. support and buy-in from organisation, or being given challenges and opportunities) that facilitate career success. By providing an environment that helps career development along, the experiece of career success is increased. This can lead to various positive outcomes, such as increased job performance, organisational commitment, employee engagement, career satisfaction and talent retention. Talent retention is particularly important as one can gather from the data collected among the executives. Thus, in order to retain them as valuable employees, it is crucial to address and fulfil their career needs accordingly. / Thesis (MCom (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Malaria is a major public health problem in under developed countries especially countries undergoing war or conflict due to breakdown of health system and exposure of the vulnerable population through displacement. The knowledge, practice and attitude (KAP) of community members have direct influences on malaria preventive measures. A quantitative, explorative and descriptive study was conducted among rural communities of Mundri East County using interview schedules to ascertain malaria related knowledge, practices and attitude and the common factors hindering the malaria control measures at house hold level. Data were collected from 68 respondents from the randomly selected household through personal interviews using a pre-tested interview schedule which was analysed using the SPSS version 15 computer soft ware program. Most of the respondents demonstrated some understanding of malaria as a disease, its transmission, prevention and treatment, although there is a need to improve this through the preferable and acceptable community channels as well as the methods of accessing the modern and scientifically proved and acceptable methods. Given the relatively moderate acceptability of malaria control measures used by the participants in Mundri East County, there is need to conduct further research on the practical implemented measure including the local herbs used for preventive and treatment of malaria Understanding the factors that inhibits or promotes the malaria control measures at community level is necessary for better planning and implementation of malaria intervention programme, which keeps complex and sensitive matters such as educational background, religious and cultural beliefs, and political affiliations in mind. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

No description available.

Objectifs. Les services hospitaliers d’urgence sont souvent engorgés, et les visites pour des raisons de santé mentale (SM) y contribuent particulièrement. Au Québec, les grands utilisateurs de ces services en SM ont contribué en 2014-15 à près de la moitié du volume des visites aux urgences en SM. Or, le recours fréquent aux urgences par les mêmes patients témoigne généralement d'une inadéquation des services offerts à ces derniers. Pour mieux desservir ces patients et améliorer l’efficacité de l’urgence, il est crucial de mieux comprendre les facteurs facilitant ou entravant les services d’urgence dans leur réponse aux besoins des grands utilisateurs de ces services. Cette étude vise ainsi à identifier les facteurs qui facilitent ou entravent l'efficacité des services d'urgence à répondre aux besoins des grands utilisateurs de ces services en SM (3+ visites/année). Méthode. L’étude utilise un devis qualitatif basé sur la méthode d’étude de cas unique; le cas étant une urgence d’un institut universitaire en SM. Les participants provenaient de l’urgence, d’autres services de l’hôpital (ex. : module d’évaluation-liaison) ou étaient des partenaires de l’urgence du territoire (ex. : centres de crise). L'analyse des données a été guidée par un cadre conceptuel composé de quatre catégories de facteurs facilitant ou entravant l’efficacité de l’urgence, reliés au système de santé, à l’organisation des services, aux professionnels de la santé et aux profils des patients. Résultats. Plus d'entraves que de facteurs facilitants ont été relevées, qui étaient principalement liées au système de santé, comme l'indisponibilité des services en SM et la complexité de la gestion des services, ainsi qu'aux profils des patients, comme certains profils cliniques. Les facteurs facilitants étaient surtout liés aux caractéristiques organisationnelles, notamment les innovations implantées à l'urgence ou en partenariat avec l’urgence, bien que globalement peu déployées. Conclusion. En explorant les facteurs pouvant influencer l'efficacité de la réponse aux besoins des patients grands utilisateurs des services d'urgence en SM, cette étude prépare le terrain pour des recherches futures qui examineront et démontreront l'impact de ces facteurs. Cela permettra de mieux comprendre comment optimiser la réponse aux besoins de ces patients. Mots clés : urgence, grands utilisateurs, santé mentale, facteurs facilitants ou entravants, efficacité, réponse aux besoins / Objectives. Hospital emergency departments (ED) are often overcrowded, and mental health (MH) visits contribute particularly to this situation. In Quebec, frequent users of emergency services accounted for nearly half the volume of ED visits for mental health reasons in 2014-15. Frequent recourse to ED by these patients generally reflects the inadequacy of services available to them. To better serve these patients and improve the ED effectiveness, it is crucial to better understand factors that facilitate or hinder ED services in responding to needs of their frequent users. Thus, this study aims to identify facilitators and barriers to ED effectiveness in meeting the needs of high ED users (3+ visits/year) with mental health issues. Method. The study is based on a qualitative investigation, using a single case study method. The case was an emergency at a mental health university institute in a large urban center of Quebec. Participants came from the ED, other hospital departments (e.g., assessment-liaison module), or were partners of the ED in the territory (e.g., crisis centers). Data analyses were guided by a conceptual framework consisting of four categories related to the health care system, organization of services, health care professionals, and patient profiles, with possible facilitating or hindering factors to ED effectiveness subsumed under each category. Results. More barriers than facilitators were identified, most of which were related to the healthcare system (e.g., the unavailability of MH services and the complexity of ED management), but also to patient profiles (e.g., certain clinical characteristics). The facilitators were mainly related to organizational characteristics, notably innovations implemented in, or in partnership with, the ED, although few were deployed overall. Conclusion. By exploring factors that can influence effectiveness in meeting the needs of high ED users, this study sets the scene for future research that would examine and demonstrate the impact of these factors. This will help us to better understand how to optimize the response to these patients' needs. Keywords: emergency department, frequent users, mental health, facilitating or hindering factors, effectiveness, response to needs