This diploma thesis concerns the possibility of increasing productivity and improving business processes using methods and tools of industrial engineering and systems implementation of lean manufacturing in the company Schwan-STABILO ČR, s.r.o. The concept of lean production is known from the 50 of the last century and was first applied to the Japanese automaker Toyota, which due to its production system (Toyota Production System) was able to produce faster, cheaper and above all to a higher standard than its Western competitors. The main objective of this thesis is an analysis of the current state of the process and drafting of the required state of the process so that waste can be eliminated and productivity increased. With the implementation of lean methods and tools of production has been achieved the following improvements: - reduce the number of operators from the current 9 to shift to 5 operators in the shift, - increase the overall efficiency of facilities by more than 10 %, - reduction of machines from an average of 83 minutes to 22 minutes, - reducing the continuous production period of 59 days (74,14 days that for 15 days), - decreasing of the stock material, semi finished products and finished products from 404 790 pieces to 82 350 pieces.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as repercussões da avaliação PMAQ-AB no processo de trabalho das equipes de saúde da família avaliadas. Para abordar esse objeto, utilizou-se como referencial teórico o processo de trabalho em saúde e a avaliação dos serviços de saúde no contexto da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), situando o Programa de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade da Atenção Básica (PMAQ-AB). Trata-se de pesquisa qualitativa, na forma de estudo de caso, realizado no Departamento Regional de Saúde V - Barretos (DRS-V), cuja amostra foi constituída por dez profissionais. As entrevistas foram semiestruturadas e realizadas no local de trabalho. A análise das entrevistas seguiu a análise de conteúdo temática de Bardin. Tomou-se como referência o trabalho e o processo de trabalho, segundo Marx e Gonçalves, e os três elementos que o compõe: objeto, meio e finalidade. O PMAQ-AB apresentou-se como um instrumento capaz de induzir modificações, principalmente, relacionadas ao meio e às tecnologias duras e leve duras como: melhorias na infraestrutura, ampliação da oferta e redistribuição de área. Identificou-se o fortalecimento do trabalho vivo e das tecnologias leves no trabalho da equipe. Os resultados permitiram concluir que ele foi considerado em sua maioria; como uma ferramenta essencial para identificar lacunas no processo de trabalho, induzir reflexões críticas a partir da realidade vivenciada pelas equipes, e contribuiu para melhor organização do processo de trabalho. Os desafios encontrados pelas equipes foram a dificuldade de implantação das Práticas Integrativas e Complementares (PICs), a rotatividade dos profissionais, a falta de apoio institucional, a falta de apoio dos gestores e a carência em ações de educação permanente. Comprova-se neste estudo, algumas fragilidades do PMAQ-AB, como a forte relação entre o instrumento e o repasse de recursos financeiros, a falta de espaços para devolutiva dos dados, e a possibilidade de mascaramento das ações nas equipes. Considera-se que este estudo, pode contribuir para um novo olhar e para o desenvolvimento de novos trabalhos a partir da institucionalização da avaliação nos serviços de saúde, na visão dos avaliados que compõem este processo, e também para validar o instrumento de avaliação PMAQ-AB / The objective of this study was to analyze the repercussions of the PMAQ-AB evaluation in the work process of the family health teams evaluated. In order to approach this object, we use as theoretical reference, the work process in health and the evaluation of health services in the context of Primary Health Care (PHC), placing the Program of Improvement of Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ-AB ). It is a qualitative research, in the form of a case study, carried out in the Regional Health Department V-Barretos (DRS-V), whose sample was constituted by ten professionals, the interviews were semi-structured and performed in the workplace. The analysis of the interviews followed the analysis of the thematic content of Bardin. According to Marx and Gonçalves, and the three elements that compose it: object, means and purpose, PMAQ-AB presented itself as an instrument capable of inducing changes mainly related to the environment and the hard and light technologies such as: infrastructure improvements, supply expansion and area redistribution. We identified the strengthening of living labor and light technologies in the work of the team. The results allowed us to conclude that it was considered mostly as an essential tool to identify gaps in the work process, to induce critical reflections based on the reality experienced by the teams, and to contribute to a better organization of the work process. The challenges encountered by the teams were the difficulty of implementing the Integrative and Complementary Practices (ICPs), the turnover of professionals, lack of institutional support, lack of support from managers and the lack of permanent education actions. In this study, we verified some weaknesses of PMAQ-AB, such as the strong relationship between the instrument and the transfer of financial resources, the lack of spaces for data retrieval, and the possibility of masking the actions in the teams. We believe that this study may contribute to a new look and to the development of new work from the institutionalization of evaluation in the health services, from the view of the evaluators that compose this process and also to validate the PMAQ-AB evaluation instrument

Uma das preocupações fundamentais desta pesquisa foi acompanhar e entender o processo decisório em torno das políticas econômicas que, ao contrário do que muitas vezes se alegou, demonstrou ter uma importância central no Estado brasileiro, em meados do século XIX. A análise dos discursos políticos sobre a moeda e o sistema bancário foi utilizada como ferramentas que ajudassem a entender melhor os consensos temporários sobre as questões econômicas e as posições políticas da elite política imperial. O estudo revelou que as inversões de rumo adotadas pelos parlamentares brasileiros não estavam relacionadas apenas com transformações estruturais centradas nos partidos políticos, o que revelou um quadro mais complexo e dinâmico tanto no campo político, quanto no econômico, do que se costuma supor. Pelo acompanhamento dos debates depreende-se que os projetos saneadores da moeda adotados pela elite política foram sinceros, o que significa dizer que ao enfrentar os problemas econômicos os representantes da nação utilizaram seus conhecimentos para encontrar soluções viáveis aos obstáculos que se apresentavam, nem sempre sendo bem-sucedidos nos resultados obtidos. Portanto, ressaltei que se tratava também de uma história de anseios e frustrações, readequações e sucessos, mas, acima de tudo, das transformações de conceitos econômicos que foram refinados, de posições políticas alternadas e de projetos paulatinamente adaptados. / One of the main concerns of this research was to follow and understand the decision-making process surrounding the economic policies that, contrary to what is often claimed, demonstrated a central role in the Brazilian State in the mid-nineteenth century. The analysis of political speeches on the currency and the banking system has been used as tools to help better understand the temporary consensus on economic issues and the political elite of imperial policy. The study revealed that the reversals of direction taken by Brazilian legislators were not only related to structural transformations centered on political parties, which revealed a more complex and dynamic both in the political field and on the economic, than is commonly supposed. By tracking the discussions it appears that projects correctives currency adopted by the political elite were sincere, which means that the economic problems facing the nation\'s representatives used their expertise to find viable solutions to the obstacles that presented themselves, not always being successful the results. So I pointed out that it was also a story of longing and frustrations, and successes, adjustments, but, above all, the transformations of economic concepts that have been refined, political positions and alternate projects gradually adapted.

Public school choice education policy attempts to create an education marketplace. Although school choice research has focused on the parent role in the school choice process, little is known about parents served by low-performing schools. Following market theory, students attending low-performing schools should be the primary students attempting to use school choice policy to access high performing schools rather than moving to a better school. However, students remain in these low-performing schools. This study took place in Miami-Dade County, which offers a wide variety of school choice options through charter schools, magnet schools, and open-choice schools. This dissertation utilized a mixed-methods design to examine the decision-making process and school choice options utilized by the parents of students served by low-performing elementary schools in Miami-Dade County. Twenty-two semi-structured interviews were conducted with the parents of students served by low-performing schools. Binary logistic regression models were fitted to the data to compare the demographic characteristics, academic achievement and distance from alternative schooling options between transfers and non-transfers. Multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to the data to evaluate how demographic characteristics, distance to transfer school, and transfer school grade influenced the type of school a transfer student chose. A geographic analysis was conducted to determine how many miles students lived from alternative schooling options and the miles transfer students lived away from their transfer school. The findings of the interview data illustrated that parents’ perceived needs are not being adequately addressed by state policy and county programs. The statistical analysis found that students from higher socioeconomic social groups were not more likely to transfer than students from lower socioeconomic social groups. Additionally, students who did transfer were not likely to end up at a high achieving school. The findings of the binary logistic regression demonstrated that transfer students were significantly more likely to live near alternative school options.

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This thesis deals with a detailed analysis of the systems of quality management in a particular company according to EN ISO 9001:2000. The aim of this work is to analyse the system deeply and then focus on how the system could become more effective. In this case the topic was the system of measurement of the customers´satisfaction. In the theoretical part there is the overall view of quality from the historical point of view up to the present. For better understanding of the problem the principles of ISO standards, maintenance of the systems and improvement instruments are mentioned. In the practical part there is the analysis of the particular system of quality management and the process of application of improvement procedures.

This thesis traces the inception and evolution of a combined collaborative action research project and living theory action research project. Six academic staff members attempted to improve our practice of generating locally relevant research in a university psychology clinic. This process impacted not only on the lives of the participants, but facilitated the enactment of the three tasks of universities and so influenced the lives of the student and residential communities to whom we had a responsibility. This thesis explores two research questions that formed the first part of the study, namely: “How can we improve the functioning of Itsoseng Psychology Clinic?” and “How can we increase our research output?” The second part of the study was a self-study action research project in which I examined my attempts to improve my academic practice by inquiring into my practice of facilitating the collaborative action research project as a peer support initiative. In the form of my living theory, this thesis therefore also explored my answers to the questions: “How can I facilitate a peer support research initiative?” and “How can I improve my academic practice through facilitating such an initiative?” I take a macro-level view of the relationship between a university and surrounding communities and discuss within the South African context three discernable mandates or tasks that universities fulfil: teaching, research and community engagement. I discuss the relevance of this study to psychology and specifically university psychology clinics as potential interface between the university and the surrounding community when enacting community engagement as the third academic task. I also discuss the implications of this study to action research methodology and the concept of transformation in emancipatory research. The main argument of my living theory of my academic practice is that the formation and nurturing of a regular, supportive and critical audience in the form of peer support research meetings contributed to the transformation of resources into assets when we worked towards improving the service delivery and local relevance of a university psychology clinic. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Psychology / unrestricted

Nowadays the mitigation of climate change and the reduction of greenhouse gases are one of the priorities in the international affairs. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is one of the products generated according to this request. For China, CDM brings advanced technologies in terms of energy saving and emission reduction, and driving forces for sustainable development, hereby the development of CDM projects is in full swing in China so far. However, it is not easy to decide which type of CDM projects is suitable for a certain city or region, which project contributes more to sustainable development compared with others, when it comes to several alternatives. In this case, decision-makers require a tool to help make a rational decision. As one of the approaches of assisting in making decisions, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is able to provide assistance for decision-makers to compare the contribution of discrepant CDM projects to sustainable development. Moreover, a case study is taken between two typical CDM projects: HFC23 decomposition project and small-scale hydropower project, so as to check if AHP is useable. The result of the case study indicates that HFC23 decomposition project contributes more than small-scale hydropower plant project to sustainable development, which is not in line with China’s CDM development trend for these two projects (NCCCC, 2005), due to the different represented interests of the study group and the real decision-makers. Nevertheless, the result is rational and valid since there is nothing wrong with the AHP method and its application. In addition, in order to improve the effect of assisting in decision making, AHP was tried to be improved in three respects: impairing subjectiveness, avoiding rank reversal and improving accuracy. Even though for AHP itself, DEA/AHP approach could successfully eliminate the subjectiveness, however when it comes to this very case: compare CDM projects in terms of contribution to sustainable development in China, it cannot play an effective role. Moreover, PCA/AHP method cannot eliminate the subjectiveness at the root either. The framework method provides a possibility in theory to increase objectiveness. Two expects provided a feasible way to avoid rank reversal in their article, and the two pathways of improving results accuracy mentioned in this thesis are considered inappropriate in this case. On the other side, concerning AHP application, how to covert realistic issues to AHP structure, how to get desirable initial information, and how to avoid limitation generated by considerable criteria, sub-criteria and alternatives are considered as the difficulties which should be paid attention. In future, AHP could be applied frequently and effectively concerning providing assistance in making decisions in China, if the stakeholders as many as possible are involved in decision-making process.

High patient no-show rates increase health care costs, decrease healthcare access, and reduce the clinical efficiency and productivity of health care facilities. The purpose of this exploratory qualitative single case study was to explore and analyze the managerial intervention strategies healthcare administrators use to reduce patient no-show rates. The targeted research population was active American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), Hawaii-Pacific Chapter healthcare administrative members with operational and supervisory experience addressing administrative patient no-show interventions. The conceptual framework was the theory of planned behavior. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 4 healthcare administrators, and appointment cancellation policy documents were reviewed. Interpretations of the data were subjected to member checking to ensure the trustworthiness of the findings. Based on the methodological triangulation of the data collected, 5 common themes emerged after the data analysis: reform appointment cancellation policies, use text message appointment reminders, improve patient accessibility, fill patient no-show slots immediately, and create organizational and administrative efficiencies. Sharing the findings of this study may help healthcare administrators to improve patient health care accessibility, organizational performance and the social well-being of their communities.

The local problem that prompted this study was declining student achievement scores in the 4th and 5th grades at a Title 1 elementary school in the southeastern U.S. As a result, school administrators initiated an environmental change from a self-contained classroom structure to departmentalization and team teaching for 4th and 5th grades. The purpose of the study was to investigate perspectives of teachers and administrators regarding their needs to address their own self-efficacy for improving student learning, and their perspectives of the team teaching and departmentalization processes in enhancing student achievement. The conceptual framework for this study was Bandura's theory of self-efficacy. The research design was a qualitative case study using purposeful sampling. Interviews were conducted with 10 participants; 9 teachers who were presently teaching or had taught at the 4th and 5th grade levels for 2-20 years as well as 1 administrator. Participants' responses were coded and analyzed for emerging themes related to teachers' sense of efficacy to improve achievement, and issues with team teaching, departmentalization and student learning. The key findings include teachers' beliefs that, with support from professional development, they could help increase student achievement and then departmentalization would be more successful. A policy paper was constructed as a project to address ongoing, mandated professional development for teachers and administrators in strategies for increasing their efficacy in the use of team teaching and departmentalization structures to improve student learning. Using study findings, upper elementary school administrators and teachers may be able to make effective organizational decisions to improve self-efficacy of teachers to meet the school's increased expectations regarding student learning and achievement.