Companies operating in the wood processing industry need to increase their productivity by implementing automation technologies in their production systems. An increasing global competition and rising raw material prizes challenge their competitiveness. Yet, too extensive automation brings risks such as a deterioration in situation awareness and operator deskilling. The concept of Levels of Automation is generally seen as means to achieve a balanced task allocation between the operators’ skills and competences and the need for automation technology relieving the humans from repetitive or hazardous work activities. The aim of this thesis was to examine to what extent existing methods for assessing Levels of Automation in production processes are applicable in the wood processing industry when focusing on an improved competitiveness of production systems. This was done by answering the following research questions (RQ): RQ1: What method is most appropriate to be applied with measuring Levels of Automation in the wood processing industry? RQ2: How can the measurement of Levels of Automation contribute to an improved competitiveness of the wood processing industry’s production processes? Literature reviews were used to identify the main characteristics of the wood processing industry affecting its automation potential and appropriate assessment methods for Levels of Automation in order to answer RQ1. When selecting the most suitable method, factors like the relevance to the target industry, application complexity or operational level the method is penetrating were important. The DYNAMO++ method, which covers both a rather quantitative technical-physical and a more qualitative social-cognitive dimension, was seen as most appropriate when taking into account these factors. To answer RQ 2, a case study was undertaken at a major Swedish manufacturer of interior wood products to point out paths how the measurement of Levels of Automation contributes to an improved competitiveness of the wood processing industry. The focus was on the task level on shop floor and concrete improvement suggestions were elaborated after applying the measurement method for Levels of Automation. Main aspects considered for generalization were enhancements regarding ergonomics in process design and cognitive support tools for shop-floor personnel through task standardization. Furthermore, difficulties regarding the automation of grading and sorting processes due to the heterogeneous material properties of wood argue for a suitable arrangement of human intervention options in terms of work task allocation.  The application of a modified version of DYNAMO++ reveals its pros and cons during a case study which covers a high operator involvement in the improvement process and the distinct predisposition of DYNAMO++ to be applied in an assembly system.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the undergraduate biology practical instructions and the level of competence of undergraduate biology students in practical laboratory skills in some Ethiopian universities using skill performance rubric and questionnaires. A sample of 208 third year students and 26 instructors and laboratory assistants from three universities were selected as sample of the study. Students reported that more than 84.2% of the laboratory activities are below the average number of laboratory activities recommended by the curriculum with no significant difference between universities. The laboratory skill performance test score was below the midpoint. None of the students could be able to estimate and determine fields of vision of a microscope. There is a significant and a positively linear relationship between the students’ grade point average (GPA) with identification of laboratory equipment, handling of microscope, setting of microscope, estimation of diameter of field of vision and measuring liquid. Laboratory skill performance test score is correlated with higher education entrance exam score but not with students’ high school laboratory back ground. There is no significant difference in instructor’s manipulative skills among universities (p ≥ 0.09) and instructors manipulative skills is neither correlated with qualification nor teaching experience (P≥0.056). The most common method of assessment instructors’ use in the laboratory is laboratory report and identification of specimen examination (46.4%) and written exam and identification of specimen examination (35.7%). The number of courses having laboratory manuals is as low as 14.3%, in the new university. Manipulating materials, measuring and using numbers, and pre lab activity were common activities, and were found in every manual and in every university. Moreover, the result also revealed that the manuals contain high percentage rate of basic science process skills (75.4%) as compared to the integrated science process skills (24.6%). Correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed that students’ laboratory performance skills is significantly positively correlated with higher education entrance exam score, availability of laboratory resources and instructors experiences. Instructors’ experience has significant positive regression weights / Life and Consumer Sciences / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the undergraduate biology practical instructions and the level of competence of undergraduate biology students in practical laboratory skills in some Ethiopian universities using skill performance rubric and questionnaires. A sample of 208 third year students and 26 instructors and laboratory assistants from three universities were selected as sample of the study. Students reported that more than 84.2% of the laboratory activities are below the average number of laboratory activities recommended by the curriculum with no significant difference between universities. The laboratory skill performance test score was below the midpoint. None of the students could be able to estimate and determine fields of vision of a microscope. There is a significant and a positively linear relationship between the students’ grade point average (GPA) with identification of laboratory equipment, handling of microscope, setting of microscope, estimation of diameter of field of vision and measuring liquid. Laboratory skill performance test score is correlated with higher education entrance exam score but not with students’ high school laboratory back ground. There is no significant difference in instructor’s manipulative skills among universities (p ≥ 0.09) and instructors manipulative skills is neither correlated with qualification nor teaching experience (P≥0.056). The most common method of assessment instructors’ use in the laboratory is laboratory report and identification of specimen examination (46.4%) and written exam and identification of specimen examination (35.7%). The number of courses having laboratory manuals is as low as 14.3%, in the new university. Manipulating materials, measuring and using numbers, and pre lab activity were common activities, and were found in every manual and in every university. Moreover, the result also revealed that the manuals contain high percentage rate of basic science process skills (75.4%) as compared to the integrated science process skills (24.6%). Correlation and multiple regression analyses revealed that students’ laboratory performance skills is significantly positively correlated with higher education entrance exam score, availability of laboratory resources and instructors experiences. Instructors’ experience has significant positive regression weights. / Life and Consumer Sciences / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education)

The topic of the thesis is mapping the issue of multicultural education at primary schools. The main aim is to penetrate the current structures, to assess the possibilities of the teacher's work in the school environment and to find other ways of multicultural education of pupils in relation to the findings. The theoretical part of the thesis defines the legal environment of the issue at the level of the Czech Republic and the anchoring of multicultural education in curricular documents. It describes possible ways of thinking and approaches in contemporary intercultural education as well. It also includes the possibilities and principles of the educational process from the teacher's personality, his own competences, setting goals and content, appropriate forms and methods of work to the pupils and other factors influencing the lesson of multicultural education. Much of the work is devoted to the latest findings, trends and basic pillars and principles of quality intercultural education. It also describes organizations that focus their activities on multiculturalism in the world and can thus directly contribute to the broadening of the general overview of pupils, transfering information, knowledge, personal social development and especially the multicultural competences of pupils. Last but not...

Dissertation is very actual because there is development of system university education in Russia and it`s necessary to prepare competent specialist, which has mandatory knowledge’s for different subjects of educational sphere. Methodology base of dissertation is researches by different scientists about preparation modern specialist in youth sphere. / Магистерская диссертация «Разработка компетентностной модели выпускника по направлению подготовки 040700.68 «Организация работы с молодежью» (квалификация «Магистр»)» состоит из двух глав, введения, заключения, списка использованной литературы и приложений. Актуальность магистерской диссертации обусловлена крайней необходимостью в условиях модернизации системы высшего профессионального образования подготовки конкурентоспособного, компетентного специалиста, когнитивная сложность которого отвечала бы требованиям и интересам различных субъектов, заинтересованных в образовательном процессе. Методологической базой работы явились научные разработки отечественных и зарубежных ученых, исследующих вопросы подготовки современного специалиста, проблемы перехода от «квалификационного» подхода к «компетентностному», от российских традиций высшей школы к двухуровневой системе образования. В диссертации ставится проблема формирования модели подготовки выпускника магистратуры по направлению подготовки «Организация работы с молодежью». В работе делается попытка рассмотрения концептуальных оснований высшего профессионального образования и их модернизации, теоретических подходов к пониманию компетентностной парадигмы. Объектом исследования является магистр специальности «Организация работы с молодежью», предметом – модель магистра специальности «Организация работы с молодежью». В первой главе определяются основные тенденции развития высшего профессионального образования, особенности и теоретические подходы к понятиям «компетенция», «компетентностный подход», «качество образования», определяются структурные компоненты системы качества образования и ее нынешнее состояние. Также здесь рассматриваются ключевые положения и общетеоретические принципы смены образовательных парадигм, и проводится аналитический обзор существующей нормативно-правовой базы, регламентирующей данный процесс. Во второй главе сравниваются и оцениваются уровень подготовки магистра по работе с молодежью с уровнем подготовки бакалавра и специалиста того же направления. Объектом эмпирического исследования являются потребители и заказчики образовательных услуг. В работе изучается мнение основных субъектов-кооперантов образовательной деятельности о том, каким должен быть магистр по работе с молодежью, определяются наиболее важные общекультурные и профессиональные компетенции и качества личности, необходимые такому магистру, из которых в дальнейшем формируется компетентностная модель. Методы исследования соответствуют специфике эмпирического объекта и предмету – социологический опрос заинтересованных субъектов, экспертный опрос потенциальных работодателей, глубинное интервью с выпускниками данного направления, работающими по специальности и мозговой штурм с привлечением экспертов. По итогам исследования, кроме модели, представлены также и другие предложения и рекомендации по дальнейшему изучению данной темы. Объем работы составил 153 страницы. В работе содержится 8 приложений, 13 таблиц и 6 рисунков. В библиографическом списке представлены 50 источников литературы.

Frente a un mercado cada vez más competitivo en donde la diferenciación en cuanto al valor percibido del bien o servicio es limitada, se consideró relevante evaluar cómo el programa de beneficios individual ayuda a los supermercados a posicionarse como la primera opción de compra y recompra. El programa de beneficios o programa de lealtad es un conjunto de acciones que generan un beneficio para el usuario con el propósito de cambiar de forma general el comportamiento deseado de los clientes y reunir los datos para acciones futuras, estas pueden ser descuentos, cupones, kilometraje y puntos de canje. A lo largo de nuestra investigación identificamos que existían dos tipos de programa de beneficios. El primero es el programa de coalición, el cual brinda una serie de beneficios de recompensa asociada a marcas de otros rubros. En segundo lugar, se tiene al programa de beneficios individual, el cual brinda una serie de beneficios de tipo recompensa asociados a los productos y servicios de la marca anfitrión. Para efecto de la investigación se eligió el rubro de supermercado debido a que es un modelo de negocio que brinda todo tipo de productos y no se ve afectado al margen de la situación coyuntural. Referente al tipo de programa, se consideró pertinente la aplicación del programa de beneficios individual, debido a que en nuestro país los supermercados solo aplican este tipo de programa acorde a sus objetivos de venta y posicionamiento. / In the face of an increasingly competitive market where differentiation in terms of the perceived value of the good or service is limited, it was considered relevant to assess how the individual benefit program helps supermarkets position themselves as the first choice of purchase and repurchase. The benefit program or loyalty program is a set of actions that generate a benefit for the user for the purpose of generally changing the desired customer behavior and gathering the data for future actions, these can be discounts, coupons, mileage and redemption points. Throughout our research we identified that there were two types of benefit programs. The first is the coalition program, which provides a range of reward benefits associated with brands in other industries. The second is the individual benefit program, which provides a range of reward benefits associated with the host brand's products and services. For the purpose of the research, the supermarket category was chosen because it is a business model that offers all types of products and is not affected by the economic situation. Regarding the type of program, the application of the individual benefit program was considered relevant, since in our country supermarkets only apply this type of program according to their sales and positioning objectives. / Trabajo de investigación