M.Tech. (Operations Management) / This study has demonstrated that continuous quality improvement and total quality management are the names for a philosophy of management that aims to help outcomes in both the individual and organizations of all kinds, eliminating quality waste during health care delivery service. In an effort to make a contribution to addressing the current challenges, areas of poor patient and lack of quality health care are explored in this study. Patients and healthcare professionals‟ views on Quality Management (QM) practices are also explored. Therefore, for the purposes of this dissertation, the researcher has expanded the QM definition. The poor patient care and shortage of skilled nursing practitioners‟ in nursing has indicated the need for top management commitment to measure, improve and provide high-quality health care for all its citizens. This is mainly due to lack of quality knowledge and skills, patients‟ education, and communication skills. In addition, no formalised framework exists on how quality of care in the context of nursing should occur, despite policy on quality health care being a legal requirement (National Department of Health, 2007:11). The purpose of this dissertation was to evaluate quality management practices in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality public hospitals. Quality management for health care delivery in public hospitals in Gauteng Department of Health was determined and conceptualised and a framework developed on which the improvement of a quality strategy could be based. Altogether three (3) public hospitals throughout Gauteng Ekurhuleni region participated in this dissertation. A triangulation approach was adopted to collect data, analyse and answer the research questions. In this dissertation both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analysis were employed to analyse data derived from self-administered (open and closed) questionnaires, whilst semi-structured interviews were also conducted with the hospital unit manager (see Annexure 1 & 5).This, in turn, increased the validity of the empirical study part of this dissertation and enhanced the rigorous use of both quantitative and qualitative data.

No description available.

The purpose of this project is to conduct a detailed evaluation of the Vancouver Planned Parenthood clinic volunteer program. The primary focus of this study is volunteer recruitment and retention. The simplicity of individual perspectives commonly employed in volunteer theories and research is rejected in this research project. A multi-leveled sociological analysis stemming from an organizational behaviour framework is used as an alternative approach to broaden the scope of this case study. The five levels of analysis used to examine the volunteer program in this study are: 1) individual level of analysis, 2) group behaviour, 3) interpersonal and organizational processes, 4) organizational structure and job design, and 5) organizational environment. Multiple factors are discussed under each level of analysis. A triangulation of methods, comprised of interviews with volunteers, observational analysis, and document analysis, is used to provide a rich analysis of the volunteer program. Interpretations of the findings demonstrate that many factors beyond the individual level influence volunteer recruitment and retention. Results show that this particular volunteer program is operating below its maximum effectiveness, and that high volunteer turnover results in this atmosphere. Practical and theoretical implications of this case study are explored and recommendations are offered. / Arts, Faculty of / Sociology, Department of / Graduate

M.A. / This dissertation is an explorative study of the importance of participative communication conducted at one South African organization. The influence of the external democratic environment on the internal organizational environment was discussed within the broad parameters of the open systems approach. The new labour legislation in South Africa, the new Labour Relations Act (NLRA), emphasizes democratic principles and values. Participative management is emphasized as a management style that should be encouraged. Access to information and employee participation in organizational operation are indicated as key components in the move towards more participative organizational environments. The renewed importance of an organizational context that supports worker participation processes emphasizes the need to investigate how a participative environment can most effectively be established. Information sharing and participation in decision-making require effective communication structures and an environment that supports and encourages employee involvement. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of effective communication in participative organizational contexts with specific focus on South Africa. The newly emphasized democratic external democratic external environment requires the encouragement of effective participative management. The study advocated that communication structures as mechanisms for participation in organizational decisionmaking should therefore be critically analyzed. In order to ensure effective communication in participative environments, communication effectiveness was formulated in terms of specific research objectives that were explored, namely information efficiency (availability of information), communication channels available for information and the number of channels available for participation. Variables that could possibly influence these theoretical constructs were identified and explored, including job level, union membership, workplace forum membership, workplace forum participation, fear of participation and communication climate. In the literature study consideration was given to recognized theories related to the systems approach, climate and culture and participative management. The organizational internal culture was also discussed and considered, as cultural change should play a major role in the move towards a participative culture. The empirical part of the study was conducted as a case study at Columbus Stainless. Research objectives in terms of the aim of the study were explored indicating the importance of participative communication by measuring specific theoretical constructs as formulated in terms of the theoretical framework. The most prominent findings can be summarized as follows: • In terms of information efficiency variation between junior and senior level employees existed. Availability of information, both current and desired, was indicated as a theoretical construct that should be measured. • Variation existed in the perception of organizational information efficiency (amount of information) between organizational members who are scared of participation and members who are not scared of participation. Employees with less access to information were more scared of participation. • Wider access to communication channels providing information on micro level was related to more positive perceptions of the communication climate. • A correlation existed between fear of participation and the number of channels used for participation on macro level. Respondents who on average participated in fewer channels on macro level were less scared of participation. • Communication channel usage on macro level was almost statistically significantly related to positive perceptions of the communication climate.

Shutdown projects are known as strategic components used for maximizing production throughput and increasing the reliability of the plant. Research has shown that project managers are faced with a number of challenges when implementing shutdown projects. This research examined how shutdown project success is perceived based on the views of those engaged in these projects in South Africa, studied the factors that can contribute towards improving the project outcome, and developed a conceptual model for examining the significance of these factors on project success. An extensive evaluation of existing literature was conducted, from which this study extracted a set of success criteria used to assess the outcome of shutdown projects and success variables in shutdown projects. A conceptual model was developed, which examines the association between the critical success factors and project success. The research design of this study was guided by the positivist research philosophy. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken to collect data from participants involved in shutdown projects in South Africa. The sample was selected using purposive sampling. The investigation resulted in a sample of 246 valid responses being received. The hypothesised association between project success and the critical success factors was analysed using structural equation modelling. In this research study, success is regarded as a multi-dimensional construct characterised by project efficiency and organisational success. The study established that success in shutdown projects is accomplished when the project is concluded according to the project costs, time, commissioning incidences,health safety and environmental (SHE) specifications; according to the needs of stakeholders and the profitability of the business. Further, the following categories of success factors critical for shutdown project success were established: project management actions, competence of the project manager, organisational success, competence of the project team and project characteristics. Of these critical success factors, the overall success of shutdown projects was significantly affected by organisational factors. Although project characteristics were found to be significant for the project efficiency dimension of project success, project management actions and competence of the project team were found to be significant for the organisational success dimension of project success. The findings of this research therefore provide a holistic view of the measures used to evaluate the outcome of shutdown projects and guide project managers to the critical success factors that can be considered when improving the success of their shutdown projects. / School of Computing / D. Phil.

No description available.

This case study documents the entire indoor air quality (IAQ) problem experienced by the students, faculty and staff of Cowgill Hall on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University from August 1987 to August 1988, recommends a general IAQ solution process and makes several specific suggestions to prevent the reoccurrence of the problem in Cowgill Hall. Background information on Cowgill Hall and the indoor air quality issue are also provided. This document is addressed to students of architecture, engineering and related disciplines. It emphasizes the growing importance and possible repercussions of their design decisions on the total environment; both in and out of doors. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Business Administration / Master / Master of Business Administration

Environment, safety and health (ESH) research has a strong tradition of conducting research in manufacturing to improve workplace ESH conditions and has tied its management strategy and technical practices to many significant priorities: illness and injury prevention, environmental sustainability, corporate social responsibility, compliance with regulatory and insurance requirements, and dealing with NGO (non-governmental organization) pressures. ESH research rarely examines ESH management strategy in the broader context of business/operations. This oversight makes it difficult to make accurate recommendations for practice and regulation because ESH researchers and business/operations researchers tend to function as if the other does not exist with the very great possibility that key relationships remain undiscovered. In this study, case study methods were used with five manufacturing facilities in the Pacific Northwest to evaluate the usefulness of the Development Levels Rating System (DLRS). Data were collected using interviews, site tours, and publicly available records. Within case and cross-case analysis were used to analyze the data. Consistent patterns were found in how the facilities structured, organized, and financed the ESH function. Moreover, important insights were found regarding the facilities' levels of ESH management strategy and their levels of risk. The results support the DLRS model as being useful in assessing ESH management strategy in relation to a facility's level of risk. Moreover, several new pathways were uncovered including: the significance of multi-stakeholder approaches in EHS and operations research; the importance of joint management strategies; and the faulty nature of compliance-based ESH management strategies. Future research should be considered to test the DLRS tool using focus groups and quantitative methods. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB). / Graduation date: 2012

by Law Po-yee, Annie and Li Lai-fong. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1995. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 51-53). / ABSTRACT --- p.ii / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.iii / TABLE OF CONTENTS --- p.iv / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.v / Chapter / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Objective of Study --- p.1 / Scope of Study --- p.2 / Background --- p.2 / Development of ISO 9000 --- p.4 / Concept of ISO 9000 --- p.5 / Chapter II. --- LITERATURE REVIEW --- p.9 / The Experience of Singapore --- p.9 / The Experience of U.S. and Canada --- p.11 / The Experience of Hong Kong --- p.13 / Chapter III. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.17 / Secondary Data Source --- p.17 / Primary Data Source --- p.21 / Chapter IV. --- FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS --- p.24 / Findings from Questionnaires and Interviews with Respondents --- p.24 / Experience of a Consultant : HKPC --- p.31 / Experience of the Registrar : HKQAA --- p.33 / Limitations --- p.37 / Chapter V. --- CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS --- p.39 / APPENDIX --- p.46 / BIBLIOGRAPHY --- p.51