A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education in partial fulfillment of the Degree of Master of Education in the Department Educational Planning & Administration at the University of Zululand, 2017 / This investigation studied the challenges faced by the School Management Teams in promoting quality teaching and learning. The outcry of unsatisfied and demotivated educators and the poor academic performance of learners that is experienced as a result of challenges faced by SMTs in their daily function of school management, administration and leadership prompted me to conduct this investigation. Most South African schools, particularly the state schools perform poorly. It is believed that this study will alert the stakeholders in the education fraternity about challenges encountered and contributions each stakeholder has to make to help remedy the situation. The interpretive paradigm was used and the research design was qualitative. I generated data by means of literature reviewed and empirical research. The multi-case or multiple collective case study method was used for data collection. Data gathering techniques used were the semi-structured interviews for both individuals (school principals) and Focus Groups (all other SMTs excluding the principal), observation, documents and artefacts. Three data gathering techniques were used in order to ascertain credibility and trustworthiness of the results. The tools used were the Interview Schedule, Observation Checklist, Field Notes Pads, and the Voice Recorder. The research covers areas which include problems encountered by SMTs that result in poor academic performance, the role of the SMTs in promoting quality teaching and learning, and measures to employ in solving problems encountered. The findings indicated that some practices and policies of the department of education, uncommitted employees and the lack of full involvement of stakeholders, particularly parents and learners, affect academic results. Urban, township and rural schools are all challenged, but the complexity of problems encountered varied, as did the performance standard. Recommendations made include reviewing departmental policies and practices, giving incentives to hardworking employees, and the need for stakeholders to join hands in supporting teaching and learning in South Africa.

É um dever dos profissionais que trabalham na área de mensuração discutir os temas que envolvem a manutenção/calibração de instrumentos geodésicos em ambiente laboratorial e o uso de padrões específicos voltados para as áreas de instrumentação e de Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade. Para isso, é importante mencionar as normas ISO 17123:2001, NBR ISO/IEC 17025:2005, ABNT NBR ISO 9001:2000 e os métodos compactos para laboratório voltados para testar estações totais e instrumentos EDM. Neste contexto, o principal objetivo desta pesquisa é discutir os temas relacionados à manutenção/calibração de instrumentos geodésicos em laboratório, mostrando a importância da implantação do Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade (SGQ). Também são discutidas as vantagens decorrentes desta implantação, bem como a organização estrutural e de pessoal para tal sistema, apresentando as normas específicas usadas para a realização de trabalhos em agrimensura. Para compreender melhor a temática da dissertação foram pesquisados alguns laboratórios internacionais que trabalham com a manutenção/calibração de instrumentos geodésicos, que são acreditados pela norma ISO 17025:2005, são certificados pelas normas ISO 9001:2000 e realizam os seus procedimentos de acordo com os requisitos da norma ISO 17123:2001. Dessa forma, as avaliações sobre a estrutura organizacional do laboratório, a estrutura de pessoal e o SGQ implantado, foram realizadas de forma mais segura. Os laboratórios pesquisados realizam suas atividades de acordo com os requisitos das normas ISO 9001:2000, ISO 17025:2005 e ISO 17123, garantindo qualidade aos trabalhos nos laboratórios. A calibração realizada de forma correta e regular contribui para a promoção da qualidade das atividades nos laboratórios. / It is the duty of professionals working in the area of measurement discuss issues involving the maintenance/calibration of geodesic instruments in the laboratory and the use of specific standards directed to the areas of instrumentation and Quality Management System. Therefore, it is important to dimensional standards ISO 17123:2001, ISO/IEC 17025:2005, ISO 9001:2000 and compact laboratory methods aimed at testing EDM instruments and total stations. In this context, the main objective of this research is to discuss issues related to maintenance/calibration of geodetic instruments in the laboratory, showing the importance of implementing the Quality Management System (QMS). Also discussed are advantages of this deployment, as well as the structural organization and personnel for such a system, with specific standards used to perform work in surveying. To better understand the theme of the thesis were searched some international laboratories that work with the maintenance/calibration of geodetic instruments, which are accredited to ISO 17025:2005 are certified by ISO 9001:2000 and realize their procedures in accordance with the requirements of ISO 17123:2001. Thus, the ratings on the organizational structure of the laboratory, the personnel structure and quality management system in place, were held more securely. The laboratories surveyed perform their activities in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:2005 and ISO 17123, ensuring quality to work in laboratories. The calibration performed correctly and regularly contributes to the promotion of quality activities in the laboratories.

The introduction and implementation of the Air Quality Act in South Africa has a significant impact in the communities, in the three spheres of government, namely national, provincial and local, and businesses in the country. This study provides an overview of how the businesses in the Greater Durban Area have been impacted by the introduction and implementation of the AQA. The main objective of the study is to ascertain the impact that the AQA has on businesses in the Greater Durban Area. The main focus is on the following areas of impact: operational, structural, strategic, financial and social impact. The main tool used to collect the primary data was a structured questionnaire. However, because of challenges faced in the collection of data the structured interviews were cancelled. Analyses of results are based on the data collected utilizing the questionnaire as well as the reviewed literature in order to establish the extent to which the data is supported by the existing theory. The overall impression created by the results of the sample indicates that the AQA has been well received by all stakeholders; these stakeholders include businesses, government as well as the society. Although the Act as well as other environmental legislation present some challenges to businesses, these legislation are generally fairly well accepted by private enterprise. The study recommends that for further studies, the data collection instruments must include structured and/or unstructured interviews, in order to ascertain where businesses strategically stand on air quality. This will also help in obtaining indications on funds that businesses spend on social development and/or responsibility and on environment as a whole. / Thesis (M.B.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2007. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Describes the implementation of ISO 9001:2008 and 14001:2004 to selected business. Includes analysis and evaluation of the current situation before the introduction of standards in society and the consequent benefits of certification for the selected business.

The analysis of the quality management system and the implementation of the quality management system in the realm of the school system. To propose the methodology of the procedure and practical verification of individual steps of the methodology, including the analysis, if the matter of the quality management is meaningful also in this realm.

É um dever dos profissionais que trabalham na área de mensuração discutir os temas que envolvem a manutenção/calibração de instrumentos geodésicos em ambiente laboratorial e o uso de padrões específicos voltados para as áreas de instrumentação e de Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade. Para isso, é importante mencionar as normas ISO 17123:2001, NBR ISO/IEC 17025:2005, ABNT NBR ISO 9001:2000 e os métodos compactos para laboratório voltados para testar estações totais e instrumentos EDM. Neste contexto, o principal objetivo desta pesquisa é discutir os temas relacionados à manutenção/calibração de instrumentos geodésicos em laboratório, mostrando a importância da implantação do Sistema de Gestão da Qualidade (SGQ). Também são discutidas as vantagens decorrentes desta implantação, bem como a organização estrutural e de pessoal para tal sistema, apresentando as normas específicas usadas para a realização de trabalhos em agrimensura. Para compreender melhor a temática da dissertação foram pesquisados alguns laboratórios internacionais que trabalham com a manutenção/calibração de instrumentos geodésicos, que são acreditados pela norma ISO 17025:2005, são certificados pelas normas ISO 9001:2000 e realizam os seus procedimentos de acordo com os requisitos da norma ISO 17123:2001. Dessa forma, as avaliações sobre a estrutura organizacional do laboratório, a estrutura de pessoal e o SGQ implantado, foram realizadas de forma mais segura. Os laboratórios pesquisados realizam suas atividades de acordo com os requisitos das normas ISO 9001:2000, ISO 17025:2005 e ISO 17123, garantindo qualidade aos trabalhos nos laboratórios. A calibração realizada de forma correta e regular contribui para a promoção da qualidade das atividades nos laboratórios. / It is the duty of professionals working in the area of measurement discuss issues involving the maintenance/calibration of geodesic instruments in the laboratory and the use of specific standards directed to the areas of instrumentation and Quality Management System. Therefore, it is important to dimensional standards ISO 17123:2001, ISO/IEC 17025:2005, ISO 9001:2000 and compact laboratory methods aimed at testing EDM instruments and total stations. In this context, the main objective of this research is to discuss issues related to maintenance/calibration of geodetic instruments in the laboratory, showing the importance of implementing the Quality Management System (QMS). Also discussed are advantages of this deployment, as well as the structural organization and personnel for such a system, with specific standards used to perform work in surveying. To better understand the theme of the thesis were searched some international laboratories that work with the maintenance/calibration of geodetic instruments, which are accredited to ISO 17025:2005 are certified by ISO 9001:2000 and realize their procedures in accordance with the requirements of ISO 17123:2001. Thus, the ratings on the organizational structure of the laboratory, the personnel structure and quality management system in place, were held more securely. The laboratories surveyed perform their activities in accordance with the requirements of ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 17025:2005 and ISO 17123, ensuring quality to work in laboratories. The calibration performed correctly and regularly contributes to the promotion of quality activities in the laboratories.

This thesis is focused on software testing, primarily on practical use of testing support tool HP Quality Center 11. Theoretical part of the thesis explains the basic concepts of testing, introduces the types of testing and pursues the role of testing in project management. Practical part demonstrates real use of HP Quality Center 11 in SEPA Direct Debit project in a financial institution, evaluates its benefits and shortcomings and suggests possible improvements.

In Quality Management and Total Quality Management (TQM) customer focus and customer value creation is of importance and in organisations it is of high priority. Quality Management has had an internal focus when it comes to customer value creation but in the 21st century there is a need for an outward orientation and to go beyond the organisational borders. Also an increasing interest in social, societal and environmental issues can be seen, for instance by customers, organisations, quality awards and within the quality area. An area that considers these issues is the societal entrepreneurial sector.   The purpose of this thesis has been to contribute to the knowledge and understanding about customer value creation from a system view. Additionally the purpose has been to contribute to the development of Quality Management. In order to fulfil the purpose, case studies have been performed. Cases within the societal entrepreneurial area have been studied and seven studies have been performed. Data have been collected through interviews, direct observations, participating observations and documents. All data have been collected empirically except in one study where a literature case study was used. The data were analysed through tools such as process mapping, attribute value mapping and rich picture process maps combined with analytical methods for case study research. The research journey started out from TQM and an internal perspective on customer value creation. As the studies went on, the system borders became wider as other areas important to customer value creation were identified: the customer value creating system went from an internal perspective to include an external perspective.    The findings contribute to earlier research findings and give a comprehensive and simplified picture of a complex phenomenon and an opportunity to understand customer value creation from a system view. This thesis provides an overall map of the customer value creating system. Additionally it contributes to the development of Quality Management by expanding the view on customer value creation to include both an internal and an external oriented perspective. It also contributes by suggesting a fifth step in the quality management movement ´System Quality Management´ that considers social, societal and environmental factors through continuous improvement before, during and after value creation for customers. Further it contributes with a developed view on customers and the concept of customer value creation.   The overall map provided includes three areas. Growth and development of societal entrepreneurial initiatives. The result shows important components for the creation of societal value based on the growth and development of societal entrepreneurial initiatives. Included are the processes, input and output important for societal value creation from unidentified needs until societal value can be delivered, management process and support process fields.  Customer value creation in the customer sphere.  Customer value has been found to be created beyond the use or purchase of a product or service. Value has also been found to be created for those that are not in direct contact with an initiative or its product or service. Customer value has been found to spread into society like ripples in a complex system of value creation. And Value Ripple Logic has been developed to describe this phenomenon. Management role in customer value creation. The management’s role in value creation has been found to be of importance in the creation of customer value in an indirect way through interaction with the surroundings and the initiative.  Factors and behaviours have been found which are connected to the leaders and their essential management processes along with their input and output.   The findings presented in this thesis have considerable potential for development. Further studies need to be done within the area concerning how customer value is created and to achieve an even more comprehensive picture of the customer value creating system and the suggested fifth step. The results presented in this thesis are a contribution to the knowledge and understanding about customer value creation from a system view and the development of the Quality Management. / <p>Vid tidpunkten för disputationen var följande delarbeten opublicerade: delarbete 6 accepterat för publicering och delarbete 7 inskickat.</p><p>At the time of the doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished: paper 6 accepted for publication and  paper 7 submitted.</p>

Active Queue Management (AQM) schemes are used for ensuring the Quality of Service (QoS) in telecommunication networks. However, they are sensitive to parameter settings and have weaknesses in detecting and controlling congestion under dynamically changing network situations. Another drawback for the AQM algorithms is that they have been applied only on the Markovian models which are considered as Short Range Dependent (SRD) traffic models. However, traffic measurements from communication networks have shown that network traffic can exhibit self-similar as well as Long Range Dependent (LRD) properties. Therefore, it is important to design new algorithms not only to control congestion but also to have the ability to predict the onset of congestion within a network. An aim of this research is to devise some new congestion control methods for communication networks that make use of various traffic characteristics, such as LRD, which has not previously been employed in congestion control methods currently used in the Internet. A queueing model with a number of ON/OFF sources has been used and this incorporates a novel congestion prediction algorithm for AQM. The simulation results have shown that applying the algorithm can provide better performance than an equivalent system without the prediction. Modifying the algorithm by the inclusion of a sliding window mechanism has been shown to further improve the performance in terms of controlling the total number of packets within the system and improving the throughput. Also considered is the important problem of maintaining QoS constraints, such as mean delay, which is crucially important in providing satisfactory transmission of real-time services over multi-service networks like the Internet and which were not originally designed for this purpose. An algorithm has been developed to provide a control strategy that operates on a buffer which incorporates a moveable threshold. The algorithm has been developed to control the mean delay by dynamically adjusting the threshold, which, in turn, controls the effective arrival rate by randomly dropping packets. This work has been carried out using a mixture of computer simulation and analytical modelling. The performance of the new methods that have.