Eskom Holdings SOC Limited (referred to as Eskom), a public state owned company, is required to continually demonstrate environmental duty of care and report on its environmental performance. In furthering its commitment to sustainable development and in line with environmental compliance of its activities, Eskom is planning to have the Distribution Division certified against the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2004 environmental management system (EMS) standard by 2014. In general, management review may quickly turn into a dry review of the items on the agenda, done only to show an auditor the review was held. As such, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of management reviews as one of the key continual improvement elements of the ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system within Eskom Distribution: Western Region. This research has been designed to take place in three stages. These stages are planning, execution and publication, and preparing the dissertation for marking. The research methodology included a literature study on various national and international articles and journals on EMSs that relate to environmental performance. The databases of Eskom Distribution: Western Region ‒ i.e. the management review presentation results for the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial years, key significant environmental aspects for the Technical Service Centres (TSCs) and Minor/Major Engineering Works (MEW), key performance indicators (KPIs), Risk Audit System (RAS) results, and results of the external EMS audit conducted from 23–25 April 2007 were used for this research. Questionnaires were sent to the TSCs’ senior supervisors and Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) management. An analysis of the questionnaires completed by the TSC senior supervisors showed that all the participants have seen an improvement in environmental performance due to annual management reviews, except TSC11, who have not seen management review results. It can be concluded from the results of the SHEQ management questionnaires that an improvement (continual improvement as per the ISO 14001 requirement) was observed. The improvements were identified through improved processes, improved gap analysis, increased environmental awareness, and addressing risks. Most of the ISO 14001:2004 requirements for the management review for all financial years covered in this study were met. In terms of the objectives, targets and KPIs, Eskom Distribution: Western Region performed effectively and most of the outcomes were implemented according to the recommendations. Further, based on the external audit conducted from 23 to 25 April 2007, it is clear that Eskom Distribution: Western Region conformed to the minimum requirements of the ISO 14001:2004 EMS. Their management reviews also met all requirements of the ISO 14001:2004 relating to management review. This was proven by minutes of previous meetings that covered all the necessary issues that were audited. Thus, the existence of management reviews contributed towards ensuring that the ISO system was scrutinised and improved where it worked, and that aspects that did not work well were removed. / M. Environmental Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Eskom Holdings SOC Limited (referred to as Eskom), a public state owned company, is required to continually demonstrate environmental duty of care and report on its environmental performance. In furthering its commitment to sustainable development and in line with environmental compliance of its activities, Eskom is planning to have the Distribution Division certified against the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) 14001:2004 environmental management system (EMS) standard by 2014. In general, management review may quickly turn into a dry review of the items on the agenda, done only to show an auditor the review was held. As such, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of management reviews as one of the key continual improvement elements of the ISO 14001:2004 environmental management system within Eskom Distribution: Western Region. This research has been designed to take place in three stages. These stages are planning, execution and publication, and preparing the dissertation for marking. The research methodology included a literature study on various national and international articles and journals on EMSs that relate to environmental performance. The databases of Eskom Distribution: Western Region ‒ i.e. the management review presentation results for the 2008/09, 2009/10 and 2010/11 financial years, key significant environmental aspects for the Technical Service Centres (TSCs) and Minor/Major Engineering Works (MEW), key performance indicators (KPIs), Risk Audit System (RAS) results, and results of the external EMS audit conducted from 23–25 April 2007 were used for this research. Questionnaires were sent to the TSCs’ senior supervisors and Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) management. An analysis of the questionnaires completed by the TSC senior supervisors showed that all the participants have seen an improvement in environmental performance due to annual management reviews, except TSC11, who have not seen management review results. It can be concluded from the results of the SHEQ management questionnaires that an improvement (continual improvement as per the ISO 14001 requirement) was observed. The improvements were identified through improved processes, improved gap analysis, increased environmental awareness, and addressing risks. Most of the ISO 14001:2004 requirements for the management review for all financial years covered in this study were met. In terms of the objectives, targets and KPIs, Eskom Distribution: Western Region performed effectively and most of the outcomes were implemented according to the recommendations. Further, based on the external audit conducted from 23 to 25 April 2007, it is clear that Eskom Distribution: Western Region conformed to the minimum requirements of the ISO 14001:2004 EMS. Their management reviews also met all requirements of the ISO 14001:2004 relating to management review. This was proven by minutes of previous meetings that covered all the necessary issues that were audited. Thus, the existence of management reviews contributed towards ensuring that the ISO system was scrutinised and improved where it worked, and that aspects that did not work well were removed. / M. Environmental Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

abstract: Accounting estimates are developed in a bottom-up fashion; subordinates generate estimates that are reviewed by managers. The anchoring heuristic suggests managers may be highly influenced by subordinates’ initial estimates. However, motivated reasoning theory predicts that reporting incentives will bias managers’ review in favor of estimates that are incentive consistent, and managers will selectively attend to information that supports their preferred conclusion, including their perceptions of the subordinate. Using experimental methods I manipulate the consistency of the subordinate estimate with management reporting incentives, and the narcissistic description of the subordinate. Consistent with motivated reasoning theory, I find that managers anchor on incentive consistent subordinate estimates, regardless of subordinate narcissism, but anchor less on incentive inconsistent subordinate estimates, especially when the estimate comes from a narcissistic subordinate. I also find evidence that managers believe narcissistic subordinates act strategically in their own self-interest, and selectively attend to this belief to adjust away from incentive inconsistent subordinate estimates, but not incentive consistent subordinate estimate. My results reveal two potential weaknesses in the management review process: susceptibility to subordinate anchors, and bias created by reporting incentives. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Accountancy 2016

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 26-29, 1998 / Town & Country Resort Hotel and Convention Center, San Diego, California / More and more companies and organizations are recognizing the benefits to be gained by achieving ISO 9000 registration. An effort is underway at JPL to become ISO 9001 registered. To facilitate this activity, the entire laboratory has been divided into processes, each one having a designated process owner. This paper concentrates more specifically on one of these processes, namely, the Packaging and Fabrication of Electronic Hardware (PAFEH), and the effort being undertaken to ensure that this process will successfully pass registration. A comprehensive approach is being utilized by the Electronic Packaging and Fabrication Section to bring this about.

The current research was a cross sectional research and was designed to assess the performance of the selected wind power company on compliance with health and management system OHSAS 1800:2007. One wind power company in Pakistan was selected for the research purpose. To collect quantitative data survey was conducted based on Questionnaire. For finding gaps within the existing practices and also for effectiveness of the research check list was designed. Questionnaires were distributed to the employees and one check list was given to the top management. The questionnaires were distributed randomly to the employees and out of fifteen questionnaires twelve were received back. After analyzing the data from the eleven questionnaires, the results shows that overall employees are 61 % strongly agree, 30 % agree, 2% disagree and 1% strongly disagree that the requirements of the system OHSAS 18001:2007 are met. 6% did not decide about it. The check list was received from top management after analyzing data from the check list results shows that top management of the subjected wind power organization is 74% strongly agree, 23% agree and 3 % undecided about the implementation of the system OHSAS 1800: 2007. From the results it can be concluded that both employees and top management of the subjected organization are agree with the fact that the H&S system OHSAS18001:2007 is being implemented well within the organization.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to analyze the use of social media and use of online reputation management tools by accommodation facilities. Information was obtained from survey among four and five star hotels situated in Prague. Moreover there is an analysis of online reputation management tools which are currently available on the market. After detailed analysis certain conclusions and recommendations are proposed to hotels to help them with effective communication on social media as well as with effective management of online reputation which is nowadays very important for potential guests who search for their accommodation online.

This is an action-oriented study aimed at designing a practical methodology for generating evidence backed solutions for practical problems by means of literature review. Three iterations of systematic review are applied which evaluates different search strategies and reporting structures to provide a framework for an ideation technique. Resulting in an adaptation of a previously used framework which can be deployed to different extents that appears to result in design propositions alongside individual interventions.

Background: Dipyrone (metamizole) is one of the most widely used non-opioid analgesics for the treatment of cancer pain. Aim: Because evidence-based recommendations are not yet available, a systematic review was conducted for the German Guideline Program in Oncology to provide recommendations for the use of dipyrone in cancer pain. Design: First, a systematic review for clinical trials assessing dipyrone in adult patients with cancer pain was conducted. Endpoints were pain intensity, opioid-sparing effects, safety, and quality of life. Data sources: The search was performed in MedLine, Embase (via Ovid), and the Cochrane Library (1948–2013) and additional hand search was conducted. Finally, recommendations were developed and agreed in a formal structured consensus process by 53 representatives of scientific medical societies and 49 experts. Results: Of 177 retrieved studies, 4 could be included (3 randomized controlled trials and 1 cohort study, n = 252 patients): dipyrone significantly decreased pain intensity compared to placebo, even if low doses (1.5–2 g/day) were used. Higher doses (3 × 2 g/day) were more effective than low doses (3 × 1 g/day), but equally effective as 60 mg oral morphine/day. Pain reduction of dipyrone and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not differ significantly. Compared to placebo, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and morphine, the incidence of adverse effects was not increased. Conclusion: Dipyrone can be recommended for the treatment of cancer pain as an alternative to other non-opioids either alone or in combination with opioids. It can be preferred over non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs due to the presumably favorable side effect profile in long-term use, but comparative studies are not available for long-term use.