This case study explored perceived artificial intelligence (AI) performance and intended future use (IFU) in users of AI-based applications. Users could become less motivated to use these applications if AIs do not clearly communicate their actions. A prototype, a user test, and a structured interview were iteratively developed. Eight students participated in the final iteration, which was thematically analyzed. The results indicate that an AI-based application that shows recommendations can positively affect perceived AI performance and IFU. Possibly, the recommendations increased users’ understanding of AI decisions, as well as their satisfaction. Therefore, recommendations could be a potential design element for increasing perceived AI performance and IFU. Finally, time-saving functionality is a design element that could lead to higher IFU in AI-based applications, possibly only for other tasks than examining recommendations. Further research needs to test these findings under different circumstances.

This research develops and tests a model of the service unit ownership and control patterns used by international service companies. The main purpose of this study is to investigate trivariate causal relationships among environmental factors, organizational structure, and perceived performance in the internationalization process of service firms. A service firm operating in foreign soil has a choice of three general entry mode strategies offering different degrees of ownership and control of its remote operating units located in foreign countries -- full ownership arrangement, joint venture arrangement, and franchising arrangement. The entry mode strategies chosen depend on the factors relating to internal environment of a specific firm, industry related factors in which the firm operates, and external environment of the operating units at national context. This study identifies these factors, investigates how they affect the firm's choice of entry modes, and finally examines the impact of entry mode on firm's performance. The overall model has been explained by contingency theory that conceptualizes optimal level of ownership and control mode as a response by the firm to the interplay of environmental factors and as a determinant of firm's performance. To this core can be added complementary theories which are borrowed from agency theory, transaction cost theory, and resource dependence theory. These theories explain the linkages between market entry mode and each type of environmental factors. In order to empirically test the hypotheses, data were collected from hospitality firms regarding the ownership structure of subsidiaries located in foreign countries. As a whole, the conceptual model developed in the study received strong support from the empirical study. This study found a positive impact of contingency fit on performance and so support contingency theory in which some combinations of the environmental dimensions and organizational structure will lead to better organizational performance. Another finding of this study indicates that the increased level of ownership and control will result in enhancing the level of perceived performance. It should be noted that contingency model-based mode choice would provide managers with the optimal performance because there is not one best performing mode choice in volatile international market. Next, the relationship of market environment with organizational structure was examined through three different perspectives. Market environment was investigated at firm, industry, and national context, which includes five factors -- monitoring uncertainty, asset specificity, cultural distance, political uncertainty, and economic uncertainty. The model is suggestive of a picture in which five environmental factors vie for affecting the choice of market entry modes. All five environmental factors were found to be significantly related to firms' organizational structure. Among five environmental factors, cultural uncertainty has the largest effect on the choice of entry mode followed by monitoring uncertainty, political uncertainty, asset specificity, and economic uncertainty. One of the important implications of this research is the inclusion of franchising as an actual management strategy and competitive business practice that is related to international ownership and control strategy. Higher degrees of uncertainty associated with the foreign market encourage external dependence of the venture, in which the operation depends more heavily on local relationships. Franchising substitutes the loss of ownership by an increase of external relationships and it takes without losing control on retail operation. Resource exploitation depends on the local market for either inputs or outputs for better performance. Understanding the fit between the each set of contingent variables and the elements of ownership and control strategy will allow marketers to determine when franchising is the suitable mode of operation in global markets. Collectively, these results suggest that the choice of an organizational form for international service firms involves a complex balance of firm, industry, and country level factors. Managers can maximize performance by aligning entry mode strategy with external contextual circumstances as well as internal resources. Managers may also be able to make better mode choice decisions using the theory-driven criteria examined in this study, increasing their chances for financial and non-financial success. / Ph. D.

Work-life balance (WLB) is becoming a topic of focus for management, employees, HR specialists and wellness coordinators due to its association to the health, wellbeing and performance of employees. In line with this, the aim of the study was partly to study which initiatives exist for a balance between work and private life in hospitality organizations and partly how employees and managers, respectively, experience its impact on performance. Furthermore, the aim was to find out which strategies, according to employees' and managers' perceived experiences, can enable hospitality organizations to achieve improved employee performance from work-life balance initiatives. The study employed qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews as the data collection tool and thematic analysis. Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory of Motivation-Hygiene was used as the theoretical framework to aid in the analysis of the findings. The findings revealed a positive relationship between WLB initiatives and perceived employee performance in hospitality organizations. Moreover, the study indicated that managers had a positive attitude towards WLB implementation as they alluded that WLB help to improve employees’ performance because it helps employees manage their roles in a better way without stress and burnout. These initiatives (such as paid leaves, work breaks, and flexible scheduling) were found to contribute positively to the performance of employees in terms of increasing their productivity as they help employees to manage their roles in a better way without any stress. The study concluded that the hospitality organizations can enhance work-life balance through the creation of various HR policies, flexible scheduling, paid time off for child care, paid maternity leave, fitness centers, counseling, and training sessions as well as implement programs such as workshops and seminars on time management, stress reduction, efficient job management among other things.

This study investigates the impact that loading animations have on perceived  performance. Two sets of usability tests were conducted to obtain the data for this study. In the first set of usability tests, 15 participants were observed. The second set was performed online with 45 participants who answered a questionnaire after using the prototype. Five different loading animations were tested: Spinner, Loading bar, a detailed animation, an animation with aquote and a skeleton loading screen. The participants were asked at the end of the usability tests to rate which one of the loading screens were the fastest and the slowest. Results suggested the kind of animation used in a loading screen does have an effect on perceived performance. The loading screen with no animation received a generally lower rating compared to the one with animations. Loading animations intended to entertain and distract the user received a higher rate compared to common loading animations such as Spinners and Loading bars.

<p>This study has emerged from a growing interest in students' sleeping habits. During practical training as teachers, we have noticed a discussion of students' sleeping habits, fatigue and student performance at school in relation to their sleeping habits. The purpose of this field survey was to examine students’ sleeping habits and self-perceived performance ability in school in relation to sleeping habits. The material was collected from a questionnaire that was answered by 200 students in 4-6^th grade and 188 students in 1-2th grade in the upper secondary school, this to give an opportunity to see if there were any differences between the different age groups. Differences in gender have also been looked into. The results of the study show that many students, regardless of age or gender, that are sleeping less than 8 hours on school-nights also are tired in school and not able to fully concentrate during the day. The results show some correlation between sleeping habits and how the students feel they are able to perform in school. The results also show that older students sleep less than the younger ones, but a bigger part of the younger students than the older seem to have problems concentrating in school. The results also show a tendency towards differences in sleeping habits between genders, regardless of age, where boys sleep less than girls, but girls have a harder time concentrating in school.</p>

This study has emerged from a growing interest in students' sleeping habits. During practical training as teachers, we have noticed a discussion of students' sleeping habits, fatigue and student performance at school in relation to their sleeping habits. The purpose of this field survey was to examine students’ sleeping habits and self-perceived performance ability in school in relation to sleeping habits. The material was collected from a questionnaire that was answered by 200 students in 4-6th grade and 188 students in 1-2th grade in the upper secondary school, this to give an opportunity to see if there were any differences between the different age groups. Differences in gender have also been looked into. The results of the study show that many students, regardless of age or gender, that are sleeping less than 8 hours on school-nights also are tired in school and not able to fully concentrate during the day. The results show some correlation between sleeping habits and how the students feel they are able to perform in school. The results also show that older students sleep less than the younger ones, but a bigger part of the younger students than the older seem to have problems concentrating in school. The results also show a tendency towards differences in sleeping habits between genders, regardless of age, where boys sleep less than girls, but girls have a harder time concentrating in school.

工作中，我們常常可以發現主管與員工對於工作上有著不同的看法，這些差異不僅會影響主管與員工之間的關係，同時也會對組織績效產生影響，為重視職務角色對於公司績效衡量認知差異的影響，並增加衡量指標的多元面向，本研究期藉由導入平衡計分卡的概念，兼顧組織績效評估的均衡性。爰此，以平衡計分卡之四項構面探討職務角色對於港務公司主觀績效指標之認知差異，輔以績效指標之重要性-滿意度分析，針對各構面的指標進行剖析。 本研究以臺灣港務公司高雄港務分公司員工為填答對象，依照人員資位進行抽樣，總計發出350份問卷，共回收290份問卷，有效回收率為83%。採用量化分析方式，以LISREL進行量表之驗證性因素分析，並採用T檢定、單因子變異數分析(ANOVA)與重要性-滿意度分析(IPA)驗證各研究假設。 根據實證分析結果，本研究獲致以下四項主要結論：(1)擔任主管員工於知覺績效指標重要性認知程度高於非主管員工；(2)擔任主管員工知覺實際實施表現感受之滿意度高於非主管員工；(3)知覺績效指標重要程度與實際實施表現感受之滿意度有顯著相關；(4)不同職務角色知覺績效指標重要程度與實際實施表現感受之滿意度有差異。 本研究提出管理建議如下：於組織面可朝向(1)暢通決策管道與資訊透明化、(2)促進交流與溝通的開放、(3)朝向創新與彈性的制度設計、(4)改進人事制度、(5)檢討績效考評制度及(6)鼓勵單位間的相互合作；於員工層面應關心員工的適應情形與人際互動，增進組織認同感。 / In daily work,we can find that manager and staff have different opinion very often.This difference will not only affect the relationship between each other but also the working performance.To emphasis the different coginition of organizational performance evaluation by managerial role,and add the different dimention of performance indicators,this study use Balanced ScoreCard to make the organizational performance evaluation more balance.Therefore,the study will find out the coginition of state-owned enterprises perceived performance by managerial role in the perspective of BSC.Futhermore,we can through Importance- Performance Analysis to analysis the each dimension of BSC. This study is a case from TIPC,Port of Kaohsiung , The participants of the present study were employees and managers chosen by position in the company.Send out 350 questionaries,and 290 is returned,the responded rates is 83%.Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to examine the construct validity of adopted measurement instruments and T-test,ANOVA,IPA was employed to test the hypotheses. The main findings show that: (1) managers feel the performance indicators are more important than employees.(2) managers feel the performance indicators are more satisfied than employees.(3) the performance indicators’ importance and satisfication are significant relevance.(4) the performance indicators’ importance and satisfication will have different coginition by managerial role. Finally,few practical recommendations were made : from organizational perspect (1)open the decision making procedure and imformation.(2) letting the communication and exchange more often.(3) institution rules toward more innovate and flexible (4) change the personnel institution.(5) reviw the performance appraisal.(6) encourage sectors work together; from employee perspect:care about new staffs’ adapt situation and relationship,raising their organizational commitment.

The aim of the thesis is to determine the relation between subjectively perceived and financially measured performance of a firm. The introduction of the thesis is focused on performance characteristics and measurement. Further, based on foreign and domestic researches, subjectively perceived performance is defined and comparison with objectively (financially) measured one is made. Results of the researches prove that between subjectively perceived and financially measured performance, there exists substantial to very strong statistical association. Following on an own research was carried out. As the tool for data collection serves a questionnaire sent to firms from the Czech and Slovak Republic. The data collected are compared with values of select financial measures: with ROA, ROE, ROS and Gross Sales. Said own research also confirmed a positive correlation between subjectively perceived and financially measured performance of the firm, albeit weaker than in foreign researches.

This dissertation describes and analyzes the perceived performance of Sino-foreign joint ventures. The dissertation is based on an in-depth qualitative longitudinal real time case study of the joint venture known as Jinan Hua Wo Truck Corporation (Hua Wo), between Volvo Trucks and China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Co. Ltd. in China. The purpose of the dissertation is to contribute to the understanding of Sino-foreign perceived performance by suggesting an elaborated model, which captures situated and dynamic features. Perceived performance is defined as the joint venture executives’ assessment of strategic goal achievement and overall satisfaction. Findings from the study of the Hua Wo joint venture indicate that what determines perceived performance is the outcome of activities initiated in order to achieve or to facilitate goals. The dissertation presents an analytical model of Sino-foreign joint venture perceived performance which comprises the four concepts: goals, stakeholder relations, political influence and control. The conclusion of the dissertation is that in order to understand what decides perceived performance, it is necessary to assess system size, in other words, the number of stakeholders able to influence goal achievement, and also the intended duration of the activities. It is proposed that the configuration of the suggested model of perceived performance will be dependent upon these two dimensions. For activities taking place in a restricted system over a restricted time period, perceived performance depends primarily on the goals of the activity. The perceived performance of activities of a restricted system carried out over an extended period of time is more influenced by control. On the other hand activities carried out in an extended system over a restricted period of time are mainly determined by stakeholder relations for perceived performance, whereas activities which take place in an extended system for an extended time period are vulnerable to political influence. / Den här avhandlingen beskriver och analyserar uppfattat utfall i Sino-utländska samriskföretag. Avhandlingen är baserad på en longitudinell kvalitativ realtidsstudie av samriskföretaget Jinan Hua Wo Truck Corporation (i dagligt tal benämnt Hua Wo) vilket ägs av Volvo Lastvagnar och China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Co. Ltd. Avhandlingens syfte är att bidra till förståelsen av uppfattat utfall i Sino-utländska samriskföretag, genom att utveckla en modell vilken tar hänsyn till situationsbaserade och dynamiska karaktäristika. Med uppfattat utfall menas i avhandlingen samriskföretagets intressenters bedömning av strategisk måluppfyllelse och generell tillfredställelse med samriskföretaget. Resultaten från fallstudien av Hua Wo indikerar att det är utfallet av aktiviteter som initierats för att uppnå mål eller möjliggöra måluppfyllelse som avgör det uppfattade utfallet. Avhandlingen presenterar vidare en modell för att analysera uppfattat utfall i Sino-utländska samriskföretag vilken kombinerar de fyra koncepten mål, intressentrelationer, politiskt inflytande och kontroll. Slutsatsen i avhandlingen är att för att förstå vad som avgör uppfattat utfall i Sino-utländska samriskföretag så bör systemstorleken (antalet intressenter som kan påverka ett samriskföretags måluppfyllelse) och tidsramen utvärderas. Vidare argumenterar avhandlingen för att det är systemstorleken och tidsramen som avgör konfigurationen av analysmodellen för uppfattat utfall. Vad gäller de aktiviteter som genomförs i ett system med få intressenter under en kort tid, så är målen i sig viktigast, medan kontroll är viktigare för aktiviteter som sker i ett system med få intressenter under en längre tid. Aktiviteter som genomförs i ett system med många intressenter under kort tid blir beroende av intressentrelationerna, medan aktiviteter som sker i ett system med många intressenter över en lång tidsperiod istället blir sårbara för politisk intervention.

Submitted by Aelson Maciera (aelsoncm@terra.com.br) on 2017-08-07T19:09:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCLG.pdf: 1961386 bytes, checksum: 4f4c104b8de66d6468ef02dfd76b6148 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-09T13:23:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCLG.pdf: 1961386 bytes, checksum: 4f4c104b8de66d6468ef02dfd76b6148 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-08-09T13:23:47Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCLG.pdf: 1961386 bytes, checksum: 4f4c104b8de66d6468ef02dfd76b6148 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-09T13:29:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissCLG.pdf: 1961386 bytes, checksum: 4f4c104b8de66d6468ef02dfd76b6148 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-04-07 / Não recebi financiamento / The practices of Continuous Improvement (CI) and the Innovation of products and processes get competitive advantage for organizations, in relation to competitors, whether in positioning by low cost or differentiation strategy. These practices need to be managed and integrated in order to ensure, in the long run, the desired results. Although seen as significant for the strategic goals of the organization, often are managed independently and with different goals. There is little consensus in the literature if the use of Continuous Improvement Practices has positive or negative impact on the processes and outcomes of Innovation in firm. However, are observed recurring statements about the necessity of coexistence and integration of CI programs and Practices and Innovation. There is interest in examining what existing relations in the context of organizations that make it possible to identify whether a greater intensity of use of CI practices influences the perceived performance in innovation of products and processes. In order to analyze the possible relations, the study was conducted by survey on a sample of 102 companies of Auto parts, Pharmaceuticals, Electric-Electronics appliances the State of São Paulo in Brazil. The sample data were analyzed by descriptive and multivariate statistical methods (cluster analysis). The descriptive analysis showed significant evidence on integration relations between CI and Product and process innovation, as well as, the IC contribution in creating a fertile environment for Innovation. Multivariate analyzes revealed existence of associations between the intensity of use of IC practices and perceived performance in Innovation, mainly in processes. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the topic and management application in organizations, besides indicating opportunities for further studies. / As práticas de Melhoria Contínua (MC) e de Inovação de produtos e processos geram vantagem competitiva para as organizações, seja em posicionamento por baixo custo ou em estratégia de diferenciação. Essas práticas precisam ser gerenciadas e integradas de forma a assegurar, no longo prazo, os resultados desejados. Apesar de vistas como significativas para os resultados estratégicos da organização, muitas vezes são gerenciadas de forma independente e com objetivos distintos. Há pouco consenso na literatura sobre se o uso de práticas de Melhoria Contínua tem impacto positivo ou negativo nos processos e resultados de Inovação nas empresas. Entretanto, são observadas afirmações recorrentes sobre a necessidade de coexistência e integração das práticas e programas de MC e da Inovação. Há interesse em analisar quais as relações, existentes no âmbito das organizações, que possibilitam identificar se uma maior intensidade de uso das práticas de MC influencia o desempenho percebido em Inovação de produtos e processos. Com o intuito de analisar as possíveis relações, foi conduzida uma pesquisa survey em uma amostra de 102 empresas industriais dos setores de Autopeças, Farmacêutico e Eletro-Eletrônico do Estado de São Paulo. Os dados obtidos foram analisados por métodos estatísticos descritivos e multivariados (análise de cluster). As análises descritivas de dados mostraram evidências significativas sobre as relações de integração entre a MC e a Inovação de produtos e processos, bem como, a contribuição da MC na criação de um ambiente propício a Inovação. As análises multivariadas revelaram a existência de associações entre a intensidade de uso de práticas de MC e o desempenho percebido em Inovação, principalmente em processos. Os resultados contribuem para uma melhor compreensão sobre o tema e aplicação gerencial nas organizações, além de indicar oportunidades de desdobramentos para pesquisas futuras.