M.Ed. (Educational Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

M.Ed. (Tertiary Didactics) / In the Republic of South Africa (RSA) the high failure rate among first-year students, in particular, and the fact that more and more students are streaming to the universities, have dramatically increased the cost of a university education. The failure of a first-year student is a financial burden that the universities cannot afford. A first-year student who has failed has a negative attitude towards further study at any tertiary institution, leading to the loss to our country of the manpower we need for technological advancement. ..

Ziel dieser Arbeit ist die Untersuchung der Bedeutung der Spezifikation für Ratingmodelle zur Prognose von Kreditausfallwahrscheinlichkeiten. Ausgehend von dem in der Bankenpraxis etablierten Logit-Modell werden verschiedene Modellerweiterungen diskutiert und hinsichtlich ihrer Eigenschaften als Ratingmodelle empirisch und simulationsbasiert untersucht. Die Interpretierbarkeit und die Prognosegüte der Modelle werden dabei gleichermaßen berücksichtigt. Besonderes Augenmerk wird auf Mixed Logit-Modelle zur Abbildung individueller Heterogenität gelegt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Spezifikation einen wichtigen Einfluss auf die Eigenschaften von Ratingmodellen hat und dass insbesondere mit Hilfe von Mixed Logit-Ansätzen sinnvoll interpretierbare Ratingmodelle mit guten Prognoseeigenschaften erlangt werden können. / This thesis aims at analyzing the impact of model specification on credit rating models as used by banks to forecast credit default probabilities. The well-established logit model is extended in various directions. Implications are discussed empirically and with the help of Monte Carlo studies. In this respect, interpretability and forecasting quality are considered simultaneously. A main focus is on mixed logit models that allow for modeling individual heterogeneity. Results indicate that proper model specification has a strong impact on the quality of rating models. In particular it is emphasized that mixed logit models offer well interpretable credit rating models with high forecasting power.

A research report submitted to the faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Management (in the field of Governance and Public Leadership) 2015 / The performance management system was introduced in the South African public service with the intention to continuously manage performance by setting performance objectives, reviewing past performance, assessing current performance, improving poor performance, determining recognition and reward for good performance, and assisting with career planning. Research has revealed that although the performance management system has been implemented in government departments it has not achieved expected results. This study was undertaken as an attempt to investigate the factors leading to the challenges in implementing the performance management system in the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. To achieve this, semi-structured interviews were conducted with employees at different levels as well as a former trade union leader who was involved in the process of developing the Gauteng Provincial Government Policy on Performance Management and Development. Internal documents of the Department were also analysed. The themes identified led to a richer understanding of the factors affecting the implementation of the performance management system. The research findings indicate that although there is an understanding of performance management in the Department, implementation remains a challenge. The analysis of the responses indicated a great dissatisfaction with the current system. A few of the reasons are that not all managers show commitment towards the performance management system; some managers are not fair in the manner in which they conduct performance assessments and distribute rewards; it has failed to link performance outcomes to rewards in a meaningful manner; there is not much emphasis placed on personal and career development; and there are no measures put in place by supervisors to address employees who do not achieve the set performance targets. It is concluded that there is an urgent need for government to address the challenges experienced with the system, as at the moment, it is not meeting the objectives it was intended to meet. / MT2017

Zetisky Jonathan V 9213052F zeds@telkomsa.net Master of Science in Medicine Faculty of Health Sciences M.Sc (med) Prof Rogers, G / Development in triathlon at the elite level can be improved by knowing the physical, physiological and anthropometrical characteristics of current elite triathletes and single sport athletes, and isolating those factors that contribute to high levels of performance. Much research on this topic has been done with regard to the single sport disciplines of running, swimming and cycling. However, less is known about triathletes. The primary purpose of this study was therefore to see whether and how triathletes differ from the single sport athletes in the disciplines of swimming, cycling and running, and by so doing, to develop a profile of an elite South African triathlete. Thirty-four subjects (triathletes: n = 12; runners: n = 8; swimmers: n = 6 and cyclists: n = 8) were measured for the physical characteristics of age, mass, height, body fat and lean body mass. Anthropometric measurements (skinfolds, bone breadths and girths) were also taken along with the physiological components of VO2 maximum (maximal oxygen consumption) and running economy. Muscle strength and endurance were also measured. The results showed that triathletes do not differ significantly from the single sport athletes (swimmers, cyclists and runners) in any of the components measured. In fact, they are generally most similar to cyclists in all of the categories measured and in each of these, lie between runners and swimmers. Runners and swimmers however, were significantly different (P<0.05) from each other in terms of mass (kg), lean body mass (kg) and maximal oxygen consumption (ml O2/kg.min-1). 3 No significant differences were noted between the triathletes, swimmers, cyclists and runners in endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy somatotype ratings. Swimmers (2 – 3,9 – 2,7) and cyclists (2 – 4 – 2,8) as well as the triathletes (2 – 3,8 – 2,8) fall into the ectomorphic-mesomorph somatotype while runners (1,8 – 3 – 3,5) on the other hand, were classified as mesomorphic-ectomorph. The study therefore suggests that no single physical, physiological or anthropometrical factor determines successful performance. Rather, it is a blend of physical and physiological traits observed in the single sport athletes that makes a successful triathlete.

This quantitative study examined secondary schools across a south Florida school district to determine the relationship between school characteristics and measures of teacher quality with the aim of ascertaining the equitable distribution of the educational resource, teacher quality. Data regarding student population, staff climate survey responses, school points, and measures of teacher quality were requested from the school district; however, the requested teacher quality data was not available from the district. The researcher accessed publicly available teacher quality data from the Florida Department of Education regarding advanced degree completion, out-of-field teachers, and highly qualified teachers to serve as measures of teacher quality at secondary schools. Data were collected and analyzed using quantitative methods for 119 schools that served as the unit of analysis. Using multiple regressions, the study found a significant negative relationship between the percentage of students participating in the free and reduced-price lunch program and the percentage of teachers who possessed an advanced degree. The study also found a significant positive relationship between the percentages of Black students, English language learners, students with disabilities, students participating in the free and reduced-price lunch program and the percentage of out-offield teachers. Additionally, the study found a significant positive relationship between the percentages of Hispanic students, students with disabilities, students participating in the free and reduced-price lunch program, and the percentage of not highly qualified teachers at schools. The investigation also discovered predictive relationships between some of these school characteristics and the measures of teacher quality examined in the study. All of the findings provided evidence of structural inequality regarding the distribution of teacher quality and were analyzed by the study’s theoretical framework, which drew on critical race theory, critical multiculturalism, and other critical studies. These works underscore the inequitable distribution of teacher quality. Implications and suggestions for future research are offered for further examination of the equitable distribution of teacher quality and the role of policy to inform the equitable distribution of teacher quality across schools in order to address the most urgent problem facing U.S. education: the unequal distribution of quality teachers. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

O tema segurança das instalações elétricas não é novo no Brasil, porém sempre foi dependente de iniciativas particulares de empresas, entidades de classe e outros atores que incentivaram a educação, a adoção séria das Normas Técnicas desde o projeto da instalação, especificação e uso de materiais adequados e conformes a seus requisitos técnicos e a montagem correta. Somente essas ações não se mostraram totalmente eficazes ao longo do tempo, uma vez que o caráter voluntário para o cumprimento das Normas Técnicas não tem sido suficiente para conscientizar o mercado para a importância do tema. Este cenário se mostra adequado para a adoção do conceito de avaliação da conformidade de produtos e serviços, envolvendo ou não uma terceira parte independente, a exemplo do que vem sendo feita em outros países. Esta dissertação apresenta os conceitos principais adotados nos processos de avaliação da conformidade no âmbito internacional e sua correspondência direta com aqueles definidos pelo Inmetro no Brasil, pela situação privilegiada do país em participar diretamente dessa comunidade, tanto com o reconhecimento mútuo de programas e laboratórios. Nesse tema, o trabalho mostra os resultados positivos conseguidos nas áreas de produtos em geral e, particularmente, nos produtos elétricos, cuja quase totalidade é objeto de certificação compulsória pelo Inmetro. É descrita também a seqüência de fatos e ações tomadas no Brasil para o diagnóstico do nível de segurança das instalações elétricas de baixa tensão por meio de programas particulares, os resultados obtidos por programas diferentes, o envolvimento inicial dos órgãos reguladores e a parada das atividades no âmbito federal. Ações complementares às tentativas de discussão sobre o tema e de encaminhamento e aprovação de processos junto aos órgãos regulamentadores, a dissertação também mostra e discute as legislações municipais, estaduais existentes no país e do Corpo de Bombeiros da Polícia Militar do Estado de São Paulo, as quais, com sua efetiva implementação, poderão contribuir com a melhoria da segurança dos usuários das instalações elétricas, a exemplo do que é realizado em mais de 30 países do mundo. viii Também é descrito um modelo alternativo de caráter voluntário, resultado de iniciativa independente de alguns atores do mercado, baseado nas experiências de vários países e que está sendo implementado pela primeira vez no país, com as vantagens para todos os atores, distribuidoras de energia elétrica, administração pública, fabricantes de materiais, projetistas, proprietários e, principalmente, usuários. / The safety of electrical installations is not a new theme in Brazil, but it has always been dependent on private initiatives of companies, unions and other stakeholders, with great sacrifice, education encouraged the adoption of serious technical standards from the design, specification and use of materials and correct assembly line. Only those actions were not fully effective, as the voluntary aspect to comply with the Standards has not been enough to guarantee awareness about the importance of the subject. This scenario is suitable for the adoption of the conformity assessment concept applied to products and services, whether or not involving an independent third party, as been done in other countries This work presents the main concepts adopted in the process of conformity assessment in the international arena and its direct correspondence with those defined by Inmetro in Brazil, the situation inside the country to participate directly in this community, both with the recognition of programs and laboratories. In this theme, the work shows the positive results have been achieved in the areas of commodities in general and particularly in electrical products, virtually all of which are subject to Inmetro mandatory certification. It also described the sequence of events and actions taken in Brazil for the diagnosis of the safety level through special programs, the results obtained by different programs, the initial involvement of regulators and end of the activities at the federal level. Concerning additional actions to discuss the issue and to approve process with the competent regulators, the work also shows the municipal and state laws and the Technical Instruction of Fire Department of Military Police of State of São Paulo, which, with its effective implementation will contribute to improve the safety of users of electrical installations, similar to that in over 30 countries worldwide. The work also describes an alternative voluntary model based on the experiences of several countries and that it is being first implemented in the country as an initiative of several market players, with benefits for all actors, electric energy distribution companies, public administration, manufacturers of materials, designers, installers, builders, owners and users.

by Zhou Jun. / Includes "Chinese version of the questionaire". / Thesis (M.B.A.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1993. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 43-45). / ABSTRACT / TABLE OF CONTENTS / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT / CHAPTER / Chapter I. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter II. --- DEVELOPMENT OF PROPOSITIONS --- p.7 / Chapter III. --- METHODOLOGY --- p.19 / Chapter IV. --- DATA ANALYSIS --- p.25 / Chapter V. --- RESULTS --- p.30 / Chapter VI. --- DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION --- p.34 / APPENDICES / BIBLIOGRAPHY

by Cho Kwok-kuen, Wan Yee-yin [and] Wong Tin-yue. / Abstract also in Chinese. / Thesis (MBA)--Chinese University of Hong Kong. / Bibliography: l. 140-143.

The need for regulation of the credit rating agencies (CRAs) arose due to their role in the subprime mortgage crisis. The CRAs awarded risky securities '3-A' investment grade status and then failed to downgrade them quickly enough when circumstances changed which led to investors suffering substantial losses. The causes identified by the regulators for the gatekeeper failure were conflicts of interest (as the issuers of these securities pay for the ratings); lack of competition (as the Big Three CRAs have dominated the market share); and lack of CRA regulation. The regulators, both in the US and EU, have tried to address these problems by introducing soft law self-regulation in accordance with the International Organisation of Securities Commissions Code and hard law statutory regulation such as that found in the "Reform Act" and "Dodd-Frank Act" in the US and similar provisions in the EU. This thesis examines these provisions in detail by using a doctrinal black-letter law method to assess the success of the regulators in redressing the problems identified. It also examines the US case law regulation relating to the legal liability of CRAs. The findings are that the US First Amendment protection, exclusion clauses and case law, all lack a deterrent effect on the actions of CRAs. As CRAs have escaped substantial damages, investors are left uncompensated for their losses. The thesis concludes that the issues of conflicts of interest and an anti-competitive environment persist. This thesis recommends the introduction of liability for the CRAs based on the Australian Bathurst case and which should be put in a statutory footing, including the requirements that are needed for making exclusion clauses effective. Rotation of CRAs for every three years would minimise the conflicts of interest. Regulators should require CRAs to purchase professional indemnity insurance, if available, to compensate investors.