Es wird über die Entwicklung und Erprobung von Instrumenten zur Messung von Ingenieurskreativität und Fachinteresse am Studium der Elektrotechnik berichtet. Im Fall des Fachinteresses wird ein Algorithmus vorgeschlagen um effizient Skalen maßzuschneidern. Für spezifische Kreativität werden die Schwierigkeiten der Erfassung diskutiert und erste Möglichkeit der Lösung dieser Probleme diskutiert. / The development and testing of two scales measuring creativity in engineering and vocational interest is reported. Concerning the scale of vocational interest an algorithm for the efficient tailoring of such scales is proposed. In case of specific creativity the difficulties of the measurement are discussed and first solutions developed.

Es wird über die Entwicklung und Erprobung von Instrumenten zur Messung von Ingenieurskreativität und Fachinteresse am Studium der Elektrotechnik berichtet. Im Fall des Fachinteresses wird ein Algorithmus vorgeschlagen um effizient Skalen maßzuschneidern. Für spezifische Kreativität werden die Schwierigkeiten der Erfassung diskutiert und erste Möglichkeit der Lösung dieser Probleme diskutiert. / The development and testing of two scales measuring creativity in engineering and vocational interest is reported. Concerning the scale of vocational interest an algorithm for the efficient tailoring of such scales is proposed. In case of specific creativity the difficulties of the measurement are discussed and first solutions developed.

Many health care providers aim to become more patient-centered, and developing mobile health applications for patients might help achieve this. In the light of this, this thesis explores if the progressive web application (PWA) concept is suitable for mobile health applications. It is investigated by developing a PWA intended to be used to gather health care patients’ self assessments. The work follows the double diamond design process with: a discover phase containing a literature study, interviews with experts, and partaking in a workshop; a define phase where system requirements are specified; a develop phase with lo- and mid-fi prototypes as well as usability tests with six test users; and a deliver phase where the application is implemented using Polymer 2.0 and web components. To furthermore assess the patients satisfaction of a PWA, an evaluation phase is conducted where eleven test users tries it during five consecutive evenings and answers a survey at the end. The general opinions were that they thought it worked good and was easy to use, indicating that a PWA can be suitable for this purpose. Following this and discussions of findings, we suggest guidelines for how to design and implement a PWA for similar projects. However, the developed PWA was due to shortage of time not completely finished and the test users support for PWA features were rather limited, so future investigation is recommended to determine if PWAs are suitability in this context.

Bank failures during recent years continue to cause stakeholders to question how board and senior management are overseeing and managing Operational Risk. This research evaluated the use of Operational Risk tools by South African banks who have adopted Advanced Measurement Approach (AMA) for management and calculation of Operational Risk capital, based on the Basel II requirements (Bank for International Settlements, 2006). The research was conducted under the assumption that when Operational Risk tools are adopted and used as prescribed by the Basel II Framework, it will lead to enhanced risk management practices and allow banks to identify emerging risks where controls can be designed to mitigate risks from materialising. This study was conducted using a quantitative method – the survey was sent to Operational Risk managers in the main segments of 3 South African AMA banks (ABSA, FIRSTRAND and NEDBANK), and senior managers in the group Operational Risk departments. The study found that Operational Risk tools are used and have been implemented as per Basel II requirements even though there are minor gaps. These tools have also been integrated in day-to-day processes; however there are some improvements required when it comes to a full integration and the use of the tools in the decision making processes. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Biosphere reserves are regions that are internationally recognized for their ecological significance and work towards ecosystem management. The concept of community capacity, as developed in the resource management and health promotion literatures, was applied to two such regions that were designated in 2000: Clayoquot Sound and Redberry Lake. The purpose of this comparative research was to better understand what constitutes the collective ability, or community capacity, these places have for fulfilling their functions as biosphere reserves. Community capacity is the collective mobilization of resources (ecological, economic/built, human and social capitals) for a specified goal. A mixed methods approach was taken. Self-assessments, both qualitative and quantitative, were used to determine community capacity in focus groups with biosphere reserve management, residents, and youth (grades 9-12). The results were compared to a statistics-based assessment of socioeconomic well-being. Semi-structured interviews for a related research project provided further insight. This comparative research made theoretical advancements by identifying key constituents of community capacity, including dimensions of the capitals and mobilizers, or factors that motivate people to work for communal benefit. Mobilizers were found to be key drivers of the process of using and building community capacity. Four mobilizer categories were identified: the existence of, and changes to capital resources; individual traits; community consciousness; and, commitment. The practical implications of applying both qualitative and quantitative assessment methods were examined. It was found that there are several ways to conduct the socioeconomic assessment, and that adaptive methodological application is advised in research that attempts to be truly community-basednot just about, but for and with communities. It was found that, while it does not ensure a biosphere reserves success, economic capital plays a key role in activating other resources beyond a time frame of three years, where social capital can be the primary driver for activity. Despite substantial differences politically, socially, and economically, both regions experienced similar challenges that can be largely attributed to a general lack of understanding of the biosphere reserve concept, and a lack of consistent, core funding.

Biosphere reserves are regions that are internationally recognized for their ecological significance and work towards ecosystem management. The concept of community capacity, as developed in the resource management and health promotion literatures, was applied to two such regions that were designated in 2000: Clayoquot Sound and Redberry Lake. The purpose of this comparative research was to better understand what constitutes the collective ability, or community capacity, these places have for fulfilling their functions as biosphere reserves. Community capacity is the collective mobilization of resources (ecological, economic/built, human and social capitals) for a specified goal. A mixed methods approach was taken. Self-assessments, both qualitative and quantitative, were used to determine community capacity in focus groups with biosphere reserve management, residents, and youth (grades 9-12). The results were compared to a statistics-based assessment of socioeconomic well-being. Semi-structured interviews for a related research project provided further insight. This comparative research made theoretical advancements by identifying key constituents of community capacity, including dimensions of the capitals and mobilizers, or factors that motivate people to work for communal benefit. Mobilizers were found to be key drivers of the process of using and building community capacity. Four mobilizer categories were identified: the existence of, and changes to capital resources; individual traits; community consciousness; and, commitment. The practical implications of applying both qualitative and quantitative assessment methods were examined. It was found that there are several ways to conduct the socioeconomic assessment, and that adaptive methodological application is advised in research that attempts to be truly community-basednot just about, but for and with communities. It was found that, while it does not ensure a biosphere reserves success, economic capital plays a key role in activating other resources beyond a time frame of three years, where social capital can be the primary driver for activity. Despite substantial differences politically, socially, and economically, both regions experienced similar challenges that can be largely attributed to a general lack of understanding of the biosphere reserve concept, and a lack of consistent, core funding.

Der vorliegende Vortrag dokumentiert die Entwicklung eines Marketingkonzepts für den Elektrotechnik- (ET) Studiengang der TU Dresden. Das Konzept wurde im Rahmen des Studienerfolgprojektes Online-Self-Assessment („OSA“) erarbeitet. Das Ziel bestand darin, Faktoren zu definieren, die potentiell erfolgreiche Studierende für das Studium in Dresden anziehen können. Zu diesem Zweck wurden verschiedene Informationsquellen gesichtet und eine Literaturrecherche durchgeführt. Insgesamt ergab die Recherche elf Faktoren, die drei Clustern zugeordnet werden konnten. Die gefundenen Faktoren entsprachen inhaltlich dem Anforderungsprofil eines erfolgreichen ET-Studierenden aus dem OSA-Projekt. Limitierungen der Rechercheergebnisse werden diskutiert. Die Metapher „Planwagen vs. Hefeweizen“ wird zusammenfassend verwendet, um die Botschaft des Marketingkonzepts zu transportieren. Weitere Anwendungen des Konzepts werden abschließend dargestellt.

Der vorliegende Vortrag dokumentiert die Entwicklung eines Marketingkonzepts für den Elektrotechnik- (ET) Studiengang der TU Dresden. Das Konzept wurde im Rahmen des Studienerfolgprojektes Online-Self-Assessment („OSA“) erarbeitet. Das Ziel bestand darin, Faktoren zu definieren, die potentiell erfolgreiche Studierende für das Studium in Dresden anziehen können. Zu diesem Zweck wurden verschiedene Informationsquellen gesichtet und eine Literaturrecherche durchgeführt. Insgesamt ergab die Recherche elf Faktoren, die drei Clustern zugeordnet werden konnten. Die gefundenen Faktoren entsprachen inhaltlich dem Anforderungsprofil eines erfolgreichen ET-Studierenden aus dem OSA-Projekt. Limitierungen der Rechercheergebnisse werden diskutiert. Die Metapher „Planwagen vs. Hefeweizen“ wird zusammenfassend verwendet, um die Botschaft des Marketingkonzepts zu transportieren. Weitere Anwendungen des Konzepts werden abschließend dargestellt.