No description available.

[pt] O objetivo da dissertação é propor um modelo de autoavaliação para laboratórios de ensaio e calibração que possa ser utilizado para verificar seu grau de maturidade em relação ao processo de acreditação segundo a Norma ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025. Busca-se demonstrar a aplicabilidade do modelo mediante o desenvolvimento de um estudo de caso em um dos Laboratórios de Ensaio e Calibração da Marinha do Brasil. A pesquisa pode ser considerada aplicada, descritiva e metodológica. Quanto aos meios de investigação, a metodologia compreende: (i) pesquisa bibliográfica e documental; (ii) construção do modelo conceitual de avaliação da competência, imparcialidade e consistência na operação de laboratórios de ensaio e calibração; (iii) construção da estrutura hierárquica analítica do elementos-chave e detalhados da avaliação da competência, imparcialidade e consistência na operação desses laboratórios; (iv) aplicação do método analítico hierárquico para definição dos pesos dos elementos em dois níveis hierárquicos, com participação de especialistas convidados; (iv) aplicação da ferramenta de autoavaliação junto ao gestor do Laboratório alvo do estudo de caso; (vii) discussão dos resultados e formulação das conclusões e recomendações. Destaca-se como resultado principal uma sistemática inovadora de autoavaliação de laboratórios de ensaio e calibração, na perspectiva de apoiar processos decisórios referentes à acreditação desses laboratórios segundo a referida Norma. O estudo de caso no contexto institucional da Marinha do Brasil demonstrou ser plausível determinar o nível de maturidade de um de seus laboratórios em relação aos requisitos da referida Norma e permitiu identificar oportunidades de melhoria de seu atual sistema de gestão. / [en] This dissertation aims to propose a self-assessment model for evaluating the competence, impartiality and consistent operation of testing and calibration laboratories, based on ABNT NBR ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard. An attempt is made to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed model through the development of a case study in one of the Brazilian Navy s Testing and Calibration Laboratories. This research can be considered applied, descriptive and methodological. The methodology encompasses literature review and documentary research; development of a self-assessment model for evaluating the competence, impartiality and operational consistency of testing and calibration laboratories; construction of the analytical hierarchical structure with the key and detailed elements that integrate the model; application of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) method to define the weights of the evaluation criteria, with the participation of invited experts; development of a case study within one of the Brazilian Navy s Test and Calibration Laboratories; discussion of results and formulation of conclusions and recommendations. The main outcome of this research is an innovative self-assessment model for testing and calibration laboratories, with a view to supporting decisions concerning the accreditation process of these laboratories according to the mentioned Standard. Notably, the results of the case study demonstrate that it is feasible to determine the maturity level of the Laboratory in compliance with the requirements of the mentioned standard. Also, they allowed identifying opportunities for improvement of the current management system of the Laboratory.

The quest for excellence in institutions is nothing new. Most of the twentieth century saw management sciences grappling with the question how to improve the productivity and general health of institutions through sound management principles and practice. In recent research, proponents of Total Quality Management have identified it as an essential strategy of successful institutions in a highly competitive and rapidly changing business environment. The overall aim of this study is the development of a framework for the implementation of Total Quality Management in the South African Air Force. As a first prerequisite, a theoretical and conceptual analysis is undertaken of Total Quality Management as it is discussed in a vast volume of published literature. In the process, Total Quality Management philosophy and principles are described within the context of organisational theory, mainly based on so-called quality guru prescriptions. The variety of definitions of Total Quality Management is studied to find an appropriate definition for this study. The primary and supportive Total Quality Management dimensions are identified in the available literature, and integrated into a framework, which is called the "Total Quality Management telescopic framework" for the purposes of the study. This framework is formulated for use in the development of an appropriate methodology to implement Total Quality Management in South African Air Force Bases. As a basis for the understanding of the empirical part of the thesis, the context and nature of the SA Air Force are also discussed, followed by the self-assessment methods already in use in the institution. The Total Quality Management telescopic framework is meant to provide a mechanism for the adoption of a systematic and ordered approach to the implementation of Total Quality Management in SA Air Force Bases. To achieve this objective, a structured questionnaire survey is undertaken to establish the nature and extent of Total Quality Management as an internal organisational arrangement for personnel in SA Air Force Bases. The framework developed from the study of the available literature is used as a basis for the survey research, which attempts to determine the main hypothesis of the study: "The attitude of personnel of the South African Air Force Bases towards the primary and supporting dimensions of the framework for the implementation of Total Quality Management is positive." With the aid of computerised reliability analysis (Alpha Cronbach) for the test, the above hypothesis is proven to be true on a statistical basis. The attitude of personnel at SA Air Force Bases towards the nature and scope of Total Quality Management is that it enables them to perform their daily tasks better, and that they accept the Total Quality Management effort positively, in spite of specific deficiencies, which the study has brought to light. With these deficiencies as a guide, recommendations are made for their elimination. The research undertaken during the course of writing the thesis has led to the deduction that the greater the extent to which Total Quality Management principles is applied, the greater the improvement in work performance among personnel. / Public Administration / DADMIN (PUBLIC ADMIN)

[Support Institutions:] Department of Administration of Health, University of Montreal, Canada Public Health School of Fudan University, Shanghai, China / Afin de développer un instrument de la version chinoise d`OMS outil d'auto-évaluation de la promotion de la santé dans l'hôpital(OMSOAEPSH), un processus complexe de traduction socio-culturelle a été nécessaire. De plus, de tester la fiabilité et la validité, un enquête a été menée à la fois en Chine et au Canada (Montréal), cette recherche a été le premier fois d`adopter un contre-culture de l`approche complétée qui comprend : cet origine outil en anglais d`OMSOAEPSH proposé par l’OMS a été traduit et adapté en Chinois; la traduction de l’édition source de l’OMSAÉPSH en chinois, puis sa retraduction en anglais par une autre personne afin de tester la pertinence de la ` traduction culturelle`, ensuite trois professionnels de la santé qui connaissent bien l’anglais ont commenté la qualité de la traduction. Une méthode d’échantillonnage non aléatoire a été utilisée. Huit professionnels chinois qui travaillent au sein d’organisations de santé à Montréal ont d’abord été interviewés pour finaliser une épreuve pilote. Ensuite, une enquête formelle a été effectuée dans 3 capitales provinciales en Chine (Shanghai, Kunming et Hefei) au cours de l’été 2008. Au total, quarante gestionnaires issus de vingt-deux hôpitaux de ces trois villes ont participé à la recherche. Deuxièmement, pour fournir un première description de la situation actuelle de la chine de la promotion de la santé en utilisant cette outil chinoise, ces trois villes ont les différents niveaux de développement économique et de culture différente mais ils sont tous profondément influencé par la médecine traditionnelle chinoise. Le modèle de gestion des hôpitaux chinois, l’influence et le rôle de la Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise (MTC) pour développer la promotion de la santé en Chine ont fait l’objet d’une discussion approfondie dans cette thèse. Tous les répondants ont été volontaires pour participer à la première enquête et la reprise de l`enquête après trois – sept jours. La fiabilité des analyses de cohérence interne par Alpha de Cronbach, inter-évaluateurs fiabilité par analyses de corrélation, Test-retest fiabilité par Paire Sample T-test, la validité des essais par le biais de l`analyse factorielle et Pearson Bivariate Correlations analyse. NPAR test a été utilisé d`analyser la promotion de la santé entre les différentes villes et de comparer leurs différents niveaux entre les différent hôpitaux de grade. Résultats : Seul un item sur quarante (le mot <contenter>) a été jugé unanimement comme ayant un sens différent par rapport à la version originale. Le coefficient alpha de Cronbach’s était 0.938 pour l'ensemble des items et de 0.896 pour l`ensemble des domaines. Cette total de Cronbach Appha de l` coefficient pourrait être affecté par le nombre d`indicateurs. L'alpha de Cronbach’s de la norme 1 à norme 5 était : 0.79, 0.82, 0.81, 0.79 et 0.76. L’analyse du modèle ‘Split-half’ de 0.1 à 1, indiquant qu'il n'y avait aucune différence significative entre les valeurs de l'essai initial et l'essai de répétition de chaque article (pré et post test). Ceci montre que l'outil (version chinoise) est fiable. L’analyse factorielle confirme la validité d`OMSOAEPSH chinoise en général, mais sa validité a besoin de nouvelles recherches théoriques et empiriques. Les données qualitatives montrent que tous les participants pensent que cet outil d'auto-évaluation est avantageux en théorie mais, en pratique, seulement 17 des 35 répondants [chefs d’hôpitaux] entendent utiliser cet instrument dans leur milieu de travail, 15 des 35 gestionnaires d'hôpital l'ont refusé, et 3 employés ne sont pas sûr de l'utiliser. Le score moyen de promotion de la santé, du plus élevé au moins élevé était: norme 5 : 28.95 (72.4% du score plein), norme 4 : 35.7 (71.4%) ; norme 3 : 21.34 (71.1%) ; norme 2 : 28.85 (68.1%) ; norme 1 : 28.17 (62.6%). Le score mayen d`évaluation pour les différents hôpitaux de Grade III à Grade I était154.19 + 7.34 (n=21), 158.67 + 10.7 (n=9), 144.82 + 14.54 (n=11). Le résultat d’analyse de variance a montré qu'il n'y avait aucune différence significative entre les valeurs de différents Grades hôpitaux. Cette thèse a souligné les valeurs caractéristiques du système de soins chinois, notamment que la prévention de la maladie est primauté, le service centré sur le patient- sens. La MTC, combinée avec la médecine occidentale, ainsi que le rôle de l'hôpital, doivent permettre la promotion de la santé dans les communautés environnantes ; ce sont les stratégies pour développer la promotion de la santé, même si la Chine présente un certain nombre de conditions difficiles à ce développement. Cette recherche crée une base pour de futures recherches sur une promotion de la santé efficace dans les hôpitaux chinois. / The first purpose of this research is to develop a Chinese version (WHO self-assessment tool for Health Promotion in Hospital(WHOSATHPH), and test its reliability and validity through a pilot test in Canada (Montréal) and spot field investigation in China, this research was the first time to adopt completely cross-culture approach which includes:translated the source English edition tool into Chinese, then back translated it into English. 8 Chinese health professionals who have worked both in China and Montreal were investigated to complete the pilot test. Then 3 health professionals whose work language is English (1 Native American, 1 evaluation professor, the author of WHOSATHPH) commented the back-translation quality. The spot field investigation was performed in three Chinese capital cities, Shanghai, Hefei and Kunming from 5 June to 30 August 2008. Non-probability sample was used to survey 40 hospital leaders who are from 22 China hospitals, and 3 health management researchers (include 1 government officer). The second purpose of this research is to provide a primary description of China current HPH development by using this Chinese version WHOSATHPH, and to discuss China current hospital service evaluating principle and management model, and analysis the value and culture of TCM and its role and influence to China HPH development. Three capital cities(Shanghai, Kunming, and Hefei) which stand for different economic development level and different culture context feature but all deep influenced by TCM were investigated. 22 hospitals and 35 hospital leaders were given interview while they answered the questionnaire. All the respondents were vonluntary to take part in the first survey and the repeat survey after 3-7 days if they would like to. Reliability analysis include internal consistency(Cronbach Alpha),inter-rater relibility(Correlation analysis),Test-retest reliability( Paire-Sample T-test), Validity Test through factor analysis and Pearson Bivariate Correlations analysis. NPAR test was used to analyize the different cities and different grade hospitals comparison. Result: Only 1 word <satisfy>) was marked different meaning comparing with the back translation English version with original version by all of them. Reliability measures utilized Cronbach's Alpha, the general coefficient of the Chinese version WHOSATHPH was 0.938, Cronbach's alpha for the domains was 0.896. The Cronbach`s alpha for v five standards from one to five were: 0.793, 0.819, 0.807, 0.785, 0.755. 8 groups data were used for Inner-raters analysis, result shows that Shanghai respondents had comment consistency but Hefei and Kunming respondents didn't show inner raters assessed consistency. Pair T-Test for 40 items between pre and post test, the signification p was from 0.1-1 which indicates not statistic significant difference. Factor analysis shows this tool has the general theory construct validity, but the domain construct validity has not show the contruct validity. The results showed that Chinese version WHOSATHPH has high internal consistency but the high Cronbach`s Alpha might concern to the number of items. All the respondents thought WHOSATHPH was valuable in theory research, 15 respondents refused to use this instrument in their work, only 17 respondents accepted it, 3 respondents were not sure to use. The rejective reasons were: no government finance budget support, no demand from the government, difficult to follow. The acceptive reasons were: help to improve the work quality, help to guide HPH development. This research result shows that the Chinese version has reliability and general construct validity, but its validity needs the further conceptual and empirical research to prove. ① For five standards from the highest to lowest: standard5 (continuity and cooperation) 28.95(72.4% of full score), standard4 (healthy workplace) 35.71(71.4%), standard3 (patient information and prevention) 21.34 (71.1%), standard2 (patients assessment) 23.85 (68.1%), standard1 (management and policy) 28.17(only 62.6% of full score). These results show China hospitals has better HPH development level, their means are all over 60% of full score,②The mean of the total score for different grade hospital were: Grade III (n=21)154.19 + 7.34, Grade II(n=9) 158.67 + 10.7, Grade I (n=11) 144.82 + 14.54. Variance analysis result shows that there was no statistic significant difference between different grade hospitals. However, the last conclusion need further research with large ramdom sample size investigation. This thesis discussed the quality and weakness of China health care system and its successive strategies to develop HPH in very poor finance support, huge population, and difficult social condition and polluted environment. Disease prevention first, patient-center, combined the TCM with west medicine are regarded as the successive strategies for China HPH development. This research created a foundation for future HPH research.

The aim of this work is to develop a universal procedure introducing the concept of IT Governance using COBIT methodology to a small business environment. This thesis understands COBIT as a tool with which is possible to create a new business strategy for a firm and which will provide more competitive force for the firm in the competitive fight. The main contribution of this thesis is a theoretical research, which resulted in the proposal as how should a small company (which close-up characteristic is described in more detail in the work) proceed in a case that it decides to efficiently manage, manage and control the business IS / IT. This theoretical approach is then tested as a case study on a real small enterprise.

<p>When duties are documented, new ideas are often created regarding how the work should be carried out. Writing is an important source of development, but unfortunately the possibilities are limited when it comes to transferring new ways of thinking to personnel. As with organizational change in general, employees tend to neglect new instructions. On the basis of their personal ways of thinking, they might find that the new order is incorrect, requires more resources, lacks contact with reality, or cannot be understood. The people who have prepared the new directives think they are surely justified and easy to understand. In their eyes, those who stick to what used to be correct and reasonable seem resistant to change.</p><p>The aim of this dissertation is to understand the influence of self-assessment on service cognition and to propose how this influence can be utilized to attain strategic aims. The term self-assessment refers here to the activity whereby employees, in a structured manner, collectively assess and document their own instructions. The concept of service cognition refers to individual employee’s conceptions on how to carry out their own tasks, on how colleagues carry out theirs, and on connections between activities in the common workflow. The object of study is self-assessment as business process modeling at the local offices of the Swedish Employment Service.</p><p>What is explored is the crass but fruitful understanding that new ways of thinking more easily arise among those who define organizational design than among those who are expected to change. Using socio-cognitive theory as well as longitudinal and extensive action research, the reasons are investigated behind the inevitable development of units which are trusted to write their own instructions and, in so doing, start to talk about the way work is done. Despite the independence needed to coordinate by consensus, it seems that the collective mind thereby induced actually enhances opportunities for central control and change: Units designing their own routines surely become better coordinated, but also more controllable and adaptive to strategic change. Furthermore, some principles are presented to support self-assessment regarding organization and change.</p>

No description available.

Afin de développer un instrument de la version chinoise d`OMS outil d'auto-évaluation de la promotion de la santé dans l'hôpital(OMSOAEPSH), un processus complexe de traduction socio-culturelle a été nécessaire. De plus, de tester la fiabilité et la validité, un enquête a été menée à la fois en Chine et au Canada (Montréal), cette recherche a été le premier fois d`adopter un contre-culture de l`approche complétée qui comprend : cet origine outil en anglais d`OMSOAEPSH proposé par l’OMS a été traduit et adapté en Chinois; la traduction de l’édition source de l’OMSAÉPSH en chinois, puis sa retraduction en anglais par une autre personne afin de tester la pertinence de la ` traduction culturelle`, ensuite trois professionnels de la santé qui connaissent bien l’anglais ont commenté la qualité de la traduction. Une méthode d’échantillonnage non aléatoire a été utilisée. Huit professionnels chinois qui travaillent au sein d’organisations de santé à Montréal ont d’abord été interviewés pour finaliser une épreuve pilote. Ensuite, une enquête formelle a été effectuée dans 3 capitales provinciales en Chine (Shanghai, Kunming et Hefei) au cours de l’été 2008. Au total, quarante gestionnaires issus de vingt-deux hôpitaux de ces trois villes ont participé à la recherche. Deuxièmement, pour fournir un première description de la situation actuelle de la chine de la promotion de la santé en utilisant cette outil chinoise, ces trois villes ont les différents niveaux de développement économique et de culture différente mais ils sont tous profondément influencé par la médecine traditionnelle chinoise. Le modèle de gestion des hôpitaux chinois, l’influence et le rôle de la Médecine Traditionnelle Chinoise (MTC) pour développer la promotion de la santé en Chine ont fait l’objet d’une discussion approfondie dans cette thèse. Tous les répondants ont été volontaires pour participer à la première enquête et la reprise de l`enquête après trois – sept jours. La fiabilité des analyses de cohérence interne par Alpha de Cronbach, inter-évaluateurs fiabilité par analyses de corrélation, Test-retest fiabilité par Paire Sample T-test, la validité des essais par le biais de l`analyse factorielle et Pearson Bivariate Correlations analyse. NPAR test a été utilisé d`analyser la promotion de la santé entre les différentes villes et de comparer leurs différents niveaux entre les différent hôpitaux de grade. Résultats : Seul un item sur quarante (le mot <contenter>) a été jugé unanimement comme ayant un sens différent par rapport à la version originale. Le coefficient alpha de Cronbach’s était 0.938 pour l'ensemble des items et de 0.896 pour l`ensemble des domaines. Cette total de Cronbach Appha de l` coefficient pourrait être affecté par le nombre d`indicateurs. L'alpha de Cronbach’s de la norme 1 à norme 5 était : 0.79, 0.82, 0.81, 0.79 et 0.76. L’analyse du modèle ‘Split-half’ de 0.1 à 1, indiquant qu'il n'y avait aucune différence significative entre les valeurs de l'essai initial et l'essai de répétition de chaque article (pré et post test). Ceci montre que l'outil (version chinoise) est fiable. L’analyse factorielle confirme la validité d`OMSOAEPSH chinoise en général, mais sa validité a besoin de nouvelles recherches théoriques et empiriques. Les données qualitatives montrent que tous les participants pensent que cet outil d'auto-évaluation est avantageux en théorie mais, en pratique, seulement 17 des 35 répondants [chefs d’hôpitaux] entendent utiliser cet instrument dans leur milieu de travail, 15 des 35 gestionnaires d'hôpital l'ont refusé, et 3 employés ne sont pas sûr de l'utiliser. Le score moyen de promotion de la santé, du plus élevé au moins élevé était: norme 5 : 28.95 (72.4% du score plein), norme 4 : 35.7 (71.4%) ; norme 3 : 21.34 (71.1%) ; norme 2 : 28.85 (68.1%) ; norme 1 : 28.17 (62.6%). Le score mayen d`évaluation pour les différents hôpitaux de Grade III à Grade I était154.19 + 7.34 (n=21), 158.67 + 10.7 (n=9), 144.82 + 14.54 (n=11). Le résultat d’analyse de variance a montré qu'il n'y avait aucune différence significative entre les valeurs de différents Grades hôpitaux. Cette thèse a souligné les valeurs caractéristiques du système de soins chinois, notamment que la prévention de la maladie est primauté, le service centré sur le patient- sens. La MTC, combinée avec la médecine occidentale, ainsi que le rôle de l'hôpital, doivent permettre la promotion de la santé dans les communautés environnantes ; ce sont les stratégies pour développer la promotion de la santé, même si la Chine présente un certain nombre de conditions difficiles à ce développement. Cette recherche crée une base pour de futures recherches sur une promotion de la santé efficace dans les hôpitaux chinois. / The first purpose of this research is to develop a Chinese version (WHO self-assessment tool for Health Promotion in Hospital(WHOSATHPH), and test its reliability and validity through a pilot test in Canada (Montréal) and spot field investigation in China, this research was the first time to adopt completely cross-culture approach which includes:translated the source English edition tool into Chinese, then back translated it into English. 8 Chinese health professionals who have worked both in China and Montreal were investigated to complete the pilot test. Then 3 health professionals whose work language is English (1 Native American, 1 evaluation professor, the author of WHOSATHPH) commented the back-translation quality. The spot field investigation was performed in three Chinese capital cities, Shanghai, Hefei and Kunming from 5 June to 30 August 2008. Non-probability sample was used to survey 40 hospital leaders who are from 22 China hospitals, and 3 health management researchers (include 1 government officer). The second purpose of this research is to provide a primary description of China current HPH development by using this Chinese version WHOSATHPH, and to discuss China current hospital service evaluating principle and management model, and analysis the value and culture of TCM and its role and influence to China HPH development. Three capital cities(Shanghai, Kunming, and Hefei) which stand for different economic development level and different culture context feature but all deep influenced by TCM were investigated. 22 hospitals and 35 hospital leaders were given interview while they answered the questionnaire. All the respondents were vonluntary to take part in the first survey and the repeat survey after 3-7 days if they would like to. Reliability analysis include internal consistency(Cronbach Alpha),inter-rater relibility(Correlation analysis),Test-retest reliability( Paire-Sample T-test), Validity Test through factor analysis and Pearson Bivariate Correlations analysis. NPAR test was used to analyize the different cities and different grade hospitals comparison. Result: Only 1 word <satisfy>) was marked different meaning comparing with the back translation English version with original version by all of them. Reliability measures utilized Cronbach's Alpha, the general coefficient of the Chinese version WHOSATHPH was 0.938, Cronbach's alpha for the domains was 0.896. The Cronbach`s alpha for v five standards from one to five were: 0.793, 0.819, 0.807, 0.785, 0.755. 8 groups data were used for Inner-raters analysis, result shows that Shanghai respondents had comment consistency but Hefei and Kunming respondents didn't show inner raters assessed consistency. Pair T-Test for 40 items between pre and post test, the signification p was from 0.1-1 which indicates not statistic significant difference. Factor analysis shows this tool has the general theory construct validity, but the domain construct validity has not show the contruct validity. The results showed that Chinese version WHOSATHPH has high internal consistency but the high Cronbach`s Alpha might concern to the number of items. All the respondents thought WHOSATHPH was valuable in theory research, 15 respondents refused to use this instrument in their work, only 17 respondents accepted it, 3 respondents were not sure to use. The rejective reasons were: no government finance budget support, no demand from the government, difficult to follow. The acceptive reasons were: help to improve the work quality, help to guide HPH development. This research result shows that the Chinese version has reliability and general construct validity, but its validity needs the further conceptual and empirical research to prove. ① For five standards from the highest to lowest: standard5 (continuity and cooperation) 28.95(72.4% of full score), standard4 (healthy workplace) 35.71(71.4%), standard3 (patient information and prevention) 21.34 (71.1%), standard2 (patients assessment) 23.85 (68.1%), standard1 (management and policy) 28.17(only 62.6% of full score). These results show China hospitals has better HPH development level, their means are all over 60% of full score,②The mean of the total score for different grade hospital were: Grade III (n=21)154.19 + 7.34, Grade II(n=9) 158.67 + 10.7, Grade I (n=11) 144.82 + 14.54. Variance analysis result shows that there was no statistic significant difference between different grade hospitals. However, the last conclusion need further research with large ramdom sample size investigation. This thesis discussed the quality and weakness of China health care system and its successive strategies to develop HPH in very poor finance support, huge population, and difficult social condition and polluted environment. Disease prevention first, patient-center, combined the TCM with west medicine are regarded as the successive strategies for China HPH development. This research created a foundation for future HPH research. / [Support Institutions:] Department of Administration of Health, University of Montreal, Canada Public Health School of Fudan University, Shanghai, China

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2003. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

The quest for excellence in institutions is nothing new. Most of the twentieth century saw management sciences grappling with the question how to improve the productivity and general health of institutions through sound management principles and practice. In recent research, proponents of Total Quality Management have identified it as an essential strategy of successful institutions in a highly competitive and rapidly changing business environment. The overall aim of this study is the development of a framework for the implementation of Total Quality Management in the South African Air Force. As a first prerequisite, a theoretical and conceptual analysis is undertaken of Total Quality Management as it is discussed in a vast volume of published literature. In the process, Total Quality Management philosophy and principles are described within the context of organisational theory, mainly based on so-called quality guru prescriptions. The variety of definitions of Total Quality Management is studied to find an appropriate definition for this study. The primary and supportive Total Quality Management dimensions are identified in the available literature, and integrated into a framework, which is called the "Total Quality Management telescopic framework" for the purposes of the study. This framework is formulated for use in the development of an appropriate methodology to implement Total Quality Management in South African Air Force Bases. As a basis for the understanding of the empirical part of the thesis, the context and nature of the SA Air Force are also discussed, followed by the self-assessment methods already in use in the institution. The Total Quality Management telescopic framework is meant to provide a mechanism for the adoption of a systematic and ordered approach to the implementation of Total Quality Management in SA Air Force Bases. To achieve this objective, a structured questionnaire survey is undertaken to establish the nature and extent of Total Quality Management as an internal organisational arrangement for personnel in SA Air Force Bases. The framework developed from the study of the available literature is used as a basis for the survey research, which attempts to determine the main hypothesis of the study: "The attitude of personnel of the South African Air Force Bases towards the primary and supporting dimensions of the framework for the implementation of Total Quality Management is positive." With the aid of computerised reliability analysis (Alpha Cronbach) for the test, the above hypothesis is proven to be true on a statistical basis. The attitude of personnel at SA Air Force Bases towards the nature and scope of Total Quality Management is that it enables them to perform their daily tasks better, and that they accept the Total Quality Management effort positively, in spite of specific deficiencies, which the study has brought to light. With these deficiencies as a guide, recommendations are made for their elimination. The research undertaken during the course of writing the thesis has led to the deduction that the greater the extent to which Total Quality Management principles is applied, the greater the improvement in work performance among personnel. / Public Administration and Management / DADMIN (PUBLIC ADMIN)