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As management fashions go, few have been more pervasive than Quality Management Systems (QMS) like Total Quality Management (TQM) and BS EN ISO 9000 (ISO 9000). Their prominence was fuelled by a mixture of ideological and economic considerations as, by the early to mid-1990s, many organisations were keen to indicate that they were active participants of the `quality revolution'. The exponential growth of interest in QMS was reflected in the library literature although only a small percentage of academic library and information services (LIS) subscribed to the systems. The thesis examines the relationship between QMS and motivation in such organisations. It ventures beyond the benign vision of the `quality gurus' by critically considering the relevance QMS might have for understanding contemporary developments within the organisation and management of academic LIS. The investigation determined that the quality of implementation is a key factor. In addition to senior management commitment, staff are motivated to QMS if there are accompanying changes in communication and training. The more successful LIS were those that did not treat staff as if they were barriers to change, but involved them in the process of implementation. While there were many stated improvements it was discovered that many of the `new' practices within the QMS LIS were not dissimilar to many of the initiatives in their non-QMS LIS counterparts. The investigator identified factors that also limit QMS as a framework for motivation and posits that the crux of the problem can be traced to the concept of `quality' itself. As a self-evident good, workers become morally bound to quality, which enhances their own exploitation. There was evidence that managers can use this legitimating device to quell resistance, via peer pressure, and instil cultural homogeneity.

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Increased levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) in stream habitats are of concern due to salinity as well as the presence of potentially toxic ions. Natural gas drilling in the Marcellus shale could increase TDS in nearby streams. This thesis investigated the effects of water with elevated TDS on the locomotory activity and body weight of the streamside salamander Desmognathus ochrophaeus. Salamanders were exposed to water collected from streams in southwest Pennsylvania with elevated TDS as well as synthetic ion solutions that mimicked the ionic composition found in streams. Chronic, but not acute exposure to solutions of 1000 ppm TDS caused significant differences in weight loss and locomotory activity, although the effect depended on the exact ion composition of the dissolved solids. Finally, field surveys of salamander abundance were completed on two streams to provide baseline data with which to track population changes should the TDS in the streams increase. / Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences / Biological Sciences / MS / Thesis

Hong Kong and many Asian countries are highly influenced by Confucian dynamism and it has been suggested that national culture had to be instilled for successful practice of quality management. It follows that in implementing quality management in such contexts, consideration should be given to the obvious and subtle influences of Confucian Thought. / Although the studies linking quality management and Confucianism are not abundant, it is argued in this paper that Confucian thought could support the implementation of quality management. This position is reached via a description of the bases of Confucian thought derived from the seminal description of Confucianism, and on the basis of the main elements of quality thinking. In both perspectives people are pivotal. The Confucian way of thinking "Ren" and acting "Li" are important. As well, the philosophy of "middle" i.e. "Chung" is crucial because insufficient 'Ren' might lead to bureaucracy and inadequate 'Li' could cause the organization to be loose. Efficient operation is likely to be jeopardized. Further study, especially with regard to the attitudes of front line members is proposed to elucidate whether Confucianism and quality management are mutually compatible. / Thesis (DBA(DoctorateofBusinessAdministration))--University of South Australia, 2006.

Diss. Luleå : Luleå tekniska univ., 2003. / Härtill 5 uppsatser + 5 appendix.