nÃo hà / O estudo da lealdade de uma marca permite que as empresas que atuam no varejo possam desenvolver estratÃgias assertivas para manter clientes atuais e atrair novos consumidores. Partindo deste pressuposto, a presente pesquisa tem por objetivo principal analisar a diferenÃa da relaÃÃo entre a lealdade de marca e os atributos de compra de confecÃÃo infantil em lojas especializadas e lojas de fÃbrica. Como forma de analisar essa relaÃÃo, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa quantitativa, composta de 20 variÃveis relacionadas aos atributos da relaÃÃo preÃo qualidade, qualidade do produto e atmosfera de loja. A amostra do estudo foi composta de 201 mulheres, consumidores e compradoras da marca pesquisa. Os dados da pesquisa foram coletados em novembro de 2013 e submetidos a testes estatÃsticos de anÃlise fatorial e regressÃo mÃltipla. A partir dos testes estatÃsticos, foi identificado que, dos 20 itens pesquisados, os atributos com maior relaÃÃo com a lealdade de marca sÃo: imagem da loja, diferenciaÃÃo do produto, produto melhor que a concorrÃncia, acabamento do produto e relaÃÃo preÃo-qualidade / The study of the loyalty of a mark allows companies operating in retail can develop assertive strategies to retain current customers and attract new consumers. Under this assumption, the present study has as its main objective to analyze the difference of the relationship between brand loyalty and purchase attributes of infant clothing at specialty stores and factory outlets. In order to analyze this relationship, a quantitative survey was developed, consisting of 20 variables related to the attributes of value for money, product quality and store atmosphere. The study sample consisted of 201 women, consumers and buyers of brand research. The survey data was collected in November 2013 and submitted to statistical tests of factor analysis and multiple regression. From the statistical tests, it was identified that, of the 20 items surveyed, attributes more related to the brand loyalty are: store image, product differentiation, product better than the competition, product workmanship and value for mon

In master´s thesis I deal with analysing of decision-making in PPP projects and searching for an optimal solutions. On an example of hypothetical project there is shown a decision making process which consists from three main parts: cost evaluation, revenue evaluation and risk identification. The result of this analyse is based on a public sector comparator where you can demonostrate suitability or unsuitability of particular PPP offers coming from private sphere.

英國政府認為公共投資計畫案，必須具備公帑節省之價值（value for money），才能採取民間融資創建（private finance initiative）。本文是從制度面探討如何評估公帑節省之價值（VfM）。一旦部會有初步的證據支持PFI是適當的採購模式，部會就應該開始進行三階段的VfM評估。在第一階段，採購當局應該對可能適用PFI的採購計畫進行定性（qualitative assessment）和定量評估（quantitative assessment）。在第二階段專案團隊應該對計畫中的組成專案執行更細部的分析，這個分析結果將成為未來要公告的專案概要樣本（OBC）的一部分。當第二階段的評估結果顯示此時PFI專案具有VfM，第三階段（在OBC刊登於歐盟公告至採購程序結束的這段期間）仍須持續地進行評估VfM，以確保VfM的結果不會變化。 本文結論的後半部闡明了採購當局在做VfM評估時常會遇到的實務問題，並根據專家、學者的看法以及實際評估報告的結果提出建議，以供未來政府部門在進行VfM評估時之參考。

Schools today are entrusted with the duty of managing their funds in such a way that that the educational outcomes of the primary beneficiaries of these funds are maximised. This places more responsibility on the school governing bodies as the legal custodians of these funds, at local level, which need to be used economically, effectively and efficiently. To achieve this, school governing bodies need capacity in the form of appropriate skills and knowledge needed to connect school funding to educational outcomes. This study focuses on how capacity building for school governing body can contribute to value for money in school financial management. It sought to examine possible impediments to effective financial management, which result from the existing gaps in the current capacity building programmes and the financial management frameworks and procedures relating to school financial management. A qualitative research methodology involving in-depth interviews with members of governing bodies and Circuit officials was followed to examine the problem and possible improvement strategies. Themes that emerged from the data include, comprehensiveness, duration and frequency of the training programme, competency of training facilitators, monitoring, assessment and evaluation and other follow-up modalities, presentation style of the training facilitators, internal records and audited financial statements, the involvement of senior officials in school financial management, and the effectiveness of financial management. Findings suggested that, training of SGBs in financial management is inadequate, training facilitators lack requisite skills, the duration of the training for SGBs is short, the training programme is not provided frequently, the training programme’s presentation style is ineffective, mismatch between internal records and audited financial statements, lack of support and monitoring by circuit officials in the schools’ financial management, questionable conduct of external auditors, and ineffective cluster approach by SGBs. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Abstract Dissertation deals with theoretical concepts and providing the basis for the use of forms of financing and acquisition of public goods and services through partnerships between the public and private sectors, as well as PPP (Public Private Partnership). Suitability PPP project in this work is assessed primarily in terms of developing a new methodology for evaluating projects. The theoretical part of the thesis aims to clarify the issue of PPPs in the context of regional and local regional development theories, principles and mechanisms of PPP legislative and institutional backing of the PPP, clarify the distinction between PPP and public procurement procedures and current assessment of PPP projects. The practical part focuses on the development of a methodology using a selection of qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating investments and to form a complex output that will clearly and distinctly testify about the appropriateness of using the PPP method. For this purpose it is used in work processes, which are normally used for business valuation-generators values, property valuation, yield valuation, valuation based on market analysis, combining technologies and their incorporation / recast in the current assessment methodology, which is based on a Public Sector Comparator and determinants of value for money

The result of my dissertation justifies the use of fuzzy-sets theory to make a prediction of cost risk of a PPP project, when there is not enough information available to clearly describe the project, and, when the probability distributions of the variables that characterize the project are unknown. I showed that fuzzy-sets theory and linguistic variables may be effectively used in such a case. In this thesis were classified different types of uncertainty and investigated traditional methods for estimating efficiency of a investment project in conditions of uncertainty. On the basis of the analysis were offered new ways of conducting risk analysis for PPP projects with use of fuzzy sets theory. The main goal was to create an application model for risk assessment of the PPP project which, with a high degree of reliability, suggests a general assessment of situation. The goal set in my work was met. Model of risk assessment of the project proposed by me gives more stable results in comparison with the probabilistic model. For comparison were used different types of probability distribution functions and membership functions. The following conclusions and statements describe the novelty of the work on fuzzy logic and economic theory: develops a method of cash-flow (future expenditure connected with the appearance of risk) modeling of investment project in fuzzy environment, demonstrates the use of fuzzy sets theory in projects analyses and describes how to calculate and interpret this value, demonstrates example of the use of results applied to the analysis of infrastructure development project in Moscow, Russia. The possibility of using this method is not only in the analysis of infrastructure development projects, but also in realization of non-commercial projects by social institutes and government agencies.

This diploma thesis analyses and elaborates a methodical tool for evaluating the advantage of realization of construction of road infrastructure in the form of a PPP project. Furthermore this tool is subsequent applied to a particular project. The introductory part summarizes the basic theoretical knowledge regarding the project financing in the form of public-private partnerships. In the following part, a methodological tool for comparing the value for money based on different methods of realization. In the last part of the diploma thesis, this methodical tool is applied to a specific project, including a basic feasibility study.

Since the ending of the Cold War, the defence sector, particularly the areas of military logistics and defence acquisition, has been undergoing a comprehensive transformation. There are several factors that explain this transformation: changes in defence and security policies for nations and organisations; reductions in defence expenditure; participation in Peace Support Operations; Lessons Learned from these operations, especially in the area of logistics; revolutionary development in the area of Information and Communication Technology; emergence of novel Commercial Best Practises in the areas of business and business logistics; and changes in the legislation regarding the conduct of public procurement in Europe. In military logistics, the relatively easily described static supply and support chains of the Cold War Era, designed for military units that stood in preparedness, Just-in-Case, of full-scale military conflicts in Europe, are now being substituted for flexible, dynamic operational supply and support chains, designed for military units that are deployed on Peace Support Operations around the globe. Hence, new types of missions have to be provided for. As a consequence, new military concepts have to be considered; new technology is being implemented; and new Commercial Best Practises are being evaluated, adapted and adopted; in order to enhance performance and ensure Value-for-Money. In defence acquisition, the single Business Model of the Cold War Era, i.e. procurement of equipment, is being replaced by a spectrum of emerging Business Models, ranging from the traditional procurement of equipment, via acquisition of equipment and support, to acquisition of availability and capability, i.e. acquisition of performance. Consequently, new Commercial Best Practises are being evaluated, adapted and adopted; Commercial and Military-Off-The-Shelf products and services are being utilised; and Public Private Participation, Cooperation, and Partnerships are being investigated and initiated; in order to enhance performance and ensure Value-for-Money, while simultaneously mitigating operational risk in the supply and support chains. This licentiate thesis reports on a research project that was commissioned by FMV, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, and conducted in order to "study, analyse, and evaluate Business Models regarding how they can handle the new supply concept that a new logistical interface brings about, with a particular emphasis on the risk taking that is part of the business concept". This research purpose was used to formulate three Research Questions: • Research Question 1: How can a generic Business Model for a non-profit, governmental, Defence Procurement Agency be described? • Research Question 2: Which strengths and weaknesses do different Business Models have in the context of defence acquisition? • Research Question 3: Which risks are associated with different Business Models in the context of defence acquisition? Using constructs from: Business Model theory, Public Private Participation theory, defence acquisition theory and practise, and military logistics theory and practise; a generic Public Private Business Model for defence acquisition was developed. The generic model consists of numerous variables, which enables an array of possible configurations. The model was used in a multiple case study to describe and analyse four defence acquisition projects in the UK. The multiple case study demonstrated that the generic Public Private Business Model is useful in order to describe defence acquisition projects. The model has also demonstrated that it is useful in order to analyse acquisition projects, including performance and risk. The Public Private Business Model has demonstrated its usefulness by discovering internal and external misalignments. The internal misalignments are Business Model configurations where the different building blocks are working against each other. The research has revealed examples where the mitigation of operational risk in the supply and support chains creates new risks in other building blocks. An external misalignment occurs when a Business Model configuration works against the deal for which it was designed, or the strategy that it is intended to realise. The research has revealed examples where there is a risk that the Business Model configuration is detrimental to the overarching strategy, e.g. transferring risk to the private sector or incentivising industry to enhance performance. Hence, the Public Private Business Model ought to be useful to identify and eradicate negative patterns and to identify and reinforce positive patterns. The research has revealed three potential generic problems for Performance Based Contracts: a "definition problem" (i.e. what to measure); a "measurement problem" (i.e. when, where and how to measure); and a "comparison problem" (i.e. with what to compare). The research results demonstrate that it must be made explicit which dimensions of performance; e.g. speed, quality, cost, flexibility and dependability; that should be measured, and why others should be omitted. The research suggests that performance must be explicitly specified for any Performance Based Contract in order to avoid any unnecessary problems with interpretations. Furthermore, the research indicates that performance metrics must be explicitly described. In addition, the results emphasise the importance of having an established baseline, against which to compare the measurements of Key Performance Indicators.

Personal financial management is an integrated part of modern man's everyday life. It does not only involve spending his monthly income. It comprises his outlook on life, the way he handles all his financial affairs as well as the way he goes about minimizing his financial risks. The financial plan that the individual has to provide for his retirement, to take care of his dependants as well as the way that the assets he acquired during this lifetime, must be distributed after his death, also forms part of this personal financial management. The main purpose of the study is to determine the levels of personal financial management practiced by employees of NWK Limited, as well as to determine the need for guidance in this regard. The following aspects of personal financial management are researched in chapter 2. These aspects were used to determine to what extent personal financial management was performed by having the study population anonymously complete a customized questionnaire. The following aspects were applied: * Attitude towards money. * Management style with regards to money. * Time value of money. * The financial plan. * Investments. The results of the study confirmed that there is a definite need for guidance with regard to personal financial management, especially under the younger employees as well as the personnel in the lower job levels of the company. Through the rendering of a tailored guidance programme, productivity as well as the quality of life, especially after retirement, could be improved significantly. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Personal financial management is an integrated part of modern man's everyday life. It does not only involve spending his monthly income. It comprises his outlook on life, the way he handles all his financial affairs as well as the way he goes about minimizing his financial risks. The financial plan that the individual has to provide for his retirement, to take care of his dependants as well as the way that the assets he acquired during this lifetime, must be distributed after his death, also forms part of this personal financial management. The main purpose of the study is to determine the levels of personal financial management practiced by employees of NWK Limited, as well as to determine the need for guidance in this regard. The following aspects of personal financial management are researched in chapter 2. These aspects were used to determine to what extent personal financial management was performed by having the study population anonymously complete a customized questionnaire. The following aspects were applied: * Attitude towards money. * Management style with regards to money. * Time value of money. * The financial plan. * Investments. The results of the study confirmed that there is a definite need for guidance with regard to personal financial management, especially under the younger employees as well as the personnel in the lower job levels of the company. Through the rendering of a tailored guidance programme, productivity as well as the quality of life, especially after retirement, could be improved significantly. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.