Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Measurement of relationship'
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1
Hawkins, David Richard, and davidh@socom com au. "Quantifying Organisation-Public Relationships." RMIT University. Applied Communication, 2009. http://adt.lib.rmit.edu.au/adt/public/adt-VIT20090319.160313.
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To date, limited means of accurately measuring the communal organisational public relationships between an organisation and its various publics have been developed. Researchers and practitioners have acknowledged the need for a more accurate measurement tool. Previous analysis of communal relationships has typically been done in an anecdotal or non-quantifiable way. This study explores a new method of quantifying the relationship between an organisation and its publics and identifies the key themes and components that are important to a successful organisation-public relationship (OPR); this method allows organisations to more accurately measure their OPRs, diagnose their strengths and weaknesses and quantify changes in the relationships over time. In so doing, organisations will be able to improve their relationships with their stakeholders and work more effectively to achieve mutually beneficial goals. The study's findings contribute to defining the components that can be used to develop a tool that can be used by the public relations profession to more accurately reflect the status of communal relationships, and, perhaps more importantly, the changes in the status of the relationships over time. Increased objectivity in reflecting the status of the relationships between an organisation and its publics is likely to enable the profession to elevate its perceived status by providing a better service to organisations and their publics. This, in turn, will allow senior management teams to see clearly the value that public relations can provide to maximise the success of the organisation. The data obtained from this research provide insights into the priorities and expectations that external stakeholder groups have of organisations and how these expectations can be grouped into three key areas - how they are treated, the value that the relationships represent to them and how effective the communication is. The results provide practitioners with a valuable insight into ways of improving these OPRs, which in turn could assist organisations in achieving their goals.
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Yamakawa, Keiko. "Quantitative measurement of loyalty under principal-agent relationship /." The Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1486463321627058.
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Balogun, Foluke. "Measuring Perceptions of the Relationship Between Faculty Members and Kent State University From A Public Relations Perspective." Kent State University / OhioLINK, 2009. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1248015849.
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Chuang, Tami Chia-Ling 1976. "Understanding residential density: the relationship between policy, measurement, and perception." Thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/8910.
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Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2001.Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-122).
For reasons of smart growth management, upcoming demographics changes, and escalating housing affordability concern, higher-density housing presents one fitting solution to future development challenges. Market conditions also seem favorable given increases in likely consumer population and the readiness of the real estate development industry. However, higher-density residences are still underrepresented housing typologies amidst a plethora of single-family homes. This thesis investigates how aspects of policy, measurement, and perception of density relate to each other in order to uncover predispositions and elucidate reasons for the perpetuation of current development patterns. A case in Fremont California was examined to contextualize and illustrate the findings presented, and recommendations were presented to suggest ways of overcoming current biases and shortcomings.
by Tami Chia-Ling Chuang.
M.C.P.
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Yaghi, Bassil A. "Moderating effects of performance measurement use on the relationship between organizational performance, measurement diversity and product innovation." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1826/3582.
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This study sets'out to address the question of whether the effect of organizational'
performance measurement diversity on product innovation will differ depending
on how organizational performance measures are used.
There is strong empirical evidence that many companies who are successful
today are less likely to be successful in the future because they fail to innovate. It
is surprisingly then, that when everyone stresses the importance of innovation,
there are many organizations adopting performance measurement systems, which
may constrain their innovativeness.
Currently, there are three differing perspectives on the effect of measurement on
a firm's propensity to innovate. Moreover, each of these has empirical evidence
to support its argument. The first perspective views measurement as constraining
innovation because it impedes creativity, experimentation, and search in firms.
The second perspective views measurement as helping innovation because it
triggers search, facilitates decision-making, and increases risk-taking. The third
perspective views measurement as having insignificant or little impact on
innovation because it is used primarily for signalling.
A possible explanation of the contradiction in the empirical findings of these
studies is that they generally ignore how measurement is used. Therefore, using
the behavioural theory of innovation, I argue that one possible way of resolving
the contradictory findings is by incorporating measurement use as a moderating
variable.
Using data from a cross-sectional, large-scale, probability sample survey of 145
UK manufacturing firms, I show that organizational performance measurement
diversity interacts with performance measurement use to determine product
innovation. My findings suggest that the extent to which a firm offers new
products will be more positively (negatively) associated with performancemeasurement diversity when diagnostic use is high (low) holding interactive use
constant and will be more negatively (positively) associated with performance
measurement diversity when interactive use is high (low) holding, diagnostic use
constant.
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Auer, Christoph. "Performance Measurement für Customer Relationship Management : Controlling des IKT-basierten Kundenbeziehungsmanagements /." Wiesbaden : Dt. Univ.-Verl, 2004. http://www.gbv.de/dms/zbw/388111844.pdf.
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Condon, Ryan Joseph. "The Relationship between Self-Awareness and Leadership : Extending Measurement and Conceptualisation." Thesis, University of Canterbury. Psychology, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/5185.
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Psychological research focusing on the relationship between self-awareness and leadership has subsequently attracted criticism, regarding both the conceptualisation and measurements used therein. Specifically, the previous use of difference scores to measure self-awareness has become associated with issues of reliability and the conceptualisation of self-awareness within the emotional intelligence paradigm has been considered a limitation. To study the relationship between self-awareness and leadership while acknowledging the need for improved methods, the current research conceptually extended self-awareness to include recognition of cognitive and social intelligence as well as emotional intelligence within the self. In addition, the current study tested a newly proposed correlational method for measuring self-awareness. The leader-follower relationship was represented by seventy two managers who were each paired with one of seventy two respective subordinate employees. Each manager rated their own cognitive, social and emotional intelligence at two points in time, two weeks apart, and their respective employee subordinate rated the manager on twelve Leader Behaviours. As predicted, the managers’ mean self-ratings were associated with employee-rated Leader Behaviour. Inconsistent with the literature and against prediction, correlational scores taken between the managers’ two self-rating times were not associated with Leader Behaviour. In addition, results were inconsistent with the prediction that difference scores between the managers’ two rating times would be associated with leader behaviour. The current study contributed to the scientific understanding of the association between social intelligence and leadership as well as the relationship between self-awareness and leader behaviour. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in reference to organisational leadership.
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Saunders, Per. "A study of the relationship between engineering design and measurement technology." Thesis, University of Bath, 2015. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.687319.
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Engineering design and dimensional measurement tend to occur at opposite ends of the product creation process. As a result, the dialogue may sometimes be poor, and can lead to the production of features that are difficult to measure, adding unnecessary cost and risk to the business. In response, the EngD research aims to identify ways in which the relationship between these activities can be strengthened. An emphasis was placed on product lifecycle management (PLM), due to the sponsor’s desire to maximise the value of their existing investments in this area. Since the problem is complex, and seemingly intractable, a mixed methods approach was adopted in which laboratory experiments were interwoven with small-scale interventions within industry. The research began with the development of a theoretical framework, labelled ‘PLM-integrated dimensional measurement’ (PiDM). The framework builds on existing literature, whilst incorporating issues identified by stakeholders. Test cases were structured and executed against the framework in order to identify technology gaps; key amongst which was the need to improve measurement planning for coordinate measuring machines by incorporating uncertainty evaluation techniques. Four interconnected investigations were then carried out in an industrial setting to explore measurement capability in practice. The findings from these investigations informed subsequent development of an uncertainty-based measurement planning system. The system brings together commercially available simulation software and measurement programming software into a PLM environment. It allows features to be categorised according to their ‘measurability’, providing quantitative data for verification planning and engineering design. The EngD concludes with an industrial case study, investigating potential routes to deployment. This case study provided the data needed to commission a further two year programme of research into the topic, formally engaging the sponsor organisation’s strategic metrology and PLM solution providers. This new research programme is structured around the PiDM framework.
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Connor, Jillian. "Measurement of, and relationship between, placental size and fetal cardiac development." Thesis, University of Southampton, 2013. https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/397649/.
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Introduction -Fetal programming is the concept by which a fetus adapts to the intrauterine environment by altering blood flow to various organs which may induce permanent structural and/or functional change in those organs, altering disease susceptibility in later life. We hypothesised that the heart is a susceptible organ and that alterations in blood flow from the placenta in relation to maternal factors may have different effects on each side of the heart. We therefore aimed to assess the feasibility of measuring placental volume and growth, cardiac structure and cardiac function and assess the relationships between these measurements and also to maternal characteristics. Methods - We undertook a prospective, cross-sectional cohort study of low-risk women. 144 scans were performed on 127 women, 89 in the first trimester (10+6-13+6 weeks gestation) and 55 in the second trimester (18+0-20+6 weeks gestation). 17 of these women were scanned in both trimesters. Measurements performed were the left and right myocardial performance index to assess cardiac function and 3D placental volume. Second trimester cardiac structure was assessed by 2D measurements of total cardiac circumference, total ventricular circumference and internal left and right ventricular circumferences. These measurements were then correlated with each other, standard fetal biometry, maternal body composition, and birth and placental weights. Results - We developed reliable and reproducible techniques for measuring placental volume in the first and second trimester and relative cardiac chamber sizes in the second trimester, but had difficulty reliably measuring cardiac function by means of the myocardial performance index. We did not find any significant relationships between maternal body composition and fetal cardiac function or structure within our small cohort. Conclusions - Assessment of fetal cardiac function and structure in relation to maternal nutritional status and stress has the potential for detecting fetuses adapting to an adverse intra-uterine environment. This could assist identification of the maternal factors which lead to increased risk of disease in adult life and facilitate the development of targeted diet and lifestyle interventions.
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Turnbow, John Travis. "Forecasting and competence management maturity : their relationship, measurement, and pratical implementation." Thesis, Toulouse 1, 2012. http://www.theses.fr/2012TOU10059.
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Cette recherche met en évidence la relation entre la prévision et la gestion des compétences en démontrant que sans la prévision, toute observation de l’état actuel des compétences se montre insuffisante. Ce travail applique la théorie de la perception au domaine de la gestion des compétences. Cette théorie suppose que la perception se construit en relation avec une cible projetée dans l'intentionnalité d'action. Dans cet optique, le référentiel et l’entretien des compétences sont des briques sur lesquelles la théorie de la perception est appliquée. Ces briques deviennent alors plus pertinentes en étant définies par rapport à une cible future.Lors de ce travail, un nouveau modèle de mesure de la maturité en gestion des compétences a été construit. Basé sur des travaux déjà réalisés et sur des méthodes actuelles, ce modèle reflète mieux la réalité des pratiques en entreprise et prend en compte la théorie de la perception. Sur la base de ce modèle, un outil novateur et les processus associés a été construit dans le but de projeter et de combler un écart futur de compétences. Cet outil a été développé et mis en place à Airbus. Suite au développement de celui-ci, une enquête envoyée aux organisations françaises a révélé que la gestion prévisionnelle des compétences est une tendance actuelle qui se trouve au cœur des priorités des praticiens en ressources humaines. La solution développée lors de cette étude est à la pointe de la technologie existante dans le domaineThis research is centered on the relationship between forecasting and competence management maturity and demonstrates that without forecasting, any observation of the present competence state is ultimately inadequate. The study applies the theory of perception to the field of competence management. This theory supposes that perception is developed in relationship to a projected target in the intentionality of action. In this respect, the competence catalogue and interview process are the building blocks to which the theory of perception is applied. These blocks are therefore more relevant when defined with regards to a future target. During this study, a new model for the measurement of competence management maturity has been defined. Standing on the shoulders of earlier researchers and borrowing from the methods practiced today, this model more accurately reflects the reality of current business practices and takes into account the theory of perception. On the basis of this model, an innovative tool and process was designed to forecast and bridge future competence gaps. This tool was developed and implemented at Airbus. Following this development, a survey was conducted across French organizations revealing that competence forecasting is a current trend and among the top priorities of human resource practitioners. The technological solution developed within this study is a forerunner in this field
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Chesterman, Rosaleen. "Investigating the measurement of the supervisory relationship across mental health professions." Thesis, University of Essex, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.589429.
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The study was conducted to explore the possibility of measuring the clinical supervisory relationship in an inter-professional population consisting of clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health nurses and occupational therapists. An existing measure of the relationship was tested and the results explored through factor analysis. A revised scale, / the SRO-PO was then constructed, consisting of 34 items and four factors. This new scale was tested for psychometric properties and found to have strong, internal consistency, test retest reliability and convergent validity. An analysis of variance was conducted to examine group differences; when an effect of professional groups was found, post hoc tests were used to identify the locations of the differences. This information was used as the basis further to explore the possibility of measuring supervision in a cross-professional population and adopting a cross-professional model. There are a number of methodological limitations to the study; these are considered in the discussion chapter of this paper. It is concluded that findings from the research indicate that the revised scale SRO-PO is potentially a reliable and valid measure that can be used in inter-professional populations, but that its factor structure needs to be replicated in a new sample in accordance with recommendations from the literature before being adopted for practical application.
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Barch, Jon Craig. "On Measuring Student-Teacher Relationships: Sorting Out Predictors, Outcomes, And Schematic Structure Of Students’ Internal Relationship Representations." Diss., University of Iowa, 2015. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/1950.
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Student-teacher relationships have been studied by numerous researchers from a variety of perspectives. Evidence consistently suggests that the quality of student-teacher relationships can have a profound impact on children’s social and cognitive development. Although researchers seem to agree on this point, their theoretical conceptualizations of the relationships and how they measure them are often quite different. This study provides empirical insights for both measurement integration and theory integration regarding students’ internal relationship representations.
Items from 14 different student-teacher relationship instruments were systematically combined and administered as a composite instrument to 628 college students. The participants responded to all items in reference to a single, recent relationship with a high school instructor. This allowed comparative examination of the original 14 scales independently for internal consistency and predictive validity. The study also examined a hypothesized multidimensional structural model of students’ internal representation of their relationship with a teacher based off relational schema theory. An alternative, more parsimonious model was examined as well.
The hypothesized model was not supported by the data. The study demonstrated that multiple measurement models of various items could produce acceptable fit. The study provided evidence as to which of the 170 items from the 14 original scales most closely measure the core of student-teacher relationship quality. The study exemplified the method effect dangers of negative item wording. Finally, the study provided strong evidence for conceptualizing student-teacher relationships as a single, global relationship quality construct.
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Mourad, Mona Wajdi. "Brand addiction : a new concept, its measurement scale and a theoretical model." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2015. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.654826.
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This research introduces the concept of “brand addiction” as a new marketing construct. Employing conceptual development, the concept of brand addiction is defined as a psychological state that entails an obsessive relationship between the consumer and a specific brand. To examine the phenomenon of brand addiction, the present research was designed based on a partial sequential mixed methods research in which a qualitative study was followed by a quantitative study. Arguing that research on brand addiction should be built based on an understanding of how consumers experience this phenomenon in reality, the research incorporated a series of four qualitative focus group studies to uncover the possible core features, motives, and consequences of the brand addiction prototype using discursive psychological perspective. Survey data were subsequently used to generate the brand addiction measurement scale and to test the brand addiction theoretical model. Using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, the brand addiction measurement scale employed 14 core elements. In addition to the brand addiction core features, the brand addiction prototype comprises brand trust, ideal, and actual self-image congruence and fashion interest as its antecedents. Furthermore, the brand addiction prototype includes the feeling of guilt, appearance esteem, debt attitude, and life happiness as its consequences. This research concludes with a presentation and discussion of the theoretical and managerial implications. The research findings provide an understanding of and deep insights into the brand addiction phenomenon, thereby adding to the existing body of literature.
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Tapinos, Efstathios. "Strategic development process : investigating the relationship between organisational direction and performance measurement." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2005. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/1199/.
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Strategy development is an issue of great importance for the practitioners and at the centre of the academic research over the last century. This thesis concentrates on the investigation of strategy from the development and implementation process point of view. In particular, this thesis presents a study on the relationship between organisational direction and performance measurement. Organisational direction manifests the purpose of the existence for the organisation and its future desired state, while performance measurement is a monitoring and control mechanism for the assessment of the performance achievements. It is a common place that organisational success requires the alignment between organisational direction and performance measurement. On this topic, the existing published literature includes a significant number of recommendations on how to manage effectively the relationship between organisational direction and performance measurement; nevertheless, there is a distinct lack of empirical evidences on the current status and trends of this relationship. Therefore, this thesis examines the interrelationship and interdependencies between these two concepts. The present research has been conducted through three different empirical investigations: an exploratory case study, a survey and follow up interviews. The exploratory case study examines the relationship between organisational direction and performance within an academic institution, the University of Warwick. The survey, was built on the observations made on the exploratory case study, and examined the role of organisational direction and performance measurement in the success of the strategic development process. Finally, the follow up interviews have been undertaken in order to enhance the findings of the survey and to provide insights and explanations for the variations observed in the survey. Synthesising the results from the three empirical investigations, it is attempted to describe the trends, dynamics and practicalities of the relationship between organisational direction and performance measurement and to present the determinants of this relationship.
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Wilson, R. Mark. "The measurement of effort and its role in the anxiety-performance relationship." Thesis, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.426940.
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Scotti, Duane Michael. "Iliotibial Band Length and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Relationship Between Two Measurement Techniques." Diss., NSUWorks, 2017. https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/60.
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Purpose: To determine the relationship between iliotibial band (ITB) length and the presence of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), compare the difference in ITB length between the painful knee and the non-painful knee in subjects with unilateral PFPS, determine the test-retest reliability, standard error of measurement, and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Ober test and modified Thomas test, and explore the relationship between the Ober test and the modified Thomas test in measuring ITB length. Subjects: Forty-eight subjects were recruited (PFPS group n=24, control group n=24) from three different outpatient physical therapy clinics. Methods: The Ober test and modified Thomas test was conducted on both legs of each subject to determine ITB length with the use of a digital inclinometer. Examiners were blinded to group assignment and an independent observer recorded all the results. Results: The mean values for hip adduction during the Ober test was 7.2 degrees in the control group and 2.3 degrees in the PFPS group. One way ANOVA revealed a significant difference between groups (p= .011). There were no differences in ITB length comparing the painful knee to the non-painful knee for both the Ober test and modified Thomas test. The ICC values calculated for the test-retest reliability were .95 for the Ober test and .86 for the modified Thomas test. Pearson correlational analysis revealed a weak negative correlation (r=-.40, p=.005) between the Ober test and modified Thomas test on the left side and no correlation on the right side. Discussion and Conclusion: The Ober test is better at distinguishing between a PFPS group and a control group than the modified Thomas test supporting the clinical utility of the Ober test. The use of a digital inclinometer for both the Ober test and modified Thomas test appears to be a reliable method for the measurement of ITB length. However, given the lack of relationship found between the two tests, the two examination procedures should not be used interchangeably for the measurement of ITB length.
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Qiu, Lin. "Performance measurement for highway winter maintenance operations." Diss., University of Iowa, 2008. http://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/28.
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Mtotywa, Matolwandile Mzuvukile. "Productivity measurement and its relationship to quality in a South African Minting Company." Thesis, University of South Africa, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/51.
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The aim of this study was to investigate a productivity measurement at the South
African Minting Company and evaluate the relationship between productivity and
quality.
Special emphasis was given to profit-linked total factor model as the tool for
measurement. This was encouraged by their ability to separate productivity,
profitability and price recovery. Three models were selected and evaluated. These
models American Productivity Center (APC) Model, “Profitability = productivity +
price recovery” (PPP) model and multi-factor productivity measurement model
(MFPMM). APC model was selected as the suitable model because of its simplicity,
easy to set up, its ability to produce both financial and non financial data, and allow
for route cause analysis with expert system, and more insight for the manager with
Microsoft Excels’ What if analysis “Goal seek”.
APC model was set up for four periods, from 1 April 2004 to 30 September 2007.
The overall profitability results of the circulation coins profit center show an overall
positive contribution. There was a break-even of the price recovery for 2006 financial
year (period 2). In 2007 financial year (period 3), there was a negative contribution,
and this improved to almost break-even in the six month period during this 2008
financial year (period 4). This means there was much more inflation on input
resources and the recovery was not fully realised in the price of goods sold.
Individual input costs show that the negative price recovery is culminating from
material, labour and energy costs contributions. There is a plausible explanation for
material and labour, but not for energy. The metal volatility is the underlying cause of
the price variation. Labour variation was a company strategy to adjust employee to
higher percentiles.
Productivity was always positive with the highest contribution in the current financial
year (period 4). This means that the profitability at SA Mint has been driven by
productivity in the past two financial years.
iv
Survey of the questionnaire shows average scores for productivity and quality. It is
noteworthy, that the lowest mean score for productivity is for the statement “Products
are produced in error-free process”. This is a productivity quality measure. In
addition, the same variable shows r2 value of 0.42. A conclusion is that even though
productivity and quality are highly correlated and show a highly positive relationship,
there is a concern on quality in the company. A link can be made that low price
recovery becomes more difficult when the quality is not always good. Defective
product is a cost, because the product does not reach the customer and if the
product is reworked it is still a cost, though low, but more importantly it decreases the
available capacity.
This study was successful in setting up APC model and producing data that is worthy
to the company and academic world. Finally, this study was successful in its quest to
establish the relationship between productivity and quality.
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Connelly, Michael C. "The relationship between patents and technical innovation innovation measurement as applied to metals. /." Cincinnati, Ohio : University of Cincinnati, 2007. http://www.ohiolink.edu/etd/view.cgi?acc%5Fnum=ucin1195302596.
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Phillips, Lisa Rachel Stephanie. "The relationship between psychological well-being and physical activity : the impact of measurement." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/12106.
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Psychological well-being occurs when there is an absence of mental disorders and presence of positive states. Given the increasing prevalence of mental disorders, which are thought to have their roots in childhood, improving psychological well-being in children is currently an important area of research. Physical activity has been proposed as a method by which negative states can be reduced and positive states increased, thereby increasing children’s overall psychological well-being and in turn helping to protect against a decline into clinical disorders. Research focusing on physical activity and psychological well-being has mainly used self- reported measurements to assess physical activity, a method which leads to considerable non-differential misclassification that in turn will attenuate associations between physical activity and psychological wellbeing. Few studies have employed more precise, objective measures such as accelerometry. Despite providing a more precise measure of physical activity, a number of limitations are present with the use of accelerometry, specifically concerning the data reduction processes. Various decisions made when handling accelerometer data can result in misclassification of time spent in different intensities of physical activity and can introduce selection bias. The present thesis aims to address how the decisions made during data reduction can affect estimates of physical activity prevalence and alter the observed relationships between physical activity and psychological well-being in children. The first study of this thesis assessed the misclassification of activity intensities occurring as a result of the use of various accelerometer cut-points and the resulting variation in relationships between physical activity and psychological well-being that occurs. Results showed that the use of different cut-points to determine physical activity intensity alters the magnitude of the relationship between physical activity and psychological well-being; relationships were attenuated, with some becoming non-significant. The second study addressed the issue of children’s compliance with wear time requirements over multiple time points; compliance with wear time decreased over time, whilst inclusion and exclusion rules based on minimum wear times introduced selection bias. The use of more lenient wear time criteria, to reduce selection bias, introduced misclassification of physical activity intensities. Further, longitudinal relationships between physical activity and psychological well-being differed depending upon the wear time criteria employed. The third study aimed to address whether compliance, and in turn selection bias would systematically differ between groups of a trial of a physical activity intervention, and whether this would alter the results of the intervention itself. Results showed that compliance varied across trial condition, that selection bias with groups was different for each condition and that non-compliance hindered the exploration of the mediating effect of physical activity on psychological well-being. Study four involved the validation and calibration of a new wrist worn, waterproof physical activity monitor more compatible with 24 hour wear, thus potentially overcoming the compliance problems noted in the earlier studies. Results showed good concurrent and criterion validity, with high classification accuracy for the cut-points created. The final study assessed the acceptability and compliance with 24 hour wear in children and allowed a detailed examination of the underestimation of time spent in PA intensities that occurs from capturing shorter and different periods of the day. Results showed large misclassification with 10 hour capture periods relative to complete observation, with time in activity intensities varying across different periods of the day. The results of this thesis demonstrate that substantial selection bias and misclassification of time in activity intensities can be introduced through the decisions made during the processing of raw accelerometry data. Furthermore, this error alters the relationships between physical activity and psychological well-being. The results indicate that the true relationship between physical activity and psychological well-being in children may still be unknown, with researchers reporting relationships and effects only relevant to the measurement methods and data reduction processes they have employed. A method of overcoming selection bias and reducing misclassification is through 24 hour wear, which through the design of new accelerometers is now possible. Future studies should use monitors compatible with and acceptable for complete observation. This would result in more precise estimates of time spent in physical activity intensities and less selection bias. Both of these improvements would greatly increase our understanding of the relationship between physical activity and psychological well-being in children.
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Bezuidenhout, Schalk Leon. "The measurement of the employee-brand relationship in the mining industry / S.L. Bezuidenhout." Thesis, North-West University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/8824.
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The study was aimed at measuring the employee-brand relationship in a mining company. The main reasons for the leading position of South African mining companies’, especially in the Ferro alloys industry was due to the large quantities of natural resources and especially the comparatively low electricity rates. South Africa’s electricity prices increased significantly since 2008, when the electrical grid became unstable due to inefficiencies and poor planning. Eskom embarked on an expensive expansion programme, which are funded by increasing electricity tariffs of approximately 30% to 45% over several years, therefore the management of these mining companies was not only obliged to relook companies’ strategies, forecasts and future plans, but were now forced to further utilize resources to the maximum and to create internal brand images. Internal branding in the mining industry will increasingly become more relevant especially in the recession time. Powerful brand images can promote loyalty amongst employees, grow profits, increase market share and satisfy customers.
The survey that was conducted was done at Tubatse Chrome that is a subsidiary of Samancor Chrome in Steelpoort. This survey enabled the detection of weaknesses with regards to departmental and organisational identification, perceived organisational prestige, job and company satisfaction, organisational culture, employee communication, commitment, employee knowledge with regards to the company and whether the employees cares. The conceptual model identified several sub factors that can either create or prevent a supportive attitude towards the company as a whole or towards only a part of the company. The company obtained the highest score with regards to commitment and job satisfaction however attention needs to be given to its communication policy as well as the climate that is created by its leadership style and the management behaviour.Thesis (MBA)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.
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CONNELLY, MICHAEL C. "THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PATENTS AND TECHNICAL INNOVATION: INNOVATION MEASUREMENT AS APPLIED TO METALS." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1195302596.
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Amoako-Attah, Eva. "Body composition measurement in African and Caribbean children and its relationship with morbidity." Thesis, London Metropolitan University, 2015. http://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/1197/.
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The global increase in obesity prevalence has led to a surge in metabolic disease in both adults and children. Furthermore, the burden of obesity and its related morbidities is not equally distributed across the UK population, with those from minority ethnic groups particularly affected. Effective paediatric epidemiological monitoring and clinical referral requires improved tools for assessing body fatness, and other body composition measures related to metabolic disease are needed. Presently the body mass index (BMI) used to identify overweight and obesity suffers from poor sensitivity and specificity, leading to misclassification of children, especially those from minority ethnic groups. Additionally BMI gives no indication of body fat distribution. Assessment tools specifically for African and Caribbean childhood populations are lacking and the aim of this thesis was to develop a range of assessment tools specifically for this population group. This thesis comprised four studies. In the first study the equations in the Tanita BC-418 bioimpedance (BIA) system used to predict fat mass (FM) and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (SMMa) were re-validated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the criterion method in a sample of 44 African and Caribbean children aged 5-18 years. FM (kg) and SMMa (kg) were quantified by DXA and linear regression analysis used to produce new equations based on height2 /impedance. The key findings from this study were that BIA generally under-estimated FM and over-estimated SMMa in this population group, irrespective of age and gender. In the second study, the corrected measures of FM and SMMa were applied to an existing dataset of 1,336 African/Caribbean children aged between 5-16y whose body composition had been measured using the Tanita BC418 system. Percentile charts for %FM, %FFM, SMMa (kg), %SMMa and SMMa/FMM x 100 were generated using the software LMS Chartmaker. In the third study, blood pressure percentile charts and tables were developed based on data (n, 900) extracted for African and Caribbean children aged 5-18 years from the Health Survey for England data archives, 1991-2008. The centile curves for the anthropometric measures revealed gender and age-related patterns which compared closely to equivalent charts for Caucasian children. Finally in the fourth study, percentile charts and tables for waist circumference (cm) were developed using the same sample population. The findings from these studies provide the tools and preliminary evidence to support the use of African-Caribbean specific references for body composition and blood pressure measures in children and youths in the UK. The overall conclusion from this thesis indicates that paediatric overweight and obesity varies across different ethnic groups and this variation needs to be considered in the context of obesity surveillance and clinical assessment which themselves are determined by national obesity policy formulation and implementation. These are the first body composition percentile charts for African and Caribbean children living in the UK. These charts should replace BMI charts used for obesity assessment in paediatric and epidemiological settings as they are better tools for assessing overweight, obesity and sarcopenia.
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Dib, Tamara S. "Relationship between Anisotropy and Dispersive Stress in Wind Plants with Variable Spacing." PDXScholar, 2018. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/4335.
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Large eddy simulations are considered for wind plants with varied spanwise and streamwise spacing. Data from five different configurations of staggered and aligned LES wind turbine arrays with a neutrally stratified atmospheric boundary layer are employed for analysis. Fields are analyzed by evaluating the anisotropy stress invariants based on the Reynolds shear stresses and dispersive stress tensor. The relationship between quantities are drawn as a function of the wind plant packing. Reynolds stresses and dispersive stresses are investigated alongside a domain altered version of the second and third scalar invariants, ξ, η, as well as the combination of the two invariants described by the function F = 1−27η 2 + 54ξ 3. F is a measure of the approach to either a two-component turbulence (F=1) or an isotropic turbulence (F=0). The invariant η describes the degree of anisotropy while ξ describes the characteristic shape. For the purposes of this study, the LES data is analyzed to understand the effects of canopy density on anisotropy and dispersive stresses, adding further insight and detail for future modeling techniques.
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Ahmadi, Mehri Vida. "An Investigation of CPU utilization relationship between host and guests in a Cloud infrastructure." Thesis, Blekinge Tekniska Högskola, Institutionen för kommunikationssystem, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:bth-10809.
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Cloud computing stands as a revolution in IT world in recent years. This technology facilitates resource sharing by reducing hardware costs for business users and promises energy efficiency and better resource utilization to the service providers. CPU utilization is a key metric considered in resource management across clouds. The main goal of this thesis study is directed towards investigating CPU utilization behavior with regard to host and guest, which would help us in understanding the relationship between them. It is expected that perception of these relationships would be helpful in resource management. Working towards our goal, the methodology we adopted is experi- mental research. This involves experimental modeling, measurements and observations from the results. The experimental setup covers sev- eral complex scenarios including cloud and a standalone virtualization system. The results are further analyzed for a visual correlation. Results show that CPU utilization in cloud and virtualization sce- nario coincides. More experimental scenarios are designed based on the first observations. The obtaining results show the irregular behav- ior between PM and VM in variable workload. CPU utilization retrieved from both cloud and a standalone system is similar. 100% workload situations showed that CPU utilization is constant with no correlation co-efficient obtained. Lower workloads showed (more/less) correlation in most of the cases in our correlation analysis. It is expected that more number of iterations can possibly vary the output. Further analysis of these relationships for proper resource management techniques will be considered.
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Slaughter, Andrew Robert. "Modelling the relationship between flow and water quality in South African rivers." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006196.
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The National Water Act (Act 36 of 1998) provides for an ecological Reserve as the quantity (flow) and quality of water needed to protect aquatic ecosystems. While there are methods available to quantify the ecological Reserve in terms of flow, methods of linking flow to water quality are lacking. Therefore, the research presented in this thesis investigated various modelling techniques to estimate the effect of flow on water quality. The aims of the research presented in this thesis were: Aim 1: Can the relationship between flow and water quality be accurately represented by simple statistical models? Aim 2: Can relatively simple models accurately represent the relationship between flow and water quality? Aim 3: Can the effect of diffuse sources be omitted from a water quality model and still obtain realistic simulations, and if so under what conditions? Aim 4: Can models that solely use historical monitoring data, accurately represent the relationships between flow and water quality? In Chapter 3, simple Q-C regressions of flow and water quality were investigated using Department of Water Affairs (DWA) historical monitoring data. It was found that while flow versus salinity regressions gave good regression fits in many cases, the Q-C regression approach is limited. A mechanistic/statistical model that attempted to estimate the point and diffuse signatures of nutrients in response to flow was developed in Chapter 4 using DWA historical monitoring data. The model was verified as accurate in certain case studies using observed point loading information. In Chapter 5, statistical models that link land cover information to diffuse nutrient signatures in response to flow using DWA historical data were developed. While the model estimations are uncertain due to a lack of data, they do provide an estimation of the diffuse signature within catchments where there is flow and land cover information available. Chapter 6 investigates the extension of an existing mass-balance salinity model to estimate the effect of saline irrigation return flow on in-stream salinity. The model gave accurate salinity estimates for a low order stream with little or no irrigation within its catchment, and for a permanently flowing river within a catchment used extensively for irrigation. Chapter 7 investigated a modelling method to estimate the reaction coefficients involved in nitrification using only DWA historical monitoring data. Here, the model used flow information to estimate the residence time of nutrients within the studied river reaches. While the model obtained good estimations of nitrification for the data it was applied to, very few DWA data sets were suitable for the model. Chapter 8 investigated the ability of the in-stream model QUAL2K to estimate nutrient concentrations downstream of point and diffuse inputs of nutrients. It was found that the QUAL2K model can give accurate results in cases where point sources dominate the total nutrient inputs into a river. However, the QUAL2K simulations are too uncertain in cases where there are large diffuse source inputs of nutrients as the load of the diffuse inputs is difficult to measure in the field. This research highlights the problem of data scarcity in terms of temporal resolution as well as the range of constituents measured within DWA historical monitoring data for water quality. This thesis in addition argues that the approach of applying a number of models is preferable to applying one model to investigate the research aims, as particular models would be suited to particular circumstances, and the development of new models allowed the research aims of this thesis to be explored more thoroughly. It is also argued that simpler models that simulate a few key processes that explain the variation in observed data, are more suitable for implementing Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) than large comprehensive water quality models. From this research, it is clear that simple statistical models are not adequate for modelling the relationship between flow and water quality, however, relatively simple mechanistic models that simulate a limited number of processes and water quality variables, can provide accurate representations of this relationship. Under conditions where diffuse sources are not a major factor within a catchment, models that omit diffuse sources can obtain realistic simulations of the relationship between flow and water quality. Most of the models investigated in this thesis demonstrate that accurate simulations of the relationships between flow and water quality can be obtained using solely historical monitoring data.
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Chirchir, Andrew K. "The relationship between teacher training in measurement and classroom assessment procedures in Kenya's secondary schools." Thesis, University of Ottawa (Canada), 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/9930.
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The purpose of this study was to determine teacher use of measurement principles and the factors influencing this use in the assessment of student achievement in the Riftvalley Province (Kenya). Given that most of the assessment in the classroom consists of instruments developed by teachers, a first step in exploring the utility of measurement principles is to investigate the use of these principles in specific assessment areas. This could lead to the determination and the improvement of the fit between measurement training and teacher classroom assessment practices. The study was designed to provide information on teacher use of measurement principles by considering whether teachers had received training in educational measurement principles, how important they perceived these principles to be, and how often they used the principles in the assessment of student achievement. The study was also designed to determine factors influencing the use of measurement principles in schools. The results show that teachers have been trained in the principles of educational measurement. However, there is some indication that measurement training did not effectively address the assessment concerns of many classroom teachers. Teachers do not feel adequately prepared in test construction, marking, and the reporting of student assessment results. The results on the importance of measurement principles provide some clear indication that teachers attach much importance to the principles for test construction, test administration, marking, and the reporting of student assessment results. Teacher interviews revealed that teachers are overwhelmed by the demands associated with Kenya's 8-4-4 system of education. On the basis of the study findings, suggestions were made for improving teacher training in measurement and for further research. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
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Suraweera, Theekshana. "IT management sophistication in small business: Its definition, measurement and relationship with IT impact." Thesis, University of Canterbury. Accountancy, 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10092/4373.
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This research deals with information technology (IT) management in small businesses. Although IT management in large businesses has been extensively researched, only a handful of studies have focused on the small business sector.
There are three specific objectives of this research:
(a) to characterise IT management sophistication in small business,
(b) to develop and validate a comprehensive instrument to measure this construct, and
(c) to develop a model that explains the relationship between IT management sophistication and the IT impact, in the context of small business.
The characterisation of the construct is based on the work of Raymond and Pare (1992) who explored the concept of IT sophistication within the context of small businesses. This study adopted a multi-method investigative approach, combining both case study research and survey methods. The study population was New Zealand's small chartered accountancy firms. Initially, a pool of indicators representing IT management sophistication in small business was derived on the basis of case study analysis. These indicators were used as the basis for drafting the measurement instrument which was tested within a wider population in the quantitative phase of the investigation. The second generation multivariate analytical technique, Partial Least Square (PLS) modelling, was used in the study's survey data analysis phase.
This research characterised IT management sophistication in small business under three sub-dimensions: IT planning, IT controlling and IT leading. These factors were represented by nineteen indicators. The validity and reliability of the measurement instrument was examined in the PLS data analysis. A PLS model explaining the relationship between IT management sophistication, technological sophistication, and informational sophistication on one hand with IT impact on the other, in the context of small business was derived.
The characterisation of IT management sophistication in small business will be useful for the researchers to understand this complex construct more clearly. The measurement instrument can be used to examine further the different aspects of IT management in small businesses. The model that related the study constructs will aid understanding the associated links between them. Practitioners will be able to use these results to improve upon their IT managerial practices to derive a greater impact of IT, which can, in tum, result in achieving higher organisational performance.
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Brooke-Wavell, Katherine S. F. "Human body composition : measurement and relationship with exercise, dietary intakes and cardiovascular risk factors." Thesis, Loughborough University, 1992. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/17193.
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This thesis describes studies related to human body composition, concentrating upon methodology of measurement, and a study on the influence of brisk walking programme upon healthy, previously sedentary middle-aged men. In chapter I, the principles of the techniques used for measurement of body composition in this thesis are discussed. The limitations and potential sources of error associated with each are discussed. The response of body composition to exercise, and the relationship of this response to changes in cardiovascular risk factors are considered. General methods are described in chapter 2. Techniques suitable for measurement of body composition in "field" conditions are evaluated in chapters 3 and 4. Near infra-red interactance was found to under-estimate fatness, to an increasing extent with increasing fatness. Bio-electrical impedance estimates of body composition from different sets of prediction equations from the literature differed significantly. Most overestimated fatness, to an increasing extent with increasing fatness. In chapter 5 techniques for measurement of subcutaneous adipose tissue are evaluated by comparison with A-mode ultrasound. Skinfold thicknesses were better correlated with subcutaneous adipose tissue thickness than were interactance data. Chapters 6 and 7 describe a year-long study on the effects of a brisk walking programme on healthy, previously sedentary middle-aged men. Volunteers were randomly allocated to walking or control groups (n = 42 and 23 respectively). Brisk walking for on average 27 minutes per day was not found to influence body composition, although significant changes in lower limb skinfold thicknesses were observed. The relationship of changes in blood pressure and blood concentrations of total cholesterol, lipoprotein-cholesterol subfractions and triglycerides with changes in body composition and fat distribution is examined. Energy intake did not change during the study, despite the expected increase in energy expenditure, and lack of change in body composition. Changes in dietary cholesterol and fatty acid intakes during the year are described, and related to changes in cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion, newer field techniques were not found to be a better predictor of body composition than skinfold thicknesses. Participation in the walking programme did not significantly influence body composition or energy intake.
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Murthy, Bvsan. "Measurement of the strategy construct in the lodging industry, and the strategy-performance relationship." Diss., This resource online, 1994. http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-10022007-145428/.
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Chan, Keith T. "Examining the Measurement of Health and its Relationship to Acculturation for Older Asian Americans." Thesis, Boston College, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2345/3873.
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Thesis advisor: Thanh V. TranPurpose: According to census estimates, Asians are one of the fastest growing immigrant groups in the US, and the fastest growing group among all elderly. This study examines the impact of acculturation, measured as English ability, along with other predictors on health for older Asian Americans. Data Sources: Data from the 2009 American Community Survey and the National Latino and Asian American Study were used to examine large-scale population characteristics of Asian American elderly. Measures: A broad view of health (physical, mental, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(iADLs)) was examined using items capturing functional disability. Psychological health was examined using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Analytical Methods: Confirmatory factor analysis, logistic regression analysis, and path analysis was conducted. Results: CFA suggests scales are reliable for use. Cross-cultural comparability was found for psychological distress, but not for functional disability. Results indicated that English ability predicted lower disability, but had no relationship to psychological distress. Higher levels of intergenerational family conflict increased distress for Asian elders. Perceived discrimination, which represents a form of social marginalization, emerged as a key mediating variable and was consistently associated with poorer mental health. Conclusion: This study provided key insights into the applicability and measurement invariance of two key measures of health for older Asian Americans. While the measures captured health reasonably well, the results suggest confounds for this population, which may be due to perceptions of disability, language, immigration status, social networks, health insurance status, and access to services. Acculturation is a process involving the individual and the family, and can cut across age groups and generations. Policies should emphasize the development of culturally-specific services for Asian American elders. The study highlights that social workers must engage families across generations and the lifespan when working with Asian elders
Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2013
Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Social Work
Discipline: Social Work
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Kelly, JoEllen. "A numerical and experimental investigation of the effects of thermal history on the structure/property relationship of PPS/carbon fiber composites." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1991. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/39780.
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The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of thermal history during cooling from the melt on the degree of crystallinity, morphology, and mechanical properties of (polyphenylenesulfide) PPS/carbon fiber composites. Three thermal treatments were employed in this study: isothermal crystallization from the melt at 140,160,180,200, and 220°C, quenching from 315° C and then annealing at 160 and 200° C, and nonisothennal crystallization from the melt at rates varying from 0040 C/minute to 68° C/second. The effect of varying the thermal history of the sample on the degree of crystallinity developed in the matrix polymer was determined using differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of thermal history on and the resulting matrix morphology was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The subsequent effects of the degree of crystallinity and the morphology on the mechanical behavior of the samples were monitored by transverse tensile tests and flexural tests. In all cases, the transverse tensile and flexural moduli increased as the amount of crystallinity in the samples increased. However, samples with greater amounts of crystallinity did not always yield higher transverse tensile or flexural strengths. Upon examination of the composite samples by electron microscopy, it was observed that trends in the values of the transverse tensile and flexural strengths could be correlated with structural changes in the matrix.
This paper is concerned with the simulation of the development of crystallinity and morphology (both amount of crystallinity and the size of spherulites) which arise during the cooling of a slab of a semicrystalline polymer reinforced with long continuous carbon fibers. This situation is commonly found during the processing of semicrystalline thermoplastic composites. Whereas published attempts at simulating this process have treated the composite material as a continuum and thereby used mass averaged physical properties (such as thermal conductivity, density, and specific heat), we use a quasi-continuum approach in which locally we consider the properties of the matrix and fiber separately. Once a temperature distribution is calculated using the continuum approach, the fmite element method is applied locally at various points in the slab to calculate the amount of crystallinity and the size of the developing spherulites. This is done by using the Avrami equation and the Hoffman and Lauritzen radial growth equation. The amount of crystallinity and the spherulite size are predicted as a function of fiber spacing and packing geometry, and the predictions are found to be in good agreement with experimental results obtained on polyphenylenesulfide/carbon fiber composites. The advantages of our approach over the continuum approach is that a relatively accurate prediction of the spherulite size is possible due to constraints imposed by the fiber on the spherulitic growth.Ph. D.
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Frye, N. Kathleen. "Pre-employment knowledge measurement and relationship to recruitment methods and previous job and organizational exposure /." Diss., St. Louis, Mo. : University of Missouri--St. Louis, 2007. http://etd.umsl.edu/r2421.
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Ax, Erin Elizabeth. "Relationship between curriculum-based measurement reading and statewide achievement test mastery for third grade students." [Tampa, Fla.] : University of South Florida, 2004. http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/SFE0000568.
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Spear, Caitlin. "Examining the Relationship Between Implementation and Student Outcomes: The Application of an Implementation Measurement Framework." Thesis, University of Oregon, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1794/18710.
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The current study evaluated the implementation of evidence-based reading interventions using a multifaceted implementation measurement approach. Multilevel modeling was used to examine how three direct measures of implementation related to each other and to student academic outcomes and to examine patterns of implementation across time. Eight instructional groups were video taped weekly for nine weeks, and pre- and post-test assessments were given to 31 at-risk kindergartners from two schools using established evidence-based practices. Each implementation measure represented a different measurement approach (i.e., discrete behavioral measurement, global ratings) and focused on different aspects of implementation (e.g., structural, process, or multicomponent elements). Overall, results of this analysis indicated that (a) the implementation tools were highly correlated with each other, (b) only the multicomponent tool independently accounted for group differences, (c) together the multicomponent and process-oriented measures appear to account for additional variance in group differences, and (d) there were no significant trends in implementation across time as measured by any of the tools, however there were significant differences in trends over time between groups when using the structural measure. Implications for research and practice are discussed, including the importance of taking a multifaceted approach to measuring implementation and aligning implementation measures with program theory.
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Showalter, Edward D. "The Corporate Character Ethical Value Structure: Construct Definition, Measurement, Validation and Relationship to Organizational Commitment." VCU Scholars Compass, 1997. https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/5272.
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The corporate character value structure consists of ethical values applied in a business setting arranged in a two dimensional matrix presented here as the Corporate Character Ethical Value Matrix, or CC-EVM. The two matrix dimensions are: behavior-types defined as either (1)custodial or (2)proactive; and behavior targets (1)task, (2)consideration-specific, directed toward a specific relationship, or (3)consideration-general, directed at generalized relationships or the organization. The current research developed the matrix to define and classify the six values presented by The Character Counts Coalition’s (1993) as core “pillars” of character: trustworthiness, responsibility, respect, caring, fairness and citizenship. The theoretical background for this matrix was built from the organizational trust and organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) literatures, and the business ethics literature.
The study tested the uniqueness of these six constructs using items developed from established measures that were combined as one instrument with items developed based on Character Counts Coalition statements. Factor analysis of student (n=324) responses explored the existence of theorized dimensions underlying the established trust and OCB measures. Item reduction eliminated items failing to discriminate between factors, and five factors emerged. The first factor contained items from McAlister's (1995) cognitive-based trust measure and Van Dyne, Graham, and Dienesch’s (1994) obedience measure. The second and third factors contained items from Van Dyne et al.’s advocacy and loyalty measures respectively. The fourth and fifth factors expressed concern for friends and country, and contained items developed from the Character Counts Coalition. Reliable (alpha >.80) scales from the factor items allowed further testing for inferences about the scales validity using personality and demographic measures.
Findings show support for the behavior-targets dimension of the CC-EVM. The first factor corresponded to the task target. The advocacy and loyalty measures corresponded to the consideration-specific and consideration-general targets. The friends and country scales failed to exhibit predicted relationships. The five measures were regressed against measures provided by an insurance agency industry sample (n=112) of organizational commitment and shared ethical values. The strongest relationship emerged between consideration-general (loyalty) and organizational commitment. No support emerged for the behavior-types dimension. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed.
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Sawatzky, Richard. "The measurement of quality of life and its relationship with perceived health status in adolescents." Thesis, University of British Columbia, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/31493.
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Several assumptions of the indirect reflective model of the Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS) were tested to assess its validity as a measure of adolescents' satisfaction with life generally and with five important life domains (family, friends, living environment, school, and self perception). We also examined whether adolescents' perceived mental and physical health status significantly explained their global quality of life (QOL) and whether these relationships were mediated by their satisfaction with the five life domains. The data were taken from a cross-sectional health survey of 8,225 adolescents in 49 schools in British Columbia, Canada. Global QOL was measured using Cantril's ladder and a single-item rating of the adolescents' satisfaction with their QOL. Confirmatory factor and factor mixture analyses were used to examine the measurement assumptions of the MSLSS, and structural equation modeling was applied to test the hypothesized mediation model. The Pratt index (d) was used to evaluate variable importance. The adolescents did not respond to all MSLSS items in a consistent manner. An abridged 18-item version of the MSLSS was therefore developed by selecting items that were most invariant in the sample. Good model fit was obtained when the abridged MSLSS was used to test the hypothesized mediation model, which explained 76% of the variance in global QOL. Relatively poorer mental health and physical health were significantly associated with lower satisfaction in each of the life domains. Global QOL was predominantly explained by the adolescents' mental health status (d= 30%) and by their satisfaction with self (d= 42%) and family (d= 20%). Self and family satisfaction were the predominant mediating variables of the relationships between mental health (45% total mediation) and physical health (68% total mediation) and global QOL. Satisfaction with life domains and perceived physical and mental health can be viewed as conditions that potentially contribute to adolescents' global QOL. Questions about adolescents' experiences with important life domains require more attention in population health research so as to target appropriate supportive services for adolescents, particularly those with mental or physical health challenges.Applied Science, Faculty of
Nursing, School of
Graduate
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O'Connell, Michael Thomas. "Closed Loop Satisfaction Measurement: New Wine from Old Bottles." PDXScholar, 2011. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/221.
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A field experiment examines within a financial services firm the impact of a customer satisfaction survey-based intervention that enables front-line employees to identify and contact less-than satisfied customers (less than 9 on a 10-point scale) to proactively prevent potential customer defections. The impact is measured using operational data from 28,000 new customers and their associated defection behavior over a period of eight years. The experiment applies binomial Z-tests of proportions to assess the difference in defection rates of targeted and non-targeted customers before and after the intervention. The research finds that the use of closed loop satisfaction measurement reduces customer defections (by 40%, p>.001). Further, the research finds that the primary reduction is for non-targeted customers rather than for targeted customers, contrary to expectations. The research also provides additional support for the 'service recovery paradox' wherein customers who are less-than satisfied who are satisfactorily resolved have reduced defection rates compared to customers that are satisfied (by 47%, p=.016). The primary limitation of the research is its reliance on data from a single company. Another limitation is the potentially confounding impact of the Great Recession on defections during the study period, which could threaten the validity of the analysis. Consequently, additional tests were performed to control for this and other potentially confounding factors. These tests show that the Great Recession and the host company's cost cutting reactions did impact defections and therefore data from these periods were eliminated from the analyses. The primary theoretical contributions are the use of actual customer defections to measure the impacts and the use of a proactive rather than a reactive intervention. The contribution from a practitioner perspective is the relatively low cost of this intervention for improving customer retention.
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Young, Sharon B. "The relationship of psychological factors and centralization of pain to disability due to neck pain." Thesis, Birmingham, Ala. : University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. https://www.mhsl.uab.edu/dt/2009r/young.pdf.
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Vazquez-Guzman, David. "Measurement of income inequality in Mexico : methodology, assessment and empirical relationship with poverty and human development." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/446.
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The intended contribution of this work is to systematically discuss a selection of methodological topics and some of the empirical and technical issues that have been driving the measurement of inequality in Mexico so far. This discussion has two strands: firstly, the general case, and second, the particular case of Mexico. The general case include some philosophical concerns, along with a review of the traditional inequality measurement, the most common operational decisions in empirical calculations, and the recent methodological contribution of development literature that is mostly centered around the capability approach of Sen (1985b). The philosophical part contrasted with other approaches and rejected the Marxist view of economic inequality, which is mostly viewed as an outcome of exploitation. The distributional judgments are compared with more ancient schools of thought in regards to justice. Another methodological issue is such that social inequality, approximated by income inequality, might be considered as an additional functioning that measures the degree of social cohesion in the country, this finding is an implication that comes from the definition of functionings within the capability approach; then, social inequality is a functioning that is different in nature from other measures of destitution, and it is also different from the destitution that is captured by absolute poverty measurement. Our general case includes a review of the most popular ways to measure inequality, such as normative and pragmatic inequality measures that are mentioned with their properties, with their rankings of the distributions provided by the use of stochastic dominance and quantile comparisons, and the construction of statistical models and some graphic representations of income economic inequality; the approach of inequality concerns included in the measurement of relative poverty is rejected for the sake of clarity. Then this general view would guide us to a better understanding of the Mexican literature for the consideration of income distribution. The measurement of destitution provided by governmental offices is necessary to discuss, because there might be some lack of coherence between the design of the measurement and the complex legal system in Mexico. We also consider a set of regulatory concerns that might not be unique to the Mexican law, but may be generalized for developing countries as a whole. Some of the methodological discussions that show how the Mexican research has been influenced by the international literature about human destitution will be good to clarify, looking at the value judgments that have been automatically accepted by the researchers. A sensitivity analysis was performed to the empirical calculation of inequality in Mexico, so the measurement showed to be different in regards to a variety of operational concerns: the recipient unit, the different data from income and consumption-expenditure surveys, various non-responses and underreported biases, the inclusion of a regional price index, among other things. In this work was also covered the reasons why it might be the case that destitution and poverty assessment was studied more deeply than inequality itself, so the possible ambiguity of inequality with poverty measurement is challenged in this work with a variety of theoretical remarks and empirical arguments. The final topic for the particular case of Mexico is to shed light in regards to the context of the capability approach and the use of equivalence scales, because these methodological approaches consider respectively directly and indirectly the assessment of distributional judgments. This discussion is followed by an empirical assessment of inequality measures that is related with a set of functionings and services, where a direct relationship of measures of inequality with other measures of destitution is made clear.
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Hamadi, Hassan. "The measurement of financial performance and its effect on the relationship between gearing and over-investment." Thesis, University of Surrey, 2005. http://epubs.surrey.ac.uk/857/.
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de, Wet Elmar. "Developing a model that defines the relationship between a performance measurement system and other organisational entities." Thesis, University of Bath, 2008. https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.487457.
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Many articles have been written on the design and implementation of performance measurement systems. In this regard literature also indicates the high failure rate associated with implementation. When the various issues assigned to failure are analysed, a number of these issues can be categorised as systemic issues. This research defines these systemic issues as contextual issues – those issues outside of a performance measurement system, yet having an impact on its functioning and performance as a system. This research explains how systems theory was used to construct a model that defines twelve contextual entities, seen as key entities influencing the functioning of a performance measurement system. These twelve entities are organisational culture, management commitment and support, information architecture, performance measurement process owner, overall status of IT/IS, organisational structure, evaluation process and information flow, performance management system, strategic planning process, policies and procedures, “other” measurement processes, and resources. The model also defines the relationship between each of these entities and a performance measurement system. When the model is applied in practice it determines the strength of the relationship between each entity and a performance measurement system. Based on the strength of each relationship, an organisational learning experience is created that provides a perspective on the performance measurement readiness of an organisation. This study focuses on strengthening the relevancy and applicability of the model by applying the model at two public universities in South Africa. The specific research focus was to generate an understanding of whether different contexts prompted any changes to the model. The research concludes by indicating that context changed the model in minor ways and also that the universities perceived the model to be relevant. Based on these findings stronger claims can thus be made in terms of the model’s relevancy and applicability.
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Moela, Abram Kahlodi. "Assessment of the relationship between body weight and body measurement in indigenous goats using path analysis." Thesis, University of Limpopo, Turfloop Campus, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/10386/1112.
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Thesis (MA. Agricultural Management (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2014Body measurements have been used in animals to estimate body weight especially in rural areas where scales are not readily available. The study was conducted in Sekhukhune District of the Limpopo province, South Africa where the goats between the ages of 20 and 30 months were used. Body weight and four morphological traits were taken on each goat in the morning before they were released for grazing in a total of 613 indigenous goats of both sexes (62 male and 551 female). Body weight was measured in kilogram (kg) using a balance scale, hip height and shoulder height measurement (cm) were done using a graduated measuring stick and the body length and heart girth were measured in centimetre (cm) using a tape rule. Means, standard deviations (SD) and coefficients of variation (CV) of body weight and morphological traits were calculated. Pair wise correlations among body weight and morphological traits were also determined and range from 0.81-0.91 for male and 0.72-0.89 for female goats, respectively and were significant (P<0.01). The direct effect of heart girth on body weight was the strongest in both sexes (path coefficient of 0.58 and 0.62 in males and females, respectively). Body length (males) and body length and hip height (females) also positively (P<0.05) influenced body weight. The direct effects of other linear type traits on body weight in both sexes were non-significant as revealed by t-test. These traits were indirectly realized mostly via heart girth. Thus, they were removed from the final regression equations to obtain much more simplified prediction models. The optimum multiple regression equation for male goats included heart girth and body length, In female goats, however, the v variables included in the final prediction model were heart girth, body length and shoulder height. The forecast indices obtained in this study could aid in weight estimation, selection and breeding programmes.
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SHRODER, JAYMI LYNN. "AN EXAMINATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CURRICULUM BASED MEASUREMENT AND THE OHIO FOURTH GRADE PROFICIENCY TEST." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1021030820.
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Rodriguez, De gomez Maria Isabel. "Key roles enacted by entrepreneurs when developing their firm : identification, measurement and relationship with firm performance." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/key-roles-enacted-by-entrepreneurswhen-developing-their-firmidentification-measurement-and-relationship-with-firm-performance(da5460fb-114f-4452-9197-399271940291).html.
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The general purpose of this thesis was to explore the different roles enacted by entrepreneurs when developing their firm in the market. In their daily attempts to develop their firm, entrepreneurs “wear many different hats” because they are involved in multiple situations which require their interaction with different networks of social relationships (i.e. customers, employees, suppliers, investors). Through this research, we attempt to make three related and distinct contributions: (1) identification and definition of different roles enacted by entrepreneurs within their firm; (2) development of a measurement scale for the different roles entrepreneurs enact within their firm; and (3) proposal of a model explaining the relationship between entrepreneurs’ roles, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and firm performance. The thesis is presented in the form of three related papers. Paper 1 focuses on the qualitative study of the self-reported perceptions, behaviors, and attitudes that entrepreneurs relate to their efforts of developing their firm in the market. Through in-depth interviews and following thematic analysis methodology, we identified and analyzed patterns within the qualitative data. Conceptualizing the entrepreneurial firm as a proximate social structure that represents a context in which the entrepreneur establishes close relationships and thus enacts role identities, we identify and define seven different sets of behaviors or roles. In addition, we propose a conceptual framework to explain the entrepreneurs’ agency within their firm. Based on the previously identified and defined roles, in Paper 2 we develop the measurement scale for the entrepreneurs’ roles. The items generated from the literature review and the in-depth interviews were evaluated for content validity by a group of serial entrepreneurs. A pilot test was then conducted with a network of international entrepreneurs (N=55), followed by a pre-test using an online panel of U.S. entrepreneurs (N=157) who were owners and managers of a running business that had paid salaries to the owner(s) for more than two years. Finally, the main study (N=202) was conducted utilizing the same sampling frame as the pre-test. After Confirmatory Factor Analysis and measure validation, we propose a seven-construct measurement model for the roles that entrepreneurs enact within their developing firm. In Paper 3, following the development of the measurement scale, we explore the links between the roles enacted by entrepreneurs, Entrepreneurial Orientation, and firm performance. Understanding Entrepreneurial Orientation as a way in which entrepreneurs behave when creating and developing their firm, we propose a model in which Entrepreneurial Orientation mediates the relationship between entrepreneurs’ enacted roles and the performance of their firm. Our findings suggest that Entrepreneurial Orientation mediates the relationship between at least five roles enacted by entrepreneurs and firm performance. The influence of several of the enacted roles of entrepreneurs on Entrepreneurial Orientation suggests that the entrepreneur’s agency, facilitated through the use of roles, needs to be taken into account as an antecedent in a model of entrepreneurial strategic orientation and firm performance.
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Marcontell, Deborah K. (Deborah Kay). "The Relationship between Self-Reported Bulimic Behavior and Cardiovascular Reactivity to a Weight Stressor." Thesis, University of North Texas, 1993. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc279237/.
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This investigation sought to identify anxiety responses to weight measurement, assessed by verbal report and cardiovascular reactivity CCR3 (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate), which might differentiate females with either high or low self-reported bulimic behavior. Secondar i ly,, the study attempted to examine specific autonomic nervous system (ANS) arousal patterns of each group over time. The Bulimia Test (BULIT), Body Dissatisfaction Scale (BD), and a demographic questionnaire were administered to 105 undergraduate females at The University of North Texas. Based on BULIT scores, females were divided into high or low bulimic behavior groups. Of the 105 females screened, forty participated in the experiment which consisted of four phases: relaxation, anticipation of weight measurement, weight measurement, and recovery. Subjects had no prior knowledge of the weight stressor until presentation during the experiment. Results showed that subjects' notion of ideal weight was substantially lower than measured weight. During weight measurement, all subjects reported increased anxiety although the high group reported significantly more anxiety. Contrary to prediction, no significant group differences in CR were found when repeated measures multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed. Orthogonal polynomial trend analysis was done with pooled groups, resulting in significant within-subject trends for all cardiovascular measures. There was also a significant group by time of measurement interaction for heart rate during the weight measurement phase. Correlational analyses failed to produce significant results between verbal report of anxiety and CR. There was, however, a significant correlation between BULIT and BD scores. It was concluded that heightened subjective anxiety during weight measurement could not be attributed to group differences in CR. Regarding ANS arousal patterns, mixed evidence of active and passive coping was seen. Nevertheless, both psychological and physiological measures supported an overvaluation of female thinness consistent with societal trends regardless of group membership. Implications of findings were discussed along with suggestions for future research.
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Metz, Gale Lynn. "The units of measure consistency checker for the entity-relationship-attribute requirements model." Thesis, Kansas State University, 1986. http://hdl.handle.net/2097/9941.
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Chong, Hyonsong. "IS-MBNQA: A new framework for the relationship between Information Systems and organizational quality." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2001. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc3060/.
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Despite numerous frameworks and models proposed in the literature, Information Systems (IS) assessment still remains elusive. In addition, little agreement exists on the contribution of the IS function within an organization and on how IS is related to the other organizational dimensions. Frameworks that show the relationship between IS and the organization are in the developmental stage and this work proposes a more comprehensive framework to assist in better understanding the relationship between IS and organizational quality. This research examines two popular IS quality assessment frameworks - Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA) and Information Systems Assessment (ISA) - and suggests a new framework, IS-MBNQA. This work integrates these two IS quality assessment frameworks into a single comprehensive model that provides a holistic view on how IS quality is interrelated to organizational quality. The existing two IS assessment frameworks attempted to measure IS quality at different levels within an organization. The MBNQA model is the most comprehensive quality framework because it takes an organization wide perspective. On the other hand, ISA employs an IS specific perspective and reflects the relationships of eight major IS success dimensions. ISA is a modified version of DeLone & McLean's model with the inclusion of a success factor for Service Quality. For this study, survey instruments are developed from the MBNQA and ISA frameworks and they are consolidated to allow testing of the single IS-MBNQA framework. Exploratory factor analysis is performed for instrument refinement and confirmatory factor analysis for validity of the models. The instruments developed in this work are utilized as a foundation for identifying the relationships among the dimensions within and between each model. A major contribution of this work is the validation of the 2000 MBNQA model and the extension of existing models/frameworks to better explain the IS contribution to an organization.
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Hunt, Elizabeth. "Exploring the Relationship between Facets of Psychopathy and Co-Occurring Psychopathology: Do Gender and Measurement Approach Matter?" Scholar Commons, 2016. http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/6260.
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Psychopathy is a maladaptive personality disorder associated with a host of negative outcomes, including criminal behavior, psychopathology, and self-harm. Factor 1 (F1) and Factor 2 (F2) psychopathy show differential associations with psychopathology. However, evidence suggests that the statistical interaction of F1 and F2 may be more important in understanding associations with psychopathology. Findings regarding the interactive effects of F1 and F2 are mixed, as both potentiating and protective effects have emerged. Moreover, there is only scant research exploring the statistical impact of gender on these interactive effects. Furthermore, approaches to measuring F1 (e.g. clinical interview versus self-report) are based on different conceptualizations of F1, which may influence the strength and direction of the interactive effects. Study 1 aims to explore the influence of F1 and F2 on psychopathology by using both person-centered and variable-centered approaches on a sample of over 1,500 offenders. Study 2 seeks to replicate these findings among 227 drug users and 234 college students. Across analytic methods in Study 1, there were very cases in which F1 influenced the association between F2 and psychopathology, and there were no significant three-way gender interactions. Furthermore, the conceptualization of F1 across psychopathy measures did not impact the interactive effects of F1 and F2. Similar findings emerged in Study 2. These findings suggest that F2 is likely driving the relations between psychopathy and other forms of psychopathology, and that F1 plays less of a role in interacting with F2 than previously believed.
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Bodley, David Cyril. "The relationship between opportunity-related aspects and the performance of primary co-operatives in South Africa." Thesis, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10948/14653.
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South Africa is a country facing divisive social and economic challenges. It has a history that generated imbalances within the economy and requires urgent solutions to one of the most significant issues the country faces, having too few South Africans in work. Globally, a key solution to creating work has been to make small business the engine-room of economies. Consequently, the South African Government has identified the establishment of small businesses as a priority, which incorporates the development of collaborative forms of businesses in marginalised communities. The co-operative form of business and a strong co-operative movement is, therefore, a critical element of government’s initiative to create work and economic independence for South Africans. Governed by the seven International Labour Organization (ILO) principles, this form of business is often more complex than a typical firm, making the task of establishing and growing these entities particularly challenging. This study analyses the literature to gain an understanding of co-operative movements across the globe. It then looks at the specific challenges the movement faces in South Africa, followed by an analysis of best practice that a business should engage in its establishment and growth. Specifically, the literature examines whether there is a relationship between opportunity-related industry, market and entrepreneurial team aspects and improved business performance of business entities such as co-operatives. The study collates data from co-operatives in the South African economy using two separate methodologies. Firstly, a structured interview was used to acquire information on the opportunity-related aspects. Secondly, business transactions were recorded and basic financial statements were produced for each co-operative, enabling a rating on business performance. The primary data was then analysed within Chapter 6, to investigate the strength of the relationship between opportunity-related aspects and business performance. The findings extracted from the primary data reinforced certain facts within the body of knowledge as it relates to the relationship between opportunity-related aspects and business performance, but there were also some interesting new insights that were extracted from the data. The South African co-operative movement has achieved certain success and momentum as well as experiencing certain failures, and the study clearly highlights both, and makes recommendations to improve the movements and government’s efforts to establish a vibrant and meaningful co-operative sector.