Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Successful management principles'

This integrative doctoral report describes a research project which draws from the author‟s experience and knowledge of management within the oil and gas sector. Core to the research is the design and development of a company management system, the CMS. The system was designed for a new business division of an international company whose strategic vision was to gain a global presence as an engineering contractor. The research uses the formal approach of reflective practice to draw principles from the experiential work. This reflection resulted in a series of principles which the author proposes are core to the successful development of a management system. The project entailed extensive literature research which further developed and refined the core principles. The principles were compared to the ISO standard, EFQM Excellence model and several proprietary systems. A qualitative study was undertaken to investigate the management systems in use in a selection of sectors, and to explore the applicability of the derived principles. This study established the views and opinion of senior management to systems and their attitude towards quality. The synthesis of experiential data, examination of the literature, lessons learnt from the development of the CMS and the qualitative study provided further evidence to support the six derived principles, which are: Value-based, Empowerment, Team culture, Simplicity, Continuous improvement, and Added Value. This work makes a contribution to both research and professional practice at several levels: Research into professional practice. This work demonstrates the value of undertaking a research project which is located within professional practice, and yet grounded in significant primary and secondary research. 9 The six principles. The value and validity of the six principles has been demonstrated through reflective practice, exploration of the literature, a case study development of a system (the CMS) and a qualitative study. The six core principles are novel and have broader applicability than the oil and gas sector The CMS. The development of the CMS has demonstrated the value to be gained by developing a management system according to sound management principles. Value-based vs process-based management approaches. Finally the work demonstrates that a successful management system should be value (and culture) based, rather than process based. This piece of professional research thus makes a valuable contribution to the research of management systems both academically and specifically within the oil and gas sector.

Purpose: Family firms (FF) reveal a considerable heterogeneity in their innovation behavior. Due to the successful long-term preservation of their innovation capacity via special resources and routines, multi-generational FF are of special interest in terms of learning from good practices. Against this background, the purpose of this paper is to ascertain principles for successful innovation behavior in long-term successful FF and to contribute to bridging the theory-practice gap. Design/method/Approach: Results are generated by analyzing innovation and innovation processes in five cases of long-term successful FF. On the basis of these good practice cases, the " rules of the game" of innovating are re-constructed using fine and system analyses based on narrative interviews with the FF CEOs. Findings: Intense reflection on the innovation characteristics of the five good practice cases along with a critical examination of the literature on innovation in FF were used to derive practical suggestions for FF in the form of 11 principles for FF taking a proactive interest in innovation. Practical implications: The 11 generated principles of successfully innovative FF were validated by FF CEOs who confirmed the practical relevance of these principles as valuable guidelines for successful innovation. Owners and managers may reflect on these principles against the background of the innovation behavior of their firms and adapt them to their contextual conditions. Originality/value: These principles serve as tangible suggestions for developing adequate innovation management strategies for individual FF. Furthermore, two FF CEOs were invited to comment on the viability of principles based on their comprehensive practical experience.

Church affiliated Human Service Organizations (CAHSOs) are drastically understudied.Consequently, the experience of their executive leaders is understudied. Information on CAHSOs and the experience of their executive leaders is often blended into general faith-based organizational research. Yet, CAHSOs play a vital role in the United States and abroad. CAHSOs are responsible for the social welfare of millions of indigent people in suffering communities. These organizations provide housing to the homeless, food to the hungry, clothing to the naked, and educational programing to at-risk youth, among many other things. These organizations, however, only function because of the expertise and work of executive leaders.

This research study used the phenomenological qualitative research method to interview executive leaders in CAHSOs. The goal of this research was to determine the challenges executive leaders face within CAHSOs and the strategies they use to overcome these challenges while gauging their definitions of success and documenting the advice these executive leaders have for others in their field. The analysis revealed various challenges including lack of financial, human, and real estate resources; unqualified staff; stressful work expectations; and strained relationships. Their strategies included measuring successes, building external networks, and leveraging religious practices. Executive leaders defined themselves by organizational performance and money. They encouraged other executives to leverage general business practices while evaluating their motives for working as an executive leader within a CAHSO. Generally, the results of this research offer insight into the challenges and celebrations of executive leaders of CAHSOs.

Tarptautinio turizmo administravimo baigiamojo darbo tema yra aktuali, nes pastaraisiais metais kaimo turizmas tapo viena labiausiai plėtojamų veiklų kaime. Kadangi kaimo turizmo rinkoje yra susiduriama su didelę konkurenciją, norint sėkmingai plėtoti sodybos veiklą, tampa aktualu ieškoti naujų, patobulintų vadybos principų. Darbe pabrėžiama, kad sėkminga kaimo turizmo vadyba priklauso nuo atskleistų vadybos principų suderinamumo ir poveikio kryptingumo, kur svarbiausias veiksnys yra savininko autentiškumas, meistriškumas ir sugebėjimai viską sujungti į vieną visumą. Norint pasiekti sėkmės kaimo turizmo versle, reikėtų vadovautis pagrindiniu principu, kuris teigia, kad į kiekvieną žmogų reikia žiūrėti kaip į tikslą savyje, o ne tik kaip priemonę savo tikslams pasiekti. Darbo tyrimo objektas yra kaimo turizmo sėkmingi vadybos principai Darbo tyrimo tikslas - nustatyti taikomų sėkmingos vadybos principų svarbą sodybos veikloje, bei pateikti pasiūlymus vadybos tobulinimui. Darbe iškelta problema, kad egzistuoja sodybos šeimininkų patirties stoka kaimo turizmo versle, nepakanka informacijos, o tai sąlygoja netinkamų vadybos principų pasirinkimą. Magistro baigiamasis darbas susideda iš keturių pagrindinių dalių. Pirmoji – kaimo turizmo sėkmingos vadybos principams nustatyti, teoriniu pagrindu, atlikta mokslinės literatūros analizė. Antroji – metodologinė dalis, kur aprašoma kaip vyks tyrimas. Trečioji – tiriamoji dalis, kur anketinės apklausos metodu ištirta aukščiausiai... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]
The subject of international tourism administration master thesis is of current interest as rural tourism has become one of the most rapidly growing rural activities in recent years. As the rural tourism market faces a strong competition it becomes important to find new, improved management principles in order to successfully develop the homestead activities. The final paper stresses that the successful rural tourism management depends on the coherence of disclosed management principles and impact orientation where the most important factor is the authenticity, excellence of the owner and his ability to merge everything. The basic principle - any person should be seen as a goal itself, but not as means to reach another person’s aims - must be followed if one wants to achieve success in the rural tourism business. Successful rural tourism management principles are described as the object of the research. The target of the research is to estimate successful management principles importance for homestead activities as well as to submit proposals for the management improvement. The problem of the farmstead owners’ lack of experience in the rural tourism business is discussed in the final work homestead. Insufficient information leads to the improper management principles choice. Master's final research paper consists of four main parts. To define successful rural tourism management principles, scientific theoretic literature analysis is provided in the first part. The second part... [to full text]

Rural schools generally find it hard to function effectively for a variety of reasons, and managing and leading these schools brings additional challenges. This study explored the role of the principal in an academically successful rural school in Namibia. It drew on leadership theory and findings from related studies to make sense of this particular case of leadership against the odds. Using the interpretive orientation, the research explored selected organisation members’ perceptions of the principal’s leadership through semi-structured interviews. The study found that the actions and attitudes of the leader had a significant influence on the school’s performance. The manner in which the principal conducted himself, the shared vision he encouraged and his insistence on associating with all stakeholders involved in education, were instrumental in the organization’s positive achievements. The principal was shown as committed and a leader with good interpersonal working relationships. The study also revealed that this principal was both a person- and taskoriented leader, and closely resembled the ideals of transformational leadership. This study further found that, through the principal’s instructional leadership, teaching and learning are seen as the core of the school’s activities. Finally, the principal’s leadership role opens the school to the community and results in strong and mutually beneficial relationships between the school and its community.

School principals lead and manage schools to achieve success. However, some schools are located in multiple deprived contexts, which affect the school internally and externally. Little is known about how principals in well-performing schools manage teaching and learning despite the contextual challenges. This study explored the role of successful school principals managing teaching and learning in schools in multiple deprived contexts in Gauteng Province. A qualitative case study within a constructive / interpretivist paradigm was adopted for the research. The theoretical framework of this study is grounded in the Context-Responsive Leadership theory by Bredeson, Klar and Johansson. Eleven secondary schools performing well in the Senior Certificate Examination in Tshwane North District were purposefully selected for the study. The school principals were the participants in this study. The data was obtained from different sources which include semi-structured interviews, observations and documents review. The data was thematically analysed and the results were categorised according to themes and sub-themes. The findings of the study highlight the economic and social factors used by the principals to describe the context of their schools as well as other external and internal factors that affected teaching and learning. Collaborative leadership, as well as instructional leadership of the school principal, seem to be a common strategy used by the principals of successful schools to overcome the contextual challenges. The principals also applied other relevant context-responsive leadership practices in their multiple deprived schools. The study concluded that leadership practices of school principals seemed to be based on an understanding and interaction of self and the context in which the school operates.
Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2019.
Education Management and Policy Studies
PhD
Unrestricted

Rural schools are faced with numerous challenges and are often perceived to be academically unsuccessful. However, in spite of this perception there are some which manage to beat the odds by being academically successful year after year. This peculiar phenomenon of ‘unequal performance’ among rural schools struck my interest; hence my decision to investigate what it is that successful rural schools do to keep afloat in a turbulent environment where others around them collapsed. As the literature suggests that leadership play a key role in the success of an organisation, I focused my study on how the leadership role of the principal makes a rural school thrive. The study is situated in the interpretive paradigm and attempts to reveal participants’ perceptions and experiences of the principal’s leadership. My participants were the principal, circuit inspector, the School Board Chairperson, a Head of Department and the LRC president. These people were purposefully selected; the principal was selected because he is the one executing the roles hence he would be better informed about them while the others due to the positions they occupy, work closely with the principal. The research is a case study as it focused on a single case, and for data generation I employed semi-structured interviews, observation and document analysis. The study revealed various characteristics that describe the leadership role of the principal. An overarching characteristic that emerged is that the principal is a balanced leader - he focuses on both task completion and consideration for people. Different characteristics that emerged from this balance leadership portrayed the principal of Ruacana Senior Secondary School to be a transformational and an instructional leader who believes that teaching and learning are the central activities of a school. Moreover he has been painted to be a team player and a servant leader who holds and practices the principle of ubuntu. The principal has also been described as a strategic and exemplary leader. It emerged that his exemplary leadership has moulded the practices of teachers and learners into a shared culture that supports academic excellence. The findings also depicted a paradoxical picture of the principal in that while he exhibits democratic procedures he is also perceived to be autocratic.

Universities, facing both pressures and opportunities created by globalisation, are currently seeking a way to reinforce their capabilities by enhancing their academic strength through internationalisation. In such a setting, the development of international partnerships has been increasingly recognised as a central strategy for the success of internationalisation. Understanding the increasing importance of international partnerships for universities, this study will attempt to understand what could make a successful partnership and identify which management approach is most likely to realise a successful international partnership between universities. A successful international partnership in this thesis is assumed to be the one that is able to function smoothly and effectively towards achieving the goals set by the partnership. This thesis argues that the best management approach for successful international partnerships is a phase- and principle-based management approach. This approach enables a partnership to facilitate the essential ‘phases’ of development and sustainable growth by embedding some critical principles into its management practices to facilitate those essential ‘phases’. This study proposes there are three essential phases and three critical principles. The three essential phases are ‘building a partnership’, ‘consolidation and catalysing maturity’ and ‘maintaining a positive cycle between growth and consolidation’. The three critical principles are accountability, transparency, and learning capacity. While discussing a phase- and principle-based management approach, this thesis develops the premise that an international university partnership is an organic and dynamic phenomenon and the success of an international partnership is underpinned by entrepreneurial culture. This thesis involves case studies with multiple universities from Japan, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden, and Australia, engaging in different types of international partnerships. Through the case studies, this thesis explores whether existing universities consider the three phases and the three critical principles as important, and how they have developed and improved their management structures and processes to implement their international partnerships. To be more precise, two types of international university partnerships are studied, namely a partial and task-specific double degree programme (DDP) partnership between a Japanese university and its partners, which is an example of a standard management model, and a comprehensive and organised strategic alliance between multiple universities from different countries, which is an example of the best management model. Those two models are compared using the phase- and principle-based model as comparator criteria. International university partnership development in a Japanese context is another key theme. This thesis examines the state of international partnerships recently developed by Japanese universities. It makes a comparison of the current situation of Japanese universities using the best identified management model. At present, the most popular type of international partnership in Japanese higher education is that of a DDP, which is a basic and task-specific type of partnership. Many universities around the world are developing DDP partnerships. Such partnerships are therefore appropriate for a case study of a standard management approach. To examine the DDP partnerships developed by a Japanese university, this thesis focuses on the case of Kyushu University, Japan and its partners; the aim is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a basic and task-specific partnership model with respect to current and future circumstances. This thesis studies the strategic alliance between Monash University and the University of Warwick for the best management approach. The Monash Warwick Alliance is an advanced comprehensive partnership with diverse projects involving wide range of stakeholders including researchers, educators, students, administrators, and outside stakeholders. Considering its broad range of scope and stakeholders, it could embrace greater complexity in terms of management, thereby more mature and sophisticated management structures and processes could be required. Based upon understanding the essential features of the best management approach, this thesis attempts to figure out whether and how the limitations of a partial and task-specific DDP partnership, could be rectified and provide recommendations for universities in Japan to aid the further advancement of their international partnership projects and the overall internationalisation of universities. Possible improvements suggest that their management structure should possess the capability to steer and coordinate a partnership by developing accountable management structures and implementing effective communication and information strategies, developing a vigorous system of quality and performance review, creating a mechanism to institutionalise learning, and integrating expertise in the management structures and processes.

This study looks at the various actions by the principal of a farm school in running an academically successful school. The study exposes the difficulties faced by farm schools and looks at how the principal confronts these difficulties and turn some of these into success stories. In trying to understand the role of the principal this study uses school effectiveness literature as a source and reference in an attempt to understand the actions adopted by the principal to make this farm school successful. The study uses the interpretive orientation as the methodology for investigating the principal’s role. This is in line with my attempt at explaining the perceptions, views and experiences of the people who are working closely with the principal. I have done this by employing semi-structured interviews and participant observation. The information gathered from the respondents helped in the development of the role of the principal which in this case, is the expressed views of the respondents. The investigation is conducted as a case study and the handling of the information provided by the respondents is in line with case study methods. The study has revealed that actions of the leader have an influence on the organizational success. The way in which the leader of Rocklands farm School conducts herself and the vision she shares with the people within the organization go a long way towards the improvement of organizational structures and their functioning. In this case the principal has been noted as particularly transformational, charismatic, instructional and transactional in her approaches to school administration and that her dedication to the cause of learners from disadvantaged background is reflected in her sacrificial actions. The study has also found that the principal is considered to be fairly autocratic in her leadership, which is a departure from current leadership thinking. The study has also shown that socio-economic disadvantages do not necessarily inhibit the school from performing beyond expectation. With good guidance from the leader and trust among staff members the farm school has been able to overcome some socio-economic pressures to emerge successful in the academic field. The fact that the principal of this school is a woman has not changed the overall findings that leadership qualities for successful schooling are universal and do not necessarily depend on the gender of the leader. This study suggests that leaders have a potential to turn poor situations in schools around and that leaders should as a matter of course ensure that they understand the organizational dynamics within their schools. They should be in the forefront as agents of change being mindful that those within the school understand and share the vision the leader has. The study also suggests that the human element in the educational processes in schools is of critical importance than the conditions in which schools find themselves.

Succession is the biggest long-term challenge that most family businesses face. Indeed, leaders ‘disposition to plan for their succession is frequently the key factor defining whether their family business subsists or stops. The research seeks to find out how to manage successfully the business management succession over main principles. This work project aims at researching the key points relevant to almost all family firms, to have a viable succession transition and positioning the family business as a continuous success and growth. This research paper aiding to raise best practice in a family business succession. This work project emboldens and clarifies succession planning and supports a concrete structure of effective strategies for managing a sustainable and successful family business succession.

The key challenge for organisations today is to ensure that they continue to strive in a rapid changing, competitive and global environment. Privatisation in the public sector has lead to effectiveness and efficiency becoming essential to satisfy the client department's needs and requirements. This means that it is essential for NPWD to understand their client's needs and requirements, and be able to position itself to deliver the desired end product. The question is, why does NPWD need to become more effective and efficient, whilst strategic planning in considered to be the overriding objective to achieve its goals? The simple premise of this paper is to improve the project management strategic planning by incorporating system thinking tools and techniques in the process. Systems thinking is a way of helping a person to view the world, including its organisations, from a broad perspective that includes structures, patterns and events, rather than just the events themselves. This broad view helps one to identify the real causes of issues and know where to work to address them. The research problem addressed in this study is to identify project management strategies, activities and principles that will enhance the ability of National Public Works Department (NPWD) of the Eastern Cape to ensure continuous successful project delivery. In order to identify these project management strategies, activities and principles, a multi-methodology consisting of a system thinking approach as well as a questionnaire were used. The findings of this exercise clearly highlight the specific areas where attention is required for improvements.
Thesis (M.Com.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.

Non-profit organisations serve disadvantaged people by fulfilling their social needs, promoting social inclusion and building economies. Non-profit organisations are confronted with a tightening funding environment, growing competition for donors and grants, rising demand for services and increasing calls for accountability. The objective of the study was to investigate the way in which non-profit organisations in the Western Cape province apply fifteen management factors of the Lussier Business Success Versus Failure Model. This model was successfully used in various parts of the world to predict the success or failure of a business. A descriptive research design, using a qualitative case-study research approach was used in this study. A purposive non-probability sampling method was applied, and convenience sampling was used to identify twelve participants from four non-profit organisations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with founders, managers and staff. Descriptive and thematic analysis techniques were utilised, and a deductive coding approach was used to develop thematic areas. Thematic analysis showed three broad themes, namely people, management, and finance. The research established that the non-profit organisations applied nine success factors of the Lussier Business Success Versus Failure Model. Non-profit organisations keep accurate records and adequate financial controls. They do have staff with management experience, while the staff have limited NPO experience. The non-profit organisations make use of professional advisors and networks. The research also revealed that non-profit organisations experience challenges with income-generating activities. They do not plan for the long term and find it difficult to retain staff. Non-profit organisations also lack critical skills, such as strategic planning, marketing management, and administrative management. Non-profit organisations need to build and maintain relationships with government bodies, support organisations and other non-profit organisations. Enhanced information sharing and relationships will reduce the dependence on government grant funding. Applying management principles will enhance the long term survival of non-profit organisations.
Business Management
M. Com. (Business Management)

碩士
輔仁大學
國際創業與經營管理學程碩士在職專班
106
The purpose of this study is to understand the practices and tactics of the school principals in the school, as well as their style and circumstances (including democratic openness, laissez-faire and authoritarian management). At the same time, they also try to explore the different views of the principals. How the principal and the school teachers see it. In this study, the method of case study was conducted, and the school head of the National Primary School of the island and the island was selected as the research object, and the information was collected through interviews with the principal. According to the research results, the following conclusions are summarized: 1.Yuan Jie’s principal actively introduces foreigners’ stimuli and resources, combining local characteristics with their own visual arts. Long, with the old Mei Guoxiao continued to change towards the kite art campus. 2.Jianhua Principal did deep cultivation and expansion on the basis of the original school, brought the characteristics into the school and started the pro, and the creation of space, with the development of the country and the small country to become an ecological and humanistic school. Therefore, in this study, it is found that the principals of the principal’s style of guidance are not due to the growth area and blood of the principal. The system is significantly different, but it is related to the personality trait of the principal. Finally, based on the research results, recommendations are made for educational administrations, (cases) principals and future researchers.

Submitted in accordance with the partial requirements for the degree of Master of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand February 2016
This study sought to explore successful instructional leadership practices in challenging circumstances. One township secondary school located in QwaQwa, Free State province, was used as the case study. The purpose of this study was to understand how the school has managed to consistently produce meritorious academic performances over the years despite facing multiple deprivations such as poverty, high crime rates and dilapidated learning infrastructure, among others. To better understand the instructional leadership approach, the study identified three key characteristics of successful instructional leaders and used them to form the basis for understanding whether the identified school principal applied them in responding to their learners‘ socio-economic challenges. This study was located within qualitative methodological approach with interpretivism as the research paradigm. The main data source was the in-depth interviews. The participants included the principal, head of department and two senior teachers. The study found the following to be key to the school‘s consistent plausible academic performance: (a) the main focus of the school was on ensuring the availability and efficient use of the instructional materials (b) the school principal took professional development of his academic staff seriously (c) there was a strong focus on managing teaching and learning (d) goal setting was seen as a driver towards achieving the academic goals of the school and (e) the effective use of the school‘s allocated instructional time was of great importance.
MT2017