Clare Balding: the televisual face of London 2012

This piece discusses the performance of television presenter Claire Balding during her coverage of the Olympics and Paralympics of London 2012. It suggests that her success with viewers was connected with her persona as a television personality, which combined professional skill with intimacy and immediacy. It argues that Balding represented the face of contemporary public service broadcasting – one that bridges both the BBC and Channel 4’s brand identities – through her research and authority, combined with interaction with her audience with social media.

Källkritik på Internet : En kvalitativ studie av den källkritiska medvetenheten hos gymnasieelever på samhällsprogrammet

This essay is an ideographic study over the capacity of high school students to use the Internet with source criticism, and their attitudes towards this media. It’s a qualitative study whose main purpose is to seek out how the students reflect upon the problems facing them when searching facts and information over the internet.The focus group is six 18 year old high school students, who are studying in a normal sized town in the middle of Sweden, and are about to finish their studies in the program for social sciences. The study was made through interviews, one on one with the students,The results of the analysis have shown that even if students not necessarily use a pre meditated method when searching for information over the internet, they do have a basic understanding of the matter, especially concerning the nature of the source, who published it and why. Not all students made any thorough comparison with other, already established media, such as TV or books, but the analysis made it clear that they more or less deliberately saw the established media as more trustworthy in general. Individuals publishing on the internet, such as bloggers and Wikipedia, are seen with the utmost skepticism while public institutions such as universities and public service TV, are generally trusted as being honest and objective, also when publishing on the internet.

Optimization heuristic solutions, how good can they be? : With empirical applications in location problems

Combinatorial optimization problems, are one of the most important types of problems in operational research. Heuristic and metaheuristics algorithms are widely applied to find a good solution. However, a common problem is that these algorithms do not guarantee that the solution will coincide with the optimum and, hence, many solutions to real world OR-problems are afflicted with an uncertainty about the quality of the solution. The main aim of this thesis is to investigate the usability of statistical bounds to evaluate the quality of heuristic solutions applied to large combinatorial problems. The contributions of this thesis are both methodological and empirical. From a methodological point of view, the usefulness of statistical bounds on p-median problems is thoroughly investigated. The statistical bounds have good performance in providing informative quality assessment under appropriate parameter settings. Also, they outperform the commonly used Lagrangian bounds. It is demonstrated that the statistical bounds are shown to be comparable with the deterministic bounds in quadratic assignment problems. As to empirical research, environment pollution has become a worldwide problem, and transportation can cause a great amount of pollution. A new method for calculating and comparing the CO2-emissions of online and brick-and-mortar retailing is proposed. It leads to the conclusion that online retailing has significantly lesser CO2-emissions. Another problem is that the Swedish regional division is under revision and the border effect to public service accessibility is concerned of both residents and politicians. After analysis, it is shown that borders hinder the optimal location of public services and consequently the highest achievable economic and social utility may not be attained.

Candidate Quality and Voter Response in U.S. House Elections

We propose and test the implications of a two-dimensional concept of candidate quality in U.S. House elections. Strategic quality is composed of the skills and resources necessary to wage an effective campaign; personal quality is composed of the characteristics most ordinary citizens value in their leaders and representatives, such as personal integrity and dedication to public service. We employ district informants in studies of the 1998 and 2002 congressional elections to measure these qualities in candidates, and we merge mass survey data with the district informant indicators to assess constituents’ awareness and evaluation of House candidates, and voting choice. We find that awareness tends to be responsive to candidates’ strategic quality, and that incumbent evaluation is remarkably responsive to variation in personal quality, even taking into account the quality of challenger emergence. These and other findings appear to support a more positive view of citizen capacity than is common in the congressional elections literature, especially in light of the electoral security of House incumbents.

Gestão democrática no serviço público: o caso FIOCRUZ

o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar o modelo de gestão implantado na Fundação Oswaldo Cruz - FIOCRUZ, procurando identificar os limites e possibilidades de um processo de gestão democrática no Serviço Público, e de outro, inventariar, criticamente, os modelos administrativos disponíveis que tenham a questão da gestão democrática como pressuposto organizacional. Norteou o trabalho a trajetória institucional da FIOCRUZ, notadamente o período da realização dos Congressos Internos (de 1988 a 1996). Para alcance do objetivo, foram analisados, a partir de fontes primárias e secundárias, os aspectos que abrem espaço para um processo de gestão democrática. Na realização do trabalho foram selecionadas como categorias analíticas: poder decisório, autonomia e controle social. Baseamo-nos, ainda, no método que privilegiou a descrição utilizando, porém, a dedução apoiada na análise qualitativa e quantitativa. A análise dos dados possibilitou concluir que os procedimentos participativos como o processo eletivo de escolha do presidente e dos diretores das Unidades da FIOCRUZ, a constituição dos órgãos colegiados de decisão e a realização dos Congressos Internos abriram espaços para a democratização da gestão, representando a materialização da vontade e do desejo de certos atores, e garantiram a unidade de ação em uma instituição pouco integrada. Algumas questões são ponto de partida para pesquisas futuras: como esse modelo participativo é implantado em cada Unidade da FIOCRUZ? Esse modelo corresponde ao desejo efetivo dos servidores? Em que medida o processo participativo de gestão contribuiu para o ganho de eficiência administrativa?

Administração de Cargos e Salários para os Empregados do Sindicato dos Trabalhadores do Serviço Público Federal no Estado do Rio de Janeiro

Na atualidade os processos de gestão organizacionais nas empresas não podem ser mais concebidos em forma rígida e reativa ás mudanças atuais. Sabe-se que tal conceição errada acarreta conseqüências graves como ineficiência e baixa produtividade no gerenciamento das mesmas. Tais fatos geram uma ineficácia geral das empresas, influenciando negativamente nas políticas das empresas. Em relação á política de Remunerações, a mesma está gerando um forte descontentamento na comunidade trabalhadora e fazendo com que os sindicatos atuem tentando garantir emprego fixo como também igualdade salarial. Um dos grandes problemas que as mesmas empresas enfrentam é, certamente, o da determinação de uma estrutura adequada de salários. Isto porque, se de um lado existe a preocupação de motivar os empregados com salários compensadores, de outro lado existe a preocupação de situar num nível razoável os custos com o pessoal. O salário deixa de ser, para o empregado, o principal motivador, na medida que o próprio empregado considera-se inadequadamente remunerado. Contemplasse pelo menos dois aspectos: o equilíbrio interno e externo. O primeiro se refere a comparação de salário dentro da empresa, e o segundo tem como referência outras empresas do mesmo ramo. Métodos como a descrição e avaliação de cargos permitem estabelecer uma estrutura organizacional congruente solucionando problemas como desequilíbrio interno/externo dos salários. Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo principal identificar e avaliar os planos de cargos e salários do Sindicato dos Trabalhadores do serviço público federal no estado do Rio de Janeiro (SINTRASEF), propondo um plano alternativo de remunerações compatível como sua realidade organizacional atual.

Estilo Gerencial no IRD/CNEN: Possibilidades de Contribuição para a Implantação e Implementação do NBR ISO 9000

This study investigates in the National Commission of Nuclear Energy the Institute of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry in terms of perceptions, actions, and posture of the administrative agents which could facilitate the engagement of the employees of that public organization in the TQM implantation, based on NBR ISO 9000. The central question of this research is: which characteristics of the administrative actions and sense of the managerial posture manifested in the implantation, implementation and maintenance for the achievement of objectives and goals of the Quality System-ISO 9000, could contribute to engage the IRD professionals in the process? The research finds prevalence of the Quality technical knowledge over the attention on professionals' managerial posture, identifies a lack in that Norm about how to deal with its administrative requirements in practical terms, driving the researcher to look for support especially in Deming to face the critical reading of that organizational context. The field research was conceived under the paradigm of constructivism, facilitating the description of beliefs, perceptions, feelings and values manifested in the employees discourses, actions and re-actions to establish relations between Quality theory and that concrete reality. A phenomenologic approach, only as a complementary level, was sufficient to favor the researcher insertion in that institution where he is still working, but in the new and contingent role of researcher. To apprehend the organization managerial stile, to comprehend beyond its characteristics and to grasp the orientation of the managerial posture in terms of possibilities for Quality implementation were the core of this study. The TQM theory was interpreted as a living philosophy, an administrative posture the meaning of which is a permanent Quality improvement in the CNEN/IRD management processes in its internal and external organizational relations. The procedural nature of the CNEN/IRD public service legal regime, political implications and performance evaluation which reveals only partially the organizational reality should not obstruct the Institute drive to assume the spirit of serving the public as a Quality management philosophic commitment. Conclusions show some progress reorienting initiatives in organizational management taking place in three different levels: operational, toward the employees' expectations of values and organizational processes integration; HR administration, in search of better communication; strategic, through expectations on a possible visionary leadership". Finally, at the academic level, the perception that future studies in search of the establishment of relationships between TQM and the organization culture can favor new progress."

Qualidade de vida e transporte público urbano: estratégias para melhorar a qualidade do serviço de transporte público urbano por ônibus

If urban planning is to support the equitable distribution of public goods and services, it must recognize and address the dismal condition of millions of poor people who are living in a city. The primary focus of contemporary planners and planning students should be on finding and advocating solutions that help eliminate the problems of today¿s cities. Any meaningful solution will need to be grounded in a thorough understanding of the social class inequities of citizens. With the rapid development of national economy and urbanization process in Brazil over the last two decades, the number of vehicles and their travels are dramatically increased. This is particularly evident in all large cities. Traffic congestion becomes more and more severe. Inadequate parking facilities often result in difficulty to find a parking space in large cities and many illegally parked vehicles can be seen on the crowed streets. These illegally parked vehicles further intensify traffic congestion and also pose a traffic safety hazard. The process of urbanization and motorization in Brazil is likely to continue in a rapid pace. The urban public passengers transport modes problems in large cities are likely to get even worse. There is an urgent need for the development of policy and criteria for public service of urban public passenger transport by bus in large cities. The purpose of survey is to develop policy guidelines for public transport services planning, design, construction and mobility management, that meet community needs for accessibility in large cities. So this thesis will present major comparative characteristics of urban mobility management, urban public passengers transport by bus services planning and the quality of social life in two towns of Brazil: Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba. The study case has been focused on Rio de Janeiro and Curitiba because of the major different results of the survey presented by the two cities. The objectives of this thesis are: a) to analyze and discus existing urban mobility related accessibility and economic development problems in large cities; b) to provide an overview of the relationship within city ¿ quality of social life ¿ urban mobility in Rio and Curitiba; c) to analyze and discuss existing urban mobility management related public transport services in Rio and Curitiba; d) to analyze and discuss existing quality of bus public transport services problems in Rio. Some preliminary recommendations for mobility management policies will also be presented.

A prestação de um serviço público de qualidade: a divulgação eletrônica de informações do IBGE sob a óptica dos estudantes de administração e economia dos cursos de graduação da FGV/RJ em 2002

For the last 20 years, the State - and consequently the services it provides - is being redefined from its objectives to its validity as a guiding instance of the citizens' destinies. This redefinition is pushed by a strong and generalized tendency that discuss its role and power in the new worldwide scenario, making the State to suggest the introduction of a methodology to update the public management and the revision of the State properties forms. In this context, stands out the necessity of the public services adaptation to the worldwide tendencies of global information and the reduction of the distance between citizens, governments and information. According to this conjecture, the Brazilian Public Administration, is now trying to establish a base of support in the modern information technology in order to develop the public policy and, consequently, provide services for the society. Based on this intention, IBGE introduced a project for electronic spread of data and information produced in the ambit of the Institution. The purpose of the presented dissertation is to answer the following central question: Does the IBGE project for electronic spread of information meet expectations of the students in the FGV/RJ (2002) Administration and Economy graduation courses, properly accomplishing the provision of a public service?

O reforço das competências de gestão nas instituições públicas: governança e gestão no poder legislativo municipal: estudo de caso na Câmara Municipal de Niterói

This thesis analyzes the governance in public institutions management, taking the Niteroi's Cityzenship Council as the reasearch object. In order to accomplish this goal, this thesis has been split into two parts. The first one introduces the discussion about management, manager's action and administration, differentiating the private approach from the public one. The characteristics of the public service and its models were defined, as they were incorporated in the last decades in parallel with the institutionalism and governance theories. In the second part a description is presented on the Brazilian's politician space construction, with emphasis in the cities and in the functioning of the public institutions according to the reality of the Brazilian's partisan system. The concept of accountability and the relation between repuplican powers were also discussed, followed by a case study. The analyses show the reality of the governance at the chamber of the councilmen of Niteroi in accordance with the methodology chosen to accomplishment the research. The conclusion points out the findings that were obtained during the research.

O Sistema de Comunicação Digital (SICODI) como instrumento para efetivação do teletrabalho na fiscalização a cargo do Tribunal de Contas do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

The acts of public administration personnel are of great importance and various laws have been passed in attempt to limit the related expenses. The management of Public administration personnel is based on the principle of efficiency. The TCE/RJ (State of Rio de Janeiro/Audit Court) digital communication system is expected through telework to facilitate its auditing duties in compliance with the terms of the Federal and State constitutions. The TCE/RJ, the superior judicial body of auditing, has done more than just reduce costs and use flextime; it applies telework as an instrument to optimize public service through SICODI digital certification to maximize the resources applied to this constitutional act with greater efficiency for effective auditing. The focus of the first part of this study is to evaluate the tasks of positions that forward the TCE/RJ objectives and the profile characteristics of employees of the inspection area on personnel performance beginning with defined concepts and purposes. Questionnaires for auditors and technicians of the area were approved for this specific purpose to analyze the duties of positions and employee profiles. The second part of this study evaluates the TCE/RJ digital communication system according to theoretical reference and ISO/IEC Standard No. 9126-1, observing three dimensions: the content, usability and functionality. The results obtained, with the use of qualitative methods complemented by quantitative analysis, were positive for the implementation of telework in the inspection of personnel performance in relation to the analysts and technicians involved in this type of auditing as well as in relation to the TCE/RJ digital communication system.

Proposta de melhoria do processo de aquisição de material e contratação de serviços na administração pública - modelo aplicável à marinha de guerra

O objetivo deste estudo foi o de propor a aplicação de um modelo que agilize as aquisições de material e contratações de serviços na Marinha de Guerra com os recursos legais existentes na Lei e legislações complementares. O sucesso de tal proposta implica trazer melhorias de toda ordem ao processo de aquisição do setor público tendo em vista as dificuldades serem as mesmas, em função da necessidade do comprimento das mesmas Leis. Da análise técnicas em uso setor privado, que se beneficia do grande potencial da tecnologia da informação, resultou a possibilidade de inserção de um modelo ágil e desenvolvido para todo o setor público.

O Sistema De Comunicação Digital (Sicodi) Como Instrumento Para Efetivação Do Teletrabalho Na Fiscalização A Cargo Do Tribunal De Contas Do Estado Do Rio De Janeiro

The acts of public administration personnel are of great importance and various laws have been passed in attempt to limit the related expenses. The management of Public administration personnel is based on the principle of efficiency. The TCE/RJ (State of Rio de Janeiro/Audit Court) digital communication system is expected through telework to facilitate its auditing duties in compliance with the terms of the Federal and State constitutions. The TCE/RJ, the superior judicial body of auditing, has done more than just reduce costs and use flextime; it applies telework as an instrument to optimize public service through SICODI digital certification to maximize the resources applied to this constitutional act with greater efficiency for effective auditing. The focus of the first part of this study is to evaluate the tasks of positions that forward the TCE/RJ objectives and the profile characteristics of employees of the inspection area on personnel performance beginning with defined concepts and purposes. Questionnaires for auditors and technicians of the area were approved for this specific purpose to analyze the duties of positions and employee profiles. The second part of this study evaluates the TCE/RJ digital communication system according to theoretical reference and ISO/IEC Standard No. 9126-1, observing three dimensions: the content, usability and functionality. The results obtained, with the use of qualitative methods complemented by quantitative analysis, were positive for the implementation of telework in the inspection of personnel performance in relation to the analysts and technicians involved in this type of auditing as well as in relation to the TCE/RJ digital communication system.

Controle social exercido através da denúncia no âmbito do TCE-RJ

The crisis that affected the capitalist states during the last decade of the 20th century, put an end to the period of greatest expansion of the state, demanding alterations that brought, especially in economic terms, the ideals of the liberal state. The main goal of these changes was to optimize the administration of the public service by introducing into it more efficiency, transparency, and morality because the state had shown to be incapable of attending the demands of the society and its way of doing was inefficient and did not reach out to the public interest. In Brazil, like in other part of the world, recent scandals of corruption and misuse of public funds put in doubt the efficiency of the financial control system. Like any other political system Brazil has a complex set of external and internal control, institutions that work to prevent misuse of public funds and identify responsibilities if bad use occurred. All these elements highlight the mechanisms of control of the public administration, which came to be seen as essential instruments for the improvement of the management of the public resources, targeting the collective interest. Therefore, along with the traditional mechanisms of power suppression, such as the system of checks and balances, social control arises. This, when used together with the monitoring exercised by public inspection agencies, is defined as horizontal accountability activated by civil society, in which citizens and institutions gather efforts in order to promote a more effective charge of responsibility from public agents and politicians in case of misconducts. This study aimed to identify the opportunities and limitations of social control exercised by the complaint under the TCE-RJ. The results point to the need to develop measures to guarantee the anonymity of denouncers, to simplify the forms of access the TCE-RJ and to improve information spread to the citizen.