Applying the EFQM model to golf course management

The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model provides guidance and support for business organisations to improve their quality management. This goal is attained by examining the relations among the several criteria that are defined and included in the model – the Enablers and the Results – albeit without going deeply into their empirical correlations. Our research focuses on the sport industry and, more particularly, on golf-related services and facilities. We analyse their management and performance. The goal is to conduct an empirical study of golf courses making up the supply in a Spanish inland region. On the basis of data and assessments contributed by the participating sample – and by resorting to multivariate statistical analysis – we pinpoint the influence of all Enablers identified by the EFQM Model, as well as their impact on the Results criteria. Correlations designed and empirically quantified make it possible for us to confirm the theoretical interrelations that the EFQM Model proposes between the defined criteria. The structural model thus obtained allows us to design a map that plots the relationships across the several criteria defined by the EFQM Model, one which portrays present-day approaches to management put into practice by the golf courses under scrutiny.     

Effects of different strength training frequencies during reduced training period on strength and muscle cross-sectional area

This study investigated the effects of different reduced strength training (RST) frequencies on half-squat 1 RM and quadriceps cross-sectional area (QCSA). Thirty-three untrained males (24.7?±?3.9 years; 1.73?±?0.08?m; 74.6?±?8.4?kg) underwent a 16-week experimental period (i.e. eight weeks of strength training [ST] followed by additional eight weeks of RST). During the ST period, the participants performed 3–4 sets of 6–12 RM, three sessions/week in half-squat and knee extension exercises. Following ST, the participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: reduced strength training with one (RST1) or two sessions per week (RST2), and ceased training (CT). Both RST1 and RST2 groups had their training frequency and total training volume-load (i.e. RST1?=?50.3% and RST2?=?57.1%) reduced, while the CT group stopped training completely. Half-squat 1 RM (RST1?=?27.9%; RST2?=?26.7%; and CT?=?28.4%) and QCSA (RST1?=?6.1%; RST2?=?6.9%; and CT?=?5.8%) increased significantly (p?<?.05) in all groups after eight weeks of ST. No significant changes were observed in 1 RM and QCSA for RST1 and RST2 groups after the RST period, while the CT group demonstrated a decrease in half-squat 1 RM (22.6%) and QCSA (5.4%) when compared to the ST period (p?<?.05). In conclusion, different RST frequencies applied were able to maintain muscle mass and strength performance obtained over the regular ST period. Thus, it appears that RST frequency does not affect the maintenance of muscle mass and strength in untrained males, as long as volume-load is equated between frequencies.     

Activity-related typologies and longitudinal change in physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents: The UP&DOWN Study

Background: Children and adolescents can be distinguished by different typologies (clusters) of physical activity and sedentary behavior. How physical activity ...     

New concepts in reassessing mining heritage: A study and its implications from the Ancient Iron Mine of Llumeres (North Spain)

The possibility of giving a continuing value to an abandoned historic mine is not only of academic interest but can be a crucial economic and heritage issue for regions with long mining traditions but which are now severely affected by mine closures. This article suggests a different perspective on the rationale for studying, preserving and developing our mining heritage as an educational facility. To illustrate the case, the ancient iron mine of Llumeres, in the Asturias region, in North Spain, is presented as an example. A key point of our thesis is that a closed mine is not a ‘dead entity’ but simply in transition to another useful state and that after the closure, another organism arises, with very different appearance and vital signs. We suggest that this new organism be recognised for its high patrimonial value and that this heritage value be preserved. Accepting this point of view would mean an increase in efforts to identify and appropriately manage these vital signs. We propose that the particular mining-related aspects (which are usually viewed as negative, such as subsidence or groundwater modification), be considered as part of the heritage of the mining activity, considered in the widest sense. To facilitate understanding, these are discussed in comparison to those for a prehistoric cave, for which there is a broader experience and solid knowledge and recognition of heritage value. We have also analyzed the importance of recognising the geometric and functional relationships between the underground workings and the superficial signatures, in defining an extended patrimonial entity, which has been recently presented to the cultural and political authorities. For the case of the iron mine of Llumeres, we explain the methodology required to analyze and classify the documents in order to investigate and reconstruct the 3D geometric structure of the mine and how this can be integrated into a Geographical Information System (GIS) to improve management and editing of the information. Additionally, the historic mining technological methods employed in the underground workings of Llumeres have been studied and all the information integrated into a 3D visualization package and made available as a free 3D video sample of the subsurface information. In summary, this work represents a major step forward in improving our knowledge of the ancient iron mine of Llumeres and, as a consequence, it has been possible, for the first time, to consider the underground mining heritage in the framework of the better known (but as yet unrecognised) overground heritage. This new patrimonial entity offers enhanced possibilities for acceptance and recognition in a societal context and to aid that acceptance, we propose a radical conceptual change of perspective, pointing out new elements requiring research.     

Transport and deposition of airborne pollutants in exhibition areas located in historical buildings–study in Wawel Castle Museum in Cracow,Poland

Historical buildings and castles that have been turned nowadays into museums, as an exhibition area for precious cultural heritage (CH) items, need more attention since they are CH objects by themselves. Moreover, the preservation techniques require often, significant interventions; however such changes are not always possible or are very limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of outdoor air pollution on the composition of particulate matter and gases inside the museum of Wawel Castle in Cracow, Poland. During this study a combination of micro and trace analysis techniques were applied, including energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). An intensive transport of air pollutants coupled with accumulation of the particles inside the museum was noticed (considerably higher in winter than summer). A high content of carbon and organic matter agglomerated with inorganic particles was determined. Those particles are of special concern because of their adhesive properties and reactivity. It was also noted that the conditions inside the museum favour the reaction of the particles with gaseous pollutants. It was especially the case for nitrate particles.     

Verständnisvolles Lernen im Schulfach Sport

At latest in the upper school, physical education (PE) offers opportunities to deal with games and sport not only in a motor but also in a cognitive manner. The present paper asks if and under what conditions an instructional design integrating theory and practice in PE promotes meaningful learning and knowledge construction. It brings out the less considered cognitive learning potential of upper school PE and advances hypotheses about their occurrence. The results of the empirical study show that pupils in upper school PE already use learning activities that promote meaningful learning. It also shows that meaningful learning activities are restricted to a self-regulated and intrinsic learning motivation. Intrinsic learning motivation itself is highly dependent on the pupils’ academic self-concept in PE.     

Ethnocultural community leaders' views and perceptions on biobanks and population specific genomic research: a qualitative research study

Substantial investments were made in population based biobanks over the past decade. Ethnocultural community members are both sponsors and beneficiaries of biobanks. In addition, the success of biobank projects depends on community support and participation. Yet there are few empirical data on views, perceptions and interests of ethnocultural communities on biobanks. This silent gap in genomics, ethics and policy literatures has to be addressed. We conducted a qualitative research study with in-depth interviews of ethnocultural community leaders (e.g., members of the Canadian Parliament, school commissioners) on their perspectives concerning population specific genomics research and biobanks. An equal partnership model where public is not only informed, but also involved in decision-making processes was perceived as an essential democratic requisite. These empirical data on ethnocultural community leaders' views, interests and perceptions identify several key socio-cultural and ethical factors that can be decisive for effective and sustainable community involvement in biobanks.     

Modellierung und Simulation hybrider Systeme mit Smile

Zusammenfassung. Es wird eine werkzeugunterstützte Entwicklungsmethodik vorgestellt, die der Erstellung von Berechnungsmodellen für die Simulation hybrider physikalisch-technischer Systeme dient. Dafür werden verschiedene Modellbeschreibungstechniken dargestellt und klassifiziert, die anschlie?end in einen falltypischen Entwicklungsproze? eingebettet werden, der auf hybriden Erweiterungen von UML und Z basiert. Die Simulationsumgebung Smile (http://buran.fb10.tu-berlin.de/Energietechnik/EVT\_KT/smile/) erm?glicht schlie?lich die generische Erzeugung eines ausführbaren Simulators. Architektur und Kernkomponenten dieses Systems, wie beispielsweise L?sungsverfahren und Experimentshell, werden eingehender diskutiert. Ein Anwendungsbeispiel illustriert den beschriebenen Entwicklungsproze?. Eingegangen am 15. Juli 1999 / Angenommen am 12. November 1999     

Part-time education at tertiary level in the Netherlands

In Holland there are not many opportunities of obtaining a university degree through studying in the evenings and at weekends. Only a few faculties have facilities and even these are limited. It is known, however, that at the moment there are no less than 10,000 students with full-time jobs (approximately 10% of the total number of university students). Finding adequate accommodation for this group is one of the major problems in the present educational system at Dutch Universities.The most important aim of the investigation reported in this paper was to establish a profile of the evening (or working) students, on the basis of personal and background data, motivation and the problems they had to cope with. We presented to the working students questions about the structural aspects, the didactic processes and the organisational planning of a curriculum at a possible future Evening University of Holland.This report recommends that an early start be made on an educational institution, organised nation-wide but with local departments, which focuses especially on working students.Translation: Drs. Henny Corver