Linear Control Theory with an ℋ∞ Optimality Criterion

This expository paper sets out the principal results in ℋ∞ control theory in the context of continuous-time linear systems. The focus is on the mathematical theory rather than computational methods

Development of the Temporal Intelligence Questionnaire.

Research has demonstrated that the temporal characteristics of individuals and jobs significantly predict outcome variables such as well-being and performance (Francis-Smythe & Robertson, 2003; Hecht & Allen, 2003; Slocombe & Bluedorn; 1999). This paper will present an account of the development of the Temporal Intelligence Questionnaire (TI-Q). This instrument is proposed to represent individual differences in leaders’ (including management roles) time related thoughts, attitudes and behaviours directed towards followers; which are known as follower-referenced temporal practices. These practices are broken down into two typologies called: global and adaptive temporal typologies. The global form of temporal practices refers to how a leader thinks and behaves on 13 dimensions of time in the workplace, in the context of interactions with individual followers and teams/groups of followers. The adaptive form of temporal practices represents a leaders’ process of awareness and behavioural adaptation, based on knowledge of the time related, dispositional characteristics of followers and the time demands of their respective jobs

Role of Time in Leader-Follower Interactions.

Research has demonstrated time to be an important variable within an organization at an individual, group and cultural level of analysis (Francis-Smythe & Robertson, 1999; Schriber & Gutek, 1987; Gevers et al, 2006; Rutoski et al, 2007). In fact a number of researchers have called for further work to be done in this domain (Ancona, Goodman, Lawrence, & Tushman, 2001; George & Jones, 2000). In response to this call, this paper will explore the role of time in leadership and management. The importance organizations attach to time is only too clear when organizational economic goals and measures of performance (such as monthly targets, productivity measures) are considered. However, it is somewhat surprising that organizations have a limited capability to understand how time permeates and impacts in everyday work practices. This paper will explore the role of time in leadership by introducing the notion of Temporal Intelligence (TI). TI is a developing concept that represents an individual difference factor in regards to a leader’s temporal practices. Specifically, this paper will present the findings from a qualitative research investigation into the role of time in leader-follower interactions. There is concern within the contemporary research arena that a preponderance of attention is directed towards the outcomes of leadership effectiveness rather than relevant individual characteristics (Gawith & Flaxman, 2007; Judge & Bono, 2000; Rubin et al. 2005). The importance of operationizing leadership effectiveness as a research variable is reflected in the end-goal of this project. At the same time it is also recognised there is a need to identify a leader’s temporally related individual characteristics that may potentially provide a fruitful basis for explaining leadership as a phenomenon and predicting effectiveness; this has clear implications for selection and development processes

Developing, implementing, and testing a parent feedback instrument for public school boards and employees

The primary purpose of this study was to identify, implement, and test a parent feedback questionnaire to be used to gain information from parents about the operation of the board of education, the district administration, the programs, policies, and procedures of individual school buildings, the school administration of individual school buildings, the teachers and professional staff of individual school buildings, and the support staffs of individual school buildings. The questionnaire was developed with assistance from a judgment panel;The opportunity sample consisted of two school systems located in the northeastern United States. Custom tailored scanforms were prepared for each district;The questionnaire used was divided into two parts. The first part was specific questions about the various school groups. The second part allowed respondents to rate the importance of the questions in the first part;The data from the questionnaires were analyzed. Mass authorship of the document provided social validity, while the Cronbach coefficient alpha procedure was used to establish the reliability of the instrument. Additionally, confidence intervals were computed for each district and for the survey as a whole;The major findings include: (1) The parents felt all the questionnaire items were important for parents to rate. (2) The highest rated questions were four in the area of programs, policies, and procedures of the individual school building, and one in the area of teachers and professional staff. (3) The lowest rated questions included three from the area of the school board, one from the area of the district administration, and two from the area of programs, policies, and procedures of the individual school building. (4) When the results of both districts were combined, a reliability of 0.97 was computed for the entire instrument. (5) Confidence intervals of +/-4 percent for the entire survey and +/-5 percent at both Stream Harbor and Cotcar were obtained. (6) The instrument and the process proved to be quick, easy, and cost effective