Social benchmarking is an evaluation method in which the performance levels of different public social programs are compared, either relatively to each other or to an absolute value. The first part of this research discusses the use of social benchmarking for the evaluation of active labour market policies. This part also develops a social benchmark model, which can be used to assess the performance of active labour market policies in general, and work-based employment programs in specific. The second part of this research consists of the actual benchmarking of the work-based employment programs in five countries: Australia, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Computers Helping People with Special Needs, ICCHP 2006, held in Linz, Austria, in July 2006. The 193 revised contributions presented were carefully reviewed and selected for inclusion in the book. The papers evaluate how various fields in computer science can contribute to helping people with various kinds of disabilities and impairment.

The Minecraft phenomenon has exploded into a worldwide sensation, delighting seasoned video gamers as well as newcomers of all ages. This open-world game of building with textured blocks, exploration, crafting, resource gathering, and combat encourages unlimited creativity, which explains its vast appeal. With each new update, Minecraft offers an increasingly rich feature set-Mastering Minecraft from BradyGames introduces players to this global blockbuster and teaches them to master its charming world!

The first study comparing the long-term effectiveness of voluntary desegregation plans with magnet programs to mandatory reassignment plans.

Driving value today requires information. Lots and lots of information. Most of us are becoming good at distilling the data within our own companies, but that’s not enough if we want a competitive advantage. In Smarter Together, Coupa Software CEO Rob Bernshteyn explains how we will soon be able to draw upon the intelligence of the community—collectively what we, and the organizations we work for, know—to benefit the community, our companies, and ourselves. For example, we’ll easily uncover: · Real-time best practices for virtually every element of our business. · The best way to offer our products and services. · Who delivers exactly what they say they will, on time, with the best price, quality and reliability. As Bernshteyn explains, the prescriptive insights gleaned from the massive amount of community data available worldwide will transform entire industries and break down long-standing barriers to value. All of us will grow smarter together. Commerce will never be the same again.

Many Transatlantic security concerns in the coming decades will originate not in Europe, but in the Greater Middle East, which encompasses the area from the Maghreb to the Caspian basin. This volume juxtaposes essays from U.S. and European scholars on selected areas and issues: the Arab-Israeli peace process, the Persian Gulf, Turkey and the Caspian Basin, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and military force projection. Each author considers American and European strategies toward a particular issue and makes suggestions for future policy collaboration between the countries on both sides of the Atlantic.

Advance praise for Carrots and Sticks Don't Work: "Paul Marciano provides a wealth of prescriptive advice that absolutely makes sense. You can actually open the book to any chapter and gain ideas for immediate implementation." -- Beverly Kaye, coauthor of Love 'Em or Lose 'Em "This book should be in the hands of anyone who has to get work done through other people! It's an invaluable tool for any manager at any level." -- John L. Rice, Vice President Human Resources, Tyco International "Carrots and Sticks Don't Work provides a commonsense approach to employee engagement. Dr. Marciano provides great real-world insights, data, and practicalexamples to truly bring the RESPECT model to life." -- Renee Selman, President, Catalina Health Resources "The RESPECT model is one of the most dynamic, engaging, and thought-provoking employee engagement tools that I have seen. Dr. Marciano's work will help you providemeaningful long-term benefits for your employees, for your organization, and for yourself." -- Andy Brantley, President and CEO, College and University Professional Association for Human Resources "This book provides clear advice and instruction on how to engage your team members and inspire them to a higher level of productivity, work satisfaction, and enjoyment. I am already utilizing its techniques and finding immediate positive changes." -- Robert Roth, Director, Accounting and Reporting, Colgate Palmolive Company The title says it all: Carrots and Sticks Don't Work. Reward and recognition programs can be costly and inefficient, and they primarily reward employees who are already highly engaged and productive performers. Worse still, these programs actually decrease employee motivation because they can make individual recognition, rather than the overall success of the team, the goal. Yet many businesses turn to these measures first—unawareof a better alternative. So, when it comes to changingyour organizational culture, carrots and sticks don’t work! What does work is Dr. Paul Marciano's acclaimed RESPECT model, which gives you specific, low-cost, turnkey solutions and action plans-- based on seven key drivers of employee engagement that are proven and supported by decades of research and practice—that will empower youto assess, troubleshoot, and resolve engagement issuesin the workplace: Recognition and acknowledgment of employees' contributions Empowerment via tools, resources, and information that set employees up to succeed Supportive feedback through ongoing performance coaching and mentoring Partnering to encourage and foster collaborative working relationships Expectations that set clear, challenging, and attainable performance goals Consideration that lets employees know that they are cared about Trust in your employees' abilities, skills, and judgment Carrots and Sticks Don't Work delivers the sameproven resources and techniques that have enabledtrainers, executives, managers, and owners at operations ranging from branches of the United States government to Fortune 500 corporations to twenty-person outfits to realize demonstrable gains in employee productivity andjob satisfaction. When you give a little RESPECT you get a more effective organization, with reduced turnover and absenteeism and employees at all levels who areengaged, focused, and committed to succeed as a team. In short, you get maximum ROI from your organization's most powerful resource: its people!