ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to extend my gratitude to the many people who helped to bring this research
project to fruition. First, I would like to thank Professor Tamer El-Diraby for providing
me the opportunity of taking part in Master of Applied Science program. I am so deeply
grateful for his help, professionalism, valuable guidance and financial support throughout
this project and through my entire program of study that I do not have enough words to
express my deep and sincere appreciation.
I would also like to thank the experts who were involved in the validation survey for this
research project: Mr. Hardy Wong, Professor Chris A. Kennedy, Mr. Craig Hubley, Mr.
Andrew Colombo, Professor Mohamed lachemi, Ms. Halla Sahely, Mr. Yves Fillion, Mr.
Carmelo Tancioco, Mr. Greg Bonser and Mr. Michae Jantzi. Without their passionate
participation and input, the validation survey could not have been successfully conducted.
I would also like to acknowledge Professor Heather MacLean as the second reader of this
thesis, and I am gratefully indebted to her for her very valuable comments on this thesis.
Many thanks to Professor Brenda McCabe for her concern and encouragement in the past
years. My thanks also go to the entire population of GB 330 and GB 332 for their
numerous conversations, questions and help.
Finally, I must express my very profound gratitude to my parents and to my husband for
providing me with unfailing support and continuous encouragement throughout my years
of study and through the process of researching and writing this thesis. This
accomplishment would not have been possible without them. Thank you.

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