Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Social networks – Ontario – Toronto'
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1
Roy, Shawn. "An Assessment of LEED Certification's Impact on Net Rental Rates for Commercial Office Space in Toronto, Ontario." Thèse, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/20136.
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With issues such as energy crises, climate change and environmental degradation becoming evermore prevalent on national and international levels, industrialized societies are beginning to take heed of the impact they are having on the natural environment and we are beginning to see movements towards socially and environmentally responsible decision-making. With the impact that buildings have on the environment, it is important to understand what barriers are preventing or slowing investment in socially and environmentally responsible property.
The present study was conducted to determine whether LEED certification has a significant impact on the market value of office buildings in Toronto, Ontario – value determined by the average net asking rent for each building. For some 68 subject and control buildings, we matched information on the net asking rent for 16 LEED certified (subject) buildings to 52 otherwise comparable properties (control buildings). Using ordinary least squares (OLS) analysis, we looked to find what relationship exists between net asking rent and the LEED label. Controlling for other variables historically shown to have an impact on property value, we expected the results of this study to determine whether there is a business case for LEED certification in the downtown Toronto office market.
The results of the study have shown that LEED certification has had no impact on the market value of the sample of office buildings in Toronto. This is a surprising result, given the growth in the number of LEED buildings in Canada, but interviews with three senior executives in the industry have helped to provide insight into this trend. It seems that with time LEED will likely have an impact in this market, but it hasn‘t arrived yet.
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Jenkins, William Michael. "Social and geographical mobility among the Irish in Canada and the United States, a comparative study of Toronto, Ontario, and Buffalo, New York, 1880-1910." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 2001. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk3/ftp04/NQ58980.pdf.
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Sega, Rodrigo Fessel. "Projeto Canadá: seletividades e redes de imigrantes brasileiros qualificados em Toronto." Universidade Federal de São Carlos, 2013. https://repositorio.ufscar.br/handle/ufscar/6758.
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Previous issue date: 2013-10-17Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais
The focus of this work is Brazilians who migrated to the city of Toronto, Canada, through government programs to attract skilled labor from the Canadian government. This dissertation examines the relationship between skilled migration and social networks from fieldwork conducted in the city of Toronto between December 2011 and June 2012. Sought to understand how the migration process occurs, as potential migrants are actual migrants, from analyzing the decision to migrate and move to Toronto to adaptation processes in the destination society. From ethnography, participant observation and semistructured interviews with these Brazilian immigrants, we see how the internet and communications technologies are important mediators of this process, the creation of social networks and integration in existing networks. The profile of skilled labor bounded by the Canadian government was also analyzed in comparison to the profile of Brazilians who actually migrate, generating different modes of insertion in Canadian society. These paths and trajectories were analyzed from the theory of social networks and understood as adaptation strategies of immigrants. Different social groups and networks are formed in this process, including connecting individuals who intend to migrate, even in Brazil. Finally, gender differences were important in this process, they produced deferent types of networks and marked paths of women and men in the adaptation process in the city, having booked a chapter to this discussion.
O foco deste trabalho são os brasileiros que migraram para a cidade de Toronto, no Canadá, através dos programas governamentais de atração de mão de obra qualificada do governo canadense. Esta dissertação analisa a relação entre migração qualificada e redes sociais a partir do trabalho de campo realizado na cidade de Toronto entre dezembro de 2011 e junho de 2012. Buscou compreender como o processo de migração ocorre, como possíveis sujeitos migrantes tornam-se migrantes reais, analisando desde a decisão de migrar e a mudança para Toronto até os processos de adaptação na sociedade de destino. A partir da etnografia, observação participante e entrevistas semiestruturadas com esses imigrantes brasileiros, pudemos perceber como a internet e as tecnologias de comunicações são importantes mediadores desse processo, de criação de redes sociais e inserção em redes já existentes. O perfil de mão de obra qualificada delimitado pelo governo canadense também foi analisado em comparação ao perfil dos brasileiros que realmente migram, gerando diferentes modos de inserção na sociedade torontiana. Esses percursos e trajetórias foram analisadas a partir da teoria das redes sociais e compreendidas como estratégias de adaptação do imigrante. Diferentes grupos e redes sociais se formam nesse processo, conectando inclusive sujeitos que pretendem migrar, ainda no Brasil. Por fim, as diferenciações de gênero se mostraram importantes nesse processo, pois produziam deferentes tipos de redes e marcavam as trajetórias de mulheres e homens no processo de adaptação na cidade, tendo reservado um capítulo específico para essa discussão.
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Marshall, Elsa. "Silent Film Music Research as Local Musicology: A Case Study of Musical Practices and Networks in Ottawa Theatres from 1897 to 1929." Thesis, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2017. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/36476.
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The Basilica Notre-Dame Choir accompanying screenings of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Regent in 1924, imaginative community prologues before Mary Pickford’s Pollyanna at the Russell in 1920, and costumed opera soloists singing alongside the showing of The Bohemian Girl at the Imperial in 1926: the history of Ottawa’s silent cinemas is an exciting mix of film, theatre, technology, music, and community. Unfortunately, Ottawa’s musical history in the early 1900s has been, by and large, forgotten, and local cinema histories are relatively sparse. In much the same manner that Ottawa theatres incorporated both North American and local elements into their programming, this thesis demonstrates that an examination of the musicians of local cinemas can not only provide information to understand the development of silent film music practices in general, but also unveil a network of musicians and a series of important histories. This thesis reconstructs parts of Ottawa’s silent film music history using a number of methodologies (digital research, archival research, and social network mapping) and primary sources (IATSE union documents, Department of Labour strike documents, newspapers, and trade journals). It also analyses several screenings where music and film were uniquely combined and introduces key figures in Ottawa’s silent film music scene (including violinist Rudolph Pelisek and organist Amédée Tremblay), showing how their training provided prestige to cinemas and how their involvement in military, religious, and communal activities added to cinemas’ appeal.
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Le Chœur de la Basilique Notre-Dame accompagnant les présentations du film The Hunchback of Notre Dame au Regent en 1924, les prologues communautaires inventifs avant le Pollyanna de Mary Pickford au Russell en 1920, et les soloistes d’opéra chantant à côté de la projection de The Bohemian Girl à l’Imperial en 1926: l’histoire des cinémas muets d’Ottawa est un mélange excitant de film, théâtre, technologie, musique et communauté. Malheureusement, le passé musical d’Ottawa au début du vingtième siècle a été largement oublié, et les histoires locales du cinéma sont relativement rares. De la même façon que les théâtres d’Ottawa incluaient à la fois des éléments locaux et nord-américains dans leur programmation, cette thèse démontre qu’un examen des musiciens des cinémas locaux peut non seulement procurer des renseignements pour comprendre le développement de la musique du cinéma muet en général, mais encore lever le voile sur un réseau de musiciens et une série de récits d’importance. Cette thèse reconstruit des aspects de l’histoire de la musique du du cinéma muet à Ottawa en utilisant un plusieurs méthodologies (la recherche numérique, la recherche en archives, et la cartographie des réseaux sociaux) et de sources primaires (documents du syndicat ouvrier IATSE, documents de grève du ministère fédéral du Travail, quotidiens, et revues spécialisées). La thèse analyse aussi quelques instances uniques de combinaison de musique et de film, et présente des personnages clé de la scène musicale du cinéma muet d’Ottawa (incluant le violoniste Rudolph Pelisek et l’organiste Amédée Tremblay), tout en montrant comment leur formation procurait du prestige aux cinémas, et comment leur implication dans des activités militaires, religieuses, et communautaires ont ajouté à la popularité des cinémas.
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Kinuthia, Wanyee. "“Accumulation by Dispossession” by the Global Extractive Industry: The Case of Canada." Thèse, Université d'Ottawa / University of Ottawa, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/30170.
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This thesis draws on David Harvey’s concept of “accumulation by dispossession” and an international political economy (IPE) approach centred on the institutional arrangements and power structures that privilege certain actors and values, in order to critique current capitalist practices of primitive accumulation by the global corporate extractive industry. The thesis examines how accumulation by dispossession by the global extractive industry is facilitated by the “free entry” or “free mining” principle. It does so by focusing on Canada as a leader in the global extractive industry and the spread of this country’s mining laws to other countries – in other words, the transnationalisation of norms in the global extractive industry – so as to maintain a consistent and familiar operating environment for Canadian extractive companies. The transnationalisation of norms is further promoted by key international institutions such as the World Bank, which is also the world’s largest development lender and also plays a key role in shaping the regulations that govern natural resource extraction. The thesis briefly investigates some Canadian examples of resource extraction projects, in order to demonstrate the weaknesses of Canadian mining laws, particularly the lack of protection of landowners’ rights under the free entry system and the subsequent need for “free, prior and informed consent” (FPIC). The thesis also considers some of the challenges to the adoption and implementation of the right to FPIC. These challenges include embedded institutional structures like the free entry mining system, international political economy (IPE) as shaped by international institutions and powerful corporations, as well as concerns regarding ‘local’ power structures or the legitimacy of representatives of communities affected by extractive projects. The thesis concludes that in order for Canada to be truly recognized as a leader in the global extractive industry, it must establish legal norms domestically to ensure that Canadian mining companies and residents can be held accountable when there is evidence of environmental and/or human rights violations associated with the activities of Canadian mining companies abroad. The thesis also concludes that Canada needs to address underlying structural issues such as the free entry mining system and implement FPIC, in order to curb “accumulation by dispossession” by the extractive industry, both domestically and abroad.
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Zangeneh, Masood. "Gender differentiated motivational orientation and its relationship with the acculturation process." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19023.
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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the associations among
gender-differentiated motivational orientations (integrative and instrumental),
acculturation success, and risky behaviours (illicit substance use and gambling
behaviour) among Iranian youth who have immigrated to Toronto. DESIGN: Given the
exploratory nature of the proposed research, a cross-sectional research design was
used. SUBJECTS: A combination of purposive-proportional quota sampling and
snowball sampling methods were employed. The sample for this research was
comprised of 308 participants (M=155, F=153) who 1) were born in Iran, 2) had recently
immigrated to Canada from Iran 2-8 years ago, and 3) were currently attending high
school, enrolled in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12 (ages 15 to 18) in Toronto. RESULTS: The
results of the current study confirm 1) the findings in the existing literature that
adherence to an instrumental motivational orientation is positively correlated with risktaking
behaviours; 2) confirm some of the existing literature findings, which suggest that
lower levels of acculturation are negatively associated with problem behaviours; 3)
show that males possess an instrumental motivational orientation significantly more
than females, and that females possess an integrative motivational orientation
significantly more than males; 4) indicate that male participants show significantly lower
levels of acculturation while female participants demonstrate higher level of
acculturation, which confirms that acculturation is significantly determined by gender;
and 5) partially support some of the claims in the literature; for example, it found males
are more at risk for illicit drugs, while females to be more at risk for alcohol
consumption. DISCUSSION The current study is among the first to examine the interrelationships among illicit substance use and gambling behaviour, acculturation
success/stress, and motivational orientation among Iranian adolescent immigrants. To
understand the predictors of success or failure among adolescent youth, replication of
the current study is necessary.Psychology
D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)
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Galer, Dustin. ""Hire the Handicapped!": Disability Rights, Economic Integration and Working Lives in Toronto, Ontario, 1962-2005." Thesis, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/1807/65661.
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This dissertation, “‘Hire the Handicapped!’: Disability Rights, Economic Integration and Working Lives in Toronto, Ontario, 1962-2005,” argues that work significantly shaped the experience of disability during this period. Barriers to mainstream employment opportunities gave rise to multiple disability movements that challenged the social and economic framework which marginalized generations of people with disabilities. Using a critical analysis of disability in archival records, personal collections, government publications and a series of interviews, I demonstrate how demands for greater access among disabled people to paid employment stimulated the development of a new discourse of disability in Canada. Including disability as a variable in historical research reveals how family advocates helped people living in institutions move out into the community and rehabilitation professionals played an increasingly critical role in the lives of working-age adults with disabilities, civil rights activists crafted a new consumer-led vision of social and economic integration. Separated by different philosophies and bases of support, disability activists and allies found a common purpose in their pursuit of economic integration.
The focus on employment issues among increasingly influential disability activists during this period prompted responses from three key players in the Canadian labour market. Employers embraced the rhetoric and values of disability rights but operated according to a different set of business principles and social attitudes that inhibited the realization of equity and a ‘level playing field.’ Governments facilitated the development of a progressive discourse of disability and work, but ultimately recoiled from disability activism to suit emergent political priorities. Labour organizations similarly engaged disability activists, but did so cautiously, with union support largely contingent upon the satisfaction of traditional union business first and foremost. As disability activists and their allies railed against systematic discrimination, people with disabilities lived and worked in the community, confronting barriers and creating their own circles of awareness in the workplace. Just as multiple sites of disability activism found resolution in the sphere of labour, the redefinition of disability during this period reflected a shared project involving collective and individual action.
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McIntyre, Laura. "An Analysis of the Ontario Health and Physical Education – Through the Eyes of Toronto Youth." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1807/33665.
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This study examines discourse on youth health embedded in the current Ontario Health and Physical Education curriculum in an attempt to unveil any discrepancies between students’ beliefs regarding physical activity and body image and the curriculum they receive in physical education classes. This study will explore how students who participate in this curriculum narrate and experience their bodies to explore any contradictory or complimentary relationships that exist between the curriculum and the students it serves. Recent academic work in the area of health and physical activity has placed undue emphasis on obesity and on an individuating view of the inactive, unhealthy individual to be remediated by a corrective physical education program. This is not only damaging to the self-esteem of youth, but unrealistic as a program aligned with middle-class access to resources associated with ‘active living’ in the ways advocated for by proponents of this version of health promotion.
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Noce, Mary Louise. "Support networks and welfare state restructuring : the experiences of 40 Ontario households." 2005. http://link.library.utoronto.ca/eir/EIRdetail.cfm?Resources__ID=232642&T=F.
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Trajkovska, Neda. "Change of social identity and language learning : a study of the Macedonian immigrants in Toronto, Canada /." 2004.
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Thesis (M.A.)--York University, 2004. Graduate Programme in Theoretical and Applied Linguistics.Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 143-150). Also available on the Internet. MODE OF ACCESS via web browser by entering the following URL: LINK NOT YET AVAILABLE.
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Degani, Naushaba. "Exploring the social and risk networks of male and female injection drug users in Toronto /." 2006. http://link.library.utoronto.ca/eir/EIRdetail.cfm?Resources__ID=442569&T=F.
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Strazzeri, Charlie. "Networks, Boundaries and Social Capital: The Historical Geography of Toronto's Anglo Elites and Italian Entrepreneurs, 1900-1935." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/1807/24888.
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This dissertation examines how social inequalities are reinforced over time and in place by addressing a central question: How are power relations maintained and reproduced in space? I outline ways in which social networks contributed to the reproduction of social and economic power in early twentieth-century Toronto. I also pay particular attention to the ways in which particular spaces acted as a nexus for the reproduction of power and unequal social relations. My research captures the dynamism and complexity of social capital networks that stretched across space. These networks demonstrate that Toronto’s Anglo elite and Italian entrepreneurs lived in a world where persons interacted over a number of regions and scales.
This study contributes to the body of knowledge in social capital, network and social boundary research. Although this dissertation is largely concerned with early twentieth-century Toronto class and power relations, the results have implications beyond this case study. This research makes a significant contribution to historical geography by providing scholars interested in contemporary power relations and social networks with an empirically rich historical perspective. This study extends previous examinations of social inequality by examining how power relations were reproduced over time and through space. I analyze how social capital can be conceptualized as set of processes that is 1) integral to the acquisition of economic capital, 2) significant in constraining the action of others by redrawing the social boundaries of class and ethnicity, and 3) critical for the building of alliances across space. This research offers a complementary method to the inequality studies of David Ward, Joe Darden, Nan Lin, Richard Harris, James Barrett, and David Harvey by historically situating questions about the reproduction of social inequality through the examination of social networks.
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Newberry, David. "Poverty, politics and participation: radical anti-poverty organizing in a neoliberal Ontario." Thesis, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/1828/1098.
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In this thesis I explore neoliberalism and resistance to neoliberalism by focusing on the relatively
recent rise of radical, local anti-poverty organizations in Canada, particularly on the Ontario
Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP) in Toronto. To accomplish this exploration, I present a brief
history of neoliberalization in two ways: first in theory, exploring the phenomenon in general, and
then in a more specific context, through the study of neoliberalization in Ontario. Special emphasis
is given to the ways in which contemporary processes of neoliberalization tend to discourage
collective action and movement formation, and encourage the ideological, discursive, and practical
depoliticization of issues and communities. In addition, I suggest that Ontario’s neoliberalization
has led mainstream left forces to retreat to a more moderate support base in the middle class,
leaving poor people and anti-poverty activists with little potential for meaningful participation in
political processes. The lack of avenues for participation, I argue, discourages the development the
development of a sense of agency for poor people and anti-poverty activists. This agency is framed
here as political dignity.
After presenting a history OCAP, I conclude by suggesting that radical, local anti-poverty
organizations make an important contribution to combating some of the outcomes of
neoliberalization presented here. By using a broad range of scholarship (including working-class
focused sociology, post-colonial theory, and others), I argue that OCAP’s key contribution to antineoliberal
struggles is the way in which the organization encourages political dignity building
through engaged, confrontational participation.
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Lee, M. Fatima Wai-Bun. ""Thou land of hope for all who toil"? The effects of social resources on job search and job outcome of skilled immigrants in Toronto (Ontario)." 2006. http://link.library.utoronto.ca/eir/EIRdetail.cfm?Resources__ID=442541&T=F.
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Ortiz-Guerrero, Cesar Enrique. "A Region in Transition: The Role of Networks, Capitals and Conflicts in the Rainy River District, Ontario." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/5072.
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This research analyzed declining resource-based communities in the Rainy River District, Ontario, that is typical of the Canadian middle north, and explored their central features using several qualitative and participatory techniques. This work disengages from traditional demographic-economic analysis of decline and offers an alternative multidimensional interpretation. The analysis centers on the role of networks, diverse forms of capitals and conflicts. Literature on regional development, New Regionalism, social networks, capital, conflict, and complex evolving social systems informed the conceptual framework to guiding this research. Among other findings this research demonstrated that: First, economic-demographic “size type” indicators are insufficient to explain the complex, multidimensional, network-based, conflictive and highly politicized nature of decline. Policies based on these type of indicators are misleading and can reinforce the path dependence process of single-industry rural communities. Second, networks, capital and conflicts can be significant in the process of decline. They can speed or slow the process of change. Potentially, they can be transformed and used when planning for decline so as to steer the process toward sustainable rural planning and development. Additional factors identified and proposed for this framework included: learning, interaction, cooperation, connectivity, and psychological and institutional factors restricting rural communities from reacting to decline, and escaping from path dependence. Third, decline should be recognized in order to start a process of planning for decline and rural development. Top-down planning and policy initiatives in the Rainy River District and across North Western Ontario have not recognized a general planning gap and have glossed over the need to approach decline, and rural development generally, using a local perspective and grassroots initiatives of people and communities. Basic elements to plan for decline in rural regions were described. Fourth, rural regions, ethnicity, and power, are insufficiently recognized by New Regionalism theory. Including these elements can benefit the theory and practice of rural planning and development. Analysis of networks and planning is a mutually reinforcing approach, useful for the study and planning of rural areas. Finally, rural decline studies in Canada should pay attention to factors of ethnicity. Significant structural violence against First Nations remains in rural regions.
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Reid-Musson, Emily R. "Soft Workfare? Re-orienting Toronto's Social Infrastructure Towards Employment." Thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1807/18843.
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This research tracks the emergence of ‘soft’ workfare in Toronto. This refers to a set of attitudes and practices apparent in the delivery of welfare-to-work programs through the Ontario Works framework, which use compulsion to push people towards employment while simultaneously encouraging limited and specific practices of individual choice. Research findings are derived from eight interviews and relevant policy reports, focusing on the experiences of three non-profit agencies and the City of Toronto, who provide employment assistance and financial assistance through Ontario Works, respectively. These findings indicate that grassroots organizations pioneered employment services for social assistance recipients, and, alongside the municipal government, had been calling for active employment programs. They made use of the distance between policy rules and their own programs to alleviate the most punitive features of OW, but judge compulsion as a means to meet a necessary end. This demonstrates how disciplinary tendencies reside within liberal governmentalities.
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Deline, Mary Elizabeth. "Keeping Up With the Joneses: Electricity Consumption, Publicity and Social Network Influence in Milton, Ontario." Thesis, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/5219.
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This study used an exploratory research focus to investigate if making electricity consumption public and subject to social norms and networks resulted in consumption decreases for households in Milton, Ontario. In the first phase, Milton Hydro identified customers who fell within an average annual electricity consumption category and these customers were invited to participate by mail. Due to lack of participant uptake, cold-calling, targeting of service and faith groups and commuters, and snowball sampling were employed to obtain a total participant size of 17. The second phase saw participants grouped according to social network type (occupational, faith group, etc) and exposed to approval or disapproval indicators within their group about their daily electricity consumption rates via an on-line ‘energy pool’. There were five main groups: one of neighbours, one of members of a faith group, one of members of a company, one of strangers and one of a control group. Group members saw other members’ indicators with the exception of the control group, whose indicators were privately delivered. All group’s electricity consumption was tracked through daily smart meter readings. Participants also had the option of commenting on each other’s electricity use via an online ‘comment box’. In the third phase participants were asked to participate in a questionnaire to assess: 1) the perceived efficacy of the intervention; 2) perceptions of electricity consumption; and 3) the influence of the group on these perceptions. This sequential methodology was chosen for its ability to “...explain significant (or non-significant) results, outlier results, or surprising results” (Cresswell, 2006, p. 72).
The findings of this exploratory research seem to suggest the following:
1) that publicity or group type does not seem to affect electricity consumption in comparative electricity consumption feedback for this study;
2) that participants used injunctive norms to comment on their electricity consumption but directed these comments solely at themselves; and
3) that the stronger the relationships in the group, the more likely participants were to engage with the website through checking it and commenting on it.
This study may be useful to those in the fields of: 1) electricity conservation who wish to leverage feedback technologies; 2) social networks who wish to better understand how tie strength interacts with social norms and; 3) those in social marketing who wish to develop norm-based campaigns.
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Sherk, Theodore. "Residential Solar Energy Adoption in a Community Context: Perceptions and Characteristics of Potential Adopters in a West Toronto Neighbourhood." Thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10012/6528.
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In the summer of 2007, a single neighbourhood in downtown Toronto contributed at
least 13 percent of all residential grid???tie solar photovoltaic (PV) systems sold in the
Canadian province of Ontario. On average, PV purchaser households produced 37
percent as much electricity as they consumed.
This research investigates solar energy adoption in a community case study. Specifically,
it investigates why some residents who sign up for a solar resource assessment through
a community solar energy initiative (CSEI) decide to purchase, and others decide not to
purchase in the short???term. Characteristics and perceptions of potential adopters are
analyzed to better understand their motivations and barriers to adoption.
Community energy projects became an official public policy goal in Ontario, with the
passing of the Green Energy and Green Economy Act in 2009. Approximately 80 percent
of Ontario???s anticipated generation capacity will need to be built, replaced or
refurbished within 15 years. In this context, the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Ontario
Power Authority, and Deloitte (one of Canada???s leading professional services firms),
have partnered with a ???green benefit??? fund, the Community Power Fund, to help local
community groups access resources to develop and establish renewable energy
projects. Understanding solar energy adoption in a community context is therefore
important to improve the effectiveness of such policies, including the disbursement of
multi???million dollar grant funds.
Differences between purchasers and non???purchasers in respect of adoption behaviour
were found in this study to cluster around two general themes. The first theme
concerns differences in compatibility of both the concept of solar energy systems, and
their physical attributes, with characteristics of potential adopter households. Some
compatibility issues are straightforward, e.g. availability of roof space with a southern
orientation. Others are more complex, involving several interrelated perceptual and
socio???demographic factors. For instance, while both purchasers and non???purchasers
rated cost as a very important barrier, purchasers rated the motivation of solar energy
systems to reduce climate change higher relative to the barrier of high financial costs
than did non???purchasers. Purchasers were also more likely to possess a graduate
degree, while non???purchasers were more likely to hold a professional degree.
The second general theme relates to potential adopters??? trust and stake in the ability of
the community???based initiative to reduce barriers in the adoption process. Since two
types of solar energy systems are considered in the case study???PV and thermal (hot
water)???differences are explored between each of three respondent groups: solar PV
purchasers, solar hot water (SHW) purchasers, and non???purchasers.
iv
Surveys were used to gather data on adopter perceptions and characteristics. A
participatory research design helped identify the research topic. Two main bodies of
literature???community???based social marketing (CBSM) and diffusion of innovations
theory???were drawn upon to conceptualize the adoption process and interpret the
survey findings. These include five models of human behaviour that can be used to
guide the design of CBSM campaigns. Diffusion theory was used as a basis for discussing
???perceived innovation attributes???. The study takes an integrated approach by
considering both social and technical aspects of solar energy adoption, together with
the issues of fuel substitution and household electricity demand.
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Paradis, Emily Katherine. "A Little Room of Hope: Feminist Participatory Action Research with "Homeless" Women." Thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1807/19158.
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In April 2005, a group of women gathered for a human rights workshop at a Toronto drop-in centre for women experiencing homelessness, poverty, and isolation. One year later, the group sent a representative to address the United Nations Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This dissertation describes and analyzes the feminist participatory action research-intervention project that began with the workshop and led to the United Nations. Over the course of 15 months, more than 50 participants attended weekly meetings at the drop-in. They learned about social and economic rights, testified about their experiences of human rights violations, and planned and undertook actions to respond to and resist homelessness. This thesis draws upon observations of meetings, documents produced by the group, and interviews with thirteen of the participants, in order to examine the project from a number of angles. First, the project suggests a new understanding of women’s homelessness: testimonies and interviews reveal that homelessness is not only a material state, but more importantly a social process of disenfranchisement enacted through relations of harm, threat, control, surveillance, precarity and dehumanization. Understanding homelessness as a social process enables an analysis of its operations within and for a dominant social and economic order structured by colonization and neoliberal globalization. Secondly, the thesis takes up participants’ assessments of the project’s political effectiveness and its impacts on their well-being and empowerment, and reads these against the researcher’s experiences with the project, in order to explore how feminist participatory methodologies can contribute to resistance. Finally, the thesis concludes with recommendations for theory, research, service provision, and human rights advocacy on women’s homelessness.
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Carlson-Thies, Stanley W., and Mary Gerritsma. "Perspective vol. 11 no. 4 (Jun 1977)." 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/10756/251324.
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Stasko, Carly. "A Pedagogy of Holistic Media Literacy: Reflections on Culture Jamming as Transformative Learning and Healing." Thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/1807/18109.
Full textAbstract:
This qualitative study uses narrative inquiry (Connelly & Clandinin, 1988, 1990, 2001) and self-study to investigate ways to further understand and facilitate the integration of holistic philosophies of education with media literacy pedagogies. As founder and director of the Youth Media Literacy Project and a self-titled Imagitator (one who agitates imagination), I have spent over 10 years teaching media literacy in various high schools, universities, and community centres across North America. This study will focus on my own personal practical knowledge (Connelly & Clandinin, 1982) as a culture jammer, educator and cancer survivor to illustrate my original vision of a ‘holistic media literacy pedagogy’. This research reflects on the emergence and impact of holistic media literacy in my personal and professional life and also draws from relevant interdisciplinary literature to challenge and synthesize current insights and theories of media literacy, holistic education and culture jamming.