Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Structuration Theory'
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1
Graham, Mark. "Understanding Perceptions of Accessibility and Mobility Through Structuration Theory." TopSCHOLAR®, 2004. http://digitalcommons.wku.edu/theses/525.
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Structuration theory in geography states that social systems are reproduced through the relationships between systems, structures, actors and their perceptions. Therefore, understanding the modes through which social systems are reproduced will allow for a clearer understanding of the nature of society. However, much of the relevant social theory has not been empirically tested. Thus, by empirically examining general perceptual differences between different built environments, on a macro and a micro level, it is hoped that the links between perceptions, social structures, and the built environment can be more fully understood. A better understanding of these links will, in turn, allow the relevant social theory (in this case, structuration theory) in geography to be advanced from a theoretical to an empirical stage. A clearer understanding of the links between perceptions, the built environment, and the reproduction of social systems will not only advance the field of geography, but will also have ramifications in the fields of psychology, sociology, economics, marketing, and urban planning. The purpose of this study is to examine how structural differences between locations may result in differences in people's perceptions about and interactions with the landscape. I hypothesize that there are fundamental differences in the way people perceive and interact with landscapes in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Penzance, England, in part because of the broader structural and environmental differences between these settings. Specifically, I hypothesize that perceptions about preferred forms of transportation to leisure and retail activities will be significantly different between residents of locations that have a significant difference in the modes of transportation to such leisure and retail activities. Bowling Green and Penzance have been chosen as study sites because great differences exist between these cities in how transportation systems to leisure and retail activities are structured.
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Richter, Christopher J. "Giddens' structuration theory and the study of policy discourse /." The Ohio State University, 1997. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1487948807585015.
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Freeland, Lisa New. "The medicalization of oral aesthetics: an application of structuration theory." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2000. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc2722/.
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Medicalization has been discussed at length in the sociology of health and illness literature. Typically, dialogue has centered on the effects of medicalization and the process as a phenomenon in professional fields alone. This work is an attempt to study medicalization using a theoretical model, structuration, that allows for inclusion of the larger social system in understanding health system changes and to include consumers of health services in the process as active agents. The example of oral aesthetics provides an opportunity to identify the agents of change, the process of medicalization in the larger social context, and possible indicators of the phenomenon. An attempt to operationalize the complex concept of medicalization marks a move toward creating testable theoretical models for the variety of behaviors and conditions under study as medicalized. Using content analysis of professional dental journals and lay magazines and a review of system rules and resources, shifts in language use and the emergence of medical frameworks were documented to determine if a medicalization of oral aesthetics had occurred. Results show two distinct periods within the last century when oral aesthetics have been medicalized in the United States. Evidence of turn-taking behavior among the agents is noted as well as the relationship of technology and technological language to the process. A model for future testing is suggested that encompass the identified agents, the language and framework, and the elements of social context.
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Fincham, Rosemary Jean Elizabeth. "Sensitizing structuration theory, a literature review and proposal for further studies." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1997. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk2/ftp04/mq20634.pdf.
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Sumarwan, Antonius. "How does Credit Unions’ accountability affect their performance and mission achievement? Multiple-case studies of credit unions in Indonesia." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2022. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/229057/1/Antonius_Sumarwan_Thesis.pdf.
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This research investigates factors influencing accountability practices and their effects, specifically on performance and mission achievement in six Indonesian credit unions. Developing a skeletal inputs-processes-outputs framework enriched by concepts from strong structuration theory, this study employed a multiple-case study approach. Findings show that the credit unions’ accountability practices were predominantly influenced by their conjuncturally specific internal structures, with implications for credit union management’s levels of agency. Two types of accountability practices were identified (i.e., basic and comprehensive). The positive effects of the credit unions’ accountability practices included trust, participation, collective responsibility, personal, organisational development, and enhanced performance and mission achievement.
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Loyal, Steven Paul Jit Singh. "Action, structure and contradiction a contextual critique of Gidden's theory of structuration /." Thesis, Online version, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?did=1&uin=uk.bl.ethos.390197.
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Nandan, Ruvendra Kumar. "The dialectic of management control : the case of the Fiji Development Bank." Thesis, University of Bristol, 1997. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.339272.
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Blad, Eleonor, and Lykke Paulsson. "Lean implementering ur ett medarbetarperspektiv : En kvalitativ fallstudie om faktorer som påverkar medarbetares arbetsmiljö vid implementering av lean." Thesis, Högskolan i Gävle, Avdelningen för ekonomi, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-36404.
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Syfte: Syftet är att skapa förståelse för den påverkan som implementering av lean har på arbetsmiljön ur ett medarbetarperspektiv. Metod: Studien genomförs som en kvalitativ fallstudie enligt hermeneutiskt tolkningsperspektiv där primärdata samlas in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer. Sekundärdata har huvudsakligen samlats in genom vetenskapliga artiklar och litteratur på området. Resultat & slutsats: Studien visar att implementering av lean påverkar medarbetarnas arbetsmiljö och att faktorer som delaktighet, kommunikation, utbildning och inte minst ledarskapet är viktiga faktorer för en god arbetsmiljö. En initial motvilja har efterhand som konceptet inarbetats bytts ut mot en positiv inställning och ett nytt sätt att arbeta. Examensarbetets bidrag: Studien bidrar till att skapa förståelse för hur implementering av lean påverkar arbetsmiljön. Genom förståelse för hur externa strukturer påverkar interna strukturer och därigenom medarbetarnas agerande vill vi belysa vilka faktorer som företag bör rikta fokus mot för att bibehålla en god arbetsmiljö under implementering av lean. Studiens resultat kan inte direkt generaliseras till andra arbetsplatser, men erbjuder en möjlighet att testa samma metod för att se hur arbetsmiljön påverkas. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Studien är relativt liten och medarbetarna har arbetat tillsammans under lång tid, därför kan framtida studier med fördel utföras på företag med större personalomsättning, annat företag i servicebranschen eller som en jämförande studie mellan två olika företag för att se påverkan på arbetsmiljön.Aim: The aim of the study is to create understanding of the implications of lean implementation on the work environment seen from the coworker perspective Method: Qualitative case study with primary data collected by interviews of managers and employees at ICA Maxi Special in two different cities. Secondary data was collected from scientific articles and relevant literature regarding previous research in the field. Result & Conclusions: The study reveals that implementation of lean affects the coworkers' perceived work environment and that factors such as participation, meaningfulness, autonomy, communication and education are important factors for a good work environment. The initial reluctance experienced by coworkers when implementing the concept was later exchanged for a positive attitude and a new way of work, which consequently led to a better working environment in general. Contribution of the thesis: The findings of this study contribute to research by understanding and highlighting the factors that influence the employees work environment. By understanding the effect of external structures, such as lean and how it affects internal structures, and such as the actions and reactions of coworkers, companies can mitigate the impact on the work environment when implementing lean. Suggestions for future research: The study is rather small and conducted at a workplace where most of the employees have worked together for several years. Therefore, we suggest that future studies can be conducted at companies with a larger employee turnover, or at a different type of company in the service industry, or as a comparative study between
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Singh, Gurmak. "The adoption and diffusion of elearning : a comparative case study using Giddens' theory of structuration." Thesis, University of Huddersfield, 2011. http://eprints.hud.ac.uk/id/eprint/12004/.
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In the past decade the introduction of eLearning technologies has been associated with innovation in Higher Education (HE) as it brings significant change and has the potential to transform practice in many facets of university life. These learning technologies have been described as a 'disruptive‘ type of innovation as they can be a catalyst for transforming the strategic direction of HE and reach well beyond the traditional activities associated with classroom pedagogies. However, the levels of adoption of eLearning vary significantly between universities in the UK, ranging from simple online availability of course content to the extensive use of content management systems. Additionally, several studies report that a significant number of academic staff are making little use of these learning technologies and that the adoption of eLearning has failed to reach the predicted expectations. Previous approaches to the examination of the adoption and diffusion of eLearning have focused either on systemic change influenced by technology that transforms the entire organisation (macro-level studies) or on various parts of, or individuals within the institution that may benefit the most from adoption of the technology (micro-level studies). Recently, there has been recognition that these singular approaches have failed to fully appreciate the complexity of the adoption of eLearning within higher educational institutions. Furthermore, there is acknowledgement that the adoption of eLearning is influenced by both the potential adopter and the institutional properties. Thus, a number of commentators have proposed that future studies need to combine macro- and micro-level perspectives that regress from singular approaches and deploy more integrative perspectives that emphasise the interactions and interconnections between individual actions and institutional structure. This thesis is situated in the field of HE and innovation management and examines the adoption and diffusion of learning technologies through a series of case studies. Drawing on Giddens‘ 'Theory of Structuration‘ and the work of Rogers in the adoption and diffusion of innovations, these exploratory case studies examine the interaction between human agency and structure. The implications of this study for university executives, managers, and academic teaching staff are far reaching, and, to some degree, contradict accepted management practice and existing literature.
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Storm, van's Gravesande Bernd. "Internetbasierte Anwendungen in der FuE-Kooperation : eine empirische Analyse basierend auf der Adaptive Structuration Theory /." Wiesbaden : Dt. Univ.-Verl, 2006. http://bvbr.bib-bvb.de:8991/F?func=service&doc_library=BVB01&doc_number=016393720&line_number=0001&func_code=DB_RECORDS&service_type=MEDIA.
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Tollington, Anthony Andrew Roderick. "Accounting for goodwill and intangible assets in the United Kingdom : an analysis using structuration theory." Thesis, King's College London (University of London), 2005. https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/accounting-for-goodwill-and-intangible-assets-in-the-united-kingdom--an-analysis-using-structuration-theory(2a84bdb6-6dff-4f95-923c-7994990220a9).html.
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Kendall, Norma. "Deaf people and career advice : applying structuration theory to encounters between deaf and hearing people." Thesis, University of Central Lancashire, 2006. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.490247.
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The research concerns communication between deaf people and hearing advisers in career or job seeking interviews. Issues of disability, emancipatory research and methods used in deaf research are explored together with the medical and social models of disability and the complexity of discrimination. It is set to a background of the history of deaf people and the inherent disadvantages of communication and language, education and knowledge, identity and perceptions of deafness. It summarises the experiences of deaf people in and seeking employment and the skills required in job seeking. Communication between lay people and professionals and between deaf people and professionals is reviewed and the various systems of influence on deaf people are appraised together with the potential impact on employment guidance. An evolutionary approach to the research is recounted and the data engendered information on three areas; the opinions and experience each participant brought to the career or job seeking interview, the perceptions each party had of the interview interaction and the macro influence of Government. Giddensian Structuration Theory is considered within other theoretical frameworks and a critical reflection offered before concluding that the theory is a useful tool to illuminate aspects of deafness. The key concepts are described and related to deaf issues. The findings highlight the professionalism of advisory staff and their willingness to embrace a deaf perspective in practice. However the data also emphasises a stark contrast between the protected environments of school and college and the mainstream environment of job-centres. Mainstream deaf participants reported barriers to communication and much dissatisfaction with the education they had received, particularly the oral and mainstream approach. The data is discussed using structuration concepts and the thesis concludes by proposing an extension to the general notion of distanciation, which I have called `experiential distanciation', to reflect the special linguistic circumstances of deaf individuals.
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Walsh, John Nicholas. "A practice-based approach to examining knowledge management repository use." Thesis, Brunel University, 2010. http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/5171.
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Though knowledge has become an increasingly important resource for modern businesses, it was not until the mid-1990's that the 'knowledge management' research stream emerged in the business and information systems literature. Initial research on how to manage knowledge came from an objectivist epistemology of knowledge that viewed it as something that was capable of captured, stored and transferred via information to increase organisational efficiency. This study is grounded in a more recent and alternative perspective that takes a practice based epistemology seeing knowledge as embedded in and inseparable from practice. The practices of interest relate to how knowledge work is performed in environments where there is heavy reliance on information systems. Using an interpretive case study this research analyses the practices of a product support centre of a US multinational. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and internal documentation, including access to the firms „knowledge management‟ repository. Two central practices were examined: how product support engineers made sense of problems to develop fix procedures and how these were subsequently documented. Even within a work environment where client fixes were verifiable, suggesting an objectivist epistemology, this research found that the practice based perspective could be used to provide a different perspective and develop alternative and useful insights. The study contributes to the practice based perspective on knowledge management by providing an analysis of context specific knowledge work practices by analysing how even in procedural repetitive work agency can be exhibited as actors enact practices. It also helps develop the application of Structuration Theory by aiding an understanding of how meanings, norms and resources are developed, drawn upon, conflict, and are changed as everyday work is accomplished. The study is of relevance by providing an understanding of informal knowledge work practices rather than their formal description.
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Allum, Felia Skyle. "The Neapolitan Camorra : crime and politics in post-war Naples (1950-92)." Thesis, Brunel University, 2000. http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/5085.
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In the post-war period, Italy has been plagued by different forms of organised crime (such as the Sicilian Mafia, the Neapolitan Camorra, the Calabrian 'Ndrangheta and the Pugliese Sacra Corona Unita) which have managed in their individual ways to infiltrate both the State (in the form of political parties and local administrations) and society (businesses, cultural and voluntary organisations). In Campania, until 1991, the relationship between the Camorra and the local political elite (based on the exchange of votes for state contracts and protection) was tacitly accepted by the population and could not be studied by political scientists due to the lack of reliable source material. In 1991, a law was introduced which gave generous remission of sentences to criminals who became state-witness. Many members of the Camorra revealed important aspects of criminal, economic and political activities in Campania. This new material permitted a reexamination of the Camorra. This thesis on the Camorra hopes to fill a gap in the study of the relationship between politics and criminal organisations which so far has concentrated on the Sicilian Mafia. Part One is a general introduction and presents the theoretical model and methods adopted. The documentation available allowed us to adopt an agency-structure approach derived from Giddens's structuration theory (1984). This was complemented by Easton's systems analysis (1965) to understand the wider, macro-environment. We elaborated an 'interaction model' to analyse the changing nature of the Camorra's activities: from a simple social-criminal practice in the 1930s to a dynamic and secret cartel enacting a political-criminal practice in the 1980s. To test this model we applied it to case-studies of criminals using original judicial documents. In Part Two we look at the possible motives of people who join the Camorra. We analysed the agent's internal and external structure in both decades and concluded that the macro-environment as an influencing factor had changed more than the individual-agent. Part Three examines the lives of camorristi in the 1950s and 1980s in order to determine how far their criminal practice has been transformed. Part Four investigates the wider picture of system-interaction between the Camorra's social subsystem and the political system. Focussing on the relationship between camorristi and the political elite in the 1950s and 1980s we highlight the radical changes that occurred. This thesis presents a theoretical discussion of how to study organised crime and social behaviour in general and at the same time a detailed empirical study, in particular of the political role of a criminal organisation in a concrete historical situation, that of Naples over the last forty years.
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Mohamed, Omar Amizan. "Institutionalisation of digitally-enabled service transformation in the UK public sector : an exploratory study on the roles of the actors and structures." Thesis, Brunel University, 2018. http://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/17426.
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The successful institutionalisation of digitally-enabled service transformation (DEST) in the UK public sector has always been a challenge for the government. Associated with technology and managerial impediments, the derailment of several DEST projects in recent years has attracted much scholarly debate. Nonetheless, overt emphasis on the antecedents and effects of DEST institutionalisation has concealed the real events underpinning the transformation process, especially the 'social' interactions between the institutional actors and structures, as well as their role in the DEST institutionalisation process. Hence, this research aims to explore the roles of the actors and structures in DEST institutionalisation as working practice in public institutions. To do so, this research develops a conceptual framework grounded on Institutional Theory and Structuration Theory concepts, derived from the analysis of four past DEST cases in the UK. The framework is used in a qualitative enquiry that explores the well-publicised Universal Credit transformation case through interviews, focus groups and review of documentary and parliamentary-select-committee-media evidence. The findings offer insights into the deinstitutionalisation and structuration processes in the study of DEST institutionalisation to better understand the implementation of change in public institutions. This study concludes that actors and structures play important roles in structuring the DEST institutionalisation process as working practice in public institutions. Actors could manipulate structures of meaning, power and norms to promote desired actions in shaping practices that support DEST institutionalisation.
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Dumay, Johannes Cornelius. "Intellectual capital in action: Australian studies." Thesis, The University of Sydney, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/2398.
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The overarching objective of this thesis is to investigate and examine several contemporary IC theories and how they are utilised in practice so that understandings of the IC concept can be developed, in order to answer in part the main research question of “How does IC in action influence organisations?” The content of the thesis is based on a review of IC from both a theory and practice perspective and four empirical papers that examines IC theory as it is implemented in practice. In combining these papers into a coherent piece of work, a critical research perspective, as outlined by Alvesson and Deetz (2000), has been utilised as the theoretical framework. The term ‘critical’ is used in this thesis not to find fault with contemporary theory and practice of IC but rather to examine and question the application of IC theory into practice. The end result of doing so is the narrowing of an identified gap between IC theory and practice. A ‘critical’ analysis of IC in action is justified because the development of the concept of IC parallels that of ‘critical’ theory in that both have evolved from changing conditions in society as technology and the proliferation of knowledge that have fundamentally altered the conditions under which organisations operate. The overarching findings of the thesis are based on three outcomes of critical research being insight, critique and transformative re-definitions. Insight into IC is developed by examining contemporary IC frameworks as they have been applied. Critique is developed by putting to the test the implications for organisations as a result of implementing these contemporary IC frameworks. Last, transformative re-definition is achieved by opening a discourse on the impact of implementing IC practices so that academics and practitioners can develop critical, relevant and practical understandings that begins the process of change and develops practical managerial skills. More importantly this thesis identifies how the development of tools to reduce ‘causal ambiguity’ about how intangible resource help create (or destroy) value has the potential to raise the profile of IC as a strategic management technology. But from the wider view of the critical perspective, it is not the intention of this thesis to prescribe specific formulae for the measuring, management and reporting of IC, nor does it intend to further develop theory. So while the individual papers may proffer that certain avenues proved productive in developing insights, critique and transformative re-definition, these avenues are not offered as the preferred way of investigating IC. More specifically the goal of a critical perspective is to open a discourse. The opprurtinity for academics and practitioners to engage in discourse is enabled by the thesis’ focus on the issues identified by highlighting the gap between IC theory and practice. Furthermore, each of the included papers offers the opportunity for further discourse by way of the opportunities that remain for future research. Additionally, the thesis achieves exemplifies a number of different approaches to conducting research into IC practice that puts to the test particular aspects of IC theory in order to develop insights and understandings of IC in practice. As the empirical material only examines a fraction of contemporary IC theory there is scope for further research and thus discourse into the implementation of IC theory into IC practice. This future research should not be constrained by a particular method of research as exemplified in the variety of methods employed to gather the empirical material for the papers which stretches along the continuum of qualitative and quantitative research. This too provides an avenue of for future discourse.
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Dumay, Johannes Cornelius. "Intellectual capital in action: Australian studies." Faculty of Economics and Business, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/2398.
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)The overarching objective of this thesis is to investigate and examine several contemporary IC theories and how they are utilised in practice so that understandings of the IC concept can be developed, in order to answer in part the main research question of “How does IC in action influence organisations?” The content of the thesis is based on a review of IC from both a theory and practice perspective and four empirical papers that examines IC theory as it is implemented in practice. In combining these papers into a coherent piece of work, a critical research perspective, as outlined by Alvesson and Deetz (2000), has been utilised as the theoretical framework. The term ‘critical’ is used in this thesis not to find fault with contemporary theory and practice of IC but rather to examine and question the application of IC theory into practice. The end result of doing so is the narrowing of an identified gap between IC theory and practice. A ‘critical’ analysis of IC in action is justified because the development of the concept of IC parallels that of ‘critical’ theory in that both have evolved from changing conditions in society as technology and the proliferation of knowledge that have fundamentally altered the conditions under which organisations operate. The overarching findings of the thesis are based on three outcomes of critical research being insight, critique and transformative re-definitions. Insight into IC is developed by examining contemporary IC frameworks as they have been applied. Critique is developed by putting to the test the implications for organisations as a result of implementing these contemporary IC frameworks. Last, transformative re-definition is achieved by opening a discourse on the impact of implementing IC practices so that academics and practitioners can develop critical, relevant and practical understandings that begins the process of change and develops practical managerial skills. More importantly this thesis identifies how the development of tools to reduce ‘causal ambiguity’ about how intangible resource help create (or destroy) value has the potential to raise the profile of IC as a strategic management technology. But from the wider view of the critical perspective, it is not the intention of this thesis to prescribe specific formulae for the measuring, management and reporting of IC, nor does it intend to further develop theory. So while the individual papers may proffer that certain avenues proved productive in developing insights, critique and transformative re-definition, these avenues are not offered as the preferred way of investigating IC. More specifically the goal of a critical perspective is to open a discourse. The opprurtinity for academics and practitioners to engage in discourse is enabled by the thesis’ focus on the issues identified by highlighting the gap between IC theory and practice. Furthermore, each of the included papers offers the opportunity for further discourse by way of the opportunities that remain for future research. Additionally, the thesis achieves exemplifies a number of different approaches to conducting research into IC practice that puts to the test particular aspects of IC theory in order to develop insights and understandings of IC in practice. As the empirical material only examines a fraction of contemporary IC theory there is scope for further research and thus discourse into the implementation of IC theory into IC practice. This future research should not be constrained by a particular method of research as exemplified in the variety of methods employed to gather the empirical material for the papers which stretches along the continuum of qualitative and quantitative research. This too provides an avenue of for future discourse.
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Killorin, Jamesine Marsden. "Learning About Money in the Family Business| Financial Literacy Through the Lens of Strong Structuration Theory." Thesis, The George Washington University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10252776.
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This case study researched the learning of financial literacy in a five-generation family business. Stones’s (2005) strong structuration methodological framework was used to explore the external structures of context and the internal structures of disposition or habitus and knowledge in the social learning of financial literacy defined as a combination of awareness, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors. Case study data were collected from two-part life history interviews, historical records, documents, websites, video, and observations. The research participants included 10 members from two generations of the family.
Through the theoretical lens of Stones’s (2005) strong structuration theory, the study identified meso-level structural features and patterns of interactions across three generations that shaped the five dimensions of financial literacy of agents at the micro level. Bandura’s (1986) social cognitive theory supplemented strong structuration to consider the interactions, generative conceptions, anticipatory capabilities, and self-efficacy of agents- in-situ.
The study concluded that regional or locally implicit norms became family financial norms through patterns of social structuring. Strongly reinforced family norms were salient in financial attitudes and behaviors throughout the life course. Structuring patterns of interaction, including traditional family roles for men and women, were found to influence agents’ general dispositions and generative conceptions of their capabilities. Case evidence suggested that differences in enactive experiences influenced the financial self-efficacy of agents.
Power in position-practice relations was found to reinforce information asymmetries among agents, which can affect financial attitudes and financial decision behaviors. Altruism and agents’ risk dispositions can lead to firm-level inertia and lead to risk exposure for individuals.
The sociological approach of this study demonstrated that to gain an understanding of the applied nature of financial literacy as active agency at the micro level, inquiry focused solely on financial outcomes is insufficient. The research showed that the five dimensions of financial literacy arise in dynamic combinations in the shaping of external and internal structures through social interactions.
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Bataillard, Carole. "A contribution to a paradigm shift in CSR : a study through the lens of Structuration theory." Thesis, Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 2019. http://www.theses.fr/2019UBFCG004.
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Cette thèse s’éloigne des cadres habituels des recherches en gestion ayant étudié les tensions en matière de RSE pour adopter un nouveau cadre intégrateur afin d'explorer de manière descriptive son intégration à la fois aux niveaux individuel, organisationnel et institutionnel.Des analyses de contenus d’entretiens, de documents historiques et de récits de vie ont permis de mettre au point un modèle décrivant les conditions nécessaires à l’intégration de la RSE au sein d’un système social. Ainsi, les modalités des structures de signification, de légitimation et de domination sont examinées (Giddens, 1984) afin de révéler les caractéristiques et les mécanismes sous-tendant les schémas interprétatifs, normes et ressources mobilisés (Giddens, 1984).Cette thèse contribue à la littérature sur la RSE en remettant en question les idées conventionnelles selon lesquelles celle-ci est intrinsèquement complexe, et suggère que les éléments constitutifs de la RSE ne sont pas nécessairement divergents et difficiles à mettre en œuvre simultanément. En ce sens, elle démontre qu’une congruence peut se produire entre la structure institutionnelle et les actions RSE sous certaines conditionsConstructed upon management research that has studied CSR tensions, this thesis shifts away from the usual frames toward a new integrative frame to descriptively explore the integration of CSR at the individual, organizational and institutional levels simultaneously.The content analyses of interviews, historic documents and self-narratives yielded insights which enabled us to build a model describing the necessary conditions for CSR integration to occur. In this way, the structural modalities of the signification, legitimation and domination structures are examined and the dynamics which attend the integration of CSR in the social system are explored in order to reveal the characteristics and mechanisms underlying the interpretative schemes, norms and resources (Giddens, 1984).Consequently, a model of a sustainable paradigm grounded in empirical data is developed and the theoretical implications discussed. This thesis contributes to the CSR literature by challenging the conventional ideas that CSR is inherently difficult in suggesting that the constitutive elements of CSR are not necessarily divergent and difficult to implement simultaneously. In this sense, it empirically demonstrates that congruence between the institutional structure and CSR may occur under certain conditions
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Romanow, Darryl S. "The Impact of IT-Enabled and Team Relational Coordination on Patient Satisfaction." Digital Archive @ GSU, 2013. http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/cis_diss/52.
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Abstract
The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has earmarked 27 billion dollars to promote the adoption of Health Information Technologies (HIT) in the US, and to gain access to these funds, providers must document “Meaningful Use” during the care process. While individual HIT use according to lean measures, including meaningful use, is prevalent in the IS literature, few studies have incorporated rich measures to account for the task, the technology, and the user in a team context. This dissertation conceptualizes Team Deep Structure Use of Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) as an IT- enabled coordination mechanism, and Relational Coordination as the inherent ability of clinical teams to coordinate care spontaneously using informal, relationship based mechanisms. IT-enabled and Relational Coordination mechanisms are each evaluated across five maximally different patient conditions to simultaneously examine their impact on our outcome measure, Patient Satisfaction with the clinical care team.
The extant literature has established a deep understanding of IT adoption shortly after implementation, yet the literature is silent on the antecedents of IT use according to rich measures well after the shake down phase, a period in which the majority of organizations operate. We incorporate the Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) constructs of Faithfulness of Appropriation, and Consensus on Appropriation as the focal antecedents of Deep Structure Use of the clinical system by team members. To our knowledge, no prior research has linked these two AST constructs to clinical outcomes through the incorporation of a rich use mediator such as Deep Structure Use of a Health IT.
To test our model, we relied on survey responses from 555 physicians, nurses and mid-levels which had cared for 261 patients across five patient conditions, ranging from vaginal birth, to organ transplant, as well as pneumonia, knee/hip replacement and cardiovascular surgery. Our results confirm that the Adaptive Structuration constructs of Faithfulness of Appropriation and Consensus on Appropriation, generate positive and statistically significant path coefficients predicting Team Deep Structure Use of CPOE. We also report differential effects on Patient Satisfaction with the care team resulting from technology use. Results range from a significant positive path coefficient (.285) associated with higher Team Deep Structure Use on combined Pneumonia and Organ Transplant teams, to a significant negative path coefficient (-.174) on cardiovascular surgery teams. As expected, Pneumonia, Organ Transplant and Cardiovascular Surgery teams all reported positive effects on Patient Satisfaction with the care team as a result of higher Relational Coordination scores. For teams caring for patient conditions consistently associated with a shorter length of stay, including vaginal birth and knee/hip replacement, higher reported use of IT- enabled, or Relational Coordination mechanisms, did not result in a significant increase in Patient Satisfaction.
This dissertation contributes to the growing Health IT literature, and has practical implications for clinicians, hospital administrators and Health IT professionals. This dissertation is the first to operationalize a rich measure of use of an HIT by clinical teams, and to simultaneously measure the impact of IT enabled and Relational Coordination mechanisms on Patient Satisfaction. Secondly, through the introduction of Adaptive Structuration constructs, our model establishes a methodology for predicting rich, nuanced use in teams well after the initial shake down phase associated with recent HIT implementation. Through the juxtaposition of the impact of IT-enabled and Relational Coordination mechanisms across patient conditions, practitioners can design interventions and adjust the level of resources applied to process improvement accordingly.
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Ward, Robert C. Jr. "The Chaos of Covergence: A Study of the Process of Decay, Change, and Transformation within the Telephone Policy Subsystem of the United States." Diss., Virginia Tech, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/10919/28175.
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This dissertation was developed as two distinct themes within one final study. The first theme is located within Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. These two chapters examine the nature of both policy analysis and organizational theory in terms of their development within the American versions of Public Administration and Political Science. I conclude that the distinctions that have been created between the two areas of research are false, and that within the basic structure of American political theory both policy development and administrative implementation are a single unified endeavor. I then propose that Anthony Giddens Theory of Structuration offers both policy analysis and organizational theory a meta-theory that would allow for both areas of research to be reconnected. Various policy and organizational analysis models are examined, and alterations in these models are suggested to comply with the basic concepts of Giddens Theory of Structuration. A final model of analysis is presented which incorporates elements from these various models, and allows for the examination of the overall operation of a policy subsystem in terms of both policy analysis and organizational theory.
The second theme is located within Chapters 4 through 10. The analytical model that was created in the first theme is applied it to a specific policy subsystem, namely the wire-based telecommunications industry of the United States. The relationship between the industry and government is examined from its original inception to the implementation of the Telecommunications Deregulation Act of 1996. Seven distinct periods of development are analyzed. Each period of analysis seeks to locate the basic underlying structural principles forming the foundations for decisions in both the private and public sectors, and the processes for adaptation and adjustment. The examination of the processes engaged in the various periods supports the conclusion reached in the original analytical model, namely that political and administrative interaction are in fact linked, forming a unified process. A single underlying structural principle is located that has formed the basis for the policy subsystems existence, namely the concept of Compound Federalism as originally envisioned by the Republic's Founding Fathers.Ph. D.
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Jones, Lindsay. "[The] marginalization of girl soldiers in Sierra Leone’s Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration program : an analysis based on structuration theory." Thesis, McGill University, 2008. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=109914.
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Note:An estimated 48,000 child soldiers were involved in the violent civil war in Sierra Leone between 1991 and 2002. It is suggested that approximately 12,000 were girls. Lacking material possessions and facing other negative structural factors, the majority was in need of some form of assistance post-conflict. Although international aid response was substantial, only 500 girls entered the countrywide Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program. The remainder followed a variety of different courses. Giddens' structuration theory offers a useful theoretical framework to explore the reasons for their absence in the program, as it permits a focus on the role of structure and agencyin understanding behaviour. Social stigmatization and a gender-biased DDR program, within a broader structure of gender inequality, are identified as the principal problems .
On estime que 48,000 enfants soldats ont été impliques dans la violente guerre civile en Sierra Leone entre 1991 et 2002.11 est suggéré que prés de 12,000 d'entre eux étaient des filles. Avec des lacunes importantes au niveau matériel et faisant face a d'autres problèmes d'ordre structurel, la majorité de ces filles ont eu besoin d'une certaine forme d'assistance post-conflit. Bien que l'aide internationale ait été importante, seulement 500 filles ont été inscrites au programme national de Désarmement, démobilisation et réinsertion (DDR). Les autres filles ont suivies différents parcours. La théorie de structuration de Giddens offre un cadre théorique utile pour étudier les raisons de leur absence dans le programme car il permet de focaliser sur le rôle de la structure et de I' agence dans la compréhension du comportement. La stigmatisation sociale et une inégalité de genre au sein du programme de DDR, situe dans une structure plus généralisée d'inégalité de genre, sont identifiées comme étant les problèmes principaux .
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Berglöf, Stridh Maria, and Johanna Wågström. "The missing fit between ERP system and organizational structures : A qualitative case study of the implementation of PRIO in the Swedish Armed Forces." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2013. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-202566.
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ERP systems which initially were developed for manufacturing organizations have in recent years spread to public sector organization. It is put forward that public sector organization differ from private organization and this might affect how successfully an ERP system is implemented. ERP systems are rarely studied in public sector organization and few researchers have explored the fit between ERP system and organizational structures. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to explore what relationship that exists or do not exist between ERP system and organizational social structures in a military organization, and how this has affected the implementation and use. This is done through a qualitative case study of the Swedish Armed Forces with data from semi-structured interviews with 14 platoon commanders and 3 company commanders. The findings suggest that there is a misfit between the ERP system, PRIO, and the social structures in the organization which have made the implementation and use problematic. The technical shortcomings, such as the user interface, are not the main problem and employees might have been negative about the system anyway. This since platoon commanders and company commanders do not think platoon commanders are the best suited to do the tasks with PRIO.
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Koka, Andile. "Software quality assurance in scrum projects: a case study of development processes among scrum teams in South Africa." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1400.
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Thesis Submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Technology
in Information Technology in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at the Cape Peninsula University of TechnonlogyThe use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in business has evolved to such an extent that many organizations (if not all) rely on Information Technology (IT) systems to better manage their processes, get competitive advantage, improve performance (efficiency and effectiveness), provide quality services on time and most importantly to keep customers happy. This has changed the way people communicate and conduct businesses, lowering processing cost, time and improving a return on investment. Therefore, high quality software systems are essential. Organizations adopt Agile Scrum methodologies in order to develop applications that help them to obtain a return on investment quickly, to improve customer satisfaction and to maintain competitive advantage. However, the IT industry is yet to develop error-free software that meets the expected quality standards. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the extent to which software quality assurance measures can be understood and applied to maximize the quality of software projects developed under Scrum methodology. A qualitative research method informed by an interpretive approach was used to collect and analyse data. Following the purposive sampling technique, five Scrum teams operating in different environments and two academics from one academic institution were interviewed. Structuration Theory (ST) was then used as an analytical framework to analyse data and to improve the understanding of Scrum practices and related quality assurance (QA) processes. Drawing on the major terms of ST, the contextual terrain of the Scrum development process was mapped. It reflected that rules are important aspects of Scrum functions. However, rules are not as strictly applied as in the traditional methodologies. The developer skill, project type and size have a direct influence on the practice/s. In Scrum, rules are flexible in that they can be modified to meet the environment and conditions of the team. Equally significant are resources, most particularly, time and the human resources in the form of developers and Scrum leaders. Otherwise, unit testing, user acceptance testing, close collaboration and code reviews were perceived as the most important practices in Scrum projects. In view of the findings, recommendations can be summed up into 4 main points; (1) that to ensure quality assurance in Scrum, Scrum teams, especially team leaders, should enforce compliance to standards, regardless of time pressures and tight deadlines; (2) It seems that the practice of working with the client to test final products as a quality assurance mechanism is working for all parties. This practice is encouraged and must be maintained; (3) Code reviews must be enforced, and that organisations invest in resources including the constant training of developers; (4) Project product owners, project managers, team leaders and business analysts should regularly meet with the user to verify requirements prior to the implementation phase. Active stakeholder involvement can minimize development costs and time.
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Bobsin, Débora. "Estruturação de redes sociais virtuais em organização universitária." reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/38850.
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Esta pesquisa objetiva compreender o processo de estruturação das redes sociais virtuais organizacionais, as quais são espaços de colaboração, interação e compartilhamento de conhecimentos, ideias e projetos. As redes foram estudadas a partir da Teoria da Estruturação, de Giddens (2009), destacando-se a dualidade da estrutura e as reflexões quanto ao contexto de ação (dimensões tempo e espaço). A pesquisa compreendeu um estudo de caso em uma Instituição de Ensino Superior, tendo três redes sociais virtuais organizacionais, denominados “Fóruns”, como unidades de análise. A organização está distribuída geograficamente em 10 Campi localizados em diferentes cidades, de modo que essas redes têm o papel de integrar os atores e possibilitar as trocas de experiências, auxiliando no processo de construção da identidade das áreas e da Universidade. Os Fóruns têm como propósito discutir e deliberar sobre assuntos relacionados aos cursos de graduação em diferentes níveis de conhecimento, sendo caracterizados pelas diversas áreas do conhecimento e possibilitando a participação espontânea dos atores em qualquer tempo. A investigação deu-se através de observação participante, entrevistas e análise de documentos. Os resultados apontam que as redes constituem-se à medida que os grupos determinam os seus objetivos de trabalho, o que remete à definição de uma agenda de trabalho, de recursos, papéis e estruturas. Cada rede possui um coordenador responsável, que se configura como o mediador e o incentivador das interações que ocorrem presencial e virtualmente. As ferramentas virtuais, também, são determinadas pelos atores com base nas atividades a serem desenvolvidas, podendo abranger tecnologias de comunicação ou instrumentais como editores de texto colaborativos. Foram elencados os elementos constituintes das redes sociais virtuais organizacionais, os quais não são estanques e podem alterar-se conforme os Fóruns mudam os seus propósitos de ação. Percebe-se que, a cada encontro, ou quando determinados novos objetivos e tarefas, ou nas inserções de novos membros, a rede reconfigura-se, reproduzindo outras características, alterando a sua composição, emergindo novas estruturas, novos papéis e novas regras, os quais são definidos pela coletividade. Os resultados apontam que a rede é um espaço participativo de integração e de construção da identidade dos cursos, das áreas de conhecimento e da Universidade. Para que a rede tenha significado para os atores é necessária à existência de elementos que sirvam como elo entre os atores e que justifiquem o trabalho coletivo. A rede torna os atores mais reflexivos e é um espaço de reflexão sobre a Universidade e a atuação docente, desenvolvendo as interações pela lógica do debate. Os participantes utilizam os seus conhecimentos e as experiências para reforçar os discursos, assim como as normas norteiam e justificam as ações dos atores. A rede dá acesso a todos os níveis hierárquicos da organização e a recursos materiais, financeiros, informacionais e de conhecimentos. Portanto, a rede é um ambiente de articulação e legitimação das decisões e das normas organizacionais, dando substancialidade para a organização. Dessa forma, as redes consolidam-se a partir da rotinização das práticas, formando estruturas, construindo uma identidade compartilhada que serve de elemento agregador para o grupo.This research aims to understand the structuration process of organizational virtual social networks, which are opportunities for collaboration, interaction and sharing of knowledge, ideas and projects. The networks were studied based on the Theory of Structuration, Giddens (2009), highlighting the duality of structure and reflections on the action context (time and space dimensions). This research is a case study performed in a Higher Education Institution, and the analysis units were three organizational virtual social networks, called ‘Forums’. The organization is geographically distributed in 10 campi located in different cities, and the networks have the role to integrate the actors and enable the sharing of experience, assisting in the process of the identity construction of the areas and the University. The Forums aimed to discuss and deliberate on issues related to undergraduate courses at different levels of knowledge. They were characterized by different areas of knowledge and allowed the spontaneous participation of the actors at any time. The investigation was carried out through participant observation, interviews and document analysis. The results show that networks are formed as the groups determine their work objectives, which lead to the definition of a work schedule, resources, roles and structures. Each network has a coordinator responsible for being the mediator and the instigator of the interactions that occur in person and virtually. The virtual tools are determined by the actors based on the activities to be developed, and they may include communication or instrumental technologies such as collaborative text editors. We listed the elements constituent of organizational virtual social network, which are not steady and may change as they change their Forum purposes of action. Therefore, it is clear that at each meeting, when some new goals and tasks are determined, or in the insertion of new members, the network reconfigures itself, reproducing other features, changing its composition, and bringing out new structures, roles and rules, which are defined by the community. The results show that the network is a participative space of integration and identity construction of courses, areas of knowledge and the University. The network is meaningful if the actors identify elements that serve as a link between them and justify the collective work. The network makes the actors more reflective and is a reflection about the University and the teaching practice, developing the interactions by the logic of the debate. Participants use their knowledge and experiences to strengthen the speeches. The norms guide and justify the actions of actors. The network gives access to higher levels of the organization as well as to material, financial, informational, and knowledge resources. Therefore, the network is an environment of articulation and legitimation of decisions and organizational norms, giving substantiality to the organization. Networks are consolidated from the routinization of practices, forming structures and the establishment of a shared identity that serves as an aggregating element to the group.
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Panagiotou, Aristeidis. "Strong structuration theory in the technological, appropriative, and ideological dimensions of biotechnology : the case of the Rothamsted GM wheat trials." Thesis, University of Essex, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.654531.
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In the past couple of decades, biotechnology has shifted from a paradigm of purely scientific research and experimentation to worldwide commercialization in a multitude of industries ranging from agriculture and food production to pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Collective protest and scientific concern suggest that arguably the most controversial products of biotechnology are Genetically Modified (GM) crops and food. In this thesis I examine the 2012 GM wheat field trials carried out by Rothamsted Research in the UK which has been regarded by some as a 'second push' by the biotechnology industry to bring GM into the UK. In order to place this experiment in the broader economic, political, and cultural environment I combine two seemingly incongruent theoretical frameworks; namely Nicos Mouzelis' post-Marxist scheme (TAI) and Rob Stones' Strong Structuration Theory (SST). The former rejects the base/superstructure dichotomy, but retains the Marxist critical edge by arguing that all major institutional spheres have technological, appropriative, and ideological dimensions. The latter is a comprehensive theory of action that situates social actors in specific environments of action. TAI and SST can prove to offer invaluable insights to the technological, appropriative, and ideological dimensions of the field trials in a holistic and non-reductionist way. Apart from the specificities of GM wheat experiments discussed, some broader characteristics and tendencies that seem to take shape in the GM debate will also come to the surface.
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Rawas, Mahmoud. "An empirical examination of the impact of ICT on the functioning of the Lebanese Ministry of Finance." Thesis, De Montfort University, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/2086/9031.
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his study attempts to obtain a holistic view of ICT application and its impact in the context of a developing economy taking the Lebanese Ministry of Finance as a case study. It draws on the works of Heeks and Stanforth (2007) and Tseng (2008) for the pre-deployment phase of the e-Gov application and the post-implementation phase respectively. Heeks and Stanforth used actor network theory to study the trajectory taken by the Sri Lankan e-Gov project, while Tseng used a form of Structuration theory known as Orlikowski's Model of Technology to gauge the impact of an Electronic Government Information System (EGIS) on the Taiwanese Ministry employees. To the knowledge of the researcher the chosen research site has never been investigated before. This necessitated that the design phase of the study needed to be assessed first in order to get in-depth information about the contingent and local contextual factors and to ascertain the level of progress in the design and deployment of the ICT tools and techniques. For the post- implementation phase, this longitudinal study assessed the perceived effectiveness of the ICT impact on the end users - the employees. In addition, secondary data collected from the Ministry and the International Monetary Fund was used to corroborate the research. The study found that the use of 'trajectory mapping' was a crucial tool for investigating the initial ICT adoption process. This is due to its strength in exposing contextual factors, its ability to identify social and technical determinism at different stages of the investigation and its suitability in revealing political wrangling and identifying the dynamism of power in a public institution. The study's findings also reveal the presence of both technical determinism and social determinism throughout the project, restructuring of the organisation due to the introduction of an ICT unit and job redesign in the whole MoF. The study also found out that ICT resulted in a power shift within the organisation by having the IT unit gain power due to its ICT knowledge. The investigation, however, could not find a direct relationship between the 'degree of success' end point suggested by Heeks and Stanforth (2007) and the sought benefits from the ICT impact. In other words, the proposed 'degree of success' may only explain the design aspect of the EGIS, however, this study found that success or demise depends also on the implementation process and the preparedness of citizens to receive such IT services. Furthermore, the study was able to empirically investigate the applicability of the three layered model suggested by Omoteso et al. (2007) and found out that considering contingency as dynamic is more applicable than the static contingency proposed in the model. The study realised that there is a great need for a continuous, contemporary training process in the ever-changing ICT environment in order to achieve uninterrupted positive results. Finally, the study indicates that lack of vertical communication, as observed in the Lebanese public institution, between users, ICT designers, and decision makers weaken the whole change process. Therefore, it suggests a form of knowledge management application using ICT as the main venue, a transition from the current mechanistic (bureaucratic) structure to an organic (flat) structure.
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Aldous, David Charles Rhys. "Equal possibilities not restricted opportunity : a critical reflection on the experiences of 'vocational' transition within the context of post-16 sports education." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10036/3097.
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This PhD study explores the transitional experiences of working class students between institutions of Further Education and Higher Education within the field of post-16 sports education. It draws its empirical illustration from the interview and ethnographic data collected over an 18 month period between October 2007 and July 2009 from a group of six students who had enrolled on a vocational FDSc Foundation Degree qualification. The study is comprised of two interrelated parts: Part I of the study illustrates the conceptual and methodological considerations which have driven the exploration of the student experience. The theoretical approach for investigating these experiences is informed by the structurationist perspective of Rob Stones (Stones, 2005). Stones conceptualises the relations between agent and structure four interlinked areas: External Structures, Internal Structures, Active Agency and Outcomes. Conceptualising transitional experience in this manner offers possibilities for a more contextually sensitive, refined, developed and ultimately adequate ontology of structuration. In further developing the framework, the study draws upon the sociological understanding of Basil Bernstein and Pierre Bourdieu. The incorporation of these two distinguishable but related perspectives allows the framework to inform an understanding of the interconnections between the sanctioned practices of a context, the role of agents within a context and the power capacities that are derived from these relations (Mouzelis, 1991; Morrison, 2005). In doing so, it provides a number of lenses in understanding the practices and relations between Further and Higher Education and the consequences of this for agents who enter this transition. Part II critically reflects on the participants experiences. Drawing upon data collected at three institutions: Hope Further Education College (HFEC), Fawlty University-College (FUC) and Ivory Tower University (ITU), the study discusses and explores in depth how the relations between the participants and the external structures of the institutions begin to form three identifiable and conceptually distinguishable transitional experiences which are seen to be either Empowering, Fragmented or Failed. In reflecting upon such relations and experiences, the study suggests that discourses of opportunity surrounding vocational qualifications forwarded to these students prior to, and during their course, is rather more complex than previously illustrated and for some functions as more of a myth than empowering discourse. Rather than providing equal possibility, the relations and transitional experiences that are currently produced only afford restricted opportunities to students choosing this vocational pathway within post-16 sports education. In conclusion, the study begins to discuss the implications of the relations and experiences highlighted for present and prospective relations and practices, asking whether change is possible, creating equal possibilities, not restricted opportunity.
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Petersen, Nabeel. "The representation of children and childhood in the Children's Amendment Act (41 of 2007)." University of the Western Cape, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11394/5394.
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Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS)Until fairly recently studies of children as actively engaged in the production of meaning making in their social lives has been overlooked, ignored or received marginal attention within the contemporary social sciences (Caputo 1995). There has since however been considerable growth in literature dedicated to extending our understanding of childhood (Hardman 1973; Caputo 1995; Waksler 1996; Morss 2002; Korbin 2003; Sawyer 2002). This has resulted in an emergent sense of legitimacy and focus on the role of children "as active and creative social actors" in society, particularly in the field of anthropology of children (Reis, 2006) and the establishment of the 'new' sociology of childhood. The point of departure for these emergent theoretical frameworks concern the traditional devaluing of childhood and children's perspectives in favour of "...a recurring set of dominant ideas within political and academic domains that draws a generational boundary between adults and children, in the process restricting children to subordinate and protected social roles" (Wyness 200:1 in Smith 2009:253). According to James & James (2004:76 in Smith 2009:252) law is a centrally important mediating influence in the social construction of childhood as vulnerable passive bystanders. This resonates with Moses who states that the rights prioritised for children within the South African Constitution are "protection-oriented conceiving children as vulnerable citizens rather than citizens with agency" (2008:329). Furthermore, according to Moses (2008:333) the conception of children in South African policy and that which underlies national service delivery, belies or contradicts perceptions of children as "active, meaning-makers, employing a range of coping strategies". This research therefore explores the representation of children and childhood within the Children‘s Amendment Act (41 of 2007); that is whether they are displayed as "active, meaning-making" citizens or passive vulnerable bystanders; and seeks to contrast that representation with the reality of children's worldviews, decision-making capabilities in their social lives in an attempt to highlight children as citizens with agency. The study used a qualitative exploratory approach which employed a range of qualitative research tools. Data was collected through a policy analysis, research workshops and focus 2 group discussions. Purposive sampling was used to compile a child sample composed of nine girls and ten boys. A social constructionist framework was used to thematically analyse the data. The results suggest that there are two general representations of children and childhood within the Act (41 of 2007); namely "the vulnerable child" and "the child as citizen and agent". The study offers recommendations for further research and improvements for service provision directed toward children, child welfare and childcare.
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Pekane, Ayanda. "Adoption of cloud computing to enhance project management processes and outcomes in South Africa in the private sector." Thesis, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11838/1404.
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Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Information Technology Department of Information Technology in the Faculty of Informatics and Design at Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyProject Management (PM) is defined as the application of tools and techniques to direct the use of diverse resources toward the accomplishment of a task within time, cost and quality constraints. In the information age, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has emerged as an enabling tool, resource and a facilitator of the PM practice. With ICT as a major enabler of efficiencies in PM, the adoption of new ICT systems and tools have improved processes and outcomes in PM. The main argument is that cloud computing has a great potential to improve efficiencies in PM. The problem at the time of writing however, was that it was not clear whether this innovation was understood and maximally exploited by the PM community of practice in South Africa. Efficiency of PM is critical to competitiveness and growth in all sectors. Thus, the objective of this study was to explore the adoption of ICT systems and tools particularly cloud computing, to advance the practical objectives PM in the private sector. Due to the socio-technical nature of the current study, the interpretivist approach together with a qualitative research method, as well as the purposive sampling technique were adopted for the study. In essence, 8 respondents consisting of 2 academic experts, 4 technology literate project managers and 2 client service providers of cloud computing were selected. Together with the Structuration Theory (ST) as an analytical framework and the content analysis technique was used to contextualise and to analyse data. Findings show an acceptable level of awareness of cloud computing in the private sector. Nevertheless, negative perceptions that may threaten the adoption of cloud computing in PM in the private sector also emerged in the findings. Otherwise, PM has gained popularity in the sector. As the findings further reflect however, standards have tended to be compromised by cynics in the discipline. Positive developments are that the project failure rate is on the decline, which is further enhanced by the adoption of new innovative technological tools and systems. Rigid organisational norms also re-enforce resistance to change. It is, thus, recommended for project managers to review cloud-computing benefits in accordance with their requirements. In conclusion then, resources have not only proved to be a significant matter in PM, but also instrumental in advancing PM efficiencies, leading to improved PM successes. In the light of emergent shortfalls however, executive managers and project managers should keep themselves informed and be open to changes that can advance the organisational course.
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Friend, Lesley M. "Global trajectories: Power-geometries, cultural differences, and sociomateriality in school practices in two nations." Thesis, Australian Catholic University, 2020. https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/download/f5f942bd351418e706b64990179819f30fb538c171b757801ff6528a9a76a5cb/31656521/Friend_2020_Global_trajectories_power_geometries_cultural_differences_Redacted.pdf.
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Globalisation is an all-encompassing and ubiquitous phenomenon—its consequential flows play an increasingly pervasive and profound role in most aspects of modern life in most societies across most of the world. Globalisation speeds up cultural transmission. Through vast and improved systems of transport and communication, an unprecedented migratory flow of people has increased the opportunities for different cultures to have more frequent interactions in local places like classrooms. Classrooms are now constituted by an ever-increasing array of cultural differences, as teachers and students move across once closed national boundaries to co-mingle with people unlike them. Teachers who stay in their home countries are no less affected as more and more of the world’s people migrate in response to displacement, opportunity and global markets. Other global flows, like educational policies and curricula, learning materials and ideas, accompany this people mobility into many classrooms across the world. This research is timely as much of the world in general, and education in particular, is uneasy about current global people flows that bring differences to local places like schools and classrooms. What goes on in classrooms, with respect to cultural differences, is the concern of this research. In the classrooms of the two geographically dispersed primary schools in Australia and United Arab Emirates, this research asks: How are cultural differences positioned in the lower primary classrooms in two different nations in the context of globalisation? This is explored through the following sub-questions, which are matched to the data sets: 1. In what ways do global flows of people and curriculum intersect with power-geometries in the social relations of each school and classroom? 2. What do teachers and school leaders say about how cultural differences are expressed and catered for in the schools and the classrooms? 3. How do cultural differences interplay with sociomateriality in book reading and learning centres in each classroom? Accordingly, this research studies teachers and students in two lower primary classrooms—one in Brisbane, Australia and the other in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. The research has been deliberately configured to study a world where cultural differences are increasingly growing, experienced and sometimes problematic. The methodology for this work is based on critical ethnography, following Carspecken, applied to generate new understandings of how cultural differences influence the typical and routine actions of teachers and students as they interface with systems, with each other, as well as materials in their classrooms. Utilising a multidimensional approach to data analysis this study combines discourse and pragmatic horizon analysis to analyse an array of data representative of the everyday social actions of teachers and students in each school and classroom. The research framework is situated in Massey’s theory of place, Giddens’ structuration theory and Fenwick’s theory of sociomateriality enables an examination of the linkages between schools and the broader sociocultural and material worlds in which each is contextualised, as well as the social interaction within. How these linkages, as global flows, work to structure the nature of social relations in each classroom is the essence of this inquiry. The analysis generated four important findings about cultural differences in each classroom. The first illuminates that global flows, of people and curriculum, work as geometries of power to construct and contrive the social relationships in each school and classroom in ways that privilege some and marginalise others; the second, that the catering for and expression of cultural differences happens differently at each school—such differences manifest through powerful structuring dimensions of the social system to dominate, signify and legitimate some cultural practices over others. A third finding highlights that access, ease and familiarity with the material worlds of lower primary classrooms, where there is a reliance on a sociomateriality for learning, appears to be influenced by cultural differences. The thesis overall, and fourth finding, is that in each school and classroom—contextualised in geographical and culturally distinct environs—white western educational ideologies dominate and position the cultural differences of class members. The intended contribution of this research is to report on the ways that cultural differences—a consequence of global flows which bring an increasing cultural dynamism to the classrooms of this study—is positioned in the social action of teachers and students, as they go about their normal school day. A further contribution stems from the harnessing of seldom used, but in this case productive, social theories in educational research. There is limited application of the theories of place, following Massey, and Giddens’ structuration theory to investigate classroom social action with respect to globalisation. Its significance lies in the fact that there a paucity of research about cultural differences in primary classrooms, particularly with respect to its interplay with sociomateriality. Given the current world unrest that plagues our media and everyday lives with mixed messages about refugee boats, defensive and exclusionary walls, Islam, and white supremacy this research will have important stories to relate with respect to educating children for active, safe and informed participation in a future unsettled world.
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Fernie, Scott. "Making sense of supply chain management in UK construction organisations : theory versus practice." Thesis, Loughborough University, 2005. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/7740.
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Supply chain management is one of the newest and most fashionable managerial concepts to be sponsored by those organisations responsible for setting the change agenda in the construction sector. Its success elsewhere, its promise of productivity improvement and 'best practice' pedigree form the basis of arguments for its adoption in the construction sector. There are a number of assumptions that underpin this argument that are largely ignored by the promoters of such change and the construction management research community. Most notably, the transferability and utility of supply chain management in the context of organisations competing in the construction sector. However, it is argued in this thesis that these arguments fail to engage with the recursive relationship between context and practice. Managerial practice does not exist in a vacuum. The research therefore sets out to test the theory of supply chain management in the construction sector. In doing so, the research approach is informed by and draws on contextual approaches that are highly sensitive to the recursive relationship between context and practice. A multiple case study research strategy was chosen that sought to provide explanations for how practitioners make sense of supply chain management in the context of their organisations and forms the basis of theory testing. These explanations also provided a wealth of empirical evidence to test the assumptions that underpin calls for change in the construction sector. It is concluded that supply chain management does not make sense in the construction sector and that calls for its adoption lacked intellectual rigour and were indeed acontextual.
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Nasution, Muhamad Faisal Fariduddin Attar. "Institutionalization of Information Security: Case of the Indonesian Banking Sector." VCU Scholars Compass, 2012. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/2825.
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This study focuses on the institutionalization of information security in the banking sector. This study is important to pursue since it explicates the internalization of information security governance and practices and how such internalization develops an organizational resistance towards security breach. The study argues that information security governance and practices become institutionalized through social integration of routines and system integration of relevant technologies. The objective is to develop an understanding of how information security governance and practices in the Indonesian banking sector become institutionalized. Such objective is built on an argument that information security governance and practices become institutionalized through social integration of routines and system integration of relevant technologies. Pursuing this study is necessary to conceptualize the incorporation of security governance and practices as routines, the impact of security breaches on such routines, and the effects of a central governing body on such routines altogether. Accordingly, the concept of institutionalization is developed using Barley and Tolbert’s (1997) combination of institutional theory and structuration theory to explain the internalization of security governance and practices at an organizational level. Scott’s (2008) multilevel institutional processes based on institutional theory is needed to elaborate security governance and practices in an organization-to-organization context. The research design incorporates the interpretive case-study method to capture communicative interactions among respondents. Doing so provides answers to the following research questions: (1) how institutions internalize information security governance and practices, (2) how an external governing body affects the institutionalization of information security governance and practices in institutions, and (3) how security breaches re-institutionalize information security governance and practices in institutions. Several important findings include the habitualized security routines, information stewardship, and institutional relationship in information-security context. This study provides contributions to the body of literature, such as depicting how information security becomes internalized in an organization and the interaction among organizations engaged in implementing information security.
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Hayen, Mats. "Stadens puls : En tidsgeografisk studie av hushåll och vardagsliv i Stockholm, 1760-1830." Doctoral thesis, Stockholm University, Department of History, 2007. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:su:diva-6649.
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This study addresses the question of change in household structure and the reproduction of “life from day to day”. It is based on structuration theory, time-geography and Allan Pred’s theory of place as historically contingent process. Large households are viewed as tokens of the early modern era, and the appearance of small households can therefore be seen as signs of modernisation. But the decline in size of the average household was not dramatic, it went from 3.53 people per household in 1760 to 3.31 people in 1830. By the composition of different occupational groups in the city in 1760 and 1830, it is evident that the decline of the textile industry, the low activity in the building trades and the decrease of residential sailors – and the subsequent rise of petty trade and traditional handicrafts – gave a strong influx of traditional elements to the evolution of the household. In contrast to this there were a number of “new” or more modern elements that can be seen as precursors to the structure of daily life in the modern era. One of these was a rising number of households which were small and headed by people who earlier in history would have been household members – and not heads of households. The structure of daily life and its reproduction from day-to-day is also analysed in the study. This pattern was both affected by certain changes in the overall household structure, and by two phenomena that directly had an impact on the recreation of life from day to day. The first of these was the “food money”, a substitution of money for the right to food in the employers house, and the second was a move from the right to lodgings in the employers’ home to the need of living quarters elsewhere. Both of these phenomena acted on the “structure of daily life”, and helped to alter the focus of daily life, that is to turn it away from the productive households and put more attention on the streets and on the households that only served as reproductive units.
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Mpofu-Mketwa, Tsitsi Jane. "‘Asihlali Phantsi!': a study of agency among isiXhosa-speaking women traders in a Cape Town township." Doctoral thesis, Faculty of Humanities, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32844.
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This study examined how isiXhosa-speaking women street traders in Cape Town's Langa Township exercised agency in responding to similar structural constraints and opportunities that affected their livelihoods. Drawing on Giddens's Structuration Theory and Sen's Capabilities Approach, I unpacked and conceptualised agency as five dimensions (reflexivity, motivation, rationality, purposive action and transformative capacity). This analytical framework was then used to assess the ways in which women from a poor township community exercised their agency as street traders. A case study methodology (n=25) was adopted using participant observation and in-depth interviews. Miles and Huberman's thematic coding approach guided the qualitative analysis. The study found that structurally imposed constraints were rooted in class, multiple sources of power dynamics, and material constraints related to health; while opportunities emanated from market mechanisms of supply and demand, community social support systems in the form of social capital and social networks, family support and statutory social welfare programmes. Other key findings included resistance to patriarchy, cultural norms and practices, such as submission to abusive partners and unreasonable demands from extended family members. The findings report structure and agency as mutually constitutive in so far as familial circumstances, previous work experience, social capital, educational achievements and temporality either reinforced or diminished the participants' agency. Three profiles of agency among the women traders emerged from the data. The profiles demonstrated varying degrees of enablement (most enabled, moderately enabled and least enabled) and that individual agency was a distinguishing factor. Reflexivity, as a dimension of agency, presented as more fluid and malleable than the other four dimensions. The findings show that agency is reasonably elastic and it can expand capabilities and opportunities for enablement. Finally, the study proposed a diagnostic tool for assessing and enhancing agency with potential applications in entrepreneurial training for development. My study contributes to a theoretical understanding of the concept of agency, the role it plays in development at a micro-level and criteria for assessment. Furthermore, lessons learnt from the profiles can be applied to development practice and entrepreneurial training among African women traders.
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Sharp, Michael. "Critical Curriculum and Just Community: Making Sense of Service Learning in Cincinnati." University of Cincinnati / OhioLINK, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1504873354233125.
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Luzecka, Paulina Monika. "Gap year travel as a social practice : a study of long-haul flying in the age of climate change." Thesis, University of Exeter, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/27988.
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The continued growth of aviation poses a major challenge to climate change mitigation. Many argue that absolute reductions in greenhouse gas emissions will not be possible without restricting demand and call for fundamental changes in travel patterns, particularly flying shorter distances. However, research shows that voluntary behaviour change in this area is unlikely: even those who express concern over aviation emissions are unwilling to sacrifice their travel plans for the sake of the environment. It has been argued, therefore, that researchers and policy makers should direct their attention to the collective nature of unsustainable air travel, rather than blaming individual passengers for their “choices”. This thesis provides an in-depth and socially situated understanding of long-haul flying within the gap year context, which is an increasingly popular activity for the British youth. Drawing on Giddens’s structuration theory and using data from a study, which employed a variety of qualitative research methods, this thesis first positions the gap year as a social practice, characterized by shared social meanings, norms and resources; second, it explores factors influencing its current long-haul character; and third, examines the role of agency in gap year participation and mobility decisions. The findings suggest that travel to (often several) long-haul destinations is a particularly desirable, appropriate and convenient way of “doing a gap year” and that opportunities for making more sustainable choices, whilst not completely absent, are constrained. Moreover, the rules and resources that form the terrain for action for prospective gap year takers are shaped by numerous networked agents. As such, this thesis joins the calls for redefining the problem of unsustainable mobility from that of individual “choice” to collective travel practices. Strong structuration is suggested as a particularly useful conceptual framework to study non-routine forms of travel, such as gap years. Policy implications are discussed, specifically potential interventions that could shift the gap year practice into a more sustainable trajectory, or substitute it for a less carbon-intensive equivalent.
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Murray-Webster, Ruth. "What does it take for organizations to change themselves? : the influences on the internal dynamics of organizational routines undergoing planned change." Thesis, Cranfield University, 2014. http://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/8431.
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Accomplishing desired benefits from investments in planned change is
problematical for organizations, their leaders and the change agents charged
with delivery. This is despite a well-developed literature, replete with advice on
how change should be achieved. Examination of this literature shows the
primary focus on change agents and their practices.
This research widens the focus by observing the influence of change agents,
change recipients and line managers on organizational routines undergoing
planned change. It examines the interplay between stability and change in
organizational routines, adopting a social practice perspective, and the routine
intended to change as the unit of analysis (Feldman and Pentland, 2003, 2005).
The research builds on claims that to understand the patterns of action within
routines requires the internal dynamics – the claimed duality between ostensive
(in principle) and performative (in practice) aspects - to be examined.
A research method to operationalize the study of this claimed duality was
devised following the principles of Strong Structuration (Stones, 2005). This
method enabled a unique conceptualization of the study of routine dynamics,
focused on planned change from the perspective of multiple, interdependent
actors. Two cases of change agents following the advice in the planned change
literature were explored. In one case, stability of the routine persisted when
change was intended. In the other, change was relatively easy to achieve
irrespective of change agent actions.
The primary contribution is the demonstration of how the attitudes to change of
change recipients, line managers and change agents influence the internal
dynamics of routines undergoing planned change. Other contributions pertain to
the method of ‘unpacking’ organizational routines and its potential for shaping
future practice. This research does not offer new ‘normative’ advice but instead
sensitizes planned change practitioners to the level of analysis they need to
carry out to ensure that their interventions are suitably designed.
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SANTOS, Ijon Augusto Borges dos. "Condicionantes do uso efetivo de big data e business analytics em organizações privadas: atitudes, aptidão e resultados." Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, 2016. https://repositorio.ufpe.br/handle/123456789/18538.
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Dissertação de Mestrado_PROPAD_UFPE_Ijon Santos.pdf: 3007544 bytes, checksum: c798b542d8e9f98334c33dbb694d633e (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-10T18:23:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Dissertação de Mestrado_PROPAD_UFPE_Ijon Santos.pdf: 3007544 bytes, checksum: c798b542d8e9f98334c33dbb694d633e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-31
A presente dissertação busca explicar os fatores condicionantes para a adoção efetiva de Big Data e Business Analytics por parte das Organizações Privadas de Pernambuco em termos de atitudes, aptidão e resultados. Para esse fim, um apanhado teórico-conceitual é reunido sobre o avanço no tráfego de dados na era da Revolução Digital e a predisposição das organizações em se apropriar das tecnologias compatíveis de informação e comunicação que transformam o modus faciendi e o modus pensandi da sociedade. No corpus de pesquisa se destacam duas teorias fundamentadoras: A Teoria da Mediação Cognitiva e a Teoria da Estruturação (base do Modelo de Estruturação de Tecnologia). Ambas exploradas no cerne da questão da dualidade tecnologia-uso, em que o convívio com artefatos tecnológicos em interação com as ações humanas inicia um processo mútuo de influência entre esses elementos, constituindo uma nova modalidade de mediação denominada Hipercultura. Em um método quantitativo de pesquisa, tais construtos serão relacionados entre si e investigados em 183 líderes estratégicos pernambucanos, além de comparados com indivíduos equivalentes de outras naturalidades e nacionalidades por meio de um formulário especialmente preparado. Os resultados obtidos indicam o nível de prontidão das empresas sobre este tema e a relação com o sucesso ou fracasso, quando considerados os níveis de hipercultura, de capacidade analítica e das condições de Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação existentes nas empresas. Ao final do estudo, são levantados possíveis desdobramentos para os conceitos introduzidos.
The present dissertation seeks to explain the determining factors for the effective adoption of Big Data and Business Analytics on Pernambuco’s Private Organization in terms of attitudes, skills and results. For this purpose, a theoretical-conceptual caught is gathered about the progress in data traffic in the Digital Revolution age and the willingness of organizations to take ownership of supported technologies of information and communication that transform the modus faciendi and the modus pensandi of the society. In the research corpus stand two essential theories: The Cognitive Mediation Networks Theory and the Structuration Theory (base Structurational Model of Technology). Both explored the matter of duality-use technology, in which the interaction with technological artifacts interacting with human actions starts a process of mutual influence between these elements, constituting a new form of mediation called Hyperculture. In a quantitative search method, such constructs will be related to each other and investigated 183 strategic leaders from Pernambuco, and equivalents compared to individuals with other places of birth and nationality using a specially prepared form. The results may indicate the level of readiness of the companies on this issue and if there is, or not, relation with success or failure, when considering the hyperculture levels, analytical capacity and conditions of information and communication technologies in the existing companies. At the end of the study a several possible developments, implications, and applications for the concepts introduced are presented.
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Asikin-Garmager, Asih. "Indonesian public school principals' enactment of agency within the boundaries set by social systems." Diss., University of Iowa, 2017. https://ir.uiowa.edu/etd/5409.
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Background: Indonesian schools are in the midst of implementing a new reform initiative, the 2013 Curriculum, mandated by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture. The new curriculum requires a drastic change in instructional practices from the traditionally teacher-centered to student-centered instruction. As school leaders, principals play an important role in the implementation and enactment of the 2013 Curriculum in schools. This research explores the leadership practices of Indonesian school principals in facilitating the implementation of new reform policies and initiatives.
Purpose: The study served two purposes. The first was to examine Indonesian public school principals’ enactment of agency within the boundaries set by the social systems around them as they implemented the 2013 Curriculum. The second purpose was to develop a framework that can be used as a lens to further study school leadership practices in the context of Indonesia. Two research questions guided this study: (1) What leadership practices are shaped by which social systems and values? and (2) How does principal agency manifest when implementing the 2013 Curriculum? Responses to the research questions were used to develop the framework.
Data Collection and Analysis: A case study for theory development approach to qualitative research was used. The study took place in the northern area of a small island located in east Indonesia. The primary source of data came from multiple interviews with three public elementary school principals whose schools served as pilot schools for the 2013 Curriculum. In addition to principal interviews, interview with teachers, documents, and observation field notes served as data sources. The data collected were analyzed and manually coded following the data analysis procedures of grounded theory. In the first coding cycle, I coded the data by assigning descriptive and InVivo codes summarizing topics. The second coding cycle involved assigning concepts and categories based on the open codes from the first cycle with a focus on the principals’ actions in facilitating the implementation process. In the third cycle, I compared the concepts and categories to respond to the research questions and examined the relationships between the concepts and categories to develop the framework from the ground up.
Findings: The data analyzed indicated there are three major systems shaped the principals’ leadership practices during the implementation of the 2013 Curriculum: the educational system, the local culture and community, and the school system. In addition to the three systems, the principals’ personal and professional values served to guide the way they led their schools in alignment with the goals of the 2013 Curriculum. The systems and values provided them with rules and resources on which the principals drew in deciding specific actions to perform in order to meet the written and unwritten expectations of their stakeholders. The principals’ enactment of agency was primarily in the form of complying with government orders and balancing expectations from multiple systems, which, then, led to the discovery of three leadership categories in the implementation process: (1) compliance, (2) negotiation, and (3) independence. Compliance refers to those practices the principals perform to satisfy government expectations. Negotiation refers to practices the principals perform in their efforts to juggle expectations and pressures coming from multiple systems. Independence refers to practices the principals perform as they respond to government policies and regulations, as well as community expectations, in a way that is aligned with their personal and professional values.
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Zouine, Abdesamad. "The Critical Success Factors of ERP system in management control function : toward a new analytical approach based on Structuration & Actor Network Theories." Thesis, Clermont-Ferrand 1, 2015. http://www.theses.fr/2015CLF10485.
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L'objectif de cette thèse consiste à étudier le phénomène de succès du système ERP dans le contrôle de gestion à travers l'identification, l'analyse et la classification des principaux facteurs critiques de succèsThe aim of this thesis is to investigate the phenomenon of the ERP system success within management control context through identifying, analyzing and classifying the main critical success factors
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Labescat, Gil. "La ritualisation dans la trajectoire du mourir : l'action rituelle funéraire : enquête sur la crémation France-Québec." Thesis, Strasbourg, 2016. http://www.theses.fr/2016STRAG010/document.
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Cette thèse de doctorat propose de comprendre la spécificité rituelle des pratiques funéraires au début du XXIe siècle. Les analyses rituelles classiques (interactionnistes et structuro-fonctionnalistes) nous ont conduit à nous intéresser au processus rituel plutôt qu’au rituel lui-même et à cheminer par l’entremise d’une approche de l’action rituelle, plutôt que par celle des fonctions ou des symboles. Pour restreindre la part de réalité sociale étudiée, nous avons considéré que, parmi les différentes transformations funéraires, le phénomène de la crémation était une porte d’entrée pour comprendre cette spécificité. Cette thèse poursuit un double objectif :1) Le premier objectif est descriptif. Dans la trajectoire du mourir, à partir d’une perspective relationnelle, nous avons exploré le processus funéraire, notamment celui ayant pour perspective la crémation comme mode de transformation du corps, en le décomposant comme une chaîne opératoire du mourir. Nos données sont recueillies par la méthode de la participation observante de pratiques au sein du milieu funéraire. L’exemplarité du phénomène crématiste, en tant que pratique réunissant les attributs de l’évolution récente funéraire à partir des années 1980, a dirigé notre sélection vers un échantillon diversifié dans deux contextes socioculturels (France et Québec) et deux agglomérations (Strasbourg et Montréal) où le taux de crémation est historiquement élevé. 2) Le second objectif consiste à comprendre la spécificité de la ritualisation funéraire à partir de ces données, en s’intéressant à l’action rituelle en train de se faire dans le processus funéraire, c’est-à-dire expliquer la mise en forme et en acte de relations sociales. Par-delà une lecture socioanthropologique de l’organisation des relations contextuelles de ritualisation, une lecture psychosociologique des actions rituelles complète l’interprétation. Notre compréhension de la spécificité du processus rituel funéraire fait apparaître la complexité relationnelle de cette pratique sociale : d’une part, en tant qu’actions interagies par et dans des relations interindividuelles, faisant appel à des ressources réflexives (habilitantes) et permettant la réduction de l’état de dissonance provoqué par la mort; d’autre part, en tant qu’actions enserrées par et dans les règles des systèmes sociaux. La mise à jour de la prépondérance de ces caractéristiques relationnelles dans la ritualisation funéraire actuelle a pour vocation de comprendre à la fois la diversification des pratiques funéraires et leur normalisationThis doctoral thesis aims to understand the specific ritual burial practices in the early twenty-first century. The classic ritual analyses (structural-functionalist and interactionist) led us to focus on the ritual process rather than on the ritual itself, so we adopted a ritual action perspective. To reduce the focus on the social reality studied, we posit that among the various transformations of funerals, the phenomenon of cremation is a gateway to understand this specificity. This thesis has two objectives: 1) The first is descriptive. In the path of dying, from a relational understanding, we explored the funeral process, notably the cremation, as a mode of body transformation as an operational chain of dying. Our data was collected through the method of observing participation in funeral practices. The phenomenon of cremation, as a practice combining the attributes of the recent funeral evolution from the 1980s, led to our selection of a diverse sample in two sociocultural contexts (France and Quebec) and two cities (Strasbourg and Montreal) where the cremation rate is historically high. 2) The second objective is to understand the burial ritual from this data, focusing on the ritual surrounding the funeral process, while explaining the setting, form and act of social relations. In addition to a socio-anthropological reading of the organisation of the contextual relations behind ritual, a psychosocial reading completes the interpretation of the ritual actions. Our comprehension of funerary rituals shows the complexity of this social practice. In one hand as actions, through interpersonal relations, appeal to reflexive resources (enabling) and allow the reduction of dissonant state caused by death. On the other hand, as actions surrounding the rules of the social system. This new data on the preponderance of these relational features within the current funeral rituals, aims to understand both the diversification of funeral practices and their standardisation
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Fors, Jonatan, and Annika Järnström. "När användaren kom bort." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Institutionen för informatik och media, 2015. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-266877.
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Today's technological development means that organizations are constantly evolving. This means that the market, which the organizations operate in, is constantly changing and becoming more complex to interpret. This development increases the demand to forecast possible outcomes and receive real-time information from the operations – i.e., obtain the most accurate data for decision-support. To make this possible, organizations need so-called ‘decision support systems’; IT-tools that rapidly provide decision makers with information based on relevant data. To obtain the highest possible value from the systems, they must seamlessly integrate and interact with the organization. This study examines how decision support systems, organizations and users relate to each other in an organizational context. The aim is to provide an insight into the limitations and possibilities of human behaviour, technological development and organizational structure to create and enable relevant and effective decision support systems. The paper’s theoretical framework is based on Orlikowski’s (1992) structurational model. The empirical material consists of semi-structured interviews, which are analysed based on Orlikowski’s model. The results show that although there is a common understanding on how the different factors should interact in order for the decision support systems to function the respondents neglected their own influence as users of the systems.Dagens teknikutveckling medför att organisationer hela tiden utvecklas och förändras. Det i sin tur medför att den marknad organisationer agerar på förändras och blir alltmer komplex att tolka. Denna utveckling ökar efterfrågan att förutspå sannolika utfall, få information om verksamheten i realtid, kort sagt få ett korrekt beslutsunderlag. För att detta ska vara möjligt behövs IT-verktyg som snabbt kan förse beslutsfattare med underlag som grundar sig på relevanta data, så kallade beslutsstödsystem. För att få ut mesta möjliga värde från beslutsstödsystemen ställs höga krav på att de integreras och samverkar med organisationen. I studien undersöks hur beslutsstödsystem, organisationer och användare förhåller sig till varandra i en organisatorisk kontext. Målet är att ge en inblick i de begränsningar och möjligheter människors agerande, teknikens utveckling och organisationens struktur skapar för att möjliggöra relevanta och effektiva system för beslutsstöd. Studiens teoretiska ramverk tar sin utgångspunkt i Orlikowskis (1992) struktureringsmodell. Det empiriska materialet utgörs av semistrukturerade intervjuer som analyseras med utgångspunkt från Orlikowskis modell. Resultatet visar att även om det överlag finns en förståelse för hur olika faktorer bör samspela för att beslutsstödsystemen ska fungera, tonar respondenterna ner sin egen betydelse som användare av systemen.
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Seffrin, Vinícius. "Análise de fatores determinantes do uso de intranets e portais corporativos." reponame:Biblioteca Digital de Teses e Dissertações da UFRGS, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10183/28053.
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O objetivo deste trabalho é contribuir para uma compreensão mais clara sobre o desenvolvimento de intranets e portais corporativos nas organizações, através da análise do principal determinante do sucesso desses projetos: o uso efetivo da tecnologia. Para atingir esse objetivo, esta pesquisa adota uma visão multidimensional, considerando tanto a perspectiva individual como a organizacional. O suporte teórico advém de extensa revisão das pesquisas já publicadas sobre o tema, compreendendo elementos retirados da teoria da estruturação de Giddens e de modelos consagrados de aceitação da tecnologia, como UTAUT e TAM. A metodologia consiste de estudo de caso em três organizações do setor público, com estruturas bastante semelhantes, mas que desenvolveram suas intranets de modo independente. A análise dos contextos organizacionais demonstrou que o uso da tecnologia nos casos estudados, na prática, ainda é muito limitado. Os resultados da pesquisa revelam que esse uso é resultado da conjunção de complexos elementos. Além das deficiências na funcionalidade da tecnologia, os indivíduos não reconheceram a utilidade prática das intranets e, do mesmo modo, não se sentem estimulados a usar a tecnologia. Essa realidade é consequência de problemas na gestão da tecnologia, como a falta de participação efetiva de setores estratégicos, que aliados a aspectos estruturais das organizações, como a divisão entre os setores e a acentuada especialização funcional, contribuem para a manutenção desse quadro. Em sua maioria, esses elementos constituem práticas já institucionalizadas nas organizações, reforçadas pelo comportamento de seus membros no fluir de suas interações.The goal of this paper is to help provide a clearer understanding of the development of intranets and corporate portals in organizations, by examining the main determinant behind the success of these projects: the effective use of technology. To achieve this goal, this study uses a multidimensional approach, considering both the individual and organizational perspective. The theoretical support is based on an extensive review of already published research on the subject, including elements drawn from Gidden's theory of structuration and renowned technology acceptance models, such as UTAUT and TAM. The methodology consists of a case study in three public sector organizations, with very similar structures, but which developed their intranets independently. The analysis of the organizational contexts demonstrated that the use of technology in the cases studied is still, in practice, very limited. The research findings show that using it is the result of a complex conjunction of elements. Besides the shortcomings in the functionality of the technology, people have not recognized the usefulness of intranets and, likewise, do not feel attracted to use the technology. This reality is a consequence of problems in technology management, such as lack of effective participation of strategic sectors, which combined with structural aspects of organizations, like the division between sectors and accentuated job specialization, contribute toward maintaining this state of affairs. Most of these elements are already institutionalized practices in organizations, reinforced by the behavior of their members in the course of their interactions.
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Boland, Brodie James. "Generative Disruption: The Subversive Effects of Collaboration." Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies / OhioLINK, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1386265167.
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Söderström, Åsa. "”Att göra sina uppgifter, vara tyst och lämna in i tid” : Om elevansvar i det högmoderna samhället." Doctoral thesis, Karlstad University, Faculty of Arts and Education, 2006. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:kau:diva-788.
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The aim of this thesis is to describe and analyse pupils’ and teachers’ views on pupils’ responsibility for their schoolwork and how this relates to a more comprehensive ideology of school and today’s high modern society. The analysis is inspired by Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory and the concepts of discursive consciousness, practical consciousness, rules, routines and resources.
At school level pupils’ and teachers’ views of pupils’ responsibility is shown in their practical and discursive consciousness. To capture this consciousness, observations were made during fifteen lessons in school year 9 (15-16 years of age). These lessons - “study times” - were introduced to increase freedom of choice, flexibility and responsibility. Sixty-eight pupils and twenty-two teachers were interviewed. The ideology expressed in pupils’ and teachers’ views on pupils’ responsibility was related to the official school ideology expressed in the national curriculum. Finally, an analysis was carried out inspired by Anthony Giddens’ and Ulrich Beck´s concepts used in their descriptions of the high modern society, individualism and value-relativism.
The results showed a discursive consensus between teachers and pupils concerning their views pupils’ responsibility for their schoolwork. The meaning of responsibility was taken for granted and implied doing the school tasks and to complete them in time. Both teachers and pupils expressed that many pupils’ have difficulties in taking this responsibility. A discrepancy between the pupils’ discursive and practical consciousness was found.
Rules and routines were created by the teachers to control the freedom of space offered during the “study times”. The pupils legitimated the teachers’ controlling function but in practice they offer resistance against the demand for responsibility.
The overall analysis identified three issues that are important for further discussions in research and educational practice. Responsibility and learning: Responsibility was observed as a part of a “culture of doing” separated from learning as such. Also, responsibility was linked to individual work. The freedom offered during the “study times” was used by both pupils, and teachers, to build relationships. This means that relationships were not created through work but rather despite it. Responsibility and the view of the pupils’: In pupils’ and teachers’ view of responsibility pupils were easy going, ruled by lust and/or responsible but not always according to the conditions stipulated by the school. The pupils were offered a freedom to choose but they were also held responsible for the consequences. While they could make the choice not to work, this would influence the evaluation of the achievements, and in reality make it a “non-choice”. The freedom was limited and conditioned. Responsibility as a democratic principle: The connection between responsibility and pupil participation expressed in the national curriculum was not to be found in pupils’ and teachers’ views of responsibility. While the pupils were offered participation in relation to which assignments to choose to work with during the “study times”. They were not invited to shape the rules and the routines for the schoolwork or to have influence on the contents of the work or the working environment. The pupils’ did not ask for more participation, but rather feared it would lead to chaos. The separation between participation and responsibility indicated in the study is suggested to weaken the idea of responsibility as one of the democratic principles.
In conclusion: The view of pupils’ responsibility for their schoolwork was built upon an individualistic ideology. known from Giddens and Becks description of high modernity. In contrast to their description, however my results show no signs of value-relativism
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Tejay, Gurvirender. "Shaping Strategic Information Systems Security Initiatives in Organizations." VCU Scholars Compass, 2008. http://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1576.
Full textAbstract:
Strategic information systems security initiatives have seldom been successful. The increasing complexity of the business environment in which organizational security must be operationalized presents challenges. There has also been a problem with understanding the patterns of interactions among stakeholders that lead to instituting such an initiative. The overall aim of this research is to enhance understanding of the issues and concerns in shaping strategic information systems security initiative. To be successful, a proper undertaking of the content, context and process of the formulation and institutionalization of a security initiative is essential. It is also important to align the interconnections between these three key components. In conducting the argument, this dissertation analyzes information systems security initiatives in two large government organizations – Information Technology Agency and Department of Transportation. The research methodology adopts an interpretive approach of inquiry. Findings from the case studies show that the strategic security initiative should be harmonious with the cultural continuity of an organization rather than significantly changing the existing opportunity and constraint structures. The development of security cultural resources like security policy may be used as a tool for propagating a secure view of the social world. For secure organizational transformation, one must consider the organizational security structure, knowledgeability of agents in perceiving secure organizational posture, and global security catalysts (such as establishing trust relations and security related institutional reflexivity). The inquiry indicates that strategic security change would be successful in an organization if developed and implemented in a brief yet quantum leap adopting an emergent security strategy in congruence with organizational security values.
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Fejes, Mathias, and Fabian Persson. "Tillfället gör bedragaren : En kvalitativ studie om faktorer som begränsar, utvecklar och förändrar coopetitiva samarbeten inom den svenska bankbranschen." Thesis, Uppsala universitet, Företagsekonomiska institutionen, 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-390181.
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Denna studie undersöker hur konkurrenter inom den svenska bankbranschen har samarbetat kring en akut och växande säkerhetsrisk kopplad till gemensamt ägda produkter. Med utgång i en sammankoppling av coopetition, ett begrepp för att beskriva simultan konkurrens och samarbete, och Strong Structuration Theory, en växelverkan mellan struktur och handling, visar studien hur och varför samarbetet har förändrats över tid, vilka motsättningar som existerar och hur aktörerna samarbetar med bedrägerifrågor. Studiens tydliga implikationer är att coopetition utvecklas över tid som respons på den kontextuella omgivningen och strukturella förändringar inom den, att motsättningar inom coopetition inte bara är ett relationellt fenomen mellan två konkurrenter, och att bankbranschen gynnas av tydliga och externa samarbetsformer.
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Andreasson, Lisa, and Jönsson Johanna Olsson. "I am still unlearning it : A qualitative study of how Indian journalists perceive their reality from a gender perspective." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för medier och journalistik (MJ), 2016. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-52167.
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India experienced huge media coverage from all over the world associated with the Nirbhaya-case in 2012, when a young middleclass girl was brutally raped in a bus by five men in Delhi. After this horrifying incident a lot of demonstrations followed all over India. Women in the urban areas was arguing for the same rights as men and was standing up for a more equal society where everybody is able to live as freely as someone else, no matter what gender you was born with. This study aim to examine what experiences, perceptions and opinions Indian journalists in English written press have of their reality from a gender perspective. We wanted to know how and when Indian journalist represent women and if there is a certain way of thinking about representation of women in the media content. In interviews with a total of eleven journalists and ethnographic observations in two of India’s largest cities we tried to examine the structures and perceptions that influenced the journalist’s worldview and thus also the messages that appears in the news. By using the theory of structuration, agenda setting, performativity and intersectionality we examined what structures that the journalists live and operates within and how this is affecting the media content.
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Berg, Rebecka, and Agnes Edlund. "CSR-arbete & arbetsmotivation -En fallstudie om Corporate Social Responsibility–arbete, anställdas arbetsmotivation ochmöjligheten till aktörskap på företaget Husqvarna." Thesis, Örebro universitet, Institutionen för humaniora, utbildnings- och samhällsvetenskap, 2021. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-94150.
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Corporate Social Responsibility has become an increasingly important aspect for companiesto consider. Partly because it attracts customers and investors, and partly because societyplaces higher demands on companies to act as good citizens. Research has shown that anadditional effect of CSR work is that it can create a positive attitude among employees.Employees’ motivation to work can depend on a number of different factors, such as beingable to participate in and contribute to the decision-making process. The purpose of the studyis to investigate the relationship between organizations’ CSR work and employees’ workmotivation. Furthermore, the study looks into how the employees’ work motivation isaffected by the opportunity to influence the CSR work. The survey is a qualitative case studyof the organization Husqvarna and its results are based on interviews with employees and ananalysis of the company's documents. Its theoretical framework consists of George Homans’social exchange theory, Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory and Pinder and Lathamsmotivational framework. The results of the study show that CSR policies can contribute towork motivation. However, employees’ personal opinions of CSR work in general are ofgreat importance for how they value CSR policies. Moreover, the results suggest that theopportunity to participate in the CSR work is a motivating factor for most employees, eventhough organizational hierarchy and lack of time were described as obstacles. The studyreflects on whether these obstacles are what make some employees indifferent to CSR work.Corporate Social Responsibility-arbete har blivit en viktig komponent för företag. Dels då detattraherar kunder och investerare, dels då samhället ställer högre krav på företag att agerasom goda samhällsmedborgare. Forskning har visat att en ytterligare effekt av CSR-arbete ärdess skapande av en positiv inställning hos interna aktörer såsom anställda. Ytterligareforskning har däremot visat att anställdas inställning rörande CSR-arbete är komplext ochvidare behöver undersökas. Anställdas inställning och motivation till arbete och sinorganisation kan bero på ett flertal olika faktorer, där bland annat möjlighet till deltagandevisat sig ha betydelse. Syftet med studien är att undersöka förhållandet mellan organisationersCSR-arbete och de anställdas arbetsmotivation. Vidare undersöks hur de anställdasarbetsmotivation påverkas av den möjlighet som finns att medverka till och påverkaCSR-arbetet. Undersökningen är en kvalitativ fallstudie av organisationen Husqvarna ochdess resultat utgår från intervjuer med anställda samt från en analys av företagets dokument.Dess teoretiska ramverk består av George Homans sociala utbytesteori, Anthony Giddensstruktureringsteori samt Craig Pinder och Gary Lathams arbetsmotivationsram. Homanssociala utbytesteori bidrar till ökad förståelse i huruvida företagets CSR-arbete i sig kan ökamotivationen hos en anställd. Ett socialt utbyte i ett tvåpartsförhållande (såsom företaget ochden anställde) innebär att parterna söker jämvikt och gör detta genom att återbetala. Giddensstruktureringsteori förklarar hur möjligheten till att vara en aktör med möjlighet att delta ochpåverka strukturer (såsom CSR-arbete) kan öka arbetsmotivationen. Pinder och Lathamsarbetsmotivationsram beskriver att anställdas arbetsmotivation består av individuellavärderingar, behov, egenskaper och kognition. I studiens resultat framkommer attCSR-policys kan bidra till arbetsmotivation. Dock är anställdas personliga åsikter av viktgällande vilken grad CSR-policys påverkar arbetsmotivationen. Vidare antyder resultatet attmöjlighet till deltagande är en motivationsfaktor. Även om de anställda upplever möjlighettill aktörskap, uppgavs vissa hinder till att delta i CSR-arbetet. Studien reflekterar över omdessa hinder för anställda att kunna vara aktörer kan vara det som gör att somliga anställdablir likgiltiga inför CSR-arbetet.