This study is innovative in that it draws together the concepts of suggestion from several cultural groups and develops an inventory to account for variations the occurrence of scale to studies the relatively new area of the effects of suggestion in classrooms and compares effect on personality and academic variables. As new ideas and knowledge become more widespread and accepted by the community and teaching profession, precision in the applications of suggestion in the classroom is being seen as more important. Although new to education, suggestion and similar variations has always been central to influencing behaviour and learning among pastoral, counseling and hypnotherapy fields. Teachers who had experience or influence from those fields or the ideas of Lozanov (1978) or accelerated learning groups were and are more the exception than the rule. However, as new ideas become more influential, the influence of suggestion in is becoming increasingly important in progressive, modern education. A major goal of the study was to provide a valid instrument to compare Chinese and Australian differences and similarities in use of suggestion in learning. It was hoped that such a comparison would provide increased mutual understanding of values, strategies, practices and preferences by teachers and students. A second goal was to develop a causative model that explained the relationships between the measured variables of personality and learning behaviour and suggestion in teaching and learning.. A third aim was to make a comparison on effects and performance of suggestion in teaching and learning in Australian, Chinese and Australian accelerative learning classes. This study examined differences between Australian and Chinese high school Science classrooms in their use of suggestion in teaching and learning. To ascertain the prevalence and types of suggestion in the classroom the 39-item suggestion in teaching and learning (STL) scale was developed and validated v in Year 7, 9, and 11 high school classes in China and Australia. The STL scale categorized suggestion into the following types or subscales: Selfsuggestion, metaphor, indirect non-verbal suggestion, general spoken suggestion, negative suggestion, intuitive suggestion, direct verbal suggestion, relaxation, and de-suggestion. The study involved surveying 344 participants (n=182 female, n=162 male) from four high schools in Australia and China. A further 374 participants (n=108 teachers, n=266 students) from six high schools were surveyed for selecting a Chinese sample in a pilot study. About 284 participants (China: 200 students; Australia: 84 students [includes 8 adults]) were observed for validation of the STL instrument. All subjects and classes were randomly selected and were surveyed and observed for the purpose of scale and model development. The STL scale was found to be capable of distinguishing different types of suggestion within Chinese, Australian, and Australian Accelerative Learning classes. The STL scale was significant as a first scale to measure suggestion in teaching and learning in Australian and Chinese classrooms. Items in the scale were strongly and significantly correlated with other items within the subscales and with the overall scale. Path analytic techniques were used to explain relationships between the STL scale, its subscales, nation, gender and high school students profiles on stress, depression, learning styles and academic grades. Limitations of the study included problems arising from language and cultural differences as well as newness of the scale and the field of study. Recommendations for further study included strengthening aspects of the scale with new items and further qualitative and quantitative studies on the uses of suggestion in academic learning and other forms of change in childhood and adolescence.

<p>This thesis studies how experiences influence the development of institutional knowledge within business relationships. It contributes to international business research by clarifying how experience develops the institutional knowledge of firms and what outcome such knowledge development has on firms’ internationalizations. The thesis identifies a need to distinguish between different types of experiences when investigating institutional knowledge development. In addition, the thesis compares different types of knowledge with institutional knowledge as to understand how firms learn to overcome cultural ignorance. </p><p>The empirical setting consists of quantitative research of small- and medium sized firms. The findings show that market-specific experiences increases a firm’s institutional knowledge whereas experiences of multiple markets contribute to the firm’s perception of a greater need of institutional knowledge when conducting business with their specific partner. However, these experience effects are influenced by firms’ mode of operation (export vs. subsidiaries) in the international markets and mediated by cultural distance. Furthermore, the results show that despite the increased complexity that experiences of multiple markets lead to, such experiences increase a firm’s competence in foreign institutional environments. In addition, the findings show that firms lacking in ability to adapt their business also perceives a lack of knowledge about a country’s institutions and the customer.</p>

Physiotherapists treat people with different views of the world and medical beliefs, which require a good understanding of cultural differences. One way to achieve cultural understanding is through self-reflection in a new context. During five weeks the authors, two physiotherapy students, completed a clinical practice at the rehabilitation center Pina Palmera, Zipolite, Oaxaca, Mexico. At the beginning of the period a critical incident was chosen, when the head physiotherapist for the ward Cuidados Especiales intended to sell jewellery to the authors during a treatment of a patient. The authors have by using the reflection framework "Framework to guide reflective process", and Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) for analysis, discussed different ways of communication, adherence, education, and self-reflection and critical thinking. In the discussion the result was reflected against Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). The main conclusion drawn in this study was that self-reflection and critical thinking is necessary for both personal development, and the development of a workplace. Other findings were the recognition of the importance of an accurate mapping, and humility for the patients‟ view of the world and medical believes, to achieve adherence. The authors also came to the conclusion that there may be an ethical dilemma in compromising with patients regarding treatment. It may be difficult to meet patients in their faith and beliefs, and still work within the frames of the physiotherapists‟ legitimation.

When society is viewed in a social constructive manner, the social worker is as affected as the general population by the media and the image it portrays. A prejudice or bias social worker will not be as effective in his work as his intentions are. The purpose of this thesis was to discover if there are any visible cultural differences in the usage and description of the concept of psychopathy or a psychopath himself in the media, more specifically, daily newspapers. There are three American newspapers and three Swedish newspapers examined in this study. The study is based on a quantiative content analysis of articles published between 1st of January 2008 and 1st of July 2012. The collected data is categorized where the articles can fall under one or more of five available categories. Even though no clear results occurred, some interesting indications are visible between American newspapers and Swedish newspapers, but more so between different American newspapers. Psychopaths, people with an Antisocial Personality Disorder, are most frequently mentioned as criminals or maniacs/madmen in both countries with a modestly higher percentage for the United States of America. / När samhället blir sett ur ett socialkonstruktionistiskt perspektiv, blir socialarbetaren lika påverkad som den övriga populationen av den bild som media förmedlar och framställer. En fördomsfull eller partisk socialarbetare kommer inte att uppnå den effektivitet i sin profession som syftet med yrket innebär. Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka eller upptäcka om det finns några synliga kulturella skillnader i bruket och beskrivningen av psykopati som begrepp eller psykopaten som person i media, mer specifikt dagstidningar. I den här studien ingår tre amerikanska dagstidningar och tre svenska dagstidningar. Studien är baserad på en kvantitativ innehållsanalys av artiklar publicerade mellan 1:a januari 2008 och 1:a juli 2012. Den insamlade data är kategoriserad där varje artikel kan falla under en eller flera av fem förekommande kategorier. Även om det inte går att utläsa några tydliga resultat, föreligger indikationer som kan vara av intresse mellan amerikanska dagstidningar och svenska dagstidningar, men dessa är tydligare mellan de olika amerikanska dagstidningarna. Psykopater, människor som har en antisocial personlighetsstörning, beskrivs mestadels som kriminella eller galningar/dårar i båda ländernas dagstidningar med en viss högre procentuell representation vad gäller USA.

This thesis studies how experiences influence the development of institutional knowledge within business relationships. It contributes to international business research by clarifying how experience develops the institutional knowledge of firms and what outcome such knowledge development has on firms’ internationalizations. The thesis identifies a need to distinguish between different types of experiences when investigating institutional knowledge development. In addition, the thesis compares different types of knowledge with institutional knowledge as to understand how firms learn to overcome cultural ignorance. The empirical setting consists of quantitative research of small- and medium sized firms. The findings show that market-specific experiences increases a firm’s institutional knowledge whereas experiences of multiple markets contribute to the firm’s perception of a greater need of institutional knowledge when conducting business with their specific partner. However, these experience effects are influenced by firms’ mode of operation (export vs. subsidiaries) in the international markets and mediated by cultural distance. Furthermore, the results show that despite the increased complexity that experiences of multiple markets lead to, such experiences increase a firm’s competence in foreign institutional environments. In addition, the findings show that firms lacking in ability to adapt their business also perceives a lack of knowledge about a country’s institutions and the customer.

Aim: The aim of this present study was to assess the dental caries prevalence in children and adolescents aged 3-19 in the Nordic countries, and to examine if the caries prevalence is affected by socioeconomic and cultural differences. Method: The study is a literature review based on 20 scientific medical reports based on the aim of this study. Result: Decayed missed filled surfaces (dmfs) of the 3-year-olds varies from 0.3 to 0.99 and from 0.9 to 7.3 in 5-year-old children. The Nordic 12-year-olds have similar numerical values. In Nordic 14-year-olds caries prevalence increases. In the late teens there is a reduction in caries prevalence. Children at Greenland have five times more teeth decayed than other Danish children. Socioeconomic and cultural differences can affect the caries prevalence negatively. Conclusions: The caries prevalence in 3-19-year-olds in the Nordic countries, exceptGreenland, does not differ significantly between the countries. It is difficult to determine if the caries prevalence generally has decreased or increased in the Nordic countries. A higher caries prevalence can be seen in children with an immigrant background.

Bakgrund: De senaste 60 åren har karaktäriserats av företags flytt till nya marknader. Sveriges integration med EU tillåter fri rörlighet av varor, tjänster och arbetskraft vilket har bidragit till att både stora och små företag har större valmöjligheter till vidare expansion. Svenska entreprenörer som startar sin verksamhet på marknader som är tydligt skilda från den egna till både avstånd och kultur blir en allt vanligare syn. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att identifiera de problem och viktiga faktorer att ta hänsyn till som uppstår vid en marknadsetablering i ett annat land för svenska entreprenörer. Vidare ämnar studien även undersöka varför svenska entreprenörer förflyttar alternativt startar sin verksamhet i utlandet. Slutsats och resultat: Viktiga faktorerna att ta hänsyn till för svenska entreprenörer som etablerar sig i Spanien verkar utifrån denna studie framförallt vara kulturskillnader, legala problem som uppkommer under etableringen samt vikten av relationer och nätverk vid affärsuppgörelser. Den primära anledningen till etablering i Spanien förefaller sig vara sociala skäl och inte de eventuella affärsmöjligheterna som finns. / Background: The last 60 years have been characterized by the moving of companies to foreign markets. The Swedish integration with the EU allows for free movement of goods, services and labor which has contributed to that both small -and big companies have more strategy options for further expansion. Swedish entrepreneurs that commence their business in foreign markets clearly separated from their own in terms of both distance and culture is becoming a more common sight. Aim: The aim of this study is to identify the problems and important factors to consider when Swedish entrepreneurs establish their companies in a foreign market. Furthermore the study intends to investigate why Swedish entrepreneurs move or start their company abroad. Conclusion and results: Important factors for Swedish entrepreneurs to consider when they establish their company in Spain seems, according to this study, particularly to be the differences in culture, legal problem and the importance of relations and network when doing business. The primary incentive for establishment in Spain appears to be social reasons rather than eventual business opportunities.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how and to what degree Swedish multinational companies (MNCs) adapt to local conditions when they establish subsidiaries in China, and if cultural differences play an important role in their operations. Background: The major challenge for MNCs establishing abroad is the configuration and integration of their country subsidiaries (Galbraith, 2000). Therefore, it is vital to understand how activities within an organization, such as structures, processes, reward systems, and people practices, should be designed in order for the company to be as efficient as possible (Weiss, 2007; Kesler &amp; Kates, 2011). Swedish direct investments in China have increased significantly in the late 2000s, especially in the eastern regions, where a majority of about 650 Swedish companies in China are located (Swedish Trade Council, 2012a). Establishing across borders is a step towards future growth, but it is important to note that a cross-border expansion comes with many challenges (Galbraith, 2000). Method: This study uses a qualitative research method by investigating the experiences and practices of two Swedish multinational companies with operations in Shanghai, China. Information has been collected from eight respondents in the form of interviews and open-ended questionnaires. Conclusion: Swedish MNCs standardize their organization to a large extent when they establish subsidiaries in China, and culture has a slight influence on the practices of Swedish MNCs but does not play a major role for the business as a whole.

Antalet äldre invandrare i Sverige ökar och många bland den gruppen har kommit sent i livet. Språksvårigheter och kulturella skillnader gör det svårt för dem att få samma omsorg som majoritetsbefolkningen.Syftet med denna uppsats är att undersöka hur faktorer som språksvårigheter och kulturella skillnader påverka situationen för äldre invandrare och deras kontakter med äldreomsorgen. Kommunikationsteorier och relaterade definitioner av språk, kultur och kommunikation har använts för analysen.Denna studie är en litteraturstudie. Sammanlagt 18 artiklar med både kvantitativa och kvalitativa ansatser samt litteraturstudier ingår.Resultatet har presenterats i ett antal underrubriker. Centralt är att det finns ett klart samband mellan språk- och kulturella barriärer och sämre hälsa, upplevelse av vårdkvalitet och tillgång till formell och systematisk hjälp.Detta samband och tolkens roll i kommunikation och hur äldreomsorg borde utformas för att vara mer tillgänglig för äldre invandrare har diskuterats liksom vad kulturanpassad äldreomsorg kan innebära. Slutsatsen är att det finns luckor i kunskapsläget när det gäller studier som är baserade på de äldre invandrarnas subjektiva upplevelser, önskemål och krav. / The population of elder immigrants in Sweden is increasing and many older people among the group have come late in life. Language difficulties and cultural differences make it difficult for them to get the same care as the majority population. The purpose of this essay is to examine how factors such as language barriers and cultural differences affect the situation of older immigrants and their contacts with elder care.  Communication theories and related definitions of language, culture and communication have been used for the analysis.This study is a literature review. A total of 18 articles with both quantitative and qualitative approaches, and literature reviews are included.The results have been presented in a number of subheadings. A central issue was that there was a clear connection between language and cultural barriers and poor health, perceived quality of care and access to formal and systematic means.This connection and the interpreter's role in communication and how elder care should be designed to be more accessible to elderly immigrants has been discussed as well as what culturally congruent elderly care could include. The conclusion is that there is a lack of knowledge based on the subjective experiences, wishes and requirements of older immigrants' themselves.

In times of rapid economic development and internationalization of business, effective cross-cultural communication among managers remains a challenge. This thesis aims to research and analyze cross-cultural communication in business context based on qualitative case study of a small Swedish company and its international business partners. Previous research has focused on differences and similarities in people’s behaviour and ways of communication based on their cultural background. Through in-depth analysis and application of existing theories to the chosen case study company, the findings of this research demonstrated that although national culture does have an undeniable influence on people’s behaviour and their communication style, implications in communication between business partners of different cultural backgrounds often connected to an individual approach to cross-cultural communication. A great emphasis was placed on the language being one of the biggest communication challenges facing SMEs in international arena. Finally, misunderstandings occurring due to communication through technological devices were discussed.