ABSTRACT Over the last few decades, the number of elderly has increased in Sweden and many other countries in the world. Swedish society has struggled to provide support to meet the needs of this group of elderly. Many older people wish to move from their present homes into homes for the elderly where they can receive full support and services. Numerous older people report a lack of ability to cope with all of their household needs and daily activities. As people get older, there are different dimensions of changes, including becoming frail and unwell. This study includes 10 interviews with older people. Participants were informed of the ethical issues related to this study and then gave their consent. The interviews examined older peoples understanding and experiences of security and vulnerability when living at home. The work reflects on themes such as security, insecurity, health and social capital. The study aims to contribute increased knowledge to the field about this group of elderly and to broaden our knowledge of how the field of social work can better relate to this group based on these findings. The study participants were able to describe their perceptions of dimensions of safety in the home and the impact of vulnerability due to health difficulties. Results showed gender differences with women being more fearful than the men as well as a strong connection with impaired health. The women also had different feelings of vulnerability and a lack of social capital. All of the male participants claimed to be secure in their own homes. At the same time, they were very concerned about problems on the horizon related to changes in the welfare system. Several of the women had concrete strategies to protect themselves.  These strategies included: door chains, security alarms, visible deterrents such as a police hat placed out in the house and visible from the outside. Participants also completed safety steps such as checking their doors multiple times. Finally, this study reminds us that the needs and concerns of older people are an area of importance in the broader social arena.

It has been recognised that the oil sector in developing countries is facing challenges from a dynamic environment characterised by rapid technological change and increased demand. As innovation becomes critical to the survival of organisations, organisational context including organisational culture (OC), structure (OS) and information technology (IT) has been found to have an important influence on innovation, leading to increase social relationships among employees and flow knowledge within organisation through face to face employees interaction and information system. Social capital and knowledge sharing are recognised as the most significant resources for competitive advantage and the key to enhancing innovation. It has long been argued that social capital, a concept represented by the value embedded in the social relationships of individuals and collectives constitute strategic resources for individuals and organisations. Social networks perceived by individuals are a key issue in generating and facilitating knowledge sharing among employees to enhance innovation within organizations. It has also been shown that knowledge management and the promotion of knowledge sharing among the members of an organisation are an important part of the learning process as they help to convert the tacit knowledge embedded in individuals into explicit knowledge through interaction. Prior literature has pointed out that organisational context is one of the most important factors affecting social capital and knowledge sharing and enhanced innovation in an organisation. However, there is a lack of models linking organisational context, social capital and knowledge sharing, and innovation within oil sectors in general within developing countries, particularly Libya. Against this background, the thesis investigates the impact of organisational context on innovation. Using social capital and knowledge sharing, the integrative and comprehensive conceptual model are developed in order to reveal the direct and indirect impacts of organisational context on innovation. The model is then tested with a sample of 418 employees from two sectors; namely, public and the private. These were analysed through a IV multivariate analysis using a variance-based statistical technique known as Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling. The findings of this thesis are three-fold. First, with respect to the direct effect of organisational context on innovation, the study finds that both public and private sectors’ innovation are positively affected by organisational context. Second, regarding the indirect impact of organisational context on innovation, the study confirms its indirect nature through the social capital and knowledge sharing in both sectors. Third, the results show that there are significant differences between the public and private oil sectors in terms of the effect of organisational context on social capital, knowledge sharing and innovation, product and process. These findings have both theoretical and practical implications in that the results have provided empirical evidence on the direct and indirect impact of organisational context and can serve as an indication in practice for both firm managers and policy makers who are looking to establish strategies for achieving innovation. These would benefit from expending their efforts on promoting social capital and knowledge-sharing practices among their employees.

Entrepreneurship is in full-swing across the globe and it is widely regarded as a sustainable solution to long-unresolved economic issues like unemployment and poverty. Immigration is also a growing reality and the immigrating individuals can contribute to the new societies either by settling for a job or launching a business as an entrepreneur and in turn creating more jobs. However, social constraints are a key hurdle in the way of immigrant entrepreneurs. This paper aims to not only understand the social constraints faced by immigrant entrepreneurs but also provide a set of guidelines on how to overcome these social constraints. A qualitative research study focused on immigrant entrepreneurs in Sweden was designed around this purpose and was conducted in two cities of Sweden. Entrepreneurs in the study were from diverse nationalities of origin and business sectors. Key social constraints identified through the study are cultural differences, differences in business practices, and language – all acting as a wall for foreign entrepreneurs. Networking – both business and social – is regarded as the main solution to overcome these barriers and the weight for this lies equally on state, entrepreneurship industry, and the immigrant entrepreneurs. Immigrant entrepreneurs can overcome the social constraints by also researching their business area in detail as well as marketing themselves and their businesses especially by establishing a strong and trustable social media profile. Government needs to recognize the diversity of immigrant entrepreneurship communities and create tailor-made social interaction programs for different nationalities, educational backgrounds, and business sectors. It can also project positive image of successful immigrant entrepreneurs not only to inspire other immigrant entrepreneurs but also to increase trust regarding immigrant entrepreneurs among native population. Another important step by government could be early orientation for immigrant entrepreneurs to Swedish business market. Entrepreneurship advisory industry needs to understand immigrant entrepreneurs better and organize more multi-cultural events to lower the barriers between native and immigrant communities.

Purpose This study explores Social Capital Theory. For the benefit of the business community it examines the role of social networking sites (SNS) in the accumulation and management of social capital for Black women entrepreneurs. This research project explores whether social media and technology have enabled a previously disadvantaged minority group to overcome their obstacles, particularly the lack of access networks that offer value. Significant research has been done on academic Social Capital Theory, but what remains understudied is the link between social capital and social networking sites, especially for minority and indigenous groups in Africa. The research is also applicable to other minority groups globally - adding value to Social Capital Theory in the context of a growing interest in knowledge economies, entrepreneurship and technology. The study makes a contribution to academic research and has implications for both policy and practice. Methodology The research is exploratory in nature and therefore applies a qualitative research methodology. It applies in-depth interviews with Black women entrepreneurs from different industries, and age groups to extract quality data that is analysed against theoretical propositions derived from the literature. Findings Bridging and bonding social capital are unique in how they empower entrepreneurs. Black women are a minority group because of cultural and historical consequences. As a result women are more disadvantaged than men, and minority women are more disadvantaged than white women. Negative stereotypes prejudice Black women from getting equal access to opportunities and resources. SNS, which is geared to accumulating bridging social capital, has the ability to empower Black women entrepreneurs to overcome these challenges. However, instead of using SNS for building bridging social capital - more essential for business growth - Black women entrepreneurs tend to use SNS to deepen bonding social capital which yields support and motivation. The potential value in SNS use should encourage Black women entrepreneurs to invest more resources in learning how to optimise SNS. Although SNS and government empowerment policies are contributing to equalizing access and use of social capital between different genders and races, men and the White business community still have an advantage. Future studies should consider exploring how generation theory and various social-economic issues affect accumulation and use of social capital through SNS use for minority groups / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / zkgibs2014 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Magister Artium - MA / According to migrant research in South Africa, after the advent of democracy in South Africa, in 1994, the country has received an influx of foreign migrants, more especially from the African continent. However, much focus has been on the negative outcomes of the host community and its relationship with immigrants. Recent immigration research labelled South Africa as a xenophobic nation, and much emphasis on xenophobia was in Black South African townships. Although townships in South Africa are widely known for their hostile attitudes towards African nationals, in recent years, townships like Gugulethu have become homes for many African immigrants. This study investigates the integration of foreign migrants into the South African community: a case of Zimbabweans living in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Qualitative research methods’ adopting an in-depth interpretation of the findings was used to answer the research question posed by this study. The research question posed by this study is, in the absence of a strategic plan to integrate African foreign nationals into South Africa society, how do African migrants living in Gugulethu use their social capital to integrate themselves into the local community, which is widely regarded as xenophobic? Qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews and observations and data was analysed according to the research questions by making codes and themes. In addition, the number of study participants was 30 people; 25 Zimbabwean immigrants and for comparative purposes 2 Ugandan immigrants and 3 local South Africans were also included. Both convenience and snowballing sampling techniques were used. The study found that despite the challenges faced by migrants in their host community, these migrants used their social capital in the form of social networks to integrate themselves into the host community

Master of Science / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Elaine M. Johannes / For the past decade, family poverty has been growing steadily by 24.3% within the state of Kansas. The increase in poverty has inspired community-based efforts and volunteer-driven initiatives to grow to support families and to increase social connection and access to resources. Prior research has found that families in chronic poverty experience higher stress, higher conflict, and lower means of social connection. In the present study, a Community-based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach was used to explore the "lived experiences" of parents and adolescents in poverty and the role of social capital and hardiness as a way to cope with the stresses associated with living in poverty. Separate semi-structured interviews were conducted with adolescents and their adult parents from three communities across Kansas. The research team transcribed the interview data. Qualitative data analysis through grounded theory was used to code the transcripts into separate themes. The results from the study reveal that a) building social capital (ie., bonding and bridging) is different between adolescents and parents and b) hardiness is developed through learned positive coping and the social connections with others. This research has future implications on policy development and strengths-based approaches to address the stress of living in poverty for individuals and families.

Purpose: This research was designed to contribute to a greater understanding of the characteristics of female entrepreneurs in South Africa by interrogating whether certain elements of their Social and Human Capital impact on their business performance, measured in terms of turnover and business size in terms of employee numbers. Methodology: This was an exploratory study that used quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. The unit of analysis was women business owners in South Africa that fit the criteria of owning and running businesses. The web application Survey Monkey survey tool was used from which the entrepreneurs could access the online questionnaire. The impact of elements of Human Capital and Social Capital on business performance was studied by looking for associations with a number of independent variables including education, social networking, age of business, and age and experience of the entrepreneur. Outcome: Pearson Chi-square test, and generelised linear(GLM) models revealed that Human Capital, does influence the business performance, although only on specific elements of business performance. Social Capital also influences the business performance, although only on specific Copyright / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

Payments for Environmental Services (PES) is a method of attaching market value to environmental benefits which have typically not been valued in the marketplace. This thesis investigates the impact of the government hydrological services program in two communities in Oaxaca, Mexico. Using interviews, semi structured and household surveys, I investigate the effect the PSAH has had in alleviating poverty and increasing social capital in the communities as well as investigate willingness to accept (WTA) payment for additional PES programs. The PES payments put household incomes above national poverty lines. Social capital improved both within and between communities. WTA for additional PES depends on the use of the land in question. Overall, participation in the PSAH has had a positive impact in both communities.

This thesis explores how individuals and households experience the places in which they live and examines the potential impact of those places on outcomes across a range of life careers. Residential neighbourhoods have been variously framed as sites of personal expression or alternatively as locations of multiple deprivation that limit the life chances of the local population. This thesis however, argues that the limited framework within which existing studies of housing and residential choice are developed provides only a partial account of the complex and multidimensional nature of the relationship people have with the places in which they live. It addresses this gap by drawing on a wide range of theoretical ideas and by moving away from the deficit model of housing that dominates much academic work. In doing so it opens up the subject to scrutiny from a variety of perspectives and lays bare the varied and competing influences on decisions about housing. Use of quantitative information in the form of detailed housing biographies addresses a gap in existing knowledge by placing housing decisions in the context of past experience and other life careers. The introduction of qualitative techniques to a discipline dominated to date by large scale surveys supplements this evidence with the rich, nuanced data of personal experience. Three key elements of housing practices are identified, demonstrating the extent to which they are inextricably interconnected with a range of other life careers. Despite the recent ascendency within geography of a relational sense of place at the expense of the territorial, both are seen to be important. Savage et al’s (2005) concept of elective belonging is clearly identified as residents construct a narrative of fit between self and neighbourhood. Multiple strategies of social distinction are observed, each of which serves to transform the house and the neighbourhood into a home. Secondly notions of community remain an essential element of residents’ sense of belonging to their neighbourhood. The research reveals highly focussed personal networks that serve to produce and sustain location specific capital. An un-reflexive immobility is the result, where settled households perceive little need to consider residential alternatives. Finally, the physical and social infrastructure provided by the neighbourhood is identified as an important means of mediating the demands of home, work and childrearing. As such women, as primary care-givers, show greater investment than male partners in the ‘right’ residential choice. The thesis reveals liveable place to be complex and multifaceted, difficult to reduce to a simple economic or social variable. Whilst there are constant characteristics which appeal across the social scale, it highlights divergent experiences according to class, gender and life course stage. Choices and outcomes are embedded in social structures so that the research demonstrates the on-going impact of liveable place in the accumulation of social, cultural and economic capital to those who live there. Whilst liveable place is seen to mean different things according to class, gender and age, those trapped in neighbourhoods they do not consider liveable are potentially excluded from this accumulation.

This thesis explores the structure and delivery of education programs to justice-involved adults in Canadian federal prisons and in the community. A series of semi-structured interviews as well as three volumes of the Journal for Prisoners on Prisons were analyzed using a qualitative approach to determine whether or not principles of adult education and components of performative space are present in current correctional education strategies. The findings suggest that while there are occurrences of both elements in the education that is provided to prisoners, the programs in the community are much more reflective of these adult learning standards. This project highlights the need for research into the area of adult correctional education, increased collaboration between the fields of criminology and education, and provides a framework from which future research can continue.