During the past decades there has been an increase in longevity. These aging trends have an enormous economic impact and present challenges to policymakers, families, and health care providers to meet the needs of aging individuals. Aging is accompanied with various physiological changes that can limit the elderly’s functional status and their independency. Some of the most noticeable changes occur within the musculoskeletal system, however cardiorespiratory changes, as well as changes in the body composition limits the elderly’s aerobic capacity and therefore increases the risk for cardiovascular and hypokinetic diseases. Moderate physical activity reduces the risk, or prolong the onset of physiological changes and various diseases. Physical activity can also enhance functional fitness amongst the elderly. Functional fitness is having the physiologic capacity to perform normal everyday activities safely and independently without undue fatigue. The aim of this study was to determine the functional fitness as well as static balance and dynamic balance status of senior citizens. Secondly, to determine the association between: physical activity, aerobic endurance and functional fitness and status amongst senior citizens. Thirdly, to determine the association between physical activity status, aerobic endurance and static– and dynamic balance amongst elderly. A once off subject availability study was performed, and 58 senior citizens (32 females and 26 males) between the ages of 65 years and 96 years participated. The physical activity index was determined with the Sharkey and Gaskill Physical activity index questionnaire. Functional fitness was measured using the Rikli and Jones Fullerton’s functional fitness test protocol. The static balance and dynamic balance was tested with the one leg balance eyes closed and functional reach test respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the status of the participants. Two way summary tables were used to categorize the amount of weak test results. Partial correlations were used to determine the association between physical activity, functional fitness and static and dynamic balance. The male participants’ functional fitness status compared well with USA normal ranges, however the functional fitness test scores of the female participants were even lower than the older age group (75 to 79 years) of the USA normal ranges. The results of the frequency distribution indicated that 80.77% and 68.75% of the male and female participants respectively, tested poorly in more than four of the functional fitness tests. Neither the male nor the female participants’ static balance score were adequate, although it does not indicate a fall risk. Aerobic endurance showed to have medium (r = 0.3–0.49) to high (r 0.5) partial correlation with all functional fitness tests for the total group, as well as in the female participants. In the male participants aerobic endurance only showed high correlation (r 0.5) with lower body strength and dynamic balance and agility. Dynamic balance correlated well (r 0.5) with all functional fitness tests as well as aerobic endurance and physical activity index in the female participants, and only showed a medium correlation with agility in the male participants. This study showed alarming percentages of poor test results for both male and female senior citizens and highlights the need for physical activity interventions in old age homes. The correlations between aerobic endurance, as well as dynamic balance and functional fitness tests indicates that even simple interventions such as walking programs could enhance the functional fitness of senior citizens and thereby increase their independency. / Thesis (M.A. (Biokinetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

During the past decades there has been an increase in longevity. These aging trends have an enormous economic impact and present challenges to policymakers, families, and health care providers to meet the needs of aging individuals. Aging is accompanied with various physiological changes that can limit the elderly’s functional status and their independency. Some of the most noticeable changes occur within the musculoskeletal system, however cardiorespiratory changes, as well as changes in the body composition limits the elderly’s aerobic capacity and therefore increases the risk for cardiovascular and hypokinetic diseases. Moderate physical activity reduces the risk, or prolong the onset of physiological changes and various diseases. Physical activity can also enhance functional fitness amongst the elderly. Functional fitness is having the physiologic capacity to perform normal everyday activities safely and independently without undue fatigue. The aim of this study was to determine the functional fitness as well as static balance and dynamic balance status of senior citizens. Secondly, to determine the association between: physical activity, aerobic endurance and functional fitness and status amongst senior citizens. Thirdly, to determine the association between physical activity status, aerobic endurance and static– and dynamic balance amongst elderly. A once off subject availability study was performed, and 58 senior citizens (32 females and 26 males) between the ages of 65 years and 96 years participated. The physical activity index was determined with the Sharkey and Gaskill Physical activity index questionnaire. Functional fitness was measured using the Rikli and Jones Fullerton’s functional fitness test protocol. The static balance and dynamic balance was tested with the one leg balance eyes closed and functional reach test respectively. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the status of the participants. Two way summary tables were used to categorize the amount of weak test results. Partial correlations were used to determine the association between physical activity, functional fitness and static and dynamic balance. The male participants’ functional fitness status compared well with USA normal ranges, however the functional fitness test scores of the female participants were even lower than the older age group (75 to 79 years) of the USA normal ranges. The results of the frequency distribution indicated that 80.77% and 68.75% of the male and female participants respectively, tested poorly in more than four of the functional fitness tests. Neither the male nor the female participants’ static balance score were adequate, although it does not indicate a fall risk. Aerobic endurance showed to have medium (r = 0.3–0.49) to high (r 0.5) partial correlation with all functional fitness tests for the total group, as well as in the female participants. In the male participants aerobic endurance only showed high correlation (r 0.5) with lower body strength and dynamic balance and agility. Dynamic balance correlated well (r 0.5) with all functional fitness tests as well as aerobic endurance and physical activity index in the female participants, and only showed a medium correlation with agility in the male participants. This study showed alarming percentages of poor test results for both male and female senior citizens and highlights the need for physical activity interventions in old age homes. The correlations between aerobic endurance, as well as dynamic balance and functional fitness tests indicates that even simple interventions such as walking programs could enhance the functional fitness of senior citizens and thereby increase their independency. / Thesis (M.A. (Biokinetics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This qualitative study treats the construction and maintenance of balance between work and private life and how flexibility in the workplace is perceived. The study was conducted using semi-structured interviews and these have been conducted in five large companies around Gothenburg. The analysis and results are based on the phenomenographic method approach and the final results were four themes: Balance, Flexibility, Combining family and work and lifelong learning with related subcategories. The result shows that the construction and maintenance of balance between work and personal life is something that is tied to the indi-viduals and the current situation in life. Two of the most common strategies to maintain a dis-tinction proved to be planning as well as other activities, in order to move the focus away from the work. In the larger picture flexibility of work turned out to be something that all re-spondents are in favor of, and not perceived as something stressful / Denna kvalitativa studie behandlar konstruerandet och upprätthållandet av balans mellan ar-bete och privatliv samt hur flexibilitet i arbetslivet uppfattas. Studien har genomförts med hjälp av semistrukturerade intervjuer och dessa har utförts på fem stora företag runt omkring Göteborg. Analysen och resultatet utgår från den fenomenografiska metodansatsen och slut-produkten blev fyra teman: Balans, Flexibilitet, Kombination familj och arbete samt Livslångt lärande med tillhörande underkategorier. Resultatet visar på att konstruerandet och upprätt-hållandet av balans mellan arbete och privatliv är någonting som är knutet till individerna och den nuvarande livssituationen. Två av de mest förekommande strategierna för att hålla en distinktion visade sig vara planering samt aktivera sig med annat för att flytta fokus bort från arbetet. Flexibilitet i arbetet visade sig på det stora hela vara någonting som alla respondenter ställer sig positiva till och inte uppfattar som någonting stressande

Title: The organizing and the balance between profession and profit in the Big Four accounting firms Introduction: Globalization has lead to a world with increasing similarities and a larger market where only efficient organizations survive why information is important for survival and success. Accounting firms fulfill an important role by securing information and contribute to the prosperity of society through an efficient market. But they differ both from non-PSF and among each other due to the need of managing the balance between profession and profit. The current research on accounting firms is limited and lacking. This thesis contributes to the current research by providing a new perspective to the existing research on accounting firms. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to understand how the Big Four accounting firms organize in order to manage the balance between profession and profit. Method: The thesis uses a qualitative research method in which data and information is collected from financial statements and websites that is compiled into multiple case studies on the Big Four accounting firms to give a detailed description of how they organize to manage the balance between profession and profit. Conclusions: The result demonstrates that there are similarities between how the Big Four accounting firms organize to manage the balance between profession and profit. The thesis moreover shows that there are connections between the factors of organizing (goal, environment, strategy and structure latter of which is divided in organizational structure, partnership, knowledge, reward system, informal and formal management processes and responsibility distribution) and the balance between profession and profit which indicates that the Big Four accounting firms considers the balance between profession and profit in the organizing for the survival and success in the market.

Bakgrund: Balansförmågan är komplex och bygger på att flera förmågor samspelar väl för att vara fungerande. Smärta, rörelserädsla och tilltro till egen förmåga är variabler som enligt studier har en inverkan på en individs funktionsförmåga. Hur dessa variabler påverkar utfallet i ett balanstest, är fortfarande ett område med kunskapsluckor. Syfte: Undersöka eventuella samband mellan smärta, rörelserädsla, tilltro till egen förmåga och balans hos en grupp personer med muskuloskeletal smärta från columna vertebralis. Metod: Studien var en observationsstudie med korrelerande design. Studiegruppen bestod av 18 personer, 9 män och 9 kvinnor med medelåldern 32 år. Där samtliga hade muskuloskeletal smärta härledd från columna vertebralis och valdes ut via ett bekvämlighetsurval. Självskattad smärta, rörelserädsla och tilltro till egen förmåga studerades var för sig, i förhållande till uppmätt balans. Data samlades in genom Numerical Rating Scale-självskattningsformulär, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia och Mini-BESTest, varpå Spearman ́s rangkorrelationskoefficient applicerades för att analysera samband. Resultat: Inga signifikanta samband kunde påvisas mellan självskattad smärta och uppmätt balans, självskattad rörelserädsla och uppmätt balans respektive tilltro till egen förmåga (självskattad balans) och uppmätt balans. Konklusion: I den undersökta gruppen kunde inga samband påvisas mellan smärta, rörelserädsla, tilltro till egen förmåga och balans. / Background: Balance capacity is a complex notion. It relies upon several abilities interacting well with each other in order to be functioning. Pain, kinesiophobia and Self-Efficacy are factors that according to studies do have an impact on the individual ́s functional capacity. Although within the area of how such variables specifically affects a balance test there are still gaps of knowledge. Objective: Examine possible correlations between pain, kinesiophobia, Self-Efficacy and balance in a population of people with musculoskeletal pain from columna vertebralis. Methods: The study was one of correlating design. The study group consisted of 18 people, 9 men and 9 women with an average age of 32 years. All of them had musculoskeletal pain from columna vertebralis and were selected through a convenience sample. Self-assessed pain, kinesiophobia, Self- Efficacy were studied separately relative to measured balance. Data was collected through Numerical Rating Scale-self assesment questionaires, Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia and Mini- BESTest, whereon Spearman's rank correlation was applied in order to analyse correlations. Results: No significant correlations were found between self-assessed pain and measured balance, self-assessed kinesiophobia and measured balance or Self-Efficacy (self-assessed balance) and measured balance. Conclusion: In the studied group no significant correlations between pain, balance and kinesiophobia could be detected.

Bakgrund: Transfemoralt amputerade har nedsatt balans och ökad fallrisk, men väldigt lite forskning är gjord om detta. Inverted pendulum model (IPM) är en balansmodell för icke-amputerade som bygger på ett känt samband mellan Center of Pressure (CoP) och Center of Mass (CoM). Syftet med denna studie är att kinetiskt validera den inverterade pendelmodellen för transfemoralt amputerade. Metod: I studien deltog amputerade (n=5) och en matchande kontrollgrupp (n=5). Man samlade in data genom att deltagarna fick stå stilla på två stycken kraftplattor under tre styckern villkor; öppna ögon, stängda ögon och weight-bearing feedback. Man undersökte sedan korrelationen mellan avståndet från CoM till CoP och CoMacc i både anterioposterior (A/P) riktning samt medio-lateral (M/L) riktning och analyserade datan med trevägsvariansanalys (ANOVA). Resultat: Resultatet visade att det fanns en signifikant interaktionseffekt mellan villkor och position i M/L-riktning. I A/P-riktning fanns det en signifikant interaktionseffekt mellan grupp och position samt villkor och position. Slutsats: Resultatet innebär att IPM är kinetiskt validerat i A/P-riktning sett till hela kroppen men inte på den amputerade sidan. Hur det intakta benet förhåller sig till IPM för amputerade är tvivelaktigt. / Background: It is known that transfemoral prosthesis users lack normal balance control and are more likely to fall. Research on this topic is insufficient. The Inverted Pendulum Model (IPM) is a commonly used biomechanical model for assessment of balance and postural control for healthy individuals based on an assumption that Center of Pressure (CoP) and Center of Mass (CoM) are inter-dependent. The aim of the study is to validate IPM kinetically for transfemoral prosthesis users. Method: Amputees (n=5) and a control group (n=5) participated. During data collection, participants stood on two force plates with eyes open, eyes closed and with weight-bearing feedback. Correlation of the distance CoP-CoM and CoMacc were calculated for anteroposterior and mediolateral directions and evaluated with three-way ANOVA. Result: Results showed significant interaction effects between condition and position plus group and position in anteroposterior direction and condition and group in mediolateral direction. Conclusion: Results indicate kinetic validity of IPM for transfemoral amputees when looking at the whole body but not at the amputated side in the A/P direction. Kinetic validity of IPM for the intact leg is questionable.

Bakgrund: Organisationer och företag står inför flera utmaningar vad gäller anpassning till den snabba utveckling som sker i dagens samhälle. Det är vitalt för företag som befinner sig inom snabbföränderliga branscher att agera snabbt och effektivt för att ligga i framkant inom sitt specifika område. Syfte: Denna studie har för avsikt att forma en förståelse kring hur relationen mellan stabilitet och förändring ter sig i ett innovativt företag, vilka befinner sig i en snabbföränderlig miljö. Vidare ämnar studien att bidra med djupare insikter kring balansen mellan organisatorisk stabilitet och kortsiktiga innovationsprocesser samt medarbetares syn på denna balans. Metod: Studien har anammat en kvalitativ ansats där insamling av empiri genomförts genom tolv intervjuer med anställda på olika nivåer inom den undersökta organisationen. Slutsats: Studien visar att den undersökta organisationen bibehåller en stabilitet genom arbetsuppgifter som bygger på rutiner, erfarenheter och vanor. Det går att finna skillnader i hur de anställda uppfattar relationen mellan stabilitet och förändring, där olika perspektiv finns på lednings- och medarbetarnivå. / Background: Organizations and companies face several challenges regarding adaptation to the rapid development that is taking place in today's society. It is vital for companies that are in fast-changing industries to act quickly and efficiently to stay at the forefront of their specific area. Purpose: This study intends to form an understanding of how the relationship between stability and change occurs in an innovative company, which work within a rapidly changing environment. Furthermore, the study intends to contribute deeper insights into the balance between organizational stability and short-term innovation processes as well as employees' views on this balance. Method: The study has embraced a qualitative approach where empirical gathering was conducted through twelve interviews with employees at different levels within the investigated organization. Conclusion: The study shows that the surveyed organization maintains stability through work based on routines, experiences and habits. Differences can be found in how employees perceive the relationship between stability and change, with different perspectives at management level and employee level.

Inside an open data ecosystem, between municipality and business, there exists an unexplored data market based on open data sets. As actors works towards a functioning ecosystem, resistance is expressed. In this study, we explore and expand the insight of an open data ecosystem and bring forth actors’ resistance expression. This paper is the result of a case study about three municipalities, five business and their relation towards the data market in aSwedish context. From interviews, observations, documents, and thorough analysis we found that municipalities have limited knowledge, resources and political leadership, while businesses are affected by the lacking technical infrastructure on many levels, where open data products never become reality and are in a constant fear. The lacking collaboration infrastructure makes it impossible for municipalities to hear the prayers chanted by businesses. And nowhere to be found is the political leadership needed to move this chaos into order. From this, a deadlock is condensed where no one can act. / NODS - Nationell tjänst för öppna data

Sammanfattning Kriser har sedan lång tid tillbaka gjort intåg och format det samhälle vi lever i idag. Att kriser inträffar är ett faktum och de kan existera i alla dess former, stora som små, politiska som samhällshotande. I och med dess påverkan blir den gemensamma nämnaren för kriserna de berörda medborgarnas informationshunger. Det är då Sveriges tredje statsmakt, det vill säga nyhetsmedierna, rycker in och har i uppgift att återspegla den rådande krisen. Tack vare den digitaliserade nätjournalistiken kan, och bör, medierna leverera kontinuerligt innehåll för att tillfredsställa publikens efterfrågan. Med andra ord är arbetet inom nätjournalistik under större press, jämfört med de traditionella papperstidningarna, i och med det konstanta informationsflödet. Med den inflytelsefulla makt medierna besitter, formar därav nyhetsrapporteringen folkets verklighetsbilder. I sin tur påverkar detta opinionsbildningen och demokratin. Sålunda ställs krav på profession och kvalitet i nyhetsinnehållet, vilket lägger grund för följande forskning. Denna studie tar sig an hur nyhetsprestationen i praktiken skiljer sig mellan tabloiden aftonbladet.se och dagspressen dn.se under en kris, i detta fall Stockholmsattentatet den 7 april 2017. Med andra ord mäts kvaliteten, utifrån olika aspekter, i det faktiska innehållet. För att besvara detta studerades hastighetens inverkan på kvaliteten, hur nyhetsprestationens (news performance) beståndsdelar samspelar i praktiken, samt vilken nyhetsaktör som i slutändan faktiskt rapporterade med högst kvalitet utifrån studiens teoretiska ramverk. Metoden kvantitativ innehållsanalys valdes för att besvara syftet, varpå ett totalurval av artiklar kodades under tidsperioden 7 april till 9 april. Uppsatsen bygger vidare på en deduktiv ansats. I kapitlet om tidigare forskning redovisas därför ett antal påverkansfaktorer utifrån teorin och kvalitetsmodellen nyhetsprestation, där det gemensamma målet är en mikro- och makrobalans mellan och inom modellens sex byggstenar. Samtidigt sätts modellen nu in i en ny kontext, nätjournalistisk kriskommunikation, och syntetiseras med Shannon och Weavers kommunikationsmodell för att täcka in kvalitetsperspektivet ytterligare. Genom att utgå från detta analytiska ramverk kom vi fram till att skillnaderna i praktiken inte är markanta, och att hastigheten inte skadar kvaliteten. Utifrån prestationsperspektivet var däremot aftonbladet.se snäppet vassare än dn.se i vissa avseenden. Slutsatsen drogs således att lärdomar bör tas från båda håll för att generera bästa möjliga kvalitet. Främst bör dagspress väva in fler mjuka nyheter likt tabloiderna. Tabloidernas och dagspressens styrkor bör med fördel sammanslås i och med den moderna nätjournalistiken, och uppgraderas till ett nytt format; digitalpress. Uppsatsens resultat bidrar till att vi kan kartlägga komplexiteten i nyhetsprestationens beståndsdelar och dess 3 värdefulla beroendeförhållanden. I och med mediernas makt i samhället bidrar denna studie alltså med ny aktuell kunskap om aftonbladet.se’s och dn.se’s faktiska kvalitet vid kriser. Slutligen berikas forskningen inom nyhetsprestation eftersom kvalitet nu mäts inom ett outforskat journalistiskt område. / Abstract Throughout history, crises have shaped society. It is commonly known that a crisis can occur at any time, in different shapes and sizes, big as well as small, political as well as society-threatening. With its impact, the common denominator becomes the citizens need for information in different times of crisis. Sweden´s fourth estate, the news media, plays a crucial role with their responsibility to mirror the current crisis. Due to the development of digital online journalism, the media are obligated to deliver continuous content in order to satisfy peoples’ needs for information. With this in mind, online journalism is under much greater pressure, compared to the traditional papers. This is due to the dynamic and constant flow of information. With medias’ powerful influence, they shape peoples’ realities, which in return affect the public opinion and our democracy. A crisis situation requires the utmost professionalism and news quality, which motivates the following research. This study addresses how quality differs between the tabloid aftonbladet.se and dn.se as daily press during a crisis, specifically the terror attack in Stockholm April 7, 2017. The quality of the actual news content is measured based on different aspects. In order to compare the two newspapers, we studied whether speed has an impact on quality, whether the different parts of News Performance interact, as well as the overall quality of the respective newspapers’ reporting of the events, based on our theoretical framework. We chose a quantitative content analysis to answer the purpose, upon which a census of articles was coded during three days, April 7 to April 9 2017. Our essay is based on a deductible approach. In chapter two, previous research, a number of influential factors are presented based on the theory and quality model News Performance where the common goal is to reach a micro and macro balance between the six components of the model. However, the model is then put into a new context, online journalistic crisis communication, and synthesized with Shannon and Weaver’s model of communication to further cover the quality perspective. By using this analytical framework, we found that the practical differences are not significant, and speed does not damage the quality of the news. However, based on the News Performance perspective, aftonbladet.se proved to be better than dn.se in some cases. Thus, the conclusion was reached that they both should learn from each other, in order to generate the highest quality. Most importantly, the daily press should do as tabloids do; that is, include more soft news. Both the tabloids’ and the daily press’ strengths should be merged together and upgraded to a new custom format for modern online journalism; digital press. The result of this essay helps us map the complexities of the News Performance components and their valuable interdependence. With 2 the power of media in society, our research contributes with new up-to-date knowledge about the quality of aftonbladet.se’s and dn.se’s, reporting during a crisis event. At last, the field of News Performance studies becomes enriched, given that quality is now measured in an unexplored journalistic field.

Denna studie har som syfte att få en förståelse för vilka aspekter av stress det finns bland studenter som läser fristående kurs på Institutionen för beteendevetenskap och lärande vid Linköpings Universitet. Studien undersöker hur studenter upplever stress samt vilken omfattning inre och yttre stressorer påverkar studentens studieliv. Studien tillämpar först en kvalitativ metod som sedan följs av en kvantitativ metod. Studien nyttjar två olika förhållningssätt, inledningsvis är studien induktiv och sedan kompletteras studien deduktivt. Studien består av nio kvalitativa intervjuer där fyra informanter representerar enheterna CSN, Studentbostäder, Studenthälsan samt Studievägledning vid Linköpings Universitet och fem informanter är studenter som läser fristående kurs på Linköpings Universitet. Studien består även av en enkätundersökning av 72 informanter som är studenter som läser fristående kurs på Linköpings Universitet. Studiens resultat är uppdelade i en kvalitativ och en kvantitativ del för att sedan analyserats och diskuterats i relation till varandra. I resultatet framgår att det både finns yttre samt inre stressorer som bidrar till att en student som läser fristående kurs upplever stress.