Bakgrund och problem: Idag ställs det allt högre krav på företag att arbeta med hållbar utveckling och att integrera alla delar av hållbarhet; sociala, miljömässiga och ekonomiska för att överleva på lång sikt. Företag inom bygg- och fastighetsbranschen står inför flera utmaningar när det kommer till hållbarhet och det är av stor betydelse för dem att utveckla sitt arbete med hållbar utveckling. Traditionell ekonomistyrning handlar om att styra företag med hjälp av olika verktyg mot deras ekonomiska mål. Med fler externa krav som lagar och andra påtryckningar kring hållbar utveckling behöver företag ställa om sin interna styrning. Hållbarhetsstyrning kan därför tillämpas där olika styrmedel har en stor betydelse i att arbeta mot hållbarhetsmålen. Med bakgrund av det nämnda, samt att det finns begränsat med forskning finns det ett intresse att studera hur företag inom bygg- och fastighetsbranschen tillämpar hållbarhetsstyrning.  Syfte och frågeställningar: Studien är ämnad att undersöka hur företag i bygg- och fastighetsbranschen arbetar med hållbar utveckling och hållbarhetsstyrning. Med fler externa krav på företag har det blivit intressant att studera hur hållbarhetsstyrning kan användas för att internt arbeta för hållbar utveckling.  Hur används olika styrmedel för att integrera hållbar utveckling för företag i bygg- och fastighetsbranschen? Till vilket syfte används styrmedel i arbetet mot hållbar utveckling?  Metod: Studien utgår från en kvalitativ ansats där en tvärsnittsdesign har använts. Det empiriska materialet har samlats in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer på två företag i bygg- och fastighetsbranschen. Det gjordes totalt åtta intervjuer där varje intervju var med olika respondenter på de två företagen. Empirin kompletterades med företagens års- och hållbarhetsredovisning samt hållbarhetsrapport. Studien har använt en abduktiv ansats eftersom både induktion och deduktion har tillämpats. Till sist har det empiriska materialet analyserats utifrån den teoretiska referensramen för att finna likheter och skillnader mellan teorin och empirin.  Slutsats: Studiens resultat visar på betydelsen av att tillämpa hållbarhetsstyrning för företag i bygg- och fastighetsbranschen. Med ökade externa krav blir det viktigt att företag internt arbetar med hur de ska redovisa och följa upp sitt hållbarhetsarbete. Företagen tillämpar styrmedel inom Simons (1995) levers of control som; interna sammankomster, intranät, policys, rapportering, KPI:er och kommunikation med intressenter. Resultatet visar på att olika styrmedel är viktiga för att uppnå sina hållbarhetsmål, erhålla legitimitet, säkra sin överlevnad, möta krav från interna och externa intressenter samt styra mer hållbart över tid. / Background and problem: Today, companies are faced with higher requirements to work with sustainable development and to integrate all aspects of sustainability; economic, social, and environmental to be able to survive in the long term. Companies within the construction and real estate industry are faced with several challenges when it comes to sustainability, and it is therefore important for them to upgrade their work with sustainable development. Traditional management accounting is about guiding companies towards their financial goals by using various tools. More external requirements, linked to sustainable development, are forcing companies to adjust their internal control. It could therefore be beneficial to apply sustainability management, since it includes various control systems that are essential for companies to use in their work towards their sustainability goals. In the light of the above, and to the fact that there is a limited amount of research, there is an interest in studying how companies in the construction and real estate industry are applying sustainability management into their businesses.  Purpose and question formulations: This study is intended to investigate how companies are working with sustainable development and sustainability management. More external requirements have made it interesting to study how sustainability management internally can be used to work towards sustainable development. How are different control systems used to integrate sustainable development for companies in the construction and real estate industry? For what purpose are control systems used in the work towards sustainable development? Method: The study is based on a qualitative approach, where a cross-sectional design has been used. The empirical material has been collected through semi-structured interviews with two companies within the construction and real estate industry. The study includes eight interviews, where each interview was conducted with different respondents from each of the two companies. The empirical material was supplemented with the companies´ annual- and sustainability accounting and sustainability reports. The study has used an abductive approach since both induction and deduction have been applied. Finally, the empirical material was analyzed based on the theoretical frame of reference in order to obtain similarities and differences between the theory and the empirical material. Conclusions: The results of the study show the importance of applying sustainability management for companies within the construction and real estate industry. It is also important for companies to work with how to report internally and how to follow up on their sustainability work when external requirements are increasing. The companies apply control systems within Simons (1995) framework, levers of control, such as; internal meetings, intranets, policies, reporting, KPI:s and communication with stakeholders. The results show that different control systems are important for companies to achieve their sustainability goals, to gain legitimacy, to ensure their survival, to meet internal and external stakeholders’ requirements and to be more sustainable over time.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between High School learners‟ mathematics-related belief systems and their approaches to mathematics non-routine problem-solving. A mixed methods approach was employed in the study. Survey questionnaires, mathematics problem solving test and interview schedules were the basic instruments used for data collection. The data was presented in form of tables, diagrams, figures, direct and indirect quotes of participants‟ responses and descriptions of learners‟ mathematics related belief systems and their approaches to mathematics problem solving. The basic methods used to analyze the data were thematic analysis (coding, organizing data into descriptive themes, and noting relations between variables), cluster analysis, factor analysis, regression analysis and methodological triangulation. Learners‟ mathematics-related beliefs were grouped into three Learners‟ mathematics-related beliefs were grouped into three categories, according to Daskalogianni and Simpson (2001a)‟s macro-belief systems: utilitarian, systematic and exploratory. A number of learners‟ problem solving strategies were identified, that include unsystematic guess, check and revise; systematic guess, check and revise; trial-and-error; logical reasoning; non-logical reasoning; systematic listing; looking for a pattern; making a model; considering a simple case; using a formula; numeric approach; piece-wise and holistic approaches. A weak positive linear relationship between learners‟ mathematics-related belief systems and their approaches to non-routine problem solving was discovered. It was, also, discovered that learners‟ mathematics-related belief systems could explain their approach to non-routine mathematics problem solving (and vice versa). / Mathematics Education / D.Phil. (Mathematics Education)

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between High School learners‟ mathematics-related belief systems and their approaches to mathematics non-routine problem-solving. A mixed methods approach was employed in the study. Survey questionnaires, mathematics problem solving test and interview schedules were the basic instruments used for data collection. The data was presented in form of tables, diagrams, figures, direct and indirect quotes of participants‟ responses and descriptions of learners‟ mathematics related belief systems and their approaches to mathematics problem solving. The basic methods used to analyze the data were thematic analysis (coding, organizing data into descriptive themes, and noting relations between variables), cluster analysis, factor analysis, regression analysis and methodological triangulation. Learners‟ mathematics-related beliefs were grouped into three Learners‟ mathematics-related beliefs were grouped into three categories, according to Daskalogianni and Simpson (2001a)‟s macro-belief systems: utilitarian, systematic and exploratory. A number of learners‟ problem solving strategies were identified, that include unsystematic guess, check and revise; systematic guess, check and revise; trial-and-error; logical reasoning; non-logical reasoning; systematic listing; looking for a pattern; making a model; considering a simple case; using a formula; numeric approach; piece-wise and holistic approaches. A weak positive linear relationship between learners‟ mathematics-related belief systems and their approaches to non-routine problem solving was discovered. It was, also, discovered that learners‟ mathematics-related belief systems could explain their approach to non-routine mathematics problem solving (and vice versa). / Mathematics Education / D.Phil. (Mathematics Education)

This thesis is an historical analytical investigation and theological analysis of the fundamental trends of the ‘Third Wave’ Religious Right Movement and the growth of Zimbabwean Christianity. In an attempt to understand the appealing and growth factors of this religious movement in the Zimbabwean Church scene, the research focuses on the trends and behaviour of the Third Wave Religious Right Movement in Zimbabwe and the critical aspect of how this religious movement communicates the Christian faith to its audience. A critical thrust of the study is the question of whether the disciples of the charismatic movement are motivated by faith or economic factors which may ultimately not be the authentic summons of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The research addresses fears and suspicions of many Christians who are caught up between faith and fear response to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ by the New Religious Right Movements, particularly in Zimbabwe. The hypothetical statement of this work is that there seems to be a subtle reconstruction identity in the theology of the “Third Wave” Religious Right Movement as is clearly manifested through the maneuverings of Christians from the ‘traditional churches’ to these ‘newer charismatic churches in trends which reflect the changing religious geography and the face of African Christianity in general and Zimbabwean Christianity in particular. The research explores the nature, impact and significance of the post – modern ‘Third Wave’ Religious Right Movement in Zimbabwean society in particular. The identity and nature of the ‘Third Wave’ Religious Right Movement in its historical perspective discussed by means of identifying and analyzing the characteristics of this movement and its theological perspectives as well as discussing the factors that promote the growth of the movement in the context of Missio Dei (God’s Mission) and the society in general. Critical to this type of Christianity are the images of power and prosperity which are understood as signs of faith. The impact and effects of this type of faith expression in the socio-political landscape is fully explored. The primary methodology in this study is the historical critical method complimented by oral historiography. Both primary and secondary sources are utilized in this research in a holistic framework for analyzing the historical trends as they unfold in the context of religious declarations and transformations that are part of the phenomenon under investigation. The study observes the translation model of evangelization in the unfolding discourse of the ‘Third Wave’ Religious Right Movement. The study ultimately reveals how people’s economic fears and hopes in the midst of life’s challenges draw them toward religious movements which promise to positively promote a glorious life with practical results being realized “here and now”. This study has clearly exposed how religion, specifically charismatic Christianity, is seen as a package of an abundant life in the context of humanity’s needs and challenges. There is a clear obsession, in the charismatic New Religious Right Movement, with wealth and health as pedestals of salvation and a faithful Christian life. Surprisingly, there is very little reference to moral and ethical issues from the charismatic prophets who are the founders of these New Right Movements. The research notes that the interests of these newer right movements are in prosperity and health: “signs of being saved and blessed”. Lack of economic success is blamed on demons which also causes poor health hence the need to denounce the powers of Satan and engage on “the heavenly gear”. Such teachings have conditioned the prospective converts to seek after material benefits and values as critical aspects of the meaning of salvation and the mission of Christ. The study further reveals that the ‘Third Wave Religious Right Movement promotes a subtle way of making disciples instead of the traditional way of faith response to the gospel proclamation. But does this charismatic religious life have any relevance to our human situation today? The seven compelling chapters of this study have tackled this question and many others, pointing the way to an authentic Christian mission that is alive and relevant to the meaning of salvation in the context of orthodox Christianity. This study concludes that the Church is a catalyst which carries the keys of salvation to bring meaning and solutions to the varied human fears and failures that characterise the temporary nature of human existence. But in doing so; the Church must act in spirit of orthodox Christianity which is the sine qua non of salvation. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Church History and Church Policy / unrestricted

<p dir="ltr">Exposure to child maltreatment and neglect have lifelong negative impacts (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2016; Sheffler et al., 2020; Vig et al., 2020). While there are known risk factors that make a child more likely to experience abuse, there is little examination of the potential influence of parent or caregiver religious beliefs on the perpetration of child maltreatment (Beller et al., 2021; Ellison & Bradshaw, 2009; Rodrigues & Henderson, 2010; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022a). The prevalence of religiously related child maltreatment (RRCM) in the United States is unknown, and research has been limited to examinations of outlying Christian groups (Asser & Swan, 1998; Bottoms et al., 2015; Bullis, 1991; Simon et al., 2012; Sinal et al., 2008). However, there are some indications that instances of religiously related child maltreatment have been found to occur in mainstream sects such as Protestant denominations (Bottoms et al., 1995; Bottoms et al., 2015). This dissertation sought to examine how mainstream Protestant Christian parents (Evangelical & Mainline) conceptualized what was harmful or not to children in relation to their religious belief systems. Furthermore, this research examined the potential factors of influence on how Protestant Christian parents perceived child maltreatment and their perceptions of religious exemption applications to children.</p><p dir="ltr">An exploratory qualitative research design was taken to examine these research questions. A total of 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted with Indiana Protestant Christian parents. Interviews were transcribed and then analyzed using reflective thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019; Braun & Clarke, 2020a, 2020b). Findings indicated that Protestant Christian parents across both denominations considered their religious beliefs to be a positive influence on how they raise their children, in particular, how they modeled showing love without judgment to others. Denominational differences were seen in modeling of love without judgment to marginalized communities. The personal experiences of Protestant Christian parents and their religious beliefs were influential factors on how these parents perceived what was harmful to children. When examining parents' awareness of religious exemption applications to childcare and parenting, most Protestant Christian parents indicated limited awareness. Thematic tensions were present when examining parents’ discussions of the use of religious exemptions for childcare and parenting practices. One tension was the parental right to religious exemption use versus the potential harm that could befall children through the use of such religious exemptions. These findings provide direction for future research to improve understanding of how mainstream Protestant Christian parents conceptualize what is harmful to children and the factors of influence.</p>

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Sustainable development and the Triple Bottom Line integrated sustainability concept focus on the choices between the imperatives of economic efficiency, social development and environmental sustainability. Corporate governance is being imposed by stakeholders and corporate social responsibility is indicated as being the most important socio-environmental demand being made on contemporary leaders. The influence of idealism and realism on, and the reasons for failure of, solid waste reduction projects in terms of sustainability is the foundation of the theories postulated in this research. It is the objective of this research to identify the motivational factors, with special reference to developing countries, of social capital, including management processes leadership and people management, that will augment solid waste reduction projects that are lethargic at starting, or deteriorating, to achieve sustainability. The methodology is to review the literature available to identify the augmenting (motivational) factors, and use analytical philosophical and empirical research to test formulated constructs using hypotheses. The criterion for the research sample is to obtain the opinions of environmental specialists in South Africa using a questionnaire. The technique employed is multivariate data analysis to identify the type of interdependent relationships, including cluster and multidimensional scaling analyses. Hypothesis testing, in this research, leads to the conclusion that additional motivational factors are needed to support the economic imperatives to make the process sustainable. `Reality' is statistically significantly different to `idealistic'. The inference is that for solid waste reduction projects to succeed leaders from government and the private sector are required, through the use of legislation and taking into consideration the value of waste, to instil economic incentives. According to this research, personal values and belief systems have little to contribute to the process of sustainability. The outcome of this research provides a strategy-benchmarking-model that leaders can use to target and prioritise their efforts in respect of achieving success with waste projects. The contribution it makes to the knowledge base of the subject and responsible leadership is contained in its summation of the augmenting factors required, their relative importance, and the lessening of the complexity of approach to these projects. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / D.B.L.

Sustainable development and the Triple Bottom Line integrated sustainability concept focus on the choices between the imperatives of economic efficiency, social development and environmental sustainability. Corporate governance is being imposed by stakeholders and corporate social responsibility is indicated as being the most important socio-environmental demand being made on contemporary leaders. The influence of idealism and realism on, and the reasons for failure of, solid waste reduction projects in terms of sustainability is the foundation of the theories postulated in this research. It is the objective of this research to identify the motivational factors, with special reference to developing countries, of social capital, including management processes leadership and people management, that will augment solid waste reduction projects that are lethargic at starting, or deteriorating, to achieve sustainability. The methodology is to review the literature available to identify the augmenting (motivational) factors, and use analytical philosophical and empirical research to test formulated constructs using hypotheses. The criterion for the research sample is to obtain the opinions of environmental specialists in South Africa using a questionnaire. The technique employed is multivariate data analysis to identify the type of interdependent relationships, including cluster and multidimensional scaling analyses. Hypothesis testing, in this research, leads to the conclusion that additional motivational factors are needed to support the economic imperatives to make the process sustainable. `Reality' is statistically significantly different to `idealistic'. The inference is that for solid waste reduction projects to succeed leaders from government and the private sector are required, through the use of legislation and taking into consideration the value of waste, to instil economic incentives. According to this research, personal values and belief systems have little to contribute to the process of sustainability. The outcome of this research provides a strategy-benchmarking-model that leaders can use to target and prioritise their efforts in respect of achieving success with waste projects. The contribution it makes to the knowledge base of the subject and responsible leadership is contained in its summation of the augmenting factors required, their relative importance, and the lessening of the complexity of approach to these projects. / Graduate School of Business Leadership / D.B.L.