I dagens samhälle har kommuner blivit allt mer konkurrensutsatta då möjligheterna för befolkningen att flytta har ökat. Detta har medfört att kommuner fått ökad press på sig att anpassa sig till nya förhållanden för att attrahera invånare. Nya förhållanden kan orsakas av bland annat demografisk utveckling, politiska val och konkurrerade kommuner. Därmed blir kommuners målstyrningsmodeller och hur de klarar av förändringar av intresse. Vi har kommit fram till att Falkenbergs Kommun som organisation är förändringsbenägen. Dels genom målstyrningsmodellen, dels genom de faktorer som vi identifierade i The Accounting Change Model. De faktorer som dämpar förändringen i kommunen beror inte på hur kommunen arbetar utan ligger i dess natur som kommun. Därmed har Falkenbergs Kommun goda förutsättningar att ta sig an kommande förändringar som exempelvis val, demografiska förändringar eller konkurrenssituationen kan innebära.

In the Master Thesis research is carried out into the influence of national culture on the implementation of knowledge management (KM) systems, as well as providing the actions which should be carried out for successful implementation. Research was conducted in the Ukraine and the Czech Republic. The Master thesis starts with an explanation of the problem area, a review of the main definitions necessary for understanding the studied field: foundation of national culture and knowledge management are reviewed. Relevance of the topic is explained by the fact that usually more attention is paid to knowledge sharing than its creation, and if we ignore the fact of national culture, the used theories may lead to a collapse of the system of knowledge management, as they should be modified from country to country. Theoretical framework contains a literature review with information about the concept of knowledge and how to create it within an organization, properties of the knowledge base from which stems knowledge management system and its development. Aspects of national culture and organizational models are also described. Typology of culture proposed by Geert Hofstede, is presented, which is taken as a basis for conducting the research. Individualism and Collectivism dimension from his typology are descried in detail. Because of widespread criticism of Hofstede’s work, the main arguments “against” it were provided. Typologies of such researchers as Triandis, Kim, Kagitcibasi and Berry were reviewed to explain why they are not applicable to this study. Soft System Methodology, rich picture, is used to describe the process of implementing Knowledge Management Systems, as well as the processes required for solving problems and eliminating the identified barriers. Through Kotter's 8-Step Change Model reflected actions for implementing of Knowledge Management System and they are showing in rich picture what in addition with concomitant actions creates complete model for KM system implementation. As a philosophical worldview of the research, Social Constructivism was selected. For data collection, it was decided to create a survey which gave qualitative and quantitative data. Steps of survey creation and how it was delivered to respondents are explained, as well as data analysis and sampling methods. Paper provides practical application of gained knowledge. It explains identified barriers to the implementation of KM system, comparison of Ukrainian and Czech Republic companies in the context of KM, as well as KM on a national level. Described in detail is the creation of rich pictures which reflects the model of implementing KM System. While conducting the research it was proved that national culture affects the style of doing business and the process of implementing a knowledge management system in particular. In order to go deeper into the details of the differences that can exist between countries, the discussion talks about features of the national cultures in Europe, where research has been conducted, and Asia, as Chinese culture is one of the most influential countries. In conclusion, different levels of individualism are found in the studied countries. According to the results of the study and received data, it is safe to say that the question of the influence of national culture on the process of implementing a KM System exists and plays an important role. Opportunities for further research are given.

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In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, characterized by technological advancements, organisations are placing significant emphasis on digital transformation (DT) to survive. Concurrently, considerations of sustainability impacts have become crucial factors that organisations must take into account. The combination of the two is known as a sustainable digital transformation (SDT). There is currently a lack of research on how the organisational change of an SDT can occur. In particular, there is a lack of management tools that managers can use to actualise SDT. The actualisation of a SDT is what this study looks to explore by contextualising an organisational change model, known as Kotter’s 8-step model, to an SDT. The aim of the thesis was to provide guidance to practitioners on how to implement an SDT, and to add new knowledge to the theoretical understanding of how Kotter's 8-step model can be contextualised to an SDT. The thesis utilised semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, identifying 18 activities that can be executed during an SDT initiative across the 8 steps of Kotter's model. These 18 activities extend existing knowledge by emphasising the importance of highlighting the need for change in relation to sustainability, financial, and diverse stakeholder perspectives. The thesis also contributes new insights by emphasising the significance of engaging external actors such as regulatory bodies, like-minded businesses, and industry associations. During the vision for change phase, we found the necessity of strategically drawing out a long-term strategy that corresponds with sustainability goals, rather than solely focusing on immediate wins for leadership. Furthermore, our study highlights the value of providing training to overcome resistance to digital change and enhance digital literacy, acknowledging that digital transformation is a time-consuming process. Lastly, we found that sustaining an SDT requires retaining and promoting change leaders and selectively hiring individuals who align with the change, as reverting to previous practices can hinder progress. For future study it is recommended that further interviews be conducted with relevant professionals, and that a case study or observational study be done with an organisation that conducts an SDT using Kotter's model.

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This study evaluated the efficacy of the Stages of Behavior Change (SBC) Model for use with Hong Kong Chinese. The SBC Model has demonstrated empirical support in a variety of health behaviors and across diverse populations. Further, the SBC has implications for the development of behavior change interventions. The SBC is composed of three components: stages of change, self-efficacy, and decisional balance. The stages of change are used to determine intention and time frames for behavior change. The SBC model applies Bandura's (1977) definition of self-efficacy and Janis and Manns’ (1968, 1977) conflict theory of decision making. The surveys used to measure these components have been validated and are predictive for condom acquisition. Survey data related to HIV/AIDS prevention (condom use) were collected from university students in Hong Kong and the United States. Comparisons were made across cultures (Hong Kong and the United States) and within the two cultural groups. Exploratory factor analyses using Principal Components Analysis revealed a single-factor model for self-efficacy and a 4-factor model for decisional balance (2 factors for advantages and 2 factors for disadvantages) concerning self (1) and others (we). Main effects for culture and staging were found for self-efficacy and the disadvantage component of decisional balance. Main effects for stage were found for advantages with a significant interaction. These data described an increase in self-efficacy across the stages of change for condom use and greater self-efficacy in HK then the US. The hypotheses for this study were supported with the exception of the advantages component of decisional balance within Hong Kong. Post hoc tests found no difference in self-efficacy in sexually active versus sexually non-active subjects in HK and the US and demonstrated differences in sexually active versus sexually non-active subjects in HK for advantages and disadvantages. Results offer support for using this model with Hong Kong Chinese as the data suggest more similarities than differences across two diverse cultures. These results have important implications for understanding behavior change mechanisms in diverse cultural groups and have significance for intervention planning in Hong Kong for AIDS risk reduction. / Ph. D.

This study is a two part research project that describes and evaluates the efforts of the researcher to bring change in Cyprus' educational system, in the field of simple electric circuits. The objective of the first part was the assessment and evaluation of Cypriot STVE students' perceptions about simple electric circuits. The objective of the second part was to measure the effectiveness that conceptual change model-based instructional activities designed by the researcher had on changing students' misconceptions about simple electric circuits towards scientifically accepted ideas. Transformative mixed methods research design was used consisting mainly from an one-group pre-test post-test design with Determining and Interpreting Resistive Electric Circuits Concepts Test 1.2 as a research instrument, while interviews and field notes were used for triangulation. The findings showed that there was a significant improvement in students' understanding of simple electric circuit concepts that were taught using conceptual change model-based instructional activities. / Science and Technology Education / M. Sc. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education)

This study is a two part research project that describes and evaluates the efforts of the researcher to bring change in Cyprus' educational system, in the field of simple electric circuits. The objective of the first part was the assessment and evaluation of Cypriot STVE students' perceptions about simple electric circuits. The objective of the second part was to measure the effectiveness that conceptual change model-based instructional activities designed by the researcher had on changing students' misconceptions about simple electric circuits towards scientifically accepted ideas. Transformative mixed methods research design was used consisting mainly from an one-group pre-test post-test design with Determining and Interpreting Resistive Electric Circuits Concepts Test 1.2 as a research instrument, while interviews and field notes were used for triangulation. The findings showed that there was a significant improvement in students' understanding of simple electric circuit concepts that were taught using conceptual change model-based instructional activities. / Science and Technology Education / M. Sc. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education)

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / Strategic change within an organisation is inevitable. Due to the competitive global landscape, organisations have to continuously adapt their strategies to remain in the market. Strategy change is most often met with resistance, and more so when the change involves downsizing. The effects of downsizing on employee morale, performance and commitment have been studied by numerous authors and a number of models for strategy change implementation consequently suggested. However, South Africa is faced with very particular challenges when dealing with change, including a high level of unemployment, fierce resistance to change in the form of collective action such as strikes, stay-aways or go-slows, political and social transformation happening simultaneously, global competition and the conflict between social and free markets within an emerging economy. Irrespective of the vast amount of international literature available on change management, there is a distinct lack of literature investigating the impact of strategy change in an emerging economy and a knowledge gap in terms of applying existing change theories in non-Western environments. This study was aimed at determining the impact of strategy change, particularly downsizing, on employee morale, performance and commitment at a global South-African based Telecommunication Company. The objectives of the study was to determine whether employees in South Africa are negatively affected by downsizing, and provide useful information to strategic managers in terms of implementation of strategy change in a South African environment. To determine the impact of downsizing as a strategy change, a questionnaire was designed based on the literature review to ascertain responses to three sections of questions, respectively measuring morale, performance and commitment. A sample of the target population was chosen based on their position/ employment type i.e. management, supervisor or general staff. The results of the empirical study revealed some very interesting points. Although all respondents demonstrated optimism in terms of their morale, performance and commitment, it was found that comparatively, managers are more negatively impacted during times of downsizing. The Telecommunication Company’s structured nature, advances in political and social reform, and solid Training and Development policy shielded the employees from the full negative impacts of downsizing because of their positive core self evaluation. The substantial amount of neutral responses (especially under management) indicated that not all respondents revealed their true feelings, a common characteristic amongst collective people. It also surfaced that even though the majority of responses indicated positive morale and performance, most respondents were considering positions outside the organisation. Based on the literature review and results from the empirical investigation, a model was proposed to assist strategic managers in South Africa with change implementation.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Human Nutrition / Edgar Chambers IV / Because healthy food products do not have a specific tool used for consumer screening based on consumers’ diet or degree of healthy eating habits, this study aimed to determine a set of questions that could classify consumers who belong in a different status according to the Stages of Change model, including those who have a different diet quality based on their Healthy Eating Index (HEI) score. The surveys were conducted in the United States (US) and Thailand in order to determine applicability to varying countries. The Food Neophobia Scale (FNS), Food Involvement Scale (FIS), and Health and Taste Attitude Scale (HTAS) were included in the questionnaire together with a set of Stages of Change questions and a 7-day, self-administered food recall questionnaire. The HEI interpretation of US and Thai consumer scores illustrated that the majority of both belonged to the Need Improvement group. The Stages of Change model indicated most consumers thought they had healthy diets. According to FNS, FIS, and HTAS, US consumers are more involved in food activities and are more open to trying new foods or unfamiliar foods than Thais. Furthermore, consumers who belong in different groups, according to the Stages of Change model, responded differently to some HTAS subscales. However, statements from FNS, FIS, and HTAS were not capable of distinguishing consumers belonging in different groups according to HEI scores or belonging in different stages according to the Stages of Change Model. Considering all possible methods from those listed above for screening consumers, the Stages of Change model may be the best way to segment consumers interested in healthier eating. Using the Stages of Change required less time and the least effort from consumers because there were only three questions; and interpreting results does not require calculation or analysis.