A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Communication Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / The study was conducted with the purpose of surveying the nature, patterns and trends of the new communication strategies to enhance marketing of fast moving customer goods (FMCG). The researcher intended to investigate current consumer behaviour with respect to fast moving consumer goods FMCG and new communication strategies for marketing of FMCG. The study focused primarily on managing FMCG to increase its availability to rural communities with the hope of addressing poverty eradication and providing some avenues for job creation. This included an investigation into new media and technology to enhance the marketing of FMCG with the intention of making these goods more easily accessible to rural communities. The study also investigated current consumer behaviour with respect to fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) and new communication strategies for marketing of FMCG. Unravelling methods of making FMCG easily available to rural communities would be an alternate strategy to urbanise rural communities and reduce unemployment. FMCG forms a fundamental aspect of people’s daily lives and is an ideal tool which can be used to manipulate industry to touch lives of all people throughout South Africa. The study offers thought provoking ideas on how to urbanise rural communities by using basic commodities which people use on a daily basis, and it further offers ideas for further research in this field. It also unravels contemporary methods of marketing basic commodities.

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This paper aims to identify the perceptions of the main stakeholders of IBM about the external communication strategies that have been applied on the potential use of disruptive technologies. A qualitative methodology with a case study approach was applied. Through the homogeneous sampling technique, six semi-structured interviews with stakeholders of IBM and one focus group with 11 university students were conducted. As a result, there is interest in Peruvians to know what disruptive technologies are; however, its dissemination has a commercial focus that is not generating development or relevant solutions in the local market. It is necessary that specialists and the media disseminate information that does motivate their use in a real and effective way.

A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Communication Science at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2008. / Organisational communication in today‘s organisations has not only become far more complex and varied but more important to overall organisational functioning and success also, organisations can not operate without communication, organisations involve people and people cannot interact with each other without communication. However, different styles of management have an influence or impact over people, on the way in which people co-operate and on the results of changes because change is both inevitable (unavoidable) and necessary in any business and it is important for managers and employees to hone (sharpen) their skills in change management. This study investigates the communication strategies aimed at improving the success rate of small to medium business enterprises. The first part of the study reviews literature on communication, change management, different styles of management, change implementation, importance of planning and communication, kinds of changes and managers and power. Subsequent chapters describe the construction of a survey instrument employed to measure and evaluate on the communication strategies aimed at improving the success rate of small to medium business enterprises. Penultimate chapters blend the insights gained from this literature review to interpret the results, obtained through the quantitative research methodology, to describe a set of conclusions and recommendations in the context of the communication strategies aimed at improving the success rate of small to medium business enterprises.

Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the Degree of MA in Communication Science, University of Zululand, 2008. / The concept of sustainability has been adapted in business context to achieve balance, integrity, economic, social and environmental performance (Naidoo 2002:129); however Corporate Social Investment (CSI) is a relatively new concept to some companies. This study measures the growing debate over the responsibilities of business and the examination of communication strategies and CSI programmes being implemented by the banking sector in the Chatsworth District The first part of the study reviews literature pertaining to the communication process, electronic communication, mass communication, organisational communication, public communication, communication strategies in corporate social investment and community development. Subsequent chapters deal with the construction of a survey instrument employed to measure and evaluate the extent of CSI programmes by the banking sector and the findings of the survey. Penultimate chapters blend the insights gained from this literature review to interpret the results, obtained through the quantitative research methodology, to describe a set of conclusions and recommendations in the context of community upliftment through CSI initiatives.

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Communication between a patient with hearing loss and a health care provider can be challenging and potentially contribute to poor health outcomes. This document describes an audiology doctoral project with clinical innovation emphasis on the development of a guide and interprofessional training for health care providers to communicate effectively with patients with hearing loss. A preliminary assessment of provider needs for training was followed by the development and implementation of an interprofessional training on hearing loss and communication strategies for the University of Arizona-St. Luke's Home Interprofessional Education and Practice Program (Spring, 2015). Additionally, video training segments on effective communication in a health care setting were developed. Evaluation of the interprofessional training included administration of pre- and post-training questionnaires (n = 11). Results indicated a significant change in trainee confidence levels in screening for hearing loss and the use of appropriate communication strategies for communicating with hard of hearing patients. These results support further development and research on hearing loss and communication training for health care curriculums, interprofessional education, and in-service training meetings. Implementation of communication trainings may lead to improved patient-provider communication, with positive impact on health care experiences and outcomes for patients with hearing loss.

In my dissertation, I argue that rationality, for real humans, is best understood as a strategy for communication and interacting in a social environment. In particular, I argue that humans are rational to the extent that they are able to understand and be understood by others, to the extent that they can give and accept reasons and explanations. This raises a pair of questions. The first concerns the source of the norms for giving and accepting reasons. The second is why we should accept and follow these norms if they are not guaranteed to preserve truth or optimize outcomes. I address the first question by arguing that these norms function as constraints on our imaginations, on the ways in which we can think about or understand the world. This goes beyond the traditional view that these norms govern acceptable inferences. Rather, I argue, the more significant function of these norms is to govern the structure of our reasoning in the sense of guiding considerations about the relevance and form of our understandings of situations. This suggests an answer to the second question. We ought to accept these norms because they are self-confirming. Following them allows us to communicate and interact with others who follow these same norms. In those endeavors that require interaction and coordination in a social group, being understood is frequently more important than being right. / text

Introdução: A craniossinostose é causada pela fusão prematura de uma ou mais suturas cranianas, levando à deformidade do crânio. Formas sindrômicas ocorrem quando a craniossinostose é associada a características dismorfológicas adicionais. A fusão precoce das suturas pode ser causada por fatores ambientais e genéticos. No presente trabalho, pretende-se reconhecer os diagnósticos clínicos e características fenotípicas da craniossinostose em pacientes atendidos nos ambulatórios de Genética Médica do Hospital de Clinicas de Porto Alegre no período de 2006 a 2016. O protocolo de investigação incluiu anamnese, exame dismorfológico e revisão de prontuário, incluindo exames de investigação realizados. Resultados: Entre 2006 e 2016, foram avaliados 133 indivíduos com craniossinostose, sendo que 121 reuniram critérios para inclusão neste estudo. A idade média de diagnóstico da craniossinostose foi de 38,4 meses. A sutura mais frequentemente acometida foi a sutura metópica. Houve maior proporção de casos sindrômicos (69,4%). Em 25 desses pacientes, foram identificadas as síndromes de Apert, Crouzon, Pfeiffer, Muenke, Craniofrontonasal ou Saethre-Chotzen. Síndromes não tipicamente relacionadas a craniossinostose foram também identificadas, como distrofia miotônica tipo 1 (n=2), síndrome de Gorlin, síndrome de Beckwith-Wiedemann e galactosemia. Os sinais clínicos não eram típicos de qualquer síndrome particular em 32 indivíduos (38,1% dos casos sindrômicos). Características fenotípicas frequentes incluíram malformações de extremidades (35,5%), do sistema nervoso central (32,1%), cardiovasculares (21,4%) e genito-urinárias (16,6%). Foram observadas malformações raras como espinha bífida (n=3), hérnia diafragmática congênita (n=3) e hipoplasia congênita de parede abdominal (n=2). Anormalidades citogenéticas ou moleculares foram identificadas em 18 indivíduos sindrômicos, sendo a síndrome de Muenke o diagnóstico mais frequente (n=7). Discussão: A maior proporção de casos sindrômicos em relação a outras séries é possivelmente relacionada ao fato de tratar-se de casos atendidos em um serviço de Genética clínica. Observou-se diagnóstico significativamente tardio na presente casuística, reforçando a necessidade de estratégias de saúde pública envolvendo treinamento de recursos humanos e otimização da referência aos centros terciários. O acometimento multissistêmico reforça a importância do acompanhamento multidisciplinar. Conclusão: O estudo demonstra uma amostra amplamente heterogênea em termos clínicos, genéticos e terapêuticos. É fundamental o desenvolvimento de estratégias de educação contínua não apenas dentro da equipe, mas também ao acessar pacientes e familiares, através do aconselhamento genético e de ferramentas de comunicação. Para isso, propõe-se uma cartilha informativa sobre craniossinostoses para pacientes e familiares. Faltam estudos em países em desenvolvimento para análise comparativa dos dados em contextos sociais semelhantes. / Introduction: Craniosynostosis is caused by premature fusion of one or more cranial sutures, leading to deformity of the skull. Syndromic forms occur when craniosynostosis is associated with additional dysmorphological features. Early suture fusion can be caused by environmental and genetic factors. In this study, it is intended to recognize the clinical diagnosis and phenotypic characteristics of craniosynostosis in patients attending Medical Genetics outpatient clinics of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre from 2006 to 2016. The research protocol included anamnesis, dysmorphological examination, review of medical records and investigations carried out. Results: Between 2006 and 2016, 133 individuals with craniosynostosis were evaluated, and 121 met inclusion criteria for this study. The mean age at diagnosis of craniosynostosis was 38.4 months. Metopic suture was the most commonly involved. There was a higher proportion of syndromic cases (69.4%). In 25 of these patients, Apert, Crouzon, Pfeiffer, Muenke, Craniofrontonasal or Saethre-Chotzen syndromes were identified. Syndromes not typically associated to craniosynostosis were also identified, such as myotonic dystrophy type 1 (n = 2), Gorlin syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and galactosemia. Clinical signs were not typical of any particular syndrome in 32 individuals (38.1% of syndromic cases). Frequent phenotypic features included extremities (35.5%), central nervous system (32.1%), cardiovascular (21.4%) and genitourinary malformations (16.6%). Rare malformations such as spina bifida (n = 3), diaphragmatic hernia (n = 3) and congenital abdominal wall hypoplasia (n = 2) were observed. Cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities were identified in 18 syndromic patients, and Muenke syndrome was the most frequent diagnosis (n = 7). Discussion: The higher proportion of syndromic cases than in other series is possibly due to the fact that these cases are treated in a clinical genetics service. Significantly late diagnosis was observed in the present series, reinforcing the need for public health strategies involving training of human resources, optimization of referral to tertiary centers and active search strategies. Multisystemic involvement reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary follow-up. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a widely heterogeneous clinical, genetic and therapeutic sample. Strategies for continuous education within the team, patients and family members, through genetic counseling and communication tools are important, so it is proposed an information booklet for patients and families. There is a scarcity of case series from developing countries for comparative analysis in similar social contexts.

Central bank communication has become an important monetary policy tool. This is because it helps to improve the effectiveness of monetary policy by sharing information, which reduces uncertainty. Previous research on the topic has concentrated on central banks in developed economies, such as the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, and the Federal Reserve. This research contributes to the literature by providing insights from the perspective of emerging economies, where communications of Chinese and Indian central banks are examined. The first empirical chapter investigates the effectiveness of communication of People s Bank of China (PBOC) on Chinese financial markets: the interbank money market, the equity market, and foreign exchange markets, are analysed using time-series models. The main focus of the chapter includes an analysis of PBOC s credibility, construction of a new communication index on global economic outlook, more detailed communication indexes, and addressing how-to-communicate questions in the PBOC s communication strategies. The results indicate that the PBOC has credibility and its communication generally reduces volatility in these markets. The second empirical chapter looks at the role of the PBOC s communication in predicting policy rates, using an ordered probit model. The communication indexes constructed in the chapter cover both formal and informal communications of PBOC for 2009 to 2015 and a new communication index on money supply was also constructed. The main finding is that PBOC s communications (particularly on inflation) are useful for predicting PBOC s monetary policy stance. The money supply communication index has some, but not much predictability powers. Finally, the third empirical chapter compares central bank communications in China and India. The contribution of the chapter lies in the comparative analysis of two central banks communications of developing economies, which were overlooked in the extant literature. It shows that the communications on the countries monetary policy inclination have influence on macroeconomic variables of the countries, particularly, the short-term inflation expectations. The findings, therefore, suggest the effectiveness of communications as an unconventional monetary policy tool in emerging economies.