This thesis is an exploration of two interconnected areas: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) training for helping professionals (HPs) and psychological flexibility in helping professionals. The ACT model holds that HPs need to be psychologically flexible (or, herein, flexible) in order to be effective ACT practitioners, and thus a primary goal of ACT training is to enhance participant flexibility. The first chapter is a systematic review of studies that have evaluated the effectiveness of ACT training. It focused on ACT training practices and outcomes related to knowledge, skills, and psychological flexibility in HPs. The results of this review suggested that ACT training can be effective in providing HPs from a range of occupational background with the necessary knowledge and competency to deliver ACT interventions. Furthermore, ACT training can increase HP flexibility. However, confidence in these findings is limited due to methodological weaknesses, particularly variability in ACT training practices, inconsistent use of available measures, a lack of psychometrically robust measures to assess ACT knowledge, and the absence of a flexibility measure designed for use with HP populations. Recommendations were made regarding future research needs in this area, including the development of a HP-specific measure of flexibility. The second chapter reports on the development and initial validation of a measure designed to assess flexibility in the specific context of professional helping, called the Mindful Healthcare Scale (MHS). The results of two studies employing two separates samples of HPs provided good preliminary evidence of the MHS's factor structure and internal validity. The MHS was also found to converge in theoretically-consistent ways with other measures of flexibility and constructs related to the occupational functioning of HPs including burnout syndrome, self-compassion, and empathy. These findings suggest that the MHS may have considerable utility in relation to ACT training for HPs and may also advance our understanding of flexibility's role in HP occupational well-being and functioning.

Constatada a evolução recente dos modos de vida e as atuais tendências comportamentais dos habitantes das grandes cidades, atribuíveis, em certa medida, à possibilidade de conexão resultante da inserção de mídias no espaço privado da habitação, busca-se, com esse trabalho, verificar a adequação da arquitetura dos apartamentos contemporâneos às demandas advindas desse processo. Estudos sobre as origens da habitação verticalizada e a história das mídias no espaço privado da habitação orientam uma observação empírica cuidadosa da produção de apartamentos, com o objetivo de conhecer mais profundamente os aspectos dessa produção relacionados à definição do espaço construído. Para isso, são analisados alguns exemplares da produção recente de apartamentos em Belo Horizonte, com uma reflexão sobre a influência das decisões de projeto nas possibilidades de uso dos espaços. Como resultado do estudo são evidenciados os principais fatores de ordem técnica e projetual que influem na definição do apartamento contemporâneo, relacionando esses fatores ao potencial de flexibilidade do espaço construído. Essa reflexão, fundada no conhecimento dos fatores que determinam a produção atual de apartamentos, constitui subsídio para possíveis redesenhos ou para uma revisão dos critérios de projeto de espaço privado da habitação verticalizada, de modo a possibilitar uma aproximação entre a produção do mercado imobiliário e as demandas do usuário / The recente evolution of the modus vivendi and the current behavior tendencies of urban populations may directly result from the wide networking possibilities offered by a number of new means of communication inserted into private living spaces. Therefore one intends to verify the adequacy of contemporary apartment architecture to such a new media and the resulting user's demands. This work is based upon studies on the origins of high-rise dwellings and on the history of the media in the home, both relying on a meticulous empirical analysis of the apartment buildings production throughout the twentieth century. For that matter a sample of the recent apartment building production in Belo Horizonte have been analyzed, reflecting on the effect of project decision on the possibilities of usage of space. As a result one has the evidence of the main technical and projectual factors that define the contemporary apartment, considering the flexibility potential of the built environment. This reflection makes it possible to review project criteria and eventually redesigning private space in high-rise dwellings, in order to help the real estate market production meet the users' demands

Adolescentes federados de basquete têm maior demanda de treino físico, técnico, tático e resistência muscular. Na puberdade, fatores ambientais e físicos, associados à imaturidade das estruturas musculoesqueléticas podem alterar a força muscular, equilíbrio, mobilidade e flexibilidade articular, além de influenciar o desenvolvimento postural. Na tentativa de conhecer e entender as consequências do treinamento esportivo, alguns estudos avaliaram a postura estática qualitativamente, entretanto os meios utilizados não foram confiáveis ou reprodutíveis. O propósito desse estudo foi de avaliar quantitativamente as alterações posturais, a mobilidade e a flexibilidade nos adolescentes federados no basquete. Participaram do estudo 74 adolescentes saudáveis, divididos em dois grupos, federados no basquete (GA) (n=36) e grupo controle (GC) (n=38). A análise postural foi realizada pela fotogrametria com o auxílio do software de avaliação postural (SAPO versão 0.63 ® e de marcadores colocados nas referências ósseas. As variáveis posturais analisadas foram cabeça, ombro, escápula, coluna torácica e lombar, pelve, tronco e inclinação lateral da coluna. Foram realizadas a goniometria para a avaliação da mobilidade dos membros superiores e o teste do 3° dedo ao solo para a avaliação da flexibilidade. Os dados foram submetidos à análise estatística descritiva (média, desvio padrão) e Ancova para verificar a influência das variáveis explicativas nas variáveis independentes, adotando-se igual a 5%. No plano frontal, os atletas apresentaram maior inclinação lateral da coluna (GA=5,0°±2,4 e GC=3,7°±1,6) e no plano sagital direito menores valores para: anteriorização da cabeça (GA=51,4°±5,3 e GC=48,6°±5,6), anteversão pélvica (GA=11,4°±5,9 e GC=14,5°± 5,1), alinhamento vertical do tronco (GA=-0,7°±2,8 e GC=0,7° ± 2,6) e cifose torácica (GA=27,9°±7,0 e GC= 32,9°±7,5). No plano sagital esquerdo, os atletas apresentaram menores valores para anteriorização da cabeça (GA=52,5°±5,7 e GC=46,4°±5,6), protusão do ombro (GA=5,9°±2,2 e GC=8,3°±2,1) e anteversão pélvica (GA=10,2°±6,1 e GC=14,6°±4,3). As variáveis posturais do plano frontal (alinhamento dos ombros e postura da escápula esquerda) apresentaram influência da idade. O índice da assimetria horizontal da escápula teve influência da altura e a lordose lombar esquerda sofreu efeito da intensidade da dominância. Quanto à mobilidade o grupo atleta apresentou maior amplitude com significância estatística para os movimentos do ombro (flexão E, extensão D, adução D/E), cotovelo hiperextensão D e E) e punho (supinação E). Sugere-se que a postura e a mobilidade articular sofrem influência do treinamento de basquete, deste modo devem ser consideradas durante o treinamento esportivo de basquete para acompanhar o desenvolvimento dos adolescentes atletas / Adolescents federated to basketball have an increasing demand for physical, technical, tactical and endurance training. At puberty, environmental and physical factors, associated with musculoskeletal structures immaturity may alter muscle strength, balance, mobility and joint flexibility, as well as influence the posture development. In an attempt to know and understand the consequences of sports training, studies have assessed the qualitative approach; however the means of assessing the posture statistics were not reliable or reproducible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantitatively the postural changes, the mobility and the flexibility presented in adolescents federated tobasketball. The study included 74 healthy adolescents, divided into two groups: athletes federated to basketball (AG) (n = 36) and A control group (CG) (n = 38). The quantitative postural analysis was performed by photogrammetry measured using the Postural Assesment Software (PAS/SAPO) and markers previously placed on bone references. The postural variables analyzed were head, shoulder, scapula, thoracic and lumbar spne, pelvis, trunk and lateral inclination of the spine. Goniometry was performed to evaluate the mobility of the upper limbs and the testing of the 3rd finger to the ground to assess flexibility. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics (average, standard deviation) and Ancova to check the influence of the explanatory variables in the independent variables, by adopting the equal to 5%. In the frontal plane, athletes had greater lateral inclination of the spine (AG = 5.0° ± 2.4 and CG = 3.7° ± 1.6) and in the right sagittal plane they had lower values for the head (AG = 51,4° ± 5.3 and CG = 48.6° ± 5.62), pelvic anteversion (AG = 11.4° ± 5.9 and CG = 14.5° ± 5.1), vertical alignment of the trunk (AG = -0.76° ± 2.8 and CG = 0,7° ± 2.6) and thoracic kyphosis (AG = 27.9°± 7.0 and CG = 32.9° ± 7.5). In the left sagittal plane the athletes had lower values for the anterior head (AG = 52.5°± 5.7 and CG = 46.4° ± 5.6), protrusion of the shoulder (AG = 5.9 cm ± 2.2 and CG = 8.3 cm ± 2.1) and pelvic anteversion (AG = 10.2° ± 6.1 and CG = 14.6° ± 4.3). The variables in the postural frontal plane (shoulder alignment and posture of the left scapula) were influenced by age. The index of asymmetry of the horizontal scapula was influenced by the height and the left lumbar lordosis suffered the intensity of dominance. As for mobility, the athlete group showed higher amplitude with statistical significance for the movement of the shoulder (flexion L, extension R, adduction R / L), elbow (hyperextension R and L), and wrist (supination L). It is suggested that the posture and joint mobility are influenced by basketball training thus they should be considered during the basketball training in order to follow the development of young athletes

Thesis advisor: Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes / The majority of family caregivers of older adults are also working for pay, and many experience work-family role conflict in managing both work and caregiving responsibilities. Work-family role conflict is associated with poorer psychological and physical health, which interferes with their ability to provide optimal care. Informed by role theory, this dissertation uses a randomized national sample of caregivers of older adults (N=465) to address the relationships between workplace characteristics, workplace flexibility, work-family role conflict, and caregiver stress. While much research has explored the work-family interface, few studies have investigated the workplace characteristics and work-family role conflict exclusively among caregivers of older adults. Additionally, the few studies exploring the relationship between workplace flexibility and stress among caregivers of older adults have yielded inconsistent findings. Results indicate that workplace characteristics associated with work-family role conflict among caregivers of older adults include supervisor support, work overload, work hours, and perceptions of a family-supportive work environment. A significant interaction effect between caregiving frequency (weekly vs. intermittent) indicates that while workplace flexibility is associated with decreased work-family conflict among those providing care intermittently, this association is not found for those providing care on a regular, weekly basis. A second set of analyses limited to regular, weekly caregivers (N=211) finds that work-family role conflict mediates the relationship between workplace flexibility and caregiver stress. This suggests that workplace flexibility may only benefit caregivers when work-family conflict is mitigated or reduced. Workplace flexibility is not associated with stress among caregivers in fair or poor health; caregivers struggling with their own health issues may need additional supports to manage work and family demands. These findings can inform the efforts of policymakers and practitioners working to promote the well-being of family caregivers of older adults. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2012. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Social Work. / Discipline: Social Work.

The purpose of this study was to assess the acute effects of vibration and stretching on passive and active forward split range of motion in elite adult female synchronized swimmers. Eleven athletes performed a passive forward split test measuring the height of the anterior superior iliac spine on both sides and an active split test on both sides by adopting an inverted split position. Then athletes were assigned randomly by right or left leg to receive vibration on one leg while stretching. The contralateral leg was stretched but did not receive vibration and served as the control. The treatment involved a 40-s exposure to vibration of the forward leg in a split and 40 s of vibration to the rear leg in a split. The athletes were then post-tested using the same protocols. The results indicated that the vibration had a statistically significant influence on passive forward split flexibility, but not active split flexibility. The results of this study confirm earlier work and further demonstrate the efficacy of vibration in enhancing range of motion in a passive split position. Given that it is often difficult to achieve large changes in range of motion with already highly trained elite athletes, this methodology shows considerable promise. Vibration may not be powerful enough to evoke changes in active range of motion in spite of the changes in passive range of motion.

Purpose: To continue investigation of the use of vibration to enhance acute range of motion while assessing the influence of vibration and stretching on pressure-to-pain threshold perception. Methods: Ten young male gymnasts were assessed for split range of motion. One side split was randomly assigned as the experimental condition, and the other side split was assigned as the control. Both side splits were performed on a vibration device; the experimental condition had the device turned on and the control condition was performed with the device turned off. In addition, the athletes were assessed for pressure-to-pain transition using an algometer on the biceps femoris (stretched muscle) and vastus lateralis (nonstretched muscle) bilaterally. Results: Pre-post difference scores between the vibrated split (most improved) and the nonvibrated split were statistically different (P = .001, 95% confidence interval of the difference 2.3 to 5.8 cm). Following the stretching protocol, the force values for the pressure-to-pain threshold comparing the vibrated and nonvibrated biceps femoris muscle were not statistically different. The nonstretched vastus lateralis muscle also showed no statistical difference in pressure-to-pain threshold between the vibration and nonvibration conditions. Conclusion: This study showed that vibration improved split range of motion over stretching alone, but did not show a difference in pressure-to-pain perception in either the stretched or nonstretched muscles.

Spending time at work, with family/whanau, and communities takes up a large proportion of Maori women's lives. Finding a balance can often be complex and challenging, due to surrounding environmental influences that are continually changing. This thesis explores those challenges, and considers whether 'being Maori' affects the way they manage their lives around the dimensions of work family/whanau and community.The study interviewed Maori women over 20 years of age, in paid work, and who were active members in two urban Maori communities of Auckland, namely Te Whanau o Waipareira Trust and Manukau Urban Maori Authority.It was anticipated that information gleaned could be used to consider positive strategies to facilitate the better management of their time given the constraints imposed on them by modern existence without compromising their cultural obligations as Maori actively involved in their communities.Overall, it was found that being Maori does have an affect on how the women manage their lives around work, family/whanau, and community. A number of factors are identified that help balance work and everyday life including whanau and community support as well as individual strategies and personal assistance. For example, flexible employers that valued Maori beliefs and culture helped reinforce and facilitate the achievement of this balance. Similarly, quality childcare was invaluable. Further research is suggested as to how Maori women balance competing priorities from community and whanau demands.

組織例規是組織行為的重要基石(Nelson and Winter, 1982; Becker, Lazaric, Nelson, and Winter, 2005)。組織例規一方面反映組織內重複做事的方式，是組織穩定性的來源(Simon, 1945; Cyert and March, 1963; Nelson and Winter, 1982)。另一方面，近期學者主張組織例規必須具有內部動態性，組織方能有彈性地回應環境的變化(Feldman, 2000; Feldman and Pentland, 2003; Pentland and Feldman, 2005; Becker, Lazaric, Nelson, and Winter, 2005)。 雖然學術界與實務界對於組織例規帶來的穩定性已有共識，對於組織例規如何幫助組織快速、有效地回應環境變異性 (彈性) (Sethi , Khamba, and Kiran, 2007)，學者的看法紛紜 (e.g., Adler, Goldoftas, and Levine, 1999; Pentland, 1995; Pentland and Rueter, 1994; Feldman and Pentland, 2000; Feldman, 2000; Feldman and Rafaeli, 2002; Feldman and Pentland, 2003; Pentland and Feldman, 2005; Becker, Lazaric, Nelson, and Winter; 2005)。Feldman and Pentland (2003) 主張在探討組織例規與彈性關聯性時，應將組織例規重概念化，認為主張組織例規除了包含組織例規的結構層面 (ostensive/structure aspects)，也包含組織成員實際執行例規之代理層面 (performative/agency aspects)。Feldman and Pentland (2003) 並主張組織成員實際執行例規的代理層面是促成彈性的來源。 本論文主張，除了可藉由組織成員選擇例規執行的方式成為彈性的來源 (e.g., Feldman, 2000; Feldman and Pentland, 2003) 外，組織也可能透過結構面組織例規的設計來影響組織成員的決策行為 (代理面組織例規)，進而達到彈性的目的。 本論文探討之研究問題包括：(一) 因應環境變異性，組織傾向發展哪些結構面的組織例規? (二) 結構面的組織例規如何影響組織個人決策行為，以幫助組織快速、有效地回應環境變異性，進而達到彈性的目的？ 本論文的研究設計採Eisenhardt (1989) 之歸納性個案研究法。選取的個案公司包含5家在台灣市場成立20年以上之行銷研究公司，個案公司的篩選是依循理論抽樣的原則 (Glass and Strauss, 1967; Eisenhardt, 1989)，挑選的個案公司包含在台灣之本國行銷研究公司及多國行銷研究公司。資料蒐集方法上，本論文蒐集多重來源之資料，並進行三角驗證 (Eisenhardt, 1989; Yin, 2003)。資料來源包括：初級資料和次級資料。初級資料包含研究者與行銷研究公司參與客製化量化研究專案之不同活動、不同階層的不同人員所進行之面對面深入訪談，以及研究者實地觀察經驗，此外，研究者同時也非正式的訪談兩位客戶端與行銷研究公司合作的窗口，瞭解客戶對各個專案活動之需求；次級資料則包含行銷研究公司的網站資訊、報章雜誌報導、公司簡介、宣傳文件，以及部份公司內部之文件資料與電子郵件資料。本論文的分析單位是行銷研究公司執行量化研究專案時的活動 (activities)。 針對研究問題一，本論文發現對知識密集之新式專業服務公司 (neo professional service firms) 而言，為了回應異質之任務環境變異性，標準作業程序對於彈性的影響並不明顯，取而代之的是具可塑性的組織例規。面對異質/穩定的任務環境變異性，組織傾向發展內容樣板、檢查樣板、書面原則、及文法行動例規。而面對異質/變動的任務環境變異性，組織傾向發展資訊搜尋例規、互動式經驗學習例規、書面原則、及劇本。 針對研究問題二，本論文發現不同特性之具可塑性組織例規可能影響組織成員決策判斷面，以及/或決策行動面，進而影響組織成員回應環境變異性的品質/速度 (彈性)。 / Organizational routines are fundamental constituents of organizational behavior (Nelson and Winter, 1982; Becker, Lazaric, Nelson, and Winter, 2005). On one hand, organizational routines reflect repetitious “ways of doing things” in an organization, which signify stability (Simon, 1945; Cyert and March, 1963; Nelson and Winter, 1982). On the other, organizational routines embrace “endogenous changes”, which help organizations respond flexibly to environmental changes (Feldman, 2000; Feldman and Pentland, 2003; Pentland and Feldman, 2005; Becker, Lazaric, Nelson, and Winter, 2005). While there is a consensus in literature that organizational routines serve as major sources of stability, discussions on how organizational routines embrace “endogenous changes” have just started in recent years (e.g., Pentland and Reuter, 1994; Feldman, 2000; Feldman and Pentland, 2003; Becker, Lazaric, Nelson, and Winter, 2005; Becker and Zirpoli, 2008). Among the discussions, Feldman and Pentland (2003) propose a distinction between ostensive/structural routines and performative routines in order to understand endogenous dynamics of organizational routines. This research seeks to extend the discussions on endogenous dynamics of organizational routines. In particular, two research questions are investigated. First, in order to respond to task environment dynamisms, what types of ostensive routines are designed in practice? Second, how do different ostensive routines affect individual’s decision-making behavior (performative routines) and thus influence flexibility. Three links are explored in this research, including a link of task environment dynamisms to the design of ostensive routines, a link of ostensive routines to performative routines, and a link of performative routines to flexibility. The first link reveals that different task environment dynamisms may require different design of ostensive routines. The second and third links show how assorted ostensive routines influence different components of individual’s decision-making behavior (performative routines) and thus influence flexibility. In this research, flexibility is defined as the ability to respond effectively to the ever-changing needs of customers and is composed of two dimensions, the quality of response and the speed of response (Sethi, Khamba, and Kiran, 2007). In order to explore the linkages, this research employs a multiple-case design (Eisenhardt, 1989; Eisenhardt and Graebner, 2007). Five marketing research firms, including three local marketing research firms and two subsidiaries of multinational marketing research firms, are selected for field studies. I conducted field observations in one case firm and initiated field in-depth interviews with a diversity of people from different functions and different levels at each case firm. Within each firm, nine research activities/processes, which require flexible performance, are selected as units of analysis. The result first shows that across the nine research processes studied, all processes face heterogeneous task environment, including heterogeneous-stable environment and heterogeneous-shifting environment. In order to respond to task environment that is heterogeneous in nature, marketing research firms develop a collection of ostensive routines or routine artifacts, such as standard operating procedures, content templates, checklist templates, written rules, grammars of action, information-search routines, interactive experiential learning routines, and scripts. Among the ostensive routines, standard operating procedures are steady in nature and mainly assist in achieving efficiency. Other ostensive routines, such as content templates, checklist templates, written rules, grammars of action, information-search routines, interactive experiential learning routines, and scripts, are ‘flexible’ in nature and play an important role in influencing flexibility. In other words, these ‘flexible’ ostensive routines or routine artifacts are designed to be “live routines” (Cohen, 2007; Pentland and Feldman, 2008). In this thesis, the focus is on the presence of these ‘flexible’ ostensive routines and the influence of these ‘flexible’ ostensive routines on individual’s decision-making, which in turn influence the quality of response or the speed of response, the two important dimensions of flexibility (Sethi, Khamba, and Kiran, 2007). This research discovers that facing heterogeneous-stable task environment, content templates, checklist templates, grammars of action, and written rules are important ostensive routines. Content templates specify alternatives or rationales for selection of alternatives in decision-making; checklist templates specify considering factors for decision-making; written rules specify heuristics for complex decision-making; grammars of action specify logics of action. Responding to heterogeneous-stable task environment, content templates that specify alternatives guide individual’s action to specific direction and influence the speed of response consequently. Content templates that specify rationales for selection of alternatives provide individuals with logics of selection, which in turn affect the quality of response. Besides, checklist templates remind individuals with factors to be considered; written rules provide individuals with heuristics for making complex decision; grammars of action indicate logics of action to individuals. The quality of response may be influenced in consequence. Additionally, this research also discovers that facing heterogeneous-shifting task environment, information-search routines, interactive experiential learning routines, written rules, and scripts are viable designs of ostensive routines. Information-search routines exist to facilitate knowing-who, knowing-what, and knowing-how search behavior. Interactive experiential learning routines represent drilling activities “for maintaining infrequently exercised capabilities” (Nelson and Winter, 1982: 107). Written rules provide “tips” for making complex decisions. Scripts provide stories about working examples or best practices (Szulanski and Jensen, 2004). Responding to heterogeneous-shifting task environment, information-search routines, which facilitate knowing-who search behavior, provide individuals with specific direction of asking whom. The speed of response may be affected as a result. In addition, if there is a trust between the question sender and the receiver (Moorman, Deshpande, and Zaltman 1993), the receiver is willing to share his/her experience, and the sender’s judgment repertoire is likely to be influenced. Therefore, the quality of response may be affected. Information-search routines, which facilitate knowing-what search behavior, supply individuals with general market information and may impact individual’s judgment about factor considerations; information-search routines, which facilitate knowing-how search behavior, provide individuals with the logic of action to solve problems. The quality of response may be affected as a result. Besides, interactive experiential learning routines urge individuals to share and learn from each other; written rules provide heuristics for complex decision-making; scripts provide stories of working examples or best practices (Szulanski and Jensen, 2004). Through these routines, individual’s judgment repertoire may be influenced. The quality of response may be influenced consequently. The discovery from this research is in line with the recent theoretical argument that there is endogenous dynamics of organizational routines (Becker, Lazaric, Nelson, and Winter, 2005) and organizational routines can be sources of flexibility (e.g., Feldman, 2000; Feldman and Pentland, 2003). While recent scholars mainly argue that individuals who decide the way to perform routines serve as the key sources of flexibility, this thesis propose that the design of ‘flexible’ ostensive routines or routine artifacts may also influence individual’s decision-making and therefore contribute to the achievement of flexibility. The discovery not only extend theoretical discussions on endogenous dynamics of organizational routines (e.g., Feldman and Pentland, 2003; Pentland and Feldman, 2005; Becker, Lazaric, Nelson and Winter, 2005; Pentland and Feldman, 2008), but also provide some implications to the theory of organizations in action (e.g., Thompson, 1967), the micro-foundations of organizational capabilities/dynamic capabilities (e.g., Felin and Foss, 2005; Teece, 2007; Abell, Felin, and Foss, 2008; Foss, Husted, and Michailova, 2010), and the design of processes (e.g., Hall and Johnson, 2009).

<p>Denna rapport berättar om vårt arbete med att ta fram ett inredningskoncept till den nya kårpuben i Eskilstuna. Vi har med hjälp av våra kunskaper inom informationsdesign och rumslig gestaltning arbetat fram ett förslag, anpassat efter uppdragsgivarens önskemål. Våra uppdragsgivare är Kårhusstiftelsen och Mälardalens studentkår. De ville att inredningskonceptet skulle vara målgruppsanpassat med funktion, flexibilitet och nytänkande i fokus. Då kårpubens personal till största del består av ideell arbetskraft ville de även att inredningskonceptet skulle underlätta det dagliga underhållet av verksamheten. Vi har utfört observation, målgruppsanalys, behovsanalys, enkätundersökning, intervjuer samt utprovningar. Det slutliga konceptförslaget gestaltade vi med hjälp av en digital presentation. I presentationen ingick planritning, 3D visualisationer och inspirationsbilder med möbelval etc. Vi ansåg att den digitala presentationen var ett informativt sätt att få alla inblandade parter att förstå inredningskonceptet och dess fördelar.</p>

<p>Introduction: The world is changing rapidly and the uncertainty that characterizes today´s society makes companies preparations for the future crucial. </p><p>Purpose: To examine how CEO:s in small companies look at the future and what kind of preparations they make in order to meet it. Hereby, our ambition is to find out whether there is a difference between companies working in industries characterized by different degrees of stability. </p><p>Mode of procedure: The purpose of this thesis has been fulfilled by interviews with four CEO:s from industries characterized by different degrees of stability. </p><p>Result: The companies working in relatively unstable environments tended to be relatively more flexible and have an emergent strategy formation process, whereas companies working in relatively stable environments displayed relatively less flexibility and tended to have a planning strategy formation process.</p>