This thesis focuses on current very important and widespread IT sector on the Czech labor market and discusses the frequent solutions to the problems of IT workers employment: outsourcing. The theoretical part of this work solves development and overall approach to outsourcing. The practical part includes the legal framework of outsourcing in the Czech Republic. Given is the definition of the ICT sector, including individual sub-branches of the IT sector with their individual specifications and performance of EI-PRAGUE, s.r.o. whose database of IT specialists, together with data of Czech Statistical Office it is also used for actual calculations. These calculations help to dismantle the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing, both from the perspective of a worker employed on main job or self-employed, but also from the perspective of the IT specialists provider, state and health insurers. Carried comparisons have conflicting results. From the perspective of the worker is in almost all respects advantageous to work as self-employed, while in terms of state income and health insurers is more suitable if the workers are in an employment relationship at main job.

Ce mémoire dépoussière l’univers de la céramique à Montréal. Je vous transporte dans les ateliers des céramistes de la ville ainsi que dans leurs lieux d’exposition et de vente pour vous faire découvrir le parcours professionnel et la quotidienneté de ces individus, leur rapport avec l’argile, les heures de travail passées derrière les pièces que vous achetez dans les boutiques, les liens forts que peuvent entretenir les membres de cette communauté, mais aussi les tensions et les difficultés qui règnent dans cet univers. Ma recherche prend la forme d’une immersion ethnographique, basée sur une série d’entretiens semi-dirigés et sur des heures d’observation – directes et participantes – dans les lieux de vie de dix-sept céramistes à Montréal. En portant une attention particulière au parcours et au quotidien des personnes participantes à mon étude, je vous présente ma première collection de feuilletons, confectionnés après plusieurs essais et pièces ratées. Puisque très peu de recherches en sciences sociales se sont penchées sur ces groupes professionnels atypiques, ce mémoire offre un apport théorique sur les processus d’entrée et les cheminements professionnels possibles dans ces milieux ; sur l’importance des réseaux d’interconnaissance ainsi que des rapports de coopération et de compétition qui marquent les relations entre céramistes ; et sur le rôle des marchés, des expositions et de la clientèle dans le développement et l’évolution de cet univers. Inspirée par les approches interactionnistes, ce mémoire se veut également novateur en soulignant l’importance de considérer le rôle que prennent les objets, telle que l’argile dans le cas des céramistes, dans l’analyse des diverses interactions dans les métiers d’art. / This project aims to dust off the world of ceramics in Montreal. I will be taking you along with me into the workshops of several ceramic artists in the city, as well as to their exhibitions and sales venues, to give you a glimpse into the daily lives of these individuals, their connection with clay, the hours of work spent behind the pieces you buy in shops, the strong bonds within this community, as well as the tensions and challenges that prevail in this universe. Thus, my research takes the form of an ethnographic immersion based on a series of semi-directed interviews and on hours of – direct and participating – observation in the living, working, and socializing spaces of seventeen ceramic artists in Montreal. By paying close attention to the details and everyday life of my respondents, I present to you my first collection of “feuilletons” after several attempts and failed pieces. Given that very little social science research has focused on these atypical professional groups, this research offers a theoretical contribution on the processes of entry and progression in these fields; the importance of inter-knowledge networks as well as the cooperative and competitive relationships that mark the relations between ceramists; and on the role of markets, exhibitions and clientele in the development and evolution of this universe. Inspired by interactionist aproaches, this research opens up a new perspective by highlighting the importance of considering the role played by objects, such as clay in the case of ceramists, in the analysis of various interactions in arts professions.

Unlike in the days of yore where storytelling was primarily known for its entertainment value, storytelling should be harnessed to make people's livelihood. Chapter 1 serves as prologue wherein the background of the study, problem statement, statement of aims, research methodology, research questions, hypotheses, definition of terms and organization of the study are presented. Storytelling began with the aim of transmitting the culture of people from one generation to another. There are different theories to account for the origin of stories. The identified problem is that storytelling is dying because it has not yet been professionalised in African languages. For storytelling to become viable in South Africa, storytellers have to be economically empowered. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed in this study. Various questions have been prepared for use when interviewing the respondents. As a point of departure, the research hypotheses were laid down. Various concepts used in the study have been defined in order to clarify any misconceptions. For a study to follow a predetermined plan, it has to be organised in its initial stage. For that reason what has been discussed in each chapter has been summarised in the first chapter. Chapter 2 presents views of scholars, researchers and authors in general on how storytelling could be professionalised. The factors which retard the professionalisation of storytelling were also provided. The furnished views are classified according to their similarity. In Chapter 3, the methodology used in the gathering of research data is outlined. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used, but the qualitative method more extensively because this is an explorative study. Data was collected through interviewing, questionnaires, documents and observation methods. Two sampling methods were used to select the respondents: the snowball sampling method and the judgmental or purposeful sampling design. The setting of the study was determined by the accessibility and the willingness of the respondents to use the site. Once the data was collected, it was analysed and interpreted. Chapter 4 focuses on the analysis and interpretation of the research data collected through interviews, questionnaires and systematic observations. During data analysis, similar themes from different respondents were combined in order to interpret the main findings. All such themes are discussed under major categories. In this chapter, themes were identified in relation to how storytelling might be professionalised. The fifth chapter outlines the main findings arrived at during the analysis and the interpretation of the data. To make this study more pragmatic, the findings are accompanied by suggested recommendations. The final chapter provides a general conclusion to the entire study. The success of professionalised storytelling and storytellers, the implications in terms of teaching and professionalisation, the implications for further study and the limitations of the study are also dealt with in this chapter. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

L’image qu’a la population du phénomène des gangs est fortement influencée par les médias. Les informations véhiculées par les journaux et par les canaux de nouvelles mettent généralement l’emphase sur les stéréotypes associés aux gangs et aux comportements de ces derniers. Ceci a pour conséquence de rehausser la crainte que développe la population à l’endroit des gangs de rue. Dans un contexte où le phénomène des gangs paraît devenu omniprésent dans nos quartiers, nos villes et représente une problématique en expansion dans plusieurs grandes villes du Québec et du Canada, une attention particulière portée au trafic de drogues fait par les membres de gangs de rue, reconnu par plusieurs comme la principale activité des gangs de rue, revêt sans nul doute un grand intérêt. Obtenir la description la plus précise possible, faite par des membres ou d’ex-membres de gangs de rue, à partir de leurs connaissances concernant le trafic de drogues étant donné leur appartenance et leur implication dans les activités d’un gang de rue et, le cas échéant, le trafic de drogues effectué par ce dernier, représente l’objectif principal de la présente étude. C’est par le biais d’entrevues avec les principaux concernés que le trafic de drogues fait par les membres de gangs est abordé. Au total, quinze entrevues semi-directives ont été réalisées auprès de membres et ex-membres de gangs de rue, tous – à une exception près - pris en charge au Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire. Globalement, il ressort de cette étude qu’en plus du trafic de stupéfiants, les gangs ou les membres de gangs s’adonneraient à une délinquance polymorphe, le trafic étant rarement l’unique source de revenus du gang ou du membre. De plus, le trafic de stupéfiants ne serait pas une activité exclusive aux gangs de rue auxquels appartiennent les membres interviewés. Ainsi, même si l’on retrouve un certain nombre de membres participant à la vente comme activité structurée d’un gang, il est possible pour un membre d’effectuer de la vente de drogues de façon indépendante, tout en étant affilié à un gang de rue. Il appert que la plupart des interviewés font partie d’une clique, s’identifient à une couleur ou à un quartier, et s’approvisionnent en drogues auprès de membres plus âgés et hauts placés dans la structure des gangs de rue, que les répondants identifient comme étant les vétérans. En ce qui les concerne, les répondants signalent l’importance de gagner la confiance des plus haut placés s’ils souhaitent débuter et évoluer dans la vente de stupéfiants. Lorsque la confiance est présente et que le nouveau vendeur débute ses activités, soit il s’approprie un territoire, généralement à l’intérieur de son quartier, soit on lui fournit un endroit de vente où il peut « travailler ». La présence d’un membre de la famille déjà affilié à un gang paraît faciliter le processus d’accès des nouveaux à l’activité de trafic. Lorsque les interviewés abordent l’aspect du territoire de vente, plusieurs dimensions viennent s’y greffer : la compétition, les conflits, les interactions avec les gangs ennemis et la violence, pour ne nommer que celles-là. Les interviewés indiquent vendre une certaine variété de drogues, le cannabis et le crack représentant les deux drogues les plus couramment citées. La marge de profits varierait, entre autres, en fonction du type de drogue vendue, du quartier et des caractéristiques de la clientèle. Cette dernière, malgré qu’elle soit diversifiée, comporte une constante : les consommateurs dépendants sont, comme plusieurs interviewés l’ont mentionné, prêts à tout pour assurer leur consommation. Les consommateurs sont ordinairement des étudiants, des propriétaires de commerces, des employés de bars, des travailleurs de la construction, des itinérants, des prostitués, des fêtards, des voyageurs de passage à Montréal. Les répondants dénotent également la présence de policiers, agents doubles, pouvant se présenter comme clients. Ceci étant, il leur apparaît essentiel de développer des habiletés permettant de détecter la présence policière et la distinguer des clients réguliers. Côté consommation, les interviewés affirment se limiter presqu’essentiellement à l’alcool et au cannabis. Néanmoins, plusieurs avouent avoir consommé une grande variété d’intoxicants au cours de leur vie. Plusieurs signalent qu’une trop grande consommation nuit à la vente de stupéfiants. / In a context where the gang phenomenon has become omnipresent in our neighbourhoods and represents a growing problem in several large cities in Quebec and Canada, paying particular attention to drug trafficking by members of street gangs is undoubtedly of great interest. The media strongly influences the image of gang phenomenon. As information conveyed by newspapers and news channels focus on the stereotypes associated with gangs and their behaviour, it enhances the fear that society has regarding street gangs. That being said, to shed light on gangs and their activities is an interest. We chose to focus on drug trafficking which is common in street gangs. The main objective of this research is to obtain the most accurate description and knowledge of drug trafficking from present and former street gang members related to their knowledge of drug trafficking as a result of their membership and their involvement in street gang activities. Drug trafficking is addressed through interviews with gang members. In total, fifteen semi-directive interviews were conducted among present and former gang members. All respondents but one were from the Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire. Overall, this study allows us to understand that in addition to drug trafficking, gangs or gang members indulge in polymorphic criminal activities; drug trafficking is rarely the sole source of income. Moreover, drug trafficking is not an activity exclusive to street gangs. Thus, even if a number of members are involved in drug sales as a structured gang activity, it is possible for a member to sell drugs on a freelance basis while being affiliated with a street gang. It appears that most respondents are part of a clique, identify a color or a district and buy drugs from older and higher ranked members that respondents identify as veterans. Regarding the veterans, respondents indicated the importance of being trusted by the highest ranked if they wish to evolve in the drug sales market. When trust is present and the new seller begins his activities, either he takes over a turf, usually within his area, or the veteran provides a place where the new seller can "work". The presence of a family member already affiliated to a gang seems to facilitate the process of access to new trafficking activities. There are several dimensions associated with the territory aspect according to the interviewees such as: competition, conflict, interactions with rival gangs and violence, to name a few. Members indicate selling a variety of drugs, cannabis and crack representing the two most commonly cited drugs. The profit margin varies among the type of drugs sold, the district and of customers’ characteristics. The customers, although diverse in nature, have something in common: addicted customers, as several interviewees have mentioned, are desperate to ensure their consumption. These are typically homeless, prostitutes, bars’ employees, partygoers and foreigners/ travellers. Respondents also indicate the presence of undercover police officers, which may arise as customers. Thus, it is essential to develop skills allowing them to distinguish the undercover police officers from regular customers. Regarding drug use, respondents assert themselves using mostly alcohol and cannabis. However, several admitted to having used a large variety of intoxicants during their lives.

L’image qu’a la population du phénomène des gangs est fortement influencée par les médias. Les informations véhiculées par les journaux et par les canaux de nouvelles mettent généralement l’emphase sur les stéréotypes associés aux gangs et aux comportements de ces derniers. Ceci a pour conséquence de rehausser la crainte que développe la population à l’endroit des gangs de rue. Dans un contexte où le phénomène des gangs paraît devenu omniprésent dans nos quartiers, nos villes et représente une problématique en expansion dans plusieurs grandes villes du Québec et du Canada, une attention particulière portée au trafic de drogues fait par les membres de gangs de rue, reconnu par plusieurs comme la principale activité des gangs de rue, revêt sans nul doute un grand intérêt. Obtenir la description la plus précise possible, faite par des membres ou d’ex-membres de gangs de rue, à partir de leurs connaissances concernant le trafic de drogues étant donné leur appartenance et leur implication dans les activités d’un gang de rue et, le cas échéant, le trafic de drogues effectué par ce dernier, représente l’objectif principal de la présente étude. C’est par le biais d’entrevues avec les principaux concernés que le trafic de drogues fait par les membres de gangs est abordé. Au total, quinze entrevues semi-directives ont été réalisées auprès de membres et ex-membres de gangs de rue, tous – à une exception près - pris en charge au Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire. Globalement, il ressort de cette étude qu’en plus du trafic de stupéfiants, les gangs ou les membres de gangs s’adonneraient à une délinquance polymorphe, le trafic étant rarement l’unique source de revenus du gang ou du membre. De plus, le trafic de stupéfiants ne serait pas une activité exclusive aux gangs de rue auxquels appartiennent les membres interviewés. Ainsi, même si l’on retrouve un certain nombre de membres participant à la vente comme activité structurée d’un gang, il est possible pour un membre d’effectuer de la vente de drogues de façon indépendante, tout en étant affilié à un gang de rue. Il appert que la plupart des interviewés font partie d’une clique, s’identifient à une couleur ou à un quartier, et s’approvisionnent en drogues auprès de membres plus âgés et hauts placés dans la structure des gangs de rue, que les répondants identifient comme étant les vétérans. En ce qui les concerne, les répondants signalent l’importance de gagner la confiance des plus haut placés s’ils souhaitent débuter et évoluer dans la vente de stupéfiants. Lorsque la confiance est présente et que le nouveau vendeur débute ses activités, soit il s’approprie un territoire, généralement à l’intérieur de son quartier, soit on lui fournit un endroit de vente où il peut « travailler ». La présence d’un membre de la famille déjà affilié à un gang paraît faciliter le processus d’accès des nouveaux à l’activité de trafic. Lorsque les interviewés abordent l’aspect du territoire de vente, plusieurs dimensions viennent s’y greffer : la compétition, les conflits, les interactions avec les gangs ennemis et la violence, pour ne nommer que celles-là. Les interviewés indiquent vendre une certaine variété de drogues, le cannabis et le crack représentant les deux drogues les plus couramment citées. La marge de profits varierait, entre autres, en fonction du type de drogue vendue, du quartier et des caractéristiques de la clientèle. Cette dernière, malgré qu’elle soit diversifiée, comporte une constante : les consommateurs dépendants sont, comme plusieurs interviewés l’ont mentionné, prêts à tout pour assurer leur consommation. Les consommateurs sont ordinairement des étudiants, des propriétaires de commerces, des employés de bars, des travailleurs de la construction, des itinérants, des prostitués, des fêtards, des voyageurs de passage à Montréal. Les répondants dénotent également la présence de policiers, agents doubles, pouvant se présenter comme clients. Ceci étant, il leur apparaît essentiel de développer des habiletés permettant de détecter la présence policière et la distinguer des clients réguliers. Côté consommation, les interviewés affirment se limiter presqu’essentiellement à l’alcool et au cannabis. Néanmoins, plusieurs avouent avoir consommé une grande variété d’intoxicants au cours de leur vie. Plusieurs signalent qu’une trop grande consommation nuit à la vente de stupéfiants. / In a context where the gang phenomenon has become omnipresent in our neighbourhoods and represents a growing problem in several large cities in Quebec and Canada, paying particular attention to drug trafficking by members of street gangs is undoubtedly of great interest. The media strongly influences the image of gang phenomenon. As information conveyed by newspapers and news channels focus on the stereotypes associated with gangs and their behaviour, it enhances the fear that society has regarding street gangs. That being said, to shed light on gangs and their activities is an interest. We chose to focus on drug trafficking which is common in street gangs. The main objective of this research is to obtain the most accurate description and knowledge of drug trafficking from present and former street gang members related to their knowledge of drug trafficking as a result of their membership and their involvement in street gang activities. Drug trafficking is addressed through interviews with gang members. In total, fifteen semi-directive interviews were conducted among present and former gang members. All respondents but one were from the Centre jeunesse de Montréal-Institut universitaire. Overall, this study allows us to understand that in addition to drug trafficking, gangs or gang members indulge in polymorphic criminal activities; drug trafficking is rarely the sole source of income. Moreover, drug trafficking is not an activity exclusive to street gangs. Thus, even if a number of members are involved in drug sales as a structured gang activity, it is possible for a member to sell drugs on a freelance basis while being affiliated with a street gang. It appears that most respondents are part of a clique, identify a color or a district and buy drugs from older and higher ranked members that respondents identify as veterans. Regarding the veterans, respondents indicated the importance of being trusted by the highest ranked if they wish to evolve in the drug sales market. When trust is present and the new seller begins his activities, either he takes over a turf, usually within his area, or the veteran provides a place where the new seller can "work". The presence of a family member already affiliated to a gang seems to facilitate the process of access to new trafficking activities. There are several dimensions associated with the territory aspect according to the interviewees such as: competition, conflict, interactions with rival gangs and violence, to name a few. Members indicate selling a variety of drugs, cannabis and crack representing the two most commonly cited drugs. The profit margin varies among the type of drugs sold, the district and of customers’ characteristics. The customers, although diverse in nature, have something in common: addicted customers, as several interviewees have mentioned, are desperate to ensure their consumption. These are typically homeless, prostitutes, bars’ employees, partygoers and foreigners/ travellers. Respondents also indicate the presence of undercover police officers, which may arise as customers. Thus, it is essential to develop skills allowing them to distinguish the undercover police officers from regular customers. Regarding drug use, respondents assert themselves using mostly alcohol and cannabis. However, several admitted to having used a large variety of intoxicants during their lives.

Unlike in the days of yore where storytelling was primarily known for its entertainment value, storytelling should be harnessed to make people's livelihood. Chapter 1 serves as prologue wherein the background of the study, problem statement, statement of aims, research methodology, research questions, hypotheses, definition of terms and organization of the study are presented. Storytelling began with the aim of transmitting the culture of people from one generation to another. There are different theories to account for the origin of stories. The identified problem is that storytelling is dying because it has not yet been professionalised in African languages. For storytelling to become viable in South Africa, storytellers have to be economically empowered. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were employed in this study. Various questions have been prepared for use when interviewing the respondents. As a point of departure, the research hypotheses were laid down. Various concepts used in the study have been defined in order to clarify any misconceptions. For a study to follow a predetermined plan, it has to be organised in its initial stage. For that reason what has been discussed in each chapter has been summarised in the first chapter. Chapter 2 presents views of scholars, researchers and authors in general on how storytelling could be professionalised. The factors which retard the professionalisation of storytelling were also provided. The furnished views are classified according to their similarity. In Chapter 3, the methodology used in the gathering of research data is outlined. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used, but the qualitative method more extensively because this is an explorative study. Data was collected through interviewing, questionnaires, documents and observation methods. Two sampling methods were used to select the respondents: the snowball sampling method and the judgmental or purposeful sampling design. The setting of the study was determined by the accessibility and the willingness of the respondents to use the site. Once the data was collected, it was analysed and interpreted. Chapter 4 focuses on the analysis and interpretation of the research data collected through interviews, questionnaires and systematic observations. During data analysis, similar themes from different respondents were combined in order to interpret the main findings. All such themes are discussed under major categories. In this chapter, themes were identified in relation to how storytelling might be professionalised. The fifth chapter outlines the main findings arrived at during the analysis and the interpretation of the data. To make this study more pragmatic, the findings are accompanied by suggested recommendations. The final chapter provides a general conclusion to the entire study. The success of professionalised storytelling and storytellers, the implications in terms of teaching and professionalisation, the implications for further study and the limitations of the study are also dealt with in this chapter. / African Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

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