INTRODUCTION AND AIM: The current shortage of nurses is a concern shared by the healthcare industry globally. Whilst the reasons for these shortages are varied and complex, a key factor among them seem to involve an unhealthy work environment. The demanding nature of the critical care environment presents a challenge to many nursing professionals and it carries the risk of a high turn over rate due to the stress and intensity of the critical care environment. The critical care nurse is responsible for caring for the most ill patients in hospitals and the acute shortage of critical care nurses contributes to the intensity and pressures of this environment. Little evidence exists of research conducted to explore and describe the practice environment of the critical care nurse in South Africa. The main aim of this research study was to construct a theory for positive practice environments in critical care units in South Africa, grounded in the views and perceptions of critical care nurses working in the private hospital context. In recognition of the fact that a positive practice environment is considered to be the foundation for the successful recruitment and retention of nurses, it was clear that issues related to staff shortages will not be resolved unless the unhealthy work environment of nurses is adequately addressed. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHOD: A constructivist grounded theory design was selected to address the inquiry at hand. The study was divided into two phases and pragmatic plurality allowed the use of both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods to explore, describe and contextualise the data in order to achieve the overall aim of the study. In phase one, a checklist developed by the researcher was used to describe the demographic profile of the critical care units (n=31) that participated in the study. The perceptions of critical care nurses (n=298) regarding their current practice environment was explored and decribed by using a valid and reliable instrument, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index (PES-NWI). In phase two, the elements of a positive practice environment were explored and described by means of intensive interviews with critical care nurses (n=6) working in the critical care environment. Concepts related to the phenomenon under investigation were identified by means of an inductive analysis of the data through a coding process and memo-writing. One core conceptual category and six related categories emerged out of the data. In the final phase of the theoretical sampling of the literature, a set of conclusions relevant to the phenomenon under study was constructed. The conclusions deduced from the empirical findings in both phases of the research process were integrated with those derived from the literature review to provide the foundation from which the theory was constructed. FINDINGS: The findings from the first phase of the research process provided information about the context in which the participants operate and assisted in discovering concepts considered relevant to the phenomenon under investigation. A grounded theory depicting the core conceptual category of "being in controi" and its relation to the other six categories was constructed from the data in order to explain a positive practice environment for critical care units in the private healthcare sector in South Africa. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Nursing))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

Research comparing public-private services outsourcing applying a longitudinal approach including the production/delivery processes (life after purchase) in services sourcing contexts is scarce. In addition, prior studies on service sourcing tend be under conceptualized. To address the above this licentiate thesis presents the results of a comparative and grounded theory inspired case study of two major Swedish FM services outsourcing projects, a public and a private case of operational partnering. Client-provider interaction processes on management level have been followed regularly over time utilizing participant observation as a core element combined with interviews and documentary studies. Observed variations in relational orientation over time, are problematized and discussed. A substantive theory – Business streamlining - of Facility Management outsourcing processes, including the seldom-researched life after purchase processes, is outlined and contextualized. It is argued that existing relational classifications, such as operational partnering, do not capture the life after purchase dynamics of the studied relationships. Business streamlining rests on four main categories, which have major influence on how Facility Management relationships evolve over time. / <p>Lic.-avh. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2014</p>

This paper aims to study upper secondary school seniors’ relationship to poetry. The researchers seek to discover the students’ conceptualization of the subject of poetry. Fur-thermore, this paper will present a case study, in which sixteen students participate. The chosen research approach is Glaserian Grounded Theory, which in itself has a con-siderably comprehensive methodology. However, working with Grounded Theory enables an objective approach to the field of study, requested by the researchers. In course of this study, the researchers found that the lack of experi-ence in working with poetry was the students’ main con-cern. The theory, which was generated, therefore evolved from the previously mentioned main concern.

The aim of this study is to generate a grounded theory that explains the content of teachers' and students' work with personal development dialogues and individual development plans using written assessments, all regulated in the national result-oriented curriculum for the Swedish compulsory school. Two secondary schools participated and data was collected on two occasions. Data consists of recorded personal development dialogues, which are informed by written assessments, and copies of the individual development plans written as a conclusion stating agreements between the teacher and student. All data was continuously compared and analyzed by using a grounded theory method. Underpinning the study are the premises of pragmatic philosophy and transactional theory that are assumed to shape the focus of the grounded theory approach and hence of teacher and student transactional strategies. It is argued that teachers' and students' primary concern is to establish result-oriented individualization. This is a means for cooperation in a mutual endeavor to establish improved results, guided by the phases of visible accountability and responsible awareness. By using strategies for planning, guiding, auditing and reflecting, new ways of managing individualization are developed. It is also suggested that a new professional approach has been developed, where teachers and students work in collaborative teams, continuously focusing on improving student results.

The concept of dynamic capability (DC) is receiving significant attention from scholars in strategy and organisation research. However, most of the research is conceptual in nature. In this thesis, the process of how DCs are created in two firms is examined using the grounded theory methodology (GTM) with the aim of developing a substantive theory of DC creation. Data were collected using theoretical sampling, and unstructured and semi-structured interviews. These data were then analysed using the constant comparison method to identify and explain the process through which DCs are created. The findings from the study reveal that DCs are created through continuous internal activities such as in-house innovation, human resource activities (HRAs), and external activities with partners through collaboration and acquisitions. Firms learn from these activities, which lead to changes in the static organisational capabilities and the development of higher order capabilities, the DCs. From this study, a framework has been developed for considering and managing the process of creating DCs at a strategic level. The framework explains the reasons why these firms develop and renew their DCs, identifies the key resources required, and examines the activities through which DCs are developed and renewed. The framework is both iterative and simultaneous. Implications for academics and practitioners are discussed, and limitations and directions for future research are outlined.

The lack of research of the identity phenomenon in Lithuania that open up the opportunities to look into the problem of physical, social, psychological and spiritual nature from a holistic perspective, the problem being alcohol dependence and convalescence, hinders the identification of the preconditions of the identity (re)construction processes. The aim of this thesis is to devise a grounded theory on the peculiarities of (re)construction of identity of alcohol-dependent individuals during a period of abstinence. To this effect, the version of the grounded theory method by K. Charmaz employed in the thesis is combined with the following theoretical research preconditions: the fundamentals of the theory of social constructionism by P. Berger and T. Luckmann, A. Giddens’ concept of the reflexive self, E. Goffman’s concept of stigma and H. Hermans’ concept of the dialogical identity. Two underlying components of the identity construct of alcohol-dependant individuals who live in abstinence emerge in the devised grounded theory: (a) the dual axis of the identity reconstructed in the story and (b) the dimensions that describe it: temporality, self-image, embodiment, value/spiritual dimension, social dimension and dilemma of free will. In the stories the duality of identity, which marks the social dimension of identity construction and which is an important precondition for the (re)construction of identity in abstinence, manifests itself in the dialogue of dependent “self” and... [to full text] / Tapatumo fenomeno tyrimų, atveriančių galimybes iš holistinės perspektyvos pažvelgti į fizinio, socialinio, psichologinio ir dvasinio pobūdžio problemą – priklausomybės nuo alkoholio vystymąsi ir sveikimą – stoka Lietuvoje apsunkina prielaidų apie šių asmenų tapatumo (at)kūrimo procesus identifikavimą. Disertacijos tikslas – sukurti grindžiamąją teoriją apie priklausomų nuo alkoholio asmenų tapatumo (re)konstravimo ypatumus blaivybės periodu. Tam pasitelkta K. Charmaz grindžiamosios metodologijos versija derinama su teorinėmis darbo prielaidomis – P. Berger ir T. Luckmann socialinio konstrukcionizmo teorijos nuostatomis, A. Giddens refleksyvaus tapatumo E. Goffman stigmos ir H. Hermans dialoginio tapatumo koncepcijomis. Sukurtoje grindžiamojoje teorijoje išryškėja du pamatiniai nuo alkoholio priklausomų, bet blaivybėje gyvenančių asmenų, tapatumo konstrukto komponentai: (a) duali pasakojime rekonstruojamo tapatumo ašis ir (b) ją apibūdinantys matmenys: laikiškumas, savivaizdis, įkūnytumas, vertybių/dvasinis matmuo, socialinis matmuo ir laisvos valios dilema. Pasakojimuose tapatumo dualumas, kuris žymi tapatumo konstravimo socialinį matmenį ir yra svarbi prielaida tapatumui (at)kurti blaivybėje, reiškiasi priklausomo „aš“ ir blaiviojo „aš“ dialogu, taip integruojant gyvenimo pokyčius iki blaivybės periodo ir po jo. Siekiant tapatumo vientisumo ir integralumo, dualiam tapatumo konstruktui suteikiamos vertybinės gairės ir iškeliami socialiai pageidaujami tikslai, kompensuojamas... [toliau žr. visą tekstą]

This thesis presents research to build and evaluate embedding of a textual form of state machines into high-level programming languages. The work entailed adding state machine syntax and code generation to the Umple model-oriented programming technology. The added concepts include states, transitions, actions, and composite states as found in the Unified Modeling Language (UML). This approach allows software developers to take advantage of the modeling abstractions in their textual environments, without sacrificing the value added of visual modeling. Our efforts in developing state machines in Umple followed a test-driven approach to ensure high quality and usability of the technology. We have also developed a syntax-directed editor for Umple, similar to those available to other high-level programming languages. We conducted a grounded theory study of Umple users and used the findings iteratively to guide our experimental development. Finally, we conducted a controlled experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of our approach. By enhancing the code to be almost as expressive as the model, we further support model-code duality; the notion that both model and code are two faces for the same coin. Systems can be and should be equally-well specified textually and diagrammatically. Such duality will benefit both modelers and coders alike. Our work suggests that code enhanced with state machine modeling abstractions is semantically equivalent to visual state machine models. The flow of the thesis is as follows; the research hypothesis and questions are presented in “Chapter 1: Introduction”. The background is explored in “Chapter 2: Background”. “Chapter 3: Syntax and semantics of simple state machines” and “Chapter 4: Syntax and semantics of composite state machines” investigate simple and composite state machines in Umple, respectively. “Chapter 5: Implementation of composite state machines” presents the approach we adopt for the implementation of composite state machines that avoids explosion of the amount of generated code. From this point on, the thesis presents empirical work. A grounded theory study is presented in “Chapter 6: A Grounded theory study of Umple”, followed by a controlled experiment in “Chapter 7: Experimentation”. These two chapters constitute our validation and evaluation of Umple research. Related and future work is presented in “Chapter 8: Related work”.

The current research was designed to add to the youth sport coping literature by examining adolescent athletes’ stressor appraisals and coping and to understand the way in which athletes learn to cope. Two studies were conducted. Study one was a metastudy (Paterson, Thorne, Canam, & Jillings, 2001) of the qualitative research on stressor appraisals and coping among adolescents in sport. Following database searches, 20 studies were retained for analysis. Meta-data, meta-theory, and meta-method analyses were conducted followed by a final meta-synthesis of findings. Analyses produced four themes: contextual and dynamic stressor appraisals, contextual and dynamic coping, coping resources and processes of acquisition, and social networks as assets and liabilities. These findings highlighted the need for precise use of theory in the study of coping. There was also scope for greater methodological diversity to advance our understanding of coping among adolescent athletes. The second study examined how adolescent athletes learn to cope and the role of social agents (e.g., parents and coaches) in adolescent athletes’ acquisition of coping skills. Grounded theory methodology was used (Corbin & Strauss, 2008). Interviews were conducted with 17 athletes (8 females, 9 males, Mage = 15.6 years), 10 parents (6 mothers, 4 fathers), and 7 coaches. Learning to cope was an experiential process consisting of the athlete – sport experiences and learning through trial and error, reflective practice, and coping outcomes (consistent performance, independence in coping, and persistence in coping). Learning was facilitated by athletes being exposed to multiple situations and reflecting on their coping efforts. Parents and coaches helped athletes learn to cope by creating a supportive context for learning and by using specific strategies to help athletes learn to cope. This research highlighted the importance of the social context as adolescent athletes learned to cope with stressors in sport and identified specific mechanisms by which parents and coaches influenced the development of coping among young athletes.

Mental health services in Australia (and in most western countries) have undergone considerable changes in the past 20 years. These changes have included the closing or downsizing of the old tertiary institutions and a move towards community treatment of people with a mental illness (consumers). Consumers no longer live in hospitals; as a consequence housing has become an important aspect of their lives. Research has demonstrated that when consumers live in good quality housing of their own choosing they report improved quality of life, more satisfying supportive social relationships, and have fewer admissions. People with schizophrenia are the largest psychiatric diagnostic group treated by the public health system in Australia. As a result of their illness people with schizophrenia often have difficulty in maintaining reasonable quality accommodation and supportive social relationships. A review of the available literature on housing options indicates that, for people with a mental illness, boarding houses are the least desirable type of community housing and that living in their own home is the most desirable. These were the two types of housing chosen for the study. Aims of the study This study aimed to explore the impact of housing on the mental health of people with schizophrenia. Study Design Stage 1 For the initial stage of the project archival data was used to investigate the relationship between types of accommodation and illness patterns of people with schizophrenia. The hypotheses for stage 1 of the project were: 1. Admission rates will be significantly different for people with schizophrenia who are discharged to a private home when compared to those discharged to a boarding house. 2. Length of stay in hospital will not be significantly different for people with schizophrenia discharged to a private home when compared to those discharged to a boarding house. 3. Symptoms, as measured by scores on HoNOS scale, will be significantly different for people with schizophrenia living in a private home when compared to those living in a boarding house. 4. The level of functioning, measured using an LSP 16, will be significantly different for people with schizophrenia living in a private home when compared to those living in a boarding house. Inclusion Criteria The subjects included were between 18 and 65 years of age and had a principal diagnosis of schizophrenia. Findings Findings indicate that people with schizophrenia are more likely to be admitted to hospital if discharged to a boarding house. Surprisingly, results also indicated that while there were no differences in the level of psychiatric symptoms experienced, people with schizophrenia living in boarding houses had less access to social support, meaningful activities and work and had lower levels of global functioning. These findings contradict the conventional wisdom that people with schizophrenia resort to living in boarding houses because of their level of disability. Stage 2 Stage 2 of the study further explored the impact of housing type on the mental health of people with schizophrenia by examining the experience of thirteen people living independently in private homes or in a boarding house. The study aimed to use the experiences of the participants to develop a grounded theory explanation of the impact of housing on people with schizophrenia. Findings from Stage 2 indicated a strong desire amongst all participants to live in their own home. Participants living in their own home had access to more opportunities and resources for staying well than participants living in boarding houses. Those participants who lived in their own home felt they belonged, they felt safe and most importantly they had greater opportunities to make and maintain supportive social relationships with friends and family. Participants reported that stable housing and supportive relationships helped them to stay well.

Because of the long and entrenched history of Chinese medicine in Taiwan, people have traditionally incorporated this knowledge into their health care. With the appearance and growing acceptance of Western medical practices, multiple medical approaches have become more and more popular. Yet, despite the strong foundations of Western medicine in the treatment of cancer in Taiwan, the use of Chinese medicine continues to be popular (Lin, 1992, p. 114). The focus of this research is the contextual construction of meanings about non Western medicine (NWM). The context for the study is Taiwan, the researcher's home country. The purpose of the research is to explore the motivations for, and the processes by which, Taiwanese people with cancer incorporate NWM into their cancer treatment journey. Utilising a grounded theory approach, this research sought to explore the social processes by which Taiwanese people with cancer come to use non Western medicine. Twenty four in depth interviews were undertaken in the study. The findings of the study demonstrate that the interactions between people with cancer and their use of NWM are complex. Taken-for-grantedness emerges as the core category in the study. The core category situates the use of non Western medicine outside the institutionalised and regulated domains of health care. More specifically, the meanings attributed to NWM are embedded in the philosophical beliefs and social relationships that constitute the lives of the participants. These findings suggest implications for our understanding of the co-existence of NWM and Western medicine by Taiwanese people with cancer and the social processes with which they engage.