Mission is a central aspect of the Christian faith and much thought is given to the challenge of proclaiming the gospel in a new context or to a different people group (i.e. contextualization). In recent years, a new context has come to the forefront that has been and is being created through technology, namely virtual reality (VR). The purpose of this study is to explore how contextualization, with regards to evangelization, needs to be done in VR. The proposed thesis is that VR provides a new context in which the Christian faith is, or should be, shared in a contextualized way. Although much thought is given to the question of religion in VR, it mostly focuses on the nature of communities online. This study addresses the issue of online evangelization, which has so far received less attention. This doctoral thesis is structured after the empirical-theological praxis cycle of Faix (2007a), and the Policy Delphi Method (PDM) is the research technique used. Through the PDM, a panel of experts from different backgrounds (theologians, sociologists, and practitioners) discussed the various ways in which VR affects evangelization, the way people form their religious identity, and how contextualization could take place. The aim of this research is to contribute to the field of missiology by investigating VR as a new context in which to proclaim the Christian faith. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th.(Missiology)

This research explored health decision-making processes among people recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Our analysis suggested that diagnosis with type 2 was followed by a period of intense emotional and cognitive disequilibrium. Subsequently, the informants were observed to proceed to health decision-making which was affected by three separate and interrelated factors: knowledge, self-efficacy, and purpose. Knowledge included cognitive or factual components and emotional elements. Knowledge influenced the degree of upset or disequilibrium the patient experienced, and affected a second category, agency: the informants’ confidence in their ability to enact lifestyle changes. The third factor, purpose, summarized the personal and deeply held reasons people gave as they made decisions concerning their health, eating and exercising. We propose this model, grounded in informant stories, as a heuristic, to guide further inquiry. From these stories, the patient is seen as more active and the interrelated influences of knowledge, agency, and purpose, synergistically interact to explain changes in health behaviors.

African American men have been incarcerated at unprecedented rates in the United States over the past 30 years. This study explored how African American females experience adverse psychosocial responses to separation from an incarcerated mate. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory (GT) study was to construct a theory to explain their responses to separation and loss. Given the paucity of literature on this topic, helping professionals may not understand this problem or know how to support these women. Disenfranchised grief and the dual process model of bereavement were used as a theoretical lens for this study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews conducted with 20 African American women over the age of 18, from the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, and who had incarcerated mates. Systematic data analysis revealed that women in the sample experienced grief similar to losing a loved one through death. They also were found to engage in prolonged states of social isolation, emulating their mate's state of incarceration. As a result of this study, a grounded theory of symbolic imprisonment, grief, and coping (SIG-C) was developed to answer this study's research questions and explain how loss occurs on psychological, social, symbolic, and physical levels. The findings from this study may promote positive social change by informing the human services research community of SIG-C and assisting helping professionals with a basis for context-specific support for affected women to contribute to their well-being during their mate's incarceration.

The relationship between employee loyalty and organizational performance has long been recognized but not included in performance appraisal models. This study identifies the perspectives of Master of Business Administration (MBA) candidates at a small private university in the eastern U.S. Fifteen interviews were conducted after distributing flyers among MBA classes and interested students volunteered to participate. The study was qualitative, based on personal interviews, to explore how loyalty is perceived in relation to performance. The theoretical framework used was Hogan's (1983) socioanalytic theory to explain differences in people's performance at work. Through use of a grounded theory approach, employees' perceptions on loyalty as a component of employee performance evaluation inducted to a theoretical model. This research shows, for the first time, loyalty as an expectation of performance from the perspective of individuals preparing to be future managers. The model explains the interrelationship between the suggested dimensions inducted from participants' perceptions for the purpose to assess both company and employee loyalty. The theoretical model demonstrates that a balance is needed to build a loyalty base between the company and employee loyalty that will lead to better performance. Specifically, respondents identified components of loyalty in the dimensions of integrity, flexibility, transparency support, dedication, conscientiousness, accountability, and advocacy. The model supports intuitive recognition that management behavior that creates employee loyalty also improves employee performance. The theoretical model can be used by researchers and human resource professionals to shape their quantitative research and organizational policies.

Corporations are finding it challenging to attract and retain the top talented Millennials. Their frequent job-hopping is costing the U.S. economy $30.5 billion annually despite corporations' best efforts to retain them. The central research question concerns the decision-making process that Millennials use to decide whether to job-hop or stay with an organization. The purpose of this qualitative study was to develop a theory that explains the Millennials' process for deciding whether to job-hop or stay with an organization. The conceptual framework for this grounded theory research is generational theory, Herzberg's hygiene and motivational factors, and psychological contract theory. The data collection was by means of a purposive sampling strategy implemented through the semistructured interviews of 13 participants. The grounded theory data analysis method used consisted of an abridged version of Glaser's data analysis method as developed by Charmaz, which entailed a systematic comparative coding process (initial, focused, and theoretical). The study findings included 7 factors that affect Millennial job-hopping: competitive compensation, job enjoyment, opportunities for professional growth, supportive work environment, reasonable free/flex time, finding their niche, and excellent benefits. Based on these factors, the Millennials job-hopping theory explains their decision-making process and why they job-hop. Positive social change may occur when Millennials achieve job satisfaction. Job satisfaction increases loyalty and organizational commitment and reduces stress, thus decreasing turnover and creating economic stability for the Millennials and their organizations.

The purpose of this study was to explore the nature of cognitive and emotional processes during the three reflective stages of the experiential learning cycle of experiential activities using written debriefings. The study examined three written debriefings from five senior-level undergraduate management students enrolled in a business management course. The debriefings consisted of four to five free-response questions modeled after Kolb’s experiential learning cycle: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation. The study triangulated results using two qualitative methods, a grounded theory analysis and a content analysis. In the grounded theory analysis, two process maps were developed from the debriefings. A learning process map identified four stages of learning: introduction, mental rehearsal, abstraction, and priming. A group process map identified four stages of group experiential activities: problem-solving, consensus building, reactions, and resolution. The group decision-making process was seen to follow four paths: agreement, teamwork, conflict or confusion. A possible moderating variable, prior group affiliation, affected the persistence of the groups in finding satisfactory solutions when encountering conflict, or confusion. Six themes emerged from the grounded analysis: iterative reflection, richness of connections, attachment of personal reactions, role of writing in debriefings, fluid group development, and the role of affiliation. In the content analysis, three raters coded the debriefings using seven variables: content, process, connections, context, affect, relevance, and intent. Growth was seen between the first half and second half of debriefings for all variables, and the presence and intensity of variables was highest for all variables except content during the last stage of the experiential learning cycle, active experimentation. The amount of content present in debriefings was highest during the third stage, abstract conceptualization. The results of this study may provide insight into the mental processes that occur in written reflection and help instructors design experiential learning debriefings.

This dissertation questions whether the current system of journalistic self-regulation in Australia can give effect to ethical journalism given the conceptual paradigms that have informed its understanding of journalism and journalism ethics. It argues the ideological focus of journalistic self-regulation has constrained the current system's ability to encourage ethical journalism. By taking a grounded theory approach to developing an alternative theory of journalism, this study attempts to fill a void in the reform of journalistic self-regulation in Australia by first highlighting the shortfall in recent reviews. It then argues reform must address the ideological focus of the journalism industry. This means looking at the ideologies espoused in the industry codes. It also means looking at the ideologies that frame how values reflected in the codes are interpreted. In summary, my aim in this dissertation is to articulate a praxis-driven theory of journalism by which to examine the suitability of the Australian self-regulatory environment to give effect to ethical journalism. This will be done by: mapping the current system of journalistic self-regulation; distilling the ideological foci of contemporary interpretations of journalism and journalism ethics; postulating an alternative theory of journalism as practice; evaluating the current system of self-regulation in light of the theory of journalism as practice; and recommending an alternative model of self-regulation that takes account of the theory of journalism as practice. The grounded theory approach to this study involves a textual analysis of a representative sample of self-regulatory codes to identify deficiencies in the way philosophical understandings of identity and ethics have been applied to journalism. By highlighting the gaps in the conceptual paradigm that frames the current theories of journalism and journalism ethics, I offer insights into key problems facing industry self-regulation. Given its grounding in substantive data analysis, the theory developed in this study is able to offer significant insights into ways of improving journalistic self-regulation to encourage ethical journalism. By categorising the self-regulatory codes according to ideology, I aim to explain how core journalistic values can be marginalized. Thus, this study aims to reveal problems with the way in which journalism self-regulation has been conceptualised and operationalised. In this way, it uses the tools of meta-ethics and normative ethics to analyse an ethical problem. Thus the grounded theory emerging from this study falls into the conceptual category of applied ethics. This approach offers a flexible methodology that allows the development of an emergent theory based on raw data derived from the various codes that operate within the journalistic self-regulatory environment. The research problem starts broadly, looking at the ability of the current system of journalistic self-regulation to encourage ethical journalism. The focus of the study is on organizational ideology and conceptions of journalism, rather than individual values of journalists. Through a process of constant comparison I will focus the research problem, constructing a theoretical framework to evaluate whether the current system of journalistic self-regulation can encourage ethical journalism. To achieve these objectives, the study will canvass both process (the ability of self-regulation to give effect to ethical journalism) and action (building a theoretical framework for conceptualising reform). A grounded theory approach offers a way of categorising conceptions of journalism and self-regulation allowing me to develop an alternative theory of journalism that promotes a holistic approach to journalism ethics. This study does not purport to offer final solutions to the ethical problems within Australian journalism. It does, however, aim to present an alternative pathway towards reform of journalistic self-regulation in Australia that focuses on encouraging ethical journalism and expanding the theoretical paradigms that shape current approaches to ethics.

This study explores the experiences of relatives waiting. Often relatives wait for considerably long periods, especially in critical care areas, whilst their loved one, whose health status is unknown, receives care. To explore these experiences and to understand the symbolic meaning behind the participants’ stories, a grounded theory approach was utilised which is firmly rooted in the sociological theory of symbolic interactionism. A qualitative approach was employed in order to yield a rich description of the human experience often not found in quantitative studies (Jamerson, Scheibmeir, Bott, Crighton, Hinton and Kuckelman, 1996, p. 468). Similarly, the use of feminist principles to guide this study has facilitated a greater understanding of such issues as gender roles, language, power and hierarchy. Using grounded theory methodology, audio-taped interviews were conducted with six female relatives who were recruited using theoretical sampling. Simultaneous recruitment, data collection, analysis and literature review took place, as advocated and outlined by Barney Glaser and Anselm Strauss (1967). The overarching core category discovered using this approach which epitomises the waiting experience, is the balancing of both positive and negative aspects of the four codes identified. These four codes are -mothering, trust, flustered anxiety and institutional and medical power. Each code had negative aspects, such as being denied the felt need to mother the critically ill loved one, being asked to entrust the health of a loved one to people that relatives had never met, feelings of fluster and anxiety, and a perception that they would interfere with medial care if they were to be involved in their loved one’s care. Conversely, each code could potentially have a positive aspect, such as being involved in the care of the loved one, feelings of relief once the care of the loved one was entrusted to ‘professional’ health care providers, affiliating with other relatives who were waiting in similar circumstances, and receiving frequent information from staff. A final model was produced that illustrates the balance that many relatives aspire to when waiting in the Emergency Department waiting room. If the balance tips in favour of the negative aspects of the codes, a negative impact on the relative’s feelings of well being can result.

本研究採用民族誌取向之質性研究方法，探討一個園長的領導。目的在瞭解利園長（化名）從入園開始是如何領導園所、型塑園所的樣貌及其過程中所使用的策略。在將近一年半的時間裡，研究者以訪談、參與觀察、文件檔案和研究日誌等方法收集資料，並以紮根理論研究方法作分析，主要發現為：利園長用「家」的圖像隱喻幼兒園，將自己定位為「母雞」，並用分享、關懷和照顧等行動來營造幼兒園的社會環境。於物理環境方面，則是從實體環境和教職員工的行為著手改變並注意持續。人事行政上則從福利制度、會議、活動及象徵名詞利用..等著手，來達到穩定人事和凝聚人心的目標。關於課程與教學的領導，「評鑑」成為明顯的分界，評鑑後藉由「教授在園輔導」之外力，幫助園所繼續朝向目標前進。整體課程與教學的領導來看，園長乃在協助教師實踐教學；提供教師接受訓練、專業發展的機會並對於園所的課程活動有所影響。於領導策略部分：比較利園長於環境、人事行政、課程與教學之領導策略，可以發現部分策略於不同目標下的重複出現，如：以身作則、個人學習、賦權、適時增讚與鼓勵、對錢慷慨等。將本研究所提煉之領導策略與過去文獻相較，亦見極高之相似度。 　　整體而言，評鑑前利園長偏向於人事行政和環境的領導，評鑑後則以課程與教學為焦點。內外因素如：「評鑑、園長經驗與能力以及個人人格特質」均交互影響著利園長的領導。賦權、近程戰果的出現和願景以及教職員工對園長信任度的交錯，使得至園願意繼續改革的長征。園長的領導是藉由強化他人（教職員工）來強化自己（園所），運用關懷和傾聽平衡效率和人性的協調。最後，研究者並發現長期的領導歷程及成果來自中期和短期歷程的完成及堆疊。 　　根據上述之研究發現，提出「隱喻、願景和目標的思索；再思例行性工作；揭開自己園所文化；重思領導與學術研究的關係；積極掌握園長在課程/教學的影響及角色；檢視自我領導歷程及目標的串連關係」等六項建議。其他建議有：翻譯或編寫有助於園長領導、管理之用的作品；建立園長見習、實習制度；以及未來仍可開發更多關於「園長領導、園長與教師互動」議題之研究。 / This research used ethnology approach to explore a director's leadership in the kindergarten. The aim is to understand how director Mrs. Lee (faint name) led the kindergarten from the date she went in. Also how she sculptures the image of the kindergarten and the strategies that she used in the process. Within one and half year the researcher interviewed, observed, filed and took note to collect all the data. Then used ground theory to analysis and find that Miss Lee described the kindergarten as a home, she sees herself as the hen. Sharing, caring and loving were used to promote the kindergarten's social environment. Other environments were from the actual environment and staff's behavior to start to charge or continue. As for personnel administration were from welfare system, meeting and activities to gather the will of the staffs and stable the personnel. About leadership in curriculum and teaching, she clearly used "assessment" as the dividing line. Before the assessment on the kindergarten. Miss Lee was leading toward the areas in personnel and environment. But after the assessment, she moved to the areas of curriculum and teaching as her main focus. Internal and external inferences were likes: "assessment, director's experiences and abilities, also individual personality" will cross interferences with Miss Lee's leadership. Overall the director's leadership was to strengthen others (staffs) to strengthen self (the kindergarten), using caring and listening to balance up efficiency and human nature. At the end the researcher also found that the processes of long-term success were pilling up of the results from many short term or middle term to achieved it. According to findings that mention above the researcher had six advises: "raised deep thoughts in metaphor, vision and aims; rethinking about routine works; uncover your kindergarten's culture; self assessment in the connection between process of the leadership and aim." Other advises had translated or compose can help director's leadership, products of administer, build up on directors to learn on the job, trainee system and have more researches in director's leadership and interaction between director and staff in the future.

本研究為了解家族企業第一代傳承給第二代之接班規劃與模式，及第一代在採取此接班模式所考量之接班因素為何。首先以文獻與次級資料進行紮根分析，大致歸納出台灣家族企業在進行接班時所考量之因素為何。再以深度訪談之方式，訪談十家台灣家族企業，在訪談過程中進一步探究現在台灣家族企業在接班時所採取之模式與其所考量之因素。接續次級資料進行紮根研究，以達到理論飽和。 選擇家族內部成員或非家族內部成員的家族接班考慮因素有：血緣或親屬關係、中華文化與家庭倫理、教育學歷背景、基層做起、部門輪調、外部工作經驗、意願、信任、經營權、所有權、股權分配、能力、忠誠度、領導風格、個人特質等因素。選擇企業內部員工或外部專業經理人之能力接班考慮因素歸納出來有：教育學歷背景、資歷、企業文化、引進專業技術能力、管理制度、板凳哲學、關係、基層做起、部門輪調、遠見、領導風格。進一步以紮根理論研究方法將兩部份因素進行主軸編碼與選擇編碼最後歸納出第一部份的核心類別為「家族接班」，第二部份的核心類別為「能力接班」。 本研究相關之研究發現有以下六點： 一、 科技、製造業對教育學歷背景之要求較食品、消費品業明確。 二、 家族成員以各部門歷練為主， 內部員工重在深層培育， 外部專業經理人大 致了解各部門運作。 三、管理導向領導者較適合兄弟共治企業，新一代領導者偏好外部專業經理人。 四、兄弟共治企業要長久 經營，彼此觀念要相契合、少計較，並 清楚分權。 五、年輕二代績效表現主要以改善企業流程或制度為主，尚無法進行重大決策。 六、第二代在規劃未來接班時多以企業內部員工或外部專業經理人為主。 / The objective of this research was to understand how the owner of family business plans his/her succession and what the factors he or she considers. Firstly, following the grounded theory method, I reviewed prior literatures and used the secondary data to categorize the considered factors in the succession of Taiwanese family business. Then, I conducted the in-depth interviews with 10 Taiwanese family business members to further verify the succession factors. Finally, I used these collected data to achieve theoretical saturation. The factors of choosing the successor between family members and non-family members are including: relationship of blood and relatives, Confucian values and Chinese culture, educational background, frontline work experience, functional rotation, outside work experience, willingness, trustiness, governance, ownership, distribution of shares, competence, royalty, leadership and characteristics. The factors of choosing the successor between internal employees and outside professional managers are including: educational background, seniority, business culture, introduce professional skills or professional management, succession system, relationship, frontline work experience, functional rotation, foresight and leadership. I used the axial coding and selective coding to categorize these two kinds of factors into central categories of “Family succession” and “Competence succession”. The study can be summarized as following findings: 1. The requirements of educational background of technology are more specific in the manufacturing industry than the food and FMCG industries. 2. Family members are focused on functional rotation; internal employees are more emphasized on depth training; the outside professional manager come to family business directly. 3. The management-oriented leader prefers co-governance of family business between brothers. The new generation leader prefers outside professional managers. 4. The consistent value of management and clear decentralization are important in brother-cooperative governance business. 5. The main task of the new generation leader’s performance is to improve business processes or systems. They didn’t have the enough authority to make an important decision. 6. The new generation leaders plan their future successions with internal members or outside professional managers.