An often discussed issue in the field of second language learning is the influence and importance of individual differences, IDs, such as motivation, personality, previous learning experiences and learning strategies. It has been claimed that IDs form a complex system in the learner, but little consensus has been reached as regards definitions of constructs or their relative importance. Taking the individual learner as a starting-point, this dissertation attempts to demonstrate the complexity of individual differences in the single learner by adopting an in-depth holistic approach. For this purpose a longitudinal case study was designed to follow the learning process of a young Greek woman's acquisition of Swedish during a ten-month intensive course in Sweden. The study is mainly based on self-report and personal diaries, which have been interpreted and analysed qualitatively. The learning process is extensively described and changes in, for example, strategy use, life situation and learning progress are illustrated. There are indeed many complex factors which have the potential to influence learning. In this particular case, seven factors are indicated as having had a positive influence: previous language learning experiences (especially as regards learning strategies), long-term motivation, metalinguistic awareness, social contacts with L2 speakers, access to English as a mediating language, access to a strict and intensive Swedish course, and a well-needed learning break in the middle of the studies. Negative factors were largely of an emotional nature, especially a period of liminality which created feelings of not belonging, of being betwixt and between. It is suggested that IDs form a dynamic variable system in the learner. All the IDs are present in the learner, but they seem to change both in substance over time and in importance for the learner at different times in the learning process. Furthermore, IDs appear to be interconnected in a complex and dynamic way. The results of this study strongly emphasise the importance of both an holistic and a longitudinal approach to IDs in second language learning. / digitalisering@umu

The overall aim of this thesis was to explore informal caregivers’ daily life with particular focus on those living with a spouse who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in different grades, mild to severe, based on the ill person’s main concern. The study design was explorative, comparative and descriptive. The thesis included a literature review of 45 scientific articles and semi-structured interviews with 23 patients suffering from COPD, and 21 women and 19 men living with a spouse suffering from COPD. Data were analysed using content analysis, grounded theory, and phenomenography. Main findings: Men and women living with a spouse suffering from mild COPD did not experience changes in their daily life, and were not in need of support. It was when the COPD gradually escalated that their daily life was affected and they needed support. The caregiving women conceived that their daily life was socially restricted, they had changed roles, changes in health and changes in the couple’s relationship. The caregiving men’s daily life was conceived as burdened, restricted and the partner relationship was affected. The men’s attitude was to continue with their own life and own activities, and their approach to their caregiving situation was to view themselves as “Me and my spouse”. The main concern for people suffering from COPD was feelings of guilt due to self-inflicted disease associated with smoking habits. The thesis shows that there are differences in informal caregiving between males and females. Conclusion: This thesis shows that there are differences in male and female caregiving for a spouse suffering from COPD. The caregivers conceive and handle the caregiving situation in different ways. It is central that health professionals and municipality consider this along with the individual needs that are related to the development of the COPD. There is a need to identify the person who suffers from COPD and their spouses from the first contact onwards, to regularly follow the development of their situation and need of support.

Transsexuality remains grounded in pathologizing discourses. Mental health professionals largely classify transgender experiences as disorders, and transgender people seeking to alter their bodies typically must obtain authenticating letters from therapists verifying such diagnoses. Physicians usually require these letters to perform transition-related services, and sometimes require additional legitimization. In these ways, psychomedical professionals impose gatekeeping measures that withhold and confer services to transsexuals who desire medical transition. Using qualitative interview data and grounded theory methods with 20 female-to-male transsexuals, this study demonstrates that transmen typically represent informed consumers whom carefully research psychomedical protocol and anticipate providers’ adherence to professional standards. When they encounter gatekeeping, this preparedness informs their dialectical struggles within the psychomedical institutions wherein transmen must negotiate bodies within the confines of pathology. Ultimately, this dialectical process is managed and maintained by the larger regime of truth—the gender binary system.

Persuasive appeals posted to United States presidential candidates’ YouTube videos were coded using a grounded theory mixed-methods design. 37,562 comments about education, energy, Iraq, health care, the economy, and the presidential debates were randomly collected by date and time for three studies using coding analysis: pilot, presidential primaries, and the presidential election. Seven argument types were identified and theoretically refined according to dual process models of persuasion: reason-based, candidate-based, emotion-based, endorsements, enthusiasmheuristic, other-interest and self-interest. Theoretical comparisons and hypothesis testing of argument types were conducted by issue and election event. Consistent with impression involvement, reason-based appeals were more frequent during the primaries, whereas consistent with value and outcome involvement, emotion- and candidate-based appeals were more frequent during the election.

<p><strong>Background: </strong>Due to the increasing global competition managers must realize the importance of competitive advantage. This can be done by reconsider how new knowledge should be acquired into the organization.  The importance of new competence creation is well known as a factor for longitudinal success for companies. There is a growing trend in outsourcing human resources activities that used to be in-house. There are numerous training vendors active on the market offering training and development opportunities to small firms. It can therefore be questioned how well the programs offered by the training vendors suites the needs of small firms.</p><p><strong>Purpose:</strong><strong> </strong><em>The purpose of this study is to investigating the perceived training and development needs for small firms. This to understand and overcome the differences in the perception of small firms’ needs, between training vendors and small firms. </em></p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The research approach of this study is inspired by Grounded theory. Ten in-depth interviews have been performed, four with training vendors and six with small firms. The findings where then coded and categorized to answer the research questions and purpose of the research.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>From this research it can be seen that both small firms and training vendors do understand the need for training and development of small firms. The areas where training and development is needed for small firms can be summarised to fields of <em>general business management</em> and <em>business specific knowledge</em>. However, this research also identifies barriers that prevent small firms from attending external training. These barriers are <em>cost</em>, <em>time</em>, <em>relevance</em>, <em>pride</em>, <em>flexibility</em> and <em>suitability</em>. Time and cost are the most commonly mentioned barriers, but not the primary barriers that training vendors and small firms should focus on overcoming. Instead we argue that, the efforts should be on the attitude driven barriers: relevance, suitability, flexibility and pride. If you change the attitude among small firms towards training, the perceived benefits will become larger and therefore cost and price will become less important. If the small firms and the training vendors co-operate these barriers could easier be decreased. This could be done by ensuring that the training results in practical tools that the firms use and that they work on building a trustworthy relationship. This will help the small firms to see the <em>relevance</em> and the <em>suitability</em> of the courses offered and the training vendors to understand how to make the courses appear more <em>relevant </em>and <em>suitable</em> to the small firms.</p> / <p><strong>Bakgrund: </strong>I och med den ökade globala konkurrensen, måste företagsledare förstå vikten av att inneha och bevara en konkurrens fördel. Detta kan göras genom att fokusera på hur kunskap kan tas in i organisationen. Vikten av kompetens utveckling är en välkänd faktor för långsiktig framgång för företag. Det finns en ökad trend att lägga ut ansvaret för human resources på externa företag, vilket tidigare sköttes inom företaget. Det finns ett stort antal externa utvecklingsleverantörer på marknaden. Det kan därför ifrågasättas hur väl programmen, som de externa träningsleverantörerna erbjuder, passar med behoven hos småföretagarna.</p><p><strong>Syfte: </strong><em>Syftet med studien är att undersöka uppfattningen om tränings- och utvecklingsbehov hos småföretagare. Detta för att få en förståelse av småföretagarnas behov och komma över skillnaderna i uppfattningarna mellan externa utvecklingsleverantörer och småföretagare. </em></p><p><strong>Metod: </strong>Forskningsansatsen till den här studien är inspirerad av Grundad teori. Tio djupintervjuer har genomförts, fyra stycken med externa utvecklingsleverantörer och sex stycken med småföretagare. Det empiriska materialet har organiserats genom kodning och kategorisering enligt Grundad teori.</p><p><strong>Slutsats: </strong>Från den här studien kan det ses att både småföretagare och externa utvecklingsleverantörer ser behovet av träning och utveckling i småföretag. De områden där träningsbehov är identifierade kan summers till generell företagsekonomi och specifik kunskap inom företagets bransch. Genom denna studie har dock barriärer som motverkar träning och utveckling i småföretag identifierats. Barriärerna är: <em>kostnad, tid, relevans, stolthet, flexibilitet </em>och<em> lämplighet.</em> Tid och kostnad är de mest nämnda barriärerna, men dock inte de barriärer som primärts bör fokuseras på. Istället anser vi att kraften skall fokuseras på att minska de attityd drivna barriärerna: relevans, lämplighet, flexibilitet och stolthet hos företagarna. Om attityden hos småföretagarna ändras vad gäller träning så kommer den uppfattade fördelen av träning att öka, därmed minskar vikten av barriärerna kostnad och pris. Dessa barriärer kan lättare överbyggas om småföretagarna och de externa utvecklingsleverantörerna samarbetar. Samarbetet kan ske genom att fastställa att det praktiska verktygen, utvecklade av de externa utvecklingsleverantörerna, används av småföretagarna och att en tillförlitlig relation byggs. Detta skulle hjälpa småföretagarna att se <em>relevansen</em> och <em>lämpligheten</em> i de erbjudna kurserna och de externa utvecklingsleverantörerna skulle få en förståelse i hur man kan få kurserna att framstå som <em>relevanta</em> och <em>lämpliga</em> för småföretag.</p>

Fortement critiqués à la suite des avatars de la « nouvelle économie », les analystes financiers sell-side, salariés des sociétés de courtage, représentent néanmoins des acteurs indispensables et incontournables, tant pour les directions d'entreprise que pour les investisseurs. Cette recherche a pour vocation d'essayer de comprendre comment les analystes financiers sell-side forment leur jugement. La première partie de cette thèse montre comment les recherches antérieurement réalisées en finance ainsi qu'en comptabilité, selon l'appréhension du futur qu'elles retiennent, ont étudié ce phénomène en intégrant progressivement l'inscription sociale de l'analyste. Cette dimension sert de point de départ pour une démarche compréhensive et qualitative, fondée sur la méthode de la Grounded Theory. La seconde partie propose un modèle d'analyse de la formation du jugement en tant que pratique institutionnellement encadrée et localement ajustée. Cette recherche montre comment l'inscription de l'analyste au sein de son « champ organisationnel » le conduit à devoir prendre en compte les modes de raisonnement et à interagir cognitivement avec les autres acteurs.

Die Arbeit untersucht die Faktoren, welche das Engagement ostdeutscher Jugendlicher in einem Umweltverband fördern bzw. behindern. Im ersten Teil werden Ergebnisse aus der Umweltpsychologie und Umweltsoziologie, der Forschung zur Umweltbewegung in Ostdeutschland, der Jugendforschung, der Partizipationsforschung, der Sozialisationsforschung sowie der Forschung zu sozialen Bewegungen und zu bürgerschaftlichem Engagement ausgewertet. Anschließend werden die Ergebnisse einer Fallstudie über Gruppen der "Jugend im Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland" (BUNDjugend) in ostdeutschen Bundesländern präsentiert. Auf der Basis von Daten aus Gruppendiskussionen, Einzelinterviews und teilnehmender Beobachtung wurden mit Hilfe der Grounded Theory - Methodik theoretische Annahmen entwickelt. Die zentrale These lautet: In den Jugendgruppen findet unter günstigen Bedingungen ein Sozialisationsprozess statt, der zu einer Identifikation mit dem Umweltengagement führt. Zwölf wichtige Einflussfaktoren auf diesen Prozess werden herausgearbeitet und im Einzelnen beschrieben. / The Ph.D. thesis investigates the factors influencing participation in an environmental organization by East-German youth. First, results of research on youth, social movements, political participation and environmental consciousness are summarized. Then, results of a study about the East German branch of the German environmental youth organization "BUNDjugend" are presented. The study collects qualitative data via group discussions, interviews and participant observation. The data are analyzed according to the "Grounded Theory" method in order to develop theoretical assumptions. The core thesis is: In environmental youth groups, young people experience a socialization process which leads to identification with this type of activism. The form of this process depends on several facilitating or hindering factors, of which twelve are described in detail.

There is a growing consensus that the character of pedagogy must shift from one of teacher- and textbook-directed instruction to one of student-centered learning. This transition stems from the need to maintain the United States’ competitive edge in the world market and prepare young people for a society that is more socially, economically, and politically complex. Progressive educators advocate for a “learning reform” facilitated by digital media, and the skills and competencies that young people develop through using participatory media in an informal setting. This study examined how the use of new media can support subject-area knowledge building and 21st century skills development in nine classrooms in an independent high school. A constructivist grounded theory approach guided the collection and analysis of empirical data. This process took the form of semi-structured interviews with students and teachers, classroom observations, and an examination of course-related documents. A symbolic interactionist perspective framed the data analysis. The study examined wiki use, blogging, microblogging, and document sharing in six high school subject areas: ninth grade History, Latin II, Advanced Placement Art History, twelfth grade English, Anatomy and Physiology, and Environmental Science. Conceptual categories derived from the findings suggest that the use of specific new media tools support subject-area knowledge building, both explicit and tacit. This occurs by promoting participation among all students, which helps students broaden their perspectives through universal access to their peers’ thinking. Findings also suggest that the integration and use of these specific new media tools support the development of certain 21st century cognitive and interpersonal skills. The findings from this study support two substantive theories: 1) The use of new media support knowledge building and skills development through increased participation, leading to broadening students’ perspectives about subject-area content, and 2) as students engage in knowledge building activities, specific features of new media support the development of specific 21st century skills within the cognitive and interpersonal domains. The results of this study provide educators with a set of guidelines to consider as they integrate new media into subject-area curricula, and offer an agenda for further research on a local and national level. / text

Pharmaceutical drugs are one of the most socially important health care products. They are part of many individuals' everyday lives, from the eradicating of diseases at birth to treating patients at the end of life. However, for many patients access is prevented due to expensive cost. This study explored cost-related non-adherence (CRN) and researched if reimportation of pharmaceutical drugs from other countries could increase patient drug adherence. The perceptions of 10 patients and 10 providers in Maine were assessed. Maine is the only state that allowed its citizens to purchase prescription drugs from abroad. The research questions addressed (a) how reimportation drugs could contribute to drug adherence, (b) the perceptions of patients, and (c) the perceptions of key providers of reimportation. This study was guided by a theoretical framework utilizing Kurt Lewin's theory of organizational change. Participants answered 15 open-ended questions. The study utilized a qualitative grounded theory approach; data were analyzed inductively. The research demonstrated that patients and health care providers had positive perceptions for a reimportation policy. Future research of other regions for this topic should prevail. Member checking was used to validate the emerging theories of increased long term drug adherence incentivized by affordable drug cost, which contributes to perception of competence, better management of current disease, and decreased safety concerns. Positive social change implications can be achieved through savings to the health-care industry by creating a pathway to affordable drugs that will bring more drugs to market and create a competitive structure that can drive down pricing.

Pharmaceutical drugs are one of the most socially important health care products. They are part of many individualsâ?? everyday lives, from the eradicating of diseases at birth to treating patients at the end of life. However, for many patients access is prevented due to expensive cost. This study explored cost-related non-adherence (CRN) and researched if reimportation of pharmaceutical drugs from other countries could increase patient drug adherence. The perceptions of 10 patients and 10 providers in Maine were assessed. Maine is the only state that allowed its citizens to purchase prescription drugs from abroad. The research questions addressed (a) how reimportation drugs could contribute to drug adherence, (b) the perceptions of patients, and (c) the perceptions of key providers of reimportation. This study was guided by a theoretical framework utilizing Kurt Lewinâ??s theory of organizational change. Participants answered 15 open-ended questions. The study utilized a qualitative grounded theory approach; data were analyzed inductively. The research demonstrated that patients and health care providers had positive perceptions for a reimportation policy. Future research of other regions for this topic should prevail. Member checking was used to validate the emerging theories of increased long term drug adherence incentivized by affordable drug cost, which contributes to perception of competence, better management of current disease, and decreased safety concerns. Positive social change implications can be achieved through savings to the health-care industry by creating a pathway to affordable drugs that will bring more drugs to market and create a competitive structure that can drive down pricing.