Educational institutions offer transformative opportunities for veterans transitioning from military service. Veteran-specific cultural supports in educational environments offer participation in occupations and development of skills needed to complete educational goals. However, veterans experience complex life circumstances atypical from traditional student culture which influences use of available environmental supports. Currently, the student veteran population is growing following fifteen years of combat and with systematic downsizing of the military. Therefore, rehabilitation professionals and educators must understand the unique experiences which shape veteran life flow during the transition process. This dissertation contains three studies investigating veteran experiences transitioning to postsecondary education. The first study surveyed the attitudes and beliefs of veterans coping with the transition to postsecondary education. Results identified veterans’ preference to using skills learned in the military for solving problems in the transition and reported limited use of university supports made available. A second study examined lived experiences of veterans transitioning and their interactions with traditional students and university supports. Results identified veterans emerge in college culture following a transactive process of sorting through military experiences, building on military skills, and developing new relationships for civilian identity. The final constructivist grounded theory study investigated the individual and collective constructions of veteran transitioning experiences in relation to culture and context. Twelve veterans were theoretically sampled and developed Kawa (River) metaphorical diagrams of their transition experiences. Intensive interviews discussed the meaning ascribed to veterans’ diagrams. Interview data was analyzed with the constant comparison technique until theoretical saturation was achieved. The emergent theory explained student veteran life flow by two major theoretical concepts: seeking understanding and gaining stability to shape life flow in transition from military to student culture. Veterans shared understanding in each cultural environment by socially interacting with others perceived to be reaching out and connecting with veterans. Veterans also performed autonomous actions of gaining stability by using their skills, pinpointing useful resources, and cultivating the growth and expression of personal skills. Both theoretical processes simultaneously, enhanced veteran’s transition to postsecondary education and promoted harmony within veteran life flow over time.

Recent scholarly writing has located performance analysis firmly within the coaching process. Although the what of performance analysis regarding system design and reliability has been well documented, the how and the why or use of video-based performance analysis within the coaching process remains less understood. Therefore, this thesis sought to develop an empirically-based understanding of some of the realities of the use of video based performance analysis feedback within the coaching process. Within a broad ethnographic framework, this thesis followed three key phases of data collection and analysis. Within phase one, a grounded theory methodology, was used to explore the what and why of the delivery of video-based performance analysis in elite youth soccer. Data were collected from interviews with 14 England youth soccer coaches. Through an iterative process of constant comparison, categories regarding Contextual Factors, Delivery Approach and Targeted Outcomes were highlighted. Within phase two, coach-athletes interactions were examined in situ over the course of a 10-month English Premier League Academy season to explore the how of the delivery of video-based feedback. Data were analysed using the techniques and procedures of conversation analysis combined with a social power analysis drawing upon the work of Bertram H. Raven. Analysis of the interactions revealed that the coach attempted to exercise control over the sequential organisation of the session, via asymmetrical turn-taking allocations, an unequal opportunity to talk, control over the topic of discussion within the interactions, and the use of questioning to select speakers to take turns to talk. Within phase three, a narrative ethnographic approach was utilised to examine the how and why of the in situ narrative construction of professional knowledge and coaching identity within video-based feedback sessions. Data were collected during the same 10 months of ethnographic filed work, as presented in phase two, with a Premier League Academy Head Coach. Additionally, in-depth interviews stimulated by video-based reflection were used to explore the participant coach s early interactional practices and subsequent changes in practice in the following four years. Data analysis was conducted using theoretical concepts of identity from the work of Anselm Strauss and revealed a number of features of the development and transformation of identity of the participant coach. Here, a reflective examination of authoritarian interactional practices and the consequences of those practices were critically considered against the creation of a positive self narrative in the development of the participant coach s professional knowledge. The empirical findings of the present thesis have highlighted some the what, why and how of the use of video-based performance analysis within the coaching process. This work has furthered understanding regarding the pedagogical practices which impact upon the delivery of video-based performance analysis feedback. In addition to broadening sports coaching s theoretical and methodological repertoire, the applied value of this work is grounded in the need for coaching practitioners to become more critically reflective about the use of video-based performance analysis within the coaching process, and the impact of their interactional practices upon the coach-athlete relationship.

This essay is set out to study the interactions between children and dogs in a preschool environment. The purpose of this study is to investigate if the dog has any educational value for the children and if the dog can be of any help to the children to fulfill the Swedish preschool curriculum aims. The method used in this study is grounded theory. Data consist of interviews with preschool teachers whom have experience in working with dogs and children. Data has also been collected through observations between children and dogs in a preschool environment. Diary writing and interviews with persons with longtime experience of working with dogs have also been used. Through this data a grounded theory is finally generated. The grounded theory in this study consist of a core category - “experience”, and is divided into four subcategory’s; “development and learning”, “values”, “Child” and “Dog”. The theory highlights the fact that dogs do have a value for the children in their individual development and progression in values. The children also perceive the dog as a friend to play with, and a place where they can seek and get comfort and safety. The dog on its behalf can be construed as it appreciates the work, being around people and a part of a pack.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a worldwide problem, with more than 34 million people infected with HIV/AIDS in 2011. At the end of 2011, in Nigeria, an estimated 3.7% of the adult population were living with HIV/AIDS. HIV services in Nigeria are secondary-care led, involving multidisciplinary teams and access to free antiretroviral. However, evaluations of service provision from both patient and healthcare professional perspectives, especially, pharmacists in Nigeria have never been conducted, and are the aims of this research. This study involved grounded theory methodology, using In-depth semi-structured interviews with adults infected with HIV, pharmacists, and administrators involved in the management and care of those patients at Maitama District Hospital in Abuja. HIV pharmacists working for the NHS in the UK were interviewed for comparative purposes. Thirty-five patients were interviewed. Five concepts were identified that influenced how they accessed hospital services after diagnosis. These include faith in God and antiretroviral, social issues with emphasis on HIV stigma and discrimination, patient journeys at the hospital with delays and repeat visits, obstacles such as ARV unavailability and their expectations. Also, five concepts were identified from the pharmacists’ interviews which include clinical service, impressions of service provided, social issues the patients encountered, the obstacles faced with clinical service provided and expectations for improvement. Ten patients were shadowed on their clinic days to observe the patient journey articulated. Furthermore, the administrators interviewed re-affirmed the opinions of the patients and pharmacists about many patients attending HIV clinic, few staff attending to patients, medicines unavailability, especially ARV drugs, and lack of working space for staff. Delays, few pharmacists/many patients and shortage of ART as barriers to service provision ii emerged as dominant themes across the three groups of interviewees in Nigeria. Also, it has been found that there is a wide gap between HIV patients’ hospital management in the UK and Nigeria as regards availability of antiretroviral, staff strength, number of patients in attendance on clinic days and weekly clinic days. Pharmacy was found to have a substantial role in the management of HIV/AID patients but it appears from this study that service improvements, both human and material resources are needed. Twenty three recommendations, which are further synthesised into six potential areas, are made, which, if implemented, would dramatically improve the service provision for HIV/AIDS patients at Maitama District Hospital.

近年來，消費者行為面臨了新局面；由於過剩消費社會帶來商品選擇範疇的疾速擴大 ，產品技術日益複雜，使消費者難以理性決策過程評估產品良窳；另一方面由於生活 水準提昇，而產品「有用性」已深入人心，消費者不僅重視產品帶來的實質利益，同 時他們也是藝術欣賞者，他們能藉著產品表達自我或與人講通。這種趨勢也促使消費 品廠商改變其行銷策略，除了行銷手法的增多，其內涵亦有所改變。 行銷是種溝通的過程，廠商需傳達產品的利益價值予消費者，以引發其認知行為，完 成購買決策。「資訊」即是行銷溝通的主題，本研究從消費者需求與產品屬性兩方面 ，探討產品資訊的內涵，並透過消費者調查，找出重要的產品資訊構面，並將產品依 資訊重要性的不同加以分類，以了解產品特性與產品的關係。 研究者遵循Glaser及Strguss 所提出之紮根理論(Grounded Theory) 研究法，以典型 產品為研究對象了解其產業狀況，並選擇代表性廠商做深入訪談，期能了解其行銷策 略作為，以建構兩類「資訊價值」與「產品特質」及「行銷策略」三者關係之理論雛 形，並控討研究結果的涵意。

<p>Despite the existence of extensive literature regarding risk management, there still seems to be lack of knowledge in identification of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) in this area. In this research Grounded Theory is implemented to identify CSFs in Risk Management Systems (RMS). Factor analysis and one-sample t-test are then used to refine and rank the CSFs based on the results of a survey which has been performed among Risk Management practitioners in various types of Swedish corporations. CSFs are defined from three different perspectives: (a) the factors that have influence on the inclination and readiness of corporation for implementing RMS. (b) the factors that are important during the design and implementation of RMS in corporation and can significantly affect the success of RMS design and implementation and (c) the factors that are crucially important to successfully run, maintain and administrate RMS after the closure of the project of RMS design and Implementation.</p><p>This systematic approach towards understanding the taxonomy of the success dimension in RMS is important for re-enforcing effective risk management practices.</p>

Telephone nursing (TpN) care is delivered in a wide range of settings and provides a variety of services to individuals and populations across the age span. Although a viable specialty practice, there is little evidence regarding how the process of care delivery contributes to successful outcomes. To study the effects of TpN care, and to develop appropriate clinical and education interventions, a solid understanding of the process is needed. This study utilized grounded theory method to identify and describe the core concepts of the TpN process, the relationships among these concepts, and the factors influencing the process. Study findings were validated through peer and participant review. Based on interviews with ten telephone nurses from four sites, the following components were identified and organized into a conceptual model of the TpN process. The process generally proceeds through three phases, gathering information to cognitive processing to output. Throughout these phases, the nurse engages in a goal oriented parallel process focusing on both explicit (e.g., verbal, physical) and implicit (non-verbal, contextual) dimensions. Inherent to this parallel process is a two-way interpreting process in which information from the caller is translated into health care language for processing and then health care information is translated back into the language of the caller to identify and meet their needs. Factors influencing the process include prioritization and the level of complexity of the call, resources of the nurse and the organization, and the nurse's desire for validation of the service and the appropriateness of the output. The model highlights the need for research further delineating how implicit information is gathered and processed and how it influences output. Research is also needed on the value of implicit output and on the effects of feedback regarding output on nurse performance and satisfaction. The model suggests that more nursing education should be focused on the sub-processes within the three phases, the interpreting process, and implicit aspects of the process. Finally, the model suggests that formal feedback regarding the quality of call output should be provided and the value of implicit nursing output should be recognized.

The following case study aims to explore the knowledge transfer and its implications in the context of a soft service firm. The complexity of knowledge itself and the knowledge transfer process in service firms brings new challenges. The phenomenon was investigated by the application of grounded theory. Interviews were conducted with employees at a company present in the Quick Service Restaurant segment. It resulted in several findings that were not reported by previous literature. Firstly, within the case company there was multiple formal networks that circulate separately, except for interconnections through the restaurant managers. Within the organization personal relationships proved to be the most important factor for knowledge sharing. Secondly, within a large franchise network, an actor might take the role of knowledge creator due to its size and influence the other franchises in the network. Thirdly, knowledge transfer, implementation and innovation are hindered when work environment is characterized by stress and high pressure to perform. Fourthly, communication improves operation efficiency and employee motivation. This study provides navigations to future research and can be used as guidance in regard to knowledge transfer for practitioners, managers or other interested.

A significant amount of research in the field of small business management has correlated small firm performance with the sophistication of overall management skills (see, for example, Gasse, 1997; Gadenne, 1998; Zinger, leBrasseur and Zannibi, 2001; Balderson, 2003) and more particularly problem solving skills. Yet, even though problem solving skills are at the core of the small business management process (Jennings and Beaver, 1997), there has been little research to date that has focused on understanding the actual approach small business owner-managers take to solve the problems they encounter as the present study has done, through the utilization of an interpretive research design applied to a sample of small firms. The primary purpose of this exploratory study is to investigate the nature of problem solving practices adopted by 11 small business owner-managers on Central Vancouver Island, Canada, by identifying the types of problems encountered in the years following their establishment, the actions taken to solve these problems and the outcomes of these actions for the firm. It examines the characteristics of the problemm solving approaches utilized by owner-managers as they encountered problems, and identifies how they perceived the impact of the approach taken on the continued survival of their firm. The methodological approach taken in this study is positioned within an emergent body of research in the field of small business and entrepreneurship that applies an interpretive paradigm to uncover the complex facets of how individuals develop their capabilities and management practices (Chell and Allman, 2003) with a particular emphasis on the small business owner-manager. The interpretive assumptions guiding the research process have allowed new understandings to emerge about problem solving in small firms within the wider context of managerial capability as a critical contributor to small business survival. More specifically, the critical incident technique method (Flanagan, 1954; Chell, 1998), along with an approach to data analysis and coding that draws from grounded theory (Glaser, 1992; Glaser and Strauss, 1999; Strauss and Corbin, 1998), are combined and applied as a qualitative research strategy. This strategy has not previously been used in relation to the study of problem solving in small firms. This interpretive paradigm allows the exploration of how small business owner-managers attach meaning to their subjective experiences and the implications of these perceptions for the business outcomes of the firm, specifically as they relate to solving critical business problems. As a result, the interpretive methods applied in the course of this study make a novel contribution to the field, since they have yielded new interpretations on the nature of problem solving processes in the sample of small firms studied. The findings presented here reveal the intuitive, improvised and non-linear nature of how problems are actually solved in these small firms, in contrast to a number of well-known theoretical research frameworks that propose well-defined and delineated steps in the problem solving process. The results of this study make a valuable contribution to building new theory in this area of inquiry by demonstrating how more dynamic processes occur in practice. An alternative way to conceptualize problem solving in small firms is presented in Chapter 6, A Holistic Framework for Problem Solving in Small Firms.

This work sought to explore, evaluate and then improve the process of development for personal Military Load Carriage Equipment (MLCE), such as rucksacks. It was suspected that current MLCE had a number of user interaction deficiencies which should have been addressed during development. Three research questions were posed to determine: the influences on MLCE development, what needed improvement in MLCE development and how MLCE development could be improved. The work was based on eight studies conducted in three phases: the first to explore MLCE development and the observed deficiencies, the second to evaluate MLCE development, and the third to improve it. The chosen research strategy was henomenological, using a grounded theory methodology within which phenomena could emerge. Grounded theory approaches were adopted for this research because they were the best way in which to access the design domain. The research was framed within cycles of reflective action research to enable the researcher to re-orientate the enquiry to make the best use of the research opportunities that arose from the organisational context in which the research was sited. An initial investigation into the development of in-service equipment was done via a comparative case study, using documentary analysis and interviews with authorities in the field. Through this investigation it became clear that MLCE development was based on heuristics and tacit knowledge of manufacturing techniques, and collaboration between professional groups, including: materials / manufacturing, human systems, project management and military personnel. Deficiencies within MLCE development, determined through the comparative study, were validated against current practice through a further case study and additional evaluations. A comparison of outputs from these studies was then reviewed in a grounded manner to gain a holistic understanding of MLCE development. The interaction and importance of the various influences on MLCE development was then better understood, in particular the inadequate understanding of MLCE user needs, and requirement specification. To refine the possible avenues and target audience for an improvement of MLCE development stakeholder interviews were undertaken to develop a better understanding of how military user needs were gathered and applied. Following the interview survey, a tool was developed to analyse video and audio data of soldiers operating with MLCE on current operations. The tool was then reviewed by a panel of MLCE developers and stakeholders. The panel thought that the tool had a number of benefits to MLCE development: improving understanding of soldier environments, improved quality and reliability of information used in development, and as a conduit for concept evaluation. The research has provided a novel perspective on MLCE development, and provided a number of avenues upon which subsequent research could focus. The research has been able to make original contributions to understanding, albeit in a manner limited by the methodologies used.