The thesis is an attempt to apply complex systems thinking to the problem of meaning. It is in two parts. Part 1, Chapter 1 introduces the research agenda and overviews the thesis. Chapter 2 establishes the value of adopting a systems approach to the problem of meaning. The next chapter introduces key concepts of complex systems theory as they apply to sociocultural phenomena, and the last chapter in Part 1 reviews three theories of complex meaning systems (Donald Campbell, Jay Lemke, and Paul Cilliers) from which a preliminary model and agenda for theorising complex meaning systems is proposed. Part 2 of the thesis investigates the phenomena of management fads, applying the models of complex meaning systems formulated in Part 1. No primary empirical work is attempted; rather an analytical engagement is conducted using secondary literature on what we know about such fads. The literature, both primary and secondary, is reviewed and critiqued. The final chapters exemplify the problem of meaning using the theory building and agenda setting from Part 1. The concluding chapter reflects on the adequacy of a complex systems approach to meaning, critiques the process of the thesis and comments upon its contribution.

As part of the Phenomenological Method used in this dissertation, the research work applied the hermeneutical concepts of bhakti, karma and moksha. Focus was on the role played by the guru, the sadhus and devotees of the Swaminarayan Movement and how they related t~ their religious, ethical and social obligations. Their responses to ethical scriptures were evaluated, especially with a view to determining the extent to which ethical injunctions permeates, enhances, uplifts and shapes the adherents spiritually ,morally and socially. Swaminarayan ethics was also placed within the context of Classical Hindu Texts and in particular, the work of Ramanuja and his Vishistadvaita philosophy. Further, it has been observed that the quest for the Ultimate Reality (Purushottam) is through their relationship with Akshar, Guru Pramukh Swami, the model of ethical excellence whose charisma binds the fibre of the Movement and his role serves both the ethical and transcendental plane of the Movement. / Religious Studies and Arabic / MA (Religious Studies)

The thesis examines two interrelated topics; the perception of management theory in general, and the efficacy of the learning organisation in particular. The purpose of this thesis, therefore, is to compare the rhetoric espoused in the learning organisation literature with a survey of senior managers in large, commercial organisations. The results revealed a positive disposition towards business and management theory in general. The survey also demonstrated that leadership is considered the most important variable in the success of a company. This is facilitated through the attraction and retention of the appropriate staff and creating sufficient space for them to operate. Learning is embedded by anticipating the future, learning from the past and enabling good communication. However, the latter is balanced through change management. This is derived through legitimate authority and a reliance on planning. Finally, a strategy of experimentation is balanced by challenging industry rules. Themes involving politics, corporate alignment and corporate longevity were found to have relatively little convergent validity. The third section of the questionnaire reveals a positive disposition towards the learning organisation. The contribution of this thesis is in three areas. First, it is the only work to evaluate the anti-guru school. Second is the development of a syncretic model of learning organisation concept using structural equation modelling. Finally, it explains and examines the largely misunderstood concept of management fashions.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T15:02:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ArquivoTotalKlara.pdf: 8359930 bytes, checksum: 4eb9c31c5c696682fa7096814b15302d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-30 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This paper is a research proposal of recent insertion of Buddhism (eminently Eastern belief) in northeastern Brazil, specifically in the state of Paraíba (region of predominant Christian tradition). At first, we discuss the means that enable this insertion, as well as the people involved in the process of diffusion of a exotic" religion in the historical and cultural context of Paraiba. Secondly, the focus of this research is the process of translation (or "reframing") of the Buddhist ideals made by the belief system of its original paraibanos practitioners. Our hypothesis is that some of the Buddhist philosophical assumptions can be "read" in the light of Franciscan Christianity. If the discourses are essentially heterogeneous and polyphonic, then Buddhist doctrine when expanded in to the world, inevitably suffered interventions, additions and revisions. Therefore, our objective is to understand, beyond the manners, the process through which, from certain historical conditions, various discursive formations operate in the production of a "new" religious discourse in our region. / Este trabalho é uma proposta de investigação da inserção recente do budismo (crença eminentemente oriental) no nordeste brasileiro, especificamente no estado da Paraíba (região de tradição cristã predominante). Num primeiro momento, abordamos quais são os meios que viabilizam esta inserção, bem como quais são os atores envolvidos nesse processo de difusão de uma religião exótica no contexto histórico e cultural paraibano. Num segundo momento, o foco dessa investigação é o processo de tradução (ou ressignificação ) do ideário budista efetuado pelo sistema de crenças original de seus praticantes paraibanos. Se os discursos são essencialmente heterogêneos e polifônicos, também a doutrina budista, ao expandir-se pelo mundo, inevitavelmente sofreu intervenções, acréscimos e revisões de matrizes discursivas outras . O objetivo último do trabalho é compreendermos, além dos meios, o processo através do qual, a partir de determinadas condições históricas, formações discursivas diversas operam na produção de um novo discurso religioso em nossa região.

As part of the Phenomenological Method used in this dissertation, the research work applied the hermeneutical concepts of bhakti, karma and moksha. Focus was on the role played by the guru, the sadhus and devotees of the Swaminarayan Movement and how they related t~ their religious, ethical and social obligations. Their responses to ethical scriptures were evaluated, especially with a view to determining the extent to which ethical injunctions permeates, enhances, uplifts and shapes the adherents spiritually ,morally and socially. Swaminarayan ethics was also placed within the context of Classical Hindu Texts and in particular, the work of Ramanuja and his Vishistadvaita philosophy. Further, it has been observed that the quest for the Ultimate Reality (Purushottam) is through their relationship with Akshar, Guru Pramukh Swami, the model of ethical excellence whose charisma binds the fibre of the Movement and his role serves both the ethical and transcendental plane of the Movement. / Religious Studies and Arabic / MA (Religious Studies)

The thesis examines two interrelated topics; the perception of management theory in general, and the efficacy of the learning organisation in particular. The purpose of this thesis, therefore, is to compare the rhetoric espoused in the learning organisation literature with a survey of senior managers in large, commercial organisations. The results revealed a positive disposition towards business and management theory in general. The survey also demonstrated that leadership is considered the most important variable in the success of a company. This is facilitated through the attraction and retention of the appropriate staff and creating sufficient space for them to operate. Learning is embedded by anticipating the future, learning from the past and enabling good communication. However, the latter is balanced through change management. This is derived through legitimate authority and a reliance on planning. Finally, a strategy of experimentation is balanced by challenging industry rules. Themes involving politics, corporate alignment and corporate longevity were found to have relatively little convergent validity. The third section of the questionnaire reveals a positive disposition towards the learning organisation. The contribution of this thesis is in three areas. First, it is the only work to evaluate the anti-guru school. Second is the development of a syncretic model of learning organisation concept using structural equation modelling. Finally, it explains and examines the largely misunderstood concept of management fashions.