Genom elektronikens olika tillämpningar och genom ett varierat utbud av produkter har informationsteknologiindustrin effektiviserat organisationers och människors informationshantering under de senaste 20 åren. Därigenom har människors tillvaro och företags administrativa funktioner och produktionssystem förändrats. De snabba förändringar både av nya produkter och nya företag som sker i denna bransch skapar tillväxt för de enskilda företagen. Teknologisk föränderlighet och en extremt osäker marknadssituation ger ökad administrativ komplexitet för företagen. Detta ställer särskilt stora krav på kompetensen i företagsledningarna. I avhandlingen utvecklas en teoretisk och empirisk grundad livscykelteori för ägandet och ledningen av företagen. Beskrivningen avser företagens utveckling från deras bildande till dess att de är medelstora. Följande forskningsfrågor besvaras: På vilket sätt förändras ägandet av ett företag i extremt osäkra marknadssituationer när företaget växer från att ha varit ett småföretag till att bli ett storföretag? Vilka funktioner har grundaren till ett företag i olika skeden av företagets tillväxt? Varierar dessa funktioner med hänsyn till ägarformen? Hur förändras ledningsteam och ledningsprocesser? Vilka ledningsideologier kan återfinnas bland entreprenörer i företagen? Hur påverkar affärslogik och ledningsideal strategier, relationer och engagemang, i ledningen av företagen? / <p>Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 1990</p>

This study compares the manner in which local schools organize to address the policy problem of support for pupils with special needs. Since the end of the 1970s, it has been a central aim to decentralise basic comprehensive education in Sweden. Several reforms have totally remapped the formal organization structures and how educational resources are allocated from the state to municipalities. The role of central and regional state administration has shifted from being highly involved in regulating state grants to evaluating implementation of state goals. The implementa­tion structure approach used in research relies primarily upon semi-structured interviews with members of schools to identify who is involved in the tasks of defining needs, deciding priorities among needs, mobilising resources to alleviate needs and evaluating the work. From the teachers selected as the point of entry into schools, the interviewing proceeded to other members of the municipal educational system, within or outside the local school district. In each municipality one local school district was selected for study, and in each school district the study focuses on the upper level of the comprehensive school. Care has been taken to select schools of a certain size and to find schools with non-selective school populations. The same schools were studied in 1986 and 1995. One conclusion from the interviews in 1986 was that political intentions and the special SR- grant had minor or non-existent implications for the work being done in schools. It was of no interest where resources came from. This same conclusion can still be made in 1995. The review of how municipal education committees organized allocation of the SR-grant in 1986 did not indicate that they had acted to develop areas or criteria to direct more actively the use of resources in schools. This study argues that the capacity of municipal education committees to actively participate in the work has actually deteriorated. Decentralization of formal powers in combination with declining resources actually worsened the situation in this respect between 1986 and 1995. One can see that variation between schools in respect of total resources in the schools has declined, but to a level under the expected total amount of resources in 1986. In a comparison between schools on how schools actually have allocated resources to different education purposes, the finding is that the variation is immense both in 1986 and 1995 - but in different ways. Some schools gave priority to lowering the group average while others made their priority special education teachers. In both cases there is no evidence that pupil needs had anything to do with these priorities. The lack of evaluations for pupils with special needs is the foremost problem for both those with responsibility for schools and for the implications at higher levels.

In the new millennium the ideas of New Public Management (NPM) have become more and more popular within the public sector and its health care. NPM is a management philosophy that, among other things, aims at making public organizations more business like. The study explores the encounter between the organizational practice and an NPM idea, the idea of quality, at Landstinget in Värmland (LiV). More precisely the study aims at contributing to the discourse on effects of institutionalization as well as to knowledge on the process of local institutionalization. Another purpose of the study is to contribute to quality development in organizations. In order to do this, a project of quality (LiV 2002) at LiV is followed in time and space. In the empirical section three actor groups are identified, the new management, the old officials and the health care personnel. Between the old officials and the new management, and between the health care personnel and the new management conflicts burst out. The reason for these conflicts is, among other things, the actor groups’ diverging cultural conceptions. In the conclusion the idea of quality is, to a certain extent, found to be institutionalized in the formal structure of LiV. But the greater part of the actors’ action and thought schemes are unaffected. However, the actors at LiV are not fully unaffected by the idea of quality. It is argued that the cultural conceptions of the old officials and the health care personnel are reproduced during the work on quality. In the discussion concerning contributions, a model for studying local institutionalization from the perspective of sensemaking is put forward. It is argued that the model enables students of local institutionalization to focus on the cognitive micro processes of institutionalization. In the discussion on quality development, the focus is on difficulties and obstacles with quality development. These are found to be cultural conceptions, preservative sensemaking, processes of translation and that most public organizations are arena organizations.

This study starts out with the hypothesis that the integration process in Europe is connected to cross-border régionalisation, a process which supports the institutionalization of subnational cross-border cooperation - region-building. Cross-border régionalisation is characterized by the decentralisation of vertical links and enhanced opportunities for horizontal links across state borders. In addition, political integration is expected to have some impact on the cross-border institutional forms that emerge at the subnational level. Three different approaches are utilized in order to establish the empirical connection between political integration and region-building. These are: an analysis of the factors which determine the general pattern of cross-border cooperation in Europe, an analysis of the policy network related to the regional and structural policies of the European Union (EU), and case studies of cooperation in the heartland of Europe, the Regio Basiliensis along the external border of the EU, and the EUREGIO along one of the internal borders. Two institutional factors are found to have a significant impact on the number of subnational cross-border cooperations, EU-membership and centrality. Federal constitution was shown not to be significant. It is suggested that the interaction between actors at different politico- administrative levels creates network relations, which typically bring both private and public actors together. More precisely, region-building is described as the outcome of the interaction which takes place between actors. A closer examination of the emerging policy network shows that community initiatives, the Interreg-programme in particular, improve the prospects for multi­level interaction. The EU plays a crucial role in providing the incentives for cooperation by increasing resource dependency and by establishing direct ties between the European Commission and a large number of subnational actors through partnerships. It appears as if the Commission wishes to demonstrate its capacity to deal with problems relevant to individual citizens. By, in part, bypassing central governments, it seems to increase its own importance vis- à-vis member states. The modus vivendi of cross-border region-building and régionalisation is the degree to which institutional actors at different levels share the same objectives. As shown by the case studies, there is a common interest in cross-border cooperation up to the point were public statues are introduced. Interests seem to coincide as long as the structures and contents of cross-border cooperation do not ultimately challenge the authority of state institutions. Therefore, it is not surprising that it seems impossible to give cross-border regions any rights under international law. Functional cooperation, rather than regionalist manifestations of cultural or political unity across borders, constitutes the backbone of region-building. Activities transcending borders are less controversial than those that may contribute to the establishment of new borders. It is concluded that region-building is a process which is embedded in the institutionalization of a multi-level interaction pattern. More favourable multilevel relations have been achieved through the transfer of some authority to the supranational level. This is the main reason why traditional integration theory fails to explain why there is a connection between political integration and cross-border cooperation. / digitalisering@umu

Internationalization is an important strategic issue for survival for most business schools of today. Following this, various international accreditation bodies have in recent years been very succes­s­ful in promoting accreditation as a means of gaining status and prove high quality. These business school accreditation schemes clearly state their targets against top quality international schools and programs. Internationalization of the business school opera­tions can thus be stated to be of vital impor­tance for schools aiming for one or more of these accreditations. The intention of this study is to turn the issue around and explore to which extent, and with what kind of impact, the accreditation processes in turn have on the area of interna­tiona­li­­­zation within the business school organization.   The theoretical framework consists of three main areas: ’The Business School Environment’, ‘Strategy as Practice’ and ‘Institutional Theory’. The first part aims to reach an understanding for the environment and situation that business schools of today are facing. It also highlights major challenges for the future. In the second part, Strategy as Practice research theories are used to gain understanding for strategy behaviour and strategy creation within plu­ra­listic organi­zations, such as the higher education insti­tution. The third part deals with issues on Quality Frameworks with the aim to reach understanding for the im­pact such processes can have on the organization. Sensemaking Theory is further used to illustrate the rational behind decision making of busi­ness school leaders and the concluding part connects theories on quality frameworks to Identity Creation, linking together identity with culture and image.   The research approach for this qualitative study is the abductive one and the empirical data is collected through a number of semi-structured interviews with business school repre­sen­tatives at various levels working in the area of international relations.   Main findings are presented within the framework of a time structured (past, present, future) model connected to the study’s five objectives: The development of internationali­zation within the school; the view on internationalization among organizational members; the charac­teristics of decision making and implementation processes; the main impact factors of accreditation and the expectations of major future challenges.   The results indicate that although accreditation has shown to have had a substantial impact on the success of business school operations in an international perspective, it is to a much lesser extent a concrete tool for change and improvement within the area of internatio­nali­zation as such. Accreditation has shown to be strongly connected to previous develop­ment and view on internationalization within the organizations. Also, a strong belief in, and commit­ment to, internationalization among influential organizational members has proved to be vital for the accreditation processes. Furthermore, a number of unique charac­teristics connected to the identities’ of the organiza­tions studied, showed to have notable impact on the success of the schools’ international opera­tions, so also the accreditation processes. This includes organiza­tional culture and tradition; working methods; dissemi­nation of information; strong social connections; knowledge, dedication and commitment by individuals and management’s ability to provide organizational members with trust, respect, autonomy and encouragement.

Syftet med uppsatsen var att genom en socialpsykologisk undersökning studera hur soldater i Försvarsmakten upplever och hanterar konflikten mellan deras militära- och civila identitet.För studien intervjuades sex soldater som tjänstgör vid ett regemente i Sverige.Resultatet visade att flertalet av de intervjuade tyckes vara måna om att visa på en distansering från jobbet när de var lediga, och att de då ”återgick” till sin civila identitet, för att sen växla tillbaka när de var tillbaka i tjänsten. Emellanåt verkade det dock vara svårt för soldaterna att skilja de två åt och fler tycktes ”trilla” tillbaka till sin militära identitet, även i den civila vardagen. Det observerades därför ingen större konflikt mellan den militära och civila identiteten eftersom soldaterna tycktes välja en stabil identitet att använda sig av över tiden.  Hos flera av soldaterna fanns en ovilja att jämföras med de stereotypa ideal som allmänheten hade om dem och de valde därför att ta avstånd ifrån dem och definiera om situationen för de som hade den uppfattningen. Detta för att bevara sin militära identitet och självbild. / The purpose of this paper was to assess how soldiers of the Swedish Armed Forces manage the conflict between their military and civilian identities. For the study six solders serving at a regiment in Sweden were interviewed. The results showed that the majority of the interviewees seemed to be keen to distance themselves from work and that they ”returned” to their civilian identity when being off-duty, only to switch back when being back in uniform. It seemed testing for the soldiers to distinguish the two and several of them seemed to “fall back” to their military identity, even when being off-duty outside the regiment. No greater conflict was thereby notable between the two identities since the soldiers seemed to rely on a single stable identity throughout their everyday.Several of the soldiers also showed an unwillingness to be compared to the stereotypical ideals that the public had of them and chose to dissociate from them and redefine the situation for those who had that perception. This to preserve their military identity and self image.

Syftet med denna uppsats var att undersöka välfärdsmodellens förändring i form av privatisering genom kommunal upphandling och nya konstellationer av offentlig och privat verksamhet. Frågeställningarna besvaras utifrån en fallstudie gjord på den upphandlade ungdomsverksamheten Blå Huset i Tensta (Stockholm) och den metodologiska utgångspunkten bottnar i de kvalitativa sätten, mer specifikt Burawoys Extended Case Method. Genom att kombinera organisationsteoretiska begrepp och utgångspunkter med urbansociologiska perspektiv har resultatet fått ett djup och en bredd som visar på offentlig - privata partnerskaps relationers komplexitet vad gäller legitimitet och dess inverkan i den urbana kontexten. Resultatet visar på strategier som sammankopplar rationaliserande myter med kognitiva institutioner exempelvis i form av nyliberala initiativ inom den urbana kontexten. / The purpose of this paper was to get a deeper understanding of the transformations in the Swedish welfare model, which includes privatization through contracting out and new combinations of public and private actors. A case study was done on the youth centre Blå Huset in the suburb Tensta (Stockholm) using qualitative methods, and more specifically Burawoys Extended Case Method. Through combining organizational concepts with urban sociological perspectives the results showed both depth and width in illustrating the complexity of public - private partnerships in terms of legitimacy and effects on the urban context. The results showed strategies connecting rationalized myths with cognitive institutions such as neoliberal initiatives in the urban context.

Literature studies on institutionalization are mainly predicated on repetitive work performing sectors, in which firms are more prone to developed institutionalization processes in literature. But, in this study, it is aimed to examine reasons behind low tendency of construction firms to institutionalization process in Turkey. In literature, two main obstacles against institutionalization are shown as firms&rsquo / resistance to change and founder family acts on firm. So, family businesses and their effects on firm operations are also included to this study&rsquo / s scope, with business growth and institutionalization process. Conducted interviews are based on a questionnaire which is prepared to identify / cognition level of institutionalization, factors leading firms to institutionalization, firms&rsquo / established system perform in the name of institutionalization and finally summarize experiences firms gained from institutionalization process. Twenty-one interviewed contractor firms enlightens acts of construction firms in Turkey, because like interviewed firms, 70% of construction firms in Turkey is still governed by 1st generation. Results indicate that construction firms seem to apply most of the systems offered by literature for institutionalization because of rapid business growth. In general they refuse a high institutionalization level because of construction projects&rsquo / temporary and unique nature, causing a highly competitive and uncertain sector requiring a highly flexible firm structure. Institutionalization is mainly processed to enhance control, it is not considered to take place for balancing family and firm relationships. This is because of high family dominancy in firms, leading to a highly jeopardized sustainability.

In parallel to developments around the world, regional policy issue has become an important issue in Turkey&rsquo / s agenda. However, political tools such as projects and plans were performed poorly due to the fact that these policy efforts failed to take into account bottom-up institutional setting according to own dynamics of each region. The European integration has made a positive impact on Turkey&rsquo / s highly centralized structure. Turkey displayed a series of changes within the scope of institutional reforms. Firstly, NUTS Classification in accordance with EU&rsquo / s statistical regions was introduced and then, Development Agencies were established by The Law on The Establishment and Duties of Development Agencies, based on NUTS-II regions. Thus, institutionalization at regional level was emerged for the first time in Turkish history as one of the significant movement. Following experiences gained during the institutional establishment efforts, this thesis aims to examine the existing DA&rsquo / s institutional performance in the regional plan activities. Izmir Development Agency (IZKA) was chosen as a case study topic in order to explore how Development Agencies perform regional plan in terms of institutional infrastructure. To achieve this aim, the research was formed into two stages. Firstly / factors, affecting the institutional performance were determined. Secondly / IZKA was assessed over these factors. Qualitative research method through in-depth interviews was conducted in order to assess IZKA&rsquo / s institutional performance in operationalizing Izmir Regional Plan 2010-2013. In addition, documented texts were incorporated as the secondary data.

As a crisis of representation challenges third wave democracies, two of its most salient indicators – weak party institutionalization and the underrepresentation of marginalized groups – have thus far been evaluated only in isolation. This dissertation contends that the two dynamics are related, and uses extensive variation within Brazil, the third wave's most populous democracy, to analyze the relationship. Employing an original empirical database of 21,478 candidacies, 73 interviews, and field observations from throughout Brazil, I explain how voters, electoral rules, and parties interact to undermine women's political participation and representative democracy. Despite socioeconomic progress, an effective women's movement, an electorate increasingly receptive to female politicians, and a legislated gender quota, Brazil ranks poorly in global assessments of women's legislative presence. Using mixed methods, this dissertation analyzes variation in women's electoral performance across districts, electoral rules, parties, and women to explain the puzzle of women's underrepresentation in Brazil. I argue that the weakly institutionalized and male dominant character of most Brazilian parties has undermined the quota while also hindering women's political prospects and circumscribing their pathways to power. I subject the hypotheses of the women's representation literature and my own arguments to empirical testing and find that Brazil's female political aspirants are thwarted not by development level, electoral size, or ideology, but rather by the preponderance of inchoate and male-led parties. The analysis demonstrates that to effectively promote women's participation in candidate-centered elections, parties must have the capacity to provide women with essential psychological, organizational, and material support and the will, heralded by the party leadership, to do so. The paucity of such support and persistence of traditional gender norms have led Brazil's few female politicians to craft novel profiles; by conforming to traditional gender norms as supermadres, or converting social, organizational, or professional experiences into political capital as lutadoras or technocrats, such women have nonetheless thrived in inhospitable electoral contexts. I conclude that reforms that strengthen parties while incentivizing the promotion of women's participation within parties offer the greatest potential for mitigating Brazil's crisis of representation, situating once more the goals of the women's movement within the broader democratic reform agenda. / text