Thesis advisor: Bernard O'Brien / This study investigated factors which influenced stable, primary love relationships among twelve lesbian couples who had been together at least fifteen years and had not reared children together. Each participant was interviewed separately in a retrospective, semi-structured interview that assessed the impact of selected factors over the course of the relationship. Each factor was examined to determine its influence in the beginning phase of the relationship (the first 5 years), in the middle phase (5-10 years into the relationship), and most recently (beyond 10 years into the relationship). Interpersonal dynamics as well as the influences of culture, religion, values, finances, and social supports were explored to determine their impact on relationship stability. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 1994. / Submitted to: Boston College. School of Education. / Discipline: Counseling, Developmental Psychology, and Research Methods.

Background and Problem: Human Resources are considered one of the most important assets when competing with other companies. There are a lot of studies made in general on the subject while studies considering a specific context are missing. To consider the context when adapting a HR-strategy is interesting as the structure of the organization and the environment affects both the organization and the individuals within it. To study how the controversial context affects an organization is particularly interesting as the context is subject for discussion in the society. Aim: The study's purpose is to investigate how Human Resources are handled in a controversial business and to identify success factors when adapting the strategy to the controversial context. Methodology: The study started out by collecting theories connected to the subject with Fombrun, Devanna & Tichys HR-cycle. Interview questions where made based on the theories and answered by three of the case company's employees, whom all are well familiar with the case company's HR-strategy. Conclusion: We have come to the conclusion that there are no remarkable differences when handling Human Resources in a controversial context then in earlier published theories. However the importance of an adjusted HR-strategy to best be able to handle the employees are proven. Some areas must be considered more important when adjusting the HR-strategy to the context. In these situation areas resulting in long-term relationships between the employee and the organization seems to be high valued.Key words: Human Resource, controversial context, gambling company and long-term relationships. / Bakgrund och Problem: Mänskliga resurser anses vara en av de viktigaste tillgångarna som leder till företagets konkurrensfördelar. Många studier har genomförts, främst i generella sammanhang. Men det saknas studier som tar hänsyn till en specifik kontext. Att ta hänsyn till hur en specifik kontext påverkar HR-arbetet är intressant eftersom att organisationens egen uppbyggnad samt omgivningen påverkar såväl organisationen som individerna vilka arbetar i den. Att undersöka hur den kontroversiella kontexten påverkar organisationen är extra intressant då den bidrar till diskussion i dagens samhälle. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att undersöka hur HR-arbetet fungerar i en kontroversiell verksamhet samt att identifiera framgångsfaktorer med utgångspunkt i anpassning till kontexten. Metod: Studien började med insamlande av teorier kopplade till ämnet med utgångspunkt i Fombrun, Devanna & Tichys HR-cykel. Med utgångspunkt i HR-cykeln formades intervjufrågor som sedan ställdes till tre av fallföretagets anställda. Dessa tre är välbekanta med organisationen HR-arbete. Slutsats: Genom studien har vi kommit fram till att det inte finns några markanta skillnader mellan hur HR-arbetet fungerar i en kontroversiell kontext och tidigare publicerade teorier. Däremot bevisas vikten av att anpassa sina HR-strategier för att på bästa sätt hantera sin personal. Från detta kan vi se att vissa områden anses viktigare än andra vid anpassning till kontexten. I denna situation verkar de områden vilka resulterar i långvariga relationer mellan organisationen och medarbetarna vara högt värderade.Nyckelord: Human Resources, kontroversiell kontext, spelföretag och långsiktiga relationer.

Increases in the proportion of older people in Canada have focussed needed attention on the issues and concerns for this group. One prevalent issue is the nature of experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) for older adults. These experiences have been overlooked in the domestic violence theory and research where the focus has been on the needs of younger women and also within the elder abuse research and literature where the emphasis has been placed on aging (dementia) and caregiving. As a result, less is known about the experiences of older adults in intimate relationships and how the power and control dynamics manifest and shift within the context of long-term relationships. How do these dynamics change or remain the same in intimate relationships of older adults? How do the victims resist the violent and controlling tactics of perpetrators and how does this resistance influence and shift the nature of power and control in these intimate relationships? Using techniques borrowed from grounded theory, this study was undertaken with the aim of exploring power and control dynamics in intimate relationships of older adults in long-term abusive relationships. The findings demonstrated by the victims reported that their partners used different forms of violent tactics in the early years of these intimate relationships and typically used more nonviolent coercive controlling tactics in later years. In some of the relationships, control continued past the period of separation and divorce. Victims presented themselves as active agents and demonstrated resistance that was more overt in the early years, which became more subtle and discreet as these relationships matured. For victims, resisting their partners’ efforts to control them provided them with some momentary power in the relationship; however, the participants’ control was mostly situation-specific and temporary. For victims who were still living with their abusive partners, resistance allowed them to set boundaries with their partners and provided them with some space of their own within their relationships to engage in activities of their choice. These boundaries, however, are under constant scrutiny by the abusive partners and although victims demonstrate resistance to assert their dignity, the overarching control continued to be with the abusive partner. Narratives also provided by the participants also demonstrated the impacts of intimate partner violence to their sense of health and well-being. / October 2015

Titel: Faktorer för långsiktiga relationer med hyresgäster - En jämförande studie mellan kommunala och privata bostadsföretag Nivå: Examensarbete för kandidatexamen i företagsekonomi Författare: Hannah Dage, Sandra Slydal Thomassen Handledare: Akmal Hyder Datum: 2015 - Maj Syfte: Syftet med studien är att jämföra kommunala och privata bostadsföretag i deras arbete med förtroende, engagemang och kundnöjdhet för att skapa långsiktiga relationer med hyresgäster. Metod: Studien har omfattat en kvalitativ metod. Semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts med tio respondenter från olika kommunala och privata bostadsföretag i östra Mellansverige samt en respondent från Hyresgästföreningen för att samla in data. Den insamlade datan har därefter presenterats och analyserats mot relationsmarknadsföring för att dra slutsatser om hur företagen arbetar med förtroende, engagemang, kundnöjdhet och långsiktiga relationer. Resultat & Slutsats: Studiens slutsatser visar att bostadsföretagen arbetar med förtroende och engagemang för att uppnå kundnöjdhet och relationer. Den visar att det finns fler likheter än skillnader i kommunala och privata bostadsföretags arbete med hyresgäster. Det har dock framkommit att inga av dessa bostadsföretag konkret arbetar för att bygga långsiktiga relationer med hyresgäster. Förslag till vidare forskning: Genom att det i studien framkommit att medverkande bostadsföretag inte arbetar specifikt för att bygga långsiktiga relationer med hyresgäster kan förslag till vidare forskning vara att undersöka om teorin övervärderar sambanden mellan förtroende, engagemang och kundnöjdhet för att uppnå långsiktiga relationer. Det genom att applicera studien på andra bostadsmarknader alternativt andra tjänsteutövande marknader för att se om relationsmarknadsföring är så pass relevant som teorin utvisar. Studiens bidrag: Studien har bidragit till forskning om relationer i bostadsbranschen och den visar en generell bild av att det finns fler likheter än skillnader mellan kommunala och privata bostadsföretag. Studien har visat att de kommunala och privata bostadsföretagen är likartade i deras arbete med hyresgäster. Den har även framhållit att faktorerna förtroende, engagemang och kundnöjdhet spelar en betydande roll i bostadsföretags arbete med att skapa relationer till hyresgäster.   Nyckelord: Engagemang, förtroende, kundnöjdhet, långsiktiga relationer / Title: Factors for long-term relationships with tenants - A comparative study between municipal and private housing companies Level: Final assignment for Bachelor Degree in Business Administration Authors: Hannah Dage, Sandra Slydal Thomassen Supervisor: Akmal Hyder Date: 2015 - May Aim: The purpose of this study is to compare municipal and private housing companies in their work with trust, commitment and customer satisfaction to create long-term relationships with tenants. Method: The study has involved a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten respondents from various municipal and private housing companies in eastern central Sweden and one respondent from the tenant association to collect data. The collected data is then presented, analyzed and compared with relationship marketing for drawing conclusions. Result & Conclusions: It has emerged that the housing companies work with trust and commitment to achieve customer satisfaction and build relationships. It shows that there are more similarities than differences in the municipal and private housing companies' work with tenants. It also has emerged that none of these companies specifically works to establish long-term relationships with its tenants. Suggestions for future research: The study has revealed that participating housing companies doesn’t works specifically to build long-term relationships with its tenants. We therefore propose a further study to investigate whether the theory overestimates the relationships between trust, commitment and customer satisfaction to achieve long-term relationships. By applying the study to other housing markets, alternatively other service markets one could see if relationship marketing is as relevant as the theory shows. Contribution of the thesis: This study has contributed to research on relationships in the housing industry by showing there are more similarities than differences between municipal and private housing companies. The study has shown that the municipal and private housing companies is similar in their work with tenants. It also concludes that the factors trust, commitment and customer satisfaction play a significant role in housing companies to create relationships with tenants. Key words: Commitment, trust, customer satisfaction, long-term relationships

Love and sex change over the course of a relationship. The current research investigates the factors that contribute to sexual desire and sexual satisfaction in long-term couples. In two studies, the association between motivational goals for sex, interdependence, and sexual outcomes were explored. Study 1 was a cross-sectional survey. The results of Study 1 revealed that participants who engaged in sex more often for approach goals reported higher levels of desire, whereas participants who engaged in sex more often for avoidance goals reported lower levels of desire. Study 2 was a 21-day daily experience study involving a subset of the participants from Study 1. The results of Study 2 indicated that on days when participants reported engaging in sex more for approach goals they reported greater sexual desire, whereas on days when participants reported engaging in sex more for avoidance goals they reported lower levels of sexual desire. Partner-focused, as opposed to self-focused sexual goals, were primarily responsible for these associations. In both studies, relationship satisfaction was also associated with higher desire, and this was mediated by the tendency of people who are more satisfied to engage in sex more often for approach goals. In Study 2, approach goals moderated the impact of avoidance goals on sexual desire, and this association differed by gender. Stronger approach goals buffered against declines in sexual desire associated with avoidance goals for women, but not for men. The findings support the utility of applying a motivational framework to the study of sexuality in established couples and the greater relevance of partner-focused sexual goals in long-term relationships.

This thesis deals with purchasing management in the construction industry and the relationships between suppliers and customers. In the theoretical part are defined basic trade relations, selection and method of evaluation of suppliers, their mode of communication and thoroughly described outsourcing and insourcing. The practical part is a collection of several purchasing activities presenting the advantages of long-term relationships with suppliers customers. Preference is assessed on the basis of time and financial savings.

Das in der quantitativen Sexualforschung gefundene Gendering sexueller Interessen in lang andauernden Beziehungen unabhängig vom Alter gab Anlass zu dieser Forschungsarbeit. In 23 Interviews wurden heterosexuelle Paare im Alter zwischen 39 und 69 Jahren in lang andauernden Beziehungen zur individuellen und gemeinsamen Bedeutung, zu Bedingungen und erlebten gesellschaftlichen Einflüssen ihrer Sexualität getrennt befragt. In Anlehnung an die Grounded Theory wurden die individuellen, paardynamischen und gesellschaftlichen Mechanismen zur Paarsexualität untersucht. Geschlechtsspezifische sexuelle Diskordanzen kennzeichnen eine von den Befragten zufrieden stellend erlebte Sexualität. Die Betonung dieser Diskordanzen kann als eine Strategie zur Stabilisierung sexueller Beziehung (bei zunehmenden Belastungen und Veränderungen mit Dauer der Beziehung) gewertet werden.

This study explores the function of female simulated orgasm in long-term relationships, and its significance for the individual’s perception of their own body and sexuality. Through a series of semi-structured interviews with subjects that have experiences with simulated orgasm, the study utilizes scripting theory to analyze and explain the meaning of the simulated orgasm. Four central themes in the narratives are identified: The demand for orgasm, the mutually rewarding orgasm, the orgasm as strategy, and the ethics of orgasm. The study concludes that several scripts are involved in the decision to simulate one’s own orgasm. Significantly, the study identifies that in some cases simulated orgasms can lead to the experience of a pseudo-orgasm – a state that is neither simulated nor authentic orgasm.

This thesis makes a contribution to the trust literature by analysing and pinpointing specific actions and behaviours that are seen as negative or positive to the building of trust in the construction industry in Sweden today. The thesis therefore aims to look at trust from different perspectives – developer, contractor, consultant and subcontractors in the Swedish construction industry. Specifically, it examines the different notations and definitions of trust from the literature along with a qualitative study aiming at understanding the underlying factors and principles for creating trust. The qualitative data was collected through interviews with seven people. The results show that trust is considered important in all projects and is a prerequisite for a good project. However, there is a lack of trust in the construction industry today, but with a shift of generation and a forthcoming digitisation, a positive trend might be pending. Partnering and other forms of collaboration are seen as facilitating for trust building processes – if implemented in a proper manner. However, partnering is rarely implemented in such a way, why those processes many times fail in ending up in trust. Further, it has been concluded that trust is highly affected in a negative way by changes in standard contracts such as AB/ABT, whereupon such changes should be avoided. Trust is seen as strongly connected with building long-term relationships where opportunism is avoided and future profits rather are given priority. Lastly, trust helps to keep focus on the important things in a project, making the way for a better product in the end. It is also seen as a factor for creating a better work environment and an attractive industry.  The study has identified that the major factors affecting trust in the Swedish construction industry are: changes from the standard contracts (AB/ABT), different collaboration forms and the execution of these (mainly partnering), the digitisation and coming generational change, the focus on cheap constructions and a lack of long-term relationships. / Det här examensarbetet gör ett bidrag till litteraturen om tillit genom att analysera och precisera specifika handlingar och beteenden som kan anses vara negativa eller positiva för tillitsbyggande i den Svenska byggindustrin. Examensarbetet ämnar därför att se på tillit från olika perspektiv – byggherre, entreprenör, konsulter och underentreprenörer i byggbranschen. Mer specifikt så undersöker den de olika benämningar och definitioner av tillit som finns i litteraturen, tillsammans med en kvalitativ studie som har som sikte att förstå de bakomliggande faktorerna och principerna för att skapa förtroende. Den kvalitativa datan har samlats in genom intervjuer med sju personer. Resultatet visar på att tillit anses vara viktigt i alla projekt och att det är en nödvändig förutsättning för ett bra projekt. Dock så finns det en brist på tillit i byggbranschen idag, men med ett kommande generationsskifte samt en växande digitalisering så kan trenden komma att vända. Partnering och andra samverkansformer ses som främjande för tillitsbyggande processer – om de implementeras på ett korrekt sätt. Däremot är detta sällan fallet, varför sådana processer många gånger misslyckas med att skapa tillit. Vidare så har det visat sig att tillit påverkas starkt negativt av ändringar och avsteg från standardkontrakten AB/ABT, varpå sådana avvikelser borde undvikas. Tillit ses starkt kopplat till att bygga långsiktiga relationer där opportunism undviks och framtida vinster istället prioriteras. Slutligen har det visat sig att tillit hjälper till att hålla fokus på det viktiga i ett projekt vilket möjliggör för att skapa en bättre produkt i slutändan. Tillit ses också som en faktor för att skapa bättre arbetsmiljö och en attraktiv bransch. Studien har identifierat att de största faktorerna som påverkar tillit i den svenska byggindustrin är: ändringar och avsteg från standardkontrakten (AB/ABT), olika samverkansformer och hur dessa utförs, digitaliseringen och det kommande generationsskiftet, fokus på att bygga billigt och en brist på långsiktiga relationer.

Titel: Hur långvariga relationer påverkar förhandlingsprocessen, en kvalitativ studie inom B2B-marknaden.  Nivå: Examensarbete på grundnivå (kandidatexamen) i ämnet företagsekonomi  Författare: Sofia Backer-Meurke och Caroline Persson  Handledare: Lars-Johan Åge  Datum: 2024 – maj  Syfte: Syftet är att öka förståelsen för hur långvariga relationer påverkar förhandlingsprocesser inom B2B-marknaden, en jämförelse mellan offentlig och privat inköpsverksamhet.  Metod: Den valda metoden för studien är kvalitativ metod. Sju semistrukturerade intervjuer har genomförts med åtta inköpare i fyra olika organisationer. Det empiriska materialet har sedan analyserats med hjälp av den teoretiska referensramen.  Resultat och slutsats: Studien visar att långvariga relationer påverkar en förhandlingsprocess på olika sätt. Långvariga relationer anses även viktigt och bidragande med flera positiva aspekter. Långvariga relationer får allt större betydelse inom förhandling. Utifrån de empiriska materialet har vi funnit aspekter som vår teoretiska referensram inte belyst. Extra intressant var de skillnader som upptäcktes mellan privat och offentlig verksamhet.  Examensarbetets bidrag: Denna uppsats bidrar med ökad förståelse för hur långvariga relationer påverkar förhandlingsprocessen samt skillnaderna mellan privat och offentlig inköpsverksamhet. Dessa bidrag kan hjälpa B2B-förhandlare att förstå vilken betydelse långvariga relationer har samt vilken inverkan de har på förhandlingar.  Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Vi anser att det krävs mer forskning inom ämnet. Vårt förslag för vidare forskning är att genomföra en liknande studie inom en specifik bransch för att på så sätt kunna jämföra olika branscher och se om några skillnader upptäcks. Ytterligare ett förslag på forskning är att undersöka vilka möjliga negativa aspekter som långvariga relationer kan påverka förhandlingsprocessen med. / Title: How long-term relationships affect the negotiation process, a qualitative study within the B2B market. Level: Student Thesis, final assignment for Bachelor Degree in Business Administration Author: Sofia Backer-Meurke and Caroline Persson Supervisor: Lars-Johan Åge Date: 2024 – may Aim: The purpose is to increase the understanding of how long-term relationships affect negotiation processes within the B2B-market, a comparison between public and private purchasing organizations. Method: The chosen method for the study is qualitative method. Seven semi-structured interviews have been conducted with eight B2B-purchasers from four different organizations. The empirical material has then been analyzed using the theoretical frame of reference. Results and conclusions: The study shows that long-term relationships affect a negotiation process in different ways. Relationships are also considered important and contributing with several positive aspects. Relationships are becoming increasingly important in negotiation. Based on the empirical material, we have found aspects that our theoretical frame of reference did not pick up. Particularly interesting were the differences that were discovered between private and public organizations. Contribution of the thesis: This essay contributes with increased understanding of how long-term relationships affect the negotiation process as well as the differences between private and public purchasing organizations. These contributions can help B2B negotiators understand the importance of long-term relationships and the impact they have on negotiations. Suggestions for future research: We think that more research is required on the subject. Our proposal for further research is to carry out a similar study within a specific industry to be able to compare different industries and see if any differences can be discovered. Another proposal for future research is to investigate the possible negative effects long-term relationships can have on a negotiation process.