Physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are regarded as important elements of a healthy lifestyle (Sallis & Patrick, 1994:304; Saxena et al., 2002; Beets & Pitetti, 2004:1796). Literature revealed that adolescents are more inclined to be physically inactive and spent time on sedentary activities, such as watching television (Wang & Biddle, 2001:1; Marshall et al., 2002:413; Neumark-Sztainer et al., 2003:803; Hancox et al., 2004; Malina et al., 2004:479). Adolescents from low socio-economic communities also experience various other barriers, such as performing income-generating activities and family duties (Prista et al., 1997:455; Kriska, 2000:50), time constraints (Saxena et al., 2002), too much homework (Deflandre et al., 2004:31) and distances from sports facilities (Nahas et al., 2003), which prevent them from being physically active. Stunting, defined as height growth retardation, is also a condition that is associated with poor socio-economic status (SES) and various studies showed an occurrence of up to 19% in children (Kruger et al., 2004:566; Cameron et al., 2005:414). Although different intervention studies were conducted to improve stunting, none were based on physical activity intervention (Lunn, 2002:109; Walsh et al., 2002:6). The first aim of the study was to determine the physical fitness status and physical activity levels of 15-year-old adolescents from a previously disadvantaged community. Secondly, to determine what factors would be regarded as either barriers or motivators for 15-year-old adolescents from this previously disadvantaged community for improving their physical activity and participation in sport and for determining their perception of their own physical activity level. The next aim was to analyse the physical activity choices and aerobic endurance of these 15-year-old adolescents and the effect of a physical activity intervention programme (PAIP) on their physical activity choices and levels and aerobic endurance. The last aim of the study was to examine the effect of a PAIP on the physical fitness of stunted 15-year-old adolescents. Two high schools (an intervention school [school 1] and a control school [school 2]) in a previously disadvantaged community near Potchefstroom, South Africa, participated in this study. The learners in the control school had a slightly better socio-economic status, determined by income per capita. All Grade 8 learners in School 1 and 2 were requested to participate in the research. Two hundred and fifty-two (N=252) Grade 8 learners (116 boys and 136 girls) in School 1 and N=66 Grade 8 learners (21 boys and 45 girls) in School 2 parents/guardians granted informed consent to participate in the study. The PAIP was conducted for an hour twice a week for 19 weeks directly after school hours for learners from School 1. No physical education classes or organised sport were part of the school curriculum during the intervention. A pre-test/post-test study design was used. Standard anthropometrical procedures were used to determine body mass, stature and four skin folds. The Fitnessgram (Meredith & Welk, 1999:9) and additional fitness tests were used to determine the physical fitness levels of the participants. The Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR) (Trost et al., 1999:342) was used to determine the physical activity levels and television watching hours during one day of the week and weekend respectively. Biological maturity status was determined by means of the 5-stage Tanner scale (Faulkner, 1996:237). The questionnaire of Rowland (1990) which deals with barriers to physical activity and participation in sport was also used. A few of the questions were adjusted and additional questions from Meredith and Welk (1999:50) were added. Demographic information on the SES (income per capita, housing, water and electricity) of the participants, as well as information on how far learners walked to school and how long it took, was also determined. The data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, frequency and rank ordering, t-testing followed by Tuckey post hoc analysis, One-and Two-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Tuckey-Kramer multiple comparisons. The Statistica for Windows and SAS computer programmes were used to analyse the data according to the above-mentioned aims of the study. A p-value smaller or equal to 0.05 was accepted as significant. The results of the study indicated higher mean physical fitness values in the intervention group compared to the control group. Both boys and girls in the intervention group and boys in the control group were moderately active, while only the girls in the control group showed low levels of physical activity. Longer commuting distances were found in the intervention group, while more hours of television watching were found in the control group. The aerobic fitness, flexibility and body composition of group 1 and 2 fell within the healthy fitness zone (HFZ), while their strength fell outside the healthy fitness zone, and showed negative relationships with aerobic fitness and flexibility. Television viewing time and commuting distances to school appeared to have a moderate influence on the moderate to low physical activity levels of the total group, and physical activity showed a relationship with higher fitness values. Regarding the second aim, too much homework, lack of money and family responsibilities were indicated as barriers to being physically active, while encouragement of parents and friends to participate with, were found to be motivational factors. After participation in the physical activity programme it was found that the learners' perceptions had changed and they had better knowledge of the intensity of physical activity. The results analysed for the third aim of the study indicated disappointing results regarding the effect of the intervention programme and no significant improvement was found, because of poor attendance to the programme. The learners had to be categorised in different attendance groups of the intervention programme. The group with the highest attendance (>70%) of the programme seemed to sustain their aerobic fitness the best. From the activities that were included in the physical activity programme, it was established that netball and soccer had a small effect on the physical activity choices of the group after participating in the programme. The results of the fourth aim revealed that stunted girls, who participated regularly in the programme, showed better improvement in aerobic fitness and hand grip strength after participating in the activity programme compared to non-stunted girls, while the lean body mass and flexibility on the right side of the body had improved in stunted boys. The stunted boys and girls also showed improvement in different physical fitness variables compared to non-stunted boys and girls. It can be concluded from the results of this study that participating in an after school physical activity programme is not the answer to improving the physical activity of children living in low SES environments. Such programmes are, however, needed but should be implemented during school hours. The physical activity programme, however, had a positive effect on both the physical fitness (excluding strength) and aerobic fitness as well as on their perception of physical activity and physical fitness of the adolescents, and showed some effect on the fitness of stunted adolescents. Intervention strategies should however be developed to overcome the barriers that prevented children from low SES communities from being physically active. It is also important to empower these adolescents with knowledge and skills to enable them to maintain and increase their physical activity levels. Key words: Physical fitness, physical activity, adolescence, socio-economic status, boys and girls, barriers, motivators, stunting / Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

Influenza is a major concern across healthcare environments. Annual vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) remains essential for maintaining the health and availability of HCWs, as well as influenza prevention in healthcare environments. Yet, annual vaccination coverage among HCWs continues to be below recommended standards during pandemic (pH1N1) and non-pandemic (sINFLU) influenza seasons. The primary aim of this research is to inform the design and implementation of effective HCW targeted influenza vaccination campaigns via a 1) systematic review of the existing literature on HCW pH1N1 vaccination, 2) qualitative content analysis of motivators and barriers to HCW pH1N1 and sINFLU vaccination, as well as 3) quantitative regression analysis of modifiable factors predicting pH1N1 and sINFLU vaccination. The qualitative and quantitative analysis processes were applied to data collected from a large-scale multi-professional sample of HCWs. Findings from all analysis sections were found to be consistent. Most attitudes, beliefs, motivators, and barriers influencing HCW influenza vaccination were similar for pH1N1 and sINFLU vaccinations. Yet, a number of notable differences were also identified. HCWs were likely to accept vaccination if they perceived, 1) vaccination to be safe, 2) vaccination to be protective against influenza for self, loved ones, patients or communities, and 3) influenza to be a serious and severe infection to self and others. Additionally, encouragement from supervisors and colleagues, physicians, and loves ones also enhanced vaccine uptake. Most HCWs avoided vaccination because of 1) limited knowledge or misinformation about vaccination, 2) concern for vaccine induced side-effects and 3) assuming vaccination was not a requirement for healthy adults. With respect to pH1N1 vaccination, mass media communications, perceptions of novel vaccinations, and rapid vaccine development processes especially deterred HCW pH1N1 vaccination. Future vaccination programs targeting HCWs should look towards influencing HCWs’ vaccination attitudes and promoting pro-vaccination cultures in healthcare workplaces.

Physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) are regarded as important elements of a healthy lifestyle (Sallis & Patrick, 1994:304; Saxena et al., 2002; Beets & Pitetti, 2004:1796). Literature revealed that adolescents are more inclined to be physically inactive and spent time on sedentary activities, such as watching television (Wang & Biddle, 2001:1; Marshall et al., 2002:413; Neumark-Sztainer et al., 2003:803; Hancox et al., 2004; Malina et al., 2004:479). Adolescents from low socio-economic communities also experience various other barriers, such as performing income-generating activities and family duties (Prista et al., 1997:455; Kriska, 2000:50), time constraints (Saxena et al., 2002), too much homework (Deflandre et al., 2004:31) and distances from sports facilities (Nahas et al., 2003), which prevent them from being physically active. Stunting, defined as height growth retardation, is also a condition that is associated with poor socio-economic status (SES) and various studies showed an occurrence of up to 19% in children (Kruger et al., 2004:566; Cameron et al., 2005:414). Although different intervention studies were conducted to improve stunting, none were based on physical activity intervention (Lunn, 2002:109; Walsh et al., 2002:6). The first aim of the study was to determine the physical fitness status and physical activity levels of 15-year-old adolescents from a previously disadvantaged community. Secondly, to determine what factors would be regarded as either barriers or motivators for 15-year-old adolescents from this previously disadvantaged community for improving their physical activity and participation in sport and for determining their perception of their own physical activity level. The next aim was to analyse the physical activity choices and aerobic endurance of these 15-year-old adolescents and the effect of a physical activity intervention programme (PAIP) on their physical activity choices and levels and aerobic endurance. The last aim of the study was to examine the effect of a PAIP on the physical fitness of stunted 15-year-old adolescents. Two high schools (an intervention school [school 1] and a control school [school 2]) in a previously disadvantaged community near Potchefstroom, South Africa, participated in this study. The learners in the control school had a slightly better socio-economic status, determined by income per capita. All Grade 8 learners in School 1 and 2 were requested to participate in the research. Two hundred and fifty-two (N=252) Grade 8 learners (116 boys and 136 girls) in School 1 and N=66 Grade 8 learners (21 boys and 45 girls) in School 2 parents/guardians granted informed consent to participate in the study. The PAIP was conducted for an hour twice a week for 19 weeks directly after school hours for learners from School 1. No physical education classes or organised sport were part of the school curriculum during the intervention. A pre-test/post-test study design was used. Standard anthropometrical procedures were used to determine body mass, stature and four skin folds. The Fitnessgram (Meredith & Welk, 1999:9) and additional fitness tests were used to determine the physical fitness levels of the participants. The Previous Day Physical Activity Recall (PDPAR) (Trost et al., 1999:342) was used to determine the physical activity levels and television watching hours during one day of the week and weekend respectively. Biological maturity status was determined by means of the 5-stage Tanner scale (Faulkner, 1996:237). The questionnaire of Rowland (1990) which deals with barriers to physical activity and participation in sport was also used. A few of the questions were adjusted and additional questions from Meredith and Welk (1999:50) were added. Demographic information on the SES (income per capita, housing, water and electricity) of the participants, as well as information on how far learners walked to school and how long it took, was also determined. The data was analysed by means of descriptive statistics, correlational analysis, frequency and rank ordering, t-testing followed by Tuckey post hoc analysis, One-and Two-way Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Tuckey-Kramer multiple comparisons. The Statistica for Windows and SAS computer programmes were used to analyse the data according to the above-mentioned aims of the study. A p-value smaller or equal to 0.05 was accepted as significant. The results of the study indicated higher mean physical fitness values in the intervention group compared to the control group. Both boys and girls in the intervention group and boys in the control group were moderately active, while only the girls in the control group showed low levels of physical activity. Longer commuting distances were found in the intervention group, while more hours of television watching were found in the control group. The aerobic fitness, flexibility and body composition of group 1 and 2 fell within the healthy fitness zone (HFZ), while their strength fell outside the healthy fitness zone, and showed negative relationships with aerobic fitness and flexibility. Television viewing time and commuting distances to school appeared to have a moderate influence on the moderate to low physical activity levels of the total group, and physical activity showed a relationship with higher fitness values. Regarding the second aim, too much homework, lack of money and family responsibilities were indicated as barriers to being physically active, while encouragement of parents and friends to participate with, were found to be motivational factors. After participation in the physical activity programme it was found that the learners' perceptions had changed and they had better knowledge of the intensity of physical activity. The results analysed for the third aim of the study indicated disappointing results regarding the effect of the intervention programme and no significant improvement was found, because of poor attendance to the programme. The learners had to be categorised in different attendance groups of the intervention programme. The group with the highest attendance (>70%) of the programme seemed to sustain their aerobic fitness the best. From the activities that were included in the physical activity programme, it was established that netball and soccer had a small effect on the physical activity choices of the group after participating in the programme. The results of the fourth aim revealed that stunted girls, who participated regularly in the programme, showed better improvement in aerobic fitness and hand grip strength after participating in the activity programme compared to non-stunted girls, while the lean body mass and flexibility on the right side of the body had improved in stunted boys. The stunted boys and girls also showed improvement in different physical fitness variables compared to non-stunted boys and girls. It can be concluded from the results of this study that participating in an after school physical activity programme is not the answer to improving the physical activity of children living in low SES environments. Such programmes are, however, needed but should be implemented during school hours. The physical activity programme, however, had a positive effect on both the physical fitness (excluding strength) and aerobic fitness as well as on their perception of physical activity and physical fitness of the adolescents, and showed some effect on the fitness of stunted adolescents. Intervention strategies should however be developed to overcome the barriers that prevented children from low SES communities from being physically active. It is also important to empower these adolescents with knowledge and skills to enable them to maintain and increase their physical activity levels. Key words: Physical fitness, physical activity, adolescence, socio-economic status, boys and girls, barriers, motivators, stunting / Thesis (Ph.D. (Human Movement Science))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

There is lack of empirical exploratory studies investigating manager motivation in the dairy industry in Iran. This study has aimed to fill this gap and take into account the socio-economic and religious factors that influence managers’ motivation in this industry thus contextualising motivation of managers in Iranian dairy industry. In order to achieve this aim and related objectives a mixed method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, was adopted collect the adequate and relevant data. Findings showed that a significant proportion of managers are responding neutrally to and/or are satisfied with underlying factors that reflect hygiene at Damdaran. Results also indicated a sharp difference between response trends to items representing hygiene and motivators. Moreover, it was discovered that managers reported a high relation between performance and motivator factors, such as job status and recognition. Findings validated the key distinction made in literature between motivators and hygiene factors and that motivators tend to emerge from intrinsic job characteristics. Further analysis revealed that at Damdaran worsening economic condition during the past five years has increased managers’ ii perceived level of stress at work thus adversely affecting their motivation. Managers showed concern for security, family responsibility, working condition and the worsening of the economy in recent years. One of the most important recommendations is the need for more future empirical research into the influence of special socio-economic and cultural forces that shape the reality for managers’ work, their perception and expectation of reward system in the dairy organisations in Iran.

My thesis is focused on the research of motivation system in the chosen organization. On the basis of performed analyses of the current motivation system for employees the main aim was to determine possible measures and to propose effective changes that improve this leadership area.

Magister Commercii - MCom / One of the fundamental problems facing the South African public healthcare sector is motivation and retention of the healthcare practitioners. Medical doctors in particular, tend to leave the public sector for the private sector, rural settlements for the urban settlements, the Republic of South Africa for other countries or entirely leaving the healthcare industry. This study seeks to identify the factors that contribute to work satisfaction or dissatisfaction of doctors in the South African public health sector as well as bringing forth strategies that are important in retaining medical doctors in the sector. A cross-sectional survey using self-administered pre-tested questionnaires was mailed to 1000 randomly selected medical doctors in the public health sector of South Africa to get their opinions. Appropriate statistical tools were then used to interpret the findings. A total of 135 medical doctors participated in this study. The medical doctors identified lack of participation in management as the major factor hampering work satisfaction in the public sector. Pay and workload were also identified as the other leading factors to doctors’ dissatisfaction. Significant relationships with patients were found as motivators to doctors’ satisfaction. On retaining medical doctors, the respondents indicated a great need for improvement on the current working conditions and such improvements including the recognition of doctors in the workplace as well as their promotion.Discrimination and inadequate remuneration were leading factors for doctors not willing to be retained in the public sector Medical doctors are essential to the efficient delivery of health care in South Africa and an unending conflict between them and their management imposes a great risk to the future of the South African health care. It is therefore imperative for healthcare managers to address those factors that are appearing to be obstacles to job satisfaction and at the same time capitalizing on the identified retention factors in their management strategies.

Influenza is a major concern across healthcare environments. Annual vaccination of healthcare workers (HCWs) remains essential for maintaining the health and availability of HCWs, as well as influenza prevention in healthcare environments. Yet, annual vaccination coverage among HCWs continues to be below recommended standards during pandemic (pH1N1) and non-pandemic (sINFLU) influenza seasons. The primary aim of this research is to inform the design and implementation of effective HCW targeted influenza vaccination campaigns via a 1) systematic review of the existing literature on HCW pH1N1 vaccination, 2) qualitative content analysis of motivators and barriers to HCW pH1N1 and sINFLU vaccination, as well as 3) quantitative regression analysis of modifiable factors predicting pH1N1 and sINFLU vaccination. The qualitative and quantitative analysis processes were applied to data collected from a large-scale multi-professional sample of HCWs. Findings from all analysis sections were found to be consistent. Most attitudes, beliefs, motivators, and barriers influencing HCW influenza vaccination were similar for pH1N1 and sINFLU vaccinations. Yet, a number of notable differences were also identified. HCWs were likely to accept vaccination if they perceived, 1) vaccination to be safe, 2) vaccination to be protective against influenza for self, loved ones, patients or communities, and 3) influenza to be a serious and severe infection to self and others. Additionally, encouragement from supervisors and colleagues, physicians, and loves ones also enhanced vaccine uptake. Most HCWs avoided vaccination because of 1) limited knowledge or misinformation about vaccination, 2) concern for vaccine induced side-effects and 3) assuming vaccination was not a requirement for healthy adults. With respect to pH1N1 vaccination, mass media communications, perceptions of novel vaccinations, and rapid vaccine development processes especially deterred HCW pH1N1 vaccination. Future vaccination programs targeting HCWs should look towards influencing HCWs’ vaccination attitudes and promoting pro-vaccination cultures in healthcare workplaces.

The aim of the master's thesis is to analyze the importance of specific motivators for the employees of an educational company and consequently to show job satisfaction of employees with how the company uses the motivators at the moment. The questionnaire survey based on Stoewer test is used in the master's thesis. The questionnaire identifies the fields that motivate employees to work and the fields that the company use inappropriately and that lead to employee dissatisfaction with their work. Optimization solutions are proposed in the conclusion.

Syftet med uppsatsen är att bidra med kunskap kring vad som motiverar studenter att arbeta vid sidan av deras pågående studier. Frågeställningarna som studien har som avsikt att besvara berör vilka faktorer som är drivande i studenternas val att arbeta samt hur deras arbete påverkar deras pågående studier. Undersökningen har haft ett kvalitativt tillvägagångsätt, där sex studenter som arbetar vid sidan av sina studier har intervjuats. Teoretiska perspektiv från Ryan och Deci (2000) och Herzberg (1993) har varit centrala och användes för att analysera intervjumaterialet. Resultatet från uppsatsen visar att studenterna arbetar för att bli mer konkurrenskraftiga på arbetsmarknaden, vilket är en typ av yttre motivation. De upplever en inre motivation till deras arbetsuppgifter där de har utvecklande och ansvarsfulla uppgifter som påverkar deras lärande positivt. Deras arbete påverkar deras heltidsstudier på så sätt att de är mindre på plats i skolan och läser mindre av kurslitteraturen. Det har även en påverkan på deras hälsa där de under hektiska studieperioder upplever en ökad stress. / The purpose of this study is to examine what motivates students to work alongside their ongoing full-time studies. This study intends to clarify the factors that are motivating the students to work and how their work affects their ongoing studies. This study has a qualitative approach, where six students who are working alongside their studies have been interviewed. Theoretical perspectives from Ryan and Deci (2000) and Herzberg (1993) have been central and used to analyze the interview material. The results of this study shows that the students work alongside their studies mainly to make them more competitive in the labor market, which is a part of the external motivation. They experience an inner motivation regarding their work assignments where they get responsible task and develop, which leads to positive impact on their learning and competence. Their work affects their full-time studies by less attendance at important parts of the education and less reading of the course literature. It also affects the students mental health where they experience increased stress during hectic study periods.

Rebranding har idag blivit en vanligt förekommande marknadsföringsstrategi som många företag använder sig av. Rebranding syftar till att öka en organisations relevans genom att göra en förändring i organisationens identitet eller ett försök att ändra uppfattningen om varumärket hos externa intressenter. Det är ett långsiktigt mål och innebär inte bara förändring av organisationens visuella identitet, utan också förändring inom organisationen. Det har gjorts mycket forskning kring utformandet av rebrandingprocessen och vad rebranding har förpåverkan på varumärken. Dock har det gjorts väldigt lite forskning kring vad det egentligen är som gör att organisationer väljer att genomgå en rebranding. Denna studie har därför som syfte att undersöka vilka motivationsfaktorer som ligger bakom en rebranding. Vidare fokuserar studien specifikt på ett second hand företag, då det finns ett upplevt gap inom det området i tidigare forskning. Därmed analyserar studien ett fallföretag för att få en djupinblick och förståelse för vad det är som driver företaget till att genomgå en rebranding. Studien utgår från en kvalitativ fallstudiedesign då syftet med studien är att skapa förståelse. Insamling av material har skett genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med utvalda respondenter från fallföretaget. Studien redogör för fallföretagets olika bakomliggande motivationsfaktorer för rebranding och analyserar och diskuterar dessa utförligt. Studien är på svenska. / Today, rebranding has become a common marketing strategy that many companies use. Rebranding aims to increase the relevance of an organization by making a change in the organization’s identity or an attempt to change the perception of the brand with external stakeholders. It is a long-term goal and involves not only a change in the organization's visual identity, but also a change within the organization. A lot of research has been done regarding the design of the rebranding process and what impact rebranding has on brands. However, very little research has been done regarding what it actually is that makes organizations choose to undergo a rebranding. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the motivational factors behind a rebranding. Furthermore, the study focuses specifically on a second hand company, since it is an experienced gap in that area in previous research. Thus, the study analyzes a case company to gain a deep insight and understanding of what it is that drives the company to undergo a rebranding. The study is based on a qualitative case study design as the purpose of the study is to create an understanding. The material has been collected through semi-structured interviews with selected respondents from the case company. The study describes the case company’s motivational factors for rebranding and analyzes and discusses these in detail. The language of this study is Swedish.