My exhibition draws on Andreas Huyssen's notion of memory sculpture to articulate my own sense of loss and trauma, due to the divorce of my parents. Within my work I explore the effects that divorce had on me and how it has disturbed my normative understanding of home and family. I have created scenarios alluding to the family home that I have manipulated in order to convey a sense of nostalgia and loss. By growing salt crystals over found objects and/or cladding them in salt, I attempt to suggest the dual motifs of preservation (a nostalgic clinging to the past) and destruction (due to the salt’s corrosive properties). In this way, the salt-crusted objects serve as a metaphor for a memory that has become stagnant, and is both destructive and regressive. The objects encapsulate the mind’s coping methods to loss. In my mini thesis, I discuss characteristics of memory sculpture as a response to trauma, drawing on Sigmund Freud's differentiation between mourning and melancholia. I also unpack how objects and traces (such as photographs) may act as nostalgic triggers, inducing a state of melancholic attachment to an idealised past. I address these concerns in relation to selected works by Doris Salcedo and Bridget Baker, and also situate them in relation to my own art practice.

A growing number of studies suggest that the reasons for which people engage in sexual activities matter for their sexual well-being. Grounded in self-determination theory (SDT), this thesis research investigated the contributions of autonomous and controlled sexual motivation to sexual well-being. These objectives were achieved through a series of five studies presented in four manuscripts. In Manuscript 1, we validated the Sexual Motivation Scale (SexMS), a measure of self-regulation for sexual activities grounded in SDT (Study 1: N = 1,070, Study 2: N = 575). Collectively, the findings provided strong support for the factorial validity of the SexMS. Additionally, the SexMS captured important individual differences in sexual well-being, specifically with respect to sexual satisfaction, sexual distress, and sexual function. Manuscript 2 explored how autonomous and controlled sexual motivation are integrated with broader psychological functioning by examining their motivational antecedents and well-being consequences (N = 828). The results showed that global and relational motivation explained individual differences in autonomous and controlled sexual motivation. Additionally, autonomous and controlled sexual motivation explained individual differences in sexual, relational, and global well-being. Finally, the results suggested that, for the most part, the associations between the motivational antecedents and the well-being consequences of autonomous and controlled sexual motivation followed a heterarchical structure. Next, in Manuscript 3, the motivational sequence proposed by SDT – in which basic psychological needs satisfaction predicts quality of motivation, and in turn quality of psychological functioning – was validated in the context of within-person variations in sexual well-being (N = 113). The results indicated that on days when people experience more basic psychological needs satisfaction during interactions with their partner, their sexual motivation was more autonomous and this was associated with higher sexual well-being. However, basic needs satisfaction did not significantly predict controlled sexual motivation. Additionally, on days when people reported higher controlled sexual motivation, they experienced lower sexual well-being. Finally, in Manuscript 4, we examined the motivational sequence proposed by SDT from a dyadic perspective to better understand the contribution of sexual motivation to sexual well-being in couples (N = 225 couples). Specifically, we examined whether basic needs satisfaction during sexual activities and autonomous and controlled sexual motivation in one partner influenced the sexual well-being of the other partner. The unique contribution of each basic psychological need (i.e., autonomy, competence, and relatedness) to sexual well-being was also investigated. Taken together, the results supported SDT’s predictions regarding the relevance of the motivational sequence and the unique contribution of each basic psychological need in explaining between-couple differences in sexual well-being. However, different patterns of association emerged for women and men, suggesting that in the context of sexual activities within heterosexual relationships, the motivational processes proposed by SDT may be moderated by gender. In sum, the findings from this thesis extend SDT and sexual motivation research. Overall, SDT may provide novel insights on human sexual behaviour, notably by improving our understanding of the factors that can enhance or impede sexual well-being in committed relationships.

This study was about the motives that foster parents had before they became foster parents, how the motives change over time and their overall thoughts about the motives. The study aimed to increase the understanding of foster parents described motives before the mission and in their present mission. This was done by analysing four autobiographies written by people who have previous experience with being a foster parent, in which they describe their own stories regarding their mission. The result was analysed through findings in previous studies, Self-Determination theory (SDT) and Cognitive-Evaluation theory (CET). The results of this study are that the motives of foster parents change during their mission depending on extrinsic rewards. The motives of foster parents have an underlying purpose. It is important for their continued motivation to experience feelings of competence and autonomy.

Together with the globalized corporate world come a number of social and environmental issues, many times caused by the corporations themselves. However, it happens that corporations do not take their responsibilities in limiting their sometimes, harmful practices. Companies with a willingness to create positive change can do this, by working with corporate social responsibility (CSR). The question is however, whether companies actually are taking their responsibilities by implementing CSR work, or if they are using the concept as a business strategy for additional profit. To answer this question, one could look at the driving factors behind a company’s CSR programs as well as investigating the level of integration of the CSR programs in the company’s daily business. Companies working with CSR exist globally, however, there is one country that researchers have found to be a special case, namely, India. Therefore, this bachelor thesis examines different driving motives behind CSR in India through a literature review, as well as answers how well integrated Indian companies CSR activities are within their core businesses, by conducting a case study on an Indian company. The results of this study show that moral, strategic and legal motives can be factors in the decision to engage in CSR by Indian companies. Also, the level of integration partly depends on the previously mentioned motives.

Diploma thesis deals with an analysis of mergers and acquisitions on Czech market with evaluation of its effects. Introduction of the thesis contains glossary of related terms in areas of mergers and acquisitions and definition of motivations of companies to implement change. Thesis is focused on financial market and mostly on bank sector. Following part of the thesis is describing history and evolution of mergers and acquisitions on global market and after that on Czech market with emphasis on change from central planned system to market economics. The biggest added value of the thesis is description of valuation methods for ex post analysis of financial transaction between banks. Financial analysis method, evaluation of different subject's market share or evaluation of merged companies are involved. Some of these methods are used on real case of merger of eBanka and Raiffeisenbank that was finished in 2008.

The purpose of this study is to investigate which motives tourists have to visit the Woodland Cemetery in Stockholm, Sweden and which feelings the visit brought. Furthermore, the study aims to find out where the locals in Stockholm think that the acceptable limit goes for tourism at the Woodland Cemetery and what potential conflicts that may occur between the groups. The study is based on a quantitative method with web surveys as an approach. Three surveys were sent to both national and international tourists and to people living in Stockholm. The compilation and presentation of data was made in Microsoft Excel where charts were designed. The results are discussed in relation to previous research, which forms the basis of the questions in the surveys. The result shows that the main motives for tourists to visit the Woodland Cemetery are because it is a beautiful place with beautiful nature, to experience the architecture and because the place has an interesting culture and history. The feelings most tourists felt were respect, a mental calm, humility, spirituality and emotional feelings. From the locals’ perspective, some respondents feel that tourism in the cemetery is acceptable, others do not want tourism at all and some even promote tourism. However, what emerged is that many of the respondents thinks it is about the volume and how things are done. Several people said that the limit goes when there are far too many tourists and when activities and functions are not being done with consideration and respect.

This dissertation contributes to the ongoing analysis of art during the anni di piombo (1969-1983) by revisiting and challenging the well-established charge that artists failed to create meaningful reflections on terrorism during the years of lead. I analyze a select number of literary and filmic fictional representations of terrorists and their victims produced in Italy during the first half of the anni di piombo, up to Aldo Moro’s death. Reading these narratives in a comparative perspective, I argue that their symbolic reflection on terrorism becomes particularly evident in the representation of the body of the terrorist. Through my analysis I find that—despite the differences in medium, genre, intended audience, and kinds of political terrorism these narratives respectively explore—a similar fundamental criticism of terrorism as an essentially anti-political practice emerges. In this way, I show, these narratives can be read as contributions to the democratic debate on violence and the principle of civility in politics produced already during that period of great socio-political crisis.

This dissertation presents evidence that Béla Bartók created his masterwork, the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion (1937), in a very complex period of his life. Since it was a mature piece, Bartók utilized typically "Bartókian" compositional techniques and styles. His ethnomusicological studies were also influential factors in the creation of the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion. We can be witness to how different the first draft was to the published version; the minor and major changes are revealed in the draft study of the Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion 's first movement. These changes allow today's musicians to reconstruct the compositional process. The first movement introduces some interesting uses of sonata form, to be explored in more detail in the analysis. Starting with linear analysis, the basic motives and rhythmic patterns are discussed and supported with Bartók's own explanations. The conclusion of this study has important ramifications for performance: it eases up the pressure on the performers, since problematic passages are analyzed and explained - preparing the players' mentally for the performance. This is music which is hard to play and difficult to analyze. The analysis, combining the results of both theoretical and musicological studies, is intended to help both analysts and performers understand the genesis of the piece and, for performers, to execute the music in the best possible manner.

Throughout the history of Western Music, composers have written works on rural and agricultural subjects. The first half of this dissertation examines a number of important works from the Baroque era through the present day and the composers who have chosen this specialized subject matter. Rural communities are underserved where the arts are concerned. Yet, rural audiences have perhaps the best chance at identifying with the subjects of this particular subset of vocal art music. The second half of this dissertation examines reasons why it is important to reach rural communities with vocal art music. Four sample recital programs appropriate for rural audiences are included.

abstract: When consumers find that something critically out of the ordinary has occurred, they direct attention to evaluate such a critical incident more closely. The results of this evaluation may put consumers on a switching path or it might lead them to engage in unfavorable behaviors from the perspective of the organization, such as engaging in negative word-or-mouth online. The negative consequences of some product (goods or services) failures go beyond simple product attribute defects, leading customers to terminate the relationship with the organization. This dissertation, which is composed of three essays, investigates how consumers engage in negative word-of-mouth on social media channels in response to their various product failures and explores an important relationship event of betrayal, which can be triggered by certain product failures. It investigates how betrayal is perceived by customers and influences a range of their behaviors across business-to-consumer and business-to-business contexts. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Business Administration 2019