Dog adoption is a popular way for people to find pets in the United States. With dog adoption comes dog adoption narratives, ideologically about the dog, told by humans for humans. Dog adoption narratives, a genre of personal experience narrative, enact a series of formalized conventions that reveal societal binaries, tensions, and anxieties in the interspecies relationship. Using an interdisciplinary theoretical framework, I highlight the way these narratives are performed, organized, and interpreted. By comparing the adoption narratives of two different groups, people who regularly visit dog parks and people who do dog rehabilitation work, I argue that these narratives yield insight about the way humans perceive dogs in the United States within the context of how humans themselves want to be perceived by other humans. Dogs become a form of cultural capital and dog adoption narratives a reflection of cultural attitudes towards, and informed interactions with, the human-dog relationship.

The adoption of children in care who are legally referred to as “looked after”, (Children Act 1989, s22, HMSO, 1989) usually by local authorities is a key national Government objective (DfE, 2016a) where rehabilitation with the birth family is not viable. The desire to place more "looked after" children for adoption with greater speed is not new. It became increasingly apparent after the election of the New Labour Government in 1997 due to concerns about drift and delay in planning for children in care (DoH, 2000a) leading to poorer outcomes. This led to a series of measures aimed at increasing the use and speed of adoption. Eventually this resulted in the introduction of the Adoption and Children Act 2002 (HMSO, 2002) that also for the first time in English law recognised that the welfare of the child is of paramount concern when considering adoption. There is an abundance of published literature that considers the topic of adoption. However, there is a dearth of studies that have comprehensively considered the journey that adopters undertake to become parents. This practice based study was conducted by a researcher who is a senior academic manager and an active social work practitioner with extensive professional experience of adoption. A unique aspect of the study is the longitudinal mixed methods approach used to gather data in real time from a sample of adopters. The three part study tracks the journeys of the sample of adopters from when their application to adopt had been accepted by an adoption agency until after children were placed. The study was supported by five adoption agencies based in England. The data was collected over a period of two years from the adopters who described their experiences and perceptions of their journeys in real time. The information from the adopters is triangulated with data from adoption professionals from the agencies that supported the study. The professionals discussed their approaches to the adoption process, as well as their own experiences of working with adopters. The longitudinal nature of the study enables an analysis of how and why adopters’ experiences and perceptions changed over time. The research considered the changing power dynamics between adopters and professionals during the different stages of the journey to adopt. Furthermore, the long-term impact of professional interactions with adopters during the adoption process are discussed.

ABSTRACT ADOPTION AND THE FORMATION OF ESCHATOLOGICAL IDENTITY: AN EXEGETICAL STUDY OF HUIOTHESIA Christopher Frederick Wehrle, PhD The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2016 Chair: Dr. Mark A. Seifrid Paul used divine adoption (υἱοθεσία) as a religious metaphor in a rich and diverse way. The variety of approaches to this theme in scholarship attests to this depth and richness. This study argues that the most important purpose of υἱοθεσία within the Pauline correspondence was to help create, define, and ground the identity of believers in Jesus Christ in the early church, especially in the face of difficult and disconcerting questions regarding the role of ethnicity within the eschatological people of God. To this end, this study combines the modern tool of Social Identity Theory with detailed exegesis of key texts in Galatians in order to demonstrate that υἱοθεσία is an eschatological event which creates a new identity for believers in Jesus Christ and functions as a resolution to difficult questions regarding ethnicity and membership in the people of God. Chapter 1 provides a summary and critique of the most important recent studies of υἱοθεσία, followed by a brief outline of the contours of Social Identity Theory. Chapter 2 gives an introduction to the historical and theological background to Paul's letter to the Galatians. This includes an exegetical overview of Galatians 2:15-21, along with an introductory summary of how Social Identity Theory relates to Paul's rhetorical strategy in the epistle. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 supply detailed exegesis of key passages within Galatians, with specific reference to how they contribute to the theme of adoption within the epistle, and noting how Paul follows patterns recognizable to the categories of modern sociology. Chapter 6 addresses the four other occurrences of υἱοθεσία within the Pauline corpus (Rom 8:15, 23; 9:4; Eph 1:5). It offers a brief analysis of the background and purpose of these epistles, and supply an introductory foray into the adoption pericopae. Finally, it will give a synopsis of primary conclusions from each of the texts, and attempt a synthesis of these results.

Orientador: Maria de Fátima Araújo / Resumo: Este trabalho é um estudo qualitativo que visa cartografar o conceito de família na literatura brasileira atual, relativa às práticas pessoais, profissionais e/ou acadêmicas de Adoção. Para a seleção das obras, utilizamos um trabalho já existente na literatura, no qual são reunidas 680 publicações referentes aos temas Adoção, Abandono e Institucionalização, e para a organização e análise pautamo-nos na metodologia da Análise de Conteúdo, proposta por Bardin (1977). Tendo em vista que o Estatuto da Criança e do Adolescente promulga em seu artigo 29 a exigência de um ambiente adequado para que a criança possa ser colocada em uma família substituta, e que, nos dias atuais, convivemos com diferentes configurações e arranjos familiares, fomos buscar nas diversas (re) produções do saber a forma como o conceito de família vem sendo abordado em trabalhos produzidos de acordo com diferentes orientações paradigmáticas. Concluímos que não existe uma forma de abordagem, nem tão pouco uma que seja considerada ideal, pois as concepções são muitas e carregam consigo valores relacionados às práticas profissionais, às teorias do conhecimento e às experiências pessoais com a maternidade e paternidade adotiva. / Abstract: This work is a qualitative study that aims to map the concept of family in the contemporary Brazilian literature regarding personals practices, professionals and / or academics of Adoption. The works were selected from an already existent work in the literature, which join 680 publications related to Adoption, Abandonment and Institucionalization subjects. For selection, organization and analysis of the works we based ourselves in the Content Analysis methodology proposed by Bardin (1977). In view of the Child and Adolescent Statute promulgates on its article 29 the requirement of an appropriate family ambient - so that the child can be placed in a replacement family - and that nowadays we live with a lot of configurations and relatives arrangements, we looked in a lot of (re) productions of learning for the way how the family concept has been dealt with in produced works according to different paradigmatic advises. We concluded that does not exist a way of approach, not even one that can be considered ideal, the conceptions are various and carry with them values related to the professionals practices, knowledge theories, personals experiences and knowledge with the maternity and paternity adoptive. / Mestre

M.A. (Social Work) / The purpose of this study was to integrate existing scientific knowledge into a parent-training programme for adoptive parents. The viability of such a programme was investigated in the light of the viewpoint of many authors that the increasing responsibility of parenthood creates an increasing need for parent-training programmes. The purpose of this study was formulated as follows: i) to broaden the insight and knowledge of adoptive parents with regard to specific matters pertaining to adoption; ii) to support adoptive parents in their child-rearing task by stimulating the development of more insigt into the developmental phases, with special emphasis on those factors pertaining to the development of the self-image and identity formation, as well as the genealogy, of the adoptive child; iii) through the application of insight and knowledge gained through the programme, to assist their adoptive children in the development of a positive self-image and identity; iv) - to enhance a positive self-image of the parent; - to enhance the parent-child relationship; and - to aim at better family relationships as a result of the above, through enhancing satisfactory and effective role fulfillment of the parent; v) to enhance primary prevention in the hope that the emotional and social maladaptation of the adoptive child may be avoided. In order to fulfill these purposes, a conceptual framework was developed to generate questions and formulate hypotheses. The Resiarch Development and Utilization model of Edwin Thomas was utilized as research design for the development of the programme. In the third phase of Thomas' model i.e. the evaluation phase, provision is made for the utilization of evaluative research methodology for the evaluation of the relevant social technology. Thomas' model further provides for the utilization of experimental and quasi-experimental designs for the evaluation of social technology. In additioh, this researcher used programme evaluation as experimental design, as well as an exploratory-formulative or hypotheses-developmental design. Three correlation hypotheses were formulated predicting the relationship between the parent-training programme for adoptive parents (the independent variable) and the role...

Magister Artium - MA / Cloud computing, as a shifting paradigm, is expanding its “bandwagon effect” across industries worldwide. This is due to the several advantages of cloud computing that have been revealed by the public sectors (empirical setting of this study), including improved levels of flexibility and mobility, lower total cost of ownership, reduced energy savings and carbon missions. Most importantly, cloud computing can free government from building, maintaining and upgrading its infrastructures and technologies, and focus more on serving the citizens with optimised resources. Hence, this paper focuses on the readiness assessment of cloud-computing adoption within a Provincial Government of South Africa, which is in its cloud-computing embryonic phase. An extensive study of the literature on cloud-computing concepts, its characteristics, the possible non-technological readiness indicators for cloud-computing adoption, was conducted. This led to the identification of three main groups of readiness indicators: (i) Infrastructural indicators; (ii) organisational indicators; and (iii) environmental indicators. A conceptual model was then developed, according to these three main groups, with twelve sub-indicators. This model was subsequently tested in the empirical setting of the studied Provincial Government of South Africa by using the qualitative approach through the case-study methodology. The intended audience for this study are both academic and practitioners as it brings a conceptual model and the guidelines for assessing the government‟s readiness for the adoption of these cloud-computing technologies and services.

In recent years, development practitioners and policy makers have increasingly become interested in social capital as an additional instrument for economic development. However, within the applied economics literature on the adoption of agricultural technologies, research on the role of social capital in adoption decision-making is scant. Furthermore, there is a paucity of information regarding the determinants of social capital accumulation among rural households in developing economies. This study examines the nature of the relationship between social capital and crop management decisions of Ugandan banana farmers. This dissertation develops a model of technology adoption that incorporates social capital and offers two explicit mechanisms through which social capital may influence technology adoption. A model of the agricultural household, which considers the effects of incomplete markets in farm production decisions, provided the theoretical framework for an econometric analysis to predict the choice and demand of improved banana management technology. The core theoretical framework was extended by explicitly incorporating social capital as a component of exogenous income and information accumulation processes. Empirical analysis was based on the primary data collected in a survey of 400 banana-producing households in Uganda through face-to-face interviews with the primary production decision makers. The households were selected from the three major banana-producing regions of Uganda using multi-stage random sampling methods. A combination of econometric methods was employed. A Probit model was used to estimate the probability of using an improved banana management practice and participation in an association. The extent of use of improved banana management practices was estimated by two methods, namely, ordinary least squares (OLS) and the Heckman procedure to account for sample selection in some equations. Intensity of participation in associations was estimated with a Poisson model. A negative binomial model that allows for over dispersion in the data was employed to identify the determinants of the intensity of participation in private social networks. The results of the study indicate that different aspects of social capital shape the decision to use and the extent of use of an improved management practice, but the nature of effect is specific to the practice as well as the form of social capital. Participation in associations and the characteristics of those associations are important determinants of banana production management decisions. Participation in associations and private social networks is, in turn, influenced by household wealth, education, institutional environment, and social heterogeneity of the community. Aside from social capital, other factors that are significant in explaining variation in use of improved crop management practices among farmers have been identified. Market incentives and household factor endowments were the most important of these factors in decisions regarding use of improved banana management practices. The existence of separability between consumption and production decisions, a major analytical feature of the model of the agricultural household, also appears to be practice-specific, which suggests that production orientation is associated with the use of practices. / Thesis (PhD (Agricultural Economics))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Irrigation scheduling is accepted as the process to decide when to irrigate crops and how much to apply and is assumed to play an important role in the general improvement of water efficiency on the farm. However, the idea that there is a single key to the adoption of irrigation scheduling on the farm is simplistic. It implies that science has all the answers, and “we need just to convince the farmers”. The objectives of this study were to investigate the adoption process in South Africa with the further purpose to identify the possible human and socio-economic factors that may influence it. In order to appreciate the spectrum of soil-plant-atmosphere irrigation scheduling models and techniques that are available to potential users, it was necessary to quantitatively describe and classify the scheduling methods. The adoption of irrigation scheduling methods among commercial and small-scale farmers was investigated on a scheme (macro) level as well as on-farm (micro) level through a quantitative assessment of scheduling methods on a national basis, semi-structured interviews with irrigation professionals, survey among a stratified sample of commercial farmers and case studies of small scale irrigation farmers. It was hypothesized that the adoption behaviour of irrigation farmers is determine by socio-economic (independent) and intervening factors. It was also hypothesized that ground level support and effective dialogue between scientist and farmers are conducive for the implementation of irrigation scheduling. The study indicates that only 18% of irrigation farmers in South Africa make use of objective irrigation scheduling method, while the rest make use of subjective scheduling methods based on intuition, observation, local knowledge and experience. Differential perceptions occur between farmers as well as between farmers and scientists with regard to the concept of “irrigation scheduling” commonly being used. These differences contributed to the communication gap between science and the practice of irrigation scheduling resulting in the unsuccessful communication between farmers and scientists and the ultimate low adoption rate. The implementation of irrigation scheduling models are predominantly advisor-driven and not farmer-driven, as they are perceived by farmers to be complex and not easy to implement on the farm. Younger farmers are more willing to use irrigation models because of their higher computer literacy levels and positive attitude towards the use of computers in general. The technology level of a farm, size of farming operation and the value of the crop being produced determine the selection of irrigation scheduling methods. The general problems experienced by some farmers with regard to bulk water delivery hampers the implementation of more precise irrigation scheduling. Farmers’ awareness, flexibility and willingness to change, innovate and step outside of accustomed ways of implementing irrigation, are strongly influenced by their social, economic, cultural and institutional settings, and not merely by irrigation scheduling technology. Perceived indicators of efficient use of irrigation on the farm include increased production levels, decreasing electricity costs, improvement of crop quality and efficiency of fertiliser use. Farmers identified accuracy, reliability, ease of implementing and affordability as important technological characteristics of scheduling methods and devices. The case studies of small-scale irrigation farming revealed that weak institutional arrangements and handling of farmers’ affairs on the level of several small-scale irrigation schemes hampers sustainable agricultural development. Small-scale irrigators have reported that the lack of competent extension support prevents them from implementing irrigation scheduling. Also, the scientific framework used by scientists and advisors to convey information to irrigators often follows the linear transfer of technology approach instead of following the “learning based approach”. A significant relationship exists between the number of information sources used and the implementation of the type of scheduling methods The majority of irrigation farmers are more interested in the use of irrigation scheduling to identify “troubles or problems” experienced with irrigation, and inevitably farmers will differ in their selection of the most appropriate scheduling method and technique. / Thesis (PhD (Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Although many organizations strive to employ the latest technologies, the adoption and diffusion of these technologies might not happen as anticipated. The growth of small-to-medium businesses can have a detrimental impact on the efficiency of the employees in executing internal business processes. In many cases, particularly in this scenario, technology was called upon to remedy the situation. Through a canonical action research project, we investigated and analysed the technology adoption and diffusion issues that the professional construction management team of a small-to-medium-sized construction company was experiencing. During this action research project, literature suggested that technology adoption issues were confirmed. In addition new issues were identified and analysed. By means of a conceptualized figure, the changes in the understanding and relationships among mobile computing adoption and diffusion issues experienced in this construction company were illustrated. This study concludes by providing a theoretical framework that illustrates the mobile computing adoption and diffusion issues, as well as an explanation of significant issues that should be considered in the endeavour of successful mobile computing adoption and diffusion within a small-to-medium-sized construction company, based in Gauteng, South Africa. / Dissertation (MIT)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Informatics / unrestricted

This study is concerned with the social workers ways of communicating with children in foster placement and related situations. It examines what, exactly, is communicated to the child by the social worker, operating within Agency policy and structure; and the effect that this communication has on the child's ability to respond to placement as treatment. It is concerned, also, with the various methods by which the child's needs are communicated to the social worker; and the ways in which the worker responds to those needs, with special emphasis on when, how, and why the social worker communicates directly with the child. The study proceeds from a review of some of the recent literature on semantics as well as recent child welfare literature. This is supplemented by material gathered from interviews with twelve professionally-trained social workers, currently employed in child welfare work in and near Vancouver, and illustrated with brief summaries of six cases from their practice. The workers were interviewed with the purpose of ascertaining from them: what they judged to be the more effective ways they had found of communicating with children; their definition of the use they make of direct communication with children, indirect communication through parents or foster parents, and of joint interviewing; what they see as their particular contribution to the child in the placement situation; and some of the difficulties they encounter in performing their work. The results point up the differences between children and adults, and the effects of these differences on methods of communication. They emphasize the treatment aspect of placement, and the importance of structure, plan, and clear definition of treatment goals in order to enable the worker to channel her communications, both to the child and on behalf of the child, toward establishing hope and confidence in the possible achievement of those goals. It indicates a need for further study of communication and casework, with some implications for further refining the definition of the scope and limits of the casework method. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate