Includes bibliographical references. / This is a study about the subjective experiences of black African managers working in an English-speaking university in post-apartheid South Africa We investigated the adaptation strategies they employ as they navigate borders and boundaries between their home and work worlds, and how they negotiate identity in an environment dominated by Eurocentrism in one of the oldest English-speaking universities in South Africa. The theoretical framework was informed Berger & Luckmann's (1966) "Social Construction of Reality", in particular, their concepts of subjectivity and intersubjectivity; and Phelan, Davidson and Yu's (1993 & 1998) "Multiple Worlds Typology". The theories proposed by these writers acknowledge that individuals move between multiple worlds as they go about their daily lives. We adopted a typology from Phelan et al. (1993 & 1996) based on whether or not the "worlds" are congruent and what adaptation strategies individuals use in their transitions across borders and boundaries. We used a qualitative approach which involved face to face in-depth interviews with six black African managers using a semi-structured interview schedule. This, importantly, meant we allowed the respondents' subjective voices to emerge. The six respondents fell across four out of six types of transitions and we were able to construct their profiles which represent identity clusters showing how different individuals deal with common experiences and the variety of strategies they employ. The four types were Congruent Worlds/Smooth Transitions, Different Worlds/Border-crossings Managed, Different Worlds/Border-crossings Difficult, and Different Worlds/Borders Resisted. The strategies for negotiating identity in the workplace included conforming to the institutional culture, integrating or "plugging in" selected values of the African home culture into that of the company, resisting the dominant culture of the company and leaving the company altogether.

Through the adoption of triangulated methodologies,this thesis seeks to evaluate the success of two large organisations in adopting empowerment initiatives. By focusing on two operating units in each organisation, it considers perceptions of empowerment at the non-managerial employee level and the effects on these perceptions of personality, orientations to work and the contexts of the units and their organisations. Through the use of management interviews, employee focus groups and questionnaires completed by non-managerial employees, the research indicates that aspects of the individual, whilst often contributing to attitudes towards empowerment, do not directly effect whether or not employees feel empowered. Rather, it concludes that job insecurity, management behaviour and the union/management relationship have a larger effect. However, what arises as central to the acceptance of empowerment in modern organisations is the clarity with which the policy is introduced. This thesis finds that organisations introduce ambiguous, mystical messages to their employees which merely cause confusion and unmatched expectations and that rather than increasing staff commitment, organisations are further alienating their employees.

Man-made objects are an expression of both the social organisation in which they were produced and the communicative context in which they appear and are used. In this respect, they represent easily accessible material, which is highly suitable for and useful in reconstructing the social structures in organisations and opening up latent structures of meaning for analysis. Nevertheless the analysis of physical materials has tended to live a shadow existence. This paper presents a hermeneutic method of analysing artefacts in organisations. The basic concept centres on the reconstructing of the processes of meaning and organising in social systems. After providing a brief introduction to the methodological principles, the paper goes on to discuss this method in greater detail. Concrete examples of the study of specific materials in an organisational analysis context are used to ground the interpretation of artefacts in the overall organisational analysis context. The paper closes with a discussion of the possibilities and limitations of this kind of analysis. (authors' abstract) / Series: ["p_series_typename_S48" not defined]

Over the past decades, European democracies have experienced diminishing trust in their political representative institutions leading to a decline in party membership as well as both reduced electoral turnout and overall political participation (Van Biezen et al., 2012). In response, many European parties began reforming themselves allowing for the direct participation of party members or even non-members in various intra-party arenas, such as leadership selections through primaries. Parties claim that such reforms increase intra-party democracy (IPD) by making internal organisation more inclusive and by providing all party members or even non-members with decision-making power perilously reserved to the party elites (Hazan and Rahat, 2010). However, the positive effect of increased IPD on membership is highly contested and surprisingly few relevant empirical and comparative studies exist. The central research question of this thesis is what are the (different) consequences of adopting different types of primary rules for party members? Hence, my aim is to examine whether the introduction of primaries is in fact as negative for party members as outlined by Katz and Mair (1994), Lefebvre (2011) or Hopkin (2001) or, alternatively, whether it represents a chance to revitalize parties as membership organizations (Macpherson, 1977; Ware, 1979; Bille, 2001). Primaries are defined as selection process for party leaders and candidates in which the final vote rests with either party members in closed primaries, or loosely defined group of party supporters or the wider electorate, open primaries. Thus, introducing a primary leads to a change in the level of intra-party democracy, as it shifts power from a more exclusive selectorate to either of the two selectorates outlined above. While this project focuses on primaries that select top-executive candidates, the theory and conceptual framework developed can be applied to primaries more broadly. The general argument put forward is that to capture the differentiated effects of party primaries we have to study the interplay between the rules determining who can vote (selectorate) and who can run (candidacy requirements) in primaries. This thesis answers its central research question by developing a conceptual framework that combines these two dimensions for party primaries that select the party leader in public office. First, it outlines the underlying logic of the conceptual framework that links the two dimensions and then provides a theoretical discussion of its consequences for party members looking specifically at the interaction between the two. To assess the consequences of different primary reforms, the thesis focuses on four dimensions of party membership: the party membership level, the turnout in primaries, the quality of membership and the attitude towards the leadership. This perspective highlights that different combinations of selection rules and candidacy requirements in primaries result in four distinct types of intra-party democracy from the perception of party members. In turn, these types lead party members to respond in a distinct fashion. Using a mixed-method case study approach, the second part of the thesis tests the theoretical framework for various Western European parties. The analysis will mainly use primary and secondary document analysis as well as new and existing survey data complemented by qualitative in-depth membership surveys. The main conclusion is that only some combinations of primary rules can lead to a positive effect for members while others do not. For example, closed primaries with open candidacy requirements will lead to more active participation of members, while open primaries with open candidacy requirements will reduce membership participation considerably.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar as abordagens interpretativa e processual dos Estudos Organizacionais, expressas nas obras de seus principais autores – Karl Weick e Robert Cooper, discutindo sua relação com a filosofia do processo de Henri Bergson. Esta análise é executada no intuito de que, em se verificando uma aproximação entre estas abordagens e a filosofia bergsoniana – seus conceitos pilares e o método intuitivo – seja possível vislumbrar uma teoria do conhecimento em base processual, uma “epistemologia do processo”. A motivação para realização deste estudo deu-se por duas principais razões. A primeira é decorrente do meu próprio estranhamento e interesse, seguido de questionamentos que me levaram ao aprofundamento nas propostas destas abordagens e nas leituras dos seus principais autores. A segunda é que, em executando esta aproximação com a filosofia de Bergson e vislumbrando uma teoria do conhecimento em base processual, a negligência com que estas abordagens são tratadas dentro da área dos Estudos Organizacionais dominantes (mainstream) seja diminuída. A referência utilizada para a execução do trabalho dirigiu-se, em função da sua própria natureza, para a hermenêutica – mais especificamente para a hermenêutica filosófica de Hans-Georg Gadamer, que permite uma interpretação geradora de conhecimento político-moral engajado e preocupado. Por fim, o trabalho apresenta as considerações e os resultados da análise das abordagens processuais à luz da filosofia de Bergson, verificando que, embora estas abordagens entendam a realidade como processual, elas carecem de alinhamento ontológico e epistemológico com a filosofia do processo bergsoniana. Entretanto, ao entender e compreender a realidade sob a ótica do processo, denotando uma axiologia processual, ambas as abordagens abrem possibilidades interessantes para o reposicionamento das Teorias Organizacionais. Estas possibilidades permitirão discutir a falácia da centralidade, armadilha positiva e funcional que os Estudos Organizacionais são tentados a assumir quando entendem o processo e o movimento não como algo natural e constante, mas como exceção e hiato. / This study aims to analyze the processual and interpretative approach of Organisational Studies, expressed in the writings of its main authors - Karl Weick and Robert Cooper, discussing its relationship to the process philosophy of Henri Bergson. This analysis is performed in order that, in noting a connection between these approaches and Bergson’s philosophy - his core concepts and the intuitive method - it is possible to envision a theory of knowledge on a processual basis, an "epistemology of the process." The motivation for this study had two main reasons. The first is due to my own amazement, followed by questions that led me to go deeper on the proposals of these approaches and readings of its main authors. The second is that in executing this approach with the philosophy of Bergson, and overlooking a theory of knowledge on a processual basis, the neglect that these approaches are treated within the area of Organisational Studies (mainstream) could be decreased. The reference used for the execution of the study was, on according to its own nature, the hermeneutics – specifically the hermeneutical philosophy of Hans-Georg Gadamer, which allows the generation of a moral-political knowledge, engaged and positioned (Schwandt , 2003). Finally, the study presents the findings of the analysis of the processual approach to the philosophy of Bergson, noting that although these approaches understand reality as process, they lack ontological and epistemological alignment with the process philosophy of Bergson. However, in understanding and comprehending the reality from a process perspective, denoting an axiology of process, both approaches open up exciting and interesting possibilities for the repositioning of Organisational Theories. These possibilities will discuss the fallacy of centrality, the positive and functional trap that Organisational Studies are tempted to fall when understanding the process and the movement as something not natural and not constant, but as exception and hiatus.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar as abordagens interpretativa e processual dos Estudos Organizacionais, expressas nas obras de seus principais autores – Karl Weick e Robert Cooper, discutindo sua relação com a filosofia do processo de Henri Bergson. Esta análise é executada no intuito de que, em se verificando uma aproximação entre estas abordagens e a filosofia bergsoniana – seus conceitos pilares e o método intuitivo – seja possível vislumbrar uma teoria do conhecimento em base processual, uma “epistemologia do processo”. A motivação para realização deste estudo deu-se por duas principais razões. A primeira é decorrente do meu próprio estranhamento e interesse, seguido de questionamentos que me levaram ao aprofundamento nas propostas destas abordagens e nas leituras dos seus principais autores. A segunda é que, em executando esta aproximação com a filosofia de Bergson e vislumbrando uma teoria do conhecimento em base processual, a negligência com que estas abordagens são tratadas dentro da área dos Estudos Organizacionais dominantes (mainstream) seja diminuída. A referência utilizada para a execução do trabalho dirigiu-se, em função da sua própria natureza, para a hermenêutica – mais especificamente para a hermenêutica filosófica de Hans-Georg Gadamer, que permite uma interpretação geradora de conhecimento político-moral engajado e preocupado. Por fim, o trabalho apresenta as considerações e os resultados da análise das abordagens processuais à luz da filosofia de Bergson, verificando que, embora estas abordagens entendam a realidade como processual, elas carecem de alinhamento ontológico e epistemológico com a filosofia do processo bergsoniana. Entretanto, ao entender e compreender a realidade sob a ótica do processo, denotando uma axiologia processual, ambas as abordagens abrem possibilidades interessantes para o reposicionamento das Teorias Organizacionais. Estas possibilidades permitirão discutir a falácia da centralidade, armadilha positiva e funcional que os Estudos Organizacionais são tentados a assumir quando entendem o processo e o movimento não como algo natural e constante, mas como exceção e hiato. / This study aims to analyze the processual and interpretative approach of Organisational Studies, expressed in the writings of its main authors - Karl Weick and Robert Cooper, discussing its relationship to the process philosophy of Henri Bergson. This analysis is performed in order that, in noting a connection between these approaches and Bergson’s philosophy - his core concepts and the intuitive method - it is possible to envision a theory of knowledge on a processual basis, an "epistemology of the process." The motivation for this study had two main reasons. The first is due to my own amazement, followed by questions that led me to go deeper on the proposals of these approaches and readings of its main authors. The second is that in executing this approach with the philosophy of Bergson, and overlooking a theory of knowledge on a processual basis, the neglect that these approaches are treated within the area of Organisational Studies (mainstream) could be decreased. The reference used for the execution of the study was, on according to its own nature, the hermeneutics – specifically the hermeneutical philosophy of Hans-Georg Gadamer, which allows the generation of a moral-political knowledge, engaged and positioned (Schwandt , 2003). Finally, the study presents the findings of the analysis of the processual approach to the philosophy of Bergson, noting that although these approaches understand reality as process, they lack ontological and epistemological alignment with the process philosophy of Bergson. However, in understanding and comprehending the reality from a process perspective, denoting an axiology of process, both approaches open up exciting and interesting possibilities for the repositioning of Organisational Theories. These possibilities will discuss the fallacy of centrality, the positive and functional trap that Organisational Studies are tempted to fall when understanding the process and the movement as something not natural and not constant, but as exception and hiatus.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar as abordagens interpretativa e processual dos Estudos Organizacionais, expressas nas obras de seus principais autores – Karl Weick e Robert Cooper, discutindo sua relação com a filosofia do processo de Henri Bergson. Esta análise é executada no intuito de que, em se verificando uma aproximação entre estas abordagens e a filosofia bergsoniana – seus conceitos pilares e o método intuitivo – seja possível vislumbrar uma teoria do conhecimento em base processual, uma “epistemologia do processo”. A motivação para realização deste estudo deu-se por duas principais razões. A primeira é decorrente do meu próprio estranhamento e interesse, seguido de questionamentos que me levaram ao aprofundamento nas propostas destas abordagens e nas leituras dos seus principais autores. A segunda é que, em executando esta aproximação com a filosofia de Bergson e vislumbrando uma teoria do conhecimento em base processual, a negligência com que estas abordagens são tratadas dentro da área dos Estudos Organizacionais dominantes (mainstream) seja diminuída. A referência utilizada para a execução do trabalho dirigiu-se, em função da sua própria natureza, para a hermenêutica – mais especificamente para a hermenêutica filosófica de Hans-Georg Gadamer, que permite uma interpretação geradora de conhecimento político-moral engajado e preocupado. Por fim, o trabalho apresenta as considerações e os resultados da análise das abordagens processuais à luz da filosofia de Bergson, verificando que, embora estas abordagens entendam a realidade como processual, elas carecem de alinhamento ontológico e epistemológico com a filosofia do processo bergsoniana. Entretanto, ao entender e compreender a realidade sob a ótica do processo, denotando uma axiologia processual, ambas as abordagens abrem possibilidades interessantes para o reposicionamento das Teorias Organizacionais. Estas possibilidades permitirão discutir a falácia da centralidade, armadilha positiva e funcional que os Estudos Organizacionais são tentados a assumir quando entendem o processo e o movimento não como algo natural e constante, mas como exceção e hiato. / This study aims to analyze the processual and interpretative approach of Organisational Studies, expressed in the writings of its main authors - Karl Weick and Robert Cooper, discussing its relationship to the process philosophy of Henri Bergson. This analysis is performed in order that, in noting a connection between these approaches and Bergson’s philosophy - his core concepts and the intuitive method - it is possible to envision a theory of knowledge on a processual basis, an "epistemology of the process." The motivation for this study had two main reasons. The first is due to my own amazement, followed by questions that led me to go deeper on the proposals of these approaches and readings of its main authors. The second is that in executing this approach with the philosophy of Bergson, and overlooking a theory of knowledge on a processual basis, the neglect that these approaches are treated within the area of Organisational Studies (mainstream) could be decreased. The reference used for the execution of the study was, on according to its own nature, the hermeneutics – specifically the hermeneutical philosophy of Hans-Georg Gadamer, which allows the generation of a moral-political knowledge, engaged and positioned (Schwandt , 2003). Finally, the study presents the findings of the analysis of the processual approach to the philosophy of Bergson, noting that although these approaches understand reality as process, they lack ontological and epistemological alignment with the process philosophy of Bergson. However, in understanding and comprehending the reality from a process perspective, denoting an axiology of process, both approaches open up exciting and interesting possibilities for the repositioning of Organisational Theories. These possibilities will discuss the fallacy of centrality, the positive and functional trap that Organisational Studies are tempted to fall when understanding the process and the movement as something not natural and not constant, but as exception and hiatus.

The concept of BIM is nascent but evolving rapidly, thus, its deployment has become the latest shibboleth amongst both academics and practitioners in the construction sector in the recent couple of years. Due to construction clients buy-in of the BIM concept, the entire industry is encouraged to pursue a vision of changing work practices in line with the BIM ideas. Also, existing research recognises that the implementation of BIM affects all areas of the construction process from design of the building, through the organisation of projects, to the way in which the construction process is executed and how the finished product is maintained. The problem however is that, existing research in technology utilisation in general, and BIM literature in particular, has offered limited help to practitioners trying to implement BIM, for focusing predominantly, on technology-centric views. Not surprisingly therefore, the current BIM literature emphasises on topics such as capability maturity models and anticipated outcomes of BIM rollouts. Rarely does the extant literature offer practitioners a cohesive approach to BIM implementation. Such technology-centric views inevitably represent a serious barrier to utilising the inscribed capabilities of BIM. This research therefore is predicated on the need to strengthen BIM implementation theory through monitoring and analysing its implementation in practice. Thus, the focus of this thesis is to carry out a sociotechnical systems (STS) analysis of BIM implementation in construction organisations. The concept of STS accommodates the dualism of the inscribed functions of BIM technologies and the contextual issues in the organisations and allows for the analysis of their interactive combination in producing the anticipated effect from BIM appropriation. An interpretive research methodology is adopted to study practitioners through a change process, involving the implementation of BIM in their work contexts. The study is based on constructivist ontological interpretations of participants. The study adopts an abductive research approach which ensures a back-and-forth movement between research sites and the theoretical phenomenon, effectively comparing the empirical findings with the existing theories and to eventually generate a new theoretical understanding and knowledge regarding the phenomenon under investigation. A two-stage process is also formulated for the empirical data collection - comprising: 1) initial exploratory study to help establish the framework for analysing BIM implementation in the construction context; and 2) case studies approach to provide a context for formulating novel understanding and validation of theory regarding BIM implementation in construction organisations. The analysis and interpretation of the empirical work follows the qualitative content analysis technique to observe and reflect on the results. The findings have shown that BIM implementation demands a complete breakaway from the status quo. Contrary to the prevailing understanding of a top-down approach to BIM utilisation, the study revealed that different organisations with plethora of visions, expectations and skills combine with artefacts to form or transform BIM practices. The rollout and appropriation of BIM occurs when organisations shape sociotechnical systems of institutions, processes and technologies to support certain practices over others. The study also showed that BIM implementation endures in a causal chain of influences as different project organisations with their localised BIM ambitions and expectations combine to develop holistic BIM-enabled project visions. Thus, distributed responsibilities on holistic BIM protocols among the different levels of influences are instituted and enforced under binding contractual obligations. The study has illuminated the centrality of both the technical challenges and sociological factors in shaping BIM deployment in construction. It is also one of the few studies that have produced accounts of BIM deployment that is strongly mediated by the institutional contexts of construction organisations. However, it is acknowledged that the focus of the research on qualitative interpretive enquiry does not have the hard and fast view of generalising from specific cases to broader population/contexts. Thus, it is suggested that further quantitative studies, using much larger data sample of BIM-enabled construction organisations could provide an interesting point of comparison to the conclusions derived from the research findings.