The purpose of this research was to develop a theoretical understanding of the influences on participation for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) from a self-perceived perspective, with particular focus on the role of assistive technology (AT) in self-perceived participation. The theoretical underpinning, symbolic interactionism, was used to gain an understanding of the ways that adults with SCI ascribe meaning to the interaction between themselves and their unique environments in a process of participation. A grounded theory study of 19 adults with SCI was conducted. Participants engaged in individual in-depth interviews, used photovoice as a framework for taking photographs of aspects of their environment that promoted and restricted participation, and engaged in focus groups. The constructed grounded theory is summarized as follows: Negotiating the Body-environment Interface is a continuous process for those living with a SCI. Despite the relative stability of their changed body, they Live in a Changed World, one perceived differently after SCI. Four sets of strategies are used by individuals to interact within their unique environments: creating an accessible proximal environment; using AT and adaptations; advocating and educating; and gaining information and knowledge. Strategies were selected to engage in a Process of Participation, a process that consisted of a sense of inclusion, autonomy, accomplishment, and reciprocity. Intervening conditions were the physical (architectural, natural), socio-cultural (social supports, societal attitudes), and institutional (services, policies) environmental aspects that served as barriers or facilitators to the process of participation. The study has added to the growing body of literature on self-perceived participation that forefronts the sense of connectivity and engagement people feel within their environment. The findings highlighted how AT holds unique meaning, and how decisions around use of technology for participation is influenced by personal factors, and physical, socio-cultural, and institutional environments. A new definition of AT was constructed that acknowledges the environmental influences and importance of self-perceived participation as an outcome of AT use. This research highlights the instrumental role of the environment in supporting self-perceived participation of adults with SCI. Further research on developing ways to create inclusive and supportive environments for assistive technology users is warranted.

The purpose of this research was to develop a theoretical understanding of the influences on participation for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) from a self-perceived perspective, with particular focus on the role of assistive technology (AT) in self-perceived participation. The theoretical underpinning, symbolic interactionism, was used to gain an understanding of the ways that adults with SCI ascribe meaning to the interaction between themselves and their unique environments in a process of participation. A grounded theory study of 19 adults with SCI was conducted. Participants engaged in individual in-depth interviews, used photovoice as a framework for taking photographs of aspects of their environment that promoted and restricted participation, and engaged in focus groups. The constructed grounded theory is summarized as follows: Negotiating the Body-environment Interface is a continuous process for those living with a SCI. Despite the relative stability of their changed body, they Live in a Changed World, one perceived differently after SCI. Four sets of strategies are used by individuals to interact within their unique environments: creating an accessible proximal environment; using AT and adaptations; advocating and educating; and gaining information and knowledge. Strategies were selected to engage in a Process of Participation, a process that consisted of a sense of inclusion, autonomy, accomplishment, and reciprocity. Intervening conditions were the physical (architectural, natural), socio-cultural (social supports, societal attitudes), and institutional (services, policies) environmental aspects that served as barriers or facilitators to the process of participation. The study has added to the growing body of literature on self-perceived participation that forefronts the sense of connectivity and engagement people feel within their environment. The findings highlighted how AT holds unique meaning, and how decisions around use of technology for participation is influenced by personal factors, and physical, socio-cultural, and institutional environments. A new definition of AT was constructed that acknowledges the environmental influences and importance of self-perceived participation as an outcome of AT use. This research highlights the instrumental role of the environment in supporting self-perceived participation of adults with SCI. Further research on developing ways to create inclusive and supportive environments for assistive technology users is warranted.

Denna kvantitativa studies fokus är att mäta huruvida det finns positiva effekter av användandet av tjänstedesign inom arbetsmiljöarbete. Syftet för studien är att undersöka huruvida medarbetares upplevda känsla av delaktighet på arbetsplatsen påverkas av användandet av metoder inom tjänstedesign som problemlösningsmodell i arbetsmiljöarbete. För att besvara syftet har en enkät delats ut till deltagare inom projektet Experio WorkLab, och datan från enkäten har bearbetats i SPSS. För att analysera resultatet används Self Determination Theory, Human Resource Development och teorier om organisationskultur.  Resultatet visar att användandet av tjänstedesign som modell för arbetsmiljöarbete har en påverkan på den upplevda delaktigheten på arbetsplatsen. Studien ser en ökning i upplevd delaktighet både hos de som deltar aktivt och de som deltar passivt i projektet. Det framgår också i resultatet att även utbildningsgrad och ålder påverkar den upplevda delaktigheten. Det signifikanta resultatet är starkt både för de som deltar passivt och de som deltar aktivt vilket betyder att det finns mycket att vinna för organisationer att lära sig och börja tillämpa arbetsmiljöarbete med denna modell. / The focus of this quantitative study is to measure whether the use of service design as model for improving work environment yields positive results. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether employees' perceived sense of participation in the workplace is affected by the use of methods within service design as a problem-solving model in environmental work. To answer the purpose, a survey was distributed to participants within the project Experio WorkLab, and the data from the survey was processed in SPSS. To analyze the results, Self Determination Theory, Human Resource Development and theories of organizational culture are used.  The study's results show that the use of service design as a model for environmental work has an impact on the perceived participation in the workplace. The study sees an increase in perceived participation both among those who participate actively and those who participate passively in the project. It also appears from the results that the degree of education and age also affect the perceived participation. The result is strong both for those who participate passively and those who participate actively, which means that there is much to be gained for organizations to learn and start applying environmental work with this model.