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Introduction/Background: Nursing Resource Teams (NRT) are a staffing strategy utilized by acute care hospitals to fulfill daily staffing vacancies caused by sick calls, vacation, and patient acuity. Effective teamwork is a critical component to providing safe patient care and the literature suggests that transient team membership, such as NRT nurses, are a barrier to teamwork. NRTs are being used more frequently than ever and yet their perspective on teamwork has not been addressed in the literature. The purpose of this study was to identify NRT nurses' perceptions of teamwork. Methods: Q-methodology was used for this study. Statements about teamwork were derived from the literature and a focus group with NRT nurses. A convenience sample of 34 NRT Registered Nurses and Registered Practical Nurses at a local hospital organization sorted a representative list of 41 statements about teamwork along a scale of -5 (strongly disagree) to +5 (strongly agree) on a Q-sort table. Iterated principal factor analysis and varimax rotation were performed using the qfactor program in Stata. Results: Three factors emerged with the following themes: (1) feeling underappreciated, (2) being flexible and confident, and (3) being unintegrated. A total of 30 participants loaded across the three factors, with no statistically significant demographic correlations. Distinguishing statements helped to define the characteristics of each factor. Four participants did not load on to any factor and therefore were excluded from further analysis. Conclusion: These findings represent perceptions from only one group of NRT nurses and no opportunity was given for participants to explain their sorting decisions. More research should be conducted to expand upon these perceptions of teamwork using an in-depth qualitative approach. NRT nurses perceive themselves to be knowledgeable, skilled, and able to provide effective care across a variety of patient units; however, some of the nurses feel underappreciated and unintegrated into the unit teams. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / This study explores nursing resource team (NRT) nurses’ perceptions of teamwork as well as their barriers and facilitators to effective teamwork. Q-methodology was used for this study. A literature review on NRTs and a scoping review on teams and teamwork were conducted. The literature and a focus group with NRT nurses were used to identify a representative list of statements about teamwork (n=41). Thirty-four NRT nurses sorted these statements into a table, and using a by-person exploratory factor analysis, three groups of NRT nurses emerged with the following themes: (1) feeling underappreciated; (2) being flexible and confident; and (3) feeling unintegrated. Future research should focus on exploring in-depth the perceptions of teamwork from NRT nurses and comparing unit-based and NRT nurses perceptions of teamwork.

Researchers have examined the influence of entertainment companies' licensed media characters on children's diet and health. Conversely, limited empirical research exists on how food, beverage and restaurant companies use brand mascots to influence the dietary preferences and choices of children and their parents. This M.S. thesis is comprised of two studies that address this knowledge gap. The first study conducted a nutrient-profile analysis of 20 food, beverage, and restaurant products that use brand mascot marketing to children, whose companies are members of the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), an industry self-regulatory program. Products were evaluated using seven nutrient-profile models or nutrition guidelines. Results showed that all twenty products that used brand mascots failed to meet one or more of the guidelines, especially for candy/sweets, children's meals, and snack foods. The second pilot study used Q methodology to explore the views of five child-parent dyads concerning the influence of brand mascots on their diet-related cognitive outcomes. Each child and one parent independently completed a demographic survey, a brand mascot and product association survey, and a card-sort with 48 brand mascot images to determine 'most-liked' versus 'most-disliked' mascots. Factor analysis identified three unique viewpoints that were shared by participants including: 1) Breakfast Cereal Animal Lovers; lover of mascots with eyes/hands of approval; and 3) human, hat-wearing mascot lovers. Participants associated 66 percent of products with the correct brand mascots. These results may inform policy-relevant recommendations to strengthen industry self-regulatory programs to create a more healthful childhood marketing atmosphere. / Master of Science / Researchers have examined the influence of entertainment companies’ cartoon media characters on children’s diet and health. Conversely, limited experimental research exists on how food, beverage and restaurant companies use brand mascots to influence the diets of children and their parents. This M.S. thesis comprises two studies that address this knowledge gap. The first study consists of an analysis of 20 food, beverage, and restaurant products that use unique brand mascots marketed to children, whose companies are members of the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), an industry self-regulatory program. Products were measured up to seven voluntary and/or mandatory nutrition guidelines. All twenty products that used brand mascots failed to meet one or more of the nutrition guidelines, and especially for candy/sweets, children’s meals, and snack foods. The second study used Q methodology to explore the views of five children and their parents (n=10) concerning how brand mascots influence their diet-related cognitive and behavioral outcomes. Children and one of their parents were asked to independently complete three activities: 1) demographic survey; 2) brand mascot and product association survey; and 3) a card-sort with 48 brand mascot images to determine “most-liked” versus “most-disliked” mascots. Factor analysis identified three unique viewpoints shared by participants regarding how brand mascots influence their dietary preferences, dislikes, and intergenerational marketing. Additionally, participants correctly associated 66 percent of products and their respected brand mascots. Results from both studies may be used to inform policy-relevant recommendations to strengthen industry self-regulatory programs such as the CFBAI.

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Patient monitoring equipment is evolving from smaller, less complex, installation systems to- wards large, complex, systems that require much resources. This led to the development of a new installation procedure involving a so called Delivery Center (DC). Introducing the DC instal- lation procedure affects all stakeholders, and this thesis aimed to assess how the DC installation procedure was perceived by those involved in it. It also investigated if there existed groupings among the participants who share points of views, and whether or not the DC should be kept. The study used Q-Methodology in order to retrieve opinions among employees at Philips who were involved in the installation of Philips patient monitoring equipment at New Karolinska Solna Phase 4. This study has shown that all involved persons to the DC installation procedure are positive to it. Although significant differences has been shown within the studied group, a positive atti- tude towards the concept of the DC has been found. The specific areas of quality management, environmental aspects, the work environment and the efficiency and utilizations of resources have been addressed. This study has also shown that within the participants of this study there exists three distinct groupings based on their opinions. The groups focuses respectively on processes, project planning and on the work environment. These groupings are shown to all have their own characteristics. Understanding them and taking them into consideration can likely make all participants more positive towards a future DC, and could also potentially make it even more efficient. The results shows that from the perspective of the involved stakeholders, a future DC should be kept, and it has also shown a number of areas where there is room for improvement. / Patientmonitoreringsutrustning håller på att utvecklas från mindre, låg-komplexa installation- ssystem mot större, komplexare, system som kräver mycket resurser. Detta har lett till utvecklin- gen av ett nytt installationsförfarande som involverar ett så kallat leveranscenter. Introduktionen av en leveranscenter-baserat installationsförfarande påverkar alla inblandade, och detta exam- ensarbete ämnade att utvärdera hur det leveranscenter-baserade installationsförfarandet upp- fattades av de involverade. Det undersökte också om det existerade grupper bland deltagarna som delar åsikter, och undersökte huruvida leveranscentret borde behållas. Arbetet använde Q-Methodology för att samla in åsikter bland alla de anstälda på Philips som var involverade i installationen av Philips patientmonitoreringsutrustning vid Nya Karolinska Solnas fas 4. Denna studie har visat att alla involverade personer i det leveranscenter-baserade installa- tionsförfarande är positivt inställda till det. Även om signifikanta skillnader bland de studerade grupperna har uppfattats, har en positiv attityd gentemot konceptet med leveranscentret hittats. De specifika områdena kvalitetshantering, miljöpåverkan, arbetsmiljö och effektivitet och uttnyt- jande av resurser har adresserats. Denna studie har också visat att det bland studiedeltagarna finns tre distinkta grupper baserat på åsikter. Grupperna fokuserar på processer, projektplaner- ing och arbetsmiljö. Grupparna har uppvisat egna karaktärsdrag. Förståelse för grupperna och att beakta dem kan troligen göra alla deltagarna än mer positiva gentemot ett framtida lever- anscenter, och även göra det effektivare. Resultaten visar att utifrån deltagarnas perspektiv att ett framtida leveranscenter bör behållas, och det visar även att det finns ett antal områden där det finns utvecklingspotential.

Aims: The aims of this thesis were two-fold. First, to review the literature related to parental perceptions regarding their child’s Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and its effect on behavioural or emotional outcomes. Second, an empirical study aimed to explore parental beliefs about their child’s Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) through the application of Q methodology. Method: A systematic review of the literature was carried out to address the first aim. The review included 7 studies; 5 quantitative and 2 mixed methodology studies. For the second aim, Q methodology was used to examine parental beliefs among a purposeful sample of 21 main caregivers of a child with AS. This methodology is based on two techniques: the q-sorting process and q-factor analysis, and aims to explore the understandings those caregivers’ have of their child’s AS. A set of 51 statements, representing a diverse range of opinions and perspectives on AS, was developed from a variety of sources, including bibliographic databases and online parent forums. The Q sorting process involved caregivers’ arranging the statements on a quasi-normal distribution grid based upon their agreement with them. Results: Preliminary conclusions were drawn from a synthesis of papers included in the systematic review: parental beliefs regarding their child’s ASD affects their behaviour regarding treatment options and future immunisations, as well as their experience of depression, anxiety and self-efficacy. The empirical study revealed four narratives or factors from completed Q sorts: (1) AS in a positive light, (2) AS- the default diagnosis, (3) AS- what now? and (4) AS as society’s problem. Conclusions: The results from the systematic review and empirical study highlight a variety of beliefs held by parents of children with ASD. Although the implications of such beliefs were not explored in the empirical study, the results of the systematic review suggest that parental beliefs can have a significant impact on behavioural and psychological outcomes. Parental beliefs may, therefore, be an important target for clinical intervention within child and family services. It is acknowledged that further research is required to confirm and develop these findings.

Q-methodology was used alongside semi-structured interviews with primary school teachers to explore their positions on two key areas of education ideology: inclusive schools and standards in education. The study explored in depth the views of 26 teachers in 6 schools, selected through purposive sampling to give a range of individual and institutional demographics. Key statements were compiled from the literature that offered a wide spectrum of personal and professional positions on the two issues of standards and inclusion in education. These statements were produced as sets of cards for participants to arrange in order of strength of agreement or disagreement. The results were factor-analysed via Q-method software to render visible factors of items that had statistical significance for the participants (Brown 1997). These factors were then interpreted in the light of subsequent semi-structured interviews and returned to the participants for discussion. The study found that teachers developed their own ‘practical’ notion of inclusion, in which specialist systems, such as p-scales, are needed for the inclusion of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). These teachers held contrasting views on whether they felt constraints or experienced flexibility when implementing the strict standards objectives. Crucially, in considering the agendas simultaneously, these teachers suggested that the practical implementation of the inclusion and standards agendas is as disparate as their objectives. The agendas are seen as separate entities, with standards assuming an apparent dominance, ensuring that the inclusion agenda is implemented within a standards driven system.

Emissions of carbon dioxide, dioxins, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter as well as use of non-renewable resources and energy are some important sustainability challenges for the Swedish steel industry. Much effort has been made, mainly by technical solutions, which to a high degree have decreased the emissions during the last 30 years. Technical solutions however will not be sufficient to reach sustainable development, stakeholder involvement is also necessary. Stakeholder theory states that stake­holder involvement must include a dialog between the stakeholders involved and the operation. The first step in this process is to identify which key issues the stakeholders find most important and then the organisation needs to start interact with its stakeholders. This thesis deals with such issues. Stakeholder preferences for environmental issues were assessed with conjoint analysis, Q-methodology and focus group discussions. The theory of planned behaviour was used to assess how attitudes were connected to background factors and a potential pro-environmental behaviour. Five studies have been carried out in the framework of this thesis. The studies include: a literature review, method evaluation, evaluation of environ­mental objectives in stakeholder groups, screening of relevant factors, evaluation of steel environmental characteristics, identification of barriers to the introduction of new materials and the im­pact of worry and risk perception on strategic environmental decisions. It can be concluded that the methods applied in the studies work well in eliciting preferences. It has been possible to show how different stakeholder groups as well as individuals prioritise environmental objectives and sustaina­bility issues. Since individuals within a stakeholder group vary considerably in preferences, the results from this thesis show the importance of illustrating results on an individual level instead of the traditional group level. Also, a method has been tested where the results were brought back to the respondents in order to stimulate discussions between different stakeholder groups.

Since various public and private actors at the international, supranational, national and subnational levels started to adopt long-term targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, low-carbon scenario analyses have flourished. Literature reveals an increasing number of analyses envisioning and exploring alternative images of low-carbon futures, as well as their adjacent transition pathways. Scenario approaches or “foresight” is intended to help policy-makers to navigate the maelstrom of confusion and conflicts associated with highly complex societal challenges such as climate change – i.e. the “super-wicked” problems. Typical scenario exercises aim at coping with uncertainty and conflicting values, and hence are often claimed as a suitable approach for knowing and governing super-wicked problems. When reviewing the scenario literature published over the recent years, we observe significant methodological developments, in particular at the level of the calculus or data-sets. These contributions have generated an increasing technical sophistication of scenario building methods, and contrast with the relative absence of social sciences research on scenarios. Scenario analyses have received little academic attention from social sciences, whether they are political science, sociology, philosophy of science or science and technology studies. By providing a SHS-analysis of low-carbon scenarios, the present thesis contributes to bridge this research gap. Scenarios are here understood as “boundary objects” linking different social worlds: science and policy, but also natural and social sciences. This thesis aspires to create an enhanced understanding on how scenario analyses perform such “boundary work”. More specifically, the following analysis of low-carbon scenarios is based on a twofold perspective focusing, on the one hand, on the interactions between low-carbon scenarios and governance (i.e. link between science and policy), and, on the other hand, on the making of knowledge about governance in low-carbon scenarios (i.e. link between natural and social sciences). In other words, it explores “scenarios in governance” and “governance in scenarios”. The thesis project includes three research axes, each based on its particular empirics. A first study explores the interactions between low-carbon scenarios and governance on the basis of a multiple case study analysing the role of four energy foresight studies in policy-making. The other two studies focus on the making of knowledge about governance in low-carbon scenarios. One of them provides an assessment of the knowledge needed to steer the low-carbon transition. The other one aims at contributing to the debate on the relations between quantitative modelling and social sciences by exposing a critical review of socio-technical energy transition models. The objective of the present thesis thus consists in providing an empirical contribution to social sciences research on low-carbon scenarios. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished