Between 2007 and 2009, taxpayers paid $700 billion to bail out failing U.S. banks. The purpose of this single case study was to explore strategies that leaders of a successful U.S. bank used to identify efficiency changes occurring during the financial crisis. The target population of this study included 6 bank leaders located in San Bernardino, California, who occupied a managerial role in a successful U.S. bank during a financial crisis, had experience with the efficiency changes that occurred during a financial crisis, and developed and implemented strategies to identify efficiency changes that took place during a financial crisis. The conceptual framework for this study was the theory of economic efficiency. Data consisted of semistructured interviews, annual fiscal reports, and proxy statements. All interpretations of the data were subjected to member checking to ensure trustworthiness of interpretations. Yin's method of qualitative data analysis was adopted, which consisted of five sequential steps: compiling the data, disassembling the data, reassembling the data, interpreting the meaning of the data, and drawing conclusions from the data. Based on the methodological triangulation of the data collected, 3 of the main themes that emerged were management strategies, application of digital technology, and growth maximization and risky loan elimination. The implications for positive social change include the potential to avoid bank failures in the future, resulting in a stronger and more robust economy, thus sparing taxpayers the burden of bailing out failing banks.

This thesis describes research investigating the learning environment of tertiary students undertaking their studies through a mixture of online learning management systems and traditional tertiary classroom delivery. A review of the literature examined traditional learning environments, pure online virtual environments and more recent literature pertaining to a blended environment. The examination of student and staff perceptions of learning environments in different contexts served to generate recommendations to help tertiary teachers optimise online and traditional teaching practices within a mixed-mode environment. Students' experiences of their learning environment were discovered through quantitative and qualitative methods. Quantitative data on students' experiences were gathered by using an adapted version of the Web-based Learning Environment Instrument (WEBLEI). Qualitative data on students' experiences were collected by discussion questions added to the WEBLEI survey. Qualitative data on the use of online and blended learning environment experiences by tertiary staff were gathered by email and supplementary interviews. The study synthesised results from these multiple sources within a tertiary institute environment and made recommendations and gave insight into optimal blended learning environments within the tertiary sector. Overall, the study provided a perspective on the psychology and strategic view of the learning environment for the future tertiary institute.

<p>Complex socio-technical systems, like command and control work in military operations and rescue operations, are becoming more and more common in the society, and there is a growing urge for more useful and effective systems. Qualitative data from complex socio-technical systems can be challenging to analyse. This thesis probes one way of enhancing existing analysis methods to better suit this task.</p><p>Our case study is carried out at FOI (the Swedish Defence Research Agency). One of FOI’s tasks is to analyse complex situations, for example military operations, and they have developed an approach called the Reconstruction – exploration approach (R&E) for analysing distributed tactical operations (DTOs). The R&E approach has a rich contextual approach, but lacks a systematic analytic methodology.</p><p>The assignment of this thesis is to investigate how the R&E approach could be enhanced and possibly merged with other existing cognitive analysis methods to better suit the analysis of DTOs. We identified that the R&E approach’s main weaknesses were the lack of structure and insufficient way of handling subjective data, which contributed to difficulties when performing a deeper analysis. The approach also needed a well-defined analysis method for increasing the validity of the identified results.</p><p>One way of improvement was to integrate the R&E approach with several cognitive analysis methods based on their respective individual strengths. We started by analysing the R&E approach and then identified qualities in other methods that complemented the weaknesses in the R&E approach. Finally we developed an integrated method.</p><p>The Critical Decision Method (CDM) appeared to be the most suitable method for integration with the R&E approach. Nevertheless, the CDM did not have all the qualities asked for so we chose to use functions from other methods included in our initial analysis as well; ETA and Grounded theory.</p><p>The integration resulted in a method with a well-defined method for analysis and the possibility to handle subjective data. This can contribute to a deeper analysis of DTOs.</p>

Complex socio-technical systems, like command and control work in military operations and rescue operations, are becoming more and more common in the society, and there is a growing urge for more useful and effective systems. Qualitative data from complex socio-technical systems can be challenging to analyse. This thesis probes one way of enhancing existing analysis methods to better suit this task. Our case study is carried out at FOI (the Swedish Defence Research Agency). One of FOI’s tasks is to analyse complex situations, for example military operations, and they have developed an approach called the Reconstruction – exploration approach (R&amp;E) for analysing distributed tactical operations (DTOs). The R&amp;E approach has a rich contextual approach, but lacks a systematic analytic methodology. The assignment of this thesis is to investigate how the R&amp;E approach could be enhanced and possibly merged with other existing cognitive analysis methods to better suit the analysis of DTOs. We identified that the R&amp;E approach’s main weaknesses were the lack of structure and insufficient way of handling subjective data, which contributed to difficulties when performing a deeper analysis. The approach also needed a well-defined analysis method for increasing the validity of the identified results. One way of improvement was to integrate the R&amp;E approach with several cognitive analysis methods based on their respective individual strengths. We started by analysing the R&amp;E approach and then identified qualities in other methods that complemented the weaknesses in the R&amp;E approach. Finally we developed an integrated method. The Critical Decision Method (CDM) appeared to be the most suitable method for integration with the R&amp;E approach. Nevertheless, the CDM did not have all the qualities asked for so we chose to use functions from other methods included in our initial analysis as well; ETA and Grounded theory. The integration resulted in a method with a well-defined method for analysis and the possibility to handle subjective data. This can contribute to a deeper analysis of DTOs.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the cultural and motivational perspectives associated with the occupational or vocational decision-related processes of senior high school students. Two theoretical frameworks were developed to guide the investigation by integrating theories from the culture, motivation, decision-making, and vocational decision-making literatures. One theoretical framework investigated the roles of culture and motivation in the vocational decisions made by senior high school students, while the other examined the vocational decision-related processes of senior high school students in terms of the extent to which they may be amotivated about choosing a future occupation. A mixed methods approach (incorporating a cross-sectional and correlational research design for the quantitative component) was implemented using a specially developed questionnaire. In the first phase of the investigation, the questionnaire was administered to 492 Year 11 students attending a stratified random sample of six Independent high schools located in the Sydney metropolitan area. In the second and main phase, a refined version of the questionnaire was administered to 566 Year 11 students attending a stratified random sample of 16 government high schools located in the Sydney metropolitan area. Structural equation modelling, discriminant analyses, and qualitative techniques were used to analyse the data collected in the two phases. The major findings of the investigation included the development and confirmation (after modifications) of two new theoretically-justifiable models of vocational decision-related processes. One model provided empirical support for relationships between cultural orientation, values, and attitudes/intentions toward occupations, while the other identified relationships between amotivation, indecision toward occupations, expectancy-value variables, and influences from the family. Multiple themes that were identified in the qualitative data analyses supplemented and partially supported elements of the two empirical models, and enabled a richer understanding of the issues surrounding the vocational decision. The findings of the investigation may be used by career advisors, psychologists, educators, and families to advise and assist senior high school students faced with the vocational decision. The investigation may contribute to reducing the gap in the literature on the roles of culture and motivation in the vocational decision-related processes of senior high school students.

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the cultural and motivational perspectives associated with the occupational or vocational decision-related processes of senior high school students. Two theoretical frameworks were developed to guide the investigation by integrating theories from the culture, motivation, decision-making, and vocational decision-making literatures. One theoretical framework investigated the roles of culture and motivation in the vocational decisions made by senior high school students, while the other examined the vocational decision-related processes of senior high school students in terms of the extent to which they may be amotivated about choosing a future occupation. A mixed methods approach (incorporating a cross-sectional and correlational research design for the quantitative component) was implemented using a specially developed questionnaire. In the first phase of the investigation, the questionnaire was administered to 492 Year 11 students attending a stratified random sample of six Independent high schools located in the Sydney metropolitan area. In the second and main phase, a refined version of the questionnaire was administered to 566 Year 11 students attending a stratified random sample of 16 government high schools located in the Sydney metropolitan area. Structural equation modelling, discriminant analyses, and qualitative techniques were used to analyse the data collected in the two phases. The major findings of the investigation included the development and confirmation (after modifications) of two new theoretically-justifiable models of vocational decision-related processes. One model provided empirical support for relationships between cultural orientation, values, and attitudes/intentions toward occupations, while the other identified relationships between amotivation, indecision toward occupations, expectancy-value variables, and influences from the family. Multiple themes that were identified in the qualitative data analyses supplemented and partially supported elements of the two empirical models, and enabled a richer understanding of the issues surrounding the vocational decision. The findings of the investigation may be used by career advisors, psychologists, educators, and families to advise and assist senior high school students faced with the vocational decision. The investigation may contribute to reducing the gap in the literature on the roles of culture and motivation in the vocational decision-related processes of senior high school students.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2016-07-19T14:38:46Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO PÓS DEFESA 2 CORRIGIDO.pdf certa amanda.pdf: 2750762 bytes, checksum: a5f1b1ed9aff9a99f178fd6bf82aae1f (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-19T14:38:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO PÓS DEFESA 2 CORRIGIDO.pdf certa amanda.pdf: 2750762 bytes, checksum: a5f1b1ed9aff9a99f178fd6bf82aae1f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-18 / CAPEs / A falta de confiabilidade da qualidade da água do abastecimento público fez com que a maioria da população passasse a consumir com maior intensidade a água mineral. Para atender uma grande demanda das águas minerais envasadas aumentou–se ao longo dos anos o número de empresas e escavações de poços, até mesmo de forma irregular. Nessa perspectiva, é imprescindível conhecer a qualidade da água que está sendo comercializada pela população com forma de evitar danos à saúde e exigir dos órgãos competentes maiores fiscalizações. O objetivo desta pesquisa é avaliar a qualidade das águas potáveis comercializadas na região metropolitana do Recife–PE, seja através da análise microbiológica de acordo com a portaria nº 2.914/2011 e Resolução 275/2005, seja através dos dados qualitativos obtidos, buscando utilizar técnicas estatísticas adequadas como forma de obtenção de conclusões significativas para esta análise. As amostras foram garrafinhas envasadas de água mineral, pois tratam-se de um dos tipos de água mais comercializadas na região, as quais foram adquiridas de forma aleatória, no comércio local da Região Metropolitana de Recife–PE, no período de Janeiro a Abril de 2015 e no período de Junho a Agosto de 2015. Foram adquiridas um total de 35 garrafinhas que variam entre 300 ml a 500 ml e com 7 variedades de marcas, divididas em 5 unidades com mesmo lote para os dois períodos respectivamente. Para análise de coliformes totais, coliformes fecais/E. Coli, Enterococos e Pseudomonas Aeruginosas utilizou-se a técnica de Tubos Múltiplos adaptada; para contagem de bactérias heterotróficas, foi utilizada a técnica de cultivo em profundidade; para a contagem do pH de cada amostra foi verificado, em triplicata com auxílio de pHmetro. No período de Janeiro a Abril (40%) do total de amostras detectaram presença de Coliformes Totais; Para coliformes fecais/E.coli (8,57%) e Pseudomonas Aeruginosas (37,14%). De acordo com Resolução 275/2005 as amostras A, B e C tiveram suas partidas rejeitadas. Para a contagem de bactérias heterotróficas a Marca A obteve (100%) acima do limite padrão de 500 (UFC/ml) e a marca B obteve (20%). De acordo com a portaria nº 2.914/2011, conclui- se que a partida da marca A está rejeitada e uma amostra da marca B está comprometida. No período de Junho a Agosto (28,57%) do total de amostras detectaram presença de Coliformes Totais. Para coliformes fecais/E.coli obteve-se (0%) e Pseudomonas Aeruginosas (34,28). De acordo com Resolução 275/2005 as amostras A, B, C, D e E tiveram suas partidas rejeitadas. Para a contagem de bactérias heterotróficas as Marca A, B, C e D obtiveram (100%) acima do limite padrão de 500 (UFC/ml). De acordo com a portaria nº 2.914, conclui-se que as partidas das marcas A, B, C e D estão rejeitadas. Para as variáveis quantitativas (pH e Contagem de bactérias heterotróficas) foi utilizado o teste de Shapiro Wilk onde verificou que as mesmas não seguem uma distribuição normal. Através do teste estatístico qui-quadrado pode–se verificar que não houve diferença significativa na associação entre as variáveis estudadas para com os períodos analisados. Não houve variação entre as medições de pH das amostras e nem diferença significativa da medição de pH entre os períodos de Janeiro a Março/2015 e Junho a Agosto/2015. Para comparar os dados em relação aos períodos utilizaram–se estatísticas descritivas, tabelas de frequências e gráficos de Colunas. / The unreliability of public drinking water quality has meant that most people spend consuming more intensely mineral water. To meet a large demand for bottled mineral waters was increased over the years the number of companies and excavation pits, even irregularly. From this perspective, it is essential to know the quality of water being sold by people with a way to avoid damage to health and require the competent bodies larger checks. The objective of this research is to evaluate the quality of drinking water sold in the metropolitan area of Recife-PE, either through microbiological analysis according to the decree No. 2,914 / 2011 and Resolution 275/2005, either through the obtained qualitative data, seeking to use techniques appropriate statistics in order to obtain significant findings for this analysis. Samples were potted bottles of mineral water, as these are one of the types of water most commercialized in the region, which were acquired at random, in the local market in the metropolitan region of Recife-PE in the period from January to April 2015 and from June to August 2015. There were obtained a total of 35 bottles ranging from 300 ml to 500 ml and 7 varieties marks divided into five units of the same batch for two periods respectively. For analysis of total coliforms, fecal coliforms / E. Coli, Enterococci and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa used the multiple tube technique adapted; for counting heterotrophic bacteria, it was used culture technique in depth; to pH count of each sample was checked in triplicate with the aid of pH meter. In the period from January to April (40%) of the total samples detected the presence of Total Coliforms; For fecal coliform / E. coli (8.57%) and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (37.14%). According to Resolution 275/2005 samples A, B and C had rejected their matches. For heterotrophic bacterial count of the mark A, B, C and D obtained (100%) above the standard limit of 500 (CFU / ml). According to Ordinance No. 2914, it is concluded that the matches of the brands A, B, C and D are rejected. For the quantitative variables (pH and Counting of heterotrophic bacteria) we used the Shapiro-Wilk test which found that they do not follow a normal distribution. Using the chi-square test statistic it can be seen that there was no significant difference in the association between variables towards the periods. There was no variation in pH measurements of samples and no significant difference in pH measurement in the period from January to March / 2015 and June to August / 2015. To compare the data for the periods we used descriptive statistics, frequency tables and columns of graphics.

Cette thèse, dont l’objet est l’étude des émotions d’un point de vue linguistique, se positionne dans le cadre théorique de la linguistique cognitive. Son objectif principal est d’étudier le processus de lexicalisation et de conceptualisation des émotions, représentées par des mots-clés, dans le contexte littéraire de ce qu’on pourrait appeler « fiction juridique ». La première partie du travail examine les relations interdisciplinaires en jeu dans l’interconnexion entre le langage, la cognition et les émotions. La second partie est consacrée à l’étude lexicographique complexe des mots-clés exprimant des émotions dans le contexte littéraire de quatre romans mettant en scène la justice. Dans une troisième partie, sont mis au jour les « patrons » métaphoriques sous-jacents à la lexicalisation et à la conceptualisation en discours des différentes catégories d’émotions, ce qui permet d’illustrer la dépendance entre le lexique des émotions et ses conceptualisations les plus fortes. Enfin, cette thèse utilise une méthodologie dérivée du logiciel ATLAS.ti qui permet une approche qualitative de l’étude des émotions telles qu’elles sont exprimées en discours. / This thesis is written within the theoretical framework of cognitive linguistics and focuses on the ways emotion keywords lexicalize and conceptualize in the language of legal fiction. The first part of the work provides an interdisciplinary discussion about the interconnection between language, cognition, and emotion. This is followed, in a second part, by the complex lexicographical study of five emotion keywords in legal fiction, a genre of texts which has remained overlooked by researchers in the field. The third part brings to light the metaphorical patterns of different types of emotion keywords in order to show how they lexicalize and conceptualize in language, and demonstrate the dependency between the types of emotion keywords and their strongest and weakest conceptualizations. In addition, this thesis offers an application of the software ATLAS.ti, which allows a qualitative approach to the study of emotions as expressed in language.

No description available.

It is an established fact that interaction of road users is crucial for road safety. However, the knowledge about what governs people’s behaviour in interaction with others and what these interactions mean is not well documented. The present study introduces a novel approach for traffic safety research and puts the cyclist identity at the centre of attention, in order to answer the questions how the heterogeneity of cyclists in terms of applied interaction strategies, opinions towards infrastructure and traffic safety can be explained. For this purpose, a qualitative study following the Grounded Theory methodology has been carried out. Fifteen in-depth-interviews with cyclists in Vienna were analysed in order to obtain data about these questions. As a result, we present a model sketch about constructing a cyclist identity, which serves as a framework that links different power relations in traffic, the switching perspectives of being a cyclist/car user and the changing conditions of cycling traffic policy through interaction strategies of self-portrayal, power demonstration and coping with fear. Finally, we argue that applying the often overlooked concept of ‘identity’ can bring new concepts into the debate on traffic safety for cyclists and support efficient traffic policy making.