Background: According to Stockholm’s Public Health report refugees have lowest selfreported health and there are indicators of inadequate access to health care. All asylum seekers are offered a health assessment opportunity which less than half of them utilize. To address health problems within the group Stockholm County decided to extend an educational program for those who receive residence permit, with 12 hours health communication. Uppsala University was given the responsibility to evaluation the initiative.   Purpose: The purpose of this study was to illustrate the experiences of the involved officials of the initiative, the pros and cons of the initiative and areas of improvement.   Method: The data for this study was collect through semi-structured interviews with three different categories of officials. The collected data was analyzed using content analysis.   Results: One of the key benefits of the initiative was that it helped participants use health care. The partnership was perceived as successful because of the good communication. The officials expressed challenges regarding the length of the health communication and the struggle to meet the participant’s needs.    Conclusion: This study shows that the initiative addressed some of the barriers migrants face regarding utilizing health care. The partnership was success due to factors similar to those for other successful health promotion projects and partnerships. The challenges related to the length of the programme, which can be attributed to poor initial analysis of the problem, is together with linkage of the initiative areas of improvement. / Bakgrund: Enligt folkhälsorapporten Stockholm lider gruppen flyktingar av ohälsa och det finns indikatorer för bristande tillgång till vården. Hälsoundersökningar erbjuds till alla asylsökande men mindre än hälften av dem utnyttjar det. I Stockholms län har man beslutat att utöka samhällsorinteringen, som är obligatoriskt för de som har fått upphållstillstånd, med 12 timmar hälsokommunikation för att behandla ohälsa. Uppsala Universitet har fått ansvar för utvärderingen.  Syfte: Syftet med studien är att belysa genomförandet av den utökade samhällsorienteringeni Stockholms län, för- och nackdelar samt förbättringsområden ur tjänstemännens perspektiv.   Metod: Studien har en kvalitativ design där semi-strukturerade intervjuer med tre olika grupper av tjänstemän i samverkansprojektet användes för att samla in data. Den insamlade data analyserades med hjälp av innehållsanalys.  Resultat: En av de upplevda fördelarna med insatsen är att man har lyckats hjälpa deltagarna att använda sig av hälso- och sjukvården. Samverkan upplevs ha varit framgångsrikt tack vara bland annat bra kommunikation. Hälsokommunikationens längd är en av utmaningarna man har haft i projektet, där man har haft svårigheter att tillgodose deltagarnas behov inom tidsramen.    Slutsats: Enligt studien upplever tjänstemännen att man med insatsen behandlat en del barriärer som nyanlända möter. Samverkan upplevs ha varit framgångsrik tack vare faktorer så som bra kommunikation som även varit framgångsfaktorer för likande samverkan. Problemet med hälsokommunikationens längd kan bero på en bristfällig initial analys vilket är tillsammans med förankringsarbetet förbättringsområden för samverkan.

The aim of the study was to explore the constructions and meanings around madness/mental illness among a group of young professionals in order to broaden the dialogue around mental illness to include the voices of a certain section of the community. The current dialogue around mental illness is dominated by the view that madness/mental illness is the domain of scientifically trained professionals. The aim of the study was to explore the constructions of those not part of a mental health profession and those not suffering from mental illness and how these constructions may influence their behaviour towards those suffering from mental illness. The epistemological framework of the study falls into a social constructionist perspective. This epistemological approach allows for the exploration of previously taken for granted truths. When adhering to this approach the function of research is to explore a particular version of reality in an embedded context and language seen as the structuring aspect of social reality. From this approach a discourse analysis was done using the transcripts of audiotaped interviews with the participants. The four participants chosen for the study fell into the 23-26 years age group brackets, had finished tertiary education and have started working on a professional career. None of the participants have had any formal contact with mental health services or professionals or those suffering from mental illness. In the process of analysing the texts five discourses were identified and discussed. The first of these discourses was the scientific discourse around mental illness in which madness is constructed mostly as an illness with genetic, chemical or emotional causes. The knowledge and expertise of mental health professionals is seen as important to the general public as they seem to have little knowledge on the meaning of mental illness themselves. The second discourse that was identified was mental illness as the domain of professionals and mental institutions. Most of the respondents seemed comfortable with this idea and used distancing strategies in order to explain their non-involvement in the care of the mentally ill. Mental illness as individual experience was discussed next and in this discourse mental illness was seen as an exclusive experience to which few except the sufferer has access. The fourth discourse discussed was the mental illness as unknown discourse. In this discourse madness/mental illness, those suffering from it and the treatment thereof, is a mystery to those who are not part of these experiences. The final discourse discussed was the mental illness as bad discourse where those suffering from mental illness were constructed as dangerous, possibly violent, unpredictable and damaging. During the analysis of the data it was found that the majority of the respondents used techniques to distance themselves from involvement of the mentally ill and ascribed to the discourse that madness/mental illness is the domain of mental health professionals only. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Psychology / unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to explore and gain insight into the current purpose of contracting and, in the main, the future of contracting in emerging markets. The study aimed to explore the nature of contracting in emerging markets in order to understand what the future of contracting will be in emerging markets. The study was a qualitative study and a sample of ten participants was interviewed. Findings of the study indicated that the emerging market environment is risky due to unfamiliar local nuances; and local laws are preferred over international law. Technology and innovation are not a strong focus in emerging markets but relationship frameworks allow for some degree of flexibility and innovation. Relationships and their importance were the biggest finding of this research prompting an exploration of the Confucian concept of guanxi highlighting relational networks within social settings. The research further identified that contract professionals need to firstly be both competent and globally literate. Relationships and links between skills, knowledge and the operating environment are intertwined in determining the future of contracting. The research concluded by making recommendations to Chief Executive Officers of multinationals, lawyers, contract professionals and consultants in emerging market firms in light of the findings of this research. The research highlights the legal and both internal and external contextual considerations of contracting and also suggests variables for further research that are crucial for a deeper understanding of contracting in emerging markets. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

This study explores the capabilities of collaborative intermediary organisations (CIOs) and its value generating potential at the city scale. As an emerging organisational form, CIOs create public interest value by creating specific platforms for deliberations and collaboration between diverse stakeholders. This study is important in light of growing and divisive economic and social disparities. Effective solutions to complex problems require legitimate collaborative platforms aimed at creating public interest value. CIOs are one such platform. This study first explores the Johannesburg inner city context to understand the potential and design implications for CIOs. It furthermore identifies CIO capabilities and explores the question of how CIOs create value. Sixteen interviews with CIO leaders, experts and sector representatives from business, government and the community involved with CIOs were conducted. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather qualitative data which was analysed through content analysis. The research findings suggest that despite a challenging partnership context, through particular design considerations and relevant organisational capabilities, CIOs are a useful and noteworthy enabler for public interest value creation. The identified capabilities are collaborative leadership, the ability to build trust in action, supporting weaker sector to fulfill mandates, sound analytical skills as well as distinctive attributes which emphasise a commitment to the long term. CIOs create value directly by convening partners, providing a neutral platform and a ‘translation’ service, as well as through creatively leveraging diverse perspectives. The findings further show that leadership and mutual interest between sectors are the primary sources of CIO value. The value is realised through interaction between the respective partners which provides a host of intangible benefits. The study furthermore shows the potential of capable CIOs to activate further collaborative value. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Mentoring facilitates the transfer of tacit knowledge from one individual to another within organisations. The effective transfer of tacit knowledge, through the mentorship process, provides organisations with a competitive advantage. There are a number of challenges experienced by organisations in the tacit knowledge transfer process. Challenges such as time, impact on productivity, ease of transfer and storage of such valuable knowledge. Social media provides a platform for communication, networking and capabilities that allow users to store multiple content such audio, video, image and text. Social media also consists of interactive networks which provide a learning platform that allows reading, editing or adding to existing content. This report explores the role of social media and the transfer of tacit knowledge in mentorship through qualitative and exploratory methodology. The focus of the study was on a single, global, multi-cultural organisation with an established mentorship program and with tacit knowledge transfer as one of its strategic objectives while also using social media capabilities internally and externally. A total of 14 in-depth Interviews were conducted with mentorship program participants and different influential structures in strategy, human resources, social media strategy, including knowledge management specialists within the organisation. While there is no doubt that mentoring facilitates the transfer of tacit knowledge, it is also evident that social media is a powerful knowledge management tool that scaffolds an interactive, knowledge-sharing culture within organisations. In addition, social media is not formally used in mentorship, this presents a huge opportunity to apply social media as a secondary mechanism to transfer and store knowledge in mentorship. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

The challenges that face MNPCs in making healthcare more affordable is a topic that is being increasingly researched. These companies face challenges such as pressure from governments around the world to lower their prices, stagnant growth in developed markets and the failing blockbuster business model. Turning to new markets, such as emerging markets, for growth will necessitate innovations in their business models. The aim of this research was to understand what business models will work in low-income patient markets, specifically in the South African base of the pyramid context. The investigation of four MNPCs through a case study methodology, allowed the exploration of their current business models and ambidexterity level. Two of the four MNPCs exhibited a purely exploitative business model and as such had very little penetration into the BOP segment. One of the four MNPCs demonstrated a few characteristics of ambidexterity, but applied mainly an exploitative model and had limited access to the BOP segment. One of the four companies implemented all of the characteristics of business models that are successful in entering BOP markets as well as a high level of correlation to the characteristics of ambidexterity. The result of this MNPC described was a successful entrance in the BOP segment. The review of the literature and the findings of this research show that MNPCs can adopt profitable business models to enter low-income markets that not only serve consumers at the base of the pyramid but also provide sustained business benefits to the MNPCs. The research study successfully achieved the research objectives and provides insights to stakeholders as to which strategies are effective when entering a low-income patient market and what are the elements that are missing from business models that are not successful. The research also highlighted institutional voids and barriers that are unique to the South African state health care system. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Business and academic communities have indicated that organisations have the ability to maintain a long-term competitive advantage through leveraging knowledge within the organisation. This is through the implementation of a knowledge management programme. During implementation of the programme, employees’ commitment and participation is crucial in ensuring successful execution of the knowledge management programme. Change management has been identified as one of the strategic inputs which enable organisational commitment towards this programme. This study aimed at establishing the change strategies that organisations undertake when implementing knowledge management, as well as determining the relevance of Kotter’s eight steps of change during knowledge management implementation. An exploratory design, using a qualitative research methodology approach, was utilised. Twelve organisations formed part of the sample and a total of 13 semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data that was collected underwent content analysis and was thereafter aligned to the change management models. The findings from this research indicated that Beer and Nohria’s proposed change strategies, specifically Theory E&O (combination) is the most dominant strategy overall when implementing knowledge management. Kotter’s eight steps revealed that all steps are relevant when implementing knowledge management. It was concluded that as more of the steps are included and executed during implementation, the success of the knowledge management initiative increases. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lmgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Multinational corporations face the dilemma of global integration and local responsiveness. Further, they have to contend with trying to minimise agency costs in managing remote subsidiaries. An alternative to regional headquarters was proposed in regional management mandated (RMM) subsidiaries. These subsidiaries are profit and loss units that are delegated headquarters functions to manage peripheral subsidiaries. The study aimed to examine the headquarters-RMM-subsidiary structure through determining whether the RMM-subsidiary was relevant to a multi-business subsidiary with four industry sectors and examining the roles played by the business units within the industry sectors. A qualitative and single-case, exploratory study was conducted, which consisted of twenty-five semi-structured interviews with respondents within the headquarters, the RMM-subsidiary and the peripheral subsidiaries. This research found that the RMM-subsidiary does perform most of the headquarters’ functions for the peripheral subsidiaries and business partners – the performance of which is impacted by the type of business and the channel to market. The performance of these functions further highlighted that each business unit within an industry with the RMM charter plays multiple roles to varying degrees within a given framework and across multiple frameworks, and that the roles are also impacted by type of business and channel to market, local resources and competencies. Peripheral subsidiaries were highlighted as being unimportant, compromising their local responsiveness; however, it was indicated that potentially their role would change as business opportunities dictated. Finally, the deployment of expatriates seems not for purposes of control but to fill resource, knowledge and skill gaps as necessary. This highlighted an alternative to expatriate deployment – the development of staff at the headquarters. This would serve two purposes: equip the individual with knowledge and skills needed in the home country and develop networking and trusting relationships that were found to foster better working ties between the headquarters and subsidiaries. As a result the key components in the HQ-RMM-subsidiary structure are identified as the balance between control and autonomy, RMM-subsidiary roles and networking and trusting relationships, as all three components have a direct bearing on the MNC achieving global integration and local responsiveness. Keywords: headquarters functions, regional management mandated subsidiary, peripheral subsidiary, multi-business multinational corporation, subsidiary roles / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Dissertation (MBA) -- University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted

Organisations are faced with the reality of having to compete on the global market. It has therefore become critical now more than ever, for managers of these organisations to adopt strategies that will ensure competitive advantage and sustainability into the future. Knowledge has been identified as a strategic asset that can be leveraged to gain this competitive advantage. Unfortunately, the nature of organisations prevents them from having the ability to hire new individuals each time a knowledge gap is identified. Strategic alliances have identified as platforms where knowledge possessed by an alliance partner can be accessed by the other party through the process of knowledge transfer. In order for this process to be effective, both the teaching and the learning partner have to have certain organisational values that promote the transfer of knowledge. This study investigated the organisational values that promoted knowledge transfer in strategic alliances within the context of the construction industry. An additional dimension of knowledge context, i.e. whether knowledge is technical or non-technical, was also investigated to assess if it had a bearing on the organisational values required for knowledge transfer. The study also sought to establish how tensions caused by conflicting values were managed in the context of strategic alliances. The research took the form of an exploratory qualitative study where twelve managers of EPCM/construction companies were interviewed. The insights drawn from the respondents then formed the basis of the research findings. The research identified willingness to learn, willingness to teach, relationship, trust and quality focus as the top five most cited organisational values that are perceived to promote knowledge transfer in strategic alliances. The conflicting organisational values of adaptability and predictability were found to promote technical and non-technical contexts, respectively, and a model was developed on how to effectively manage tensions between alliance partners. Recommendations were then made to managers and academics. / Dissertation (MBA) --University of Pretoria, 2014. / zkgibs2015 / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / MBA / Unrestricted