This study explored how the recovery of victims of sexual abuse is shaped by services available. Using the philosophical underpinnings of critical theory within the framework of Honneth's recognition theory this study provides an understanding of participants' experiences and views of recovery from sexual abuse. The study was conducted with ten adult survivors of sexual abuse using semi-structured individual interviews and two focus groups with eight service providers. The analysis identified that the recovery from sexual abuse is the development of a positive sense of identity reflected by participants' self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem. In this study this is described as the process of identity formation. Services shaped recovery from sexual abuse by providing experiences of recognition and disrespect. Recognition was given in the form of emotional support and care, cognitive respect, and social esteem that led to an improvement of participants' functioning. Disrespect was perceived by participants as they struggled with the invisibility of sexual abuse, with inequality, and with the lack of understanding, through which their overall functioning deteriorated. Recovery emerged as a dynamic process that, most of all, required from services that they provide experiences of recognition and from survivors that they accurately perceive that recognition was given to them. For recovery to occur, participants needed to balance experiences of recognition and disrespect, a process in which they needed to surrender the longing for the entirely good and benign caregiver and accept that both 'good' and 'bad' qualities reside in each caregiver, agency, therapist, or generally the 'other'. This balancing resulted in the development of self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem. Recovery was experienced by participants when they were able to resist disrespect and either engaged in fighting for their rights or removing themselves from situations in which their rights could be violated. Only by having a practical experience of being able to protect their physical and psychological integrity did participants become aware that they had recovered from the legacies of sexual abuse and could proceed with their lives without professional assistance.

Bakgrund: Tjänstefiering i tillverkningsföretag är ett aktuellt ämne där företag övergår från att endast sälja varor till att erbjuda kombinationer av varor och tjänster. Denna förändring är inte helt enkel eftersom företaget måste förbättra attityden mot tjänster i företagskulturen samt upprätta lämplig infrastruktur för produktionen av tjänster. Genom att använda sig av extern tjänsteleverans där man samarbetar med en annan part är det möjligt att bli mer flexibel och dela riskerna. Syfte: Syftet med denna uppsats är att identifiera och kategorisera utmaningar med tjänsteproduktion för en serviceorganisation i ett tillverknings-företag. Vidare analyserar vi även hur användningen av externa tjänste-leverantörer påverkar dessa utmaningar. Genomförande: Genom att göra en fallstudie på ett tjänstefierat tillverkningsföretag i Sverige, och intervjua fyra chefer inom serviceorganisationen har vi haft möjlighet att utöka och fördjupa den nuvarande litteraturen som handlar om utmaningar med extern tjänsteleverans. Teori: Ett teoretiskt ramverk med utmaningar i de tre delarna av tjänste-produktion har skapats; tjänsteutveckling, intern organisatorisk design och leverans av tjänster. Slutsats: Att använda sig av externa partners vid leverans av tjänster medför flertalet utmaningar för en serviceorganisation i ett tillverkningsföretag. Vår studie visar även att extern leverans av tjänster påverkar vissa utmaningar med tjänsteutveckling såväl som med intern design av en organisation.

This comparative study of the experiences of gay HIV positive men living in urban and rural areas explores the dynamic interrelationship between lived experience and service provision. The literature in this field has drawn on a familiar stereotype - the urban, sexually active, gay man. This man - and his community - does not exist in a rural environment in the way it is assumed nor does it necessarily fit the experience of gay men in London. By creating a link between the questions of subjectivity and the question of how we improve services, I argue that a mechanistic construction of need may follow an assumed urban model which may not hold for all men in an urban setting, nor for men in rural areas. Gay HIV positive men are faced with new psycho-social dilemmas in relation to the virus, including unpredictability of outcome, as well as the complexity and burden of the current treatment. They engage in a constant process of renegotiating their sense of themselves in space, time and relationships. Through the use of narrative methodology, my research builds a new perspective on the experience of these individuals which can help to shape the services and policies of the future. The stories of 21 gay HIV positive men were gathered and analysed in relation to five areas of focus: community/space, relationships, identity, health and services. Rural participants were less able to build and maintain a politically strong identity and rural services need to create strategies to enable gay men to draw on the strength of a collective voice. 'Doing for' services, prevalent in rural areas, may be appropriate for the very ill but can perpetuate a culture of helplessness. The healthist discourse adopted by London services promotes individualism and responsibility. Services for HIV positive men in all areas need to hold the dynamic between 'doing for' services for the sick and dying and a healthist discourse for those who can look to their future.

This study explored how the recovery of victims of sexual abuse is shaped by services available. Using the philosophical underpinnings of critical theory within the framework of Honneth's recognition theory this study provides an understanding of participants' experiences and views of recovery from sexual abuse. The study was conducted with ten adult survivors of sexual abuse using semi-structured individual interviews and two focus groups with eight service providers. The analysis identified that the recovery from sexual abuse is the development of a positive sense of identity reflected by participants' self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem. In this study this is described as the process of identity formation. Services shaped recovery from sexual abuse by providing experiences of recognition and disrespect. Recognition was given in the form of emotional support and care, cognitive respect, and social esteem that led to an improvement of participants' functioning. Disrespect was perceived by participants as they struggled with the invisibility of sexual abuse, with inequality, and with the lack of understanding, through which their overall functioning deteriorated. Recovery emerged as a dynamic process that, most of all, required from services that they provide experiences of recognition and from survivors that they accurately perceive that recognition was given to them. For recovery to occur, participants needed to balance experiences of recognition and disrespect, a process in which they needed to surrender the longing for the entirely good and benign caregiver and accept that both 'good' and 'bad' qualities reside in each caregiver, agency, therapist, or generally the 'other'. This balancing resulted in the development of self-confidence, self-respect, and self-esteem. Recovery was experienced by participants when they were able to resist disrespect and either engaged in fighting for their rights or removing themselves from situations in which their rights could be violated. Only by having a practical experience of being able to protect their physical and psychological integrity did participants become aware that they had recovered from the legacies of sexual abuse and could proceed with their lives without professional assistance.

No / To examine the beliefs and experiences of South Asians with epilepsy and the extent of provision of appropriate information and accessible services for them by health professionals. Methods: Qualitative interviews with 30 South Asians with epilepsy, 16 carers and 10 health professionals. In addition, two focus groups were held with 16 South Asians without epilepsy recruited from community centers. The interview sample was divided by religious groupings (Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims). Fieldwork was conducted in Bradford and Leeds (England Results: Beliefs that epilepsy is caused by spirit possession (Muslims) or attributable to sins committed in a past life (Sikhs and Hindus) were reported as being widely held among South Asians living both in the UK and the Indian subcontinent, although few informants themselves subscribed to such views. Compliance with conventional medication was high; however, those who experienced seizures most often were most likely to turn to traditional South Asian therapies. Most informants used both treatments simultaneously. The main issues regarding the provision of services were: lack of appropriate information and advice; language and communication barriers; problems in interaction with health professionals. Also discussed were the potential merits of attending support groups. Greatest dissatisfaction was expressed in relation to primary care, whereas the highest praise was reserved for specialist epilepsy nurses. Conclusions: Our findings show both similarities and differences between participants¿ experiences, where gender, age or other aspects of personal biography can be as important as religion, culture or country of origin. Furthermore, the impact of being diagnosed with epilepsy can be exacerbated by structural impediments to accessing information and appropriate services.

Tyrimo objektas – kaimo turizmo paslaugos Panevėžio rajone. Darbo tikslas – parengti kaimo turizmo paslaugų teikimo kryptis bei suformuluoti pasiūlymus kaimo turizmo paslaugų vystytojams dėl paslaugų teikimo tobulinimo Panevėžio rajone. Tyrimo uždaviniai: 1. Apibendrinti kaimo turizmo sampratą. 2. Atlikti kaimo turizmo paslaugų teikimo principų ir metodų analizę. 3. Atlikti kaimo turizmo paslaugų teikimo pasiūlos ir paklausos Panevėžio rajone tyrimą. 4. Remiantis kaimo turizmo paslaugų Panevėžio rajone tyrimo rezultatais, pateikti kaimo turizmo paslaugų tobulinimo kryptis šiame rajone. Tyrimo metodai: mokslinės literatūros, dokumentų analizė ir sintezė, duomenų analizė, loginė analizė, indukcija, dedukcija, grafinis vaizdavimas. Pirmoje magistrinio darbo dalyje atlikta mokslinės literatūros analizė leidžia teigti, kad kaimo turizmas yra susijęs su daugeliu turizmo rūšių, kurios persipina ir papildo vienos kitas. Tai ir pramoginis turizmas, kai keliaujama norint pasilinksminti, pašvęsti. Dar visai neseniai Lietuvoje šitokio pobūdžio kelionės į kaimą buvo dominuojančios. Antroje darbo dalyje atlikta turistų ir kaimo turizmo sodybų savininkų požiūrių į kaimo turizmo paslaugų svarbą ir jų teikimą išryškino pagrindines problemas, egzistuojančias Panevėžio rajono kaimo sodybose. Esminiai apibendrinimai gauti tyrimo metu: analizuojant turistų požiūrį į aptarnavimo paslaugų teikimą, reikia pastebėti, kad tai yra viena iš sričių, kuriai kaimo turizmo paslaugų teikėjams reikėtų... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The object of the research – country tourism services in Panevėžys region. The aim of the work – to prepare the guidelines for the provision of country tourism services and formulate the suggestions for the improvement of these services in Panevėžys region. The objectives of the research: 1. To summarize the concept of country tourism. 2. To carry out the analysis of country tourism provision principles and methods. 3. To research supply and demand of country tourism services in Panevėžys region. 4. On the basis of the research results, to formulate the guidelines for the improvement of country tourism service system in Panevėžys region. The methods of the research: analysis of the scientific literature, analysis and synthesis of the documents, data analysis, induction, deduction, diagrammatic depiction. The analysis of the scientific literature carried out in the first part of the work proposes that country tourism is related with many other kinds of tourism which intertwine and complement one another. This is entertainment tourism when people travel with a view to amusing themselves. Not long ago country trips of this kind were dominating. The second part of the work, which is designed for the analysis of the attitudes of the homestead owners to the importance of country tourism services, has revealed the main problems existing in the homesteads in Panevėžys region. The main conclusions of the research are as follows: with reference to tourists’ attitudes to the service... [to full text]

Purpose This research is to investigate the effect of national culture on service provision. Hence, the researcher aims Firstly to investigate the differences in national culture between any two different countries share some attributes like language, religion or geographic location. Secondly, it aims to find whether the differences in national culture of two countries associated with differences in service provision. Finally, the researcher aims to propose a framework that shows how differences in national culture may associate with differences in service provision. Design /Methodology/ Approach This research will quantitatively develop and examine a conceptual framework that is designed to test the effect of national culture on service provision within the context of Takful industry. A total of 463 respondents completed the survey based questionnaire from two different countries (Kuwait and Egypt) which are identified as being related to the same cluster that is, the Arab clusters. The context of the research happened to be within the context of Takaful (Islamic insurance industry) due to the uniqueness of the sector to the cluster. The data was statistically tested using SPSS and AMOS programming system as the primary statistical technique to build structure equation modelling that allows testing the proposed conceptual framework Findings Results have shown that the differences in national culture of power distance and uncertainty avoidance have an effect on service provision through service delivery gaps. Results indicated that the service delivery gaps of information gap, specification gap and performance gap partially mediate the effect of national culture on service provision in terms of information flow, style of management, control, communication policy, specification driver and boundary system. The findings also indicate that there are differences in national culture between Kuwait and Egypt despite the commonality of language and religion. The findings are in contrary to Hofstede’s findings in which he argues that Arab cluster have an identical national culture dominated by Islam. Finally, results provide strong evidence that the researcher cannot disconfirm the theory after being statistically tested in which result support the validity of the theory. Limitations The research studied only two dimensions of national culture against three service gap attributed to the theory followed by the research, however they were found strongly linked in previous research. Also the research has addressed only one sector of service industry in two countries, but since the industry (Takaful) stemmed from the religion of the context to which previous research assumes homogeneity of Arab national culture based on the power of the religion. Hence, generalizability of the findings can be extended to any national culture of two countries from the similar cluster share similar attributes of religion and language. Contributions: Contribution to theory This research confirmed the findings of previous researches as to what extent national culture effect service provision associated with service delivery gaps. It confirmed previous research findings on the underlying relationships between national culture and service provision and how this might be associated with service delivery gaps. An important contribution to theory is the ability of power distance and uncertainty avoidance in predicting national culture differences in service provision between any two countries. Further, the study found that the national culture dimensions do not equally influence service provision as it varies cross culturally. In addition, the research contributes to the theory by providing a conceptual framework that can cultivates the seed in the body of knowledge to enrich the soil for researchers to study the effect of national culture on service provision. Another contribution stems from the findings that opposes Hofested’s claim regarding the homogeneity of Arab countries. Finally, the research proposes a data driven model stems from the collected data. Contribution to Practice The findings of this research assist service providers of Takaful in particular, and services sector providers in general, to improve their service quality as it identifies and explains some key insights that might help in dealing with various service delivery gaps. Therefore, it is very important for marketers to understand the effect of national culture differences on service delivery gaps which in turn effect the mechanisms of service provision. Contribution to Policy The research has contributed to the policy with which delivery processes can be systematically enhancing the excellence of service delivery for organizations. Policies of organizations can be set taking in consideration the role of national culture. Organizations may bridge the service delivery gap if they comprehend the effect of national culture on the delivery of their services. Information gap, specification gap and performance gap can be reduced or eliminated if provider understands the effect of national culture on those gaps and how they policies for Information flow, Style of management, Control, Communication policy, Specification driver and Boundary System. These polices may apply differently in different cultural settings as policies applicable in one culture may not be valid for other culture. On the other hand, differences in power distance and risk acceptance may shape provider’s policy to adapt to the pertinent environment. Hence, this research provides policy makers understand the role of culture on service provision. Contribution to method This research is significant in drawing support from cultures which is different from Anglo cultures (Hofstede, 1980) which in most researches provide evidence to the management literature. On the foundation of the literature review, the research has contributed to method by using a unique context that related directly to the studied national cultures. The method was the adoption of national culture of countries that belong to the same cluster and study the differences/similarities of this national culture with a unique context that related to the dimension to which they were clustered upon like religion and language. Moderation effect of national culture was not appropriate as the conventional methodology when using structural equation modelling in cross cultural studies. However, mediation effect has been found valid and appropriate in exploring the effect of national culture on service provision. results revealed that the method of testing mediation effect was successful in highlighting the effect of national culture drawn from similar cluster countries on service provision mediated by service quality gaps with which a new addition has been added to the body of the literature.

This thesis explores the nature of tribal service provision, in particular the characteristics that distinguish tribal provider services. An indigenous research paradigm, Mäori philosophical traditions and tribal histories provide the context for researching and theorising about the three tribal organisations upon which this study is based. The thesis argues that tribal authorities emerged not only as a response to state policies of devolution but also as ongoing expressions of self-determination. How tribal organisational bureaucracies were established historically provides the context for examining the interface between tribal organisations and the state. In particular, specific historical events leading up to the 1840 annexation of New Zealand by Britain that demonstrate British assumptions of authority, humanitarian ideals and interventions by state functionaries in the affairs of New Zealand.A discussion on the nature of the state as the basis for Eurocentric bias in modern constitutionalism offers a platform for understanding the art of government. Four interconnecting themes give a systematic basis for exploring the distinctive characteristics of tribal provider services that emerged as significant in this study; 'ngä mahi a ngä tangata' examines advocacy, responsiveness and relevancy. 'Ngä mahi mä te iwi' considers how links to the Mäori communities are constituted relative to whänau, hapü and marae. 'Ngä mahi a ngä tipuna' explores how culture counts and the place of Mäori culture and traditions in the workplace. 'Ngä mahi tuara' examines cultural frameworks located within Mäori philosophical and customary practices and traditions.Finally, an analysis is given of the contracting environment and the counterstrategies employed by the participants in this study in countering the limitations imposed by the terms of state contracts.

Most health professionals are aware of the amazing diversity of the Australian population, which is made up of people from over 140 different countries. Of these, an increasing number have arrived as refugees under Australia's humanitarian resettlement program. Research indicates that at least 30% of the 12,000 or so people arriving in Australia under the humanitarian assistance programmes each year have been exposed to physical and emotional torture and trauma. They also have well documented health deficits relating to the health standards in their countries of origin, the level of deprivation experienced prior to arrival in Australia, and the time they have spent in transit before arriving in Australia. The purpose of this study was to review the health status of refugees from the former Yugoslavia, and to identify the perceived needs of this group, which represents one of Canberra's largest communities of recently arrived refugees. Utilising both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, findings showed that the cohort had significantly lower levels of both physical and mental health than the wider ACT and Australian population. The difficulties of socialisation of the refugees into the Australian lifestyle are highlighted. In particular, findings from the study have demonstrated the lack of appropriate information given to some refugees on arrival, and the struggles experienced by most of the group with learning a new language, and coping with unemployment and inadequate housing. The problem of covert political harassment in Canberra was also described during the interview process. Recommendations for improving the situation for these refugees were that information for refugees prior to, and following arrival in Australia needs to be consistent and readily available, and there needs to be provision of a formalised support system from the time of arrival, including a review of language facilities. The study also recommended that culturally sensitive health promotion and treatment programs should be incorporated into current health service provision. Nurses are identified as the appropriate health providers to take a leading role in developing such programs for refugees, although findings from this study indicate that current nurse education programs need to place more emphasis on a transcultural framework for the provision of care.

Introduction: Several national trials have demonstrated the efficacy of lifestyle interventions on decreasing the incidence of type 2 diabetes in adults with prediabetes. Behavior change pertaining to physical activity (PA) and diet were central to these lifestyle interventions; however it is likely a majority of adults with prediabetes are not currently meeting public health guidelines for PA and dietary intake. Little information is available on different influences of behavior central to prediabetes treatment. Given these findings, further investigation into potential influences on the efficacy of prediabetes service provision is warranted. Purpose: This dissertation aimed to explore prediabetes service provision to identify potential influences on PA and dietary intake in adults with prediabetes. Methods: The first study used Grounded Theory methodology to obtain opinions on necessary components of an optimal diabetes prevention program from health professionals (n=20) and adults with, or at high risk of, prediabetes (n=12). The second, third, and fourth studies involved individuals with prediabetes (N=232) in Northern Alberta, Canada. Participants completed a mailed survey assessing various demographic, health and behavior influences in August-September, 2008. Results: Data from Study 1 identified four influences on behavior change in adults with prediabetes: service provision, knowledge or confusion, motivational influences, and goal-setting. Potential strategies to increase effectiveness of prediabetes programs were also identified. In Study 2, individuals with prediabetes achieving PA guidelines (38%) reported higher physical and mental health-related quality of life compared to those not meeting PA guidelines. In Study 3, a number of preferences for PA and PA programming were identified. Activity status, health, and demographic variables all demonstrated significant influence on different PA preference variables. In Study 4, behavior-specific social cognitive theory constructs including self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and goal formation demonstrated significant associations with each other and PA, fat, and fibre intake. Conclusions: Evidence suggests it is possible to prevent or delay the progression of prediabetes to diabetes with small changes in body weight, physical activity and dietary intake. The results reported in this dissertation identified a number of factors that may influence potential success of a prediabetes program to promote behavior change and increase the public health impact of prediabetes prevention programs.