The purpose of this dissertation is to analyze how managerial discretion is influenced by the environment and, thereby, increase the theoretical knowledge of the concept. Hambrick and Finkelstein (1987) introduced environment as a level affecting managerial discretion. However, the authors only discussed it in an industry context. Moreover, in this dissertation we developed the environmental level by adding two more contexts. Thereby, a theoretical input –and output model were created. These include three environmental sublevels: Industry characteristics, public sector and transition economy. The analysis is under a strategic perspective, which defines top managers’ discretion as the latitude of strategic actions. Hence, managerial discretion varies in the scope of available actions influenced by environmental factors. To fulfill the purpose of this dissertation, the methodical approach is a case-study. Thus, the data consists of interviews, observations and public documents collected in a governmental organization. The findings have shown that a dynamic environment, such as a country undergoing a transition, provides context-specific factors affecting the degree of managerial discretion. Context-specific factors, such as powerful outside forces and quasi-legal constraints can increase and/or decrease the degree of top managers’ degree of discretion. The conclusion summarizesthe findings of how the different factors within each sublevel, affect the degree of managerial discretion. Moreover, the conclusion also contains the contributions of this dissertation. Firstly, the study contributes to the theory of managerial discretion, by introducing context specific factors within the public sector and a transition economy. Secondly, the study enhances the empirical knowledge about the concept, by providing new empirical evidence of managerial discretion. Finally, the results of this dissertation can help policy makers as guidelines when implementing policies. Recommendations for future research include adding the governance perspective, and/or conducting a comparison research with different organizations/contexts.

<p>”Intensive family therapy”</p><p>Journal study</p><p>Abstract</p><p>The Family board in Falun gives since a couple of years priority to intense familytheraphy work with families in need of help/support. Intensive family therapy (IFT) was developed during the 1970s with the purpose of helping families. The theoretical mainlines upon which the IFT – model is based is the, structural-, strategic- and systemic perspective. The purpose with this study is to examine if the IFT – models theoretical starting points are being used in the practical work with the families, in the chosen activity, and the result of the treatment. 14 interactive journals from families, which have finished their treatment, were analysed in our study.</p><p>From the journals of the family board, the summary made by the family therapist, literature, and scientific articles about family therapy we made a number of hypotheses, to which we with help from our line of questions elected the answers. We have analysed the results from mainly a qualitative approach, but we have also used a quantitative approach depending at the fact that we want to examine if the family board uses the IFT – model. How the families themselves consider how they have been helped and the unanimity considering the outcome of the results, was analysed out of this approach. In our point of view the quantitative part becomes a complement to the qualitative results. Our conclusions of the results compared to the purpose of the study reveals that the family board works according to some of the criterias of the “IFT” model, which is shown in the journals and clearly marked, and unanimity exists according to the view of a positive outcome between the families and the therapists.</p><p>Finally we would like to request further research and investigation within this subject, and hope that this study has awakened some interest for the model.</p> / <p>Sammanfattning</p><p>Familjeenheten i Falun bedriver en verksamhet med inriktning mot ett intensivt familjeterapeutiskt arbete med familjer som är i behov av stöd/hjälpinsatser. "Intensiv Familjeterapi" (IFT) utvecklades som behandlingsmodell under 1970- talet med syfte att hjälpa familjer. De teoretiska huvudinriktningar som "IFT" - modellen bygger på är: den strukturella, den strategiska och den systemiska riktningen. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka om "IFT" modellens teoretiska utgångspunkter används i det praktiska arbetet med familjer, samt hur utfallet av behandlingen upplevs av inblandade aktörer. I studien har vi analyserat 14 stycken journaler från familjer som avslutat ett intensivt familjeterapeutiskt arbete. Utifrån familjeenhetens journaler, familjeterapeutens terapisammanfattning samt litteratur och vetenskapliga artiklar om familjeterapi skapades ett antal antaganden, som vi med hjälp av uppställd frågeställning valde att söka svar på. Resultatet har analyserats främst utifrån en kvalitativ, men även kvantitativ ansats då vi dels ville undersöka om akut- och familjeenheten använt "IFT", men även undersöka om familjer anser sig fått hjälp och hur samstämmighet kring utfallet i så fall såg ut. Vi menar att den kvantitativa delen blev ett komplement till det kvalitativa resultatet. Vår bedömning utifrån studiens syfte är att familjeenheten arbetar utifrån "IFT" modellens intentioner. I journalerna synliggörs dels vissa kriterier som; problembeskrivning, hierarkisk organisation, praktiska arbetsverktyg och samtal, hur man arbetar utifrån "IFT" modellen och att det råder samstämmighet, mellan familjen och familjebehandlaren, kring ett positivt utfall. Kriteriet reflekterande processer återfanns inte i journalerna. Vår förhoppning är att studien kan komma att ligga som grund för fortsätta utvärderingar eller nya undersökningar.</p>

”Intensive family therapy” Journal study Abstract The Family board in Falun gives since a couple of years priority to intense familytheraphy work with families in need of help/support. Intensive family therapy (IFT) was developed during the 1970s with the purpose of helping families. The theoretical mainlines upon which the IFT – model is based is the, structural-, strategic- and systemic perspective. The purpose with this study is to examine if the IFT – models theoretical starting points are being used in the practical work with the families, in the chosen activity, and the result of the treatment. 14 interactive journals from families, which have finished their treatment, were analysed in our study. From the journals of the family board, the summary made by the family therapist, literature, and scientific articles about family therapy we made a number of hypotheses, to which we with help from our line of questions elected the answers. We have analysed the results from mainly a qualitative approach, but we have also used a quantitative approach depending at the fact that we want to examine if the family board uses the IFT – model. How the families themselves consider how they have been helped and the unanimity considering the outcome of the results, was analysed out of this approach. In our point of view the quantitative part becomes a complement to the qualitative results. Our conclusions of the results compared to the purpose of the study reveals that the family board works according to some of the criterias of the “IFT” model, which is shown in the journals and clearly marked, and unanimity exists according to the view of a positive outcome between the families and the therapists. Finally we would like to request further research and investigation within this subject, and hope that this study has awakened some interest for the model. / Sammanfattning Familjeenheten i Falun bedriver en verksamhet med inriktning mot ett intensivt familjeterapeutiskt arbete med familjer som är i behov av stöd/hjälpinsatser. "Intensiv Familjeterapi" (IFT) utvecklades som behandlingsmodell under 1970- talet med syfte att hjälpa familjer. De teoretiska huvudinriktningar som "IFT" - modellen bygger på är: den strukturella, den strategiska och den systemiska riktningen. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka om "IFT" modellens teoretiska utgångspunkter används i det praktiska arbetet med familjer, samt hur utfallet av behandlingen upplevs av inblandade aktörer. I studien har vi analyserat 14 stycken journaler från familjer som avslutat ett intensivt familjeterapeutiskt arbete. Utifrån familjeenhetens journaler, familjeterapeutens terapisammanfattning samt litteratur och vetenskapliga artiklar om familjeterapi skapades ett antal antaganden, som vi med hjälp av uppställd frågeställning valde att söka svar på. Resultatet har analyserats främst utifrån en kvalitativ, men även kvantitativ ansats då vi dels ville undersöka om akut- och familjeenheten använt "IFT", men även undersöka om familjer anser sig fått hjälp och hur samstämmighet kring utfallet i så fall såg ut. Vi menar att den kvantitativa delen blev ett komplement till det kvalitativa resultatet. Vår bedömning utifrån studiens syfte är att familjeenheten arbetar utifrån "IFT" modellens intentioner. I journalerna synliggörs dels vissa kriterier som; problembeskrivning, hierarkisk organisation, praktiska arbetsverktyg och samtal, hur man arbetar utifrån "IFT" modellen och att det råder samstämmighet, mellan familjen och familjebehandlaren, kring ett positivt utfall. Kriteriet reflekterande processer återfanns inte i journalerna. Vår förhoppning är att studien kan komma att ligga som grund för fortsätta utvärderingar eller nya undersökningar.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T13:53:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PauloRSB.pdf: 531697 bytes, checksum: ccdce57e373c706b57474153ac656f52 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-08-04 / The present dissertation analyzes the performance and acting of the Rio Grande do Norte Public Ministery, in the strategic perspective, while responsible Institution for the defense of the collective rights. The comprehension of this theme inserts in a context of modernization of the public administration, in which is inserted, as well as their functional and structural changes, in a reality of innovations there is passing the organizations, looking to rescue the legitimacy of the government organizations, aligning them to the democratic values of the society. It detaches the strategic administration and the public administration and it exposes the strategic performance about the central point of the study, focusing in the development of the organization in the last four years, and other relative subjects to the acting. It is a unic case study, framed in the characteristics of the qualitative approaches - descriptive and exploratory. The analysis showed, through the method of content analysis, by the criterion of thematic categorization, that MP / RN come developing in an intense way,and it detaches that the changes already happened reflect a good strategic acting of the Institution, especially in the structural and functional areas, showing the strategic conscience of this, although that is not still enough to consider it as a strategic organization, and it concludes that there is still a lot for doing, and that the occurrence of an administration typically strategic in the extent of MP/RN is possible, with the conscience and participation of all, members and servants / A presente disserta??o analisa a atua??o e desempenho do Minist?rio P?blico do Rio Grande do Norte, na perspectiva estrat?gica, enquanto Institui??o respons?vel pela defesa dos direitos coletivos. A compreens?o desta tem?tica insere-se num contexto de moderniza??o da administra??o p?blica, no qual est? inserido, bem como suas mudan?as funcionais e estruturais, numa realidade de inova??es por que v?m passando as organiza??es p?blicas, buscando resgatar a legitimidade das organiza??es governamentais, alinhando-as aos valores democr?ticos da sociedade. Destaca a gest?o estrat?gica e a gest?o p?blica e exp?e a atua??o estrat?gica como o ponto central do estudo, com foco no desenvolvimento da organiza??o nos ?ltimos quatro anos, e outras quest?es relativas ao desempenho. Trata-se de um estudo de caso ?nico, enquadrado nas caracter?sticas das abordagens qualitativas descritivas e explorat?rias. A an?lise mostrou, atrav?s do m?todo de an?lise de conte?do, mediante o crit?rio de categoriza??o tem?tica, que o MP/RN PGJ vem se desenvolvendo de forma intensa, e destaca que as mudan?as j? ocorridas refletem um bom desempenho estrat?gico da Institui??o, especialmente nas ?reas estrutural e funcional, e demonstra a consci?ncia estrat?gica desta, por?m isto ainda n?o ? o suficiente para consider?-la uma organiza??o estrat?gica, e conclui que ainda h? muito por fazer, e que a ocorr?ncia de uma gest?o tipicamente estrat?gica no ?mbito do MP/RN PGJ ? poss?vel, com a consci?ncia e participa??o de todos, membros e servidores

Purpose – The aim of the study is to identify, from an operational and strategic perspective, the impact of a digital information system on SME in the logistics industry.Based on the purpose of the study, two questions have been formulated. • What effects can a digital information system provide on an information flow at an operational level?• What strategic benefits can a digital information system give? Method – A case study has been conducted on a small logistics company that manages, repairs and manufactures pallets. The data collection was conducted through interviews and observations. Based on the data collection, a literature study has been conducted where an inductive approach has been used. A comparison and analysis between the literature study and empirical data has generated the results of the study. Findings – With regards to operational and strategic perspective, a digital information system may have different types of impact on SMEs. From an operational perspective, a digital information system can have the following effects:• Operations can be reduced• Reduction of lead time• Enables increased quality of information and information may be available in real time• Creates prerequisites for forecasts, which in return creates a good basis for planning and decision making The benefits identified at a strategic level of implementing a digital information system are:• Competitive advantage• Decision can be taken based on correct information• Creates new opportunities• Better customer relations Implications – This study highlights the impact of digitization on companies and provides evidence that digitalization of information systems can lead to shorter lead times, reduced documents and safer information in the flows. The study's findings reinforce and confirm the existing theories that a digital information system can help a company to create more effective processes and a smoother management of its information. The case company illustrate a problem that more logistics companies may experience and where an information system can be a solution for easier management and more up-to-date information. Limitations – The purpose of the study is to investigate a company's information flow linked to a specific product category. The economic aspects of information management are not considered in this study. / Syfte – Syftet med studien är att utifrån ett operativt och strategiskt perspektiv identifiera vilken inverkan ett digitalt informationssystem kan ha på SMF inom logistikbranschen.Utifrån studiens syfte har två frågeställningar formulerats. • Vad kan ett digitalt informationssystem ge för effekter på ett informationsflöde på en operativ nivå?• Vilka strategiska fördelar kan ett digitalt informationssystem ge? Metod – En fallstudie har genomförts på ett litet logistikföretag som hanterar, reparerar och tillverkar pall. Datainsamlingen genomfördes med hjälp av intervjuer och observationer. Utifrån datainsamlingen har en litteraturstudie genomförts då en induktiv ansats har använts. En jämförelse mellan litteraturstudien och empiriska data har genom analys genererat studiens resultat. Resultat – Med avseende på operativt och strategiskt perspektiv, kan ett digitalt informationssystem ha olika typer av inverkan på SMF. Utifrån ett operativt perspektiv kan ett digitalt informationssystem ha följande effekter:• Arbetsmoment kan reduceras• Ledtidsreducering• Möjliggör ökad kvalité på information samt information kan finnas tillgänglig i realtid• Skapar förutsättningar för prognoser vilket i sin tur skapar ett bra underlag för planering och beslut De fördelar som har identifierats på en strategisk nivå av att implementera ett digitalt informationssystem är:• Konkurrensfördelar• Beslut kan tas på verkliga grunder• Öppnar för nya möjligheter• Bättre kundrelationer Implikationer – Denna studie belyser digitaliseringens påverkan hos företag och ger ett bidrag i form av bevis för att en digitalisering av informationshantering kan leda till kortare ledtider, minskade dokumenthandlingar samt säkrare information i flödena. Studiens resultat styrker och bekräftar de befintliga teorierna om att ett digitalt informationssystem kan hjälpa ett företag att skapa effektivare processer och en mer smidig hantering av sin information. Fallföretagets problematik belyser en möjlig situation som fler logistikföretag kan befinna sig i och där ett informationssystem kan vara en lösning för enklare hantering och mer uppdaterad information. Begränsningar – Studien har till syfte att undersöka ett företags informationsflöde kopplat till en specifik produktkategori. Det tas ingen hänsyn till ekonomiska aspekter i avseende på informationshantering.

This study is an investigation into water management policies in South Africa, their effect on water users and the perceptions users have of these policies. The investigation begins with an exposition of concepts such as water demand management (WDM), as well as integrated water resource management (IWRM). A sub-discourse of the main theme is the societal tendency to neglect its common property. Garret Hardin's groundbreaking observations on the "tragedy of the commons" (1968) are explored in an effort to locate issues of relevance in effective water management strategies. In contemplating the commons, it is evident that aspects of morality and ethics are involved. The morality of a society be it in a global or national context, seems to manifest itself in legislation and policies, and in the way these are implemented. The relevance of good governance, hydropolitics and sustainable development is also discussed to provide the necessary theoretical background to an understanding of the relationship between consumers and the water commons. Access to safe drinking water is protected in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 108 of 1996. Flowing from the government's obligation to take reasonable legislative and other measures to achieve the progressive realisation of fundamental human rights stipulated in section 27(2) of the Constitution, the challenge since 1994 has been to provide access to water for all inhabitants and to manage the available water resources effectively. Furthermore, the objective of subsequent water legislation such as the National Water Act, 36 of 1998 and regulatory plans, like the National Water Resource Strategy has been to incorporate international trends in water governance. The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DWEA) divided South Africa into 19 regions, called water management areas (WMA). In this study, attention is focused on what constitutes a catchment and how a catchment management agency (CMA) governs its water resources. A description is provided of the functions of water user associations (WUAs) and how ththe Lower Orange Catchment Management Area is, for example, the blueprint from which stakeholders develop their goals. In this study, the water situation in the Lower Orange Water Management Area is under scrutiny. The focus is on the three main institutional components of water management (the Lower Orange catchment management, the Upington Islands Water User Association [UIWUA] and the //Khara Hais Local Municipality). The progress of the establishment of the Lower Orange Catchment Management Agency is outlined over a period of five years. Meanwhile, the Upington Islands Water User Association was developed and this has grown in stature. The work being done by these institutions is investigated by looking at grassroots effects, especially in respect of irrigation activities. The unique water management circumstances of the //Khara Hais Local Municipality are then investigated along with the plans outlined in their Integrated Development Plan {lOP) and their Water Services Development Plane Internal Strategic Perspective (ISP) of(WSDP). Because local irrigation operations consume most of the available surface water in the Lower Orange Water Management Area, irrigation farmers and their activities warrant closer attention. A historical overview is given of the development of irrigation in the region followed by an assessment of the role of two of the most prominent historical figures in Upington, Reverend Adriaan Schroder and Abraham "Holbors" September. Ultimately, however, the focus falls on the current state of irrigation in the area. It is possible to distinguish between the approach of large commercial farming operations and that of smaller irrigation farming units to irrigation. Specific attention is given to the perceptions of irrigation farmers as far as the policies and legislation pertaining to water issues is concerned. This study will hopefully provide the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs(DWEA), //Khara Hais Local Municipality and organised agriculture with some recommendations on efficient integrated water management strategies. It might well be of value to other municipalities who are experiencing similar problems. The aim has been to identify typical problems and potential disputes between water management institutions and relevant role-players. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Public Management and Administration))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.

This study is an investigation into water management policies in South Africa, their effect on water users and the perceptions users have of these policies. The investigation begins with an exposition of concepts such as water demand management (WDM), as well as integrated water resource management (IWRM). A sub-discourse of the main theme is the societal tendency to neglect its common property. Garret Hardin's groundbreaking observations on the "tragedy of the commons" (1968) are explored in an effort to locate issues of relevance in effective water management strategies. In contemplating the commons, it is evident that aspects of morality and ethics are involved. The morality of a society be it in a global or national context, seems to manifest itself in legislation and policies, and in the way these are implemented. The relevance of good governance, hydropolitics and sustainable development is also discussed to provide the necessary theoretical background to an understanding of the relationship between consumers and the water commons. Access to safe drinking water is protected in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 108 of 1996. Flowing from the government's obligation to take reasonable legislative and other measures to achieve the progressive realisation of fundamental human rights stipulated in section 27(2) of the Constitution, the challenge since 1994 has been to provide access to water for all inhabitants and to manage the available water resources effectively. Furthermore, the objective of subsequent water legislation such as the National Water Act, 36 of 1998 and regulatory plans, like the National Water Resource Strategy has been to incorporate international trends in water governance. The Department of Water and Environmental Affairs (DWEA) divided South Africa into 19 regions, called water management areas (WMA). In this study, attention is focused on what constitutes a catchment and how a catchment management agency (CMA) governs its water resources. A description is provided of the functions of water user associations (WUAs) and how ththe Lower Orange Catchment Management Area is, for example, the blueprint from which stakeholders develop their goals. In this study, the water situation in the Lower Orange Water Management Area is under scrutiny. The focus is on the three main institutional components of water management (the Lower Orange catchment management, the Upington Islands Water User Association [UIWUA] and the //Khara Hais Local Municipality). The progress of the establishment of the Lower Orange Catchment Management Agency is outlined over a period of five years. Meanwhile, the Upington Islands Water User Association was developed and this has grown in stature. The work being done by these institutions is investigated by looking at grassroots effects, especially in respect of irrigation activities. The unique water management circumstances of the //Khara Hais Local Municipality are then investigated along with the plans outlined in their Integrated Development Plan {lOP) and their Water Services Development Plane Internal Strategic Perspective (ISP) of(WSDP). Because local irrigation operations consume most of the available surface water in the Lower Orange Water Management Area, irrigation farmers and their activities warrant closer attention. A historical overview is given of the development of irrigation in the region followed by an assessment of the role of two of the most prominent historical figures in Upington, Reverend Adriaan Schroder and Abraham "Holbors" September. Ultimately, however, the focus falls on the current state of irrigation in the area. It is possible to distinguish between the approach of large commercial farming operations and that of smaller irrigation farming units to irrigation. Specific attention is given to the perceptions of irrigation farmers as far as the policies and legislation pertaining to water issues is concerned. This study will hopefully provide the Department of Water and Environmental Affairs(DWEA), //Khara Hais Local Municipality and organised agriculture with some recommendations on efficient integrated water management strategies. It might well be of value to other municipalities who are experiencing similar problems. The aim has been to identify typical problems and potential disputes between water management institutions and relevant role-players. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Public Management and Administration))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2010.