The purpose of this study was to discover the impact of ballroom dancing on the marital relationship. In order to do this the researcher first conducted a literature review on numerous aspects such as the marital relationship, movement therapy, the history of dancing, ballroom dancing and different theoretical approaches to marriage counseling. From the literature and personal experience, the researcher developed four hypotheses. To possibly answer these hypotheses and discover what the impact is of ballroom dancing on the marital relationship, the researcher utilized a qualitative research methodology. A sample size of three couples were randomly chosen to participate in the research study. Ethics and issues of validity and reliability were addressed throughout the research process. In-depth interviews were conducted with all three participating couples and from these interviews four different themes emerged. Four categories were then developed from the information obtained from the interviews as well as from the literature review. The research results indicated that the participating couples felt that through ballroom dancing they acquired improved communication in that it occurred more frequently and was more in-depth. The participants were of the opinion that their intimacy levels had enhanced. They related having more physical contact with one another, feeling early courtship emotions again and reinstating the importance of the marital relationship for them and their extended families. The couples seemed to develop strategies for conflict management as they went through the process of learning to dance. In the early stages of their dancing the couples recounted incidences of arguing however they all seemed to progressively make conscious decisions to ulitise strategies for conflict management which they found effective. Negotiation, investment and cooperation appeared to be essential tools for the couples to succeed in dancing. Added to this the couples seemed to be of the opinion that they became more competent in these behaviours as they progressed with their dancing. / Dissertation (MA (Counselling Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Psychology / unrestricted

Cette recherche ancrée principalement sur une approche systémique, propose d’évaluer l’impact de la déficience intellectuelle d’un enfant sur son environnement familial et en particulier sur ses frères et sœurs. Le handicap d’un enfant ne touche pas uniquement celui qui en est atteint, mais constitue une information signifiante pour le système familial qui va modifier ses interactions en fonction d’elle. Nous nous intéressons, dans cette étude, au vécu subjectif des frères et sœurs, âgés entre 6 et 12 ans, d’enfants porteurs de déficience intellectuelle. Nous avons réalisé une étude comparative entre un groupe expérimental composé de 27 familles et 34 frères et sœurs confrontés à la déficience intellectuelle et un groupe témoin composé de 19 familles et de 24 frères et sœurs sur la nature de la relation fraternelle (proximité, conflits, rivalité), la fonctionnalité de la typologie familiale (« équilibrée », « moyennement équilibrée » ou « extrême »), le sentiment d’intégration sociale (en famille, dans les collectivités et parmi les pairs) et le degré de dépression. La variable indépendante est la présence ou non d’un enfant porteur d’une déficience intellectuelle dans la famille. Nous souhaitons ainsi montrer l’impact de la présence d’un enfant porteur d’une déficience intellectuelle dans la famille. Nous avons également procédé à une étude corrélationnelle entre les variables retenues (nature de la relation fraternelle, fonctionnalité de la typologie familiale, sentiment d’intégration sociale et degré de dépression) afin d’identifier les facteurs de risques et de protection pour ces fratries. Les résultats obtenus indiquent que peu de différences existent entre ces familles sur les variables retenues. Seules deux modalités de la relation fraternelle sont significativement différentes entre les deux groupes. Les frères et sœurs d’enfants atteints de déficience intellectuelle évaluent leurs relations comme moins proches et également moins conflictuelles avec l’enfant déficient intellectuel .D’autre part, l’étude corrélationnelle montre que la typologie familiale et la proximité fraternelle ne sont corrélées à aucune autre variable. Le sentiment d’intégration sociale dans les trois domaines de la collectivité, de la famille et des pairs est, quant à lui, corrélé négativement, pour les deux groupes, à la rivalité dans la relation fraternelle ainsi qu’au degré de dépression. Une corrélation positive significative est établie uniquement pour le groupe témoin entre le degré de dépression et les conflits dans la fratrie. Ainsi, l’étude comparative permet de montrer que les fratries et les familles confrontées à la déficience intellectuelle ne sont pas différentes des autres sauf sur la nature de la relation fraternelle. D’autre part, le modèle explicatif établi par l’étude corrélationnelle permet d’identifier l’importance de la rivalité fraternelle et du sentiment d’intégration sociale pour le bien-être des frères et sœurs. Enfin, ces constats permettent de contribuer à une réflexion sur les applications cliniques de cette recherche. / The present study, predominantly using a family systems approach, aimed to estimate the impact of a child's intellectual disability on the family environment, and specifically on brothers and sisters. A child's disability does not simply affect himself, but is also a significant factor for the family system, where interactions will be altered in response to this information.This study explored the subjective experience of brothers and sisters, aged between 6 and 12 years old, of intellectually disabled children.A comparative study was conducted of an experimental group made up of 27 families and 34 brothers and sisters faced with the intellectual disability of a sibling, and a control group made up of 19 families and 24 brothers and sisters, on the kind of sibling relationships (closeness, conflict, rivalry), typology of family functioning, (« balanced », « moderate » or « extreme »), feeling of social integration (in the family, in the community and within peer groups) and degree of depression. The independant variable was the presence or absence of an intellectually disabled child in the family. This study, therefore, sought to illustrate the impact of having a intellectually disabled child in the family. A correlational study was conjointly carried out on the different variables (kind of sibling relationships, typology of family functioning, feeling of social integration, degree of depression) in order to pinpoint risk and protection factors for siblings. Results indicated little difference between the families on these variables. Only two kinds of sibling relationships were significantly different in the two groups. Brothers and sisters of intellectually disabled children evaluated their relationships as being less close and also less conflictual with their intellectually disabled sibling. Furthermore, the correlational study also showed that family typology and sibling closeness were not correlated with any other variable. As for children's feeling of social integration for the three areas of community, family and peers, this was found to be negatively correlated for both groups with rivalry in sibling relationships as well as with the degree of depression. A significant positive correlation was established only for the control group, between the degree of depression and sibling conflicts. Thus, the comparative study illustrates that siblings and families faced with the intellectual disability of a child are no different from others except for the kind of sibling relationships. Furthermore the explicative model established by the correlational study illustrates the importance of sibling rivalry and of the feeling of social integration for the psychological well-being of brothers and sisters. These findings help to generate further discussion of the clinical applications of this research.

I designed an explanatory sequential mixed-method study to explore the relationship between leadership practices, collective teacher efficacy (CTE), and educational outcomes of low SES students in an open school system. Four data sources were analyzed: K-5 student Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) results of 1,170 students, Collective Teacher Belief Scale (CTBS) survey to measure CTE perceptions of 48 teachers, focus group interviews composed of a stratified sample of 11 K-5 teachers, and two one-on-one principal interviews. The study took place in two elementary schools in north Texas during the 2020-2021 school year. A Spearman's rank-order correlation analysis indicated that the relationship between CTBS scores and student reading scores was mixed. While one school showed a positive association between CTE and the reading data of low SES students, the other school showed a weak correlation between the variables. The quantitative data indicated that CTBS scores did not independently explain reading achievements at both campuses. The data also showed that while teachers had a large effect size on the reading performance of low SES students, as measured through a Cohen's d for paired sample t-test, achievement gaps continued to widen. Two themes emerged through a grounded theory approach when principals described their sensemaking and framing process: many variables and teamwork. In a complex open system, school principals must consider the many needs of teachers and students before enacting reform efforts. To achieve ambitious goals, school principals promote teamwork and help develop supportive structures to assist teachers and students. Furthermore, the theme of support emerged when teachers described their CTE perceptions concerning their principal's leadership actions. The overall data suggest that leadership practices directly impact CTE levels and indirectly impact student performance. When teachers felt supported, CTE levels increased, but when teachers felt overwhelmed or failed to see how school and district mandates support teaching and learning efforts, CTE levels dropped.

Background - Lean paradigm has been successfully employed in the manufacturing sector in past decades, however in the engineering services sector its application has unfortunately not received the same attention both from academia and industry.   Problem Discussion – The negligence of Lean in the engineering services sector rendered this sector deprived from Lean’s proven benefits in the manufacturing sector. The reason for this negligence can be traced back to the fact that Lean’s implementation is not a straightforward task and additionally its direct translation from the manufacturing sector into the engineering services sector may impede innovative capabilities of the engineering services sector that are crucial for its sustainable growth.   Problem Formulation - In addressing the aforementioned issues, this thesis investigates the following key research question: “Whether and how Lean Innovation can be implemented in the engineering services sector?”   Purpose - This work explores and employs different modern theoretical concepts from literature to promote Lean Innovation in the engineering services sector by first developing a theoretical framework in terms of nine propositions and then examining them through a qualitative empirical research.   Methodology - The qualitative empirical research is conducted by first gathering empirical data through expert interviews and then analysing it employing the directed content analysis technique in order to examine the nine propositions promoting Lean Innovation.    Findings - This study concludes that Lean Innovation in the engineering services sector is achievable by employing modern theoretical concepts like open innovation, the systems approach to problem solving and transformational leadership in a thoughtful and planned manner.   Limitations - The lack of depth of the theoretical as well as empirical research focus in terms of the sample size and quality stemming from the challenge of finding enough experts with versatile knowledge in the thesis’ timeframe can be considered as limitations on the quality of this research.

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Christian Spirituality, Church History & Missiology / M.Th (Missiology)

The evidence from the literature suggests that Information Technology adoption (IT) governance in organisations is still a challenge. The diversity of application and the ever-increasing use of IT results in making decisions on IT adoption a major challenge for organisations. The decision about using a particular technology from an organisational perspective is problematic since individual users have different worldviews. The implicit assumption in IT adoption literature is that stakeholders always reach consensus during IT adoption decision making in organisations. This study explored the existing models and frameworks in order to develop a preliminary improved IT adoption governance framework. This study used a case study sequential explanatory mixed methods research approach to validate the preliminary IT adoption governance framework. The first validation phase of the framework was done using a quantitative approach followed by the second validation phase based on qualitative interviews. The last validation was done after integrating the quantitative and qualitative results to produce the refined framework. The results suggest that the developed framework may improve IT adoption governance in organisations. The results showed that the framework components facilitate IT adoption governance in organisations. The results also suggest that the components have an association with each other except for the Technology Acceptance Model component. The results indicate that stakeholder participation and hard systems thinking components have a strong predictive impact on IT governance framework component perception in organisations. The study results suggest that IT adoption decision makers need to balance different stakeholders’ demands during IT adoption decision making in organisations. The framework helps in that regard by reconciling different stakeholders’ demands through collective IT adoption decision making. The strength of the framework is its integration of theories from various disciplines in understanding stakeholder expectations. On that basis the framework is in a better position to offer more insight into understanding challenges of IT adoption decision making than existing frameworks and models. The framework offers a potentially valuable basis for future research in IT adoption decision making in organisations. The results suggest that the framework may facilitate IT adoption in organisations using different components. / Information Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Information systems)

This study focused on the management of the red sea urchin Loxechinus albus fishery in Chile. The main objective was to design, construct, implement and assess a computer-based simulation model to analyse the biological effects, socio-economic consequences and spatial dynamics resulting from coastal management plans applied to this resource under the system of AMEBR. This was accomplished by using systems dynamics (SD) and geographical information systems (GIS) modelling, in a process of model development, run, optimisation, sensitivity analysis and risk management, and a series of field-based activities carried out at the cove of Quintay. The GIS model developed for allocating sea urchins restocking sites offered a flexible, cost-effective, user-friendly and descriptive technique for support decision-making on management of this species and other benthic resources. Final site selection for restocking was based on the identification, quantification and selection of higher suitability¦availability combinations (site categories). This map showed 16 different suitability¦availability combinations or site categories, ranging from 4¦100 to 8¦100 (suitability points¦availability %). These had an average of 6.44¦69.37 (covering an area of 82.5 Ha overall equivalent to 81.21% of the study area. This site classification demonstrated high heterogeneity between options, and revealed the full variety of alternatives for decision-making. More importantly, the generally high suitability indexes as well as available area emphasised the prospects for restocking sea urchins in this study area. Over and above of the quantitative outcomes obtained from running the GISRM (suitable and available restocking sites) and the BSESM (alternative strategic management plans), the case study-based analysis made it possible to disclose the wider issues related to the red sea urchin coastal management. These results demonstrated the biological inefficiency of traditional size/seasonal restriction-based approach (macro-scenario 1) for sustainable management of the target species. More importantly, final outcomes strongly suggested that a combination of adaptive restocking-based enhancement activities and flexible exploitation constituted a highly attractive approach (macro-scenario 3) for stock management of this fishery in terms of harvestable stock and related incomes. However from the economic analysis, stocking was also found to be economically unfeasible, being a rather cost intensive exercise negatively affected by high natural mortality rates. A single-variable optimisation analysis demonstrated that a higher survival rate is needed to generate sufficient profits to cover major restocking costs and a positive payment, or a cost reduction is essential to make up for the loss. On top to these practical constraints, based on the distinctive modest economic situation prevailing for most Chilean coves and hence their limited capacity to pay for stocking material, unless adequate and constant funding is available to support artisanal associations, they are very unlikely to develop mass release programmes. Given the economic (i.e.: high operating costs) and technical (i.e.: low survival rates) limitations conditioning stocking-based management cost-effectiveness and applicability, wide implementation of mass releases as a major approach for management of the red sea urchin fishery is very unlikely to take place in Chile. This study presents a methodology and offers a tool to design, evaluate and optimise coastal management plans for the red sea urchin in a dynamic, interactive, systematic, integrated and flexible way. The optional strategic management plans proposed on this study may not be applied equally to any AMEBR, as they are the outputs arising from a single cove-specific analysis. Still, the complete methodological framework and analysis procedures developed may be applied to run the BSESM and optimise management of a red sea urchin fishery at any other AMEBR case of study.

Det finns i management control-litteraturen en efterfrågan på studier som tar ett helhetsperspektiv på styrsystem (Management Control Systems, MCS) och som förklarar hur dessa system bidrar till effektivitet hos organisationer. Utifrån ett contingency-synsätt undersöker vi i denna studie hur kulturell styrning och prestationsmätning som delar av MCS, tillsammans med den kontextuella variabeln osäkerhet i omgivningen, påverkar hur effektiva organisationer är. Vi antar en systemansats och önskar studera relationen mellan fler variabler, och därför tillämpas en klusteranalys där datamaterialet delas in i grupper med liknande karaktäristika. Då det är tveksamt om det finns en skillnad i effektivitet mellan de kluster vi identifierar, och för att få en bättre förståelse för vårt resultat, väljer vi att analysera detta utifrån två olika perspektiv. Utifrån det ena perspektivet antas organisationernas effektivitet skilja sig från varandra. Sett från detta perspektiv verkar en hög grad av prestationsmätning tillsammans med en hög grad av kulturell styrning vara effektivt under hög grad av osäkerhet i omgivningen. Utgångspunkten i det andra perspektivet är däremot att alla de företag som existerar och kan studeras är effektiva, och utifrån denna analys verkar det tvärtemot den tidigare analysens resultat som att en lägre grad av prestationsmätning tillsammans med en lika stor grad av kulturell styrning är mer effektivt i osäkra omgivningar, även om detta samband är något oklart. Under låg grad av osäkerhet i omgivningen visar analyser ur båda perspektiven att en hög grad av kulturell styrning tillsammans med en låg grad av prestationsmätning är en effektiv kombination. Dessutom visar det sig utifrån det sistnämnda perspektivet att även hög grad av båda styrmekanismerna är effektivt i mindre osäkra omgivningar. / Within the management control literature, studies have been requested that take a holistic view of Management Control Systems (MCS) and that explain how these systems contribute to organizational effectiveness. In this study, from a contingency perspective, we examine how cultural control and performance measurement as parts of the MCS, together with the contextual variable environmental uncertainty, affect the effectiveness of organizations. Adopting a systems approach we wish to study the relationship between several variables and therefore use a cluster analysis to divide the data into groups with similar characteristics. Since it is not clear whether there are any differences in effectiveness between the identified clusters and to get a better understanding of our findings, we choose to analyze the results from two different perspectives. Adopting one of the perspectives, the organizations are assumed to be unequally effective. From this perspective a high degree of performance measurement combined with a high degree of cultural control seem to be effective under high degrees of environmental uncertainty. From the other perspective it is implicitly understood that all of the observed organizations are effective since they exist. Seen from this, second, perspective it seems that a lower degree of performance measurement together with an equal degree of cultural control is more effective in uncertain environments, even though this relationship is somewhat vague. Under a low degree of environmental uncertainty, analyses from both perspectives show that a high degree of performance measurement together with a low degree of cultural control in an effective combination. Furthermore, the analysis from the second perspective indicates that also a high degree of both of the control variables is effective in high degrees of environmental uncertainty.