The tourism industry involves people with specific but different needs to be satisfied, whether one is able-bodied or has a disability. People with disabilities are a global phenomenon and research indicated that 600 million people in the world have some type of disability. Therefore the market for tourists with disabilities cannot be disregarded, for it can significantly contribute to a country's tourism receipts. To understand and effectively cater for the disability market, there are several aspects that the tourism industry should look at. This leads to the aim of this study viz. to determine what the barriers and constraints faced by people with disabilities are. In order to achieve this aim, a hundred questionnaires were distributed to various sectors of the tourism industry, for example the accommodation sector (hotels, guesthouses, Bed and Breakfasts), tour operators and travel agents. The study indicated that: *The tourism industry needs to adapt and promote “Tourism for All”. *The lack of available and accessible facilities, transport, accommodation and attractions have an impact on the travel patterns of tourists with disabilities. * Marketing should include information to tourists with disabilities. * To achieve this goal and server diverse tourists, a universal design needs to be included in the current and future developments of tourism products. Evaluation of existing facilities and tourist attraction need to take place in order to provide a quality service and experience to people with disabilities. * Government and local authorities have an important role to fulfil to ensure that a universal design be implemented in tourist attraction and facilities. The key aspect that the tourism industry need to know and remember is that if a person has a disability, it does not mean that he/she is unable to travel or does not want to travel. / Thesis (M.A. (Tourism))--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2003.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of small group communication, investigate to what extent small groups communicate within their minibusiness areas within a mining group. The communication role and the influence it has within an organisation, and what structure it takes within the bigger scheme of the organization were also investigated. Many people and organisations form small groups to perform certain jobs, but they do not have a clear understanding of what constitutes a group, essentially what is it that a group can and cannot do. Small groups are always present and employees are always members of one or more small groups. Establishing a precise definition of a small group that is generally accepted by everyone has proven to be a challenge as most scholars come up with different interpretations and definitions of small group communication. A quantitative research method was used for this study as it was deemed suitable for this type of research, but one of the shortcomings of this method is that the data obtained through this method of research is not suitable for generalisations to any population. It is therefore emphasized that it is not the objective of this research to generalise the results of the study, but that it is applicable to the small group communication within the mining group investigated. The sample and data collected were small. A total of 150 questionnaires were sent to two De Beers' mines, Venetia Mine in Limpopo Province and Voorspoed Mine in the Free State Province, requesting employees via their supervisors and line managers to participate in the small group communications survey. The survey revolved mainly around the company's overview of its Continuous Business Improvement (CBI) business system which involved small group initiatives and communication. / Thesis (M.B.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This thesis explores the barriers to mental health care that new, racialized Canadians may face. Using a case study methodology, this project first reviews the literature on identified barriers to care. Several barriers are highlighted in this process including discrimination and racism, service use, language, awareness of services and knowledge of the Canadian healthcare system, socio-economic barriers, cultural beliefs, and stigma. Interviews were conducted with three new Canadians who identify as racialized to further existing knowledge on this topic. The interviews provided a forum for participants to speak to their experiences prior to immigrating to Canada, their experiences following immigration, and their pathway to mental health care. Participants described significant events which they believed to be factors in developing a mental health problem and as a result of this, their decision-making process in help-seeking. Using the categories from the literature as a framework, themes and sub-themes were developed to understand the experiences of the participants. Additional themes that were added included employment, coping with a mental health problem, and trauma. An in-depth, line by line analysis of the interview transcripts was conducted to provide a detailed depiction of each participant’s experience. Each participant interview was defined as a case and compared with the other interviews. This thesis concludes by summarizing the results and detailing the implications for social work practice. Implications include anti-oppressive practice, cultural competence, and self-awareness. Structural and clinical implications are also discussed. / Graduate

The strategic role of the Procurement function in manufacturing firms has received increased attention in the literature over the past two decades. Before the 1970s, the supply environment was seen to be stable for most firms, with no particular strategic opportunities or threats. Procurement was treated as an administrative or service function. The oil crisis in the early 1970s changed the situation, bringing in its wake acute inflation and material shortages. The 1980s saw a revolution in manufacturing with the advent of JIT, increased automation and global operations. Theoretical researchers saw the potential for a proactive and strategic role for the Procurement function. This was, however, not reflected in empirical research, which failed to find consistent evidence of firms considering Procurement as strategic. This thesis addresses the gap between precept and practice evident in the literature. A major criticism of the empirical literature is the treatment of the strategic (value) activities on the supply side and the activities of the Procurement department as synonymous. This thesis questioned that view and made a distinction between the two activities. A theoredcal framework was built up from the literature to identify the contexts in which Supply considerations would be strategic. Propositions were generated which allowed for strategic Supply activities both through the Procurement department as well as outside it. The empirical work looked at 25 UK manufacturing firms through the case study approach. The cases were scrutinised for evidence of strategic activities on the supply side, as well as the strategic importance of the Procurement department. The results confirmed that (1) Supply considerations were strategic for a majority of firms. (2) Strategic consideration of Supply depended on a number of contingent variables.(3) Strategic Supply activities were not necessarily reflected in the strategic importance given to the Procurement department.

The aim of this research is to propose a sociotechnical framework to identify stakeholders involved in information systems and the benefit and barriers to the adoption of such systems. The proposed framework (BEBAF) would help to acknowledge the potential problematic areas for the implementation and adoption of information systems for each actor or social group and to be able to offer solutions based on the potential benefits for each of them. Precursors of BEBAF are social construction of technology (SCOT) and stakeholder identification process. Two case studies in the healthcare contexts, one in the UK and one in Spain, have been conducted in this dissertation using a qualitative approach to provide a rich picture of the influences on e-Health, and the users and organisational response to those influences. Both case studies aimed to support chronically ill patients at home or in nursing homes. BEBAF was then applied to both case studies. Among the most important implications are that those systems hold the promise for improving the quality of life of patients with chronic conditions, providing a better control over the disease. However, their impact on the organisational structures, the lack of funding and the difficulties of alignment of all the actors involved are relevant constraints to their adoption into the mainstream healthcare services. The main contributions of this thesis are: first, the definition and evaluation of a socio-technical framework to investigate IS adoption. Apart from the two closure mechanisms proposed by SCOT, BEBAF proposes a new closure mechanism by reinterpretation of benefits. In turn, the application of the framework has led to identify an extensive list of barriers and benefits for the adoption of e-Health systems with some suggested solutions. Another outcome is a comprehensive list of stakeholders involved in the adoption of such systems.

This investigation, comprising two studies, examined the number of barriers to physical activity (Study 1) and barrier strength (Study 2) reported by middle-aged and older adults using a social ecological framework (McLeroy et al., 1988). Researchers were interested in assessing age group (45-54; 55-64; 65-74 yrs) by physical activity group (active, less active) effects for barrier responses using analyses of variance. In Study 1, 180 participants completed a physical activity level survey (Godin & Shephard, 1985) and answered open-ended questions about barriers. Results indicated that 45-54 yr-olds reported more barriers overall, and more intrapersonal barriers than older groups. Less active 45-54 yr-olds reported more organizational-interpersonal barriers than the other groups. Descriptive analyses of coded themes demonstrated that common intrapersonal barrier sub-themes cited by younger adults related to family commitments, while sub-themes reported by middle-aged and older adults related to having a health problem or an injury. In the organizational-interpersonal category, the most common barrier sub-theme related to the workplace. In Study 2, 116 participants completed a survey assessing weekly physical activity and barrier strength for items pertaining to ecological categories and barrier sub-factors. Results showed that less active adults reported each of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and physical environment barriers more strongly than active adults, irrespective of age; the intrapersonal category was relatively the most constraining for our participants. In terms of barrier sub-factors, results showed that significantly higher barrier strength scores are most often associated with physical activity level (i.e., less active), and only occasionally associated with age group. The overall investigation can provide valuable information for improving physical activity interventions for middle-aged and older adults.

This exploratory mixed method study builds upon previous research to investigate the influence of teacher self- and collective efficacy on technology use in the classroom. This population was purposefully sampled to examine first- and second order technology barriers, instructional strategies, and human influences on technology. The quantitative finding was supported by qualitative analysis of the teacher interviews and led to the conclusion that even thought there were strong teacher tendencies towards a belief in using technology actual practice demonstrated a lack of productivity or transference of that belief into classroom practice. A high self- and collective efficacy had no effect on technology use in the classroom and a belief in technology did not lead to the use of technology. <br>The study explored three research questions: 1) what is the effect of teacher self-efficacy on technology use in the classroom, 2) what is the effect of collective efficacy on technology use in the classroom, and 3) what is the relationship among teacher self-efficacy, collective efficacy, and barriers that inhibit technology use in a K-12 classroom setting? Thirty-five teachers in a New Jersey K-8 school district volunteered to take a 36-question survey. Three teachers were interviewed to corroborate the survey data. <br> This study is unique in the combined analysis of self- and collective efficacy and technology. It raises several questions for future study. Teacher responses overwhelmingly identified first order or extrinsic barriers as impediments to technology. These included poor technical support, access, time issues, and a lack of vision and training. These barriers are decades old and have been acknowledged for as long as technology has been in the classroom. Why, despite thirty years of technology in education, do the same barriers that existed in the very beginning continue to be strong deterrents of technology use? <br>Teachers identified administrators as the least influential on teacher practices. If this is so, how can there be such a high sense of collective efficacy? How much influence does the collective agency have on classroom teacher behavior? Specifically, at what point in a teacher's decision-making does the collective agency over-ride personal beliefs and what are the characteristics that contribute to this conflict and possible submissive behavior? <br> Finally, are we seeking answers to the wrong questions? Is it possible that teachers and educational systems are not able to modify intrinsic and standard operating practices to utilize technology successfully? / School of Education / Instructional Technology (EdDIT) / EdD / Dissertation

This work undertook the examination of the perceived barriers that exist to the management of occupational noise exposure in the workplace. Exposure to excessive levels of noise results in cumulative damage to the hearing mechanism of the ear and a subsequent hearing loss. This hearing loss is permanent and does not recover over time. Initially the conventional method of addressing or controlling noise exposure was through Hearing Conservation Programs and more recently through Occupational Noise Management Programs that take more of a risk management approach. However, the numbers of new hearing loss claims submitted through the various ???workcover??? and ???worksafe??? authorities in Australia continue to remain very high. Hearing loss claims rank within the top two in number of new claims each year. The research conducted shows that there are four main barriers perceived by individuals that work against the institution of effective preventive action. These four main barriers in order of priority are hearing protectors, information, culture and management, and are themselves each composed of several lesser factors. Each of the barriers was examined more closely in an attempt to better understand how they operate and the potential to discover how they may be overcome. To briefly summarise the main barriers: 1) Hearing protectors are uncomfortable, impede communication and are unpleasant to wear; 2) Individuals would like more information on noise reduction and for this information to be supplied by management; 3) workplace and management culture needs to be supportive of occupational health and safety in general and with the implementation of supportive preventive measures in particular; and 3) management needs to be seen to place importance on occupational health and safety in the workplace in general and the reduction of excessive noise in particular. By being aware of the barriers and operation the design of future more effective intervention or better noise management programs should be possible.

Despite empirical evidence for the health-related benefits of physical activity, a large proportion of older adults are insufficiently active. In New Zealand, the Green Prescription is the nationwide physical activity scripting programme. The Green Prescription has been found to be effective in increasing physical activity in previously low-active and sedentary adults. However, more information is required about the efficacy of Green Prescription use with older adults. The present research examined participants' views and experiences of physical activity counseling via the conventional Green Prescription and a modified pedometer-based Green Prescription. Both versions of the Green Prescription were effective in increasing and maintaining physical activity over a 12-month period. Demographic factors were found to significantly influence perceived barriers and motives for physical activity regardless of type of Green Prescription administered.

Background: Social participation is essential to well-being for adolescents with and without disabilities. Adolescents with a disability, however, often have fewer friendships and experience social isolation compared to their peers without disability. Telecommunications play a vital role in facilitating social participation for adolescents yet those with a disability experience reduced access. Based on the World Health Organisation’s framework of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) this study aimed to identify environmental factors (barriers and facilitators) that impact on participation in telecommunication use, as perceived by adolescents with cerebral palsy and their communication partners. Method: A qualitative research design was adopted using observations and in-depth interviews with five dyads of adolescents with cerebral palsy and significant communication partners. Data from interviews was analysed using qualitative content analysis to identify barriers and facilitators. Results and Conclusions: A total of 66 facilitators and 72 barriers to telecommunication use were identified. These were divided into four categories; people-related, equipment-related, support/training-related and ‘other’. A large number of interrelated people and equipment related factors were identified. Participants also identified the need for further training and support. In order to improve social participation for adolescents with disabilities, future research must investigate the development of assessment tools that accurately identify environmental barriers to telecommunication use and contribute to the development of strategies to over come these barriers.