Using a method of reflexive ethnography, this thesis deals with a question of masculinity performace in the Czech extreme metal milieu (to be specific I am concerned with the brutal death metal and related sub-genres). Participants of the brutal death metal subculture either in the position of performers or audience are with a very few exceptions men. Brutality, harshness, extremeness and other values are the main aesthetic criteria, which - as we can observe while doing the research - the participants connect with a coherent collection of ideas about a certain ideal of dominant manhood. To achieve these values to the greatest extent possible the musicians use particular musical features and topics of the compositions; and so does both the musicians and the audience via their visual image, with using specific kind of behaviour and having fixed movements and dancing during the music production. On the basis of an analysis of these values and means of their manifestation I am concerned with the question of what specific characteristics the masculine identity, which is performed in the given subculture, has. My research data show that these are: 1) mutual affinity with the other participants, 2) power as an ability of an aggressive attack as well as one's own endurance, and 3) coarseness, lack of...

Developing Product Development – that’s what it’s about, developing our capability to do what we need to do. Ericsson Executive Product development in times of brutal change requires capabilities beyond normal product development capabilities. In order to meet the challenges of brutal change, an ability to change and improve how products are developed, and how product development is organized and managed is required. This thesis looks inside an industrial firm subjected to brutal market changes, forcing it to respond promptly and strongly, to reduce cost yet retain and improve the ability to develop, market, sell, deliver and support its products and services. The firm uses externalization of product development to cut fixed costs and reduce headcount quickly. To cut operating costs, it uses offshoring. Transformational structural changes destroy both capabilities and rigidities. The increasingly competitive situation calls for even higher efficiency. Product development capabilities have to be recreated to support even higher efficiency while retaining and improving innovativeness. Participative organizational development is performed to rebuild and improve product development capabilities at the workgroup level. Software developers use self-assessment and group reflection to augment their conceptions of efficiency and concurrently improve their efficiency. This thesis provides a typology of modes of organizing, and of transitions between different modes of organizing. It highlights the role of capabilities in supporting efficiency in the transfer of product development from one mode of organizing to another. In doing so, it aims to contribute to a dynamic perspective of product development organizing, and at the same time provide actionable advice to product development managers in times of brutal change. This thesis also illustrates the potential in group self-improvement, building on collective knowledge creation and use, with direct coupling to action. It argues that augmentation of conceptions through concept elaboration and reflection may be more efficient and effective than traditional training programs. Developing Product Development is both about improving the practice of product development and about improving the understanding of- and knowledge about product development. / Diss. Stockholm : Handelshögskolan, 2006

The research deals with trauma and violence as these affect women and children in the parsonage household when the clergy experience brutal attacks by parishioners. It focuses on the clergy households of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa especially within the black congregations. So, the hypothesis to this research is that the clergy, within the Methodist Church Of Southern Africa, are ‘crucified’, but no one cares for their families during these ‘crucifixions’- their well- being, feelings, anxiety and safety and security. No one listens to their stories. No one journeys with them. The only thing the church does, is to transfer the affected minister to another circuit wounded and unhealed. The question dealt with in this research is, where do the clergy go when they go through crisis situations? Do they really need pastoral care? Who cares for their families when they the clergy are the direct victims of violence or emotional attacks? Where do they find healing and counseling? For, it is the children and spouse of the clergy that are adversely affected when the clergy go through crisis, because, when one member of the family suffers, the whole body is affected. The research therefore investigates how the church, especially the MCSA has pastorally responded to the impact these ‘crucifixions’ have had on the emotions of the family members of the clergy; the extent and nature of the traumatic experiences of ministers’ families; the difficulties and problems faced by the church to address these problems and finally, make some personal recommendations to the church to effectively deal with these problems. The research concludes by suggesting a model of pastoral care that will help the church to deal with traumatic experiences of its clergy, for the obligation of the church to concern itself with suffering stems from the Bible where prophets and Jesus teach about love. This therefore, is a demonstration that it is imperative for the church to involve itself through pastoral guidance in dealing with such conflicts and its effects in the lives of ministers’ families. Copyright / Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Practical Theology / Unrestricted