In this study an ecosystematic approach to sports coaching is forwarded. This approach is illustrated using the analogy of an ecology of ideas. Ideas informing the life span of a coach within an elite team are explored. The researcher engaged four subjects in conversations the life span of a coach in an elite team. these conversations are viewed as co-constructions of realities. The coach abides within a team for a limited time. he or she enters an existing ecology of ideas, which can contribute to, or detract from, the efficacy of the coach in a team. This ecology of ideas evolves as aold meanings shift and new meanings emerge. These menings are explored in this disertation. An awareness of the ecology of ideas within a team can inform the coach to perturb the ecology of ideas in a direction that is mutually qualified as successful / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical psychology)

Hierdie studie is 'n kwalitatiewe ekosistemiese ondersoek van die fenomeen Chroniese Moegheidsindroom (CMS) . Die paradigmaverskuiwing vanaf die Cartesiaans-Newtoniaanse epistemologie na die kubernetiese epistemologie, het 'n aantal belangrike implikasies vir die bestudering en konseptualisering van CMS, soos uiteengesit in hierdie studie. 'n Bespreking van die konseptualisering en behandeling van CMS vanuit die tradisionele, reduksionistiese navorsing word verskaf. Die aannames van twee-orde kubernetika en sosiale konstruksionisme, is bespreek en toegepas op die beskrywing van twee sisteme waarin CMS voorkom. Die navorsingsmetodologie van die studie is gegenereer op grand van die genoemde teoretiese aannames. Die implikasies van die toepassing van die ekosistemiese epistemologie vir die konseptualisering van CMS word uitgewys. Die herkonseptualisering van CMS as 'n transisieproses word bespreek en riglyne vir verdere navorsing en psigoterapie word aangedui. Die huidige studie bied 'n beskrywing van die unieke betekenisse en oplossings wat gesinne genereer tydens die veranderings wat CMS vergesel. / The present study is a qualitative ecosystemic exploration of the phenomenon known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The paradigm shift from the Newtonian epistemology to the epistemology of cybernetics, has important implication for research and the conceptualisation of CFS, as indicated in the study. The traditional, reductionist conceptualisation of CFS in research and treatment methods, is discussed. The suppositions of second order cybernetics and social constructionism, are discussed and applied in the description of two systems where CFS occurs. The research methodology of the present study is generated from the theoretical suppositions. Die implications of the use of the ecosystemic epistemology for the conceptualisation of CFS are indicated. The re-conceptualisation of CFS as a transition process is discussed and guidelines are given for future research and psychotherapy. The present study is a description of the unique meanings and solutions that the families generated during the changes that accompany CFS. / Psychology / M.A. (Kliniese Sielkunde)

In this study, hypnotic analgesia in obstetrics is explained in terms of ecosystemic thinking, as opposed to traditional conceptualisations of hypnosis. Five case studies were used. Each case is described in detail, as well as the therapeutic rationale behind each case, in order to present the reader with an understanding for the thinking behind the doing of ecosystemic hypnotherapy. The study utilises a new paradigm approach to research which is explained and is in keeping with ecosystemic epistemology. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

This research was conducted as part of the formative evaluation of a mother-child interaction intervention, which was incorporated into the Kgolo Mmogo pilot study at the Kalafong Hospital in Tshwane (South Africa). The purpose of the intervention was to encourage the development of parenting skills and to improve mother-child relationships within an HIV context over a six-month period. By promoting more effective interaction between mother and child, child resilience could be enhanced and children could learn the necessary coping skills that would help them deal with the challenges posed by HIV and other life events. The aim of the study was to generate a systemic understanding of families affected by HIV/AIDS. The study explored (1) the effect of HIV on family interaction and (2) the effect of the mother-child interaction intervention on family interaction from the perspective of HIV-infected mothers. The theoretical framework chosen for the study was of a systemic nature and the standpoints, as set out by the Milan family therapy team, were implemented. Ten months after the intervention, four of the HIV-positive mothers who had participated in the intervention were interviewed and encouraged to share their experiences. Circular questions were employed in the interviews as a means of gathering data. A qualitative design was therefore the best option for this study. The research findings of this study coincide with previous literature and research findings; thus, the findings of this study have been consolidated. The current study findings support the importance of bridging the distance that is created by HIV in family relations, particularly between mother and child. Newly-diagnosed mothers often become stuck in their own processes and distance themselves from others in order to make sense of their situation. The broader social stigmas associated with HIV/AIDS contribute further to the sense of isolation that HIV-positive women experience. Often, women perceive HIV to be a disruptive force in their relationships with their partners and children, which creates tension, secrets and uncertainty within the family. HIV-infected mothers generally feel that keeping secrets from their children protects them from being traumatized by the social stigmas surrounding HIV/AIDS. Some HIV-positive mothers also feel that an emotional distance will shield their children from the pain of losing their mother. Because they are grappling with many negative feelings, such as anger and frustration, many HIV-positive mothers resort to strict disciplinary measures and avoid spending time with their children. The children misinterpret their mother’s behaviour and react in a manner that the mother perceives to be both disrespectful and disobedient, thus creating a recurring cycle in which both mothers and children become stuck. The participating mothers perceived the mother-child interaction intervention to focus on their emotional, physical, cognitive and behavioural needs as well as the needs of their children. The mothers experienced the intervention as having been particularly helpful to them and their children. They perceived themselves to be warmer, more supportive, more accepting and to have found meaning in their lives. In addition they felt that their children had begun to behave themselves and were also less avoidant of them. It enhanced their understanding of one another, and strengthened their bond so that they can depend on each other in times of difficulty. Copyright / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Psychology / unrestricted

SAMMANFATTNING I organisationers och inte minst biblioteks sätt att förhålla sig till förändring och utveckling kan genom den litteratur som presenterats flera olika krafter i denna process urskiljas. I ett växande medvetande om omvärlden och dess accelererande dynamik och inverkan på biblioteksorganisationens framtid, har en vilja för större öppenhet gentemot denna utvecklats. Tjänster i form av service till användarkollektivet tas på större allvar. Organisationsstrukturen förändras och bryts ner och i och med det kommer problem och frågeställningar i dagen som rör såväl verksamhetens teknik, arbetsuppgifternas innehåll som ledarskap och maktfördelningen. Trots vilja till förändring och implementering av nya idéer, finns de traditionella förhållningssätten kvar nere i organisationen. Bakom en organisationsförändring döljer sig ett syfte, ett mål med verksamheten, samtidigt som organisationen lever och utvecklas i en omvärld med normer och värderingar som basen för dess mål. Biblioteksorganisationens medvetenhet om mål och värderingar bakom verksamhet och uppgifter har visat sig vara ganska svag. Många medarbetare och bibliotekarier ser organisationens blotta existens som ett värde i sig som inte bör ifrågasättas, medan ledare och beslutsansvariga har ett mer rationellt förhållningssätt till dessa begrepp. Inte sällan kan här skönjas en konfliktyta mellan värderationalism och målrationalism i den Weberska betydelsen. Därför får organisationen svårt att skapa en kontinuerlig målförståelse ner genom organisationen, från det övergripande syftet med nära relationer till bakomliggande värderingar och ner till de mer operativa delmålen. Detta får följder vid implementering av datorstödda bibliotekssystem, som idag 94 representerar det tekniska systemet i organisationen. Utformningen av detta system har stor betydelse för måluppfyllelse. Utformningen av datorfiler och bibliotekssystem har utgått från ett tänkande som går långt tillbaka i tiden. De bygger på en konsoliderad teknik. Katalogsystem i samverkan med andra bibliotek har varit det som utgjort grunden för universitetsbibliotekens datorisering. Användarnas behov har definierats genom bibliotekets egna behov och sätt att betrakta dem. Man har ofta betraktat dem som ett kollektiv och tjänsterna har generaliserats i sin utformning. Just användarna, deras antal, krav och önskemål, har blivit en av de komponenter i omvärlden som utvecklats till den starkaste drivkraften och utmaningen för biblioteken förändring och syn på sig själv. Emellertid har biblioteken en tendens att bortse från olika användargruppers specifika beteendemönster och behov som går att finna inom olika fakulteter och forskningsområden. Användarna å sin sida har ofta mycket traditionella och konventionella förväntningar på vilken service de vill och kan få vid biblioteken.

Thesis (DPhil (Philosophy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study commences with a critical, philosophical exploration of the ethical theories that constitute the normative basis of the dominant business ethics paradigm. It is argued that the universal and communitarian notions of the good upon which this paradigm is based, are inadequate in helping us deal with the complexities that define the modern day business environment. It is suggested that a sophisticated and affirmative account of postmodernism is a better suited alternative, as this paradigm is geared towards assisting us in finding workable solutions to our problems in the absence of universal truths or homogenous operating environments. Although postmodernism serves as a useful starting point for challenging the normative basis of business ethics, this study moves beyond this broad paradigm in providing an analysis of both complexity theory (specifically critical complexity theory), and Jacques Derrida’s deconstructive philosophy. The paradigm of critical complexity presents us with a useful framework for understanding, and thinking through the implications that complex phenomena hold for us, for our practices, and for our understanding of our responsibilities. Deconstruction (which serves as a philosophical example of a complex position) contributes to, and supplements this paradigm. Specifically, deconstruction draws attention to the processual nature of ethical decision-making and action, as well as to the ethical and political implications that arise from our limited knowledge of complex phenomena. Once critical complexity theory and deconstruction are adequately defined, a close reading of a critical text on the relevance of Derrida for understanding business ethics is presented. In undertaking the close reading, a number of criticisms against deconstruction are addressed, and an argument is made for why a more complex understanding of ethics is preferable to universal or communitarian notions of the good – and, therefore, preferable as a normative basis for business ethics. After making the case for a complex ethics, a general circumscription of a complex ethics is provided. This circumscription is premised on an understanding of ethics as a critical, provisional, transgressive, and imaginative enterprise. The specific implications that such a notion of ethics hold for teaching business ethics, and for understanding prominent business ethics themes (such as corporate social responsibility, responsible leadership, and sustainable development) are also elaborated upon. In conclusion, it is argued that taking cognisance of the insights and implications that arise from this study will help to support the future viability of business ethics. This is because a complex understanding of ethics can promote the development of robust and flexible strategies, which are needed for dealing with the realities of the modern business environment. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie begin met ‘n kritiese, filosofiese ondersoek na die etiese teorieë wat die normatiewe basis van die dominante sake-etiek paradigma vorm. Daar word aangevoer dat die universele en kommunitaristiese idees van die goeie, waarop hierdie paradigma berus, onvoldoende is om ons in staat te stel om die kompleksiteite wat die hedendaagse sakeomgewing definieer sinvol te hanteer. Die voorstel word gemaak dat ’n gesofistikeerde en positiewe beskrywing van postmodernisme ’n meer gepaste alternatief is, omdat hierdie paradigma gerig is op werkbare oplossings vir ons probleme in die afwesigheid van universele waarhede of homogene werksomgewings. Alhoewel postmodernisme as ’n nuttige vertrekpunt dien om die normatiewe basis van sake-etiek te bevraagteken, beweeg hierdie studie verby die breë paradigma deur ’n analise van beide kompleksiteitsteorie (meer spesifiek kritiese kompleksiteitsteorie), en Jacques Derrida se dekonstruktiewe filosofie aan te bied. Die paradigma van kritiese kompleksiteitsteorie verskaf aan ons ‘n nuttige raamwerk om komplekse verskynsels te verstaan, en ook om deur die gevolge wat kompleksiteit vir ons praktyke en ons begrip van ons verantwoordelikhede te bedink. Dekonstruksie (wat dien as ’n filosofiese voorbeeld van ’n komplekse posisie) dra by tot, en vul hierdie paradigma aan. Meer spesifiek fokus dekonstruksie ons aandag op die prosessuele aard van etiese besluitneming en optrede, sowel as die etiese en politieke implikasies wat uit ons beperkte kennis van komplekse verskynsels voortspruit. Nadat kritiese kompleksiteitsteorie en dekonstruksie deeglik omskryf is, word ‘n kritiese teks oor die moontlike bydrae wat Derrida tot ons begrip van sake-etiek kan lewer noukeurig ontleed. Deur die loop van die ontleding word ’n aantal punte van kritiek teen dekonstruksie aangespreek, en ’n saak word uitgemaak dat ’n meer komplekse begrip van etiek verkieslik is bo universele en kommunitaristiese idees van die goeie – en dus meer geskik is as ’n normatiewe basis vir sakeetiek. ’n Algemene omskrywing van ’n komplekse etiek word ook verskaf om verdere steun te bied vir die verkieslikheid van so ’n opvatting van die etiek. Hierdie omskrywing is op die begrip van die etiek as ’n kritiese, provisionele, oorskryende, en verbeeldingsryke onderneming gebaseer. Die bepaalde implikasies wat hierdie idee vir onderrig in sake-etiek en ’n kennis van prominente sake-etiek temas (soos korporatiewe sosiale verantwoordelikheid, verantwoordelike leierskap, en volhoubare ontwikkeling) inhou, word aangespreek. In die gevolgtrekkig word daar geargumenteer dat kennisname van die insigte en implikasies wat uit hierdie studie voortspruit die toekomstige lewensvatbaarheid van sake-etiek kan bevorder. Dit is omdat ‘n komplekse begrip van die etiek die ontwikkeling van robuuste en buigsame strategieë, wat nodig is vir die hantering van die realiteite van die moderne sakeomgewing, kan aanspoor.

Orientador: Jefferson Nascimento de Oliveira / Resumo: Os direitos da natureza são indispensáveis para a harmonia nos espaços de atuação e desenvolvimento da vida, onde o uso e a ocupação do solo impactam diretamente na disponibilidade e qualidade de recursos fundamentais como a água e outros bens comuns. Com a observação de iniciativas transnacionais, governamentais, laboratórios de ciência aberta, empresas e ONGs, esta pesquisa exploratória consolida cenários sobre intensos fluxos de multidões à deriva de projeções e sobre a capacidade adaptativa de aglomerados no Antropoceno. São elementos onde a Internet e os paradigmas do serviço total incitam plataformas digitais para novos produtos e serviços, adequadas à realidade dos jogos sociais contemporâneos. Com bases e referenciais em governança eletrônica para as águas, os resultados das explorações resultam na descoberta das organizações associativas cibernéticas (cyorgs) e as características fundamentais dos Escritórios da Resiliência Hídrica. Amparados por espaços antropológicos, de interação e implementações estratégicas de inovação em sustentabilidade, os produtos constroém a plataforma ÁguasML - Bem Comum em Mídia Livre, implementada digitalmente com código aberto via portais de notícias, ambientes de aprendizagem, automatizações e aplicativos para coleta e distribuição de dados. Apontam também alguns dos componentes das plataformas hidrotecnológicas nos Escritórios da Resiliência Hídrica, assim como os conteúdos, as experiências e as características de tecnologias resilient... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The rights of nature are indispensable for harmony in the spaces of participation and development of life, where the use and occupation of the lands directly affect the availability and quality of water and other commons. Observing transnational initiatives, governments, open science laboratories, corporations and NGOs, this exploratory research consolidates scenarios of intense flows of crowds drifting from projections and adaptive capacity in the Anthropocene. They are elements in which the internet and the paradigms of the total service incite digital platforms for new products and services, adapted to the mechanized reality of contemporary social games. With these baselines and benchmarks in electronic governance for water, the results of explorations are the discovery of cybernetic associative organizations (cyorgs) and the fundamental characteristics of Water Resilience Office´s. Based on anthropological spaces, spaces of interaction and strategic implementations of innovation in water sustainability, the work build the ÁguasML - Commons in Open Media platform, digitally implemented with open source through news portals, e-learning environments, automations and applications for collection and data distribution. They also show some of the components of hydrotechnology platforms at the offices for water resilience, as well as the contents, experiences and characteristics of resilient technologies in situations of water scarcity and vulnerability of rights. This office gen... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Ce travail doctoral se propose d'explorer les origines et les conséquences de la transformation des administrations publiques à l'ère numérique. Plus spécifiquement, notre investigation se concentre sur l'émergence des méthodes de management dérivées de l'ingénierie système dans les organisations publiques, à partir d'un cas concret de transformation mené selon ces méthodes. / "

O surgimento das tecnologias da informação e da comunicação na sociedade moderna, faz emergir também novas formas e possibilidades de comunicação e educação, em um processo de inter-relação. A mediação tecnológica presente nos espaços educativos altera a maneira de pensar e intervir, produzindo novas educações e modificando de fato as relações sociais. Os grupos de estudo instalados dentro de universidades são, na atualidade, diretamente influenciados pelo avanço tecnológico e permitem, com o advento da Internet, a comunicação e a interação com outros espaços educativos, possibilitando a criação de uma rede de conhecimento. O Grupo de Estudo Cibernética Pedagógica Laboratório de Linguagens Digitais LLD, reforçando seu histórico na relação entre comunicação e educação por meio das novas tecnologias, propõe ampliar essa discussão, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento de pesquisas na área. / The emergence of information technology and communication in modern society, bring out new forms and possibilities of communication and education, in a process of interrelationship. The technological mediation present in the educational spaces, changes the way of think, producing \"new educations\" and changing the social relations. The study groups are installed in universities, in currently, are influenced by technology advanced and allow, with the advent of Internet communication and interaction with other educational spaces enabling the creation of a knowledge network. The Study Group Pedagogical Cybernetics - Digital Language Lab - LLD, increasing its history in the interrelationship communication and education through new technologies proposes to extend this discussion by contributing to the development of research in the area.

Cette recherche se propose de montrer l’existence de ce que nous appelons des « niveaux psychologiques » chez Platon, en empruntant à la théorie des types logiques, formulée par B. Russel et A.N. Whitehead, puis revisitée par l’anthropologue G. Bateson au sein du mouvement cybernétique. Par « niveaux psychologiques », nous entendons des états psychiques d’être en relation avec le réel sur le mode analogique. Nous défendons la thèse selon laquelle la théorie platonicienne des formes n’oblige pas à penser des degrés de réalité de la chose mais bien un processus de réalisation de l’objet en soi par le sujet de l’expérience. En tant que tels, les niveaux psychologiques correspondent donc à des niveaux d’apprentissages de la réalité. Ainsi, la méthode dialectique utilisée par Socrate accompagne le progrès de l’âme, pilotée par l’intellect, au moyen de la raison qui relie et distingue les phénomène sensibles. Cette double fonction caractérise l’exercice du langage et rend compte du mouvement de la pensée. La succession et la répétition des ajustements opérés à partir de l’expérience conduisent ainsi à une meilleure définition de la forme de l’objet en soi, i.e. une saisie plus nette de ce qui, de l’intelligible, passe dans le sensible. De ce fait, la théorie platonicienne de la connaissance apparaît comme une théorie du processus et non comme une théorie du contenu de savoir, qui mène du théâtre intérieur de nos représentations, limitées par le temps d’une vie et l’espace d’un corps, au spectacle de l’infini. En outre, parce qu’il existe un seul chemin pour penser ce qui est réellement, l’examen psychologique des causes de soi rejoint nécessairement la recherche philosophique sur les causes du monde, dans une cosmologie. / This research intends to demonstrate the existence of what we call "psychological levels" in Plato's philosophy, taking from the theory of logical types, formulated by B. Russel and A.N. Whitehead, then restyled by the anthropologist G. Bateson, inside the cybernetic movement. By "psychological levels", we mean psychic states of being in relation with reality under an analogical scheme. We defend the argument that Plato’s theory of Forms does not imply degrees of reality in the thing but a process of realization of the object in itself through the subject experiencing it. As such, psychological levels refer to levels of learning what is reality. Thus, the Socratic dialectical method accompanies the soul’s progress, driven by the intellect, thanks to reason which relates and distinguishes the sensible phenomena. This double function characterizes what language is and gives reason for the movement of thought. Succession and repetition of the adjustments made from the experience of the thing lead to a better definition of the Form of the object in itself, i.e. a clearer acquisition of the intelligible part of the thing that is passing through its sensible expression. Hence, Plato’s theory of knowledge stands like a process theory more than a content theory, by conducting the search for truth from the inner theatre of our representations, limited by a lifetime and the space of a body, to the spectacle of the infinite. Furthermore, since there is only one path in order to think what exists in reality, the psychological research into the causes of thyself necessarily fits in the philosophical research into the causes of the world — a cosmology.