A qualitative study of the relationship between external agents and policy professionals within the Swedish administration. The thesis has its starting point in the study "Makt utan mandat" and strives to explain what happens with the political process when more external agents enter the political market. The theoretical base is the policy process and lobbying researchers Hall & Deardorffs model which argues that when external agents exist on the political scene, the influence of political appointees decreases. The model is tested against empiric material, derived from nine qualitative interviews performed on individuals who, in different ways, participate in the policy process. The interviews were conducted during the autumn of 2015. In summary one may argue that the political power in Sweden has changed due to the fact that more external agents and the policy professionals, has entered the political market, and the thesis proves, with limited empiric material, that political appointees and lobbyists participate in the same phase of the policy process.

Published Article / The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between external markers typically used in external motion capturing devices and the true vertebral kinematics in the cervical spine. Twenty one healthy subjects were subjected to low dosage X-rays in five different positions, while radio opaque markers were attached to the skin at each vertebral level. Distance and angle parameters were constructed for vertebral prediction from skin surface markers. The causes of variation in these parameters were identified by investigating the correlations of these parameters with anthropometrical variables. Strong correlations of the parameters were observed in flexion, but in extension, especially full extension, the correlations were poor to insignificant. In neutral, half flexion, and full flexion it is possible to predict the vertebral position from surface markers by using the parameters and anthropometrical variables. In half extension this prediction is less accurate and in full extension alternative methods should be investigated for external motion capturing.

Published Article / This article reviews research on learning with external representations and provides a theoretical background on how to optimize learning from external representations. General factors, such as the type of material to be learned, learner characteristics and the testing method, are some of the variables that can determine if graphic medium can increase a subject's comprehension and if such comprehension can be accurately measured. These factors are discussed and represented by a model to suggest how external representations can be effectively used in a learning environment. Two key conclusions are drawn from the observation made in these studies. Firstly, the proper design of a particular external representation and supporting text can promote relevant activities that ultimately contribute to fuller understanding of the content. Secondly, external representations must be developed to address the size complexity and variety of the content that must be analysed in order to extract knowledge for scientific discovery.

This thesis investigates the influence of firms’ internal and external environmental factors upon their adoption of HRIS behaviour (i.e., the variation between adopters and non-adopters) and the level of implementation of HRIS applications and its effectiveness. An integrated conceptual framework was developed for the factors that determine the organisation’s adoption and the level of practice of HRIS applications. This framework integrates ideas and elements from the Diffusion of innovation Theory (DOI) and technology organization environment (TOE) model, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and the IT studies in the area of HRM. Data were collected through structured-directed interviews with 236 respondents. The survey units were the shareholding companies in Jordan, and the key single respondents approach was employed. The findings of the study support that internal and external environmental factors are related not only to adoption of HRIS behaviour (i.e., the difference between adopters and non-adopters), but also to the level of implementing of HRIS applications. In comparison to each environmental dimension acting alone, the integration approach of the two internal and external dimensions gives better explanation not only of the prediction of the level of implementing of HRIS applications, but also of the prediction of adoption behaviour. Therefore, a better understanding of adoption of HRIS behaviour and the level of implementing of HRIS applications requires that firms’ environmental factors be viewed as whole (i.e., the interaction of the internal and external dimension) rather than being isolated fragments (i.e., only a single dimension). The current research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by enhancing current understanding of the organisational adoption of HRIS, which is an under-researched area in Jordan as a developing country. By employing analytical tools based on Rogers’s Innovation Diffusion Theory , UTAUT, TOE , and the findings of empirical studies of IT adoption, evidence confirms that the adoption of HRIS in the business organisations depends largely on interaction of internal and external environmental factors and the findings support the need for an integrated view of the adoption phenomenon. In that respect, this study also attempts to make an important theoretical contribution towards articulating differences in the determinants of adoption and the level of implementations of HRIS applications and its effectiveness.

The work environment in organizations has been associated with a number of factors that contribute to both their success and sustainability. Many researchers have identified the role, influence or the connection between the work environment and these factors such as productivity and creativity. However, it seems that business owners do not take their organization’s work environment into consideration when making major business decisions such as acquiring external funding. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of acquiring external funding on the different social factors influencing the work environment for self-funded firms. We have conducted a multiple case study in which we collected data through conducting interviews with eight employees from five different organizations located in the Middle East region. We analyzed the gathered data based on a theoretical model that connects eleven work environment dimensions with three aspects that are accompanied by acquiring external funding, which are: the changes in management and goals, financial resources and new networks and contacts. As a result, we concluded that the changes in management and goals have the most complex effect on work environment when compared to the other two aspects. In addition, we explored how would these aspects affect the work environment, either directly or indirectly, and found that the individual level changes in the work environment are mostly affected indirectly since the employees do not tend to attribute such changes to external funding directly. Finally, according to our results, it doesn’t seem that having the same funding type would trigger similar changes in the work environment. On the other hand, having a similar funding objective by the financing party would trigger more similarities especially when it comes to the changes in management and goals.

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The generalisability of case study findings is heavily criticised in the scientific community. This study attempts to answer to what extent generalisation is possible, through a literature review. Resources were collected by searching in databases and in reference lists. A presentation of arguments from both sides will follow, finding that generalisation is possible to almost the same extent as quantitative research, if done correctly and carefully, with great concern and accuracy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between generalized expectancies of internal versus external control and sociometric status.

This investigation sought to explore the relationship of Julian Rotter's concept of internal versus external control (I-E) to stages of moral judgment. The I-E dimension is defined as the attribution by the individual of responsibility for behavioral outcomes to either oneself or to outside entities. The internal oriented person believes that the events in which he is involved lie within his control. Conversely, the external oriented person believes that the events that happen to him are controlled by other factors.

This study of the universal persistence of the mandala motif covers the mandala concept, external mandalas, architectural mandalas, and current manifestations.