Global ETD Search

21	The potential use of a personal portfolio for identity development of an adolescent Quinn, Magdalena Katarzyna 15 June 2011 (has links) This study focuses on how a Personal Portfolio can facilitate the narration of an adolescent’s life story and the outcome on self understanding. An instrumental case study that was exploritative and descriptive in nature was used to gain insight into the potential value of using a Personal Portfolio to reflect an adolescent’s quest for identity development. Data were collected by means of Personal Portfolio activities, open-ended interviews, tape-recordings of participant interviews, reflective reports written by the research participant as well as observations and field notes recorded in a diary by the researcher. The thematic analysis of the data was done within a constructivist-interpretivist framework. Five core categories: Identity Crisis/Confusion, Identity Exploration,Identifying Developmental Assets, Unresolved Past Issues, and the Experience of Compiling a Personal Portfolio emerged. These core categories were further linked to sub-categories and related themes. This study found that compiling a Personal Portfolio supported the research participant’s quest for identity. In particular, it facilitated a process of self exploration regarding career choice and sexual identity and resulted in increased self-knowledge, an awareness of personal assets and an overall improved sense of self-worth and self-confidence. This study also provided the research participant with a platform to work from and the means to solve some personal problems. The study further more concluded that a Personal Portfolio is a cost effective method that is suitable for use in a diverse South African context which could be utilised by counsellors and educators with their task to assist adolescents with their identity development. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted Constrcutivist-interpretivist Life story Post-modern narrative counselling Self-knowledge Self-exploration Identity crisis Identity Identity development Identity construction Personal portfolio Adolescent UCTD
22	A Case Study of a Pre-College Readiness Program Haverkos, Peter John 23 April 2015 (has links) No description available. Higher Education Educational Leadership Adult Education case study qualitative inquiry interpretivist developmental education remedial education adult basic literacy education higher education critical theory cultural capital
23	Employing employees's well-being in organisational change contexts : a qualitative study Nel, Dedrieka Magdalena 01 1900 (has links) The main purpose of this study was to explore the impact of organisational change on the lived experiences of employees’ well-being. A sample of six employees participated in the study. The requisite data was obtained using semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise organisational change and its related constructs, to explore employee well-being and its related constructs, and to understand the impact of organisational change on employees’ well-being in organisational contexts. The specific aims of the empirical study were to explore the impact of organisational change on employee well-being, to provide a basic framework that may assist organisations in managing change initiatives directed at enhancing employee well-being, and to formulate recommendations for possible future research on the impact of organisational change on employee well-being. The findings of this study indicated that the impact of organisational change on employees’ well-being is generally negative owing to the uncertainty of moving from the known to the unknown. All employees are impacted by organisational changes. The findings further indicated that the adverse impacts of organisational change may be moderated by communication, participation in the organisational change process and support. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com (Industrial and Organizational Psychology) Qualitative study Organisational change Employee well-being Interpretivist paradigm Semi-structured interviews Content analysis Survivor syndrome Ill-being Multidimensional Communication 658.406 Organizational change -- Employees Quality of work life Employee health promotion Qualitative research -- Methodology
24	Indigenous and settler understandings of the Manitoulin Island Treaties of 1836 (Treaty 45) and 1862 West, Allyshia 06 January 2011 (has links) This work explores the insights that can be gained from an investigation of the shared terms of the Manitoulin Island treaties of 1836 (Treaty 45) and 1862. I focus specifically on these treaties because I was raised in proximity to this area. This thesis is very much a personal exploration in the sense that I have come to understand myself as implicated in a treaty relationship and wish to know my obligations under these agreements. In my interpretation of the Manitoulin Island treaties, I employ a strategy developed by Dr. Michael Asch that begins with the Indigenous understandings. Within this strategy, treaties are conceptualized as honourable agreements meant to ensure our legitimate presence on this land. This methodology is unique in the sense that it conceives of our representatives' actions as sincere. This step is necessary because Indigenous peoples believed we were acting honourably during negotiations. In applying this strategy in my reading of the Manitoulin Island treaties, my objective is to discern the treaty relationship that was established, and to state clearly the obligations of both parties under these agreements. Though the primary focus of this thesis is my analysis of the treaties, I briefly discuss in my conclusion the anthropological insights I have gained from this exercise with respect to communication across cultures. Throughout this work, I focus on the concept of sharing as a productive and positive framework for thinking about relationships between cultures. historical treaties Manitoulin Island Treaty of 1862 interpretivist anthropology intercultural communication Sir Francis Bond Head Royal Proclamation Treaty of Niagara Anishnabe Ojibwe treaty interpretation cultural commensurability British Indian policy Sir George Murray Sir James Kempt Sir John Colborne Lord Glenelg Ottawas Chippewas Aborigines' Protection Society T.G. Anderson Manitowaning Wikwemikong William McDougall William Spragge kinship interpretivism
25	Die gebruik van liggaamsportrette deur opvoeders in die vervulling van hulle pastorale rol (Afrikaans) McCallaghan, Malize 19 November 2007 (has links) The objective of this qualitative study was to explore the extent to which body maps could be implemented by educators as part of the fulfilment of their pastoral role. I approached the study from a constructivistinterpretivist perspective underpinned by action research principles. I implemented an instrumental case study as research design and selected a primary school located in an informal settlement community in the Nelson Mandela Metropole. Ten female educators at this school, three other members of a research team and I took part in the process of data generation. Having acquired baseline information during the first field visit, a fellow researcher and I implemented an intervention during which the techniques of body mapping and making memory boxes (the study focus of my fellow researcher) were introduced to the participants. We then requested them to apply the two techniques (as part of a research assignment) before we undertook a second field visit. At the second visit, we attempted to explore the participants' experiences during the application of the techniques. Throughout the study I relied on focus group discussions, observation, critical self-reflection, auditive methods, visual methods, photos, a reflective research journal and field notes as data collection and capture methods. I analysed and interpreted raw data thematically. Baseline information indicated that educators were quite clear about the theoretical nature of the pastoral role, yet the practical application of this role presented a challenge. Data generated after the intervention indicates how educators understood and used the body mapping technique. This theme was refined into subthemes dealing with implementation modes, application contexts and application outcomes of the body mapping technique. The second main theme indicated the applicability of body maps in the classroom context as part of the pastoral role. This theme comprises subthemes relating to general curricula, practical considerations, alternative uses and application modes, pastoral responsibilities that were facilitated (and not) by participants' use of the body mapping technique. Research findings therefore seem to indicate that the body mapping technique could be used by educators in fulfilling their pastoral role. / Dissertation (MEd (Educational Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Educational Psychology / MEd / unrestricted Liggaamsportret Vulnerable children Kwesbare kinders Body mapping technique Liggaamsportrettegniek Body map Memory box-tegniek Memory box technique Pastorale rol van opvoeders Memory work South african education policies Suid-afrikaanse onderwysbeleide Pastoral role of educators Informal settlement community Informele nedersettingsgemeenskap UCTD
26	The impact of employee wellness programme on employee wellness and performance : a Kwazulu-Natal Municipality case study Makhanya, Buhle 01 1900 (has links) The general aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions and experiences of line managers regarding the impact of an employee wellness programme (EWP) on employee wellness and performance at a selected municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. As a purposive sample, ten line managers were selected to participate in the study by means of semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise wellness, employee wellness and employee performance, as well as to explore the impact of EWPs on employee wellness and performance. The specific empirical study aims were to determine line managers’ level of awareness and knowledge of the municipality EWP and its purpose, to explore the challenges faced by line managers within the EWP, to explore if the line managers perceived and experienced the municipality EWP as being beneficial to employee wellness and whether participating in the EWP improved employee performance. Lastly, the aim was to make recommendations for improvement that can assist the municipality in enhancing the impact of the EWP on employee wellness and performance within the industrial psychology discipline, and in particular when it comes to employee wellness. The research findings reveal that line managers were aware of and had knowledge about the existence of the EWP through marketing campaigns, inductions and activities. They also confirmed they had personal engagement experience through participation in the programme. They perceived the main purpose of the EWP as being to support employees in achieving a work-life balance and providing counselling and advisory services. Participants noted certain challenges with regard to participating in the programme, such as fear of being judged, victimised and stigmatised, and a lack of confidentiality and trust, which affects employees’ privacy and security. Also, they doubted wellness officer competence, which included the necessary skills and training for dealing with complex cases. Lastly, gender and cultural beliefs also posed challenges. Line managers found it beneficial to participate in the EWP. It improved employee wellness and performance. Employees developed mechanisms to cope with work, personal and emotional problems. Wellness officer availability, competence and skills were recommended by participants as ways of enhancing the EWP. Involvement of other stakeholders was another recommendation for improvement. This involvement would include wellness champions, organised labour and line managers. Programme managers should consider increasing EWP awareness by improving marketing, while emphasising programme benefits and confidentiality. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com (Industrial and Organizational Psychology) Wellness Employee wellness programme Employee wellness Performance Interpretivist paradigm Qualitative research Case study 158.709684
27	A visual semiotic analysis of the hidden meanings, myths and ideologies in Old Mutual South Africa's CSR 2.0 corporate advertising Eiman, Simoné Marianne 05 1900 (has links) Abstracts in English and Afrikaans / The aim of this exploratory study was to investigate the underlying meanings of Old Mutual South Africa’s (OMSA’s) CSR 2.0 corporate advertisements. It specifically examined the underlying myths and ideologies conveyed through the texts. This qualitative study was conducted by means of a visual semiotic analysis (Machin 2012) on eight CSR 2.0 corporate advertisements, which were purposively selected. A theoretical framework to measure visual CSR 2.0 corporate advertisements was developed, which aided in the sampling, data analysis and interpretation processes. The findings of the study indicated that by positioning its CSR 2.0 positively in terms of change and transformation, progress and equal opportunities for all citizens, OMSA is fostering stakeholder-organisation relationships. In addition, it was also found that OMSA adopts established representational tropes of CSR 2.0 and use them repetitively that firmly entrenches the intended/encoded message to the viewer. / Die doel van hierdie verkennende studie was om die onderliggende betekenis van CSR 2.0 korporatiewe advertensies in Ou Mutual Suid-Afrika te ondersoek. Dit is spesifiek gemoeid met die onderliggende mites en ideologieë wat deur middel van die tekste oorgedra word. Die kwalitatiewe studie is uitgevoer deur middel van 'n visuele semiotiese ontleding (Machin 2012) op agt CSR 2.0 korporatiewe advertensies, wat doelbewus gekies is. 'n Teoretiese raamwerk, om visuele CSR 2.0 korporatiewe advertensies te meet, is ontwikkel, dit het bygedra tot die steekproefneming, data-analise en interpretasie prosesse. Die bevindinge van die studie dui daarop dat deur CSR 2.0 positief in terme van verandering en transformasie, vooruitgang, en gelyke geleenthede vir alle burgers te posisioneer, OMSA verhoudings met belanghebbendes kan bevorder. Daarbenewens is ook gevind dat OMSA gevestigde temas van CSR 2.0 implementeer en hulle herhaaldelik gebruik wat juis die beoogde / gekodeerde boodskap stewig aan die kyker bevestig. / Communication Science / M. A. (Communication Science) CSR 2.0 CSR 1.0 Visual semiotic analysis Iconography Denotation Connotation Carriers of connotation Iconographic symbolism Myth Ideology Contextualisation Representation Corporate identity Corporate advertising Interpretivist Realism CSR 2.0 CSR 1.0 Visuele semiotiese Ikonografie Denotasie Konnotasie Draers van konnotasie Ikonografiese simboliek Mites Ideologie Kontekstualisering Verteenwoordiging Korporatiewe identiteit Korporatiewe advertensies Interpretivistiese Realisme 659.10968
28	The "Equalizer" Administration: Managerial Strategies in the Public Sector Cavalcanti, Bianor Scelza 08 April 2005 (has links) The purpose of this dissertation is to understand the managerial "action" of public administrators in the management of their organizations within the Brazilian context. The research seeks to understand the relationships between managers and formal management mechanisms by exploring the complementary nature of the effective managerial action in the face of structural deficiencies and flaws, considering the possibility of overcoming the structuralism-subjectivism dichotomy present in the construction of the Theory of Organizations. Initially, the study provides a review of the literature on organizational design. It highlights the "goodness of fit" proposition on strategic choice issues concerning the main organizational variables design and organizational goal attainment. It also calls special attention to the emerging interest of designing theorists on interpretivist approaches to the matter, such that of Karl Weick. A review of the the administrative reforms in Brazil is made from the perspective of the main stream organizational design conceptual framework. It highlights the complex dynamics of a constant search for differentiation and flexibilization subject to patterns of advances and reversals, due to the centrality, strength and pervasiveness of the bureaucratic model. It is concluded that in no single given moment, a public manager and his team, may count on a formal organizational design which attends the"congruency" criteria, devised by organizational design conceptual frameworks, to explain organizational results in different environmental sets. Although this conclusion may explain failure at the public sector, it can not provide understanding on the many instances of significative success attained by government operations in spite of inadequate formal administrative structures. This point calls for a better understanding from the interpretivist approach, on how public administrators, strongly associated with good organizational results, engage into transformative action, in order to superate administrative structures flaws and dysfunctional cultural patterns of conduct, structurally present and constantly reproduced, in vigorous developing countries, such as Brazil. The dissertation transcribes the testimony of four outstanding public administrators, doing a deep incursion in the managerial real world of public administration, as subjectively defined by them and transformed by their engagement into action.Through the thematic version of the Oral History methodology, full segments of the complete interviews are categorized into the thirty two managerial strategies captured which are presented on a recategorized manner under eight main strategies: (1) Interchanging Frames of Reference; (2) Exploring the Formal Limits; (3) Playing the Bureaucracy Game; (4) Inducing the Inclusion of Others (5)Promoting Internal Cohesion; (6) Creating Shields against Transgressions; (7) Overcoming Internal Restrictions; (8) Letting the Structures Blossom. Each one of these eight blocks of strategies presented, deserves further reflexive interpretation by the author, on the light of the interpretivist approach to organizational design. A final effort is made, now on theory building, for improving understanding on the matter. In order to find a significant meaning underlining all the strategies extracted from the "practical consciousness" of the interviewers as revealed in their report, the author resort to a metaphor. This metaphor helps to: (1) better describe and understand a not adequately treated phenomenon, namely, good results under inadequate structural social and organizational conditions; (2) reveal the logic and the meaning underlining all the strategies adopted to generate results under these unfaithful conditions; (3) name, accordingly to the nature of the managerial transformative social action involved, an open ended class of managerial interventions of a pragmatic sort driven by an ethics of results much common to good managers, that is, the concept of "managerial equalization"; and (4) give back to public administrators, represented by the interviewees, to be incorporated in their "discursive consciousness", something the most effective and experienced public managers already have as tacit knowledge built in their "practical consciousness", and so, help the education and development of new talents. / Ph. D. equalizer manager equalizing management unfaithfull structural conditions metaphor discursive cousciousness discourse practical cosciousness tacit knowledge agency intentionality ethics empirical bases improvising equalizing theory building meaning agent desining patrimonialism reflexive interpretation organizing inclusion cohesion transgression corruption clientelism nepotism cognitive maps deponents frames of reference transformative action explanation understanding oral history flexbilization decentralization uniformity conceptual frameworks organizational change goodness of fit organizational results organizational performance differentiation uncertainty Brazil develloping countries administrative reform bureaucratic model centralization organizational design organizational theory interpretivist approach subjectivism funcionalism paradigms cultural patterns reproduction structural flaws public manager public administrator formal management mechanisms Action managerial action public administration and management public sector public policy public programs

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