Studies bakgrund kan summerat sägas grunda sig i en insikt; att kunskap är en central verksamhetsresurs. Samtidigt visar forskning på att det råder delade meningar om vad kunskap är och hur den ska hanteras, speciellt vid mjukvaruutveckling. Studiens överordnande vetenskapliga syfte är att explorativt undersöka vad kunskap är inom kontexten för mjukvaruutveckling. Det underordnade syftet är att bidra till en begreppsapparat som kan användas av praktiker för att underlätta kommunikationen vid mjukvaruutveckling. För att uppnå syftet med studien har en multipel fallstudie med en kvalitativ forskningsstrategi och ett abduktivt tillvägagångssätt använts. Dessa vägval beror till stor del på en uppfattning om att bäst förståelse och resultat nås genom tolkande och kontinuerligt utvärderande av genomfört arbete. Då kunskap som begrepp beskrivs vara svårt att definiera. Till grund för datainsamlingen ligger semistrukturerade intervjuer, vilka har analyserats genom tematisering och kodning. Studiens resultat visar på att den egenutvecklade teoretiska förståelsemodellen stöds och att kunskap är att betrakta som något subjektivt; en produkt av individers tidigare erfarenheter, lärdomar och handlingar. Hinder för kunskapsspridning går att relatera till: individens attityd och förmåga till att återge och skapa ny kunskap. Möjligheter till kunskapsspridning kan därför främst sägas vara insatser som leder till att den personliga förståelsen underlättas. Vidare visar studiens resultat på att det kan vara lämpligt att utgå från ett praktiskt perspektiv för att studera vad kunskap är. Då kunskap är personligt hållen kan det vara mer fruktbart att studera individers handlingar. Handlingar som är baserade på tidigare erfarenheter och kunskaper.

Os pregoeiros são os servidores responsáveis pela condução dos processos licitatórios de aquisições e contratações dos órgãos públicos no Brasil. A função de pregoeiro, apesar de sua complexidade e importância à eficiente utilização dos recursos públicos, vem sendo negligenciada pelo Estado. Até o momento não há uma carreira específica ou remuneração condizente ao risco dessa atividade. Os métodos e análises realizadas por este estudo, à luz dos Estudos Baseados em Prática (EBP) e do knowing-in-practice, permitiram melhor visibilidade aos elementos tácitos que compõem os saberes os pregoeiros desenvolvidos no seu cotidiano de trabalho. Partindo da identificação e descrição de suas práticas de trabalho, a função pregoeiro caracteriza-se pelo acúmulo e sobreposição de atividades, dificultando assim desenho de um perfil para a mesma. Outra característica inerente a função é a presença de uma forte estrutura normativa a qual norteia e permeia esse trabalho. A partir dos discursos dos entrevistados, constatou-se que o Curso de Formação de Pregoeiros demonstrou-se insuficiente para desenvolver as habilidades de negociação e conversação e os aspectos atitudinais da atenção, equilíbrio e retidão necessários à sua prática. Assim, a aprendizagem no cotidiano de trabalho dos pregoeiros ocorreu de forma situada através dos conhecimentos informais e tácitos, compartilhados por meio das interações sociais entre os servidores, facilitada pela estrutura em rede dos Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia (IFs) (instituições pesquisadas), fóruns e comunidades de praticantes, confirmando assim a perspectiva do knowing-in-practice. Afirma-se então que o desenvolvimento dos saberes do pregoeiro não está descolado de suas práticas de trabalho. A partir dos elementos identificados neste estudo, sugerem-se ações para melhoria das condições de trabalho, desenvolvimento e reconhecimento profissional do pregoeiro. Um olhar mais sensível da sociedade e dos representantes políticos é necessária, dada a importância estratégica do papel do pregoeiro na garantia da qualidade do gasto público. / Public Procurement Officers are the public servers responsible for conducting bidding processes of acquisition and hiring for public organs in Brazil. The main duty of the Public Procurement Officer, despite its complexity and importance to the efficient use of public resources, has been neglected by the state. Still, there is no specific career or equitable salary which represents the risks of this activity. The methods and analysis made by this study, considering Practice-Based Studies (PBS) and of knowing-into-practice, allowed a better visibility in the tacit elements that build the knowledge Public Procurement Officers have developed in their daily work. Starting with the identification and description of their practices at work, the Public Procurement Officer function is characterized by the accumulation and overlapping of activities, making it difficult to draw a proper profile to the function. Another intrinsic characteristic of the Public Procurement Officers' function, which directs and permeates this paper, is the presence of a normative structure. Through the speech of the interviewees it was possible to state that the Basic Training Course Public Procurement Officers take is not sufficient to develop the negotiation and reasoning skills and the attitude of attention, balance and rectitude needed to the practice of this function. Therefore, the Public Procurement Officers’ learning process happens throughout informal and tacit knowledge, shared through servers’ social interaction – facilitated by the structure in network from Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology (FIs) (institutions where the research took place), online forums and communities, corroborating the knowing-in-practice perspective. It can be stated that the knowledge development of Public Procurement Officers is not disconnected to their practice. Based on the elements identified in this study, some actions are suggested to improve the working conditions, development and recognition of the Public Procurement Officers. A more sensitive consideration from society and from political representatives is necessary, given the strategic importance of Public Procurement Officers’ role in assuring the public money is being well spent.

This study explores the challenge faced when an organization utilizes innovative knowledge management system to transfer internal best practice. The objective of this study is to explore what model should be employed by an organization to promote continual emergence of practical knowledge for knowledge workers as this kind of knowledge is deeply affected by situated factors when high tech engineers have high level of personalized knowledge and are embedded in practice. By qualitative case study methodology, this study adopts theoretical views of the nature of knowledge embeddedness and situated learning to explore the process of two semiconductor companies implementing management models to help engineers transfer their knowledge and experiences. Of these two companies, the ChipMaker is a supplier of semiconductor equipment. It inputs a set of system based knowledge model to transfer best maintenance practices of engineers by this system. While the other ChipTest company operates community oriented knowledge management model. After strict instructions, engineers regularly gather to share their experience and problems they faced. After theoretical and qualitative data analysis, this thesis study has three major study findings. First, the nature of situated knowledge is shown from the maintenance jobs of engineers. This kind of knowledge is personalized cognition and is embedded in work situation. Diversified deciphering situations are developed via irritation of work situations. The situated knowledge can only be emerged from social network based on situation development and impromptu dialog and action accompanying problem exploration. Second, many existing literatures and practical applications do not clarify the nature of knowledge embeddedness, but adopt "system based knowledge management model", which assumes that an organization can directly manage "knowledge" and acts of "knowledge workers". However, this study finds that the system can only manage "knowledge object" and is only applicable to problems of steady and simple situations. Furthermore, the system inclines to misleading engineers exchange superficial knowledge documents. In other words, "situated knowledge" most needed by engineers is the process of continual reproduction and potential transfer through social interaction, not a linear manner of direct transfer. Therefore, only situated learning can effectively share knowledge of embedded nature. Third, this study finds that an organization is not likely to manage "situated knowledge" that is emerged only from specific situation, but manages "social structure" to nourish knowing in practice . This dialog structures must have the following four features: 1. situated stimuli, 2. multidimensional situation link, 3. group identities, 4. collectively implied memories. Only with these features, members can be attracted to continually input activity energy to keep vitality of community interaction. Finally, from two cases of knowledge managements this study develops two kinds of knowledge management models ¡V "object style", i.e. big K and small m [Km], and "jigsaw style", i.e. small k and big M (kM) ¡V and suggests their theoretical and practical implications

The aim of this research is to explore the question of how farmers learn, in constructing knowledge both in and for practice. It seeks to identify how they gain new ideas, make changes, develop to a level of expertise and who and what contribute to this process. The rapidity of change in a high tech environment, combined with globalisation, the new economy and the knowledge age, means that farmers are living their lives in 'fast forward' mode. There is so much new technology, research and development available that the ability to identify information relevant to a particular farming practice and to process it to knowledge is an increasing challenge. Six central South Island (N.Z.) farmers were selected purposively as case studies. The range of case profiles provides for comparison and contrast of the relative importance of formal qualifications, differences between sheep/beef farmers and dairy farmers, levels of expertise, age and experiences. The self-rating of the farmers enables a comparison of lower and higher performers, identifying characteristics which enable insight into why some farmers consistently lead new practice and why others are reluctant followers. The research is qualitative in design and approached from a constructlVIst and interpretive paradigm. Socially and experientially based, it seeks to understand the experiences of the subjects through in-depth interviews and observations. This study identifies farmers as social learners although working independently, in relative geographical isolation and often, social isolation. It concludes that these farmers learn through participation in the practice of farming. This practice includes a constellation of cOmInunities of practice, which may be resource-rich or resource-poor, depending on the range and depth of the farmer's involvement. Through full and committed participation in these practice communities and associate constellations, the practitioner's identity evolves, encouraging new practices, ideas and innovation. This study emphasises that expertise is not a permanent state but requires evolving identity, knowledge and dispositional ability; for maintenance and growth within a culture of practice. Emergent grounded theory suggests that dispositional knowledge underpins construction and use of all knowledge; that construction and use of high-order propositional and procedural knowledge requires higher-order dispositional knowledge and that mastery is developed through evolving identity, dispositions, leadership and learning, socioculturally constructed through resource-rich constellations of communities of practice.

Os pregoeiros são os servidores responsáveis pela condução dos processos licitatórios de aquisições e contratações dos órgãos públicos no Brasil. A função de pregoeiro, apesar de sua complexidade e importância à eficiente utilização dos recursos públicos, vem sendo negligenciada pelo Estado. Até o momento não há uma carreira específica ou remuneração condizente ao risco dessa atividade. Os métodos e análises realizadas por este estudo, à luz dos Estudos Baseados em Prática (EBP) e do knowing-in-practice, permitiram melhor visibilidade aos elementos tácitos que compõem os saberes os pregoeiros desenvolvidos no seu cotidiano de trabalho. Partindo da identificação e descrição de suas práticas de trabalho, a função pregoeiro caracteriza-se pelo acúmulo e sobreposição de atividades, dificultando assim desenho de um perfil para a mesma. Outra característica inerente a função é a presença de uma forte estrutura normativa a qual norteia e permeia esse trabalho. A partir dos discursos dos entrevistados, constatou-se que o Curso de Formação de Pregoeiros demonstrou-se insuficiente para desenvolver as habilidades de negociação e conversação e os aspectos atitudinais da atenção, equilíbrio e retidão necessários à sua prática. Assim, a aprendizagem no cotidiano de trabalho dos pregoeiros ocorreu de forma situada através dos conhecimentos informais e tácitos, compartilhados por meio das interações sociais entre os servidores, facilitada pela estrutura em rede dos Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia (IFs) (instituições pesquisadas), fóruns e comunidades de praticantes, confirmando assim a perspectiva do knowing-in-practice. Afirma-se então que o desenvolvimento dos saberes do pregoeiro não está descolado de suas práticas de trabalho. A partir dos elementos identificados neste estudo, sugerem-se ações para melhoria das condições de trabalho, desenvolvimento e reconhecimento profissional do pregoeiro. Um olhar mais sensível da sociedade e dos representantes políticos é necessária, dada a importância estratégica do papel do pregoeiro na garantia da qualidade do gasto público. / Public Procurement Officers are the public servers responsible for conducting bidding processes of acquisition and hiring for public organs in Brazil. The main duty of the Public Procurement Officer, despite its complexity and importance to the efficient use of public resources, has been neglected by the state. Still, there is no specific career or equitable salary which represents the risks of this activity. The methods and analysis made by this study, considering Practice-Based Studies (PBS) and of knowing-into-practice, allowed a better visibility in the tacit elements that build the knowledge Public Procurement Officers have developed in their daily work. Starting with the identification and description of their practices at work, the Public Procurement Officer function is characterized by the accumulation and overlapping of activities, making it difficult to draw a proper profile to the function. Another intrinsic characteristic of the Public Procurement Officers' function, which directs and permeates this paper, is the presence of a normative structure. Through the speech of the interviewees it was possible to state that the Basic Training Course Public Procurement Officers take is not sufficient to develop the negotiation and reasoning skills and the attitude of attention, balance and rectitude needed to the practice of this function. Therefore, the Public Procurement Officers’ learning process happens throughout informal and tacit knowledge, shared through servers’ social interaction – facilitated by the structure in network from Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology (FIs) (institutions where the research took place), online forums and communities, corroborating the knowing-in-practice perspective. It can be stated that the knowledge development of Public Procurement Officers is not disconnected to their practice. Based on the elements identified in this study, some actions are suggested to improve the working conditions, development and recognition of the Public Procurement Officers. A more sensitive consideration from society and from political representatives is necessary, given the strategic importance of Public Procurement Officers’ role in assuring the public money is being well spent.

Devido a meu interesse pelo setor de aeroportos, sobretudo pela atuação dos agentes aeroportuários e pelos saberes inerentes a seu trabalho, bem como através do contato com a abordagem dos estudos baseados em práticas (NICOLINI; GHERARDI; YANOW, 2003), foi delineada a seguinte questão de pesquisa: “Como se configura o trabalho e a articulação dos saberes dos agentes aeroportuários, à luz da noção de knowing-in-practice?”. O método foi construído com base em técnicas etnográficas, como observação participante, entrevistas informais e pesquisas em arquivo, juntamente com a etnonarrativa. Esta proposta é importante para transcender a hierarquização presente entre os diversos tipos de saberes envolvidos na concepção do trabalho, atribuindo ênfase a uma atividade profissional que tem papel fundamental, social e econômico, no setor brasileiro de aviação civil, a qual, porém, ainda é pouco explorada em pesquisas acadêmicas. Concluiu-se que as práticas de trabalho, embora fortemente regulamentadas e padronizadas, podem ser sucessivamente alteradas e, a partir daí, novos saberes e novas práticas se constituem com base em um julgamento ético, estético e emocional, inserido no contexto de trabalho situado. / From my interest in the airports sector, especially for the performance of airport staff and know-how inherent in their work, as well as through contact with the approach of practice-based studies (Nicolini, Gherardi & Yanow, 2003), the following was outlined research question: "How is configured the work and integration of knowing of airport agents in the light of the notion of knowing-in-practice?”. The method was built based on ethnographic techniques such as participant observation; interviews; searches on file, and the ethnonarrative approach. This proposal is important to transcend the hierarchical arrangement present between different types of knowledge involved at work giving emphasis to an occupation that has fundamental role, social and economic, in the Brazilian sector of civil aviation, which, however, is still little explored in academic research. It was concluded that working practices, though heavily regulated and standardized, can be successively altered and, from there, new knowledge and new practices are constituted based on an ethical, aesthetic and emotional trial, placed in the context of work located.

Os pregoeiros são os servidores responsáveis pela condução dos processos licitatórios de aquisições e contratações dos órgãos públicos no Brasil. A função de pregoeiro, apesar de sua complexidade e importância à eficiente utilização dos recursos públicos, vem sendo negligenciada pelo Estado. Até o momento não há uma carreira específica ou remuneração condizente ao risco dessa atividade. Os métodos e análises realizadas por este estudo, à luz dos Estudos Baseados em Prática (EBP) e do knowing-in-practice, permitiram melhor visibilidade aos elementos tácitos que compõem os saberes os pregoeiros desenvolvidos no seu cotidiano de trabalho. Partindo da identificação e descrição de suas práticas de trabalho, a função pregoeiro caracteriza-se pelo acúmulo e sobreposição de atividades, dificultando assim desenho de um perfil para a mesma. Outra característica inerente a função é a presença de uma forte estrutura normativa a qual norteia e permeia esse trabalho. A partir dos discursos dos entrevistados, constatou-se que o Curso de Formação de Pregoeiros demonstrou-se insuficiente para desenvolver as habilidades de negociação e conversação e os aspectos atitudinais da atenção, equilíbrio e retidão necessários à sua prática. Assim, a aprendizagem no cotidiano de trabalho dos pregoeiros ocorreu de forma situada através dos conhecimentos informais e tácitos, compartilhados por meio das interações sociais entre os servidores, facilitada pela estrutura em rede dos Institutos Federais de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia (IFs) (instituições pesquisadas), fóruns e comunidades de praticantes, confirmando assim a perspectiva do knowing-in-practice. Afirma-se então que o desenvolvimento dos saberes do pregoeiro não está descolado de suas práticas de trabalho. A partir dos elementos identificados neste estudo, sugerem-se ações para melhoria das condições de trabalho, desenvolvimento e reconhecimento profissional do pregoeiro. Um olhar mais sensível da sociedade e dos representantes políticos é necessária, dada a importância estratégica do papel do pregoeiro na garantia da qualidade do gasto público. / Public Procurement Officers are the public servers responsible for conducting bidding processes of acquisition and hiring for public organs in Brazil. The main duty of the Public Procurement Officer, despite its complexity and importance to the efficient use of public resources, has been neglected by the state. Still, there is no specific career or equitable salary which represents the risks of this activity. The methods and analysis made by this study, considering Practice-Based Studies (PBS) and of knowing-into-practice, allowed a better visibility in the tacit elements that build the knowledge Public Procurement Officers have developed in their daily work. Starting with the identification and description of their practices at work, the Public Procurement Officer function is characterized by the accumulation and overlapping of activities, making it difficult to draw a proper profile to the function. Another intrinsic characteristic of the Public Procurement Officers' function, which directs and permeates this paper, is the presence of a normative structure. Through the speech of the interviewees it was possible to state that the Basic Training Course Public Procurement Officers take is not sufficient to develop the negotiation and reasoning skills and the attitude of attention, balance and rectitude needed to the practice of this function. Therefore, the Public Procurement Officers’ learning process happens throughout informal and tacit knowledge, shared through servers’ social interaction – facilitated by the structure in network from Federal Institutes of Education, Science and Technology (FIs) (institutions where the research took place), online forums and communities, corroborating the knowing-in-practice perspective. It can be stated that the knowledge development of Public Procurement Officers is not disconnected to their practice. Based on the elements identified in this study, some actions are suggested to improve the working conditions, development and recognition of the Public Procurement Officers. A more sensitive consideration from society and from political representatives is necessary, given the strategic importance of Public Procurement Officers’ role in assuring the public money is being well spent.

Devido a meu interesse pelo setor de aeroportos, sobretudo pela atuação dos agentes aeroportuários e pelos saberes inerentes a seu trabalho, bem como através do contato com a abordagem dos estudos baseados em práticas (NICOLINI; GHERARDI; YANOW, 2003), foi delineada a seguinte questão de pesquisa: “Como se configura o trabalho e a articulação dos saberes dos agentes aeroportuários, à luz da noção de knowing-in-practice?”. O método foi construído com base em técnicas etnográficas, como observação participante, entrevistas informais e pesquisas em arquivo, juntamente com a etnonarrativa. Esta proposta é importante para transcender a hierarquização presente entre os diversos tipos de saberes envolvidos na concepção do trabalho, atribuindo ênfase a uma atividade profissional que tem papel fundamental, social e econômico, no setor brasileiro de aviação civil, a qual, porém, ainda é pouco explorada em pesquisas acadêmicas. Concluiu-se que as práticas de trabalho, embora fortemente regulamentadas e padronizadas, podem ser sucessivamente alteradas e, a partir daí, novos saberes e novas práticas se constituem com base em um julgamento ético, estético e emocional, inserido no contexto de trabalho situado. / From my interest in the airports sector, especially for the performance of airport staff and know-how inherent in their work, as well as through contact with the approach of practice-based studies (Nicolini, Gherardi & Yanow, 2003), the following was outlined research question: "How is configured the work and integration of knowing of airport agents in the light of the notion of knowing-in-practice?”. The method was built based on ethnographic techniques such as participant observation; interviews; searches on file, and the ethnonarrative approach. This proposal is important to transcend the hierarchical arrangement present between different types of knowledge involved at work giving emphasis to an occupation that has fundamental role, social and economic, in the Brazilian sector of civil aviation, which, however, is still little explored in academic research. It was concluded that working practices, though heavily regulated and standardized, can be successively altered and, from there, new knowledge and new practices are constituted based on an ethical, aesthetic and emotional trial, placed in the context of work located.

Devido a meu interesse pelo setor de aeroportos, sobretudo pela atuação dos agentes aeroportuários e pelos saberes inerentes a seu trabalho, bem como através do contato com a abordagem dos estudos baseados em práticas (NICOLINI; GHERARDI; YANOW, 2003), foi delineada a seguinte questão de pesquisa: “Como se configura o trabalho e a articulação dos saberes dos agentes aeroportuários, à luz da noção de knowing-in-practice?”. O método foi construído com base em técnicas etnográficas, como observação participante, entrevistas informais e pesquisas em arquivo, juntamente com a etnonarrativa. Esta proposta é importante para transcender a hierarquização presente entre os diversos tipos de saberes envolvidos na concepção do trabalho, atribuindo ênfase a uma atividade profissional que tem papel fundamental, social e econômico, no setor brasileiro de aviação civil, a qual, porém, ainda é pouco explorada em pesquisas acadêmicas. Concluiu-se que as práticas de trabalho, embora fortemente regulamentadas e padronizadas, podem ser sucessivamente alteradas e, a partir daí, novos saberes e novas práticas se constituem com base em um julgamento ético, estético e emocional, inserido no contexto de trabalho situado. / From my interest in the airports sector, especially for the performance of airport staff and know-how inherent in their work, as well as through contact with the approach of practice-based studies (Nicolini, Gherardi & Yanow, 2003), the following was outlined research question: "How is configured the work and integration of knowing of airport agents in the light of the notion of knowing-in-practice?”. The method was built based on ethnographic techniques such as participant observation; interviews; searches on file, and the ethnonarrative approach. This proposal is important to transcend the hierarchical arrangement present between different types of knowledge involved at work giving emphasis to an occupation that has fundamental role, social and economic, in the Brazilian sector of civil aviation, which, however, is still little explored in academic research. It was concluded that working practices, though heavily regulated and standardized, can be successively altered and, from there, new knowledge and new practices are constituted based on an ethical, aesthetic and emotional trial, placed in the context of work located.

Several issues have impacted on district nursing practice and education within the UK, which can be conceptualised within four main areas: national policy; local organisational structures and practice; professional and disciplinary theory; and practice of individuals (Bergen and While 2005). However, there has been a lack of direction in district nursing in recent years within the UK, with a decline in the number of district nurses being educated (Queen’s Nursing Institute 2014a) and the educational standards supporting district nurse education being over 20 years out of date (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2001). In addition to this, the standards of education for pre-registration nursing (Nursing and Midwifery Council 2010) have supported a graduate workforce with an increasing focus on nursing in the community. This was identified as a consideration for me as an educator when examining the future educational requirements of nurses beyond the point of registration in the community, and became the focus of this study. Knowing in practice is a key concept within this thesis, that is, the particular awareness that underpins the being and doing of a district nurse in practice (Chinn and Kramer 2008). This study explores the unique knowing of district nursing in practice, and how this professional knowing is developed. Understanding the knowing of district nurses and how this is developed will contribute to future educational frameworks and ways of supporting professional development within community nursing practice. A question that is often asked is what makes district nurse knowing different from nursing in inpatient settings, and this emerges in this thesis. A qualitative study using an interpretative approach within a case study design was adopted using three Health Boards within Scotland as the cases. Within each Health Board area, interviews were undertaken with key informants and also, group interviews with district nurses were undertaken using photo elicitation as a focussing exercise. The data were analysed using framework analysis (Spencer et al. 2003). This approach illuminated a depth and breadth of knowing in district nurse practice and how this knowing is developed. The study findings depict the complexity of knowing in district nursing, acknowledging the advancing role of district nursing practice, where the context of care is an essential consideration. The unique knowing can be described as a landscape that the district nurse must travel: crossing a variety of socio-economic areas; entering the private space of individuals, and the public space of communities; as well as acknowledging professional practice; navigating the policy agenda while maintaining clinical person-centred care; and leading others across the terrain of interprofessional working. The unique knowing in practice that characterises the expertise of district nurses is a matrix of elements that incorporates different aspects of knowing that contribute to leadership, as suggested by Jackson et al. (2009). The participants in this study recognised that due to the complexity of the district nurse role, and its continuing advancements, that district nurse education needs to move to a Master's level preparation and it needs to continue to be supported by a suitably qualified practice teacher. Furthermore, the findings within this study demonstrate that the development of the unique knowing in district nurses does not happen in isolation and it is very complex. It consists of networks, conversations, engagement with policy, understanding of professional contexts, adhering to organisational boundaries, and interaction with complex and challenging situations. Theory and practice are mutually dependent on each other; change is inevitable and is unpredictable; and practices change by having experiences, therefore change is integral to practice. Consequently, it was concluded that the interdependent elements, which interact, develop the unique knowing of district nurses in practice. Finally this thesis makes recommendations and discusses future implications for policy, practice and research.