The purpose of this study was to discover what impact, if any, personal social networks have on an individual’s snowboarding skill progression, and whether any differences emerge based on gender, class, race, or age. Interviews with 10 demographically diverse snowboarders in Washington State, USA, were conducted and analyzed. The study revealed that personal social networks are highly important to snowboarding skill progression, with nine progression benefits noted. It was also found that the type of relationship was important, with the roles of gatekeepers, “godfathers,” and crews as the most critical for progression. Lastly, respondents indicated a variety of methods to access social networks, including social media, events, organizations, industry employment and through existing social networks. To further analyze the findings, an intersectional feminist reading of Castells networking theory was applied, with investigations into gender, race, class, and age patterns. The analysis revealed two overlapping values systems, one based on snowboarding ability and commitment, and one based on alignment of demographics with those who are most valued in the snowboarding world--mainly young, white, middle class men. The research closes with potential solution ideas to improve equitability and inclusion, which can be applied from the grassroots level to large-scale implementation.

This work deals with networking activities and communication of non-profit organizations and their representatives with external subjects. Networking is a strategic tool, which NGOs can use to make contacts and get new opportunities. As well as in the private sector non-profit organizations must deal with many obstacles. Most often it is a lack of resources. Due to lack of funds non-profit organizations cannot afford to employ experts. Therefore we can see that non-profit organizations struggle with a certain amount of unprofessionalism. They lack the strategy and they do not have set organizational processes. Communication with external subjects or networking activities are not an exception. This has been fully compensated with their energy and enthusiasm. Employees of non-profit organizations are not motivated financially but by doing a good thing. The study shows that employees of non-profit organizations are interested in new trends, what networking undoubtedly is.

With the advent of the telephonic and technological healthcare revolution, pharmaceutical corporations seek to improve patient compliance and quality of life by contracting with services providers. As an employee of one such provider, working for more than three years on a medication for the neurologically degenerative disease, multiple sclerosis, this investigation utilizes a mixed methodological approach. In order to improve and diversify the clinical services provided to patients, I was contracted as a consultant. I interviewed phone and PRN nurses, developed and released a PRN survey, and interviewed patients living in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas area. The combined experiences and expertise of the three groups who participated would serve to inform and develop new programs and services for patients with differing disease states. The research resulted in a re-imagining of the social networking theory of health, as well as the works of Pierre Bourdieu and Michel Foucault, to serve the evolving tele-health and technologically based healthcare workplace.

The process by which a firm internationalizes has long been a topic of discussion in academia. Several models, hypotheses, and theories have been created to explain how a company expands and sells its products to a new market. However, each industry and pathway to internationalization has yet to be explored. The arms trade industry is a highly complex and controversial field as it carries with it numerous political and defense implications. The purpose of this study is to analyze the internal strategies and processes by which an MNE within the arms industry performs a successful internationalization. Furthermore, it will challenge current internationalization theory and literature by providing new insight into this process. Hence, it is essential to explore the internal strategies, networks, and factors involved to enhance our understanding and contribute new methods to the scientific community. The study followed an abductive approach with a qualitative method has been performed through a single case study analysis. Semi-structured interviews with C-suite executives are conducted to collect data from Armscor Global Defense. There were several findings from this thesis. Some of our conclusions were that personal relationships are more important than distance when internationalizing. Another conclusion for the defense sector is that companies should not rely on governmental relationships. Companies in the defense sector also invest a lot of time and money in physical meetings, despite the possibility of virtual meetings.