Since the 1960’s there has been a marked increase in the number of known conversions from Islam to Christianity. This thesis asks whether certain of these ex-Muslim Christians engage in the process of theology-making and, if so, it asks what these theologies claim to know about God and humans’ relation to God. Utilizing the dialectic of contextuality-contextualization of Shoki Coe, and the sociology of theological knowledge of Robert Schreiter, the thesis seeks to answer these questions by the use of two case studies and an examination of some of the texts written by ex-Muslim Christians. Lewis Rambo’s theory of religious conversion and Steven Lukes’ theory of power will be used to clarify the changing dynamics of power which have helped to foster modern contexts wherein an unprecedented number of Muslims are both exposed to the Christian message and, if they choose to do so, able to appropriate it through religious conversion. The two case studies are of a Christian community which founded a Muslim-background church in the Arabophone world and some Iranian Christian congregations in the USA and UK Diaspora. Aspects of the contexts of these believers are investigated in some detail, including motives for religious conversion, numbers and locations of the converts, how apostates may be treated by Muslims, changes in migration and communications, and the Christian concept of religious conversion. The concept of inculturation which helps to describe the meeting of a specific community with the Christian message will aid in analyzing the communities and individuals being studied. The final chapter brings together the various threads which have been raised throughout the thesis and argues that ex-Muslim Christians are engaged in theology-making, that areas of interest to them include theology of the church, salvation and baptism, and that the dominant metaphor in these theologies is a conceptualization of love and power that sees the two divine traits as inseparable from each other; they represent a knowledge about who God is and what he is like, which, in their understanding, is irreconcilable with their former religion, Islam.

This study of CEOs in Nigeria sought to discover the practices that CEOs engaged in as relevant and effective in an emerging economy. Twenty eight CEOs of national and expatriate extraction running national and multi-national companies were interviewed to understand their experiences of the contextual influences of an emerging economy and how this impacted what they did, ie. their practices. In support of contingency theories that seek to explain how effective leadership is the result of appropriateness of fit between particular behaviours and particular situations , CEO practices in an emerging economy were found to be attributable to the macro influences of an emerging economy, discovered in the Nigerian environment to include: - undue government influence, unwholesome competitor practices, short supply of skills and talent, inadequate social and physical infrastructure, a large untapped market and poor government capacity to implement policies and laws. The inclusion of previously unresearched but potentially relevant meso and micro influences of company type and CEO nationality status led to the discovery of additional CEO practices that were perceived to be relevant in an emerging economy context and the attribution of differences in CEO practices to the individual or combined influence of these contexts. A conceptual model derived from the findings of this study provided a new understanding of the relationship between the macro influences of an emerging economy, the meso influence of company type and the micro influence of CEO nationality status on CEO practices and the intended outcomes of those practices. Practical knowledge about the development of business leaders in an emerging economy has been extended as a result of deeper insights into the contextually influenced and relevant CEO practices in an emerging economy.

This thesis investigates the effect of incorporating various information visualisation techniques and non-speech sounds (i.e. auditory icons and earcons) in email browsing. This empirical work consisted of three experimental phases. The first experimental phase aimed at finding out the most usable visualisation techniques for presenting email information. This experiment involved the development of two experimental email visualisation approaches which were called LinearVis and MatrixVis. These approaches visualised email messages based on a dateline together with various types of email information such as the time and the senders. The findings of this experiment were used as a basis for the development of a further email visualisation approach which was called LinearVis II. This novel approach presented email data based on multi-coordinated views. The usability of messages retrieval in this approach was investigated and compared to a typical email client in the second experimental phase. Users were required to retrieve email messages in the two experiments with the provided relevant information such as the subject, status and priority. The third experimental phase aimed at exploring the usability of retrieving email messages by using other type of email data, particularly email threads. This experiment investigated the synergic use of graphical representations with non-speech sounds (Multimodal Metaphors), graphical representations and textual display to present email threads and to communicate contextual information about email threads. The findings of this empirical study demonstrated that there is a high potential for using information visualisation techniques and non-speech sounds (i.e. auditory icons and earcons) to improve the usability of email message retrieval. Furthermore, the thesis concludes with a set of empirically derived guidelines for the use of information visualisation techniques and non-speech sound to improve email browsing.

本研究主要以背景效果的理論為基礎，在前後廣告不同的品牌關係下，探討兩者訴求一致性的高低，如何使前置廣告對受試者評價後置廣告時所產生的影響效果出現差異，並以後置廣告訊息類別與受試者產品知識為調節變數，進一步探討這兩者如何增強或削弱前述背景效果的強度。 經由前測選出數位相機和洗面乳為正式實驗題材，兩個產品類別的前置廣告品牌分別是SONY和DOVE，訴求焦點分別是「專業型相機」和「滋潤保濕效果佳」；而兩產品後置廣告的副品牌分別是SONY-Master和DOVE-Scent，虛擬品牌分別是DigiXpert和AROMA。兩產品後置廣告訴求焦點，在與前置廣告訴求具高一致性者分別是「鏡頭品質」、「畫素高」、「含有甘油成分」、「洗後不緊繃」，在與前置廣告訴求具低一致性者分別是「預設模式多」、「價格便宜」、「含有水楊酸配方」、「超強洗淨力」。根據上述前測結果，設計出一個2(訴求一致性：高與低)×2(訊息類別：深層訊息與表層訊息)×2(產品知識：高與低)的實驗，並以政大大學部學生為樣本，回收984份有效問卷進行統計分析。 研究結果顯示，當後置廣告之品牌為一虛擬品牌時，不論是在數位相機或是洗面乳產品，均證實當後置廣告訴求與前置廣告訴求具有高度一致性時，受試者對後置廣告的產品評價，會受到前置廣告主要訴求的影響，使其評價在該訴求點上展現出同化效果；當後置廣告訴求與前置廣告訴求具有低度一致性時，受試者對後置廣告的產品評價，則會受到前置廣告主要訴求的影響，使其評價在該訴求點上產生對比效果。當後置廣告之品牌為前置廣告品牌之副品牌時，也得到類似的結果，除了在洗面乳產品/訴求一致性高的情境下，受試者對副品牌後置廣告的評價的確展現出預期的對比效果，與受試者對虛擬品牌後置廣告在相同情境下的評價有所差異，與本研究預期相符；其他情境出現的背景效果種類均與受試者對虛擬品牌後置廣告在相同情境下的評價類似，而與本研究預期不符。 整體而言，本研究結果提醒廣告主除了廣告本身的內容之外，廣告所處溝通環境中的其他廣告也會對廣告效果產生相當的影響作用，尤其對於P＆G、J＆J、Unilever等擁有眾多產品品牌的大型公司來說，當它們對媒體進行聯合採購時，等於對廣告的背景環境有了部分的掌握能力，更應該善用這樣的優勢，妥善安排廣告順序，以提昇廣告效果、或避免廣告品牌間自相殘殺。除此之外，根據目標受眾的產品知識調整廣告訊息的呈現方式，也可以適度的改變上述效果的強度。 / The purpose of this study is to investigate the contextual effects the former ad will exert on the evaluation of the latter ad, under different consistency of appeals and branding strategies between these two ads. Moreover, the message type in the latter ad and the product knowledge of the participants are also discussed to understand how they could moderate the above assimilation or contrast effects. Digital camera and facial cleanser are selected as the test product categories. In the digital camera category, SONY was chosen as the brand of the former ad. SONY-Master (sub-brand condition) and DigiXpert (virtual brand condition) were the brands of the latter ads. In the facial cleanser category, DOVE was chosen as the brand of the former ad. DOVE-Scent and AROMA were the brands of the latter ads. A 2 (appeal consistency: high versus low)×2 (message type: deep cue versus surface cue)×2 (product knowledge: high versus low) factorial experimental design was applied on 984 college student samples. The main effect of the appeal consistency suggested that when the latter ad carried the virtual brand and under the condition of high appeal consistency between two ads, participants’ evaluation of the latter ad on the dimension of the former ad appeal showed an assimilation effect. On the other hand, participants’ evaluation of latter ad on the dimension of the former ad appeal, under the condition of low appeal consistency between two ads and with a virtual brand, revealed a contrast effect. The above effects occurred in both product categories. When product in the latter ad used a sub-brand strategy, participants’ evaluations of the latter ad on the dimension of former ad appeal were similar to those when the latter ad carried the virtual brand. The only exception was the high appeal consistency condition in facial cleanser category, under which participants’ evaluations revealed a contrast effect. In general, this study suggests the advertisers who have multiple brands, such as P&G, pay attention to the contexts of ads. With their powerful bundle media purchase, they are granted with more influence over the contexts. Marketers should take this advantage to enhance ad effects or avoid mutual damage between brands. Finally, advertisers could also adjust the message type of the ad appeal according to the product knowledge of consumers to moderate the above contextual effects.

In a contemporary Europe symptomized by concurrent trends of economic and demographic transformation it is increasingly important to trace how individuals are navigate their everyday contexts when making major life course decisions.  Placed within an emerging tradition of sub-national demographic research, this study focuses on how municipal economic conditions affect entry into parenthood throughout Sweden.   Employing event-history analysis using individual and multi-level regression models on Swedish register data for the period 2000 to 2007 the study seek answers to whether growing regional economic disparities are conducive to a fault line between contexts in terms of how individuals enter parenthood.    Further it problematizes the measures traditionally used to model contextual economic conditions by introducing a measure of vulnerability as a covariate alongside traditional unemployment rates. The findings reveal that poor economic conditions, in combination with individual characteristics, distinctly affect entry into parenthood and are mostly composed of a timing-effect.

During the 20th century, numerous philosophers of science pointed out several problems afflicting scientific communication. Communication in accounting is also problematic. In both cases (science and accounting) there seems to be a tension between objectivism and subjectivism. The former emphasizes the objects of knowledge while the latter prefers to rely on the human subject. In science one of these approaches seems to prevail in different periods. In accounting there seems to be an oscillation or ambiguity between the two tendencies (subjectivism and objectivism) which remain side by side. A polarity seems to emerge as statutory disclosures are influenced by objectivism, while contextual disclosures are inclined towards subjectivism. With reference to the philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd subjectivism and objectivism are interpreted as emphasizing certain modal aspects to the detriment of others. Although this problem can be regarded as the cause of many difficulties in annual reports, this article focuses on communication problems. It is suggested that a better approach can be adopted by paying attention to all the modal aspects, in particular to those which tend to be neglected under a certain approach (objectivism or subjectivism). The final sections of this article provide a few concrete examples of how to improve communication in corporate reports by taking into account the neglected modal aspects. / MPhil, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The mechanisms underlying cannabinoid impairment of fear memory is not clear. This study investigated the effects of the synthetic cannabinoid HU210 and the endocannabinoid hydrolysis inhibitor JZL 195 on fear memory following contextual fear conditioning (CFC; an animal model of fear). The long-term depression (LTD)-blocking peptide Tat-GluR2 was utilized to investigate whether the expression of cannabinoid-induced LTD (CB-LTD) is required for the cannabinoid impairment of acquisition and consolidation of contextual fear memory. HU210 reduced freezing throughout the test phase of the acquisition protocol, which was not affected by pre-administration of Tat-GluR2. High and moderate doses of HU210 reduced freezing during the first and last half, respectively, of the test phase of the consolidation protocol, which was prevented by pre-treatment with Tat-GluR2. HU210 did not affect freezing during the test phase of the retrieval protocol. Thus, these results suggest that HU210 impairs acquisition and consolidation, but not retrieval of contextual fear memory, and that in vivo CB-LTD expression is required for HU210 impairment of the consolidation, but not acquisition, of contextual fear memory. We also observed that HU210 and JZL 195 do not facilitate the acquisition of contextual fear memory extinction.

The new world of work has an enormous impact on the work-life of employees. Retrenchment, early retirement, unemployment and the demand for better performance are the result of massive restructurings, outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions. The old Psychological contract, as well as lifelong employment, is becoming obsolete in a changing world of work. This leads to increased job insecurity in the workplace. There is substantial evidence in the literature that job insecurity is damaging to psychological health. Job insecurity in not only damaging the individual but impacts negatively on the organisation. Job insecurity leads to mistrust, lack of commitment and general dissatisfaction. In the end it will have a definite impact on organisational performance. The empirical objective of this research was to investigate the relationship between job insecurity, psychological well-being and the relationship with future literacy. A cross-sectional design with an availability sample (n =. 459) was used. The sample was subjected to a specific programme of future literacy training (Map Your Life). Questionnaires were completed prior to the training programme. The reliability and construct validity of the measuring instruments acceptable. (Cronbach alpha coefficients adhere to the cut-off point of > 0,70) with the exception of the Dispositional Optimism Questionnaire (Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0,64). Future literacy is an unknown concept and it was necessary to conceptualise the concept. No instrument to measure future literacy existed and it was necessary to compile such an instrument. A questionnaire consisting of 18 items was compiled to measure future literacy. Factor analysis revealed two factors that measured future literacy. Factor One was named Positive Mindset Towards Future Possibilities and Factor Two, Anticipating, Planning and Preparing for Future Changes. The Cronbach alpha for Factor One was 0,76 and 0,8 1 for the second factor. Results indicated statistical signiticant correlations (of a medium effect) between job insecurity, self-efficacy, dispositional optimism and work locus of control. Self-efficacy and dispositional optimism correlated negatively with job insecurity, indicating that job insecurity decreases as self-efficacy and dispositional optimism increases. The results also indicated a significant negative correlation (medium effect) between job insecurity and future literacy. This implies that as job insecurity decreases future literacy increases. The negative correlation between future literacy and job insecurity indicates that candidates who are future literate experience less job insecurity. When candidates with high and low scores on future literacy were compared with one another, candidates who scored low on all the scales of future literacy experienced high levels job insecurity. Candidates who demonstrated high levels of future literacy experienced significantly lower job insecurity. Black employees experienced significantly higher levels of future literacy when compared to White employees. Multiple regression analysis indicated that self-efficacy, dispositional optimism, work locus of control and future literacy predicted job insecurity when controlling for biographical variables. Limitations and recommendations regarding future research, as well as recommendations for the organisation were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2006.

The research applies the contextual context, content, and process (CCP) framework to explore the contextual and processual factors that are associated with implementing interorganisational collaborative arrangements in the public sector. Collaborative arrangements in the public sector are found to be complex, difficult to implement, and liable to failure when not fully explored and recognised. Background theory reveals the absence of a multilevel lens that can embrace the multifaceted nature of interorganisational collaborations, the multiple contextual levels, the process stages and micro-actions, and the interplay between the process and the context. By identifying the need to explore contextual and processual factors, the background theory informs the focal theory which proposes an extended CCP framework as a useful multilevel lens to elucidate the research problem. The framework is developed and validated through multidisciplinary literature synthesisation, the pilot stage, and the main fieldwork which applies qualitative methods based on multiple case studies from the public sector in Oman as data sources’ techniques. The originality of this study stemming from developing and validating a novel multilevel contextual framework. The emerged multifaceted CCP framework, used to explore contextual and processual factors when implementing collaborative arrangements in the public sector, is found to be an applicable, feasible, and useful analysis tool. It can help public policy-makers, public management, academics, change agents, and collaborating organisations in identifying the inhibitive, supportive prerequisites, and in general influencing contextual factors. It helps also in elucidating and minimising uncertainty about the nature and micro-actions of the processual stages.

This study aims to investigate if users find the informationthey are looking for on the IKEA web site. To examine this,both quantitative and qualitative methods are used. Themethods used in this study is heuristic evaluation, survey,contextual inquery and web analysis. The result shows thatusers has hard to find categories that are hidden in a dropdownmenu and find it hard to notice elements that areseparated from the content itself.