Text in English / Although research paradigms and philosophies are highly regarded as frameworks and guides for choices of methods, application thereof is not evident. One of the reasons for the relatively limited application is the complexity and understanding surrounding paradigms and philosophies, making it hard for scholars to determine their stances and implications. This study describes a model for automatically predicting peoples’ paradigm and philosophical stance, including meaning, and their impact on research by helping the user determine the paradigm and philosophical stance closest to their beliefs. Paradigm and philosophical attributes are automatically derived from a set of structured questions that use information matching techniques. The development of a model for Research Paradigm and Philosophy Index (RPPI) follows a two-phase approach. The first phase involves automatic extraction of key indicators from a composed database that utilises an indexing scheme with different philosophies and associated implications. The second phase applies a matchmaking technique that automatically draws information reflecting the user’s attribute. This type of technology exists, but mainly in the dating and career matching fields. None exists for research paradigm and philosophical stances. The prototype system was designed and implemented to serve as a proof of concept, and was developed in Angular, using the Visual Studio Code, and Java, using Eclipse. The database was created using MySQL. The prototype system was designed and implemented to serve as a proof of concept due to the Intellectual Property nature of the product. Usability testing was conducted and results show that the participants agreed the system was simple, straight-forward to use, quite user-friendly and easy to learn, with easy navigation through menu items. / Computer Science / M.Sc. (Computing)

In this investigation I will go to the bottom of the idea of progressivism by using one of the symbols of its consequences: The Titanic disaster. The purpose is to analyze the claims of Walter Lord, comparing his story with the historical development of the 1900’s and Thomas S. Kuhns theory of paradigm shifts. According to Lord the Titanic disaster changed humans’ view on the world and their place in it, leading to a paradigm shift. By using the method of hermeneutics and critical discourse analysis I will show that Lords claims, depending on the perspective, are somewhat exaggerated. Instead Titanic would become a powerful symbol for the critics of the current paradigm, which is that of progressivism. Even if the Titanic disaster led to some changes, the idea of progressivism has been able to modify and adapt itself, reproducing the current societal paradigm of progressivism.

Sveriges externa och halvexterna handelsområden utgör tillsammans en uthyrningsbar yta på nästan 7 kvadratkilometer, vilket motsvarar cirka 1000 fotbollsplaner. Parkeringsytor och annan infrastruktur är inte inräknad i denna siffra. Dessa handelsområden är av vikt för kommuner genom de arbetstillfällen och skatteintäkter som genereras. Sedan år 2003 har e-handeln haft en årlig tillväxt på mellan 15 och 20%, medan den totala detaljhandeln under samma tid har vuxit med i snitt 2%. Mot bakgrund av e-handelns snabba utveckling menar Svensk Handel att den utgör en tydlig hotbild mot externa handelsområden.  Studien ämnar undersöka hur och i vilken utsträckning svenska kommuner hanterar problematiken kring e-handelns påverkan på externa handelsområden. Mot bakgrund av de stora markytorna som externhandelsområden upptar syftar studien även till att undersöka vilka rumsliga och andra strategier kommuner behöver arbeta med för att bemöta transformationstrycket som e-handeln orsakar i externhandelsområdenas fysiska miljöer. Studien är kvalitativ och görs genom en metodkombination där dokumentstudie, intervju och urbanmorfologisk analys appliceras på fyra undersökningsobjekt: Örebro, Västerås, Linköping och Norrköping. Det teoretiska ramverket utgörs av kreativ förstörelse, konsumtion, paradigm och urbanmorfologi, fyra perspektiv som syftar till att rama in ämnesområdet.  Samtliga undersökta kommuner uppvisar en förståelse för e-handelns påverkan och hotbild mot externa handelsområden. Ingen av kommunerna har dock någon uttalad beredskap för hur detta ska hanteras. Anledningen till detta är tvåfaldig: kommunerna anser att det inte går att ha en beredskap mot bakgrund av handelns snabba utveckling. Därutöver anses problematiken vara en mer angelägen fråga för externhandelsområdenas privata fastighetsägare. Det framträder även ett fokusskifte hos kommunerna; från planläggning av externhandelsområden till en vilja om att ha god planberedskap för logistikanläggningar, däribland för e-handelslokaler. I kommunernas policydokument synliggörs en vilja att hävda sig som regionala handelscentrum, även om ingen av kommunerna har för avsikt att planlägga nya externhandelsområden. Istället öppnar kommunerna upp för möjligheten att områdena i framtiden ska kunna omvandlas mot bostadsändamål. Mot bakgrund av ovanstående fynd samt de urbanmorfologiska analysernas synliggörande, att kommunernas externhandelsområden har skilda förutsättningar att integreras i den större staden, tas följande strategier fram för hur kommunerna kan möta e-handelns transformationstryck mot externa handelsområden:  • En mer platsspecifik syn på externhandelsområdens möjligheter  • Upprätta en logistikpolicy  • Utvärdera möjligheterna att inkorporera logistikytor i externhandelsområden  • Fortsätt satsa på ett mer blandat innehåll i externhandelsområden / <p>Presentation och opponering skedde digitalt via Zoom.</p>

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the relationship between top academic achievement in Grade 12 and certain characteristics of career adaptability. The career construction theory and the counselling model for life designing constituted the theoretical framework for the study. This research study of limited scope was conducted according to an interpretivist metatheoretical paradigm. I followed a qualitative methodological paradigm based on a case study design. Purposive sampling was used to select participants according to their top academic achievement. A very important factor in all case studies is the collection of data from multiple sources. Therefore, data collection methods included the Career Adapt-Abilities Inventory, individual interviews, life line and life story. A deductive style of analysis was used to identify themes (concern, control, curiosity, confidence). Inductive analysis was used to identify subthemes. Based on the findings of the study the salient aspects of career adaptability were established as being concern, control, curiosity and confidence. The importance of career adaptability when negotiating change was demonstrated by participants in their orientation and preparation for the future, making decisions after careful planning and exploration, and seeking information, as well as having confidence in their own ability and choices. Finally the findings of my research study suggest a significant relationship between Grade 12 top academic achievement and certain characteristics of career adaptability. Additionally findings suggest that other variables such as participation in extracurricular activities, gender, race and socioeconomic circumstances should not be excluded and therefore need to be investigated further. Copyright / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Educational Psychology / unrestricted

This study is unique considering the location (Africa) and the industrial setting (Gold Mining) from which the research was studied as reward systems had mostly been studied in the North-American and European settings. Thus, the study  considered  rewards from the perspective of the African and its natural resource industries such as the gold mining industry.   The methodology employed in the study was based on a case study approach at Golden Star (Bogoso/Prestea) Limited (GSB/PL) with a population size of 1029 employees combining both qualitative and quantitative data obtained through a questionnaire survey of a 278 sample size and structured interview with the Human Resources and Administration Manager. Thus, the method of data collection represents methodological triangulation and the data obtained from the study represents a primary source of data.   The study revealed that all the three generational groups (Baby Boomers, GEN Xers and   GEN Yers) places higher emphasis or priority on financial incentives (high salary and bonuses) over any other incentives when respondents were asked to indicate the reward they prefer most. But when rewards were considered as a total package profile, greater number of  the baby boomers placed more emphasis or priority on packages with highly flexible pension benefits, long term job security and high internal promotions eventhough the salary and bonus components of the packages (profile) were not that attract. The GEN X and GEN Y groups still maintained their reward package profile preferences based on  high financial incentives, training and learning opportunities, personal growth and career advancement.   The study revealed that aside the high preferences for financial incentives such as high salary and bonuses by all the generational groups, few of the  GEN X and GEN Y also exhibited other preferences such as high personal growth, flexible work schedule, attractive company policy and administration, career advancement, working environment, job security and praises and recognition of which the baby boomers did not indicate any preferences or interest.   The study revealed that all the three generational groups (Baby Boomers, GEN X and GEN Y) consider high salary and bonuses as factor which causes employee dissatisfaction when not satisfied or available but when they are satisfied or available also do not motivate or cause satisfaction and thus  confirming Herzberg Two-Factor theory that  factors such as salary or remuneration, job security, working conditions and company policies  only prevent employee dissatisfaction.   The study revealed that all generational groups (baby boomers, GEN X and GEN Y) consider high salaries and bonuses as factor which could lead to lack of satisfaction and motivation of the employee in his current role or position when not available or satisfied and thus this finding confirm the traditional belief that pay is prime, or in some cases the only source of motivation but contradict Herzberg claim that  pay (high salaries and bonuses) is only an extrinsic factor and that when is available or satisfied, pay does not bring satisfaction and motivation but rather prevents dissatisfaction.   The study revealed that GSB/PL rewards systems basically comprises of extrinsic rewards such as high salary levels (pay increases), a bonus scheme,  training  and learning opportunities, job security, Stock options, Retirement/Pension benefits such as social security and provident fund,  promotions,  attractive company policies and administration, praises and recognition, good working environment, flexible work schedule,  Long service awards and benefits such as housing, Health insurance, Vacation/Annual leave benefits, transportation/bussing service, messing (provision of meals to employees only when at work), and educational benefits (for employees dependants).   The study also revealed that the design and implementation of GSB/PL reward systems involves four distinct phases: assessment, design, execution and evaluation phases.   In the end, a suitable conclusion was drawn and a number of recommendations proposed to be implemented by the mining company in safeguarding the interest of both employees and the employer.

År 1945 den amerikanska ockupationsstyrkan pressade fram Japans sekularisering. Mejidynastin, vid makten fram till 1945, hade främjat en framställning av shinto med nationalistiska drag som kallas för shintonationalism. Efter sekulariseringen betraktades religionerna i Japan med misstänksamhet, eller till och med fientlighet, i Japan. Sedan 80-talet har dock nationalistiska rörelser som strävar efter en återgång till den gamla shintonationalismen börjat att ta plats i den politiska scenarion igen. Nationalistiska rörelser har fått stöd av Jinja Honcho, förbundet av de shintoistiska templen. Den här studien har som syfte att analysera shintonationalismens påverkan på det japanska samhället och på den japanska skolan i synnerhet. Studien använder diskursanalys som metod och granskar å ena sidan skolans styrdokument med fokus på moralundervisningsämnen, grundskolsämnet som behandlar ämnet moral och samlevnad. Å andra sidan granskas Jinja Honchos publikationer på förbundets hemsida. Texterna jämförs och resultatet visar att Jinja Honchos framställning av shinto har påverkat diskursen i den japanska skolans styrdokument och främjat en bild av japanerna som överlägsna andra kulturer i deras förhållande till naturen, känslighet, moral och styrka. / In 1945 the US occupation forces pushed for the country's secularization. The Meji-dynasty, in power until 1945, had promoted a representation of Shinto with nationalist features known as Shinto nationalism. After secularization, religions in Japan have been viewed with suspicion if not with hostility. From the 1980s, however, nationalist movements striving for a return to the old Shinto nationalism began to take place in the political scenario again with the support of Jinja Honcho, the Association of Shinto temples. The purpose of this study is to analyse the impact of Shinto nationalism on Japanese society and especially on Japanese schools. The study uses discourse analysis as a method and examines from one side the school's governing documents with a focus on moral education, from the other side Jinja Honcho's brochures in the association's website. The texts are compared and the results show that Jinja Honcho's representation of Shinto has influenced the discourse in the Japanese school's governing documents and promoted an image of the Japanese as superior to other cultures in their relationship with nature, sensitivity, morality and strength.

The relationship between ballet and fairy tale is by no means a new or unique discovery—to either dance history or literary studies. However, aside from relatively brief mentions of ballets as examples of fairy-tale adaptation, ballet's relevance to fairy-tale studies has been somewhat undervalued. While scholars often relegate ballet to a smaller part in fairy tale's influence through the performing arts, fairy-tale ballet deserves to have its own, independent academic conversation because ballet contributes uniquely to both fairy-tale history and canon. Ballet can be credited with both giving new life to an old tale and creating a brand new one through an amalgamation of formalistic fairy-tale motifs and figures—particularly when it comes to female figures. Through an analysis of nineteenth-century Romanticism, fairy-tale form, and the narratives created by three of the most famous fairy bride ballets--La Sylphide, Giselle, and Swan Lake--we can distinguish how Romantic ballet affects fairy-tale studies because of the special conditions this "feminized" art placed on narrative and character. The pervasion of the fairy bride character and motif in ballet indicates a potentially unique tale type, and these three fairy brides together reveal a different dimension to our view of female fairy-tale characters by actively shaping their own stories according to Romantic values that place them outside of traditional fairy-tale roles. Thus, fairy-tale ballets significantly substantiate Romantic imagination beyond the bounds of literary form, and therefore both emphasize and nuance the fairy-tale female paradigm by making unique contributions to the fairy-tale canon.

The focus of this research is upon the measures that Swedish Crisis Management System carried out during the Covid-19 pandemic toward the shopping needs (i.e., food/groceries, medicines) of home-quarantined individuals (those who should stay at home according to the authorities’ recommendations because they were either elderly or regardless their ages, were in risk groups or had symptoms of disease). The research identifies the immediate responsible authority concerning this need and examines how this actor behaved and what measures took to address the shopping needs of home-quarantined. The interaction between this responsible actor and other social parties (e.g., humanitarian actors/civil society, and/or Local Communities), explored to illustrate whether the responsible actor had carried out its immediate duty or not. The outcomes of various operations that different social actors performed are analyzed and compared. For assessing the Swedish Crisis Management System and the measures carried out during the Covid-19 pandemic, five case studies conducted; the action of the municipalities in four cities (Örebro, Staffanstorp, Uppsala and Umeå) and one Community Initiative in Örebro (named Coronahjälpen, which launched and operated via a Facebook group) examined and compared. Additionally, the pattern exercised in more than a hundred cities explored. The relationship/interaction between state agents (mainly municipalities) from one side and Civil Society organizations or Community Initiatives is illustrated by applying one practical categorization of the relationship between state and Civil Society and one politico-economic categorization. For the latter, the Neo-liberal paradigm applied for such an analysis toward the relationships. Based on the primary and secondary data and the discussion upon them, the failure or success of the Swedish Crisis Management System during the Covid-19 pandemic regarding shopping needs of home-quarantined individuals was examined. In the conclusion part of the paper, a recommendation for such a system is provided.

Background - Lean paradigm has been successfully employed in the manufacturing sector in past decades, however in the engineering services sector its application has unfortunately not received the same attention both from academia and industry.   Problem Discussion – The negligence of Lean in the engineering services sector rendered this sector deprived from Lean’s proven benefits in the manufacturing sector. The reason for this negligence can be traced back to the fact that Lean’s implementation is not a straightforward task and additionally its direct translation from the manufacturing sector into the engineering services sector may impede innovative capabilities of the engineering services sector that are crucial for its sustainable growth.   Problem Formulation - In addressing the aforementioned issues, this thesis investigates the following key research question: “Whether and how Lean Innovation can be implemented in the engineering services sector?”   Purpose - This work explores and employs different modern theoretical concepts from literature to promote Lean Innovation in the engineering services sector by first developing a theoretical framework in terms of nine propositions and then examining them through a qualitative empirical research.   Methodology - The qualitative empirical research is conducted by first gathering empirical data through expert interviews and then analysing it employing the directed content analysis technique in order to examine the nine propositions promoting Lean Innovation.    Findings - This study concludes that Lean Innovation in the engineering services sector is achievable by employing modern theoretical concepts like open innovation, the systems approach to problem solving and transformational leadership in a thoughtful and planned manner.   Limitations - The lack of depth of the theoretical as well as empirical research focus in terms of the sample size and quality stemming from the challenge of finding enough experts with versatile knowledge in the thesis’ timeframe can be considered as limitations on the quality of this research.

Taking selfies is a technique of self-monitoring, gaze and comparison, drawing from its regulatory force upon women. The photo-taking practice marks the surveillance of how individual gender performances fulfill the expectations of existing gender norms. The contemporary postfeminist hegemonic femininity presents woman as owning the right kind of dispositions, such as confidence or sexiness, in which case the area of the body plays a central role. In order to explore how performances of such femininity are constructed, this study uses content analysis to study the visual and textual content of Instagram posts. This master thesis analyses whether the Instagram users tagging posts #zanormalniholky (#fornormalgirls) are responsive through selfies to postfeminist femininity or rather use it as a form of resistance against the postfeminist discourse. Identity, including gender identity, is constituted through acts that purport to be its consequence. Selfies - as the results of this thesis show - have normative potential. Key words postfeminism, selfie, Instagram, social media, gender, self-portrait, self-presentation, feminism, #zanormalniholky, femininity, makeover paradigm