Partnership has enjoyed fresh attention since the 1990s and consequently is a growing yet increasingly fragmented area of research. With the incoming Labour Government in 1997, policy has aimed to replace conflict with co-operation in employee relations. Partnership is an approach to managing the employment relationship based on the search for common ground between management, employees and their representatives and involves the development of long-term relationships built on high levels of trust and respect. Approaches to, and models of, partnership are still at a formative stage with no consensus on how partnership develops effectively. Despite the recognition that to understand partnership fully the study of the processes involved is necessary, little is known about these processes involved. Furthermore, the current body of literature on partnership in a UK context is limited in terms of its theoretical basis. The research set out to identify through which theoretical mechanisms partnership works. Informed by social exchange theory, the study examines the viability of partnership within the NHS and attempts to understand the conditions for its successful development. Two stages of empirical research using a mainly qualitative design were conducted. The first stage of fieldwork involved a preliminary investigation of the introduction of partnership in the National Health Service. The aim of this stage was to trace the introduction of partnership and to understand its antecedents and what had set out to achieve using data from eleven in depth interviews with key players at national, regional and local levels throughout the service. Stage two followed a case study approach and investigated the development of partnership in four NHS Acute Trusts. This stage involved a range of techniques (i.e. semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and documentation) examining the views of fifty five respondents from management and trade union representatives across the four Trusts and used data from 543 questionnaires to investigate employee's experiences of partnership. The study contributes to the partnership literature on the developmental processes of partnerships by utilising social exchange theory to better understand the viability of partnership. In particular, examining partnership from a social exchange perspective enabled a deeper understanding of the decision processes involved when deciding whether to co-operate. The study demonstrates that the theory (and its related concepts) can be helpful in examining the viability of partnership in understanding the mechanisms that lead to its successful development and the maintenance of the relationship over time. In assessing the viability of partnership, the thesis identifies the conditions under which partnership produces its effects and demonstrates how these differed in terms of changes in both the climate and the behaviour and attitudes of participants. In sum, the idea of social exchange would seem to provide an underpinning rationale for partnership. Some support for a new and expanding role for the trade union involving jOint work in developing policies was found. Trade unions appear to have a legitimate role in the relationship which is on the whole accepted by key management and trade union players. However, the union role has a low profile amongst managers and employees and trade unions lacked the organisation needed for partnership to be effective. Moreover, if trade unions are going to reap the potential rewards of partnership there should be a continuing effort to address the problems of capacity and capability (by increasing the numbers and capability of union representatives) in order to raise the profile and acceptance of the union among management and employees. In addition, there is a requirement for adequate training and support to ensure that these representatives have the attitude, skills and confidence to become effective representatives of the workforce.

A heterogeneous research partnership (HRP) is one in which industry, academia and government collaborate to conduct research, typically of national importance. Whilst most HRPs complete their planned duration and deliver their agreed tasks, it is not uncommon for participants to be left feeling somewhat dissatisfied, suggesting that the requirements which are being met are incomplete. There is an opportunity to improve the success of HRPs by establishing principles and practices for the application of systems engineering in their development. The thesis reviews literature drawn from a broad body of work covering three main areas: the context of HRPs themselves, systems engineering and related disciplines, and research methodology. The research adopts an interpretive approach, initially applying Soft Systems Methodology in a pilot case study and subsequently conducting a qualitative analysis of sixteen HRP case studies in order to develop and refine generic models which are relevant to HRPs. Drawing from the commentary of interviewees, published sources and other evidence, major themes across the case studies are integrated in order to develop ten principles and ten practices for the application of systems engineering to HRPs. The importance of consistency between the research context, systems approach and research methodology is emphasised, and the thesis highlights a significant philosophical challenge facing system of systems research as the discipline seeks to use a range of hard and soft systems approaches which are fundamentally rooted in different paradigms.

Paper 1: Evidence suggests that Nurture Groups (NGs) are effective in helping children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. NGs recognise the importance of parental involvement and research reveals positive social and emotional outcomes for children when NGs collaborate with parents as respected partners. An implicit power imbalance between NG staff and parents can challenge parental collaboration. This aim of this paper is to explore processes when consistent nurturing principles are being developed between a NG, schools and home. This qualitative study was conducted in a NG in the south west of England and included 3 NG staff, 4 parents, 4 children and a school teacher. An action-research model enabled consultation meetings and VIG to be introduced as an intervention to develop consistent practices. Semi-structured interviews, consultation meetings and a research diary collected data and an interpretative approach was adopted to explore processes, experiences and perceptions shared by participants. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse and interpret the data and produce a set of themes. The importance of effective communication, building of relationships and sharing of practice/ collaboration were identified as significant themes when developing partnership working between settings. VIG enhanced parents’ and the teacher’s communication skills and concurred with a partnership model based on empowerment, solutions and respect. Recommendations for practice include the development of personalised, informal and formal communication systems between settings. VIG can also be used effectively within NGs to develop consistent nurturing practices between settings. In addition, consideration is given to how VIG can be applied to practice more globally and how local authorities can support this process. Abstract: Paper 2 Evidence suggests that Nurture Groups (NGs) are effective in helping children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The importance of parental involvement is recognised within NGs and research reveals positive social and emotional outcomes for children when NGs collaborate with parents as respected partners. An implicit power imbalance between NG staff and parents can challenge parental collaboration. This aim of this paper is to evaluate outcomes when nurturing principles are consistent between a NG, schools and home. A mixed methodology design with interpretative and scientific approaches was employed in an area NG in the south west of England. An action-research model enabled consultation meetings and Video Interactive Guidance (VIG) to be introduced as an intervention to develop consistent practices for the experimental group. Quantitative outcomes from Boxall Profiles and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires (SDQs) are compared pre- and post-intervention for an experimental group (4 children and 4 parents) and a control group (4 children). Three NG staff also volunteered as participants. Qualitative measures (observation records, semi-structured interviews (SSIs), consultation meetings and VIG clips) measured outcomes for the experimental group. Data from the Boxall Profiles, SDQs, VIG clips and observations was analysed descriptively. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse emergent themes from the SSIs and consultation meetings. The results revealed the experimental group made greater gains post-intervention as measured by the SDQ and the control group made greater gains post-intervention as measured by the Boxall Profile. The majority of results for individual experimental group children revealed positive social and emotional outcomes post-intervention. It is difficult to draw conclusions when outcomes between the experimental and control group were compared. The majority of measures identified positive social, emotional and behavioural outcomes for experimental group children when parents and schools work collaboratively with NGs. VIG and sharing of practices helped to modify how parents and teachers understood, managed, communicated and related to children. Recommendations for practice discuss the development of personalised, informal and formal communication systems between settings while ensuring minimal anxiety for children. VIG can be used effectively within NGs to develop consistent nurturing practices between settings. Consideration is given to how VIG can be applied more broadly and how local authorities can support this process.

Tech. (Logistics, Faculty of Management Sciences), Vaal University of Technology / The focus of this study was to examine the relationship between information sharing, information quality, strategic partnership and internal lean practices among Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in South Africa. It is essential to understand practitioners’ and entrepreneurs’ current knowledge towards the topic at hand in order to determine what interventions would be most beneficial in helping to curb the problem of the lack of knowledge in this area and to understand the underlying causes behind the problem, while creating awareness and giving new insight to those who are already aware of this topic. Data was collected from a sample of 350 Small to Medium Enterprises and the measurement items in the measuring instrument were measured using a 5-point likert scale. Thereafter the collected data was coded and analysed by means of structural equation modelling using the AMOS 21 software package. The results indicate that supplier information sharing and information quality have a strong influence on strategic partnership and in turn strategic partnership has a strong influence on internal lean practices among Small to Medium Enterprises. This indicates that the level and quality of information shared between Small to Medium Enterprises and their suppliers has a positive effect on the strength of their partnerships as well as on the internal practices of each Small to Medium Enterprise. Based on these results, conclusions were drawn and recommendations were put forward on how internal lean practices in Small to Medium Enterprises can be improved by means of information sharing, information quality and strategic partnerships.

Pour faire face à la mondialisation, les pays se trouvent obligés de se réunir, au moins économiquement, dans certaines formes de partenariats. Ainsi, l’UE et ses voisins sud-méditerranéens ont établi de nouveaux cadres de coopération économique fondés sur la plus grande zone de libre-échange au monde. Pour répondre aux nouvelles préoccupations, la douane syrienne se trouvera obligée d’adopter une nouvelle politique douanière en écartant toute politique protectionniste. L’instauration progressive de la zone de libre-échange euro-syrienne permettra la libre circulation des marchandises, des services et des capitaux. Ainsi, les obstacles tarifaires et non tarifaires aux échanges devront être éliminés. Pour faciliter la mise en place de la zone de libre-échange, il sera indispensable d’assurer un nouvel encadrement en matière de règles d'origine, de certification, de protection des droits de propriété intellectuelle, industrielle et de concurrence. Dans cette perspective, la Syrie et l’UE seront invitées, pour assurer le bon fonctionnement de la future zone libre-échange, à réaliser un rapprochement législatif, réglementaire et procédural. L’objectif de cette recherche est de déterminer les traits d’un système douanier syrien apte à servir les objectifs annoncés dans le cadre du partenariat euro-syrien. / In order to deal with globalization, countries today are forced to unite themselves, at least economically, by establishing many forms of partnership. The European Union and some southern and Mediterranean countries have established new forms of economic cooperation based on the largest free trade zone in the world. Confronted with these new concerns, the Syrian Customs Services will be forced to adopt new policies by abandoning their protectionist tendencies.The progressively establishing a free trade zone between Syria and EU will make for more free flow of goods, services and capital. Thus, the tariff obstacles as well as some other non-tariff obstacles will have to be eliminated. To facilitate the establishment of the free trade zone, it will be indispensable to assure a new legal framework, such as rules of origins, certification, protection of intellectual property, industrial as well as competition rights. In this perspective, Syria and the European Union will be invited to ensure the proper functioning of the future free trade zone, and to provide for legislative, regulatory, and procedural harmonization. The purpose of this study is to determine the features of the Syrian customs system capable of serving the above-mentioned objectives of the Euro-Syrian partnership.

Uppsatsens syfte är att genom diskursanalys identifiera hur begreppet “partnerskap” tillskrivs mening genom olika diskurser inom ramen för hållbar global utveckling, med särskilt fokus på privatoffentliga partnerskap (POP). Genom att tillämpa diskursiva begrepp från Laclau och Mouffes diskursteori har tre huvudsakliga diskurser och tillhörande nodalpunkter identifierats: globalisering, governance och solidaritet. Dessa olika men delvis överlappande diskurser tillskriver olika meningar till partnerskapsbegreppet, likväl som olika roller och identiteter till privat respektive offentlig sektor. Partnerskap är konstruerat som en nödvändighet för att lösa globala problem, en ideal samverkansform för hållbar utveckling samt som ett uttryck för global solidaritet. Vidare framkommer att privat sektor tillskrivs en mer aktiv roll, medan offentlig sektor ges en mer passiv och stöttande roll. / By applying discourse analysis, the purpose of this essay is to identify how different meanings are assigned to the term “partnership” through competing discourses in the context of global Sustainable Development, with special attention devoted to Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). Using concepts from Laclau and Mouffe’s discourse theory, three main discourses and corresponding nodal points have been identified: globalization, governance and solidarity. These different albeit somewhat overlapping discourses apply different meanings to the term partnership, and also attribute different roles and identities to the public and private sector respectively. Partnerships are constructed as a necessity for solving global issues, an ideal form of governance for sustainable development and as a natural expression for global solidarity. Furthermore, the results point towards a more active role appointed to the private sector, whilst public institutions are assigned a more passive and supportive role.

IntroduktionRevisionsbranschen anses ha utvecklats från att tidigare ha fokuserat på professionella principer och bedömningar, till att idag fokusera mer på kommersiella intressen. Hög NAS-försäljning har antytts utgöra en utmärkande faktor gällande avancemanget till partnerskapet. Vi undersöker hur konkurrensen om partnerskapet påverkar försäljningen av NAS, då den har antytts påverka revisorns arbetsutförande. NAS-försäljning är ett aktuellt ämne som nyligen har reglerats av EU vilket motiverar och aktualiserar studien.  SyfteSyftet med studien är att utforska hur partnerstrukturen i revisionsbolagen påverkar försäljningen av NAS.  MetodStudien har en kvantitativ forskningsstrategi, en deduktiv forskningsansats och är av explorativ art. Genom dokumentstudier har data från svenska noterade bolag och revisionsbyråer samlats in för två enskilda år och har med hjälp OLS-regressioner analyserats. NAS har mätts som det logaritmerade värdet av bolagens kostnader till revisionsbyrån utöver den lagstadgade revisionen. SlutsatsStudien visar på ej samstämmiga resultat då vi för år 2014 fann att ökad konkurrens om partnerskapet leder till minskad försäljning av NAS, medan inget samband upptäcktes för år 2009. Möjliga förklaringar till resultatet återfinns i Turneringsteorin, som säger att anställdas motivation och prestation kan minska vid för hög intern konkurrens. Att inget samband upptäcktes för år 2009 tyder istället på att revisorn är professionell i sin roll och agerar därmed i professionens linje. / IntroductionThere has been an evolution away from the founding values of the audit industry, which centered on professional values and judgements toward profit-minded commercial interests. High sales of NAS has been implied to be a factor that make auditors prominently conspicuous on their path to becoming a partner. We are exploring the possibility that a competitive environment affect sales of NAS, which has been suggested to impact the way the auditor works. NAS is a current topic that recently was regulated by the EU, which is a motivating factor for this study. PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how the audit firms’ partnership structure impacts Non-Audit Services.  MethodThis study has a quantitative research strategy and a deductive research approach that is exploratory in nature. Data from the Swedish listed firms and audit firms have been collected for two years through document studies and have been analyzed with an OLS-regression. NAS was measured as the natural logarithm of the listed firms’ cost to the audit firm beyond the statutory audit costs.  ConclusionOur study shows inconsistent results. In 2014 we found that an increased competition for the partnership leads to a decrease in sales of NAS, while in 2009, no correlation was found. The results in 2014 can be explained by the Tournament Theory, whereas the employee’s motivation and accomplishments may decrease if there is high competition within the firm. A lack of correlation in 2009, suggests a professionalism among the auditors that is in accordance with the auditing profession.

Nursing research has been performed during the last 20-30 years, about the next of kin’s vulnerability. Despite this, the health care system has had difficulties to integrate the next of kin in a way that gives support. The overall aim of the thesis was to describe and further explore the life situation of the next of kin to persons who are long-term ill, disabled, and/or older, and in need of care. Method: Multiple methods were used. Study I had a descriptive design, 44 next of kin of patients with multiple sclerosis were interviewed, latent content analysis was used for the analysis. Study II had a mixed method approach; the descriptive core study was analyzed with directed content analysis. The supplementary study with descriptive, correlative design was analyzed with descriptive and correlative statistics. Forty-four next of kin of patients with multiple sclerosis were interviewed; thereafter 37 of them answered a questionnaire about Quality of Life. Study III had a descriptive, explorative design. Twelve next of kin of older persons were interviewed with repeated informal conversational interviews, analyzed with latent content analysis. Study IV was cross-sectional with a descriptive, correlative design. Eighty-four next of kin of persons who were long-term ill, disabled, and/or older answered two questionnaires about Burden and Quality of Life that were analyzed with descriptive and correlative statistics. Results and Conclusions: Next of kin described a balance/imbalance in their relations to others and a high burden, but in general a good Quality of Life. Some next of kin also experienced chronic sorrow. Significant correlations were found between interpersonal relations and Quality of Life as a whole. Love and obligations were two anchor points on a continuum, describing the next of kin’s relationship to the ill/disabled person. The relationship with the health care personnel was described through cooperation and obligations. Good communication was seen as the key to balance the relationship with others. One possibility to achieve symmetrical communications is to adapt the Partnership Model, as a tool for creating good relationships. Honest and specific communication between the health care personnel, the next of kin, and the care receiver are necessary.

This study explores partnership working as a mechanism for effective public service delivery. It investigates into how Public-Social Enterprise Partnerships (P-SEPs) can utilise innovative models of user involvement and Service Innovation (SI) in the co-design and co-delivery of user-led socially-oriented services to young adults (18-24) in East England. It identifies the inability of P-SEPs to conceptually explore innovative models of user involvement and SI when engaging young-adult end users in the co-design and co-delivery of user-led solutions to `wicked` issues like `rough sleeping` as a gap in knowledge which I will explore three interrelated research questions in filling. This study draws conceptual inspiration from the network theory, the Pragmatic research paradigm and the inductive-deductive research strategy in exploring the Concurrent Mixed Method underpinned by Likert-scale questionnaires and semi-structure interviews as my data gathering instruments. The emergent conceptual framework from my data analyses posits that high users` perception of their involvement in the co-design and co-delivery of user-led public services can engineer satisfaction, transformational outcomes and high service quality. A fieldtrip provided the conceptual opportunity for me to explore three multiple-case studies in gathering qualitative data through semi-structured interviews administered to staff as these were coded, thematised and analysed using NVivo. Quantitative data from questionnaires administered to end users were analysed using Excel. Evidence gleaned from both strands was integrated and triangulated in complementing and enhancing my research findings. This study challenges misconceptions and dominant ideologies which underpin user involvement while making three interconnected contributions to knowledge. First, it extends the frontiers of knowledge in the discipline by creating new insights and articulating four innovative models of user involvement. Second, at the practical level, it contributes to the ongoing debate on conceptualising, modernising and delivering more effective userengineered public services by informing professional practice and policymaking. And third, at the theoretical level, it contributes towards the development of a theory on user involvement. It thus underlines the factual conclusion that high users` perception of their involvement in the co-design and co-delivery of user-led outcomes can engineer high user satisfaction, high service quality and transformational outcomes. It successfully re-positions the debates on user involvement on new conceptual and empirical grounds.

Vor dem Hintergrund der angespannten Finanzlage in den Kommunen und eingebettet in einen Prozess der Binnenmodernisierung der Kommunalverwaltungen, der Einführung der Doppik und einer intensiven Debatte um die effizientere und effektivere Bereitstellung öffentlicher Dienstleistungen sowie deren Bereitstellungsstrukturen steigt die Attraktivität von lebenszyklusorientierter Infrastrukturbeschaffung für die kommunale Ebene. Damit nimmt auch der Bedarf an unterstützender Beratung der kommunalen Ebene zu. Diese hängt einerseits mit den naturgemäß begrenzten Kapazitäten – bei gleichzeitig erhöhtem Abstimmungsdarf zwischen den Akteuren auf lokaler Ebene und der hohen Komplexität der Thematik über einen längeren Realisierungszeitraum – zusammen. Hier kann durch wissenschaftliche Expertise und praxisfundierte Begleitung ein Mehrwert geschaffen werden. Gleichzeitig können durch ein intensives Erfahrungsmanagement Optimierungspotentiale aus bestehenden ÖPP-Projekten generiert werden. Bei heutigen lebenszyklusorientierten Infrastrukturprojekten werden alle Phasen einer Infrastruktureinrichtung ganzheitlich über ihre gesamte Lebensdauer hinweg betrachtet und dabei ggf. Effizienz- und Einspareffekte im Vergleich zur konventionellen Realisierung aufgezeigt. Dies kann eine transparente und mit Blick auf notwendige Finanzströme antizipative Wirkung entfalten, die den Prozess nachhaltiger steuert als der konventionelle Fall. Die Städte und Gemeinden im Freistaat Sachsen stehen diesem Ansatz derzeit noch verhalten gegenüber, was häufig daraus resultiert, dass lebenszyklusorientierte Infrastrukturbeschaffung und deren Folgen und Wirkungen teilweise unreflektiert diskutiert und in den Modellen vermischt werden. Die vorliegende Untersuchung hat das Ziel, Ansprüche an und Erfahrungen mit Infrastrukturbeschaffung – konventionell oder lebenszyklusbasiert – in den sächsischen Kommunen darzulegen und darauf aufbauend den Städten und Gemeinden im Freistaat in der Kommunalberatung unterstützend und kritisch zur Seite zu stehen. Eine einzelfallbezogene Analyse statt pauschaler Urteile ist hierbei stets notwendig.