The diploma thesis focuses on changes of the life of the German minority that was living in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s, in connection with the then press. The thesis deals with an influence of the reviving process, which is called Prague Spring and then the period of normalization on the progress of status of the German minority in the Czechoslovakia. The thesis presents events of the year 1968, that are related to the national minorities policy which led to reception of the Constitutional Act No. 144/1968 Coll., about the status of the national groups in the state. I also analyse the activisation of the members of the German minority for the purpose of formation of their cultural association named "Kulturní sdružení občanů ČSSR německé národnosti" (the Cultural association of the citizen of the German nationality in the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic), which was enabled on the ground of the aforesaid constitutional law. The text also deals with the start of the period of normalization and its consequences for the German minority. The thesis also analyses the Czechoslovak media at the turn of the 1960s and 1970s with special regard to the only periodical press in the German language called the "Prager Volkszeitung". A very important part of the text is...

Emergent change is a pervasive force in modern organisations. However, the subjective experiences of emergent change for frontline individuals and teams have not been explored in organisational change literature. The integrative field of applied neurosciences offers valuable insights into the underlying neural mechanisms that shape these experiences and drive responses in order to meet basic psychological needs. Using interactive qualitative analysis (IQA), this study involved a focus group and follow-up interviews with nine participants at a South African software development company to explore the experiences of emergent change at work. System dynamics reflected that these experiences are significantly more complex than literature and practice currently account for, and that individuals and teams find their experiences of emergent change to threaten their sense of safety and basic psychological needs. The physiological and emotional experiences were found to be driving elements. Peak performance state and the relational environment were found to be salient outcomes. Findings present the opportunity for the reconceptualisation of emergent change, a shift in focus from change itself to the human experiences thereof and the importance of embracing new possibilities, tools and practices for meeting needs and thriving in an ever-changing world. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The study was conducted to examine the communication between the customer and the cashier at the point of purchase in the process of determining the impact of the labeling laws. This study used an inductive qualitative design for data collection and data analysis. Data from this study suggest that calorie counts on menu labels are discussed frequently between the customer and the cashier at the point of sale at fast-casual restaurants. The data found gives us a framework and rationale as to why previous research on the effectiveness of the calorie labeling law in the Affordable Care Act have yet to make a significant impact in reducing consumer’s total daily caloric intake when eating food away from the home and found three specific reasons as to why the calorie labeling law may not be working the way the government intended it to. First, consumers at fast-casual restaurants rely on the cashiers as calorie guides because they are not aware or knowledgeable about the recommended daily caloric intake and often underestimate the total calories in their meals. Secondly, the study’s findings indicate that when restaurants offer lower calorie choices and downsizing options like a “small pita” at Pita Pit instead of a “regular pita”, many consumers buy the downsized item or smaller portion but food chains are not downsizing their signature items. Third, the study examined if the cashiers are trained in any way to discuss new regulations and calorie count/nutritional value and not one cashier was trained specifically about the calorie labeling law and why certain foods on the menu have more calories than others even though they are influencing decision making. Conversations at the point of sale have been routinely ignored in research about the calorie labeling law and this research helps to understand the choices consumers are making with the newly implemented calorie labeling regulation. The results from this study helps us further advance our understanding as to why consumers make the food choices they do while eating at restaurants.

The general aim of this study was to gain insight into the perceptions and experiences of line managers regarding the impact of an employee wellness programme (EWP) on employee wellness and performance at a selected municipality in KwaZulu-Natal. As a purposive sample, ten line managers were selected to participate in the study by means of semi-structured interviews. The literature review aimed to conceptualise wellness, employee wellness and employee performance, as well as to explore the impact of EWPs on employee wellness and performance. The specific empirical study aims were to determine line managers’ level of awareness and knowledge of the municipality EWP and its purpose, to explore the challenges faced by line managers within the EWP, to explore if the line managers perceived and experienced the municipality EWP as being beneficial to employee wellness and whether participating in the EWP improved employee performance. Lastly, the aim was to make recommendations for improvement that can assist the municipality in enhancing the impact of the EWP on employee wellness and performance within the industrial psychology discipline, and in particular when it comes to employee wellness. The research findings reveal that line managers were aware of and had knowledge about the existence of the EWP through marketing campaigns, inductions and activities. They also confirmed they had personal engagement experience through participation in the programme. They perceived the main purpose of the EWP as being to support employees in achieving a work-life balance and providing counselling and advisory services. Participants noted certain challenges with regard to participating in the programme, such as fear of being judged, victimised and stigmatised, and a lack of confidentiality and trust, which affects employees’ privacy and security. Also, they doubted wellness officer competence, which included the necessary skills and training for dealing with complex cases. Lastly, gender and cultural beliefs also posed challenges. Line managers found it beneficial to participate in the EWP. It improved employee wellness and performance. Employees developed mechanisms to cope with work, personal and emotional problems. Wellness officer availability, competence and skills were recommended by participants as ways of enhancing the EWP. Involvement of other stakeholders was another recommendation for improvement. This involvement would include wellness champions, organised labour and line managers. Programme managers should consider increasing EWP awareness by improving marketing, while emphasising programme benefits and confidentiality. / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / M. Com (Industrial and Organizational Psychology)

The purpose of this thesis was to design and evaluate The ContexTable, a context-aware system built into a kitchen table. After establishing the current status of the field of context-aware systems and the hurdles and problems being faced, a functioning prototype system was designed and built. The prototype makes it possible to explore established, untested theory and novel solutions to problems faced in the field.

This research study investigates the factors contributing to delays in construction equipment projects, specifically in the User Experience (UX) and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) area, with a particular focus on projects conducted at the company Volvo Construction Equipment. The study incorporates a literature review, a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative analysis, and in-depth discussions. Through the analysis of existing literature, the study identifies various factors associated with delays in construction equipment projects, including unclear project requirements, challenges in integrating systems and technologies, communication and collaboration issues, inadequate project management practices, and external influences. Building upon this foundation, qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys were conducted to gather insights from project managers, engineers, and other stakeholders at Volvo Construction Equipment. The findings from the data analysis highlight the frequency and average duration of delays in the UX/HMI area of construction equipment projects. Key contributing factors include communication issues, changes in project requirements or scope, insufficient resources or manpower, delays in component/material delivery, and lack of coordination among teams. These factors significantly impact project performance. Participants in the study reported employing various strategies to mitigate these delays, such as improving communication channels, enhancing cross-functional collaboration, investing in training and skill development, and closely monitoring project requirements. The research outcomes provide valuable insights into the relationships between identified factors and project delays in the UX/HMI area at Volvo Construction Equipment. The results emphasize the importance of addressing these factors through improved planning, effective communication, collaboration, and resource management to enhance project efficiency. Furthermore, the study contributes to the field of UX/HMI in construction equipment projects by shedding light on the specific challenges faced by the company and providing recommendations to improve project management practices and minimize delays. Recommendations to future research directions include longitudinal studies to assess the long-term impact of implemented strategies, exploration of emerging technologies in the UX/HMI domain, and evaluation of different project management methodologies for their effectiveness in addressing delays. By addressing these research gaps, further advancements can be made to optimize the UX/HMI area of construction equipment projects, ensuring successful project outcomes. / Denna forskningsstudie undersöker faktorer som bidrar till förseningar i produktutvecklingsprojekt av arbetsmaskiner, specifikt inom användarupplevelse (UX) och människa-maskin-gränssnitt (HMI), med särskilt fokus på projekt som genomförs vid företaget Volvo Construction Equipment. Studien innefattar en litteraturöversikt, en blandad metodansats som kombinerar kvalitativ och kvantitativ analys samt fördjupade diskussioner. I analysen av befintlig litteratur identifieras olika faktorer som är förknippade med förseningar i denna typ av projekt, inklusive oklara projektkrav, utmaningar att integrera system och teknik, kommunikations- och samarbetsproblem, otillräckliga projektledningsmetoder och externa påverkningar. Med denna grund genomfördes kvalitativa intervjuer och kvantitativa enkäter för att samla insikter från projektledare, ingenjörer och andra intressenter vid Volvo Construction Equipment. Resultaten från dataanalysen belyser frekvensen och genomsnittlig varaktighet av förseningar inom UX/HMI-området för denna typ av projekt. Nyckelfaktorer inkluderar kommunikations-problem, ändringar i projektkrav eller omfattning, otillräckliga resurser eller arbetskraft, förseningar i leverans av komponenter/material och brist på samordning mellan team. Dessa faktorer påverkar projektets prestanda avsevärt. Deltagarna i studien rapporterade att de använder olika strategier för att mildra dessa förseningar, såsom att förbättra kommunikations-kanaler, förbättra tvärfunktionellt samarbete, investera i utbildning och kompetensutveckling samt noggrant övervaka projektkrav. Resultaten ger värdefulla insikter i sambanden mellan identifierade faktorer och projekt-förseningar inom UX/HMI-området på Volvo Construction Equipment. Vikten av att hantera dessa faktorer genom förbättrad planering, effektiv kommunikation, samarbete och resurshantering för att förbättra projekteffektiviteten betonas särskilt. Vidare bidrar studien till fältet UX/HMI inom denna typ av projekt genom att belysa de specifika utmaningar som Volvo Construction Equipment står inför och ge rekommendationer för att förbättra projektlednings-metoder och minimera förseningar. Framtida forskningsriktningar som rekommenderas inkluderar longitudinella studier för att bedöma den långsiktiga effekten av implementerade strategier, utforskning av framväxande teknik inom UX/HMI-domänen och utvärdering av olika projektledningsmetodiker gällande deras effektivitet i att hantera förseningar. Genom att ta itu med detta kan ytterligare framsteg göras för att optimera UX/HMI-området för produktutvecklingsprojekt av arbetsmaskiner och säkerställa framgångsrika projektresultat.

This study delves into the media coverage of cannabis by analyzing articles from Aftonbladet and Expressen between 2010 and 2024. Through a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, the study examines the tone, content, and trends in reporting on cannabis through these years. A total of 904 articles were analyzed, with a focus on identifying patterns, trends, and shifts in the portrayal of cannabis in the two newspapers. The quantitative content analysis involves coding and categorizing a large sample of articles to uncover key themes and frequencies of coverage. Additionally, a qualitative discourse analysis is conducted on a subset of texts to deepen the understanding of how cannabis is framed and represented in the media. The methodological rigor includes inter-coderreliability checks and statistical evaluations to ensure consistency and validity in the analysis process. The findings reveal a predominance of negative articles, with a particular focus on domestic issues in Sweden such as increasing gang violence. The study also highlights the influence of media discourse in shaping perceptions of cannabis, portraying it both as an illegal commodity associated with violence and as a symbol of deviance. By scrutinizing the language and narratives used in media representations, this research sheds light on the construction of cannabis in Swedish newspapers and the potential impact on public attitudes and policies.

This study of contemporary jazz discourse and gender applies the techniques of critical discourse analysis, inspired by M.A.K. Halliday's systemic functional linguistics and Norman Fairclough's qualitative critical discourse analysis, to explicate the unequal distribution of power in society as represented by the institutions of jazz and mass media, in discourse about jazz vocal artists. Specifically, the study focuses on the way the genres of jazz CD review, jazz performance review, and interviews with jazz artists – disseminated via the institutions JazzTimes and Live New Orleans – represent the artists' identities, roles, achievements and skills. Following Norman Fairclough and the feminist scholar Mary Talbot, the study assumes that institutions of mass media not only discursively construct the gender of jazz vocal artists, but also represent the performers' achievement and skills from a hegemonic standpoint, reflecting the commonsense assumptions about women and men and their roles in patriarchal society.

This study investigates factors hampering comprehension of sign language interpretations rendered on South African TV news bulletins in terms of Deaf viewers’ expectancy norms and corpus analysis of authentic interpretations. The research fills a gap in the emerging discipline of Sign Language Interpreting Studies, specifically with reference to corpus studies. The study presents a new model for translation/interpretation evaluation based on the introduction of Grounded Theory (GT) into a reception-oriented model. The research question is addressed holistically in terms of target audience competencies and expectations, aspects of the physical setting, interpreters’ use of language and interpreting choices. The South African Deaf community are incorporated as experts into the assessment process, thereby empirically grounding the research within the socio-dynamic context of the target audience. Triangulation in data collection and analysis was provided by applying multiple mixed data collection methods, namely questionnaires, interviews, eye-tracking and corpus tools. The primary variables identified by the study are the small picture size and use of dialect. Secondary variables identified include inconsistent or inadequate use of non-manual features, incoherent or non-simultaneous mouthing, careless or incorrect sign execution, too fast signing, loss of visibility against skin or clothing, omission of vital elements of sentence structure, adherence to source language structures, meaningless additions, incorrect referencing, oversimplification and violations of Deaf norms of restructuring, information transfer, gatekeeping and third person interpreting. The identification of these factors allows the construction of a series of testable hypotheses, thereby providing a broad platform for further research. Apart from pioneering corpus-driven sign language interpreting research, the study makes significant contributions to present knowledge of evaluative models, interpreting strategies and norms and systems of transcription and annotation. / Linguistics / Thesis (D. Litt.et Phil. (Linguistics)

This study investigates factors hampering comprehension of sign language interpretations rendered on South African TV news bulletins in terms of Deaf viewers’ expectancy norms and corpus analysis of authentic interpretations. The research fills a gap in the emerging discipline of Sign Language Interpreting Studies, specifically with reference to corpus studies. The study presents a new model for translation/interpretation evaluation based on the introduction of Grounded Theory (GT) into a reception-oriented model. The research question is addressed holistically in terms of target audience competencies and expectations, aspects of the physical setting, interpreters’ use of language and interpreting choices. The South African Deaf community are incorporated as experts into the assessment process, thereby empirically grounding the research within the socio-dynamic context of the target audience. Triangulation in data collection and analysis was provided by applying multiple mixed data collection methods, namely questionnaires, interviews, eye-tracking and corpus tools. The primary variables identified by the study are the small picture size and use of dialect. Secondary variables identified include inconsistent or inadequate use of non-manual features, incoherent or non-simultaneous mouthing, careless or incorrect sign execution, too fast signing, loss of visibility against skin or clothing, omission of vital elements of sentence structure, adherence to source language structures, meaningless additions, incorrect referencing, oversimplification and violations of Deaf norms of restructuring, information transfer, gatekeeping and third person interpreting. The identification of these factors allows the construction of a series of testable hypotheses, thereby providing a broad platform for further research. Apart from pioneering corpus-driven sign language interpreting research, the study makes significant contributions to present knowledge of evaluative models, interpreting strategies and norms and systems of transcription and annotation. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / Thesis (D. Litt.et Phil. (Linguistics)