Yoga is an ancient tradition that in contemporary research has been shown to have positive associations with a broad spectrum of health outcomes. Although promising findings have been highlighted, research exploring the mechanisms underlying the use of yoga for enhancing mental health is still in its infancy. Researchers have shown that yoga can increase levels of mindfulness, which has been shown to relate to several aspects of general well-being such as low levels of anxiety, depression, and stress. However, limited study has examined how the quality of the relationship between the yoga student and yoga instructor affects state mindfulness during the yoga class. The present study used a cross sectional research design to investigate associations between levels of stress, negative affect, motives for yoga, relationship quality, and mindfulness during yoga classes. The sample consisted of 219 adults that completed measures of stress, affect, motives for yoga, mindfulness, and relationship quality immediately following a yoga class. Analysis of data indicated that higher levels of stress and negative emotional wellbeing increased the likelihood that yoga was practiced to address psychological motives rather than perceived physical health outcomes. Additionally, relationship quality with the instructor was found to predict greater state mindfulness during the yoga session. The present study highlights the importance of the relationship quality between instructor and student, and suggests that future research investigating the efficacy of yoga in optimizing psychological health should consider how health outcomes might be influenced by interpersonal relationships.

Relationships are so entrenched in the social interaction between individuals that most people do not pay attention to them until they experience trouble in their relationship. Humans create new relationships and end old ones all the time in conscious and unconscious processes. This thesis will give a theoretical and practical overview to reveal the process of social interaction which shapes relationships between a leader and a follower. We focus on the necessary components as well as on the process in which the relationship is built. We approach the process of social interaction from both the side of the leader and the side of the follower to create a balanced picture that will provide systematic explanation of this complicated and multidimensional phenomenon. The primary focus of this thesis will be on the origin and development of an authentic, healthy relationship between a leader and a follower.

The rapid and continuous deterioration of the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria in the last four decades has been a major source of concern for the government and practitioners. Hence, the region has been the subject of continuous conflicts and violence between the host communities and the oil producing companies. Despite the effort of the government and practitioners, none have looked at the relationship elements and/or the quality of relationship between these two key stakeholders within the context of the Nigeria oil and gas industry. This research study makes a new contribution to the field of relationship marketing in the area of relationship quality by providing a detailed understanding of relationship elements, and determinants and dimensions of relationship quality. The research study focuses on the oil producing company to host community relationship in the Niger delta region of Nigeria, which was investigated in detail. A qualitative approach was adopted as it is considered appropriate for the research focus, which was to investigate and assess the understanding of different community actors in respect to the quality of relationship between the oil producing companies and host communities in the Niger delta region of Nigeria. In addition, explore how these actors described both the relationship elements and relationship quality constructs, and related this to their understanding of the relationship between the oil producing company and host community. Semi-structured interviews, as the primary method of data collection were conducted with different community actors. The literature review, as the secondary method of data collection were primarily used as a tool to double check and validate the interview findings. Sixteen community actors provided their views and opinions of the relationship between the oil producing companies with the host communities in the region. This research study extended the application of relationship quality frameworks that were conducted in a developed economic environment such as the United Kingdom and United States of America to a developing economic environment such as Nigeria through the replication of these frameworks and re-testing their constructs and propositions in order to develop a detailed and comprehensive framework of relationship quality in the context of a business-to-community (B2Com) relationship in a unique commercial context. In addition, this research study uncovered the importance of mutual goal and culture of the community people in addition to pre-identified constructs (i.e. mutual benefit, communication, control mutuality) as the key determinants of relationship quality for the oil producing company when engaging the host community in the relationship building process. This research study also explored the research on dimensions of relationship quality subjecting its main constructs (i.e. trust, satisfaction and commitment) to a rigorous qualitative test. Doing this, the finding further emphasised some consensus between these dimensions of relationship quality. In addition, the developed framework highlighted the importance of including the relationship elements (i.e. actor bonds, resource ties and activity links) when assessing the quality of the relationship between business and its community. In conclusion, this research document recommendations (such as, the local community forming a complete and harmonious whole when relating with external bodies, the need for international oil and gas companies in Nigeria to gain adequate and appropriate insight and understanding into the role(s) played by each of the actors within the Niger Delta community, and the importance of oil and gas practitioners developing and maintaining a mutually beneficial relationship in the region) for various stakeholders within the NOGI.

Customers adoption of Internet banking has become a widely-researched topic, although it is fair to state that some research gaps still exist. This research aims to fill some of the research gaps by examining the factors that determine the relevant behaviour of three different categories of Internet banking customers in China (i.e. current users, non-users, and discontinued users), and by developing two conceptual models that are derived from different, but complementary, theoretical approaches. The Decision Making Model and the Service and Relationship Evaluation Model are developed in this research. The Decision Making Model is grounded in the technology acceptance model (TAM) and it incorporates an additional construct of perceived value of using Internet banking. Additionally, the Service and Relationship Evaluation Model is derived from the service quality evaluation and relationship quality evaluation literature. Unlike in most other Internet banking adoption studies, these two conceptual models are used complementarily to deliver a comprehensive understanding of customers Internet banking adoption in China. The models are tested using a sample of 614 Chinese Internet banking customers collected via mall-intercept personal interviews based on questionnaires. Partial Least Square (PLS) path modelling and mediation analysis are applied to test the hypotheses advanced in the two models. The key findings of this research show that perceived value is a major factor for explaining customers Internet banking adoption, thus indicating to the banks that they should reduce costs associated with using Internet banking while providing more (perceived) benefits to customers; the importance of incorporating perceived value in Internet banking adoption model(s) is also demonstrated. The findings also confirm that perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use are important factors that determine the adoption of Internet banking by all categories of customers. Current users and non-users perceptions of their behavioural control over using Internet banking contribute to their adoption of Internet banking, and such control perceptions are shaped by self-efficacy, perceived government support and technological support. Additionally, it is demonstrated that both current users and discontinued users perceived value and perceived service quality of Internet banking have positive associations with their satisfaction with Internet banking, which lead to their Internet banking adoption. Moreover, the findings reveal that current users are more likely to continue with Internet banking if they are affectively committed to their banks; they are less likely to continue with Internet banking if they are calculatively committed to their banks due to the costs associated with leaving the banks. These therefore indicate the importance of establishing high-quality customer-bank relationships and placing less strict switching cost barriers that impose less pressure on their existing customers. This research contributes to the Internet banking adoption literature by (i) identifying the important category of Internet banking discontinued users, apart from current users and non-users; and (ii) using two complementary conceptual models, which are grounded in different theoretical streams, to investigate the relevant adoption behaviour of all three categories of Internet banking customers. It hence delivers a comprehensive understanding of personal customers adoption of Internet banking in China.

“Vad genererar närvaron i sociala medier för svenska kollektivtrafikbolags vardagsverksamhet och hur kan de användas vid en kris?” Syftet med uppsatsen är att belysa problematiken med att kollektivtrafikbolag i Sverige idag inte tar tillvara på möjligheterna med sociala medier. Vi ser ett behov att belysa fördelarna och nackdelarna i samband med användningen av Facebook och Twitter för kollektivtrafikbolag. Studien syftar till att visa att sociala medier är en bra kommunikationskanal som även blir användbar vid en krissituation. Uppsatsen syftar till att förmedla de fördelar som interaktion via sociala medier innebär i vardagsverksamheten och vid en kris. Uppsatsprocessen genomfördes kvalitativt och en induktiv ansats tillämpades. Det har genomförts nio intervjuer, sju med kollektivtrafikbolag och två med kommunikationskonsulter med expertis inom kommunikation och krishantering. Genom att undersöka hur bolagen hanterar sociala medier och tänker kring relationer, förtroende, rykteshantering och kriser tillhandahölls material som möjliggjorde att uppfylla uppsatsens syfte. Studien har hög giltighet för de undersökta kollektivtrafikbolagen och antagandet om att den kan generaliseras och gälla för hela Sveriges kollektivtrafikmarknad går inte att garantera. Dock anser vi att det kan ligga resterande kollektivtrafikbolags intresse att ta del av studien. Studien påvisar att Facebook och Twitter med fördel kan användas av svenska kollektivtrafikbolag för att kvalitetsförbättra verksamheten, men även att sociala medier är bra för hantering av och kommunikation vid en kris. Studien visar att om kollektivtrafikbolag arbetar kontinuerligt med att vara närvarande, kommunicera och engagera, stoppa ryktesspridning och bistå med information i realtid genererar fördelar. Fördelarna är att resenärer får mer förtroende, skapar en bättre relation till företaget, ökar förståelsen och att de ger företag information som leder till att företaget kan göra kvalitetsförbättringar. Dessa aktiviteter förebygger även att en kris uppstår samt underlättar vid hantering att krissituation. Bolagens aktiviteter i sociala medier och vad de genererar illustreras i två modeller. “Värdet av sociala medier i vardagsverksamheten” som visar på ett samband mellan aktiviteter och vad de genererar, kvalitetsförbättringar i verksamheten. “Värdet av sociala medier vid en krissituation” som visar att samma aktiviteter verkar förebyggande att risken av en kris inträffar samt underlättar vid en faktisk krissituation. Om sociala medier inte används för att kvalitetsförbättra verksamheten eller till att förebygga och kommunicera under en kris påvisar studien inte någon nytta med att verka i sociala medier för de undersökta bolagen. Ett felaktigt användande av sociala medier ger ett negativt utfall, det är resurskrävande och kan förvärra en krissituation genom den enorma spridningseffekten sociala medier har. / “What does the presence in social media generate for public transport companies in Sweden in everyday activities and how they can be use in crisis management?” The purpose with this thesis is to highlight the complexity that public transport companies in Sweden today do not take advantage of opportunities that social media offers. We have noticed a need to highlight the advantage and disadvantage arising from the use of Facebook and Twitter for public transport companies. We wish to prove that social media is a high-quality communication channel which also can be useful in crises. This thesis aims to convey the benefits of interaction thru social media in everyday activities and crisis management. The process of the thesis is conducted thru a qualitative and inductive approach. Nine interviews have been made with seven public transport companies and two with communication consultants with expertise in communications and crisis management. By examining how they manage the presence in social media and reflects about relationships, trust, reputation management and crises we were given material thru interviews that allowed to fulfil the purpose of the thesis. The survey has a high level of validity but the assumption that it can be generalized and applied to all Swedish public transport companies cannot be made. However we believe that it could be interesting for all Swedish public transport companies to take advantage of the thesis. The survey has revealed that the Swedish public transport companies to improve the quality of the business can use social media especially Facebook and Twitter advantageously, but also that social media is effective in the management for managing and handling communication in a crisis. The survey shows that public transport companies continually works to be present, to communicate and engage, stop the spread of rumours and provide information in real time. These actions effect passengers to get more trust in the companies, as well as it creates a better relationship, improve understanding and that the passengers provide the companies with information that leads to quality improvements. These activities can also be used to prevent a crisis and facilitate the handling of a crisis. The companies activities in social media and what they generate illustrates in two models. “The value of social media in everyday business” showing the connection between everyday activates in social media generating a quality tool. “The value of social media in a crisis” showing that the same activates prevents a crisis from happening and helps manage a crisis situation. If the public transport companies examined do not use social media to quality improvement activities or to prevent and communicate during a crisis the survey demonstrates that there is no advantage to be present in social media at all. If a company uses social media in wrong way , it demands a lot of resources and can aggravate a crisis situation. / VG

Aujourd'hui l'image de marque des chaînes de distribution est un élément central deleur succès. La plupart d'entre elle ont des programmes destinés à mesurer lesdifférentes dimensions de leur performance au niveau du point de vente, de lasatisfaction de leur client, de la qualité de leur relation-client et de leur image demarque.Ces facteurs sont supposés contribuer à la fidélité des clients. La question est d'enconnaître le poids relatif. L'objet de cette recherche est d'en proposer un modèleintégré et d'en tester la valeur empirique, dans le cas d'une chaîne de distributioniranienne, sur la base d'un échantillon de 500 consommateurs. La qualité des pointsde vente, la satisfaction des consommateurs, l'image de marque de l'entreprise, et laqualité de la relation sont intégrés dans un modèle explicatif de la fidélité desconsommateurs. Effort rarement fait, la littérature ayant testé séparément lesdifférentes hypothèses. / Today, the most successful corporate image in the world are retailing and chain stores. Most chainstores and retailing companies have research programs designed to measure Point of Sale (Store),Customer Satisfaction (Experience), Brand Image (Corporate Image) and Quality of relationship.Such programs are designed to allow management to measure store (POS) constructs and relationswith corporate image, satisfaction, quality of relationship and store loyalty. This constructs provideessential information to guide efforts to increase the excellent variability in stores and will help toensure there continued loyalty and patronage. There is evidence as to the link between store qualityand excellence chain store performance and chain store –level data suggests as link between higherstore quality, higher corporate image, higher customer satisfaction, higher loyalty and improved themarket share, customer share and profitability.The survey effect of Store Quality Dimensions as a POS toward Customer Satisfaction and LoyaltyDimensions, to creating the loyal customers is one of the most important in literature of this thesis.There have been different but homogenous approach for considering research constructs. Thecustomer - based approach, the financial approach and combination approach. While this studyfocus on customer approach and survey the effective process of “SQD ---CS---LD path” in chainstore industry.This constructs used to operationalization of customer loyalty as target objective of model .we usedthe store quality as an antecedent of customer satisfaction and customer loyalty and called “SQDbased-LD” approach. The contribution of this study is formulating and development of aconceptual framework that integrates the constructs of model and extraction of SQD – LD Modelin Iran chain stores.

People choose partners based on different characteristics, however it is not clear whether they systematically choose partners with specific characteristics. It is also not clear what modulates partner preferences. One of the factors are parents, however the question is, whether parents influence all types of relationships (e.g. one-night stand, marriage etc.). The main objective was to analyze the consistency of mate choice in physical characteristics in heterosexual women. Another objective was to test paternal influence on the mate choice, and whether this influence differs among partners with whom women have children and partners with whom they don't. Last objective was to test whether the similarity between father and current partner influences the relationship and sexual satisfaction of the respondent. In total 693 heterosexual women, aged 18-45, participated in the research (average age = 30,7; SE = 5,9) and provided physical characteristics (weight, height, attractiveness, masculinity, eye color, hair color, facial masculinity, facial hair, musculature, BMI, relative height, body hair and leg length) of their father, current partner (with whom they had/were expecting children) and long term ex-partners (with whom they had no children), they completed the standardized questionnaire s-EMBU...