Separation anxiety is highly prevalent among intellectually and visually impaired individuals, yet little research has been done into its treatment in this population. Due to delayed cognitive skills, these individuals struggle to develop the abstract concept of person permanence, which is necessary to diminish separation anxiety. The first aim of this study was to investigate whether using technology alone or including caregivers was the most beneficial approach to developing person permanence using technology-assisted therapy. The caregivers received training in advance in an attachment-based protocol about securing attachment relationships with the participant. It was hypothesised that the inclusion of attachment figures in technology-assisted therapy would enhance the acquisition of the person permanence concept. The second aim of this study was to determine whether technology-assisted therapy in tandem with the participation of caregivers consequently decreased separation anxiety and challenging behaviour in an adult with intellectual and visual impairment. It was hypothesised that the subject’s anxiety and challenging behaviour levels would significantly decrease due to the intervention. The final aim was to determine how the caregivers and the participant experienced this intervention. It was hypothesised that they would regard it as a positive experience. This single-subject design used a pre-experimental quantitative approach. It was based on the familiar ABAB design and comprised six phases. Phase A served as baseline, giving the participants time to become acquainted with the technology. Phase B consisted of automated responses to the participant’s messages. In phase C caregivers directed the active reply. The daily messages were discussed when the participant and caregiver reunited, incorporating the attachment-based protocol. Phase B and C were repeated. Phase D followed after the devices were handed in. The technology was a specially adapted touch iPhone with an application comprising coloured emoticons. When the participant was physically separated from the caregiver, he could send happy, sad, angry or scared emoticons, or request help. The caregiver, who had a similar device, responded by sending a pre-determined response such as acknowledging the participant’s “I am angry” message with a “You are angry” message. Due to the association between anxiety and challenging behaviour in this population, standardised instruments were used to measure changes in these behaviours. Repeated measure ANOVA and a non-parametric Friedman test were used to analyse the data, specifically comparing phase B and C. Overall, the results showed that behaviour did significantly change over the course of the intervention. The frequency of the various iPhone messages sent by the participant was recorded daily. ANOVA contracts results demonstrated significantly fewer anxious and angry messages sent during the C phases compared with the B phases. The professional caregivers recorded the frequency and intensity of anxiety and challenging behaviours. The ANOVA contrast results showed a significantly lower frequency and intensity of these behaviours in the C phases compared with the B phases. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the social validity of the intervention. The independent samples t-test demonstrated a significant difference between the mean scores rated by the caregivers at the beginning and the end of the invention. The participant and caregivers were positive about the intervention. Although the results cannot be generalised, it can be concluded that the inclusion of caregivers in technology-assisted therapy can serve as an invaluable aid to developing the person permanence concept. The findings also indicate that the anxiety and challenging behaviour levels shown by the adult with ID and visual impairment decreased due to technology-assisted therapy applied by caregivers, while responses to the social validity of the intervention were positive. / MSc (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Separation anxiety is highly prevalent among intellectually and visually impaired individuals, yet little research has been done into its treatment in this population. Due to delayed cognitive skills, these individuals struggle to develop the abstract concept of person permanence, which is necessary to diminish separation anxiety. The first aim of this study was to investigate whether using technology alone or including caregivers was the most beneficial approach to developing person permanence using technology-assisted therapy. The caregivers received training in advance in an attachment-based protocol about securing attachment relationships with the participant. It was hypothesised that the inclusion of attachment figures in technology-assisted therapy would enhance the acquisition of the person permanence concept. The second aim of this study was to determine whether technology-assisted therapy in tandem with the participation of caregivers consequently decreased separation anxiety and challenging behaviour in an adult with intellectual and visual impairment. It was hypothesised that the subject’s anxiety and challenging behaviour levels would significantly decrease due to the intervention. The final aim was to determine how the caregivers and the participant experienced this intervention. It was hypothesised that they would regard it as a positive experience. This single-subject design used a pre-experimental quantitative approach. It was based on the familiar ABAB design and comprised six phases. Phase A served as baseline, giving the participants time to become acquainted with the technology. Phase B consisted of automated responses to the participant’s messages. In phase C caregivers directed the active reply. The daily messages were discussed when the participant and caregiver reunited, incorporating the attachment-based protocol. Phase B and C were repeated. Phase D followed after the devices were handed in. The technology was a specially adapted touch iPhone with an application comprising coloured emoticons. When the participant was physically separated from the caregiver, he could send happy, sad, angry or scared emoticons, or request help. The caregiver, who had a similar device, responded by sending a pre-determined response such as acknowledging the participant’s “I am angry” message with a “You are angry” message. Due to the association between anxiety and challenging behaviour in this population, standardised instruments were used to measure changes in these behaviours. Repeated measure ANOVA and a non-parametric Friedman test were used to analyse the data, specifically comparing phase B and C. Overall, the results showed that behaviour did significantly change over the course of the intervention. The frequency of the various iPhone messages sent by the participant was recorded daily. ANOVA contracts results demonstrated significantly fewer anxious and angry messages sent during the C phases compared with the B phases. The professional caregivers recorded the frequency and intensity of anxiety and challenging behaviours. The ANOVA contrast results showed a significantly lower frequency and intensity of these behaviours in the C phases compared with the B phases. A questionnaire was developed to evaluate the social validity of the intervention. The independent samples t-test demonstrated a significant difference between the mean scores rated by the caregivers at the beginning and the end of the invention. The participant and caregivers were positive about the intervention. Although the results cannot be generalised, it can be concluded that the inclusion of caregivers in technology-assisted therapy can serve as an invaluable aid to developing the person permanence concept. The findings also indicate that the anxiety and challenging behaviour levels shown by the adult with ID and visual impairment decreased due to technology-assisted therapy applied by caregivers, while responses to the social validity of the intervention were positive. / MSc (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

<p>The media has responded toward unethical behavior in rainforests during the ‘80’s, triggering</p><p>the still upcoming trend of investigation of ethical considerations, as described by Macfarlane</p><p>(1995). Many researchers are constantly improving the ethical theories and showing</p><p>continued change in the perception of ethics (Svensson & Wood, 2007)</p><p>The purpose of this research is to identify the effect of ethics on the proactive or reactive</p><p>behavior of companies, with a downward tendency provided in the value chain.</p><p>The theoretical framework consists out of a set of theories supporting the goal of identifying</p><p>ethics within a company, applying a new business ethics model and measuring the pro-active</p><p>and re-active behavior of the stakeholder in the value chain. Finally, all the theories used, are</p><p>combined in an integrated theoretical model used to justify the collection of empirical data</p><p>and to give structure to the analysis.</p><p>The empirical data has been gathered through non structured and semi-structured interviews</p><p>with customers, employees within the case company, and a supplier to the case company.</p><p>These findings are complemented with secondary data gathered through websites, annual</p><p>reports, codes of conduct, media articles and others sources.</p><p>The findings of the study showed that the (in the theoretical framework) assumption of a</p><p>downward effect in perception and change in ethical considerations is not as obvious as</p><p>previously thought. Within this case study, the ethical influences come from the case</p><p>company, situated in the middle of the value chain, influencing both the consumer and the</p><p>supplier, in ethical considerations.</p>

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The media has responded toward unethical behavior in rainforests during the ‘80’s, triggering the still upcoming trend of investigation of ethical considerations, as described by Macfarlane (1995). Many researchers are constantly improving the ethical theories and showing continued change in the perception of ethics (Svensson & Wood, 2007) The purpose of this research is to identify the effect of ethics on the proactive or reactive behavior of companies, with a downward tendency provided in the value chain. The theoretical framework consists out of a set of theories supporting the goal of identifying ethics within a company, applying a new business ethics model and measuring the pro-active and re-active behavior of the stakeholder in the value chain. Finally, all the theories used, are combined in an integrated theoretical model used to justify the collection of empirical data and to give structure to the analysis. The empirical data has been gathered through non structured and semi-structured interviews with customers, employees within the case company, and a supplier to the case company. These findings are complemented with secondary data gathered through websites, annual reports, codes of conduct, media articles and others sources. The findings of the study showed that the (in the theoretical framework) assumption of a downward effect in perception and change in ethical considerations is not as obvious as previously thought. Within this case study, the ethical influences come from the case company, situated in the middle of the value chain, influencing both the consumer and the supplier, in ethical considerations.

Submitted by Tatiana Lima (tatianasl@ufba.br) on 2016-06-10T18:53:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernandes, Maria Jucineide da Costa.pdf: 911848 bytes, checksum: 8c47848b9fcc21f2ad06ac7723df9986 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Tatiana Lima (tatianasl@ufba.br) on 2016-07-05T20:07:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernandes, Maria Jucineide da Costa.pdf: 911848 bytes, checksum: 8c47848b9fcc21f2ad06ac7723df9986 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-05T20:07:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernandes, Maria Jucineide da Costa.pdf: 911848 bytes, checksum: 8c47848b9fcc21f2ad06ac7723df9986 (MD5) / Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar as caraterísticas da escola pública cearense de educação profissional, que apresentou os melhores resultados, na terceira série do ensino médio, no Sistema Permanente de Avaliação da Educação Básica do Ceará (SPAECE) em 2013, identificando aspectos que são característicos de uma Escola Eficaz. Partiu-se do pressuposto que a escola pública cearense de educação profissional com melhor resultado no Sistema Permanente de Avaliação da Educação Básica do Ceará apresenta características de uma escola eficaz. Foi realizado estudo de caso único, de natureza qualitativa e quantitativa, baseando-se em observação direta, pesquisa a documentos, entrevista semiestruturada e questionários. Os resultados indicam que a Escola Estadual de Educação Profissional Adriano Nobre apresentou o melhor resultado, sendo esta a escola estudada. Identificou-se que as características que mais contribuem para o bom desempenho dos seus alunos em avaliações externas são referentes às seguintes categorias e subcategorias de análise: a) liderança na escola: pedagógica e administrativa; b) professores: formação inicial, tempo de serviço e estabilidade da equipe, oportunidades de treinamento, relacionamento entre os professores e apoio do núcleo gestor; c) relações com a família e com a comunidade: como a escola estimula a participação dos pais e como se dá a inserção da escola na comunidade; d) clima interno da escola: expectativa em relação ao desempenho do aluno e a existência de um clima de ordem; e) ensino: ênfase nos aspectos cognitivos, existência de estrutura de monitoramento do desempenho dos alunos, política de reprovação e aceleração dos alunos, o processo de ensino utilizado e a existência de uma referência clara sobre o que ensinar. Na EEEP Adriano Nobre foram encontrados aspectos que não obtiveram total aderência com as características da escola eficaz: infraestrutura e fatores externos à organização da escola, no que se refere ao estado de conservação do prédio e adequação das instalações, suficiência dos recursos didáticos, na percepção dos professores, qualidade da biblioteca, no que se refere ao acesso e atualização do acervo. Os professores, apesar de satisfeitos com o trabalho, não estão satisfeitos com o salário, na percepção de 65% dos pais. Foram encontrados baixos percentuais de respostas referentes à inserção dos pais na administração da escola, quando analisada a categoria relações com a família e a comunidade. Conclui-se que estes resultados obtidos estão consonância com a literatura e com o pressuposto, pois a escola estudada possui categorias aderentes com as características de uma escola eficaz. This work aims to analyze the Ceará public school characteristics of vocational education, which showed the best results in the third year of high school, the Permanent System of Evaluation of Basic Education of Ceará (SPAECE) in 2013, identifying aspects that are characteristic an Effective School. It started with the assumption that the Ceará public school vocational education with best results in the Permanent System of Evaluation of Basic Education of Ceará has characteristics of an effective school. Was performed in one case study, qualitative and quantitative, based on direct observation, search the documents, semi-structured interviews and questionnaires. The results indicate that the State School of Professional Education Adriano Nobre showed the best result, which is the studied school. It was identified that the characteristics that contribute most to the performance of their students in external evaluations refer to the following categories and subcategories of analysis: a) leadership in school: pedagogical and administrative; b) Teachers: initial training, length of service and team stability, training opportunities, relationships between teachers and support core manager; c) relationships with family and the community: how the school encourages parental involvement and how is the school integration in the community; d) School indoor climate: expectations regarding the performance of the student and the existence of a climate of order; e) education: emphasis on cognitive aspects, existence of monitoring framework of student performance, failure of policy and acceleration of the students, the teaching process used and the existence of a clear reference about what to teach. In EEEP Adriano Nobre found aspects that did not find full compliance with the characteristics of effective schools: infrastructure and factors outside the school organization, in relation to the building conservation status and adequacy of facilities, adequacy of teaching resources, perception teachers, library quality, with regard to access and update the acquis. Teachers, although satisfied with the work, are not satisfied with the salary, in the view of 65% of parents. Low percentage of answers were found regarding the inclusion of parents in school administration, when analyzing the category relationships with family and community. It was concluded that these results are consistent with literature and with the assumption, because the categories studied school has adhered to the characteristics of an effective school

The Multilevel modeling (MLM) approach has a great flexibility in that can handle various methodological issues that may arise with single-case studies, such as the need to model possible dependency in the errors, linear or nonlinear trends, and count outcomes (e.g.,Van den Noortgate & Onghena, 2003a). By using the MLM framework, researchers can not only model dependency in the errors but also model a variety of level-1error structures. The effect of misspecification in the level-1 error structure has been well studied for MLM analyses. Generally, it was found that the estimates of the fixed effects were unbiased but the estimates of variance parameters were substantially biased when level-1 error structure was misspecified. However, in previous misspecification studies as well as applied studies of multilevel models with single-case data, a critical assumption has been made. Researchers generally assumed that the level-1 error structure is constant across all participants. It is possible that the level-1 error structure may not be same across participants. Previous studies show that there is a possibility that the level-1 error structure may not be same across participants (Baek & Ferron, 2011; Baek & Ferron, 2013; Maggin et al., 2011). If much variation in level-1 error structure exists, this can possibly impact estimation of the fixed effects and random effects. Despite the importance of this issue, the effects of modeling between-case variation in the level-1 error structure had not yet been systematically studied. The purpose of this simulation study was to extend the MLM modeling in growth curve models to allow the level-1 error structure to vary across cases, and to identify the consequences of modeling and not modeling between-case variation in the level-1 error structure for single-case studies. A Monte Carlo simulation was conducted that examined conditions that varied in series length per case (10 or 20), the number of cases (4 or 8), the true level-1 errors structure (homogenous, moderately heterogeneous, severely heterogeneous), the level-2 error variance in baseline slope and shift in slope (.05 or .2 times the level-1 variance), and the method to analyze the data (allow level-1 error variance and autocorrelation to vary across cases (Model 2) or not allow level-1 error variance and autocorrelation to vary across cases (Model 1)). All simulated data sets were analyzed using Bayesian estimation. For each condition, 1000 data were simulated, and bias, RMSE and credible interval (CI) coverage and width were examined for the fixed treatment effects and the variance components. The results of this study found that the different modeling methods in level-1 error structure had little to no impact on the estimates of the fixed treatment effects, but substantial impacts on the estimates of the variance components, especially the level-1 error standard deviation and the autocorrelation parameters. Modeling between case variation in the level-1 error structure (Model 2) performs relatively better than not modeling between case variation in the level-1 error structure (Model 1) for the estimates of the level-1 error standard deviation and the autocorrelation parameters. It was found that as degree of the heterogeneity in the data (i.e., homogeneous, moderately heterogeneous, severely heterogeneous) increased, the effectiveness of Model 2 increased. The results also indicated that whether the level-1 error structure was under-specified, over-specified, or correctly-specified had little to no impact on the estimates of the fixed treatment effects, but a substantial impact on the level-1 error standard deviation and the autocorrelation. While the correctly-specified and the over-specified models perform fairly well, the under-specified model performs poorly. Moreover, it was revealed that the form of heterogeneity in the data (i.e., one extreme case versus a more even spread of the level-1 variances) might have some impact on relative effectiveness of the two models, but the degree of the autocorrelation had little to no impact on the relative performance of the two models.

In the past two decades, a need in forming strategic alliance has become increasingly important, especially for small companies. Likewise, airline alliances act as a vehicle for small carriers to obtain their superior position or to survive competition in a competitive international market where they do not appear to be a dominant player. In strategic alliances, the greater integration conveys greater benefits. However, the level of failure and success are varied among alliance members. This thesis was underpinned by the aim to conduct an in-depth study under the concept of organisational culture to reveal the key issues and barriers that appear to distort the ability of an organisation to foster success as well as to boost up its ability to obtain the benefits from the alliances to the maximum level.The empirical investigation employed a qualitative approach as a mechanism, driving this thesis through the process of research design, data collection, and data analysis. Using a single case study as a main technique, the case company of this thesis is Thai Airways. Data was collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews. Data was analysed using thematic grouping and organised through NVIvo software.This thesis displayed the findings into two main themes. The first theme is associated with the activity to diagnose organisational culture, whereas the Competing Values Framework (CVF) was adopted as an initial framework. The main objectives are to develop a cultural profile for Thai Airways and to identify the key issues and barriers that distort the ability of Thai Airways to foster success. The key finding derived from this theme offered the identified problems and barriers derived from organisational culture. Using the Critical Success Factors (CSFs) method, the second theme is associated with the activity to identify the critical success factors for Thai Airways, deriving as a set of CSFs proposed to help enhance the ability of Thai Airways to obtain big firm's benefits. The outcome of this thesis could be considered as a new reference for the areas of organisational studies and the success of airlines, where the literature appears to be limited. More importantly, this thesis believed that the research journey offered an empirical experience reflecting a piece of organisational culture study in a non-Western context.

Data breaches happen almost every day in the United States and, according to research, the majority of these breaches occur due to a lack of security with organizations' mobile devices. Although most of the security policies related to mobile devices currently in place may meet the guidelines required by law, they often fail to prevent a data breach caused by a mobile device. The main purpose of this qualitative single case study was to explore the strategies used by security managers to prevent data breaches caused by mobile devices. The study population consisted of security managers working for a government contractor located in the southeastern region of the United States. Ludwig von Bertalanffy's general systems theory was used as the conceptual framework of this study. The data collection process included interviews with organization security managers (n = 5) and company documents and procedures (n = 13) from the target organization related to mobile device security. Data from the interviews and organizational documents were coded using thematic analysis. Methodological triangulation of the data uncovered 4 major themes: information security policies and procedures, security awareness, technology management tools, and defense-in-depth. The implications for positive social change from this study include the potential to enhance the organizations' security policies, cultivate a better security awareness training program, and improve the organizations data protection strategies. In addition, this study outlines some strategies for preventing data breaches caused by mobile devices while still providing maximum benefit to its external and internal customers.