Given the important role that trust plays in acceptance of water management schemes, the current research investigated the characteristics and determinants of trust by developing a social-psychological model of trust in the area of water management and reuse. The research advanced a theoretical understanding of trust by using social identity theory and the relational model of trust as a framework and providing a systematic examination of the relationships between the variables in the hypothesised trust model. The proposed trust model was tested across three potentially different perceived risk contexts; low, medium and high. Analysis through path modelling provided strong support for the hypothesised model. In all three contexts trust in the water authority was a significant predictor of acceptance of the water management scheme, and risk perceptions mediated the relationship between trust and acceptance. In other words higher levels of trust in the authority were associated with lower perceptions of risk, which were in turn associated with higher levels of acceptance. In Study 4, which was set in the high perceived risk context of the proposed indirect potable reuse scheme in Toowoomba, perceptions of risk had the strongest direct effect on acceptance of the scheme, and the trust, risk and acceptance relationship was stronger than it was in the other studies. The relational variables of procedural fairness, identification with one’s community, ingroup membership of the water authority and a social bond (shared values) with the water authority were all found to impact on trust, either directly or indirectly. In addition, the instrumental variable of the credibility of the authority (measured as technical competence and a lack of vested interests) was found to have a significant impact on trust. Taken together, the results provide support for social identity theory and the relational model of trust as a framework for understanding trust in authorities. The results are also consistent with literature that suggests that the relational and instrumental models of trust are not incompatible (e.g., Edwards & Kidd, 2003; Tyler & Kramer, 1996). The findings from this research program clearly have a practical application for improving acceptance of water management schemes. The combined results demonstrate the importance of trust in the water authority in reducing perceived risk and thus increasing acceptance of schemes. The results highlight the need for water authorities and policy makers to build public trust through procedural fairness, building a sense of the water authority as a member of the community, and through demonstrating technical competence and concern for the interests of the public.

Given the important role that trust plays in acceptance of water management schemes, the current research investigated the characteristics and determinants of trust by developing a social-psychological model of trust in the area of water management and reuse. The research advanced a theoretical understanding of trust by using social identity theory and the relational model of trust as a framework and providing a systematic examination of the relationships between the variables in the hypothesised trust model. The proposed trust model was tested across three potentially different perceived risk contexts; low, medium and high. Analysis through path modelling provided strong support for the hypothesised model. In all three contexts trust in the water authority was a significant predictor of acceptance of the water management scheme, and risk perceptions mediated the relationship between trust and acceptance. In other words higher levels of trust in the authority were associated with lower perceptions of risk, which were in turn associated with higher levels of acceptance. In Study 4, which was set in the high perceived risk context of the proposed indirect potable reuse scheme in Toowoomba, perceptions of risk had the strongest direct effect on acceptance of the scheme, and the trust, risk and acceptance relationship was stronger than it was in the other studies. The relational variables of procedural fairness, identification with one’s community, ingroup membership of the water authority and a social bond (shared values) with the water authority were all found to impact on trust, either directly or indirectly. In addition, the instrumental variable of the credibility of the authority (measured as technical competence and a lack of vested interests) was found to have a significant impact on trust. Taken together, the results provide support for social identity theory and the relational model of trust as a framework for understanding trust in authorities. The results are also consistent with literature that suggests that the relational and instrumental models of trust are not incompatible (e.g., Edwards & Kidd, 2003; Tyler & Kramer, 1996). The findings from this research program clearly have a practical application for improving acceptance of water management schemes. The combined results demonstrate the importance of trust in the water authority in reducing perceived risk and thus increasing acceptance of schemes. The results highlight the need for water authorities and policy makers to build public trust through procedural fairness, building a sense of the water authority as a member of the community, and through demonstrating technical competence and concern for the interests of the public.

The aim of the thesis is to contribute to the CCT research field on social identity, by placing a focus on power from a customer perspective and studying how power can be accentuated within social identity. Theory from CCT with a focus on social identity has been used in combination with extensive literature on power and authority from a sociological perspective and literature from Fashion-Studies focusing on power-dressing, conspicuous consumption and luxury. The research question is: How is power-dressing and consumption of high-end luxury fashion brands used by female executives/senior managers in an attempt to accentuate power as a part of their social identity? In-depth semi-structured interviews where used as the main data collection method interviewing five female senior managers/female executives working in Stockholm; using the fashion consumption of female senior managers as its empirical sample. The main conclusion on this thesis is the creation of the concept of power-coded-dressing.This thesis implications are that it develops the CCT field slightly by adding a consumer-power perspective into the theoretical discourse. Its practical and social implications help women accentuate their power through, power-coded-dressing.

Submitted by SÍLVIA HELENA GUTTIER FARIA null (silviaguttier@hotmail.com) on 2017-12-17T23:50:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTAÇÃO_FINAL_SÍLVIA.pdf: 991663 bytes, checksum: 3ee83a18190a533881815a818cb4826b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Satie Tagara (satie@marilia.unesp.br) on 2017-12-18T12:36:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 faria_shg_me_mar.pdf: 991663 bytes, checksum: 3ee83a18190a533881815a818cb4826b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-18T12:36:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 faria_shg_me_mar.pdf: 991663 bytes, checksum: 3ee83a18190a533881815a818cb4826b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Nesta Dissertação, investiga-se o conceito de identidade social, a partir da perspectiva do paradigma da complexidade. Com amparo na teoria sistêmica, optamos por tal proposta de análise do conceito de identidade social, pois acreditamos na razoabilidade de uma investigação interdisciplinar, no que diz respeito a essa temática. A caracterização do conceito de identidade social se pautará nos conceitos de diferença e informação, assim, nos inspiramos no pensamento de Cilliers (2010), sobre o conceito de diferença, e de Bateson (1972), quanto ao conceito de informação. Bateson entende a informação como a diferença que faz diferença e, nesse contexto, é possível pensar que aspectos de identidade social emergem, seja por processos, seja por propriedades, com base na dinâmica entre os elementos sistêmicos em contato com informação sobre diferenças – em tal dinâmica, salientamos a atividade de parâmetros de ordem e de controle, conceitos que serão caracterizados no decorrer da Dissertação. Ilustramos a caracterização do conceito de identidade social através de alguns exemplos da sociedade contemporânea, relacionados ao desenvolvimento das tecnologias de informação e comunicação. / In this dissertation, the conception of social identity is investigated, starting with the perspective of the complexity paradigm. With the support on the systemic theory, it’s opted for the proposal of the analysis of the social identity conception, because it’s believed in the reasonability of an interdisciplinary investigation, concerning this topic. The characterization of the social identity will be ruled on the conceptions of difference and information, so it has been inspired on Cilliers’ thought (2010) on the conception of difference, and Bateson’s (1972) on the conception of information. Bateson understands information as the difference that makes the difference and, in this context, it’s possible to think that aspects of social identity come up, either by processes or by properties, based on the dynamic between the systemic elements in contact with information on differences – it’s pointed out in such dynamic the activity of order and control parameters, conceptions that will be characterized in the dissertation. The characterization of the social identity conception it’s emphasized through some examples of the contemporary society, related to the technologies of information and communication development.

Syftet med denna studie är att studera symboler som används i ritualer som är religiöst präglade, i detta fall en nordirländsk parad, för att bygga vidare på forskning kring ritualer och symbolers betydelse för social identitet. För att besvara detta syfte formulerades följande två frågeställningar: Hur kan symboler i tolfte juli paraden tolkas utifrån social identitetsteori? På vilka sätt ger denna ritual uttryck för de fyra komponenter som är del av David J. Knottnerus (1997) strukturella ritualiseringsteori? Genom en kombination av en sekundärobservation och tematisk innehållsanalys analyseras symbolerna som används i denna ritual. Det material som använts var en form av visuellt material, ett längre videoklipp från YouTube. Symbolerna i ritualen tolkas utifrån social identitetsteori, och ritualen i dess helhet betraktas med den teoretiska referensram som är angiven av strukturell ritualiseringsteori. Genom den analytiska processen har det framkommit att det går att identifiera vissa framträdande aspekter av social identitet i ritualer. Resultatet av denna studie visade på att ritualen i fråga bidrar till stärkandet av den sociala identiteten hos nordirländska protestanter, och bidrar till stereotypisering inom gruppen. Det finns även indikationer på att denna ritual fyller funktionen av att säkerställa en form av positiv social identitet som är distinkt. Grunden för denna sociala identitet har en religiös prägel. Det går även att identifiera två av de fyra komponenter som utgör grunden för strukturell ritualiseringsteori. Det går däremot inte att göra några påståenden om vad detta har för betydelse för ritualen i dess helhet eller dess betydelse för den enskilde individen. / Northern Ireland was, for many years, the main subject in various forms of social studies. But in recent years Northern Ireland has been overlooked by many, and is a topic that is dated. In light of recent political events in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland it is of the utmost importance that we revisit Northern Irish society and its social landscape. The purpose of this study is to delve deeper into the importance of symbols in rituals that are, in one way or another, religious to a certain extent. In order for this study to fulfil its purpose it will seek to answer two questions. The first question concerns how symbols in the Twelfth (or Orangemen’s Day) parade can be interpreted with help of social identity theory, and the second question posed concerns itself with how the ritual, in its entirety, can be seen with help of structural ritualization theory. Through a form of secondary observation and a thematic content analysis, it was concluded that there is a clear indication of social identity that takes shape in the usage of symbols in rituals. Participants in this ritual used symbols to strengthen their social identity, and this in turn contributed to stereotyping within the social group. There was also an indication that the ritual has a function, which is to secure a form of distinct, positive social identity. There was also an indication that religion played a pivotal role in the participants social identity. Lastly, the study managed to identify two out of four components in structural ritualization theory. However, it was difficult to assert the implications that the components of structural ritualization theory had for the ritual in its entirety.

Stereotypes and prejudices towards different ethnic groups held by people from an extremely impoverished area in Callao, Peru were studied. A mixed methodology was designed, comprised of a survey study (n = 115) and four focus groups (n = 30). Results show the existence of specific stereotypes to represent groups of high (Whites) and low status (Andeans, Amazonians and Afro-Peruvians). Every assessed group was described through ambivalent stereotyping contents. Results show that white people were perceived as instrumentalist, corrupts and non-patriotic while low status groups were seen as low in instrumentalism but warmth and sympathetic. Comparing these results with Espinosa, Calderon, Guimac and Burga (2007), it becomes evident that stereotyping representations held by people of poor strata are structurally similar to those held by people of middle-class groups. However, prejudice toward high status groups’ members is stronger among poor respondents when compared with middle class respondents, because impoverished people are likely to consider members of high status groups as individuals with discriminatory and excluding behaviors against people of low status groups. / Se estudian estereotipos y prejuicios hacia distintos grupos étnicos que presentan los habitantes de una zona de pobreza extrema en el Callao, Perú. Se desarrollo un diseño mixto de investigación con una fase cuantitativa donde se aplicaron encuestas (n = 115) y una cualitativa donde se realizaron 4 grupos focales (n = 30). Los resultados muestran representaciones estereotípicas que comprenden grupos de alto (blancos) y bajo estatus (andinos, amazónicos y afroperuanos). Los grupos evaluados son representados a través de contenidos estereotipos ambivalentes. Los blancos son percibidos como instrumentales, corruptos y poco patriotas, mientras que los de bajo estatus como poco instrumentales pero cálidos y simpáticos. Comparando estos resultados con los obtenidos por Espinosa, Calderón, Guimac & Burga (2007), se observa que las representaciones estereotípicas de los participantes de sectores pobres son estructuralmente similares a las de personas de sectores medios. Sin embargo, el prejuicio asignado a grupos de alto estatus resulta mayor en la muestra de pobreza extrema, ya que se atribuye a sus miembros practicas discriminatorias y excluyentes que afectan a los grupos de bajo estatus.

Comparing to the aggressive growth of the Chinese student population on Canadian university campuses, their lived experience and identity issues deserve more attention that it already had. Using the theoretical framework combining social identity theory (Tajfel, 1974) and Ting-Toomey’s (1999, 2005) identity negotiation theory, this thesis investigated the identity construction and negotiation process of Chinese international students in Canadian universities. The study utilized a qualitative approach combining semi-structured interviews and a thematic analysis to examine the intercultural experiences of sixteen Chinese students in the Ottawa area through their own voices. Six themes were uncovered and future implications for international education practice were further discussed.

Managers in social care are being relied upon to lead and implement substantial change within the sector. Yet the prevailing view is that the pressure being put on managers by managerialism and the increase in the business aspects of their role is in conflict with social care managers’ values, causing concern and challenging managers’ identity. Additionally, managers in social care are presented as being part of the same homogenous group as social work managers, a potential misrepresentation, which again has consequences for how managers identify with their role. This study aimed to explore and explain how social care managers are experiencing their manager identity and how they categorise themselves from a group perspective. This research was undertaken using a critical realist philosophical approach. The key theoretical framework used is social identity theory. The study findings have achieved the overall aim of the research, establishing that social care managers appear not to be experiencing any conflict in their identities, that managerialism is accepted by managers and seen to be necessary, and that managers’ values, formed in childhood, are a key aspect of how they undertake their managerial role. In addition, social care managers are not the same as social work managers, their social identity is a synthesis of the multiple groups they are members of with the dominant group being social care, because of this they cannot be viewed as being within the same homogenous group. Neither is the social care manager role distinctive from manager roles in other sectors, however how they undertake the role is. The significance of the study is the contribution to both the existing social care literature and the literature on social identity theory.

abstract: Crises or large-scale emergencies such as earthquakes and hurricanes cause massive damage to lives and property. Crisis response is an essential task to mitigate the impact of a crisis. An effective response to a crisis necessitates information gathering and analysis. Traditionally, this process has been restricted to the information collected by first responders on the ground in the affected region or by official agencies such as local governments involved in the response. However, the ubiquity of mobile devices has empowered people to publish information during a crisis through social media, such as the damage reports from a hurricane. Social media has thus emerged as an important channel of information which can be leveraged to improve crisis response. Twitter is a popular medium which has been employed in recent crises. However, it presents new challenges: the data is noisy and uncurated, and it has high volume and high velocity. In this work, I study four key problems in the use of social media for crisis response: effective monitoring and analysis of high volume crisis tweets, detecting crisis events automatically in streaming data, identifying users who can be followed to effectively monitor crisis, and finally understanding user behavior during crisis to detect tweets inside crisis regions. To address these problems I propose two systems which assist disaster responders or analysts to collaboratively collect tweets related to crisis and analyze it using visual analytics to identify interesting regions, topics, and users involved in disaster response. I present a novel approach to detecting crisis events automatically in noisy, high volume Twitter streams. I also investigate and introduce novel methods to tackle information overload through the identification of information leaders in information diffusion who can be followed for efficient crisis monitoring and identification of messages originating from crisis regions using user behavior analysis. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Computer Science 2015

Esta pesquisa parte da observação de algumas poéticas artísticas contemporâneas que têm experiências e/ou memórias a respeito de Estados de exceção como objeto central de seus trabalhos. A investigação baseia-se na hipótese de que esses trabalhos de arte podem ser percebidos também como espaços para elaborações de memórias, e que a partir dessas construções mnêmicas as identidades sociais fraturadas durante esses momentos de exceção podem ser reestruturadas. A cada uma dessas poéticas artísticas propõe-se a denominação de \"arte da elaboração\", conceito formulado nesta pesquisa tendo por base dois dos usos que o termo \"elaboração\" recebe na teoria psicanalítica freudiana. / This research has as a starting point the observation of some poetics contemporary art that present experiences and/or memories concerning the States of exception as the main object of their work. This critical study is based on the hypothesis that these works of art can also be interpreted as spaces for the elaboration of memories and that these mnemonics constructions lead to a reconstruction of social identities fractured during the moment of exception. For each of these works of art the name \"elaboration\"s art\" is suggested. This concept is adopted in this research and is based on two different appliances of the term \"elaboration\" that can be found in the Freudian psychoanalytical theory.