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Background/ Problem/Purpose: Sustainability and Digitalisation are two buzzwords nowadays. The textile value chain is one of the most criticised value chains with respects to ecological as well as social sustainability. Thus, it seems a worthwhile project to be examined in the context of how digital technologies can be used to support sustainability aspirations. Academic literature rarely describes the relation between sustainability and digitalisation in a theoretical and empirical way. Most studies focus on one of the two topics, especially in the context of textile procurement. The purpose of this study is to investigate to which extent digital technologies, such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence and Robotic Process Automation, can contribute to sustainable procurement in the textile value chain. Methodology: The study follows a qualitative approach and combines insights obtained by means of conducted semi-structured interviews combined with secondary data related to the studied cases. While embracing an abductive approach, the data analysis follows the extended six-dimension model by Münch et al. (2022) based on the socio-technical system theory. The findings were summarised in two frameworks and discussed in the context of the socio-technical system theory and academic literature. Findings – Through the differentiated model, the findings shed light on the relationship between sustainability and digitalisation in the context of textile procurement. Internal and external organisational aspects of technology implementation were identified for digital tools towards sustainability in the textile procurement. Consequently, possible external and internal drivers, challenges and requirements could be identified for implementing digital technologies. Moreover, the contribution of specifically Robotic Process Automation, Artificial Intelligence as well as Blockchain to sustainable procurement in the textile value chain was analysed and compared. Originality/Value – This study combines, as one of the few, sustainability and digitalisation in the context of the textile value chain. It provides an insight into external as well as internal aspects that can foster or hamper the successful implementation of advanced digital technologies, as well as requirements needed for a successful implementation. Furthermore, the study applies the theory of socio-technical system theory in the context of sustainability and digitalisation. The study offers practitioners a better understanding of the potential effects of advanced digital technologies towards sustainable procurement. It also provides a framework that can support the sustainability driven implementation of advanced digital technologies.

Since the introduction of Toyota's Production System, the deployment of lean production systems (or lean manufacturing), and more advanced technological developments, Participatory Management Practices (PMP) have been viewed as lying at the heart of successful manufacturing workplaces. Studies on technology and PMP have concluded that the state of technology in a company unequivocally shapes PMP and can open spaces to enhance the wellbeing of workers regardless of the PMP dynamics. However, these claims are contested by studies that question the positive effects from PMP. These studies argue that workplaces are organized in such a way that workers are viewed as mere resources to be deployed in the production process, without paying attention to their human morale and agency. This research presents a case study of a food plastics packaging firm that contextualizes, describes, and analyzes: 1) PMP from a Socio-technical Systems Theory (SST) perspective to further our understanding of the role of participative dynamics in the wellbeing of workers; and 2) the dynamics of control-resistance in the workplace as a measure of dignity at work in the context of power relations. This research provides a rich exploration of a workplace that is facing and managing the challenge of automation and technological development. Using an extended case study research method (Burawoy, 2009), data are collected by observing workers' daily interactions with a combination of technologies. These observations reveal the importance of team dynamics in the production process. The observed PMP dynamics show conflictive, competitive, and cooperative behaviors that are negotiated through continuous human-machine, machine-machine, and human-human interactions in the production process. However, management is found to be indifferent to the impact that a combination of technologies and lean production approaches have on participation dynamics. This indifference inhibits managers from embracing and appreciating the value of PMP. All the identified expressions of what technology and PMP mean to workers, and their dynamics, show an ongoing negotiating process. This process comes from all types of participation in which a worker struggles for dignity. The organizational structure of the firm expects workers to display specific types of participation in team efforts, but workers are also provided with opportunities to negotiate their interests or struggle for dignity by changing their type of participation in team activities. The work processes and findings described in this dissertation generally support the theory of Hodson (2001). Further, this research develops the concept of "combination of technologies," which can be used to help observe workers' understanding of technology and participative dynamics. The research also identifies various types of participation based on the interactions of workers in the technology process and how workers manage or safeguard their dignity based on their engagement with different types of participation in team-based situations or events. Finally, this research identified how participative engagement by workers can be used as a power mechanism to retain their dignity. / Doctor of Philosophy / Modern manufacturing production is based on the increasing use of technology and workers' participation in problem solving when it comes to the production system. These types of production systems are called Lean Production Systems. These systems stem from the philosophy of doing more with less and are viewed as lying at the heart of successful manufacturing workplaces. However, studies on technology and teams have concluded that not only does technology shape the dynamics of teams, but the practices and dynamics of workers in teams can open spaces to enhance human wellbeing. Even so, some studies question the positive effects of worker participation in teams based on Participatory Management Practices (PMP). These studies argue that workplaces are organized in such a way that workers are viewed as mere resources to be deployed in the production process, without paying attention to human morale and agency. This research is a case study of a rigid food plastics packaging firm that contextualizes, describes, and analyzes: (1) the participation of workers in PMP from the perspective that workers and technology have a social relationship with deep contextual meaning; and (2) a measure of human dignity in the context of power relations and how control and resistance are met in these spaces. This research provides a rich exploration of a workplace that is facing and managing the challenge of automation and technological development. Using an extended case study research method (Bloomfield, 1994 as cited in Burawoy, 2009, p. 154), data are collected from workers' daily interactions with a combination of technologies. The importance of how people participate in teams during the production process, was observed and acknowledged to enhance workers wellbeing. A range of dynamics were observed and defined as conflictive, competitive, or cooperative behavior that are negotiated through the continuous human-machine, machine-machine, and human-human interactions that occur during the production process. However, management is indifferent to and disregards the impact that technology has on worker participation in teams and is unconcerned with contrasting meanings of technology from workers, which means they are not paying attention to how these factors impact the use of technology and participation dynamics. All expressions of what technology and worker participation means show an ongoing negotiating process in which workers struggle for dignity. This research follows Hodson (2001) categories of struggle for dignity as a measure of self-worth. This research develops concepts that can be used to help observe workers' understanding of technology and participative dynamics, as well as identifies different types of participation by observing the interactions of workers in the technology process. This research identified how workers manage or safeguard their dignity based on their engagement with different types of participation observed during team-based situations or events. Finally, the research identified how workers' ability to change their interactions in teams is used as a power mechanism to retain their dignity.

Ransomware increases severely in quantity and besides that, increases in scope as well as in complexity. Moreover, Swedish organizations acknowledge to be exposed in particular, this includes municipalities which have an essential function for the society. Executed ransomware attacks almost never go unnoticed, and can leave a large impact on the affected ones. This study addresses the impact that executed ransomware attacks have on Swedish municipalities and also how the impact has led to changes in several aspects within the municipality. To understand this, the impact is analyzed by taking a theoretical approach from Work System Theory, by analyzing the impact on different work systems that these municipalities consist of. This study highlights that a prominent work system was the social service department, which seems to be particularly vulnerable to unexpected disturbances such as ransomware attacks. Furthermore, municipalities are affected by technological disruptions, which then force them to apply changed working methods. At the same time, trust in external actors decreases and people's security awareness increases, which is reflected in security work and contributes to the upgrade in security technologies. / Ransomware-attacker ökar inte bara i antalet, utan även i omfattning och komplexitet. Utöver det anses svenska verksamheter vara särskilt utsatta för ransomware-attacker, däribland kommuner som har en samhällsviktig funktion. Genomförda ransomware-attacker går sällan obemärkt förbi, utan kan lämna stort avtryck på den drabbade. Denna studie adresserar vilken påverkan genomförda ransomware-attacker har på svenska kommuner och hur denna påverkan bidragit till förändringar i olika avseenden inom kommunen. För att få ett grepp om detta analyseras påverkan genom att ta en teoretiskt ansats från Work System Theory (WST) och genom att betrakta den påverkan som skett på olika arbetssystem som kommunerna består av. Denna studie visar på att ett utstående arbetssystem var socialförvaltningen som anses vara särskilt sårbart för oväntade rubbningar som ransomware-attacker. Vidare påverkas kommuner genom att teknologier slås ut vilket tvingar verksamheterna att tillämpa förändrade arbetssätt. Samtidigt minskas tilliten till externa aktörer och likaså ökar människors säkerhetsmedvetenhet, något som återspeglas i säkerhetsarbete och bidrar till en upprustning av säkerhetsteknologier.

High-quality group psychotherapy training is considered more important than ever in the current mental health care environment. With the need for ongoing education and development in the field of group psychotherapy, concern has been raised regarding the lack of group psychotherapy training guidelines for trainee psychologists. Findings from numerous empirical studies show that at present, most training courses often maintain a rather unstructured format for fostering an experiential group process. The literature suggests that without standardized course objectives, students are vulnerable to harm, they are ill equipped to meet professional demands, and trainers are not provided with adequate guidelines for instruction. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to review the relevant literature in order to describe the principles of group psychotherapy as they manifest in group interaction, and to compare the subjective experiences of trainee group psychotherapists with the findings from the literature. The aim of this investigation was to generate hypotheses about the effectiveness of the use of an experiential group as a training medium, in group psychotherapy. Further objectives included exploring the merits of an experiential approach to training in group psychotherapy, and identifying factors that could potentially aid/hinder trainee development. In order to adhere to the objectives of the investigation, a qualitative, exploratory research design was used. Data for the study was gathered by means of a client-centered interview conducted with five group psychotherapy trainees who received training in a Clinical Psychology Masters program. In addition, these trainees were also required to complete a semi-structured questionnaire. The interview focused on how the trainees' subjective, affective experiences influenced their perceptions of the qualitative aspects of group life, while the questionnaire was designed to elicit information about the ways in which trainees cognitively conceptualized their understanding of group process, group dynamics and group facilitation skills. The results of the study were analysed through the qualitative method of content analysis. Results showed that, while trainees may have perceived that they gained tremendous benefits through exposure to the experiential group, an analysis of their interaction patterns highlighted certain areas which can be considered problematic. For example, it was found that trainees did not have a theoretical understanding of group process and group dynamics, and were therefore, not equipped with the necessary skills required to facilitate groups. This is further substantiated by the finding that the group facilitator had a pervasive influence on the development of the individual trainee and on the development of the group as a whole. Furthermore, results obtained raised certain concerns regarding the suitability and adequacy of using an experiential group as a tool for training, in group psychotherapy. The research findings suggest that, while the experiential group may provide the trainee with an invaluable experience, it alone is insufficient as a training method, in group psychotherapy. This study also raises questions about the ethics of such a training program in its current form. One of the major conclusions of this investigation is that there is a need for ongoing research and evaluation of the training programs. Finally, recommendations are made for improving the group psychotherapy training experience. These recommendations are based on the evaluation of the trainees' subjective experiences / Psychology / (M.A.(Clinical Psychology))

This dissertation examines the flow of economic news in Africa, in order to investigate the potential existence of regional hierarchies in international news flow. The research was based on a framework of theories on international news flow. A quantitative and qualitative content analysis of a sample of news articles published in Africa Investor, African Business and Business in Africa during 2007 and 2008 was analysed. The quantitative results showed that South Africa received the highest level of coverage and was covered to a greater extent than any other African country. The qualitative results indicated that there was clear evidence of regional hierarchy in the coverage of African countries: South Africa received extensive coverage probably due to the fact that it is the largest, most advanced and influential economy in the continent. The study showed that inequality in news coverage is not only a global issue, but also a regional one. / Communication Science / M.A. (International Communication)

Performance in Lesotho at senior level (COSC) has been poor. One of the subjects which is performed poorly is Biology 5090. This prompted the researcher to examine factors responsible for the poor performance in Biology 5090. The study also aimed at finding ways in which teachers envisage to improve Biology 5090 performance. Data was collected from three schools through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. The study also adopted the General System Theory (GST) as the theoretical framework. Data was analyzed in line with qualitative content analysis, and from the perspective of the GST. The data analysis scheme was developed and presented (appendix P). The results of the study showed that Biology 5090 performance was affected by factors such as human resources, and the transformation process. The study also suggested ways in which Biology 5090 performance could be improved in Lesotho. These include: in-serving training, team work and others. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

Before entering into a democratic dispensation, South African military and defence systems were constituted by seven disparate armed forces. The transformation of South Africa from a separatist state introduced renewed efforts and challenges to integrate what was once a divided military corps and society. In 1994, the formation of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was born out of the effort to integrate various statutory and non-statutory armed forces in South Africa, including forces from former TBVC states. Through a phenomenological inquiry, integration experiences of former TBVC Armed Force members into the new SANDF structure are investigated. The study aimed to find out from the former TBVC force members how they were affected by the integration process and what their perception with regards to the effectiveness of the integration process on enhancing representation on all rank levels in the new SANDF was. The findings from in-depth semi-structured interviews with 16 such members indicate that transformation of South Africa’s military outfit into an integrated system is not exactly an epitome of a new and different yet cohesive and unified structure. The notion of ‘integration’ is as such cast as essentially a problematic one where inequalities still reflect in how former statutory and non-statutory force members are treated particularly with regards to promotion opportunities. In addition, there are perceived lingering vestiges of a previous separatist system such as the use of Afrikaans language as a medium of instruction and communication, previous SADF policies which helps produce the idea of integration as more a process of absorption instead. Despite this problematisation of integration processes in shaping how the new SANDF outfit is currently experienced by members, there are perceived benefits from the change brought about by ‘integration’ of forces. Some benefits are as tangible as individual career advancement, while others tend to reflect impacts at systemic level of family where members indirectly profit from the reorganisation and call for adjustment to new settings and structures that followed integration / Research / M.A. (Research Consultation)

問題意識： 1. 中國大陸對台政策法制化是否是必要性？中國大陸對台政策過去停留在人治的時代，透過各種政治性文件的宣示，顯然從台灣各項反應，並沒有達成中共預期的目標，因此對台政策法制化實有研究的必要性。 2. 反分裂國家法的原因、過程、內容及所產生的效果究竟為何？值得深入的探討。 3. 反分裂國家法在出台時引發軒然大波，但出台後就刻意低調與淡化處理，其間原因值得探究。 4. 探討反分裂國家出台後對於兩岸關係政策走向之探討。 研究價值： 1.從法制化的角度來探討反分裂國家法，有別於過去研究者單就反分裂國家法本身來探討。 2.從中國大陸對台政策法制化前後來探討中國大陸對台政策，以突顯對台政策法制化的重要性，不同於法制化前或法制化後單方面討論。 3.從法律層面與政治層面來探討反分裂國家法這部具有高度政治性的法律，而不是單純一方面來檢視反分裂國家法。 4. 本論文在資料收集上，作者透過親身至北京大學學習的經驗，得到第一手的書面資料，並透過兩岸學者專家之接觸與訪談，以釐清關於反分裂法之諸多爭議問題，不同於在兩岸任一方來看待反分裂國家法。 研究動機： 1. 作者自身個人的興趣與學科背景。 2. 適逢對台政策法制化的關鍵點。 3. 善盡研究者的學術及社會責任 。 4. 不負兩岸求學的機會。 研究目的： 1. 希望能夠瞭解中國大陸對台政策法制化的意義與必要性。 2. 藉由反分裂國家法制訂的動機、過程、內容探討，以瞭解較接近真相的反分裂國家法。 3. 使台灣民眾能真正瞭解中國大陸對於《反分裂國家法》之看法，使助於釐清一些流於政治認同之想當然爾之偏見，對於一些爭議性的條文與不確定的法律概念，能夠有更客觀之學術分析。 4. 透過《反分裂國家法》的研究，以觀察中國大陸對台政策之走向。 研究方法：文獻分析法(Document Analysis)、歷史研究法(Historical Research)、訪談法(Interview Research)。 研究途徑：法律研究途徑〈(Legal Approach)〉、系統理論〈System Theory〉 研究內容：本論文計分六章，約二十五萬餘字。 章節內容： 第一章部份前言，主要討論的問題包括問題緣起與研究價值、研究動機與目的、文獻檢討、研究方法、研究途徑與研究架構、研究設計這其中又包括研究假設、研究範圍與章節安排)、研究限制及概念界定，第一章是本文的核心重點部分。 第二章部分主要探討中國大陸對台政策法制化前之分析，首先在第一節中，探討反分裂國家法出台前中國大陸對台政策；在第二節中，探討反分裂國家法出台前中國大陸對台政策所存在的問題；在第三節中主要探討對台政策法制化的意義。 第三章部分主要探討法制化下中國大陸對台政策，第一節主要探討反分裂國家法的制訂原因與過程；第二節主要討論反分裂國家法的內容；第三節主要探討反分裂國家法的執行與相關問題探討。 第四章部分主要探討反分裂國家法與國際社會反應，在第一節中主要討論西方國家處理國家分裂問題之法制化實例；第二節主要討論國際社會對反分裂國家法出台後的態度；第三節主要討論台、美間的台灣關係法與台、中間的反分裂國家法。 第五章部分主要探討反分裂國家法出台後對台灣的影響分析，在第一節中，探討反分裂國家法的規範意義；第二節中探討反分裂國家法的主要爭點；在第三節主要是對反分裂國家法出台後對台政策走向探討 第六章部分是本文結論，包括研究發現與研究建議。 【關鍵詞】：反分裂國家法、法制化、法律研究途徑、系統理論、一個中國 / Problem Consciousness: 1 Is legislation of Taiwan policy a necessity? The policy towards Taiwan was formerly manipulated by persons in-charge; through enunciation of political vision, but producing less expected clout. It is, therefore, pushing for a more decisive legislation. 2.What is the reason, process, content and effect about 「Anti-Secession Law」? Try to find out the actual answers on causes, involved procedures, content and its repercussion. 3.「Anti-Secession Law」results in discussing and disagreement. But after drawing up, What is the reason why PRC deals with it silently. 4.What is the trending Analysis towards Taiwan of Mainland China? Research Value: 1.Focused the mainly on legislation, lest discussing 「Anti-Secession Law」itself. 2.Expanding both stages: 「Pre- Anti-Secession Law」 and 「Post- Anti-Secession Law」 3.Emplasizing the legal and public 「Anti-Secession Law」, lest the unilateral 「Anti-Secession Law」itself. 4 On Collecting data: By studying in Peking University and personal contacts with experts and scholars of cross-strait relationship. Research Motivation: 1.Presonal interest and academic background. 2. As if on one, it was time where legislation of the Anti-Secession Law and police took place. 3.Research responsibility in academic and social. 4.Opportunity available for the cross-strait study. Study Goal： 1. Understanding Mainland China’s Taiwan policy formulation under the impacts of the legislation ,institutionalization and its means and imperatives. 2. Understanding the actual stage of affairs under the Anti-Secession Law pertaining to its motivation, procedure, and content. 3. Assisting the Taiwan public to have a clearer understandings of the Anti-Secession Law, lest the political bias from its statutory articles. 4.To have a clearer understanding of its logic applied . Study Method：Literature analysis & study method、Historical study method、 Interview method. Study Approach ：Legal Approach、System Theory Content of Study : There are six chapters of the Thesis, in total of about 250000 characters. Key Words: Anti-Secession Law、Legislation、Legal Approach、System Theory、One China

Varje dag förlorar åtta barn en förälder i Sverige. En större del av dem bevittnar detta efter en förälders sjukdom och kanske en kontakt med palliativ sjukvård. 2010 kom en ny lagändring i Hälso- och sjukvårdslagen som kräver att sjukvården särskilt ska beakta barnens behov av råd, stöd och information i samband med en förälders sjukdom eller om en förälder avlider. Det förekommer kunskapsbrister om hur läget kring stöd för barn som har förlorat en förälder ser ut. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur kuratorer inom palliativ sjukvård upplever sitt arbete med stöd till barn i samband med en förälders död. I en kvalitativ intervjustudie med fyra kuratorer som jobbar inom palliativ sjukvård kom det fram att de upplever sin roll i arbetet som bestående av många olika moment. Kuratorerna uppmärksammar barnet i dess sociala sammanhang, till exempel familj och skola och försöker se till att stödet därifrån fungerar. Detta görs genom att till exempel ge föräldrastöd till föräldrarna och att försöka informera föräldrarna att det gynnar barnens utveckling att de görs delaktiga och informeras. Att hänvisa till vidare kontakter som gruppverksamheter för barn i sorg eller dylikt är också en viktig del av kuratorers arbete. Kuratorernas arbete präglas av ett systemteoretiskt förhållningssätt/en helhetssyn vilket kan vara ett sätt att handskas med den komplexitet som arbetsuppgifterna innebär: att uppmärksamma barnens men även familjens behov i olika sammanhang och på olika nivåer. Vissa problemområden, till exempel motsättningen mellan barnens behov av information/delaktighet och föräldrars rätt att bestämma över sina barn har identifierats och inbjuder till vidare diskussion. / Eight children loose one of their parents every day in Sweden. The bigger part of them witness the death of the parent after a long-term illness and maybe after being in contact with the palliative care. The Swedish law of Health- and Healthcare was changed in 2010 due to emphasize that the healthcare institutions have to take into account children rights for information, counseling and support in case of a parental illness or death.  Knowledge about how the system of support for these children is functioning is limited until this day. The goal of this thesis is to examine how counselors in the palliative care experience their work with supporting the children who have lost a parent. The result of the interview study with four counselors in the palliative care implies that these counselors experience their job being complex with many different tasks. The counselors try to take into account the children and their needs in their social environments, such as family and school. To reassure that they get the support needed from these environments the counselors try to support the parents in their parenting and also by informing the parents that informing and including the children in these situations has a positive impact on their development. Another important part of the counselors’ job is referring the children to different support groups or another alternatives for support. The counselors job is characterized by the system theoretical/holistic approach which possibly can by explained as a way to work with children but even parental needs in different social environments and on different levels. Some new problematic issues arose from the interviews, such as the contradictive relationship between the children rights to information and support and the rights of the parents to decide for their children, which invites to further discussion and research in the area.