The thesis pertains to optimisation of workgroups in companies. It is based on the work of Dr. Meredith Belbin from the Henley Management College, who is the author of the so-called Belbin’s team role theory. The theory defines fundamental roles within a team including specifications of the behavioural patterns while stipulating that in order to ensure proper functionality of a team, it is essential for all the roles to be represented in it. However, in practice it is necessary for specific people to comply not only with certain personal and psychological requirements but also professional expertise and other requirements. Nevertheless, by the means of adding these parameters to specific people, an enormous number of possible alternatives of the resulting team, which may not be evaluated (easily and in the real time) using traditional methods, proves to come to existence. Therefore, the so-called genetic algorithms inspired by natural development processes originally described by J. G. Mendel and Ch. Darwin were selected for evaluation purposes. The genetic algorithms feature good solutions to the task to be resolved in a very short time while the task does not have to be based on exact specifications and therefore several solutions might exist. A Java application was created within the scope of the thesis; its core comprises a genetic algorithm and it was used for the purpose of modelling of specific teams. The results provided by the application were subsequently verified by the means of creation of teams used for completion of new tasks and monitoring their activities in practice. Furthermore, the model verification of teams previously created solely on the basis of experience of executives was performed and the respective results were compared.

The diploma thesis deals with medial images of selected events of the Ukraine War and their comparison in selected Ukrainian, Russian and Czech media. The aim of the diploma thesis is to identify, describe and compare medial images of key events of the Ukraine War in selected intelligence portals with various political orientation. The assumption is that there probably exist alternatives in opinion of the official Russian position in the frame of the Ukrainian and Czech media discourse. The first part of the thesis deals with theoretical concepts that are connected with propaganda and state-organised communication, and specifies the differences among them. Furthermore, a design of the research is introduced. The analytical part provides results and the content analysis detections in medial statements that were published in selected media between 20th February 2014 and 31st December 2014. The conclusion summarises the main detections of the research and their assets in the field of a propaganda survey.

The thesis describes and analyzes the strategies by which organizations in the non-profit and profit sector fight against ethnic discrimination on the example of employment. The first part deals with general discrimination in the labor market in the context of civil society. The topic is discussed in more depth up to the individual concepts of discrimination, discrimination in the labor market, ethnicity, and ethnic discrimination. The second part compares how non-profit organizations and the advertising market organizations as representatives of the profit sector fight against ethnic discrimination in the process of gaining employment. The thesis aims to reveal and further compare the strategies of the concrete non-profit and profit organizations against discrimination by using the theory of the relationship between the civil sector and the market, the theory of heterogeneity.

This work aims to determine the causes and consequences of workaholism in women working in corporate who had to move from offices to home offices during the coronavirus crisis. The research is conducted on a sample of fourteen women respondents and one male respondent. The selection was made using the snowball method based on age, education, marital status and employment in Alza.cz or Mall.cz e-shops. All participants answered open questions in essays focused on their home office work habits, daily routine and family relationship. Data were analyzed using grounded theory, based on which I developed eight categories - interest in work, stress/fear, workspace, work schedule, setting boundaries between work and personal life, leisure activities, social interactions and roles in the household. These I subsequently organized and discussed in connection with previous research focused on workaholism, work from home and work-family conflict, such as Samantha Ammons, Cecilia Andreassen or Bryan Robinson. The conclusion of the thesis summarizes the results, the limits of the study and recommendations for future research.

This diploma thesis is thematically oriented towards early theories of public opinion of the late 19th century. Concretely, it deals with the theories of Alexis de Tocqueville, John Stuart Mill and James Bryce. The thesis presents an analysis, interpretation and a comparison of these three thinkers and concentrates on the following topics: the definition of the term "public opinion"; the formation of public opinion; the influence individuals, groups and society as a whole have on public opinion; and the role the media play in public opinion. Further, it shows how these authors' thoughts are continued in selected 20th century theories of public opinion, namely in Walter Lippmann's concept of public opinion, the Two-step flow model developed by Elihu Katz and Paul Lazarsfeld, Elisabeth Noelle-Neumann's Spiral of Silence, Irving Crespi's theory of the Public Opinion Process and Giovanni Sartori's "cascade model" of public opinion. Key words: public opinion, media, Two-step flow model, Spiral of Silence, Public Opinion Process, cascade model of public opinion, Alexis de Tocqeuville, John Stuart Mill, James Bryce, W. Lippmann, E. Katz, P. Lazarsfeld, E. Noelle-Neumann, I. Crespi, G. Sartori

This doctoral thesis presents the basic and the main developments of the theories of the firm rooted in Transaction Cost Theory (TCT). Since the article of Coase on the nature of the firm, this question has been elaborated by number of economists. In my point of view, I would like to introduce the last theory developed by the representative of the school called New Institutional Economics. The theory concentrates on the role of institutions. We distinguish institutions formal and informal. The formal are laws, constitution, regulations, contracts and other written rules. The informal don't require a written form and they represent informal restrictions such as rules of behaviour, conventions, traditions and habits. The main purpose of the institutions in their various forms is mainly to protect property rights, enforce voluntary contracts and establish the physical and regulatory infrastructure to facilitate economic activity. Generally, we can call them the rules of the game. They inform us about possible economic behaviour and give us basic restrictions in this sense. First -- the theoretical part of this thesis, we can find a simple model with human asset specificity based on TCT. The main proposition is that transactions with a high level of asset specificity are more probably internalised because the firm handles better such transactions compared to the market, even if asset specificity increases the cost of coordination in the firm. If the hierarchy, for example through the formation of routines, may enhance the efficiency compared to the market, we can modify the previous model. The model developed according to a Knowledge-based view assumes that asset specificity reduces transaction costs inside the firm and increases transaction costs on the market. In the conclusion of the theoretical part is discussed the reply on first formulate hypothesis if the TCT is still compatible with a newer Capability and Knowledge based view. In my opinion based on the presented arguments and views, both theories are compatible, they can answer more questions and explain more issues. The last step links the aforementioned theories into one Theory of firm boundaries. In the practical part of the thesis, I bring basic arguments about the institutional framework quality in the Czech Republic. These arguments rely on the latest studies of the international institutions such The Transparency International, The Heritage Foundation, The Kurtzman Group and mainly The World Bank. Studies reveal certain weak arrangements concerning for example the number of procedures when starting a business, complicated construction permits, rigidity of working hours, time-consuming and administrative demanding tax system, duration of judicial process which results in ineffective contract enforcement and mainly poor protection of property rights. Taking these disclosures into account we have to say that emergent transaction costs are enormous. These transaction costs influence negatively the competitiveness of the firms and the whole Czech economy. Therefore a negative response to the second hypothesis relating to the quality of the institutional framework in the Czech Republic.

Diploma thesis "Can Local Action Group play an important role, like partner at strategic planning, to countryside municipalities at Czech?" seeks answers to this question. The discussion about definition of countryside and its problems is described at the beginning of the thesis as actual and previous politics as well. Description of Czech constitution connected to countryside is mention next to it. After that, there is described the LEADER method and comparison between using this method at 5 different European countries. The tree of problem and actors analysis is provided later on. The short description of the theories using at thesis outputs is provided as well. The used theories are: bureaucracy theory, theory of social capital, theory of cultural determination, governance theory and policy network analysis. The describing of outputs from realized primary research is the main part of the thesis. There were carried out 17 structure talks in qualitative research and processed 509 questionnaires in quantitative research. The lot of tables and graphs are attached. Finally the 3 scenarios, like a suitable form for such a complex topic, were composed to describe answer at the primary question of this thesis in its context and complexity.

Anthropologists claim that people in a variety of human societies differ enormously in how they experience, express and understand emotion (Kalat & Shiota, 2007). Research on emotions, around the world, has become increasingly popular during the past few decades. Emotion is involved in the mainstream of topics in psychology, be it about antecedents, emotional expressions and responses, or about the dimensions underlying the large emotion lexicon (Shaver, Schwartz, Kirson, & O’Connor, 1987). While the study of emotion is of universal interest, emotions are of special interest for South-Africa. By studying the emotion lexicon of the Setswana culture, an evidence-based intervention program could be implemented by the SAPS, which will be relevant and practical to address emotional needs and support for South African Police members to express their emotions more accurately. This will help to ensure a healthy, productive and motivated police service which is an important contributor to the society (Van der Doef & Maes, 1999). South Africa, a multi-cultural country, with its eleven official languages, makes an exceptional country for studying emotion as presented in different cultures. The main objective of this study was to investigate emotion and culture in accordance with a literature study, and to identify the different emotion words within the Setswana language group and determine the prototypical emotion words as well as the cognitive structure (different dimensions) of emotion concepts. A survey design with convenience sampling was used to achieve the research objectives in a series of three phases (studies). The study population for the first (N=154) and third (N=140) phases consisted of entry level police applicants (students) from the South African Police Services. The study population (N=51) of the second phase consisted of Setswana language experts. Free Listing questionnaires, Prototypicality questionnaires and Similarity rating questionnaires were administered. Statistical methods and procedures (Multidimensional Scaling and Descriptive Statistics) were used and Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated to analyse the results. Results of the Free Listing task gave a strong indication that basic emotion concepts of joy, sorrow and love readily came to mind in the Setswana group. Most prototypical concepts listed by the Setswana-speaking group were those of: “lela” (cry), “rata” (like), “go tenega” (fed up), “kgalefo” (warning), “lerato” (love), “boitumelo” (joy), “go utlusiswa botloko” (being hurt), “kwata” (anger), “amego maikutlo” (affection), “itumeletse” (elation), “botlhoko” (disappointment) and “itumela” (happiness). In order to determine the cognitive structure of emotion concepts, a multi-dimensional scaling was performed. A five-factorial solution was created with dimensions of Pleasantness, Yearning, Arousal, and Potency with the last dimension, “Go amega maikutlo”, being unique to the Setswana group. Suggestions were made concerning future studies on the emotion lexicon. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010

Children, growing up in this digital era incorporate technology into play, communication and learning. Therapists working with children endeavour to use mediums with which children are familiar and thus need to make a decision whether to include technology in or exclude technology from their therapeutic environments. This is no easy decision, in the midst of negative publicity regarding the role technology plays in children‘s lives. A deeper understanding of what encourages or discourages therapists from using technology as a therapeutic medium with children could guide practitioners in their decisions regarding the use of technology in therapy. The aim of this study was to explore and describe experiences of therapists using technology, as a therapeutic medium with children. A qualitative multiple case study design was used. Experiences were defined as the “active process" of reinterpreting the "physical, perceptual, affective and cognitive aspects" of being exposed to events to bring about a change in response options (McKnight & Sechrest, 2003:471). Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and visual data. Seven therapists participated in the research, selected by means of non-probability purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Collected data and reflective field notes were analysed thematically, using an inductive, interpretive approach, guided by a theoretical framework, the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Findings indicated that all participants were aware that children find technology appealing, but participants who were older or psychodynamically orientated were less inclined to incorporate technology as a therapeutic medium. Participants who were experimental by nature used technology as a therapeutic medium with some caution. Experimentally inclined participants who had received training in using technology used technology not only as a therapeutic medium, but also more confidently as a play medium. Participants were deterred mainly by the uncertainty of the therapeutic value of technology, the lack of ethical guidelines regulating the use of technology in therapy and the concern that technology may interfere with the therapeutic process. Further research regarding parents’ and child-clients’ perspectives of using technology in therapy would perhaps reduce speculative perceptions. Research regarding therapists’ values and perceptions of technology as a therapeutic medium could guide stakeholders in their development of training programs and necessary ethical guidelines. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Anthropologists claim that people in a variety of human societies differ enormously in how they experience, express and understand emotion (Kalat & Shiota, 2007). Research on emotions, around the world, has become increasingly popular during the past few decades. Emotion is involved in the mainstream of topics in psychology, be it about antecedents, emotional expressions and responses, or about the dimensions underlying the large emotion lexicon (Shaver, Schwartz, Kirson, & O’Connor, 1987). While the study of emotion is of universal interest, emotions are of special interest for South-Africa. By studying the emotion lexicon of the Setswana culture, an evidence-based intervention program could be implemented by the SAPS, which will be relevant and practical to address emotional needs and support for South African Police members to express their emotions more accurately. This will help to ensure a healthy, productive and motivated police service which is an important contributor to the society (Van der Doef & Maes, 1999). South Africa, a multi-cultural country, with its eleven official languages, makes an exceptional country for studying emotion as presented in different cultures. The main objective of this study was to investigate emotion and culture in accordance with a literature study, and to identify the different emotion words within the Setswana language group and determine the prototypical emotion words as well as the cognitive structure (different dimensions) of emotion concepts. A survey design with convenience sampling was used to achieve the research objectives in a series of three phases (studies). The study population for the first (N=154) and third (N=140) phases consisted of entry level police applicants (students) from the South African Police Services. The study population (N=51) of the second phase consisted of Setswana language experts. Free Listing questionnaires, Prototypicality questionnaires and Similarity rating questionnaires were administered. Statistical methods and procedures (Multidimensional Scaling and Descriptive Statistics) were used and Cronbach alpha coefficients were calculated to analyse the results. Results of the Free Listing task gave a strong indication that basic emotion concepts of joy, sorrow and love readily came to mind in the Setswana group. Most prototypical concepts listed by the Setswana-speaking group were those of: “lela” (cry), “rata” (like), “go tenega” (fed up), “kgalefo” (warning), “lerato” (love), “boitumelo” (joy), “go utlusiswa botloko” (being hurt), “kwata” (anger), “amego maikutlo” (affection), “itumeletse” (elation), “botlhoko” (disappointment) and “itumela” (happiness). In order to determine the cognitive structure of emotion concepts, a multi-dimensional scaling was performed. A five-factorial solution was created with dimensions of Pleasantness, Yearning, Arousal, and Potency with the last dimension, “Go amega maikutlo”, being unique to the Setswana group. Suggestions were made concerning future studies on the emotion lexicon. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010