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Information is everywhere, modern life depends on information. The faster we process data and generate meaningful outcomes, the better. Any IT project produces a lot of artifacts like software code, requirement documents, financial reports, traceability metrics, status reports, and so on. With all this documentation, we are often overloaded with information that makes the picture murkier. Having the wherewithal to capture the needed key performance indicators, there is still a gap between expectation and reality. This thesis is going to fill this gap between available metrics and desired indicators. The agile software development model has been around for a long time now. Today’s organizations are bigger than ever before and are competing in a changing landscape faster than ever before. Scaled agile models have helped the industry to ramp up on the human resources front but these models have not matched the needs of software maturity. Software status gathering and presenting tools are largely waterfall or small-scale agile-centered. The core of the agile approach is value creation but there is no single universal means to measure value. Our research intention is to present a standard value proposition in agile and provide metrics that are better suited for project managers. With help from empirical data, we not only identified the soar areas but also tried to remedy major concerns. To reach our goal, we used face-to-face interviews as our research strategy to get an account of firsthand experiences with the existing KPIs and what are the challenges. Our data collection was done through interviews with domain experts or people with extended knowledge of the subject. Finally, we performed a thematic analysis of the data to find what are the common themes emerging out of the shortcomings of the existing tools and what are the common desired requirements from KPIs. We have given a generic definition of value as well as proposed some KPIs that might come in handy for the practitioners of SAFe.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / In recent years, there has been an increase in special education complaints filed against school corporations for noncompliance with the terms of the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) established in a Case Conference Committee meeting. Case Conference Committees include parents/guardians, Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) students, and educators. Parents/guardians are equal partners to the school corporation when developing the IEP. Disagreements within Case Conference Committee (CCC) meetings can lead to strained relationships. During Case Conference Committee Meetings, parents/guardians may disagree with educators related to managing the student’s IEP (Indiana Department of Education, 2021). Consequently, a parent/guardian of a SLD student may file a complaint or due process hearing resulting from poor communication between parties during or after a Case Conference Meeting (McQuerrey, 2019). The Critical Organizational Communication Theory was applied in exploring if parents/guardians experienced the Indiana IEP Resource Center’s common issues in CCC meetings including: the lack of (1) Communication, (2) Preparation, (3) Clarity, (4) Respect, and (5) Transparency. A narrative approach was used to tell the stories of parents/guardians and SLD students’ experience in CCC meetings.

Aim: According to Swedish and Danish law interventions must be based on evidence, and evidence related to rest orthoses in contracture management is limited and inconclusive, making justification of using rest orthoses difficult. The aim is to understand the clinicians’ perceptions of the benefit of rest orthoses when managing wrist and hand contractures, to shape a basis for clinical evidence.Method: A qualitative interview study was made and a total of 13 participants with 2 to 40 years of experience was included. Interviews were transcribed and translated into English. A thematic analysis was undertaken by two researchers. Three themes and seven subthemes were identified and discussed. Results: There was congruence among the participants that rest orthoses can maintain RoM when used but they need to be used at least 6 to 8 hours every day. Combination of botox and rest orthoses has a good effect in many patients with spasticity for maintaining RoM and some function. Many patients gain a benefit in maintaining hygiene, a reduction in pain and easier for patients getting dressed. Conclusion: The interviewed clinicians perceived that rest orthoses can impact pain and prevent contracture formation however evidence was inconclusive, but it merits further research. / Syfte: Enligt svensk och dansk lag måste insatser baseras på evidens, och evidensen relaterad till viloortoser i kontrakturhantering är begränsad och motsägelsefull, vilket gör det svårt att motivera användningen av viloortoser. Syftet är att förstå klinikernas uppfattningar om fördelarna med viloortoser vid hantering av hand- och handledskontrakturer, för att skapa en grund för klinisk evidens. Metod: En kvalitativ intervjustudie genomfördes och totalt 13 deltagare med 2 till 40 års erfarenhet inkluderades. Intervjuerna transkriberades och översattes till engelska varpå en tematisk analys utfördes av två forskare. Tre teman och sju underteman identifierades och diskuterades. Resultat: Det fanns samstämmighet bland deltagarna att viloortoser kan bibehålla rörelseomfång när de används, men de måste användas minst 6 till 8 timmar varje dag. Kombinationen av botox och viloortoser har god effekt hos många patienter med spasticitet för att bibehålla rörelseomfång och viss funktion. Många patienter får fördelar i form av bibehållen hygien, minskad smärta och det blir lättare för patienter att klä på sig.Slutsats: De intervjuade klinikerna ansåg att viloortoser kan påverka smärta och förhindra kontrakturbildning, men evidensen är ofullständiga och kräver ytterligare forskning.

Yes / Our aim is to offer and illustrates a novel meta-methodology to enhance the rigour of method selection and understanding of results in pluralist qualitative research (PQR). To do so, we make innovative use of Braun and Clarke’s (2006) articulation of four discrete dimensions characterising different forms of thematic analysis. We provide secondary analyses of an interview from the Social Media, Men who have Sex with Men and Sexual Health project using critical discursive psychology, dialogical analysis, interpretative phenomenological analysis, and psychosocial narrative analysis. All four methods identified aspects of three central foci: Compartmentalisation, Detachment, and Jouissance. We discuss how our proposed meta-methodology provides a rationale for the selection of methods in a PQR, offer evidence that it can anticipate the relative similarity in focus of the methods employed, and argue that our meta-methodology reveals the possibility of identifying an ‘axial’ or ‘hub’ method’ of a PQR which might be particularly fruitful in exploring commonalities and differences in results. Finally, we examine the synergies and challenges of combining pairs of the methods we used. / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner.

The increasing focus on sustainability necessitates careful planning of future construction projects, with human health and biodiversity being key factors to protect. Planning projects with significant environmental impacts must conduct an environmental impact assessment, which involves identifying potential environmental effects and propose sustainable measures. The aim of the study was to examine how urban and rural municipalities described and assessed sustainability in environmental impact assessments for residential areas. Using thematic analysis, categories such as climate, localization, and environmental goals were established and divided into representative themes. Chi2-tests were used to test statistical significance between the municipal groups. The results revealed significant differences in two climate-related themes and one localization theme. Municipalities primarily utilized various types of stormwater management to adapt projects to climate changes and incorporate green infrastructure. The differences between municipal groups are likely influenced by factors like population density, resources, and surrounding environment. While national environmental goals were included in all environmental impact assessments, did not all proposed plans take them into account Future studies could include a larger sample to enhance reliability and consider underlying factors that may affect municipal conditions.

The primary aim of this study is to gain insight into the level of formality in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) classrooms in upper secondary schools and in SFI (Swedish for Immigrants) classrooms in Sweden. This research specifically examines how EFL and SFI teachers perceive and integrate formal language into their teaching practices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 teachers, including 5 EFL and 5 SFI teachers to gather qualitative data. The interviews ranged from 20-45 minutes and were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using a thematic analysis to identify recurring themes and patterns within the interview transcripts. The findings reveal distinct perceptions and practices between EFL and SFI teachers regarding formal language. EFL teachers view formal language as essential for promoting social norms, such as politeness and respect. They incorporate formal language using formal texts, advanced formal vocabulary, and sentence structures. Some EFL teachers prioritize the use of formal language based on specific lesson goals, while others are influenced by the informal nature of Swedish culture and prefer to use informal language in their classrooms. On the other hand, SFI teachers perceive formal language as flexible and context dependent. They emphasize practical applications of formal language such as writing emails and formal letters at a basic level. SFI teachers focus on clarity and correctness over strict formal language rules and the aim of such focus is to ensure that the students learn the basic Swedish language necessary for social integration.

This dissertation examines the association between transformational leadership and public organizational performance using different data and methods. Each of the three articles collected in this dissertation contributes to the scholarship exploring the interplay of transformational leadership and organizational performance using distinct data and interpretive methods, examining the interplay of its elements and a widely used outcome measure – organizational performance as a dependent variable. The first article presents evidence of the empirical studies analyzing the association between transformational leadership and public organizational performance. Based on a formal, replicable search method informed by current practices for the systematic evaluation of published evidence, this review collects and analyzes empirical research articles examining the association between transformational leadership and public organizational performance. A total of seven journal articles were identified that met the study criteria. The measures of the transformational leadership construct in these studies are different but show a common pattern of survey questionnaires with multiple-level responses. Moreover, transformational leadership is found to be positively associated with public organizational performance. Organizational performance is operationalized using several factors such as development, growth, creativity, and effectiveness in the included studies. Acknowledging the gap in the included studies, this review offers two research questions for further exploration to address the gaps in the existing studies. The second article explores the association between the elements of transformational leadership and federal organizational performance in very large and large federal agencies using Ordinal Logistic Regression (OLR) on quantitative survey data drawn from results of the OPM Federal Employment Viewpoint Survey. Statistical findings of this study show a positive relationship between the elements of transformational leadership and organizational performance. This study contributes to the transformational leadership and public management literature by adding the scholarship exploring the association between the elements of transformational leadership and public organizational performance. The third article explores the association between transformational leadership and organizational performance from the experiences and perspectives of U.S. federal agency employees. The data was collected through semi-structured interviews with federal leaders from very large and large agencies, as per the Office of Personnel Management's classification. The perceptions of federal employees reflect the interplay between transformational leadership behaviors and perceptions of organizational performance. The informants' interviews enhance the understanding of transformational leadership-organizational performance association from the employee perspective. A process of thematic coding and interpretation is employed to analyze the interview data. The study findings contribute to the management and leadership literature by exploring the lived experiences of federal employees and their perceptions of the influence of transformational leadership on organizational performance. Moreover, the replicable qualitative interview process and analysis methodology create a pathway for future qualitative research. / Doctor of Philosophy / The influence of leadership is widely studied in terms of organizational performance. Among the leadership theories thought to influence organizational performance, transformational leadership is the most widely studied theory. The theory has gained much attention in the past 40 years for its contribution to many positive organizational outcomes, including meaningful work, organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and organizational performance. Despite a rich history of research in positive organizational outcomes, scholars still argue that there are scopes further to advance the empirical research on transformational leadership theory. Hence, the purpose of this dissertation is to address this claim and analyze the interplay between transformational leadership and public organizational performance. Study findings will contribute to the literature on transformational leadership by empirically examining the interplay of its elements and federal organizational performance. Moreover, the application of three distinct methods and interpretative data analysis will add new evidence to the research of public management and leadership.

Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) is a Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TRPG) which offers playersthe chance to create and inhabit a fantastical hero in an equally fantastical world, creating ashared experience with their other players and the Game Master (GM) who facilitates play.Much research has examined D&D as an artifact, highlighting its problematic aspects and thepotential of the worlds and rules it presents as reinforcing real world hegemony orshortcoming such as male domination and racism. While building upon these ideas, thisresearch explores how players’ experiences in D&D interact with notions of heroism, how thegame presents what it means to be a hero and how it truly is experienced within my longtimeD&D playgroup. It does this through semi-structured interviews, to examine how the playersexperience the game, including my own reflections and input as GM for this group for anextended period of time. It utilizes the concepts of coloniality and hegemonic masculinity asframes for understanding the mechanics and narratives of D&D and how they interact withconceptualisations of heroism. Through thematic analysis of the interview data, it highlightswhere the players' experiences line up with conceptualisations of coloniality and hegemonicmasculinity, yet also highlights where players' experiences break with or undermine theseconcepts, highlighting alternatives that move away from colonial and masculine heroism.Ultimately determining that while these players understand heroism in D&D in ways whichreinforce or echo coloniality and hegemonic masculinity such as imperial violence, theiractual experiences with heroism are often removed from this, focusing more on collaborationand problem solving devoid of violence.

[pt] Nos últimos anos observaram-se mudanças significativas no mundo do trabalho devido à reestruturação produtiva do sistema capitalista. O período da pandemia da COVID-19 atuou como um catalisador dessas mudanças, produzindo desdobramentos como a ampliação do teletrabalho e, posteriormente, a criação de formatos híbridos de trabalho. Essas transformações motivaram a realização dessa tese que, utilizando a perspectiva teórica da Teoria do Processo de Trabalho (LPT), objetivou compreender, a partir das narrativas emergentes das vivências de trabalhadores em regimes remoto e híbrido as dinâmicas de controle-resistência desse processo de trabalho. Com este intuito, sob o posicionamento ontológico do Realismo Crítico e por meio da abordagem metodológica da Análise de Narrativa Temática (ANT), foram entrevistados 15 trabalhadores que atuam em regime de teletrabalho na modalidade híbrida ou integralmente remota com vistas a entender suas vivências de trabalho. Assim, suas narrativas reconstituíram o movimento dinâmico e integrador da dicotomia capital-trabalho e do tensionamento entre controle-resistência, apontando para o aspecto recursivo, e por vezes contraditório, dessas categorias constituintes do devir organizacional. As histórias narradas também indicaram a experiência ambígua da sobreposição das dimensões individuais e laborais; a articulação de narrativas que tensionam os conflitos marcados pela subjetividade das estratégias de controle e da individualidade das formas de resistência; além da percepção da presença de um elemento geracional a influenciar as vivências. Finalmente, ainda que o teletrabalho possa se configurar como uma expressão da integração do lar como espaço de produção de mais-valia – ele também aparece como terreno contestado e palco da disputa entre a vida e o capital. / [en] In recent years, there have been significant changes in the world of work due to the productive restructuring of the capitalist system. The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a catalyst for these changes, producing developments such as the expansion of teleworking and, later, the creation of hybrid work formats. These transformations motivated this thesis which, using the theoretical perspective of Labour Process Theory (LPT), aimed to understand how the work process and its dynamics of control and resistance are experienced and narrated by workers in the context of remote or hybrid work. To this end, under the ontological stance of Critical Realism and using the methodological approach of Thematic Narrative Analysis (ANT), 15 workers who work remotely in the hybrid or fully remote modality were interviewed in order to understand their work experiences. Their narratives reconstructed the dynamic and integrating movement of the capitallabour dichotomy and the tension between control-resistance, pointing to the recursive and sometimes contradictory aspect of these categories that make up the organisational becoming. The stories told also indicated the ambiguous experience of the overlapping of individual and labour dimensions; the articulation of narratives that tension conflicts marked by the subjectivity of control strategies and the individuality of forms of resistance; as well as the perception of the presence of a generational element influencing experiences. Finally, although teleworking can be configured as an expression of the integration of the home as a space for the production of surplus value - it also appears as contested terrain and the stage for the dispute between life and capital.