This thesis is a record of research exploring the limitations to successful policy implementation. Using Community Care as the illustrative example, it asks what these limitations might be, casting a particular light on the part played by care managers, the front-line policy implementers responsible for "needs assessments" which is a key activity in the implementation of Community Care. There is a tension in care management between the influence of procedures and the degree of discretion necessary for needs assessment to be completed effectively. In what ways, then, are policy intentions affected by the activities of care managers? Community Care is an illustration of a public policy imposed by central government through a top-down process of implementation in what is argued as a rationalist endeavour to simplify the complexities of community care and reduce it to questions of technique and structure. This attempt to present a unified conceptualisation of community care is backed by managerial procedures referred to in the public management and policy literature as "managerialism". Social work practice theory provides a third example of the rationalist attempt to simplify processes involving complex social interactions. The limitations to rationalist explanations of community care implementation and the necessity for a different kind of analysis are explored. There is a parallel with the research methodologies employed for this research. The initial interviews were helpful in revealing the degree to which policy implementation was being thwarted by care managers, but this resistance was mirrored in their rejection of my interpretation of their practice. The common thread running through the normative approach to policy implementation, management, social work practice and research methodology is an adherence to positivist forms of knowledge. The implementation of Community Care raises questions of epistemology and ontology that undermine these powerful forms of knowledge. The claim is that a different epistemology suggests practices more likely to lead to effective outcomes. An organisational orientation to effectiveness is revealed in the degree to which outcome has become wedded to techniques of scientific rationalism. A service orientation would define outcome by the degree to which the needs of vulnerable adults were met through reflection upon key relationships. The first of these is an exercise in objectivity which is not well equipped to take account of the subjective experiences of practitioners exploring needs in relationship with vulnerable adults. The service orientation suggests an experiential and participative epistemology in which people engage in the process of learning and understanding most successfully when it is collaborative rather than imposed. The second phase of fieldwork was an experiment using a method built upon a participatory epistemology and gives the reader a glimpse of what might be possible in direct contrast to rationalist approaches. Work with two co-operative inquiry groups has led me to new understandings about the nature of learning for individuals and organisations. The thesis concludes that an effective learning environment facilitating positive and reflective use of discretion can be created through co-operative inquiry, although any approach would need to include other important participants, notably managers and service users, if it is to maximise its effectiveness in the long term.

This research presents an in-depth investigation and description of a single user group, system administrators. Following an overview of these computing professionals and their complex, risky work environment, system administrator work practices were investigated using data collected from previous experience, interviews, a usability study, and the literature. This research contributes to existing knowledge by presenting an analysis of system administrator work practices and identifying them as broker technicians. As such, many of the findings of this study may apply to other broker technicians. Because the work of system administration is so dependent upon technology and the way sysadmins access and control that technology, investigations of tool use were then studied. Through an analysis of work practices related to tool use, attributes important to system administrator work practices were identified. These attributes fell into two categories: information quality (currency, completeness, accuracy, format, logging, and verification) and system quality (reliability, flexibility, integration, accessibility, speed, scriptability, credibility, situation awareness, and monitoring).This research proposes the use of Wixom and Todd's (2005) integrated user satisfaction model in the context of system administration. This theoretical model provides an opportunity to link the identified characteristics with system administrator beliefs and tool usage. This research contributes to existing knowledge by identifying information and system quality attributes important to system administrators, and empirically testing the modified user satisfaction model in the untested context of system administration. The user satisfaction model was found to be significant and predictive of system administrator tool use behaviors, with two information quality attributes (accuracy and verification) and two system quality attributes (reliability and credibility) significant.

This study began in 1989 and is about leaving care and youth homelessness among young women. Little was known about young women leaving care, the early transitions of finding and maintaining independent housing, becoming a parent and managing an independent income. The research was exploratory and conducted in two parts. The first part was an 18 month longitudinal study of a cohort of female care leavers in two local authority areas, following their progress from the age of 17 until almost 19. The outcome of the first part was a typology of care leavers. The second part of the PhD consisted of a test of the typology on a larger sample by surveying a group of professionals through a mailed questionnaire. There were differences in the way the sample managed the transition to adulthood. Those who coped with the transition to adulthood more successfully, moved into independence later and in a planned way. They had good personal skills and resilience which was not adversely affected by the framework of existing social policies. Those who struggled with the transition to adulthood experienced homelessness, debts and problems in caring for their children. They had fewer personal skills, less stable support and were affected by existing social policies. Broadly, the typology was confirmed by the questionnaire sample. The study makes recommendations which affect social policies in housing, social security and employment and training and suggests ways in which the typology may assist social work practice in working with young women in care and leaving care.

No description available.

This thesis was conducted in order to explore the views and perception of social workers from Gävleborg on animal-assisted interventions. This study examines the attitudes of social workers towards the phenomenon of animal-assisted interventions and the importance of the animal-human bond. During the investigation process semi-structured e-mail interviews and one face-to-face interview were used as a method to collect empirical data. The results showed that social workers have a positive attitude towards animal-assisted interventions, as well as whether social workers have any knowledge regarding animal-assisted interventions. The final conclusion of this thesis presents the social workers’ desire to gain more knowledge and training on animal-assisted interventions within the social work practice in Gävleborg.

This study aims to describe the interaction of the final course in information literacy at Linköpings university library with the information practice in the environmental profession. The investigation is based on five interviews and one document that is used as educational material in the course. In the study an investigation is carried out of the information practice in the environmental science as well as of the curriculum in the course. The study use a qualitative method and the analysis is based on Annemaree Lloyd’s model of information practice in a work context. The analysis is also founded on Vygotskijs zone of proximal development.  The results shows that there is a similarity between the educational and the work practice where the alumni don’t get the opportunity to share the corporeal information. This has a negative effect on the development of the shared identity in practice and the confidence to act within the individuals. This study also discuss the need of an education in practice in the course, to make a transfer of knowledge possible for the students between an educational and a work context and shows the benefits with Problem-based learning as a method.

This study explores the levels of beliefs about practice and practice behaviors with lesbian and gay clients among social work practitioners in a medical setting. The Gay Affirmative Practice scale was utilized to measure the levels of gay affirmative practice beliefs and practice behaviors among the sample surveyed. The relationship of practice beliefs and practice behaviors is explored and reveals that practice beliefs are significant to practice behaviors with lesbian and gay individuals. The results identify variables that contribute to practice beliefs and practice behaviors.

This dissertation focuses on design sessions in which users and stakeholders participate. It demonstrates how material from field studies can be used in exploratory design sessions. The emphasis is on the staging and realization of experiments with ‘possible futures’. Using a design perspective I have worked with how field studies can contribute to design processes in which many parties collaborate. With a starting point in collaborative ‘sketching’ and creation of scenarios I have striven to create a meaningful way for design teams to adopt a practice perspective. The dissertation shows that there need not be any opposition between exploring ‘what is’ and envisioning ‘what can be’. The increase of computer technology in everyday life and the development making information technology become an integrated part of more and more everyday products has given rise to a need to find new ways of working in the process of designing. If it was ever possible to work in an isolated way on either digital or physical technology, this is no longer the case since development requires collaboration over these borders. In the same way, IT plays an increasing significant role in people’s everyday lives. User focus and user involvement have become commonplace. This calls for new ways of organizing the design process. The present dissertation meets this problem. I have participated in four projects in which exploring users everyday practices has become a meaningful design activity and a foundation for collaboration. The purpose of this dissertation is to shed light on the possibilities and the advantages offered by working design oriented with material from field studies. Furthermore, it strives to show how design sessions can be organized and carried out on a practical level and exemplifies with concrete projects. Special emphasis is given to the creation of and the inquiry into design material and the development and use of design games. / <p>In collaboration with School of Arts and Communication, Malmö University, Sweden.</p>

Community organizing as an area of social work practice has historic roots in challenging inequality, building capacity, and meeting the needs of local peoples through taking collective action. While the literature of community organizing is rich in conceptual frameworks, practice approaches, and case studies, it lacks the level of formal theory that exists in clinical social work. Formal practice theories provide social workers with evidence informed guidance about “what to do”, “how to do it”, and “what to expect”; however, social workers engaging in community organizing have little formal practice theory. The results of this study build the beginning foundation for a direct practice theory of community organizing that can be utilized by social workers engaged in community organizing to better inform practice. In this study, I used Delphi methodology to build formal practice theory by exploring the perspectives of nine community-organizing experts with an average of nearly 30 years of experience from the union organizing and civil rights organizing traditions. Through three waves of data collection, I learned that community organizing is a dialectical process that includes three distinct stages: community building, plan, and mobilize. These distinct stages do not operate solely in a linear or cyclical fashion, but work dynamically with the ever changing social environment to achieve social change. My findings support the idea that community organizing is dependent upon the participation and inclusion of local peoples. While practitioners have distinct roles in organizing efforts, community members determine many aspects of what and how the organizing process unfolds. My findings provide the beginning foundation for a direct social work practice theory of community organizing that can be utilized to guide professional practice as well as provide a basis for further research. It is through further research that community organizing can be better understood and utilized to create evidence informed interventions that are both respectful and inclusive of community members as well as empirical and evidence informed.

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar o perfil das atividades profissionais dos cirurgiõesdentistas que desenvolviam suas atividades em uma empresa de caráter privado do Estado de São Paulo. Tratou-se de estudo transversal, realizado por meio de questionário auto-administrado distribuído aos dentistas que trabalhavam em unidades da empresa localizadas em diversas cidades do Estado de São Paulo. A pesquisa foi aprovada pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo e foi realizada com ciência e autorização da empresa em questão. Os dados foram organizados e analisados no programa STATA 10.0. Resultados: Participaram da pesquisa 194 cirurgiões-dentistas que exerciam suas atividades na empresa no ano de 2008. Em relação às características sociodemográficas, 68,04% eram do gênero feminino e 31,96% do gênero masculino e apresentavam idade entre 25 e 54 anos (média de 35,78 anos). Quanto à formação, 64,43% estudaram em faculdades públicas e 35,57% em faculdades particulares; 116 (59,79%) haviam concluído curso de especialização, 26 (13,40%), mestrado e 10 (5,15%) doutorado. O tempo médio de formado foi de 12,85 anos e a média de horas trabalhadas por semana foi de 41,08 horas. Com relação ao acesso a atualizações e produções científicas, 79,38% relataram ter participado de congresso científico nos últimos dois anos, 87,63% tinham acesso a revistas científicas e 30,41% eram membros de alguma sociedade científica. A grande maioria trabalhava em consultório ou clínica particular (78,35%) sendo que, entre estes, 32,99% atendiam convênios. Com relação a outras atividades profissionais, 30,93% atuavam também no serviço público e 7,22% exerciam atividade docente. Apenas 54 profissionais (27,84%) não apresentaram nenhum problema (dor, desconforto ou dormência) nos braços, mãos, costas ou ombros nos 12 meses anteriores à participação na pesquisa. O nível de satisfação profissional total foi de 3,45 (DP=0,50), considerando-se uma escala de 1 a 5. Os blocos analisados apresentaram os seguintes valores: satisfação geral com o trabalho: média=3,39, DP=0,89; percepção de renda: média=3,21, DP=0,74; tempo pessoal: média=2,60, DP=1,06; tempo profissional: média=3,13, DP=0,71; equipe: média=3,35, DP=0,98; relacionamento com pacientes: média=4,34, DP=0,59 e fornecimento de assistência/atendimento: média=4,16, DP=0,58. Conclui-se que a maioria dos profissionais que participaram desta pesquisa era do gênero feminino, estudou em faculdade pública, fez curso de especialização, participou de congresso nos 2 anos anteriores, teve acesso a revistas científicas e trabalhava em consultório particular. Também a maior parte (72,16%) apresentou alguma dor, desconforto ou dormência nos braços, mãos, costas ou ombros nos 12 meses prévios ao estudo. O nível de satisfação total dos profissionais pôde ser considerado bom, sendo que o bloco que apresentou menor valor de satisfação foi o tempo pessoal. Houve associação de gênero com as variáveis: horas trabalhadas, dor e relacionamento com pacientes e, com relação às horas trabalhadas, houve associação com as variáveis: consultório particular e serviço público; foi observado, ainda, que quanto maior a quantidade de horas dedicadas, maior foi a satisfação com relação à renda e menor com relação ao tempo pessoal. / The objective of the study was to verify professional activities profile among the dentists who worked in a private enterprise of São Paulo State. A descriptive crosssectional and analytic study was carried out, using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to dentists who worked in the company\'s units located in different cities of São Paulo State. The investigation project was submitted to and approved by the School of Dentistry (FOUSP) Ethical Committee and was done with science and authorization of the participants. Data were organized and analysed at STATA 10.0 statistical package. Participated of the study 194 dentists that were working in the company in year 2008. Regarding sociodemographic characteristics, 68.04% were female and 31.96% were male and aged between 25 and 54 years (mean 35.78 years). About professional formation and performance, 64.43% studied in public schools and 35.57% in private colleges, 116 (59.79%) were specialists, 26 (13.40%) had Masters degree and 10 (5.15%) were PhDs. The mean number of years since dental school graduation was 12.85 years and the mean working hours per week was 41.08 hours. Regarding access to scientific updates, 79.38% reported having participated in scientific congress in the last two years, 87.63% had access to scientific journals and 30.41% were members of a scientific society. Most of them worked also in another private setting (78.35%) and, between them, 32.99% attended dental insurance patients in those places. In relation to other professional activities, 30.93% worked also in the public service and 7.22% were college professors. Only 54 professionals (27.84%) did not show any problems (pain, discomfort or numbness) in their arms, hands, back or shoulders in the 12 months prior to participation in research. The mean score of overall job satisfaction was 3.45 (SD = 0.50), in a 1 to 5 scale. The blocks of factors examined showed the following values: general satisfaction with job/employment: mean = 3.39, SD = 0.89; income perception: mean = 3.21, SD = 0.74; personal time: mean = 2.60, SD = 1.06; professional time: mean = 3.13, SD = 0.71; team: mean = 3.35, SD = 0.98; patients relationship: mean = 4.34, SD = 0, 59 and healthcare delivery: mean = 4.16, SD = 0.58. The majority of professionals who participated in this study were female, studied in public Universities, were specialists, participated in some conference 2 years earlier, had access to scientific journals and worked in another private practice. Also most of them (72.16%) has had some pain, discomfort or numbness in the arms, hands, back or shoulders at the some point over the 12 months prior to the study. Job satisfaction levels among the professionals could be considered good, and the block that had the lowest satisfaction was personal time. There was an association between gender and the variables: working hours, pain and patients relationship and, with respect to working hours, it was associated to concurrent attendance at another private healthcare setting and at public service; it was observed also that the greater the amount of working hours, the greater was the satisfaction with respect to income and less the satisfaction with personal time.