11 research outputs found
Wood Usage in Rural Tanzania: An Investigation Into the Sources and Accessibility of Fuelwood and Polewood for the Residents of Kizanda Village, West Usambara Mountains
No full textThis study was conducted over the course of 16 days between April 8th and 28th in Kizanda village, which borders the protected Baga Government Forest Reserve, in the West Usambara Mountains in Northern Tanzania. The goals of this study were to investigate the actual sources of fuelwood and polewood reported by the people of Kizanda village, to determine if these sources offer a sufficient amount of fuelwood and polewood, and to identify possible sustainable alternatives to wood products from the Baga Government Forest Reserve and other protected forest areas near Kizanda village. Key informant interviews (n = 9) and 151 structured interviews were completed with the help of a translator. Respondents for structured interviews were chosen non-randomly and biomass data was only collected if the interviewee (n = 34) was willing to show the location of trees that would be used for fuelwood and/or polewood. Results show that the majority (66% (100/151)) of the respondents utilized wood that was collected from the forest. More than half (56% (17/31)) of the respondents that were willing to allow the trees they would use for wood to be measured only had enough wood to last them for less that 15 weeks. The greater part (82% (105/128)) of respondents who stated that they did not have enough wood said that tree seedlings to plant amongst their crops or in woodlots would be the most helpful for them to gain access to a sufficient amount of wood. Based off of these finding it can be seen that the majority of the respondents do not have enough wood available from legal sources and are therefore resorting to the nearby Baga Government Forest Reserve, Mazumbai University Forest or other forested areas in order to collect a sufficient amount of wood. If the rural populations in Tanzania are not given alternatives to wood from these highly valued areas, the detrimental effects of wood collection on the forests within the country will continue to degrade these regions that are essential for the people, flora, and fauna that live throughout the nation
Caymanianness, history, culture, tradition, and globalisation : assessing the dynamic interplay between modern and traditional(ist) thought in the Cayman Islands
No full textThe research undertaken for this largely qualitative dissertation draws on newspaper articles, oral
histories, historical documentation, open-ended interviews, and to a lesser extent, questionnaires, in
the effort to ultimately confirm the extent to which the benefitting forces of globalization have
fractured any existing traditional-historical cultural body of knowledge and expression among the
Caymanian people. Indeed, by 2009 some Caymanians had long been verbally denouncing the social
and cultural ills of globalization – inclusive of multiculturalism – on their so-called traditional,
unassuming way of life, some of them clamoring for an extensive purge of the many foreign
nationals in “their” Cayman Islands. Yet, other Caymanians have become somewhat invested in the
idea of multicultural “oneness” ostensibly for the sake of peaceful coexistence, harmony and
prosperity as these work towards the promotion of a global, borderless cultural awareness.
This dissertation relies on theoretical frames centred both on the discrete natures of, and the
dualistic struggle between, these two opposing ideological-cultural forces. That this struggle is taking
place in the present age, I anticipate the ways in which more modern understandings, which are
potentially open to liberating subjectivities, must clash with “historical”, xenophobic and
nationalistic viewpoints, viewpoints which have constantly proven contradictory given their
adherents’ complacent acceptance of, and participation in, a localised economic prosperity
substantively dependent on foreign input. Thus in aggregate terms, this dissertation pinpoints the
various effects of an evolving scheme of values and counter-values on an ideologically torn
Caymanianness whose contradictory traditional half is especially fighting for its “cultural purity” in
an era where its ‘reinvented’ logic is being more and more regarded as anachronistic and somewhat
irrational
The securitisation of the United Kingdom's maritime infrastructure during the 'war on terror'
No full textThis thesis examines counter-terrorism efforts in relation to the United Kingdom's ports and harbours (its 'maritime infrastructure') in the context of the 'war on terror'. To do this the thesis utilises the Copenhagen School's securitisation theory as the analytical frameowrk through which a case study, focusing on developments in a five year period between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2009 and utilising the cases of Felixstowe, Holyhead and Tilbury, is undertaken. The thesis argues that UK maritime infrastructure was securitised in the context of the macrosecuritisation of the 'civilised way of life', which were in a mutually reinforcing relationship. By reorienting emphasis towards the 'post-securitised environment' and on to examining what securitisations 'do' in practice, the thesis subsequently demonstrates the substantial impact of securitisation on the management of UK maritime infrastructure. More specifically it argues that a counter-terrorism security response was evident which constantly evolved, was layered and increasingly expansive in scope and that had a series of prominent, recurring features. The thread which ran through this response was the pursuit of increased power in relation to UK maritime infrastructure, undertaken by the British state and port owners in particular. The thesis concludes by noting how the key findings of the case study progressively demonstrate a greater level of complexity to the securitisation of UK maritime infrastructure than can at first be apparent
Gender dimensions of land policy in contemporary Mozambique : a case study of Ndixe village, Marracuene District, southern Mozambique
No full textBibliography: leaves 269-288.In this thesis, I set out to investigate women's rights to the land and how these are shaped by gender relations. I investigate the meaning and significance of 'customary' tenure in the present day context, some 25 years after Independence and after the end of 16 years of armed conflict in the countryside. I ask to what extent customary norms are still practised and whether or not they disadvantage women? I also challenge the premises of neo-liberal theory underwriting the current land policy and on-going proposals for land reform: namely that increased tenure security can be guaranteed by formal law, that this will encourage investment and thus 'alleviate' rural poverty. These assumptions are explicit in the National Land Policy, which ostensibly aims to 'alleviate poverty' and 'promote growth with equity' through ensuring land tenure security for family and private sector investors, whilst liberalising transactions in land. My investigation sets out from the premise that land tenure arrangements in any society are deeply embedded in the existing socio-economic context [Peters 1987; Bassett 1993] and that these inform and are informed by gender relations. Gender roles and identities are seen here as learned and negotiated, but they are negotiated from different positions of power by women and men [Archer l992; Agarwal 1994; Kandiyoti 1998]. I further assume that custom is not a static edifice but a changing and flexible social institution that is shaped by historical events and individual interpretations [Hobsbawm & Ranger 1983]. Based on these assumptions, I take a theoretical approach which draws on the work of social scientists such as Anthony Giddens [1979, 1982, 1984] and Ernesto Laclau [Laclau & Moulfe 1985; Laclau 1990], as well as recent feminist literature (see Chapter Two), in seeking to resolve the tension between structure and agency in sociological analysis. My research involves an exploration of the competing theories underlying land policy changes, from colonial time to the present. l argue that, despite radically different strategies, the current neo-liberal as well as the former colonial and then socialist approaches to rural development in Mozambique adhere to a modernisation paradigm that privileges material accumulation. By the same token, it devalues the reproductive and subsistence labour predominantly performed by women. I argue that an analysis of gendered power relations has been largely missing from analyses of land tenure and agrarian policy. This has negative implications for the likely achievement of the Governments current policy goals, namely those of achieving 'growth with equity'. Against this background, the principal focus of my research is a case study in one rural village, Ndixe, in Marracuene District of southern Mozambique. Through the case study, I seek to understand the gender dimensions of land access and control in the current period
Is it democratisation? : the rule of law and political changes in Jordan since 1989
No full textEThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo
Knowledge-intensive firms : configuration or community?
No full textThis thesis is a study into the nature of knowledge-intensive firm defined here as
professional service firms providing tailored services to corporate clients and relying heavily
on the problem solving capacity of their employees. This thesis attempts to strike a balance
between a straightforward and overtly empirical piece of work which presupposes the
meaning of knowledge work and an abstract contribution which questions, explores and
attempts to reframe our understanding of the prevailing concept of knowledge work and of
the knowledge-intensive firm. Three exceptionally successful contemporary firms are
studied as potential exemplars of this seemingly new organisational form. The cases are
examined from three overlapping and integrated perspectives. First, a structure and design
perspective is adopted. The existing literature on the structure and design of these firms is
examined and developed into an ideal type (Weber, 1978) which is subsequently used in the
interviewing of employees. A more processual/contextual/alternative perspective on
knowledge work is then adopted and combined with the related concept of community is
applied to the study of the three cases. Finally, drawing on the historical case of early Irish
monasticism, a premodern knowledge-intensive institutional form, the sense of the
interrelationship between structure and community is elaborated upon and, along with some
peculiarly monastic angles, applied to the three cases. The overall conclusion is that
contemporary KIFs represent "plural forms" (Jeffrey, 1991) in the sense that they use
different internal and external control mechanism simultaneously for the same function.
While the operations of these firms are complex and unusual, the claim of a new paradigm
of management underpinning these firms is rejected
The Nature of the Relationships between Social Networks, Interpersonal Trust, Management Support, and Knowledge Sharing
No full textPurpose – Past research has shown that, by implementing knowledge sharing, an organisation can maintain its long-term competitive advantage. Hence, this research will explore the nature of the relationships between social networks, interpersonal trust, management support, and knowledge sharing.
Methodology/approach – In order to achieve the above purpose, semi-structured interviews were used to gather qualitative data. Interviewee participants included top and middle managers and frontline employees. The total number of participants included in the research was 25, equally representing five companies. The core business of all the companies was large-scale manufacturing. A grounded theory approach was used to analyse the data, augmented by the computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software, Nvivo.
Findings – The results reveal that social networks facilitate knowledge sharing in diverse ways. These ways are: the use of multiple communication styles, brainstorming and problem solving, learning and teaching, training, employee rotation, and consultation. In addition, the data from the interviews suggests that, through various factors, the level of interpersonal trust, influences the extent to which employees are willing to share knowledge. These factors are organisational, relational, and individual factors. Furthermore, this study shows that both middle and top managers can play significant roles in facilitating knowledge sharing between employees. These roles are: encouragement of participation in decision-making, provision of recognition, breaking down of barriers, building up of teams, providing training or assigning others to do training, encouragement of training, communication, learning, putting knowledge into practice in the form of processes, and movement of employees.
Research contributions – Six models were developed from the qualitative analysis of the field data. The brainstorming and problem solving model identifies various steps for brainstorming and problem solving which influence social networks and knowledge sharing. The model of learning and teaching explains how social networks can be built based on the receivers’ levels of knowledge, namely, the novice, competent, expert, and proficient levels. The model of factors influencing social networks and knowledge sharing illustrates various factors. These are: using multiple communication strategies, brainstorming and problem solving, learning and teaching, training, employee rotation, and consultation. The model of factors influencing interpersonal trust describes three factors for achieving such trust: organisational, relational, and individual factors. This model also elaborates on three factors that negatively influence interpersonal trust. These are division between departments, team conflict, and a sense of vulnerability.
The model of the role of management teams in encouraging participation in decision-making elaborates on levels of decision-making among employees and the way in which knowledge flows between top and middle management and frontline employees. The integrative model deciphers the relationships between social networks, interpersonal trust, management support, openness, and knowledge sharing. In addition, the relationships between each area of emphasis and knowledge sharing are included in the model. Based on this model, a survey questionnaire was developed.
These models provide new insights into the relationships between social networks, interpersonal trust, management support, and knowledge sharing. By applying these models to appropriate field situations, both practitioners and academics may be able to improve current practices relating to how knowledge is shared and evolves within organisations
Understanding the adoption and use of information systems/information technology in small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises : a study in Portuguese industry.
No full textThis research analysed factors and sets of factors that affect and explain the varying levels
of success in the adoption and use of IS/IT (Information Systems/Information Technology)
in Portuguese manufacturing SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises). The study set
out to fill a gap in knowledge not covered by previous research into the area of IS/IT in
SMEs. Existing work was found to be of limited relevance or was out-of-date, due to the
rapid evolution of IS/IT, and did not address the Portuguese context.
The study followed a realist approach to social enquiry. Seeking to explain IS/IT success, it
is necessary to understand the perspectives and social relationships amongst the key actors
involved in the process of IS/IT adoption and use. Case study research was undertaken in
twelve SMEs operating in the Portuguese manufacturing industry. A total of 56 interviews
were conducted with top managers, IS/IT managers, IS/IT staff, and IS/IT suppliers. The
factors identified as associated with IS/IT success were clustered into four categories
according to their perceived relevance. Interrelationships amongst factors were established
and the common patterns across firms with similar levels of IS/IT adoption and success
were analysed.
This research demonstrates that a combination of factors were determinant to explain IS/IT
adoption and success. These are related to the involvement of the top managers in the
process of IS/IT adoption and use, and to the development of IS/IT competencies, in-house
or in associated IS/IT suppliers. Of particular importance is the presence of an individual in
the firm with IS/IT knowledge, CEO trust, and a view on how to incorporate IS/IT in the
strategic development of the firm. In the SMEs that were more successful in adopting and
using IS/IT, the establishment of co-operative links with IS/IT suppliers was essentially
based on personal relationships or ownership of the IS/IT enterprise, rather than on
contractual relationships. The findings were validated by comparison with existing theory,
and resource-based theory was found to provide a coherent explanation of the results of the
empirical work
Governing mother-child communication about sex in HIV/AIDS epidemic : positioning Lovelines
No full textIncludes bibliographical references (p. 421-474).Lovelines was a didactic textual series that appeared in Fairlady, a South African women's magazine, instructing mothers on how sex should be talked about with young people to inoculate them against the risk of HIV/Aids. My reading of this media discourse, and mothers' appropriation of it, sought to examine how the primary target audience of middle classed mothers were persuaded to adopt particular communicative positions. Foucault's normative apparatus of family-sexuality-risk concerns the distribution of expertise - epidemiological science of risk in populations, developmental psychology-inscribed micro-practices of childrearing in families - and self-responsibilization of disciplinary power. This finds mothers governmentally positioned as relay points between 'public' (health, economy) and 'private' (family, childrearing, sex) apparatuses, tasked with appropriately socializing a new generation of sexually responsible citizens. This governmental rationality of neo-liberalism is read against South African conditions of mass media persuasion, HIV/Aids risk and talking about sex in families
