ENHANCING COMMUNICATION THROUGH SUCCESSFUL REPAIR: EXAMINING FLUENCY AND MECHANISMS FOR SYNTACTIC PROGRESS IN APHASIC AND NON-APHASIC SPEECH

The fields of Rhetoric and Communication usually assume a competent speaker who is able to speak well with conscious intent; however, what happens when intent and comprehension are intact but communicative facilities are impaired (e.g., by stroke or traumatic brain injury)? What might a focus on communicative success be able to tell us in those instances? This project considers this question in examining communication disorders through identifying and analyzing patterns of (dis) fluent speech between 10 aphasic and 10 non-aphasic adults. The analysis in this report is centered on a collection of data provided by the Aphasia Bank database. The database’s collection protocol guides aphasic and non-aphasic participants through a series of language assessments, and for my re-analysis of the database’s transcripts I consider communicative success is and how it is demonstrated during a re-telling of the Cinderella narrative. I conducted a thorough examination of a set of participant transcripts to understand the contexts in which speech errors occur, and how (dis) fluencies may follow from aphasic and non-aphasic participant’s speech patterns. An inductive mixed-methods approach, informed by grounded theory, qualitative, and linguistic analyses of the transcripts functioned as a means to balance the classification of data, providing a foundation for all sampling decisions. A close examination of the transcripts and the codes of the Aphasia Bank database suggest that while the coding is abundant and detailed, that further levels of coding and analysis may be needed to reveal underlying similarities and differences in aphasic vs. non-aphasic linguistic behavior. Through four successive levels of increasingly detailed analysis, I found that patterns of repair by aphasics and non-aphasics differed primarily in degree rather than kind. This finding may have therapeutic impact, in reassuring aphasics that they are on the right track to achieving communicative fluency.

Advancing the theory of collective empowerment: A qualitative study

In order to fully describe the construct of empowerment and to determine possible measures for this construct in racially and ethnically diverse neighborhoods, a qualitative study based on Grounded Theory was conducted at both the individual and collective levels. Participants for the study included 49 grassroots experts on community empowerment who were interviewed through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. The researcher also conducted field observations as part of the research protocol.^ The results of the study identified benchmarks of individual and collective empowerment and hundreds of possible markers of collective empowerment applicable in diverse communities. Results also indicated that community involvement is essential in the selection and implementation of proper measures. Additional findings were that the construct of empowerment involves specific principles of empowering relationships and particular motivational factors. All of these findings lead to a two dimensional model of empowerment based on the concepts of relationships among members of a collective body and the collective body's desire for socio-political change.^ These results suggest that the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs that foster empowerment must be based on collaborative ventures between the population being served and program staff because of the interactive, synergistic nature of the construct. In addition, empowering programs should embrace specific principles and processes of individual and collective empowerment in order to maximize their effectiveness and efficiency. And finally, the results suggest that collaboratively choosing markers to measure the processes and outcomes of empowerment in the main systems and populations living in today's multifaceted communities is a useful mechanism to determine change. ^

The role of brand marketing in snowboarding: A comparative study of Switzerland and New Zealand

Introduction: Brands play an essential role in the organizational structure of snowboarding by sponsoring athletes, arranging events, contributing to product development and developing long-term partnerships with other key actors. However, the specialities of their role in scene sports, such as creating identities, networking and brand marketing strategies, have not been extensively researched. This study aims to provide an analysis of the function of brands within the snowboarding subculture by comparing how the sport is organized in Switzerland and New Zealand. Sociological theories of subcultures (Hitzler & Niederbacher, 2010) and social networks (Stegbauer, 2008) are used to defi ne the structures of the sport, whereas marketing and branding theories (Adjouri & Stastny, 2006) help to understand the role of the brands. Snowboarding will be defi ned as an alternative sports subculture based on characteristics such as aesthetics, adventure and new resources of performance (Schwier, 2006). Such a defi nition also begs for a novel form of analyzing its organization. Unlike more conventional structures, the organization of snowboarding allows a variety of actors to get involved in leading the sport. By portraying and encouraging differentiated identities and lifestyles, athletes provide a space for other actors to fi nd their place within the sport (Wheaton, 2005). According to Stegbauers network theory, individual actors are able to obtain high positions and defi ne their identity depending on their ties to actors and networks within the subculture (Stegbauer, 2008). For example, social capital, contacts within the sport and insider knowledge on subculture-related information enable actors to get closer to the core (Hitzler & Niederbacher, 2010). Actors who do not have close networks and allies within the subculture are less likely to engage successfully in the culture, whether as an individual or as a commercial actor (Thorpe, 2011). This study focuses on the organizational structure of snowboarding by comparing the development of the sport in Switzerland and New Zealand. An analysis of snowboarding in two nations with diverse cultures and economic systems allows a further defi nition of the structural organization of the sport and explains how brands play an important role in the sport. Methods: The structural organization of the sport will be analyzed through an ethnographic approach, using participant observation at various leading events in Switzerland (Freestyle.ch, European Open) and New Zealand (World Heli Challenge, New Zealand Open, New Zealand Winter Games). The data is analyzed using grounded theory (Glaser & Strauss 1967) and gives an overview of the actors that are playing an important role in the local development of snowboarding. Participant observation was also used as a tool to get inside the sport culture and opened up the possibility to make over 40 semi-structured qualitative expert interviews with international core actors from 11 countries. Obtaining access to one actor as a partner early on helped to get inside the local sport culture. The ‘snowball effect’ allowed the researcher to acquire access, build trust and conduct interviews with experts within the core scene. All the interviewed actors have a direct infl uence on the sport in one or both countries, which permit a cross-analysis. The data of the interviews was evaluated through content analysis (Mayring 2010). The two methods together provided suffi cient data to analyze the organizational structure and discuss the role of brand marketing within snowboarding. Results: An actors mapping by means of a center-periphery framework has identifi ed fi ve main core groups: athletes, media representatives, brand-marketing managers, resort managers and event organizers. In both countries the same grouping of actors were found. Despite possessing different and frequently multiple roles and responsibilities, core actors appear to have a strong common identifi cation as ‘snowboarders’, are considered to be part of the organizational elite of the sport and tend to advocate similar goals. The author has found that brands in Switzerland tend to have a larger impact on the broader snowboarding culture due to a number of factors discussed below. Due to a larger amount of snowboarders and stronger economic power in Europe, snowboarders are making attempts to differentiate themselves from other winter sports, while competing with each other to develop niche markets. In New Zealand, on the other hand, the smaller market enables more cooperation and mutual respect within snowboarders. Further they are more closely linked to other winter sports and are satisfi ed with being lumped together. In both countries, brands have taken up the role of supporting young athletes, organizing competitions and feeding media with subculture-related content. Brands build their image and identity through the collaboration with particular athletes who can represent the values of the brand. Local and global communities with similar lifestyles and interests are being built around brands that share a common vision of the sport. The dominance of brands in snowboarding has enabled them with the power to organize and rule the sport through its fan base and supporters. Brands were defi ned by interviewees as independent institutions led by insiders who know the codes and symbols of the sport and were given trust and credibility. The brands identify themselves as the engines of the sport by providing the equipment, opportunities for athletes to get exposure, allowing media to get exclusive information on activities, events and sport-related stories. Differences between the two countries are more related to the economic system. While Switzerland is well integrated in the broader European market, New Zealand’s geographical isolation and close proximity to Australia tends to limit its market. Further, due to different cultural lifestyles, access to resorts and seasonal restrictions, to name a few, the amount of people practicing winter sports in New Zealand is much smaller than in Switzerland. However, this also presents numerous advantages. For example, the short southern hemisphere winter season in New Zealand enables them to attract international sports athletes, brands and representatives in a period when Europe and North America is in summer. Further, the unique snow conditions in New Zealand and majestic landscape is popular for attracting world renowned photo- and cinematographers. Another advantage is the less populated network as it provides the opportunity for individuals to gain easier access to the core of the sport, obtain diverse positions and form a unique identity and market. In Switzerland, on the other hand, the snowboarding network is dense with few positions available for the taking. Homegrown brands with core recognition are found in both countries. It was found that the Swiss brands tend to have a larger impact on the market, whereas in New Zealand, the sport is more dependent on import products by foreign brands. Further, athletes, events and resorts in New Zealand are often dependent on large brand sponsorships from abroad such as from brand headquarters in the Unites States. Thus, due to its location in the centre of Europe, Swiss brands can take advantage of brands which are closer in proximity and culture to sponsor athletes and events. In terms of media coverage, winter sports in New Zealand tend to have a minor coverage and tradition in local mass media, which leads to less exposure, recognition and investment into the sport. This is also related to how snowboarding is more integrated into other winter sports in New Zealand. Another difference is the accessibility of the ski resort by the population. While in Switzerland the resorts are mostly being visited by day-travelers, ‘weekend warriors’ and holiday makers, the location of the resorts in New Zealand make it diffi cult to visit for one day. This is in part due to the fact that Swiss ski resorts and villages are usually the same location and are accessible through public transportation, while the ski resorts in New Zealand have been built separately from the villages. Further, the villages have not been built to accommodate to high tourist arrivals. Thus, accommodation and food facilities are limited and there is a lack of public transportation to the resorts. Discussion: The fi ndings show that networks and social relations combined with specifi c knowledge on scene-related attributes are crucial in obtaining opportunities within the sport. Partnerships as well as competition between these different actors are necessary for core acceptance, peer credibility and successful commercial interests. Brands need to maintain effective marketing strategies and identities which incorporate subcultural forms of behavior and communication. In order to sustain credibility from its fans, athletes and other snowboarding actors, brands need to maintain their insider status through social networks and commercial branding strategies. The interaction between all actors is a reciprocated process, where social capital, networks and identities are being shared. While the overall structure of snowboard subcultures in Europe and New Zealand are similar, there are some distinct characteristics which make each one unique. References Adjouri, N. & Stastny, P. (2006). Sport-Branding: Mit Sport-Sponsoring zum Markenerfolg. Wiesbaden: Gabler. Glaser, B. & Strauss, K. (1967). The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. Chicago: Aldine. Hebdige, D. (2009). Subculture; The meaning of style. New York: Routledge. Hitzler, R. & Niederbacher, A. (2010). Leben in Szenen: Formen juveniler Vergemeinschaftung heute. Wiesbaden: Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. Mayring, P. (2010). Qualitative Inhaltsanalyse: Grundlagen und Techniken. Weinheim: Beltz. Schwier, J. (2006). Repräsentationen des Trendsports. Jugendliche Bewegungskulturen, Medien und Marketing. In: Gugutzer, R. (Hrsg.). body turn. Perspektiven der Soziologie des Körpers und des Sports. Bielefeld: transcript (S. 321-340). Stegbauer, C. (2008). Netzwerkanalyse und Netzwerktheorie. Ein neues Paradigma in den Sozialwissenschaften. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften. Thorpe, H. (2011). Snowboarding bodies in theory and practice. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. Wheaton, B. (2005). Understanding lifestyle sports; consumption, identity and difference. New York: Routledge.

Lessons from Ellen: A Case Study Investigation of Comprehension Strategy Instruction in Action

In the past ten years, reading comprehension instruction has received significant attention from educational researchers. Drawing on studies from cognitive psychology, reader response theory, and language arts research, current best practice in reading comprehension instruction is characterized by a strategies approach in which students are taught to think like proficient readers who visualize, infer, activate schema, question, and summarize as they read. Studies investigating the impact of comprehension strategy instruction on student achievement in reading suggest that when implemented consistently the intervention has a positive effect on achievement. Research also shows, however, that few teachers embrace this approach to reading instruction despite its effectiveness, even when the conditions for substantive professional development (i.e. prolonged engagement, support, resources, time) are present. The interpretive case study reported in this dissertation examined the year-long experience of one fourth grade teacher, Ellen, as she leanled about comprehension strategy instruction and attempted to integrate the approach in her reading program. The goal of the study was to extend current understanding of the factors that support or inhibit an individual teacher's instructional decision making. The research explored how Ellen's academic preparation, beliefs about reading comprehension instruction, and attitudes toward teacher-student interaction influenced her efforts to employ comprehension strategy instruction. Qualitative methods were the basis of this study's research design. The primary methods for collecting data included pre- and post-interviews, field notes from classroom observations and staff development sessions, infonnal interviews, e-mail correspondence, and artifacts such as reading assignments, professional writing, school newsletters, and photographs of the classroom. Transcripts from interviews, as well as field notes, e-mail, and artifacts, were analyzed according to grounded theory's constant-comparative method. The results of the study suggest that three factors were pivotal in Ellen's successful implementation of reading strategy instruction: Pedagogical beliefs, classroom relationships, and professional community. Research on instructional change generally focuses on issues of time, resources, feedback, and follow-through. The research reported here recognizes the importance of these components, but expands contemporary thinking by showing how, in Ellen's case, a teacher's existing theories, her relationship with her students, and her professional interaction with peers impact instructional decisions.

Qualitative study: Understanding Mexican American women's experience in intimate partner violence

The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain an understanding of the experiences of Mexican American women living with intimate partner abuse relevant to the process of disclosure of abuse. Limited research exists on the experiences of women who are of Mexican descent living with intimate partner abuse and their disclosure of abuse. Factors that influence disclosure for other populations are well articulated in the literature however, these factors have not been adequately verified in persons of Mexican descent. Data are reported from in-depth interviews with 26 clients at a shelter and an outreach agency in a south Texas-Mexico border community. Semi-structured interview guide was used to elicit information over an 11 month period. A grounded theory ethnography approach was used to analyze data. Verification strategies and constant comparison techniques (e.g. investigator responsiveness, methodological coherence, sampling adequacy, an active analytic stance, and saturation) enhanced rigor of analysis. Nineteen Mexican immigrant women and seven Mexican American women participated in the study. Several themes were discerned related to women's experiences in abuse: painful living, questioning endurance, and confronting reality. In almost every participant's account there was a description of repeated victimization by her intimate partner or partners, and again, by others within and outside her network. The participants discussed several cultural factors (e.g. embarrassment, concerns for family, avoidance of causing pain to family, protection of partner, avoidance of being judged) that hindered their decisions whether or not to disclose. Participants noted that healthcare workers rarely asked probing questions regarding abuse. The timing and process of disclosure took many turns for women in this study. Some of the factors hindering women from disclosing were found to be influenced by cultural practices. The consequences of disclosure for many of the women led them to re-victimization. Implications for practice to avoid missed opportunities with women living in abuse are to: ask questions routinely to encourage disclosure of abuse and offer community resource information for women living in abuse or both.^

Historias de vida de deportistas paralímpicas argentinas : Redes de Relaciones

El creciente interés por los estudios de género manifiesta un vacío respecto de las mujeres con discapacidad que han desarrollado trayectorias exitosas en algún campo. Este trabajo, forma parte de dos investigaciones junto a mujeres deportistas con discapacidad motora que han alcanzado el más alto símbolo deportivo: la medalla paralímpica. Con el objetivo de develar sus Trayectorias Biográficas se diseñó un estudio flexible y multivocal, con un enfoque no estándar (cualitativo) centrado en el método biográfico. Se recolectaron trece relatos de vida con entrevistas en profundidad analizadas con el método Comparativo Constante de la Teoría Fundamentada de los Datos.
Las Trayectorias Biográficas constituyen los "grandes ámbitos de la experiencia social" que aportan testimonios de vivencias individuales dentro de un mismo objeto social (Bertaux, 2005: 41). Pero debido a las características del diseño, emergió una categoría imprevista: las redes de relaciones, constituidas por las influencias mutuas de las interacciones entre las personas, motivo de esta presentación. Lo interesante fue que estas redes no solo no respondían al rol de dependencia atribuido a las personas con discapacidad, sino que se halló un nuevo tipo y cuatro sub-categorías: compulsivas, electivas, omitidas e ignoradas. Principalmente en las redes electivas fue donde las entrevistadas manifestaron hallar nichos, en los que expresaron (descubrieron) roles y funciones (simultáneas y cambiantes) complementarias y cooperativas con otras personas, manteniendo al mismo tiempo, cierto grado de independencia interna (límites). El peso de las redes (importancia atribuida) fue variable tanto sincrónica como diacrónicamente, permitiendo que algunas deportistas se destacaran en más de una red en distintos momentos temporales

Historias de vida de deportistas paralímpicas argentinas : Redes de Relaciones

El creciente interés por los estudios de género manifiesta un vacío respecto de las mujeres con discapacidad que han desarrollado trayectorias exitosas en algún campo. Este trabajo, forma parte de dos investigaciones junto a mujeres deportistas con discapacidad motora que han alcanzado el más alto símbolo deportivo: la medalla paralímpica. Con el objetivo de develar sus Trayectorias Biográficas se diseñó un estudio flexible y multivocal, con un enfoque no estándar (cualitativo) centrado en el método biográfico. Se recolectaron trece relatos de vida con entrevistas en profundidad analizadas con el método Comparativo Constante de la Teoría Fundamentada de los Datos.
Las Trayectorias Biográficas constituyen los "grandes ámbitos de la experiencia social" que aportan testimonios de vivencias individuales dentro de un mismo objeto social (Bertaux, 2005: 41). Pero debido a las características del diseño, emergió una categoría imprevista: las redes de relaciones, constituidas por las influencias mutuas de las interacciones entre las personas, motivo de esta presentación. Lo interesante fue que estas redes no solo no respondían al rol de dependencia atribuido a las personas con discapacidad, sino que se halló un nuevo tipo y cuatro sub-categorías: compulsivas, electivas, omitidas e ignoradas. Principalmente en las redes electivas fue donde las entrevistadas manifestaron hallar nichos, en los que expresaron (descubrieron) roles y funciones (simultáneas y cambiantes) complementarias y cooperativas con otras personas, manteniendo al mismo tiempo, cierto grado de independencia interna (límites). El peso de las redes (importancia atribuida) fue variable tanto sincrónica como diacrónicamente, permitiendo que algunas deportistas se destacaran en más de una red en distintos momentos temporales

Historias de vida de deportistas paralímpicas argentinas : Redes de Relaciones

El creciente interés por los estudios de género manifiesta un vacío respecto de las mujeres con discapacidad que han desarrollado trayectorias exitosas en algún campo. Este trabajo, forma parte de dos investigaciones junto a mujeres deportistas con discapacidad motora que han alcanzado el más alto símbolo deportivo: la medalla paralímpica. Con el objetivo de develar sus Trayectorias Biográficas se diseñó un estudio flexible y multivocal, con un enfoque no estándar (cualitativo) centrado en el método biográfico. Se recolectaron trece relatos de vida con entrevistas en profundidad analizadas con el método Comparativo Constante de la Teoría Fundamentada de los Datos.
Las Trayectorias Biográficas constituyen los "grandes ámbitos de la experiencia social" que aportan testimonios de vivencias individuales dentro de un mismo objeto social (Bertaux, 2005: 41). Pero debido a las características del diseño, emergió una categoría imprevista: las redes de relaciones, constituidas por las influencias mutuas de las interacciones entre las personas, motivo de esta presentación. Lo interesante fue que estas redes no solo no respondían al rol de dependencia atribuido a las personas con discapacidad, sino que se halló un nuevo tipo y cuatro sub-categorías: compulsivas, electivas, omitidas e ignoradas. Principalmente en las redes electivas fue donde las entrevistadas manifestaron hallar nichos, en los que expresaron (descubrieron) roles y funciones (simultáneas y cambiantes) complementarias y cooperativas con otras personas, manteniendo al mismo tiempo, cierto grado de independencia interna (límites). El peso de las redes (importancia atribuida) fue variable tanto sincrónica como diacrónicamente, permitiendo que algunas deportistas se destacaran en más de una red en distintos momentos temporales

Theory and empirics of Markusen type multinationals

Research on multinational firms’ activity has been conducted widely since late 1980s. The literature is differentiated into three types: horizontal FDI, vertical FDI, and three-country FDI, represented by export platform FDI. There are other methods of differentiation of the literature by approach, for example, the pure theory approach represented by Krugman and Melitz and the numerical simulation approach represented by Markusen. This paper surveys Markusen type literature by firm type. There is little literature focused on intermediate goods trade, although intermediate goods trade is considered to be strongly related to the production patterns of MNEs. In this paper, we introduce a model to explicitly treat intermediate goods trade and present simulation analysis for empirical estimation.

RESSIST: a research object-based recommender system

The scientific method is a methodological approach to the process of inquiry { in which empirically grounded theory of nature is constructed and verified [14]. It is a hard, exhaustive and dedicated multi-stage procedure that a researcher must perform to achieve valuable knowledge. Trying to help researchers during this process, a recommender system, intended as a researcher assistant, is designed to provide them useful tools and information for each stage of the procedure. A new similarity measure between research objects and a representational model, based on domain spaces, to handle them in dif ferent levels are created as well as a system to build them from OAI-PMH (and RSS) resources. It tries to represents a sound balance between scientific insight into individual scientific creative processes and technical implementation using innovative technologies in information extraction, document summarization and semantic analysis at a large scale.

Struggling, Coping, And Thriving: Sense-Making In Stepfamily Couples' Narratives About Coparenting

The term coparenting implies a bioparental dyad that often excludes the stepparent's role in sharing parenting across joint-custody households. Focusing solely on this dyad also precludes gaining an understanding of how stepfamily couples manage together the communication and sharing of parental responsibilities with the parent(s) in the shared children's other home. In a departure from this bioparental dyad-focused approach, this study locates the stepfamily couple at the center of an inquiry into managing coparenting across households. This mixed methods design study included in-depth interviews of 32 stepfamily couples whose narratives about coparenting were analyzed using grounded theory methods. Forty-one percent of stepparents engage in direct coparenting communication, sometimes manifested as the coactive approach identified in this study. Stepfamily couples also involve the stepparent indirectly in coparenting communication, through the conferred and consultative approaches. As well, the couples' narratives about coparenting identify them as either united, where they share the experience, or divided, where coparenting is reserved exclusively for the bioparent to manage. The stepfamily couples' narratives about significant coparenting experiences revealed that they experience and make sense of coparenting as 1) struggling, 2) coping, or 3) thriving. No significant relationship was found between marital satisfaction and experiencing coparenting as strugglers, copers or thrivers. Grounded theory analysis of these narratives also reflects the four dichotomous dimensions of 1) regard-disregard, 2) decency-duplicity, 3) facilitation-interference, and 4) accommodation-inflexibility. Significant incidents located along these dimensions contribute to the stepfamily couples' identification as struggling, coping, or thriving in coparenting. Experiences on the extreme ends of the dichotomous dimensions generate positive and negative turning points for the coparenting interactions and relationships. As well, experiences on the negative end of the dimensional poles can present challenges for the stepfamily couples. Finally, a synthesis of the findings related to the dichotomous dimensions generates a theory of shared parenting values expectancy.

Las sociologías del tiempo y las Tecnologías Avanzadas al servicio de la comunicación de los Pacientes UCI. Diseño, desarrollo y validación de un Sistema Interactivo de Comunicación para el entorno hospitalario

Introducción: El ingreso en UCI dificulta significativamente la interrelación familia-paciente. El aislamiento del paciente tiene repercusiones para todo su entorno e influye también en la relación con el personal sanitario. El aumento de la ansiedad dentro de la estructura UCI genera en este microsistema social una situación compleja en la que el equipo sanitario, el paciente y su familia deben manejarse. Se ha producido una reflexión significativa en relación con las políticas de gestión UCI-paciente-familia que ha permitido sugerir cambios de enfoque en la organización hospitalaria de los cuidados intensivos. Sin embargo, no se ha conseguido definir el modo en que la implementación de esos cambios puede articularse y se alerta recurrentemente sobre la ausencia de soluciones prácticas que ayuden a impulsar su introducción. Material y métodos: El proyecto MELIADE parte del análisis sociosistémico de este contexto mediante la aplicación de las metodologías de investigación de la Teoría Fundamentada y profundiza en el estudio de las variables que afectan a este complejo proceso relacional para comprender el porqué de la dificultad de introducir los cambios propuestos hasta el momento por los teóricos e identificar alternativas que los promuevan limitando el conflicto interno. Resultados: Como resultado, se sugieren nuevas alternativas basadas en las tecnologías avanzadas de la comunicación que permitan mejorar la percepción de la calidad asistencial para, superando las actuales dificultades, contribuir a rebajar la tensión de este entorno. El sistema MELIADE de comunicación familia-paciente cuenta ya con su primera versión software y sus características se presentan en este artículo.

Health-Sector Responses to Intimate Partner Violence Fitting the Response Into the Biomedical Health System or Adapting the System to Meet the Response?

This study aims to analyze how middle-level health systems’ managers understand the integration of a health care response to intimate partner violence (IPV) within the Spanish health system. Data were obtained through 26 individual interviews with professionals in charge of coordinating the health care response to IPV within the 17 regional health systems in Spain. The transcripts were analyzed following grounded theory in accordance with the constructivist approach described by Charmaz. Three categories emerged, showing the efforts and challenges to integrate a health care response to IPV within the Spanish health system: “IPV is a complex issue that generates activism and/or resistance,” “The mandate to integrate a health sector response to IPV: a priority not always prioritized,” and “The Spanish health system: respectful with professionals’ autonomy and firmly biomedical.” The core category, “Developing diverse responses to IPV integration,” crosscut the three categories and encompassed the range of different responses that emerge when a strong mandate to integrate a health care response to IPV is enacted. Such responses ranged from refraining to deal with the issue to offering a women-centered response. Attempting to integrate a response to nonbiomedical health problems as IPV into health systems that remain strongly biomedicalized is challenging and strongly dependent both on the motivation of professionals and on organizational factors. Implementing and sustaining changes in the structure and culture of the health care system are needed if a health care response to IPV that fulfills the World Health Organization guidelines is to be ensured.

Os sentidos da idade: morte e renascimento no processo de envelhecimento de mulheres executivas

Esta pesquisa está inserida em um contexto de crescente participação feminina no mercado de trabalho, especialmente com relação à ascensão da mulher a cargos estratégicos, além de um processo acelerado de envelhecimento populacional, constituindo uma das mais significativas transformações dos últimos anos. A participação feminina em cargos executivos e o processo de envelhecimento são tópicos pouco abordados na literatura acadêmica, tanto isolados quanto inter-relacionados, o que justifica a originalidade deste trabalho. Essas transformações coincidem ainda com o fato de que é a primeira vez que mulheres envelhecem em cargos executivos. Portanto, esta pesquisa tem por objetivo explorar como as mulheres executivas experimentam o processo de envelhecimento. A discussão se mostra relevante na medida em que esta mulher está inserida em um contexto organizacional de dominação masculina, predominantemente jovem, onde se espera que a mulher não ocupe cargos estratégicos. A pesquisa tem como base a perspectiva teórica do construcionismo social de Berger e Luckman (1999) e a abordagem metodológica qualitativa fundamentada nos dados (grounded theory), com base na perspectiva interacionista simbólica de Charmaz (2009). Os dados foram obtidos de 58 entrevistas com mulheres de 40 anos ou mais de idade que ocupam ou ocuparam posição executiva em organizações no Brasil. A pesquisa conclui que, por serem consideradas profissionais mais velhas antes do que os homens e devido aos estigmas associados à idade, as mulheres tendem a omitir o envelhecimento e buscar formas de não o aparentar no ambiente de trabalho. A teoria substantiva apresenta que o envelhecimento é compreendido a partir das noções de morte física, social e executiva e que o renascimento simbólico é uma forma de lidar com as concepções de mortes que persistem no imaginário das mulheres executivas. A teoria é provisória e contingente e reflete a interpretação de uma pesquisadora em particular. Espera-se que ela amplie o campo de estudos da Administração e estimule pesquisadores na continuidade da investigação acerca do envelhecimento de mulheres executivas.

The importance of collaborative frontloading in automotive supply networks

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate how research and development (R&D) collaboration takes place for complex new products in the automotive sector. The research aims to give guidelines to increase the effectiveness of such collaborations. Design/methodology/approach – The methodology used to investigate this issue was grounded theory. The empirical data were collected through a mixture of interviews and questionnaires. The resulting inducted conceptual models were subsequently validated in industrial workshops. Findings – The findings show that frontloading of the collaborative members was a major issue in managing successful R&D collaborations. Research limitations/implications – The limitation of this research is that it is only based in the German automotive industry. Practical implications – Practical implications have come out of this research. Models and guidelines are given to help make a success of collaborative projects and their potential impacts on time, cost and quality metrics. Originality/value – Frontloading is not often studied in a collaborative manner; it is normally studied within just one organisation. This study has novel value because it has involved a number of different members throughout the supplier network.