Examining and describing professional development and continuing education in the personal training and fitness industry : sites and issues of disconnect

The following phenomenologically oriented study examines and describes the relevance and effectiveness of professional development and continuing education programs for real-world situations of personal trainers. The participants were personal trainers, facility managers, and persons involved in the accreditation process. Data collection took place in 3 phases. The first phase consisted of the participants completing the PUMP Questionnaire, followed by focus groups with personal trainers and interviews with managers. The study's 3 data sets required reduction via a content analysis by question, content analysis by existential categories, and further thematic analysis using the lived relation existential dimension. The discussion contains the salient sites and issues of disconnect between clients, personal trainers, and facility managers and how they might affect the personal training experience. The intergenerational disconnect emphasized between Boomers as clients and Millennials as personal trainers requires further exploration and dialogue and underscores the need for different approaches to content and delivery of professional development and continuing education experiences for personal trainers and managers of fitness facilities.

The new blockbuster film sequel : changing cultural and economic conditions within the film industry

Film sequels are a pervasive part of film consumption practices and have become an important part of the decision making process for Hollywood studios and producers. This thesis indicates that sequels are not homogenous groups of films, as they are often considered, but offer a variety of story construction and utilize a variety of production methods. Three types of blockbuster sequel sets are identified and discussed in this thesis. The Traditional Blockbuster Sequel Set, as exemplified by Back to the Future (1985, 1989, 1990) films, is the most conventional type of sequel set and capitalizes on the winning formula of the first film in the franchise. The MultiMedia Sequel Set, such as The Matrix (1999,2003) trilogy, allows the user/viewer to experience and consume the story as well as the world of the film through many different media. The Lord a/ the Rings (2001, 2002, 2003) set of films is an illustration of The Saga Sequel Set where plot lines are continuous over the entire franchise thus allowing the viewer to see the entire set as a unified work. The thesis also demonstrates how the blockbuster sequel sets, such as the Pirates a/ the Caribbean (2003, 2006, 2007) franchise, restructure the production process of the Hollywood film industry.

History and Theorizing: The Case of Winemaking in the Ontario Wine Industry

Despite the fact that theorization has been established as an important social mechanism in a variety of contexts, little research has explicated how this process works. I argue that theorization entails strategic constructions of history, or rhetorical history, in order to persuade audiences of legitimacy. I examine the role that history plays in actors’ theorizations of the Ontario wine industry as world class. By conducting a rhetorical analysis of the newsletters and websites of Ontario wineries, I find that various themes of history are routinely employed to re-theorize the industry as one that produces world class wines. In general, the findings suggest that the narratives of Ontario wineries tap into global repertoires of fine wine to portray the continuity of current practices with those of Old World winemaking. In addition, wineries sometimes tap into local histories to convey a sense of uniqueness, but they also obscure the history of poor winemaking in the region.

Innovation and adaptation in the Ontario grape and wine industry: An integrated, transdisciplinary response to climate change

With scientific consensus supporting a 4oC increase in global mean temperature over the next century and increased frequency of severe weather events, adaptation to climate change is critical. Given the dynamic and complex nature of climate change, a transdisciplinary approach toward adaptation can create an environment that supports knowledge sharing and innovation, improving existing strategies and creating new ones. The Ontario wine industry provides a case study to illustrate the benefits of this approach. We describe the formation and work of the Ontario Grape and Wine Research Network within this context, and present some preliminary results to highlight the opportunities for innovation that will drive the successful adaption of the Ontario grape and wine industry.

Ethics, tourists and the environmental practices of the North American cruise ship industry: a comparison study of the ethical standards of Alaskan and Caribbean cruise ship tourists

Please consult the paper edition of this thesis to read. It is available on the 5th Floor of the Library at Call Number: Z 9999 R43 S54 2005

Creating a Space for Self-Transformation: Factors of Success for Adult Literacy Learners with Specific Learning Difficulties

A significant number of adults in adult literacy programs in Ontario have specific learning difficulties. This study sought to examine the holistic factors that contributed to these learners achieving their goals. Through a case study design, the data revealed that a combination of specific learning methods and strategies, along with particular characteristics of the instructor, participant, and class, and the evidence of self-transformation all seemed to contribute to the participant's success in the program. Instructor-directed teaching and cooperative learning were the main learning methods used in the class. General learning strategies employed were the use of core curriculum and authentic documents, and using phonics, repetition, assistive resources, and using activities that appealed to various learning styles. The instructor had a history of both professional development in the area of learning disabilities as well as experience working with learners who had specific learning difficulties. There also seemed to be a goodness of fit between the participant and the instructor. Several characteristics of the participant seemed to aid in his success: his positive self-esteem, self-advocacy skills, self-determination, self-awareness, and the fact that he enjoyed learning. The size (3-5 people) and type of class (small group) also seemed to have an impact. Finally, evidence that the participant went through a self-transformation seemed to contribute to a positive learner identity. These results have implications for practice, theory, and further research in adult education.

Assessing the adaptive capacity of the Ontario wine industry to climate change: A case study

The global wine industry is experiencing the impacts of climate change. Canada’s major wine sector, the Ontario Wine Industry (OWI) is no exception to this trend. Warmer winter and summer temperatures are affecting wine production. The industry needs to adapt to these challenges, but their capacity for this is unclear. To date, only a limited number of studies exist regarding the adaptive capacity of the wine industry to climate change. Accordingly, this study developed an adaptive capacity assessment framework for the wine industry. The OWI became the case study for the implementation of the assessment framework. Data was obtained by means of a questionnaire sent to grape growers, winemakers and supporting institutions in Ontario. The results indicated the OWI has adaptive capacity capabilities in financial, institutional, political, technological, perceptions, knowledge, diversity and social capital resources areas. Based on the OWI case study, this framework provides an effective means of assessing regional wine industries’ capacity to adapt to climate change.

Thorold Industry - Postcards

Board of six postcards of Thorold. First postcard, Unloading pulpwood at Ontario Paper Mill on Welland Canal, Thorold, Ontario. Second postcard, Ontario Paper Mill, Thorold, Ont. Third postcard, Birdseye view showing Stone Road, Near Ontario Paper Mill, Thorold, Ontario. Fourth postcard, View on Old Welland Canal, Showing Power House, Thorold Ontario. Fifth postcard, Beaver Board Plant, Thorold Ontario. Sixth postcard, On the Old Welland Canal and Penman's Knitting Mill, Thorold, Ont., Canada.

Welland Industry - Postcards

Board of five postcards of Welland. First postcard, Welland Riverside Mills. Second postcard, Plymouth Cordage Co., Welland, Ont. Third postcard, Ship Yard, Welland Canal, Welland, Ont. Fourth postcard, Welland Cordage Co., Fifth postcard, Cordage St.., Welland, Ont.

Canadian Advertising Requirements and Restrictions, by Province for the Distilled Spirits Industry as of September 23, 1976

A document outlining the rules and regulations for advertising liquor in Canada. The document is sorted by province and outlines the details for advertising, when allowed, in each province. The description of the contents reads "The purpose of this document is to provide a summary of Canadian advertising requirements and restrictions, by province for the distilled spirits industry as of September 23, 1976".

Transferring Results of Behavioral Research to Industry to Improve Animal Welfare on the Farm, Ranch and the Slaughter Plant

The article focuses on three results of the study: "(1)Communicate your results outside the research. Write articles in popular and industry magazines. Speak at producer meetings and develop websites that can be used to transfer research results into practice. (2) Choose places (e.g. farms or plants) that have managers who believe in your research, and be prepared to spend a lot of time with the first place that uses your findings. (3) to fail. (4) Do not allow your technology to get tied up in patent disputes."

‘Designer Vaginas': The Representation of Female Genitals on Canadian Cosmetic Surgeons' Websites

This thesis critically examines the online marketing tactics of 10 (English language) Canadian cosmetic surgery clinics’ websites that offer Female Genital Cosmetic Surgery (FGCS), specifically, labiaplasty (labial reduction) and vaginoplasty (vaginal tightening). Drawing on a qualitative Multimodal Critical Discourse Analysis (MCDA) and a feminist-informed social constructionist framework (Lazar, 2007), I examine how FGCS discourses reiterate and reinforce heteronormative sexual scripts for women, and impose restrictive models of femininity through the pathologization of genital diversity and the appropriation of postfeminist and neoliberal discourses of individual choice and empowerment. I explore feminist analyses of the links between FGCS and contemporary Western women’s postfeminist subjectivity, and the reconfiguration of women’s sexual agency, to better understand what these contemporary shifts may mean for women’s sexual anxiety and expression. My analysis highlights several discourses that organize the online marketing material of Canadian FGCS websites, including: the pathologization of genital diversity; restrictive models of femininity; heteronormative sexual scripts; neoliberal and post-feminist rhetorics of individual choice and empowerment; and psychological and sexual transformation. Overall, these discourses undermine acceptance of women’s genital diversity, legitimize the FGCS industry and frame FGCS as the only viable solution to alleviate women’s genital and sexual distress despite the lack of evidence regarding the long-term benefits and risks of these procedures, and the recommendations against FGCS by professional medical organizations.

Life and labor, or characteristics of men of industry, culture and genius

UANL

The Transformation Problem : an Aleternative Solution with an Identical Aggregate Profit Rate in the Labor value and the Monetary Space.

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that, even if Marx's solution to the transformation problem can be modified, his basic conclusions remain valid. the proposed alternative solution which is presented hare is based on the constraint of a common general profit rate in both spaces and a money wage level which will be determined simultaneously with prices.

Les cadres intermédiaires et l’information : modélisation des comportements informationnels de cadres intermédiaires d’une municipalité en transformation

Un atout majeur des organisations consiste en leur capacité à créer et exploiter l’information et les connaissances, capacité déterminée entre autres par les comportements informationnels. Chargés de décisions stratégiques, tactiques et opérationnelles, les cadres intermédiaires sont au cœur du processus de création des connaissances, et leurs comportements informationnels doivent être soutenus par des systèmes d’information. Toutefois, leurs comportements informationnels sont peu documentés. La présente recherche porte sur la modélisation des comportements informationnels de cadres intermédiaires d’une organisation municipale. Plus spécifiquement, elle examine comment ces cadres répondent à leurs besoins d’information courante dans le contexte de leurs activités de gestion, c’est-à-dire dans leur environnement d’utilisation d’information. L’étude répond aux questions de recherche suivantes : (1) Quelles sont les situations problématiques auxquelles font face les cadres intermédiaires municipaux ? (2) Quels sont les besoins informationnels exprimés par les cadres intermédiaires municipaux lors de situations problématiques ? (3) Quelles sont les sources d’information qui soutiennent les comportements informationnels des cadres intermédiaires municipaux ? Cette recherche descriptive s’inscrit dans une approche qualitative. Les 21 cadres intermédiaires ayant participé à l’étude proviennent de deux arrondissements d’une municipalité québécoise fusionnée en 2002. Les modes de collecte de données sont l’entrevue en profondeur en personne et l’observation directe auprès de ces cadres, et la collecte de documentation pertinente. L’incident critique est utilisé comme technique de collecte de données et comme unité d’analyse. Les données recueillies font l’objet d’une analyse de contenu qualitative basée sur la théorisation ancrée. Les résultats indiquent que les rôles de gestion proposés dans les écrits pour les cadres supérieurs s’appliquent aussi aux cadres intermédiaires, bien que le rôle conseil ressorte comme étant particulier à ces derniers. Ceux-ci ont des responsabilités de gestion aux trois niveaux d’intervention opérationnel, tactique et stratégique, bien qu’ils œuvrent davantage au plan tactique. Les situations problématiques dont ils sont chargés s’inscrivent dans l’environnement d’utilisation d’information constitué des composantes suivantes : leurs rôles et responsabilités de gestion et le contexte organisationnel propre à une municipalité en transformation. Les cadres intermédiaires ont eu à traiter davantage de situations nouvelles que récurrentes, caractérisées par des sujets portant principalement sur les ressources matérielles et immobilières ou sur des aspects d’intérêt juridique, réglementaire et normatif. Ils ont surtout manifesté des besoins pour de l’information de nature processuelle et contextuelle. Pour y répondre, ils ont consulté davantage de sources verbales que documentaires, même si le nombre de ces dernières reste élevé, et ont préféré utiliser des sources d’information internes. Au plan théorique, le modèle de comportement informationnel proposé pour les cadres intermédiaires municipaux enrichit les principales composantes du modèle général d’utilisation de l’information (Choo, 1998) et du modèle d’environnement d’utilisation d’information (Taylor, 1986, 1991). L’étude permet aussi de préciser les concepts d’« utilisateur » et d’« utilisation de l’information ». Au plan pratique, la recherche permet d’aider à la conception de systèmes de repérage d’information adaptés aux besoins des cadres intermédiaires municipaux, et aide à évaluer l’apport des systèmes d’information archivistiques à la gestion de la mémoire organisationnelle.