Society, the body and pain : sociological factors in assessing the meaning and experience of pain in myalgic encephalomyelitis ("yuppie flu") sufferers
- Authors: Jaffray, Penny
- Date: 2013-08-14 , 2002
- Subjects: Human body -- Social aspects , Myalgic encephalomyelitis -- Case studies , Myalgic encephalomyelitis , Diseases -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008381 , Human body -- Social aspects , Myalgic encephalomyelitis -- Case studies , Myalgic encephalomyelitis , Diseases -- Psychology
- Description: This thesis explores the meaning and experience of the bodily states associated with the condition referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). It uses as a theoretical point of departure an understanding of the body as a socially constructed phenomenon and, in so dOing, offers an interpretation of illness that is seen to differ markedly from those offered by the medical and behavioural sciences. Using descriptive narrative research analysis, the thesis attempts to elicit personal trajectories of illness experience. In contrast to biomedical and social trajectories of illness, in which the interpretation and meaning given to the condition are imposed externally, personal trajectories are seen to provide unique subjective accounts of illness experience. And the value of using narrative accounts of illness is seen to lie in their ability to bring to light these individualised versions of illness experience. It is shown, in addition, that these narrative accounts of illness are also valuable in exposing the culturally shared knowledge that is employed in the process of assigning meaning to illness experiences. The aim of the thesis, then, in employing the descriptive narrative research method is to describe these shared cultural schemas. It is suggested that this approach leads to an interpretation of illness experience which sheds light on important links between the body, self and society. It is argued, more specifically, that Western capitalist society is associated with the creation of an "unnatural" environment and social context which is perceived to be inherently damaging and threatening to the well·being of those living in it; and that this assumption is pivotal to the interpretation of the illness experiences narrated and analysed for the thesis. This sociological reading of embodiment provides a basis for understanding the experience of illness, as not one simply embedded in the body or mind of the individual, but as one laden with personal meaning assimilated from, and hence revealing of, the social context in which the illness is experienced. As such, an attempt is made to provide an account of illness experience distinct from the dominant biomedical and behavioural accounts of ME.
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- Authors: Jaffray, Penny
- Date: 2013-08-14 , 2002
- Subjects: Human body -- Social aspects , Myalgic encephalomyelitis -- Case studies , Myalgic encephalomyelitis , Diseases -- Psychology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:3360 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1008381 , Human body -- Social aspects , Myalgic encephalomyelitis -- Case studies , Myalgic encephalomyelitis , Diseases -- Psychology
- Description: This thesis explores the meaning and experience of the bodily states associated with the condition referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). It uses as a theoretical point of departure an understanding of the body as a socially constructed phenomenon and, in so dOing, offers an interpretation of illness that is seen to differ markedly from those offered by the medical and behavioural sciences. Using descriptive narrative research analysis, the thesis attempts to elicit personal trajectories of illness experience. In contrast to biomedical and social trajectories of illness, in which the interpretation and meaning given to the condition are imposed externally, personal trajectories are seen to provide unique subjective accounts of illness experience. And the value of using narrative accounts of illness is seen to lie in their ability to bring to light these individualised versions of illness experience. It is shown, in addition, that these narrative accounts of illness are also valuable in exposing the culturally shared knowledge that is employed in the process of assigning meaning to illness experiences. The aim of the thesis, then, in employing the descriptive narrative research method is to describe these shared cultural schemas. It is suggested that this approach leads to an interpretation of illness experience which sheds light on important links between the body, self and society. It is argued, more specifically, that Western capitalist society is associated with the creation of an "unnatural" environment and social context which is perceived to be inherently damaging and threatening to the well·being of those living in it; and that this assumption is pivotal to the interpretation of the illness experiences narrated and analysed for the thesis. This sociological reading of embodiment provides a basis for understanding the experience of illness, as not one simply embedded in the body or mind of the individual, but as one laden with personal meaning assimilated from, and hence revealing of, the social context in which the illness is experienced. As such, an attempt is made to provide an account of illness experience distinct from the dominant biomedical and behavioural accounts of ME.
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An exploration of functional and numerical flexibility in South African organisations: a qualitative study in two textile factories in Cape Town
- Authors: Sela, Ronit
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Case studies , Industrial management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:3347 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006149 , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Case studies , Industrial management -- South Africa
- Description: During this research, an attempt was made to gain an understanding of management and their employees' perceptions regarding functional and numerical flexibility practices within South African organisations. To achieve this, twenty-six people, comprising of a variability of positions within the organisation, were interviewed in the region of the Western Cape. It was found that, although extensive research on the two forms of flexibility have been globally conducted, South African literature, particularly on the part of numerical flexibility, is limited. It is thus believed that this study will present a valuable basis to pursue in further research. Literature that was consulted was found to be supportive of the theoretical notion that South African organisations, in order to be globally competitive, have had to restructure and redefine themselves by ensuring that they make the most efficient and effective use of their human resources. The study found that whilst functional flexibility practices benefit employees in that they experienced increased job satisfaction and job mobility, it was the area of numerical flexibility which raised many dissatisfactions, including those of immense job insecurity and remuneration, both financial and otherwise. The study findings suggest a need for a more comprehensive and employee integrated approach by combining organisational with individual oriented initiatives, and ensuring the trade union's involvement in all facets of functional and numerical flexibility initiatives. The thesis ends with recommendations of various strategies for addressing the concerns of management, employees and the trade union in order to ensure full and proper utilisation of human resources so that the end product, namely job satisfaction, leads to organisational success.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sela, Ronit
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Case studies , Industrial management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: vital:3347 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1006149 , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Case studies , Industrial management -- South Africa
- Description: During this research, an attempt was made to gain an understanding of management and their employees' perceptions regarding functional and numerical flexibility practices within South African organisations. To achieve this, twenty-six people, comprising of a variability of positions within the organisation, were interviewed in the region of the Western Cape. It was found that, although extensive research on the two forms of flexibility have been globally conducted, South African literature, particularly on the part of numerical flexibility, is limited. It is thus believed that this study will present a valuable basis to pursue in further research. Literature that was consulted was found to be supportive of the theoretical notion that South African organisations, in order to be globally competitive, have had to restructure and redefine themselves by ensuring that they make the most efficient and effective use of their human resources. The study found that whilst functional flexibility practices benefit employees in that they experienced increased job satisfaction and job mobility, it was the area of numerical flexibility which raised many dissatisfactions, including those of immense job insecurity and remuneration, both financial and otherwise. The study findings suggest a need for a more comprehensive and employee integrated approach by combining organisational with individual oriented initiatives, and ensuring the trade union's involvement in all facets of functional and numerical flexibility initiatives. The thesis ends with recommendations of various strategies for addressing the concerns of management, employees and the trade union in order to ensure full and proper utilisation of human resources so that the end product, namely job satisfaction, leads to organisational success.
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