How adopters’ and foster carers’ perceptions of ‘family’ affect communicative openness in post-adoption contact interactions

This article explores the constructions of communicative openness following adoption. Data from three waves of interviews with six adoptive mothers and four foster carers were collected, transcribed verbatim and analysed in keeping with a social constructivist grounded theory methodology. The results show that the way ‘family’ is constructed can both facilitate and impede communicative openness. Those who hold a fluid, child-centred concept of family, are willing to construct it as different and can accept the ebb and flow of family membership intuitively and view such openness as a natural part of caring for children. Those with a more traditional, nuclear construction of family may associate adoption with fear, a sense of biological related competition and the need to control the controllable, all of which act as barriers to communicative openness. The study demonstrates that communicative openness is person and context sensitive and emphasises the need to think creatively and flexibly about the very nature of family.

Vaterschaft und Depression: familiärer Umgang mit einer depressiven Erkrankung aus Sicht von Vätern – eine qualitative Untersuchung

Zusammenfassung Ziel der Studie Untersuchung von Erfahrungen depressiv erkrankter Väter zum Umgang mit der Erkrankung in der Familie. Methoden 17 teilstrukturierte Interviews wurden entlang der Grounded Theory Methodology durchgeführt und analysiert. Ergebnisse Väter beschreiben überwiegend Strategien im Umgang mit ihrer depressiven Erkrankung, die eine Bewältigung unabhängig von der Familie vorsehen (Selbstmanagement, [Nicht-]Sprechen über die Erkrankung). Schlussfolgerung Väter brauchen Unterstützung in der (Entscheidung zur) Offenlegung ihrer Erkrankung gegenüber der Familie sowie für die Entwicklung von Bewältigungsstrategien, die Bedarfe der Familie stärker berücksichtigen.

Entrepreneurs’ Exit Strategy Intentions and Their Final Exit Paths

This paper explores entrepreneurs’ initially intended exit strategies and compares them to their final exit paths using an inductive approach that builds on the grounded theory methodology. Our data shows that initially intended and final exit strategies differ among entrepreneurs. Two groups of entrepreneurs emerged from our data. The first group comprises entrepreneurs who financed their firms through equity investors. The second group is made up of entrepreneurs who financed their businesses solely with their own equities. Our data shows that the first group originally intended a financial harvest exit strategy and settled with this harvest exit strategy. The second group initially intended a stewardship exit strategy but did not succeed. We used the theory of planned behavior and the behavioral agency model to analyze our data. By examining our results from these two theoretical perspectives, our study explains how entrepreneurs’ exit intentions lead to their actual exit strategies.

Investigating the Memorization of the Quran Using the Grounded Theory Methodology

Grounded theory methodology was utilized to investigate the process of memorization of the Quran in India from a psychological perspective as it occurs in the absence of semantic comprehension of the Arabic language. Data collection methods included participant observation in a seminary, semi-structured interviews with students and teachers of memorization, study of documents employed during the learning process, and practical demonstrations. Sample comprised of thirteen individuals including students and teachers. Data coding and analyses resulted in a large number of open codes, and eleven axial code categories besides a selective code that gave a comprehensive summation of the research study and facilitated in the generation of a substantive theory of memorization of the Quran in India. Different methods of data display were construction of matrices and tables, diagrammatic representation of axial codes to depict the main theme, case summaries, in-vivo quotes of the subjects, and summations of practical demonstrations. The research employed five methods of implementing evaluative criteria including: triangulation, audit trail, reflexivity, prolonged engagement and persistent observation, and rich, thick description to ensure the credibility of the data, research process, and research outcomes which was to generate a comprehensive understanding of memorization as a unique learning paradigm.

Uncertainty and Emerging Tensions in Organizational Change: A Grounded Theory Study on the Orchestrating Role of the Change Leader

We draw on the grounded theory methodology to analyze an automation project in a global parcel delivery company, as implemented in three parcel sorting hubs in two countries, seeking to identify key factors in successful change and the role of the change leader. We show that a crucial—but often neglected—aspect of successful change is the detection and management of tensions stemming from uncertainty. By recognizing and managing uncertainty and tensions (in this case, manual vs. automated, corporate vs. site, and planned vs. emergent), the change leader, here the industrial engineering function, can orchestrate the differing views and expectations of corporate actors toward a successful implementation of a change program. In line with recent theories on paradoxes and tensions in organizational change, our empirical outcomes imply that effective leadership of change requires the conscious acceptance of uncertainty and tensions between opposite options in key decision areas.

Suffering in Silence: Examining the Silent Suffering of the Wives of Christian Clergy, Advocating for their Voice and Value

Research was conducted into ministry families using qualitative critical realist grounded theory methodology. This research was based on the foundations of family stress theory. One of the outcomes of the findings of this research emphasizes the need to recognize the silent suffering of ministers’ wives and to advocate for their voice and value in a way that will enhance their wellbeing. Recommendations for pastoral/spiritual counsellors and other professionals involved in helping ministers’ wives are presented.