1.
Augustsson, Gunnar
(författare)
Etniska relationer i arbetslivet : teknik, arbetsorganisation och etnisk diskriminering i svensk bilindustri
1996
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
The goal of this study is to understanding ethnic discrimination by employing a complex theoretical approach which allows for an understanding of ethnic relations and ethnic discrimination as a social process. The study includes a case study at Volvo Torslandaverken in Gothenburg, and focuses on ethnic discrimination against the background of both structural conditions and situational factors. The analysis results from studying personnel statistics and interviews with salaried employees, union elected representatives, and workers.The study includes two technical and organizational environments. The first environment, manual systems, demands loyalty of individuals to the technical and organizational system. The other environment, integrated mechanization, has a decentralized group organizational structure. Both environments are studied with consideration taken to recruiting, leadership, and solidarity among workers.The results show that ethnic discrimination appears to be a very complicated phenomena, the expression of which is a consequence of dynamic interplay between structure and action. New forms of work have meant that workers' professional skills are now organized to compliment one another and they work more in groups. This has resulted in an increased need for familiar cultural and social skills within the groups. Such a development risks encouraging varying degrees of negligence, aversion, and exclusion of ethnic views.
2.
Nordenmark, Mikael
(författare)
Unemployment, Employment Commitment and Well-being : The Psychosocial Meaning of (Un)employment among Women and Men
1999
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
The general aim of this thesis is to study the psychosocial meaning of (un)employment among women and men. This is mainly done by analysing employment commitment, or non-financial employment motivation, and mental well-being among a random sample of 3 500 Swedes that were interviewed in the beginning of 1996, when all were unemployed, and then again in the end of 1997, when the labour market situation varied. In general, the results from this study support the unemployment studies that have emphasised the importance of employment for the possibility to create and maintain a satisfactory life situation.
3.
Fahlgren, Siv
(författare)
Det sociala livets drama och dess manus : diskursanalys, kön och sociala avvikelser
1999
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
We are the eyes of our discourses. This is the point of departure. The disourses make us see, think, talk, act. be and move in certain ways. They contribute to forming our bodies, our souls, our genders. Therefore, to consider how such discourses are ordered becomes an important project. How is the manuscript of the social drama written? How is meaning constructed in our lives? What effects may the construction of meaning have? The ensuing research assignment will be to design a discourse analysis which is justifiable from the perspectives of gender theory and ethics and which can function as a research strategy, and to apply that discourse analysis to three areas or texts: a traditional social science text, texts from the contemporary discussion about gender theory, and a story of my own from social work with children.First, a frame centered around the philosophy of language and the theory of knowledge is constructed to encircle the discourse analysis as a research strategy, and then the analysis is described out of an example. The first application—to a classic, sociological text—clearly illustrates how a disourse analysis can be made, and it also demonstrates how gendered meanings can be constituted and discursively reproduced in social science texts as well as what potential effects the constitution of meaning can have. This application makes up an illustration of how gender differences are constructed and naturalised in a concurrence of discourse and practice.The second application is a discursive reading of the contemporary discussion about gender theory and its various gendered meanings and varying effects. Here I posit my own view of gender/sex in relation to that discussion. Both in scholarly work and in everyday life there are discursive controversies about which gendered meaning to naturalise, about which drama to enact, about which manuscript to use. The discourse analysis can visualise such controversies.In the third application of the discourse analysis, the relation between discourse and practice is focused. It concerns social work with children and departs from my own story about a child who is taken into custody. In the analysis, social work is described as paradoxical and contradictory, a discipline whose governing purpose is the maintenance and administration of central social values and orders like class, gender, and ethnicity (here focused on gender).The discourse analysis in the three applications opens up opportunities for a discussion and an ethical reflection about how discursive constitutions are made and what effects they have. Contrarily, the analysis also demonstrates what discursive constitutions aggravate or silence in reference to other approaches or modes of expression, and consequential forms of social practices, relations, life styles, and ways of life.
4.
Edlund, Jonas, 1963-
(författare)
Citizens and taxation : Sweden in comparative perspective
1999
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
In the contemporary critique of the welfare state a common target is taxation. The consequences of the high levels of taxes collected by the modern state, the critics argue, are slowdown in economic growth, high unemployment, and declining public legitimacy for taxes and state provided welfare. This thesis explores the political support for taxation in Sweden, the epitome of high-tax-society. The thesis consists of one introductory chapter and five journal articles.The first objective of the thesis is to examine whether a trend of increasing tax discontent has occurred in Sweden since the early 1980s up to present. The second objective is to study public attitudes to the 'Tax Reform of the Century' implemented in 1991. The third objective is to analyse whether public tax preferences and patterns of social conflict observed in Sweden tend to be unique in a cross-national context. Of particular interest is to analyse how relationships between structural locations and tax preferences are affected by the institutional context within which they are embedded. This is the fourth objective of the thesis.The following conclusions are drawn. First, no long-term trend of increasing discontent with taxes can be distinguished in Sweden, but there are some indications that discontent may have increased during the most recent years. Second, attitudes towards taxation are multidimensional and patterns of conflict vary across dimensions. Preferences regarding redistributive properties of taxation are primarily structured by social class. Generalised discontent with taxes tends to be associated with trust in political institutions. Third, the social bases of political support for progressive taxation appears to be different in Sweden compared to other countries examined. While class is the single most important determinant in Sweden, the lack of class divisions is evident in the United States and Britain. It is argued that patterns of tax policy conflict are strongly influenced by institutional configurations of organised social protection and government social spending priorities.
5.
Eriksson, Johan, Professor, 1967-
(författare)
Partition and redemption : a Machiavellian analysis of Sami and Basque patriotism
1997
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
Since the end of the Second World War, the location of most interstate borders has been fixed.This suggests that the common phenomenon of ethnic groups partitioned by internationallyrecognized state borders is permanent. Nevertheless, a recurrent dream of 'redemption' (i.e. thebuilding of a self-ruling polity which unifies the separate segments) is capable of inciting patrioticmobilization even in the face of a very long period of unbroken partition. Little is knownabout this clash between dream and reality. How can an ethnoterritorial group which is apparentlypermanently partitioned between separate, sovereign states be redeemed? In seeking asolution to this puzzle, I attempt a Machiavellian type of analysis, defined as an approach whichcombines a patriotic perspective with a strategic view of the choice of specific means and endsin a way which is free of state-centrism. I also employ Machiavelli's theory-building method,which is a form of abduction.This study focuses on six aspects of the problem of partition and redemption: the territorialsetting, the historical process, partitioning state contexts, perceptions of partition and homelandmythology, strategies, and outcomes. Two instances are selected for case study and comparison:the Sami in northernmost Europe, and the Basques in Spain and France. Both groups arepartitioned between separate states, are a minority in each one, and lack control over all existingstate governments.The analysis reveals the unexpected result that the less numerous, greater dispersed, morepartitioned, and generally weaker Sami have been more successful in redemption than have theBasques. While the Sami have built common bodies which officially represent Sami in all fourpartitioning states, the Basques have only a limited transborder cooperation between the BasqueAutonomous Community (BAC) in Spain and non-Basque regional authorities in France. It ismore important to have compatible building blocks in each state (like the three Nordic SamiParliaments), than to have a single powerful one (like the BAC). Without fairly similar andharmonized partitioning states, like the Nordic countries, it is extremely difficult for transborderpolity-building to succeed. Another main conclusion, which disputes the findings of other research,is that redemption is possible even when a group remains partitioned, given that thegoal of statehood is abandoned in favour of a less ambitious transborder homerule. In order torealize this goal, the most generally applicable method is a stepwise strategy aimed at creatingcompatible building blocks in each state. A variant of this is the blueprint strategy, that is, usingan achievement in one state as a model for the struggle in other states. In contrast to nonparti -tioned groups, partitioned groups can refer to their own achievement in other states.The subject of interest here transcends the domestic-international divide. Similarly, theanalysis transcends academic boundaries, mainly those of political theory, international politicsand comparative politics. This combination provides a starting-point for further inquiry into thepattern of overlapping polities which is emerging, and of partition and redemption in particular.
6.
Schild, Ingrid, 1965-
(författare)
The politics of international collaboration in Polar research
1996
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
This thesis investigates the tension between science and politics in contemporary polar research. Twin objectives underpin this central theme. The first is to investigate the relationship between science and politics when analysed through an understanding of international collaboration in Arctic and Antarctic research. The second is to gain an understanding of the nature of research collaboration as an important mode of working in modern science. A framework for analysing collaboration as a work process is proposed. The empirical research interprets how and why polar researchers collaborate. This is done by investigating a number of collaborative projects with reference to their policy and political context. Three countries with contrastive polar political interests were chosen within which to conduct the empirical work: the UK, Norway and Germany. Science logistics (the means of supporting research in the field, e.g. transport, research platforms) are identified as the most significant enabling factor in experimental polar research. They also perform a symbolic political role for governments. In the three countries forming the focus of this study, science logistics are controlled bygovernment polar research institutes which also house multidisciplinary research programmes. Logistics are traced to the heart of collaboration; they bring researchers together, and shape the nature of collaborative research. Differences in ease of access to national logistics structure collaboration. The interface between these politics of access andnational political agendas is blurred, owing to the central role played by logistics in both science and politics. However, the apparent conflict between scientists' careers and polar politics masks the finding that scientists shape their careers in creative ways, despite, or perhaps because of the constraints imposed by structural conditions. Viewing science as work reveals the importance of taking account of what scientists do when analysing the relation between science and politics.
7.
Stattin, Mikael, 1959-
(författare)
Yrke, yrkesförändring och utslagning från arbetsmarknaden : en studie av relationen mellan förtidspension och arbetsmarknadsförändring
1997
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
The main objective of this thesis is to analyse if and to what extent changes in the labour market can be regarded as a factor influencing the risk of becoming a disability pensioner. Disability pension is a social security program operating in the nexus of work and welfare and is provided to people who, due to medical reasons, are limited in their work ability. The data material analysed consists of information about all individuals who received disability pension in 1988 (54 000) and 1993 (62 000) in Sweden. Samples fremi the non-pensioner population formed control- groups. The data collected covers mainly social and occupational background of the individuals.The first step in the analyses addressed the question of causes of disability pension in general. This part showed that the causes must be seen in a multifactorial perspective. Individual, structural and institutional factors have significant impact on the relative risk of becoming a disability pensioner. An increased relative risk was associated with low educational background, immigration and broken marriages. However, the variables that had the strongest effect were age, health and position in the labour market i.e. social class and occupation. It became obvious that one important mechanism explaining the impact of occupation was exposition of work environment conditions.The second step in the analyses focused on labour market change as a risk-factor. The results showed a negative correlation between employment change rates and disability pension. Individuals in occupations and industries with decreasing number of emplyoees had an increased relative risk. It became clear that especially unskilled workers and employees with a peripheral position were affected by this factor. This was especially true for women. The female labour market is to a large extent dependent on the public service sector and the reductions within this sector have resulted in an increased frequency of disability pensioning.To conclude, the study has shown that disability pension in Sweden is deeply embedded in the labour market and the occupational structure in Sweden. This can be explained both as a consequence of characteristics that accompany certain positions at the labour market and as an effect of how the labour market develops.
8.
Söderström, Tor
(författare)
Gymkulturens logik : Om samverkan mellan kropp, gym och samhälle
1999
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to deal with gym culture, specifically what happens at a gym, how the interplay between gyms, body and society is to be understood. The collection of data required for the thesis took place in two different gyms, and in all 62 observations were made and 974 questionnaires were filled in by gym visitors. One of the results is that people training at a gym may be divided into a number of categories, such as the beginner, the everyday person, the rehabilitator, the complement trainer, the experienced body-builder, the gym girl and the muffler. Important motives for training, for women as well as for men, are to be in good physical shape, to get muscles, to get a firm body, to get inner satisfaction, and because it is supposed to be good for one's health. On the basis of certain theories bearing on consumption in modern society these results were interpreted as a desire to have a better body, which is in harmony with present-day body ideals. With the aid of the theoretical concept occupational value it was also demonstrated that gym training starts a process which generates a special hierarchy among the participants, a process in which muscles, strength, firmness, behaviour and clothes rank high and are important for one's position in the hierarchical order. This process was similar at both gyms, which indicates that there is a general gym culture. In spite of the tendencies to reduce gender differences, shown in previous research, the author draws the conclusion that gym culture increases gender differences rather than reduces them. The desire of the participants to imitate prevalent gender ideals may be seen as attempts to define clearly what is manly and what is womanly, hence perpetuating these ideals. Finally, it was shown that the styles and games found at the gyms are parts of a symbolic postmodernist consumption language, but at the same time the gyms are to a large extent characterised by what is typical of modern society (order, routines, systems). These modern processes were prominent and guided the activities at the gyms and created their logic.
9.
Weinehall, Katarina, 1948-
(författare)
Att växa upp i våldets närhet : ungdomars berättelser om våld i hemmet
1997
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
In this dissertation, teenagers (13-19 years) are allowed to speak out. The purpose of the study was to gain knowledge regarding the conditions related to socialization in the proximity of violence through listening to, interpreting and attempting to understand the teenagers' narratives about life when violence is an everyday occurrence. Primarily, I wanted to obtain a picture of the conditions under which these girls and boys grew up as they themselves described them. My questions are primarily concerned with the teenagers' experiences of violence in the home, the strategies they used to cope with a violent home environment and finally with their self-images. Secondarily, my intention was to analyze and interpret the picture that emerged in an attempt to understand the meaning of socialization in the proximity of violence, primarily based upon theories of sexualized violence (aspects of gender and power), coping, resilience, and the social heritage of violence-related behavior (the inter-generational transmission of violent behavior). My purpose was also to relate the descriptions and analysis of domestic violence, and the associated conditions under which these young people grew up, to previous research within the field of family violence. The dissertation is grounded in feminist theory which views the gender and power relationships between women and men as a determining principle of social organization. I associate this with the established Scandinavian concept of "sexualized violence," used to describe forms of abuse and sexual exploitation such as rape, incest and other sexual assaults, pornography, the sex trade and sexual harassment. Fifteen teenagers living in Sweden volunteered to be informants for the study. They were interviewed six to ten times each over a four year period. The interviews progressed in steps from background information to the most private and sensitive questions about the violence which had taken place in the home. The number of interviews was determined case by case; the interviews were concluded when no or few new aspects emerged. The analysis is based in part upon the categorized statements and in part upon the longer narratives. The results show that the young people exist in the presence of violence as witnesses to and victims of violence perpetrated by their fathers. The children are threatened into silence and bear inner feelings of powerlessness and loneliness. They are regarded as different in school, bullied by peers and disregarded by adults. In this double victimization, the children feel themselves to be unwanted and worthless. If the child breaks the secrecy and seeks help, he or she experiences utter betrayal, foremost from social authorities. The lack of protective factors and insightful adults is nearly total. The very essential contact with peers has also been denied them. The children feel themselves to be completely abandoned. Using their own resources, they yet manage to formulate their thoughts, create meaning in events and become survivors.
10.
Berglund, Stig-Arne, 1953-
(författare)
Val av livsstil : problemungdomars sätt att hantera verklighet och konstruera identitet
1998
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt) abstract
The main aim of my dissertation is to understand the different ways problem youngsters cope with reality, construct identity and make choices of lifestyles. From a common starting point, the assessment home, I have by means of continual interviews followed fourteen youngsters, six girls and eight boys, for almost three years in the boundary zone between "the normal life" and "the deviating behaviour". In the assessment home they where defined as socially vulnerable and problematical. I was able to establish co-operation, got close and through narratives, gain insight into the "order" they gave themselves for experiences, thoughts and identity in choices of lifestyles. My interest was focused on life historical narratives and their own version of events. Even if different choices and lifestyles are experienced as individual they are not only a personal construction. Choosing is also the obvious way of doing gender, making a place for one's own thread, weaving it into the collective warp. Gender and reality differences leads to gender specific choices. Females gave priority to Intimacy before Identity and the males gave priority to Identity before Intimacy. I also found two types of social inheritance and life history scenarios that gave structure to choices and orientations. Choices of lifestyles were related to social action, ways of doing gender, dealing with social inheritance in situational ways. In an individual way actions had much to do with "a play around self-esteem" in which habits and routinized practice provided security and self-confidence. The power of habit gave security to create and recreate known figures even if the figures generated fear and respect in others' eyes. Social choices are decisions not only about how to act but who to be and the main theme for all the youngsters was to be somebody and to fit in somewhere.
