This paper identifies different university spin-off (USO) roles related to resource interaction among business parties. It does so by mapping how USOs become part of business networks in terms of their roles relative to other parties. The theoretical frame of reference focuses on roles and resource interaction based on an industrial network approach to business markets. The empirical research is based onfive cases of USOs representing a variety in terms of technology, degree of newness, sector, and area of application. As a result of the analysis, three different roles are identified: the USO as resource mediator, resource re-combiner and resource renewer. These roles reflect how USOs adapt resources to, or require changes among, business parties' resources. The paper also discusses the main resource interfaces associated with the three roles and related challenges. The paper contributes to previous research through illustrating USOs' roles relative to business parties from a resource interaction point of view, and by pointing to the establishment of new companies in business networks as a way of implementing innovation. Finally, the paper discusses the managerial implications of the research in terms of the USO's need to understand which role to take and how to develop it.

This study explores the formation of the teacher team leaders´ role, using interviews and job descriptions at comprehensive upper secondary schools in a Swedish metropolitan municipality. The theoretical framework includes a social constructionist and critical perspective, through Foucault, based on analysis of power. Analysis of power illuminates contemporary practices and techniques through a historical lens, using questions that are related to the basis and logics of power.

The job descriptions proclaim a diverse, extensive and somewhat scattered mission consisting of administrative duties as well as managing development and evaluation of processes. According to the job description, the teacher team leader is responsible for initiating learning processes as well as implementing decisions by principals, each advocating a different theory. Teacher team leaders describe a complex mission where a substantial amount of time is spent on tasks less prevalent or unmentioned in the job description. Acting as a messenger, yet a constant search for information and administrative duties are tasks that teacher team leaders emphasize.

In conclusion, it appears as if a comprehensive view of the mission at hand is deficient and that actual practice appears relatively different from the job description. The teacher team leaders operate as a link between school leaders, the Student Health Team and teachers where they contribute to continuity and stability in a school where school leaders more frequently are exchanged. A new and complex organization involving several distributed leadership roles requires thorough work in terms of co-ordination. Future studies may address how interplay and collaboration can work in a complex organization, where preconditions are continuously altered.

In society today, there is a great focus on sustainability and that companies should contribute to sustainable development. One way to do this is through transparency between the company and its stakeholders regarding how they work on these important issues. This is done through sustainability reports that can be designed in different ways, but this study focuses on those that follow the Global Reporting Initiative, which is the dominant framework globally.

Prior research has shown mixed conclusions regarding GRI and its usefulness. In these, both positive and negative aspects of the framework have been highlighted. This study examines what and how high and low ranked businesses based on SBI report to study the usefulness of GRI. In addition, various theories will be used to examine what may be the reasons for the similarities and differences between the groups. This result is also related to prior research that studied sustainability reporting in connection with the selected theories.

The study was conducted as a method where qualitative data was quantified through a quantitative content analysis. The sustainability reports of 32 companies were reviewed based on their GRI-index and data was then statistically tested using Chi-square-tests and a Fisher's exact test. The study shows that there is no significant difference in what the high and low ranked businesses report. This difference applies to the total number of indicators as well as within the different series, economic, environmental and social. Regarding how the companies report, the study shows that the low ranked businesses are more likely to report indicators for which they do not meet the requirements, this result is also statistically significant. The reasons for the similarities and differences that were identified can be discussed in relations to institutional theory, legitimacy theory and stakeholder theory.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to extend the understanding of innovation in service ecosystems by focussing on the role of values resonance in relation to the integration of brands, service systems and experience rooms.

Design/methodology/approach – An empirical, explorative case study of an innovative service system is carried out using a narrative approach and presented in the form of a saga.

Findings – Insights gleaned from the empirical study are used for conceptual developments. Analysis of the empirical case study is presented as four lessons linked to values, brands, service systems and experience rooms.

Originality/value – The paper extends a conceptual framework of innovative resource integration in service ecosystems. The paper also contributes four propositions to inform theory: values resonance is a basis for service innovation, the innovative integration of brands based on values resonance can foster innovation, the integration of resources across service system boundaries grounded in values resonance can enable innovation and the integration of experience rooms into a coherent servicescape based on values resonance can support novel forms of resource integration and value co-creation efforts in service ecosystems.

Keywords Service-dominant logic, Brands, Service innovation, Resource integration, Service ecosystem, Values resonance

Paper type Research paper

More recently, there has been increased pressure on politically controlled organizations, including municipalities, to become more flexible and find new ways of working. With increased projectification and an increased efficiency as an endeavour for this, it has created organizational tensions in municipal projects. Here, the agile working method in projects has emerged and is seen as a potential solution and a new way of working in projects for a municipal activity.

The purpose of this study has been to investigate how projects are conducted in a municipal activity and with the issues, how does the agile working method relate to projects at a municipal level and how does the project relate to political governance. In order to be able to answer these, semi-structured interviews were conducted with project managers from different municipalities, with a total of six respondents. The collected material has then been coded through a thematic analysis.

It is stated that projects carried out in the municipal area need to relate to, among other things, political governance, laws and frameworks. Results also illustrate that there are changes during the course of the projects in municipal projects, which is a burden. The result also indicates that an agile way of working could improve with faster handling of changes in projects. The agile way of working would also work in smaller municipalities because the result indicates that the projects conducted in smaller municipalities are not of the same scope, budget and timeframe, which suits the agile working method.

Självkörande bilar betraktas ofta som nästa steg i utvecklingen av bilen och som en del av det autonoma samhället. Bilproducenter världen över menar att vi kan se självkörande fordon så snart som år 2020 och trycker på både forskning och utveckling av självkörande fordon. Beroende på vilken grad av automatisering och hur politiken tillåter självkörande fordon att inträda i samhället, väcker detta frågor som är viktiga att studera. Vem ska äga självkörande fordon? Vilka kommer att köra självkörande fordon? Kommer det att planeras självkörande fordon? Kommer individens rörelsemönster att ändras? I så fall, hur?

I den här studien försöker vi svara på några av dessa frågor genom att undersöka vad bilen inneburit för individens mobilitet i historien och vad självkörande fordon skulle kunna förändra in i framtiden. Vi ställer oss även frågan om självkörande fordon kommer att påverka planeringen av stadsrummet. Studiens teoretiska referensram utgörs av tidigare forskning och teorier som berör mobiliteten, bilismen och planeringen. Metoden är kvalitativ och utgörs av semistrukturerade intervjuer och dokumentstudier. En intervju gjordes med en respondent från Göteborgs Stad och två stycken intervjuer gjordes Trafikverket. Dokumentstudien utgår ifrån VTI, Statens Väg- och Transportforskningsinstitut och SKL, Sveriges Kommuner och Landsting. Alla de olika myndigheterna har en betydelsefull roll i implementeringen av självkörande fordon och intervjuguiden utgår ifrån de teoretiska utgångspunkterna och den tidigare forskningen.    

I studiens slutsats kommer vi fram till att självkörande fordon påverkar planeringen av stadsrummet, men inte i den stora mån vi först trodde. Planeringen av självkörande fordon kan troligtvis främst ske utanför redan etablerade områden och främst när det planeras nytt. Vi kom även fram till att självkörande fordon kan komma att ändra mobiliteteten hos den urbana individen eftersom självkörande fordon har potentialen att erbjuda fler val av rörelse av rörelse och därmed öka tillgängligheten i stadsrummet.

Solving global environmental problems requires a major change of values. As relates to environmental education, worldview, ethics and spiritual issues are important elements. But how are environmental issues included in such school subjects that especially discuss values and ethics? In this article I examine 24 Finnish religious education and ethics textbooks to analyze, to what extent environmental issues are integrated and discussed in them. I conclude that there is confusion about what environmental education can be in societal school subjects. The environmental texts in textbooks do not always draw on the specific content of the societal subject in question but repeat content from the natural sciences. Therefore, I suggest contexts and perspectives for discussing environmental issues that would comport with these subjects and supplement existing environmental education at school.

 Present development path is based on the Western ideas, with focus on market, competition, capitalism and individualism. It has shown to create unsustainable patterns in terms of a growing ecological footprint, decreased wellbeing and growing inequities. This calls for new, alternative development paths. The traditional African values are based on a holistic and humanistic ideology which focuses on health and safety of common citizens; meeting all peoples basic needs, sharing, social connectedness, living in harmony with other species and nature, a healthy environment, to experience satisfaction when your basic needs are met, not wanting more than you need (luxurious cravings), and the concern for health of future generations. In this sense, traditional values are sustainability bearing, and are also suggested to influence human wellbeing in a positive way.   This study have explored to what extent sustainability-bearing values from the traditional African lifestyle are considered to be important for the wellbeing of young, black individuals, and analyzed whether the values of means to achieve wellbeing differs or corresponds between people living a traditionally influenced lifestyle and a Western influenced lifestyle. Generally, the respondents found all these values more important for their wellbeing than luxurious consumption.     This suggests that values that are sustainability bearing are important for peoples wellbeing, and is thereby important to include in the development debate. 

In this paper, we investigate a new national collaborative Benchlearning program for principals in Norway and Sweden. Four process leaders have been running the program. The aim is to give the participants the knowledge to develop a leadership practice and school environment that are more innovative. The program includes theoretical inputs, sharing experiences, school visits, training, and trialing of new leadership practices. Drawing on data from surveys, participants’ reflections, and the leaders’ descriptions of new leadership practice, we examine and identify successful and critical aspects of the learning process. The findings show that principals’ motivation and willingness to start change processes can be created in a synergy between structured school visits, work in learning groups, and a theoretical foundation. Working in groups across schools in two countries seems to enhance principals’ sense of efficacy, which in turn is shown to have a positive effect on their willingness to trial new practices. Two implications of the study are suggested. First, in the design of principal programs, systematic and critical reflection about authentic practice should be the basis. Second, educators should be trained to be process leaders who can support principals’ learning during a critical and social construction of a new practice.

The concept of open innovation was introduced by Henry Chesbrough in 2003 and refers to firms' use of inflows and outflows of knowledge to improve innovation processes. The concept has received considerable scholarly attention, but most research has focused on how manufacturing firms can manage inflows of knowledge during their product innovation processes. How outflows of knowledge can be managed by service firms during their innovation processes has until now not received the same scholarly attention. In this chapter, we therefore aim to contribute in filling this knowledge gap by observing an innovation project in tourism during its implementation. The findings suggested that tourism firms reveal different types of knowledge to other tourism firms in non-pecuniary outbound open innovation processes. In this case the knowledge was revealed in joint workshops where several firms participated and in bi-lateral meetings between two firms, and sometimes the knowledge was transferred via consultants or researchers that acted as "knowledge mediators". The findings also suggested that tourism firms decided to reveal knowledge to other firms to improve their image, increase the market size and to sharpen up their own business. Implications for management as well as the need for further research are discussed in the chapter.

Research on circular economy (CE) provides insight into the different components of circularity transitions, but often falls short of offering a more holistic view of strategy implementation and managerial guidance. The aim of this study is twofold: first, to understand how firms implement specific CE strategies in practice and second, to identify specific dynamic capabilities related to these strategies. Our research was conducted on the Swedish wood construction industry, which draws attention with its circular technologies and practices. Our data consisted of open- and closed-ended questions from 35 senior managers and CEOs in the construction value chain regarding the relevance of implementing different CE principles to their perception of high circularity. The data were analyzed using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to uncover strategies (i.e. combinations of CE principles) for high circularity. Our findings reveal and explain four strategies towards circularity: a) The value chain steward, b) The circular product developer, c) The waste watcher, and d) The holistic resource organizer. The findings also identify specific organizational capabilities that enable innovation activities critical for the CE transition. Such innovations go beyond the mere integration of circular technologies, highlighting the importance of using sufficiency-based principles to develop circular business models. 

Business model innovation for sustainability (BMIfS) is a key driver for industry transformations in addressing grand challenges. While previous corporate sustainability literature has acknowledged that companies require different management approaches to innovate their business model for larger system changes, a more structured and nuanced understanding of such management has not often been applied. By developing a theory-based typology, this thesis explores how management and social theories can be used to advance BMIfS research. The typology accumulates and organizes existing knowledge of the important but fragmented BMIfS management research to capture the key dimensions and differentiate among various management approaches. From a management perspective, the thesis identifies three BMIfS management dimensions: values, knowledge, and agency. The thesis consists of four appended empirical papers that illustrate various facets of the BMIfS management typology. The empirical data from those papers is based on case studies of the Swedish wood construction industry, which has attracted international attention due to the development of innovative and sustainable building technologies and practices. This thesis makes three main contributions. First, it contributes to a growing discussion in the management researcher and practitioner communities on advancing the managerial perspectives of BMIfS. Second, it presents a theory-based typology of different BMIfS management approaches and their theoretical roots. Third, it illustrates various facets of these management approaches with empirical examples from the four appended papers.

The growing challenges of climate change and resource depletion have exposed the limitations of the traditional 'take-make-dispose' production and consumption model. In response, the concept of the circular economy (CE) has gained prominence as an alternative approach that emphasizes reducing, reusing, recycling, and recovering materials. However, transitioning to a CE requires profound socio-technical changes, often disrupting linear business models and posing significant threats to established incumbent organizations. Incumbents, face difficulties in adapting to CE transitions due to misalignments between their existing competencies and the new demands of circularity. This paper examines the strategic challenges that incumbents encounter during these transitions, focusing on the tension between exploiting existing competencies and exploring new technological and business opportunities. Through a multiple-case study in the Swedish wood construction industry, the paper highlights the dual challenge of improving current practices while venturing into unknown territory. The empirical data is drawn from the Swedish wood construction industry, which has gained international attention for its development of innovative and sustainable building technologies and practices. The findings show how incumbents are responding to sustainability transitions through the process of creative accumulation, which integrate both new and existing knowledge to develop circular value propositions. The study argues that established players can be well-positioned to collaborate and capitalize on circular transitions if they adjust their business models to aligning around sustainable principles and balance between innovation and accumulated expertise. 

Innovations based on sustainable technologies have been widely considered as a remedy for addressing societal and environmental problems in many industries. However, the large-scale adoption of such innovations goes beyond technology and requires organizing the business in a way that drive industrial transformations across actors and system layers, such as market structures, institutional frames, consumer behavior, and business values. 

The aim of this dissertation is to understand how industrial firms organize for system change towards sustainability. The study is a compilation of two papers within the same research context: the development of sustainable technology in the construction industry. The overlapping unit of analysis for both papers is business model innovation. Paper I examines how industry firms combine and complement business models with different innovation types to accelerate sustainable technology. Paper II identifies how a change in the business model and value creation logic that occur on a firm level accelerate sustainable technology and shape the socio-technical system. Together, both papers help paint a more complete picture of the business model role in transitions towards sustainability. The theoretical frame of this dissertation spans several domains: business model, innovation management, and sustainability transitions. Building on a multi-disciplinary premise, the study takes into account the organizational and the systemic parts of the change process by linking the company perspective (business models) to the wider governance of sustainability transitions. 

The findings underline the importance of business models that combine production efficiency with higher customer engagement and more collective value creation for driving larger-scale transitions toward sustainability. Moreover, business models in combination with different innovation types, such as product, process and positioning, act together and complement each other to achieve high sustainability and business outcomes. 

Sustainability transitions are a significant challenge that requires established industries to adopt innovative ways of doing business. Research suggests that while this is possible through business model innovation (BMI), risk avoidance by regime actors and high levels of future uncertainty act as barriers to successful transitions. Specifically, we lack knowledge about how established companies innovate their business model (BM) to reduce uncertainty related to sustainability transitions. We explore the case of a large forest-based manufacturing company in the construction industry, Stora Enso. We find that, by pursuing transformative BMI and combining multiple value creation logics, a company can reduce different types of uncertainty while shaping its business ecosystem towards more sustainable opportunities. We show that the BM can serve as an organizational tool for collectively exploring new knowledge, reducing uncertainty and driving change in a business ecosystem.

Purpose Green innovation can promote both environmental sustainability and economic growth. However, its development and implementation can be complex due to the need to align innovation activities within and across companies. In this study, the authors examined how this complexity can be managed by analyzing how individual companies combine different innovation activities to develop green innovation, and how companies along the value chain align to implement these innovations. Design/methodology/approach The dataset comprises both interviews and a survey of senior executives from the Swedish wood construction industry. These data were first analyzed by using fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify innovation activity configurations at the level of the individual company. The interviews were then analyzed to identify alignment mechanisms enabling the implementation of green innovation along the value chain. Findings At the company level, the authors found three innovation activity configurations with varying levels of complexity: (1) systemic innovation by proactive companies, (2) process innovation by reactive companies and (3) inaction by technology-independent companies. On the value chain level, the authors found three alignment mechanisms that facilitate the implementation of green innovation along the value chain. These mechanisms promote cooperation by increasing efficiency, opening up new market opportunities and increasing the level of servitization. Originality/value This paper analyzes the complexity of green innovation and provides novel insights into how complexity is managed at the level of both the individual company and the value chain.

Deprived urban areas, commonly referred to as ‘slums,’ are the consequence of unprecedented urbanisation. Previous studies have highlighted the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Earth Observation (EO) in capturing physical aspects of urban deprivation. However, little research has explored AI’s ability to predict how locals perceive deprivation. This research aims to develop a method to predict citizens’ perception of deprivation using satellite imagery, citizen science, and AI. A deprivation perception score was computed from slum-citizens’ votes. Then, AI was used to model this score, and results indicate that it can effectively predict perception, with deep learning outperforming conventional machine learning. By leveraging AI and EO, policymakers can comprehend the underlying patterns of urban deprivation, enabling targeted interventions based on citizens’ needs. As over a quarter of the global urban population resides in slums, this tool can help prioritise citizens’ requirements, providing evidence for implementing urban upgrading policies aligned with SDG-11.

This study aims to explore the impact of negative life events on identity development through a qualitative systematic literature review and qualitative content analysis. The research seeks to understand how negative life events trigger identity crises and influence self-perception. Method: A systematic search was conducted in the PsycInfo and PubMed databases, resulting in the selection of 12 relevant studies for analysis. Themes were identified through qualitative content analysis to elucidate the effects of negative life events on identity. Results: The analysis revealed that negative life events can lead to both identity challenges and personal growth. The findings underscore the importance of supporting individuals experiencing identity crises for authentic identity development. Conclusion: Understanding the complexities of identity formation in the face of adversity is crucial for providing effective support and interventions. Further research in this area is essential for enhancing our knowledge of how individuals navigate identity development amidst negative life events.

Denna studie har utförts för att ta reda på vad för skillnader det finns angående tillgängligheten i tunnelbana i tätort samt pendeltåg i landsbygd och hur tillgängligheten i den kollektiva trafiken har anpassats efter resenärer med funktionsnedsättning. Dessutom, så undersöker studien huruvida den kollektiva trafiken använder sig utav snabblösningar eller noga genomtänkta lösningar för att alla människor ska känna sig inkluderade. Jag vill tacka min handledare Svante Karlsson för den rådgivning och vägledning jag fått under hela uppsatsens gång. Dessutom så vill jag tacka de olika organisationerna såsom region Stockholm, Stockholms länstrafik samt trafikanalys som på olika sätt har bistått och hänvisat mig till mycket nyttig information. Som författare, så har arbetet handlat om att analysera och observera områdena, datainsamling samt fotografier framställda i samband med iakttagelserna av de olika stationerna. Anledningen till att tillgängligheten i tunnelbanan och pendeltåget har valts är på grund av de tidigare kurserna som talade om tillgänglighet vilket fick mig att vilja skriva om tillgängligheten i den kollektiva trafiken, specifikt tunnelbanan och pendeltåget.

Sustainability reports should provide a balanced picture of a company’s sustainability aspects, but because of its voluntary nature, overly positive aspects are often presented (Holder-Webb et al., 2009; Lougee & Wallace, 2008). Though, negative disclosure may also be released as it could improve transparency, enhance trust, and decrease the risk of green or whitewashing tendencies (Hahn & Lüfs, 2014, Hahn & Reimsbach, 2013). However, when disclosing negative information, it is important for companies to legitimize the negative aspects, as the negative information could otherwise harm the company. As a result of this, different legitimacy strategies are used by companies when disclosing negative information (Hahn et al., 2021). Based on this, this thesis explores and analyses strategies for disclosing negative sustainability information. In particular, the study examines companies within the fast fashion industry, a heavily debated sector in regard to sustainability, which indicates that the companies within the business should try to legitimize themselves. 

To fulfil the purpose of this study the choice was made to conduct a content analysis and semi-structured interviews, where four fast fashion companies’ (H&M, SHEIN, Boohoo and American Eagle) sustainability reports were analysed to identify negative sustainability disclosure and assess how the companies’ tried to legitimize these negative aspects. Later, the disclosure strategies’ impacts on stakeholders were examined through 10 semi-structured interviews with concerned stakeholders. The results show that the companies subject to research did use the strategies corrective action, marginalization, abstraction, and preventive action to legitimize negative sustainability issues. The strategies were often not effective in enhancing legitimacy mainly because of too vague measures, but also because of the disbelief from stakeholders regarding the industry’s will and ability to change. However, the findings also indicated that the negative disclosure could enhance a bit of legitimacy as it signalled transparency and accountability, which is preferred compared to denial or compliance. 

The study’s implications are important for scholars and practitioners. The theoretical contributions were added to the research field of negative disclosure and legitimacy strategies, and the implications are important for managers working within the fast fashion industry as well. This is because the results of this study will develop their knowledge of how certain negative disclosures strategies can play a both positive and negative role in enhancing the legitimacy towards stakeholders.  

The aim of the present study was to examine coping strategies for stress and life satisfaction among students. A further aim was partly to investigate possible differences between men and women regarding the coping strategies used, and differences in the relationship between coping strategies and subjective well-being. The survey was conducted by an electronic poll. The selection was a coincidence sample of women and men aged 18- 47 who studied at a university. Total 128 participants, 44 men and 84 women. The participants answered a questionnaire that consisted of background questions and gauge which measured stress and life satisfaction. The result showed that the most used coping strategies were active coping, planning and acceptance. The conclusion is that men and women differ in terms of coping strategies and that life satisfaction correlates with coping strategies.

Key words: Stress, students, coping strategies, life satisfaction

The concept of corporate social responsibility has become integral part of businesses´ strategy and communication. Under pressure or voluntary, social responsibility is neglected by any company, and at least definitely not by big corporations. That said, there is a difference between the determination of businesses in being responsibly and their efforts in acting responsibly. This thesis aims at investigating the reasons that motivate a company to address CSR issues and also to understand how CSR can influence the specific area of the supply chain management. To apprehend these questions a single case study was conducted in order to empirically study an important company -Volvo Group- and analyse the way it approaches and integrates CSR. The data used during this writing is mostly made of interviews with supply chain’s staff. When the findings are discussed in the light of the theory, the authors could conclude that Volvo group’s motivation -showed or hidden- behind CSR is to gain more reputation and visibility. The level of CSR integration in Volvo Group’s supply chain management shows a partial determination in fully addressing CSR. However a study of the others department of Volvo Group could maybe lead to different result.

A special attention has been given to education system in Afghanistan after new government established in 2001.Initially in 2001, the ways of teaching and learning were mainly based on behaviorist approaches. This behaviorist approach to learning and teaching is gradually changed to cognitive and constructivist approaches which are mostly used in advanced education systems. These approaches to learning and teaching are mainly focused on learners themselves. Therefore, student-centered and active learning became the buzzwords in education system in Afghanistan. This study investigates constructivist learning in Afghan secondary schools. It is vast to investigate each and every aspect of constructivist learning. So, I have selected to investigate the mostly used methods (question-answer, individual and group-work) considering constructivism in Afghan secondary schools. The mentioned methods are investigated in the light of constructivism. I have investigated the methods considering four criteria of constructivist method given by Baviskar et.al, (2009). The criteria are: assessing student’s prior knowledge, differentiating what is already known and what should be learnt, changing students pre-concept in the context of new knowledge and reflection on learning. Teachers’ perceptions were found through questionnaires and their use of these methods was observed from classroom observation.

Findings show that, around half of the teachers perceive the mentioned methods in line with constructivism while remaining teachers still perceive to use these methods as a traditional way of teaching. Furthermore, teachers perception based on their answers is not similar to their teaching practices considering constructivism. It means teachers’ responses in the questionnaires did not conform to their teaching practices from classroom observations. Moreover, generally teachers seem to be more constructivists in perception and applying individual work method as compared to group-work activities. In some cases, teachers who participated in pedagogical workshops answered questionnaire more in line with constructivism as compare to the teachers who did not participate in pedagogical workshops in the past.

Denna uppsats handlar om implementering av Lean-konceptet i praktiken. Syftet är att utreda vilka faktorer som kan påverka personal inom en organisation, att trots vetskap, inte implementera ett koncept i praktiken. Här har studien valt att se närmare på Migrationsverket, som är en statlig organisation som har infört ett Lean-koncept. 

En kvalitativ undersökning har gjorts i form av intervjuer med handläggare vid en mottagningsenhet inom Migrationsverket. Sammanfattningsvis, trots införandet av Lean koncept i receptionen på den svenska Migrationsverket, är det svårt för tjänstemän att använda det på grund av olika faktorer såsom: stress, utmaningen att arbeta smidigare, hög arbetsbelastning, hög grad av administrativt arbete.

Yrket som fastighetsmäklare kräver en hel del tid, ansträngning och framför allt tillgänglighet, av individen. Yrkets flexibilitet och gränslöshet, som med dagens tekniska utveckling ökat, leder till att arbetet inkräktar på det övriga livet. Att framgångsrikt kunna balansera kraven från arbetet med det privata livet, utan att låta en sfär undertrycka den andra, kan anses vara problematiskt för en fastighetsmäklare. Frågan är då hur de klarar av att kombinera det krävande arbetet med ett familjeliv? Syftet med studien är att öka förståelsen för hur mäklare lyckas kombinera arbetsliv med familjeliv. Vi ville därmed ta reda på hur och om fastighetsmäklare lyckas uppnå balans, vilka konflikter de upplever, samt hur de hanterar kraven från arbete och från familj. Detta gjordes med teorier relaterade till Work-Life Balance och genus. En kvalitativ undersökningsmetod användes i studien för att besvara frågeställningarna där vi använde oss av intervjuer för att samla in data. Vi genomförde nio intervjuer, varav fyra var män och fem kvinnor. Dessa valdes utifrån vissa kriterier; de skulle arbeta som fastighetsmäklare på heltid och ha barn. Dock intervjuades även fastighetsmäklare i form av franchisetagare. Resultatet visar att det beror på individuella faktorer och förutsättningar, för hur väl fastighetsmäklarna lyckas uppnå balans. Fastighetsmäklaryrket innebär obekväma arbetstider, stora krav på tillgänglighet och en gränslöshet, som kan försvåra balansen för individen. Faktorer som främjar balansen och underlättar kraven visar sig vara: flexibilitet i arbetet, stöd från omgivningen (framför allt stöd från en partner), att sätta gränser för sig själv och mot kunder, samt att ha passion för arbetet. De visar sig även i undersökningen att det finns vissa könskillnader. De kvinnliga mäklarna var mer familjeorienterade och tog ett större ansvar för sysslorna i hemmet medan de manliga mäklarna var mer arbetsorienterade och tog ett mindre ansvar i hemmet. Däremot kan vi utifrån resultatet inte se att kvinnliga mäklare har större svårigheter att kombinera sfärerna arbete och familj, trots skillnaden i prioriteringar mellan könen. Detta beror till stor del på att mäklarna har egna tillvägagångssätt för att klara av kraven från familj och arbete, samt starkt stöd från partnern. En viktig del i att uppnå balans för mäklarna var just samarbetet med partnern samt en ansvarsdelning båda var nöjda med.

The primary objective of this study, conducted in Kabul province, is to find out important differences and similarities between public and private Teacher Training Colleges that are operating in 2014 and to find out implications such variations might have for quality of teacher education. Secondary objectives of this study are: a) to explore possible associations between demographic and socio-economic characteristics of student-teachers and the type of Teacher Training Colleges and b) to explore possible association between motivations behind studying in Teacher Training Colleges and the type of Teacher Training Colleges.

This study has targeted directors, lecturers and students from the Teacher Training Colleges. Questionnaires were prepared including items concerning demographic and socio-economic information and thereafter distributed to all three groups. Furthermore, the participants responded about the motivations for students and teachers to enroll in the Teacher Training Colleges. The study will also investigate if eventual differences existed in the enrolment procedures of the students and the recruitment process of the teachers between public and private Teacher Training Colleges.

Based on Ministry of Education’s policy implementation this study found more similarities than differences between public and private Teacher Training Colleges. Differences included enrolment of students through advertisement by the private Teacher Training Colleges while public Teacher Training Colleges enrolled students through the university-admission test called kankor. The recruitment process of teachers’ was the same, at both public and Private Teacher Training Colleges –in which recruited teachers should have minimum 75% average marks at university. The main motives behind teachers’ teaching at public and private Teacher Training Colleges were either close distance to their houses or similar cultural environment at Teacher Training Colleges. Likewise, many students at Private Teacher Training Colleges were enrolled because of high quality of education. Meanwhile Public Teacher Training Colleges, students argued that the study facilities in Public Teacher Training Colleges are better, thus they want to continue education at Public Teacher Training Colleges.

Den nya regeringens tillträde markerar vad statsministern i sin regeringsförklaring kallar för inledningen av “den största offensiven i svensk historia mot organiserad brottslighet”. Offensiven ska bland annat ta sig uttryck i form av omfattande reformer inom straff- och processrätten, med en lång rad lagförslag som är ämnade att bekämpa gängkriminaliteten.

Det föreslås bland annat ett införande av bestämmelser som skulle möjliggöra upprättandet av visitationszoner - avgränsade områden var polisen under viss tid får befogenheten att visitera personer, bostäder och fordon utan adekvat brottsmisstanke. Därutöver föreslås skärpta straff genom många lagändringar, bland dem en ny straffskärpningsgrund som ska ge gängkriminella dubbla straff. Samtidigt avser regeringen att kriminalisera deltagandet i kriminella gäng.

De nu uppräknade lagförslagen utgör analysmaterialet för arbetet, och här tillämpas en kritisk diskursanalys med syftet att utreda hur förslagen korrelerar till gängkriminalitetsdiskursen. Analysmetoden bygger på en socialkonstruktionistisk grund som medger att vi gemensamt konstruerar vår förståelse för världen i sociala processer, samtidigt som teorin kännetecknas vid en uppfattning om att det finns en stark relation mellan kunskapen, vår verklighet och språket vi använder.

Arbetet bygger på premissen om att en textproduktion föregås av sociala processer och att texten säger något om iakttagarens uppfattning om det den skildrar. Därtill finns premissen om att det som förmedlas i texten kan bidra till meningsskapande genom de sociala processer som följer textmottagandet. Den kritiska diskursanalysen tillämpas här i tre steg, eller på tre “nivåer” - textuell dimension, diskursiv praktik och social praktik.

Av de rättdogmatiska inslagen i arbetet framgår det att aktuella lagförslag omgärdas av frågor kring rättssäkerhet, proportionalitet och iakttagna brister i förhållande till de straff- och processrättsliga principerna. Inom ramen för analysen har det vidare konstaterats att lagförslagen präglas av genomgående hög modalitet - hög instämmandegrad till det egna påståendet - och att gängkriminalitetsdiskursen intar en central roll i texterna. Gängkriminella ställs i kontrast till civilsamhället och tryggheten, och dessa diskurser påverkas av sättet på vilket gängkriminaliteten skildras.

Det konstateras framstå en bild av ett uppdelat samhälle, villkor för inträdet i samhällets kollektiv och en rättsstat som framställs som särskilt auktoritär. Det har konkluderats föreligga starka intertextuella samband mellan texterna, men de diskurser som här är aktuella har inte anförts vara formade av textförfattarna ensamma. Istället är det, i enlighet med den socialkonstruktionistiska grundidén, ett komplext system av påståenden som bidrar till konstruktionen av vår förståelse för ett utsnitt ur världen. Med det sagt finns i texterna stor avsaknad av nyansering, och trots det som konkluderats ur rättsdogmatisk aspekt tycks synen på gängkriminalitet och gängkriminella bli den bärande faktorn för förespråkandet av lagförslagen.

I analysen inom den sociala praktiken har även textmottagandet diskuterats, och här har det konkluderats föreligga risk för att textbudskapet uppehåller utanförskapsstrukturer och upplevd underlägsenhet inför den auktoritära rättsstaten.

The purpose is to examine the role of online video advertising in brand awareness. In order to provide marketers information regarding the impact online video advertising has on its customers, as online video advertising is increasing in relevance in terms of creating brand awareness.

Sammanfattning

Det vi alla har gemensamt är bristen på kunskap.[1]

Sverige betraktas i dagsläget vara ett mångkulturellt samhälle med förekomsten av många olika etniciteter, religioner och språk. Mångkulturalismen har lett till olika slags kollisioner, främst mellan sharia-rätten och svensk lagstiftning då många av de som på senare tid har invandrat till Sverige är muslimer. Sharia-rätten anses strida mot svensk lagstiftning på olika sätt och det har uppstått diskussioner kring hur sharia-rätten ska få tillämpas i Sverige, på vissa områden, eller inte.

Det finns som ovan nämnts kollisioner mellan svensk lag och den sunnitiska sharia-rätten och vi har därför avgränsat vår uppsats till att undersöka kollisionerna som uppstår i samband med den sunnitiska kvinnans arvsrättsliga förhållanden och svensk arvsrätt samt mellan mahr (brudpengen)[2] och svenska grundläggande rättsprinciper. Vi har undersökt kollisionerna som uppstår i nämnda rättsområden ur ett kvinnoperspektiv och vårt syfte har varit att genom dessa kollisioner förklara att den sunnitiska sharia-rätten inte förtrycker kvinnan och att västerländsk medias bild av den sunnimuslimska kvinnan är felaktig och förvrängd. Om den som det verkligen berör, dvs. den sunnimuslimska kvinnan, inte själv ser sig som förtryckt och underordnad männen, varför ska då media ständigt sträva efter att förmedla den motsatta bilden? Vi är av den uppfattningen att det kan bero på okunskap om sharia-rätten och dess syften, för att återkoppla till det inledande citatet.

Det som vi har kommit fram till är att om det svenska samhället förstår den sunnitiska sharia-rättens bakomliggande syften bör den också få tillämpas i Sverige. Vi anser att om personerna som det rör, dvs. t.ex. personer med medborgarskap i ett muslimskt land vill tillämpa sharia-rättens sunnitiska arvsrätt i Sverige, ska de få möjlighet att göra det. Görs inte detta riskerar samhället att försumma dessa personers vilja genom att förneka dessa personers rättsliga band till sitt hemland eller ett annat land som de är medborgare i.

Vi har försökt att föra ett realistiskt resonemang och är medvetna om att en enda uppsats av detta slag inte kommer att ändra ett helt lands uppfattningar samt radera fördomar och förutfattade meningar för att istället ersätta dem med förståelse och acceptans. Dock är vi övertygade om att denna uppsats är ett steg i rätt riktning, om inte annat. Säkert är att det behövs fler akademiska verk av detta slag, inte minst avhandlingar, för att upplysa och förklara hur det verkligen ligger till.

Om det som vi alla har gemensamt är bristen på kunskap bör det också vara så att vi även har det gemensamt att kunskap om saker och ting kan ändra våra uppfattningar.

[1] Citat av Gustafsson, Kerstin, Profetens döttrar – Muslimska kvinnor i Sverige, s. 7.

[2] Mahr (brudpengen) motsvarar det äldre svenska rättsinstitutet morgongåvan. Inom islam ger mannen en summa pengar till sin blivande hustru, oftast ges en del av summan innan äktenskapets ingående och den större delen av summan ges vid en eventuell skilsmässa. Summan utgör en ekonomisk säkerhet för kvinnan. Se kapitel fem för närmare beskrivning av mahr.

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are an important tool of poverty reduction which has gained grounds over the years and grown rapidly given the services they provide. The rapid growth of the MFIs has had huge challenges on their regulatory framework which in turn has resulted in the prevalence of fraudulent cases. With the devasting effects of fraud on MFIs and the importance of MFIs in many economies this thesis aims to examine how the design and use of internal control impact fraud detection and prevention in MFIs. To achieve this aim, a qualitative study was conducted with a case study on eight MFIs in Cameroon. Primary data will be obtained from fourteen semi-structured interviews. Data will be analysed manually using thematic analysis. The findings revealed that internal control has a positive impact on fraud detection and prevention in MFIs by reducing fraud incentive, opportunity, rationalization, and capability. Further, findings revealed that the greatest causes of fraud in MFIs are poor remuneration, weak monitoring, and a poor internal control system. Therefore, for the purpose of future fraud prevention, MFIs should ensure to improve their remuneration schemes, improve1 their monitoring system and ensure regular internal control system updates in term of software and design. The study also, suggests further research on this topic in MFIs with a case study in other countries of the world. It will also be interesting for other researchers to explore how the aspect of capability as a key determinant of fraud can be reduced. This thesis contributes to academic literature as there is lack of studies on the impact of internal control on fraud detection and prevention in MFIs.

Den genomsnittliga privata konsumtionen i Sverige är långt ifrån miljömässigt hållbar. Studien belyser projektledares strategier i beteendeförändrande projekt med inriktning på miljömässigt hållbar konsumtion. Det handlar inte bara om att påverka vad vi konsumerar, utan även om att säkerställa hållbara konsumtionsnivåer och förändra beteenden. I genomförda semistrukturerade intervjuer berättar projektledare om vikten av flexibilitet och nytänkande för att hitta innovativa lösningar som kan få människor att förändra konsumtionsmönster, resvanor och attityder. I projekt med hög teknisk komplexitet förespråkas kontinuerlig uppföljning och utvärdering för att utröna vilka insatser som är bäst lämpade för att nå projektmålen. Effekterna och målen av beteendeförändrande projekt är ibland svåra att mäta och den förespråkade flexibiliteten riskerar att inskränkas om tidsram och budget är för snäv. Beteendeförändrande projekt bör vara lustfyllda och inkludera målgruppens viljor och åsikter för att förmedla känsla av självbestämmande. Att fortsätta att påminna om ett önskat beteende och designa situationer som gör det lätt för omgivningen att agerar ökar chansen att hållbara beteenden fortgår. Att visa upp goda exempel på beteenden som gynnar miljö bidrar till att beteendena så sakteliga blir norm och sprids i samhället. Det mest effektiva är dock att reglera konsumtionsmönster och resvanor med strängare lagar.

The purpose of the study is to contribute knowledge about how 2-4-year-oldsexplore the physical phenomena of floating and sinking, and how a practicalactivity can contribute to development and learning. To respond to the study,observation was chosen as the method where a designed activity with thevariation theory as support was conducted in three groups of children, theactivity was then divided into four phases for us students to get a clearerstructure. The theory was made visible by making the phenomena the objectof learning in the exploration. The children themselves got to explore and thinkabout which aspects determined whether something floated or sank usingvariations on similar objects. The three activities were filmed and lateranalyzed using the research questions and categories that emerged using theanswers from the four phases.The result shows that it is possible to perform a float and sink activity with theyounger children in preschool. Something that connects to Jean Piaget´s stagetheory was that the youngest children stopped their exploration when theycame up with a hypothesis and they saw what was happening. Our result showsthat, when they are four years old, they start to come up with explanations forthe hypotheses they have given about how an object behaves in a certain wayin water. The most common thing that the children referred to was the weightof the object. They concluded that an object sank because it was heavy, butthey also reasoned that an object floated because it was heavy. This shows thatthey don’t have the answers fully but the thoughts and the will to understand.