The highest terrestrial biodiversity in Sweden is connected to old grown deciduous trees with tree trunk hollows and dead wood, such as oak and maple. A reduction of deciduous forest and old grown trees from anthropological activities has left many habitats wanting in size and fragmented. Many saproxylic species that are dependent on old grown trees with tree trunk hollows are now threatened. The aim of this study was to further develop artificial habitats (boxes) used for conservation of saproxylic beetles. The boxes were made larger, placed in cities’ green areas and filled with produce from the surrounding areas. The study assessed the effectiveness of these boxes, regarding species richness and composition, compared with earlier studies and tree trunk hollows. The study also aimed to assess what variables might affect the species richness and family and species composition. During April to August 2019, 3454 individuals of 105 saproxylic species were collected in 55 boxes. Of the species dependent on tree trunk hollows, 45% were found in the boxes, compared with tree trunk hollows. Of the variables included shading of the box, the amount of buildings surrounding the box and the amount of forest surrounding the box were found to affect species richness. More shading and a larger forest area increased the species richness in the boxes, and a higher concentration of buildings decreased species richness in the boxes. Conclusively, this study showed that boxes placed in cities’ green areas could act as an alternative habitat for saproxylic beetles.

A recommender system is a popular tool used by companies to increase customer satisfaction and to increase revenue. Collaborative filtering and content-based filtering are the two most common approaches when implementing a recommender system, where the former provides recommendations based on user behaviour, and the latter uses the characteristics of the items that are recommended. The aim of the study was to develop and compare different recommender system approaches, for both book and author recommendations and their ability to predict user ratings of an e-book application. The evaluation of the models was done by measuring root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE). Two pure models were developed, one based on collaborative filtering and one based on content-based filtering. Also, three different hybrid models using a combination of the two pure approaches were developed and compared to the pure models. The study also explored how aggregation of book data to author level could be used to implement an author recommender system. The results showed that the aggregated author data was more difficult to predict. However, it was difficult to draw any conclusions of the performance on author data due to the data aggregation. Although it was clear that it was possible to derive author recommendations based on data from books. The study also showed that the collaborative filtering model performed better than the content-based filtering model according to RMSE but not according to MAE. The lowest RMSE and MAE, however, were achieved by combining the two approaches in a hybrid model.

The increase in executive compensation in the last few decades has attracted interest in CEO compensation and other top management pay. This has caused the determinants of CEO compensation to remain at the center of debate and discussion among the academic literatures in recent time. Despite the growing discussion in this field, there has not been a definite solution and the problem remains unsolved. This is because different factors determining CEO compensation has been characterized by disagreements, while monetary rewards are considered by most studies as determinant for CEO compensation. Based on the above, the study investigates the determinants of CEO compensation in Nigerian. To accomplish it objectives, the study was conducted on fifty (50) listed companies in Nigeria where secondary data from year 2016 to 2018 were used. Linear regression was used to confirm the relationship between study dependent and independent variables. The study finds out that board compensation is a determinant of CEO compensation among the listed companies in Nigeria; CEO shareholding is not a determinant of CEO compensation; firm performance is not a determinant of CEO compensation among the listed companies in Nigeria; firm size is a determinant of CEO compensation among the listed companies in Nigeria; and board size is a determinant of CEO compensation among the listed companies in Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that board should generally review the compensation structure of the board and CEO to a level that would not be negatively affect firm performance and survival. The study also recommends an increase in the number of members on the board by firms. / <p>THESIS</p>

Abstract Introduction: The effect of Environmental, Social and Governance issues on stock prices is highly debated in literature. Different authors state that ESG has an influence on stock price and company value while others state that it has no or limited effect. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to explain the effect of ESG changes on stock prices and add information to the debate between both sides if there is, or if there is not an effect from ESG on stock prices. Research questions: 1. What is the effect of changes in Environmental concerns in stock prices? 2. What is the effect of changes in Social concerns in stock prices? 3.What is the effect of changes in Governance concerns in stock prices? Methodology: Event study method with a sample size of 484 companies from the S&amp;P 500 which will be analyzed for the period of 2015-2017, which gave 1.420 different events. These companies got ratings for Environmental Pillar, Social Pillar, Governance Pillar, ESG Controversies, ESG Score and ESG Combined Score. For each event the abnormal stock returns were compared with the rating changes. The data is taken from EikonThomsonReuters. Conclusion: The results showed no correlation between Environmental, Social and Governance rating changes and abnormal returns. Also, the combined ratings did not show any correlations. Therefore, our study will support and contribute to the side of researcher Friedman (1970), Jacobs et al. (2010), Walley and Whitehead (1994), Drobetz et al. (2004) and other researchers which state there is no correlation between ESG and stock prices. Limitations: The study is based on ratings provided by EIKON, we assumed they are a clear and correct reflection of the actual ESG within companies. The second limitation is the anticipation effect, the response of the stock market is based on unawareness from investors. If the bases where the rating changes on is already known than there is no effect from investors because they already anticipated the decreased rating. There are also a few companies excluded from the research because of missing ratings. Also, these results are based on the S&amp;P500 and therefore do not have to be true for other financial markets. Keywords: ESG, Stock Price, Environmental, Social, Governance, ESG-ratings, S&amp;P 500, Event Study, EIKON

Textile waste is a growing problem in the world and although it is being noticed in the fast fashion category the industry providing home fashion textiles is being largely ignored. However, with companies such as H&amp;M and Zara entering the market there is a cause for concern due to their current business models. To address such complexities modern research practices are needed. With a transdisciplinary group, an innovative solution can be discovered in the process of defining and developing solutions for such problems. Focusing on the topic of home fashion textile waste the team learned that people often took their unwanted textiles to second hand or thrift stores rather than throwing them in the trash. However, when purchasing home fashion textiles there was a conscious decision to avoid going to secondhand sources to acquire their textile items. This posed a problem as consumers felt good about donating but then expressed disdain for those same outlets as a method of acquiring their home fashion textiles. This offers an opportunity for companies, such as IKEA to act with consumers to develop new ways to tackle this problem. The team decided to address this disparity through a communication tool where multi-level co-creation would be used. The United Nations encourages developments such as the Dare to Care framework as is expressed in sustainability goal 12.8 where exposure and education in consumption is vital to create sustainable behaviour. Through workshop participation, based on the framework provided, it is possible to achieve this goal through mindful consumption exposure, development of sustainable actions that consumers can take part in, and partner consumers with industry to develop new sustainability measures that focus on consumer acceptance.

Representatives of entrepreneurship always appear as one of the most vulnerable economic agents during a global crisis, especially if this crisis is of an unpredictable external nature. The purpose of this degree project is to determine the impact of an economic crisis on the development of forced and opportunity-based entrepreneurship, as well as how the context of an economic downturn affects creativity, which is a key compound of the entrepreneurial process. In order to accomplish this task, the researchers apply iterative induction strategy, resorting mainly to quantitative analysis method and ensuring that the study is credible, reliable and follows the core principles of business ethics. Within the course of the following degree project, the researchers conduct interviews with business representatives from various fields and countries, as well as analyze secondary statistics available for external crises of 20th and 21st centuries. The outcome of the research suggests that in times of a recession entrepreneurial activity based on intrinsic motivation and the use of market opportunities is suppressed due to such obstacles as unfavorable credit and uncertain economic environment, while generally compelled entrepreneurship usually develops, since it becomes one of the most effective methods to combat rising unemployment. The study also proves that government support is an important impetus for the recovery of SMEs during the post-crisis period. Last, but not least, is that the results of the interviewing and statistical data confirm that the state of an economic downturn has a positive effect on the development of creativity.

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to explore capabilities needed to deploy a use-oriented businessmodel (UOBM) for consumer durables with low utilization rate. Therefore, the study seeks to uncover activities needed to realize business model capabilities and the capabilities impact on business performance. Method - The study was conducted with an explorative single case study research approach, investigating an incumbent original equipment manufacturing (OEM) firm of consumer durables based in Sweden. The study adopts a qualitative approach where 34 interviews were conducted in three waves, and results were derived using thematic analysis. Findings ­– The study results in a framework which illustrates 13 key capabilities within the three dimensions of the business model (value creation, delivery, and capture) needed to successfully deploy a UOBM in a consumer market. The capabilities were generated through findings of 47 key activities within all three dimensions that build the business model specific capabilities. Based on the data, additional findings of organizational preconditions needed to deploy the UOBM were found and presented in the framework. Theoretical and Practical Implications – The study contributes to the limited previous research of Product-Service Systems (PSS) in a consumer context through empirically developing the PSS B2C business model research. By the identifying business model specific capabilities, we have given practitioners an operational map in business-critical capabilities as well as capabilities that can be built over time to improve business performance.   Limitations and Future Research – The study is limited to one single case study of an OME in the early stages of deploying the UOBM. Hence, future research is recommended with a wider set of data to further examine the generalizability of our study, also, to both confirm the recognized capabilities and to possibly find others.

Purpose – The purpose is to explore how SMEs can initiate transformation towards AI. The purpose will be fulfilled through identifying which opportunities that exist for SMEs and which challenges they are facing. Additionally, we will identify which requirements are necessary to face these challenges. Method – A qualitative approach was most suitable for this study since the purpose is to explore how SMEs can initiate transformation towards AI. It was also suitable since we have collected data through interviews. We have done a single case study where we have studied one supply chain. Finally, we have had an inductive research approach which means that we have gathered a theoretical background which has founded the base and the background for our study, but our interviews have founded the result of the study and created a conclusion based on that. Findings –The result of the study provides identified opportunities with AI for SMEs, what challenges can occur, and which requirements that are needed to face the challenges. The opportunities are identified as forecasting, maintenance and repair, self-optimization, and tracing and tracking. The identified challenges when initiating transformation towards AI are cultural difficulties, lack of external communication, lack of internal communication, limited internal processes, and lack of resources. The requirements are identified as automation, data, strategy, and capabilities. The opportunities, challenges and requirements are summarized in a framework. Theoretical and Managerial Implications – We have contributed to literature by exploring how an SME, as a mass production company, can benefit from AI by identifying opportunities, challenges, and requirements. Additionally, the framework guides SMEs to prepare for opportunities with AI and ensure that they have all of the requirements. Further, by understanding which requirements that are necessary for a transformation and which challenges that can occur, managers can reduce risk of failing projects. Limitations and Future Research –The number of studied companies together with that the study is a single case study limits the generalizability. It creates a suggestion for future research where a wider set of data can be collected. Additionally, we have identified challenges that can occur, however how companies should face these challenges in the best way is a suggestion for future research.

Cultural differences have always been the ground to barriers within communication. Due to globalization this is becoming an increasingly important aspect of how business communication is done.  Therefore, there is a need for organizations to have the skillset to deal with the cultural differences that a cross-cultural business environment entails.  To understand the effect of cultural differences in business communication, more specifically the Swedish and the Filipino culture at OnlineFactory.asia, a qualitative research approach was used to conduct a case study. Interviews with two employees were conducted, one of Filipino descent and the other with both Swedish and Filipino roots. The study has followed the structure as can be seen in the frame of reference according to the studies three main subjects: globalization, culture and communication and business communication.    The data gathered through the interviews showed that cultural differences have a significant impact on business communication, as can be seen through the study done at OnlineFactory.asia. The two cultures that were studied differ in cultural values which in turn had an effect on their communication. The Hofstede framework was used to analyze the differences between the two cultures and used as guidance throughout this study. Factors like language barriers, adaptability and cultural values have shown to have an impact on the way that the two employees communicate within business. OnlineFactory.asia’s educational program is a way to use cultural differences and turn them into their competitive advantage. Having an understanding of each other's cultural differences, provides the tool needed to minimize miscommunications that often occur in a cross-cultural workplace.

As a global disaster, the COVID-19 pandemic (coronavirus)  has an impact on the whole world economy. The pandemic threatens the survival of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) globally and nationally. It appears inevitable that this pandemic has created a difficult business environment for small and medium sized enterprises to operate in. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a chain of events that have led to an economic crisis. The driving factor have been the Swedish government’s recommendations to the population to stay at home and exercise social distancing. This has led to a declining household consumption in Sweden and thus also reductions in production in the country. Thus, the purpose of this degree project was to examine how three small and medium sized enterprises businesses adapted their way of marketing in order to survive the economic crisis that came with the COVID-19 pandemic. The research has been conducted within the context of three small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the hospitality industry in Norrbotten.  To gain deeper knowledge on how SMEs in Norrbotten changed their way of marketing during this economic crisis, a qualitative research approach was pursued. A multiple case study was administered against three contrasting organizations in Norrbotten to collect data in order to delve into the chosen subject more. The gathered data was collected through interviews. The findings of this study proves that the three small and medium sized enterprises were affected by the economic crisis that came with the coronavirus. Overall, the main findings shows that the three SMEs adapted and improved their marketing mix as a response to the crisis. The key factor in why the three companies had to improve their marketing mix was the change of the consumer buying behavior. The changed customer behavior was a result of the Swedish government and the Public Health Agency measures to prevent the spread of the virus: social distancing, traveling restrictions and closed borders.