This thesis investigates the manifestations of circular business models and circular product design strategies in the Swedish clothing industry, using a multiple case study approach that examines five Swedish clothing companies. Guided by the first research question: What are the current circular product design strategies and circular business model strategies for companies operating in the Swedish clothing industry? the findings reveal an emphasis on circular product design strategies compared to circular business models, among the studied clothing companies. Prominent product design strategies encompass timeless and adaptable designs, utilization of high-quality materials, rigorous product testing, and a focus on minimizing components, while permanent collections and standard spare parts are less frequently used. Regarding circular business models, the study reveals an adoption of strategies such as repair, reuse, internal upcycling, and recycling. Conversely, approaches such as clothing rental- and subscription services, secondhand- and repair services as well as collaborations for repair and refurbishment are employed to a lesser extent.  In addition, the study explores the influencing factors that determine the adoption or non-adoption of these circular approaches, guided by a second research question: What are the factors that influence the companies to adopt, or not to adopt circular product design strategies and circular business model strategies? The study reveals that the companies prioritize producing durable goods, but that challenges emerge in achieving a balance between circular objectives and material quality, without compromising either aspect, especially within childrenswear and workwear that has certain requirements. Despite these challenges, the companies both exhibit a commitment to integrating circular practices into their operations, aswell as show a willingness to explore new and innovative circular product design concepts, including increased utilization of mono- and recyclable materials. Another significant challenge lies in the alignment of circular business models with existing organizational practices, which requires substantial organizational transitions. However, permanent collections are found to be a potential facilitator for circularity within the clothing industry, as it allows for comprehensive testing, feedback loops, streamlined supply chains, things of which could enable better opportunities for both circular product designs, and circular business models such as repair- and secondhand services. The study highlights future trends in circular business models, including a focus on repair services, secondhand offerings, and enhanced recycling practices. The research contributes to the understanding of the adoption of circular strategies in the clothing industry and underscores the need for further investigations into the influencing factors at play and the implications across international contexts. / Denna avhandling undersöker strategier för cirkulära affärsmodeller och cirkulär\\ produktdesign inom den svenska klädindustrin, genom att använda en flerfallsstudie som undersöker fem svenska klädföretag. Med utgångspunkt i forskningsfrågan: Vilka är de nuvarande cirkulära produktdesignstrategierna och cirkulära affärsmodellstrategierna för företag som är aktiva inom den svenska klädindustrin? visar resultaten en tyngdpunkt på cirkulära produktdesignstrategier jämfört med cirkulära affärsmodeller, bland de studerade klädföretagen. De främsta produktdesignstrategierna omfattar tidlös och anpassningsbar design, användning av högkvalitativa material, omfattande produkttester och ett fokus på att minimera antalet komponenter, samtidigt som permanenta kollektioner och standardiserade reservdelar användsmer sällan. När det gäller cirkulära affärsmodeller visar studien att strategier som reparation, återanvändning, intern upcycling och återvinning används. Däremot används strategier som uthyrning av kläder och prenumerationstjänster, secondhand- och reparationstjänster samt samarbeten för reparation och renovering i mindre utsträckning.  Vidare undersöker studien de påverkande faktorer som avgör om dessa cirkulära strategier antas eller inte. Detta besvaras med hjälp av en andra forskningsfråga: Vilka är de faktorer som påverkar företagen att anta, eller inte anta, cirkulära produktdesignstrategier och cirkulära affärsmodellstrategier? Studien visar att företagen prioriterar att producera hållbara produkter, men att det finns utmaningar med att uppnå en balans mellan cirkulära mål och materialkvalitet, utan att kompromissa med någon av aspekterna. Detta gäller i synnerhet barnkläder och arbetskläder som har särskilda krav. Trots dessa utmaningar visar alla studiens företag både ett engagemang för att integrera cirkulära metoder i sin verksamhet och en vilja att utforska nya och innovativa cirkulära produktdesignkoncept, inklusive ökat utnyttjande av mono- och återvinningsbara material. En annan stor utmaning ligger i att anpassa cirkulära affärsmodeller till befintliga organisatoriska rutiner, vilket kräver omfattande organisatoriska förändringar. Permanenta kollektioner har dock visat sig vara en potentiell facilitator för cirkularitet inom klädindustrin. Detta mot bakgrund av att permanenta kollektioner möjliggör omfattande tester, feedbackloopar och effektiviserade leveranskedjor, vilket kan ge bättre möjligheter för både cirkulär produktdesign, och cirkulära affärsmodeller som reparations- och secondhand-tjänster. Studien visar att framtida trender inom cirkulära affärsmodeller inkluderar ett fokus på reparationstjänster, secondhand-erbjudanden och förbättrad återvinning. Dessutom bidrar studien till en förståelse av hur cirkulära strategier inom klädindustrin kan tillämpas. Slutligen understryker studien att framtida studier bör utvärdera samtliga faktorer som påverkar tillämpningen av cirkulära strategier i klädindustrin, samt hur dessa kan variera ii nternationella sammanhang.

The master thesis focuses on education of immigrant pupils in Czech and Maltese schools. The aim of the thesis was to describe what particular measures the schools choose and what methods the teachers use to alleviate the impact of the language barrier in both environments and then to compare the results between each other. The research is of qualitative nature, with the research strategy being a multiple case study. The data collection was realised through observations in class, interviews with the school leadership, teachers and pupils and the analysis of digitalized materials. The case is represented by a particular school and the research was conducted at two schools in Czech and two schools in Maltese environment. The thesis consists of theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part aims its attention at the themes of appropriate approach towards the education of immigrant pupils, explanation of the Maltese education system, legislation of both countries on the issue of education of immigrant pupils and the theme of teacher training focused on education of these pupils provided at the Faculty of Education of Charles University. The practical part then develops the themes elaborated in the theoretical one and it mentions what findings the survey discovered. Last chapter of the thesis...

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Färggrossen is a warehousing company that was established in 1976. The company has over 400 customers ranging across mid and south Sweden; it stores 5,000 different types of products such as paints, wallpapers, chemicals and tools which are used for painting. Since its establishment, the company has not changed how it manages its warehouse. Decisions are based on the warehouse manager’s personal memory and decisions, and this method worked sufficiently well until the company was bought by Mikael Lindgren in September 2008. Lindgren, the CEO, believed that the company had more potential, which is why the company has eagerly started to make changes in order to improve the warehouse operations as well as to reach its full potential. This thesis is to guide the company to reach this goal. At our first meeting with Färggrossen, improvements regarding different processes as well as the warehouse layout were identified. As a first step, a literature study was conducted in order to gain deeper insight and understanding about warehouse layouts; also we benefited from studying literature regarding different warehouse aspects from a system perspective: inputs, processes and outputs. Subsequent to the literature study, we identified those thesis research questions which needed to be answered in order to improve the warehouse management at Färggrossen. The next step was to decide which methods should be used in order to answer these questions. After researching different methodology options, a meeting with Färggrossen and our supervisor Bengt Ekdahl took place where we, together, decided to use the multiple case study method. Färggrossen suggested that we study two other companies, BSAB and ECO; according to them, these companies had similar warehouses. To be able to benchmark three companies, we needed to understand the warehousing management systems of all three companies, which is why we conducted our interviews. Once we finished gathering the required data, we defined the three companies’ activities in a manner to correspond with the terminology which is used in the literature.  In the analysis chapter we compared the three companies, and also used the information from the literature in order to provide Färggrossen with recommendations on how to improve the warehouse processes and layout. These are categorised as main, secondary and future recommendations; the main recommendations are the most important and inexpensive to implement, which is why we strongly suggest that they are prioritized. The two most important recommendations to improve the outputs of the warehouse system are implementing a serialized locater addressing system and defining a bulk area to support the replenishment process. These particular modifications will improve the overall efficiency of the warehouse system as well as the product availability and the customer satisfaction. The overall efficiency of the warehouse system will be further improved by eliminating manual labour as much as possible and combining the inspections whih are done in the receiving process with the putaway process. The product condition will be improved if the following recommendations are implemented; a small shelf solution which is used in ECO, a fixed slot system in the wallpaper area and the implementation of safety precautions in the company. The purpose of this thesis was to map and analyze Färggrossen in order to improve the inventory, warehouse layout and the methods being used in the warehouse management. With our recommendations, the company will have an improved and new warehouse layout, the processes will be improved and the efficiency will be increased.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a new intervention method, Technology Assisted Therapy for Separation Anxiety (TTSA), on the psychosocial functioning and quality of life of persons with intellectual and visual disability who experience separation anxiety and exhibit challenging behaviour. A pre-experimental within group design was used with randomised multiple baselines and staggered intervention start points. The data was collected at an institution in the Netherlands that provides long-term care and residence for persons with intellectual disability and visual impairment. Six participants took part in this study. This research was informed by Bowlby‟s attachment theory, which conceptualises the tendency of human beings to forge strong emotional bonds with others and explains how the disturbance of this bond might lead to various forms of emotional distress and personality disturbances. The interplay of separation anxiety and challenging behaviour with respect to the formation of attachment relationships provides the specific theoretical context in which this study is grounded. The results indicate that both the separation anxiety experienced and the challenging behaviour exhibited by the participants decreased significantly after the implementation of TTSA. Their psychosocial functioning and quality of life also increased significantly. This study demonstrates the first successful application of TTSA to treat separation anxiety and challenging behaviour in persons with intellectual and visual disability. TTSA therefore has the potential to be a valid intervention to address these disorders. / MA (Research Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015