The interconnectedness of global supply chains, combined with disruptive events like the Covid-19 pandemic, has emphasized the significance of enhancing supply chain resilience (SCRes). Thus, this study aims to investigate how businesses employ SCRes recovery strategies to address extreme supply chain disruptions (SCD). To contribute empirical evidence on reactive SCRes strategies, qualitative methodology was employed, with a specific emphasis on the construction department at Northvolt. The construction industry serves as an apt context for assessing and offers valuable insights. Unstructured and semi-structured interviews were conducted with supply chain executives within the company to collect the data. The findings reveal specific challenges faced by the construction department at Northvolt in the face of global supply chain disruptions, shedding light on their responsive strategies. This study not only emphasizes the necessity of cultivating all SCRes capabilities but also contributes valuable empirical evidence to the field. The implications of these findings extend beyond Northvolt, providing actionable insights for businesses in the construction industry and offering recommendations for enhancing overall supply chain resilience. / Den ökande globala kopplingen mellan leverantörskedjor, tillsammans med störande händelser som Covid-19-pandemin, har understrukit betydelsen av att förbättra leverantörskedjors motståndskraft (SCRes). Denna studie syftar därför till att undersöka hur företag använder sig av SCRes-återhämtningsstrategier för att hantera extrema störningar i leverantörskedjan (SCD). För att bidra med empiriska bevis om reaktiva SCRes-strategier användes kvalitativ metodik, med särskild tonvikt på byggavdelningen på Northvolt. Byggbranschen fungerar som en lämplig kontext för bedömning och erbjuder värdefulla insikter. Ostrukturerade och halvstrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med företagets leverantörskedjechefer för att samla in data. Resultaten avslöjar specifika utmaningar som byggavdelningen på Northvolt står inför i ljuset av globala störningar i leverantörskedjan och belyser deras responsstrategier. Denna studie betonar inte bara nödvändigheten av att odla alla SCRes-förmågor utan bidrar också med värdefulla empiriska bevis till området. Resultatens implikationer sträcker sig bortom Northvolt och ger handlingsbara insikter för företag inom byggbranschen, samt erbjuder rekommendationer för att förbättra övergripande motståndskraft i leverantörskedjan.

Este estudio cualitativo, exploratorio y descriptivo en cinco ciudades examina las condiciones de trabajo, los riesgos, los factores influyentes y los efectos en salud experimentados por trabajadores inmigrantes en España. Se diseñó una muestra por criterio.El tamaño de la muestra final de 158 hombres y mujeres documentados e indocumentados se determinó por saturación del discurso. Los datos fueron recogidos entre septiembre del 2006 y mayo de 2007 mediante entrevistas individuales y grupos focales, ambos semiestructurados y con un guión de temas. Se empleó un análisis narrativo del contenido, siguiendo un esquema de generación mixta. Los datos muestran una exposición frecuente a una variedad de riesgos laborales, horas largas de trabajo y pocos días de descanso, además de prácticas discriminatorias en cuanto a la asignación de tareas. Los informantes carecían de formación en seguridad laboral y de experiencia en sus puestos de trabajo. La mayoría tenía poco control sobre su ambiente de trabajo. Finalmente, relataron abusos en términos de sus condiciones de empleo. Los efectos en salud relatados cubrían un rango, desde la experiencia o el miedo de sufrir lesiones agudas, lesiones de estrés crónico, problemas respiratorios y dermatológicos, la acumulación de fatiga, afectaciones del sueño, síntomas somáticos y síntomas de salud psicológica pobre tales como ansiedad y depresión. Se examinan las diferencias halladas por estatus administrativo y género. Estos resultados no dejan lugar a duda en cuanto a la necesidad de mejorar el apoyo a los inmigrantes trabajadores. También son necesarios mejores datos y vigilancia a la salud de esta población como elementos centrales de tal apoyo. Se discuten áreas específcas que requieren más atención desde la investigación y la polítca. / This qualitative, exploratory and descriptive study in five cities examines the working conditions, hazards, influencing factors and effects on health experienced by immigrant workers in Spain. A criterion sample was designed. The final sample of 158 documented and undocumented immigrant men and women was determined by saturation of the discourse. Data were collected between September 2006 and May 2007 through semistructured individual interviews and focus groups, using a topic guide. We employed narrative content analysis to examine data according to a mixed-generation scheme. The data demonstrated widespread exposure to a variety of occupational hazards, long work hours, and few days off, as well as discriminatory assignation of tasks. Informants lacked worker safety training, appropriate personal protective equipment, and experience in current jobs.Most had very little control over elements of their work environment. Finally, informants reported abuses in terms of employment conditions. Health effects reported ranged from the experience or fear of acute injuries, to chronic strain injuries, respiratory and dermatologic responses, to the accumulation of fatigue, sleep affectations, somatic symptoms, and mental health concerns such as anxiety and depressive mood. Differences by documentation status and gender are discussed. These results leave little doubt about the need for better outreach and support for immigrant workers in Spain. Better data collection and surveillance of this worker population is a centrally necessary element of stronger immigrant worker support. Specific areas in need of more study and policy consideration are discussed.

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 193-206) / This thesis describes a family variation among urban Nigerian couples called a commuter marriage. A commuter marriage in this study is defined as a union between a dual earner/dual career couple where the husband and wife have decided to live apart from each other due to work commitments until such a time as is convenient for them to live continuously together again. This separation is mainly undertaken to improve their financial and career prospects. The study seeks to understand what dynamics are involved in a commuter marriage in Jos, Plateau State. The Life Course Perspective, with a focus on the gendered life course perspective, serves as a theoretical framework for this study. The perspective assumes that families undergoing the same transitions are likely to display the same characteristics which may not be necessarily relevant for all families in the same life stage, while the gendered life course perspective acknowledges the gendered context. At the same time the cultural context of the Nigerian society in terms of family norms are taken into account. An overview of commuter marriages, including characteristics of commuter marriages and non-traditional marriages linked to commuter marriages are provided. The differences between established and adjusting couples were repeatedly underlined. The research has an underlying interpretivist paradigm, therefore a qualitative research methodology was deemed best for the study. A semi-structured interview guide and time diaries were used to obtain data from seventeen participants. It was found that a commuter marriage is costly financially, socially and emotionally. An emphasis on the male provider and the wife as the manager of the resources was highlighted. Commuter couples report that their greatest support system constitute their family members who show the most understanding to their situation. Commuter fathers were generally passionate about their fatherly roles, but had conflicting feelings about balancing work and family, feeling the family is losing out. Generally, commuter couples in this study showed a sincere desire for the commuting relationship not to span an indefinite amount of time. / Sociology / D. Phil. (Sociology)