The phenomenon of educational inequality on access to physical resources in the Highveld Ridge East Circuit of Mpumalanga was investigated in the study. Since the COVID-19 worldwide pandemic had affected education on a global scale, South Africa included, it became necessary to incorporate this new development into the emerging design that unfolded. The study explored the impact of access to physical resources in three public schools. The aim of the investigation was to ascertain how educational disparities on access to physical resources manifested at the chosen research sites, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative research approach was utilised comprising of a multiple case study design. The study reported how the principal and deputy principals viewed educational inequality on access to physical resources from a management perspective, while educators provided insight on the effect of this phenomenon on the teaching and learning process. Observations, individual interviews involving the principal and deputy principals as participants, and focus group interviews involving the teachers, as well as the scrutiny of relevant official documents provided the empirical data for this investigation. All research participants were purposively selected, as a full staff complement was unavailable at the research sites during the pandemic. The results that emerged from the study indicated that educational inequality was prevalent in these public schools. The dearth of resources, and in some instances basic essential resources, had a marked impact on the management as well as the teachers and students at these schools. A significant point to consider was how ill-equipped the public schools in this area were to deal with education during a global pandemic. The backlog of the inequities on access to physical resources needed to be addressed as a matter of dire urgency if the country had any hope of salvaging the education process even at the most basic level. The recommendations in the conclusion of the study are desperate pleas for help in assisting the country, especially the previously marginalised, to move forward in the worst of times. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Выпускная квалификационная работа состоит из трёх глав и заключения. Объем работы составляет 123 страница. Темой диссертационной работы «Факторы повышения конкурентоспособности международных компаний в современных условиях». Исследование является актуальным, так как энергетика находится на этапе всеобщего перехода к возобновляемым источникам энергии. Enel глобализирует распространение новых технологий и нуждаются в иностранных инвестициях стран потенциального будущего присутствия. Целью выпускной квалификационной работы является разработка рекомендаций для компании, находящейся в стадии подготовки к привлечению иностранных инвесторов. Объектом научно-исследовательской работы является итальянская энергетическая компания Enel s.p.a. Предметом – особенности стратегического планирования компании энергетической отрасли. Проведена оценка энергетической отрасли в ситуации пандемии COVID-19. Высказаны предположения по поводу последствий влияния пандемии на рынок энергетики. Описаны особенности деятельности компании-объекта, организационная структура, а также риски и корпоративное управление. Проведена оценка основных производственноэкономических показателей̆компании, а также оценка стоимости компании. Далее проведен анализ рынка конкурентов путем оценки результатов деятельности четырех основных конкурентов. Проведена оценка позиции Enel S.P.A на энергетическом рынке на основании положения крупнейших конкурентов. Разработана стратегия повышения инвестиционного потенциала международной энергетической компании. Проанализирована эффективность деятельности компании путем выявления рисков. Привлечены такие методы, как «Three Pillars of Electricity industry sustainability», The 3A Framework», SWOT анализ. Далее проведена оценка глобальной деятельности компании путем вычисления Индекса транснациональности. Выявлены аспекты ключевой стратегии Enel. Завершающей частью работы стало разработка рекомендаций для повышения возможности трансформации внутренней̆ среды Enel S.P.A. в целях повышения привлекательности общества в свете интересов иностранных инвесторов. / The study is relevant, as the energy sector is at the stage of universal transition to renewable energy sources. Enel is globalizing the spread of new technologies and needs foreign investment from countries with a potential future presence. The purpose of the final qualification work is to develop recommendations for a company that is in the process of preparing to attract foreign investors. The object of the research work is the Italian energy company Enel s. p.a. The subject is the peculiarities of strategic planning of the company in the energy industry. An assessment of the energy industry in the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic was carried out. Suggestions have been made about the impact of the pandemic on the energy market. The features of the target company's activity, organizational structure, as well as risks and corporate governance are described. The assessment of the main production and economic indicators of the company, as well as the assessment of the company's value, was carried out. Further, the analysis of the competitors ' market is carried out by evaluating the performance of the four main competitors. The assessment of Enel S. P. A's position in the energy market is based on the position of its largest competitors. A strategy has been developed to increase the investment potential of an international energy company. The effectiveness of the company's activities is analyzed by identifying risks. Methods such as "Three Pillars of Electricity industry sustainability", The 3A Framework", SWOT analysis are involved. Further, the assessment of the global activity of the company is carried out by calculating the Index of transnationality. Aspects of Enel's key strategy are identified. The final part of the work was the development of recommendations to increase the possibility of transforming the internal environment of Enel S. P. A. in order to increase the attractiveness of the company in the light of the interests of foreign investors.

With teleworking becoming an increasingly normalized work arrangement after the Covid-19 pandemic, it opens up possibilities for workers to be located elsewhere than their workplace. This indicates that work-related relocation may not be a necessity anymore for parts of the workforce, because they can choose to work remotely instead of relocating. The overall purpose of the thesis has been to investigate whether the normalization of telework as a part of the employee value proposition’s benefits will make people in the workforce less likely to relocate for work. The employee value proposition theory was used to understand the current role telework has as a part of the benefit component, and how telework may affect the employees' likelihood to relocate for work. Two research questions were used to answer the overall purpose:  Has telework resulted in the benefit component having a greater influence than other components for the workforce? Has telework offered as a benefit made people in the workforce less likely to relocate for work? The research purpose for the study was exploratory and the research approach was a deductive, qualitative study approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data and the sampling were selected by both the purposive and snowball sampling method. The sample for the interviews were employees who have a job where it is possible to do teleworking and were between 25-35 years old. After the interviews were conducted, the data was analyzed by using thematic analysis. The finding of the study indicates that the influence of the benefit component did not change compared to previous research and still had a mid-level of importance. It is not likely that telework has made the benefit component to have an overall greater influence compared to other components, but there were components such as affiliation that were very influential when making relocation decisions. It was also found that family members, especially partners and children, were a big influence on relocation decisions. The participants were more likely to consider teleworking instead of relocating when they had partners and children. Several of them could not see themselves only doing teleworking long-term though, because the connection with the colleagues and team at their workplace were also important. The findings of the study indicate that human connection and relationships have become increasingly important for the employees, and this affects both their teleworking and relocation decisions.

Syftet med denna studie är att analysera eventuella kapitalstruktursförändringar i samband med Covid-19 pandemin hos svenska företag noterade på Stockholmsbörsen, OMXS, inom Large Cap. Urvalet utgörs av företag inom alla sektorer i Large Cap, exklusive finanssektorn. Sambandet mellan bolagens beroende och oberoende variabler analyseras före och under pandemins tidsperiod, 2015–2022. De beroende variablerna utgörs som Proxy för kapitalstruktur och omfattas av totala-, kortfristiga-, och långfristiga skulder i förhållande till totala tillgångar. Medan de oberoende variablerna utgörs av företagsstorlek, lönsamhet samt tillväxt. För att uppnå detta baseras uppsatsens teoretiska ramverk på Modigliani och Miller proposition 1 & 2, Pecking Order teorin och Trade Off teorin tillsammans med tidigare empiriska studier samt undersökningar. Uppsatsens analyser omfattas av en deskriptiv analys av samtliga variabler, en korrelationsanalys av de oberoende variablerna och slutligen flera multivariata regressionsanalyser mellan samtliga variabler. För att erhålla de mest valida och reliabla slutsatserna kommer uppsatsen tillämpa en kvantitativ forskningsmetod och en deduktiv ansats. Uppsatsens resultat fann flest statistiskt signifikanta samband mellan samtliga skuldkvoter och företagsstorlek. Uppsatsens slutsats konstaterade att kapitalstrukturen hos OMXS företag inom Large Cap hade förändrats under pandemin i jämförelse med före pandemin. Sammantaget bidrar denna uppsats till en djupare förståelse för sambandet mellan samtliga analyserade variabler baserat på en historisk bakgrund. Därmed kan svenska bolag inom alla sektorer, exklusive finanssektorn, skapa en bättre uppfattning kring sina kapitalstrukturer inför framtida finanskriser. / The purpose of this study is to analyze potential capital structure changes in connection with the Covid-19 pandemic among Swedish publicly traded companies on the Stockholm Stock Exchange, OMXS, within Large Cap. The sample consists of companies across all sectors within Large Cap, excluding the finance sector. Focusing on the relationship between the dependent and independent variables before and during the period of the pandemic, 2015–2022. The dependent variables consist of total-, short- term-, and long- term debt as a proportion to the total assets. These dependent variables constitute as a Proxy for capital structure. The independent variables include size, profitability and growth. To accomplish this, the theoretical framework for this essay is based on Modigliani and Miller proposition 1 & 2, The Pecking Order Theory, The Trade Off Theory along with previous empirical studies. The analyzes contains of a descriptive analysis of all variables, a correlation analysis of the independent variables, and lastly several multivariate regressions analyses between all variables. In order to make it possible to acquire the most valid and reliable conclusions, the study will be based on a quantitative method, applying a deductive approach. The results found the most statistically significant relationships between all debt ratios and company size. The conclusion stated that the capital structure of OMXS companies, within Large Cap, had changed during the pandemic compared to before. In summary the results contribute to a deeper understanding of the relationship between all analyzed variables based on a historical background. Hence Swedish companies within these sectors can gain a better understanding of their capital structure for future financial crises.

Hintergrund: Im Zuge der Eindämmung der COVID-19-Pandemie mitsamt der einhergehenden erhöhten Hautbelastung wurde bei Beschäftigten in Pflegeberufen im Gesundheitswesen eine erhebliche Zunahme von beruflich bedingten Handekzemen verzeichnet. Zielsetzung: Entwicklung und Exploration eines Konzeptes zur Prävention beruflich bedingter Handekzeme im Gesundheitswesen während der COVID-19-Pandemie. Methoden: Durchführung einer kontrollierten, prospektiven Interventionsstudie mit 302 Beschäftigten in Pflegeberufen im Gesundheitswesen. 135 Teilnehmende wurden der Interventionsgruppe (IG) und 167 Teilnehmende wurden der Kontrollgruppe (KG) zugeteilt. Die IG erhielt eine Online-Schulung und wurde für die Beobachtungsphase von Dezember 2020 bis Juni 2021 in der Hochphase neuer beruflicher COVID-19-Infektionen im Gesundheitswesen ad libitum mit einem Hautreinigungs- und Hautpflegeprodukt ausgestattet. Der Hautbefund wurde zu Beginn (T0) und nach 6 Monaten (T2) dermatologisch erhoben. Zudem wurde zu T0, nach 3 Monaten (T1) und zu T2 in beiden Gruppen der Hautzustand, das Hautschutz- und Hautpflegeverhalten und das Wissen zu Handekzemen mit Fragebögen erfasst. Die Anwenderakzeptanz der Produkte wurde in der IG zu T2 mit einem Fragebogen erhoben. Ergebnisse: Die Drop-out Rate betrug 16,9%. Im Beobachtungszeitraum traten in der IG bei keinem der 115 zu T2 Teilnehmenden und in der KG bei 12 (8,8%) der 136 zu T2 Teilnehmenden neue Handekzeme auf. Bei gleichem Ausgangsbefund (1,5 Punkte zu T0 in beiden Gruppen) zeigte der Osnabrueck Hand Eczema Severity Index zu T2 signifikant bessere Werte in der IG als in der KG (0,6 Punkte vs. 2,1 Punkte, p<0,001). Zu T2 lagen in der IG im Vergleich zur KG signifikant bessere Werte hinsichtlich der täglichen Eincremefrequenz der Hände im beruflichen (4,5 Mal vs. 2,9 Mal, p<0,001) und privaten Bereich (4,1 Mal vs. 2,6 Mal, p<0,001) vor. Für den Berufsdermatosen-Wissenstest lag eine stärkere Verbesserung in der IG als in der KG vor (Interaktion zwischen Bedingung und linearer Zeitvariable, p=0,003; Interaktion zwischen Bedingung und quadratischer Zeitvariable, p<0,001). Zu T2 konnten sich 91,3% der 115 Teilnehmenden der IG vorstellen, das im Sinne eines proof of concept erprobte Handpflegekonzept weiterhin anzuwenden. Fazit: Die Wirksamkeit des Interventionskonzeptes hinsichtlich einer Verbesserung des Hautzustandes, einer Optimierung des Hautschutz- und Hautpflegeverhaltens sowie einer Zunahme des Wissens über die Pathogenese und Prävention von beruflich bedingten Handekzemen wurde nachgewiesen. Es ist als belegt anzusehen, dass sich das vorliegende Interventionskonzept zur Prävention von beruflich bedingten Handekzemen in der Berufsgruppe der Beschäftigten in Pflegeberufen im Gesundheitswesen unter COVID-19-Pandemiebedingungen eignet. Das Interventionskonzept kann zukünftig im Rahmen der Prävention von beruflich bedingten Handekzemen bei Beschäftigten in Pflegeberufen im Gesundheitswesen Einsatz finden und somit einen dauerhaften und nachhaltigen Beitrag zur betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung leisten. Die Hautschutz- und Hautpflegeempfehlungen können ferner für weitere Risikoberufe für berufliche Hauterkrankungen sowie für die Allgemeinbevölkerung in Pandemie-Zeiten adaptiert werden.

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Syftet med denna magisteruppsats har varit att utforska hur Covid-19 pandemin har påverkat ledarskapet och organisationens riktning.    Covid-19 pandemin har påverkar olika delar av ledarskapet. Resultaten visar tydligt att chefer känner sig överbelastade eftersom de måste hantera många administrativa uppgifter och alternerande möten. På grund av brist på tid och balans mellan arbete och privatliv har förmågan att ha en helhetssyn, tolka och ta in perspektiv utifrån och in och inifrån och ut varit en utmaning för ledarna. Resultatet indikerar även på behovet av tydliga kommunikationskanaler mellan ledarna, de anställda och deras kunder om vilka åtgärder som krävs för att anpassa sig till den nya situationen som pandemin har medfört.   Under pandemin har organisationerna tvingats att vidta snabba åtgärder baserat på föreskrifterna och begränsningarna från Folkhälsomyndigheten och regeringen. Etablerade digitala kanaler har använts men nya digitala kanaler har behövts identifieras för att skapa interaktion och relationer inom organisationen samt med kunderna.   Den snabba omvandlingen till den digitala världen har påverkat organisationens riktning att tänka annorlunda, vara mer flexibel och anpassningsbar till nya oväntade förändringar, såsom pandemin. Organisationerna har använt nyckelindikatorer för att identifiera och få en tydlig bild av hur pandemin har påverkat organisationens riktning internt och externt gentemot sina kunder. Denna nya digitala omvandling har också tvingat kunderna att gå in på nya digitala plattformar och interagera online med organisationerna. Den nya digitala medvetenheten från kunderna har framkallat nya digitala krav och tjänster som i sin tur har resulterat i behov av nya digitala självservice tjänster och en högre och starkare digital kompetens från organisationens kundtjänst.   En bidragande diskussion till organisationerna och samhället är att hänvisa till begreppet lönsamhet som en värdeskapande effekt som är hållbar över tid, kopplad till tre element: ledarskap, organisationens riktning och kundbehov. / The purpose of this thesis has been to explore how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the leadership and the direction of the organization.   The Covid-19 pandemic has affected various parts of the leadership. The results clearly indicate that managers feel overloaded since they have to handle a lot of administrative tasks and alternating meetings. Due to lack of time and balance between work and private life, the ability to have a holistic view, interpret and take in perspectives from outside-in and inside-out has been a challenge for the leaders. The results also indicated the need for clear communication between the leaders and the employees and their customers about what actions are required in order to adapt to the new situation that the pandemic has imposed.   During the pandemic the organizations were forced to take fast action based on the regulations and restrictions from the Public Health Agency and the government. Established digital channels were used but new digital channels had to be identified to create interaction and relations within the organization and with the customers.  The fast transformation to the digital world has affected the direction of the organization to think differently and be more flexible and adaptable to new unexpected changes, such as the pandemic. The organizations have used key indicators to identify and get a clear picture of how the pandemic has affected the direction of the organization internally and externally towards its customers. This new digital transformational shift has also forced the customers to enter new digital platforms and interact online with the organizations. The new digital awareness from the customers has induced new digital requirements and services which in turn have resulted in the need for new digital self-services and a higher and stronger digital competence from the organizations customer service.   A contributing discussion to the organizations and to the society is to refer to the concept of profitability as a value-creating effect sustainable over time, connected by three elements: leadership, direction of the organization and customer need. / <p>2021-06-06</p>

<p>For the projects titled Undergraduate Students’ Interpretation of Fischer and Haworth Carbohydrate Projections and Undergraduate Students' Interpretation of Glycosidic Bonds – there is a prevalent issue in biochemistry education in which students display fragmented knowledge of the biochemical concepts learned when asked to illustrate their understandings (via drawings, descriptions, analysis, etc.). In science education, educators have traditionally used illustrations to support students’ development of conceptual understanding. However, interpreting a representation is dependent on prior knowledge, ability to decode visual information, and the nature of the representation itself. With a prevalence of studies conducted on visualizations, there is little research with a focus on the students’ interpretation and understanding of carbohydrates and/or glycosidic bonds. The aim of these projects focuses on how students interpret representations of carbohydrates and glycosidic bonds. This study offers a description of undergraduate students’ understanding and interpretation using semi-structured interviews through Phenomenography, Grounded Theory and the Resources Frameworks. The data suggests that students have different combinations of (low or high) accuracy and productivity for interpreting and illustrating carbohydrates and glycosidic bonds, among other findings to be highlighted in their respective chapters. More effective teaching strategies can be designed to assist students in developing expertise in proper illustrations and guide their thought process in composing proper explanations in relation to and/or presence of illustrations.</p> <p><br></p> <p>For the project titled Impact of the Pandemic on Student Readiness: Laboratories, Preparedness, and Support – it was based upon research by Meaders et. al (2021) published in the International Journal of STEM Education. Messaging during the first day of class is highly important in establishing positive student learning environments.  Further, this research suggests that students are detecting the messages that are communicated.  Thus, attention should be given to prioritizing what information and messages are most important for faculty to voice. There is little doubt that the pandemic has had a significant impact on students across the K-16 spectrum.  In particular, for undergraduate chemistry instructors’, data on the number of laboratories students completed in high school and in what mode would be important information in considering what modifications could be implemented in the laboratory curriculum and in messaging about the laboratory activities – additionally on how prepared students feel to succeed at college work, how the pandemic has impacted their preparedness for learning, and what we can do to support student learning in chemistry can shape messaging on the first day and for subsequent activities in the course.  An initial course survey that sought to highlight these student experiences and perspectives will be discussed along with the impact on course messaging and structure.    </p> <p><br></p>