Dissertação(mestrado)-Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Geografia, Instituto de Ciências Humanas e da Informação, 2011. / Submitted by Caroline Silva (krol_bilhar@hotmail.com) on 2012-06-22T01:38:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ÁREAS URBANAS DESFAVORECIDAS DO MUNICÍPIO DO RIO GRANDE..pdf: 5567032 bytes, checksum: a3bc34a5b099bdbe86f07112d3c36c8c (MD5) / Rejected by Sabrina Andrade(sabrinabeatriz@ibest.com.br), reason: on 2012-07-03T21:59:18Z (GMT) / Submitted by Caroline Silva (krol_bilhar@hotmail.com) on 2012-07-05T22:50:10Z No. of bitstreams: 1 ÁREAS URBANAS DESFAVORECIDAS DO MUNICÍPIO DO RIO GRANDE..pdf: 5567032 bytes, checksum: a3bc34a5b099bdbe86f07112d3c36c8c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Bruna Vieira(bruninha_vieira@ibest.com.br) on 2012-08-04T00:30:05Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ÁREAS URBANAS DESFAVORECIDAS DO MUNICÍPIO DO RIO GRANDE..pdf: 5567032 bytes, checksum: a3bc34a5b099bdbe86f07112d3c36c8c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2012-08-04T00:30:05Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ÁREAS URBANAS DESFAVORECIDAS DO MUNICÍPIO DO RIO GRANDE..pdf: 5567032 bytes, checksum: a3bc34a5b099bdbe86f07112d3c36c8c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / A formação do município do Rio Grande está vinculada a transformações políticas e econômicas em diversas escalas. Atualmente seu espaço urbano vem sofrendo influências oriundas de novos arranjos nas escalas global e nacional. Os investimentos implantados voltados às operações e atividades portuárias e industriais, trouxeram situações de tensões no uso das áreas portuárias ocupadas e urbanizadas por populações de baixa renda. O trabalho apresenta uma revisão bibliográfica de estudos sobre os problemas urbanos e intraurbanos. Em um segundo momento relata a evolução e formação urbana do municipío e as características do espaço urbano em suas ligações entre processos mundiais e nacionais, sobretudo com a implantação de um Pólo Naval bem como a atual situação socioeconômica do Rio Grande. Finalmente descreve as características espaciais e socioeconômicas de áreas passíveis de serem atingidas pela expansão portuária. Com base em conceitos e metodologias que caracterizam e definem o grau de desfavorecimento das áreas estudadas. A base dos dados são o Censo 2000 e levantamentos socioeconômicos realizados em 2008 e 2009, verificando que ocorreram pequenas mudanças nas condições de desfavorecimento. / The formation of Rio Grande city is linked to political and economic transformations at several scales. Actually, its urban space has been influenced of the new arrangements in the global and national scales. The investments implemented pointed towards port and industrial operations and activities brought stress situations in the use of the port areas, occupied and urbanized by low-income populations. The paper presents a literature review of studies about urban and within urban spaces problems. In a second moment, it relates the evolution and the formation of the urban municipality, and the urban space in the links between global and national processes, especially with the establishment of a Naval Pole, as well as the current socioeconomic situation of Rio Grande. Finally, it describes the spatial and socioeconomic features of areas that can affected by the expansion port, based on concepts and methodologies that characterize and define the disadvantage degree in the studied areas. The basis of data are the 2000 Census and the socioeconomic surveys, realized in 2008 and in 2009, verifying that occurred small changes in conditions of disadvantage.

Bakgrund: Övervikt och fetma bland skolbarn har ökat dramatiskt sedan 1980-talet. Detta är oroväckande då fetma ökar risken för ohälsa. Skolsköterskans främsta uppgift är att arbeta hälsofrämjande och förebyggande, ett arbete som till stor del sker genom hälsosamtal och hälsobesök. Föräldrars utbildningsnivå samt ekonomi har påverkan på barnets hälsa. Barn, vilka växer upp i socioekonomiskt svaga områden, löper högre risk att utveckla övervikt eller fetma. Syfte: Syftet med studien är att beskriva skolsköterskors erfarenheter av det hälsofrämjande arbetet med elever som har övervikt och fetma i socioekonomiskt svaga områden. Metod: I studien användes en kvalitativ metod med induktiv ansats. 13 skolsköterskor intervjuades. Dessa intervjuer analyserades genom fenomenografisk analys. Resultat: Skolsköterskans förmåga till att skapa ett positivt möte med elever och deras familjer är betydelsefullt för att det hälsofrämjande arbetet ska bli framgångsrikt. Resultatet mynnade ut i tre beskrivningskategorier: Förståelse för familjens situation, Motivation en avgörande faktor, Mod att visa på problemet. Konklusion: Evidensbaserad kunskap samt beprövade metoder är en förutsättning för det hälsofrämjande arbetet med övervikt och fetma i socioekonomiskt svaga områden. Ytterligare diskussioner bör föras på grupp- och organisationsnivå. Samhället har ett ansvar att bidra till det hälsofrämjande arbetet med det ökande hälsoproblemet, övervikt och fetma bland barn och ungdomar. / Background: Overweight and obesity is a growing problem among school children. It has increased dramatically since the 1980´ties. One of the most important part of the school nurse's job is to work with health prevention and health promotion. Children who grow up in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are at higher risk to develop overweight or obesity. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe school nurses´ experiences of the health promotion work with children living with overweight and obesity in socioeconomic disadvantaged areas. Method: Qualitative method with inductive approach was used. 13 school nurses were interviewed. The interviews were analyzed by a phenomenografical method. Result: The school nurse’s ability to create a positive meeting with the pupil and its family is important to make the health promotion work successful. The study resulted in three description categories: Understanding of the family's situation, Motivation a crucial factor and Courage to indicate the problem. Conclusion: It is important to have evidenced knowledge and proven techniques in the health promotion work with children living with overweight or obesity in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. Further discussions is important to develop the health promotive work, both in group and organisational level. The society has a responsibility to contribute to the health promotion work, regarding the increasing health problem.

Fagerstrand, E & Ånmo Sandqvist, H. To support children and youth with mental illness. An qualitative interview study with school nurse professionals in disadvantaged areas. Degree project in pediatric nursing 15 credits. Malmö University: Faculty of Health and Society, Department of Care Science, 2021.  Background: Mental illness among children and youth is increasing in Sweden. At the same time, the social gaps are widening and more and more children and youths are living in disadvantaged areas. It has been established that socio-economic vulnerability is a risk factor for mental illness. The school nurse has a key role in identifying and preventing mental illness at an early stage. Aim: The aim of the study was to shed light on school nurses' experience of supporting children and youth with mental illness in advantaged areas. Method: This was a qualitative study with an inductive approach where data were collected via semi-structured interviews with eight school nurses. The analysis was conducted with content analysis. Results: The analysis resulted in two overarching themes and five categories. The results highlighted that the school nurses' work required a great deal of personal commitment, such as seeing that there was a connection between the social context and mental health. This study highlighted that a well-functioning collaboration was a success factor and that the school nurses used personal relationship building as a tool to counteract mental illness. Conclusion: In order for the school nurse to be able to identify symptoms of mental illness and possible risk factors at an early stage, as well as initiate preventive and health-promoting measures, time, capacity and conditions must be provided. A major risk factor for mental illness among children and youth in disadvantaged areas is the socio-economic vulnerability, which is reflected in the results of this study, so school nurses in these areas bear a great responsibility for health promotion work in schools.    Keywords: Children and youth, Disadvantaged areas, Mental illness, School nurses, Student health. / Fagerstrand, E & Ånmo Sandqvist, H. Att stödja barn och ungdomar med psykisk ohälsa. En kvalitativ intervjustudie med skolsköterskor i särskilt utsatta-, utsatta- och riskområden. Examensarbete i pediatrisk omvårdnad 15 högskolepoäng. Malmö universitet: Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle, institutionen för vårdvetenskap 2021.  Bakgrund: Psykisk ohälsa bland barn och ungdomar ökar i Sverige. Samtidigt ökar de sociala klyftorna och allt fler barn och ungdomar lever i särskilt utsatta-, utsatta- eller riskområden. Det är konstaterat att socioekonomisk utsatthet är en riskfaktor för psykisk ohälsa. Skolsköterskan i grundskolan har en nyckelroll i att tidigt identifiera och förebygga psykisk ohälsa. Syfte: Studiens syfte var att belysa skolsköterskors upplevelse av att stödja barn och ungdomar med psykisk ohälsa i särskilt utsatta-, utsatta- och riskområden. Metod: Kvalitativ studie med induktiv ansats där data insamlades via semistrukturerade intervjuer med åtta skolsköterskor. Analysen genomfördes med innehållsanalys. Resultat: Analysen utmynnade i två övergripande teman och fem kategorier. Resultatet belyste att skolsköterskornas arbete förutsatte ett stort personligt engagemang såsom att man såg att det fanns ett samband mellan den sociala kontexten och den psykiska hälsan. Denna studie belyste att ett välfungerande samarbete var en framgångsfaktor och att skolsköterskorna använde det personliga relationsbyggandet som ett verktyg för att motverka psykisk ohälsa. Slutsats: För att skolsköterskan tidigt ska kunna identifiera symtom på psykisk ohälsa och eventuella riskfaktorer samt initiera förebyggande och hälsofrämjande insatser måste det ges tid, kapacitet och förutsättningar. En viktig riskfaktor för psykisk ohälsa bland barn och ungdomar i särskilt utsatta-, utsatta- och riskområden, är den socioekonomiska utsattheten, vilket speglas i resultatet i denna studie, således bär skolsköterskorna i dessa områden ett stort ansvar för det hälsofrämjande arbetet på skolorna.  Nyckelord: Barn och ungdomar, Elevhälsa, Psykisk ohälsa, Skolsköterskor, Utsatta områden.

Abstract This study aims to carefully and thoroughly examine how private housing companies in Malmö consciously work towards promoting sustainability within areas facing socio-economic challenges. To gain an in-depth understanding of this subject, a qualitative research methodology was used, collecting empirical data through interviews with representatives from four prominent private property companies in the region. The study was analyzed and evaluated using a theoretical framework thoughtfully designed to encompass the comprehensive aspects of sustainability: social, environmental, and economic. This provided an opportunity to study how these companies actively contribute to and promote sustainability within these specific domains.   The results of the investigation reveal a clear and significant insight - private housing companies in Malmö prioritize ensuring economic sustainability as their primary objective, primarily seeking to maximize returns on their investments. It is evident that the economic dimension dominates the decision-making process and guides the investment strategies of these companies. Social and environmental sustainability receive less attention and are not given the same priority as economic profit. This challenges the overarching goal set forth in Agenda 2030 to provide affordable housing for all, where social and environmental considerations are fundamental components.

Political participation is a vital part of modern democracies which can be described as a way to convey the interests and the preferences of citizens and exert pressure on the government to align with the will of the citizens. For this sake it could be considered a democracy problem that citizens participate to varying extents, where people living in disadvantaged areas participate to a lesser extent compared to people in areas with a higher degree of resources. This study sets out to investigate the reasons behind this reality, using the components of the Civic Voluntarism Model as explanatory factors behind political participation within areas of different resource levels and comparing the finding between the areas to see which factors matter the most depending on the area. The research questions used are (1) Which effect do resources, motivation and recruiting network have on political participation in disadvantaged areas, and (2) Do the effects differ between disadvantaged areas and other areas? The questions will be answered using logistic regression on a data set from the 2021 SOM-survey in Gothenburg. The results show that the Civic Voluntarism Model has a higher degree of explanation in disadvantaged areas and that the factor showing the strongest degree of explanation is being a member of a local association, especially in disadvantaged areas. Some of the results are however contradictory to previous research, which gives rise to a discussion whether quantitative methods are appropriate for understanding participation – and the lack thereof – or if this needs to be further examined using qualitative methods. Keywords:

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p>The Internet is now facilitating the provision of an increasing number of services. Thus, technology has become a more integrated part of people‟s daily routine. Some of these technologies include electronic communication, online banking, and shopping as well as electronic learning - to name but a few. However, for various reasons, such as limited formal education (which is a key promoter of reading and writing skills), access and skills, not everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from the use of these technologies. The unequal distribution of opportunities of such nature is often broadly referred to as the <i><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial"><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial">digital divide</font></font><font size="3">. That is the gap between those who have access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and those who do not. One noted challenge that influences the use of ICT consists of socio-economic conditions, which together elicit high levels of poverty. An identified strategy for uplifting these areas was (and still is) entrepreneurship, notably small businesses. These small businesses however, generally have very short and mostly unsuccessful lives. As a result the government at all levels (national, provincial and local) has endeavoured to provide support to these businesses. Some of this support is provided through mediums, such as the Internet (here named &quot / electronic support&quot / ) to assist these small businesses. This support, which comes from government, is however, not being fully utilised by the intended beneficiaries. Thus, the small businesses are not benefiting from the support provided. Consequently, many are still experiencing a short and unsuccessful existence. This research thus analyses the small businesses in areas of the greater Cape Town, which are characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment. <font size="3">Previous studies in these areas have reported the lack of ICT related skills, also known as electronic skills (e-skills), as one of the reasons for the low uptake of electronic support (e-support). This e-support is provided by various levels of government through selected agencies (service providers). In essence, this study is aimed at investigating the influence of e-skills in the access and use of the provided e-support by owners of small businesses. Considering that the lack of adequate e-skills has been identified as influencing the use of e-support, the study also aims to identify the e-skills needed to fully utilise the provided e-support. The approach to this investigation included a review of pertinent literature and devising a conceptual model. This model was then tested in the empirical setting of this study. This setting included: (i) Providers of e-support (various specialised government agencies) and (ii) the intended beneficiaries of this e-support, i.e. small businesses in the previously disadvantaged areas (PDAs) of the greater Cape Town. Through the use of case study methodology and face to face interviews, it was found that many small business owners were not able to appropriately use the provided e-support. This was due to their lack of e-skills, which resulted in their inability to use ICT. Additionally, some were unaware of the existence of the e-support or the service providers. During the review of pertinent literature done as part of the study, an e-skills framework was designed. The framework identified the e-skills considered necessary in order for small business owners to effectively utilise the provided e-support and other technologies. The e-skills framework suggested by this study could be used as a tool to assist: (i) The providers of e-support to understand the usage of their services and enable (ii) a more informed understanding of the need for appropriate e-skills among small business owners, in relation to their use of the provided e-support. Additionally, (iii) small business owners should be in a better position to recognise the benefits of using technology, especially the Internet. <font size="3">The contribution of this study is seen as twofold. Firstly, it should assist the providers and users of e-support. This is done by addressing the practical side of the provision and usage of these services. Secondly, the study contributes an informative e-skills framework related to the effective use of e-support. This study also furthers academic knowledge in the area of the investigation, and suggests further directions for research. Considering, the limited small business sample (only participants from three PDAs), the generalisation of this study is limited. This limitation does not however, influence the validity of this research, or the credibility of the findings. </font></font></font></i></p>

<p>&nbsp / </p> <p>The Internet is now facilitating the provision of an increasing number of services. Thus, technology has become a more integrated part of people‟s daily routine. Some of these technologies include electronic communication, online banking, and shopping as well as electronic learning - to name but a few. However, for various reasons, such as limited formal education (which is a key promoter of reading and writing skills), access and skills, not everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from the use of these technologies. The unequal distribution of opportunities of such nature is often broadly referred to as the <i><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial"><font size="3" face="Arial,Arial">digital divide</font></font><font size="3">. That is the gap between those who have access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and those who do not. One noted challenge that influences the use of ICT consists of socio-economic conditions, which together elicit high levels of poverty. An identified strategy for uplifting these areas was (and still is) entrepreneurship, notably small businesses. These small businesses however, generally have very short and mostly unsuccessful lives. As a result the government at all levels (national, provincial and local) has endeavoured to provide support to these businesses. Some of this support is provided through mediums, such as the Internet (here named &quot / electronic support&quot / ) to assist these small businesses. This support, which comes from government, is however, not being fully utilised by the intended beneficiaries. Thus, the small businesses are not benefiting from the support provided. Consequently, many are still experiencing a short and unsuccessful existence. This research thus analyses the small businesses in areas of the greater Cape Town, which are characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment. <font size="3">Previous studies in these areas have reported the lack of ICT related skills, also known as electronic skills (e-skills), as one of the reasons for the low uptake of electronic support (e-support). This e-support is provided by various levels of government through selected agencies (service providers). In essence, this study is aimed at investigating the influence of e-skills in the access and use of the provided e-support by owners of small businesses. Considering that the lack of adequate e-skills has been identified as influencing the use of e-support, the study also aims to identify the e-skills needed to fully utilise the provided e-support. The approach to this investigation included a review of pertinent literature and devising a conceptual model. This model was then tested in the empirical setting of this study. This setting included: (i) Providers of e-support (various specialised government agencies) and (ii) the intended beneficiaries of this e-support, i.e. small businesses in the previously disadvantaged areas (PDAs) of the greater Cape Town. Through the use of case study methodology and face to face interviews, it was found that many small business owners were not able to appropriately use the provided e-support. This was due to their lack of e-skills, which resulted in their inability to use ICT. Additionally, some were unaware of the existence of the e-support or the service providers. During the review of pertinent literature done as part of the study, an e-skills framework was designed. The framework identified the e-skills considered necessary in order for small business owners to effectively utilise the provided e-support and other technologies. The e-skills framework suggested by this study could be used as a tool to assist: (i) The providers of e-support to understand the usage of their services and enable (ii) a more informed understanding of the need for appropriate e-skills among small business owners, in relation to their use of the provided e-support. Additionally, (iii) small business owners should be in a better position to recognise the benefits of using technology, especially the Internet. <font size="3">The contribution of this study is seen as twofold. Firstly, it should assist the providers and users of e-support. This is done by addressing the practical side of the provision and usage of these services. Secondly, the study contributes an informative e-skills framework related to the effective use of e-support. This study also furthers academic knowledge in the area of the investigation, and suggests further directions for research. Considering, the limited small business sample (only participants from three PDAs), the generalisation of this study is limited. This limitation does not however, influence the validity of this research, or the credibility of the findings. </font></font></font></i></p>

Cette recherche consiste en une étude de cas qui a pour objectif de décrire en quoi consiste l’exercice d’un leadership porté sur la justice sociale par une direction d’école primaire de milieu défavorisé de Montréal (cas exemplaire). En utilisant le cadre opérationnel pour l’étude du leadership transformatif, un concept très proche de celui de la justice sociale élaboré par Archambault et Garon (2011a), nous avons tracé le portrait émergeant du discours de la direction de l’école, des autres acteurs de l’école (enseignants et autres membres de l’équipe-école, parents et membres de la communauté) et de notre observation continue (shadowing) de la direction. Ce portrait présente les trois constituantes du cadre conceptuel. Tout d’abord, il fera état des connaissances portant sur la notion de leadership de justice sociale, sur le contexte des élèves de milieu défavorisé et sur leurs attitudes et comportements liés à la justice sociale. Il présentera aussi des attitudes, croyances et valeurs traduisant la volonté du leader de changer les choses pour promouvoir plus de justice sociale au sein de son école. Finalement, ce portrait fera état des comportements (rapportés ou observés) qui traduisent la mise en place par la direction de l’école de stratégies pour changer les choses vers plus de justice sociale. Le portrait émergeant placerait la direction d’école étudiée dans la lignée des directions ayant un intérêt pour la justice sociale dans les milieux défavorisés de Montréal et qui mettent en œuvres des actions pour redresser les injustices au sein de leurs écoles (Archambault et Garon, 2013). Cette étude de cas présente, en plus, un portrait bâti sur la base de l’observation de la direction jumelée à des entrevues semi-dirigées avec elle-même, avec d’autres membres de l’équipe-école et des membres de la communauté scolaire en général; notre étude présente de ce point de vue un portrait assez complet et nuancé du leadership porté sur la justice sociale de la direction de l’école. Elle met également en évidence l’utilité du cadre opérationnel pour l’étude de leadership transformatif (Archambault et Garon, 2011a). Cette recherche n’aspire pas à une quelconque généralisation de ses résultats, c’est une étude de cas qui espère toutefois avoir présenté un cas exemplaire qui répondrait à l’intérêt pour l’étude du leadership de justice sociale dans le contexte des écoles primaires de milieux défavorisés de Montréal / This qualitative case study aims at drawing a portrait of an elementary school principal practicing a leadership for social justice in disadvantaged areas of Montreal. Using the operational framework for the study of transformative leadership (Archambault & Garon, 2011a), we present an emerging portrait from the discourse of the principal, teachers and other members of the school staff and from the shadowing of the principal. This portrait presents first, the knowledge of the leader concerning leadership for social justice and matters related to justice at school. Second, it presents the leader’s attitudes, beliefs and values reflecting her desire to change things towards more justice in her school. Third, the portrait presents reported behaviours (self-reported or reported by other participants) and observed behaviours reflecting strategies implemented by the leader to effect change towards more justice. This portrait aligns the studied principal with those showing interest for social justice and acting to change things to promote equity and justice in their schools from disadvantaged areas of Montreal as reveled by the study of Archambault & Garon (2013). The case study presents a portrait built from results obtained from shadowing combined with interviews with the principal herself and with other participants, thus it presents a fairly complete and nuanced picture of the leadership for social justice practiced by the principal. It also shows the utility of the operational framework for the study of transformative leadership (Archambault & Garon, 2011a). Due to its nature (case study), this research does not aspire to any generalisation of its results; it rather pretends to present an instructive case to meet the interest for studying the leadership for social justice in elementary schools from disadvantaged areas of Montreal

Magister Commercii - MCom / The Internet is now facilitating the provision of an increasing number of services. Thus, technology has become a more integrated part of people‟s daily routine. Some of these technologies include electronic communication, online banking, and shopping as well as electronic learning - to name but a few. However, for various reasons, such as limited formal education (which is a key promoter of reading and writing skills), access and skills, not everyone has an equal opportunity to benefit from the use of these technologies. The unequal distribution of opportunities of such nature is often broadly referred to as the digital divide. That is the gap between those who have access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and those who do not. One noted challenge that influences the use of ICT consists of socioeconomic conditions, which together elicit high levels of poverty. An identified strategy for uplifting these areas was (and still is) entrepreneurship, notably small businesses. These small businesses however, generally have very short and mostly unsuccessful lives. As a result the government at all levels (national, provincial and local) has endeavoured to provide support to these businesses. Some of this support is provided through mediums, such as the Internet (here named “electronic support”) to assist these small businesses. This support, which comes from government, is however, not being fully utilised by the intended beneficiaries. Thus, the small businesses are not benefiting from the support provided. Consequently, many are still experiencing a short and unsuccessful existence. This research thus analyses the small businesses in areas of the greater Cape Town, which are characterised by high levels of poverty and unemployment. Previous studies in these areas have reported the lack of ICT related skills, also known as electronic skills (e-skills), as one of the reasons for the low uptake of electronic support (e-support). This e-support is provided by various levels of government through selected agencies (service providers). In essence, this study is aimed at investigating the influence of e-skills in the access and use of the provided e-support by owners of small businesses. Considering that the lack of adequate e-skills has been identified as influencing the use of e-support, the study also aims to identify the e-skills needed to fully utilise the provided e-support. The approach to this investigation included a review of pertinent literature and devising a conceptual model. This model was then tested in the empirical setting of this study. This setting included: (i) Providers of e-support (various specialised government agencies) and (ii) the intended beneficiaries of this esupport, i.e. small businesses in the previously disadvantaged areas (PDAs) of the greater Cape Town. Through the use of case study methodology and face to face interviews, it was found that many small business owners were not able to appropriately use the provided e-support. This was due to their lack of e-skills, which resulted in their inability to use ICT. Additionally, some were unaware of the existence of the e-support or the service providers. During the review of pertinent literature done as part of the study, an e-skills framework was designed. The framework identified the e-skills considered necessary in order for small business owners to effectively utilise the provided e-support and other technologies. The e-skills framework suggested by this study could be used as a tool to assist: (i) The providers of e-support to understand the usage of their services and enable (ii) a more informed understanding of the need for appropriate e-skills among small business owners, in relation to their use of the provided e-support. Additionally, (iii) small business owners should be in a better position to recognise the benefits of using technology, especially the Internet. The contribution of this study is seen as twofold. Firstly, it should assist the providers and users of e-support. This is done by addressing the practical side of the provision and usage of these services. Secondly, the study contributes an informative e-skills framework related to the effective use of esupport. This study also furthers academic knowledge in the area of the investigation, and suggests further directions for research. Considering, the limited small business sample (only participants from three PDAs), the generalisation of this study is limited. This limitation does not however, influence the validity of this research, or the credibility of the findings.

Hållbarhet blir allt viktigare i dagens samhälle och inte minst social hållbarhet. Denna aspekt är något som fastighetsbolag måste beakta. Inte minst påverkas fastighetsbolagets lönsamhet av social hållbarhet. I socialt utsatta områden uppstår en stor problematik, inte bara för de boende utan även förhyresvärden då det är vanligare att mer underhåll behöver göras. Detta kan exempelvis innebära reparationer vid flytt, klottersanering, renhållning av utemiljö, sabotage, städning, hantering av störningar, obetalda hyror och vakanser. Alla dessa faktorer bidrar till kostnader för fastighetsbolaget, därför blir det allt mer väsentligt att vidta trygghetsskapande åtgärder. Dessutom ur hyresgästernas perspektiv är det viktigt att de känner sig trygga och vill bo kvar. Då social hållbarhet kan anses vara ett relativt nytt ämne finns det inte nog med studier som visar effekterna av dessa åtgärder. Syftet med denna uppsats är att utöka kunskapen om sociala hållbarhetsåtgärder och dess ekonomiska effekter. Denna uppsats undersöker vilka åtgärder fastighetsbolag gör samt vilka möjligheter det finns för att skapa trygghet och bidra till social hållbarhet för sina hyresgäster. Utöver detta undersöks om det och i så fall vilka ekonomiska effekter dessa åtgärder leder till. Studien genomfördes med en kvalitativ metod, primär datainsamling verkställs genom intervjuer med åtta personer från olika fastighetsbolag. Samtliga respondenter besitter kunskaper om respektive bolags sociala hållbarhetsarbete. En kompletterande litteraturstudie har utförts med resultat från tidigare studier. Resultaten av studien indikerar att de vanligaste sociala hållbarhetsåtgärderna är att ha det helt, rent och snyggt i fastigheterna och runt omkring. Även belyses vikten vid att ha bra, fungerande belysning samt undvika mörka och trånga utrymmen. Att som hyresvärd ha en bra och nära kontakt med sinaboende hyresgäster och hela tiden visa sin närvaro och engagemang ses som ett vinnande koncept i socialt utsatta områden. Dessutom anses det betydelsefullt som fastighetsbolag att vara delaktig i eller skapa sociala projekt för hyresgästerna samt samarbeta med myndigheter och andra fastighetsägare. Resultaten av denna uppsats indikerar att sociala hållbarhetsåtgärder utförda av fastighetsbolag ökar bolagets lönsamhet såväl som välfärden i samhället och bidrar till en ökad samhällsnytta genom exempelvis lägre arbetslöshet och minskad kriminalitet. Utförda sociala hållbarhetsåtgärder bidrar till en ökad upplevd trygghet vilket ökar områdets attraktivitet, minskar antalet vakanser och leder till högre hyror och fastighetsvärden. Åtgärderna kan även minska fastighetsbolags kostnader för reparationer och underhåll, vilket bidrar till ett högre driftnetto. / Today’s society has rendered sustainability more important than ever before, including social sustainability. This aspect of sustainability is something real estate companies must acknowledge. Among other things, social sustainability affects real estate companies profitability. In socially disadvantaged areas, problems arise, not only for the tenants but also for the landlord as it is more common that more maintenance and operations need to be done. This can, for example, involve repairs during relocation, graffiti removal, upholding the outdoor environment, sabotage, cleaning, handling of disturbances, unpaid rents and vacancies. All these factors contribute to costs for the real estate company, hence making it increasingly important to take security-creating measures. In addition, it is essential that tenants feel safe and want to stay. As social sustainability is considered a relatively new topic, there are few studies which show the effects of these measures. The purpose of this thesis is to contribute to the knowledge about social sustainability and its economic effects. This essay examines what measures real estate companies take, as well as which measures exist to create security and therefore contribute to social sustainability for tenants. In addition, it is investigated whether and, if so, what economic effects these measures lead to. The study was conducted using a qualitative method, where primary data collection was done through interviews with eight people from different real estate companies. All respondents possess knowledge of theircompany’s social sustainability work. A supplementary literature study has been performed with results from previous studies. The results of this study indicate that the most frequent social sustainability measure taken is to ensure that the property is functional and esthetic. The importance of having good lighting and avoiding cramped dark spaces is also highlighted. As a landlord, having close contact with your tenants and constantly showing one’s presence and commitment is seen as a winning concept in socially disadvantaged areas. In addition, it is considered important to create social projects for the tenants and to collaborate with authorities and other property owners. The results of this thesis indicate that social sustainability measures carried out by real estate companies increase the company's profitability as well as welfare in society and contribute to an increased societal benefit through, for example, lower unemployment and reduced crime. Executed social sustainability measures contribute to an increased experience of security, which increases the area's attractiveness, reduces the number of vacancies and leads to higher rents and property values. The measures can also reduce real estate companies' costs for repairs and maintenance, which contributes to a higher operating net.