The purpose of this study is to problematize the technological transition from traditional retail to mobile commerce, its following challenges, and its impact on organizations. Further, to highlight what companies need in order to consider the implemention of this technological transition. Finally, this study aims to tackle synergies that are exposed in this study that defines factors which drive the technological transition from traditional retail to m-commerce.

abstract: Environmental agencies often want to accomplish additional objectives beyond their central environmental protection objective. This is laudable; however it begets a need for understanding the additional challenges and trade-offs involved in doing so. The goal of this thesis is to examine the trade-offs involved in two such cases that have received considerable attention recently. The two cases I examine are (1) the protection of multiple environmental goods (e.g., bundles of ecosystem services); and (2) the use of payments for ecosystem services as a poverty reduction mechanism. In the first case (chapter 2), I build a model based on the fact that efforts to protect one environmental good often increase or decrease the levels of other environmental goods, what I refer to as "cobenefits" and "disbenefits" respectively. There is often a desire to increase the cobenefits of environmental protection efforts in order to synergize across conservation efforts; and there is also a desire to decrease disbenefits because they are seen as negative externalities of protection efforts. I show that as a result of reciprocal externalities between environmental protection efforts, environmental agencies likely have a disincentive to create cobenefits, but may actually have an incentive to decrease disbenefits. In the second case (chapter 3), I model an environmental agency that wants to increase environmental protection, but would also like to reduce poverty. The model indicates that in theory, the trade-offs between these two goals may depend on relevant parameters of the system, particularly the ratio of the price of monitoring to participant's compliance cost. I show that when the ratio of monitoring costs to compliance cost is higher, trade-offs between environmental protection and poverty reduction are likely to be smaller. And when the ratio of monitoring costs to compliance costs is lower, trade-offs are likely to be larger. This thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of the trade-offs faced by environmental agencies that want to pursue secondary objectives of protecting additional environmental goods or reducing poverty. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Biology 2012

The aim of this thesis is to evaluate two localities with different intensity of agricultural use in terms of ecosystem services provided by nature habitats. In connection with the evaluation of the sites is in the works documented incidence size seminatural habitats, natural calculated value of the studied area using Biotope Vaulation Method (Seják et al., 2003) Application MapoMat developed by the Agency for Nature Conservation and Landscape. The value of ecosystem services is determined through expert analysis by replacement cost. There were differences in the value of ecosystem services important habitats between conventional and organic farming at localities 1 and 4. Natural habitat value conventionally used the site has a 2.53 milKč compared to the organic farming locality where the value was estimated at 194.6 milKč, In this context that the value of ecosystem services locations 1 shows a value of 4438.96 milesCZKyear-1 compared to location 4, calling shows a value of 7905.01 milesCZKyear-1. On this basis, were statistically significant differences in both localities in terms of the frequency of diversity factors examined specimens of ground beetles are examined diversity index P <0001.

Aim - The aim of this thesis is to understand the challenges of the Ugandan coffee industry by having a business ecosystem perspective. By using a broader perspective like the BE, one can see relations and connections that may not have been visible before. Furthermore, when using a BE perspective more actors are included in the systemic work, and important platforms and tools are included in the work of moving the BE forward as one entity. Methodology - A qualitative study was conducted to examine and understand the Ugandan coffee industry from a business ecosystem perspective. 18 semi-structured interviews were performed with coffee farmers and coffee organizations in Uganda. The data was divided into five different themes; Knowledge Sharing in the Business Ecosystem, Platforms and Interactions in the Business Ecosystem, Roles in the Business Ecosystem, Challenges in the Business Ecosystem and Youth in the Business Ecosystem. Conclusions - The findings of the thesis are that some parts of the business ecosystem are missing or lacking. Effective platforms for knowledge sharing are an issue, due to lack of access to a technological platform, monetary resources and low level of education. It was difficult to place some of the actors in different roles that exist in the business ecosystem, because sometimes an actor could fit the description of multiple roles. The interactions and the knowledge sharing also need improvement. Research limitations - Due to the sheer size of any business ecosystem, it is a daunting task to map one out. To make it more manageable, a particular part of the business ecosystem was examined. This might have resulted in the exclusion of important actors. Many of the interviews required an interpreter which meant that some interpretations may have been lost in translation. Furthermore, all the interviews with coffee farmers were arranged by a third party. Which could affect the results. Research contribution – In this thesis a business ecosystem perspective was applied on the Ugandan coffee industry, which has never been done before. Furthermore, it discusses what an unhealthy or lacking business ecosystem is or looks like, since there is little or no previous literature discussing this.

A intensa relação entre sistema econômico e ambiental é tema de discussões e análises de diversas áreas de estudo, mas foi com o surgimento da Economia Ambiental e, posteriormente, da Economia Ecológica que este tópico teve o seu destaque. Mesmo com diferenças substanciais ambas as áreas têm como um dos seus objetivos a identificação e quantificação dos recursos e processos naturais que apresentam utilidade humana, chamados atualmente de serviços ecossistêmicos, através da técnica de valoração ambiental. Dependendo de seu enfoque, a valoração ambiental pode apresentar cálculos e concepções diferentes. Basicamente, existem três esferas de valor dos serviços ecossistêmicos: a econômica, a ecológica e a sociocultural. Por questões metodológicas, de definição e, principalmente, de relutância em discutir questões socioculturais, a última esfera se apresenta pouco desenvolvida e aplicada. A motivação de modificar este quadro se encontra na busca de um melhor entendimento dos diferentes usos dos serviços ecossistêmicos, com destaque para os chamados serviços ecossistêmicos culturais, a fim de uma tomada de decisão que se baseie nas três esferas de valor. Assim, com o objetivo de contribuir para o desenvolvimento da faceta sociocultural da valoração dos serviços ecossistêmicos, o presente estudo foi construído. Para isso, foi proposta e testada uma nova metodologia que permite a identificação (Free listing) e valoração sociocultural (Índice de Saliência de Smith) dos serviços ecossistêmicos através das respostas de comunitários quando submetidos a um questionário semi-estruturado específico. O estudo foi conduzido na Comunidade do Marujá, situada na Ilha do Cardoso, litoral sul do Estado de São Paulo. No total, 53 moradores tradicionais (representando 88% das famílias) foram questionados sobre suas relações, utilitárias, pessoais e comunitárias, com o ecossistema de praia que ladeia a comunidade. Ao todo, 18 serviços ecossistêmicos foram identificados, alguns descritos pela primeira vez, e classificados em três categorias, uma delas também criada neste estudo. Numa análise geral, Alimento, Trabalho e serviços ecossistêmicos culturais, como Identidade de Lugar apresentam os valores mais altos. A utilização de Free listing em conjunto com o Índice de Saliência de Smith se mostrou uma metodologia interessante para a identificação e valoração dos serviços ecossistêmicos a partir do envolvimento de uma população local. Seus resultados são consistentes e permitem a comparação com outros estudos, além de poderem ser utilizados, juntamente com valores de outras esferas, para a composição de um quadro mais completo de tomada de decisão. / The intense relationship between economic and environmental systems has been discussed and analyzed in several areas of study, but it was with the advent of Environmental Economics and, subsequently, the Ecological Economics that this topic had its prominence. Even with substantial differences, both areas have as common objective, the identification and quantification of natural resources and processes that have human utility, also known as ecosystem services. This can be done by environmental valuation techniques. Depending on its approach, environmental valuation has different outcomes, methods and concepts. In general, there are three spheres of ecosystem services values: the economic, the ecological and the socio-cultural one. Because of methodological limitations, definition problems and, mainly, the reluctance in discussing cultural issues, the last sphere is poorly developed and applied. The motivation for modifying this situation is the search for a better understanding of ecosystem services\' different uses, with emphasis on the so-called cultural ecosystem services in order to take decisions that are based on the three spheres of value. Thus, with the objective of contributing to the development of the cultural sphere of ecosystem services valuation, the present study was constructed. A new methodology was therefore proposed and tested: this methodology allows the identification (Free-listing) and sociocultural valuation (Smiths Salience Index) of ecosystem services through the response of a community when submitted to a semi-structured questionnaire. The study was conducted in Marujá community, situated on the Cardoso Island, south coast of Sao Paulo State. In total, 53 traditional residents (representing 88% of households) were asked about their relationship, utilitarian, personal and community, with the community beach ecosystem. In all, 18 ecosystem services were identified. Some were described for the first time, and classified into three categories, one of which was also first assessed in this study. In a general analysis, \"Food\", \"Job\" and cultural ecosystem services, such as \"Sense of place\" have the highest values. The use of Free-listing in conjunction with the Smiths Salience Index appeared to be an interesting methodology for the purpose of identification and valuation of ecosystem services through local population. The results are consistent and allow comparison with other studies. In addition, it can be used together with other sphere values in order to compose a more complete framework for decision-making purpose.

L'agriculture fait face à une crise environnementale qui rend nécessaire la prise en compte du fonctionnement des « écosystèmes ». Mais ce concept de l'écologie donne peu de prise à l'action dans le secteur agricole. Les champs de littérature sur les « biens communs » et sur les « services écosystémiques », qui traitent de la gestion des écosystèmes, ont été abondamment développés et relayés par les politiques publiques. La thèse montre qu'ils cristallisent souvent les conflits entre les objectifs agricoles et les préoccupations écologiques sans pour autant permettre l'exploration de nouveaux systèmes agricoles.Notre thèse en sciences de gestion met en évidence qu'un nouvel enjeu pour la recherche scientifique est d'apprendre à piloter les régulations écologiques au sein des agro-écosystèmes de manière à rendre l'agriculture durable. Elle cherche à définir les modalités d'une démarche de conception des agro-écosystèmes : peuvent-ils faire l'objet de démarches de conception innovantes ? Quelles sont les méthodes pour les concevoir ? Et quels sont les modes de gouvernance appropriés ?L'analyse historique des raisonnements scientifiques en agronomie et en écologie met en évidence les raisons qui rendent difficiles aujourd'hui la conception des agro-écosystèmes, malgré les connaissances de plus en plus fines sur les régulations écologiques. La thèse modélise une classe d'objets particuliers, les « fonds écologiques », que les scientifiques introduisent pour aborder les agro-écosystèmes en s'affranchissant des seuls schémas connus. Elle montre l'intérêt de ne pas considérer les fonds écologiques comme des biens communs mais comme des « inconnus communs ». Le modèle proposé, testé sur un archétype de la production intensive en région céréalière, permet d'élaborer une méthode de conception collective et innovante des agro-écosystèmes. / Agriculture is facing an environmental crisis that makes it necessary to take into account the “ecosystem” functioning. But this concept of ecology is difficult to handle in the agricultural sector. Fields of literature on the "commons" and the "ecosystem services", which deal with the management of ecosystems, have been extensively developed and relayed by public policy. The thesis shows that they often freeze the conflict between agricultural objectives and environmental concerns without allowing the exploration of new farming systems.Our thesis in management science highlights the fact that a new challenge for scientific research is to learn to manage environmental regulations within agro-ecosystems in order to make agriculture sustainable. It aims to define a design approach of agro-ecosystems: can innovative design be applied to them? What are the methods to design agro-ecosystems? And what are the appropriate modes of governance?The historical analysis of scientific reasoning in agronomy and ecology highlights the reasons why the design of agro-ecosystems remains so difficult, despite finer knowledge on environmental regulations. The thesis models a particular class of objects, the “ecological fund” that scientists introduced to deal with agro-ecosystems while escaping the already known patterns. It shows the importance of considering the ecological funds not as common goods but as "common unknowns”. The proposed model, tested on an archetype of an intensive cereal production area, makes it possible to develop a method of collective and innovative design of agro-ecosystems.

Humanity is facing challenges of sustainably producing enough food for a growing population without further eroding the world’s ecosystems. Transformation of natural habitats into agriculture has resulted in opportunities for civilization, but has also led to land degradation and loss of biodiversity, threatening the generation of ecosystem services. A better understanding of interlinkages and trade-offs among ecosystem services, and the spatial scales at which services are generated, used and interact, is needed in order to successfully inform land use policies. This includes the need to develop transdisciplinary tools that can disentangle the relationships between the supply of and demand for ecosystem services. This thesis investigates agricultural landscapes as complex social-ecological systems, and uses a multi-method approach to assess ecosystem service generation from different types of agricultural landscapes and to examine the social-ecological nature of these services. More specifically, the thesis discusses the importance of appropriate spatial scales, explores landscape change, integrates stakeholder knowledge and develops tools to investigate supply and demand of multiple ecosystem services.  Paper I reviews the literature on ecosystem service mapping, revealing that services were mostly mapped at intermediate spatial scales (municipality and province), and rarely at local scales (farm/village). Although most of the reviewed studies used a resolution of 1 hectare or less, more case-specific local scale mapping is required to unravel the fine-scale dynamics of ecosystem service generation that are needed to inform landscape planning. To explore future uncertainties and identify relevant ecosystem services in a study area, paper II builds alternative scenarios using participatory scenario planning in the Upper Thukela region, South Africa. The paper compares methods to select services for an ecosystem service assessment showing that scenario planning added limited value for identifying ecosystem services, although it improved knowledge of the study area and availed useful discussions with stakeholders. Papers III and IV combines social and biophysical data to study the supply and demand of ecosystem services at farm- and landscape level, through participatory mapping and expert assessments in the Upper Thukela region, South Africa (paper III), and through in-depth interviews and biophysical surveys in Uppsala County, Sweden (paper IV), including small-scale and large-scale farmers. Both papers find apparent differences between the farmer groups in terms of the supply and the demand of services, and also the capacity of the farmers to influence the generation of services (paper III). Paper IV further establishes the importance of using multiple indicators combining social and biophysical data to quantify and investigate the complex social-ecological nature of ecosystem services. A cross-case comparison of ecosystem service bundles, using data from papers III and IV, finds similarities in bundles generated in the large-scale systems, while the small-scale agriculture bundles varied. This thesis provides new insights into the social-ecological generation of ecosystem services at fine scales such as farm and landscape levels, and shows the importance of including the knowledge of various stakeholders, combining different methods and tools to increase the understanding of supply and demand of ecosystem services. / <p>At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 3: Manuscript.</p>

This paper explores the value propositions that exist within ecosystems comprised of organizational and individual actors. The concept of value in general and how value is cocreated in multi-actor networks is explored by using service-dominant logic. The ecosystem is further framed by the intrinsic traits of digital technology as portrayed in The Layered Architecture of Digital Technology. Together, both of these framing conventions create what the paper refers to as a digital service ecosystem. In order to understand the important characteristics of a digital service ecosystem this paper analyzes a case study involving several actors participating in an ecosystem project in northern Sweden. This paper identifies six overarching themes that serve as the basis for three value propositions. A model is introduced as a way to simplify the understanding of each value proposition and how they interact with one another.

The pressure on natural resources in urban areas increases as cities grow in size and populations; however, informal institutions as norms and values by ‘common people’ can play a major role for protection of urban greens.  As the city of Bangalore, India, rapidly grows in size and population, its green areas are disappearing. In rural parts of India, local people’s notion of certain ecosystems as sacred has rendered the ecosystems protection and contributed to sustenance of ecosystem services’ generation. The aim of this paper is to explore the potential of stewardship of urban greens in a changing social context, focusing on religious beliefs and practices surrounding trees in Bangalore. It focuses on the cultural dimension of ecosystem services and connects previous research on sacred groves in rural areas with research on stewardship of urban greens. Methods include interview surveys with visitors to five focus sites of religious significance representing the city's four major religions; semi-structured interviews with key informants; and observations. Results show that on the Hindu sites -the study’s main focus- in the city, a range of trees were sacred themselves and revered through a set of practices. On the other sites, trees were rather an incorporated part of the land areas with religious significance. On all sites a set of cultural services was appreciated as generated by trees. Furthermore, visitors had a strong stake in the trees but the experienced levels of capacity to secure the trees’ protection differed between the sites. The study concludes that ‘common people’ are crucial stakeholders for ecosystem stewardship that ensures protection of the urban greens in Bangalore. The different religions in the city provide a multi-faceted protection of different types of urban greens. The level of protection is the outcome of a complex web of community values and norms, where sacredness is one included element.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Understanding of Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) and their extent within the Table Mountain Group (TMG) aquifer is poor. To understand the dependence to basic ecological and hydrogeological concepts need explanation. The use of current literature aided in identification and classification. From the literature it has come clear that groundwater dependence centers around two issues, water source and water use determination. The use of Geographical Information System (GIS) showed its potential in proof of water sources. Rainfall data and a Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for the Uniondale area have been used to do watershed delineation, which is in line with locating GDEs on a landscape. Thus the conceptual approach should be a broad one that sets a basis for both investigation (scientific research) and institutional arrangements (management). On the scientific research aspect: 1) Methods used to ascertain groundwater dependence have been identified and described (for example morphological traits, physiological traits, etc.) a) Use of GIS to delineate watersheds in the Uniondale area, putting it as one of useful methods that can be used in locating GDEs in a landscape. b) Use of Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) to create both geological and topographic cross-sections. Topographic cross-sections are important to locate ecosystems along a landscape, while geological cross-sections are useful in conceptualising groundwater flow. 2) The Plant Functional Type concept, which puts together plant species regardless of phylogeny but rather on morphological, phenological and physiological/life history trait similarity, has been suggested as a useful concept for the TMG GDEs. On the management aspect: 1) An ecosystem approach to understand groundwater has been identified and modified to suite the TMG GDE management. 2) A retention strategy useful to manage the TMG GDEs effectively has been suggested. There are knowledge gaps that exist in the TMG aquifer about Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems. Thus there is: • A need to identify GDE types that exist based on their degrees of dependency on groundwater. • A need to classify the GDEs using a PFTconcept. • To compile a trait (morphological, phenological and physiological) database for TMG aquifer GDEs.