The aim of this essay is to contribute to knowledge about how teaching for sustainable development (TSD) in a preschool context is understood by preschool teachers. The new curriculum for early childhood education (ECE) in Sweden, Läroplan för förskolan Lpfö 18 (Skolverket 2018) addresses sustainable development for the first time explicitly as part of the ECE program, with all three dimensions (environmental, social and economic) included in the description. In a qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews and with inspiration from phenomenographic method, this essay is focused on preschool teachers various views on their own teaching practices regarding sustainable development. Considerations of ethic matters such as confidentiality and informational consent were taken. We built our analysis upon to what extent the three dimensions of sustainable development; environmental, social and economic, were included in the teachers expressions. What kind of content and activities were expressed as a part of their TSD and how they described their own teaching role were explored. Three different teaching roles were identified through the material. Together with teachers descriptions of content and activities, these were subsequently related to the teaching traditions; fact-based, normative and pluralistic, as described by Öhman and Östman (2004). This as the third and last step in our analysis. The result shows a variation of teaching roles, content and activities, where the three dimensions as well as the teaching traditions are sometimes overlapping. Conclusions and implications are discussed.

Dubai’s rapid double-digit economic growth was severely challenged by the global financial crisis of 2007, which raised many concerns questioning the sustainability of the Dubai model of economic development and the viability of the emirate’s economic managerial practices. Although the economic landscape of Dubai has experienced a significant transformation over the last two decades, from a basic traditional economy of US $17.9 billion in 2001 to a diversified non-oil dependent economy of US $ 86.7 billion in 2012, there are few convincing empirical academic studies to assess and explain the Dubai model of economic development. This doctoral research provides a crucial assessment of the Dubai model in light of its political and socio-cultural contexts. For this purpose, a multidisciplinary theoretical framework that stems from the literature of economic geography, cultural economy and managerialism, has been designed in order to critically interpret the mechanism of the emirate’s economic practices in today’s global capitalism. This involves a methodological approach based on the study of narratives and performance to explain Dubai’s narratives and macro-economic performance. The multidisciplinary theoretical framework adopted is useful in analysing the Dubai model as an alternative to the discipline of mainstream economics, which ignores cultural and social dimensions and conditions that not only influence but also shape a given economic landscape. The research was undertaken by analysing a wide range of data, including intensive macro-economic statistics, financial and economic reports, international and local press, as well as conducting empirical in-depth elite interviews with fifty-six key stakeholders in the economy of Dubai: senior government officials, representatives of financial institutions, senior managers in the private non-financial sector, and academics. The research findings reveal that although the political and socio-cultural contexts naturally support Dubai's economic model, institutional and managerial problems were also exposed following the global financial crisis and the property shock of 2007. Dubai represents a financialized economy in which the government has adopted a hybrid model of government-driven developments and corporate managerial features within an environment that encourages commercial liberalism and market capitalism. However, despite this financialized economy, tensions remain in Dubai's pursuit of these goals. Finally, the research stresses the need for appropriate government mechanisms to foster oversight over economic performance and long-term sustainable economic development.

The basic income concept is a bold, challenging, and provocative proposal. It is an income unconditionally paid by a government, at a uniform level and at regular intervals, to each adult member of society. The grant is paid irrespective of whether the person is rich or poor, lives alone or with others, is willing to work or not. It should guarantee that all recipients have sufficient material conditions for their existence. This scheme is proposed as a mechanism of distributive justice, and as a tool to combat unemployment without increasing poverty. The economic independence would secure real freedom for all - an opportunity to do what they might want to do, including the permanent idleness. Implementing the basic income is to change current economic and social realities, not only the welfare system. The aim of this diploma thesis is to find ethically relevant aspects in the argumentation of positives and negatives of a basic income and to point out problems that are related to the concept of a basic income in ethical terms.

Purpose – This research is investigating the Swedish banks transitioning to cashless bank offices. The investigation is carried out to fully understand the reasons behind the transition and what impacts it brought upon the stakeholders affected by it. The purpose of this is to analyze the transition for social and economic effects so that it can be concluded whether the transition was a move towards sustainable banking.  Method – The researchers carried out a case study at one of the biggest banks in Sweden. The empirical data for the research was collected through qualitative interviews and a survey with the bank’s employees as participants.  Findings – Several reasons for the transition to cashless banking were found. Both positive and negative effects brought up on stakeholders were also illuminated from the transition. The transition could not be deemed entirely as a move towards sustainable banking due to negative effects on stakeholders. However, it provides important information about the negative impacts and the stakeholders affected.  Implications – No clear answers can be provided due to many interrelated factors that are surrounding the transition, further studies need to be made to which are more focused on each the role of each and one of these factors.  Limitations – The case study is carried out in the Swedish banking sector, therefore, is geographically limited to Sweden as the transition might be different in different societies. The research is investigating the social and economic impacts brought by the cashless transition. Thus, the findings do not provide data regarding environmental impacts.

A rapid change in the market context and a growing concern regarding the environment with initiatives such as Agenda 2030 and Paris Agreement is what organisations are facing today. Further, macro-factors including war, inflation and energy crisis contribute to additional concerns in the market. These conclude with a hard-to-navigate landscape for retail companies. Taking the current trend of increasing returns into consideration, this creates an expectation for organisations to manage the returns with sustainability in mind, both economic and environmental. Therefore, a specific Reverse Logistics system is crucial.To address the identified research gap the purpose of this study is to analyse how companies within the speciality retail sector can have a sustainable and effective Reverse Logistics system and if there are different opportunities in the Swedish market. To address the research question, the study is conducted as a qualitative study with an inductive approach and the interviews were held with relevant managers within the speciality retail sector, with expertise in Reverse Logistics and Sustainability.The data collected from semi-structured interviews were analysed by using thematic analysis and led us to our findings. This resulted in four main themes (1) Sustainability, (2) Reverse Logistics, (3) Motivators for Reverse Logistics and (4) Challenges with Reverse Logistic which were discussed both separately and in correlations with each other in order to arrive at the answer to our research question.The results showed that companies within the speciality retail sector have a Reverse Logistics system implemented but face challenges in how to manage it efficiently and be profitable. Their main challenges were identified as Economic and Resource Demanding, and how to remain environmentally sustainable. In contrast to the challenges, motivators for Reverse Logistics were identified. The major motivators found were Stakeholders, mostly referred to as customers, Economic opportunities and Environmental benefits, and how they can remain profitable. Further, we developed an adjusted version of the theoretical model for how Reverse Logistics could be managed from our empirical findings.Lastly, our findings indicate that the most sustainable option in terms of Economy and Environment is for the organisations to work with the prevention of returns, both with customer awareness and supporting in-store returns. Additionally, a finding shown from the research is that in order to have Economic sustainability, Environmental sustainability needs to be integrated as well as this affects the stakeholders.

Sustainability is becoming more of a strategic tool in many companies today and will become even more important in the future. Hemfrid is today looking at many new business areas and has realized the importance of including sustainability in its new businesses. However, the link between sustainability and business development has not been researched in a larger extent and therefore there are no good methods to use. Therefore, the aim of this report is to provide a method and tool for Hemfrid to integrate sustainability aspects into their business development processes. To fulfil this aim, an analysis of current scientific literature and models within the areas of sustainability and business development was done. Based on those models, with a foundation in the Sustainable Development Goals, a model was created. To be able to weigh different impact area against each other, an MCA was conducted. Finally, the model was assessed through external feedback and through a SWOT analysis. The model is based on 14 of the 17 SDGs with specific impact categories for all of them. A tool was created in Excel to easily assess the impact of the new business development projects. Lastly a seminar was held with Hemfrid’s management team facilitating the model. / Hållbarhet håller idag på att utvecklas från ett område som de senaste åren varit en operationellt fokuserad verksamhet till något som mer och mer närmar sig strategiarbete. Som en del av den här utvecklingen börjar många företag konstatera att integrationen av hållbarhet i deras affärsutvecklingsarbete blir en fråga som blir allt viktigare. Hemfrid har de senaste 20 åren växt fram till ett marknadsledande företag inom hushållsnära tjänster där hemstädning för privatpersoner är den dominerande tjänsten. Hemfrid har valt att fokusera på att ge sina anställda kollektivavtal och trygg anställning och fokusera på sina anställda och kunder och i dagsläget tittar man på många nya affärsutvecklingsmöjligheter för att fortsätta erbjuda sina kunder hjälp i sina hem. I och med Hemfrids fokus på hållbarhet med schyssta arbetsvillkor och miljövänliga produkter har de även insett vikten av att även på ett tidigt stadium få in hållbarhetstänk i sitt affärsutvecklingsarbete. Denna rapport syftar därför till att skapa en modell och verktyg för Hemfrid för att integrera hållbarhetsaspekter i deras affärsutvecklingsarbete. Hemfrid-modellen är framtagen med de globala hållbarhetsmålen som utgångspunkt där olika kriterier identifierades inom varje mål som Hemfrid sedan kan utvärdera sina affärsutvecklingsprojekt utifrån. En litteraturstudie är även gjord där det identifierats nio ytterligare modeller inom hållbarhet respektive affärsutveckling som på olika sätt varit användbara för att skapa kriterier och övergripande användning av Hemfrid-modellen. Varje mål är viktat utifrån Hemfrids nuvarande verksamhet och strategi för att spegla företagets hållbarhetsprioriteringar. Verktyget är framtaget i Excel, baseras på en Multikriterieanalys och ger Hemfrid ett enkelt sätt att på en 5-gradig skala, för varje mål, utvärdera om kriterierna förändras från en skala mycket sämre till mycket bättre jämfört med dagens produkter eller tjänster. Verktyget visualiserar sedan om projektet som helhet är bra eller dåligt hållbarhetsmässigt samt vilka mål man har väldigt positiv påverkan på och bör kommunicera mot sina kunder samt vilka man bör se över och förbättra. Vidare har verktyget testats på två olika affärsutvecklingsprojekt där representanter från hållbarhetsavdelningen och affärsutvecklingsenheten fått ge feedback på användning och modellen har även presenterats och diskuterats tillsammans med Hemfrids ledning för att förankra modellens användande inom bolaget. Slutligen gjordes även en SWOT-analys där modellen visade vara över lag positiv. De negativa delarna med modellen ligger i att den är en förenkling av verkligheten och inte kommer kunna ta upp alla hållbarhetsaspekter som finns samt att det i användandet av modellen finns risk att man gör subjektiva bedömningar och ger sig själv bättre poäng än vad man egentligen borde. Modellen kommer dock kraftigt förenkla integrationen av hållbarhet i affärsutvecklingsprocesserna på Hemfrid och kommer användas för att försäkra att Hemfrid fortsätter vara starka inom hållbarhet och att erbjuda sina kunder smarta lösningar.

Logging businesses are an essential component of the forest-based supply chain. They are the connection between forest landowners, who grow the raw materials, and forest product mills that produce primary forest products. They are confronted with many operational challenges and issues that can make operating sustainably, producing a profit, and obtaining long-term economic viability seem unattainable. Although other businesses have similar operational challenges, logging businesses are somewhat unique in that they have minimal influence over delivered prices or the cost of stumpage, so changes in variable input costs can have large impacts on businesses' economic sustainability. Logging business operational challenges include increasing input costs such as equipment purchase costs, fuel costs, and equipment maintenance and repair costs. The economic sustainability of logging businesses affects the entire forest-based supply chain because one segment cannot function successfully without the others. This project evaluated operational characteristics, challenges, and issues related to the economic sustainability of logging businesses in Virginia from May through July 2023. A comparison was conducted using opinions and perspectives from professionals in other segments of the forest-based supply chain, on their outlook for the logging industry in Virginia concerning economic sustainability. Mail questionnaires, following the Dillman Method, were used to collect data from the survey populations which included logging business owners, consulting foresters (landowner representatives), and mill owners or procurement representatives. The response rates for logging businesses, mills, and consultant foresters were 27, 40, and 69 percent respectively. The top two challenges logging businesses faced in Virginia were fuel related. The number one challenge reported by logging businesses was fuel costs for in-woods harvesting equipment followed by fuel costs for trucks. Only 32.9% of logging businesses reported they were profitable in the past year. Only 26.1% of businesses had an outlook that their business was economically sustainable while 38.8% reported that their business was not sustainable. A greater percentage of mills (56.3%) and consultants (68.9%) reported their outlook for logging businesses was not economically sustainable. There were many neutral perspectives from all populations, however small positive changes in market conditions could move responses to the positive side of neutral. This study identifies the challenges in the industry as well as perspectives on the future of the forest industry's economic sustainability. The results of the study should be used as a catalyst encouraging segments of the industry to work together to address challenges and find solutions. / Master of Science / Logging businesses are an essential component of the forest-based supply chain as they are the connection between forest landowners, who grow the raw materials, and forest product mills that produce primary forest products. They are confronted with many operational challenges and issues that can make operating sustainably, producing a profit, and obtaining long-term economic viability seem unattainable. However, the economic sustainability of logging businesses affects the entire forest-based supply chain because one segment cannot function successfully without the others. This project evaluated operational characteristics, challenges, and issues related to the economic sustainability of the logging businesses, including the perspectives from professionals across the forest-based supply chain. A mail survey, following the Dillman method, was used to collect data from the three populations; logging business owners, consulting foresters (landowner representatives), and mill owners or procurement representatives. The response rates for logging businesses, mills, and consultants were 27, 40, and 69 percent respectively. The number one challenge reported by logging businesses was fuel costs for in-woods harvesting equipment. Logging businesses reported that only 32.9% were profitable in the past year. Only 26.1% of businesses had an outlook that their business was economically sustainable while 38.8% reported that their business was not sustainable. A greater percentage of mills (56.3%) and consultants (68.9%) reported their outlook for logging business economic sustainability was not sustainable. There were many neutral perspectives from all populations, and small positive changes in market conditions could move responses to the positive side of neutral. This study identifies the challenges in the industry as well as perspectives on the future of the forest industry's economic sustainability. The results of the study should be used as a catalyst encouraging segments of the industry to work together to address challenges and find solutions.

The literature focusing on the resource-curse commonly characterize oil-rich economies as weak and fragile. These literatures encourage diversification 'away' from oil in order to develop the economies, however, they often overlook the path for development. In contrast to this broad aim, this research bids to develop the economy 'based on' oil using Saudi Arabia as case study that can be valuable to similar resource-rich economies. The research seeks to understand how public policymaking can be used as a path to sustainable economy. It employs concepts of economic theory to design an optimal oil depletion policy framework that normatively geared towards achieving sustainable economic outcome. Sustainable economy is that simply beyond what often gauged by the GDP, an economy that is focused on long-term value creation that can shield the country against market upsets. The policy framework is grounded on economic sustainability, political economy, and the role of institutions and policymaking in managing resource-rich economies. As a result, the methodology under Normative Policy Analysis Framework was devised to outline the oil depletion policy model which will also be practically useful to propose, develop, and analyze other normative policies. The methodology also helped in identifying the specific parameters influencing the oil depletion policy in Saudi Arabia and conceivably in other oil-rich economies. As the sustainable economic welfare is, by definition, at the heart of policymaking, government intervention through effective policymaking and strong institutions plays an active role in managing market distortions, promote socioeconomic welfare, and achieve sustainability. Saudi Arabia should employ the optimal oil depletion policy to steer the economy through the sustainable path by leveraging on its national comparative advantage underpinned by resource endowment. The research also revealed that, Saudi Arabia should optimally balance between endogenous and exogenous variables in crafting its oil policy. This should lead the path to economic diversification and enable the country to wean itself from oil-dependence, disengage from in rent-seeking activities, and shift to long-term sustainable development objectives implied by development-led depletion model.

My purpose in this work is to argue that the resolution of capitalism’s contradictions, as they are understood by Marx, fits the criteria of an economic movement towards sustainability. The Marxist analysis of capitalism, while accurate in many respects (especially with the explanation of contradictions generated in the capitalist free market), requires more explanation of the manner in which the economic process of valuation is to continue in the stages succeeding late capitalism. This work will provide an explanation of this economic transition that remains faithful to Marx’s understanding of history and the historical development of the productive forces and the relations of production. I will propose the inclusion of ideal capital (the valuation of non-material goods) as an economic component to help explain a sustainable economic arrangement under a Marxian framework. I will additionally address critiques arising from Bohm-Bawerk in my endorsement of a Marxian economic analysis.

nÃo hà / O empreendedororismo social à uma abordagem que trata da superaÃÃo de limites impostos pela escassez de recursos, por meio do reconhecimento e exploraÃÃo de novas oportunidades e o contexto em que as organizaÃÃes do Terceiro Setor, como as ONGs, se encontram à caracterizado pela dificuldade em obter os recursos necessÃrios ao desenvolvimento de suas aÃÃes e projetos sociais. Diante disto, esse trabalho tem como finalidade identificar como as ONGs cearenses tem desenvolvido sua sustentabilidade econÃmica por meio do empreendedorismo social, como forma de dar prosseguimento a sua missÃo, nÃo se limitando ao contexto de escassez de recursos. Foram realizados estudos de caso em quatro ONGs cearenses, sendo observadas as aÃÃes habituais e inovadoras no Ãmbito dos trÃs critÃrios de sustentanbilidade econÃmica em ONGs (nÃo-mercantil, nÃo-monetÃrio e mercantil). Por meio da utilizaÃÃo da anÃlise do conteÃdo como tÃcnica investigativa chegou-se a conclusÃo de que a ONGs cearenses tem desenvolvido sua sustentabilidade econÃmica por meio do empreendorismo social atravÃs, principalmente, do intenso desenvolvimento de atividades comerciais, ligadas ao critÃrio mercantil, tanto relacionadas a prÃticas habituais, como a aÃÃes inovadoras e que isto tem ocorrido de forma totalmente diversificada e diretamente relacionada à missÃo organizacional. Quanto ao critÃrio nÃo-mercantil de sustentabilidade econÃmica verificou-se que pouco se tem empreendido neste Ãmbito, tendo sido percebido que o desgaste que a imagem destas organizaÃÃes tiveram apÃs a exposiÃÃo de ONGs que se utilizaram irregularmente de doaÃÃes gerou desgaste e desconforto em sua relaÃÃo com empresas e indivÃduos. Quanto aos recursos pÃblicos, apenas uma das ONGs tem estratÃgia estabelecida voltada a constante participaÃÃo de editais e a busca de benefÃcios fiscais, sendo considerado pelas ONGs, um recurso envolto em processo, excessivamente, burocrÃtico e desgastante. Quanto ao critÃrio nÃo-monetÃrio, a maioria das ONGs tem se utilizado, como meio mais recente de captar futuros colaboradores, as redes sociais e tem obtido grandes resultados. Mesmo as que nÃo utilizam essa ferramenta de comunicaÃÃo com este intuito, conseguem indiretamente captar voluntÃrios, pois à criada uma rede de contatos onde se compartilha as aÃÃes e atividades sociais desenvolvidas, despertando o interesse da sociedade em colaborar / The social empreendedororismo is an approach that deals with overcoming limits imposed by the scarcity of resources, by recognizing and exploiting new opportunities and the context in which third sector organizations such as NGOs, are is characterized by difficulty in obtaining the resources necessary to develop their actions and social projects. In view of this, this paper aims to identify how Cearà NGOs have developed their economic sustainability through social entrepreneurship as a way of following through on their mission, not limited to the context of resource scarcity. Case studies were conducted in four Cearà NGOs, being subject to the usual and innovative actions under the three criteria of economic sustentanbilidade in NGOs (non-commercial, non-monetary and commercial). Through the use of content analysis as an investigative technique we came to the conclusion that the Cearà NGOs have developed their economic sustainability through social entrepreneurship primarily through the intensive development of commercial activities related to commercial criteria, both related to customary practices, such as innovative actions and this has been fully diversified and directly related to the organizational mission. As for the non-market criteria of economic sustainability was found that little has been undertaken in this area, having been seen to wear the image of these organizations had after exposure of NGOs that were used irregularly donations generated wear and discomfort in their relationship with businesses and individuals. As for public resources, only one NGO has established strategy geared to constant participation notices and seeking tax benefits, being considered by the NGOs a resource wrapped in process, excessively bureaucratic and exhausting. As for the non-monetary criteria, most NGOs have been used, as the latest means of capturing future employees, social networks and has achieved great results. Even those who do not use this communication tool to that end, can indirectly attract volunteers as a network of contacts which is shared actions and developed social activities is created, arousing the interest of society to cooperate