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Background: Despite the growing research on consumer behaviour among various consumer segments, refugees as a consumer segment remain understudied. Factors such as favourable immigration policies have resulted in Sweden's rising refugee population. This growing consumer segment encounters unique challenges linked to a multitude of factors. It is crucial to study these factors to understand the role it plays in shaping refugees' consumer behaviour. Understanding refugees' consumer behaviour is necessary to encourage social inclusion, aid in their economic integration, and direct marketing efforts. Purpose: This research study explores consumer behaviour and the acculturation process of refugees in Sweden. The purpose is to understand the influence of socio-cultural factors on refugees' consumer behavior and their acculturation process. It also investigates the external influences and their role in shaping refugees' consumer behaviour and acculturation.  Method: This study follows a qualitative design whereby 12 interviews were conducted with refugees residing in Sweden. Given the research aims an exploratory design was deemed appropriate. The philosophical framework that guided the study was the interpretivism paradigm. The study is primarily based upon an inductive approach whereby the data collected was coded, analysed, and interpreted using thematic analysis.  Conclusion: The results show that socio-cultural factors which include demographic variables (age, length of residence, education level), cultural values, ethnic identity, and language shape refugee consumer behavior and acculturation. The findings also show that external influences which include income, social media, peers, marketplace cultures, and laws &regulations play a role in the refugees' consumer behaviour. Younger, more educated refugees and those with longer residency integrate faster. Strong ethnic identity persists through consumption choices. Language proficiency is crucial to participate in the market effectively. Income constraints necessitate budget-conscious strategies, leading to social and economic exclusion. Social media and friend networks provide the necessary support to navigate the new market. Swedish laws and regulations and a cashless marketplace create barriers, emphasizing the need for economic integration strategies.

MAAS / Department of Developmental Studies

An appropriate regional cooperation environment makes a vital contribution to the social and economic development of every country in the region. This research thesis focuses specifically on the growing lack of appropriate regional cooperation models in developing countries, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is used as a case study. The research highlights some key issues on the development of the appropriate regional cooperation models. The research information is obtained on the research areas through questionnaire surveys to respondents from South Africa, Tanzania, and Mauritius on the current regional cooperation model and the perceived ideal one. The conclusions drawn are that the regional cooperation models envisaged to be in use in the SADC differ significantly from the theory, which results in inappropriate focus on the requirements of the majority of the states. This is primarily due to the use of inappropriate regional cooperation models. The indications are that traditional market-type integration models, which are used as a “default model” without major adjustments, are inappropriate within the developing countries context, owing to the existence of a fundamental incongruence between the assumptions and requirements of such models and the needs and realities prevailing in Southern Africa. Southern Africa does not satisfy the foremost prerequisites of successful market integration. Despite the considerable advantages the models might have gained in other developed regions, they often fail to meet the requirements of the developing countries. In measuring the satisfaction regarding the current regional cooperation adhering to the requirements of the majority of states, it becomes obvious that the SADC population is generally not satisfied with the results regarding the current regional cooperation. In order to meet the requirements of the majority of states, SADC regional cooperation needs to focus on the appropriate regional cooperation. This requires an understanding and management of three classes of factors, which are environmental factors, capacity factors, and regional organisational factors. The three classes of factors together affect the participation rate of the states. / Business Leadership / DBL (Business Leadership)

An appropriate regional cooperation environment makes a vital contribution to the social and economic development of every country in the region. This research thesis focuses specifically on the growing lack of appropriate regional cooperation models in developing countries, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is used as a case study. The research highlights some key issues on the development of the appropriate regional cooperation models. The research information is obtained on the research areas through questionnaire surveys to respondents from South Africa, Tanzania, and Mauritius on the current regional cooperation model and the perceived ideal one. The conclusions drawn are that the regional cooperation models envisaged to be in use in the SADC differ significantly from the theory, which results in inappropriate focus on the requirements of the majority of the states. This is primarily due to the use of inappropriate regional cooperation models. The indications are that traditional market-type integration models, which are used as a “default model” without major adjustments, are inappropriate within the developing countries context, owing to the existence of a fundamental incongruence between the assumptions and requirements of such models and the needs and realities prevailing in Southern Africa. Southern Africa does not satisfy the foremost prerequisites of successful market integration. Despite the considerable advantages the models might have gained in other developed regions, they often fail to meet the requirements of the developing countries. In measuring the satisfaction regarding the current regional cooperation adhering to the requirements of the majority of states, it becomes obvious that the SADC population is generally not satisfied with the results regarding the current regional cooperation. In order to meet the requirements of the majority of states, SADC regional cooperation needs to focus on the appropriate regional cooperation. This requires an understanding and management of three classes of factors, which are environmental factors, capacity factors, and regional organisational factors. The three classes of factors together affect the participation rate of the states. / Business Leadership / DBL (Business Leadership)

自從我方政府於1987年開放臺灣地區民眾赴大陸探親，並陸續放寬兩岸經貿交流的限制之後，海峽兩岸之間的經貿關係獲得了空前的突破與進展，不論是間接貿易或間接投資，均呈現大幅的成長。彼此之間的經貿往來已經形成緊密的經濟聯繫。 　　而在兩岸經貿往來日益密切之際，世界經濟也因「歐洲經濟區」與「北美自由貿易區」的實現而有朝向區域經濟整合的發展趨勢。面對這股世界經濟朝向區域化、集團化的發展趨勢，以及海峽兩岸經貿往來日益密切的事實，許多學者紛紛主張兩岸應該在現有的經貿交流基礎上，進一步實施經濟整合，希望能將同屬華人社會的台灣、大陸與香港等兩岸三地的經濟力量結合在一起，共同籌組一個屬於兩岸中國人的「大中華經濟圈」，藉以加強彼此間的經濟合作、促進此一地區的進步繁榮。基於以上所述，本論文之研究目的在於探討海峽兩岸是否有可能在現有的經貿交流基礎上，進一步實施經濟整合，建立一個以兩岸中國人為中心的區域性經濟組織。 　　本論文主要採用文獻分析法、比較研究法以及統計分析法等研究方法。在第二章探討海峽兩岸經貿關係之發展現況。第三章探討區域經濟整合之基本理論，包括經濟整合的定義、類型與效果，並以歐洲共同體為例，汲取其發展經驗。第四章則探討有關兩岸經濟整合之構想，分析大中華經濟圈的發展條件及限制並評析其可能產生之經濟效果。第五章探討兩岸經濟整合之展望，並對未來兩岸經濟合作的努力方向提出建言。 　　根據本論文的研究結果顯示：不論從地緣、血緣、親緣以及兩岸經濟資源秉賦互補等條件來看，海峽兩岸之間確實具有某些有利於兩岸三地進一步實施經濟整合的條件；但另一方面，兩岸之間也同時存在著(1)政治意識對立；(2)經濟制度迥異與(3)經濟發展程度懸殊等不利於兩岸進一步實施經濟整合的因素，尤其政治上的對立，更是兩岸實施經濟整合的最大障礙。現階段中共當局仍然堅持「一國兩制」的對臺政策，不承認中華民國為其對等之政治實體，致使任何形式之經濟整合均難以在兩岸之間實現。因此，現階段海峽兩岸之間仍未具備實施經濟整合之條件。