Thesis (M.A.)--Regis University, Denver, Colo., 2006. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on May 25, 2007). "Specialization: Adult Learning & Media Development"--T.p. Includes bibliographical references.

<p> </p><p>Micro businesses are the most common form of business in the world and they play an important role in the economic growth of every country. They are usually characterized by a lack of financial resources, which influences the management of such firms. The role of the owner manager is crucial in micro businesses and has a strong influence on every aspects of the business and one of these aspects is human resource management.</p><p>Compared to the research about larger companies, the number of researches in the scope of human resource management (HRM) specifically within micro businesses is very small. Another fact which caught the attention of the authors is that the situation in Thailand regarding HRM within micro businesses remains a blank spot. This master thesis will try to provide more information about the situation on the Thai micro businesses and human resource management within them.</p><p>In order to do so, a theoretical framework was created based on the literature available about human resource management within micro businesses. The second step was to interview the owners of nine Thai micro businesses and discover what their HRM practices are. After these steps we compared the literature and the data provided by the owners of micro businesses in order to find similarities and differences between the two.</p><p>The conclusions of this study were that many similarities could be found between the theory chosen in our frame of reference and the reality of the nine Thai micro firms. Some differences were noticed but those could not overshadow the fact that the frame of reference was able to describe the situation of the Thai businesses. This thesis obviously evidences some limitations and recommends that more studies should be performed in order to generalize human resource management within micro businesses in Thailand.</p><p> </p>

Micro businesses are the most common form of business in the world and they play an important role in the economic growth of every country. They are usually characterized by a lack of financial resources, which influences the management of such firms. The role of the owner manager is crucial in micro businesses and has a strong influence on every aspects of the business and one of these aspects is human resource management. Compared to the research about larger companies, the number of researches in the scope of human resource management (HRM) specifically within micro businesses is very small. Another fact which caught the attention of the authors is that the situation in Thailand regarding HRM within micro businesses remains a blank spot. This master thesis will try to provide more information about the situation on the Thai micro businesses and human resource management within them. In order to do so, a theoretical framework was created based on the literature available about human resource management within micro businesses. The second step was to interview the owners of nine Thai micro businesses and discover what their HRM practices are. After these steps we compared the literature and the data provided by the owners of micro businesses in order to find similarities and differences between the two. The conclusions of this study were that many similarities could be found between the theory chosen in our frame of reference and the reality of the nine Thai micro firms. Some differences were noticed but those could not overshadow the fact that the frame of reference was able to describe the situation of the Thai businesses. This thesis obviously evidences some limitations and recommends that more studies should be performed in order to generalize human resource management within micro businesses in Thailand.

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Today, we live according to the linear economy which depletes the planet's resources and gives rise to large amounts of waste. The circular economy, on the other hand, can be seen as a kind of cycle where the extraction of raw materials is minimized, and reuse is to be maximized. The generation of waste should preferably be avoided. This study aims to investigate how circular micro-enterprises engage with the principles of the circular economy and to identify any associated difficulties or challenges connected to circular economy. The study also examines whether these companies utilize specific tools to measure their circularity. Four companies were interviewed through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, and the data was analyzed using thematic analysis as a guiding framework. The findings revealed several challenges associated with implementing circular economy practices, including issues related to transportation and behavior patterns. Furthermore, the majority of the four respondents reported not using any specific tools to measure their circularity, although some companies employ life cycle analysis to assess the environmental impact of their products or services. There is a clear need for the development of standardized tools that facilitate the assessment of circularity for companies, enabling easy comparison and evaluation of progress in adopting circular economy principles.

O empreendedorismo social surge como uma nova forma de empreender, preocupado acima da geração de valor econômico, com o potencial de acréscimo de valor social incutido em determinado setor da sociedade. As micro e pequenas empresas vêm sendo objeto de estudo da contabilidade ao longo do tempo, porém os negócios sociais não parecem estar recebendo atenção devida tendo em vista serem um tipo inovador de negócio, que se preocupa com a transformação de uma sociedade que cada vez mais se questiona sobre os impactos ambientais e de desigualdade social causados pelo sistema econômico vigente. Neste sentido, o presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar o estado atual de interação entre a contabilidade e empreendedores sociais e, para além disso, indagar de quais formas um uso mais qualitativo da contabilidade pode assegurar o êxito deste tipo de negócios. O trabalho coletou seus dados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com empreendedores sociais e profissionais de contabilidade que prestam serviços a esses empreendedores. Como resultado da análise das entrevistas, pôde-se vislumbrar um cenário de distanciamento entre a contabilidade e os negócios sociais. Porém já existem profissionais atentos a essa nova vertente de negócio, profissionais contábeis que enxergam um papel de destaque desse tipo de empreendimento por seu caráter de transformação social. Pretende-se com a pesquisa, além de outras coisas, agregar visibilidade aos negócios sociais, despertar maior interesse pelo tema nas pesquisas em contabilidade e conscientizar os empreendedores sobre os benefícios que o uso de uma contabilidade de qualidade pode trazer para seus negócios / Social entrepreneurship emerges as a new way of undertaking, preoccupied not only with the generation of economic value, but also with the potential for added social value instilled in a sector of society. Micro and small enterprises have been an increasingly research subject in accounting over time, but social businesses do not seem to be receiving proper attention due to being an innovative type of business, one that concerns itself with the transformation of a society that increasingly ponders on the environmental impacts and social inequality caused by the current economic system. In this sense, the present study aimed to analyze the current state of interaction between accounting and social entrepreneurs and, in addition, to question in which ways can a more qualitative use of accounting ensure the success of this type of business. This work collected its data through semi-structured interviews with social entrepreneurs and accounting professionals who provide services to these entrepreneurs. Through the analysis of the interviews, we could notice a scenario in which there is still some distance between accounting and social businesses. However, there are already some professionals paying attention to this new kind of business, accounting professionals who see a prominent role in this type of enterprise for its character of social transformation. The aim of the research is to add visibility to social affairs, to raise awareness of the topic in accounting research, and to make entrepreneurs aware of the benefits that the use of quality accounting can bring to their business

<p>Date: 6/16/2008</p><p>Institution: School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology, Mälardalen University, Västerås (Sweden)</p><p>Authors:</p><p>Brüning, Andrea</p><p>830111</p><p>Västerås</p><p>Curtolo,Anna</p><p>820517</p><p>Västerås</p><p>Tutor: Tobias Eltebrandt</p><p>Title: A Study of Switch Pac: what would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market?</p><p>Problem: What would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market?</p><p>Purpose: The aim of our project is to see the potential of Switch Pac’s oxo-biodegradable plastic bags on the Swedish market by capitalize on green attitudes and behaviour.</p><p>Method: The report is based on primary data collected through questionnaires (end consumer/ B2B customers). For the investigation of Switch Pac’s macro- and microenvironment secondary data was used (books, journals, newspaper and the Internet)</p><p>Conceptual Framework: The conceptual framework consists of certain models to investigate the following topics:</p><p>Consumer behavior</p><p>AIDA-Model</p><p>STP-Model</p><p>Switch Pac´s business environment</p><p>PESTEL</p><p>Conclusion/ Recommendations: In our conclusion based on our frameworks PESTEL, AIDA and STP we concluded that peoples’ awareness regarding environmental friendly plastic bags are not very high based on our questionnaire. The efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand is to target the customer in the age range from 20 – 49 years and cooperate with supermarkets and (department) stores. Furthermore, Switch Pac needs to position its products in the consumers mind through create brand awareness by using certain elements of the marketing mix model.</p>

The evolvement of a knowledge-based economy and the internet has changed the pattern of occupation, shortening the career life cycle of various professions. For many people wanting to realize their dreams and continue their careers, the choice is to start their own enterprise. Women have been restricted for a long time owing to the binding traditional roles, expectations and the differing sexual values in society. When choosing an occupation, women were faced with more difficult considerations than men. Hence, recently both academics and industrialists have attached importance to the discussion of women entrepreneurs in Taiwan. According to statistics from various countries, one-person business, a part of micro-business, is proportionally high in each nation. This could be seen as a common commercial pattern as well as an entrepreneurial model and also as an individual¡¦s choice of lifestyle. Many of these self-employed businesses, ¡¥non-companies¡¦, are in existence because they don¡¦t have complex organizational regulations and working procedures. They are seen in society as a matter of course and are often ignored. The numbers of one-person businesses and the SOHO population have increased due to the knowledge-based economy and the internet. Many people choose self-employment as a means to gain freedom, flexibility and independence. One-person business can be regarded as the easiest type out of all business to set up. There are many reasons why women pursue one-person business as a career. This study is based on in-depth interviews which explore the reasons of contentment and motivation behind women entrepreneurs. It also sums up an evaluation of women prior to their own business and to understand women¡¦s ability to carry out business development opportunities. Finally, it concludes with an optimum model proposal for women¡¦s one-person business.

Date: 6/16/2008 Institution: School of Sustainable Development of Society and Technology, Mälardalen University, Västerås (Sweden) Authors: Brüning, Andrea 830111 Västerås Curtolo,Anna 820517 Västerås Tutor: Tobias Eltebrandt Title: A Study of Switch Pac: what would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market? Problem: What would be the efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand and capitalize on green attitudes and behavior in the Swedish market? Purpose: The aim of our project is to see the potential of Switch Pac’s oxo-biodegradable plastic bags on the Swedish market by capitalize on green attitudes and behaviour. Method: The report is based on primary data collected through questionnaires (end consumer/ B2B customers). For the investigation of Switch Pac’s macro- and microenvironment secondary data was used (books, journals, newspaper and the Internet) Conceptual Framework: The conceptual framework consists of certain models to investigate the following topics: Consumer behavior AIDA-Model STP-Model Switch Pac´s business environment PESTEL Conclusion/ Recommendations: In our conclusion based on our frameworks PESTEL, AIDA and STP we concluded that peoples’ awareness regarding environmental friendly plastic bags are not very high based on our questionnaire. The efficient ways for Switch Pac to increase potential demand is to target the customer in the age range from 20 – 49 years and cooperate with supermarkets and (department) stores. Furthermore, Switch Pac needs to position its products in the consumers mind through create brand awareness by using certain elements of the marketing mix model.

O empreendedorismo social surge como uma nova forma de empreender, preocupado acima da geração de valor econômico, com o potencial de acréscimo de valor social incutido em determinado setor da sociedade. As micro e pequenas empresas vêm sendo objeto de estudo da contabilidade ao longo do tempo, porém os negócios sociais não parecem estar recebendo atenção devida tendo em vista serem um tipo inovador de negócio, que se preocupa com a transformação de uma sociedade que cada vez mais se questiona sobre os impactos ambientais e de desigualdade social causados pelo sistema econômico vigente. Neste sentido, o presente estudo teve por objetivo analisar o estado atual de interação entre a contabilidade e empreendedores sociais e, para além disso, indagar de quais formas um uso mais qualitativo da contabilidade pode assegurar o êxito deste tipo de negócios. O trabalho coletou seus dados por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com empreendedores sociais e profissionais de contabilidade que prestam serviços a esses empreendedores. Como resultado da análise das entrevistas, pôde-se vislumbrar um cenário de distanciamento entre a contabilidade e os negócios sociais. Porém já existem profissionais atentos a essa nova vertente de negócio, profissionais contábeis que enxergam um papel de destaque desse tipo de empreendimento por seu caráter de transformação social. Pretende-se com a pesquisa, além de outras coisas, agregar visibilidade aos negócios sociais, despertar maior interesse pelo tema nas pesquisas em contabilidade e conscientizar os empreendedores sobre os benefícios que o uso de uma contabilidade de qualidade pode trazer para seus negócios / Social entrepreneurship emerges as a new way of undertaking, preoccupied not only with the generation of economic value, but also with the potential for added social value instilled in a sector of society. Micro and small enterprises have been an increasingly research subject in accounting over time, but social businesses do not seem to be receiving proper attention due to being an innovative type of business, one that concerns itself with the transformation of a society that increasingly ponders on the environmental impacts and social inequality caused by the current economic system. In this sense, the present study aimed to analyze the current state of interaction between accounting and social entrepreneurs and, in addition, to question in which ways can a more qualitative use of accounting ensure the success of this type of business. This work collected its data through semi-structured interviews with social entrepreneurs and accounting professionals who provide services to these entrepreneurs. Through the analysis of the interviews, we could notice a scenario in which there is still some distance between accounting and social businesses. However, there are already some professionals paying attention to this new kind of business, accounting professionals who see a prominent role in this type of enterprise for its character of social transformation. The aim of the research is to add visibility to social affairs, to raise awareness of the topic in accounting research, and to make entrepreneurs aware of the benefits that the use of quality accounting can bring to their business