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Background: Since the emergence of Covid-19 has it reaped and created havoc within every segment of society on a national and global scale. The financial market experienced significant declines and losses but some asset items handled the fluctuations better than others. Moreover, since some asset items are associated with different risk levels will various investors with contrasting risk attitude allocate dissimilar proportion of their disposable capital between these alternatives. Especially during low and high levels of economic uncertainty which is related to the volatile market of Covid-19. Although, little to no research has been conducted aimed at understanding how Covid-19 impacted Swedish students asset allocation prior and post the pandemic with different risk profiles.   Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate if students with different risk attitudes (risk-preference, risk-neutral and risk-averse) conduct statistically different asset allocation prior and post the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, investigate shifts in asset holdings prior and post the pandemic. Moreover, in order to fill the identified literature gap and add to the current body of knowledge regarding asset allocation and variability concerning risk attitudes since its exclusion of Swedish student’s risk attitudes and impact of Covid-19 on preferable asset items.                                    Method: This investigative study concerns a quantitative survey of 81 different students attending Jönköping University. The survey was structured in a way to uncover whether students with different risk attitudes conduct asset allocation statistically different prior and post the Covid-19 pandemic. Moreover, incorporate sociodemographic factors of students in order to measure its relation to risk attitudes and uncertainty changes. This will be done through non-parametric tests (distribution free) such as the Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis and Bonferroni adjusted p-value approach. The data is later discussed and interpreted through various academic sources and in the context of the frame of reference (expected utility theory).                              Conclusion: The impact of Covid-19 resulted into increased asset allocation of less risky and “safe” asset in order to deal with the declining stock market and future economic uncertainty. The study also suggest that students liquidated some of their current/fixed deposits and re-invested their disposable capital into a more conservative money management strategy, which was a continuous identified pattern.  Furthermore, the results indicate that students with different risk attitudes conduct significantly different asset allocation concerning commercial insurance, stocks/funds and various bond types prior to Covid-19. However, post the eruption has the statistical identified differences in bonds asset allocation reduced which refers to that the statistical power and dissimilar allocated proportion amongst asset items has diminished. Further multiple comparison reinsures this conclusion. Thusly, the study implies that the differences between asset allocation and student risk profiles are diminished post Covid-19 and therefore students perceived and allocated more similar capital proportions into various asset items. Hence answer the initial stated research question and empirically state that risk attitude of students impact how they conduct asset allocation prior to and to a lesser extent post Covid-19

Syftet med arbetet är att behandla de faktorer som har stor påverkan på fastighetsmäklarens riskbenägenhet gentemot fastighetsmäklarlagen. Eftersom det finns många faktorer som kan påverka en individs riskbenägenhet så har arbetet begränsats till att omfatta: - Lönesättning. - Företagskultur. - Mäklarens upplysningsplikt och lockpriser. - SOU 2018:64 med hänsyn till tillsynen över mäklarföretag samt individerna inom dessa. - Verksam inom mäklarbranschen efter återkallad registrering. Den sistnämnda punkten har tagits med då vi under arbetets gång lade märke till att många mäklare som fått sin registrering återkallad fortfarande var aktiva inom branschen i en annan befattning. Arbetet tar upp mäklares (båda aktiva och de som fått sin registrering återkallad), intresseorganisationerna: FMF (Fastighetsmäklarförbundet) och Mäklarsamfundet samt Fastighetsmäklarinspektionens åsikter i frågan. En kvalitativ metod har använts där data från Fastighetsmäklarinspektionen har samlats in gällande mäklare som fått sin registrering återkallad mellan perioden 2016-2020. Datan har analyserat och dessa, 26, individer har sedan intervjuats (de som valde att ställa upp). Vi har även intervjuat aktiva mäklare, FMF, Mäklarsamfundet samt Fastighetsmäklarinspektionen för att få en mer rättvis bild av verkligheten. Intervjuerna skedde per telefon, med undantag för två intervjuer som skedde per mail. Bakgrunden till att vi valda telefonintervjuer var för att detta skulle underlätta i de fall följdfrågor dök upp och på grund av det rådande läget med Covid-19 så var detta det bästa alternativet. Det finns som sagt många faktorer som kan påverka en mäklares benägenhet att ta risker. Med risk i detta arbete menas att mäklaren utför en medveten handling som bryter mot fastighetsmäklarlagen för egen vinning. Ofta kan det vara på säljaren eller köparens bekostnad. Några faktorer som vi tror har stor påverkan på risk och som vi därför valt att undersöka är lönesättning och företagskulturen. Gällande lönesättningen, som ofta är provisionsbaserad inom mäklarbranschen, så finns det risk att intressekonflikter uppstår för mäklaren. Likaså finns det uppenbara intressekonflikter mellan köparens och säljarens intressen som mäklaren ska tillvarata. Dessa intressekonflikter anser vi ger ökade incitament för mäklaren att ta högre risker i sitt yrkesutövande. Utifrån vårt resultat så finns det indikationer som tyder på att samtliga individer som blev intervjuade delade samma uppfattning som oss. Företagskulturen är en mycket intressant och viktig aspekt för den enskilde mäklarens agerande. Både kollegor och chefer kan, enligt detta arbete och tidigare forskning, påverka den enskilde mäklarens riskbenägenhet. Som chef över ett mäklarkontor innehas ett stort ansvar för att sprida rätt kultur och etiska förhållningsregler gentemot säljare och köpare. Speciellt som nyanställd och nyexaminerad mäklare finns mycket att lära av det praktiska som till viss del inte tas upp under utbildningen. Att ha bra förebilder är en betydande faktor för att själv agera korrekt som mäklare. I lagförslaget för den nya fastighetsmäklarlagen så kommer även Fastighetsmäklarinspektionen kunna utöva tillsyn över chefer och personer i företagsledningen bland mäklarföretagen, förutsatt att detta förslag går igenom. Vi anser att detta lagförslag är ett steg i rätt riktning och att detta skulle kunna bidra till att riskbenägenheten inom branschen minskar. / The purpose of this thesis is to address the factors that have a major impact on brokers risk propensity towards Fastighetsmäklarlagen. Because there are many factors that can affect an individual's risk propensity this thesis has been limited to: - Wage setting. - Corporate culture. - Broker's obligation to provide information and bait prices. - SOU 2018:64 with regard to the supervision of brokerage companies and the individuals within them. - Active within the brokerage industry after revoked registration. The latter point has been taken into account because we noticed during the course of this thesis that many brokers who have had their registration revoked were still active within the industry in a different position. The thesis addresses brokers (both active and those who have had their registration revoked), interest organizations: FMF (Fastighetsmäklarförbundet), Mäklarsamfundet and Fastighetsmäklarinspektionen views on the matter. A qualitative method has been used where data from Fastighetsmäklarinspektionen has been collected and analysed regarding brokers who have had their registration revoked between the period 2016-2020. These individuals, 26, have thereafter been interviewed (those who chose to participate). We have also interviewed active brokers, FMF, Mäklarsamfundet and Fastighetsmäklarinspektionen to get a more accurate picture of reality. The interviews were conducted by telephone, with the exception of two interviews which were conducted by mail, as this was more convenient when we had follow-up questions and because of the prevailing situation with Covid-19, this was the best option. As mentioned, there are many factors that can affect a broker's tendency to take risks. By risk in this thesis we mean that the broker performs a deliberate act that violates Fastighetsmäklarlagen for his or her own gain. This is often done at the seller's or the buyer's expense. Some factors that we believe have a major impact on risk and therefore chose to investigate were wage setting and the corporate culture. With regard to wage setting, which is often commission-based in the brokerage industry, there is a risk that conflicts of interest arise for the broker. Similarly, there are obvious conflicts of interest between the interests of the buyer and the seller that the broker must take into consideration. We believe that these conflicts of interest provide increased incentives for the broker to take higher risks in his/hers professional practice. Based on our results, there are indications that all individuals who were interviewed shared the same view as us. The corporate culture is a very interesting and important aspect for the individual broker's behavior. According to this study and previous research, both colleagues and managers can influence the individual broker's risk propensity. As head of a broker's office, there is a great responsibility for spreading the right culture and ethical rules towards sellers and buyers. Especially as a newly hired and newly graduated broker, there is much to learn from the practical practice that to some extent does not have any room during the education. Having good role models is an important factor in acting correctly as a broker. In the bill for the new Fastighetsmäklarlagen Fastighetsmäklarinspektionen will be able to exercise supervision over managers and people in corporate management among the brokerage firms, provided that this bill will go through. We believe that this bill is a step in the right direction and that this could help to reduce the risk propensity in the industry.

For the last decades, numerous researchers have studied housing preferences of populations. However, very few researchers put highlight on young adults in Sweden and their housing preference. From a Swedish perspective, it is worthwhile to investigate housing preferences of young adults as the populationof young adults is consistently growing and their roles as dynamic consumers are crucial in the housing market. This thesis aims to examine housing preference of young adults aged 18 to 30 in largest cities in Sweden by comparison to older age groups. By identifying housing attributes highly valuedby the young adults, the research shall provide guideline to practitioners withfuture housing development to attract the young generation. The research is a quantitative study with application of a survey method. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method forms a foundation of thequestionnaire design, enabling to observe young adults’ trade-off decisionsamong multiple housing attributes. Total 767 responses are collected and the responses with valid consistency ratio (CR) are selectively used in the analysis.The result demonstrates that young adults have high preference for ‘low price’,‘proximity to public transportation’, ‘balcony’, ‘feeling of safety’ and ‘proximity to work or school’ in a housing decision. On the contrary, they show little interest in ‘neighborhood environment’ and ‘sustainable aspects’ of an apartment in general. In comparison with older age groups, young adults have higher preference for the proximity of an apartment and having a dishwasher;yet their preferences for ‘cleanliness’, ‘green space’ and ‘separate kitchen’ of adwelling are lower than the older generation. The practitioners shall keep these findings in mind when planning and designing apartments for the young consumers. / De senaste decennierna har åtskilliga forskare undersökt boendepreferenser hos befolkningen i ett flertal olika länder. Trots detta finns det väldigt fåforsknings-rapporter som sätter fokus på unga vuxna i Sverige och derasboendepreferenser. Ur ett svenskt perspektiv är det viktigt att undersökaboendepreferenserna för denna folkgrupp. Detta eftersom unga vuxnas befolkningen konstant växer och deras dynamiska roll som konsumenter är livsviktiga för bostadsmarknaden. Denna rapport siktar på att, genomjämförelse med äldre åldersgrupper, undersöka boendepreferenser hos unga vuxna mellan 18 och 30 som bor i Sveriges största städer. Genom att identifierade egenskaper som är högt värderade av de unga vuxna, ämnar forskningen attge riktlinjer till framtida bostadsutveckling för att attrahera den unga generationen. Denna studie är av typen kvantitativ forskning, med surveyundersökning som vetenskaplig metod. Den metod som utformningen av frågeformulären bygger på är analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Metoden används för att observera unga vuxnas avvägning kring många olika boendeegenskaper. Totalt är 767 svarinsamlade varav de svar som har en giltig consistency ratio används i analysen.Resultatet visar att unga vuxna starkt föredrar egenskaper som ‘lågt pris’,‘närhet till kollektivtrafik’, ‘balkong’, ‘säkerhetskänsla’ och ‘närhet till skola eller jobb”. Vidare visar undersökningen att egenskaper som ”grannskapsmiljö”och ”hållbarhetsaspekter” generellt inte prioriteras högt. Vid jämförelse medäldre åldersgrupper har unga vuxna större intresse av lägenhetens läge samt ifall lägenheten har diskmaskin. Unga vuxnas preferenser för ‘renhet’, ‘grönaytor’ och ‘separat kök’ är däremot lägre än preferenserna kring sammaegenskaper hos de äldre generationerna. Bostadsutvecklare borde väga in dessa upptäckter vid planering och design av lägenheter för unga konsumenter.

This research examines the perceptions and attitudes of residents in five rural communities located in the Hilltowns of Western Massachusetts: Ashfield, Chesterfield, Conway, Goshen, and Williamsburg. The research aims to explore the divide between local residents’ strongly held support for private property rights and a concomitant desire to maintain the qualities that contribute to the social, ecological, and aesthetic experience of a rural town, including a viable farm and forest economy. Previous research in the same project utilized mailed, written surveys. In this case, in-depth, in-person interviews were conducted with ten residents of the study area in order to complement the breadth of information gleaned from these earlier studies. The research goal was to inform planning efforts that strive to balance the preservation of rural character with growth and change. Questions were asked to ascertain the individual’s connection to the rural community, including length of residency, occupation, and other demographic variables. Further questions were posed to learn how participants felt that landowner rights to develop property and government intervention to preserve land could be effectively balanced. Results showed that landowners’ desire to retain their property rights remains in conflict with their wish to see their communities remain rural in the face of new development. Medium-term residents may be the most motivated group to get involved in ways to balance landscape change and development with a need to preserve town character. According to study participants, local governments should focus their efforts on voluntary, cooperative measures. Such measures should ideally minimize bureaucracy and maximize a multi-jurisdictional approach in considering a variety of techniques to resolve tough land-use conflicts. Local land trusts emerged as the best-positioned entity to forge cooperative ventures with farmers, landowners, and others in protecting the places of greatest value to those who live and work in the rural landscape. The need for education and communication was vitally expressed. This study sheds new light on the different nuanced and sometimes conflicting attitudes about preserving the rural landscape, but also offers hope for solutions based on collaborations between local governments, land trusts, and local residents.

<p>The overarching theme of this research is about environmental microplastic pollution, and how much various entities are willing to sacrifice economically to obtain a cleaner environment. To gauge such willingness, this research utilizes various economic measures that have been widely used, albeit with novel modifications. The focus of this research is on stated preferences about microplastic pollution. The topic of microplastics is still very novel, and market players on the demand side or on the supply side have yet to provide products that deal with this new pollutant. This lack has necessitated the need for stated preference research. This research delves into this novel environmental problem from various viewpoints.</p> <p> Chapter 1 of this research is about how much the US adult population is willing to sacrifice to obtain an environment that is less impacted by microplastic pollution. The results show that US adults in general possess a willingness to obtain an environment free from microplastics. However, a sizable minority of US adults do not show such willingness as well. Such results remained true even when information about microplastic pollution were provided to all respondents before preference elicitation. </p> <p> Chapter 2 investigates how much consumers in different countries will diverge about their willingness to pay for seafood that has less microplastic contamination. The countries chosen differed widely in their seafood consumption habits. Thus, it was hypothesized that such differences will lead to contrasts in their willingness to pay for less contaminated seafood. The hypothesis was found to be true but not in the way that was expected. The results show that frequent consumers of seafood had less willingness to pay when compared to others, although in whole all consumers showed willingness to avoid microplastics in their seafood. </p> <p> Chapter 3 makes use of the same data as Chapter 2 but looks at possible reasons for the disparity in responses besides factors explored in Chapter 2. Chapter 3 focuses on the cultural differences to explain the differences in behavior. To do so, it utilizes the Value-Belief-Norm theory widely employed in past research but modifies it to account for a form of hypothetical bias. The research delves into the relationships between many factors of interest that affect environmentally friendly consumption behavior and the findings show that a certain cultural tendency is central to such behavior, at least for microplastics. </p> <p> The research has done its best to research into the economic relationship between microplastic contamination of the environment and how much various individuals are willing to sacrifice to obtain an environment that is less impacted by such pollution. The findings here show that there is room for improvement in the way the microplastic pollution problem is being handled. However, in all settings the results show that a sizable majority want to be less impacted by microplastic pollution, a key takeaway for all interested parties.</p>

Purpose: This study aims to explore the relationship between CSR initiatives and the job preferences of educated Gen Z members. This study also aims to provide insights into how organisations can attract and retain top Gen Z talent by implementing CSR initiatives and thus maintain their competitive advantage in the job market.  Method: To address the research question, this study uses a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews with Gen Z members and employers with expertise in recruitment and human resources (HR) positions. Additionally, the authors conducted an analysis of the collected data using a thematic approach. Conclusion: This study explores and expands the understanding of the preferences and priorities of Generation Z employees, emphasising the significance of factors beyond CSR initiatives. The authors conclude that while Gen Z is supportive of CSR initiatives, it is not the most significant factor in Gen Z's employer preferences. Gen Z employees consider salary, benefits, career advancement opportunities, and workplace flexibility as important factors when choosing an employer. Insights from this study can assist organisations and human resources professionals in cultivating positive relationships with Generation Z employees and make their organisation more attractive to these emerging talented candidates of employees.

Title: The effect of the use of sports celebrities as the reference group on the buying preferences of the young generation in the Prague region Objectives: The main objective of the thesis is to determine through marketing research whether and what effect has the use of sports celebrities in marketing communication of companies as a reference group on the buying preferences of the young generation, so-called Generation Y, in the Prague region. Methods: The thesis used a questionnaire survey and subsequent focus groups. For the creation of the questionnaire is used as a basis the US version of the original questionnaire of the authors BUSH, MARTIN, BUSH (2004). Firstly the questionnaire undergoes a process of transcultural transfer, in which is utilized a modified direct translation and confirmatory factor analysis. This survey includes a sample of 416 respondents who are students of Prague secondary schools and universities. Focus groups are conducted with four groups which counts a total of 41 respondents. Results: The research results show that the use of sports celebrities in marketing communication has no demonstrable effect on the word-of-mouth communication and the switching and complaining behaviour for Generation Y. This communication tool can have an indirect positive effect on brand...

The current study examined the mediating role of possible food preferences on the temperamentweight relationship among 18-month-old toddlers. Parents of 37 typically developing toddlers completed the Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire (ECBQ). During a lab visit toddlers’ weight and recumbent length were measured and recorded. Toddlers also completed a sequential touching task to examine their ability to categorize a healthy group of foods and an unhealthy group of foods. The only temperament measure found to associate with both child weight status and food categorization was inhibitory control. Toddlers’ food categorization was not found to mediate the relationship between inhibitory control and their weight status. The results of this study suggest that there is a continued need for a nonparent report measure of food preferences.