Adaptive capacity is essential for organisations to be able to adapt to the sustainability challenge, and change its course. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) is an interpersonal communication tool that enables a user to move from a language of judgements to a language of needs by using 4 steps: observation, feelings, needs, and request. As communication is essential to the adaptive capacity of a social system, this thesis explores the question: How does Nonviolent Communication support the adaptive capacity of organisations? Through a mixed methods approach (semi-structured interviews and surveys with NVC trainers, organisational representatives and employees), the effects of NVC on communication in 3 sample organisations in the Netherlands (a school, NGO and research institute), is explored. Quantitative survey results show that NVC has a positive to very positive effect on common organisational communication dynamics. Qualitative data supports this finding and shows that NVC brings positive effects of increased understanding, listening, and progress in work related issues through an increased awareness of one’s own and other’s needs and feelings. When linking these results to adaptive capacity of organisations, it is concluded that NVC directly supports the adaptive capacity elements of trust, diversity and learning, and indirectly supports common meaning and self-organisation.

The aim in this study is to examine preschool teachers’ perceptions of sustainable development and to put it in relation to the global definition of social sustainability and study how this work can be associated with the value-based work in the preschool curriculum. The study contextualizes sustainability using phenomenography as theoretical approach. Phenomenography approach is also used in method based on qualitative, semi-structured interviews to study the preschool teachers’ perceptions. The results of the study show that there are varied perceptions in the meaning of sustainable development. The results also indicate that there is a lack of discussion regarding sustainable development to achieve a consistent approach in value-based work.

Organizations around the world increasingly publish voluntary sustainability reports. Stakeholders want more information than financial statements, and environmental and social concerns have grown in the past two decades. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework for sustainability reporting is used by most organizations today. This is an analysis of the indicators in the GRI framework used to report on gender equality and diversity. I have used Carol Bacchi's method "What Is the "Problem" Represented to Be?" to discover how the "problems" of gender equality and diversity are presented in the framework and what effects those constructions of the problem might have.

Abstract Nature-based tourism has increased considerably during recent years, which has raised questions about the tolerance of ecosystems experiencing growing visitor numbers. The present thesis focuses on the ecological and social sustainability of nature-based tourism in protected areas and their surroundings. The objective of the ecological studies was to determine the effects of tourism on vegetation, soils and risk of introduction of alien plant species. The social survey investigated whether opinions concerning nature conservation and tourism by local people are dependent on socio-economic and demographic factors. The studies were carried out in Oulanka and Pallas-Ounastunturi National Parks, and in the Ruka and Syöte regions, in northern Finland. This research demonstrated that nature-based tourism (hiking, horse-riding and skiing) affected boreal forests, altering vegetation, soils and trail networks. The major effects were; reduction in vegetation cover, including of different life-forms, changes in plant species composition, soil chemistry and soil erosion. Trampling decreased plant cover more on slopes compared to flat terrain. Moreover, downward trampling reduced the plant cover more than did upward trampling. In addition, horse riding resulted in the introduction and establishment of a range of alien plant species. In general, ecological changes due to nature-based tourism were inevitable even when there were limited numbers of visitors. Respondents to the survey were classified into three groups according to their opinions concerning nature conservation and tourism development: (i) supporters of nature conservation, (ii) critical to nature conservation and (iii) critical to tourism development. The majority of respondents were supporters of nature conservation. However, opinions were strongly dependent on the socio-demographic background of the respondents, such as residential area, age, level of education and indigenousness. Since the impacts of tourism were dependent on the characteristics of plants and habitats and the quality of activities, case-specific planning, monitoring and rapid responses are the most efficient methods in avoiding irreversible environmental damages. Furthermore, close co-operation between different stakeholders and detailed scientific information about the ecological, economic and social elements of sustainability are needed to promote a sustainable development of nature-based tourism.

Bakgrund: Effekterna av det som kommit att kallas New Public Management, där offentliga verksamheter specialiserats i icke-överlappande roller och funktioner, gör det svårt att organisatoriskt hantera komplexa samhällsutmaningar. Hållbarhetsfrågor överskrider territoriella och organisatoriska gränser och dess lokala problem och lösningar utgör en del i en kollektiv och global utveckling. Sådana gränsöverskridande och komplexa utmaningar sägs kräva välfungerande samverkan mellan diversifierade kunskapsperspektiv och erfarenheter som möts över gränser. Samtidigt betonar den empiriska forskningen en hög grad av utmaningar i försök till sådana samverkansprocesser. I en skandinavisk kontext har ett ökat erkännande för utmaningarna i den befintliga specialisering lett till försök av ökad integration samtidigt som forskningen efterfrågar insikter bortom abstrakta och romantiska bilder av institutionella samarbeten.Syfte: Studien syftar till att beskriva komplexiteten i organiseringen av den offentliga förvaltningens uppdrag att stödja en socialt hållbar utveckling. Att framhålla den sociala hållbarhetens analytiska och organisatoriska komplexitet samt att undersöka hur olika organisatoriska förutsättningar påverkar arbetets organisering.Metod: Studien har genomförts med en kvalitativ metod genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med tio folkhälsostrateger, en processledare och en enhetschef vid Västra Götalandsregionen. Det utvalda studieobjektet har som en enhet ett samlat ansvar att samordna, bedriva och stärka regionala, delregionala och kommunala processer för social hållbarhet.Slutsats: Organiseringen för en socialt hållbar utveckling konstrueras i en ständigt pågående anpassningsprocess; ett problemskapande (utifrån praktiska möjligheter) – en problemlösning (utifrån praktiska möjligheter) – en potentiell utveckling. Utveckling kan innebära en förhoppning om socialt lärande mellan samverkansparterna eller mer konkreta insatser och arbetsprocesser. Frånvaron av formell organisation i det gränsöverskridande arbetet ställer krav på en ständigt pågående organisering där den informella arbetsinramningen innebär höga krav på flexibilitet och förmåga hos den enskilda gränsgångaren. / Background: The impacts of new public management reforms, where public organizations are organized into distinct and separate units of specialized roles and functions, complicates our ability to address complex societal challenges. Sustainability issues transcend both territorial and organizational boundaries and its local problems and solutions are part of a collective and global development. Tackling such boundary-spanning and complex challenges are said to require well-functioning collaborative efforts, where diverse knowledge perspectives and experiences meet across boundaries. Concurrently however, empirical research highlights a high degree of challenges in such collaborative efforts. In a Scandinavian context, increased recognition of the challenges in the existing specialization has led to efforts of increased integration, while at the same time researchers are asking for more insights beyond abstract and in many cases romantic images of institutional collaboration.Purpose: This study aims to describe the complexity in organizing for the Swedish public administration’s aim of a socially sustainable development. To emphasize the analytical and organizational complexity of social sustainability and to examine how different organizational preconditions affect the organization of work.Method: The study was conducted using a qualitative research method, through semi-structured interviews including ten public health strategists, one process manager and one unit manager in Region Västra Götaland. As a unit, the selected study object has a unified responsibility to coordinate, and strengthen regional, sub-regional and municipal processes for social sustainability.Conclusion: The process of organizing for social sustainability is constructed in a continuous, complex process of adjustment; problem creation (based on “practicalities”) – problem solution (based on “practicalities”) – potential advancement. Advancement in the sense of increased social learning between different collaborative actors or more concrete results in the form of activities or work processes. The absence of formal organization in the cross-boundary work requires a constantly ongoing process of organizing where the informal framing of cross-boundary work places high demands of ability and flexibility on the individual cross-boundary strategist.

Syfte: I dagens samhälle pågår en urbanisering som leder till en ökad förtätning i våra städer. Ökad förtätning kan leda till att ny mark i redan befintlig stadsmiljö behöver tas i anspråk. Denna mark är ofta grönytor eller parkeringsplatser. Det finns tidigare studier som visar på naturens positiva effekter på människans mående och den sociala hållbarheten. Däremot finns begränsat med tidigare forskning som visar på hur grönområden hanteras vid förtätning av städer. Målet med denna fallstudie är att bidra med ny kunskap om hur den sociala hållbarheten kan bevaras i ett område där förtätning planeras. Metod: För att uppnå det uppsatta målet har fallstudien genomförts med dokumentanalys samt en litteraturstudie som legat till grund för intervjuerna. Efter att ett välarbetat intervjuunderlag tagits fram genomfördes sex intervjuer. Tre stycken på två olika kommuner, två med arkitekter och en med en byggherre.   Resultat: Kommunernas och övriga aktörer ser det som viktigt med ett bra samarbete mellan inblandade aktörer. Det som driver arbetet idag är tjänstemännens kompetenser. Kommunerna försöker arbeta med inkludering, trygghet och segregation för en social hållbarhet. Detta genom att arbeta med multifunktionella ytor samt mötesplatser. Det är också något som övriga aktörer försöker arbeta med. Aktörerna försöker också ge utemiljöerna större fokus men menar att ambitionsnivån beror på hur omgivningarna ser ut. Kommunerna anser att man måste ha en hög ambitionsnivå från start då man inte alltid når hela vägen vid det färdiga resultatet. Arkitekterna upplever att de har olika mycket inflytande vid olika typer av projekt. Konsekvenser: Efter genomförandet av arbetet kan konstateras att ämnesområdet är komplext. Urbaniseringen påverkar dagens stadsplanering och är något som involverade aktörer måste arbeta med. Faktorer som påverkar hur frågan om social hållbarhet arbetas med är bland annat kunskap, engagemang och ekonomi. Slutsatser som kan dras är att om engagemang och kunskap saknas så arbetas inte området med och byggnationens ekonomiska vinning prioriteras högst. Rekommendationer är: Tydligare och mer detaljerade krav gällande grönområden behövs för att ämnet ska arbetas med utan att aktörers engagemang driver frågan. Krav på uppföljning gällande genomförande av planerat grönområde för att det inte ska kunna prioriteras bort på vägen. Naturen behöver få ett ekonomiskt värde så att det blir tydligt vad det kostar samhället att naturen inte prioriteras.  Begränsningar: Arbetet är begränsat till att behandla grönområden vid förtätning och inte övriga delar av förtätning. Det är också begränsat till att behandla den sociala hållbarheten och inte övriga hållbarhetsaspekter. Även en begränsning till svenska kommuner med ett invånarantal på 50 000 till 120 000 samt aktörer involverade i projekteringsfasen finns. / Purpose: Urbanization is taking place in today´s society, leading to an increased densification in our cities. Increased densification may lead to new land being claimed in the urban environment. This land is often green spaces or parking lots. Previous studies show the positive effects of nature on human well-being and the social sustainability. However, there is limited previous research which shows how green space are handled during city densification. The aim of this case study is to contribute with new knowledge about how social sustainability can be preserved in an area where densification is planned. Method: To accomplish the purpose of the case study, a document analysis has been made and a literature study has been conducted which formed the foundation of the interviews. 6 interviews were carried out after producing a well-worked interview guide. 3 interviews with two different municipalities, 2 with architects and 1 with a developer. Findings: Both the municipalities and the other actors find it important with a well-functioning cooperation between all actors involved in the process. Today it is the officials’ competencies which leads the work forward. The municipalities are working with inclusion, security, and segregation to achieve social sustainability. This by focusing on making areas multifunctional and creating meeting spaces. This is also something the other actors are working with. The architects and the developer are also trying to give the outdoor environments bigger focus however the level of ambition depends on the opportunities in the surroundings. The municipalities believe that one must have a high level of ambition at the beginning since the finished result not always fulfil what is planned. The architects experience different possibilities to impact in different kinds of projects. Implications: After completion of the case study, it can be stated that the subject area is complex. The densification affects the urban planning and is something that the actors must involve in their work. Factors affecting the work with social sustainability is knowledge, commitment, and economics. Conclusions that can be made is that if commitment and knowledge is lacking, the subject area is not worked with and the economic gain of the construction is given the highest priority. Recommendations is: Clearer and more detailed requirements regarding green space is needed if the subject is going to be worked with without the commitment of actors involved. Requirements of monitoring implementation of planned green space to ensure that it is not de-prioritized during the construction process. Nature must be given an economic value to make sure the cost for the society, if nature is not prioritized, is clear. Limitations: This case study is limited to treating green space in densification and no other parts of the densification. It is also limited to social sustainability and not the other sustainability aspects. There is also a limitation to Swedish municipalities with a population between 50 000 and 120 000 and actors involved in the design phase.

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ii Abstract The topic of his thesis, "Social Sustainability", arising from the social sciences, specifically sociology, has naturally its core focus on society and its functioning. To be more exact, the functioning of society in context of integration, which is an ever more growing topic in the globalised world we live in. In relation to this thesis, an integrational project/workshop has been carried out at a folk high school, Brandbjerg, in Denmark, with the purpose to practically test, the methodological measurability of change in subjectivity. Worth mentioning, that the hosting community, in terms of immigration, was in focus and its perception on variation of habitus. Hereto, Q-Methodology from William Stephenson functioned as the foundation for the development of the workshop, as well as it aided the analysis of the therefrom taken data, to determine a change in the participants subjectivity. The aim of this practical implementation, was to put the findings into perspective of the theoretical framework of sustainability, specifically social sustainability. The findings served in combination with face to face interaction as part of social integration, to underline the need for sustainable integration and an alteration of social sustainability upon further research. A tendency was determined as being the...

The COVID-19 outbreak, travel restrictions, or other safety norms had a huge negative impact on the world hotel industry from the beginning of 2020. In response to the crisis majority of the hotels all around the world had decided to get closed temporarily. Such a deep crisis arose many social problems especially among the employees of the industry. However, there were still cases, when hotels decided to choose different strategies rather than closing their doors for their customers. One of us had a great opportunity to spend 14 days of quarantine in one of such hotels and to collect the valuable information from inside the hotel room, which had been converted into a quarantine zone after the virus outbreak. Besides, we also explored several more cases from 4 different countries about the hotels that have chosen to create social benefits in different ways. In this thesis, we have analyzed socially sustainable strategic solutions from the hotel industry, explored characteristics, and described the circumstances that encouraged such solutions.

Increased consumer awareness together with the importance of sustainable consumption is currently a highly debated topic. Frequently, the media reports scandals from strong international brands, revealing information regarding deficiencies linked to the brands social sustainability efforts. As a consequence, some consumers are starting to put higher demands on social sustainability by spreading condemnations. This is to prevent injustices such as child labour and modern slavery. The condemnation can be in the form of negative word-of- mouth or by boycotting the brand. This is something that can affect the brand strongly by damaging the consumers perception of the brand, which can be fatal to the consumer-brand relationship. However, this is something that seems to affect some brands to a greater extent than other brands This study explores the strength of Keller’s brand resonance level as a possible explanation to the above mentioned anomality. It shows that brands resonance operates as a countermeasure against negative information in relation to the brands indiscretions regarding social sustainability. Brand resonance can contradict the consumers ethical values and self-imagery, leaving the consumers perception of the brand unscathed. The results showed that brand resonance can become so strong that it can make the consumer abandon their ethical values, even for consumers whom consider themselves as highly ethical. This study has been conducted by a hypothetically deductive methodology. To determine the significance of the result it has been verified with a Z-test that applied a 5% significance level.