The use of social media in the retail banking environment has changed the way the banking industry communicates with customers, creates sales and performs marketing and operational tasks. Social media strategies need to be aligned to business goals and effectively used to integrate social media as part of the overall marketing strategy. Only by understanding brand loyalty, multi-channel systems and social media channels can marketers effectively implement social media. In measuring brand loyalty, factors that influence customer buying behaviour and components that influence online interaction are essential in engaging different groups of customers in social media. This research study aimed to examine the use of social media within the South African retail banking environment with a focus on creating and maintaining brand loyalty. An exploratory, mixed method research design was employed. Data collection instruments used in the study includes online surveys, structured interviews, and focus groups. Participants consisted of marketing personnel and customers. Three lead/head social media marketing personnel participated in the interview process, 14 marketing personnel took the online survey and 4 participated in a focus group. Participants for the online survey also consisted of 40 customers who were connected through the internet and performed various online banking activities. Data was analysed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Data from the online surveys completed by customers was analysed quantitatively using descriptive analysis, structural equation modelling (SEM) and factor analysis which was performed on the brand loyalty variables and the brand loyalty measures. Content analysis was used to qualitatively analyse data from the structured interviews. Data from the online surveys completed by marketing personnel was analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Findings indicated that social media forms an integral part of the marketing strategy that needs be aligned with the core business goals. Banks therefore need to focus on creating campaigns that are fun, exciting and appealing to the target market. A culture of innovation and new ideas is essential to grow the product/service. Building brand trust and creating customer satisfaction forms the core of creating brand loyalty on social media. Banks need to be aware of factors that influence customer brand loyalty and components that influence loyalty on social media in order to measure things that matter through analytical tools so that an actionable strategy can be put in place and implemented.

HIV/AIDS is a real threat for Sub-Saharan Countries. It increased adult mortality substantially. HIV/AIDS pandemic causes the death of the most productive part of affected population. Human capital passing on to future generations is limited. Low economic performance and income inequality induce higher HIV vulnerability. Contra wise HIV/AIDS has significant negative effect on the welfare of affected population. The sources of pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa are not only social and cultural. Health and nutrition situation play considerable role. Holistic approach based on education, fidelity, abstinence and improvement of economic situation and moderate condom use (as the last way of prevention) seems to be an effective way of pandemic elimination.

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Since the foundation of the Nordic welfare state, architecture and urban planning have been central elements in the creation of post‐war, modern welfare cities. Ideals of healthy, socially conscious and productive capitalist futures have been articulated through housing design, planning strategies and infrastructure projects. Today however, the welfare city is under pressure due to the current crises our cities are facing. Central issues to these crises are housing unaffordability, rising inequality and socio‐ economic segregation. Over the past few decades, urban planners have become more concerned about these themes in relation to our cities. Housing policies have taken a turn to a more market‐ oriented approach and while there are high investments in real estate, affordable housing supply is still lacking behind. On the other hand, new housing policies are arising that should help make cities fairer and more just for everyone, often referred to as inclusionary housing policies. In this research, various housing policies are being investigated to explore how inclusionary housing addresses the current housing distribution and rising inequality in our cities. To introduce this research, a theoretical framework is outlined, introducing four different concepts that revolve around affordable housing: inclusionary housing policies, socio‐economic segregation, social mix and people‐based policies. This is followed by a methodology section and analysis consisting of two separate parts. First, a literature review is conducted to see how each of the described concepts relate to the Nordic context, after which the geographical focus is laid on Copenhagen, Denmark. In the second part of the analysis, a socio‐economic and geographical analysis is conducted, investigating the distribution of different tenure types in the city of Copenhagen. In this case study, a total of four different tenure types are analysed, namely (1) owner‐occupied housing, (2) private rental housing, (3) housing cooperatives and (4) non‐profit housing. Geographical information systems were used to map the change in distribution of each tenure type, for the period of 2000 to 2021. In addition, possible relations to patterns of socio‐economic segregation are explored, by comparing the change in distribution of tenure types to changes in distribution of average income levels. A significant overlap was found between new housing development areas and areas showing a higher average disposable income in 2019 compared to 2000. In regard of this, recent literature have warned that more market involvement in housing is expected to contribute to income disparities and segregation (Van Ham et al., 2016). The obtained results of this research can be considered in light of this, confirming that the distribution of tenure types is related to patterns of segregation. While this research brings new insights on housing developments in Copenhagen, it is suggested that the case of Copenhagen provides more widely applicable warnings for other cities undergoing a similar neoliberalization of the local housing market. This calls for a political shift in housing development, in which housing must be approached as a public good. On top of that, affordable housing should be made accessible and equally distributed around cities, to avoid further processes of socio‐spatial segregation and polarization. To achieve this, political and ideological strategies must be restored in order to build further on a modern welfare state, providing affordable and good housing for all.

Turismens tillväxt är beroende av hur en destination kan uppfylla besökarnas behov. För att kunna tillfredsställa dessa behov krävs samarbeten mellan olika branscher på destinationen. Samarbetsnivån mellan kommun, privata aktörer och lokalinvånare är en avgörande faktor för utvecklingen på destinationen. Denna uppsats presenterar en kvalitativ studie om destinationsutveckling på Nynäshamn som baseras på observationer samt intervjuer med kommunen, privata aktörer och lokalinvånare. Denna uppsats fokuserar på att få sig en uppfattning om vilka potentialer som finns för att främja en positiv destinationsutveckling i Nynäshamn. Vilka insatser som krävs för att utveckla destinationen och vilka resurser som finns på Nynäshamn, som är en småstad nära havet. Studien har visat att det finns potential för Nynäshamn att skapa en positiv destinationsutveckling. Detta är genom att skapa ett starkt platsvarumärke och genom platsmarknadsföring. Det krävs engagemang och finansiella resurser från kommunens sida att skapa möjligheter och samarbeten med privata aktörer mot gemensamma mål. Det krävs även att det finns samarbete med lokalbefolkningen då det är dem som är förmedlarna av destinationen. Dessa aspekter har identifierats som ledande för att åstadkomma en mer positiv utveckling i Nynäshamn. / The growth of tourism depends on how a destination can meet the needs of visitors. To be able to satisfy these needs, collaborations between different industries at the destination are required. The level of cooperation between the municipality, private actors and residents is a decisive factor for the development of the destination. This essay presents a qualitative study on destination development at Nynäshamn based on observations and interviews with the municipality, private actors and residents. This essay focuses on getting an idea of whatpotentials there are to promote a positive destination development in Nynäshamn. What efforts that are required to develop the destination and what resources are available at Nynäshamn, which is a small town near the sea. The study has shown that there is potential for Nynäshamn to create a positive destination development. This is by creating a strong placebranding and through destination marketing. Commitment and financial resources are required from the municipality to create opportunities and collaborations with private actors towards common goals. It is also required that there are collaborations with the local population as they are the mediators of the destination. These aspects have been identified as dominant to achieve a more positive development in Nynäshamn.

Over the past several years destination loyalty has begun to take up an increasing amount of focus within the tourism research field. While there are still a number of question marks of its different aspects and true value to the destination, the subject has been described as prioritized. On that account, the purpose of this study has been to seek understanding of how Stockholm relate to this, and how their expressed strategies towards the international market can be understood within a destination loyalty perspective. Furthermore, the DMO Visit Stockholm’s marketing and communication strategies towards foreign followers on digital platforms have been examined. To reach knowledge of this, a document study of Visit Stockholm and Svensk Turism was carried out, whereafter three interviews took place with representatives from these two organizations. Lastly, a netnographic examination was carried out of Visit Stockholm’s official webpage and their accounts on Facebook and Instagram. The results showed that strategies have yet to be expressed formally regarding destination loyalty, but that there is an awareness of the issue and that it most likely will play a bigger role in the future. In addition to that, there have been empirical findings which show that marketing and communication in fact is conducted, which can relate to destination loyalty. A challenge for Stockholm in the future will be to further take advantage of the possibilities that the digital channels offer. An active approach will be required in imposing new relations to followers and visitors, and in the retaining of existing relations. / Under de senaste åren har destinationslojalitet börjat ta upp alltmer fokus inom den turistiska forskningen. Medan det ännu finns kvar flera frågetecken över dess olika aspekter och egentliga värde för destinationen, så har ämnet beskrivits som speciellt prioriterat. Med anledning av det har syftet med denna undersökning varit att söka förståelse för hur Stockholm förhåller sig till detta, och hur deras uttalade strategier mot den internationella marknaden kan förstås utifrån ett destinationslojalitetsperspektiv. Vidare har undersökts hur DMO:n Visit Stockholms faktiska marknadsföring och kommunikation till utländska följare förs på digitala plattformar. För att nå denna kunskap utfördes en dokumentstudie av Visit Stockholm samt Svensk Turism, därefter ägde tre intervjuer rum med representanter från dessa två organisationer. Till sist utfördes även en netnografisk undersökning av Visit Stockholms officiella hemsida, samt deras konton på Facebook och Instagram. Resultaten visade att det ej i dagsläget finns några uttalade formella strategier kring destinationslojalitet, men att det finns en medvenhet kring frågan och att det troligtvis kommer att bli mer aktuellt i framtiden. Utöver detta har empiriska fynd gjorts som visar på att det faktiskt förs marknadsföring och kommunikation på sociala medier som kan kopplas till destinationslojalitet. En utmaning för Stockholm inför framtiden blir att ytterligare ta till vara på de möjligheter som de digitala kanalerna kan erbjuda. Ett aktivt arbete kommer att krävas inför skapandet av nya relationer till följare och besökare, samt bibehållandet av existerande relationer.

Utifrån det svårdefinierade begreppet smart stad syftar studien till att förstå vilken riktning, inom begreppet, Stockholm tar i jakten på att bli världens smartaste stad. På så sätt besvaras i studien frågan hur Stockholm blir smart istället för att besvara hur smart Stockholm blir. Med inriktning på implementeringen av nya digitala verktyg inom stadsplanering intervjuas tre aktörer med olika ingångsvinkel till ämnet. Genom denna kartläggning förväntas centrala faktorer och ytterligare viktiga aktörer framträda. Analysen av dessa ämnar leda fram till huruvida riktningen för Stockholm kan anses centreras kring stadens inånare eller kring tekniken, två tydliga läger i debatten kring den smarta staden. Resultatet pekar mot att Stockholm tar en invånarcentrerad riktning i kommunens strävan efter att uppå sitt mål att bli världens smartaste stad. Detta resultat behöver dock nyanseras där argument som stödjer den andra riktningen också är närvarande i studien. I vidare studier bör samtliga identifierade aktörer intervjuas, i ett försök att nyansera bilden av det splittrade begreppet smart stad. / Using the ambiguous definition of the concept smart city, this thesis aims to synthesize the direction Stockholm follows in Stockholm Municipality’s goal of becoming the smartest city in the world. Three actors with different backgrounds within the digitalization of urban planning are interviewed in the search of understanding how a city becomes smart rather than considering how smart a city is. This is achieved by finding material factors as well as key actors in the development of the smart city. Based on an analysis of the identified factors and actors, together with differentiating views of the concept smart city, the thesis proposes insight of whether Stockholm is considered as either citizen or technologically oriented. Understanding the local and social context of the smart city, we find that Stockholm displays a citizen-oriented perspective. However, arguments supporting the contrary view of the smart city concept are also present in the study, thus showcasing the complexity of the question in mind. Further studies should consider interviewing every identified actor in an attempt to piece out and elaborate the image of the ambiguously defined smart city.

The diploma thesis Economic and social interaction during Normalization era is is based on qualitative research. It deals with issues of system of return services and barter exchange in non - cash market in 1970's and 1980's in Czechoslovakia. The centrally planned economy was not able to produce enough consumer goods and meet the demand of the population. Employees, who worked in department stores, took easier approach to consumer goods than others. They excercised power over distribution and they traded some commodities for another services. As a research method applied is oral history. The primary sources used are narrative interview and secondary history literature.

Given an increasing number of teachers who find it difficult to engage students in teaching, it is  important  to  find  out  but  also  to  understand  the  reasons  why  students  study  geography. Furthermore, as results in education are based on student motivation, since motivation affects both the productive and the receptive knowledge, it is important to emphasize the importance of  motivation  as  a  key  factor  in  education.  Previous  research  in  this  field  is  deliberated, however, this study focuses on learners’ motivation. This study aims to investigate students’ reasons  and  their  motivation  to  study  geography  but  also  to  find  out  whether  there  are differences  concerning  motivation  depending  on  the  factors  of  age  and  gender.  Moreover,  a further purpose is to create a debate about the concept of motivation and present the significance of  motivation  in  learning.  To  achieve  the  aim  but  also  to  answer  the  research  questions,  a qualitative  method  was  used  in  this  study  in  the  form  of  a  survey.  This  study  consists  of  66 participants,  which  are  secondary  school  students  and  university  students  in  Sweden.  The respondents’ answers from the survey were converted into statistics and results are presented in table form and are based on Deci and Ryan's Self-Determination Continuum. Results show that  there  are  statistically  significant  differences  according  to  age  and  gender  concerning intrinsic  and  integrated  regulation.  Based  on  the  findings  of  this  study,  suggestions  for increasing  and  developing  teachers’ knowledge   of   motivation,   since   teachers   have   a predominant role in this. For this reason, this study is valuable from an educational perspective to create successful learning.

While the school subject geography is defined as a unified subject, academic geography is divided into two scientific disciplines; human geography and physical geography, which makes the relationship between the academic disciplines and the school subject geography somewhat complicated. Research shows that the textbook is often equal to the course. The textbook has a central role in the teacher's planning of the course and is thus crucial for the student's learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate and discuss how the school subject geography is presented in textbooks. I examine how the interdisciplinary, unified subject geography, which illustrates the connections and the mutual influence between societal development, natural environments and human activity, is exemplified, and what challenges teachers face depending on the design of the textbooks. In addition to a quantitative analysis, I make a more qualitative one in order to concretize and nuance the image that emerges. The study shows that the school subject geography is mainly presented according to the identified common and specialized areas of interest, concepts and theories for the respective discipline of human and physical geography. Overall, relatively few examples in the textbooks are identified, only about 35 percent of all analyzed pages, where human-nature interaction is clear and which portrays the coherent, unified subject of geography according to the curriculum.