Wind power is a fast growing alternative energy source. Since 2000, wind energy capacity has increased 24 percent per year with Texas leading the U.S. in installed wind turbine capacity. Most socioeconomic research in wind energy has focused on understanding local opposition, especially aesthetic impacts on the surrounding landscape. Recent studies have addressed reasons for social acceptance of wind farms, suggesting that positions both favorable and unfavorable to wind power are subtle and intricate, rather than monolithic, and rooted in place-specific issues. In the case of Texas, scholars have reported that the minimal permitting process is the dominant variable that explains the rapid rise of wind power in the state?s western region. However, scholars have yet to study the place-based local or regional factors that structure and inform acceptance of wind energy by key actors who negotiate with wind-energy firms. This thesis presents empirically determined, statistically significant social perspectives regarding socioeconomic wind energy impacts. I determined social perspectives by using Q-Method in Nolan County, Texas, a major site of wind-power development. Q-Method allows researchers to generalize about social perspectives, but not about how widely or deeply populations ascribe to social perspectives. Q-Method combines qualitative and quantitative techniques beginning with semi-structured interviews to collect statements on wind power, followed by participant ranking of statements on a ?most disagree? to ?most agree? scale. Key actors surveyed included landowners with wind turbines, elected and civilservice government officials, and prominent local business and community leaders. My findings identified five significant clusters of opinion, two of which shared strong support for wind energy on the basis of perceived positive economic impacts. Three clusters of opinion were less favorable to wind energy; these arguments were based upon opposition to tax abatements, support of tax abatements, and concerns over negative impacts to the community. Consensus emerged over the idea that positive views toward wind-energy development were unrelated to broader commitments to renewable energy. The support of key actors in favor of wind energy is contingent upon direct financial benefits from wind-energy royalties, political views on taxes, notions of landscape aesthetics, and sense of community.

<p>This study investigates which out of seven predetermined factors influence the social adjustment of expatriates at a decentralized EU institution. Much of the existing literature that deals with expatriate adjustment departs from the assumption that the expatriates are entering an organization which is greatly influenced by the culture and customs of the country in which it is located, and that the expatriate is in minority in terms of nationality. In the decentralized EU institutions on the other hand (1) the culture of the organization and host country are markedly different from each other, and (2) the organization consists of mostly expatriates rather than host country nationals.</p><p>Three sources of data are used; secondary sources, questionnaires and interviews. The results show that all seven factors which were investigated to some extent influenced social adjustment. The unique nature of the decentralized EU institutions could be the reason to why organizational cultural novelty was perceived as more important for interaction adjustment and general cultural novelty more important for general adjustment. The unique nature also could also be the reason to the negative relationship between spouse adjustment and general adjustment, possibly because the expatriate families are more inclined to live in an international "bubble" when both work and social connections are multicultural.</p>

This study investigates which out of seven predetermined factors influence the social adjustment of expatriates at a decentralized EU institution. Much of the existing literature that deals with expatriate adjustment departs from the assumption that the expatriates are entering an organization which is greatly influenced by the culture and customs of the country in which it is located, and that the expatriate is in minority in terms of nationality. In the decentralized EU institutions on the other hand (1) the culture of the organization and host country are markedly different from each other, and (2) the organization consists of mostly expatriates rather than host country nationals. Three sources of data are used; secondary sources, questionnaires and interviews. The results show that all seven factors which were investigated to some extent influenced social adjustment. The unique nature of the decentralized EU institutions could be the reason to why organizational cultural novelty was perceived as more important for interaction adjustment and general cultural novelty more important for general adjustment. The unique nature also could also be the reason to the negative relationship between spouse adjustment and general adjustment, possibly because the expatriate families are more inclined to live in an international "bubble" when both work and social connections are multicultural.

The present mixed-methods study examined adolescents’ social perspective taking in contexts of social justice as demonstrated by their awareness and interpretations of hypothetical peer interactions depicting racism and sexism. Fifty adolescents in Grades 9 and 12 participated in a semi-structured interview in which they were presented with two scenarios, involving adolescents in conflicts portraying racism and sexism. They were asked a series of questions designed to elicit their awareness and understanding of social group differences. Qualitative analyses revealed three categories of adolescents’ responses, reflecting distinct interpretations of social group differences. On average, adolescents assumed a perspective that was naïve to the disparities existing between vulnerable and less vulnerable social groups. Furthermore, it was shown that older adolescents had significantly more sophisticated social justice understandings than younger adolescents. These findings highlight the need to educate adolescents about issues of social justice and facilitate an appreciation of social group differences.

The present mixed-methods study examined adolescents’ social perspective taking in contexts of social justice as demonstrated by their awareness and interpretations of hypothetical peer interactions depicting racism and sexism. Fifty adolescents in Grades 9 and 12 participated in a semi-structured interview in which they were presented with two scenarios, involving adolescents in conflicts portraying racism and sexism. They were asked a series of questions designed to elicit their awareness and understanding of social group differences. Qualitative analyses revealed three categories of adolescents’ responses, reflecting distinct interpretations of social group differences. On average, adolescents assumed a perspective that was naïve to the disparities existing between vulnerable and less vulnerable social groups. Furthermore, it was shown that older adolescents had significantly more sophisticated social justice understandings than younger adolescents. These findings highlight the need to educate adolescents about issues of social justice and facilitate an appreciation of social group differences.

The aim of this papper is to investigate how spanish teacher understand the concept of Sustainable Development and how they implement the Education for Sustainable Development in their lessons. For this purpose we have used two different methods: the first was to analyze Swedish school policy documents (Education Act, Lgr 11 and Lgy 11) to see if they promote the Education for Sustainable Development in foreign language classes. The second was to analyze the perceptions of the teachers in terms of understanding and application of Sustainable Development in their teaching. A questionnaire study was conducted with 12 spanish teachers representing 11 secondary- and high schools in Växjö. The questionnaire contains 8 questions about personal information, 3 open questions about understanding of Education for Sustainable Development and 27 affirmations about Sustainable Development which measure teacher´s levels of agreement or disagreement (Likert ordinal scale). The results showes that Swedish school policy documents don´t make it clear that teacher in general and spanish teacher in particular have to educate for Sustainable Development (in the Education Act the words 'sustainable development' are not even mentioned). They also showes that 58 % of the teachers implemet in their teaching the Sustainable Development; 100 % of the teachers consider the lack of knowledge, the lack och time and the irrelevance of Sustainable Development in the spanish lessons as factors who difficult the Education for Sustainable Development; 92 % of the teachers would like to get more education about how to educate for Sustainable Development.

The purpose of this study is to explore the South Korean art education system in the context of history, culture and politics. This thesis provides further explanation on how history has impacted the South Korean art education system and affects current curriculum, theories and practices. Four highly qualified educators and professors from South Korea were interviewed to collect date relating to current practices in South Korean art education. The study focuses on Korean history, which affected the education policies, social perspective, art education theories and curriculum. This study also highlights the relationship of western art education theories and the traditional Korean theories. Understanding culture through history and policies can provide in-depth perspective on why and how South Korean art education has evolved to what it is today. This information may assist art teachers as they modify lessons to fit the needs of students who are immigrating from South Korea.

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Background: In recent years, unfair and unsafe working conditions have been reported, raising concerns among stakeholders and end-users. The demand for fashion brands to take further responsibility for social sustainability and transparency has increased. Providing complete transparency can be one solution to these issues, and traceability validation systems can be used to achieve complete transparency, covering the supply chain's social aspects. A research gap was found linking the concepts of transparency, traceability, the social aspects of sustainability, including integrity and security of the supply chain actors, and validation systems. Purpose: Therefore, the purpose of this study is to explore traceability validation systems within the TA supply chain from a social perspective, specifically the integrity and security of SCAs. Methodology: An exploratory case study was conducted, including in-depth interviews with eleven respondents representing different supply chain actors and experts in the textile and apparel industry. Data were also collected through a survey and questions over email. Focus Company: The focus company for this study, PaperTale, is a start-up company that offers a blockchain-based traceability solution that enables textile and apparel companies to track and trace their supply chain via an application. Through the PaperTale app, the end-user can receive information about the garment by scanning the NFC tag or QR code attached to the garment. The PaperTale system is an example of what is defined as a traceability validation system in this study. Findings &amp; Analysis: In general, the experiences of the respondent that has been involved in the PaperTale app was good. Some reluctance has been encountered while sharing information that can be connected to cultural aspects and lack of incentives. Overall, the impact on the different supply chain actors is good and includes making more profit for both brands and suppliers and incentivising the workers. However, the imbalance of profit and time distribution was brought up. To provide security and reliance to the supply chain actors while sharing information to a traceability validation system, the respondent emphasised the importance of union protection, legislation, and third-party validation. Lastly, most respondents are optimistic about using a third party to validate the transparency and traceability data added to the traceability validation system. Implications &amp; Suggestions for Future Research: The contribution of this study is an increased understanding of the social aspects of transparency and traceability on a general level. Furthermore, it contributes to a deeper description and understanding of how traceability validation systems can affect and impact textile and apparel supply chain actors. The study also highlights opportunities and challenges with the system that provides direction in research. Traceability validation systems are a somewhat new topic. Many questions remain regarding who has the highest responsibility for entering data and how the system can be used on a large scale

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