Aim and research question: The aim of this study is to investigate how high skilled foreign intellectual individuals are integrated in the job market in Gävle city. The research questions are: How does the job situation for foreign born graduates look like in Gävle city today? What factors and barriers affect the integration of high skilled foreign born graduates on the job market in Gävle city? Method: In our study the data was collected by open questionnaires and interviews as well as from different databases. The respondents consisted of foreign born graduates, politicians, representatives from the private and public sector. Although the data collection was mostly of qualitative nature some quantitative tools are used in this study such as charts and pie charts to give a more common view of the sampled group’s responses. The way we choose to work on the study was in an deductive manner as we started out in observations and later try to explain them with theory. When trying to find these theories we used textbooks and scientific articles to gather explanations by different authors.Results and conclusions: Our main findings where that the main barrier for the employers towards foreign born graduates is failure to communicate with them because of culture crash. The second most common barrier named by employers is the language. The third most common problem is related to contact networks. From the graduate point of view the first thing they name is lack of information as their biggest problem. The second most common problem for graduates is the language and the third most common problem they name discrimination which according to us is an effect of culture crash. Our conclusion and recommendation is that to help employers seeking qualified personal, and to help foreign born graduates to look for the right jobs, i.e. encourage these two streams to meet. There is work needed to be done in two directions the employers need to be informed with more relevant information about cultural background of foreign born graduates and for the public sector to provide better orientation to the foreign born graduates in the Swedish system. We have through our respondents learned that there indeed exists a level of brain waste. The theoretical implication from this study is that the research adds to strengthen existing theories. When talking about culture, according to the respondents it is important that an employer has a knowledge of diversity. Culture and language has been confirmed as barriers towards the job market by all respondents. The study also confirmed factors which hinders integration of foreign born graduates to the job market. These factors are: Hazards, disadvantages and integration containing lack of information, lack of guidance, proper job seeking tools, stereotypes and discrimination. The study shows a low priority of social integration among the foreign born respondents, versus learning the Swedish language and looking for jobs in Gävle city.   Key words: integration, job market, barriers, culture, language, foreign, Sweden

Abstract Title: National Culture and Influences on Leadership: A Case Study of CBRE in Sweden Level: Final thesis for Bachelor Degree in Arts/Science and Business Administration Authors: Chatzidakis, Emmanouil & Stenström, Dennis Supervisor: Ehsanul Huda Chowdhury, PhD Date: 05.06.2014 Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the influences of national culture on leadership based on Power Distance, Masculinity versus Femininity and Uncertainty Avoidance within CBRE in Sweden. Method: Explorative interviews with five top managers from CBRE in Sweden was performed and a questionnaire was sent to the staff. To achieve an understanding of national culture and influences on leadership, we have based our study on the scientific philosophy of hermeneutics. Findings and conclusions: Managers from CBRE in Sweden share many views on leadership that include the importance of teamwork, cooperation, open communication and negotiation. They motivate employees by making them feel important, integrating them into the group and give them responsibility to handle difficult situations in the way they feel is best. The level of stress at work varies between managers but they all tries to handle it by being creative and enhancing performance by prioritizing their workload. Family, friends and physical exercise are also important factors as to reduce stress. Practical implications: This paper gives an insight of the national culture of Sweden and influences on leadership within the real estate service industry. Originality/value: This paper does not give a complete picture of the situation in all industries in the whole country, since we have only focused on one company, CBRE, which operates within the real estate service industry. It can, however, contribute as a guide mostly for managers and employees from other countries who are interested in Sweden’s national culture and business environment. It may also be useful for companies that are planning to expand to Sweden so they can see how leadership looks like. Suggestions for further study: National culture and influences on leadership within larger companies can be studied, as well as on mergers and acquisitions and implications of national culture on a foreign employee or manager. Key words: Internationalization, National Culture, Leadership, Real Estate Service Industry,

Title: The Impact of Complaint Management on Customer Retention Level: Final assignment for Master Degree in Business Administration Authors: Hummam Wasfi, Olena Kostenko Supervisor: Ehsanul Huda ChowdhuryFiD Date: 2014 – June Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine or inspect the aftermath of effective complaint management structure in relevance to customer’s retention in banking industry. Design/methodology/approach: The framework is structured on the bases of determining the strength of the relationships between the following variables complaint management, customer’s satisfaction and loyalty. Whereas, quantitative data were gathered via questionnaire, and further analyzed using SPSS, particularly, employing the relationship measurement tools Correlation and Linear regression analysis to calculate the extent to which each variable affects the other. Findings: The aftermath of analysis led to fundamentally privileged outcome, whereas, subsequent to computing the extent to which complaint management influences customer retention, we were able to extract three formulas to determine the linear relationships between the variables that stimulate this calculation process. Suggestions for future research: To enhance the representation of sample, future studies should target more cities with variant circumstances, and apply this type of analysis to other industries Originality: This study contributes idiosyncratic evidence to companies on the systematic influence of complaint management on customer’s retention, furthermore, repercussions of these findings has led to analysis distinguishing the distinctive response of customers to complaint management in Sweden and Lebanon. Keywords: Complaint Management, Satisfaction, Loyalty, Retention, Banks, Sweden, Lebanon Originality: This study contributes idiosyncratic evidence to companies on the systematic influence of complaint management on customer’s retention, furthermore, repercussions of these findings has led to analysis distinguishing the distinctive response of customers to complaint management in Sweden and Lebanon.

For the first time, Mid-Late Holocene insect fossil assemblages were studied from inland northern Sweden, producing new evidence relating to both natural environmental changes and human impacts. The insect fossil assemblages from natural deposits indicated extensive woodland with old and dead wood and a deep litter layer of decaying matter. Human impacts became apparent from the 1st millennium AD, when the landscape around many sites became more open, with elements of heath. It is difficult to determine whether these changes were driven purely by human activity, indicating subtle landscape change as a result of periodic exploitation, or if natural influences were significant in creating this landscape structure. If connected with human use, then the impacts of periodic exploitation can be seen to be subtle and localised, but notable enough to leave tell-tale signs in the insect fossil record. These relatively subtle changes in the environment can be compared with the more severe effects found during periods of historically known permanent settlement, where extensively open and disturbed habitats are suggested in the insect fossil record. Species associated with arable and pasture land are restricted to the last few hundred years, in association with settled occupation. The climate signal in the insect fossil record has been weak, and use of the Mutual Climatic Range method (MCR) has not revealed evidence of climatic fluctuations during the Late Holocene period.

This study aims at examine why the agricultural policy in Sweden and Finland has turned out different, despite the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The study is a compare case study where Sweden and Finland are used to draw general conclusions. The question asked to pursue the aim are; what kind of agricultural goals did Sweden and Finland negotiate for during the membership-process to the European Union (EU), what kind of agricultural goals did the both states negotiate for during the reform of CAP 2003 and 2015, are their differences in the national regulations that can explain the actual development and can the agricultural policy today be seen as a result from the goals during the membership-process? In this study an analytical model is created and used to analyze the aim, the model is based on the theory of historical institutionalism to describe the general development and it’s also applied in the empirical analysis. The empirical material consists of books, articles and primary document etc. One general conclusion asserts that the actual development in the agricultural policy can be traced back in the historic context. In Sweden’s case the process can be connected to the agricultural deregulation that took place before the membership. In Finland’s case the development can be associated with the overproduction during the 1960-1970 and its goals with a high level of self-sufficiency. Another conclusion affirms that the national regulation where Sweden and Finland has had the opportunity to shape their own regulations and structures is one of several explanations to the aim.

Even though studies of expatriates from Nordic countries have been conducted, qualitative data on expatriates in Sweden has barely been generated. This research is the first explorative study within this context. The authors have chosen a qualitative approach, interviewing both assigned and self-initiated expatriate leaders currently working in Sweden. The data is presented in the form of five case studies including three European and two non-European citizens. The cross-case analysis confirms the GLOBE study’s main finding that leadership effectiveness is contextual. It has become clear that expatriate leaders face several challenges in the Swedish business culture. These are mainly related to the speed of working, the need for consensus in the decision-making process, and the conflict avoiding tendency. These drivers demonstrate that there are certain cultural aspects unique to Sweden. Expatriate leaders need to be flexible in adapting their leadership style and be engaging with their followers in order to work successfully in Sweden.

The purpose of this thesis is to provide information and a deeper understanding of how the Russian cultural phenomenon blat affects the possibility for Swedish companies to conduct business in the Russian market. In order to conduct this research, relevant aspects of the phenomenon has been demonstrated, identified and analysed in relation to culture, networks and internationalization. This thesis follows a deductive approach, as the research topic is considered rather unexplored. In an attempt to acquire deeper information, a qualitative research method provides deeper understanding how the topic affects Swedish companies. The literature review chapter forms the base of this thesis as it includes theories related to culture, networks, the cultural phenomenon of blat and internationalization. Theories have formed the conceptual framework in an effort to demonstrate connections between theories. The empirical findings have been collected in order to analyse the data in relation to the theories, where the empirics drive from multiple case studies upon Swedish companies. The analysis chapter is structured in accordance with the conceptual framework, where a discussion of the differences and dissimilarities between theories and empirical findings are included. In the following chapter, the conclusion constitutes from theory, empirical findings and analysed data. Moreover, the final chapter consist of implications, recommendations, limitations and suggestions for further research. The main theoretical implications, engage in fill the research gap and addresses blat in an international situation connected to social networks and culture. The main practical implications indicate that the cultural phenomenon blat is not a necessity for Swedish companies when internationalizing to the Russian market although it may facilitate the process. It becomes more important to understand blat as companies increase their market commitment.

This thesis studies how a non-white minority integrates into Swedish society in order to better understand the particularities of Sweden’s immigration model and to see if it is as suitable as it is made out to be in EU circles. It does so through an exhaustive review and cross-examination of existing literature on immigration in Sweden, and by collecting opinions from members of a long established immigrant community: the Eritreans in Sweden. It calls for a more nuanced approach in education and society to issues of race and ethnicity, so that the majority of the population realizes that using and discussing these categories should not be avoided, because they are useful to come to terms with diversity. By not focusing exclusively on economic insertion, but by also placing emphasis on the socio-cultural integration of minority identities, it will point out to the need for more comprehensive integration policies that equate opportunities and chances of non-white Swedes with those of natives and ensure equal access to the labor and housing markets. It contends that ‘top-down’ legislation and systemic implementation of such policies foster feelings of ‘belongingness’ among non-white Swedes, and contribute to the creation of social capital and to the overall peaceful coexistence of Swedes of different cultural backgrounds.

This thesis analyze the impact on recycling from the increase in the deposit on metal cans that took place in Sweden, September 2010. This is done by using a fixed effects model, fixed on municipality, month, and year. Additionally, the thesis investigates the response of different socioeconomic groups to this change by investigating the interaction between deposit and variables for the socioeconomic factors of interest. Interactions for income, education, immigration, environmental awareness, and population density are investigated. The results show that, on avarage, the recycling in each of the Swedish municipalities have increased by 24.739 units per month, this represents an elasticity of recycling with respect to container deposit of 0.04. The results further indicate that there is strong negative interaction between deposit and income, suggesting that as income increases, the individual will be less responsive to a change in deposit. Contrary to theory, the results indicate positive interaction between deposit and education, indicating that, as education increases the individual becomes more responsive to a change in deposit.

Visit Sweden is a marketing company with the main objective to promote Sweden from a tourism perspective internationally. Visit Sweden’s main office is in Stockholm. Other than that, Visit Sweden has twelve abroad offices which focus on marketing of Sweden in the specific country. To make Visit Sweden’s marketing as efficient as possible, the focus is on marketing to the global traveller. They have also studied how Sweden is perceived internationally.This study aims to understand what the image of Sweden is communicated internationally. It highlights Visit Sweden’s way to market Sweden from a tourism perspective. The study is based on Visit Sweden’s main markets and how Visit Sweden works towards different subgroups within “the global traveller”. To further understand how the image of Sweden is internationally, I have done a survey which people from different countries have answered. The objective of questionnaire survey was to understand how people in other countries look at Sweden.The conclusion of the study; Visit Sweden has focused on a target group “the global traveler” that has the same values that exist in Sweden. Visit Sweden’s marketing is communicated out to their main countries, based on what people in the country is interested in doing on their vacation. The picture of the global traveler in Visit Sweden's main countries is therefore reflected in the person’s own interests. According, to the survey, which was based on a mix of different people in the world, it appears that Sweden has an established image as reminiscent of how it looks in the most northern part of Sweden. Both the global traveler and the people from the survey see Sweden as a country of innovation. The picture of Sweden as a country of innovation goes along with Visit Sweden’s goals to market the country. However, the general knowledge about Sweden needs to get better among potential international visitors.