I dagens samhälle är hälften av alla män överviktiga, drygt en tredjedel av alla kvinnor och vart femte barn är överviktiga eller feta (Svenska livsmedelsverket, 2010). Med detta i åtanke väcktes tanken angående hur överviktiga individer motiveras i en process av viktnedgång. Syftet med studien var att undersöka uppfattningar av motivation hos överviktiga individer som genomgår en viktminskningsprocess. Vidare var även syftet att undersöka hur dessa individer påverkas av att genomgå en viktminskningsprocess i grupp. Detta är en fenomenografisk studie där intervjuer har genomförts med tre individer som är i en pågående viktminskningsprocess hos ett viktminskningsföretag. Efter en bearbetning av det empiriska materialet kunde tre beskrivningskategorier utläsas, att komma igång, att nå framsteg samt att blicka framåt. Resultatet visade på många skillnader, men också likheter i individernas uppfattningar av motivation. Slutsatsen blev att respondenterna fann motivation i form av ett stort stöd hos gruppen på viktminskningsföretag, vilket var viktigt för dem i deras viktminskningsprocess, samt att en snabb start i början av processen ökar motivationen för den resterande resan

Matsvinn är ett problem som genomsyrar hela livsmedelskedjan och ger upphov till ekonomiska förluster, negativ miljö- och klimatpåverkan och utömning av ändliga resurser. Den förändring som krävs för att motverka dessa negativa effekter är enorm. I Sveriges skolor är förlusterna i form av slängd mat en fråga om ett kostsamt slöseri, dels ur miljösynpunkt, men också med hänsyn till kommuners begränsade resurser. På grund av detta är behoven av svinnreducerande åtgärder stora. Någonting som kan hjälpa till att minska omfattningen av matsvinnsproblemet är beteendeförändring. Tyvärr kan vi inte förvänta oss att förändring skall ske på tu man hand. Vi behöver styrmedel som kan knuffa oss i rätt riktning. Denna uppsats är ett teoretiskt underlag som undersöker och beskriver hur nudging, ett verktyg för hållbara beteenden, kan vara en del av lösningen på matsvinnsproblemet i skolor. Rekommendationer för utformning och införande av sådana förändringsstrategier presenteras, med särskilt fokus på planerade åtgärder (nudges) och praktisk tillämpning. Målet är att studien skall kunna bidra till tillämpningen av beteendeinsikter inom miljöområdet. Två tidigare studier ligger som grund för uppsatsen, en litteraturstudie, som syftat till att undersöka nudging som ett hjälpmedel för hållbar samhällsutveckling, och en pilotstudie, som syftat till att undersöka elevers beteende i matsalen och hur de handskas med maten som blir över. Första studien fann flera praktiska brister om nudging (verktyget) skall brukas lyckosamt, långvarigt och i större utsträckning inom miljöarbetet. Pilotstudien fann irrationellt fattade beslut bland elever. För att svara på hur nudging kan vara en del av lösningen på problemet med bortkastad mat i skolor tillämpade uppsatsen det strategiska ramverket för hållbar utveckling. Enligt det strategiska ramverket för hållbar utveckling tillämpas nudges som en katalyserande åtgärd medan nudging är ett konkret verktyg för strategiskt beteendeförändringsarbete. I uppsatsen presenteras nudging och nudges som två separata delar av beteendeförändringsarbetet, vilket förtydligar begreppens omfattning och roll i problemlösningen samt att det också illustrerar hur respektive del kan vara en egen del av lösningen på problemet. Utifrån kartläggning av orsaker och faktorer som står i vägen för en önskvärd beteendeförändring, drar uppsatsen slutsatser om att det finns en teoretisk potential att använda nudging för att främja en hållbar utveckling i skolor och minska matsvinnet, främst när eleverna är på väg att lämna matsalen, men också vid uppläggningssituationen och under ordinarie skoltid. Identifierade områden att fokusera på vid tillämpningen av nudges var främst feedback och återkoppling, smarta ankare, ordning, normativa budskap, engagemang, påminnelser, färre alternativ, strategisk planering, upplysning av förluster och minskat socialt bevis. Utöver detta, gav uppsatsen slutligen förslag för arbete med nudging ur ett ovan- eller underperspektiv (genom att integrera bedömningsfrågor i beslutandeprocessen) för att anpassa tillämpningen av åtgärder. / Food waste is a problem that permeates the whole food supply chain and cause economic losses, negative effects on the climate and environment and depletion of finite resources. The scale of required change necessary to counteract the negative effects is huge. In Swedens schools food waste loss is a matter of a costly wastage, both from an environmental perspective, but also with regard to municipalities' limited resources. Due to this, there is a big demand for waste loss reducing measures. Something that can help mitigate the extent of the food waste problem is behavioral change. Unfortunately, we cannot expect change to occur on one’s own. We need tools that can nudge us in the right direction. This thesis is a theoretical base that explores and describes how nudging, a tool for sustainable behaviors, can be a part of the solution to the food waste problem in school canteens. Recommendations for design and implementation of such change strategies are presented, with a special focus on planned interventions (nudges) and practical application. The goal is that the study will contribute to the application of behavioral insights in the environmental field. The foundation of the thesis consists of two earlier studies, a literature study, aimed at examining nudging as a tool for sustainable societal development, and a pilot study, aimed at examining students' behavior in canteens, and how they deal with leftovers. The first study found a number of practical shortcomings if nudging (the tool) is to be used successfully, long-term and more extensively in environmental work. The pilot study found irrationally made decisions among students. In order to answer how nudging can be part of the solution to the food waste problem in schools, the thesis applied the strategic framework for sustainable development. According to the strategic framework for sustainable development nudges employs as a catalyzing action while nudging is a tangible tool for strategic behavior change management. In the thesis nudging and nudges are presented as two separate parts of the behavior change management process, this also illustrates how each part can be part of the solution to the problem, because it clarifies the scope of the notions and their role in resolving the issue. Based on knowledge gained from the pilot study, the thesis draws conclusions that there is a theoretical potential to use nudging to encourage sustainable development in school canteens and reduce food waste, especially when students are about to leave the canteen, but also in the serving situation and during everyday school hours. Identified areas to focus on when applying nudges were mainly evaluation and feedback, smart anchors, order, normative messages, commitment, reminders, fewer options, strategic planning, loss disclosure and less social proof. In addition to this, the thesis finally gave suggestions for working with nudging from an above- or below perspective (by integrating assessment questions in the decision-making process) to adjust the application of interventions.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with fewer than 250 employees are the category of firm which accounts for the majority of businesses worldwide. In spite of their strategically important role as 'engines of economic growth', scant research has been devoted thus far to the underlying owner-manager learning processes in SMEs. In the literature on learning, little distinction is made between micro, small and medium-sized businesses in terms of company size or ownership structure. The literature also provides few reference points for the question of how ownermanagers learn in start-ups and small family firms as their businesses develop. The investigation of both types of owner-managers in small firms enriches the research context. The research main aim is to explore the learning of founding owner-managers ('founders') and initial successor owner-managers ('successors') in small family firms in greater depth, focusing on both content and process which lead to the growth of start-ups and small family firms, taking into account the development of Human Capital (HC). The social and contextual integration of owner-managers into the business environment is also considered. The research interest and emphasis are directed at analysing the learning of owner-managers on the basis of their understanding and interpretation of critical events during the development of the firm within its business and social environment. In order to capture these learning processes of the individual owner-managers, a phenomenological research paradigm is adopted. To fulfil the research aim, extensive literature research was carried out on the themes of entrepreneurial learning, learning at the workplace, Intellectual Capital (IC) and HC as well as the development of small and family firms. In order to explore these themes in the context of entrepreneurial development in the Rhine Valley, the research topic was extended to include regional business and training development in this geographical area (with its bordering countries Austria, Liechtenstein and Switzerland). The research sample with a multiple-case study design encompasses six owner-managers, founders and initial successors of technology-based small firms with fewer than 50 employees in the Rhine Valley region. The empirical data collection was based on a pilot interview phase with the owner-managers, followed by two interview phases in autumn 2008 and spring 2010 as part of a longitudinal study. The iterative data analysis integrates several systematic approaches to code, analyse and compare these six case study firms to identify the learning approaches of the owner-managers. The key findings obtained are described with the aid of the developed 'Hexagon Framework'. This model visualises the dynamics of continuous learning for ownermanagers, founders and successors in small firms. The knowledge contribution of the thesis lies in the identification and analysis of the different learning trajectories of the owner-managers, who either founded a start-up or took over a firm as initial successor. The findings make a significant contribution towards an enhanced understanding of the dynamics of continuous learning processes for ownermanagers in small firms during development phases. In addition, the developed framework of the owner-manager learning continuum contributes to entrepreneurial learning theory.

With the increased globalization and expansion of the markets worldwide, companies have to struggle with increased competition. Therefore, organisations have begun to offer advantages such as a personalisation of products to potential customers. Market conditions and legal policies can make it challenging to predict whether those ad-vantages can be realized. Project managers are often in the position of having to fulfil these requirements; in continuously changing influencing factors that make tasks diffi-cult to manage. These circumstances create complexity. Frequently, managers are una-ware that complexity has created problems in a specific project. Often, the traditional standards of project management no longer provide a sufficient support to managers of complex projects. This research investigates how current standards of project management address com-plexity, and whether a supplement is necessary. Complexity strengtheners are investi-gated. One standard Project Management Institute (PMI) is selected as an example to analyze the influence of strengtheners on PM-processes. A funnel model is developed based on these research findings. This is aimed to help managers in their daily practice and support them in categorizing the complexity of their projects. Based on this model, managers should be able to recognize the actual strengtheners of complexity and which processes of their project are affected. Finally, a possible adaption of the standard is re-searched. A proposition for a new comprehensive guide is designed to support manag-ers carrying out complex projects. The key managerial implication of this research is the development of a five-step model for handling complexity in projects: forming, storming, norming, performing, and ad-journing. Furthermore, the intent of this thesis is to make a valid contribution to the management literature. For handling complexity the new funnel model should close the gap between the recognition of complexity in a project and underlying causes. The new five-step model thus provides project managers helpful guidelines for handling complex projects. This research applies a mixed method, consisting of a survey (quantitative method) and focus interviews (qualitative method) with experts of project management (PMI) in Germany. There are approximately 4.900 PMI certified project managers in Germany; more than 170 participated in the survey (3.6%). This is considered sufficient to provide reliable results for this research. Further, three focus interviews deepen the knowledge and validate the results of the survey: Complexity is an actual problem in project man-agement. Existing standards are sufficient for project management, but complexity can-not be standardized. This thesis proposes to help project managers to resolve project complexity by providing guidelines for navigating through complex projects.

This thesis investigated the approaches concepts and techniques concerning Training Evaluation within organisations as a means of contributing to the assertion that training and development can provide added value for an organisation in a non-western context. In light of this the HRD policies and strategies available and the barriers which can exist to these strategies in those countries in the Arab world, like Libya, where considered. Additionally the paradigm that in transitional countries emphasise should be placed on encouraging training and improving performance is investigated. An interpretive research philosophy was applied and led to a qualitative design being chosen for this research as it required the creation of researchable questions which were salient to target respondents. The case chosen to be studied is the Libyan Iron and Steel Company (LISCO). An exploratory study was carried out involving a review of documentary evidence acquired from LISCO which included a survey of employees’ views on training within the company. The questioning of respondents to this study involved the use interviews managers of departments and professional training staff in the company were asked for their views to compare with those of the employees. In this study certain factors were grouped into themes, Arab Culture and the difficulties facing many transitional economies given the nature of the national and organisational culture in countries like Libya show that Western developed models of training and training evaluation cannot be universally applied. Organisations in Libya are typically state controlled and operate on strict hierarchical basis. This study proposes that in the current level of economic development Libyan organisations would benefit from a training evaluation model that focuses on a performance improvement perspective. The Training evaluation for transitional countries model proposed contributes to knowledge because it comes from the Libyan context. Any model of training evaluation considered for Libya or any transitional economy must combine the positive attribute of Western theoretical models with new elements specific to countries environment. This thesis is unique as it contributes to our understanding of models of HRD, and Evaluation practice by exploring their implementation and barriers to their use in an Arabic country that is in transition from a centralised economy to a more privatised one. Furthermore it investigates the transferability of western training evaluation practices to the Libyan environment A conclusion reached from this study is that any national policy that is introduced by the new Libyan government needs to include some radical reforms at national, sectoral and local levels. The Training evaluation for transitional countries model, although only a theory will serve as a guide to others embarking on similar research.

Master of Science / Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional & Community Planning / Huston Gibson / Communities are currently faced with the issue of integrating sustainable practices into citizen lifestyles, a problem that can be addressed through behavior changes strategies. Higher education institutions can provide a testing ground for different behavior change strategies, specifically the Fogg Behavior Model (FBM) and its application to the social structures that are important in community-based social marketing (CBSM). This research proposes to examine FBM among Kansas State University faculty and staff as a viable CBSM approach for sustainable behavior change. A targeted behavior and trigger for the targeted behavior were selected. The trigger was implemented among select university departments with both pre- and post-experiment surveys distributed to assess trigger effectiveness and limiting factors to ability and motivation. The research showed an increase to the targeted behavior due to trigger implementation and described ability and motivation limiting factors within those select departments. With further investigation into these limiting factors and a widespread trigger effectiveness study, FBM could serve as an effective model that addresses social behavior change within a CBSM framework. FBM’s potential success in a university setting bodes well for its success in communities and a community-based social marketing approach to create sustainable behavior change.

Introduction : Cette recherche a pour but d'évaluer les effets du programme de communication sur le changement comportemental de quels acteurs pour promouvoir l'allaitement dans la première heure qui suit l'accouchement chez les mères les plus vulnérables au Niger. Les objectifs consistent à identifier les déterminants de l'allaitement précoce et à élaborer une typologie de stratégies de communication intégrées. Les facteurs de résultat comportemental relatifs à la santé de l'enfant constituent un objet de recherche important en démographie. Toutefois, peu d'études ont abordé l'allaitement postpartum en Afrique Sub-Saharienne. Les interventions de soins de santé néonatale n'ont pas suffisamment été explorées dans la région selon des perspectives démographiques tout en mettant en évidence l'inégalité socio-économique dans la région. Cette thèse est une étude démographique qui a quantifié les pratiques de l'allaitement, qui se caractérise par les information qualitatives et non scientifique dans la plupart des études comportementales, et ce parmi le groupe des mères les plus démunies. Méthodes : L'analyse secondaire des études quantitatives transversales au Niger a été réalisée sur la base de la revue de la littérature sur des études menées en Afrique sub-saharienne. Les enquêtes transversales dont fait l'objet cette recherche sont les suivantes: l'Enquête démographique et de santé (EDS) 2006 Niger, l'EDS 2012 Niger et l'enquête d'évaluation dans les 4 régions de Niger en 2011, le dernier a pour but d'examiner l'impact du programme de communication sur la promotion de soins de santé de l'enfant au niveau familial et communautaire. Pour constituer une population d'étude pour chaque base de donnée, le même critère d'exclusion a été appliqué afin d'inclure les femmes de 15-49 ans, ayant au moins un enfant de moins de 24 mois et qui ont accouché par voie basse. Un échantillon aléatoire stratifié a été tiré pour sélectionner 2091 femmes divisées en deux strates, le groupe d'intervention et le groupe de contrôle. Les outils d'analyse de données ont été le test du chi2 et la régression logistique multivariée. Les variables indépendantes incluent les actions de communication, les statuts démographiques et économiques des mères, les recours aux soins de santé de l'enfant ainsi que les pratiques et infrastructures d'hygiène. Résultats : Le retard de l'allaitement postpartum s'est caractérisé par le niveau de vie des plus démunis au Niger. Quelque soit la vulnérabilité socio-économique, des pratiques d'hygiène ont augmenté la chance de l'initiation de l'allaitement précoce. L'enquête d'évaluation dans les 4 régions de Niger a montré que le lavage des mains et l'utilisation des latrines traditionnelles étaient fortement corrélées avec l'allaitement précoce qui a augmenté respectivement de l'OR à 2.4 (IC 95%: [76; 220]) et à 2.3 (IC 95%: [51; 248]). Les agents de santé des établissements sanitaires, les sages-femmes, ont joué un rôle clef déterminant sur l'allaitement postpartum. Le statut valorisant de sages-femmes impliquées dans le programme de communication était à l'origine d'une hausse significative de l'allaitement précoce. Toutefois, les consultation prénatale (CPN) par les sages femmes a augmenté l'allaitement initial de 52% (IC 95%: [14; 103]) par rapport à celles qui n'ont jamais effectué de CPN. L'enquête d'évaluation ne procure aucune information à savoir si le programme de communication a intégré les accoucheuses traditionnelles afin d'appliquer une approche à base communautaire. Une approche inter-sectorielle qui s'adresse aux multiples dimensions de soins de santé maternelle et infantile a augmenté à 6.9 l'OR de l'allaitement initial (95%CI: [374; 900]). Les visites à domicile par les relais communautaires se sont avérées statistiquement non significatives (IC 95%: [-10; 54]). La promotion par les pairs a réduit le risque de retard de l'initiation de l'allaitement de 100% (IC 95%: [39; 189]). / Introduction. This research aims to evaluate the effects of a behavior change communication program promoting early initiation of breastfeeding within the first hour of birth among the most vulnerable mothers in rural Niger. The main objectives are to identify the social determinants of initial breastfeeding and to examine the typology of integrated communication strategies for the socio-economically vulnerable group of populations. Behavioral child health outcomes have become an important research subject in Demography. However, few studies have examined breastfeeding during the postpartum period in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Very few demographic approaches were applied to evaluate neonatal care by looking into socio-economic inequity in SSA. This thesis quantifies predominantly qualitative information characterizing behavioral studies in breastfeeding among the most deprived population. Methods. This is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional quantitative studies conducted in Niger at different points of time based on a literature review of previous studies conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa. The cross-sectional surveys include: the 2006 Niger Demographic Health Survey (DHS), the 2012 Niger DHS and the post-intervention survey (PIS) conducted in 2011 to evaluate a communication program promoting family and community based child health care in 4 regions of Niger. To constitute a study population for each dataset, the same exclusion criteria were applied to include women aged 15-49 years, having at least one child less than 24 months born with vaginal delivery. The PIS study population, drawn from the original survey with stratified random sampling, was divided into two strata, the intervention and control groups according to exposure to the communication program. Statistical analysis tools were the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Independent variables include behavior change activities, socio-demographic and economic status of mothers, health seeking behavior and hygiene practices. Results. Postpartum breastfeeding is impaired by income poverty in Niger. Regardless of socio-economic vulnerability, hygiene practice increases the chance of early initiation of breastfeeding. Multivariate analysis with the 2011 PIS shows that hand washing and use of a traditional latrine increases by 2.4 (95%CI: 76; 220) and by 2.3 (95%CI: 51; 248) respectively the odds of early initiation of breastfeeding. Government health workers, midwives, play a key role determining mothers' postpartum breastfeeding. Antenatal care (ANC) provided by midwives increases the chance of early breastfeeding that increases by 52% (95%CI: 14, 103) compared to ANC provided by other health professionals among the most deprived group of populations. The PIS does not provide any information to evaluate the role of traditional birth attendants in neonatal care. An inter-sectorial approach addressing multiple dimensions of maternal and child health significantly increases by 6.9 odds (95%CI: 374, 900) early initiation of breastfeeding compared to those who are not reached by the whole integrated KFP promotion. Home visits by community volunteers are not significant (IC 95%: -10; 54). Involvement of mothers as a peer promoting exclusive breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of delayed initiation of breastfeeding by 2.0 odds (IC 95%: 39; 189). However, the number of exposures to different types of communication strategies does not influence positively early breastfeeding. Conclusions. The impact of community volunteers and health workers is limited with regard to early breastfeeding among the most deprived group of mothers. The model of behavior change communication with participatory peer promotion and a multi-sectorial approach combining optimal hygiene promotion suggests a response to socio-economic disparity.

Bakgrunden beskrivs utifrån ett globalt och svenskt perspektiv hur levnadsvanor påverkar människors hälsa negativt. Den vanligaste ohälsosamma levnadsvanan är övervikt och den ökar globalt samtidigt kan övervikt leda till sjukdomar. Vidare beskrivs motiverande samtal (MI) och vårdande samtal som kan vara en del i behandlingen vid livsstilsförändringar. Problemformuleringen beskriver sjuksköterskans roll i arbetet med patienters livsstilförändringar. Syftet är att belysa patienters upplevelser av motiverande samtal vid livsstilsförändringar. Arbetet är en litteraturöversikt, metoden som används är beskriven av Friberg (2012, ss. 133-142). Vetenskapliga artiklar från databaserna PubMed och Cinahl har granskats och analyserats. Resultatet beskriver att patienters upplevelse av MI innebär en ökad kunskap, ökad motivation till förändring och ökad fysisk aktivitet. Vidare beskrivs relationens betydelse samt en ökad livskvalitet. Diskussionen består av en metoddiskussion där styrkor och svagheter i litteraturöversikten belyses. I den avslutande resultatdiskussionen diskuteras huvudfynden av resultatet, till exempel att patienter upplever att MI bidrar till en god vårdrelation. Avslutningsvis diskuteras slutsatser och förslag på vidare forskning. / Program: Sjuksköterskeutbildning

How can social enterprises harmonise social and commercial value logics? This thesis examines the challenge that social enterprises face to create social and commercial value in an integrated, complementary and harmonious manner. Preliminary research has highlighted that efforts to harmonise these two seemingly opposing value sets, referred to in this thesis as Blended Value Creation (BVC), are on the rise. However, while preliminary research highlights an increased interest in BVC, it also highlights that respective research efforts remain conceptual, scattered and lack consensus. In an attempt to contribute to the study of BVC, this thesis starts by examining and clustering existing works within the social entrepreneurship research domain that discuss BVC within the last fifteen years (see chapter 2). This examination has led to a more synthesised overview of BVC, thus contributing to social enterprise management theory. Having examined BVC from existing theory (in chapter 2), this thesis goes on to contribute to a more applied understanding of BVC by examining four cases of social enterprises in Bangladesh using a grounded theory approach (see chapter 3, 4 and 5). In-depth interviews were conducted with 4 social entrepreneurs for 4 months. Respective field data has helped to further explore the social entrepreneurship process through the lens of organisational identity theory and legitimacy theory. Research has contributed in a number of ways to the social entrepreneurship research domain. Firstly, it proposes a seven-themed framework to aid social enterprises in efforts to embed BVC in their management practices. Secondly, through the application of organisational identity theory, new findings have been unearthed regarding stakeholder management practices for social enterprises. Furthermore, by applying legitimacy theory, this thesis provides novel insights into the relationships that social enterprises form with non-governmental organisations to enhance BVC. Most significantly however, research for this thesis has furthered existing research efforts to understanding a pivotal management challenge for the social entrepreneurship process; harmonising social and commercial value.

Indonesia’s Baitul Maal wat Tamwil (known as BMT Islamic cooperatives; henceforth BMTs), are an important phenomenon in Indonesia due to their rapid growth (i.e. numbers, assets, members) and spread across the nation. BMTs are seen as organisations that fill a gap in the market by catering for small-micro-sized enterprises (SMEs) by which because of their size find it difficult to obtain access to the usual financial intermediaries such as banks. BMTs also have an important social role of contributing to poverty alleviation, since SMEs are perceived as vehicles through which wealth and prosperity can be improved. However, in contrast to what we would expect from organisations espousing Islamic values, in recent years there have been a number of frauds involving BMTs which both socially and economically has had a detrimental effect on society. This contradiction merits examination. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine stakeholders’ perceptions of fraud in BMTs. The research is comprised of three main stages: a critical literature review, an archival media analysis, and semi-structured interviews; followed by an analysis of the findings using stakeholder theory as an analytical tool. The literature is explored on three main issues: corporate governance, non-traditional organisation, and fraud. This research utilises the narrative case study method and content analysis. The narrative case study is adopted to gain in-depth understanding of fraud problems such as rigorous examination of stakeholders (i.e. managers, members, employees, authorities, society). This study finds that the fraud incidents in BMTs as a systematic failure as all stakeholder groups have their responsibilities on these failures. There are overlapping values between micro (individual) values and macro values (especially Islamic and cultural values) which enabled fraud to occur. This study contributes to the theory and literature by emphasises the importance of cultural and religious aspects to the analysis of corporate governance theories. This study also contributes to the practice of BMTs and mutuals by provide relevant insights and guidelines to policymakers and practitioners for the future development of BMT governance in Indonesia, particularly the fraud prevention strategies.