Aquaculture is playing an important role in the development of fisheries in Vietnam, a role which has accelerated since 2000. Sustainability in aquaculture is receiving increasing attention, and this issue is not only the concern of government, but also stakeholders participating in the value chain. Therefore, this study aims to identify sustainability issues of farmed seafood by assessing the main sustainability issues raising concern. The Global Value Chain framework described by Gereffi et al. (2005) is applied for this study to explore the business relationships in supply chain and the perceptions of sustainability concerned by the value chain actors. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used to collect data. An assessment of four species cultured on the Mekong Delta, the countries farmed seafood ‘hub’, found a clear distinction between species cultured with a local domestic market orientation (Giant Freshwater Prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii; and Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus) and the two key export commodities - Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and Penaeid shrimp (Penaeus monodon & Litopenaeus vannamei). These orientations were based on a range of factors including the development of effective seed supplies and the cultural value of marketing in the live format. This study, conducted in ten provinces in the Mekong Delta from 2009 to 2013 had a focus on understanding the export-orientated commodities, striped catfish and shrimp through collection of baseline information on the value chain of farmed seafood, focusing on the farming sector, the actors and institutions involved and beneficiaries. Sustainability issues and perceptions of experts (top-down) and primary stakeholders (bottom-up) opinions were assessed through participatory workshops. Shrimp and striped catfish production are mainly farmed for export, with 83% and 95% of its production, respectively, leaving the country mainly after processing. Currently, mainly families operate small-/medium-scale farms; while large-farms are integrated within seafood processors. Production efficiency of large-farms tends to be better than small-/medium farms. Many striped catfish and shrimp farms are likely to reach several standard criteria such as economic feed conversion ratio (eFCR), stocking density, no banned chemical/drug and wild-seed use, and land property rights; however, there were still many standard criteria that existing farms could not meet such as effluent management, farm registration, fishmeal control, farm hygiene and record-keeping requirement. Hence, current farming practices, especially small-/medium farms have a long way to go to meet emergent international food standards. Recently, many small-/medium catfish farms faced problems with low fish prices, so they have had to cease catfish farming activities and temporarily stop farming; while some larger farms also had to temporarily stop farming. Therefore, fish price has tended to be a main driving force for catfish farm changes. In the shrimp industry, there were technical changes occurring in the high intensity level of shrimp farms (HiLI); whereas, the remaining shrimp farms had fewer changes in farm management. Most HiLI shrimp farms were affected by AHPNS disease, which was a main factor driving their farm changes. Many perceptions of sustainability were identified by stakeholder groups, however seven sustainability issues had a high level of agreement among stakeholders including input cost, capital & credit costs, unstable markets, government regulation & policy, disease, seed quality, water quality and water availability factors. Hatcheries, farmers and manager groups were more concerned about environmental issues; while for the input suppliers and processors, economics was the main issue. Farmers and processors were two main actors that played an important role in the production process of the value chain. Small-/medium farms dominated the number of farms overall and still played an important role in primary production. However, small-scale farms were considered as more vulnerable actors in the value chain, and they faced more difficulties in meeting increasing requirements on food quality/safety. To maintain the position in the value chain, the solutions could be horizontal and vertical coordination. Thus policy makers will need to find ways to include them in the planning processes. To reach sustainability will require the efforts of direct stakeholders, the role of the state agencies is essential in negotiation and diplomacy to create partnerships with the seafood importing countries. However, efforts to develop sustainable production become impossible without participation from importers, retailers and consumers.

GlobalGAP (previously EurepGAP) is a voluntary business-to-business standard for food audit that has recently achieved the greatest acceptance worldwide (Campbell, Lawrence & Smith 2006) boasting implementation numbers of over 80,000 farms in 80 countries. Compliance with the standard is verified by means of the third party certification (TPC) audit, and is designed to (GlobalGAP 2008) assure European retailers that exporting producers have met their criteria for safe and sustainable agriculture (GlobalGAP 2007b). In 2004, cherry growers in the Southern Interior of British Columbia became the first GlobalGAP certified producers in Canada. This novelty afforded a unique opportunity to observe the introduction of the standard in an industrialized country with well-established regulations and where the capacity of producers to undertake the process was relatively high. A qualitative methodology was used in case studies of two communities to inductively study the implementation of ‘safe and sustainable agriculture’ certification and generate relevant research questions for deeper examination. Sensitizing concepts emerging from observations of the TPC audits (n = 20) evolved into two primary research objectives; 1) to understand the practical application and diffusion of a TPC standard and 2) to explore the efficacy of the TPC standard as a mechanism to promote sustainable agriculture within certain pre-existing contexts. Forty-four follow up interviews were conducted with growers that chose to certify (n = 24), those that did not (n = 14), and other key actors (n = 3). This thesis examines the research objectives over three chapters. The introduction provides the local and global context along with a review of GlobalGAP, agri-food governance and the role of private certification and retailer power. Chapter two presents the technological and sociological factors that influenced the stages of the diffusion of GlobalGAP TPC and compares these factors and outcomes to the technological and sociological components of sustainable agriculture. In the conclusion, policy strategies are offered to maximize the potential for this tool to promote sustainable agriculture along with suggestions for future research on the topic. / Science, Faculty of / Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES), Institute for / Graduate

This thesis is   focused on making an assessment of possibilities and limitations regarding an   application of Svenskt Sigill’s climate- certification on the organization   Fjällbete. Another aim with the thesis was to be able to provide   recommendations for future development of climate certifications in order to   provide information for decision makers. The production of the organization   Fjällbete is mainly focused on lamb, and they are aiming to promote a   long-term sustainable agriculture by promoting a regenerative agriculture and   holistic management. The climatecertification provided by Svenskt Sigill was   developed during a project in corporation with KRAV (the leading eco-label   for food in Sweden), initiated in 2007. This certification mostly concern   choice of feed, nitrogen fertilizer, animal welfare and energy efficiency.   This was partly a case-study of the organization. To identify the   opportunities and limitations, the effect of an introduction of Sigills’   climate certification, three criteria were being assessed. These were the   impact on greenhouse-gas emissions, carbon sequestration and biodiversity.   The criteria were further evaluated in a table to assess how compliance with   the regulations would affect Fjällbetes’ impact on the three criteria.   From the result, it was concluded that an   application of Sigills’ climate-certification on the organization Fjällbete   would likely effect the organization significantly in the right direction   regarding their impact on greenhouse gases deriving from energy consumption.   It was also concluded that a compliance with the regulations regarding the   slaughter age for animals would potentially effect the organization in the   wrong direction regarding its impact on greenhouse gases, carbon   sequestration and biodiversity. The magnitude of the effect of the   consequences regarding a compliance with this regulation cannot be detected   from this study. It was interpreted that an application of the certification   on the organization would not help them significantly to communicate their   differentiation on the market. If more factors regarding regeneration of   land, biodiversity and conservation values would be included in the   certification, the motivation would potentially be higher. Another conclusion   was that for a future development of a climate-certification, it is essential   to include a wide spectrum of different types of farmers. / DennaC-uppsats visar upp en bedömning av möjligheter och begränsningar gällande entillämpningen av Svenskt Sigills klimatcertifiering på organisationen"Fjällbete". Ett delsyfte med studien var att kunna gerekommendationer för framtida utveckling av klimatcertifieringar.Organisationen "Fjällbete" är huvudsakligen inriktad pålammproduktion, och deras mål är att verka för ett långsiktigt hållbartjordbruk genom att främja ett ”holistic management” och regenerativt jordbruk.Klimatcertifieringen från Svenskt Sigill utvecklades under ett projekt isamarbete med KRAV (Sveriges ledande miljömärkning för mat), som inleddes 2007.Denna certifiering fokuserar främst på val av foder, kvävegödsel, djurskydd ochenergieffektivitet.Detta var delvis en fallstudie av organisationen. För attidentifiera möjligheterna och begränsningarna av effekten av en applicering avSigills klimatcertifiering, utvärderades tre kriterier. Dessa var inverkan påväxthusgasutsläpp, koldioxidutsläpp och biologisk mångfald. Kriteriernautvärderades ytterligare i en tabell för att kunna bedöma hur enöverensstämmelse med regelverket skulle påverka Fjällbetes påverkan på de trekriterierna.Av resultatet utlästes att en tillämpning av Svenskt Sigillsklimatcertifiering på organisationen Fjällbete eventuellt skulle kunna ledaorganisationen i rätt riktning avseende deras påverkan på växthusgaser somhärrör från energiförbrukningen. Det drogs också slutsatsen att enöverensstämmelse med regulationerna gällande slaktålder för djur potentielltskulle kunna påverka organisationen i fel riktning vad gäller dess påverkan påväxthusgaser, koldioxidutsläpp och biologisk mångfald.En slutsats var att entillämpning av certifieringen på organisationen inte skulle hjälpa dem avsevärtatt kommunicera sin differentiering på marknaden. Om fler faktorer avseenderegenerering av mark, biodiversitet och bevarandevärden skulle ingå icertifieringen skulle motivationen kunna vara högre.En annan slutsats var attvid en framtida utveckling av klimatcertifiering är det viktigt att inkluderaett brett spektrum av olika typer av jordbrukare. / <p>2017-10-11</p>

In this thesis a methodology for measuring vibrations has been produced andinvestigated for APID 60, a rotorcraft in a Vertical Take-off and landing remotelypiloted aircraft system (VTOL RPAS). A comparative study was carried out forthe purpose of identifying the methodology with respect to design modificationscommon to the APID 60. The pilot-study identified experimental modal analysis(EMA) as a feasible part of the methodology for experimentally extracting themodal parameters of a structure. The EMA was performed on the main frameof the APID 60 where an impact hammer test was chosen as the technique forextracting the response data. As a comparison a point mass was added to thestructure to alter the dynamic properties and the test was repeated.The results from the EMA was compared with a modal analysis performednumerically with a calculation software. Comparison of the results from EMAwith the modal analysis performed numerically indicates consistency. This confirmsa good reliability of the methodology produced. However, the structure onwhich the test were preformed is simple in terms of constant structural properties.Further work should therefore investigate whether this methodology of measuringvibrations could be successfully applied to a structure with higher complexity.

This thesis proposes a hypothesis that a conventional, and essentially manual, HAZOP process can be improved with information obtained with model-based dynamic simulation, using a Monte Carlo approach, to update a Bayesian Belief model representing the expected relations between cause and effects - and thereby produce an enhanced HAZOP. The work considers how the expertise of a hazard and operability study team might be augmented with access to behavioural models, simulations and belief inference models. This incorporates models of dynamically complex system behaviour, considering where these might contribute to the expertise of a hazard and operability study team, and how these might bolster trust in the portrayal of system behaviour. With a questionnaire containing behavioural outputs from a representative systems model, responses were collected from a group with relevant domain expertise. From this it is argued that the quality of analysis is dependent upon the experience and expertise of the participants but this might be artificially augmented using probabilistic data derived from a system dynamics model. Consequently, Monte Carlo simulations of an improved exemplar system dynamics model are used to condition a behavioural inference model and also to generate measures of emergence associated with the deviation parameter used in the study. A Bayesian approach towards probability is adopted where particular events and combinations of circumstances are effectively unique or hypothetical, and perhaps irreproducible in practice. Therefore, it is shown that a Bayesian model, representing beliefs expressed in a hazard and operability study, conditioned by the likely occurrence of flaw events causing specific deviant behaviour from evidence observed in the system dynamical behaviour, may combine intuitive estimates based upon experience and expertise, with quantitative statistical information representing plausible evidence of safety constraint violation. A further behavioural measure identifies potential emergent behaviour by way of a Lyapunov Exponent. Together these improvements enhance the awareness of potential hazard cases.

This degree project investigated landfills that takes care of municipal solid waste in an area around the Mekong delta, namely An Giang province, Vietnam. The main objective for this study was to provide basic work in order to create a discussion with the local food markets to separate the household’s food waste from the rest. Such a discussion is possible to create through collaboration with local authorities and inform or guide stakeholders on how waste management can be improved, out of existing knowledge from Sweden. Therefore, this study aims to illuminate and give knowledge for improvements in questions regarding efficiency, organisation, participation, recycling and opportunities associated with a more efficient waste management system.Since a significant percentage of the household waste generated in Long Xuyen City, An Giang province are organic, the opportunity to convert organic waste into soil amendments was examined. Leachate from one of the landfills in the area was also analysed in order to get further understanding for its composition, focusing on organic parameters. / Det här examensarbetet undersökte deponier som tar hand om hushållsavfall i ett område runt Mekongdeltat, närmare bestämt An Giang provinsen, Vietnam. Det främsta målet för den här studien var ett ge underlag till att skapa en diskussion med lokala matmarknader för att få dem att separera hushållens matavfall från övrigt avfall. En sådan diskussion är möjlig att skapa genom samarbete mellan lokala myndigheter och att informera eller vägvisa intressenter om hur avfallshanteringen kan förbättras, ut ifrån befintlig kunskap från Sverige. Därför fokuserar den här studien på att förklara och ge kunskap för förbättringar i frågor rörande effektivitet, organisation, deltagande, återvinning och möjligheter associerade med ett mer effektivt avfallshanteringssystem. Eftersom en stor andel av hushållsavfallet som genereras i Long Xuyen, An Giang-provinsen är organiskt, undersöktes möjligheten att konvertera organiskt avfall till jordförbättringsmedel. Lakvatten analyserades från en av deponierna i området för att få en djupare förståelse för dess sammansättning, med fokus på organiska parametrar.

The increase in certified sickness absence recorded in most European countries during the last decade is of increasing concern to public health agencies. While sickness absence can promote rest and recovery from illness, it may also have negative consequences, including increased risks of inactivity and isolation, poorer quality of life and increased uptake of health services. In the Republic of Ireland (ROI) sickness certification is part of General Practitioners’ (GPs’) contractual service to the Department of Social Protection (DSP). Sickness certificates are also issued to patients as evidence of illness for employment purposes. There is limited research exploring GPs certifying practices in the Republic of Ireland. The aim of the thesis was to explore perspectives on sickness certification in general practice in Ireland. The data collection consisted of three stages. Study 1 consisted of in depth individual interviews with 14 GPs across 11 primary care practices in Ireland. Study 2 was based on an on-line questionnaire survey using a number of vignettes with 62 GPs working in primary healthcare. Finally, study 3 consisted of a focus group conducted with eight GPs in a large urban practice in Ireland. Qualitative analysis was conducted in vivo using content and simple thematic analysis techniques. Quantitative data was analysed by descriptive and inferential statistics using PASW version 18 statistical software. Combined results indicate that GPs can find their role as certifiers’ problematic and a source of conflict during the consultation process with patients. GPs concerns are with breaching patient confidentiality and in particular disclosing illness to employers. They reported feeling inadequate in dealing with some cases requesting sickness leave, including certification for adverse social circumstances and they felt a need for better communication between themselves, employers and relevant government departments. Willingness to issue a sickness cert may be influenced by the nature of the patient’s presenting problem. A psychological problem generated greater belief that patients were unfit for work, and GPs were more sympathetic and showed greater satisfaction with the decision they had made to certify these patient in comparison to patients with a physical problem. Average sickness certification periods were longer in cases of psychological nature (1-2 weeks) in comparison to the physical complaint (4-7days). Overall GPs displayed a negative feeling towards prescribing sickness leave and there was a perception that sickness certificates were being used by employers as a management tool in controlling absenteeism. GPs also mentioned cultural factors in work place absenteeism and lack of rehabilitative pathway as impacting on sickness certification practices in Ireland. Issuing a sickness certificate appears influenced by medical and non-medical factors. Potential exists for improving the system, but requires significant engagement with other stakeholders such as employers and social benefit agencies. Focus should be placed on referral and rehabilitative pathways for patients to ensure appropriate certification and early return to work.

During the past years in Sweden, there has been a lack of staff within the nursing profession. Due to that the employer may demand more of the employee than what usually is requested. This scenario can lead to work-related stress. What happens when the employer forces the staff to work so that the patient safety and that the registered nurse’s certification is put at risk? The purpose of the essay is to investigate what professional certification means within healthcare, what the legal value is in the certificate, and what the consequences can be with a management that does not observe stressors. The method being used is the legal dogmatic method together with a sociology perspective. Certification professions guarantee a specific qualification and knowledge provided for the profession. Abuse of this can lead to recall of the certification. The employers’ management is strong. Also, because of the nurse’s special liability relationship with the patient, it is almost impossible to abstain from the work one is being assigned. This relatively small opportunity to affect their working situation can lead to stress due to powerlessness. It is hard for employees to claim stress as a factor for a negative event to occur. Staff management can be identified as a system error which trigger a stressor and because of that patient safety and the certification is put at risk. But, management is a very important part of Swedish labour law and should preferably not be touched. National and international actors work for that through notice, routines and technical facilities build a safety system against human faults and for patient safety to be guaranteed. But, management is identified to be the most critical system error.

For producers motivated by their new status as self-employed, landowning, capitalist coffee growers, specialty coffee presents an opportunity to proactively change the way they participate in the international market. Now responsible for determining their own path, many producers have jumped at the chance to enhance the value of their product and participate in the new “fair trade” market. But recent trends in the international coffee price have led many producers to wonder why their efforts to produce a certified Fair Trade and organic product are not generating the price advantage they had anticipated. My study incorporates data collected in eighteen months of fieldwork, including more than 45 interviews with coffee producers and fair trade roasters, 90 surveys of coffee growers, and ongoing participant observation to understand how fair trade certification, as both a market system and development program, meets the expectations of the coffee growers. By comparing three coffee cooperatives that have engaged the Fair Trade system to disparate ends, the results of this investigation are three case studies that demonstrate how global processes of certification, commodity trade, market interaction, and development aid effect social and cultural change within communities. This study frames several lessons learned in terms of 1. socioeconomic impacts of fair trade, 2. characteristics associated with positive development encounters, and 3. potential for commodity producers to capture value further along their global value chain. Commodity chain comparisons indicate the Fair Trade certified cooperative receives the highest per-pound price, though these findings are complicated by costs associate with certification and producers’ perceptions of an “unjust” system. Fair trade-supported projects are demonstrated as more “successful” in the eyes of recipients, though their attention to detail can just as easily result in “failure”. Finally, survey results reveal just how limited is the market knowledge of producers in each cooperative, though fair trade does, in fact, provide a rare opportunity for producers to learn about consumer demand for coffee quality. Though bittersweet, the fair trade experiences described here present a learning opportunity for a wide range of audiences, from the certified to the certifiers to the concerned public and conscientious consumer.

Japan is one of the world’s major importers of wood products. Most of the wood entering the country is destined to Japan’s house building industry. However, Japan has been an indifferent market regarding demand of wood products certified for sustainable forest management. Current pressures that may indicate a shift in market conditions include: the recent economic recovery, increasing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the new government’s public purchasing policies (PPP) titled Timber Procurement Policies. In order to assess the market prospect (in the next 5 years) for wood products certified as coming from sustainable and/or legal sources a study was completed focusing on Japanese home builders. Data was collected through a self administered mail survey of residential builders in Japan. Results show that there is a low level of understanding, as well as willingness to adopt, forest management certification among Japanese builders. Consequently, current market demand for certified products is low and builders expect little change in consumers’ demand for wood materials certified for sustainable management as well as those certified for legality in the next five years. Builders considered the most important potential drivers for increased demand for certified and/or legal wood products to be rigorously implemented public purchasing policies, followed by increasing final consumers’ demand and the growth in CSR. Builders also estimated that the positive impact of PPPs would be rather modest but widespread. Finally, builders indicated that PPPs would favour demand for certain product categories, such as: domestic wood, softwoods, wood from plantation and to a lesser degree wood from temperate forests. / Forestry, Faculty of / Graduate