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Migration is generally considered a problem or at least a negative phenomenon. However, it is considered rather positively in this thesis. I attempt to answer a question whether migration contributes to the development of the countries of origin. The aim of this thesis is to evaluate the positive and the negative impacts of migration and remittances on selected countries and to evaluate measures that contribute to a maximization of the positive impacts and a minimization of the negative impacts of migration on development.The first chapter presents the theoretical concept of the impacts of migration and remittances on development. In the second chapter I examine the specific effects of migration and the third chapter summarizes the measures maximizing the positive impacts and minimizing the negative effects of migration on development in the "optimization model of the impacts of migration and remittances on development."

Um novo método para avaliação do tamanho de gotas de chuva e sua distribuição é apresentado. O método é baseado no processamento de imagens com o uso da transformada de Hough circular em conjunto com as técnicas de Backmapping e análise de vizinhança. Esta metodologia trás vantagens, uma vez que viabiliza medidas diretas e de forma automática para identificação e contagem de gotas de chuva. A calibração do método foi desenvolvida utilizando padrões de gotas conhecidos. Gotas, na faixa de 1 &#956m a 85 mm de diâmetro, foram automaticamente reconhecidas e medidas com sucesso. Resultados mostram erro médio percentual não maior que 3,61%. Adicionalmente é apresentado uma comparação de resultados obtidos com um método de análise de correlação em frequência e contagem direta. Resultados mostram a potencialidade da metodologia desenvolvida para aplicações agrícolas. / A new method for evaluating raindrop size and distribution has been developed. It is based on image processing with circular Hough fast transform composed with the Backmapping and neighborhood analysis techniques. This methodology has the advantage of being a direct measurement method that automatically identifies and counts raindrops. Calibration was carried out using standard patterns with known raindrop sizes. Drops sizes ranging from 1 &#956m sizes to 85 mm in diameter has been automatically recognized and successfully measured. Results show perceptual average error not larger than 3,61%. In addition a comparison of results with the correlation analysis in the frequency domain and directed counts methods are presented. Results show the suitability of developed methodology.

Bakgrund:Vi konsumerar redan idag en och enhalv gånger jordens bärkapacitet,ochkommer 2030behöva två jordklotför att stödja vår konsumtion.Dettamedförockså en ännu högre konsumtionsökning som kommer att sätta ett ännu högretryck på jorden. Den linjära ekonomin som bygger på att utvinna resurser,producera, konsumera och sen bli kvitt avfalletfungerar helt enkeltinte i längdenoch framtiden stavas därför nu cirkulär ekonomi. En industri som spelar en storrollinomsamhället ochsomdessutomärdenstörstautsläpparenav alla industrieri Sverige är stålindustrin. Stålindustrin är därför den industri som genom enomställning från linjär till cirkulär ekonomi kan spela en viktig roll iimplementationen av ett mer cirkulärtsamhälle. Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att mot bakgrunden av det allt mer pressadevärldsläget undersöka omställningen från linjär till cirkulär ekonomi inomstålindustrin. Frågeställning:Vadhar företaginomstålindustrinsåsomSandvikgjortförattlyckas implementera en mer cirkulärekonomi? Metod: Studien är en kvalitativ fallstudie där primärdata samlades in via tresemistruktureradeintervjuer.Studienharettinterpretativistisktperspektivsamten abduktiv ansats. Slutsats: Studiens resultat visar att Sandvik genom existerande kanaler ochproduktionsanläggningarhaftengodgrundföratt smidigtkunnaställaomderasproduktionmot att blimer cirkulär.Företagets industriparkdärde kontrollerarflera steg av produktionskedjan blirdärför enklare att anpassa och ställa om motcirkulär ekonomi.Vidare har företagets relativt platta organisationsstrukturIVfrämjat innovation bland de anställda och skapat en företagskultur där nyacirkulärekonomiskaprojektochinnovationersnabbtkanomsättastillverklighet. Kunskapsbidrag: Denna studie har bidragit med att skapa en djupare förståelseför hur det affärsmässiga perspektivet och cirkulär ekonomi kan fungera ihopgenom praktiska exempel hos fallföretaget. Den har också bidragit medinformationkringstyrningsmetoderochorganisationsstrukturersompåolikasättkan främja implementationen av cirkulärekonomi. / Background:We are already consuming one and a halftimes the earth's carryingcapacity today, and by 2030 we will need two globes to support our consumption.This will result in an even higher consumption increase which will put a higherpressure on the globes resources. The linear economy thatis based on extractingresources, producing, consuming and then getting rid ofthe waste does not workin the long run.Instead,the future is now spelled circular economy.An industrythat plays a major role in society and which is also the biggest emitter of allindustries in Swede is the steel industry. The steel industry is therefore theindustry that,through a conversion from linear to circular economy, can play animportant role in how the circular economy is implemented in order to lead theway towards a circular society. Purpose: The purpose ofthis study is to examine the shiftfrom linear to circulareconomy in the steelindustry againstthe background ofincreased pressure on theglobal situation. Researchquestion:What have companies inthe steelindustry such as Sandvikdone to successfully implement a more circular economy? Methodology: The study is a qualitative case study where primary data wascollected via three semi-structured interviews. The study uses a perspective ofinterpretivism and an abductive approach.VI Conclusion:The study's results showthat Sandvik through existing channels andproduction facilities, had a good basis for smoothly adjusting their productiontowards becoming more circular. The company's industrial park, where theycontrol several stages of the production chain, is therefore easier to adapt andreadjust to circular economy. Furthermore, the company's relatively flatorganizational structure has facilitated innovation among its employees andcreated a corporate culturewherenewcircular economic projects and innovationscan quickly be translated intoreality. Contributions: This study has helped create a deeper understanding of how thebusiness perspective of circular economy can work through practical examplesfrom the case company. It has also contributed information on managementcontrolmethods andorganizational structures thatinvariousways canpromotethe implementation of circulareconomy.

Svenska företag har börjat prata om cirkulär ekonomi (CE)som en viktig del inom företagsverksamheter där CE har kommit att ersätta tidigare “praxis” för hållbar utveckling. Flera stora svenska företag däribland H&M och Ikea uttrycker att de vill vara en del i att leda samhällets omställning mot cirkulär ekonomi. Samtidigt bidrar H&M och Ikea till en massproduktion av konsumtionsvaror vilket leder till en förbrukning av stora mängder naturresurser. Denna studie syftar till att genom en fallstudie undersöka hur H&M och Ikea talar om CE i sin verksamhet samt hur H&M och Ikea genomopinionsbildning försöker påverka omställningen mot CE. Textanalystillämpades för att genomföra studien och svara på följande frågeställningar: Vilka argument framför H&M och Ikea kring att en omställning mot CE är nödvändig? Vilka ambitioner uttrycker H&M och Ikea i omställningen mot CE? Vilka strategier framför H&M och Ikea att de tillämpar i omställningen mot CE och vad framför de som utmaningar med arbetet? Hur uttrycker sig H&M och Ikea kring vem som har ansvar att leda omställningen mot CE? Hur uttrycker sig H&M och Ikea som opinionsbildare i omställningen mot CE? Resultatet av studien visar att H&M och Ikea framför hur en fortsatt linjär produktion och konsumtion inte är hållbar där de framför ambitioner om att de vill leda omställningen och vill implementera cirkularitet genom hela deras värdekedjor. Resultatet visar att H&M och Ikea uttrycker strategier gällande förändring av affärsmodeller, designprocesser, ökad återanvändning-och återvinning av material. Vid implementering av CE framför H&M och Ikea utmaningar gällande teknik, samarbete och regleringar. Gällande ansvar framför H&M och Ikea att de åtar sig ett ansvar i omställningen men de poängterar att beslutsfattare behöver ta ett större ansvar i att främja företagsarbete mot en omställning. Resultatet visar också att H&M och Ikea som opinionsbildare uttrycker att de vill påskynda omställningen mot CE. / Swedish companies have begun to talk about CE as an important part of companies' operations where CE has come to replace previous “practices” for sustainable development. Several large Swedish companies, including H&M and Ikea, say that they want to be part of leading society's transition towards a circular economy. At the same time H&M and Ikea constitute a mass production of consumer goods which contributes to the consumption of large amounts of natural resources. This study aims to investigate how H&M and Ikea talk about CE in their operations through a case study and how H&M and Ikea try to influence the transition to CE through opinion formation. Text analysis was applied to carry out the study and answer the following questions: What arguments do H&M and Ikea express about why a conversion to CE is necessary? What ambitions do H&M and Ikea express in their transition to CE? What strategies do H&M and Ikea express that they apply in the transition towards CE and what are the challenges they face in these processes? How do H&M and Ikea express themselves about who is responsible for leading the transition towards CE? How do H&M and Ikea express themselves as opinion formation in the transition to CE? The results of the study show that H&M and Ikea express that continuous linear production and consumption is not sustainable where they express ambitions that they want to lead the transition and that they want to implement circularity throughout their value chains. The results show that the H&M and Ikea express strategies regarding transformation of business models, design processes and increased reuse-and recycling of materials. When implementing CE companies face challenges regarding technology, collaboration, and regulations. In the context of responsibility H&M and Ikea express that they undertake a responsibility in the transition, but they point out that decision-makers need to take greater responsibility in promoting companies' transition processes. The result also shows that H&M and Ikea as opinion formation express that they want to speed up the transition to CE.

abstract: The circular economy is viewed as a solution to many of the environmental and social ills that the linear economy has exacerbated. Whether it is through refill solutions or redesigning a cardboard shipping container, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands are rethinking the way their products are delivered to consumers through business model innovations that promote circularity. The consumer plays the important, often overlooked, role of enabler within circular business models. This study aims to increase broader understanding of what motivates circular consumption of fast-moving consumer goods while analyzing the relationship between motivators and the behaviors required to participate. Semi-structured interviews provide insights from consumers who are currently purchasing household cleansers from brands that operate with a circular business model. Results from this study highlight a group of consumers that are distinguished by their common desire to reduce their personal consumption of plastics. There is clear indication that these consumers are in fact seeking out ways to consume more sustainably. A significant subset of this group expresses concern regarding ingredients used in the products. Health concerns for themselves, their family, or a pet are driving a desire to understand product ingredients. There is evidence to indicate that the concern for personal consumption of plastics is being driven by information distributed via social media and supported by targeted advertisements for brands that address this concern. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Sustainability 2020

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to gain insights into the implementation of circular economy from the perspectives of local entrepreneurs and organizations within the Växjö region. Design/methods/approach - This paper follows the case study design with local entrepreneurs and organizations as the unit of analysis. The authors adopted both iterative and abductive thinking in order to alternate between analysis of theories and empirical material. Systematic literature review with themes was used as a specific purpose and research question was specified from the beginning. When collecting empirical material, guided and semi-structured interviews were used. For the data analysis, “initial coding” was utilized, which allowed the authors to differentiate themes and thus perform a thorough analysis. Findings - Växjö Kommun has a long-term goal of fostering sustainability and circularity within the Växjö region through numerous communication channels and continuous collaboration and cooperation with various groups of stakeholders. Their efforts have facilitated the emergence of initiatives and projects from small entrepreneurs. However, the relationship between Växjö Kommun and other stakeholders (local entrepreneurs and organizations) face difficulties due to a lack of communication and differences in perception of how the strategies should be implemented. Practical implications - Through collecting, analyzing and combining theoretical and empirical material, insights were gained into the implementation of circular economy. Based on these, recommendations to the local entrepreneurs and organizations were outlined, which can be utilized when rethinking their strategies related to sustainable and circular projects in the region of Växjö. Originality/value - The originality of this paper lies in the absence of previous research conducted on similar topics within this local context. The authors believe that their paper will be valuable to both local entrepreneurs and organizations who wish to better understand the implementation of circular economy. At the same time, the findings could be useful for other scholars who wish to continue this research.

abstract: The continued reliance on fossil fuel for energy resources has proven to be unsustainable, leading to depletion of world reserves and emission of greenhouse gases during their combustion. Therefore, research initiatives to develop potentially carbon-neutral biofuels were given the highest importance. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL, a thermochemical conversion process) of microalgae is recognized as a favorable and efficient technique to produce liquid biofuels from wet feedstocks. In this work, three different microalgae (Kirchneriella sp., Galdieria sulphuraria, Micractinium sp.) grown and harvested at Arizona State University were hydrothermally liquefied to optimize their process conditions under different temperatures (200-375 °C), residence times (15-60 min), solids loadings (10-20 wt.%), and process pressures (9-24 MPa). A one-factor-at-a-time approach was employed, and comprehensive experiments were conducted at 10 % solid loadings and a residence time of 30 min. Co-liquefaction of Salicornia bigelovii Torr. (SL), Swine manure (SM) with Cyanidioschyzon merolae (CM) was tested for the presence of synergy. A positive synergistic effect was observed during the co-liquefaction of biomasses, where the experimental yield (32.95 wt.%) of biocrude oil was higher than the expected value (29.23 wt.% ). Co-liquefaction also led to an increase in the energy content of the co-liquefied biocrude oil and a higher energy recovery rate ( 88.55 %). The HTL biocrude was measured for energy content, elemental, and chemical composition using GC-MS. HTL aqueous phase was analyzed for potential co-products by spectrophotometric techniques and is rich in soluble carbohydrates, dissolved ammoniacal nitrogen, and phosphates. HTL biochar was studied for its nutrient content (nitrogen and phosphorous) and viability of its recovery to cultivate algae without any inhibition using the nutrient leaching. HTL biochar was also studied to produce hydrogen via pyrolysis using a membrane reactor at 500 °C, 1 atm, for 24 h to produce 5.93 wt.% gas. The gaseous product contains 45.7 mol % H2, 44.05 ml % CH4, and 10.25 mol % of CO. The versatile applications of HTL biochar were proposed from a detailed physicochemical characterization. The metal impurities in the algae, bio-oil, and biochar were quantified by ICP-OES where algae and biochar contain a large proportion of phosphorous and magnesium. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Chemical Engineering 2020

abstract: ABSTRACT Historically, Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) guided companies to make better decisions to improve the environmental impacts of their products. However, as new Circular Economy (CE) tools emerge, the usefulness of LCA in assessing linear products grow more and more obsolete. Research Question: How do LCA-based tools account for reuse/multiple life cycles of products verses CE-based tools? The Kaiteki Innovation Framework (KIF) was used to address the question of circularity of two packaging materials using an Environmental LCA to populate its 12 CE dimensions. Any gaps were evaluated with 2 LCA- based and 2 CE-based tools to see which could address the leftover CE dimensions. Results showed that to complete the KIF template, LCA data required one of the LCA-based tools: Social Life Cycle Assessment (SLCA) and both CE-based tools: Circular Transition Indicators (CTI) and Material Circularity Indicator (MCI) to supplement gaps in the KIF. The LCA addressed 5 of the KIF dimensions: Innovation Category Name, Description, GHG Impact, Other Environmental Impacts, and Value Chain Position. 3 analytical tools addressed 5 more:: Effect on Circularity, Social Impacts, Enabling Technologies, Tier 2 and 3 Requirements, and Value Chain Synergies. None of the tools could address the KIF Dimensions: State of Development or Scale Requirements. All in all, the KIF required both LCA-based and CE-based tools to cover social and socio-economic impacts from a cradle-to-cradle perspective with multiple circular loops in mind. These results can help in the research and development of innovative, circular products that can lead to a more environmentally preferred future. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Sustainability 2020

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第22272号 / 理博第4586号 / 新制||理||1658(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科化学専攻 / (主査)教授 大須賀 篤弘, 教授 依光 英樹, 教授 時任 宣博 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DGAM