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Local government in the United States have been collaborating across institutional boundaries, collaborating with other local government to share their resources in the delivery of goods and services in their communities. Although local governments have collaborated for a long time, mixed analysis resulted on which form of government is most effective in the delivery of goods and services based on structure and stability of their financial conditions. This dissertation introduces technology as a key component in the collaborative process in implementing smart initiatives among communities. This dissertation uses surveys conducted from ICMA and Smart City Council, 2016, and a case study comparing two smart cities to test the hypotheses; which structure of government is more effective and whether an increase in financial condition encourages more collaborative efforts. The data reveals that the council-manager form of government is more efficient, however, in contrast, to the case study which indicated that both forms of government were efficient in implementing smart initiatives, however, differences in collaborative efforts were seen based on structure. The results of this analysis provide significant new information for both scholars and practitioners.

Date: 2023-05-31 Level: Bachelor thesis in Business Administration, 15 cr  Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University  Authors: Ahlqvist Malin, Fredmark Ida Xing and Pirani Shervin (93-03-11)          (96-06-05)        (98-07-02)                                           Title: Exploring sustainability performance in small and medium-sized enterprises from a triple bottom line perspective Supervisor:  Edward Gillmore  Keywords: TBL, Sustainability, Initiatives, Environmental performance, Economic performance Research questions:  RQ1: What are the characteristics of sustainable initiatives in SMEs? RQ2: How do the sustainability initiatives affect the economic performance and the environmental performance within SMEs? Purpose: This study aims to explore the characteristics of initiatives that an SME is undertaking regarding sustainability and how it affects their economic and environmental performance. Method: This study has an inductive approach and one case study. Four qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted, and secondary data was collected. Conclusion: In relation to TBL, numerous environmental initiatives were detected, while fewer economic initiatives and social initiatives were detected. An inconsistency was found regarding the effect sustainability initiatives have on economic performance and environmental performance. If an SME wishes to operate sustainably it is suggested that emphasis should be directed towards the integration and improvement within areas of waste management, resource management, and optimization of transportation.

To mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, unthinkable restrictions and measures were enforced. In a few weeks’ time, the greatest part of the global population went under strict lockdown policies. In this new reality, Italians took advantage of their balconies and started engaging in collective actions of communal and national solidarity. Unable to be outdoors in any other way they reinvented the balcony as the focal point of their everyday interactions in times that called for social distancing and became ‘viral’. Balconies are a common feature in dense urban settings of South Europe, and transformed into an outdoor territory, which demonstrates architectural innovation, bridging dipoles, of interior and exterior, of individual and collective, but mostly of private and public. Given the circumstances, one can provocatively suggest that balconies are public spaces, especially under the scope of pandemic urbanism. Recognizing public spaces as open, publicly accessible places that facilitate popular activities necessary for community building, we introduce balconies as hybrid and heterotopic spaces mediating the private and public realm. Defined by clear and strict borders, yet accessible in terms of sight and sound, balconies potentially create a wider social network within the city, which should be enhanced. In terms of methodology, besides the literature review, ‘on a balconé’ (sic). ‘Balconer’, in French translates to watch closely from a balcony, without taking part in what is happening and such methodological practice complemented the research, by recording direct and indirect personal observations. As a result, an online international survey was conducted in April 2020, open to subjects both having and not having balconies. Firstly, the perception of balconies in general was investigated, along with an effort to map out regular activities and objects that synthesize such places. Moreover, it was explored whether the viral scenes from all over the world were more than a momentum and an ‘Instagrammable’ trend or whether new synergies underlain beyond, especially in the scope of social interactions and solidarity. The research advocates reconsidering balconies as an important element of building structures, especially in cities. Comparing how previous pandemics and diseases shifted urban planning and design principles, it is high time to discuss the proliferation of balconies as a feature of pro-equal societies. Nevertheless, balconies should be understood as spatial manifestations rather than merely architectural typological elements. In that sense, porches, patios, terraces and rooftops bear the same opportunities. Placemaking and urban policies calling for dense public life should start taking into account places that exceed the street level perspective. Finally, in some languages, balcony is a slang word for female breasts. Reversing this metaphor, as breasts are life-giving, balconies also are life-supporting elements of the buildings and of cities and should be regarded as such.

This dissertation explores the passage of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (FFATA) through John Kingdon’s (2003) Multiple Streams Theory. A policy analysis of the FFATA was conducted adapting Bardach’s Eightfold Path to Effective Problem Solving (2005) to explore the effectiveness of the FFATA. The dissertation focused on the attempt of the FFATA to account for the acceptable disbursement and use of disaster recovery payments and the ability of faith based initiatives to provide relief without compromising the separation of church and state principle through a coupling event. Additionally, this research sought to determine if faith based initiatives created a greater risk in awarding Stafford Act’s Public Assistance Grant Funds in the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. The study found the FFATA is not successfully meeting its goals and objectives in disaster recovery situations as it relates to Public Assistance Grants after Katrina because it fails to trace federal funding to the actual recipient of the grant. To determine if faith based initiatives created a greater risk in awarding Public Assistance Grant Funds after Katrina, 75 reports published by Office of Inspector General on Hurricane Katrina were reviewed to determine which types of compliance issues auditors have found with entities receiving federal funding under this grant program. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analysis and document analysis was performed on the collected data. Data showed that public entities have a higher percentage of questioned costs in comparison to faith based organizations. Content analysis revealed that 100 percent of public entities still spent the money on some other public purpose, but not necessarily a disaster-related purpose as required by federal rules specific to the PA Grant Program. Faith based organizations were more likely to have a violation of federal rules where the money ultimately was not traceable, indicating a greater risk of faith based organizations to violate the separation of church and state principle.

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Corporations closely monitor social change to assess potential risks to their strategic objectives. As seen in the social unrest of 2019, their reliance on diversity initiatives demonstrated their solidarity. Such efforts, heightened by stakeholder influence can obscure the attitudes and perceptions of those they most rely upon to carry out these policies. While corporate leaders set these initiatives, managers implement and oversee them. This dissertation explores managerial attitudes and perceptions toward diversity management initiatives. It benchmarks this endeavor through two studies. Study 1 establishes the groundwork for this investigation by building a theoretical framework and identifying a research gap concerning the need for validated Diversity Management Initiatives (DMI) scales. Study 2 methodologically develops novel DMI measurements and assesses the current state of managers’ demeanors toward diversity mechanisms. This research provides valuable, scholarly insights into diversity management's contemporary, shifting landscape. / Business Administration/Strategic Management

Afin de répondre aux enjeux sociaux d'adaptations aux effets des changements climatiques, cette thèse participe à la compréhension des processus de développement de capacité d'adaptation. L'objet d'étude principal porte sur les dynamiques citoyennes spontanées de transition. Il s'agit de groupe de citoyen souhaitant agir localement pour le développement de leur territoire de manière cohérente autour de valeurs partagées.Cette thèse contribue à démontrer l'émergence et le développement de pratiques sociales innovantes, assimilable à des innovations sociales dans des arènes de transition reproduisant les caractéristiques des niches, espace protégé et restreint encourageant l'incubation. Ces innovations sociales, favorisé par la mise en réseau, la cohésion et le partage de valeurs contribuent au développement de capacité d'adaptation à travers une volonté de transmission, des pratiques d'essaimage et une dynamique globale d'inclusion.Concrètement, cette étude porte sur deux initiatives de transition semblable dans leurs intentions et différentes par leur histoire. Elles participent à considérer une nouvelle dynamique de société à la fois spontanée, autonome et inclusive. En se positionnant ni "contre" le territoire et ses institutions, ni "sans" eux, ces initiatives de transition représentent des alternatives remarquables pour conduire vers des sociétés plus coopératives et davantage capables de s'adapter aux effets des changements climatiques. / To respond to social issues of adaptation to the effects of climate change, this thesis contributes to the understanding of adaptation capacity development processes. The main subject is the spontaneous transitional citizens dynamics. It is about a group of citizens wishing act locally for the development of their territory in a coherent way around shared values.This thesis helps to demonstrate the emergence and the development of innovative social practices. This is comparable to social innovations in transition arenas who reproduce characteristics of niches: protected and restricted space encouraging incubation. These social innovations, fostered by networking, cohesion and the sharing of values, contribute to the development of adaptability through a desire for transmission and a global dynamic of inclusion.Concretely, this study focuses on two transition initiatives similar in their intentions and different in their history. They participate in considering a new dynamic of society that is both spontaneous, autonomous and inclusive.By positioning itself neither "against" the territory and its institutions, nor "without" them, these transition initiatives represent remarkable alternatives to lead to more cooperative societies and more able to adapt to the effects of climate change.

Submitted by PATRICIA JACOMINI FROIO null (pathfroio@hotmail.com) on 2017-08-17T19:04:03Z No. of bitstreams: 1 FROIO_PJ_Me_bauru_2017.pdf: 2760921 bytes, checksum: 55f71dfb834b98674dc798cf6acb1b5b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-08-23T17:55:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 froio_pj_me_bauru.pdf: 2760921 bytes, checksum: 55f71dfb834b98674dc798cf6acb1b5b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-23T17:55:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 froio_pj_me_bauru.pdf: 2760921 bytes, checksum: 55f71dfb834b98674dc798cf6acb1b5b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-29 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / A busca pela sustentabilidade tem sido um tema debatido entre gestores e acadêmicos em todo o mundo. Atividades econômicas são geradoras de impactos ambientais resultante de suas operações, incluindo o setor das empresas de logística. Este tema tem atraído considerável atenção da comunidade científica internacional, entretanto, estudos sobre o tema no Brasil são incipientes. Nesta pesquisa foi realizada uma revisão estruturada da literatura que mapeou iniciativas verdes realizadas apenas por empresas Prestadoras de Serviços Logísticos (PSLs) e classificadas como internas e externas à organização em forma de um framework. Nesse contexto e de acordo com o estado-da-arte do campo de pesquisa apontado, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi de identificar iniciativas de sustentabilidade ambiental praticadas por algumas empresas PSLs brasileiras, e analisar a abrangência da realização das iniciativas. O método de pesquisa escolhido foi um estudo exploratório, com questionário semiestruturado, e coleta de dados do tipo survey. Com apoio do software NVivo10 foi possível entender as empresas estudadas, uma vez que facilitou as análises permitindo planejar e classificar informações oriundas de outras três questões abertas compostas no questionário, e pesquisar padrões nas respostas dos respondentes. Os resultados das análises indicam que as empresas respondentes têm realizado diversas ações a favor da sustentabilidade ambiental, entretanto algumas delas de forma pouco abrangente. A maior parte das iniciativas realizadas no contexto analisado são intraorganizacionais, quando comparada as interorganizacionais. / The pursuance for sustainability has been a topic debated among managers and academics around the world. Economic activities generate environmental impacts resulting from its operations, and also the logistics industry. This topic has attracted considerable attention from the international scientific community, however, studies on that issue in Brazil are incipient. The structured literature review mapped out green initiatives undertaken only by Logistics Service Providers (LSPs), and classified in the form of a framework as internal and external to the organization. In this context and according to the state-of-the-art of the research field pointed out, the aim of this research was to identify environmental sustainability initiatives practiced by some Brazilian LSP companies, and analyze the scope of the initiatives. The chosen research method was an exploratory study, with semi-structured questionnaire, and survey data collection. With the support of the NVivo10 software, it was possible to understand the companies studied, since it facilitated the analysis allowing to plan and classify information from three other open questions composed in the questionnaire, as well to search for patterns in respondents' answers. The results indicate that the surveyed companies have carried out several actions in favor of environmental sustainability, however some of them not with all potential. And most of the carried out initiatives are intraorganizational, when compared to the interorganizational ones. / CNPq: 134565/2015-0

In the new millennium the Scottish government has been seeking effective practice developments in Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAHPs) through setting up numerous policy initiatives to improve patient care both directly and indirectly. Despite the fact that many of these initiatives have been subject to individual commissioned evaluations, to date, no systematic integrative study has been carried out in Scotland. This thesis addresses this deficit with the aim of constructing better understanding of key lessons and issues in regard to policy contexts, processes and outcomes. Based on a constructivist approach and case study methodology, this study consists of: critical review of literature in relevant cognate areas; critical review of selected commissioned reports and other documentary analysis; case studies of four selected policy initiatives using twenty four in-depth semi-structured interviews; and integrative analysis and synthesis featuring framework analysis and application of relevant theoretical perspectives to enable explanation. At micro level this has provided insight into how and why selected policy initiatives were developed and implemented, based mainly on the perspectives of the various participants involved in the policy initiatives. At macro-level, cross case study enabled identification of key generic lessons such as policy internal and external alignment, good leadership at all levels and effective communication. In doing so the thesis also illuminates relationships between clusters of policy initiatives and their continuous development. In particular, a new explanatory model of policy to practice change has also been developed in this thesis, building from relevant theoretical perspectives and empirical research. The thesis suggests that the new model will be useful for the analysis of policy through to practice both from ‘top down’ and ‘bottom up’ perspectives. Finally, the findings have significant implications for future policy, education, practice and research. The thesis concludes with a summary of its contributions and related recommendations.