Consumer perception and purchase of fair trade products have been a topic of intrigue for researchers for a long time, because of the complexities involved in accurately measuring why and how consumers go for ethical goods. Previous research has attributed the fair trade concept to be of interest to only a small group of usually ethically minded consumers, and recently to more highly educated high income women. These issues and others relating to fair trade have been investigated in this research with some interesting findings. The research tried to find the perceptions of ethical and non ethical consumers to the fair trade concept, looking at their understanding of the whole concept and what makes them buy or not buy fair trade products and what improvements could be done about it. To get these perceptions, data was collected through questionnaires from these groups and analysed using the statistical tool SPSS. The studied showed a marked improvement from the general public, especially from men to their awareness of the fair trade concept and their willingness to purchase more fair trade products, provided there was complete understanding of the concept and a guarantee that the fair trade principles are met. It was recommended that increase education, transparency and a concerted effort to involve mainstream retailers in the process was a good way forward in increasing the sale of fair trade in the UK. The general impression gathered was that of hope and expectation that if these conditions are met, fair trade purchasing will do better than it is doing now.

The sustainability challenge currently poses one of the biggest challenges society has ever faced. With declining natural resources, climate change and a rising human population the need to change humanity’s trajectory towards sustainability has never been more urgent. A greater degree of engagement in sustainability by people in positions of power and influence within society is necessary if this transition is to occur quickly. This thesis explores the dynamics of Outdoor Experiential Learning Processes (OELPs) as applied to individuals from a professional background. The purpose is to assess how the OELP can be designed within society to engage influential professionals in sustainability. The research combines the existing powerful approach of the OELP with the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD). Strategic recommendations are made for how to achieve greater engagement in sustainability amongst OELP participants for a more sustainable future.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur personer som definierar sig som ickeheterosexuella och som tidigare behandlats för ätstörning beskriver en eventuell heteronorm samt andra normer inom den behandling de genomgått. Uppsatsen syftar vidare till att undersöka hur tidigare patienter med en normbrytande sexuell identitet beskriver vårdpersonals bemötande kopplat till sexuell läggning. Materialinsamlingen genomfördes med hjälp av kvalitativa intervjuer med personer som definierar sig som icke-heterosexuella och som har behandlats för ätstörning. Materialet har analyserats med hjälp av Grounded theory. Studien belyser situationer där heteronormen har synliggjorts samt tillfällen där andra normativa förväntningar varit märkbara under ätstörningsbehandling. I studien behandlas även behovet hos intervjupersonerna att i efterhand förstå sin egen situation och placera in sig själv i ett större sammanhang utifrån normer och samhälleliga förväntningar. Resultatet visar att heteronormativa antaganden kan identifieras och påverkar behandlingssituationen. Hur vårdpersonal förhåller sig till normer och i synnerhet heteronormen kan påverka hur patienten upplever behandlingssituationen och patientens val av att vara öppen kring sin sexualitet. Resultatet visar även en tendens att sätta den sexuella läggningen i relation till ätstörningen i reflektioner kring den egna sjukdomshistorien.

This essay examines the epideictic genre by using qualitative method to analyze acceptance speeches from the Swedish Grammy awards. These speeches and their speakers are often described as rhetorically mediocre and there seems to be a notion within the music community that an acceptance speech is personal and without deeper meaning. From a functionalistic perspective on genre, these speeches can be seen as working together with other genres that carry information about the winners. Why would skilled performers who know how to entertain an audience choose to repeat rhetorical mistakes? This essay uses different perspectives on rhetorical situation and genre as well as multimodal analysis of verbal- and nonverbal communication, to argue that these particular speeches in this particular situation come with their own set of expectations and values that the speakers have to acknowledge if they are to meet the epideictic purpose: To unite the audience around common values and create an enjoyable collective memory. The results show that most of the winners do so by multimodal activity where verbal and nonverbal communication work together to highlight values that are part of each winner’s persona as well as values that are celebrated within the music community as a whole.

Behaviour change initiatives have largely failed in communicating the urgency of the sustainability challenge to the public and thus generate achange of behaviour. Religious communities have achieved remarkable behaviour change in situations where non-faith-based communication failed (Palmer and Finlay 2003). This paper explores what Christian belief contributes to moving society towards sustainability through the lens of the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD). We focus on three themes: (1) the definition of sustainability, (2) the religious motivation for and (3) actions towards sustainability. A number of religious leaders are interviewed and the religious community surveyed. Findings show that religious concepts such as stewardship and the Golden Rule are key motivations for can give guidance on sustainability. However, these concepts are not consciously exploited. Further more, both religious leaders and people lack a full understanding of sustainability and are not strategic about moving towards sustainability. We conclude that religious communities could greatly benefit from adopting a strategic sustainable development (SSD) approach.

Increasing population, finite resources, over-consumption, and unsustainable trends in business contribute to urgent and complex sustainability challenges in society. The intent of this research is to understand the role business can play in moving society toward sustainability, specifically by analyzing the strengths and weaknesses present in the outdoor industry. Evaluation of the outdoor industry using a lens of the FSSD highlights unique opportunities for the outdoor industry in moving society toward sustainability while addressing the complex challenges. Using the advantages of being cooperative and sharing the values of trust and a connection to nature, the outdoor industry has the potential to make a unique shift from the current profit-driven market economy. This thesis examines how the current operations of the industry can be more strategic, efficient, and impactful in moving consumers, business, and society in a transition toward sustainability.

Recreational events gather large numbers of people in concentrated areas for brief periods of time. Effects of these events extend far beyond their spatial and temporal boundaries; a music festival is one such event. This paper asks, “What are some measures that can move music festivals strategically toward sustainability?” A framework for strategic sustainable development based on backcasting from sustainability principles is applied. Research draws on pertinent literature, interviews with festival organizers and an in-depth case study with International Music Concepts. Results indicate that critical flows and management routines upon which music festivals depend contribute to systematic undermining of social and ecological systems. Festival organizers sit at the centre of these flows, and are crucial to changing them. Education to inspire behavioural change of festival organizers and other stakeholders, notably suppliers, audience and artists, appears critical to shifting music festivals toward sustainability. This can be underpinned by building in-house ‘sustainability capacity’ of festival organisations; creating strategic alliances between festival organizers; and scaling up organisational efforts to include lobbying governments for financial and other support to authenticate a high-level commitment to true sustainable development. Music festivals may then leverage their role in society to move society itself toward sustainability. A template and guidebook are presented to facilitate this shift.

Precious and base metal mining projects can serve as a stepping-stone in moving the mining industry towards achieving compliance with a scientific-principled definition of global socio-ecological sustainability. Using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development to assess the current reality of mine project development has resulted in identifying gaps between current best practices and a desired vision of sustainability constrained by science based principles. These gaps provide opportunities for sustainability driven innovation. Evaluation of mining project phases and their impacts on ecological and social systems using the four Sustainability Principles highlight specific opportunities to create value for social, economic and ecologic systems. Companies choosing to develop mining projects using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development can expect to achieve many business benefits, including improved reputation, increased transparency and stakeholder trust. Strengthening these aspects will provide robust support to companies as they manoeuvre to define their role in a sustainable society. This thesis examines how current processes for mining projects can be developed to support a successful transition into a sustainable society.

Large-scale planning initiatives can present major long-term environmental and social consequences. Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is one type of approach to integrating environmental considerations into many large-scale plans and programs, and was established in the European Union by Council Directive 2001/42/EC. Practical and theoretical limitations remain, and this research considers “How can SEA be carried out for plans and programs to better support strategic decision-making toward sustainability?” Information is compiled from an extensive literature review, interviews with SEA experts, and a case study SEA. An analysis is conducted around a framework for strategic sustainable development, based on backcasting from sustainability principles. Results indicate that SEA plays an important role in mitigating environmental impacts of planning, but also faces many weaknesses relative to a truly strategic approach to sustainable development. To help fill these gaps, generic recommendations are developed for SEA practice. Built on a principle-based definition of sustainability, they are relevant to any individual SEA situation. Hypothetical applications of the recommendations are illustrated with a case study. By adopting these recommendations, SEA practitioners can enable planners to better integrate strategic sustainable development into the decisions and upstream design of plans and programs.

Human-influenced climate change is rapidly accelerating and continues to threaten to human existence. Global migration is leading to increasingly multicultural urban populations. This paper ties these two issues together through the lense of engagement. The thesis argues that a Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (FSSD) can be used to plan strategies to engage multicultural communities towards second commitment Kyoto targets and be an opportunity for meeting community needs for social sustainability. The research took place in Sweden through interviews and focus groups. Key findings address systematic exclusion and the potential of inquiry to discover barriers and leverage points. The resulting set of guidelines for municipalities utilizes the full spectrum of engagement (inform, consult, involve, collaborate, empower) and the FSSD to enhance existing climate change action plans towards maximum participation for fulfilling Kyoto Protocol mandates.