No description available.

Towards School Inclusion Abstract Since September 2016, the so-called inclusive amendment, i.e. Decree No. 27/2016 Coll., on the education of pupils with special educational needs, has been in force in Czech schools. The multiple-case study of three schools describes the process of change in different contexts prior to 2016. Three inclusive schools were selected based on measuring the level of inclusion and their public declaration of striving for inclusion. The data research sources were narrative interviews with current and former principals of the selected schools, their deputies, some teachers, assistants, parents and/or representatives of the municipality. IPA was used to analyze the data. The inclusive school is a product of a principal's vision and their transformative leadership. The key for a successful transformation was to change not only processes and structures but mainly the culture, thus common understanding of the goals. The central concept was communication and collaboration. The respondents perceived themselves as pioneers and communities sharing the same values. Creating conditions for respecting the needs and differences of each child and gaining community trust were the necessary steps for this transformation. It was important to raise sufficient funds, to work hard and to improve...

Less than 30% of Black business owners successfully obtain small business loans to sustain their businesses longer than 5 years when compared to evidence that shows that more than 65% of White small business owners obtain small business loans to sustain their businesses longer than 5 years. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the experiences of 3 Black owners of small businesses who successfully obtained small business loans and maintained operations longer than 5 years in the Research Triangle Park area of North Carolina. The conceptual framework for this study was systems theory and contingency theory. The data collection process consisted of conducting face-to-face semistructured interviews with open-ended questions and a review of documents associated with the small business owners’ attempts to remain in business longer than 5 years. Data were analyzed using the modified van Kaam method, transcribing the interview recordings, and coding the data to identify relevant themes. Two primary themes emerged regarding successful strategies for obtaining small business loans: create an effective business plan, and research and prepare for the process of procuring a loan. The implications of this study for positive social change include the potential to provide Black owners of small businesses with strategies for obtaining small business loans and achieving sustainability of operations. Business success for Black owners of small businesses might contribute to the economic prosperity of the local communities.

Title: Internet of things and cloud computing adoption within manufacturing among small to medium sized enterprises in Sweden. Authors: Tim Kari and Wesley Kleinreesink Background & Problem discussion: Industries in Europe are facing economic challenges related to global societal and technological developments. The adoption of industry 4.0 technologies such as IoT and cloud computing within manufacturing can be used as a solution to these challenges. SMEs form the backbone of the Swedish economy, making up a large amount of the employment and added value within the country, making them important in this context. Little is known about the maturity levels of IoT and cloud computing and the challenges encountered during adoption of of these technologies by Swedish SMEs. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate maturity levels of IoT and cloud computing adoptions and the associated adoption challenges by looking at Swedish SMEs in the manufacturing industry that are adopting or are interested in adopting IoT and cloud computing technologies within their manufacturing. By addressing the maturity levels and adoption challenges found among the cases and providing more insight into the context in which these are occurring. These insights can then be used for the purposes of addressing maturity levels as practitioner and contributing to current literature regarding maturity levels and adoption challenges found. Method: Following an exploratory research strategy, qualitative data has been gathered both in the form of a literature review as well as a multiple case study through semi-structured interviews. The data has then been analyzed by conducting a conceptual analysis, a cross-case synthesis and pattern matching Findings & Conclusion: The findings indicate that the levels of maturity vary highly between categories and cases, with only a few examples of reaching higher (integrated) levels of maturity. Adoption challenges found were mainly centered around organizational and human challenges as opposed to technical ones, indicating that further focus needs to be put on organizational change management. Furthermore, an apparent lack of knowledge among the case companies may explain both the narrow and simple implementations of IoT and cloud computing as well as the lack of drivers for further adoption. The implications of this means that managers need a larger focus on change management and more comprehensive implementation plans. There is also the need to consider the need for digitalization and to do it in an efficient and useful manner. Further research is needed on these topics, with possible avenues being a focus on smaller companies, a study with a larger sample size or a focus on industries with a higher volume of production as the ones presented in this study were all relatively low-volume.

No description available.

This thesis investigates the manifestations of circular business models and circular product design strategies in the Swedish clothing industry, using a multiple case study approach that examines five Swedish clothing companies. Guided by the first research question: What are the current circular product design strategies and circular business model strategies for companies operating in the Swedish clothing industry? the findings reveal an emphasis on circular product design strategies compared to circular business models, among the studied clothing companies. Prominent product design strategies encompass timeless and adaptable designs, utilization of high-quality materials, rigorous product testing, and a focus on minimizing components, while permanent collections and standard spare parts are less frequently used. Regarding circular business models, the study reveals an adoption of strategies such as repair, reuse, internal upcycling, and recycling. Conversely, approaches such as clothing rental- and subscription services, secondhand- and repair services as well as collaborations for repair and refurbishment are employed to a lesser extent.  In addition, the study explores the influencing factors that determine the adoption or non-adoption of these circular approaches, guided by a second research question: What are the factors that influence the companies to adopt, or not to adopt circular product design strategies and circular business model strategies? The study reveals that the companies prioritize producing durable goods, but that challenges emerge in achieving a balance between circular objectives and material quality, without compromising either aspect, especially within childrenswear and workwear that has certain requirements. Despite these challenges, the companies both exhibit a commitment to integrating circular practices into their operations, aswell as show a willingness to explore new and innovative circular product design concepts, including increased utilization of mono- and recyclable materials. Another significant challenge lies in the alignment of circular business models with existing organizational practices, which requires substantial organizational transitions. However, permanent collections are found to be a potential facilitator for circularity within the clothing industry, as it allows for comprehensive testing, feedback loops, streamlined supply chains, things of which could enable better opportunities for both circular product designs, and circular business models such as repair- and secondhand services. The study highlights future trends in circular business models, including a focus on repair services, secondhand offerings, and enhanced recycling practices. The research contributes to the understanding of the adoption of circular strategies in the clothing industry and underscores the need for further investigations into the influencing factors at play and the implications across international contexts. / Denna avhandling undersöker strategier för cirkulära affärsmodeller och cirkulär\\ produktdesign inom den svenska klädindustrin, genom att använda en flerfallsstudie som undersöker fem svenska klädföretag. Med utgångspunkt i forskningsfrågan: Vilka är de nuvarande cirkulära produktdesignstrategierna och cirkulära affärsmodellstrategierna för företag som är aktiva inom den svenska klädindustrin? visar resultaten en tyngdpunkt på cirkulära produktdesignstrategier jämfört med cirkulära affärsmodeller, bland de studerade klädföretagen. De främsta produktdesignstrategierna omfattar tidlös och anpassningsbar design, användning av högkvalitativa material, omfattande produkttester och ett fokus på att minimera antalet komponenter, samtidigt som permanenta kollektioner och standardiserade reservdelar användsmer sällan. När det gäller cirkulära affärsmodeller visar studien att strategier som reparation, återanvändning, intern upcycling och återvinning används. Däremot används strategier som uthyrning av kläder och prenumerationstjänster, secondhand- och reparationstjänster samt samarbeten för reparation och renovering i mindre utsträckning.  Vidare undersöker studien de påverkande faktorer som avgör om dessa cirkulära strategier antas eller inte. Detta besvaras med hjälp av en andra forskningsfråga: Vilka är de faktorer som påverkar företagen att anta, eller inte anta, cirkulära produktdesignstrategier och cirkulära affärsmodellstrategier? Studien visar att företagen prioriterar att producera hållbara produkter, men att det finns utmaningar med att uppnå en balans mellan cirkulära mål och materialkvalitet, utan att kompromissa med någon av aspekterna. Detta gäller i synnerhet barnkläder och arbetskläder som har särskilda krav. Trots dessa utmaningar visar alla studiens företag både ett engagemang för att integrera cirkulära metoder i sin verksamhet och en vilja att utforska nya och innovativa cirkulära produktdesignkoncept, inklusive ökat utnyttjande av mono- och återvinningsbara material. En annan stor utmaning ligger i att anpassa cirkulära affärsmodeller till befintliga organisatoriska rutiner, vilket kräver omfattande organisatoriska förändringar. Permanenta kollektioner har dock visat sig vara en potentiell facilitator för cirkularitet inom klädindustrin. Detta mot bakgrund av att permanenta kollektioner möjliggör omfattande tester, feedbackloopar och effektiviserade leveranskedjor, vilket kan ge bättre möjligheter för både cirkulär produktdesign, och cirkulära affärsmodeller som reparations- och secondhand-tjänster. Studien visar att framtida trender inom cirkulära affärsmodeller inkluderar ett fokus på reparationstjänster, secondhand-erbjudanden och förbättrad återvinning. Dessutom bidrar studien till en förståelse av hur cirkulära strategier inom klädindustrin kan tillämpas. Slutligen understryker studien att framtida studier bör utvärdera samtliga faktorer som påverkar tillämpningen av cirkulära strategier i klädindustrin, samt hur dessa kan variera ii nternationella sammanhang.

The master thesis focuses on education of immigrant pupils in Czech and Maltese schools. The aim of the thesis was to describe what particular measures the schools choose and what methods the teachers use to alleviate the impact of the language barrier in both environments and then to compare the results between each other. The research is of qualitative nature, with the research strategy being a multiple case study. The data collection was realised through observations in class, interviews with the school leadership, teachers and pupils and the analysis of digitalized materials. The case is represented by a particular school and the research was conducted at two schools in Czech and two schools in Maltese environment. The thesis consists of theoretical and practical part. The theoretical part aims its attention at the themes of appropriate approach towards the education of immigrant pupils, explanation of the Maltese education system, legislation of both countries on the issue of education of immigrant pupils and the theme of teacher training focused on education of these pupils provided at the Faculty of Education of Charles University. The practical part then develops the themes elaborated in the theoretical one and it mentions what findings the survey discovered. Last chapter of the thesis...

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.