Södertörns högskolas Publications
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Mellan mod och tystnad : Om konformitet och lydnad mot auktoritet, och gruppens påverkan på avvikande åsikter i arbetslivet
No full textObedience and conformity are central concepts in social psychology, long examined in relation to group dynamics and authority. This study investigates how obedience and conformity against authority in workplace group settings influence individuals’ willingness to voice dissenting opinions in the presence of authority. The guiding research question is: How do conformity and obedience, individually or in interaction, influence individuals’ propensity to refrain from expressing dissenting opinions in workplace group contexts when faced with authority figures? Semi-structured interviews, conducted both online and in person, were guided by the Critical Incident Technique (CIT). Ten participants (eight women and two men), employed in organizations with at least ten staff members, provided accounts of 25 incidents, which were categorized into Loyalty, Sexual harassment, Disagreements, Power, and Values. The findings indicate that conformity pressures, hierarchical structures, and the presence of authority significantly influence whether individuals remain silent or express divergent views. Respondents often described remaining silent as a consequence of strong conformity and dependency pressures, though personal values, loyalty, and professional conviction occasionally motivated resistance, even at the risk of conflict or negative consequences
Young Investors' Risk Perception and Risk Management Strategies : A Qualitative and Quantitative Study of Young Investors’ Perceived Risk Versus Objective Risk
No full textDenna studie undersöker hur unga investerare uppfattar och hanterar risk genom att jämföra subjektiva riskbedömningar med de objektiva riskmått, volatilitet, beta och P/E-tal. I takt med att unga privatinvesterare får ökat inflytande på aktiemarknaden blir det avgörande att förstå hur deras investeringsbeslut påverkas av både rationella och emotionella faktorer. Studien tillämpar en mixed-methods ansats där kvantitativa data från en enkät kombineras med kvalitativa insikter från semistrukturerade intervjuer. Syftet är att analysera om det finns ett systematiskt samband mellan upplevd och faktisk risk där psykologiska och sociala faktorer som påverkar investerarnas tolkning av risk är grunden för den kvalitativa empirin. Resultaten visar att unga investerare inte enbart grundar sina beslut på objektiva indikatorer. Spearmans rangkorrelation indikerar ett signifikant negativt samband mellan subjektiv risk och beta samtidigt som sambanden med volatilitet och P/E-tal till subjektiv risk, var svaga eller obetydliga. LOWESS-analys visade att relationen mellan förtroende för objektiva riskmått och subjektiv risk ofta är icke-linjär. De kvalitativa intervjuerna fördjupar detta genom att visa hur känslor av kontroll, flockbeteende och överkonfidens formar individens upplevelse av risk. Studien bidrar med en mer nyanserad förståelse för hur risk tolkas av unga investerare och visar att effektiv riskprofilering bör inkludera både finansiella och psykologiska komponenter. Detta kan i sin tur förbättra rådgivning, utbildning och verktyg som riktar sig mot nästa generations investerare.This study examines how young investors perceive and manage risk by comparing subjective risk assessments with objective risk measures such as volatility, beta, and the P/E ratio. As young private investors gain increasing influence in the stock market, it becomes crucial to understand how their investment decisions are shaped by both rational and emotional factors. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data from a survey with qualitative insights derived from semi-structured interviews. The aim is to analyze whether a systematic relationship exists between perceived and actual risk, where the psychological and social factors influencing investors' risk interpretation form the basis of the qualitative inquiry. The results indicate that young investors do not rely solely on objective indicators when making investment decisions. Spearman’s rank correlation reveals a significant negative relationship between subjective risk and beta, while the correlations between subjective risk and volatility or P/E ratio were weak or negligible. The LOWESS analysis further suggests that the relationship between trust in objective risk measures and subjective risk is often non-linear. The qualitative interviews reinforce these findings by illustrating how feelings of control, herd behavior, and overconfidence shape individuals’ perceptions of risk. This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how risk is interpreted by young investors and highlights that effective risk profiling should incorporate both financial metrics and psychological components. These insights can, in turn, enhance financial advising, education and tools aimed at the next generation of investors
Ekonomisk, Social och Miljömässig hållbarhet i praktiken : En fallstudie på en mindre bank
No full textTitel: Ekonomisk, Social och Miljömässig hållbarhet i praktiken: En fallstudie på en mindre bank Författare: Bender Clara Nathalie Rosell Bakgrund: Hållbarhetsarbete utgör en integrerad del av företagsstrategiska inriktning, där banker förväntas beakta ekonomiska,sociala och miljömässiga dimensioner i verksamheten. Mot dennabakgrund aktualiseras behovet av att undersöka hur hållbarhetsarbeteuppfattas och tillämpas av medarbetare inom banksektorn. Syfte: Mot bakgrund av det ökade fokus som banksektorn lägger på attintegrera ekonomisk, social och miljömässig hållbarhet, syftar studientill att skapa en förståelse för hur medarbetare inom en mindre svenskbank uppfattar de tre hållbarhetsdimensionerna. Studien syftar även tillatt undersöka hur dessa uppfattningar påverkar bankens medarbetareoch belysa eventuella skillnader mellan ekonomisk, social ochmiljömässig hållbarhet. Teori: Den teoretiska referensramen utgår från samspelet mellanhållbarhetsdimensionerna, intressentteori, sociala praktiker ochmeningsskapande. Dessa perspektiv används för att förstå hurhållbarhet tolkas och uttrycks i medarbetarnas vardag. Metod: Metoden bygger på en mixad metodansats med både kvantitativenkätundersökning och kvalitativa fokusgrupper. Detta möjliggör enfördjupad analys av medarbetares upplevelser genom kombinationenav bredd och djup i datainsamlingen. Studien genomfördes som enfallstudie inom en mindre svensk bank och inkluderar ävenlitteraturstudier samt noggranna analyser utifrån kvalitetsaspekter. Slutsats: Studien visar att medarbetare upplever ekonomisk hållbarhet sommest integrerad i det dagliga arbetet, medan social hållbarhet framstårsom viktig men svårdefinierad. Miljömässig hållbarhet uppfattas somkomplex och frånkopplad, vilket utmanar dess praktiska tillämpningoch kräver ökad förankring. Samtliga dimensioner bidrar dock tillmeningsskapande och skulle kunna stärkas genom utbildning ochtydligare koppling till medarbetarens roll. Nyckelord: Ekonomisk hållbarhet, Social hållbarhet, Miljömässig hållbarhet,Medarbetarperspektiv, Svensk bank, Mixad metod. Title: Economic, Social and Environmental Sustainability in Practice: A Case Study of a Small Bank Authors: Clara Bender Nathalie Rosell Background: Sustainability work constitutes an integral part of corporate strategicorientation, with banks expected to address economic, social, andenvironmental dimensions within their operations. Against thisbackdrop, there is a need to examine how sustainability is perceivedand applied by employees in the banking sector. Purpose: In light of the banking sector’s increased focus on integratingeconomic, social, and environmental sustainability, this study aims todevelop an understanding of how employees in a small Swedish bankperceive the three dimensions of sustainability. The study also seeksto explore how these perceptions influence employees and to highlightany differences between the economic, social, and environmentaldimensions. Theory: The theoretical framework is based on the interplay between the threedimensions of sustainability, stakeholder theory, social practicetheory, and sensemaking. These perspectives are employed tounderstand how sustainability is interpreted and expressed inemployees’ everyday work. Method: The study adopts a mixed methods approach, combining aquantitative survey with qualitative focus groups. This enables an indepth analysis of employee experiences by integrating breadth anddepth in data collection. Conducted as a case study within a smallSwedish bank, the research also incorporates literature reviews andrigorous quality-based analytical procedures. Conclusion: The findings reveal that employees perceive economic sustainabilityas the most embedded in daily operations, while social sustainabilityis regarded as important but challenging to define. Environmentalsustainability is perceived as complex and disconnected, posingchallenges for practical implementation and requiring strongerintegration. Nonetheless, all three dimensions contribute tosensemaking and could be strengthened through training and a clearerconnection to employees’ roles. Keywords: Economic Sustainability, Social Sustainability, EnvironmentalSustainability, Employee Perspective, Swedish Bank, Mixed Methods
Varför finns det ingen manual? : En undersökande essä om förkroppsligad praktisk kunskap inom Authentic Movement
No full textDenna essä undersöker förkroppsligade kunskaper inom Authentic Movement. Kunskaper bottnade i författarens handlande som dans-och rörelseterapeut och lärare. Utifrån gestaltade yrkeserfarenheter initieras ett sökande efter ord för den icke-verbala kunskapen genom filosofiska och teologiska horisonter snarare än genom en naturvetenskaplig begreppsram. Den praktiska kunskapen reflekteras utifrån ett Aristoteliskt perspektiv med särskild blick på olika former av kunskap, handlande och olika vägar att undervisa på. Författaren reflekterar kring evidensbegreppet och, utan att gå i polemik med det, utforskas kunskaper som inte enkelt låter sig fångas i en manual. Utforskandet och reflektionen sker genom att, förutom Aristoteles, ta avstamp primärt från filosoferna Emanuel Levinas och Simone Weil. Författarens bidrar till den egna yrkespraktiken genom att identifiera ord och begrepp som vidgar och ger en fördjupad förståelse för den förkroppsligade kunskapen inom dans -och rörelseterapeutisk praktik med särskilt fokus på Authentic Movement.This essay will examine embodied knowledge within Authentic Movement. The knowledge presented herein is rooted in the author's professional experience as a Dance Movement Therapist and teacher. A search is initiated to find words based on embodied professional experiences. The author identifies the concept of non-verbal knowledge by drawing upon philosophical and theological perspectives, rather than using a scientific conceptual framework. The practical knowledge is reflected from an Aristotelian perspective, with particular reference to different forms of knowledge, action and different ways of teaching. The author reflects on the concept of evidence and, without engaging in polemics, explores knowledge that cannot easily be captured in a manual. The exploration and reflection takes place by, in addition to Aristotle, taking as a starting point primarily the philosophers Emmanuel Levinas and Simone Weil. The author contributes to the own professional practice by identifying words and concepts that broaden and provide a deeper understanding of the embodied knowledge within dance and movement therapeutic practice, with a particular focus on Authentic Movement
Tragedy, Then Farce : Slavoj Žižek’s Theory of Populism
No full textSlavoj Žižek is frequently portrayed as the paradigmatic antipopulistthinker. Yet he is also routinely criticized for endorsing populistcauses in contemporary politics, not least after his infamous remarksconcerning Donald Trump during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Thisarticle aims to approach this supposed contradiction by examining Žižek’stheory of populism. Rather than reading his debate with Ernesto Laclau asprimarily a confrontation between reformist populism and revolutionarycommunism, the article approaches it as a fundamental disagreementover the relationship between theory and political practice. Through aclose reading of Žižek’s engagement with Laclau, the analysis revealshow Žižek critiques what he perceives as a fetishistic tendency in Laclau’sthought which ultimately produces a deficient account of universalizationand results in the domestication of the constitutive negativity marked bythe Lacanian objet a
Determinanter till sannolikheten för goodwillnedskrivning i nordiska teknikbolag : en logistisk regressionsanalys 2019–2023
No full textGoodwillnedskrivningar enligt IFRS 3/IAS 36 bygger på ledningens bedömningar och kan påverkas av finansiella incitament och bolagsstyrning. Denna studie undersöker vilka faktorer som förklarar sannolikheten för goodwillnedskrivning i börsnoterade nordiska teknikbolag 2019–2023. Med utgångspunkt i agentteori och positiv redovisningsteori testas samband mellan nedskrivningar och både finansiella och styrning relaterade drivkrafter. Studien använder en kvantitativ longitudinell design med 20 företag över fem år (100 företagsår). Data hämtas från årsredovisningar och Orbis. Sannolikheten för nedskrivning estimeras med binär logistisk regression. Modellen inkluderar resultat före nedskrivning, vd-byte, ägarkoncentration, styrelsens oberoende, skuldsättning och storlek samt fasta effekter för år, land och under sektor. Resultaten visar att skuldsättning har ett positivt och signifikant samband med sannolikheten för nedskrivning i huvudmodellen, medan storlek uppvisar ett marginellt positivt samband. Övriga faktorer är inte statistiskt signifikanta. Robusthetstester med GEE och Firth-logit ger koefficienter i samma riktning men inga 5-%-signifikanta kärn prediktorer, vilket är förenligt med låg händelsefrekvens (EPV under vedertagna riktmärken). Fynden ligger i linje med skuldkontrakt hypotesen, medan de studerade styrning måtten inte systematiskt förklarar nedskrivning benägenhet i detta urval. Studien bidrar med ny evidens från nordiska teknikbolag och belyser hur finansiell position relaterar till nedskrivningsbeslut. Begränsningar rör urvalets storlek, möjlig mät trubbighet i vissa styrning smått och att studiens design är associativ. Framtida forskning bör utöka urvalet, pröva alternativa storleksmått (t.ex. marknadsvärde) och fördjupa styrning dimensioner.Goodwill impairments under IFRS 3/IAS 36 rely on managerial judgements and may be shaped by financial incentives and corporate governance. This study examines which factors explain the likelihood of goodwill impairment among publicly listed Nordic technology firms during 2019–2023. Building on agency theory and positive accounting theory, we test associations between impairments and both financial and governance-related drivers. We employ a quantitative longitudinal design covering 20 firms over five years (100 firm-years). Data are drawn from annual reports and Orbis. The probability of impairment is estimated using binary logistic regression with year, country, and subsector fixed effects. The model includes pre-impairment earnings, CEO turnover, ownership concentration, board independence, leverage, and size. Results indicate that leverage is positively and significantly associated with impairment probability in the main model, while firm size shows a marginally positive association. Other factors are not statistically significant. Robustness analyses using GEE and Firth logistic regression yield coefficients in the same direction but no predictors are significant at the 5% level, consistent with the low event rate (low EPV). These findings align with the debt-contracting view, whereas the governance proxies do not systematically explain impairment propensity in this Nordic tech setting. The study contributes new evidence on how financial position relates to impairment decisions. Limitations concern sample size, potential measurement noise in some governance proxies, and the associational (non-causal) design. Future research should expand the sample, consider alternative size measures (e.g., market value), and refine governance constructs
Energy Prices and Unemployment : Evidence from Sweden (2014-2024)
No full textIn recent years, European energy markets have seen dramatic price surges which raise concerns over their macroeconomic implications. This thesis investigates the relationship between energy prices and unemployment in Sweden between 2014 and 2024. Using monthly time series data collected from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics and the Riksbank, this study estimates the effect of energy prices on unemployment using a standard OLS regression framework while controlling for underlying inflation, GDP and policy rate (by which we are referring to the interest rate set by the Swedish Riksbank). To ensure reliability, diagnostic tests in the form of ADF, Durbin-Watson, VIF, and Granger Causality tests are conducted. In order to address serial correlation, we employ Newey-West standard errors in our regression. The results reveal a statistically significant and positive relationship between energy prices and unemployment. The study also reveals a statistically significant relationship between underlying inflation, policy rates and unemployment. Overall, these findings suggest that supply-side price shocks may have a quantifiable effect on unemployment.
Autocracy and Immortality : Vladimir Putin and the Problem of Time
No full textThis article offers a new perspective on autocracy. We analyze how the autocrat iscompelled to confront time—and ultimately mortality—as a political problem. As aregime type, autocracy revisits one of the oldest questions in political life: the ques-tion of what makes the polity persist and stay identical with itself over time, in spiteof inevitable changes in its makeup with the passing of time. Since autocracy entailsa blurring of the distinction between the natural person of the ruler and the legal-political person of the state, the autocrat faces the challenge of embodying both con-tinuity and change in political life directly, physically, in a way reminiscent of theEuropean Middle Ages and early modernity. Considering the case of Vladimir Putin,we discuss the implications that follow for our understanding of autocracy. Mostnotably, this aspect of autocracy makes the mere prospect of the death of the rulerseem not only personally but also politically unacceptable. Autocracy, we argue,should therefore be understood as an essentially unfinished regime type, indefinitely suspended between the ruler’s claim to personally embody the body politic and the eventual, inevitable, demonstration of the unsustainability of that claim. We con-clude by discussing what it would take to actually bring autocracy to completion,which is nothing less than the immortality of the ruler
Imperfect Archives : The Textual and Social Dimensions of Knowledge
No full textOne of the great achievements in the history of human communication is the invention of writing, as it allows for the preservation of memory over time, from generation to generation. Writing expands our worlds and extends our abilities to communicate with distant others both in time – across generations – and in space, with others that are geographically separated from us. Time and space are, of course, inherently interconnected as has been theorized in a multiplicity of ways – not least in relation to the media and communication technologies throughout history, as Harold Innis, Marshall McLuhan and Walter Ong have eloquently discussed. And as media and communication scholars we are all indebted to the works of pioneer researchers. However, we are also caught in the paradox that although the media technologies and forms date back to the dawn of civilization, they also constantly change with time – not only between generations of researchers, but also within the lifetime of single generations. Against the background of these facts, I will in the following few pages reflect on one of the interests that I share with Fausto Colombo, and which followed him over the course of his academic life: the relation between media, time, generation, social memory and archives...(dall'incipit
A Comparative Analysis of the Foreign Aid Motives, Strategies, and Methods of the U.S. and China in Sub-Saharan Africa : Foreign Aid as Soft Power
No full textThis study critically examines the foreign aid motives, strategies, and methods of the U.S. and China in sub-Saharan Africa during the period 2001–2024. Two theories have been used to provide a theoretical framework—realist theory and soft power. This study argues that both nations’ foreign aid policies are driven by national interests—reflecting the realist perspective—and are operationalized through soft power strategies, where aid is used as a practical tool reflecting the donor’s national interest. A soft power strategy increases the legitimacy of the donor and its influence on the African continent. Using a qualitative comparative analysis, this study has examined official governmental documents, scholarly books, and peer-reviewed articles.The results show that the strategies and methods employed by the U.S. and China differ significantly, while their motives do not differ as much. The interest in African resources is a common motive shared by both countries. The U.S. tends to set political requirements, such as the promotion of democracy and human rights, for recipient countries in order for aid to be disbursed, while China uses its "non-interference policy," offering aid without conditions.These different aid strategies reflect both ideological and historical differences. China is characterized by its non-colonial legacy, and the U.S. is characterized by its dominance within financial institutions (IMF and World Bank), which shape the global political economy. This research paper concludes that foreign aid is often framed as humanitarian, but it can be seen as a mask through which donor countries are driven by self-interest, reinforcing the realist assumption. Both the U.S. and China use aid to form political alliances and promote economic interests