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Visuellt stöd i förskolan : En studie om förskollärares arbete med visuellt stöd
No full textSyftet med studien var att belysa, förskollärares erfarenheter och användandet av visuellt stöd i förskolan, samt hur det visuella stödet påverkade barn med och utan funktionsvariation, i deras språkutveckling. Undersökningen utgick utifrån den sociokulturella teorin, som handlar om att lärande sker i socialt samspel. Enligt förskolans läroplan (Skolverket, 2018, s.14) ska varje barn ges förutsättningar att utveckla ett nyanserat talspråk och kunna kommunicera med andra. I studien utfördes semistrukturerade intervjuer, vilka genomfördes med fem förskollärare från fem olika förskolor. På samtliga fem förskolor använder förskollärarna sig av visuellt stöd. Data analyserades utifrån en kvalitativ analys. Resultatet visade att förskollärarna arbetade med visuellt stöd utifrån barnens förutsättningar, för att främja barnens möjligheter till att kommunicera sina behov och förskollärarna använde även tecken och bilder för att utveckla barnens språk. Arbetssättet för att främja språkutveckling skilde sig inte för barn med och utan funktionsvariation. Förskollärarna upplevde utifrån sitt arbete att utmaningarna med det visuella stödet, var att det visuella stödet uppfattades olika av barnen, eftersom barn är olika och upplever därmed det visuella stödet olika. Dessutom beskrevs vad bilder kan förmedla och uppfattas av betraktaren som en utmaning. Slutsatsen av undersökningen var att det behövs mer granskning och dokumenterad forskning, för att säkerställa att barn med eller utan funktionsvariation kan gynnas av visuellt stöd i sin språkutveckling
Compulsory care of children under a telescope : A postcolonial discourse analysis about media representations of “LVU-campaign” in documentaries from SVT and Al Jazeera
No full textDenna studie undersöker framställningen av “LVU-kampanjen” i dokumentärerna från SVT och Al Jazeera. Diskursanalys utgör både teori och metod i studien, och det postkoloniala perspektivet fungerar som ett kompletterande analytiskt ramverk. Genom resultat och analysen har följande diskurser identifierat: svensk professionell imperialism, rättvisekamp kontra desinformation och Den muslimska “Andre” som säkerhetshot kontra medborgarskap. Analysen visar hur medienarrativ antingen förstärker eller utmanar koloniala maktstrukturer och formar uppfattningar om socialtarbete och minoritetsgrupper. Studiens slutsats är att mediernas skildringar av LVUkampanjen formar förståelsen av tvångsomhändertaganden genom att lyfta vissa röster och tysta andra. Tolkningsföreträdet ges inte alltid till den mest utsatta, utan till den som medierna väljer att legitimera.This study examines the portrayal of the “LVU-campaign” in documentaries from SVT and Al Jazeera. Discourse analysis is used as both theory and method, with a postcolonial perspective serving as a complementary analytical framework. Through the results and analysis, the following discourses were identified: the Swedish professional imperialism, justice struggle versus disinformation, and the Muslim “Other” as a security threat versus citizenship. The analysis shows how media narratives either reinforce or challenge colonial power structures and shape perceptions of social work and minority groups. The study concludes that media portrayals of the LVU-campaign actively shape public understanding of compulsory care by highlighting certain voices while marginalizing others. Interpretive authority is not necessarily given to those most affected, but rather to those whom the media chooses to legitimize
: Incorporation of the CRPD - political opportunities, mobilization and framing in Norway and Sweden
No full textThis study investigates the contrasting policy processes of implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in Norway and Sweden, with a particular focus on its incorporation into national law. While human rights are universal principles demanding state action through national legislation, both Norway and Sweden have received UN recommendations for CRPD incorporation, and disability rights movements in both countries strongly advocate for it. Notably, Norway's government has recently announced its intention to propose incorporation into the Norwegian Human Rights Act, a significant contrast to Sweden, where similar initiatives remain absent. The study analyzes these divergent processes based on Premfors´s policy phases and theoretical concepts from social movements and policy processes, specifically Political Process Theory and Resource Mobilization Theory. Empirical data was gathered from qualitative interviews and document studies in both countries. Norway's more advanced position results from a combination of unified and sustained civil society pressure, political will, a supportive institutional landscape and a legal tradition more receptive to incorporating international conventions. Sweden´s contrasting situation is attributed to a lack of government political will, a legal tradition favoring transformation and norm harmony over direct incorporation and less unified civil society pressure keeping incorporation a "non-issue" for the political majority. Beyond a mere comparison, this study identifies key factors, it illuminates how international law influences national legislation and civil society's capacity to drive change. It also contributes to a deeper understanding of the Nordic implementation challenge and factors that either foster or hinder the effective protection of human rights in practice.Trots att både Sverige och Norge ses som föregångare inom mänskliga rättigheter intressant motsättning: Varför föreslår Norge nu att inkorporera FN:s konvention om mänskliga rättigheter för personer med funktionsnedsättning (Funktionsrättskonventionen) i nationell lag, medan Sverige – med liknande rekommendationer från FN och en aktiv funktionsrättsrörelse – inte har tagit liknande initiativ? Denna uppsats dyker ner i denna fråga och jämför implementeringen av konventionen i de två nordiska länderna, med särskilt fokus på den pågående frågan om inkorporering. Studien analyserar policyprocesser, sociala rörelser och resursmobilisering för att identifiera hur olika aktörer, särskilt funktionsrättsorganisationer, har agerat och mobiliserat samt den politiska kontext de verkar inom. Analysen utgår från Premfors teori om policyprocessens första faser (problemdefinition, formulering av alternativ, rekommendation och beslut), det politiska processperspektivet (politiska möjlighetsstrukturer, mobiliseringsprocesser och kulturell inramning) samt resursmobiliseringsteori. Genom en kombination av djupgående intervjuer och dokumentstudier, tecknas en bild av varför Norge har tagit en mer framskjuten position. Resultaten pekar på att Norges mer framskjuta position bland annat kan förklaras av ett enat civilsamhällestryck, tydlig politisk vilja, ett gynnsamt institutionellt landskap och en mer mottaglig legal tradition. I Sverige å andra sidan har avsaknaden av politisk vilja på regeringsnivå, en legal tradition präglad av transformation snarare än fullständig inkorporering samt ett mindre samlat tryck från civilsamhället bidragit till att inkorporeringsfrågan förblivit en "icke-fråga". Utöver jämförelsen identifierar denna studie nyckelfaktorer som belyser hur internationell rätt påverkar nationell lagstiftning och civilsamhällets kraft att driva förändring. Den bidrar också till en fördjupad förståelse för den nordiska implementeringsutmaningen och faktorer som främjar eller hindrar ett effektivt skydd av mänskliga rättigheter i praktiken
: Ideologically motivated party position shifts on profits in welfare services
No full textThe thesis aims to deepen the understanding of how political parties manage position shifts in ideologically challenging policy, with a focus on the issue of profits in welfare services. Through a qualitative text analysis of party congress materials from the Social Democrats and the Centre Party, the study examines how two ideologically distinct parties have framed and motivated their recent position shifts on a controversial policy issue. The analysis is based on theoretical perspectives on party position shifts and framing. Based on this framework, the study explores whether the changes are framed as shifts in actual opinion or in emphasis, and whether they occur in core or secondary issues. The findings show that the Social Democrats frame their shift toward a ban on profits as reclaiming control over the welfare sector and responding to market failures, aligning with their core values of equality and collectively funded welfare. The Centre Party’s move toward banning profits is primarily justified by the need to maintain voter trust and is framed as a pragmatic adjustment that preserves core values like choice and diversity, rather than as an ideological reversal. The conclusion is that ideological orientation effects how parties motivate and frame position shifts. Framing emerges as a key strategy in enabling ideologically challenging policy changes, allowing parties to navigate between continuity and change in pursuit of strategic and political goals.Uppsatsen syftar till att fördjupa förståelsen för hur politiska partier genomför positionsförflyttningar i ideologiskt laddade policyfrågor, med särskilt fokus på frågan om vinster i välfärden. Genom kvalitativ textanalys av kongressmaterial från Socialdemokraterna och Centerpartiet undersöks hur två ideologiskt olika partier har ramat in och motiverat sina förändrade positioner i en kontroversiell policyfråga. Analysen bygger på teoretiska perspektiv om partipositionsförflyttning och drivkrafter samt om framing. Utifrån ingångsvärden om drivkrafter och mål för positionsförflyttningar analyseras hur dessa ramats in som ställningstagandebaserad eller betoningsbaserad förflyttning och om positionsförflyttningen skett i kärnfrågor eller sekundära frågor. Studien visar att Socialdemokraternas positionsförflyttning mot ett vinstförbud ramas in som ett återtagande av kontroll över välfärden och en kritik mot marknadsmisslyckanden, i linje med partiets kärnvärden om jämlikhet och gemensam finansiering av välfärden. Centerpartiets positionsförflyttning mot vinstförbud motiveras främst utifrån väljaropinionen och ramas in med bevarande av valfrihet som kärnvärde, vilket avses uppfattas som en pragmatisk justering snarare än ideologisk omsvängning. Resultatet visar att ideologisk orientering påverkar hur positionsförflyttningar ramas in. Socialdemokraterna betonar förflyttningen som en förstärkning av kärnvärden, medan Centerpartiet ramar in förflyttningen som fokuserad på sekundära sakfrågor snarare än ideologisk uppgörelse. Slutsatsen är att framing spelar en central roll i att möjliggöra ideologiskt svåra policyförändringar, och att partier aktivt formar inramningen av sina positionsförflyttningar för att balansera mellan kontinuitet och förändring utifrån sina strategiska och politiska målsättningar
Spatial Assessment of Sustainable Mobility Planning : A Spatial Analysis of Single-Family Housing Areas in Falun
No full textDuring the 20th century, our transport system came to be dependent on the car and the benefits to travel and transport it brought with it. With the speed that the car offered, travel distances increased, and cities began to sprawl. The apparent challenges we’re facing connected to climate change all over the world and the emerging importance of sustainability, stresses the need for a change in how we approach transport systems. The concept of sustainable mobility has emerged to combat the negative consequences of the car dependent transport system. The primary concern of sustainable mobility is creating a shift in the mode of transport from cars to sustainable alternatives. With the transport system operating within a built environment adapted to the car and longer distances, this shift is proven difficult to achieve. The built environment is inert in nature and therefore takes time to change. Research on sustainable mobility and how to implement it in city centres and other dense urban regions are plentiful, however an area where car dependency is high still lacks research. This is the single-family housing area. These areas typically have an urban structure which makes the more car dependent than other areas, suggesting they need a shift toward sustainable modes of transport the most. However, their urban structure also makes a shift difficult, as they often have low density and low connectivity, which is not suited for the sustainable mobility approach. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the urban structure found in single-family housing areas on sustainable mobility and density and connectivity measurements. By doing so this study further aims to fill a gap in the research surrounding sustainable mobility, more specifically the relationship between sustainable modes of transport and the urban structure of the single-family housing area. At the same time the study compares single-family housing areas and their urban structure to gain knowledge about potential patterns and variations between them. The literature review was used as a pre-study to gain knowledge and an understanding of sustainable mobility and the aspects of density and connectivity in more detail. It further helped focus the analysis. The study was conducted with a spatial analysis method and the analytic tools of QGIS and Place Syntax Tool. The studied areas were analysed by visualising base data for Falun’s street network and population. Through the creation of maps for all of Falun and for each individual area, influential aspects and variations between the areas could be found. Lastly, comparisons between the studied areas were made to further examine aspects and variations. The results demonstrated the limitations of the urban structure of the single-family housing areas. The design of the street network proved to be the most influential and recurring factor in improving the basis for the implementation of sustainable modes of transport. The results were displayed in the form of maps for the different measurements and in descriptive and analytic text.The results were discussed through two of David Banister necessary sources of action for the success of the implementation of sustainable mobility, modal shift and distance reduction. The aspects found during the analyse of the results were discussed on how they encourage or discourage these two sources of action. Further, the implication of the study has was discussed and what the findings could mean for the planning sector moving forward
Government Debt and Economic Growth in OECD Countries : A Panel Data Analysis
No full textThis thesis examines the effect of government debt on real GDP growth across OECD countries over the period 2000–2024. Using a panel data framework and Fixed Effects (FE) estimation with clustered standard errors, we control for country-specific characteristics and common timeshocks. The main independent variable is the debt-to-GDP ratio, while control variables include inflation, investment, unemployment, government expenditure, population, and trade openness. Our findings suggest that higher government debt levels are not significantly associated with lower GDP growth across the 38 OECD countries during this period. The results remain robust across model specifications and contrast with earlier studies that warned of severe growth penalties at high debt levels. While the analysis is limited to a linear specification and does not explore potential non-linear threshold effects, the findings indicate that moderate to high debt levels, in the context of OECD economies, did not systematically hinder growth between 2000 and 2024. These results contribute to the broader debt-growth literature and suggest that context, institutions, and macroeconomic conditions play an important role in shaping the effects of public debt on economic performance
Employer Brand Dimensions and Employee Retention : A Quantitative Study Among Employees in a European Context
No full textIn response to increasing employee turnover and talent shortages across Europe, this study empirically examines the relationship between employer brand dimensions and employee retention in a European context. Drawing on the framework developed by Tanwar and Prasad (2017), five employer brand dimensions were assessed: healthy work atmosphere, training and development, work-life balance, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and compensation and benefits. Data was collected from 87 white-collar employees working across Europe within a multinational organization. Using multiple linear regression analysis, the study identified CSR and compensation and benefits as significant positive predictors of employee retention, while the other dimensions showed no significant relationship. The findings suggest that internal ethical practices and perceived economic value might play a more influential role in retention than previously assumed. These insights contribute to the growing body of research on employer branding from the perspective of existing employees and offer practical implications for developing internal HRM practices with the explicit purpose of employee retention in European labor markets
The role of institutions in the internationalization of Sub-Saharan Africa SMEs into developed markets : A case of Kenyan SMEs
No full textInternationalization of SMEs from emerging markets into developed markets is a phenomenon that requires more research given the abundance of research and theories to explain multinationals internationalization. Particularly firms from the global South have been under researched in international business literature. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to explore the role of institutions in the internationalization of sub-Saharan Africa SMEs into developed markets. The study is based on the 3-pillar institutional framework and the institutional escape and foster theories. The study uses a qualitative case study design to gather insights from Kenyan SMEs that have internationalized into the European market. Crosscase synthesis is used as an analytical technique. The findings reveal that home institutions (regulatory, normative and cultural-cognitive) have a constraining role on internationalization based on the perspective of the SME owners. The host regulatory institutions have a dual role on sub-Saharan Africa SME internationalization. Normative and cultural-cognitive host institutions have a constraining role when the institutional distance is large and a supporting role when there is a smaller institutional distance.
Democratic Education in Dilemmatic Space : Teachers’ Didactic Considerations Regarding Pupils’ Influence
No full textThis study broadly examines the relationship between education and democracy. More specifically, its aim is to develop knowledge about the complexity inherent in the school’s democratic mission, with a particular focus on teachers’ didactic considerations concerning pupils’ influence in social studies education in Swedish compulsory school, Years 4–6. The empirical material of this study consists of transcribed interviews in which teachers reflect on when and how student influence can be implemented, what decisions students might be allowed to influence, how and why such influence should be encouraged or limited. The concept of dilemmatic space, as formulated primarily by Bonnie Honig, is employed to analyse the data, enabling the complexity of the teaching profession to be made visible. In addition, two educational–philosophical points of departure have been formulated and subsequently used in the analytical process. The first, “Cultivation and education for democracy”, is inspired by selected texts by Martha Nussbaum, while the second, “Subjectification and education in democracy”, is developed through the work of Gert Biesta. The findings of the study indicate that the teachers’ considerations revolve around aspirations for structural clarity, a sense of security, pupils’ well-being, and what constitutes well-designed teaching arrangements. By conceptualizing these considerations, it becomes possible to make teachers’ complex value-oriented aspirations and positions intelligible. These aspirations are closely linked to what is perceived as valuable to prioritise. The conceptualization of teachers’ value-oriented aspirations helps to illuminate that teachers carry these ideals and aspirations, and that they often must navigate multiple value aspirations simultaneously. Although these value-oriented aspirations are desirable, they give rise to practical dilemmas and tensions. Within these tensions, positions emerge that can be understood as contextually situated judgments in time and space. The tensions require teachers to position themselves in the moment to be able to act. Drawing on the findings of this dissertation, I argue that conceptualising teaching as a dilemmatic space — informed by the school’s democratic mission wherein pupils' influence is integral — can enhance our understanding of the inherent complexity of a democratic education
The Effects of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Strength, Pain, and Functional Outcomes in Individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome : A Structured Literature Review
No full textBakgrund: Patellofemoralt smärtsyndrom (PFSS) drabbar främst unga och aktiva individer och behandlas ofta med styrketräning av knä- och höftmuskulatur. En försvårande faktor är att träningen ofta begränsas av knäsmärta. På senare år har ocklusionsträning föreslagits som alternativ träningsterapi vid andra knäpatologier (bland annat artros) och visat liknande effekt som sedvanlig träning. Fördelen med ocklusionsträning är att den kan utföras på cirka 80% lägre belastning än vanlig träning, vilket avlastar leden avsevärt. I dagsläget finns inga studier som undersöker effekten av ocklusionsträning vid PFSS och om den kan vara ett alternativ till sedvanlig träning. Syfte: Att sammanställa det vetenskapliga underlaget kring ocklusionsträningens effekt på smärta, funktion och styrka hos vuxna med PFSS i jämförelse med annan träning eller ingen träning. Metod: En strukturerad litteraturöversikt utfördes och litteratursökningar gjordes i databaserna PubMed, PEDro och CINAHL. Artiklarnas metodologiska och etiska kvalitet granskades samt risk för bias bedömdes. Data extraherades och sammanställdes med narrativ syntes samt i tabell och resultatens tillförlitlighet bedömdes med GRADE. Resultat: Litteratursökning resulterade i 108 sökträffar. Efter granskning av dess relevans inkluderades sju RCT-studier. Studiernas upplägg varierade kraftigt gällande interventionsupplägg, duration och mätinstrument. Det syntes en trend till signifikant ökad styrka i interventionsgruppen jämfört med kontrollgruppen i hälften av studierna. Samma tendens fanns ej gällande smärta och funktion. Den sammanvägda tillförlitligheten till resultatet bedömdes som låg (++) enligt GRADE. Slutsats: Resultatet visar att ocklusionsträning inte förefaller mer effektiv än annan träningsintervention för att förbättra styrka, smärta och funktion hos personer med PFSS. I ett fåtal av de granskade studierna kunde signifikant mellan gruppsskillnad påvisas till ocklusionsträningens fördel gällande styrka i knäextension. Mer forskning med större patientunderlag och mer standardiserade interventionsupplägg krävs för att kunna fastställa ocklusionsträningens långsiktiga effekter och utforma kliniska riktlinjer.Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee condition, especiallyin young, physically active individuals. Conservative treatment, typically including strength training of the knee and hip, is standard. However, pain often limits training capacity. Bloodflow restriction (BFR) training has emerged as an alternative method for other knee conditions, offering comparable effects to traditional strength training but with lower loads (around 20%), thus reducing joint stress. No studies have investigated BFR training in PFPS. Aim: To compile scientific evidence regarding the effects of BFR training on pain, function ,and strength in adults with PFPS, compared to conventional training or no training. Method: A structured literature review was conducted. Searches were performed in PubMed, PEDro, and CINAHL. Studies were assessed for methodological and ethical quality, and risk of bias was evaluated. Data were synthesized narratively. The certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework. Results: The literature search yielded 108 hits. After reviewing their relevance, seven RCTs were included in the literature review. The design of the studies varied significantly regarding intervention setup, duration, and measurement instruments. A trend toward significantly increased strength in the intervention group compared to the control group was observed in half of the studies. No such trend was seen regarding pain and function. The overall reliability of the results was assessed as low (++) according to GRADE. Conclusion: BFR training does not appear to be more effective than other training interventions in improving strength, pain, and function in individuals with PFPS. In a few of the reviewed studies, significant between-group differences favoring BFR training were found in terms of knee extension strength. More research with larger patient populations and more standardized intervention protocols is needed to establish long-term effects.