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The Consumer Decision-Making Process When Purchasing Cosmetics From Online Stores
No full textBakalaureusetöö
Maamajandusliku ettevõtluse ja finantsjuhtimise õppekavalBakalaureusetöö eesmärk on kaardistada kosmeetikatoodete tarbijate ostuotsustusprotsessi e-poes ja sellest tulenevalt välja tuua peamised tegurid kosmeetikatoodete valikul e-poes.
Uurimistöö eesmärgi saavutamiseks kasutas töö autor kombineeritud meetodit, mis sisaldas kvalitatiivset ja kvantitatiivset lähenemisviisi. Kvalitatiivse lähenemisviisina viis autor läbi kolm poolstruktrueeritud personaalintervjuud. Kvalitatiivset lähenemisviisi on täiendas töö autor kvantitatiivse lähenemisviisiga, kus on andmete kogumiseks kasutati ankeetküsitlust.
Uurimistöö tulemustest selgus, et tarbijate ostuotsustusprotsessi kosmeetikatoodete e-poes mõjutavad peamiselt vajaduse tekkimine seoses varasema toote lõppemisega, põhjalik ja usaldusväärne tooteteave, varasem kogemus, hind ning võimalus toodet enne ostu proovida. Ettevõtted peaksid seetõttu keskenduma kvaliteetse sisuloome arendamisele, tagasiside kogumisele, proovitoodete pakkumisele, selgele tagastuspoliitikale ning ostujärgse suhtluse ja lojaalsusprogrammide tugevdamisele.The aim of the bachelor’s thesis ist o map the decision-making process of consomers when purchasing cosmetic products form an online store and to highlight the main factors influencing the choice of cosmetic products in an online store.
To achieve the aim of this research, the author uses a combined method, which includes both qualitive and quantitative methods. The qualitive approach was complemented by three semi-structured personal interviews. The quantitative approach was based on a survey.
The results of the research revealed that consumers’ purchase decision process in the context of buying cosmetics online is mainly influenced by the emergence of need due to the previous product running out, detailed and reliable product information, previous experience, price, and the possibility to try the product before purchase. Companies should therefore focus on improving quality content creation, collecting feedback, offering product samples, having a clear return policy, and strengthening loyalty programs and buyer relationships
Smart Locker Development
No full textRakenduskõrgharidusõppe lõputöö
Tehnotroonika õppekavalTöö eesmärgiks oli arendada välja elektrooniline juhtsüsteem olemasolevale Cleveroni
pakiautomaadi korpusele, mis on varasemalt juhtseadmetest tühjendatud. Lõplik lahendus
põhineb ESP32 mikrokontrolleritel ja RFID-tehnoloogial, võimaldades kasutajate
tuvastamist ning elektroonilist ligipääsu kapi sahtlitele. Süsteemi moodustavad klahvistik,
RFID-lugeja, releemoodulid ning kasutajale visuaalset ja kuuldavat tagasisidet pakkuvad
elemendid. Projekteeriti spetsiaalne trükkplaat ning korpus, mis valmistati 3D-printimise
teel. Arenduse käigus lisati ka lokaalne veebiserver, mille kaudu saab sahtleid avada ja
nende olekut jälgida veebibrauseris. Töö keskendus süsteemi laiendatavusele ja
taaskasutusele. Tulemuseks valmis funktsionaalne nutikapilahendus, mis sobib
kasutamiseks asustusesiseselt.The objective of this project was to develop an electronic control system for an existing
Cleveron parcel locker enclosure that had been previously stripped of its original control
units. The final solution is based on ESP32 microcontrollers and RFID technology,
enabling user identification and electronic access to individual locker compartments. The
system comprises a keypad, RFID reader, relay modules, and components providing
visual and auditory feedback to users. A custom printed circuit board and housing were
designed, with the enclosure manufactured using 3D printing. During development, a local
web server was also implemented, allowing users to remotely open compartments and
monitor their status via a browser interface. The project focused on modularity and
reusability. The result is a functional smart locker system suitable for use in indoor
environments
Mushroom foraging as a recreational activity and tourism service in Estonia
No full textBakalaureusetöö
Loodusturismi õppekavalKäesolev uurimistöö käsitleb seenekorilust kui rekreatiivset tegevust ning juhendatud seeneretki kui arenevat turismiteenust Eestis. Töö eesmärk oli mõista, millised motivaatorid suunavad inimesi seenekorilusega tegelema, millist väärtust nad seeneretkedel näevad ning millised tegurid mõjutavad nende valmisolekut teenuse eest tasuda.
Uurimistöö tugines kvalitatiivsele uurimismeetodile. Selle raames viidi läbi 35 intervjuud seeneretkedel osalenud isikutega, 4 intervjuud retkede juhendajatega ning teostati 3 osalusvaatlust seeneretkedel.
Tulemustest ilmnes, et seenekorilusega tegelemiseks on 8 motiivi, millest sagedasemad olid looduses viibimine (68,5%), kulinaarsed huvid (25,7%) ja seltskond (20%). Seeneretkedel osalejad on väga erinevate teadmiste, huvide ja ootustega, mille põhjal eristati kümme seenekorilase profiili. 31 vastajat 35-st märkisid, et on valmis teenuse eest maksma, kuid eelistavad madalat hinda, mis ei kata aga teenuse tegelikke kulusid. Tasulise teenuse väärtust tõstvate teguritena toodi välja kaheksa aspekti, sealhulgas pädev juhendaja, transport, uued teadmised, turvalisus, toitlustus/ degusteerimine, väikesed osalusgrupid, saagi saamine, sobivus sihtrühmale ja peresõbralikkus ning kirjalik õppematerjal.
Lisaks uuriti, kas Eesti kultuuri võib pidada mükofiilseks või mükofoobseks. Analüüsi tulemusel leiti, et Eesti vastab kõigile mükofiilsuse tunnustele – ajalooline ja keeleline taust, rahvapärimus, loodusteadlikkus ning seente tähtsus kultuuripraktikates.
Seeneretkedel on suur potentsiaal loodushariduse ja loodusturismi teenusena. Läbi viidud uuring annab seeneretkede korraldajate parema ülevaate, kuidas sisu kohandada vastavalt sihtrühma ootustele ja huvidele. Edukaks arendamiseks on vaja tugevat väärtuspakkumist, selget turundust ning sobiva rahastusmudeli leidmist.This research examines mushroom foraging as a recreational activity and guided mushroom hikes as a developing tourism service in Estonia. The aim of the study was to understand what motivates people to engage in mushroom foraging, what value they see in mushroom hikes, and what factors influence their willingness to pay for the service.
The research was based on a qualitative methodology. As part of the study, 35 interviews were conducted with participants of mushroom hikes, 4 interviews with hike guides, and 3 participatory observations of the hikes were carried out.
The results revealed eight motivations for engaging in mushroom foraging, the most common being spending time in nature (68.5%), culinary interests (25.7%), and socializing (20%). Participants in mushroom hikes had very different levels of knowledge, interests, and expectations, based on which ten forager profiles were identified. Of the 35 respondents, 31 indicated a willingness to pay for the service, though they preferred a low price that does not cover the actual cost of the service. Eight factors were identified as increasing the perceived value of a paid service, including a competent guide, transportation, new knowledge, safety, catering/tastings, small group sizes, obtaining a harvest, suitability for the target audience and families, and written learning materials.
Additionally, the study explored whether Estonian culture can be considered mycophilic or mycophobic. The analysis concluded that Estonia exhibits all the characteristics of a mycophilic culture – including historical and linguistic background, folklore, environmental awareness, and the cultural importance of mushrooms. Mushroom hikes have great potential as a nature education and ecotourism service. The study provides mushroom hike organizers with a better understanding of how to tailor the content to meet the expectations and interests of different target groups. Successful development requires a strong value proposition, clear marketing, and an appropriate funding model
Peculiarities of quality formation of apples (Malus domestica Borkh.) of ‘Dmiana’ variety
No full textReceived: January 31st, 2025 ; Accepted: June 9th, 2025 ; Published: August 22nd, 2025 ; Correspondce: [email protected] appearance, size and taste of fruit are among the main indicators of quality and marketability. These characteristics are determined by the content and ratio of biochemical components, which are influenced by the biotic and abiotic factors involved in cultivation. Studies have shown that the dry matter content of Dmina fruits is independent of rootstocks and planting schemes. However, the sugar content was significantly higher in fruits grown on M.26 rootstock with a planting scheme of 4.0×1.0 m and significantly lower in fruits grown on M.9 rootstock with the same planting scheme: 11.3% and 9.8%, respectively. Titratable acids were found in fruits grown on rootstock M.9 with a planting scheme of 4.0×0.5 m. In addition to the influence of planting scheme and rootstock, weather conditions also affected the biochemical content of Dmina fruits. Cool nights during the initial growth and development period contributed to dry matter accumulation, but negatively affected sugar synthesis. The correlation coefficients for all rootstock variants were higher than 0.703 and 0.911, respectively. The content of titratable acids depended significantly on the average daily and night-time air temperatures in the month before harvesting; this dependence was indirect and the correlation coefficients were high in all variants with rootstocks
Intermediate wheatgrass biomass and seed yield
No full textMagistritöö
Põllumajandussaaduste tootmise – ja turustamise õppekavalTera- ja söödakultuuride tootmine üheaastaste kultuuridega on ressursimahukas ning seotud mitmete negatiivsete keskkonna mõjudega, lisaks sõltub üheaastaste kultuuride saagikus tugevalt kliimamuutustest. Vahelmine nisuhein (Thinopyrum intermedium) on mitmeaastane põuakindel kõrreline kultuur, mis võimaldab toota nii biomassi kui ka terasaaki, mis teeb temast atraktiivse kultuuri põllumehele. Antud töö eesmärk oli uurida nisuheina biomassi ja terasaagi potentsiaali Eesti tingimustes põldkatsel, mis rajati 2023. aastal Eesti Maaülikooli katsepõllule Eerikal ning millelt koguti esimese saagiaasta andmed 2024. aastal. Söödakatse eesmärgiga uurida esimese niite aja ja külviviisi mõju saagile viidi läbi sortidega `MN Clearwater` ja `Canada` puhaskülvis ning segukülvis lutserniga võrreldes nelja erinevat niite aega. Terakatses sordiga `MN Clearwater` puhaskülvis erinevatel lämmastiku väetusnormidel (N0, N70, N140) ja segukülvis punase ristikuga väetusnormidel N0, N70 uuriti külviviisi ja lämmastiku normi mõju terasaagile. Põldkatsest selgus, et esimesel saagiaastal avaldas saagikusele eeskätt mõju I niite aeg ning suurima nisuheina kogu biomassi saagi (6300 kg ha-1) saab toota, kui I niite aeg jääb juuli algusesse, mil taimede arengufaas on piimküpsuses. Esimesel saagiaastal segukülv lutserniga ei suurendanud biomassi saagikust, kuna kasvuaasta alguse tingimused olid taimiku kujunemiseks keerulised ning lutserni osakaal oli taimikus väga madal. Osaliselt leidis toetus hüpotees, et nisuheina tera saagikus suureneb segukülvil punase ristikuga. Kuigi nisuheina tera saagikus puhaskülvil oli suurem (keskmiselt 154 kg ha-1) kui segukülvil (keskmiselt 104 kg ha-1) tootis nisuhein segus ristikuga N normi 70 kg ha-1 juures sarnase biomassi saagikuse, kui puhaskülvis samal väetustasemel, vastavalt segukülvil 135 kg ha-1 ja puhaskülvil 139 kg ha-1. Järgmistel saagiaastatel, mil punase ristiku panus taimiku arengusse suureneb võib oodata ka nisuheina terasaagi suurenemist. Kuna tegemist on esimese aasta saagi tulemustega, mis näitavad, et nisuheina on võimalik biomassi ja terasaagi eesmärgil Eesti tingimustes kasvatada siis on oluline analüüsida ka järgmiste aastate tulemusi selgitamaks nisuheina saagikuse stabiilsust mis annaks selgema ülevaate uue kultuuri nisuheina kasutamisest põllukultuurina.The production of grain and fodder crops with annual crops is resource-intensive and associated with several negative environmental impacts, in addition, the yield of annual crops is strongly dependent on climate change. Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium) is a perennial drought-resistant grass crop that allows the production of both biomass and grain, which makes it an attractive crop for farmers. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the biomass and grain yield potential of wheatgrass under Estonian conditions. Data from the first harvest year of the wheatgrass experiment, which was established in 2023 at the Estonian University of Life Sciences experimental field in Eerika, was collected in 2024. The forage experiment with the aim of studying the effect of the first cut time and cropping type on biomass yield was carried out with the varieties `MN Clearwater` and `Canada` in pure sowing and mixed sowing with alfalfa at four different first cut times. In a grain trial with the variety `MN Clearwater`, pure sowing at different nitrogen fertilization rates (N0, N70, N140) and mixed sowing with red clover at fertilization rates N0, N70, the effect of sowing method and nitrogen rate on grain yield was studied. The field trial revealed that in the first crop year, the time of the first cut primarily affected the biomass yield and the highest total biomass yield of wheatgrass (6300 kg ha-1) can be produced if the time of the first cut falls at the beginning of July, when the plants are in the fruit development phase. In the first crop year, mixed sowing with alfalfa did not increase the sward biomass yield, because the conditions at the beginning of the growing year were difficult for the formation of the plant and the proportion of alfalfa in the sward was very low. The hypothesis that the grain yield of wheatgrass increases in mixed sowing with red clover was partially supported. Although the grain yield of wheatgrass in pure sowing was higher (on average 154 kg ha-1) than in mixed sowing (on average 104 kg ha-1), wheatgrass in a mixture with clover produced similar biomass yields at an N rate of 70 kg ha-1 as in pure sowing at the same N rate, respectively 135 kg ha-1 in mixed sowing and 139 kg ha-1 in pure sowing. In the following harvest years, when the contribution of red clover to the development of the plant increases, an increase in the grain yield of wheatgrass can also be expected. Since these are the results of the first year's harvest, which show that wheatgrass can be grown for biomass and grain yield purposes in Estonian conditions, it is important to analyse the results of the following years to clarify the stability of wheatgrass yield, which would provide a clearer overview of the use of the new crop wheatgrass as a field crop
Liquid fertilization and conventional fertilization on soil fertility and agronomic and morphophysiological characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Braúna grass
No full textReceived: March 31st, 2025 ; Accepted: August 21st, 2025 ; Published: August 27th, 2025 ; Correspondence: [email protected] objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of liquid and conventional fertilization on soil fertility, assessed by regrowth, and on the morphophysiological characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha cv. Braúna. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the State University of Southwest Bahia, in Itapetinga-BA, from December 2018 to April 2019. The experimental design adopted was completely randomized, with four replicates, totaling 24 experimental units, in a 2×3 factorial scheme, comprising two types of fertilization (liquid and conventional) and three regrowths, with cutting intervals of 21 days. The results revealed that conventional fertilization promoted an increase in the levels of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) in the soil, which, in turn, positively impacted the sum of bases and base saturation, reaching values of 5.6 cmolc dm-3 and 54%, respectively, in the first regrowth. The dry mass production of the aerial part was influenced by both regrowth and the type of fertilization. A 27% reduction in dry mass production was observed from the first to the second regrowth, and a 16% reduction from the second to the third. On the other hand, conventional fertilization provided a 20% increase in dry mass production. The morphological variables of the plant were influenced by regrowth, with the exception of the leaf appearance rate (LAR), which did not present significant variations. A reduction in the other morphological variables was observed with each regrowth. Fertilization, in turn, influenced only the length of the flagellum leaf (LFL) and the total length of the tiller (TTL). The interaction between regrowth and fertilization was significant for leaf area, specific leaf area, leaf area index and leaf area ratio. The SPAD index, chlorophyll b and total chlorophyll contents were influenced by regrowth, with a progressive increase with each regrowth. Conventional fertilization promoted an increase in the SPAD index, with a value of 35.53, compared to 33.51 for liquid fertilization. The interaction between regrowth and fertilization was significant for the chlorophyll a:b ratio and carotenoids. The chlorophyll a:b ratio decreased with each regrowth. Conventional fertilization resulted in a 1.04% increase in crude protein content compared to liquid fertilization. Dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and ash contents were influenced by regrowth, with a progressive increase with each regrowth, except for ash, which showed a reduction. Regrowth demonstrated greater influence on the productive and morphophysiological characteristics of braúna grass. Conventional fertilization is recommended to promote improvements in soil fertility and increase the crude protein content of signal grass Brachiaria brizantha cv. Braúna
Exploring the economic viability and agronomic effects of green manure mixtures on winter wheat yields in organic farming in Latvia: a multi-location study
No full textReceived: February 1st, 2025 ; Accepted: June 16th, 2025 ; Published: June 30th, 2025 ; Correspondence: [email protected] study explores the adaptation of green manure practices to Latvia’s climatic and soil conditions to enhance soil productivity and economic returns in organic farming systems. The study aims to identify the most suitable green manure mixture by evaluating economic factors, dry matter yield, nutrient amount, and its impact on winter wheat yields in organic fields across different locations in Latvia, considering variations in meteorological conditions. Field trials compared three mixtures: oats-mustard-oilseed rape–buckwheat (non-legume), oats-buckwheat-peas (legumes 50%) against a control (black fallow). Data were collected on dry matter production, nutrient accumulation (N, P, K amount), winter wheat yields, and economic performance. The results revealed a significant variation in dry matter yield depending on year and location. Mixture with non-legumes at the farms ‘Gaikeni’ and ‘Geidas’, as well as mixture with legumes below 50% at ‘Gaikeni’, Ltd. ‘Mazbungas’, and ‘IRGK serviss’, produced significantly higher dry matter yields (P < 0.05). Despite lower biomass yield in certain years, mixture with legumes above 50%, through the follow-up effect, significantly increased winter wheat yields under optimal conditions at Ltd. ‘Mazbungas’ and farm ‘Gaikeni’ being higher by 96.05% and 93.59%, respectively, compared to the control. Economic analysis revealed significant gross margin advantages for green manure cultivation, demonstrating its financial viability. This study underscores the potential of green manure practices in enhancing the sustainability of organic farming, improving yields, and increasing profitability, while highlighting the importance of selecting region-specific mixtures to account for climatic variability
Assessment of microbiological safety and quality of plant-based alternative products : [presentation]
No full textACTUALITY OF THE TOPIC
• The shift from animal-based proteins to plant-based alternatives has significantly increased in recent years, largely driven by a
combination of environmental, health, and animal welfare concerns of consumers.
• The market of plant-based alternatives is rapidly expanding and evolving, it is expected to reach around 46 billion euros by 2027.
• New technologies and processing methods mostly used for the production of alternative products may pose new food safety risks
including microbiological hazards.This work was supported by the EU and Ministry of Education and Research project TEM-TA52 „Safety and quality of high-risk plantbased foods and meat alternatives“
Review of farm safety and health risk management tools
No full textReceived: April 1st, 2025 ; Accepted: July 12th, 2025 ; Published: August 26th, 2025 ; Correspondence: [email protected] management aims to prevent intolerable risks that could jeopardize a farm’s goals and strategies. Many studies indicate that safety and health risks pose the greatest threats to farm continuity and business sustainability. Even a single injury to a key farmworker could have severe consequences for the whole farm. The review employs content and thematic analysis to identify and classify safety and health risk management tools to assist farmers in their important risk management efforts. There is also an increasing need in EU to provide information about social conditionality requirements on farms, which include also terms in farm safety and health management. A total of 62 risk management tools were analysed. The main typical risk factors in agriculture include machinery safety, livestock safety, chemical handling, and health hazards such as animal dust, gases, noise, biological hazards causing skin and respiratory diseases and ergonomic issues. This study is part of the Strengthening Farm Safety and Health Knowledge and Innovation Systems (SafeHabitus) project. The findings will contribute to the development of a farm safety and health risk management tool database in the SafeHabitus project
Puittaimede kohastumuste mustrid erinevate abiootiliste stressifaktorite talumiseks
No full textDoctoral Thesis in Applied Biology.Doktoritöö rakendusbioloogia erialal.ABSTRACT. Identifying the ecological constraints on plants' adaptive strategies to tolerate multiple abiotic stresses is fundamental to plant ecology. Recently, a stress tolerance trade-off space (STS) was formalized, defining the limits of abiotic stress tolerance strategies of woody plants of the Northern Hemisphere. This thesis aimed to establish the STS as both a conceptual and practical tool for characterising woody plant adaptations to abiotic stress through the integration of multiple ecological dimensions, including functional traits and environmental conditions at species' habitats. To support the analysis, a new R package, funspace, was developed for multivariate trait-space analysis and visualisation. Species positions within the STS were linked to six key plant traits - plant size, wood density, seed mass, and leaf-economic traits - as well as species occurrence records with associated climatic and soil variables. Generalised additive models and clustering analyses were used to identify trait–tolerance relationships and reveal global geographic patterns of stress tolerance strategies. Distinct stress-tolerance strategies were related to contrasting plant functional trait syndromes that depended on plant functional type considered. Macroecological analyses showed that size-related traits and soil fertility were the primary determinants of drought and waterlogging/cold tolerance strategies, whereas climatic factors primarily shaped shade tolerance. These findings led to the identification of "stress tolerance biomes"—geographic regions characterised by specialized stress tolerance syndromes—and "polytolerance hotspots," regions with frequent coexistence of multiple tolerance strategies. Collectively, this thesis provides a comprehensive synthesis of woody plant adaptations to multiple abiotic stresses, offering a robust conceptual framework and practical tools for understanding and exploring the multidimensional nature of plant stress tolerance strategies.LÜHIKOKKUVÕTE. See, kuidas taimed on kohastunud talumaks erinevaid abiootilisi stresse, millised on nende taluvuste piirid, on üks taimeökoloogia põhiküsimusi. Oluline edusamm puittaimede abiootilise stressi taluvuse mõistmisel on Stressitaluvuse ruumi (STS) mudel, mis määratleb põhjapoolkera puittaimede abiootiliste stresside talumise piirid ja strateegiad. Käesoleva doktoritöö eesmärk oli rakendada STSi nii kontseptuaalse kui ka praktilise vahendina puittaimede stressitaluvuse kohastumuste ja nende mustrite kirjeldamiseks, lõimides sinna juurde erinevaid ökoloogilisi dimensioone, sealhulgas taimede funktsionaalseid tunnuseid ja nende elupaikade keskkonnatingimusi. Analüüside läbiviimiseks töötati välja uus R-pakett funspace, mis võimaldab mitmemõõtmelise tunnusruumi analüüsi ja visualiseerimist. Liikide stressitaluvuse positsioone STS-is seostati kuue peamise taimede funktsionaalse tunnusega – taimesuurus, puidutihedus, seemnemass ning lehtede suuruse, lämmastikusisaldus ja eripind –, samuti liikide levikuandmete ja kliima- ja mullatingimustega nende levialal. Tunnuste ja taluvuse seoste tuvastamiseks ning stressitaluvuse strateegiate globaalsete geograafiliste mustrite uurimiseks kasutati üldistatud aditiivseid mudeleid ja klasteranalüüsi. Erinevad stressi talumise strateegiad olid seotud taimede funktsionaalsete tunnuste sündroomide erinevustega, sõltudes taimede funktsionaalsest tüübist. Makroökoloogilised analüüsid näitasid, et taime suurusega seotud tunnused ja mullaviljakus olid põhilised tegurid, mis määrasid põua, liigniiskuse ja külma talumise strateegiad, samas kui kliimategurid mõjutasid eelkõige varjutaluvust. Need tulemused võimaldasid määratleda „stressitaluvuse bioomid“ – geograafilised piirkonnad, mida iseloomustavad eriomased stressitaluvusmustrid; samuti „polütaluvuse tulipunktid“, kus puittaimedel esineb sageli üheaegselt taluvus mitme stressi suhtes. Kokkuvõttes pakub see doktoritöö põhjalikku sünteesi puittaimede kohastumiste mustritest abiootilise stressi talumiseks, pakkudes tugevat kontseptuaalset raamistikku ning praktilisi tööriistu taimede stressitaluvuse ja selle strateegiate mitmemõõtmelise olemuse mõistmiseks ja edasiseks uurimiseks.Publication of this thesis is supported by the Estonian University of Life Sciences