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Trygghet i utanförskap : Livssyn och identitetsmotiv hos nuvarande och före detta sverigefinska gammallaestadianer
No full textThis thesis is about life-views, identity motives, and religious life choices of current and former Sweden Finnish Conservative Laestadians. All participants in this study are migrants or descendants of Finnish-speaking migrants from Finland and have a background in Conservative Laestadianism. The participants are also defined as Sweden Finns, one of Sweden’s five national minorities. Some of the participants are first generation Sweden Finns, while others belong to the second or third generation.
In this study, a new method in religious studies, Faith Q-Sort, was used in combination with 26 life story interviews. Faith Q-Sort provides a picture of subjective viewpoints of religion, spirituality and life-views among individuals. In addition, factor analysis shows similarities and differences between several individuals. Three different consensus groups, or prototypes, have emerged through a factor analysis of the 24 Faith Q-Sorts made by the participants. These are Prototype 1, Religiously Devout and Committed (13 persons); Prototype 2, Critical Former Laestadian (7 persons); and Prototype 3, Tradition-Bound Hybrid (4 persons). The results show that close relationships seem to influence subjective viewpoints among the participants. The place of residence may also have some influence and patterns of social interaction.
All but one of those who make up Prototype 1 are active members of a Conservative Laestadian Association of Peace (Rauhanyhdistys). Religious identity has a central role for those who form Prototype 1. All of those who form Prototype 2 are former members of the Association of Peace. What characterises this prototype is a rejection of some of the values ranked high by Prototype 1. Prototype 3 consists of four individuals, who displayed significant factor loadings in more than one prototype after factor analysis, which indicates a hybrid view of religion and spirituality.
Identity processes among current and former members of the Association of Peace have been analysed using Identity Process Theory, Motivated Identity Construction Theory and Role Exit Theory, to gain a deeper understanding of the participants’ identity processes and religious life choices. Certain identity motives have been more prominent among many of the participants, such as the motive of belonging and the motive of continuity. A possible explanation for this may be the participants’ migrant background or uncertain circumstances, since the study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety has been a strong theme in the life story interviews and several of the participants have expressed vulnerability due to minority background. Overall, the study shows that identity motives have influenced the identity processes and religious life choices of the participants, in particular the motives of belonging and continuity, also for those who have left the revival movement and have needed to find a new identity as former Laestadians.
All the participants are or have been members of a Conservative Laestadian Association of Peace formed by labour migrants from Finland in the 1970s at an industrial area in Sweden. The study shows that the place of residence and patterns of social interaction have had an impact on the participants’ religious life choices. For example, living on the wrong side of the river has led to a sense of alienation within the religious community for some of the participants. Nowadays, the place of residence is not as important and there are other factors playing a greater role in religious affiliation, such as family ties, social interaction, and choice of partner.
This case study also shows that there are different ways of looking at one’s ethnic/cultural identity: some of the participants see themselves as Swedes, others as Finns or as Sweden Finns, but other ethnic/cultural identities are also mentioned, indicating a subjective view of ethnicity.Denna avhandling handlar om livssyn, identitetsmotiv och religiösa livsval hos nuvarande och före detta sverigefinska gammallaestadianer. Samtliga deltagare i studien är migranter eller ättlingar till finsktalande migranter från Finland och alla har bakgrund inom gammallaestadianismen. Deltagarna definieras också som sverigefinnar, en av Sveriges fem nationella minoriteter. Några av deltagarna är första generationens sverigefinnar, medan andra tillhör andra eller tredje generationen.
I den här studien har en ny metod inom religionsvetenskapen, Faith Q-Sort, använts i kombination med 26 livsberättelseintervjuer. Faith Q-Sort ger en bild av subjektiva uppfattningar gällande religion, andlighet och livssyn hos individer. Genom faktoranalys visas också likheter och olikheter mellan flera individer. Tre olika konsensusgrupper, eller prototyper, har framkommit genom en faktoranalys av de 24 Faith Q-sorteringar som deltagarna har gjort. Dessa är prototyp 1, Religiöst hängiven och engagerad (13 personer), prototyp 2, Kritisk före detta laestadian (7 personer) och prototyp 3, Traditionsbunden hybrid (4 personer). Resultatet visar att nära relationer tycks inverka på subjektiva uppfattningar hos deltagarna. Även hemort och umgängesmönster kan ha viss betydelse.
Alla utom en av dem som bildar prototyp 1 är aktiva medlemmar i en gammallaestadiansk fridsförening (Rauhanyhdistys). Det som kännetecknar dem som bildar prototyp 1 är att den religiösa identiteten har en central roll. Samtliga som bildar prototyp 2 är före detta medlemmar i fridsföreningen. Det som kännetecknar denna prototyp är ett avståndstagande från en del av de värderingar som rankas högt inom prototyp 1. Prototyp 3 består av fyra individer som hade signifikanta faktorladdningar i mer än en prototyp efter faktoranalysen, vilket tyder på en hybrid syn på religion och andlighet.
Identitetsprocesser bland nuvarande och före detta medlemmar i fridsföreningen analyseras med hjälp av bland annat identitetsprocessteori, motiverad identitetskonstruktionsteori och teori om rollförändring, för att få en fördjupad förståelse för deltagarnas identitetsprocesser och religiösa livsval. Vissa identitetsmotiv har varit mer framträdande hos många av deltagarna, exempelvis motivet för tillhörighet och kontinuitet. En möjlig förklaring till detta kan vara deltagarnas migrantbakgrund eller osäkra förhållanden, eftersom studien gjordes under covid-19-pandemin. Trygghet har varit ett starkt framträdande tema i livsberättelseintervjuerna och ett flertal av deltagarna har gett uttryck för utsatthet på grund av sin minoritetsbakgrund. Sammantaget visar studien att identitetsmotiv har påverkat identitetsprocesser och religiösa livsval hos deltagarna, i synnerhet motiven för tillhörighet och kontinuitet, även för dem som har lämnat väckelserörelsen och som har behövt hitta en ny identitet som före detta laestadianer.
Samtliga deltagare är eller har varit medlemmar i en gammallaestadiansk fridsförening som bildades av arbetskraftsmigranter från Finland på 1970-talet i ett industriområde i Sverige. Studien visar att hemorten och umgängesmönstret har haft betydelse för deltagarnas religiösa livsval. Att bo på fel sida av floden har exempelvis lett till en känsla av utanförskap inom den religiösa fridsföreningen hos en del av deltagarna. Numera har området inte lika stor betydelse, utan det finns annat som spelar en större roll för religiös tillhörighet, exempelvis familjeband, umgänge och partnerval.
Denna fallstudie visar också att det finns olika sätt att se på sin etniska/kulturella identitet. En del av deltagarna ser sig som svenskar, andra som finnar eller som sverigefinnar, men andra identitetsvarianter nämns också, vilket tyder på en subjektiv syn på etnicitet.ei tietoa saavutettavuudest
Luonnon monimuotoisuus Varsinais-Suomen väylänpidossa
No full textTausta ja tavoitteet
Maailmanlaajuinen luontokato on planeettamme elinkykyä ylläpitäviä prosesseja vakavasti heikentävä uhka, joka horjuttaa yhteiskuntien jatkuvuutta. Väylistä ja väyläpidosta aiheutuu erilaisia kielteisiä luontovaikutuksia, jotka heikentävät luontoverkon yhtenäisyyttä ja elinvoimaisuutta.
Tässä pilottityössä tarkasteltiin Varsinais-Suomen alueen valtion tie-, rata-, ja vesiväyläverkkoa ja pilotoitiin menetelmää käytettävissä olevien paikkatietoaineistojen hyödyntämiseksi väylänpidon käytäntöjen kehittämiseen, haitallisten luontovaikutusten vähentämiseen ja luonnon monimuotoisuuden tukemiseen. Tuloksia voidaan käyttää erityisesti maakuntakaavoituksessa, liikennejärjestelmäsuunnittelussa ja väylänpidon suunnittelussa. Maakuntatason pilotti toteutettiin siten, että siinä kerrytetty osaaminen on sovellettavissa valtakunnallisesti myös muille alueille.
Työn lähestymistavaksi valittiin paikkatietomuodossa olevaa luontotietoa ja väylätietoa yhdistävä menetelmä, jolla tunnistettiin Varsinais-Suomen luonnon monimuotoisuuden kannalta keskeisimmät ydinalueet sekä väylien ja väylänpidon kipu-ja mahdollisuuspisteet. Analyysin pohjalta valikoitujen tapauskuvausten avulla tunnistettiin mahdollisia konkreettisia toimenpiteitä negatiivisten luontovaikutusten vähentämiseksi ja luonnon monimuotoisuuden vahvistamiseksi.
Tulokset
Väylien aiheuttamilla este-ja häiriövaikutuksilla sekä elinympäristön menetyksillä on merkittäviä vaikutuksia luonnon monimuotoisuuteen kytkeytyneisyyden heikkenemisen ja luontotyyppien pinta-alan menetyksen vuoksi.
Tunnistamalla maakunnalle keskeisten luontotyyppien ydinalueet ja vertaamalla niitä olemassa olevien tai suunniteltujen väylien sijainteihin voidaan paljastaa maakunnan kipu-ja mahdollisuuspisteet.
Lieventämishierarkian mukaan välttäminen on ensisijainen keino. Mikäli vaikutusta ei voida välttää toimenpiteet kannattaa kohdistaa olemassa olevien viheryhteyksien vahvistamiseen. Toimenpiteet kannattaa suunnitella osana suurempaa kokonaisuutta.
Strategisen väylänpidon suunnittelun tulee saattaa yhteen maakuntatason kokonaiskuva paikallisiin toimenpiteisiin kokonaisuuden näkökulmasta huomioiden luontoverkon ja väylänpidon erilaiset luontovaikutukset
Attracting Women Professionals in Male-Dominated Fields : Employer Branding in Engineering and Technology Organizations
No full textAs competition for highly skilled employees intensifies, and gender diversity proves to be beneficial for innovation and business performance, employer branding has emerged as a valuable tool for organizations seeking to attract a more diverse talent pool. However, despite the growing emphasis on employer branding, many Finnish organizations in the technology and engineering sectors continue to face challenges in attracting women professionals. More context-specific research is required to determine how employer branding might be modified to better appeal to women in Finnish labor markets that are dominated by men.
This study expands on a foundation of research on employer branding and attractiveness, along with insights from talent acquisition and gender diversity literature. The empirical research was guided by four research questions, exploring how employer branding is used, what women professionals value in potential employers, how image and reputation influence attractiveness, and how organizations should position their employer brand to better attract women professionals.
Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted as part of the qualitative research, including women professionals in various stages of their engineering or technology careers. Moreover, key themes were identified through the application of thematic analysis. The findings reveal that an effective employer brand must be differentiated. Participants emphasized symbolic attributes, such as company culture and flexible working arrangements, over instrumental attributes, such as salary. Authentic communication, a strong reputation, and gender-representative visibility were found to be critical for enhancing employer attractiveness.
The study has confirmed the relevance of symbolic attributes, such as culture, inclusivity, and flexibility in employer attractiveness, extended existing employer attractiveness frameworks by highlighting factors that attract women professionals in male-dominated fields, and contributed insights for the Finnish technology and engineering sector. By supporting and building on existing theoretical models, the findings encourage organizations to adapt employer branding strategies. To address the gaps identified, the study proposes a five- step framework for organizations: 1. aligning the internal culture with external branding, 2. designing a tailored employer value proposition, 3. using relevant channels, 4. adapting an authentic and inclusive communication style, and 5. establishing and maintaining a favorable reputation. The results offer practical implications for organizations looking to improve their strategies for employer branding to acquire more gender-diverse candidates and increase their competitive advantage in the Finnish labor market
Adapting to Increasing Sustainability Disclosure Expectations : Perspectives from Non-listed SMEs and Financiers
No full textThis study examines how certain Finnish non-listed SMEs engage voluntarily in sustainability disclosure, a topic of increasing importance due to stakeholders growing expectations and increasing regulatory frameworks and requirements. The CSRD does not directly mandate non-listed SMEs to disclose their sustainability performance, however the directive does indirectly influence these enterprises to engage in reporting activities.
The aim is to examine how internal and external factors influence non-listed SMEs voluntary sustainability reporting disclosures, focusing on the challenges encountered and the perceived benefits experienced throughout the disclosure process. The research question tries to provide an answer to why certain Finnish non-listed SMEs engage in voluntary sustainability disclosure, and how do the challenges and perceived benefits influence their disclosure practices. The study employed a qualitative approach, by utilizing semi-structured interviews with SMEs and financiers, which are an important stakeholder group of the SMEs. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
The findings indicate that both internal and external factors play a significant role on shaping SMEs’ decisions regarding sustainability engagement and disclosure. Key stakeholders include (business) customers, financiers and employees. The interviewed SMEs demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability from the outset, with these principles deeply embedded in their core values and mission, leading to an early and proactive engagement to sustainable practices. Stakeholder expectations further shaped the nature and extent of the SMEs’ sustainability activities and disclosures. Despite encountering challenges such as lack of standardization and limited resources, these obstacles did not prevent the SMEs from engaging in sustainable operations, as both the companies and financiers viewed sustainability engagement as a long-term investment rather than a cost. Furthermore, several benefits were identified, including enhanced credibility, improved access to funding and increased employee motivation. The perceived benefits outweighed the challenges for the SMEs included in the study, thereby contributing to the SMEs continued commitment to sustainability.
These findings contribute to existing research by providing insights from the perspective of Finnish SMEs and financiers, which are a key stakeholder group. The study highlights the influence of stakeholder and institutional pressures on sustainability reporting practices. Furthermore, the study provides practical implications for regulators, policymakers and financiers, by providing an understanding of the challenges and benefits encountered by non-listed SMEs throughout the disclosure process
Multidimensional Study of Social Exclusion : Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China Post Reform and Opening-up
No full textThis paper critically examines the multidimensional mechanisms of social exclusion faced by rural-to-urban migrants in China since the 1978 Reform and Opening-up process, and shows how the interplay of institutional design, market logic and cultural power has systematically reproduced structural inequalities.
Through policy analysis and theoretical deconstruction over time, the study finds that: Hukou, the household registration system, alienates citizenship into governance resources through flexible control strategies (temporary residence permits and pointsbased settlement) and creates institutional suspension of migrants under the framework of “semi-openness”. Economic exclusion is embedded in labour market segmentation and welfare deprivation, reducing migrant workers to “low-cost factors of production”. Cultural exclusion, through identity stigmatisation and symbolic violence, naturalises disenfranchisement in a civilisational gap that dissolves migrants’ claims to subjectivity. The triple mechanism of exclusion does not exist in isolation, but forms an oppressive network that reproduces synergies - institutional exclusion provides the basis for legitimacy, economic exploitation reinforces dependency, and cultural violence dissolves the sense of resistance.
The study further points out that current policy reforms focused on technological adjustments, which avoid the core contradiction of the urban-rural rights gap, only achieve a refined improvement in the mechanisms of exclusion. Fundamental change requires a reconstruction of the developmentalist paradigm that recognizes the value of migrants as complete subjects of rights and implements systemic transformations in the distribution of public services, the protection of labor rights and cultural empowerment. The theoretical contribution of this paper is to break through the onedimensional analysis and reveal the dynamic interactive logic of multidimensional exclusion, providing a critical framework for the study of urbanization in developing countries and shedding light on the practice of rights resistance in the era of technological governance
Multifunctional Bioactive Hydrogel Microneedle Patches for Wound Healing
No full textWound healing consists of four overlapping yet critical stages: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. However, under pathological conditions such as diabetic ulcers and infected wounds, disruptions in the microenvironment and immune dysregulation can lead to delayed healing, tissue necrosis, and even amputation, posing a dramatic global health and economic burden. Currently, considerable wound dressings are available for wound treatment, but they fail to penetrate into deep subcutaneous damaged areas due to skin obstructions and scab formation, limiting their effectiveness in complex wounds. Microneedles (MNs) have emerged as an effective drug delivery system because they can painlessly pierce the stratum corneum, reaching the epidermis or dermis to achieve efficient drug administration. However, traditional MNs made of metal and silicon are prone to causing inflammation, secondary medical injuries, and some of the delivered protein-based drugs may become inactive. Therefore, biocompatible MNs capable of maintaining the activity of bioactive agents need to be further developed. Hydrogel microneedles (HMNs) have recently been recognized as a promising platform for wound treatment. Due to their high biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and moisture retention, HMNs are well-suited for in vivo applications, minimizing immune responses and inflammation even over prolonged application. In addition, they can maintain the activity of loaded therapeutic bioactive factors or cells, including stem cells, exosomes, growth factors, antimicrobial peptides, etc. Various of these bioactive substances have been proven beneficial for wound healing, targeting different phases of tissue repair. Moreover, the structure of HMNs can mimic the extracellular matrix environment, offering an optimal microenvironment for the survival of delivered stem cells, and for other bioactive factors to promote tissue regeneration. In this thesis, four HMNs with distinctive structures were developed, each was loaded with therapeutic bioactive components, to achieve multifunctional wound healing.Sårläkning består av fyra överlappande men kritiska stadier: hemostas, inflammation, proliferation och remodellering. Men under patologiska förhållanden, som vid diabetesår och infekterade sår, kan störningar mikromiljön och immundysreglering leda till fördröjd läkning, vävnadsnekros och till och med amputation, vilket utgör en dramatisk global hälsorisk och ekonomisk börda. För närvarande finns det ett stort antal sårförband för sårbehandling, men de tränger inte igenom djupa subkutana skadade områden på grund av hudobstruktioner och sårskorpor, vilket begränsar deras effektivitet i komplexa sår. Mikronålar (MN) har visat sig vara ett effektivt system för läkemedelstillförsel eftersom de smärtfritt kan tränga igenom hornlagret och nå epidermis eller dermis för att uppnå effektiv läkemedelsadministration. Traditionella MNs tillverkade av metall och kisel är dock benägna att orsaka inflammation, sekundära medicinska skador och vissa proteinbaserade läkemedel kan inaktiveras. Därför måste biokompatibla mikronålar som kan bibehålla aktiviteten hos bioaktiva ämnen vidareutvecklas. Mikronålar av hydrogel (HMN) har nyligen uppmärksammats som en lovande strategi för sårbehandling. På grund av sin höga biokompatibilitet, hydrofilicitet och fuktretention är HMN väl lämpade för in vivo tillämpningar, vilket minimerar immunsvar och inflammation även vid långvarig applicering. Dessutom kan de upprätthålla aktiviteten av laddade terapeutiska bioaktiva faktorer eller celler, inklusive stamceller, exosomer, tillväxtfaktorer, antimikrobiella peptider osv. Olika bioaktiva ämnen har visat sig vara fördelaktiga för sårläkning och inriktar sig på olika faser av vävnadsreparation. Dessutom kan strukturen hos HMN efterlikna den extracellulära matrismiljön, vilket ger en optimal mikromiljö för överlevnad eller tillförsel av stamceller och andra bioaktiva faktorer för att främja vävnadsgenerering. I denna avhandling har fyra HMN med distinkta strukturer utvecklats, var och en laddad med terapeutiska bioaktiva komponenter, för att uppnå multifunktionell sårläkning.ei tietoa saavutettavuudest
PEG-PLA-miceller med rifampicin för antibakteriella ytor
No full textBiofilmer är ett allvarligt problem. Bakterier som förekommer i en biofilm är mycket svårare att döda och de kan bli resistenta mot antibiotika som de tidigare varit känsliga för. Ett möjligt sätt att förhindra bildningen av en biofilm är att utveckla antibakteriella ytor, vilket kan göras på olika sätt. En metod kunde vara att belägga ytan med miceller som innehåller antibiotika. Dessa miceller kunde frigöra sitt innehåll vid kontakt med bakterier och därmed döda dem innan de bildar en biofilm.
Syftet med denna pro gradu-avhandling var att syntetisera micellbildande polymerer och sedan solubilisera antibiotikumet rifampicin i dessa miceller. Polymeren PEG-PLA (polyetylenglykol-polymjölksyra) syntetiserades med ringöppningsmetoden med en tennoktoatkatalysator. Polymeren analyserades sedan med olika metoder: DLS (dynamisk ljusspridning), GPC (gelfiltrering), NMR (kärnmagnetisk resonans) och ytspänningsmätningar.
Polymeren bekräftades bilda miceller, och i de bildade micellerna solubiliserades rifampicin. Efter rening med hjälp av dialys analyserades de solubiliserade micellerna med DLS och UV-Vis-spektroskopi.
Baserat på resultaten kunde det konstateras att syntesen av polymeren var lyckad, polymeren bildade miceller och rifampicin solubiliserades i dem. Mera analyser behövs för att kunna bestämma koncentrationen av rifampicin i micellerna samt dess frigöringshastighet. Micellerna behöver även utvecklas vidare för att kunna fästas vid en yta innan de kan användas för antibakteriella ytor
“An Indian game discovered by the English” : Cricket as a force for nationalism and empire in colonial India
No full textThis thesis studies the history and effects of cricket in India, primarily from the mid-1800s to the early-1900s. The thesis starts from the acknowledgment that in India, cricket is a game unsurpassed in popularity or social and economic influence. The research question under consideration is: To what extent did cricket strengthen colonial power or Indian nationalism as reflected in contemporary press reports and the careers of two prominent Indian cricketers? Using contemporary sources including newspapers and periodicals, as well as more recent secondary works, the role of cricket in Indian society is discussed. The two cricketers discussed are Ranjitsinhji and Palwankar Baloo.
Databases of publications from the period were searched in order to find references discussing these two men as well as the social milieu in which they lived and how cricket was viewed therein. The thesis also examines cricket in relation to ideals of Englishness, how the British establishment viewed the game, and how certain events in its history as the game of Empire created conditions relevant to the rise of Indian nationalism.
Initially, cricket was seen as a vehicle to transmit useful ‘English’ virtues to their colonial subjects, a goal which was at least partly achieved in the public schools of the Raj, for example. Over time that effect lessened, however, and the ‘purpose’ of cricket transformed into demonstrating the possibility of otherwise disparate Indian populations working towards a common cause. This interpretation is notable in relation to the 1911 All-Indian tour, which is also discussed. The thesis concludes by arguing that the effect of cricket on Indian society changed significantly over time, and the aforementioned ideas of Englishness were eventually subsumed in a more particularly Indian understanding of the game
Self-Determination Theory in remote work motivating
No full textThis master’s thesis examines the challenges and opportunities of maintaining employee motivation in remote work settings, a topic of increasing importance as remote and hybrid work models becomes more dominant across industries. The theoretical framework draws on motivation theories, with particular emphasis on Self-Determination Theory (SDT). The aim of the study is to explore how remote work affects employee motivation and to identify effective practices that organizations can implement to sustain and enhance motivation.
The central research questions guiding this study are: (1) How has the shift to remote work influenced employee motivation in the case study organization? (2) What specific factors contribute to or hinder motivation in a remote work environment? (3) How can organizations adapt motivational strategies to align with the needs of remote employees?
The thesis begins with a review of relevant literature, outlining concepts of motivation, workplace behavior, and the evolution of remote work practices. Key theories—including Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg’s Two-Factor Theory, and Self-Determination Theory—are examined to provide a conceptual basis for analyzing motivation in non-traditional work settings. The research then turns to an empirical case study conducted in a large company that has implemented remote work policies in response to changing workforce dynamics.
Data was collected through structured employee surveys. The analysis revealed several key findings: while many employees appreciated the autonomy and flexibility offered by remote work, others experienced a lack of social interaction, decreased feedback from managers, and a weakening of team unity.
The study concludes that sustaining motivation in remote work settings requires a careful organizational strategy that emphasizes communication, recognition and support for autonomy. Finally, the thesis outlines limitations of the current study and suggests avenues for future research, particularly in the context of long-term hybrid work arrangements