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Much work has established M&A capabilities and its impact on M&A performance, likewise, a great deal of research has investigated internationalization. However, little theoretical attention has been brought to the implications of M&A capabilities on firms formulating internationalization strategies. This study examines how M&A capabilities impact decision-making processes in strategic planning for internationalization, by proposing a theoretical framework bridging cognitive problem perception and strategic decision making for internationalization. The study’s key findings suggest that M&A capabilities significantly impact strategic planning for internationalization by influencing decision-makers’ perceptions of risks and challenges. Lack of intercultural skills heightens perceived risks, which are mitigated by leveraging network capabilities and targeting similar, nearby markets. M&A capabilities shape how challenges are viewed, reinforcing familiar strategies and potentially limiting new approaches. A dedicated M&A function supports both gradual and opportunistic international growth, enabling firms to balance organic expansion with strategic acquisitions. This dual approach enhances flexibility and responsiveness in foreign market entry, while minimizing risks.

This study aims to comprehend how German citizens’ understanding of public organizations’ branding, as exemplified by the Bundeswehr, shapes their conception of these organizations. Using a qualitative research methodology, semi-structured interviews supported by photo-elicitation were conducted with German citizens of different demographic groups to better understand public opinion. The study identifies two main themes: the influence of branding on personal and national identity and the glorification of military engagements. Both themes are characterized by the interdependency of organizational context and branding ethics in the Bundeswehr’s branding. The findings highlight the need for public organizations to carefully design their branding strategies concerning their embeddedness in a social, political, and historical context to promote authenticity and uphold democratic values. Moreover, they emphasize that effective public branding requires both transparency and ethical reflection to strengthen legitimacy in the public view.

This thesis investigates and compares the risk-adjusted returns of Swedish investment companies and small-cap mutual funds to determine which investment option is more advantageous for Swedish private investors. The study also examines whether diversification of assets can provide additional benefits. Using data from a fifteen-year period (2009-2023) and applying modern portfolio theories and financial metrics such as the Sharpe ratio, beta, and Jensen's alpha, the performance of these different investment options is evaluated. The analysis reveals that both investment companies and small-cap mutual funds offer competitive returns, although with differing risk characteristics. Investment companies generally provide higher Jensen's alpha and lower beta, indicating superior risk-adjusted returns and lower market sensitivity. In contrast, small-cap mutual funds exhibit higher beta and lower Jensen's alpha, suggesting greater market sensitivity despite similar volatility levels to investment companies. Moreover, the Sharpe ratio indicates that passively managed small-cap mutual funds tend to have higher risk-adjusted returns compared to investment companies. The study further demonstrates that a diversified portfolio, combining both investment companies and small-cap mutual funds, can achieve a more balanced risk-adjusted return, appealing to both risk-averse and risk-seeking investors. By examining the correlation between these asset classes and assessing their performance under different market conditions, the thesis offers practical insights for private investors looking to optimize their portfolios. The findings suggest that strategic diversification not only enhances returns but also mitigates risks, underscoring the importance of a well-rounded investment approach. Ultimately, the results indicate that there is no clear superiority between investment companies and small-cap mutual funds in terms of risk-adjusted returns. The choice between these asset classes depe

The growing importance of organisations becoming more sustainable has reached a crucial point. To aid the journey of becoming more sustainable information systems and specifically business intelligence is an appropriate solution to help manage and measure sustainable development. However previous research suggests the use of business intelligence in the context of sustainability is not as prevalent as it could be. This study examines the use of business intelligence in relation to sustainability and its drivers for utilisation. Through a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews, this study finds how manufacturing organisations are underdeveloped in their use of business intelligence. Further, the study finds the driver for the use and under utilisation of business intelligence is connected to the strong focus on reporting sustainability instead of focusing on gaining competitive advantages.

This study explores the perceptions of graphic designers regarding the impact of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) on their profession. It aims to highlight practical examples of how GenAI is integrated into the work of graphic designers. To achieve this, qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with six professional graphic designers. The findings reveal that the influence of GenAI varies significantly depending on the specif-ic tasks involved. While GenAI has been adopted for certain repetitive tasks of the design process, respondents do not perceive it as a replacement for human creativity or expertise. Instead, most respondents view AI as a complementary tool that enhances efficiency and expands creative possibilities. This study provides valuable insights into the evolving rela-tionship between GenAI and graphic design. Highlighting the importance of being able to work with, and apart to, technology as it advances.

Data protection regulations mandating explicit user consent for personal data collection have spurred the development of cookie consent interfaces. This study explores the factors influencing user experience with these interfaces and their impact on data privacy choices. Through qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with university students, several key factors emerged that shape users' interactions and decisions. The findings reveal that interface design significantly affects user understanding and decision-making. Clear language, readable formatting and accessible options empower users, while dark patterns can nudge them towards less privacy-protective choices. User characteristics, such as privacy attitudes and emotional states as well as contextual factors such as time pressure also shape interactions. Based on these insights, guidelines are proposed for designing user-centric cookie consent interfaces that prioritise clarity, control and transparency. Recommendations include using plain language, presenting options clearly, avoiding nudging, enhancing visibility, addressing privacy literacy and maintaining consistency. The study highlights the critical role of cookie consent interface design in fostering informed user decisions and trust in an increasingly complex digital landscape. By adopting user-centric principles, cookie consent interfaces can effectively support users' data privacy rights.

This study explores the strategic implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector, focusing on minimizing resistance through effective stakeholder engagement. As AI increasingly influences decision-making in healthcare, resistance from key stakeholders such as employees and management presents a significant challenge. This research investigates the causes and reasons for various levels of resistance during AI implementation and identifies strategies to minimize it through stakeholder engagement. Employing a qualitative methodology, this case study will conduct interviews with healthcare professionals in Swedish and Danish settings and contribute to current research with practical insights and experiences from real-life AI projects, from the project leaders' perspective. The findings highlighted lack of understanding, fear of change, and mistrust as the main causes for resistance from the stakeholders, while the technological maturity and the project leaders' experience could influence the level of resistance faced. Additionally, the results highlighted the critical role of project leaders in transparent communication, consistently engaging both management and employees and utilizing internal and external collaboration to reduce resistance. This research offers valuable strategies and practical insights for project leaders to enhance stakeholder engagement, thereby smoothing the AI implementation process and improving healthcare service effectiveness, thus contributing to a more sustainable healthcare sector.

This thesis is designed as exploratory research, with the aim of studying the relatively underexplored and poorly understood theory-practice gap in small-medium enterprises transition from sustainability ideal to practice. While existing literature has extensively addressed theoretical implications, scant attention has been paid to the lived experiences of SMEs, particularly within the context of the food manufacturing industry. Thereby, this thesis contributes with empirical findings from interviewing six SMEs in Sweden and Denmark in the food manufacturing industry, exploring the conditioning circumstances towards sustainability practices. The aim of this thesis is to understand the subjective perceptions of organisational and institutional requirements, to comprehend the theory-practice gap from the practitioners’ point of view. By incorporating an inductive research approach, we aim to synthesise empirical findings and theoretical perspectives to essentially identify practitioners' explanations and justifications of their interactions with sustainability frameworks and standardised practices. This is achieved by a systematic approach to grounded theory, where the interview data shapes our theoretical implication, which shapes our analysis. By discussing the empirical findings with relevant research, we exemplify three overall implications that contribute to future research. Lastly, these implications are expanded into recommendations for SMEs that share similar context and desire to realise their sustainability ideals.

Title: The Role of Concept Stores: Consumer Perceptions of the Intended Brand Image Seminar date: 2024-05-30 Course: BUSN39, Degree Project in Global Marketing, Business Administration: Master Level Authors: Petra Ohlson & Emma Stenkil Supervisor: Ulf Johansson Research question: Why are fashion manufacturing brands opening concept stores? How does consumers' perception of the concept stores' image differ from the fashion manufacturing brand's intended image? Purpose: The study aims to explore the intentions behind the establishments of concept stores and examine the variance between consumer's perception of these stores' image and the intended brand image. It aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of concept stores in conveying brand image and to enhance understanding of concept store phenomenon from both a management and consumer perspective. Theoretical perspectives: This study is based on a theoretical framework of store format development, experience-based store formats, concept stores, store image and brand image. This framework was applied to guide and answer the research questions. Methodology: A qualitative study with an abductive approach, utilizing a multiple case study design. The research is based on semi-structured interviews with 6 managers and 13 customers from Norrøna, Hestra and Peak Performance, in Gothenburg, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Conclusion: Concept stores are established primarily for four reasons: brand building & control, strategic planning & financial motivations, consumer trends & brand adaptations, and support for online sales. Despite their intention to create a strong brand image, significant discrepancies exist between customer perception of the store image and the intended brand image. The success of these stores depends on effectively aligning these perceptions to accurately convey the brand's image.

Title: A breath of fresh air in family business: A qualitative study on non-family CEOs’ experiences in family businesses Seminar date: May 30th 2024 Course: FEKH49 – Business Administration: Bachelor’s degree project in organization. Undergraduate level, 15 credits. Authors: Jakob Jubner-Keränen, Filip Nyzell & Else Änggårdh Advisor: Nadja Sörgärde Keywords: Family firm, non family CEO, managerial work, managerial roles, management Research question: Which managerial roles do non-family CEOs perceive themselves to be taking in family owned businesses? Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how non-family CEOs in family owned businesses experience the managerial roles they take on in their work. Methodology: Through a qualitative study data has been collected by conducting semi structured interviews with non family CEO:s in family businesses. The study takes a social constructionist perspective and an abductive approach. Theoretical perspective: The theoretical chapter deals with previous research on family businesses and managerial roles, with a particular focus on Mintzbergs framework. Result: From the interviews conducted three roles were identified that non-family CEOs feel they are expected to fulfill. They are teachers, guardians of heritage and realists. Conclusion: The study presentes that non-family CEOs experience the need to take on certain roles that in some aspects are unusual for their position. Non family CEOs adapt their work to suit the special nature of a family firm.

Syfte och frågeställning: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka gemensamma konsumtion genom att kombinera kollektiva praktikdynamiker och teorier om sociala kundresor och således undersöka vilka aspekter som påverkar köpbeslut, planeringsstrategier och gemensamma konsumtionsupplevelser inom parförhållanden. Studien ämnar att besvara frågan; Hur fattar par köpbeslut i dagligvaruhandeln? Metod: Studien antar en kvalitativ forskningsmetod genom dyadintervjuer med par som har delad boendesituation. Teoretiskt perspektiv: Den teoretiska referensramen består av tidigare forskning och begrepp inom kollektiva och sociala kundresor samt dagligvaruhandeln som konsumtionsfenomen. Resultat: Analysen av det empiriska materialet har resulterat i insikter om att paren kan betraktas som en konsumerande enhet och att flera faktorer påverkar besluten under den sociala kundresan. Faktorerna kan sammanfattas till: individernas personliga preferenser, gemensamma mål och delad identitet och inflytande från externa parter. Slutsats: Sammanfattningsvis konstateras att paren strävar efter att forma gemensamma ramar för varumärkespreferenser och kosthållning för att minimera beslutsalternativ och att underlätta beslutsprocessen. Det ramverk som förhandlas fram bildar en koppling mellan individerna som stärker deras relation och delade identitet i förhållande till dagligvaruhandeln. Fem-stegs-modellen för kundresan har varit förenlig med att kategorisera hur paren gått till väga för att nå beslut och genom the social distance continuum har påverkan från sociala interaktioner under de olika stegen kunnat bedömas. Analysen bekräftar att brand-owned touchpoints påverkar parens beslut genom extrapriser men att de integreras med sociala interaktioner som får stort utrymme i parens kundresor. Analysen visar också att distal social others har en inspirerande och utvärderande påverkan på besluten medan proximal social others bidrar med försäkring om att fatta trygga middagsval.

Thesis Purpose: The purpose of this research was to explore the opinion of consumers from Asia and Europe about data privacy concerns while receiving personalised marketing campaigns. We aim to contribute in existing literature on this specific domain for future researchers and companies who want to invest in these unexplored regions. Methodology: This study has used qualitative research methodology through semi structured interviews to understand the perspectives of various consumers. Total 15 research participants have shared their feedback through in-person and virtual interviews. Theoretical Perspective: We have used two theoretical perspectives i.e privacy calculus theory and elaboration likelihood model to explain the relations of our variables as those theories were closely matched with our focused area. Findings: The key findings of our study revealed that the consumers share their consent for some certain brands but their data is generally leaked/shared with unknown advertisers as well due to which they used to receive lot of emails and messages from unknown platforms. Practical Implications: The brands need to protect the consumer data as they trust on brands for utilizing their precious data on effective and required marketing services. Brands need to invest more on protection of data and should ensure effective process to control data theft.

The objective of this study is to explore differences between prominent and subtle product placement (PP) interaction levels on consumer cognitive, behavioral and affective outcomes within virtual reality (VR) gaming context. Leveraging a quantitative approach, the study employs a between group experimental design to investigate the influence of in-game advertising (IGA) interactivity on advertisement recall, product valuation, willingness to consider the brand, interest in the brand, and brand favorability. This research draws into theories such as Stimulus-Organism-Response, experiential marketing, vicarious touch, and dialogic engagement to explore the topic. 74 participants from diverse cultural backgrounds, with a significant proportion new to VR technology, participated in the experiments. Findings indicate that advertisement recall was significantly better among people who experienced prominent PP. Interactivity of PP did not have significantly different effects on product valuation, willingness to consider the brand, interest in the brand and brand favorability. Post-experiment interviews with the participants, while not the main part of the study, revealed some interesting insights on PP within VR gaming context. The study contributes to the understanding of VR gaming as an emerging marketing channel and underscores the importance of tailored advertising strategies for VR gaming environments.

Title: Venture capital and biotech companies Seminar date: 30 May 2024 Course: FEKH99, Degree Project Undergraduate level, Business Administration, Undergraduate level, 15 University Credits Points (UPC) or ECTS‐cr) Authors: Linus Hansen, Felix Henderup and Tindra Honnér Advisor/s: Joakim Winborg Key words: Venture capital, Biotechnology, Startups, Impact, Development, Research question: What are the driving forces and criteria for newly started biotechnology companies when they raise venture capital? Purpose: To investigate why biotechnology startups choose to raise venture capital, the criteria they base their choice of venture capital on, and to examine the IVFBs that come with venture capital. Methodology: A qualitative study with a research design of cross-sectional and comparative design, using opportunity and snowball sampling for participant selection. Theoretical perspectives: The theoretical framework consists of driving forces, venture capital selection, and VC value add. Result: Several driving forces for raising venture capital could be identified, with growth, product development and time reduction being the most common. Among the criteria, specialization in the field was identified as the most important in venture capital selection. Finally, operational assistance was identified as the most common VC value add. Conclusions: The study concludes that the driving factors follow a clear trend in all companies, where venture capital is considered essential for their development. The key criteria in venture capital selection include a shared vision with venture capital investors and expertise in the field of application. Finally, it is noted that VC value add should be given greater consideration in decisions regarding venture capital selection.

Studiens syfte är att undersöka huruvida nordiskt familjeägande skapar högre abnormal avkastning vid förvärv än familjeägande i resterande Europa. Data från S&P Capital IQ på familje- och icke-familjebolag har använts för att genomföra en eventstudie och Welchs t-test samt Wilcoxons rangsummetest används för att pröva studiens hypoteser. Studien analyserar 240 företagsförvärv gjorda av bolag som är noterade på OMX Nordic All-Share, OSEBX Oslo eller primärlistade i Europa under perioden 1 januari 2014 till 31 december 2022 Resultatet av studien visar att familjebolag genererar högre abnormal avkastning än icke-familjebolag vid företagsförvärv. Vidare visas att aktivt ägda familjebolag i Norden genererar högre abnormal avkastning än europeiskt aktivt ägda familjebolag vid företagsförvärv, The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Nordic family ownership generates higher abnormal returns in acquisitions compared to family ownership in the rest of Europe Data from S&P Capital IQ on family and non-family firms have been used to conduct an event study and Welch's t-test as well as the Wilcoxon rank-sum test is used to test the study's hypotheses The study analyzes 240 corporate acquisitions made by companies listed on OMX Nordic All-Share, OSEBX Oslo or primary listed in Europe during the period from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2022 The results of the study show that acquisitions generate higher abnormal returns for family-owned firms than non-family firms. Moreover, actively owned family firms in the Nordics generate higher abnormal returns when acquiring, than actively owned family firms in Europe

Examensarbetets titel: Konsten att vara klämd i en skruvtving: En kvalitativ studie om komplexiteten i rollen som mellanchef i fastighetsbranschen. Seminariedatum: 30 maj, 2024 Kurs: FEKH49 - Examensarbete i organisation på kandidatnivå, 15 högskolepoäng Författare: Almir Bajramović, Linn Baumann, Viktoria Salivonik Handledare: Emilie Hesselbo Fem nyckelord: Mellanchefer, fastighetsbranschen, Sandwicheffekten, Paraplybärare, Ledarskap Forskningsfrågor: På vilket sätt beskriver mellanchefer sin roll som länken mellan överordnade och underordnade på arbetsplatsen? Vilka specifika aspekter av deras roll framträder i deras upplevelser inom fastighetsbolag? Syfte: Denna uppsats utgör en analys av mellanchefer både inom privatägda fastighetsbolag och offentligt ägda fastighetsbolag och strävar till att nyansera och bidra genom att integrera teoretiska perspektiv och empiriska data om mellanchefsrollen samt vilka specifika aspekter som framträder i deras upplevelser. Teoretiska perspektiv: Teorin tar sin grund i befintlig teori om mellanchefsrollen i organisationer och vidare används sandwichmodellen och paraplybärarperspektivet av Gjerde & Alvesson (2020) som huvudsakliga applicerbara modeller. Metod: En kvalitativ studie för att fördjupa förståelsen av mellanchefsrollen. Med hjälp av elva semistrukturerade intervjuer med mellanchefer i södra Sverige. Resultat: Fastighetsbranschen är en komplex arbetsmiljö och mellanchefsrollen förespråkar ett effektivt ledarskap. Resultaten pekar på att mellanchefer generellt inte känner sig fastklämda mellan nivåer utan ser sig själva främst som prestandadrivare som hanterar komplexiteten i sin roll genom effektiv kommunikation, tydliga mål och stöd från både överordnade och underordnade med fokus på att skapa en öppen och tillitsfull arbetsmiljö. Slutsats: Studien visar att ineffektiv internkommunikation är en central utmaning för mellanchefer i fastighetsbranschen, vilket påverkar deras förmåga att balansera krav från både ledningen o, Title: The Art of Being Caught in a Vise: A Qualitative Study on the Complexity of the Middle Manager Role in the Real Estate Industry Seminar date: May 30th, 2024 Course: FEKH49 - Bachelor’s degree thesis in Management and Organisation, 15 credits. Authors: Almir Bajramović, Linn Baumann, Viktoria Salivonik Supervisor: Emilie Hesselbo Keywords: Middle Managers, Real Estate Industry, Sandwich Effect, Umbrella Carrier, Leadership Research question: How do middle managers describe their role as the link between superiors and subordinates in the workplace? What specific aspects of their role emerge in their experiences within real estate companies? Purpose of study: This thesis analyzes middle managers in both privately-owned and publicly-owned real estate companies, aiming to nuance and contribute by integrating theoretical perspectives and empirical data on the middle management role, as well as the specific aspects that emerge in their experiences. Theoretical perspectives: The theory is based on existing theories of middle management roles in organizations and further uses the sandwich model and the umbrella carrier perspective by Gjerde & Alvesson (2020) as the main applicable models. Methodology: A qualitative study to deepen the understanding of the middle management role. Eleven semi-structured interviews with middle managers in southern Sweden were conducted. Result: The real estate industry is a complex work environment, and the middle management role advocates for effective leadership. The results indicate that middle managers generally do not feel squeezed between levels but see themselves primarily as performance drivers who handle the complexity of their role through effective communication, clear goals, and support from both superiors and subordinates, with a focus on creating an open and trusting work environment. Conclusions: The study shows that ineffective internal communication is a central challenge for middle managers in the real estate industry

Purpose: To explore the phenomenon of brand building in digital media, specifically within online video games. The overall aim of this paper is to gain insights from the perspective of the corporations and the users so as to advance the understanding of brand communications that strengthen corporate brand building efforts within video games. We achieved our purpose by exploring the components contributing to the strategic planning of brand communications ultimately leading to building strong brands in video games. The research questions we used to fulfill our purpose were: • What is in-game brand building? • How does in-game brand building happen? • Why use in-game brand building? Methodology: A qualitative multiple case study supported by the journalistic method proposed by Pöttker (2003) which leads to a cross-case analysis approach proposed by Eisenhardt (1989) resulting in the development of a framework. The cases of the companies represent four distinct types of in-game advertising (IGA): Advergames, Co-branded Skins, Advertising Boards and Imitation branded skins. We employed a multi-method approach to collect empirical data for the multiple case studies. Theoretical perspective: We introduce a new conceptual framework that was developed grounded in the realms of video games, brand building, identity and integrated corporate communications. Empirical data: We conducted focus groups that consisted of 13 participants to obtain data from the gamer perspective as well as a literature review to obtain data about the 4 corporations’ IGA efforts so as to gain insights about in-game brand building, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton, Ferrari and Nissin Foods. Conclusion: Brand building is an attractive option for corporations because people are accepting advertisements in games more so than traditional and native. Based on our findings, gamers are annoyed by certain types of communications. However, a surprising discovery is that gamers expect brands to appear in video games c

Examensarbetets titel: Bakom Investeringsbesluten: En Analys av Affärsänglars Värderingar av Affärsmodell och Team Seminariedatum: 30 maj 2024 Ämne/kurs: FEKH99, Examensarbete i entreprenörskap och innovation, Kandidatnivå, 15 Högskolepoäng Författare: Erik Kurtz, Anna Siltala & Minna Wendt Handledare: Joakim Winborg Fem nyckelord: Affärsängel, Affärsmodell, Entreprenör, Investeringsbeslut, Kriterium Forskningsfråga: Hur stor betydelse lägger affärsänglar vid att teamets kriterier är uppfyllda, jämfört med att affärsmodellens kriterier är uppfyllda, när de ska fatta investeringsbeslut i startups? Syfte: Att förstå vilka kriterier som är mest avgörande för affärsänglar när de väljer att investera i startups. Metod: En i huvudsak kvalitativ studie där semistrukturerade intervjuer användes för insamlingen av empiri. En tematisk analys gjordes för att finna de viktigaste kriterierna. Teoretiska perspektiv: Forskning om hur affärsänglar fattar investeringsbeslut har använts för att skapa ett ramverk av kriterier för teamet och affärsmodellen med stöd av BMC. Resultat: Kriterierna med störst betydelse var driv, pålighet, marknadspotential och ekonomisk hållbarhet. Personkemi och trovärdighet lyfts också som önskvärt. Slutsats: Affärsänglar lägger större betydelse vid att teamets kriterier är uppfyllda än att affärsmodellens kriterier är uppfyllda när de ska fatta investeringsbeslut i startups., Title: Behind the investment decisions: An analysis of Business Angels Valuation of Business Model and Team Seminar date: 30 may 2024 Course: FEKH99, Bachelor Degree Project in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Business administration, Undergraduate level, 15 University Credit Points Authors: Erik Kurtz, Anna Siltala & Minna Wendt Advisor: Joakim Winborg Key words: Business angel, Business model, Entrepreneur, Investment decisions, Criteria Research question: How much importance does Business Angels put on the fulfillment of the team’s criteria, in comparison to the fulfillment of the business model, when they make investment decisions in startups? Purpose: Understand which criteria are the most decisive for business angels when choosing to invest in startups. Methodology: A predominantly qualitative study where semistructured interviews were used for data collection. A thematic analysis was made to find the most important criteria. Theoretical perspectives: Research on how business angels make investment decisions has been used to create a criteria framework for the team and business model supported by the BMC. Result: The criteria with the greatest importance were drive, dependability, market potential and financial sustainability. Personal chemistry and credibility are also highlighted as desirable. Conclusion: When making investment decisions in startups, Business Angels weigh the fulfillment of the team’s criteria over the fulfillment of the business model’s criteria.

Purpose: This study investigates the impact of personified brand strategies on consumer engagement on TikTok, a popular social media platform. The research explores how global consumer brands utilise brand anthropomorphism, with a distinction among brand ambassadors, brand spokespersons, and user-generated content (UGC), to engage with consumers on TikTok. Methodology: A quantitative content analysis method is employed to analyse brand content posted on TikTok. The analysis focuses on consumer engagement metrics, such as comments, to assess the effectiveness of different personified brand strategies in building consumer-brand relationships. Findings: The study unveils a significant but unexpected revelation regarding brand anthropomorphism and its impact on consumer engagement on TikTok. Contrary to expectations, brand anthropomorphism exhibits a noteworthy negative correlation with consumer engagement, signalling complexities in consumer perceptions and preferences. Additionally, the presence of brand ambassadors on TikTok demonstrates a significant yet negative relationship with consumer engagement, further underscoring the nuanced nature of these dynamics. Theoretical Contributions: This study extends existing theories of consumer-brand relationships by exploring the unique context of TikTok. It provides new insights into the complexities and potential challenges of personified brand strategies on this platform, highlighting how traditional branding approaches may not always align with consumer engagement dynamics in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Managerial Implications: The findings offer practical guidance for marketers on TikTok, emphasising the importance of authenticity, careful alignment of brand messages with consumer values, and the potential risks associated with brand anthropomorphism and brand ambassadors. By leveraging these insights, businesses can optimise their strategies to better engage with TikTok's young, dynamic audience and build more

This thesis explores the efficacy of sentiment analysis within digital marketing, examining its role and success through qualitative methodologies, including semi-structured interviews with industry professionals. As digital marketing evolves, understanding consumer sentiment becomes crucial for tailoring strategies that resonate with target audiences. Our study delves into the application of Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques to analyze large datasets, focusing on sentiment analysis' capability to discern and categorize consumer emotions from digital interactions. Results indicate that sentiment analysis significantly enhances decision-making processes, enabling businesses to adjust their strategies based on real-time consumer feedback. Challenges such as data volume and the complexity of human language are discussed, highlighting the need for advanced analytical tools. The research contributes to the field by confirming the integral role of sentiment analysis in modern digital marketing, suggesting that its strategic use can provide businesses with a competitive edge in understanding and responding to consumer behavior effectively.

This thesis investigates Swedish voters’ perceptions of political branding and its consequences in a nation characterized by high institutional trust and low corruption. Political branding, a tool for shaping voter opinions, perceptions, and behavior, has gained significant traction in recent years. While traditionally viewed as beneficial for democracy, emerging critiques suggest it may hinder conscious voter decision-making. Employing in-depth interviews with ten Swedish voters, the study delves into their lived experiences and underlying cognitive processes. The results show that voters perceive political branding as an important short-term, market-oriented tool to win votes and gain power. While they long for more honest and long-term brand-oriented political branding characterized by promise-keeping, consistency, and a shared worldview between them and the political brands, voters currently perceive political brands as untrustworthy. Furthermore, while expressing an understanding of potential democratic threats, they neglect the possibility of their own manipulation, which underscores the power of political branding in Sweden today. Additionally, low perceived trust leads to apathy about the political system as a whole and possibly not voting at all, a phenomenon we term political atheism. The findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of voters’ perceptions of political branding in a high-trust democracy. The findings reveal both potential advantages, such as clear communication of political stances, and potential drawbacks, such as anxieties surrounding manipulation and a lack of transparency. The study also emphasizes the importance of considering the specific Swedish context, including its multi-party system and established trust in institutions. By offering a qualitative analysis of voter perceptions, this thesis fills a gap in the current body of research, which has primarily relied on quantitative methods and focused on countries with lowe

This thesis investigates the relationship between demographic ageing and economic growth in Japan, updating existing literature with more empirical evidence from recent decades. It conducts its investigations through OLS regressions on macro-level time series data for Japan. The paper finds empirical evidence which suggests that the relationship between demographic ageing and economic growth is not a direct one. Instead, the older populations are less capable of utilising machine capital in their labour, thus lessening the latter’s effectiveness in boosting labour productivity. It provides an alternative explanation to Japan’s recent economic performance and perhaps highlights the importance of automation in a post-population growth world.

Examensarbetets titel Konsument Anpassning av Hållbarhetsinitiativ Inom Mode: Påverkan På Engagemang och Beteende – En kvalitativ studie som analyserar konsumenters köpintention med klädföretags innovativa och hållbara tillvägagångssätt Seminariedatum 30 maj 2024 Kurs FEKH99, Examensarbete i entreprenörskap och innovation på kandidatnivå, 15 högskolepoäng Författare Adam Bengtsson, Kristina Stolica & Liv Edler Handledare Joakim Winborg Nyckelord Hållbart mode, Anpassningsbarriärer, Konsumentmotstånd, Innovationsmotstånd, Diffusion av innovation Forskningsfråga Vilka faktorer påverkar konsumenters beslut att anta eller förkasta hållbar klädkonsumtion, och hur påverkar dessa faktorer köpavsikten? Syfte Denna studie syftar till att analysera och förstå konsumenters engagemang med modeföretagens innovativa och hållbara tillvägagångssätt genom att undersöka vilka faktorer som fungerar som de främsta motivationerna bakom köpintentioner av hållbara kläder. Teoretiska perspektiv Diffusion of innovation, Innovation Resistance, Consumer resistance, Consumer resistance to innovations in the sustainable fashion industry Metod Uppsatsen utgår från en kvalitativ undersökningsmetod och deduktiv ansats. Detta görs med syfte att besvara rapportens forskningsfråga, som tog utgångspunkt i det teoretiska ramverket samt tidigare forskning. Den kvalitativa datainsamlingen gjordes genom elva intervjuer som baserades på ett målmedvetet urval. I undersökningen fick intervjupersonerna ta ställning till dels personliga frågor och dels till frågor som utformades utifrån det teoretiska ramverket. Analysen gjordes baserat på det teoretiska ramverket i relation till den empiriska datainsamlingen, vilken utformade sig utifrån transkribering av intervjuerna. Resultat Sju huvudfaktorer har identifierats, som påverkar konsumenters motstånd till att konsumera hållbart mode. Dessa är Anknytning, Förtrogenhet, Image, Kommunikation, Transparens, Medvetenhet och Pris. Emellertid finns det flera faktorer s, Title Consumer Adoption of Sustainability Initiatives within Fashion: Impacts on Engagement and Behavior – A qualitative study analyzing consumers’ purchase intention with fashion brands’ innovative and sustainable approaches Date of the seminar May 30th, 2024 Course FEKH99, Bachelor Degree Project in Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Business administration, Undergraduate level, 15 University Credit Points Authors Adam Bengtsson, Kristina Stolica & Liv Edler Supervisor Joakim Winborg Keywords Sustainable fashion, Adoption barriers, Consumer resistance, Innovation resistance, Diffusion of innovation Research question What factors influence consumers’ decisions to adopt or reject sustainable fashion consumption, and how do these factors impact purchase intention? Purpose This study aims to analyze and understand consumer engagement with fashion brands’ innovative and sustainable approaches by investigating what factors serve as the main motivators behind purchase intentions of sustainable clothing. Theoretical perspective Diffusion of innovation, Innovation Resistance, Consumer resistance, Consumer resistance to innovations in the sustainable fashion industry Methodology The thesis is based on a qualitative research method and deductive approach. This is done with the aim of answering the report's research question, which was based on the theoretical framework and previous research. The qualitative data collection was done through eleven interviews which were based on a purposive sampling. In the research, the interviewees had to take a stand on partly personal questions and partly on questions that were designed based on the theoretical framework. The analysis was based on the theoretical framework in relation to the empirical data collection, which was based on transcription of the interviews. Result Seven main factors have been identified, which influence consumers' resistance to consuming sustainable fashion. These are Attachment, Familiarity, Image, Co

This thesis examines the nascent sector of cultivated meat in Europe, analysing its potential market penetration against the backdrop of evolving consumer attitudes, complex regulatory frameworks, and innovative business models. Given the pressing environmental concerns associated with traditional meat production, cultivated meat presents a sustainable alternative that promises to reshape the meat industry. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative survey data from consumers across multiple European countries with a qualitative case study of an emerging start-up in the sector. The findings indicate that several factors are critical in influencing consumer acceptance, including environmental awareness, health concerns, and sensory attributes. Furthermore, the study identifies key demographic segments, such as younger consumers and women, as primary targets for marketing strategies. The implications of these findings suggest that businesses should adopt a phased localisation strategy to enhance consumer acceptance and address market-specific preferences. The findings of this research offer actionable insights for companies seeking to innovate their business models and navigate the cultivated meat market, thereby contributing to the sustainable growth of this innovative industry.

Research question: How does the property development company Granitor Properties implement circularity in its management control, and what difficulties and opportunities can be identified? Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to investigate how a company in the real estate development industry implements circularity in its management control in order to gain an understanding of how this works in practice. The thesis also aims to identify the opportunities and challenges the company faces during implementation. Methodology: The thesis methodology is a single-case study with an exploratory approach. The data has been collected through semi-structured interviews with representatives from the company Granitor Properties, and through the company's internal and external documents. Theoretical perspectives: The theoretical framework of the thesis is primarily based on the Butterfly Model by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Malmi and Brown's Management Control System Package, and various types of sustainability control systems (SCS and SMCS). Result: The results from the collected empirical data show that the company implements circularity in many different ways, and this is reflected in all parts of the MCSP except for hybrid measurements. The implementation varies in extent, with the most representative parts being culture and planning. Conclusions: Based on the above results, it can be concluded implementation of circularity occurs most effectively when the various controls in the MCSP interact and reinforce each other, which aligns well with previous research. This work has contributed additional knowledge regarding companies' practical implementation of circularity in management control, which can provide inspiration to others working with management control in other companies within the industry., Forskningsfråga: Hur implementerar fastighetsutvecklingsbolaget Granitor Properties cirkularitet i sin ekonomistyrning, och vilka svårigheter och möjligheter kan identifieras? Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur ett företag inom fastighetsutvecklingsbranschen implementerar cirkularitet i sin ekonomistyrning för att få en förståelse för hur detta fungerar i praktiken. Arbetet syftar även till att identifiera vilka möjligheter och svårigheter företaget har vid implementering. Metod: Uppsatsen metod är en enfallsstudie och har tagit en explorativ ansats. Empirin har samlats in genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med representanter från företaget Granitor Properties, samt genom företagets interna och externa dokument. Teoretiska perspektiv: Uppsatsens teoretiska ramverk baseras främst på Fjärilsmodellen av Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Malmi och Browns Management Control System Package och olika typer av hållbarhetsstyrning (SCS och SMCS). Resultat: Resultaten från den insamlade empirin visar att företaget implementerar cirkularitet på många olika sätt och att det speglas i alla delar av MCSP förutom hybridmått. Sedan sker det i olika utsträckning, där de mest representativa delarna är kultur och planering. Slutsats: Utifrån ovanstående resultat kan slutsatsen dras att implementering av cirkularitet sker mest effektivt när de olika styrmedlen i MCSP samverkar och förstärker varandra, något som går i linje med tidigare forskning. Detta arbete har bidragit med ytterligare kunskap gällande företags praktiska implementering av cirkularitet i ekonomistyrning, vilket kan ge inspiration till andra som jobbar med ekonomistyrning på andra företag inom branschen.

This thesis explores the impact of generative AI on enhancing cybercriminal activities, particularly through the creation of fraudulent content that affects victim perception. A series of formal experiments (n = 15) assessed how AI-generated fraudulent materials compare to human-made frauds in influencing victims, using the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and related cognitive research. The experimental design involved within-group comparisons, focusing on response time, authenticity, credibility, as well as individual background and self-assessment. Findings suggest that AI-generated content, while typically perceived as less credible than authentic materials, matches the persuasiveness of human-made frauds under certain conditions. This highlights the concerning potential of generative AI in cybercrime, capable of emulating human deceptive tactics effectively. The thesis highlights the necessity for innovative cybersecurity strategies and an informed society to address the challenges posed by AI-enhanced cyber fraud. It advocates for continued research and updated regulatory measures to mitigate the evolving threats of AI in cybercriminal exploit., Denna avhandling utforskar inverkan av generativ AI på förstärkning av cyberkriminella aktiviteter, särskilt genom skapandet av bedrägligt innehåll och hur det påverkar offrens uppfattning. En serie formella experiment (n = 15) bedömde hur AI-genererat bedrägligt material jämför sig med mänskligt genererade bedrägerier när det gäller att påverka offer, med användning av modellen för sannolikhetsbaserad bearbetning (ELM) och relaterad kognitiv forskning. Den experimentella designen innehöll jämförelser inom grupper, med fokus på responstid, trovärdighetsskattning, samt individuell bakgrund och självbedömning. Resultaten tyder på att AI-genererat innehåll, som vanligtvis uppfattas som mindre trovärdigt än autentiska material, matchar övertygelsekraften hos mänskligt genererade bedrägerier under vissa förhållanden. Detta påvisar den oroande potentialen hos generativ AI inom cyberbrott, som kan likställas med mänskliga bedrägliga taktiker. Avhandlingen betonar behovet av innovativa cybersäkerhetsstrategier och ett informerat samhälle för att möta de utmaningar som AI-drivna cyberbedrägerier innebär. Den förespråkar fortsatt forskning och uppdaterade regleringsåtgärder för att mildra de växande hoten från AI i cyberkriminella utnyttjanden.

This thesis aims to study the long-term impact of extractive institutions structured around colonial sugar cultivation on economic development in Java. A spatial district-level model is used in combination with a panel data approach. Two different indicators of colonial sugar cultivation are analysed: one measuring the Cultivation System and one measuring the Liberal Period. The findings suggest that sugar cultivation had a beneficial effect in rural districts and resulted in mixed outcomes in urban districts. Further analysis suggests that the underlying mechanisms are likely structured around agricultural systems. The colonial accumulation of wealth and (unintended) investments are identified as a first potential channel of persistence. The second mechanism revolves around the persistence of inequality-reducing colonial land tenure systems into contemporary institutions. The results highlight the need for a re-evaluation of existing persistence frameworks and emphasize the importance for policymakers to also consider potential beneficial outcomes of extractive institutions.

Syftet med uppsatsen är att presentera olika perspektiv på hur årsredovisningen och dess användbarhet förhåller sig till känslan av trygghet för bostadsrättsköparen vid beslutstillfället. Studien är genomförd med en kvalitativ forskningsmetod. Empirin består av en enkätundersökning samt semistrukturerade intervjuer. Studiens teoretiska referensram består av trygghetsbegreppet, diverse perspektiv på användbarhet samt beslutsteori. Resultatet visar att det finns många olika vägar till trygghet vid bostadsrättsköp, där årsredovisningen spelar en viktig roll. Människor upplever trygghet på olika sätt och det finns fler faktorer än årsredovisningen som bidrar till detta, det är upp till varje individ att hitta sin balans. Slutsatsen är att trygghet är ett tvetydigt begrepp och grundas i olika faktorer. Vidare har författarna bidragit med en ny modell för förhållandet mellan begreppen trygghet och användbarhet i förhållande till årsredovisningen.

I takt med att personer med funktionsnedsättningar och variationer ökar blir tillgänglighet i digitala system och miljöer allt viktigare. Lagen om tillgänglighet till digital offentlig service trädde i kraft 2019 och ställer tillgänglighetskrav på informationssystem och digitala tjänster inom den offentliga sektorn. Långt ifrån alla myndigheter och offentliga institutioner lever upp till dessa krav. Denna uppsats ämnar kartlägga vilka organisatoriska utmaningar som försvårar tillgänglighetsarbetet inom den offentliga sektorn i Sverige. Vi har gjort en kvantitativ undersökning genom att identifiera vanligt förekommande utmaningar i den akademiska litteraturen. Därefter utförde vi en empirisk insamling i form av fyra intervjuer och fem skriftliga enkätsvar. Det empiriska resultatet har därefter jämförts med tidigare studier för att fastställa de vanligast förekommande utmaningarna. Resultatet framhäver utvecklingsstrategi, ledningsstöd, medvetenhet och motivation samt kunskapsutveckling som de framträdande utmaningarna i tillgänglighetsarbetet.

There is a notable research gap in understanding the differential impacts of transnational versus domestic agricultural large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) on local biodiversity. This thesis addresses this gap within the context of Latin America and the Caribbean. Utilizing spatial panel datasets of the Biodiversity Habitat Index (BHI) from 2000 to 2020, LSLA area approximations, and a diverse set of control variables, the research employs a DiD methodology with various regression models. The findings reveal that BHI levels are initially lower in areas affected by transnational LSLAs. The subsequent impact on BHI levels is highly context-dependent, with transnational investments leading to negative outcomes in certain countries while resulting in positive outcomes in others. This highlights the complexity of biodiversity responses to transnational agricultural investments and underscores the need for country-specific analyses in future research.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of the Swedish central bank's monetary policy on regional house prices. This study aims to capture variations between how different regions are affected, and capture monetary policy effects over time. The method used in this thesis to estimate the effect is modeled in two steps. Step one consists of estimating monetary policy shocks from policy rates and quantitative easings with time series data, using a regression model inspired by Romer & Romer’s (2004) method to estimate monetary shocks from monetary policy. Step two of the regression model consists of a fixed effects panel data model. In the second step, the effect of monetary policy shocks on housing prices is estimated. In order to estimate the effect, monetary shocks derived from the first step are incorporated as explanatory variables in the fixed effects model. Control variables are also included in the second regression in order to avoid spurious correlation and isolate the effect of the monetary shocks. Expectations are formed from price theory, the transmission mechanisms of monetary policy, and earlier studies of monetary policies effect on housing prices. The results show strong evidence that regional housing prices are affected by monetary shocks from quantitative easings and policy rates, and weak evidence of how different regions are affected. Further, the results contribute to a discussion of monetary policy and its effect on housing prices, and provide valuable insights of the dynamics of the Swedish housing market.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Military Combat Decision-Making Processes (MCDMP) has been capturing the attention of numerous nations and international organisations. This thesis explores the complex realm of military decision-making, often marked by high-stakes situations and time constraints, which can lead to cognitive biases and heuristic-driven errors. Adding new technologies to processes in which critical decisions need to be made will require certain adjustments and approaches by the human operator. Due to the humanitarian impact of the decisions taken, AI integration must be done carefully, addressing potentially hindering factors to ensure that there is a responsible use of these technologies. Some of these surround the human-AI collaboration, specifically the acceptance of the technology, which can impact its usage and development, as suggested by the literature. Our research will employ a multifaceted qualitative approach, combining a review of academic literature, interviews with experts in military science with AI knowledge, and interviews with military personnel to provide a comprehensive understanding of the impressions held by specialists and military personnel regarding AI as a decision-support system (DSS). This study raises awareness of the importance of cognitive constructs in fostering human-AI collaboration and uncovers the current perspectives military combat decision-makers have on using AI technology to aid decision-making. We aim to contribute to the ongoing discussion regarding the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI as a DSS in military operations. We will offer insights that can facilitate a more informed and effective adoption of AI technology in high-stakes contexts. Through the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Technological Frames theory, we unveil perception, assumptions, expectations and trust as factors that impact the acceptance of AI as a DSS. Thus, enabling the enhancement of the effecti, A integração da Inteligência Artificial (IA) nos Processos de Tomada de Decisão em Combate Militar (MCDMP) tem captado a atenção de inúmeras nações e organizações internacionais. Esta tese explora o complexo domínio da tomada de decisão militar, frequentemente marcado por situações de alto risco e limitações de tempo, que podem levar a enviesamentos cognitivos e erros impulsionados por heurísticas. A adição de novas tecnologias a processos nos quais decisões críticas precisam ser tomadas exigirá certos ajustes e abordagens por parte do operador humano. Devido ao impacto humanitário das decisões tomadas, a integração da IA deve ser feita com cuidado, abordando fatores que possam dificultar o uso responsável destas tecnologias. Alguns desses fatores envolvem a colaboração Humano-IA, especificamente a aceitação da tecnologia, que poderá influenciar seu uso e desenvolvimento, como sugerido pela literatura. A nossa pesquisa empregará uma abordagem qualitativa multifacetada, combinando uma revisão da literatura académica, entrevistas com especialistas em ciência militar com conhecimento em IA e entrevistas com militares para fornecer uma compreensão abrangente das impressões mantidas por especialistas e militares sobre a IA como um sistema de suporte à decisão (DSS). Este estudo destaca a importância dos construtos cognitivos na promoção da colaboração Humano-IA e revela as perspectivas atuais que os decisores de combate militar têm sobre o uso da tecnologia de IA para auxiliar na tomada de decisões. O nosso objetivo é contribuir para a discussão contínua sobre os desafios e oportunidades de integrar a IA como um DSS em operações militares. Oferecemos reflexões que podem facilitar uma adoção mais informada e eficaz da tecnologia de IA em contextos de alto risco. Através do Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) e da Technological Frames theory, revelamos a percepção, suposições, expectativas e confiança como fatores que impactam a aceitação da IA como um DSS, permitindo assim