This paper aims to determine what is decisive for localisation of production units when a company engages in offshoring. By performing a case study on Electrolux and comparing the results with theoretical literature we discuss the implications for manufacturing companies in general. To facilitate a structured analysis we have developed a model dividing the localisation decision into five perspectives and four geographical levels. We have found that the determinants of localisation vary depending on the geographical level of the decision process. Since all geographical levels are interconnected, the analysis needed for a decision on all levels simultaneously is very comprehensive.

In the last decades the Swedish labor market has been characterized by a stereotype perception on women?s role and position on the market. The perception speaks of the characteristics of female leadership as being less qualified causing the gaps between the two genders to transform into a gender segregated society. The historically slow progress has limited the career opportunities for women to reach top management. However the increasing discussions during the 21st century on how to reduce the gender differences in the labor market has made it more acceptable with women on higher positions.

Title: Internal Communication Approach ? A study of the internal communication-channels of the ICA Administration. Background: The ICA Administration is in the process of generating an organizational change with the purpose of improving their external communication. The internal communication, on the other hand, has been put aside and is missing guidelines at the present.  Since the ICA Administration does not know how the staff uses the internal communication-channels they cannot optimize nor develop them. As the literature shows, it is important to choose the channel that is most appropriate for the type of information that it is meant to communicate. Choosing the wrong channel, or using it wrongly, can bring problems consisting of the staff experiencing to receive less information than needed in their daily work. Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore and describe the internal communication between the employees of the ICA Administration from the existing communication-channels and their usage. Method: Through the initial interviews with the staff, the internal communication-channels of the ICA Administration were determined.

A survey was undertaken to understand sheep management, breeding practices and selection criteria for Red Maasai sheep in Maasai pastoralist communities in Kajiado District, Kenya. Differences between North and South Kajiado District were investigated to gain knowledge about farmers having different prerequisites and how it can affect the sheep production. The reason for keeping sheep and the specific breeds show the multiple objectives of the Maasai farmers. Adaptive traits, such as resistance to diseases and droughts, and productive traits, such as increased growth and carcass weight, were both ranked highly. In addition to this, the sheep has a social and traditional value in Maasai culture.

A too large public sector impedes the economic development of Sweden and more privatization could increase the efficiency, quality and diversity of the services offered. It is therefore important that firms operating in traditionally public sectors are given the opportunity to grow. We have through a case study examined two mid-size firms that offer services to, and compete with, the public sector. This thesis aims to describe the growth strategies these firms are using and if competing with the public sector implies any differences in possibilities or barriers when it comes to the firms? growth.

This study aims to examine how the interventions for homeless persons in the municipality of Kalmar are organized. The study is based on four half-structured qualitative interviews with both representatives from different instances and also from persons who have experience of being homeless.The theoretical bases we have used to analyze the material are organization theory, specifically the concept of bureaucracy. Our results show that homelessness is not seen as a problem in itself, since the general view is that homeless people often have a complex problem scenario where drug- and alcohol abuse and mental illness are common.It is often the latter that takes priority in the interventions and the housing question is therefore neglected. We also found that social services do not have a satisfactory structure around the organization of the work on homelessness. They do not have any specific device in Kalmar that focus on homelessness issues with the result that the existing units are forced to take care of the work of homelessness.

The agricultural sector accounts for about 13 percent of the total load of greenhouse gas emissions from Sweden (Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, 2007). The Swedish objective to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions with 40 percentage units to the year of 2020, based upon the year of 1990, might imply stricter regulations for Swedish farmers. A regulation or other forms of economic incentives is probably necessary to reduce the emissions originating from the agricultural sector. This study aims to investigate the economic and managerial impact on two agricultural firms with differing production system given that a constraint on green house gas emissions is introduced. Gases included in this study are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide.

The objective of this thesis was to present a design proposal on a modular mechanicalstructure for a nanosatellite. The size of the structure should follow the CubeSatstandards. This standard divides satellites in units (U), where 1U is equivalent to acube where sides measure 100 mm. 2U corresponds to the same volume and size as2 assembled 1U structures, and so on. The focus was to develop a structure in theorder of 3U and 6U.At the integration in the satellite launch rocket, there are a couple of differentinterfaces, where the structure is adapted to common ones; P-POD and CSD.

SECO Tools manufactures tool inserts for all types of metal cutting machining. (Ti,W)C is a common raw material used in the production. At arrival, the material (Ti,W)C is always analyzed. Titanium has previously been analysed with x-ray fluorescence spectrometry, but as the calibration has previously been performed with two different types of titanium (rutile and metallic titanium), the results has differed. Because of that, this thesis project has been devoted to analyze titanium, to find the best titanium compound for producing standards.The work has been performed using literature studies and many experiments in the laboratories at SECO Tools inFagersta,Sweden.

The aim of the thesis was to explore the attitudes toward social documentation held by care personnel, as well as factors that could have an impact on the process of social documentation. The study is based on a survey encompassing 100 respondents working as care personnel at six different eldercare units at Kungsholmen in Stockholm. The data was analyzed by quantitative methods, using a statistical software package (SPSS). The main questions in the study are whether the respondents know how, what and why they should document, what obstacles they experience and what they would need in order to document more or better, as well as whether there are factors that influence their attitudes and knowledge regarding documentation. The key results show that more time is the most common need, and lack of time the most common obstacle to social documentation reported by the respondents. Furthermore, the results show that those who report that they are satisfied with their working conditions are most likely to also report that they know how and why social documentation should be conducted. These results suggest that it is urgent for organizations to create good working conditions in order to increase motivation for social documentation. The results are analyzed using organizational theories.

This study aims to investigate how federations manage to balance the economies of scale through collaboration and autonomy. This is done through a case study on Länsförsäkringar. The lack of modern research on federations makes the federative structure an interesting field of study. Previous research has shown a general perception that an increased pressure on efficiency and economies of scale creates a stronger common unit that eventually creates an imbalance in the federation. It is therefore interesting to look at the balance, which exists between the member units and the common unit of a federation.

The unheated greenhouse was originally a development from orangeries in the 1700th century and in 1930 and 1940 in blocks of greenhouses in the province of Scania. Today unheated greenhouses are used in permaculture, in the?eco villages? and in commercial culturing. Of the total Swedish commercial greenhouse area is today 8 % used as unheated greenhouses (SJV). This essay is based on the acceptance that unheated greenhouses will have a renaissance as production units. In the light of the today?s debate about energy ? and environment and the condition concerning this, the unheated greenhouse becomes an alternative. The purpose of this essay is to make an arguing synopsis about unheated greenhouses for using in acting as teacher, consultant and inspirer and also for taking part of the acceptance as ?for? or ?against?. The information is based on literature studies and information gathered with the keywords unheated greenhouse, coolhouse, coldhouse, greenhouse, type of greenhouse, orangery, greenhouse cultur, swedish greenhouse culture and permaculture, data gathering through SCB/SJV and by interviews with persons in the garden branch. My conclusion is that the unheated greenhouse could have a renaissance as a production unit. In this context it is important to give cultivators of greenhouses with experiences of unheated greenhouses great possibilities to share their knowledge, and through education possibility to change attitudes concerning unheated greenhouses. .

This report was written as a result of a Bachelor Degree Project at the School of Technology and Society at University of Skövde, first semester 2007. The assigner was Tibrokök in Tibro, Sweden. The commission was originally to design a sliding door concept for kitchen. Later it was expanded to also include bathrooms.During the feasibility study of the project Internet was used as an information source. Kitchen brochures and magazines were ordered from different companies to give inspiration and ideas.

The aim of this study was to shed light on the phenomenon of sex purchase amongst men from the perspective of professionals working at KAST*. Our main research questions concerned who the sex-purchasing men are, what their incentives are and furthermore how the professionals depict their work with these clients. In order to examine this we conducted three qualitative research interviews. The theoretical framework used to examine our results consisted of social constructivism and professional acting space. Main results show, contrary to research, that the ?typical? sex buyer does not exist, nor do specific motives.

The general pension supplement introduced in 1960 which introduced the public pension funds in Sweden. In the late 1990s the Swedish pension system was reformed and established the current structure. Today, funds are one of the most common forms of savings in Sweden and mutual funds are the most common type.The purpose of this study is to analyze the risk-adjusted returns for the AP funds in the period 2003-2009. Study was based on five funds that are most similar and have the same mission. These funds are AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4 and AP7.The method used in this study is mainly based on a survey of the figures and measurable units of statistical methods that have been carried out by a quantitative approach.