Banking Beyond Numbers

This study explores the banking sector's systems, practices, strategies, and structures in the transition for sustainability in the business world. The financial sector's historical role in driving sustainable transitions is highlighted, with events like the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating the sector's change towards sustainable development. Authors such as Alexander (2014), Beck et al. (2010), and Yip and Bocken (2018) underscore the critical role of banks in achieving overall sustainable development, mainly through initiatives like Sustainable Responsible Investment (SRI) funds and green project financing. Examples from Handelsbanken (Ledarna, 2021) and Söderberg & Partners (Ledarna, 2022) illustrate how financial institutions integrate sustainability into their corporate culture and operations, aiming to impact society positively. The Swedish banking sector's adaptation to new regulations and goals towards sustainability is also highlighted. However, recent disclosures revealing significant carbon emissions linked to banks, including Handelsbanken, challenge the narrative of banks leading a green transition. Reports urge banks to accelerate efforts to align financial flows with climate goals, raising questions about the disparity between sustainability commitments and environmental consequences. Therefore, this study investigates the integration of sustainability practices within Swedish banks during a transition period in the banking sector. The introduction explains the research aim, highlighting the importance of examining how organizational structures and practices contribute to or hinder sustainability integration. The study's theoretical framework encompasses concepts such as Giddens' (2004) duality of structures, Practice Theory (PT), and Institutional Theory (IT). Giddens' framework explains how broader social structures and cultural norms influence individuals' practices within organizations, while IT sheds light on how organizations respond to institutional pressures to maintain legitimacy. These theories provide a lens through which to analyse the complexities of sustainability integration within Swedish banks. The study's methodology details the data collection process through semi-structured interviews with bank employees. Thematic analysis is utilized to identify patterns and themes within the interview data, allowing for an understanding of the study answering the research questions. The study's findings focus on the industry's evolving landscape, emphasizing the key role of effective communication in fostering customer relationships, and integrating sustainability into banking practices. The findings underscore a growing customer interest in aligning financial decisions with environmental and social values, driving demand for sustainable financial products such as green mortgages. Respondents highlighted the importance of simplifying language around sustainability, proactive engagement, and internal collaboration in making sustainability accessible within the banking sector. Moreover, the study reveals how personal and organizational values influence banking practices, emphasizing passion, transparency, and competence as drivers of meaningful change toward sustainability. Therefore, the study offers practical implications for enhancing communication strategies and integrating sustainability practices. Abstract The study's discussion explores sustainability practices within Swedish banks, covering various dimensions such as internal integration, external pressures, and the influence of social structures and institutional dynamics. It begins by examining how sustainability practices are woven into two Swedish banks, stressing the significance of effective communication, customer engagement, and organizational adaptability to embrace sustainability. The discussion highlights how societal expectations and market trends influence banks' strategic initiatives and product portfolios. While societal demands drive banks towards sustainability, a gap exists between aspirations and practical implementation, indicating a complex interplay of normative and coercive pressures. Moreover, the study discusses the challenges and opportunities inherent in navigating these pressures, emphasizing the need for adaptive organizational structures and a clear definition of sustainability practices. The study underscores the critical role of regulations and institutional frameworks in shaping organizational behavior within the banking sector. In conclusion, the study improves our understanding of the multifaceted nature of sustainability practices within Swedish banks, emphasizing the importance of recognizing individual differences and setting clear definitions to facilitate the sector's transition towards sustainability.Denna studie utforskar banksektorns praktiker, strategier och strukturer i övergången mot hållbar utveckling. Finanssektorn har en historisk roll för att driva förändringar, och med händelser som 2008 års finanskris och covid-19-pandemin accelererat sektorns förändring mot hållbar utveckling. Exempel från Handelsbanken (Ledarna, 2021) och Söderberg & Partners (Ledarna, 2022) illustrerar hur finansiella institutioner integrerar hållbarhet i sin företagskultur och verksamhet i syfte att påverka samhället positivt. Dock har det avslöjats att betydande koldioxidutsläpp kopplade till banker, inklusive Handelsbanken, ifrågesätter bankernas hållbarhetsarbete. Därför undersöker denna studie integrationen av hållbara praktiker inom svenska banker. Inledningen förklarar forskningsmålet och belyser vikten av att undersöka hur organisatoriska strukturer och praktiker bidrar till eller hindrar hållbarhetsintegrering. Studiens teoretiska ram omfattar begrepp som Giddens (2004) dualitet av strukturer, Practice Theory (PT) och Institutional Theory (IT). Dessa teorier skapar en lins genom vilken man kan analysera komplexiteten i hållbarhetsintegrering inom svenska banker. Studiens metodik beskriver datainsamlingsprocessen genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med bankanställda. Tematisk analys används för att identifiera mönster och teman i intervjudatan, vilket möjliggör en förståelse av studien som svarar på forskningsfrågorna. Studiens resultat fokuserar på att effektiv kommunikation främjar kundrelationer och hur det bidrar till att integrera hållbarhet i praktiker. Resultaten understryker ett växande kundintresse för att anpassa finansiella beslut med miljömässiga och sociala värden, vilket driver efterfrågan på hållbara finansiella produkter. Respondenterna betonade vikten av att förenkla språket kring hållbarhet, proaktivt engagemang och internt samarbete för att göra hållbarhet tillgänglig inom banksektorn. Dessutom avslöjar studien hur personliga och organisatoriska värderingar påverkar praktiker. Studiens diskussion utforskar hållbarhet och praktiker inom två svenska banker, och täcker olika dimensioner såsom intern integration, externa påtryckningar och påverkan av sociala strukturer och institutionell dynamik. Dessutom diskuterar studien de utmaningar och möjligheter som finns och betonar behovet av organisationsförändringar och en tydlig definition av hållbarhets praktiker. Studien understryker den avgörande roll som regleringar och institutionella ramar spelar för att forma organisatoriskt beteende inom banksektorn. Sammanfattningsvis förbättrar studien förståelsen av hållbarhet och praktiker inom två svenska banker. Sammanfattnin

Computer-Spiele unter psychologischen Gesichtspunkten

Der Markt für „Computerspiele“ wird immer grösser und vielseitiger und macht eine Einteilung in verschiedene Spielgenres unumgänglich. Der nachfolgende Text gibt eine kurze geschichtliche Übersicht und Auskunft über die zur Zeit üblichen Varianten und Ausführungen von PC-Spielen. Es wird untersucht, unter welchen Voraussetzungen Computerspiele auf Kinder, Jugendliche und junge Erwachsene faszinierend wirken und welche Strategien Spiele-Entwickler erfolgreich einsetzen. Dabei wird auf die psychologischen Hintergründe sowie auf die Befriedigung von Bedürfnissen und Erwartungshaltungen der Spieler eingegangen. Aus den gewonnenen Erkenntnissen wird ein Konzept entwickelt, das virtuelle Lernsysteme (Edutainment-Software) ebenso attraktiv und anziehend machen soll wie erfolgreiche Computerspiele

Wh-questions and their responses in Estonian everyday interaction

Küsimused on lahutamatu osa meie igapäevaelust. Esitame küsimusi enamjaolt seepärast, et täiendada puudulikke teadmisi, näiteks küsime Kus koolis sa käid? või Kuidas sul läheb?. Need on kõige tavalisemad infoküsimused, mille puhul küsija tunneb oma teadmiste lünklikkust ning soovib neid lünki täita. Selline käsitlus on kõige levinum viis küsimuste määratlemiseks grammatikates. Tegelikkuses tehakse küsimuste abil palju muudki. Käesoleva väitekirja uurimisobjektiks on avatud küsimused. Need ei anna vastajale potentsiaalset vastust ette (nt Kus sa eile olid? – Kodus. / Koolis. / Tartus. jne) ja selliselt vastanduvad need suletud küsimustele (nt Kas sa olid eile kodus?). Väitekirja eesmärk on välja selgitada, kuidas inimesed igapäevaselt suheldes avatud küsimusi vormistavad, mida nad nendega teevad ja kuidas neile vastavad. Töö materjaliks on sõprade ja pereliikmete igapäevavestluste lindistused. Uurimistulemustest ilmneb et, avatud küsimus on igapäevasuhtluses oluline vahend: selle abil saab hankida infot, lahendada vestluses ettetulevaid suhtlusprobleeme, esitada etteheiteid, seisukohti, keelde. Töös väidan, et avatud küsimuse tüüp ja suhtluskontekst annab vihjeid vastuse ootuse kohta. Osa küsimusi eeldavad vastuseks konkreetset infokildu (nt Kus koolis sa käid?) ja osa küsimusi pikka jutustust (Kuidas sul läheb?). Vastuste ootuse muutust saab korrigeerida mitmeosaliste küsimuste abil (nt Kuidas sul läheb? Hästi jah?). Väitekirjas näitan, et keeleüksuse vorm ja funktsioon on omavahel seotud. Väitekirjas analüüsin, missuguseid suhtlusnorme inimesed järgivad ning milliseid eesmärke nad keele abil täidavad. Saadud tulemusi võrdlen teiste keelte põhjal saadud tulemustega.Questions play a crucial part in our daily lives. We ask questions mostly in order to fill a gap in our knowledge, e.g. we ask Where do you go to school? or How are you?. These are information questions, where the questioner wants to gain new knowledge. In general, it is the most common way to define questions in grammars. However, in real life, questions are used for a wide range of social actions. The subject of the dissertation is open questions, i.e. Wh-questions. Wh-questions do not provide a potential answer (e.g. Where were you yesterday? – At home. / At school. / In Tartu. etc.) and these are in opposite with closed questions (e.g. Were you at home yesterday?). The aim of the dissertation is to find out how interactants formulate Wh-questions in everyday interaction, what interactants want to implement with them and how these questions are responded to. The data come from everyday conversations between friends and family members. The results reveal that the Wh-question is an important language tool: it is used in order to request for information; solve hearing and understanding problems; perform reproaches, challenges, prohibitions; etc. In the dissertation I claim that the Wh-question type and the surrounding context give a hint for the response type. Some questions expect a specific piece of information (e.g. Where do you go to school?) and some questions expect a longer telling (e.g. How are you?). A questioner can modify the expectation of the response by providing multi-unit questions (e.g. How are you? Are you fine?). In the dissertation I demonstrate that the format of the language device is connected with its function. In the dissertation I analyze what kind of social norms interactants follow and what kind of goals they accomplish by using language. I compare the results with previous research findings from other languages.  https://www.ester.ee/record=b524065

mis-küsimustega tehtavad suhtlustegevused suulises argivestluses

http://tartu.ester.ee/record=b2653510~S1*es

"Kui mina noorelt mängisin" folkloristlik analüüs Eesti Rahvaluule Arhiivi allikate põhjal

When I was young and played”: a folkloristic analysis on the basis of the sources from The Estonian Folklore Archives. The aim of this BA thesis is to get an overview of the newer end-rhyme warsongs titled „When I was young and played“. My purpose is to explore what the folk song expresses, how it has changed in time and to which kind of historical events is the song connected. The analysis is based on 64 songs from The Estonian Folklore Archive. I have also analysed the information I could find about the specific war song from fieldwork diaries, the travel letters and letters accompanying the materials of folklore researchers, as well as their reports. The research is divided into two parts. The first part analyses archival sources that provide information about the singing tradition. I draw on folkloristic studies in Estonian that discuss the development of folkloristic studies and the discipline. In addition, the thesis gives an overview of the changes in the methods of folkloristic field work and the ways it has affected the material, e.g. fieldwork diaries and reports. On the basis of the comments, I analyse the song “When I was young and played” – focusing on the years in which the war songs were collected and the specific parishes. The thesis also analyses how folklore has spread among people – i.e. in writing through handwritten notebooks of songs or orally. Likewise, the analysis also clarifies to which historical event the song “When I was young and played” is connected. The second part concentrates on a comparative analysis of the war song texts. The analysis is divided into three chapters. In the first, on the basis of Eduard Laugaste’s analysis method, I follow the plot of the song and divide the texts into topic sections. The chapter describesthe seven topic sections and shows how the plot is presented throughout the aforementioned parts. Furthermore, the chapter outlines how much the topic sectionsvary. The second chapter follows the methodology of Senni Timonen’s analysis method. The chapter analyses how the event in the song is presented throughout the topic sections: whether the song embodies the singer’s dreams and fantasy or the event is communicated through facts. The third chapter discusses how the songs have changed in time. The analysis showed that the time when the songs were written down (which can be viewed in the Estonian Folklore Archives as well) is connected to the variations in song texts, and it became evident that the trends of change are remarkably chronological. In conclusion it can be said that the song “When I was young and played” belongs to the category of war lyricism. The song mainly expresses the singer’s thoughts and feelings, even though the events in the song are communicated via facts. The war song is not only connected to the Russo-Turkish war (1877–1878), but has also emerged at the beginning of the 20th century, during revolutions and World War I.http://tartu.ester.ee/record=b2613718~S

Avatud küsimused suulises argivestluses

http://www.ester.ee/record=b4482280*es

The Co-occurrence of child and intimate partner maltreatment in the family: characteristics of the violent perpetrators

This study considers the characteristics associated with mothers and fathers who maltreat their child and each other in comparison to parents who only maltreat their child. One hundred and sixty-two parents who had allegations of child maltreatment made against them were considered. The sample consisted of 43 fathers (Paternal Family—PF) and 23 mothers (Maternal Family—MF) who perpetrated both partner and child maltreatment, together with 23 fathers (Paternal Child—PC) and 26 mothers (Maternal Child—MC) who perpetrated child maltreatment only. In addition, 2 fathers (Paternal Victim—PV) and 23 mothers (Maternal Victim—MV) were victims of intimate partner maltreatment and perpetrators of child maltreatment and 7 fathers (Paternal Non-abusive Carer—PNC) and 15 mothers (Maternal Non-abusive Carer—MNC) did not maltreat the child but lived with an individual who did. Within their family unit, 40.7% of parents perpetrated both intimate partner and child maltreatment. However, fathers were significantly more likely to maltreat both their partner and child than mothers and mothers were significantly more likely to be victims of intimate partner violence than fathers. PF fathers conducted the highest amount of physical and/or sexual child maltreatment while MC and MV mothers perpetrated the highest amount of child neglect. Few significant differences between mothers were found. PF fathers had significantly more factors associated with development of a criminogenic lifestyle than PC fathers. Marked sex differences were demonstrated with PF fathers demonstrating significantly more antisocial characteristics, less mental health problems and fewer feelings of isolation than MF mothers. MC mothers had significantly more childhood abuse, mental health problems, parenting risk factors and were significantly more likely to be biologically related to the child than PC fathers. This study suggests that violent families should be assessed and treated in a holistic manner, considering the effects of partner violence upon all family members, rather than exclusively intervening with the violent man

Untersuchungen zum Abbau partikulärer organischer Substanzen in einem Langsamsandfilter durch Metazoen am Beispiel von Niphargus fontanus

Im Langsamsandfilter des Wasserwerks Echthausen/Ruhr (Deutschland) existiert eine individuen- und artenreiche Lebensgemeinschaft (ca. 15.000 Ind./m 3; 135 Taxa). Die Fauna umfaßte 98 stygoxene, 15 stygophile und 22 stygobionte Taxa. Die Organismenverteilung war heterogen in den untersuchten Bereichen (Biologisch aktive Zone, Sand- und Schotterschicht des Langsamsandfilters und Bodenfiltratschacht). Futterwahlversuche zeigten, daß Eschenblätter gerne von Niphargus fontanus (Amphipoda) und Chappuisius inopinus (Copepoda) gefressen werden. Diacyclops languidoides (Copepoda) und Bythiospeum septentrionale (Gastropoda) bevorzugten Detritus. Niphargus fontanus konsumierte zwischen 13,2 und 18,1 myg*d-1 TG. Die Darmpassagezeiten betrugen 2-6 Tage. Die Kotballen wogen 11,8-15,4 myg*d-1 TG und waren von einer peritrophischen Membran umgeben, die auf der Innenseite dicht mit Mikroorganismen besiedelt war. Die Assimilationseffizienz der Tiere betrug zwischen 1,35 und 2,2 myg*d-1 TG. N. fontanus veratmeten bei niedrigen Temperaturen und großem Sauerstoffgehalt (5 - 10øC; 80% O2-Sättigung) bis zu 1400 myl O2*g-1*h-1. Mit steigender Temperatur fiel die Respirationsleistung auf 1/5 - 1/11 dieses Sauerstoffverbrauchs. Alle adulten Niphargus fontanus im Langsamsandfilter konsumierten auf der Basis der mit Eschenblättern durchgeführten Experimente 45 +/- 36g*d-1 TG (10øC) bzw. 48g +/- 39g*d-1 TG (14øC)