Environment and Growth - An Extension of the Solow Model with Environmental Costs

Dette projekt undersøger, hvordan Solow-modellen kan udvides til at inkludere miljøomkostninger for at øge dens relevans i forhold til nutidens bæredygtighedsudfordringer. Solow-modellen, en central makroøkonomisk vækstmodel, beskriver landes økonomiske vækstpotentiale gennem kapitalakkumulation og teknologisk udvikling, men tager ikke højde for miljøets rolle eller konsekvenserne af ressourceforbrug og forurening. Dette kan have betydning for landes vækst muligheder og gør dermed Solow-modellen mindre præcis. Projektet analyserer, hvordan en revideret model kan bidrage til en bedre forståelse af vækst i lyset af miljøpåvirkning.Med udgangspunkt i en kritisk realistisk tilgang kombineres dybdegående analyser af modellens antagelser med kvantitative metoder, såsom matematiske simuleringer inspireret af positivismen. Denne metodiske kombination gør det muligt både at undersøge de underliggende mekanismer og strukturer, der påvirker modellen, og at kvantificere, hvordan miljøparametre ændrer steady state og modellens forudsigelser om økonomisk vækst. Analysen viser, at miljøomkostninger reducerer effektiviteten af kapital og arbejdskraft, og fremhæver, at teknologiske fremskridt er nødvendige for at mindske miljøbelastningen og sikre bæredygtig vækst.Projektet peger på, at økonomisk vækst ikke er værdineutral, da den påvirkes af normative valg i modellerne. Solow-modellen fokuserer på produktion frem for forbrug, hvilket overser de rige landes miljøpåvirkning gennem outsourcing. Projektet ser på begrebet den miljømæssige Kuznets-kurve, der illustrerer, hvordan væksten i første omgang kan føre til øget forurening, som senere reduceres ved hjælp af teknologisk innovation. Afslutningsvis fremhæves behovet for at revidere økonomiske modeller, så de i højere grad inddrager miljømæssige begrænsninger og fremmer en bæredygtig økonomisk udvikling. Dette kræver, at modellerne ikke kun fokuserer på produktion, men også på forbrugsmønstre og de miljømæssige konsekvenser af globale handelsrelationer. Desuden bør der udvikles konkrete strategier for teknologioverførsel og finansiel støtte fra rige til fattigere lande for at sikre en global overgang til mere miljøeffektive og bæredygtige produktion.<br/

Rural development as the propagation of regional ‘communities of values’:A case study of local discourses promoting social innovation and social sustainability

Discourses on rural areas and their development concurrently encompass both negative narratives of them dying out and discussions on how to constitute future visions for a ‘living’, ‘good’ and ‘sustainable’ countryside to work towards. As a solution, ‘social innovation’ has been proposed to counter the economic, demographic and sociocultural challenges disadvantaged rural regions are facing. Accordingly, this article contributes to the growing literature on the dynamics of social innovation initiatives by investigating how rural areas and their communities are communicatively re-constructed, as part of socio-spatial processes emerging from the work of rural development initiatives, fostering potential social change towards more sustainable societies. Building on fieldwork from the rural Austrian region of Mühlviertel, it is shown how social innovation aiming at instigating positive territorial developments is linked to intertwined processes of the re-figuration of social bonds and re-figuration of space, which is centred around the propagation of regional ‘community of values’ founded on ideas about changing values and social sustainability

The design of technology and its effect on children

Dette projekt undersøger, hvordan digitalt indholdsforbrug påvirker børns kognitive, sociale og motoriske udvikling, og hvordan interaktiv elektronisk teknologi kan designes til at understøtte konstruktiv udvikling hos børn. Projektet fokuserer på at skabe balance mellem digitalisering og analoge aktiviteter ved at udvikle en elektronisk, interaktiv legeplads, der kombinerer traditionelle legeelementer med moderne digital teknologi. Projektet indeholder en omfattende teoretisk gennemgang, der belyser historien og teorien bag leg og legepladser, samt de udfordringer og muligheder, som digital teknologi giver. Ved hjælp af etnografiske metoder som interviews og observationer på Experimentarium analyserer projektet børns interaktion med teknologi og leg. Resultaterne viser, at digitalt indhold kan have både positive og negative effekter på børns udvikling. For at fremme sund udvikling foreslår projektet en legeplads, der integrerer interaktive elementer såsom en interaktiv biograf og elektroniske legestationer, der kombinerer fysisk aktivitet med læring og teamwork. Legepladsen er designet til at være tilgængelig for børn og deres familier med fokus på barnets udvikling og sundhed. Projektet konkluderer, at en velafbalanceret integration af teknologi i børns leg kan understøtte deres kognitive, motoriske og sociale færdigheder og samtidig tilbyde et alternativ til passiv skærmtid.This report investigates how digital content consumption affects children’s cognitive, social, and motor development, and how interactive electronic technology can be designed to support constructive development in children. The project focuses on creating a balance between digitalization and analog activities by developing an electronic, interactive playground that combines traditional play elements with modern digital technology. The report includes a comprehensive theoretical review that highlights the history and theory behind play and playgrounds, as well as the challenges and opportunities presented by digital technology. Using ethnographic methods such as interviews and observations at Experimentarium, the report analyzes children’s interaction with technology and play. The findings show that digital content can have both positive and negative effects on children’s development. To promote healthy development, the report proposes a playground that integrates interactive elements such as an interactive cinema and electronic stations that combine physical activity with learning and teamwork. The playground is designed to be accessible to children and their families, with a focus on the child’s development and health. The project concludes that a well-balanced integration of technology in children’s play can support their cognitive, motor, and social skills while offering an alternative to passive screen time

Creation of energy communities in land districts: A case report on Sydstevns Energifællesskab

This paper examines a case concerning the establishment of an energy community in the south of Stevns municipality, Denmark. The purpose of this case study is to identify the possibilities and barriers that come with the establishment of an energy community and what solutions there are to these barriers.To research this case, we have made use of observation and a dialog workshop at a board meeting during the start-up phase of the establishment. As well as interviews with relevant actors to the case. To analyze these empirical findings, we have made use of the theories of Social Capital, Prosumerism, Institutional Empowerment, and Multi-Level Perspective on Socio-Technical Transitions. These theories have given us a framework to analyze the social, organizational, and structural barriers for the establishment of energy communities both in this specific case, and in Denmark generally. Additionally, we also analyze the potential for thermonet as a heating element in the energy community.We conclude that there are several barriers associated with the establishment of an energy community, particularly in how the community communicates about the initiative to potential future members, as well as whether the management of the community can foster inclusive rather than exclusive relationships. Moreover, the professional organization of the community has resulted in effective and competent leadership, which may simultaneously have deterred potential members, as this can appear exclusive and overly insular. Finally, we can conclude that the current legislation and potential for energy communities is generally positive, despite being a niche innovation, but that there are limits for land districts due to the barriers for thermonet

Peech Perfect? A case study about brand activism, community branding and cultural change

This thesis seeks to examine how brand activism and brand communities can be used as strategic tools to incorporate social causes in marketing and at the same time strengthen consumer relationships.Through a case study of the Danish brand Peech, this thesis explores how the company leverages activism, digital communication, and events, to challenge the cultural norms around sexuality and build strong brand equity. The study is based on a social constructivist approach and will implement a combination of a content analysis of the company’s Instagram-platform and two semi-structured focus group interviews. The methodological design will help to understand how Peech’s communication is perceived by potential and current consumers.To analyze the empirical data, I have used Phillip Kotler &amp; Christian Sarkar’s theory on brand activism along with Albert M. Muniz &amp; Thomas O’Guinn’s understanding of brand communities. This will be accompanied by Heidi Hansen’s perspective on online- and experiential branding communities together with Kevin Lane Keller’s theory about brand equity.The analysis reveals that Peech’s success largely depends on its ability to create brand communities and engage consumers around their brand values. Through their strategic use of narrative tools, humor and a significant different visual identity, Peech fosters a sense of belonging and implements their products and merchandise as conversation pieces that enhance identity for both parties. Peech’s brand activism thus becomes the strongest value-generating element, distinguishing Peech from competitors in the market.Based on my analysis and discussion, I’m able to highlight that authenticity, value alignment, and community-building are crucial components of modern branding strategies in 2025 - especially for niche brands. The thesis concludes that even though brand activism is not an easy or automatic way to success, Peech’s brand activism and experience-driven approach demonstrate how companies can drive cultural change and increase their brand equity through meaningful interactions with consumers

Demographic and clinical impact on preoperative BREAST-Q ePROM completion and baseline outcomes in women undergoing breast cancer surgery:a quantitative descriptive study at a Danish university hospital

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate patients' use of electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (ePROMs) and understand the demographic and clinical factors that may be correlated with patient responses to the BREAST-Q at the preoperative stage of breast cancer. The BREAST-Q is a PROM in questionnaire format, developed and validated to assess satisfaction and quality of life for breast surgery patients.The hypothesis tested is that considering disparities in geography, age and education among responders is essential for capturing a diverse patient population in future Patent-Reported Outcome Measures initiatives, examining how these characteristics are associated with Patent-Reported Outcome Measures utilisation and outcomes. DESIGN: Quantitative descriptive study. SETTING: Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome Measures were collected between 6 September 2021 and 5 September 2022 from patients recruited from an outpatient clinic at a Plastic- and Breast Surgery Department at a University Hospital in Denmark. PARTICIPANTS: Participants include a total of 629 Danish-speaking women diagnosed with breast cancer and scheduled for breast cancer surgery, with a final participation rate of 468. INTERVENTION: Preoperative ePROMs and demographic data were collected between September 2020 and 2021 through patients' secure national digital post-box. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Demographic variables of both responders and non-responders were assessed using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and χ2 tests. Linear regression models were employed to determine the demographic variables associated with BREAST-Q subscale scores. RESULTS: The response rate for ePROMs was 72.5% with a median age of responders at 62 years. Older patients reported lower breast satisfaction (unadjusted coefficient bu=-0.26 (95% CI -0.44; -0.07), p=0.006) but better physical well-being (adjusted coefficient ba=0.23 (0.08; 0.37), p&lt;0.001). Lower educational achievement was correlated with reduced breast satisfaction and psychosocial and sexual well-being; for example, patients with a master's/doctoral level education scored 14.29 points higher in psychosocial well-being (95% CI 6.50; 22.07, p&lt;0.001) compared with those with lower secondary education. Cohabiting patients reported psychosocial well-being scores approximately four points higher than those living alone (ba=3.91 (0.06; 7.75), p=0.046). Body mass index (BMI) was negatively associated with sexual well-being, with a 0.75-point decline per additional BMI point (ba=-0.75, (-1.12; -0.37), p&lt;0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates a positive attitude towards completing BREAST-Q as ePROMs among women diagnosed with breast cancer in the investigated region in Denmark. However, completion rates for ePROMs varied by demographic factors such as age, marital status and access to healthcare. Younger, more educated, married patients with lower BMI who lived near major cities were more likely to report better pretreatment outcomes