Team climate, climate strength and team performance: a longitudinal study

We tested the hypothesis that the relationship between team climate and team performance is moderated by climate strength. The study sample was composed of 155 bank branches, and a two-wave panel design was implemented. We measured four team climate facets (support, innovation, goal achievement and enabling formalization). We obtained two subjective indicators of team performance (ratings provided by team members and by team managers) and a financial indicator of team performance. Seven out of the 12 interaction effects tested were statistically significant and showed the expected sign. When financial team performance was the criterion, only the interaction term was significant. This suggests that only strong climates are related to financial team performance over time

Environmental Effects of Agricultural Expansion in the Upper Amazon : A study of river basin geochemistry and hydrochemistry, and farmers' perceptions

In this thesis natural science is combined with environmental psychology in order to determine how deforestation and subsequent agricultural expansion in the Peruvian highland jungle has affected the natural environment and rural livelihoods. This region is part of one of the most biodiverse areas on Earth and is also exposed to high pressure from deforestation that threatens the ecosystems as well as the well-being of local populations. The problem stretches beyond the upper Amazon since the region constitutes headwaters to theAmazon Riverand is part of the most important forest ecosystem of the world. This study evaluates the relative controls of human induced land-cover change and natural factors on the chemical status of soils, stream waters, and sediments, mainly through a spatial sampling design. The field work was located to two adjacent river basins underlain by sedimentary rocks. Streams of 48 independent sub-basins, the two main rivers, 80 upland soil sites (weakly developed soils on sandstone and siltstone) and four vertical profiles of floodplain sediments were sampled and analysed for major and trace elements, including nutrients and potentially toxic metals. Further, perceptions of environmental changes were investigated through a combination of quantitative and qualitative interview data collected from 51 smallholder farmers. Soils of primary forests were found to be chemically similar to those of regenerated forests and agricultural land-covers (pastures and coffee plantations), and differences in chemical concentrations between streams draining areas to varying degrees covered by forest were assigned to natural variability. In addition, the chemical composition of alluvial deposits was similar in the two drainage basins despite a substantial difference in exploitation degree (30 % versus 70 % cleared from forest). Thus, no evidence was found of long-term changes in the geochemistry of the Subandean river basins as a result of the conversion of primary forest to agricultural land-uses. The farmers, however, perceived an overall increase in environmental degradation as well as a change towards drier and warmer climatic conditions. The climate change was reported to be the main factor responsible for a negative trend in life quality (rural livelihoods). The results may be used in the work of identifying priorities and key factors necessary for environmental and socioeconomic sustainability in the upper Amazon.  En esta tesis se combina la ciencia natural con la psicología ambiental con el fin de determinar como la ampliación de la frontera agrícola ha afectado el medio ambiente y los medios de vida en la selva alta del Perú. Esta región forma parte de una de las zonas con mayor biodiversidad en el planeta y a su vez está expuesta a una alta presión de la deforestación que amenaza a los ecosistemas, así como el bienestar de la población en esta zona. Así mismo, este problema se hace sentir mas allá de la selva alta ya que esta zona forma parte de las cabeceras del río Amazonas y pertenece al ecosistema forestal más importante del mundo. Este estudio evalúa los efectos de la agricultura de tala y quema, en comparación con los factores naturales, sobre las propiedades químicas de los suelos, las quebradas, y los sedimentos, principalmente a través de un diseño de muestreo espacial. El trabajo de campo se realizó en dos cuencas fluviales adyacentes que están compuestas por rocas sedimentarias. Quebradas de 48 sub-cuencas independientes, dos ríos principales, 80 localidades de suelo (poco desarrollados sobre areniscas y limolitas) y cuatro perfiles verticales de sedimentos fluviales fueron muestreados y analizados para los elementos mayores y menores, incluyendo nutrientes y metales potencialmente tóxicos. También se han investigado las percepciones sobre los cambios ambientales usando una combinación de datos cuantitativos y cualitativos, recopilados a través de entrevistas a 51 agricultores. Según los resultados no hubo diferencias significativas entre la química de suelos de bosques primarios y tierras agrícolas (pastos, plantaciones de café y de bosques secundarios). En cuanto a las quebradas, las diferencias en las concentraciones de sustancias químicas entre sub-cuencas afectadas por la deforestación en diferentes grados fueron asignados a una variabilidad natural. Además, la composición química de los depósitos aluviales fue similar en las dos cuencas a pesar de una diferencia sustancial en el grado de explotación (30 % en comparación con 70 % deforestado). Por lo tanto, no se encontró evidencia de cambios persistentes en la geoquímica de las cuencas Subandinas como resultado de la conversión de bosques a tierras agrícolas. Sin embargo los agricultores percibieron una tendencia general de aumento de la degradación del medio ambiente, así como un cambio en el clima a condiciones más secas y cálidas, lo cual fue reportado como el principal factor responsable de un cambio negativo en la calidad de vida. Estos resultados pueden ser utilizados en el trabajo de identificación de prioridades y factores claves para la sostenibilidad ambiental y socioeconómica en la selva alta.

Swedish Contribution to the Greenhouse Effect and Required Reductions to Meet the 550 ppmv Target

This project investigates the consistency of the targets set in the Swedish Climate Objective. Additionally, the report includes an emission inventory of Swedish emissions of greenhouse gases for the time period 1834-2050This project investigates the consistency of the targets set in the Swedish Climate Objective. Additionally, the report includes an emission inventory of Swedish emissions of greenhouse gases for the time period 1834-205

Wellbeing tourism and its potential in case regions of the South Baltic : Lithuania – Poland – Sweden

The aim of this study is to gain a comprehensive view on the current state of wellbeing tourism and its potential for development in certain coastal and near coastal regions of the South Baltic. Based on the published contemporary discourse on wellbeing tourism and its practices, we propose the following definition for wellbeing tourism: "a specific type of tourism intended to promote and maintain a positive state of health of the body, mind and soul, and that is composed of products and services drawn upon a sustainable and harmonious interaction with the surrounding environment and community.

Wellbeing tourism and its potential in case regions of the South Baltic : Lithuania – Poland – Sweden

The aim of this study is to gain a comprehensive view on the current state of wellbeing tourism and its potential for development in certain coastal and near coastal regions of the South Baltic. Based on the published contemporary discourse on wellbeing tourism and its practices, we propose the following definition for wellbeing tourism: "a specific type of tourism intended to promote and maintain a positive state of health of the body, mind and soul, and that is composed of products and services drawn upon a sustainable and harmonious interaction with the surrounding environment and community.

Journey to the destination: a circular tourism economy : a training program for the hospitality industry to facilitate a transition towards increased circularity in the South Baltic Region

Being aware of the extent of the tourism industry and that it is ever growing, which is also encouraged in many individual countries by the national and regional governments, it is evident that the tourism industry is an essential target group for introducing circular concepts and implementing circular solutions. Yet, this sector has so far received little attention in the literature and initiatives on circularity. Circular Economy (CE) goes beyond “green” or “environmental”, it includes all aspects of a community and challenges us to create solutions that are completely different from what we are used to. It also invites us to open up and interact with other stakeholders and the general public. In your hands is the first training material in circular economy specifically developed for small to medium sized companies of the tourism industry in the South Baltic Region. It is a small but important step in the direction towards circularity and a wellbeing society. Through this work we have shown that despite cultural challenges and regional differences there is a shared, common interest in making tourism more sustainable and even to work together towards a transformation of the hospitality industry. This common vision has been stronger than the challenges we faced in making this work and this is what will ensure the continued growing awareness on circularity and its integration in different sectors in our communities. In this work we have featured some of the groundbreaking experts in this field, and some of the first good practices from our regions. They are all courageous pioneers in a field that with time will become the norm. In fact, in the 10th Annual Forum of the EU strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (12-13/6/2019, Gdansk, Poland), CE was highlighted as the pathway to reach prosperity and wellbeing in the Baltic Sea Region