@misc{BedoyaGiraldo2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Bedoya Giraldo, Leidy Johanna}, title = {Farmer Experiences and Responses to Agroforestry Interventions in San Mart{\´i}n, Peru: Exploring Social Group Perspectives Including Women's Voices Across Social Groups}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Smallholder agroforestry systems are central to sustainable land-use transitions in the Peruvian Amazon, yet little is known about how farmers themselves perceive these systems or how such perceptions shape long-term management. This study examines how indigenous, non-indigenous, and female smallholder farmers in San Mart{\´i}n, Peru, perceive the benefits and challenges of agroforestry interventions and how these perceptions influence system maintenance, adaptation, and sustainability. The research is guided by the question: How do farmers in San Mart{\´i}n perceive the benefits and challenges of agroforestry interventions, and how do these perceptions shape their adaptive decisions over time? Using a qualitative, comparative case-study design, data was collected through 50 semi-structured interviews and three participatory focus group discussions. The Group Concept Mapping methodological approach used enabled farmers to identify, cluster, and prioritize benefits, challenges, and adaptations using their own categories and reasoning. Findings reveal two main pathways shaping agroforestry trajectories. A maintenance pathway emerges when farmers perceive tangible ecological and labor-related benefits, such as soil improvement, reduced weeding, and microclimate regulation, particularly when market and legality conditions allow value to be captured. An adaptation pathway is triggered when challenges, such as excessive shade, crop-tree competition, legality barriers, or uncertain markets, are perceived as immediate constraints, prompting pruning, thinning, or removal of timber species. These pathways are influenced by organizational support, training access, gendered participation, and tenure conditions. The study highlights the need for long-term technical support, participatory system design, gender-inclusive training, and stronger institutional support for timber legality. The insights are intended to contribute to the development of the SMART platform, offering evidence to strengthen future agroforestry interventions in San Mart{\´i}n.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Floeren2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Fl{\"o}ren, Marie Catherine}, title = {Immersives Erleben Ein Einblick in das Immersionsverst{\"a}ndnis der Anbieter:innen immersiver Besucherattraktionen}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Immersive experiences have been gaining popularity for the past few years within the tourism industry. This bachelor thesis aims to collect and present the understanding of the word immersion as it is interpreted by different organizers of immersive experiences within the tourism industry. Further, this thesis seeks to collect strategies and artistic methods used in the creation of immersive events and attractions to understand which are used to facilitate an immersive experience for the visitors. Moreover, looking to the future, the thesis also intends to garner possible future developments within the immersive industry, as predicted by the organizers interviewed for this thesis. To answer these questions, five organizers and designers of different immersive experiences were interviewed. The results show that the understanding of the term immersion differs between different organizers. It was possible to identify that the individual definitions range from overly spatial and design-oriented to strongly narrative-oriented, as well as an immersion as the absorption of an environment or the participation within the environment. Furthermore, it was possible to identify multiple strategies used in immersive experiences, some of which have not yet been found in current research. The interviewed organizers suggest that immersive design will be a trend within the tourism industry. However, they also state that the term is currently already being overused and diluted in its meaning. This work establishes a basis on which future research can expand by further investigating the definition of the term 'immersion' within the tourism industry.}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{WeinbachAlCabirZanderetal., author = {Weinbach, Heike and Al Cabir, Yasmin and Zander, Margherita and Swiderek, Thomas and Stroop, Nicola and N{\"u}renberg, Denise and Knippert, Max}, title = {Ver{\"a}nderung ist m{\"o}glich - Kinderarmut in Deutschland und im Kreis Kleve}, editor = {Weinbach, Heike and Al Cabir, Yasmin}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22467}, pages = {122}, abstract = {Die Publikation zum Thema Kinderarmut ist eine Dokumentation einer Vortragsreihe im Rahmen der Mittwochsakademie der Fakult{\"a}t Gesellschaft \& {\"O}konomie der Hochschule Rhein-Waal. In den Beitr{\"a}gen werden die Konstanz und die Regionalit{\"a}t von Kinderarmut thematisiert sowie L{\"o}sungsans{\"a}tze dargestellt, die sowohl individuell als auch strukturell Sinn machen. Die Beitr{\"a}ge repr{\"a}sentieren Perspektiven auf Kinderarmut aus Theorie und Praxis. Die Ziele dieser Publikation sind die Bereitstellung von Wissen und Anregungen f{\"u}r umsetzbare Handlungen.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Heidenreich2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Heidenreich, Kathrin Lilli}, title = {Assessing National Resilience to Hybrid Threats: A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of European Countries}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Hybrid threats pose a growing challenge to European security, targeting state vulnerabilities through combined military and non-military means. Resilience has become the key strategy to counter these threats, yet little empirical research explains why some countries are more resilient than others. This thesis uses Qualitative Comparative Analysis on 36 European countries to identify which conditions lead to national resilience. Findings show that resilience results from specific combinations of factors: strategic prioritization of hybrid threats, prior exposure to attacks, EU and NATO membership, and the absence of Soviet-era legacies. The study recommends states develop clear strategies, institutionalize learning from past incidents, and strengthen multilateral cooperation.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Mueller2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {M{\"u}ller, Anna}, title = {The Dialectic of Enlightenment \& Gender Equality : Potentials of Critical Theory for the Re- and Deconstruction of Women's Roles in a Patriarchal Society}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-22319}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {59}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis examines the ambivalent nature of a supposedly enlightened society using the tools of Critical Theory. The work employs the dialectical method, drawing on Horkheimer and Adorno's 'Dialectic of Enlightenment' to analyze the contradictory development of gender relations within a seemingly rational and emancipated modernity. The central thesis posits that the ideals of the Enlightenment—devoted to liberty, reason, and equality—dialectically reverse into their opposites. The focus lies on the social role of women, who experience societal subjugation as a result. Through a historical analysis of Early, High, and Late Enlightenment, two structural concepts are identified that emerge from Enlightenment thought: (1) the categorically dichotomized production of knowledge, and the (2) transition from monarchical to physiocratic bourgeois systems. It is shown how a complementarity of the sexes is legitimized on the basis of categorial-dichotomized knowledge production, which is divided into dichotomized social spheres in the sense of an equal society on the basis of their supposedly natural abilities. This creates a dialectical moment that places women in a seemingly natural, but actually ideologically shaped position of subjugation. The third part of the thesis applies Negative Dialectics to deconstruct prevailing gender relations. It questions the foundations of dichotomous knowledge production and explores the compatibility of feminist theories with Critical Theory. Furthermore, it critically engages with identity politics. The aim is to rethink the concept of "woman" from a dialectical-feminist perspective and to outline possibilities for a more equitable societal order beyond rigid categorical designations.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Stolbova2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Stolbova, Kristina}, title = {What is the impact of the level of democracy on voter turnout among youth?}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {In the last decades, two disturbing trends have been developing simultaneously: a declining state of democracy worldwide and a growing electoral disengagement of youth (18-24 years old). The purpose of this research is to examine the relationship between the level of democracy and youth voter turnout. Gathering secondary data from publicly available data sets and reports (the CSES, Afrobarometer, and the Economist Intelligence Unit), I conduct six correlation analyses between the level of democracy (and its components) and voter turnout among youth. As a result, I find a significant positive association between the level of democracy and youth turnout. Among the components of democracy, functioning of government demonstrates the most significant positive correlation with electoral participation among youth. I conclude that autocratisation could serve as an explanans of youth growing abstention from voting. At the same time, this suggests a potential for the level of democracy to boost the electoral behaviour of youth by influencing the functioning of government. While further research is needed to establish the causal relationship, this study lays a relevant foundation for it.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Kapinos2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Kapinos, Noah Joel}, title = {The impact of Social Media Advertisements on the Buying Behavior of Gen Z}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-21949}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {58}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Social media has changed digital marketing, which makes it possible for businesses to engage with consumers through targeted advertising. Generation Z is an important demographic because they spend a high amount of time on social media platforms and have strong purchasing power. This study explores the impact of social media advertisements on the buying behavior of Generation Z by investigating key factors such as platform preferences, ad effectiveness, trust in social media advertisements, and purchasing motivations. By using a mixed method approach, this study gives insights into the impact of social media advertisements from 200 participants with a survey. The findings show that Instagram and TikTok are the most influential social media platforms in driving purchasing decisions, while Facebook does not have a strong impact on this generation. In addition, this study emphasizes that specific advertising formats, such as Instagram Stories and TikTok In-Feed ads, are the most effective in catching attention and influencing purchases. Furthermore, this study shows that trust plays an important role in social media advertising and many consumers from this generation are skeptical toward social media advertisements over traditional stores emphasizing that companies need to prioritize authenticity, transparency, and influencer marketing. This research provides important insights for businesses to improve their digital marketing strategies and improve engagement with Generation Z. Companies can have higher conversion rates and enhance their advertising effectiveness by focusing on platform-specific ad formats, personalized advertisements, and trust building to influence this generation.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{GumielSilva, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Gumiel Silva, Karen}, title = {DECOLONIZING THE INDIGENOUS FEMALE BODY IN BOLIVIA: BRAIDS AND ATTIRE.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-21809}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {68}, abstract = {This thesis explores the decolonization of the Indigenous female body in Bolivia, focusing on the cultural significance of traditional attire and hair practices among Chola women. It examines how the pollera (traditional skirt) and braids, initially imposed during the colonial era, have been reappropriated as symbols of cultural pride and resistance against ongoing discrimination. Through ethnographic research, including interviews and digital ethnography, this study investigates how Chola women navigate and redefine their identities within a society marked by racial and social hierarchies. The research draws upon postcolonial feminist theories, particularly the works of Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, An{\´i}bal Quijano, and Mar{\´i}a Lugones, to analyze the complex interplay of power, representation, and agency in the context of Bolivian Chola culture. The findings highlight the resilience and agency of Chola women in transforming symbols of oppression into powerful expressions of cultural identity and resistance, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of their experiences in contemporary Bolivian society.}, language = {en} } @misc{SarmientoGonzalez2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Sarmiento Gonzalez, Maria Angelica}, title = {Sustainable commercialization of Baru in the Cerrado: mapping its Value Chain for rural livelihood enhancement}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Land-use transformation and insufficiently protected areas have led to extensive deforestation and conversion of native vegetation for croplands and pastures in the Cerrado, Brazil's second-largest ecosystem and one of the world's biggest biodiversity hotspots. The sustainable harvesting and commercialization of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) offer a potential alternative, contributing to sustainable development by enhancing rural livelihoods, promoting environmental conservation, fostering economic diversification, empowering vulnerable socio-economic groups, and encouraging sustainable resource management. Among Cerrado's promising NTFPs is the Baru nut (Dipteryx alata), a nutrient-dense product rich in protein, fiber, zinc, and healthy oils, with potential therapeutic applications for various health issues. Its unique composition and versatility present an opportunity for sustainable commercialization that enhances rural livelihoods while promoting health benefits. Incorporating Baru-related products into local, national, and international markets could diversify economic opportunities while maintaining environmentally sustainable practices in both production and commercialization. Despite its potential, research on Baru remains scarce, creating a knowledge gap in the dynamics and challenges of its value chain. This study addresses this gap by employing a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the financial performance of each stage of the Baru value chain and identify existing challenges and market opportunities. Focused on Arinos, Minas Gerais, the research incorporates 29 interviews with local value chain actors, 14 supplementary interviews with institutional stakeholders, and secondary data analysis. The findings reveal a fragmented and predominantly informal value chain at the local level, faced with challenges such as physically intensive work, unreliable demand, power imbalances, low-profit margins, and limited institutional support. This research proposes strategies to foster collaboration, equity, transparency, and sustainable development of Baru's value chain and contributes to a deeper understanding of this NTFP.}, language = {en} } @misc{Pozdnyakova2025, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Pozdnyakova, Olga}, title = {Exploring the Impact of Ecolabel Elements on Consumer Product Perception and Purchase Intention}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {Ecolabelling is a tool that aims to engage consumers in making more sustainable choices, by communicating the environmental characteristics of a product. Previous studies have emphasized the significant impact of design and ecolabel elements in capturing consumers' attention and influencing their preferences. However, only a limited number of studies have explored the effect of individual ecolabel elements and their orchestration in regard to visual attention and consumers perception, particularly in the context of textile products. The aim of the present study was to provide new insights into effective ecolabel design practices by investigating the influence of color, visual symbol, and text on consumers' visual attention, environmental product perception and purchase intention. The current study employed a mixed method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The integrated methods included a review of existing ecolabels in the textile industry, an eye tracking experiment with sixteen custom-designed ecolabels, questionnaires, interviews, and a card sorting task. Visual attention was measured with the eye tracking, while other methods were employed to deepen the understanding of consumers' perception and reasoning behind their decision-making. The results of the study revealed that the green ecolabels with natural symbols, such as Cotton and Leaf, received the highest environmental friendliness and purchase intention ratings, with the green Cotton ecolabel demonstrating the highest rate of visual attention engagement. In contrast, blue ecolabels were perceived as less environmentally friendly, particularly those with the visual symbols unrelated to nature. In addition, precise environmental claims with numerical data, such as "90\% Organic cotton", in combination with a website link, had a positive impact on trust and environmental perception. However, their role in visual attention and environmental perception was found to be less significant compared to the color and visual symbol. The findings contribute to textile research, highlighting the importance of the ecolabel context, visual symbol and color in ecolabel design, and providing new insights about visual attention patterns. The study outlines practical recommendations that can be utilized by professionals developing or redesigning ecolabels, in order to effectively communicate the characteristics of sustainable products.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Melnic2025, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Melnic, Snejana}, title = {Drawbacks of law enforcement in the Euregio Rhine-Waal: the case of work migrants' exploitation in the border region}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, year = {2025}, abstract = {This thesis examines the challenges of enforcing labor protection for migrant workers in the Euregio Rhine-Waal, a dynamic cross-border region extended across Germany and the Netherlands. The study addresses three core research questions: the specific difficulties faced by migrant workers in accessing adequate housing, fair labor rights, and social security; the role of EU directives and Member State discretion in shaping labor protections; and the enforcement gaps impacting workers' rights and well-being. A qualitative approach was applied, focusing on the analysis of EU regulations, national policies, and case studies to identify systemic barriers and regulatory inconsistencies. The findings reveal significant disparities in housing standards, labor conditions, and access to social security, driven by divergent interpretations of EU directives by Germany and the Netherlands. Additionally, the lack of coordinated cross-border enforcement amplifies these issues, leaving many migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation. The study concludes that addressing these challenges requires enhanced cross-border cooperation, greater regulatory alignment, and targeted policy reforms to bridge the enforcement gaps. These recommendations aim to uphold the EU's core value of free movement while ensuring social equity for migrant workers. This research contributes to the broader discourse on labor mobility by highlighting the interplay between legal frameworks and social justice in cross-border regions.}, language = {en} } @misc{LennarzMai, author = {Lennarz, Hannah Katharina and Mai, Julia}, title = {Gef{\"u}hlsbarometer}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-20686}, abstract = {Das Gef{\"u}hlsbarometer ist ein p{\"a}dagogisches Instrument, das Kindern helfen soll, ihre Gef{\"u}hle besser zu verstehen und zu kommunizieren. Mit Hilfe eines einfachen visuellen Systems k{\"o}nnen Kinder ihre momentane Gef{\"u}hlslage auf einer Skala von 0 „gar nicht gut" bis 10 "sehr gut" einordnen und verbalisieren. Diese Methode schafft nicht nur ein Bewusstsein f{\"u}r die eigene emotionale Befindlichkeit, sondern bietet auch einen Einstieg in den Dialog zwischen Kindern und Eltern bzw. Kindern und P{\"a}dagog*innen. Das Gef{\"u}hlsbarometer wurde als praktischer T{\"u}rh{\"a}nger entworfen, der sowohl in Bildungseinrichtungen als auch zu Hause verwendet werden kann. F{\"u}r einen dauerhaften Einsatz sollte das Schild auf stabileres Papier mit mindestens 200 g/m² gedruckt werden. Die Bastelanleitung f{\"u}r das Gef{\"u}hlsbarometer wurde f{\"u}r Kinder im Alter von 8 bis 12 Jahren entwickelt, ist einfach umzusetzen und kann bei Bedarf flexibel an verschiedene Altersgruppen angepasst werden.}, language = {de} } @inproceedings{Meinen, author = {Meinen, Vanessa}, title = {Steering sustainable events performance: Towards a more balanced assessment of sustainable associations events}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-17658}, abstract = {Research scope Perpetual economic growth tests the limits of what earth can provide, but it also spurs new awareness for sustainable thinking and action. Duties such as corporate social responsibility reporting as well as shifting customer demands are placing increased pressure on the association events industry to acknowledge the importance of sustainability and implement sustainable event management strategies. Association events tend to have an economic, social and environmental impact on the places in which they occur. These impacts can be both positive and negative. They can also have substantial leveraging and multiplier effects, can be used to elevate awareness of sustainability even further and, most importantly, help transform this awareness into action, for example by influencing stakeholders' behaviour and minimising behavioural gaps. The events and meetings industry has traditionally relied on economic performance measures, eschewing social and environmental costs and benefits. However, recent studies have underlined the necessity for a more holistic approach. This approach is fleshed out in the present research. It aims to offer stakeholders, decision-makers, event managers, associations and congress organisers a strategical instrument with which to identify the economic, social and environmental impacts of a planned event in order to utilise them in a targeted, sustainable fashion within the respective field of operation. The strategic measures for optimising event impacts were derived from the results of the empirical study. Moreover, these measures will serve to anchor the sustainable association event strategy within business operations as well as internal and external communications. Gifford's Dragons of Inaction can be applied to determine possible barriers and, finally, to strive to minimise the gap between sustainability consciousness and sustainable behaviour. To this end, the effectiveness of cooperating attitudes, behaviour-oriented forms of intervention such as intentions or incentives for actions, and perceived consequences can be assessed and evaluated in terms of their essential dimensions. Methodology A number of research steps have been undertaken within this model, beginning with a literature review. This laid the foundation for subsequent empirical studies conducted as semi-structured expert interviews, followed by an online Delphi forecast as well as a survey among participants of an association event of the German Scouts (DPSG). Findings As shown in the primary research in both studies, social and economic measures are regarded as most important, environmental measures are most often adopted instead. Not all dimensions are considered to be part of sustainability. Social and economic aspects are considered necessary for an association's success and are considered important strategic instruments connected mainly to positive implications on a psychological level such as image, trust and satisfaction. As it is seen as a competitive advantage and the terminology is unclear to many in the event industry, communication efforts must be targeted in order to facilitate implementation and, later, allow for the possibility of measuring sustainable event management. Holistic aspects should be made clear in order to support initiatives and ideally reduce the behavioural gap between sustainability awareness and actual behaviour. Associations like the German scouts are risk-averse by nature. They function as custodians of a sector or profession and their standards demand continuity as well as consistency. Innovation, however, is associated with risk, experimentation and (superfluous) change. Both primary and secondary research efforts have shown that barriers to innovation include a lack of time, resources (money or staff in particular), or simply innovation know-how. Therefore, implementing change or, in this case, more sustainable measures in event planning, requires an individual, tailor-made approach which is pro-active and problem-solving in order to promote broader implementation of the already developed Green Events Guidelines throughout the whole association. The findings of this mixed-method approach were used to develop a model to integrate, assess and steer event management sustainability from the perspective of event planners and associations, and propose a new concept for converting theory into applied practice for the industry. Bibliography Getz, D. (2019), Event Impact Assessment. Theory and methods for event management and tourism, Oxford: Goodfellow Publishers Gifford, R. (2011a): The Dragons of Inaction. Psychological Barriers That Limit Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, American Pschologist, Vol. 66, No 4, S. 290-302 Große Ophoff, M. (2012): Green Meetings und Events: Nachhaltiges Tagen in Deutschland, in: Schreiber, M.-T. (eds.): Kongresse, Tagungen und Events. Potenziale, Strategie und Trends der Veranstaltungswirtschaft, M{\"u}nchen: Oldenbourg Wissenschaftsverlag. Oblasser, C. and Riediger M. (2015) Nachhaltiges Veranstaltungsmanagement mit Strategie, Berlin: Verlag Wissenschaft and Praxis. Raj, R. and Musgrave, J. (2009): Event Management and Sustainability, Oxford: Cabi International.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{Merbecks, author = {Merbecks, Ute}, title = {Corporate Digital Responsibility in Germany}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-17637}, abstract = {Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) is a recently developing new management concept in response to the increasing challenges caused by digital transformation. In Germany, this self-governance approach influenced the political discussions and led to a more integrative and collaborative multi-policy strategy beyond pure regulatory regimes. The launch of the German CDR-code by the German action group in June 2021 is a milestone to capture ethical problems in digitalised firms by voluntary commitments from signatories. However, little empirical evidence on the current state of CDR-initiatives at German corporations is available up-to now. This project addresses the identified research gap by performing a qualitative analysis of the disclosed information on CDR in nonfinancial reports of the DAX 30 companies from 2020.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{FerraresiMoura, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Ferraresi Moura, Rafaela}, title = {How Could a Global Company Communicate and Work Interculturally? Detecting Cultural Patterns of Communication to Successfully Work in a Global Company}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-17563}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {71}, abstract = {This research considers the hidden aspects of culture suggested by Edward T. Hall and Joseph Shaules, when referring to intercultural communication. It uses the cultural dimensions from Erin Meyer, Geert Hofstede, and Richard Lewis to explain cultural misunderstandings between the German and Indian teams of a multinational. It also considers the Expectancy Violations Theory from Judee K. Burgoon to improve communication among dissimilar cultures.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Buesch, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {B{\"u}sch, Ida}, title = {Decades in Deadlock: Analysis of the Intergovernmental Discourse among Middle Eastern States about a Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Zone in their Region}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-17465}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {80}, abstract = {Despite intense international efforts to make progress regarding the establishment of a Middle Eastern Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Zone (ME WMDFZ), governments have spent decades in deadlock on the issue. This thesis examined the intergovernmental discourse among Middle Eastern states about the proposed zone by analyzing the prevalent topics and sentiments of Middle Eastern governments in the discourse. The thesis applied a quantitative approach, in which documents from an international context about a ME WMDFZ were analyzed using computational text analysis and interpreted by drawing on models of political discourse analysis. The conducted analysis contributed to close a research gap related to the evolution of the discourse on a ME WMDFZ and explored the application of computational text analysis to political documents.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Takafakare, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Takafakare, Chiyedza}, title = {A critical assessment of the impact of an organization's affiliationtosocial movements on brand equity: A study of the Black Lives Matter Movement}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, abstract = {Brands and advertising agencies have successfully tapped into the cultural momentum of social and political issues to attract new customers and promote their products. Numerous studies have examined the link between marketing and social and political movements, but advertising firms have largely ignored them. This study was titled "Acritical assessment of the impact of an organization's affiliation to social movements on brand equity: A study of the Black Lives Matter Movement". The study was guided by the objectives which were to identify the benefits of organizational allegiance to social movements on brand equity, determine the factors affecting social allegiance to social movements on brand equity, and recommend strategies that enhance brand equity. The study adopted a mixed methods approach whereby using a sample size of 65, online surveys were administered. Data was analyzed using descriptive means and SPSS was the main analysis tool. Findings illustrated that organizational allegiance to social movement has an impact on brandequity, profitability, and brand recognition. Brands are increasingly using social movements to promote their products, and much recent research has been done to understand what constitutes a socio-political activist brand, to explore consumers' attitudes, and determine if the perception of a brand as being socio-politically engaged has animpacton consumers' product use. When companies adopt a socio-political stance, they give consumers a far better opportunity to identify with them, while also allowing them to differentiate themselves from competitors by using secondary sources of meaning. Nonetheless, there are still untapped resources to be discovered, particularly in connection to the relationship between organizational allegiance and social movement participation.}, language = {en} } @misc{Tantihachai, type = {Master Thesis}, author = {Tantihachai, Jittawadee}, title = {Market Participation of Maize Farmers Who Adopted Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) under the Mega Farm Project in the North of Thailand}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-14848}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {77}, abstract = {The attempt to integrate Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) into the procurement standards of maize supply chain has been led by the Thai Feed Mills Association since 2015 to mitigate environmental impacts of maize production in the North of Thailand. Maize production was condemned by researchers and civil society as one of the culprits of deforestation and haze crisis. Up to now, maize in compliance with GAP in the North of Thailand is mostly produced as part of the Mega Farm Project and limited to a handful of farmers and planted areas. With rather unclear and unpromising circumstances, this study aims to examine the progress of GAP implementation and the market participation of farmers who adopted GAP. By using qualitative and quantitative research methods, it tried to find the reasons for the slow progress and limited coverage of GAP maize production. The results show that market incentives, institutional support, and farmers' resource endowment are key determinants of GAP adoption and market opportunities. Although the government's support under the Mega Farm Project has made GAP adoption accessible, affordable and achievable, the stagnation in GAP implementation and adoption is caused by a lack of market incentives, enforcement of regulations, engagement of the private sector, and government's resources. Farmers' market participation as a result of GAP adoption has not substantially changed over time. Their market access and prices received remained the same. Their market opportunities have not significantly been enhanced owing to the lack of market incentives for sustainable maize production, insufficient institutional support on harvest and post-harvest management, and farmers' limited capacity to upgrade and reach an economy of scale.}, subject = {Sustainable}, language = {en} } @misc{LennarzTadsenTitze, author = {Lennarz, Hannah Katharina and Tadsen, W{\"o}gen Nikkels and Titze, Corinna}, title = {L{\"a}cheln bis zum Umfallen - Emotionen und Emotionsmanagement in Studium und Beruf - Konzept}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-14593}, pages = {3}, abstract = {Bei der Arbeit erleben wir eine Vielzahl von verschiedenen Gef{\"u}hlen, die wir jedoch nicht immer frei zeigen k{\"o}nnen. In vielen Situationen m{\"u}ssen wir unsere Emotionen regulieren, weil nicht alle Gef{\"u}hle vom Arbeitgeber gleichermaßen erw{\"u}nscht sind. Dieser Teil der Arbeit wird oft zus{\"a}tzlich zur eigentlichen sachlichen Arbeit verrichtet und in der Literatur als Emotionsarbeit bezeichnet (Hochschild, 1983; Zapf et al., 2021). Viele Studien weisen Zusammenh{\"a}nge auf zwischen emotionaler Arbeit und schlechterem psychischen und k{\"o}rperlichen Wohlbefinden auf (H{\"u}lsheger \& Schewe, 2011). Daher ist es essentiell einen guten Umgang mit Emotionsarbeit zu finden und Studierenden/Arbeitnehmern die Relevanz und m{\"o}gliche Schutzfaktoren gegen {\"U}berforderung durch ein zu hohes Maß von Emotionsregulation aufzuzeigen.}, language = {de} } @misc{LennarzTadsenTitze, author = {Lennarz, Hannah Katharina and Tadsen, W{\"o}gen Nikkels and Titze, Corinna}, title = {Emotional labour: Designing an HR training to learn to cope with the consequences of emotional labour}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-13794}, pages = {56}, abstract = {Teaching material for a course teaching emotion regulation at work including definitions, tasks for students, and practice sessions.}, language = {en} } @misc{LennarzTadsenTitze, author = {Lennarz, Hannah Katharina and Tadsen, W{\"o}gen Nikkels and Titze, Corinna}, title = {L{\"a}cheln bis zum Umfallen - Emotionen und Emotionsmanagement in Studium und Beruf - Foliensatz}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-13783}, pages = {37}, abstract = {Foliensatz zur Gestaltung eines Workshops zum Thema "Emotionsarbeit"}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Baumann, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Baumann, Ines-Paul}, title = {Empowered as Community, Disempowered as Parents? Factors of Success for Decisions and Forms of LGBTIQ*-Parenthood.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-10631}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {58}, abstract = {In a cis-heteronormative society, LGBTIQ*-people learn to negotiate lacks of legal and social equality. Their experiences might also serve as an expertise when negotiating LGBTIQ*-parenthood. In this research, episodic interviews with LGBTIQ*-people living and working in the field of LGBTIQ*-parenthood in Germany were conducted. The findings of the thematic qualitative text analysis suggest that empowering ways to handle scripts of parenthood are probably linked to empowering ways to handle scripts of sexual and gender identities the participants have developed before. Communities and exchange are crucial for accessing and applying the available strategies, notably handling normative scripts with different scripts than predominantly legitimizing their power to disempower. The possibility of making such changes within an existing societal system that still disempowers due to inequalities and disadvantages does not imply any specifications in regards to the way that individuals perform their ways of parenthood. Yet, counselling, activism and research might gain from understanding that scripting disempowering scripts about LGBTIQ*-parenthood as basically effective and legitimate might rather impede than support the transfer of the strengthening factors for becoming and being parents. A society where traditional family models and care work are subjects of change might instead benefit from nonnormative people with their expertise of negotiating norms.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Gole, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Gole, Rutu}, title = {Right to Information in the Republic of India: At the Intersection of Social Inequality}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-8937}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {76}, abstract = {'Right to Information in the Republic of India: At the Intersection of Social Inequality' seeks to explore the interrelationship between the exercise of the right to access state-held public information and social inequality in India. A large body of literature suggests that social inequality impacts the accessibility of democratic rights while the democratization of rights strengthens civil society and anchors the process towards social equity. Drawing on this hypothesis, the methodological framework of documentary research is employed for examining the social realities surrounding India's Right to Information Act since its inception in 2005. To meet the research objective, numerous public documents that contain quantitative and qualitative data published by the government of India, experts in the field and recognized national and international organizations are referenced. The inferences drawn from this social investigation are analyzed from the lens of a theoretical triangle inclusive of: 1) Social inequality by Solga, Berger and Powell (2009) 2) Intersectionality by Hill Collins and Bilge (2016) 3) Citizenship and social class by Marshall (1950) With an aim to further explore this correlation, the effects of the utilization of the right to information on social inequities in India are examined. Standing at the intersection of social inequality in the Republic of India, the Right to Information Act 2005 exemplifies the interconnection between democratic practices and social disparity.}, language = {en} } @book{BrandtTiefenthalZimenkova, author = {Brandt, Kevin and Tiefenthal, Gerrit and Zimenkova, Tatiana}, title = {Wie entsteht Zusammenhalt? Perspektiven aus der Dortmunder Stadtgesellschaft}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-7907}, publisher = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {63}, abstract = {Wie steht es um den Zusammenhalt in der Gesellschaft? Wie wollen wir miteinander leben? Und wer sind ‚Wir' {\"u}berhaupt? Diese und {\"a}hnliche Fragen bestimmen seit einigen Jahren die Diskussionsrunden in Politsendungen, im Feuilleton und an den Stamm- und Abendbrottischen der Republik. Zur Aushandlung dieser Fragen wurden im Rahmen des Praxis-Forschungsprojekts ‚ZuNaMi' B{\"u}rger*innen der Stadt Dortmund dazu eingeladen, miteinander {\"u}ber ihre Vorstellungen von gesellschaftlichem Zusammenhalt in einer vielf{\"a}ltigen und inklusiven Stadtgemeinschaft zu beraten. Innerhalb dieser Ergebnisbrosch{\"u}re sind es somit die B{\"u}rger*innen selbst, die in R{\"u}ckgriff auf ihre geteilten Erfahrungen in einer konkreten Stadtgemeinschaft als lokale Expert*innen zu Wort kommen.}, language = {de} } @masterthesis{Jistel, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Jistel, Roland}, title = {Male Refugees \& Prostitution in Germany: Applying Bourdieu's Theory of The Forms of Capital on Sex Work to Analyze Refugees' Integration in German Society}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-8106}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {60}, abstract = {Due to the influx of refugee men into Germany over the past years, there is a growing interest in studying how integration can be achieved. This paper joins this conversation on how we can try to measure and understand integration in the context of which possibilities are offered by sex work. Analysing through the lens of Bourdieu's forms of capital, and illustrating how refugee men use sex work to initiate upward social movement. For this paper seven MRSW (Male Refugee Sex Workers) were interviewed. The collected data was evaluated by the method of qualitative content analysis and by taking various important analytical categories (motivations, identity, practice) supported by the existing literature, into consideration. The findings show that MRSW use sex work in diverse ways, in order to generate different kinds of profits: While raising economic capital served as the main motivation, cultural and social capitals were generated as well. Language skills, peer bonding, and being able to understand German culture served as the greatest outcomes of sex work. As the motive, we can see that financial instability drives MRSW to sex work, but that social media plays a huge role in making sex work appear as a efficient and feasible option. For the interviewed MRSW in this research, sex work did show to have a positive impact on their ability and capability to integrate into German society.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Vaessen, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Vaeßen, Malte}, title = {Market analysis in the industry field of implantable medical devices}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-7844}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {53}, abstract = {This thesis deals with the problem of missing research on market analysis in the specific healthcare market of implantable medical devices. The thesis is done in collaboration with the medical device company, FEG Textiltechnik mbH, which produces medical meshes used in hernia repair. To deal with the problem, the market of mplantable medical devices in the healthcare sector as well as market analysis tools were analysed on the basis of a literature analysis. On the basis of these information a good approach was developed and tested in a case study including two test phases. One is a comparison with a market analysis from the collaborating company, FEG Textiltechnik mbH, while the other one is a theoretical example of a market analysis on the Australian market for the previously named company. The developed good approach aims at a market entry in a foreign market. The case studies showed that the good approach has a valuable potential for companies in the industry of implantable medical devices. However, some points were falsely included, which would have been better fit at later stages of the market entry. However, the good approach can be used by companies in the industry, due to its broad fit and can be further optimised with real world applications or tests and can be used outside of the industry after some modifications.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{ZimenkovaMolitorMuelleretal., author = {Zimenkova, Tatiana and Molitor, Verena and M{\"u}ller, Katrin Alida and Kronsbein, Jasmin}, title = {Between LGBTTIQ-support and heteronormativity: Constructions of nor-mality inside a school LGBTTIQ-support project in Germany}, volume = {2021}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-7417}, pages = {26}, abstract = {How does heteronormativity become visible within the discourse of LGBTTIQ-support activists at the school? Using data from non-moderated group discussions among schoolchildren aged between 14 and 18, who were involved in LGBTTIQ support projects in different schools within the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the article reconstructs how concepts of norms and normality, heteronormativity, difference and otherness are being articulated by the students. A sequential analysis of the group discussions is used to detect the meaning of norms and normality with respect to LGBTTIQ identities, to highlight the way in which LGBTTIQ-supporters are constantly being subjected to this discourse. Simul-taneously it detects a concealed conflict between the goal setting of LGBTTIQ support and heteronormative discourse. The paper underlines the mechanisms of problematizing LGBTTIQ-identities by students and framing them as non-normality, thus showing the power of heteronormative discourse, the very discourse young LGBTTIQ-supporters are trapped in and trying to cope with.}, language = {en} } @article{Goldbach, author = {Goldbach, Carina}, title = {Out-migration from coastal areas in Ghana and Indonesia - The role of environmental factors}, series = {CESifo Economic Studies}, volume = {63}, journal = {CESifo Economic Studies}, number = {4}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-7168}, pages = {529 -- 559}, abstract = {Projections of climatic and environmental changes have generated a growing effort to assess their implications for human migration. Because migration is always a multicausal phenomenon, this study aims to disentangle the impact of environmental factors from other migration-inducing factors to shed some light on the complex relationship between the environment and migration. Thus, we conducted quantitative microlevel studies in low-lying communities in two high-mobility countries - Ghana and Indonesia - that are particularly exposed to coastal hazards like erosion, land subsidence, storm surges and an increasing sea level, and are prone to flooding on a regular basis. Different measures of environmental threats were collected, ranging from individual perceptions over the household's distance to the coast to expert opinions. We analyzed the relationships using logistic regressions and controlled for contextual factors on multiple levels. No statistically significant direct impacts of slow-onset environmental events on migration decisions could be detected. Perceptions of storms, a clearly sudden-onset event, however, were found to be significantly linked to out-migration decisions in Ghana. These findings support the hypothesis that environmental factors are generally not a primary cause of migration and their effects are rather context specific - especially for slow-onset changes.}, language = {en} } @masterthesis{Medvedeva, type = {Bachelor Thesis}, author = {Medvedeva, Olga}, title = {What Marketing Strategies Are Used in the Shipping Industry?}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-6920}, school = {Hochschule Rhein-Waal}, pages = {59}, abstract = {This work is dedicated to marketing strategies used in the shipping industry. During a collection of current data about the strategies of four maritime companies from Germany, Sweden, Russia and Turkey, an empirical study with a qualitative research method of one-on-one interviews was applied. The results of the work demonstrate an active use of both traditional and digital marketing strategies such as direct mail, printed media in a form of catalogues and magazines, telemarketing, trade shows, sales promotions, face-to-face communication, email marketing, website, SEM (Search Engine Marketing), SMM (Social Media Marketing), blogging and video marketing in all the interviewed enterprises. Brand creation is important in the shipping industry and is the main reason for an implementation of marketing strategies by maritime firms due to a great amount of advantages a strong brand brings. When measuring the effectiveness of the success of implied marketing strategies, non-financial metrics are more important for shipping firms than the financial ones due to their ability to measure some elements that are related to both a brand and a shipping enterprise such as market share, customer counts, take rate, churn rate, retention rate, customer satisfaction, occupancy of a shipping enterprise with orders, delivery time and variation order.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{SickmannLe, author = {Sickmann, J{\"o}rn and Le, Huynh Bich Ngan}, title = {Eye-Tracking in Behavioural Economics and finance - A literature review}, series = {Discussion Papers in Behavioural Sciences and Economics}, volume = {2016}, journal = {Discussion Papers in Behavioural Sciences and Economics}, number = {1}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:hbz:1383-opus4-1308}, pages = {40}, abstract = {Eye-tracking refers to a methodology that helps researchers understand visual attention by recording eye positions, pupil dilation, and capturing eye movement images of a subject. Since eye-tracking systems nowadays are becoming more and more participant-friendly and easy to use for researchers, the application of the technology in behavioral economics and finance has recently been growing fast. Specifically, over the past two decades, there have been about forty eye-tracking research papers in the field, in which more than forty percent of them has been published since the last two years. For this reason, a literature review of the relevant studies will provide an overview of the development of eye-tracking and thus help to shape future eye-tracking research in human decision making in behavioral economics and finance.}, language = {en} }