Kultaisen valtaistuimen varkaus

Abstract

Demokratia ja etniset konfliktit Vanhasen parasta alaa

Kirjallisuutta

Liikunta ja ryhmät, mistä on oikein kyse

Kirjallisuusarvostelu

Comparing the alternative utilization method for coconut in Nzema, Ghana

There are many opportunities to utilise coconut in Nzema to support farmers. Coconut oil that is mainly used for food preparation in Nzema can be utilized as fuel to support overcoming of the energy crisis in the Ghana. Coconut oil in Nzema is not used in both transportation and electricity generation. A few of the waste husk and shell are mainly used as fuel in homes for heating but greater amount is left to rot or burn the coconut plantation. In addition, some portion of the granulated coconut kernel is sometime used as feed for piggery feed and the rest of the granulated kernel are left as waste on the oil processing site. In this thesis, the author identified alternative utilization of cocoanut, for instance the use of coconut husk and shell for charcoal production, and the use of coconut trunks as construction materials. It is envisaged that exploring these alternatives will not only reduce carbon emission in the country but will also contribute significantly to the sustainability of the local agro-industry.

SME internationalisation from an emerging market to a developed market : a case study from Ghana

This study focuses on understanding the internationalisation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from an emerging market to a developed market. In particular, it examines the internationalisation process of a firm in the clothing and textile manufacturing industry in Ghana. Theoretically, the study is limited to the network internationalisation approach (e.g. Johanson & Mattsson, 1988; Johanson & Vahlne, 2009) and the industrial network approach (Håkansson & Snehota, 1995). Methodologically, a qualitative abductive case study approach is employed. The research process relies on a longitudinal method involving primary and secondary data and critical event analysis. Primary data has been collected from relevant informants at two different times in the internationalisation process. The research findings highlight the significance of both domestic and foreign business relationships in the internationalisation of an SME from an emerging African market to a developed country market. They show the greater importance of exogenous critical events than has been found in the research regarding firms in developed countries. Institutional actors were essential in the network and as sources of exogenous critical events. In addition, the successful SME should possess unique resources in the form of an entrepreneurial spirit, sufficient knowledge of internationalisation, and specific product knowledge. Theoretically, the present study contributes to business network research through providing an understanding of the process of developing network relationships and their impact in an African context. By focusing on SMEs, a contribution has been made in relation to the advancement of SME research. This research reveals empirical insight into SME internationalisation in a setting where an SME is internationalising to a developed country market from a newly emerging African market. Methodologically, the study provides an example of longitudinal research based on abductive methodology. The results provide implications for firms, managers, and policy-makers within the industry, especially on how to manage and use network relationships to promote SME internationalisation from newly emerging markets.

Energy Efficiency in Electrical Drive Systems: Technical potentials, barriers and policy approaches for small and medium industries in Ghana

Today industries and commerce in Ghana are facing enormous energy challenge. The pressure is on for industries to reduce energy consumption, lower carbon emissions and provide se-cured power supply. Industrial electric motor energy efficiency improvement is one of the most important tools to reduce global warming threat and reduce electricity bills. In order to develop a strategic industrial energy efficiency policy, it is therefore necessary to study the barriers that inhibit the implementation of cost – effective energy efficiency measures and the driving forces that promote the implementation. The aim of this thesis is to analyse the energy consumption pattern of electric motors, study factors that promote or inhibit energy efficiency improvements in EMDS and provide cost – effective solutions that improve energy efficiency to bridge the existing energy efficiency gap in the surveyed industries. The results from this thesis has revealed that, the existence of low energy efficiency in motor-driven systems in the surveyed industries were due to poor maintenance practices, absence of standards, power quality issues, lack of access to capital and limited awareness to the im-portance of energy efficiency improvements in EMDS. However, based on the results pre-sented in this thesis, a policy approach towards industrial SMEs should primarily include dis-counted or free energy audit in providing the industries with the necessary information on potential energy efficiency measures, practice best motor management programmes and estab-lish a minimum energy performance standard (MEPS) for motors imported into the country. The thesis has also shown that education and capacity development programmes, financial incentives and system optimization are effective means to promote energy efficiency in elec-tric motor – driven systems in industrial SMEs in Ghana

Kamarimusiikkia musiikkiluokille : oppilaslähtöinen kuvaus Vantaan Peltolan koulun vuoden 2005 yhteismusisointiprojektista

Syksyllä 2005 järjestettiin kamarimusiikkiprojekti Vantaan Peltolan yläkoulun musiikkiluokkien oppilaille. Projekti oli osa Stadian BaRokkia ja Kamuja -hanketta. Ryhmät saivat ohjausta kuuden viikon ajan ja opettajina toimivat Helsingin ammattikorkeakoulu Stadian musiikkipedagogiopiskelijat. Osallistuimme itse projektiin opettajina. Opinnäytetyössämme kuvaamme oppilaslähtöisesti projektia. Perehdymme opinnäytetyössämme kamarimusiikkiyhtyeiden oppimisprosessiin ja ryhmätyöskentelyyn. Erityisesti kiinnitämme huomiota siihen, miten yhtyeiden saama ohjaus ja yhteistoimintaprosessi vaikuttaa oppilaiden käsityksiin itsestään musiikin harrastajina ja oppijoina. Tutkimme myös miten kurssia voisi jatkossa kehittää. Keräsimme aineistoa työtämme varten videoimalla oppitunteja, haastattelemalla projektiin osallistuneita oppilaita ja opettajia sekä kahdella kyselylomakkeella, joilla keräsimme oppilailta kokemuksia ja palautetta. Työmme tuloksena voi todeta, että projektilla oli myönteinen vaikutus oppilaiden musiikin oppimiseen ja heidän käsityksiinsä omista musiikkitaidoistaan. Tunneilla pyrittiin antamaan mahdollisuus siihen, että oppilaat saivat itse vaikuttaa työskentelyyn ja harjoitettavan teoksen tulkintaan. Itseohjautuvuuden ja oppilaslähtöisyyden tukeminen antoi oppilaille varmuutta ja rohkeutta omaan soittoon ja näin ollen vaikutti positiivisesti oppimisprosessiin. Eniten hyötyä yhteissoitosta oli niille oppilaille, jotka eivät olleet aikaisemmin soittaneet kamarimusiikkia. Kaiken kaikkiaan projekti oli onnistunut ja sekä oppilaat että opettajat oppivat uutta, joten vastaavia oppilaitosten välisiä hankkeita kannattaa jatkossakin toteuttaa. Työmme tuloksia voi soveltaa Peltolan koulun tulevissa projekteissa sekä musiikkioppilaitosten ja koulujen opetuksessa.