This thesis explores power dynamics in public institutions and their impact on the implementation of SDG 11 in Barcelona. Through a critical realism approach, a case study and qualitative...Show moreThis thesis explores power dynamics in public institutions and their impact on the implementation of SDG 11 in Barcelona. Through a critical realism approach, a case study and qualitative methodology are used to understand the historical and contemporary influence of institutional power. The data collected, through semi-structured interviews and documentary analysis, highlights how critical junctures over the last three decades have created institutional inertias that affect the implementation of SDG 11 in the city. Resistance to change, prioritisation of economic efficiency over sustainability and the need for inter-institutional collaboration are identified as key factors. The lessons learned from the Barcelona experience could inform implementation strategies for sustainable urban development policies in similar contexts. Despite its limitations, this study contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of SDG implementation in urban settings and suggests directions for future research.Show less
This paper investigates the effects of applicant/employee characteristics, business characteristics and perceptions of employers on hiring & firing chances, mainly focussing on age effects. We...Show moreThis paper investigates the effects of applicant/employee characteristics, business characteristics and perceptions of employers on hiring & firing chances, mainly focussing on age effects. We arrive at employers’ hiring and firing decisions by using a survey based on vignettes, calculating the effects by performing multiple (sub-)regressions. We find that age has a negative effect on hiring chances and a positive effect on firing chances, although the age effects in firing are smaller in comparison to hiring. Still, a 30 year old employee has 39% less chance of getting fired in comparison to a 60 year old employee. This age effect could be neutralized by the 30 year old having 10.000 extra annual wage costs. Most certainly, younger workers have a head start on the labor market in comparison to older cohorts. By positively stimulating employers’ perceptions of old employees, this inferior position of older people on the labor market might be significantly minimalized.Show less
Artificial Intelligence is a sophisticated emerging technology that cybercriminals have increasingly been using maliciously to facilitate their attacks. As the private and public sector are key...Show moreArtificial Intelligence is a sophisticated emerging technology that cybercriminals have increasingly been using maliciously to facilitate their attacks. As the private and public sector are key targets of these attacks, collaboration is called for. This study dissects the divergent perceptions of cybercrime in both sectors which have inhibited cooperation in the past during the growth of the Internet, then aligns these scattered views to build common ground to establish a cooperation for this up-and-coming threat. The societal aim is to avoid repeating previous mistakes encountered at the birth of cybercrime. This thesis asks the following question: To what extent does the perception of risk of malicious use of AI by cybercriminals differ within the public and private sector? After conducting a qualitative analysis of nine semi-structured interviews, the thesis finds that distinct perceptions about cybercrime between sectors is what is at the heart of the stagnation. But neither public or private organisations can solve the issue of the upcoming AI cybercriminal threat and reach desired goals without each other as each sector lacks some elements complemented by the other. The differences found in this research can shape the basis of a cooperation against AI-Cybercrimes between the public and private sector.Show less
Despite the increased scholarly attention towards swearing, there is no consensus on the matter of gendered swearing (Dewaele, 2016, 2017; Hughes, 2006; Jay, 2000; Jay & Jay, 2013; McEnery,...Show moreDespite the increased scholarly attention towards swearing, there is no consensus on the matter of gendered swearing (Dewaele, 2016, 2017; Hughes, 2006; Jay, 2000; Jay & Jay, 2013; McEnery, 2004). Moreover, perceptions of profanity related to adolescence and other than English languages, like Dutch, have received relatively little scholarly attention. Hence, the present research aimed to advance the understanding of gendered perceptions of use and offensiveness of profane language of Dutch adolescents. A mixed-method was employed utilizing questionnaires (n = 352) and interviews (n = 12) amongst Dutch youth to gauge perceptions of swearing in different domains, the offensiveness of swear words and differences in attitudes towards native Dutch or borrowed English swear words. While adolescents are believed to be most prone to swearing, this was not reflected in the findings of the current study, since adolescents did not rate their utterances as frequent. “Kanker” was perceived as most offensive and “kut” as most frequently uttered. Participants also shared opinions on perceived appropriateness of swearing in different domains. Moreover, Dutch profanities were perceived as more offensive than borrowed English swear words. This was mirrored in the perceptions of religious-related words: Dutch religion-related profanities were considered possibly blasphemous depending on the religious beliefs of the hearer, while English religion-related profanities were never perceived offensive. Note that “O my God” was perceived as feminine. Differences in perceptions on profanities between young men and women were found as well. Young men were perceived to swear more frequently, employing stronger swear words and perceived profanities referring to sexual orientation less offensive. Young women perceived swear words as more offensive and felt restrained by society in their swearing behaviour. These results are in line with McEnery (2004), who concluded that men are still on the lead in terms of frequency and offensiveness of swearing.Show less
Master thesis | Theology and Religious Studies (Master)
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While there are academic scholars who have been studying the perceptions of Muslims about Hinduism and Hindus (Ernst, 2003; Engineer, 2007), there are no academic works which specifically deal with...Show moreWhile there are academic scholars who have been studying the perceptions of Muslims about Hinduism and Hindus (Ernst, 2003; Engineer, 2007), there are no academic works which specifically deal with the perceptions of Hindu (mystical) scholars about Islam and Muslims. The purpose of this thesis is to introduce some Hindu scholars from the 19th and early 20th century, who have dealt with Islam and Muslims in their works. This thesis could be used as a framework to explore the Hindu perceptions of Islam and Muslims and therefore as an explanation for the complex relationship between Hindus and Muslims. The thesis will draw on the ideas of: Rammohun Roy (1772 – 1833), Dayananda Sarasvati (better known as Svami Dayananda, 1823/1824 – 1883), Vivekananda (1863 – 1902) and Thanwardas Lilaram Vaswani (better known as Sadhu Vaswani, 1879 – 1966) as sources of inspiration. Vaswani’s thought on Islam and Muslim will shed a new light on the relationship between Hindus and Muslims (for example when we take a look at his personal experiences with both religious communities in Sindh) in the late 19th and early 20th century. Furthermore, Vaswani must be seen as an ‘inclusivist’ Hindu (mystical) scholar who tried to unite Hindus and Muslims not only for a political purpose, but also on a spiritual level.Show less
