Academic literature on the topic 'Chapter 2. Household formation intention'

AbstractThis introductory chapter explains why organic waste composting is considered as one of the best examples to demonstrate the benefits of nexus thinking. Current literature is rich with information covering various aspects of composting process. However, it mainly represents two distinct fields: waste from the management point of view and soil/agriculture from the nutrient recycling point of view. It is hard to find information on how these two fields can benefit from each other, except for a few examples found within large agricultural fields/businesses. A policy/institutional framework that supports a broader integration of management of such resources is lacking: a structure that goes beyond the typical municipal or ministerial boundaries. There is a clear need to address this gap, and nexus thinking can help immensely close the gap by facilitating the mindset needed for policy integration. Good intention of being sustainable is not enough if there is no comprehensive plan to find a stable market for the compost as a product. Therefore, the chapter also discusses the strong need to have a good business case for composting projects. Composting can also support achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations. While directly supporting SDG 2 (Zero hunger), SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production), and SDG 13 (Climate action), enhanced composting practices may also assist us reach several other targets specified in other SDGs. While encouraging waste composting as a sustainable method of waste and soil management, we should also be cautious about the possible adverse effects compost can have on the environment and public health, especially due to some non-traditional raw materials that we use nowadays such as wastewater sludge and farm manure. Towards the end, we urge for the improvement of the entire chain ranging from waste generation to waste collection/separation to compost formation and, finally, application to soil to ensure society receives the maximum benefit from composting.

This chapter discusses the formation of the reinsurance contract. A reinsurance contract is formed according to normal contractual principles. There needs to be an offer and an acceptance of that offer to form an agreement, with consideration for the bargain and an intention by the parties to create legal relations between them. The relationship between reinsurer and reinsured may be one of utmost good faith when concluding the contract, but the essential requirements for the formation of a contract are the same. The final offer and acceptance are the mechanisms for the formation of a reinsurance contract. A broker is normally (at least for most purposes) the agent of the reinsured for the purposes of the placement of the reinsurance. Ultimately, it is always important to look at the reality of the legal relationships and not rely on the superficial appearance of who is making an offer to whom. The chapter then looks at the Market Reform Contract (MRC) slip.

Social media operates in the online environment, and the challenge is to enhance the end-user experience. The chapter asserts that the consumer experience and behaviour in the online (e.g. e-commerce) and offline environments have some commonality with social media. Building a successful brand online is a prerequisite for success, but fundamental to trusting brand beliefs is the ability to create trust and by extension commitment. The trust-commitment relationship is fundamental to brand building and to influence end-user intentional behaviour. This relationship is enhanced by physical means (website design [aesthetics], website functionality [privacy and security]); although these are important factors alone, they do not guarantee a pleasant online experience. Online firms like social media need to create social interaction on the website to communicate affective involvement. Online effectiveness leads to positive behavioural intention and continual repeat usage via attitudinal formation.

In this chapter, 60 reflection notes written by 20 students of continuing education for advisors in NAV are analysed. The research question is: What do the texts tell about the students’ learning within the relationship between theory and practice? The intention of the chapter is to shed light on how the writing activity affects the students’ thinking about their practice. The analysis follows two axes: on the one hand, the level of learning found in the texts is examined – how the learning is expressed in changes in behaviour/actions, and in thinking/assessment. The second axis shows the students’ capacity for abstraction (theory formation) and for concretization based on theories. When these axes are put together, four categories emerge, which show different nuances in the relationship between theory and practice: 1) Synthesis (think ‘up’), 2) Analysis (think ‘down’), 3) Concepts promoted for practice, and 4) Testing of new methods. The analysis shows that the students commute unproblematically between these categories. Practice is both a necessary breeding ground for learning and a benchmark for learning. Practice does not contradict theory. The writing activity helps to clarify theory and develop students’ abstraction abilities. The teachers’ responsibility is to formulate high quality assignment texts that bind together theory and practice and that would prompt the students to stretch their mental borders. The analysis categories developed in this chapter can help teachers successfully face this task.